V. The Experienced and The 'Former' Experienced

Some rooftop of some hotel at the main city,

Modern Earth, 20xy - 2weeks

Seria had chosen a quite good spot to have a view of the whole city. It was a sunny afternoon but she did not gave a damn about the heat of the sun. She was wearing sunglasses though. It was a weekend and she just wanted to savor herself with a time off from work, a whole week’s worth of work should get a week’s worth of time off too.

The rooftop of the building was absolutely not that high compared to the tallest skyscrapers at the main cities or like those on foreign movies. It was one of the buildings which height could be considered just at the middle, being at the estimated fourteenth or fifteenth floor. The area was spacious, but there were tall laundry racks aligned and standing in rows and columns at the middle of the spacious area. The white blanket sheets were suspended on those racks, being dried under the fierce heat of the bright sun. It was the best day of the week to do the laundry.

The breeze was rather cold compared to the heat coming from the sunlight. It could still burn skin if you just stay on a single spot but at least the gentle breeze would cool them off. But still one does not just stay under the sunlight for too long so she had to finish her business with the place quickly.

But that was not the case.

She could hear the fluttering sound of the cloth as the wind tried to blow them off the racks. She could hear the chirping of the birds as they tried to play at a free spot at the rooftop just a few meters away from her. The sound of the vehicles from the road at the very foot of the building could be heard too.

Well perhaps I won’t be bothering anyone here at the very top of this building.

All that she had to do was to wait for a queue, a signal or a sign. But what for?

“Siiiigh…… what’s taking him too long.”

The past week had been too stressful to her. First she had to attend a deliberation that lasted for hours. Then she had been assigned to an author with a reported personality issue, which she tried to talk her way out to her chief and was a success. Then afterwards she had been here and there to their main and remote offices that would not be covered by walking distance alone just to process documents.

Their chief had already talked towards Old man a few days before about being Anemone’s editor. For whatever decision Old man had chosen, she had not known yet.

“In any case, they’re taking too long to contact me, either one of them.”

Prior to this, Seria had already talked with Old man after being notified by the Chief of the assignment to Anemone. He was still reluctant during those times but Seria still needed to get Fred’s contact details from him so she advised him to take his time to think about the offer.

If Old man decides to take Anemone then it would be set that Seria will be Fred’s new editor, but otherwise, Seria will be forced to be assigned to Anemone, which she’s trying to avoid as much as possible. Only god knows what would happen to Anemone if her short fuse shatters.

Beep beep!

Her phone rang with an unusual ringtone that was like an old pager.

“Hello?” –she answered the call.

“Well guess what, you win this one again Seria.”

The one speaking at the other end of the phone was Old man. At that moment had just been at Ingrid’s apartment complex to notify Fred of the changes that had been made at their office and his assignment to Anemone, which he should have accepted already now that he’s gave a call.

“Tell me you’ve planned up to this extent.”

“No, it was you who have realized where you’re lacking and it was your decision to make, not mine. I still would like to avoid Anemone as much.”

“You know there’s an extent to how much you and the chief had to manipulate things around.”

“Don’t make it sound like we’re villains here. It was just for the individual and the whole company’s growth.”

“I think it the aim just aligned with your convenience, that’s all.”

“So, you could still withdraw your decision while you still don’t confirm it. I could wait all day.”

But Old man was determined already. He must let go of Fred or else he won’t grow. He had a good run with him but their compatibilities are just way off the mark. He had tried his approach with him. Having an adaptation worked, but the author’s choice was to make an original. Having the latter with his kind of approach did not work. He knew it was too early to give up but the situation was not some story of a slice of life series where perseverance and taking all the time one needed to produce results was the key to accomplishing something. One should not force himself to someone if it does not really work out.

What Old man needed was a change of pace. And if being assigned to a new author would bring him the chance to discover new things and gain further experience that would change his work style as an editor, then he must accept this opportunity with Anemone.

“What other choice could I have. You may contact Fred now. I’ve said my farewells to him as his editor.”

That was all that Seria had been waiting that time.

“Copy that.”

“Oh wait, before you hang up. I’ve had him make one final assignment as his editor. Don’t think I would go down without a fight. You’re long vacant as an editor, you need to de-rust. So I’ve had him make a draft which you should evaluate once you’ve meet up with him.”

