City to City

The rehearsal hall was a bubble of control compared to the sprawling tech-metropolis outside.

Delhi had risen like a phoenix after the Great Scorch. It gave them the sufficient excuse to finally change its urban planning. Its skyline was a mix of mirrored towers and vertical forests spiraling upward. 

Overhead, drones zipped between glittering domes that housed climate-controlled markets. Oh, and forcefield-esque tech that harmlessly drove away all the flies. One of the first things they invented and gave to the world in the New Age, actually. It was quite necessary. 

But inside was arguably more chaotic than anything Delhi had to offer. Much to Lena's chagrin. 

The air was alive with sound—the faint buzz of projection units, the rhythmic tap of shoes on the polished floor, and the low hum of Apex’s logistical AI coordinating the day’s rehearsals. Caden was too smart to be relegated to what amounted to receptionist work.

Lena leaned over the soundboard, adjusting the timing on the holographic petals that hung mid-air, waiting for their cue, her palm wrapped around a lukewarm bottle of water. Maya’s voice filled the room, rehearsing a verse she’d been tweaking all week. Her energy was magnetic, a polished brilliance that felt less practised and more instinctual every day.

Margot stood nearby, arms crossed, her sharp gaze bouncing between the dancers preparing onstage and Lena’s furrowed brow.

Cloud was perched contentedly on the control table, his tail swishing lazily as if the chaos didn’t concern him.

Maya stepped on, tossing a towel over her shoulder. Judging by the colour of her eyes, she seemed to be on a call. She loved doing that, updating her friends back home. Always found time. “Got it. OK. Nahhh, she’s lovely, she’s been good. Grumpy. When is she not?” She paused, her eyes flicking to Cloud, then to Margot. “Are we bringing the cat onstage now? Because I’m not sharing the spotlight with him. He’d outshine me in a second.”

Maya laughed, her voice light as she turned to Elise, who had been lingering near the equipment. “Elise, what do you think? Did I overdo it?”

Elise looked startled for a moment, then smiled faintly. “No, you were great. I mean, the crowd’s going to eat that up.”

Maya gave her a wink. “See? I’ve got my cheer squad.”

Lena watched the exchange silently, something heavy settling in her chest. Margot leaned closer, her voice low. “You see it now, don’t you?”

“Not now, Margot,” Lena muttered, her eyes fixed on Elise, who stood a little straighter under Maya’s attention.

Thump.

The double doors across the hall hissed open, and a troupe of bellydancers swept into the room. Their anklets jingled softly, the tiny bells woven with tech enhancements that refracted light into prismatic arcs as they moved. Their outfits shimmered with holo-thread, each movement sending ripples of metallic colors across the fabric.

The lead dancer approached with effortless grace, nodding to Lena. “We’re ready to integrate into the third sequence,” she said, her tone professional but firm.

“You’re late,” Lena said, straightening. She turned her head to cough, each one more guttural sounding than the last.

“Not late,” the dancer replied with a faint smile. “Optimized. You’ll see.”

Margot let out a short laugh, drawing attention. Lena, not so.

Caden’s voice came from the far corner, calm but distinct. “Margot, you do know antagonizing people doesn’t make them work faster.”

She turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “And you do know staying silent doesn’t make you mysterious. But here we are,” she said, not turning around.

HOTWIRED!HOTWIRED!HOTWIRED!HOTWIRED!HOTWIRED!HOTWIRED!HOTWIRED!HOTWIRED!

Lena stood by the soundboard, her fingers gripping the edge as her eyes darted between the dancers and the projection timing on her palm screen. The crew adjusted the equipment again, their movements quick but strained. Margot leaned nearby, Cloud sprawled across her lap, his tail twitching lazily as if mocking the tension in the room.

“Run it again,” Lena called out, her voice clipped. “Timing’s still off in the third transition.”

The lead dancer hesitated, glancing at her troupe. Their movements were still fluid, but the faintest edge of exhaustion was beginning to show in their steps.

“Lena,” Margot said from behind her, her tone low but pointed. “Maybe—”

“Not now, Margot,” Lena snapped, not looking back.

The music cued again, heavier this time, the bass pounding through the floor. The dancers moved into position, their holographic anklets casting faint arcs of light onto the stage.

“Stop.” Lena’s voice cut through the music halfway through the sequence, and the room stilled. The dancers froze mid-pose, their breaths audible now in the sudden silence.

Lena exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. She turned toward them, her posture stiff but her voice quieter. “I’m sorry. I’ve been a real ass today.”

The lead dancer blinked, caught off guard.

“I know you’re tired,” Lena continued, her voice steady but softer now. “I know we’ve been running this too many times. It’s on me. Let’s take a break—thirty minutes. No, sorry; an hour. Everyone. No exceptions.”

The dancers glanced at one another, then nodded slowly. The lead dancer’s expression softened as she gave Lena a faint smile. “Thank you.”

Margot tilted her head, an eyebrow raised as she watched the scene unfold. “Look at you, channeling basic human decency.”

Lena shot her a look but didn’t take the bait. “Go grab some tea or something,” she said to the crew, motioning toward the exit.

The team began to disperse, their chatter low but relieved. The dancers stretched and filed out of the hall, their anklets jingling faintly as they moved.

Cloud hopped down from Margot’s lap, padding toward Lena and curling around her legs. Margot stood, crossing her arms as she studied her sister. “You’re finally listening to the room. Progress.”

Lena sighed, crouching to scratch Cloud behind the ears. “Don’t start."

"No, really. I am not joking, Lena. Thank you. And thank yourself. Listening to others is what gets you ahead, not the other way around."

...

"Thanks."

"Apply that to Maya and Elise, and... well. If only it were so easy."