Neon Nights

The year was 2067. It had been 11 years since The Great Liberation; a day in which the Acreanian citizens broke free of the tyrannical grasp of dictators, veiled as a mere democracy, known now infamously as Council of Watchful Jurisdiction, or CWJ for short. It had been taken down fantastically by the people, and The Revolutionaries of the time, and the overseers put into the ground by force. The country was now observed and ruled by the Board of the Crown, in which 20 members were cast in and drawn out by vote of the people, allowing for wide ruling and open-eyed decisions. Politicians worked to reach the top, be it of each province of region, sectors, or even the board itself.
Now, everything was at peace, technological advancements at an all time high. The glamour and glitz of the city was bright. In the day, streets bustled with people rich of unique background and diversity. Buildings towered high, as if a contest to reach the clouds. They were packed together, but beautiful in their own way. A jungle of glass and steel. Just as their was the glorious facade, there was also the decaying underbelly. A world of poverty. Nations like these hardly find success on equality. It is dependent on triumph of the lucky few, and the merciless ecological pyramid of economy. Living quarters small, packed on top of each, forcing people who can't afford larger to suffocate in the wretched spaces. Beggars tucked out of side in the alleyways, black markets in the underground areas, located in the poorer parts of the cities. The parts no one dared speak of, as to keep their ideas of metropolis a clean fantasy without flaw. Crime rates soared, despite law enforcement's best efforts. It was left to rot, and so were the occupants.
The day was June 29th, also known as Liberation Day, celebrated by denizens nation-wide. It was remembrance of that day they were freed. Often signified with drunken parties, parades, champagne, and fireworks. It was another one of those nights of the year where people truly let loose. It is also the day when prominent figures in society come forth to speak of that day, and how far they had come as a whole.
The sun was going down, painting the sky is hues of pink and purple, orange clouds reflecting the suns light. Dusk was approaching, and people everywhere prepared for the festivities, each window told a different story, each a unique world. Families, friends, lovers, all brought together to celebrate for a long and wild night.
One by one the lights of cities began to flicker on, and the dazzling day delved into a neon night.

(@Eluuna)

 

The sky grew dark around her, but it was never hard to see at night in the city, the world aglow with purple and blue hues, especially during such a busy event. No one was there to stop her, and the wind blew freely through her hair. It was perfect. The temperature was warm on this summer evening, and the world felt thrilling in its man-made beauty.

She would run for awhile, finding ledges with just the right angles and distance. Eventually, there was no trace of the sun, only the rays of artificial light cast from buildings. She reached a tall building. As she looked over the edge, she would see the main square of the city, alive with bodies dancing and celebrating and drinking. The first firework went off in the distance, the golden sparkles shimmering down into dust. It set off a chain reaction, and suddenly the sky was alive with movement.

 

It was lovely; a perfect night to some.

The door on the roof opened, and a young woman stepped out, holding a drink. She looked surprised to see anyone there, but approached nonetheless.

"Hey there. Mind if I join you..?"

 

She nodded, coming over and leaning against the rail, looking out.

"I was just taking a break from the party downstairs. The air up here is nice, and so is the view."

 

She had a kind face, light brown hair pulled back.

"Nah. My friend invited me. It's theirs."

 

She laughed, taking a sip of her drink.

"A welcome invitation. I don't mind going."

 

She shook her head with a smile before pulling away and starting towards the door.

"Anyways, I should head back inside. It was nice meeting you."

 

She gave her a small wave, heading back inside.

She was alone again.

 

Nearby, there was a golden flow, emanating from from a visible window on a building in her path. A man sat on a bed, completely still. He was older. She might have recognized the face upon closer look.

 

Another man came into view. Neither seemed to notice. She would see the bad sitting on the bed was a prominent political figure called Benjamin Tutlier. The man who approached pulled out a glass tablet, pressing a few buttons. Tutlier's face opened into four sections, pulling away and revealing a cybernetic endoskeleton, the only traces of human were eyes and teeth, both of which stayed in place. The man was continuing to fiddle with the tablet silently.