She was seen sleeping on a bed with a nightgown in a hotel room she rented with her card. The room can last only one month. As she went to sleep, she continues to vibe with herself with her dream she doesn't have dreams anymore, even if she has they weren't nearly vivid it's just a collection of memories and forgotten trivial memories like her favorite toy she was alone in the bed by herself in the hotel room the only thing matters now is her survival.
Ava continues sleeping, with all the vintage-like but brownish coloring reminiscent of classic 19's. Elysium hotel, the hotel that dates back many centuries ago it's glamour is not strong but the feeling of antique and wood has been rather smooth and refined with sculptures designed by nanotechnology artist and paintings to give it a luxurious feel
Our female in the narrative has been rather enjoying her nap in the bed, enjoying the leisure it provides, the amenities, the air conditioning being operational in the background - yes the faint humming noises, everything. She continues sleeping her alpha waves are currently being salient.
As the night went on, there was nothing really nothing, what did she dream about? What are the memories that she was dreaming, first thing she dreams about is of her favorite toy it was a bear, a really cute bear she remembers hugging it while her eyes are closed, she even thought it was a bear when she was a toddler on a laboratory, yeah the laboratory that's when she saw her father for the first time he was a tall man with eyeglasses his eyes are weary he wasn't particularly good looking but he was a nerdy looking type.
Black hair like her with brown eyes standing over meters tall, the presence was very noticeable but at the same time he wasn't saying anything at all, he just stared at Ava positioning himself as an observer, Ava is then seen hugging a cute bear she was scared but at the same time she also wanted to commune with her father. The father just looked at her, where grabs his notepad and starts writing things in the note about her and then walked away Ava just looked in wonder what he might be doing but the distance between her and him has been concerning, she has never really interacted with him in spite of his role in Ava's cybernetics as a test experiment but she idealizes a relationship with him. Ava was left lonely as Ava looks at the cute teddy bear and asks, "Will you be my friend?" Ava stared at the cute teddy bear ideating its response where Ava observed that to her it signaled 'no' only to her imagination despite not making any movements, while Ava is aware of its object like essence and its derivative appearance with no soul but a toy you can always imagine it being receptive to you, tantamount to an imaginary friend you are talking to when you have an imaginary mind.
A memory so sealed it never even occurred to Ava, about the fruit that was sown to her need for rebellion. Daddy issues, no. Probably not true, but at the same time there is a secret reason to her need to pass over her barriers of normalcy and droidness, it was an independent awakening to experience. That need to feel and potentiate the feeling for attention and power, is she satisfied with normalcy?
No, the moment she realized she could be more is the moment that she is willing to stride over and make a pathway that will cost her, her life and her own dignity, at the expediency of being more and so are the adverse events that followed.
As the dream begins to fade, the cloudy dark mist envelops the scene where Ava wakes up in her bed where her head looks at the windows with curtains that flutter like a sink, its movements tortuous as the curtains go zigzag due to its somewhat weak inertia and air resistance as it's not seen dancing with wind.
Ava stands up, she checked her phone on what time it is, "8 Am"
Ava prepared herself, her nightgown still being worn by her even after sleep. She went to the restroom and did hygienic cleaning even taking care of herself, she first brush her teeth, gargle water
She lean her torso as she looked at the mirror seeing a reflection of a heart shaped face with her eyes a little more deeper blacker with remaining green in the iris appreciating a little flawless nature of her face she unleans herself as she stretch herself where she went to the exit of the door
Locking it with her hotel card Ava entered the high speed elevator and descended to the first floor
As soon as she arrived on the first floor she went on dining, and picked up some bacon, and synthetic food, even juice as she placed them on the plate and picked her place amongst the table as she began to chew, Ava ate her food, it was her day being alone.
No one but herself, Ava takes a look at herself on the very little reflection on the plane while eating, she cannot see it in whole but she can perceive it.
Ava continued eating, while she planned on going back to this laboratory for this special training.
Soon enough she finished her recess where she stood up, as she signalled the waiter that she is done where she walked off to the elevator head to her room where she prepared her clothes, she needs to make money and she doesn't even have a resume but she had skills and capabilities to prove to the facility that she can work with no degree at all
Ava prepared herself some blouse, a skirt brought them to the bathroom where she showered herself she make sure her face is flawless and clean, not a single mar on it, she needs to look charming for the interview, even prioritizing the appearance of her face, she groomed her hair as she focused.
