“The fashion scene in Caelum has never been particularly developed: not as much as the other nations, at least. For a land as frigid and barren as this, the people value utility over appearance. This proved especially evident as the wealth gap between the rich and poor gradually deepened over the last few centuries. When one cannot even afford their daily bread, what use is there in flashy silk and fluffy petticoats?

  “Grand General Xeros, however, thought differently. While he kept the simple and efficient designs of the workmans' attire, he also introduced a new line of apparel meant to appease the eye. These stylish dresses and suits would soon make their way into the shops of the Proletariat and Erudite, which the people greatly welcomed.

  “The Freedman, on the other hand, did not have the luxury of choice.”

  - Beauty and Fashion in a New Caelum: Penned by a local newspaper house, the Creaky Gear

  ———

  The Engineer

  The streets of Caelum are very much different from the lively brick avenues of Polus. With every step, the Engineer’s boots tread on a harsh blanket of dark grey stone - paved into what should have been a smooth surface; but marks and gashes from the constant bustle of the populace scuff the top. The roads are uneven, and if one does not pay attention, they’ll find themselves stumbling over some manner of hole or opening.

  But the people around it do not seem to mind. They rush on by, scarcely aware of their surroundings, and trample upon the nicked flooring with a surprising deftness. There are men dressed in oily pressed suits - women covered from the neckdown in large coats, skirts, or tailored trousers. Some differ slightly in design and color, but there is a subtle likeness bespoken in them all. They are made for utility, leather padded especially thick for the cold climate, and share the emblem of a corvid carved near the shoulder.

  It is a very dry visual, to put it plainly. It is as if their clothing was designed to blur amongst the muted buildings and alleyways - their individuality, character, temperament and uniqueness perpetually being drowned in a lifeless landscape of grey.

  This dreary place is only further darkened by the large shadow looming far above. The capital is referred to as the Ringed City for a reason; the upper layers hang ominously over the tiny specks of the masses. Those of the Freedman are granted little light, and lesser still in fresh air. They can only gaze up and dream of the day they might finally ascend.

  But for the Engineer and Aegis, this layer is but the first step before their true dwelling. Their assigned homes reside deep into the center of the district, near the lifts where workers are shuttled off toward the more affluent factories and workshops above.

  The Engineer notices a clear change in their environment as it moves farther away from the fringes. Unlike the previously cramped and meticulously-devised layout, there are gaps here—free spaces between each structure. It even spots a hint of green here and there; well, as green as one can be while smothered in a slimy coating of smog. Railings denote the differing sections, the metal painted in different colors for smoother direction, and large poles carrying maps are also frequently placed around the area.

  After a bit of exploring, the Engineer steps before a quaint courtyard surrounded in metal bars where a large complex lies at the center. The building is tall, composed of multiple levels, and is in the shape of a sharply-chiseled square. A metal gate blocks off all entry. The only way to get through is by checking in with the security booth nearby.

  The Engineer approaches the booth and waits for the on-duty guard to acknowledge it.

  “Hm? A new occupant?” The guard leans forward and examines the Engineer with a stern eye. Unlike the soldiers donned head-to-toe in bulky armors near the immigration checkpoint, this person is dressed much more simply, with a thin vest and lightweight gauntlets. Strange weapons are displayed by their side: the Engineer believes they are called firearms in this realm. “That’s strange, the orientation should have ended an hour or two ago. You’re earlier than expected.”

  The Engineer doesn’t know if that’s a bad thing, so it plays innocent. “Do pardon me, but was I supposed to arrive later?”

  “Oh, no. You’re free to come whenever you like. It’s just… normally, the new arrivals tend to get lost. Understandable, you know—this layer isn’t exactly small. Sometimes even I get lost if I don’t pay attention!” The guard roars out in laughter and smacks their knee. “We have to send some folks to round them up or else they’ll end up wandering the backstreets for days, and we can’t have our precious Proletariats-to-be dying off now, can we?”

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  There was a subtle hint of bitterness in the guard’s voice, but they hid it well and addressed the Engineer with a lively tone. “Anyways, your papers?”

  It handed over the documents and stood patiently as the guard, very meticulously, combed through each sheet as if purposely searching for a discrepancy upon which to pounce. Unfortunately for them, the Engineer was all set.

  “Well… don’t see anything wrong here. You’re free to enter.”

