They made their way to the bus station just outside the park gates, the neon glow of the CoreCoaster sign casting long shadows on the pavement. Chet, already towering over the few passengers waiting at the stop, plopped onto a bench with a contented sigh.


    "This was good. We should do this more often."


    Nox leaned against the bus stop pole, checking his watch.


    "Yeah, maybe. If we don’t blow all my creds on purple cotton candy next time."


    Zee shot him a sideways glance.


    "Hey, that was your idea after all—playing sand martin with the cotton candy."


    As the faint rumble of the bus approached, the three exchanged tired but satisfied smiles, ready to head back to their Sector of Coreline.


    Nox poked Chet’s side, barely getting his attention.


    "Chet, remember we’re hooking up tomorrow at the junkyard? We gotta get a bit of scrap for Millio."


    Chet muffled through a yawn.


    "Yeah, yeah I remember... as long as I don’t have to wake up too early."


    Nox waved a hand dismissively.


    "Nah, don’t worry, big one. You got all the time in the world—the disposal’s at 14:00."


    He stretched his back, groaning.


    "Agggh, well, folks, I’d say we survived a full evening of fun, snacks, and Capitalism."


    Chet grinned, ruffling Nox’s hair.


    "Not bad, I’d say we earned ourselves some rest. It was... a good night."


    Zee glanced at Nox with a small smile fumbling around on her googly glasses.


    "Thanks for the cotton candy."


    Nox faintly smiled.


    "You’re welcome, Wiskers. I also really enjoyed it."


    The bus doors opened with a hiss.


    Chet climbed on first, ducking slightly to avoid hitting his head, this bus wasn’t so big. Zee followed, pausing at the door to glance back at Nox.


    "Coming, or do you quickly wanna flirt with the bus driver too?"


    Nox smirked, stepping onto the bus after her.


    "Wouldn’t dream of it. Still stuck on that deer, huh? Did I hit a nerve?"


    Zee punched his shoulder lightly.


    "Oh, shut it, Nox."


    The trio found their seats,


    Nox sat down leaning back in his seat, his hat tilted over his eyes, satisfied grin lingering on his lips.


    Chet sat once again on the opposite side of him legs tucked together his sheer size uses two seats in this bus.


    Zee plumed down next to Nox exhausted from the trip she leaned her back against his shoulder closing her eyes from the exhaustion—her glasses almost falling of from dozing away.


    the hum of the bus engine filling the air as it started to move. The city lights blurred outside the window, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto their faces.


    As the bus rumbled through the streets of Coreline, the three of them sat in comfortable silence, the bond between them stronger than ever after a night of laughter, reflection, and unexpected kindness.


    As it was rattling along the uneven streets of Coreline in a decline downward, its neon-lit interior casting an artificial glow over the passengers.


    Outside the scratched windows, the city stretched in all its glory—The usual chaos emerging from the ground, glowing signs flickering in defiance of their decay, and the ever-present haze of smog slowly settled back in the skyline like a second skin regrowing after tearing it off.


    They passed by an alive alley where a group of street performers was putting on a show. Bright sparks from makeshift pyrotechnics lit up the walls, and the sound of music barely reached the bus over the engine’s growl.


    Nox nudged Zee with his elbow.


    "Hey, Zee. That could’ve been us if you’d let me start that band I talked about."


    Zee laughed.


    "Haha, yeah, I think you would’ve made a pretty good dancer. And Chet’s growling voice could’ve replaced the drums."


    She tossed her Fur dramatically.


    "I, of course, would be the beautiful lead singer."


    Chet shook his head, laughing.


    "I don’t think Coreline’s ready for that level of chaos."


    The bus came to a halt, and Chet stood up, stretching.


    "Alright, you two, this is my stop—it’s a bit closer to my apartment than the other one. Today was really cool."


    He gave them both a tired but genuine smile.


    "See you tomorrow, Nox. Goodbye, Zee!"


    Nox waved a hand.


    "See you tomorrow, big guy!"


    "Goodbye," Zee called after him.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Then, she looked at Nox.


    "See you tomorrow?"


    Nox shrugged.


    "Yeah, he’s just helping me with something small. No biggie."


    Zee chuckled.


    "Alright then."


    She stood up, stretching her arms.


    "I gotta get out at the next stop as well—visiting a friend. The project I had to do last minute, remember? Just gonna quickly hand it over to them."


    Nox muffled a small sigh, slightly disappointed.


    "Awh, alright... guess I gotta walk home alone, huh?"


    He gave her a cheeky smirk, rubbing the back of his head.