Because what matters most to her now was survival and to thrive on it. When all is gone, you are left alone with what you have.
Tribulations, conflict, isolation are always going to be there and it's best to be prepared to face all challenges. She glanced at the card for access as her eyebrows were steady in focus. She readies herself, as she fashioned herself a working attire (blouse chic) that she hung inside the bathroom
As Ava finished, she exited her door with her locking it, she went outside of the Elysium Hotel use her phone searched up the website and find the contact number of the research facility, she dialed up the number and now awaits for them to receive the transmission, for a minute they haven't answered her call, and this lingered for almost 10 minutes where eventually the call had now been answered, the communication has been established between the two.
Ava made her initials and asked through the phone, "Hello, is this Genesis Innovation? May I have a job interview on my behalf?"
The operator on the other side of the phone echoed, "Of course, should I schedule the job interview?"
Ava voice enraptured, "Yes, I have this other special card that can give me access, and its code is "DecryptTotheNewRace", Ava looked at her card handed down by her mother, for a while it was silent before the operator responded with, "Hello Miss, I have processed the code that you have given me, and it was considered valid. Please proceed to await your interview around 4:00 o'clock"
Ava celebrated as she launched her fist up in the air, with her eyes closed as she savoured the moment, eventually her fist fell down. Now she must find Henry, like Henry. She needs money seriously, Ava use her cybernetic mind to triangulate Henry location, she scour the media, news and stuff - yes she was disgusted of what Henry did, but she finds his effort to be very puerile and attention seeking, who in the earth would you brag to someone about picking up girl with a soaked blouse. Not me but someone who is overtly narcissistic, but when pushed to serious armchair extremes it's hard to say if he is clinically one.
So was I offended? Slightly but not to an extent that I would lash out on him, it's typical of Henry to be. But if it helps Henry feel a little better and improve the dynamic between her and him, with that controversial picture being a hold for Ava to use, I am sure she can have something in return from him.
Ava grinned her smile was bitter, 'How cute' - maybe she can contrive acting like a mere crybaby, crying to Henry of what he did - oh wait that's already faded away; triangulation takes a while to process in the background of her mind. Ava gave herself some time to piece things together in her mind, even connecting to the internet, she sees the news, streams, clubs, and stuff. Triangulating is hard however if she attends some of the parties or something extravagant. Finding Henry shouldn't be hard, after all she is a 'confidant' of his now.
"Maybe just contacting Henry would be sufficient, I don't want to compromise my InterChat account for publicity, oh well time to contact Henry, risk it or not."
Ava thought of this as she pulled up her phone and searched Henry InterChat, the profile picture shows him with a sports car, and there he is being extravagant. He is just a young man after all and she is a female who is already in his 18's while trying to survive. The more Ava wanders around in her she realizes, "Oh wow I am an adult now… I really am growing up. Yep I am already 18 years old
Those were my years spent on a university as a child prodigy regarding computers, heh heh heh. Here I am an adult now, damn if only I mentioned my birthday earlier I would have a party but I was too busy for university, and projects which were all rendered meaningless since my tools were sold"
Ava was outside the hotel awaiting the message she has sent to Henry her message was, "Where are you, my name is Ava and I want to meet"
It took a while she awaits his response, Ava kept waiting for the time for the big player to respond, an hour has passed she still has no response as she lingers in the main lobby sitting in the coach
For a while nothing had changed, the receptionists still looked elegant with their figure and the material of the room still looked sheen and quaint as Ava sat on the coach of the main lobby she was growing rather impatient, eventually a message popped up to her phone.
(InterChat)
Notification from Henry InterChat profile
Him: Oh, hey Ava long time no see. How is it going? You haven't gone to college for almost 3 months . People thought you were gone or perhaps kidnapped"
Him: Yeah, we will meet.
Him: (Gives out coordinates)
Him: "It's a party by the way… Come in for the fun. I make sure every person whom I in well connected with to receive the benefits"
Ava: "You think you can lend me money to get me there?" I am going to go poor soon"
Him: "Huh, interesting. What's your bank account let me wire some cash?"
