From the distance, a blue, black, and leather blur seems to come towards Sunny Smiles apartments. It's Elara on her dark blue motorcycle. Her helmet fully covers her face. She currently has a leather jacket with a white cropped cami underneath showing off her navel piercing with jeans and boots accompanying her fit. Eventually, Elara arrives in front and waits for Riri. Riri raises her hand as she appears outside, smiling softly.
Elara takes her helmet off to show off her glistening self, "yo Ri, how'd you like my entrance?" On this motorcycle is a sidecar with a helmet in it.
"It couldn't have been cooler." Riri almost seems to be blushing.
Elara grins, "well come on, let's go have some fun. I have some places I wanna show ya." The door to the sidecar is open. In it, red leather seating accompanies a helmet that seems like it'll fit Riri well.
Riri nods and sits in the sidecar, holding the helmet. "I'm a little nervous, never done this before."
"You'll be fine Riri, just trust me okay?" Elara smiles and puts her helmet on.
"I trust you, yeah." Riri fits her helmet on and calms down.
They speed off towards Central Square for their first of many stops, the first of which is a pizza shop called Central Heart Pizzeria. “And we’re here. Hope pizza’s okay for you?”
Riri takes her helmet off too. "I'll go wherever you want to go. That sounds nice."
"Awwright, come on!" They go inside.
Once inside the scent of freshly baked pizzas can be smelled. A person at the register waves at the two, "hello! Welcome to Central Heart Pizza! Can I take your order?" The menu is simple enough, there's pizza and there's beverages. That's it. Slices of pizza spin in a small display case, and workers behind the register continuously add more freshly baked pies onto the case. Some seem to disappear as well, though those all come from their own case for a certain delivery company in Capital City.
"Whatcha feeling?" Elara asks Riri. Pizzas of all kinds are available, and there's a sign that says if it's not available, to just ask and it'll be made fresh and hot.
"I'm up to have you surprise me. I'm too indecisive, haha." Riri answers.
Elara smiles, "okey dokey, go grab a seat. I'll be over shortly."
There are a lot of tables in this restaurant, many that have a window seat and some near some strange yet interesting pieces of modern art. "Okay, sure." While the art does interest her, Riri takes a seat near a window instead.
Elara finds her way with a tray of plates and cups to where Riri is at, "awwright Ri, let's eat. Been wanting to check this place out for a while." The pizza is all good smelling, most with very ordinary toppings, like pepperoni, mushrooms, italian sausage, etc, though there are couple that have what look like glazed apples, streusel, and icing on them
"They had something called dessert pizza. Looked pretty okay." She starts eating
"I shouldn't be surprised since 'pizza' is in the name of this place, but I did not expect dessert pizza to be a thing that exists." Riri says as she starts eating too.
Elara giggles, "me neither. This place is really cool, plus the art on the walls is interesting. Like that one over there is the founding of Capital City? I think anyway." The pizza tastes like pizza, it's hot and savory, not too spicy. The dessert pizza tastes like an apple pie, but with a cinnamon roll styled crust.
"I'd love to look at the art when we're done. I'm not sure many people can say they've treated a pizza place like a museum, haha." Riri giggles.
Elara nods they continue eating. Eventually, they finish and get up. "Alright, wanna check out the art?"
Riri finishes her food and wipes her face before standing up. "Yeah, ready now."
Elara takes the tray and trashes it before leading the way to the different art pieces. The first piece they walk in front of is a somewhat abstract painting of a cloaked being standing in the middle of a street, they seem to have their hands up and pointed to the sky. It appears to be at night and a full moon is seen in the sky. A caption underneath it states it was painted by someone named 'Troy Smith' with the title of 'The Magical Explosion'
"Huh. That's uh certain a painting to have in a pizza joint." Elara tilts her head Elara looks unsure of herself while looking at it.
"It seems strange, yeah." Riri shares the uncertainty after seeing her face. "Have you heard of the artist before?"
Elara blinks a few times before responding, "wha- huh? Oh uh... no, I haven't." Elara lies. "Let's go onto the next one shall we?"
"I won't pressure you but you don't have to hide things from me, I promise. Yeah, let's move on." Riri seems a little upset but she doesn't respond with any aggression.
