Generation: Future
Date: 20. December. 2019
Features: Virgil, Joan
Word Count: 1,188
AU: Human; Futuristic (?), Space Station!
Warnings: Incomplete

👓👑🌩👔

The world today has gotten colder. There's text and images that show it wasn't always this way. Mankind kept "evolving" though and now? Now the planet feels almost desolate; and if you manage to find your way onto one of the multitudes of planetary space stations or flights to wherever, almost everything is covered in a metallic sheen.

Virgil knew that if he pursued what he would have liked, he would have been up the figurative river without a paddle; there was no place in modern society for people like him. Vocal artists have been replaced with vocaloids, becoming an actor or host is harder than ever as the industry has become 50-60% saturated with actor-vocaloids (CGI characters voiced by a program) and dancing has basically become an artform restricted to vocaloids onstage and the precisely measured steps of couples dancing for events such as weddings.

So, instead, Virgil followed in the footsteps of his father's choosing. So, after graduating high school, he threw himself head first into four years of university to graduate with an engineering degree from one of the most prestigious schools his side of the American continent offered. A paper in a frame that was as devoid of life as everything else on the shelf it was situated upon.

He was currently three years out of university and all his fancy piece of paper had to offer him was an inspection gig. Sure, he was under one of the most respected companies in the solar system, but his job was fairly hollow. As long as builds followed instructions, the biggest infraction he would most likely be able to notate was a loose bolt or a hydrant an inch further to the left than it was supposed to be located. Not that he thought he had much room to complain- in this century, it was a fairly comfortable job to have. He wasn't upper class, for sure, but he wasn't exactly lower-middle, either.

So, he supposed, that's how he ended up here. On a flight to Station L-1485; with a landing scheduled in approximately 2 hours. He had never truly left the planet for an extended Station stay, so that would explain most of his nerves, but Virgil was well aware that he was more that just nervous for an extended Station stay.

Granted, who thought a Station inspection should last two freaking months?

Not Virgil, that was for frick-fracking sure! That aside, he decided to set an alarm on his Comm for an hour and fifty minutes, and settle in- praying that the next two months wouldn't devastate his own mental well-being, or what was left of it.

His room for the next two months was- to put it nicely- too much. There was no way on Earth- or on this Station- that he could accept his accommodations. A cursory glance over the Station map told him everything he needed to know- he was in first class accommodations. Rooms worth his entire year's pay- and probably half of the next as well! It didn't matter how little he would be paying for the next two months, the thought alone of sleeping in a room where his own clothes wouldn't be worth the space they were taking up made him feel uncomfortable.

So Virgil began his trek to the housing offices and immediately made his case to be moved. After twenty minutes of back and forth between Virgil and the manager of housing- Joan- he had received every possible reason the other could conjure for being unable to move his room. No other rooms, ease of access, allowed freedoms, other "free" accommodations- all Virgil heard though was that he was getting as high a VIP treatment they could currently provide for free in return for a pain-free inspection.

This knowledge just set his anticipation levels for the rest of his stay. With a disheartened word of thanks, Virgil left Joan behind and made his way back to his room. If he was stuck in first class, he may as well unpack and make the most of what was left of the day. No use wasting the free time he was allocated, after all.

After a few moments of aimless wandering through the room, Virgil made his way to his temporary bed and placed his suitcase on top, popped it open, and began the process of unpacking. Clothes slowly making their way into the closet and dresser; it wasn't long before Virgil was left focusing on toiletries and the few home comforts he allowed himself to bring for the trip. He knew it was pointless to feel regret about his current situation- this was the result of his decision making, after all- but that didn't stop the doubt the seemed to curl up in his chest.

Once his bag was empty, he moved it underneath his bed, grabbed the bear that he had pulled out last, and curled up with it in the middle of the bed for a few minutes. He wouldn't necessarily say his life choices were bad ones, but they had led him to this place of overwhelming disappointment in himself; and honestly, Virgil wasn't quite sure if he was ready to process much regarding that at the moment. Once he felt he had regained control over the negative influx of emotions, he crossed the room to the small table and grabbed his work case. The only set of belongings he had brought with him that he had yet to unpack, and it was strictly his work supplies. Setting up his work tablet, pen, and the paperwork for the Station that he had received upon boarding, Virgil pulled out the calendar on his Comm and set to planning out his inspection to the best of his ability.

Two hours later, and he was confident that he had a vaguely well-structured calendar that he sent to both his supervisor, as well as the Captain of the Station, and he CC'd the list of Leads for the Station his supervisor had sent him. A quick message and two attached documents later, Virgil found himself sighing heavily as he stood and made his way to the mirror. Making sure he looked vaguely presentable to begin his hunt for food, he grabbed his Comm, work badge, and the travel map of the Station- before jumping at the knock on his door. Exhaling shakily, Virgil went to the door only to be greeted by the face of Joan.

"Good Evening, Virgil. It was brought to my attention that you have not been made aware of the first class dining plan as of yet, and I am here to remedy that."

That was too many words for Virgil to willingly follow, "Hi, yeah, the... what?"

It was less than twenty minutes later that Virgil found himself in an upscale dining area that looked like a restaurant out of a dream. He only half listened as Joan gave details about seating and menu selection and all of the other mundane details that would matter for the cafeteria area from that day forward.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note!

Hey reader! First, I added the notes page the same day I added this chapter, so that's a thing now!

Second, I've been working on this chapter off and on since the previous one was uploaded. I wouldn't say I lost inspiration for it as much as I'm not certain anyone would want to read this idea as much as I wanted to write it... so if anyone would like me to continue this, let me know and I'll finish it up! I had all of these thoughts on where Roman, Patton, and Logan would be in this universe, and while I think it would be interesting- it would also be fairly lengthy.

Thanks for reading what I've posted!
~Lin