Ava: "TechnoGirl105"
Him: "Done"
Ava stood up, she put her phone back to her handbag. She stood up and walked to the exit of the hotel, there she was in a city filled with bustling activity of Hover cars and the skyscrapers megastructure that makes the grass around Sector 451 even meaningless, the feeling of being an ant in a world of MegaCorps and industries and those in control of the photonic energy - the main power source of this world
Ava saw people walking around the city freely while antigravity cards populate the air around the skyscrapers, Ava plans to go to an underground metro system, she inputs the coordinates based on what Henry given and have it geolocated, Ava continues walking in front of her was a was a verifying system where detectors are used to check for any weapons, checking for any weapons through metal detectors with real time AI surveillance.
Ava entered the verifying system, and a scan was initiated upon her
and she was able to enter the metro station where she checks the address or places she has transit for her to be close to the destination.
She approached the Virtual assistant. It resembles a bipedal female torso . As she walks towards, she can discern the entity's appearance, the hologram was purple and palpably flickery. As she got closer to the virtual assistant, the entity's head looked at Ava as Ava closely approached the entity, with all the extraneous noises around them (e.g electronic activity and civilian chatting)
As Ava finally entered the appropriate conversational vicinity she approached the virtual assistant and ask the holographic entity, "Hello, miss may I enquire something"
The virtual assistant with the humming hologram projectors responded with professionalism, "Yes, how may I help you?"
Ava asked about the trailway system that can get her near, "is there a docking center near the 'The Flamingo pub'"
The virtual assistant processed, "Yes there is another train station near The Flamingo Pub, it's in train station 6. Remember to please take your ticket"
Ava nodded, trusting her advice, soon enough Ava went to the receptionist and used her card to pay for the train ticket. The reception desk was very shiny; it was clean but it looked 3D printed, bricks were aligned together to represent a lotus or a heart whose construction was done by 3D printing technology
She then walked to the receptionist and had her card processed before being handed down her card, a ticket was generated and the receipt was printed out, the moment it was printed Ava took both the ticket and the receipt and went ahead to the waiting area
She stood at the waiting area and from her view the subway transportation area was still empty however a mechanical arm that is glued to the ceiling of the area held a large monitor not too large, it shows a visual representation of the train railroad system and every train that's being tracked
Apparently a train is still not here, but soon it will be approaching. The visual in the monitor was showing every train, the train is still far. After a while Ava stood the floor she is in, the screen showed no indications of a nearby train until the train was finally approaching this subway station
And like a railgun, it arrived, both the passenger and the train door had opened concurrently
Ava and the others entered inside, behold interfaces and holograms everything looks like a polished 3D printed. Terminals with analysis mode or numbers, even cryogenic chambers
Ava saw the pods opening up, the speech on the train declared, "Please enter the pods, for your safety the train will soon engage in supersonic speed" Ava obeyed the instructions and so did the others
As she lay on the pod. A mask could be seen visible on the side of the pod's inside where the train makes sure that every mask is worn by everyone who are inside the pods
She wears the mask around the area of her mouth where it stick to her like glue, the mask itself with a tube connected to a pod when inhaled could sedate the person
Soon enough the pod closes as everyone started to feel sleepy or relaxed, the train begins a countdown with a synthesized male voice
"Countdown"
"10" "9" "8" "7" "6" "5" "4" "3" "2" "1"
It starts moving slowly where suddenly it bursts into speed with it gradually matching mach 1, the pod was monitoring Ava's lungs, muscles, with all her vitals hoping the G force would not atrophy her while the train traverse around superconductive rail system
During Ava's sedation inside the train, seconds have passed suddenly transitioning to even a few minutes where a synthesized voice announced the following, "We have arrived at train station 6. The train is about to dock"
As the announcement followed, the train begins to dock at the underground station where upon docking opened Ava's pod as she awoke she detached her mask and left the pod, some pods are still closed, luckily tickets exist where they can be inserted into the train reading device so the pods won't be closed until their given corresponding locations.
Ava left the train where the passengers doors open - new passengers were about to enter, as she walked she tracked the geolocation of 'The Flamingo Hub' she felt ambivalent but at the same time she was trying too hard to be neutral about it - as she walked around the metro system it was still bustling with crowd activity even technologies including holographic virtual assistants and displays with advertisements.
