Three days had passed without incident, and Cole had just returned home, after work, to get dressed, in his best clothes. It was time for him to go on a date with Alyx, and he felt confident that he had a good plan.
With a little bit of research, he had found an interesting establishment. It was a new business that allowed customers to create objects with advanced morphing technology. After witnessing Alyx's skill in creating his ring in Harbor, Cole believed that she liked to bring her ideas to life.
Some of the research he had done, explained how going on an exciting date that could make one's heart race, was a good idea. However, Cole felt that he and Alyx had already experienced many adrenaline filled moments together.
The shop was also a cafe, so Cole thought that it was the perfect place to take Alyx. Both of them loved trying new food, and the reviews painted a picture full of delicious flavors.
Cole tugged on his necklace as he left his apartment, wishing that he had been able to talk to his family about Alyx. He had still not had any communication with them, but there was a confidence in the back of his mind that they were safe.
He knew that he would not be able to fully expel the worry, until he received confirmation of their safety. At that moment, he had other things to worry about. He was still unsure of how to interact with Alyx.
After his confession, he had been awkward around her at work. Not wanting to mess up, or get her in trouble, he had maintained a professional distance. Luckily, while Alyx was at work, she was not very talkative, even around him.
There would be nowhere to hide on their date, and Cole was determined to make it the best date ever. He just needed to think of a way to overcome his social clumsiness.
If he didn't, he would ruin any chance of the relationship working. Cole chewed on the inside of his mouth, as the elevator descended towards the ground.
Cole shaded his eyes from an electric pink light, as he stepped out of the building. The city was alive, relishing in the night. A knot twisted in Cole's stomach, taking his attention away from the glowing city.
'I should just act like I did when we spent time together, before I realized my feelings.' The thought calmed Cole down a little. He had fond memories of the breaks that he had spent with Alyx, and even if he didn't realize it at the time, she must have felt his affection.
'It was enough to make her agree to going on a date, so I shouldn't change who I am.' Cole used the thought to fortify his resolve. Once he gained a hint of confidence, his body wove through the packed streets effectively, hurrying towards its destination.
For once, Cole was not in awe of the brilliant lights washing over him, he was too focused on making it to the cafe. There was no chance that he would be late, he had more than enough time. Cole picked up his pace.
Soon Cole had made it to the cafe, and as he checked the time, he realized he was very early.
"Hey Cole." Alyx materialized by his side, and Cole jumped in shock as he checked the time, to make sure he had not misread it. He really was early, and apparently so was Alyx.
Cole looked at Alyx, kicking himself internally as he took in her beauty. How had it taken him so long to notice how incredible she looked. She was not wearing anything he had not seen before, but in that moment, her radiance was more blinding to Cole than the entire electric city skyline.
As Cole stood in silence, stunned by Alyx's appearance, she walked over and attached herself to his side.
"Is this the place?" Alyx gestured to the cafe. "Yes." Cole managed to squeak out. The sudden warmth on his side was overbearing. Cole felt a flush running through his entire body, Alyx's closeness was too apparent.
The cafe was well lit, and through its large windows, a large line could be seen, stretching away from a counter. As the pair approached the door, they were stopped by a cheerful looking man, who quickly waved them by, once his scanner realized that they had a reservation.
"Have fun you two." The man called out as they entered. 'Have fun? How do I do that?' Cole's entire focus was on the figure pressed against his side, and he was not sure how he would be able to do anything.
Once they entered the cafe, they were swiftly directed into a second room. It was full of large tables, and there were lines on the ground around each table. In the room, an attendant greeted them professionally, leading them to an unoccupied table.
"Let me just activate the device." The attendant pushed a series of buttons on the underside of the table. "Alright, everything should be set up. The muffler is working perfectly, so no one will overhear your conversions."
The attendant gestured towards the lines on the ground, and Cole noticed a faint light distortion emitting from the lines, rising into the air.
"Have you visited us before? Or should I give you a quick rundown of how everything works." The attendant asked, once Cole and Alyx had taken two seats near the table.
"This is our first time." Alyx said. Her seat was a few inches away from Cole's, and he felt both sad and glad that there was some space between them. He could think clearly again, but feeling Alyx's presence so forcefully had been comforting.
"Welcome, I know you will have a great time." The attendant smiled, before breaking into an introductory spiel.
The attendant explained that the table could transform any solid object into the material of their choice. There were multiple ways to achieve the transformation, but the easiest was to give the machine an image of the end goal. However, Alyx did not want the easy route, and the attendant had to show them how to transform material by entering commands into the table.
Long bars of metal appeared on the table, as the attendant explained that the machine could not make something larger than its original size. The same was not true for the inverse, it could make something smaller. When Cole asked about the scale of the technology, he was informed that it would require an incredible amount of energy for the technology to work on a large scale. It was only possible to be used on something that was smaller than a human child., and the cafe only allowed them to transform things that were smaller than a large shoe.
Once the attendant had left, after finishing an explanation of all the rules and safety protocols, Cole was left alone with Alyx.
"This is a cool place. How did you find it?" Alyx bent one of the bars of metal, in her hands.
"I thought you might like it, after I saw how expertly you crafted the rings in Harbor." Cole lifted his hand, showing Alyx that he was still wearing the ring that she had created.
"You still have that? Maybe I should take it away. I did make it after all." Alyx laughed as Cole hurriedly pulled his hand away.
"I am only joking. I am flattered that you like it enough to wear it in public. So what are you going to make?"
Cole could see a spark dancing in Alyx's eyes, she was excited to let her creativity flow. "I am not sure. I am just going to try different things, until I like the result."
"That's a good plan. But what if you make a bracelet that can shoot out a spike?" Alyx's idea was ridiculous enough for Cole to roll his eyes, before he reminded her that they were not allowed to make weaponry.
The two chatted as they tried to make different things. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they barely noticed when a platter of food was delivered to their table. Cole learned that Alyx had grown up with only her sister, and had worked in law enforcement before becoming a contractor for the company.
He also heard all about her favorite hobbies and foods. He was glad that his nerves did not hold him back from engaging in the conversation, and they were lucky that no one could hear their boisterous laughs, and loud remarks.
After an hour, they were graciously kicked out of the cafe with their creations. Cole had tried to make a mini mechanical arm, but the result was a twisted amalgamation that resembled a rotting tree branch. He had struggled finding the right ideas to put into the machine to create his vision.
Alyx had created an intricate little box, that opened to reveal a spinning disk that created an illusion of a person running, Cole could only smile ruefully when comparing their creations.
Cole and Alyx carelessly strolled down an alley that was not crowded. Most of the time when they were out in the city, they were careful to stay in populated areas to avoid attacks, but at that moment they wordlessly agreed that there was nothing to worry about.
They had not been attacked again, and Cole hoped that the assailants had given up the idea of silencing the investigation by killing them. Maybe the cost of the first attack had been too high.
"There was a guy staring at your necklace in the cafe." Alyx mentioned casually as she stopped in the alley.
"They are pretty common in my home city, I wonder why he was so interested." Cole had been too engrossed in Alyx's company to notice the man.
"I think I have an idea why." Alyx did not give Cole a chance to respond as she reached up, tugging on his necklace.
Under the force of her pull, Cole's head was dragged downwards, and just as he was about to complain, he felt something soft pressing against his lips.
It took a moment for his brain to comprehend what was happening, and when it finally did he marveled at how the lips, he had thought looked thin, were so full against his own.
Unfortunately, Cole did not get much time to revel in the kiss as a message flashed before his eyes.
/Return to the company at once. Sara Chekov has been killed./