The Time from Before

Tremors

====
So.

I'm in the Navy! A full-blown sailor! I don't particularly recommend boot camp, but other than that, it's smooth sailing from here on out.

As you can see, I've been busy catching up with what I've missed. That, and I need to get back into my writing style. Hell, not typing at all for three months is not good for my workflow, that's for sure. That, and I have a new laptop, so a new keyboard with differently spaced-out keys. Yuck, but sure.

Anyway. Back to it! Oh, and you happen to spot Navy terminology or mixed Army and Navy ranks, that's entirely by accident. I'm still in that recruit mindset. Make a note about it and I'll be sure to fix it. Carry on!
====

"Hmph."

Pearl squinted at the city below, her expression a mix of boredom and barely contained restlessness. The skyline flickered with neon lights, splashing the darkened rooftops with bursts of hot pink, electric blue, and acidic green. The city's pulse buzzed all the way up here, a distant hum that blended with the low rumble of the distant traffic.

With the ACU at her side, Pearl had climbed up to this rooftop - a perfect vantage point overlooking the sprawling city and the old frontlines. The view was a mess of craters and scorched earth, still scarred from battles long forgotten. At least, to the general public. But Pearl wasn't up here to admire the view.

She just needed some space. Not to think - definitely not to think. More like... to exist for a minute.

"Warning: Sensors detect potential precipitation." The ACU droned from behind, its flat, robotic voice breaking the quiet.

"Cool, cool. Rain's just the cherry on top of my day." Pearl muttered, rolling her eyes. She flicked her wrist dismissively, like she could brush off the thought of bad weather. "Couldn't ask for anything better, right?"

"Recent sensor reports indicate recent precipitation in the area is acidic and hazardous." It continued, oblivious to her sarcasm. Its sensors whirred as it scanned the sky. "Alert: Thunderstorm activity detected. Estimated time of arrival: one hour."

"Boltz, zip it for a sec, yeah? I'm tryin' to vibe here." Pearl sighed, slumping onto the ledge, her mood souring. She dangled her legs over the edge, her sneakers tapping rhythmically against the concrete wall.

The wind tugged at her clothes, playfully ruffling her tentacles as she stared out over the city. Below, lights flickered, cars honked, and faint echoes of bass beats hinted at some party raging in the depths of Inkopolis.

...

It was noisy up here.

The wind muffled most of the sound, but the city's hum still reached her, bits and pieces of life drifting up on the breeze. Pearl was no stranger to noise; she thrived on it, fed off it. But it wasn't the kind of noise she really craved. That noise had rhythm, had a beat. It was the sound of life in a language she understood.

Music.

It wasn't exactly a... profound thought, but up here, she had space to reflect on stuff she usually brushed off. Music had always been her thing, her escape, her way of saying what words couldn't. It was more than just a job or a gig. It was her heartbeat.

And naturally, where there was music, there was Marina.

...

Pearl's gaze softened, her fingers drumming on the ledge absentmindedly.

Wonder what Marina's up to these days.

Probably something dope. Knowing her.

Pearl hadn't heard from her in a while, but it was whatever. They were both busy. Pearl had enough on her plate without worrying about her old partner. Still, Pearl couldn't help but wonder – where did all that time go?