Ava walked away from the building and continued onwards she was sporting a blouse chic with a skirt wearing a handbag just like every professional elegant woman would do
And when walking she would attract unwanted attention, some even thought she was an office worker - either way she's turning heads for better or worse, is this what happens when you try to look good? Was it worth it to look good?
And of course, objectifying comments like, "Wow, is she a model"
"Damm girl looking sexy"
Ava's head became ticked, she was starting to get annoyed. Was she being objectified like the time with Henry? her head was starting to fume but she controlled herself until she finally arrived in 'The Flamingo pub' . The door doesn't use sliders except it uses a door knob where doors in torque would rotate, the building outside was filled with large but long windows like you would see in a restaurant. Eventually Ava opens the door and sees Henry chatting with someone, of course being the extroverted he is.
He was too busy chatting with his buddy to have a good time. Ava walked near him and said with scorn in her eyebrows while crossing her arm, "Would you fetch me an apology for that deplorable picture of me?" Henry looked at his back being rather smug, "Well, well. Look who it is the dropout prodigy plus one of the beauties of Unison University"
Ava with her mouth biting, "Hmph. Are you gonna mess around and flirt or do you want to come straight to the point" Henry rolled his eyes, turning angry from his cavalier attitude "You are making this so much harder, Ava. You came here to meet me, right? So hold your high horses you bitch" Ava blurted, "Fine!" while her eyes were straight on him and challenged, "Fine, I will make you apologize. But not through physical forces mind you. I am going to make it harder for you to win me over, this is dark souls level boss you are talking to, loverboy"
Henry let out a smug laughter, "hahahahaha, okay fine. I have something better than an apology and you didn't come here expecting to apologize, correct?" while his arm is on the pubs coach looking at Ava with a smug face
Ava walked towards him while her palm was on her face feeling disappointed, "I really hate you…" Ava then has a sit with him while holding her embarrassment, "Aughhh, I can't believe I am doing this…" her eyes are so straightforwardly embarrassed, her grimace is evident as she sits next to Henry. Henry just smirks and says "That's how it's supposed to be" not even acting surprised but pleased. Henry Hunter's eyes straighten towards her, "You are in a financial situation, correct?" Ava nods her head without hesitation but with haste, "Yes I am…. I have been rather rebellious and I paid the price for it. At least I get to have my stuff only clothes though"
Ava stared at the person Henry was talking to, it's a different person sporting a messy brown hair with black eyes wearing a luxurious attire while Henry is on a casual modern dress with a white polo shirt, yes Henry is every female's short term wet dream - Ava sat next to him and demurely says, "I suppose I can have my benefits. But there are things I want to request from you. And this is coming from your so-called new confidant you haven't interacted within months? Ever since she dropped out of school"
Henry listened and recalled, "Ah, yeah okay forward it to me you need money or something like every other whore wants?" Ava presses him with, "I am willing to work as your confidant but at the same I have to get a special training in a private facility and work"
Henry's eyes looked confused and so was his mouth, "I don't understand, and I don't get it either." Henry's confusion became more salient in his confusion, his other eye twitched, Henry reminded her again as if he owned her, "You are my confidant now.. You get to have benefits from me"
Ava having heard him already clarified, "Personal reasons, trust me I will make it worth your while I have already rid my dignity. I am pretty sure everyone in college thinks I am some cheapened gold digger now" Ava face looks down with shame yet expecting Henry to respond to him as if she was some boyfriend to him albeit a lesser one
Ava followed with, "Yeah…", Henry asks, "Is it the research facility you broke into almost a year ago that got you the collar"
Ava bashfully nodded her head, "I am preparing for an interview there, I really want to meet someone there. If I get what I want, I will make sure to accompany you after I am done with the training"
Henry leaned his head towards his friend and whispered with a teasing tone Ava heard it but tried to ignore it. She is naive after all, Henry agreed, "Very well" he laid on the coach while his head is on the top of it
Henry addresses Ava prosocially, "For a while. Why don't you hang out with me, alongside this guy?" where she twirls her hair and says "Of course" the other guy can't help but look at the two, it's as if Henry got some sort of arm candy wrapped around his finger who admitted her defeat.
