At Mei Lin's House.
The digital chronometer on the sleek kitchenette counter flashed 19:59.
Mei Lin stood in the exact center of her meticulously organized Sector 2 apartment, her heart hammering against her ribs. She smoothed trembling hands down the front of her pale blush-pink qipao.
She had spent the last two hours preparing the environment with mathematical precision. The ancient GuQin was perfectly tuned and resting on its low wooden table. A fresh pot of synthesized jasmine tea steamed softly on the counter. The ambient lighting was dimmed to a warm, inviting gold.
She was ready for a proper, civilized evening of acoustic resonance. She was ready to be courted.
Am I that obvious? she had asked Nikki and Roxy earlier that day. The memory of Roxy's crude, highly logistical advice echoed in her mind. If his kinetic output gets too intense, you command him to lower his velocity.
