THE MOMENT
"It feels like it'd be pretty inconvenient, is all," Riot commented as she followed Monday out of the crowded elevator. The trio of armored adventurers, Knight, Wizard, and Healer, remained in the elevator, headed to a different floor, carrying a white bag of hot takeout. Monday strode through the narrow hallway with her friend Riot.
"It's Sharp-owned," Monday nodded. "The residents know what they're getting into when they sign the lease. And, at least we enforce some courtesies," she smirked. The hallway looked like any other upscale apartment with minimal decor. It was supposed to be more 'tasteful', but also, fewer liabilities. The floor and walls were solid white with a subtle red accent along the floorboard. And the doors were uniformly white with red descriptors. It wasn't just the apartment number, 2300, 2302, and so on. Each door also had a dungeon name and hours of operation. They passed several doors until Monday stopped at one and raised her hand to knock.
2314 Monday's Move: Hours of Operation 9am to 9pm.
"Wait, they're not even open yet..," Riot stopped Monday's hand.
"We're not in gear..." Monday nodded down at the crisp white blazer and red tie she was wearing. "This is work, I have an appointment. But, we'll probably have to go in and look around, which is why we brought Donna Chang's," she added.
"Oh, alright," Riot nodded and let her hand go. Monday knocked and the door opened within seconds. He was a tall, lean man who greeted them with a smile.
"Hi, you're from Sharp Development," He looked at Monday's blazer first, then the bag of food Riot was carrying. "...right? Cause the dungeon's closed."
"We are, My name is Monday, and this is my friend, Riot," she introduced them as Riot handed over the dungeon toll. "You said you were having a problem, and I'm assuming we'll have to go inside. Even if I'm not doing a run, you'll still be waiting on us."
"Oh yeah, wow, thanks," he nodded. "Man, you Sharp folk sure are thoughtful. Living here has been an absolute joy, dungeon and all," he said.
"So, what's the problem?" Riot asked. Monday nodded, asking the same question silently.
"Uhh, come in, come in," he waved them in. "Oh yeah. I mean, you probably know it, but my name's Richie," he said. They crossed the threshold into his living room and through it, following the lean man to the kitchen.
"I do, Mr. Montes," Monday nodded. "But, calling your Richie will be easier," she added.
"Great," he smiled and stood by the sink. "So... I guess... take a look," he reached over and turned the knob. Immediately, rainbow liquid rushed out as effortlessly as water. It splashed in a rainbow pattern at the bottom of the stainless steel sink and flowed down the drain until he turned it off. Monday glanced around the apartment space; there were two closed doors on either side of the living room. The one closest to them was on the same wall as the sink.
"Which one's the dungeon?" she asked.
"It'll be that one in about an hour," Richie nodded to the nearest door. "But, it's just an empty linen closet right now."
"Okay, let's go in and check," She nodded at Riot, and the two girls headed toward the door. Monday pulled out a translucent red node the size and shape of a playing card. She held it up to the door, grabbed the handle, and then she walked forward and bumped her head against the unmoving door.
"Huh?" She looked confused.
"Maybe it opens out?" Riot giggled.
"Not when it's a dungeon..," Monday shook her head and looked at Richie for confirmation. "Right?" He nodded.
"Yeah, it opens in, when the dungeon is there."
Monday studied the node and tapped through some screens. Riot couldn't see what was happening on the node, so she was watching Monday, and suddenly her friend's pink eyes grew wide. Monday was half vampire and naturally pale, but Riot watched complete shock take over Monday's expression for a brief second before she shook it off with a blink.
"What is-," she started to ask, but Monday shook her head before looking over at Richie.
"Mr. Montes, I apologize for the inconvenience. Sharp Development will require you to relocate to a new home within the next hour. I'll have movers here to help you in just a moment, you might want to start gathering your things."
"You're... asking me to move??" he asked. Monday shook her head.
"No, you're being moved," she replied. "Thanks to our portal technology," she gestured at the still closed door, "It doesn't matter where you actually live, does it? You'll get an even nicer home, on any Earth you choose."
"I don't -," he started to protest, but a crown of rainbow light took shape over Monday's head.
"You're excited about moving," she said it curtly, and the crown vanished again.
"Oh, thank you! I can't wait to see where I end up!" he dashed through the other door to begin collecting his things.
"What's going on?!" Riot asked. She couldn't remember ever seeing Monday dominate someone so casually.
"I don't know...," Monday said. "I don't know who I can trust... but, I know I can't trust my mom. So, this is between you and me for now."
"Since when can't you trust Melody?" Riot asked.
"Probably since forever, but I'm only realizing it now...," Monday sighed.
"What exactly is going on?" she asked again to point out she didn't have an answer yet.
"This whole apartment complex was built by Sharp Development," she said. "My mom, Melody Sharp, owns the company, and I have the highest security clearance possible within the organization. I know things that ONLY Melody knows," she shook her head. "And yet, when I try to open this glitching dungeon using my credentials, it says...," she held up the red glassy node to the door again, then looked at it. It was still obscured to Riot's eyes, but Monday read it out for her.
"Access Denied. Dana Sharp Access Level Required."
"Huh?" Riot tilted her head.
"Who's Dana Sharp?" Monday shook her head with a shrug.
"That's what I don't know."