A Seat by the Window

January 27, 2025

The cafe bustled with a soft hum of activity—cups clinking, the hiss of espresso machines, and faint chatter filling the space. Neoterra had a way of making even the simplest places feel sleek and modern. The overhead lighting shifted through calming pastel hues, casting an ever-changing glow over the metal and glass furniture. Star adjusted the straps of their vibrant bag, the Kandi bracelets on their wrists jingling softly as they scanned the room.

It wasn’t their usual hangout spot, but they were in a mood to explore. The whimsical name on the café’s window—Mocha Muse—had caught their eye earlier, and now they stood by the door, unsure of where to sit. The café had that sterile, hyper-clean feel typical of Neoterra’s design but softened by hanging plants and art installations that gave the space warmth. They spotted a seat in the corner near the window and made their way over.

It was then they saw someone sitting alone, focused on a glowing tablet. Their hair was impossible to miss: a deep blue that shimmered with bright streaks of cyan under the café’s shifting lights, styled into a long, DNA-like ponytail. Star’s first thought was that they looked almost unreal, like a character stepped out of a holo-game. Their second thought: They look lonely.

Star hesitated. Sonicori weren’t exactly rare in Neoterra, but they still carried a mystique about them. They were engineered humanoids, built with precision and efficiency in mind. Faster reflexes, sharper senses, enhanced intelligence, everything about them seemed designed to outpace humanity. But they also had a reputation for being... detached. Private. Not the type to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Still, the person looked so absorbed, so isolated in their little corner of the world, that Star couldn’t help but feel a pull of curiosity. They debated for a moment, shifting on their feet. Was it rude to interrupt? Or maybe... they wouldn’t mind?

Their curiosity and innate friendliness outweighed their nerves. Clutching their drink for courage, Star made their way over. “Hey,” they said, their voice light and cautious. “Is this seat taken?”

The Sonicori looked up, their dark blue eyes locking onto Star’s. For a moment, Star felt like they were being scanned, the other person’s gaze calm but undeniably sharp. Then they gave a small nod. “It’s free.”

“Thanks,” Star said, sliding into the seat opposite them. They set their bag down carefully, glancing around to fill the brief silence. “It’s kinda busy today, huh?”

The Sonicori made a noise of agreement, their attention already shifting back to the tablet in front of them. Star watched them for a moment, noticing the neat rows of data and diagrams on the screen. It looked like some kind of technical work, detailed and complicated. The way their fingers moved—swift and precise—was almost hypnotic.

“Working on something important?” Star asked, their tone casual.

The Sonicori paused, their fingers hovering over the tablet. They looked up again, this time with a hint of curiosity. “Just paperwork.”

“For... work?” Star guessed, leaning back slightly.

“Yes.” Their voice was even, almost neutral. “I’m a forensic science technician.”

Star blinked, impressed. “Oh, wow. That’s... really cool. So, like, you solve crimes?”

The faintest smile tugged at the corner of the other's lips. “Not quite. I analyze evidence. DNA, chemical traces, that sort of thing. It’s not as exciting as people think.”

“Still sounds pretty awesome,” Star said, leaning back in their chair. “Way cooler than what I do.”

They raised an eyebrow. “What do you do?”

“Interesting.” Their gaze lingered on Star’s colorful bracelets. “Did you make those yourself?”

“Yup!” Star held up their wrists, the beads catching the light. “I’ve been making these since forever. They’re my thing. Well, one of my things.”

The Sonicori nodded, their expression thoughtful. “They’re... vibrant.”

Star grinned. “Thanks! Vibrant is kinda my whole vibe.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of the café filling the space between them. Star watched as the Sonicori picked up their tablet again, their fingers moving with quick precision. Despite their calm demeanor, there was something about them that felt... guarded. Like they were used to keeping people at arm’s length.

They then extended a hand across the table. “I’m Star, by the way,” they said, breaking the silence.

The other regarded the gesture for a moment before taking it. Their hand was cool to the touch, their grip firm but careful. “Chroma.”

“Nice to meet you, Chroma,” Star said, pulling their hand back. “So, do you come here regularly, or are you just hiding out today?”

Chroma tilted their head slightly, considering the question. “I come here sometimes. It’s quiet.”

“Yeah, I get that,” Star said. “Sometimes you just need a space to breathe, right?”

Chroma nodded, their gaze drifting to the window. Outside, Neoterra’s streets buzzed with life, sleek vehicles gliding soundlessly along magnetic tracks and pedestrians weaving through the orderly chaos. The city had a way of feeling alive, almost sentient, but here in the café, it was easy to forget all that.

“You’re not from around here, are you?” Chroma asked, their voice soft but curious.

Star shook their head. “Nope. Grew up in the suburbs, but I moved to the city a couple years ago. What about you?”

“I moved here too,” Chroma said. “Neoterra is... efficient.”

“Efficient, huh?” Star giggled. “That’s one way to describe it. I guess it suits you, though. You seem pretty efficient yourself.”

Chroma’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I try to be.”

By the time they finished their drinks, the café’s lights had shifted to a soft lavender hue, casting a warm glow over the space. Star leaned back in their chair, feeling a quiet sense of contentment.

“Well,” Star said, standing up and slinging their bag over their shoulder. “I should probably get going. But... this was nice. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

Chroma looked up at them, their expression thoughtful. “I'd hope so.”

Star grinned, their bracelets jingling as they waved. “Take care, Chroma.”

As they left the café, they couldn’t help but glance back. Chroma was already back to their tablet, focused and precise as ever. But for a moment, Star thought they saw the faintest hint of a smile.