[5/15 - After Classes]
Stepping out of the hardware store, Clerval let out a quiet sigh and pulled out his Scroll, tapping the screen to cross another name off the list. That made seven stores today. From the moment the manager's eyes had landed on his Beacon Academy student ID, he'd already known the outcome, sharing the same fate as the past six—tossed into the rubbish bin—before he'd even left the store.
It looks like the general public really do not like working with Huntsmen.
He glanced at the time. Nearly four and a half already. Most shops would be closing soon; continuing the job hunt today would be pointless. Still, curfew was hours away, and the afternoon was far from over. And he had an interest in exploring more of Zone 8...
Earlier, while scrolling through part-time listings, a few locations in the commercial district had caught his attention. The map helpfully highlighted them now. He decided to start with the closest one—at the very least, it would give him somewhere new to go.
The Arcade occupied roughly the size of two storefronts combined, which was impressive. Stepping inside, rows upon rows of arcade cabinets and claw machines stretched across the floor. The selection was varied too, clearly designed to appeal to every age group.
A few steps away from the Arcade sat an Electronics Store. From the windows, he scanned into the store, finding the latest Scroll accessories to high-end audio equipment and household electronics lining the shelves. He took a closer look at a television set that came alongside a disc player and checked the price tags.
He winced; they were well beyond what his current finances could handle, so he lingered only a moment before moving on. Perhaps if he had more Lien, he could buy it to watch something.
Just across the street, he noticed a MovieRentalStore. It looked modest but well-kept, with a sign near the counter advertising a cheap lifetime membership plan that allowed anytime returns. He considered getting it but decided not to in the end.
Without a disc player or even a television in his dorm room, the membership would be pointless for now, and so he continued down the street.
At the back of the street was a Theater, where a massive billboard was raised, promoting the movie Crouching Lion, Hidden Snake, with vivid artwork and poses. He had seen many posters while searching for the location of his interviews, so it piqued his interest. Maybe, if time and Lien allowed, he could come back and watch movies here to learn a thing or two.
After passing by a few more stores, none of them particularly catching his interest, he found himself nearing the end of the commercial strip.
Realizing he'd wandered farther into the district than he'd intended, he turned back toward the Bullhead station, only to feel something in his pocket pulse to life.
He froze, hand darting to pat and fish the source out into the open.
The blue Velvet Key pulses with heat, almost in a heartbeat-like rhythm. A faint, almost unnoticeable whisper of a train drifted into his ears, even though no tracks or stations were anywhere near.
Instinctively, he spun around. There, tucked in an unassuming alleyway, stood a blue rectangular door with a card scanner. The Velvet Key in his hand seemed to pull toward it magnetically.
For a moment, his curiosity tempted him... But he decided to come back another time. With the Bullhead's next arrival in twenty minutes, he couldn't risk missing the train.
Resolving to return later, he added a mental note about the door to the Velvet Room to his ever-growing list of to-dos, slipped the Key back into his pocket, and continued down the street.
On his way back, a Grocery Supermarket he'd passed earlier came into view again, customers filtering in and out through its doors. Just as he was about to pass it by, a small notice near the entrance caught his eye. A job vacancy. He was certain it hadn't been there earlier. It must be a new opening. He tried to call the number on the advertisement, but all he got was silence.
He shrugged and continued, planning to call the Grocery Supermarket tomorrow.
Next to the Supermarket, a small Pharmacy displayed neatly organized shelves through its glass front, stocked with rows of medicine and everyday health supplies. Although Beacon already had a nurse's office, this place might come in useful someday, so he stored it in his mind as a mental note.
A few steps later, he detoured as he spotted a Bookstore—he had planned to come here earlier, and now here he was. Inside, shelves were lined with everything from educational to romance books. With so many choices and time of the essence, he quickly grabbed a title that seemed interesting enough on a whim before heading to the counter. It was fairly cheap for a thick book, too.
Walking past a group of friends who were chatting as they exited a Diner, he slowed down as he overheard something from one of the girls in the group.
"... afraid of us, it's such a pain! The food is actually decent!"
"Well, can you blame them? Superpowered people with weapons sticking out of their butts would scare anyone."
"Sigh, still though, it's bad enough that people don't like us that much, but imagine everyone just staring at you while you eat? I'd grow steel Guts like Raven, that's what."
"Don't worry that much, big guy; with us here, no one's jumping you." "Gee, what a relief you are."
"At least there are some places that accommodate Huntsmen. How about we go to the Knives today? Heard that the new waiter's a bunny-faunus Beacon Academy student!"
"Gasp! We are so going; let's go, people!"
Watching them run and disappear into a crowd of people, Clerval pocketed his hands before walking back to the Bullhead station.
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[5/15 – Evening]
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Back home, dressed in a fresh set of sleeping clothes, he sank into his chair and stared at the ceiling, wondering how best to pass the time.
He could either get onto his bed and read the new book he just bought from Vale or sit down at his desk to try and attempt to complete Professor Oobleck's homework in one sitting. Mulling over it, he decided to set the homework aside for tomorrow; he's more interested in reading the book with the interesting title.
Taking the new book out from its seal, he got onto his bed and got himself in a comfortable pose before sinking his attention into "Man with Two Souls."
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NEXT UPDATE: 18 March, Wednesday
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