The Astral Dogma

The next day, Xin and Jia walked through the bustling streets, their steps accompanied by the rhythmic clink of tools in Jia's bag. The department they were heading to was in one of the older parts of the city, tucked between towering buildings that showed their age through worn facades and faded signage. It wasn't glamorous, but it had its charm, much like the people who frequented it.

Xin glanced at Jia, who had her eyes fixed ahead, her expression thoughtful. Ever since she'd decided to rebuild her life, he'd seen her determination grow stronger by the day. Still, he couldn't help but wonder about her motivations.

"You know," he began, his tone casual but tinged with curiosity, "I would've thought you wouldn't want to build anything anymore after you were free."

For a moment, Jia paused mid-step. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she looked at him with a contemplative expression before speaking.

"Actually, I don't know how to do anything else but build." Her voice was soft, yet there was a resolute undertone to it. "And besides," she continued, her lips curling into a small smile, "there are people I'll be helping. That makes it worth it."

Xin nodded, understanding her reasoning. She wasn't just rebuilding for herself—she was creating something that would serve others, just as the guild had helped her find a small shop to call her own.

When they arrived at the licensing department, it was bustling with activity. Clerks moved briskly between counters, and the hum of conversations filled the air. Jia filled out the necessary paperwork with meticulous care, and Xin waited patiently, watching her focus. She had always been like this—completely absorbed when it came to her work. It was one of the things he admired most about her.

After what felt like an eternity of bureaucracy, Jia finally had her license. She held the small card in her hand, staring at it for a moment before slipping it into her pocket.

"That's one step down," she said, her tone resolute.

"Only a few hundred more to go," Xin teased, earning a light shove from Jia.

Their next stop was the area where her shop would be. It was a modest space on a quiet street, with a large window that let in plenty of natural light.

Xin stepped inside first, surveying the interior. "Well," he said, looking around, "it's got... potential."

Jia rolled her eyes, nudging him playfully. "It's a work in progress. Just like everything else."

The two of them set to work almost immediately.

Jia had accumulated a pile of mechanical leftovers, and her hands moved with practiced precision as she sorted through them. Xin joined in, rummaging through a box of spare parts, his mind racing with ideas.

At first, they worked in silence, the only sounds coming from the clinking of metal and the hum of an old soldering iron. But gradually, the quiet gave way to the kind of easy banter they'd shared as kids.

"So," Jia said, glancing up from the small circuit board she was working on, "still think I'm all talk when it comes to building?"

Xin smirked, holding up a pair of mismatched gears. "Hey, I never doubted your skills. But let's see if you can keep up with this." He fit the gears together and attached them to a crude motor, the contraption sputtering to life with a faint whir.

Jia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, it's on."

The hours slipped by as they tinkered, each trying to outdo the other with increasingly elaborate ideas. By the time the sun had set, they had pieced together something that neither of them could quite believe.

It wasn't sleek or polished—in fact, it was far from it. The little creation was lopsided, with wires sticking out at odd angles and a paint job that could only be described as "experimental." But as it blinked its mismatched eyes and waved a spindly mechanical arm, both Jia and Xin burst into laughter.

"It's... adorable," Xin said, barely able to keep a straight face.

"It's hideous," Jia countered, though her grin betrayed her amusement.

"Hey, it's a security mascot," Xin said, holding up the little robot for inspection.

"It's not supposed to win beauty contests. It's supposed to make people feel safe... or at least confuse them long enough for us to call for help."

Jia shook her head, chuckling. "You know, for someone who hasn't built anything in years, you're still as much of a genius as you were back then."

"And you," Xin replied, setting the mascot down on the counter, "haven't lost your knack for making the impossible work."

They stood back, looking at their creation. It wasn't perfect, not by a long shot. But it was theirs—something they had built together, not just with their hands but with the parts of themselves that had been battered and burned and somehow still survived.

"That's all that matters," Jia said softly, as if reading Xin's thoughts.

The little mascot gave a sputtering chirp, its mismatched eyes blinking out of sync. They both laughed again, the sound filling the small shop and spilling out into the quiet night.

As they cleaned up, Xin couldn't shake the feeling that the shop was too empty. It lacked the life and energy that Jia naturally brought to everything she touched.

"Hey," Xin said, breaking the comfortable silence, "if you want, I could help you shop for the store sometime. Get some decorations, supplies... you know, make it feel more like home."

Jia looked at him, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then she smirked. "Oh really? Can you tomorrow?"

Xin hesitated, remembering his prior commitment. "Well, I kinda promised I'd go with Bel to explore these ruins tomorrow. How about the day after?"

For a split second, Jia's face fell, but she quickly masked it. She was slightly jealous, though she'd never admit it outright. It made sense, she reasoned. Xin had friends—good ones—and she'd been out of his life for a long time.

"Okay," she said, her voice low but steady.

Xin caught the shift in her tone and frowned slightly. "You sure? I can always reschedule with Bel."

Jia shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, it's fine. You've got plans. Day after works."

Xin studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Day after it is."

As they locked up the shop and stepped into the cool evening air, Jia glanced at the little security mascot they'd left in the window. It blinked its mismatched eyes and waved its spindly arm, a symbol of their shared effort and determination.

Despite the lingering pang of jealousy, Jia felt a sense of hope. They were rebuilding—not just the shop, but their connection. And that, she thought, was a good start.