When a supposed flapjack destroys Jekkh's planet, she relocates to a whole new system to start a new life. But after discovering her planet's long-lost artifact, Jekkh must step into a role she feels unfit for and unite her scattered people across t...
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PERSYTH
Camrun flipped the page of the pamphlet, passing time in the line for rations. The Caretto District's Food and Goods store was busier than usual, probably since the occupational results arrived earlier in the day. Residents often rushed to stock up in case their applications didn't fall through. Not that they could stock up much with their ration books, save a few coupons they might have stashed away over the course of the year.
As Camrun skimmed the words on the pamphlet, hope leaked from him like a faulty pipe. There were so many options he could take, but none were things he would want to do for the rest of his life. Or at least, do for two years before he could take the test again and pray the Sentry took him that time.
All the jobs were manual labor or something of the sort which could possibly strengthen him for the next test—if they were willing to take a risk on him. He was shorter than even some Persythian females, which was not a good image for him to get a job. Especially at his age.
He had stopped by Irks' place, but he didn't have room for another engineer at the moment, leaving Camrun with less options than before on what to do. He put the pamphlet back on the shelf. Every week, a new pamphlet was updated, the old ones recycled into the next week's issue. Maybe he could work in the paper factories, though that trade was dying out. Paper was being replaced by reusable tablets. Not that it was useful in the Wings of the city since access to the datanet was limited.
After a few moments, the line moved again and it was Camrun's turn at the Rations Desk. Usually, Mother took care of the rations, but she had to take Cassehl to the local doctor again since she had two attacks last week. Camrun was a bit new to the procedure, still trying to process glowing signs with vague directions.
He pulled out his family's ration book, sliding it onto the counter to a middle-aged lady behind a sheet of glass. The woman watched Camrun intently, pulling the book through the small slot between the glass screen and the counter as a warm smile blossomed on her lips.
Camrun was shocked to see dark hair streaked with gray. She was an Erran. A dark-haired one. He had seen a few from far-away but he hadn't been this close to one. From what he'd gathered, most of them worked the power or water plants in the Leels District. Away from Persythians.
Absent-mindedly, Camrun ran his hand through his golden curls at the thought of the racial difference. He gulped, wanting to cut off his hand at the gesture. He hadn't meant to draw attention to his hair, but the woman seemed to notice.
"You're Tahren's youngest boy?" the woman asked, snapping Camrun from his thoughts.
Camrun nodded, gulping back the thick feeling in his throat. "Camrun Kaence," he replied, trying to offer his hand to shake, but hesitated once he remembered the slide of glass that separated them.