“Right after our very first meetup, huh? You’ve become too sly. I’ll need to punish you for that.”

“Hey we’re both on the same level now.”

“HA HA HA!! Well, see you in a few days.”

“Ya, see you.”

The call dropped.

“Let’s see…”

Seria searched her contact list. She had saved Fred’s contact details just for this moment. All that she needed to do was to call him.

She hit call and there was a ringing sound on the other end.

It took a moment for Fred to answer.

“Hello?”

Seria looked nostalgic.

What did she saw on Fred that made her wanted to guide him by being his editor? What did she saw on his oneshot? She had never met him nor talked to him via phone or email. She only had his oneshot which she borrowed from Old man which she had gave a read twice: one on last year’s competition’s deliberation, and one thorough read a few days ago.

Perhaps it was her oneshot that had Seria laid her eyes on. After re-reading it she must have saw something which even Old man, at his peak of career experience could not.

It could also only because she find the story aligning with her interest to the point that she would have her personal taste weigh over her professionalism.

From the most professional to the most personal.

Well, I haven’t done this in a while so…

It was the latter, so Seria took the deepest inhale of her week, not to sigh, but to…

“ORA!! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO ANSWER?!”

“I’m sorry you have reached a wrong number.” –And then a blah blah blah blah barrage of multiple sentences Seria paid no mind.

Seria was about to burst out laughing. She was just containing herself from her amusement.

And the call was dropped.

“Eeh, such a killjoy. Well, I guess that’s it for the jokes, let’s get down to business.”

Seria redialed the number. It took a few more seconds before Fred answered than the previous call. It was obvious that he’s scared. Well Seria scared the shit out of him from the previous call by acting like a full-pledged gang leader so she was aware she’s at fault too.

“Well I’ve always wanted to try that, I guess I’ll try one more time.”

Fred finally picked up.

“Uhm… Hello?”

Seria answered on a provoking manner again.

“YOU GOT SOME NERVE TO DROP THE CALL OF YOUR NEW EDITOR, HUH?!”

The phone went silent without getting dropped. Seria wondered if Fred already peed on his pants and had to make a change of undies. Seria felt guilty for the first time.

“Uhm… I didn’t mean to scare you or such. Come please talk. Helloooo? Are you still alive?”

“Uhm… Old Man told us that the meeting with you will be next week, right?”

“Yeah, might as well drop a call to my new fledgeling. Say country boy, Are you a virgin?”

“Say what?”

The two continued to talk. Seria continued joking him while having a normal conversation time to time. She still needed to have a proper image on Fred as his new editor, but she felt that chances of that now would be low. She scared him twice already. She might as well portray the role until Fred’s impression her as a serious and top-notch editor would be cleared.

“Uh, thank you for your patronage.”

Fred finally said his regards to their first meetup next week.

Hmmm. I wondered if he’s made contact with Anemone-sensei now. That fooly assistant.

Seria suddenly remembered that Old man which at that time, was supposed to contact the Chief too to confirm his decision of the author swap.

Seria remembered that she had Fred still on the other line so she added up something before finally hanging up. It would be fine now to have Fred know of Anemone’s existence.

“No worries, no worries! You might also want to meet who your previous editor was assigned to, the pen name is Anemone-sensei.”

Seria dropped the call after a few more exchange of formal words.

The birds were still chirping at the vacant space near the corner of the rooftop. The cool breeze stopped and the sun was now even higher and was emitting even more heat than before when she arrived at the rooftop. Drops of sweat were starting to form on her forehead, indication that it was really hot. Her casual white cote on top of her camisole should do its job on reflecting the rays of the sun but her head was still exposed. It felt like if she stayed there longer she would get a heat stroke.

But she paid no mind.

“Why did I do that?”

Seria wondered.

“Seems like I’ve gotten a bit rusty from being a pro.”

What Seria wondered at was why she mentioned Anemone to Fred before she hung up. She had no reason to nor anything to gain by doing it. She never knew if Old man already mentioned the name to her. She just took it the way that Fred never got the chance to ask her who would be Old man’s new assigned author will be. It would be better if the news would come directly from Old man himself, rather than her, who will be just appearing as a new unlocked character from Fred’s story.