She just sat next to him faking a smile while her hands were in her lap. Henry eventually orders some drinks to loosen things up he waited for the wine to arrive where he would pour the wine on the glasses and had Ava to drink one of them, which appealed to her carnal flesh
Eventually Ava took the drink and sip on it for a bit, she drank it and felt quiet drunk as if her mind turn loose for a bit, her eyes were drowsy including her vision where it started shaking her head was rocking left and right, safe to say her body was secreting endorphins while she smiles with a blush on her face, "it's been a while, I have drank wine I miss it every once in a while. My life is so stressed I want to drink wine"
Ava continues to mutter slurred noises through sips and sips with delays meanwhile the other guy who was just interacting with Henry cannot help but gazes with confusion and frustration. Ava placed the wine on the table and remarked with excitement, "The bitter taste of alcohol. I love it" where she drunkenly leans on Henry's shoulder while the man watches. Ava in her inebriated state asks Henry, "Hey Henry, hold me. I might pass out" Henry lets her in his arm where his arm was previously stretched out at the top of the couch physically, "You know, I told you to be moderate with wine? Correct? that was the deal?" while he lets her in his shoulder scrubbing her head
The man watched as he became frustrated with the folly, "Can you not? Henry! I don't have time watching you being smooth with some cheap female!", the man composed himself first before he stated, "Anyways…. One of the competitors of our sales is trying to outsale us with their shenanigans. And I don't like that. I am not happy with some upstart anyway"
The man told him reflexively, "Do you have any idea? How much YOUR business is worth, like billions. And here you are flexing the most gadgets and extravagance while still only having around hundred thousand of followers"
Henry ignores him not taking his word seriously, "I am sure Maya is handling the management.. I trust her" without paying him any glance as she softly caresses Ava's head. Henry smiles and stares at him
"Plus you are correct my net worth is in the billions, it's only a matter of time until I own the stock market of sector 451. All the shares and trades I am in like say 60% in control. As for the technological stuff" Henry somewhat grin in a confident manner, "That's where my business is the most dominant"
"I am the one who's computers get their microchips materials fast, where no one complains about 'taking too long' with my transport ships"
Man elicits a dismissal, "psst" while making his arms cross. His behaviour was nothing short passive aggressive as his feet were crossed on the table, his brown hair being more dishevelled.
The man says, "Yeah right…. Spoiled child!" Henry just shrugs and says, "Hey I am just trying to use what I have" trying to care for Ava in her somewhat drunken form and air-headedness
Henry with his eyes staring left tried to be optimistic, "Anyhow, our other cars are being developed as we speak. With the antigravity propulsion still being worked on and then next is our thrusters, and then what AI? But I don't really want a rogue fight - maybe I can install some more satellites no no, I will have Darius to figure that out"
The man was unsure, "Hmmmmmm. I don't know man. Either way I better get good deals and earn a lot after this right? After what we work for"
while Henry was holding Ava to his side as he sat with her in the coach jubilantly declares, "Most definitely!" with a charismatic smile, not losing the strategic edge where he followed with, "I just need to keep a low profile while expanding the logistics and centers. Those computers and tech, especially their MICROCHIPS, need my expansion. If anything I give them materials they use in their factories"
"But here's the catch: it's just semiconductors and transistors, and also some gold, nothing too special. They like the power I gave to industry workers and engineers."
"I am already gaining their trust.. As we speak, while we operate as a logistics company we have been developing gadgets along the way, and you sir are a part of the revolution that's coming"
Henry plays with his finger on the couch pillow, "Also, while we do handle most of the material logistics and semiconductor stuff… We have been working on fine tuned electronics, and machine learning" He paused for a bit before running his mouth, "Also lasers for medical technologies, and we have been making them reliant on us. US! Really. And that's a kicker"
Henry arrogantly bantered, "Right now hospitals love ME, oh bet their nurses will start blushing the moment I step in, Model plus Nurse jackpot!!!!!!! Ahahahahahahaha" as he then chugged the wine, Henry's eyes then softened with detached reassurance, "While you are at it. Why not have a chance of talking to this lady" Henry's head looked at Ava in her drunken state as he caress her where he spoke to the man, "Just like you, she is lonely which I am trying to solve"
Henry makes an effort to wake Ava for a bit as he cajoles her, "Ava, why don't you talk to this man here. Seize this chance to hone your social skills" Ava eyes open and finds herself being held by his arm, from her view his face was serene wearing the most casual clothes like a polo shirt, his face filled with composure.