  The gates creaked and groaned, before parting inwards and allowing entry into the complex.

  Before the Engineer could fully enter, the guard called out with one last warning. “By the way, entering is the easy part. If you ever need to leave for some reason, you’ll have to jot down your time of departure in the record.” They raised a black booklet for it to see. “Gotta talk with the guard on-duty to get it. We check the rooms regularly, so if you’re ever missing and not in the book, well… you’re smart, right? It’s not gonna end well. Collect enough offenses and we just might mistake you for one of those seedy rebels.”

  “... Duly noted. Thank you for the advice.”

  The guard laughed and waved it off, turning their attention back to their other duties. “Heh, I’m glad we see eye to eye. Behave yourself now and we’ll get along just swell.”

  Finally, the Engineer makes its way to the complex’s entrance. Wide glass doors precede it, and upon going inside, a hall of vibrant red unveils itself. Those curious light fixtures from before illuminate the air so brightly that nary a shadow can be seen; and paintings and tables reside along the walls. It is not as flamboyant as the chambers in Polus, but the Engineer can see a clear effort to portray a welcoming space. The red is a bit of an odd choice, though.

  Besides that, doors with various numbers written upon the base line up in neat orderly rows. There doesn’t seem to be any difference between them, and the Engineer’s own abode isn’t all too far away. It merely needs to climb up an extravagant staircase, one with a chandelier hanging above, up the third level, and then take a key to the knob of a room labeled ‘08C’. The lock opens with a click, and Aegis wobbles inside to get a look at his new, albeit temporary, home.

  The inside isn’t anything too fancy, but it’s quite spacious. There is a living room, a lavatory, a bedroom, and even a nursery where it can attend to Aegis’s needs. Surprisingly, whoever fitted the room also saw fit to include various children’s amenities: diapers, bottles of milk, small clothes, and toys for him to distract himself with.

  The Caelum people are more considerate than it has thought.

  Aegis grabs onto one of the toys, some sort of rattle, and immediately puts his mouth over it.

  “That is not for consumption, child,” the Engineer says, trying to pull it out of his hands. The infant however grips on with a bafflingly strength.

  “Know,” he says, and chomps down harder. “But fun.”

  The Engineer gives up and allows Aegis free reign to terrorize his newfound plaything. Perhaps he simply enjoys the feeling of ripping something apart.

  It walks over to a desk near a window. Lying atop are various pamphlets and brochures that show in detail the various workshops above in the Proletariat. There are a great many: weapons manufacturing, textiles, construction and development. But the one Lucius has been assigned to, the Vulcan Workshop, is an oddity even among them. It serves as a testing ground for experimental inventions.

  The exact specifics are kept a secret, but the Engineer supposes it shall find out in due time. What matters most of all is the institution Aegis will soon be enrolled into; although it is less for learning and more a childcare nursery.

  ‘The Nox Caelum Academy of Excellence and Higher Learning’ is written in bold lettering across an elaborate pamphlet. A large building, covered in silver, is drawn plainly in the front and surrounded by a smiling group of children; but what intrigues the Engineer is how in-depth the writing inside explains the institution’s operations.

  Teachers are selected only from the Proletariat and above among those who have already proven their capabilities in the workforce. They’re subjected to a rigorous examination beforehand, undergo additional training to better handle the children, and regularly go through performance evaluations to ensure they remain dedicated to their duties.

  After gathering the best and brightest, the academy has created a program meant to encompass all fields of study. Their main focuses are production, development, warfare, fine arts, public administration, healthcare, and the study of Creation. Children in their earlier years do not need to pick a concentration and instead are encouraged to experiment: to discover themselves what they wish most to become.

  The nursery that Aegis will soon enter is much simpler in design. Infants ranging from one to three undergo a daily routine meant to strengthen their bodies, improve their health, and promote creativity through regular activities.

  The Engineer is not worried about his growth. Aegis is already much more aware of the world than other peers his age. However, a child is still a child. He must learn to mingle and interact with the common people, lest his development be hindered. Nox Caelum, while dubious in its values, is an ideal location for Aegis to learn. He will not be bound by the nature of his birth unlike in Polus where only the noble-born are taught greater education.

  But that time is far to come; the two have thirty days before they must part with each other. Now is the hour for rest. In the morning, the Engineer will explore more of this ever-shifting realm.

  And possibly meet some familiar faces as well.