“Well, nothing much I could do now. I guess I should learn new things from Fred as well. Also… That oneshot…”

Seria then walked passed the rows of suspended blankets and headed towards the door of the stairs.

The scene where she left at was too calming for a sunny weekend afternoon. A while ago there was a shouting and laughing middle-aged woman talking on a phone but now it was as quiet as watching a river flowing downstream. It was a scenery where anyone who would find a shade and lay their body rest would be able to take an afternoon nap comfortably.

With the sound of the open door slowly closing, Seria headed downstairs.

---

Modern Earth 20xx – 8 (not fictitious anymore)

A woman entered the house.

The woman heard the sound of the door shutting by itself as she lay down her huge luggage at the side. She sat at the upper portion of the entrance and took off her high boots which should take longer to take off than any other sneakers you could wear.

She was wearing a black tank top and a loose cargo pants which was being held by a bulky belt. The fashion was not clearly something you could just carry for just a casual walk nor going on a vacation. It had not been trending too.

She looked like she came from a very long walk while carrying such a heavy luggage.

Did she hiked?

Did she went camping?

Did she went to the gym?

Her sweaty body was an indication that she had at least a few kilometers of walk from the station towards their house. Her body build was not of a body-builder, but at least anyone would notice her ripped muscular figure. She looked at her arms and flexed it. The biceps and triceps had been ripping and healthy.

“Ugh… It will take a while before I could somehow be able to bring back at least normal feminine-looking arms.”

She then looked towards her lower abdomen. The brick-like lines at her abdomen that was nearly visible due to the tightness of her tank could be seen whenever she crunches herself downward to reach our for her foot. She wondered if she was developing a fetish for flexed muscles.

“I guess there’s nothing much I could do down here.”

It was a healthy body but the woman seemed to be even more worried.

“Hooooooooh… Haaaaaaaaah…”

The sweat was dripping down from her forehead to her cheeks, and from the back of her head where she tied her ponytail to her nape. She was dripping heavy but she still needed to act appropriate. Resting starts now. She took a very deep breath in, and let a very long breath out.

She repeated it a few more times until she finally caught her regular breathing.

She was dead tired.

She looked up the ceiling. She was about to drop dead instead of further pushing herself to her room.

Then a sudden feeling of a cool towel covered her whole head.

“You could’ve just called us if you’re going home. Your dad could pick you up at the train station.”

“Heh… It felt like I needed some workout so I walked.”

“Gosh what do you think you’re doing? It’s almost fifteen kilometers from here to the station!”

“I’m used to it.”

The woman won’t be boasting her ripped body if it was just for display, so might as well have a proof that she could.

“But what’s this? You’re home all of a sudden. I haven’t got any notification from your uncle that you’re going home too.”

“Well the news might have not reached him yet. I’ll be the one to talk to him once I get the chance to.”

“What do you mean…”

The woman wrapped the towel at her neck at her convenience and turned her head towards her mother. She gave a quick smirk and talked.

“I’ve quit.”

“Siiigh… Not again. But why though?”

“Either I got tired of it or the job is getting more and more dangerous each day for me. Whichever it is.”

The girl looked like someone who had been away from home for a long time and just missed being home. It didn’t matter whether she quit work or she continued, her financial support and savings should sustain her needs for a while until she got to find a new job.

“Me and your father won’t have that much say in the matter anyways, right?”

The girl went silent and stared into blankness.

“Yeah, decision’s final. I don’t have regrets anyways.”

“Okay then, seems like you had taken a rest already. I’ll prepare a bath for you so you could stay at the living room for a while.”

“Thanks.”

The mother prepared to get back to the dining area to check whatever she was cooking at that moment. The woman stopped her.

“Mother.”

“Yes my dear?”

She was not a kid anymore to give her mother a hug or a kiss. It was an age where she could already have a kid, and a happy family for herself too. But still she felt like she still need to do it like good old days. It was not an act of formality nor an obligation. Her mother was not asking for it too. She just felt like it. She had been long out from their home. She just missed her parents.

“I’m home.”

“I know.”