Elara sighs as they walk down to the next painting, "I'll uh.. tell you later."
Riri nods and walks with them. "I understand, sorry. I didn't mean to bother you." The second piece is a collage of old-timey photographs showing Capital City pre-Magical Renaissance. It is a very normal looking city with only one district according to the map included. In fact the name of the city wasn't Capital City back then and instead called "Nova City." A caption underneath states the collage was given to Central Heart Pizza in the 1960s by a collaboration between the Nightshade, Solaire, and Estelle families of Nova Industries.
Once again, Elara stares at the art, taking in all of the details. One word escapes her mouth, "Estelle?"
"Huh." Riri wonders what is happening. "I'm starting to think I need to take some history lessons here."
Elara turns her head, "I'm starting to agree. I... I've never heard the name Estelle brought up before? Uhhhh right, third painting. And then uh I wanna do something else. Okay?" Judging by her tone, her heart seems to be racing.
"I'm down to do whatever you want, yeah. I'm not sure who that is either." Riri nods to her.
The final painting in this hallway is a watercolor of a lunar eclipse. Below it is an aerial photo of the modern Capital City, thus giving this strange feeling. The shape of the city is visible from this piece, as it looks like a misshapened octagon with a square cut out in the middle for Central District and lots of green surrounding it for the Outskirts. No other cities can be seen, though they exist... right? Just looking at it serves an odd feeling.
A caption underneath it calls it "Nova City - Reborn into Capital City"
"I'm not sure if I'm paranoid but this is making me uncomfortable. Ready to leave when you are." Riri is quiet.
"Trust me, I'm feeling the same way," Elara shudders and leads the way out of the building. "Right uh next place?" Elara looks nervous but hides it the best she can while getting on her motorcycle
Riri nods. "Uh, yeah. I'm down to go somewhere more quiet. I'm uncomfortable with all the eclipse imagery around here."
Elara sighs. "Same here. But hopefully after the next one, everything will be okay and the chaos from two warring families will be over." After Riri gets in her seat, Elara speeds off to their next destination. They arrive a few minutes later at a park with lots of benches, a walking trail, and a small pond. The trees are dead unfortunately due to it being winter still, but there's still lots of seating and an unobstructed view of the sunset coming up. "Gosh, this place is pretty. I just wanted to watch the sunset, if that's okay." Elara mentions and parks her motorcycle.
Riri stands up and smiles. "Yeah, seeing the sunset is more than okay with me. Feels nice to be somewhere serene."
Elara smiles and nods, "thank you Riri. And I agree, after all of... that, I could use a place to collect my thoughts." Her tone is pleasant but it has an uncertainty to it.
Riri offers her a hand and speaks softly. "Then should we find somewhere to sit? I can tell you're still slightly shaken."
Elara takes her hand, it's somewhat shaky. "Thank you, Riri. And lets." They find a picnic bench under a canopy to watch the sunset. There are no trees blocking the view, so nearly perfect. There are tall buildings in the distance and with the sun setting, it gives off an oddly surreal shadow, but it's not weird or discomforting to see. "thanks for coming along with me by the way. It's been nice to see you again."
Riri takes a seat. "And thank you for letting me come with you. I'm sorry for not being around as often as I should be."
Elara smiles wistfully, the beauty of the sun setting coupled with her current emotions inspires a strange mix of feelings. It's something they're not exactly used to. "So uh pretty ain't it? The clouds, the shadows."
Riri seems tired and talks before thinking. "It is pretty, much like you are. And hopefully things will be better in the city some day. Can't say I've talked to many people here but they all deserve better."
Without turning her head, a scarlet blush invades her tanned skin and a couple tears drop. "I agree. This city, this world deserves better. I am tired of seeing the chaos between families overtake everything in this city. Regardless, I am glad we're not doing this alone." After wiping her eyes, she turns to Riri, "thank you for being my first friend."
The sun is nearly set and a purply dusk with some stars replaces the bright nearly spring sky.
Riri looks up at the sky. "I'm glad too. Do you think we should head home soon?"
"Yeah I'm ready." Elara leads the way back to the motorcycle. They then ride back to Sunny Smiles.