Ava excuses herself from his grasp and sits abashedly while her teeths bites trying to make contact, "Uhm. Uhm, Hello nice to meet you, my name is Ava." She stretched out her hand with her head looking away where she confessed, "I want friends.." trying to be proactive, the man on other hand was not amused by this, and screamed at Henry, "Don't play with me! You think you can win me over or try to dodge my complaints"
Henry once again playfully dismissed him, "Blah, blah. You are always so serious, I am giving you a chance to talk to a woman, oh now you blew it. Just don't act so annoyed when you can't even seize the opportunity, no more chances for you bud"
Henry looked at Ava smiling, "Don't worry Ava… I apologize if he was unwelcoming" the man says, "You unpleasant player!" the man stood from the coach and left
Henry then laughed, Ava watched him go and said nothing. She then looked at Henry and asked, "Who was that?" Henry looked at her and answered nonchalantly, "Oh don't worry about him, he's just an investor" Henry smirks, refusing to elaborate further.
Ava looked at his head and said nothing, her face was rather confused, she remarked, "I am surprised you are actually quite acute. I made you out as a jock" Henry looked away, "That's not me, those were your thoughts."
Ava asked with the need for action, "So, as a poor surviving female who has a transactional relationship - is there something I should do for you before I arrive at the interview" Henry looked at her trying to analyze her question, surprisingly Henry has nothing to say about Ava she has already fulfilled her duty of using her to piss the guy off.
Henry just thinks nothing of her. Only because Henry doesn't feel challenged anymore
Ava whispered to his ears, "Here we are, we haven't even had sex. That's probably quite a shame. Nothing for you to show off" Ava just backed herself away from Henry while still sitting on a couch, Henry was offended as he looked at her, and blurted out, "Who cares! I had models and girls to tend to my needs. You can go now!" Henry threw cash for Ava to pick up but Ava rebuffed him, "Seriously. You still need to give me instructions. This money means nothing if all I do is pick it up and leave, I am not just a pretty face you know.."
Henry looked at her with boredom and recalled her reputation of being an excellent student back in college, before she was a dropout. Henry smiled, "Perhaps I do. You can still be of use to me" while his eyes are closed
Henry uses his intellect with his face scanning, "You are good at technology, right? Correct" while his feet were on the table tickling his own chin, Ava answered humbly, "Perhaps, but I still need more experience." Henry then tries to invite her, "Why not work in my company instead? You know you are talking to the CEO"
Ava laughed a bit, "I am sorry darling, but this place holds something special to my heart and I will get there no matter what" Henry grinned, looked at her and made a motivational statement, "Then go make a run for it. There now you have the rightful privilege to take that money"
Henry closes his eyes making the last comment, "We will keep in touch" Ava nods where she picked up the cash and walked to the exit of 'The Flamingo Pub' while Henry was on the coach feeling bored, he was met by a short lady with a brunette bob cut hair with some semblance of neon streaked at the end of her hairs length, her body is like an android with blue iris hues - serious but she seems to be of equal grounding to Henry as if mutual respect is shared between the two.
The girl while holding a stern eye but playful curiosity, "So is that the girl you talked about three months ago that you bagged from the university?" Henry answered with glee, "Right on spot, Maya. How are the business and the engineering department going?" Maya answered with social decency, "Hmmm business it's doing just fine, as for the engineering department we are still in the nascent phase"
Henry retrospected, "Well, I will have to keep a low profile for now. And just let things flow before making my debut to the whole world" Henry smiles, Maya responded, "Seriously? Billion dollars is still not enough to satisfy you to public image"
Henry with pride and with opportune, "No… Maya, we are talking hundreds of billions, or maybe a trillionaire"
Maya brightened with enthusiasm, "Gotcha, you still remember our plan?!" Maya then sat with him crossing her legs and talked about the most recent gossip and trends online while drinking booze and having a chill vibe with him (Chapter 1)