The light of the suns only ever met the ground for a few minutes and only in a few places in the city surrounding the spire. As a consequence, ground dwellers were primarily dependent on artificial light, which itself was much more prevalent in some places than others. Vivian was walking around at the edge of one of the more brightly lit areas, a district known for being particularly favored by those that lived above.

Officially, the high-class clientele visited the district for a taste of the unique subculture that has grown from the ultra-urban locale. In reality, the region was a hotbed for black market deals, particularly where human lives were being traded. It didn't take much for Vivian to come across this information with the access she had to her own clients. There wasn't much that she could do about it, but Vivian was compelled to collect as much information as she could out of habit.

Vivian was simply roaming the ground level, taking in the culture and patronizing businesses. Most of her purchases were delivered directly to her home, but much of the food and drink she delivered straight to her stomach. After a particularly delicious meal of Mexican and Korean heritage, she continued her walk around the district. The suns began to set, but so little changed on the ground that Vivian would not have been able to tell the difference were she not paying attention to the local time.

After wandering into an alley, Vivian quickly came to a dead end and as she turned around to leave, she found a large man standing at the exit. Vivian hesitated as she approached, but there was no way to avoid him. She cast her eyes downward as she moved to pass.

”Hey there beautiful…” the man said. Vivian ignored him and continued, but the man stepped in front of her, blocking her path out. “Well, aren’t you going to say anything?”

Again, Vivian didn’t respond, only trying to duck away from him, but the man pushed her back.

”Hey! I just wanted to have a pleasant conversation, but if you’re going to be such a rude fucking bitch, the toll is going to be much higher.”

Vivian tried once again to quickly push past him, but this time, the man grabbed her by the throat, his hand large enough to nearly wrap completely around her neck. He forced her against the wall, knocking the breath out of her.

”Every time you don’t do what I ask, things are going to get much worse for you.” The man’s brought his face close enough for the hairs of his beard to brush her cheek. “Now,  I’m thinking that slutty dress of yours isn’t sitting high enough…” His free hand drifted to Vivian’s side and slid down to meet her skin and began pulling the dress up. Vivian reacted by slapping his hand away.

”Help!” She shouted. “Please! Somebody-”

Her cry was cut short as she felt a cold, sharp blade pressed under her jaw.

”Shut the fuck up!” He yelled back, then continued when she was silent and still. “Now, you’re going to lift up your dress, or I’m going to cut it off and hope I don’t slip.”

”Hey!” Another man’s voice called out from the entry of the alley. Both Vivian and her assailant turned to face the newcomer.

He wasn’t quite as large as the assailant, but his presence was nonetheless intimidating. His eyes had a familiar BSI glow that contrasted against the darkness of the alley and his attire betrayed a class that was much higher than those that lived at ground level. The larger man holding Vivian would likely have been able to overpower the newcomer, but instead of increasing hostility, he let Vivian go, causing her to fall against the wall. He even dropped his knife to the ground and raised his hands in a placating gesture as he moved away from Vivian and exited the alley. The newcomer watched the assailant with a stoic expression until he was out of sight.

Once he was gone, the newcomer approached. His expression didn't seem to change, but Vivian felt comforted anyway, especially when he offered an open palm to her.

"Thank you..." Vivian said.

"I was glad to help," he said as Vivian took his hand, "but I have little doubt that you could have handled him yourself."

Vivian smiled and blushed. 

"Thank you anyway," she said as she dusted off the back of her dress, "Mr..."

"Delano."

"Thanks, Mr. Delano."

"Just Delano, or Del in the interest of brevity." Del walked with Vivian the short distance to the entrance of the alleyway. He again offered his hand, but in greeting this time.

"Vivian," She said, gently shaking it. "Vivian Frost, in the interest of clarity."

Delano's eyes flashed and a moment later, a subtle look of surprise came across his face. Providing her full name was an invitation for him to look her up, and she had set up her profile to include her home's general location on the Spire exterior. It was an impressive boast that Vivian didn't mind presenting.

"Well, Vivian, if you are so interested, feel free to contact me in the future. For now, I have business that needs tending to."

"Of course, Delano," Vivian said. "I would say it was a pleasure, were our meeting under different circumstances."

Delano nodded politely before leaving her. As he walked away, Vivian noticed his shadows following him. They were just distant enough from him to give the impression that he was walking alone.

When Delano was out of sight, Vivian returned down the alley to pick up the knife that her assailant had dropped. Despite his economic status, the man's knife was finely crafted. Vivian was impressed with its impeccable balancing, and couldn't help but flip it deftly through her fingers.

She slid the blade under the band of her underwear, adjusted her dress, and left the alley with personal satisfaction.