Spring in the city was always accompanied by the scent of flowers. The whisper-sweet aroma would settle over the lattice of streets, inexplicable. No one understood how it had come, and why it would pass, but spirits would lift, an unconscious flicker of warm expectations. It was a reminder of green, soft things, amidst a city dedicated to glass and concrete, neon and sparks.

New Matrica was a sprawl of techno-jungle, of tangled bazaars that buzzed with activity, of massive, humming factories. The streets were narrow and crooked; exhibits of billboard art, theaters of street performers. The density of life that passed through them was matched only by the airails that looked down on such avenues.

Massive, humming cables sent the railpods rattling across the city, teardrop-white and blurring with speed. On the south side, one hurtling railpod jerked to a temporary stop.

Jostled by his fellow commuters, Harry stumbled off the train and onto the Reding Station platform. He didn't mind the crowds; there was a lightness to his step, a cheerful bob of his head.

Harry sauntered through the station, passing the lift that allowed egress down to the streets below. Past the flooring's tiled mosaic, monitors blaring corporate jargon.

Harry stopped at the very edge of the platform, where the structure's overhang was cut short. He welcomed the sensation of sunlight, of the heat. Better yet, away from the railway's metallic stink, Harry could smell the promise of spring.

He settled down to wait, leaning against the iron railing. Sprawled out before him was Reding, the neighborhood a tangle. The buildings were cozy in their antiquity, a warren of stone-and-brick facades. Its homes and artisan shops stark against the sleekness of the city. Harry adored its Neo-Romantic charm.

Reding had an air of sentimentality, right down to its bones, and Harry imagined countless couples walking hand-in-hand over the cobblestones.

It was why he insisted on meeting Annika there; to fulfill his own springtime couple-fantasies.

It had been a week since he'd proposed to her, and their engagement had left him ecstatic. Since then, Harry had been overcome once again with that giddy, nervous energy shared by newly-blossoming lovers. He felt the delicate happiness of a schoolboy, overcome by love, terrified of losing it.

Annika would giggle at his excitement, blame it on the advent of spring.

"It's traditional," she'd said, smiling. "The smell of roses each year- don't be coy, Harry! I know why you waited so long to propose."

Harry laughing, then pausing to glance at her, cock-eyed. "How can you tell it's roses?"

Annika had shrugged, her expression drifting, almost dreamy. "Well..." she trailed off, a sudden furrow marking her brow, before just as quickly passing. She brightened up, like sunlight burning away mist. "Because it's the most romantic flower, of course!"

Harry snapped out of his thoughts with a jolt of recognition. Behind him, someone was calling out his name. He turned his back to Reding and spotted Annika by the station's entrance, her wild hair flouncing as she hurtled toward him.

"Hey," Harry said, mildly surprised, as they embraced. "You're actually on time."

She gave him a look, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "Don't get used to it- work ended early today."

He shrugged, smiling. "I'm a little disappointed, actually. The view's great from here." Annika mock-pushed him as they wandered toward the lifts. Truthfully, he really didn't mind her scattered lifestyle; it was an endearing reminder that her tech-obsessed mind worked in jumps and leaps he just wasn't capable of.

"There was another blackout today," Annika said. "Took out most of Central. Made us leave while the support teams took over."

Ah. Harry nodded. They're wasn't much that could pull her away from a project, otherwise.

They stepped onto the lift. The rush of people had receded by then, and they had the little pod to themselves. As the capsule gently descended, Harry took the opportunity to sneak in a kiss or two, to Annika's delight.

She roared with laughter, gripping him back. "It's like we're back in college, Harry!" She pantomimed a frown, taunting him. "Now you're a serious working man."

"One of us has to!" he replied, plaintively, as she pulled him off the lift and onto the street.