    "Anyway, it was a blast, and... yeah, I actually really did enjoy the Giant Wheel—but don’t tell Chet."


    The bus stopped abruptly, its doors opening to reveal the pitch-black streets outside. Only a few flickering lights from the bus station glowed in the dark.


    Zee glanced at him for a few seconds, her voice softer this time.


    "Goodnight, Nox."


    He didn’t look up right away, just smirked faintly.


    "Goodnight, Wiskers."


    Her footsteps faded as she stepped off the bus her breath visible through the cold air.


    Nox leaned back in his seat, watching the reflections flicker in the window as the bus rumbled forward into the night.


    A satisfied grin formed on his lips, however it was soon fading away as he realized that tomorrow the would only cycle continue.


    Nox sinks deeper in thoughs almost doozing away in the bus before it arrives at the next station.


    The bus jolted to a stop, snapping Nox out of his haze. With a tired grunt, he pushed himself up, stretching his arms before stepping onto the sidewalk. The cold air hit him first, sharp against his fur.


    Coreline never slept, but at this hour, it felt... quieter. Less chaos. A few shady figures lurked near the station entrance, but Nox knew better than to stick around.


    With a tug of his scarf, he stuffed his hands into his coat pockets and started walking home.


    at this time of the night the streets were almost emty besides few people, most of them drunk or infused with other substances, were wandering around. the cold air was biting in his lungs its always hard to breath in all that smog after a visit to clean airm especially paird with bitter coldness. "A coffe would be a treat, but its way too late for that now"


    His breath curled into the air as he muttered to himself, boots clicking softly against the damp pavement walking around corner after corner.


    As he approached a building… R732, a familiar scent cut through the usual city grime—roasted leaves and a hint of spice. Even at this hour, Luten’s tea shop was still lit, the warm glow spilling onto the street.


    Nox smirked to himself. The old lizard never slept, huh?


    instinctively his paw went toward his pocked in a quick hasty motion. "Shit the rent ... i - totally forgot about the rent... no way ill get 950 Credits untill the end of the month..." he sat down at a nearby bench in front of the Store the familiar scent still hung in every breath he takes. he buried his face in the palm of his paws. "No no no how could i get the money now." Suddenly a goat stepped out of the store carrying a bag of rubbish.


    The door creaked as it swung open, and Mrs. Harrow stepped out, her sharp eyes immediately landing on Nox. Her expression twisted into its usual look of disapproval.


    "Hmph," she scoffed, tying the bag shut with a rough yank. "Sitting around like that, looking all miserable—what, finally run out of people to scam?"


    Nox exhaled slowly through his nose, forcing a smirk as he leaned back on the bench. "Ah, Mrs. Harrow, always a pleasure. You know, I almost missed your lovely voice tonight."


    She huffed, tossing the bag into the trash chute with a loud clang. "Tch. You young ones never take responsibility for anything. I bet you don’t even have your rent, do you?"


    Nox’s ear twitched. Bingo. But he wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction. He stretched his arms with an exaggerated yawn.


    "Me? Pfft, please,"


    he said, flashing a grin.


    "you’ve got some nerves, talking me off with that Trash bag in your hand when you clearly got plenty more coming out of your mouth.”


    Mrs. Harrow snorted. "Hmmp. Well, don’t come crying when the old lizard finally kicks you out. Not that I’d mind—this place could use less street trash."


    With that, she stomped back in the Store – up the stairs back to her apartment.


    Nox sighed, rubbing his temple. Great. Just what he needed.


    He buried his face in his paws again. "Lut wouldnt throw me out, though i hate letting him down again..." suddenly the store shops door opens agains he expects mr Harrows speaking down to him again, but to his suprise hears a comforting voice.


    "Nox, my boy, why do you look like you''ve just lost a bet with fate?"


    The warm, smooth yet slightly raspy voice of Luten drifted through the cold night air. The scent of tea—rich, earthy, with a hint of spice—washed over him.


    Nox peeked through his fingers, ears flicking up in surprise. The old salamander stood in the doorway, arms folded behind his back, a knowing look in his golden eyes. The dim glow from the shop’s interior outlined his form in soft amber light, making him look like a relic from another time—calm, steady, untouched by the city’s chaos.


    "Lut," Nox muttered, straightening up, forcing a grin.


    "Just... enjoying the not so fresh air. You know how much I love a good midnight bench-sitting session."


    Luten chuckled, stepping forward. His steps were slow, deliberate, the kind of movement that carried patience, not age.


    "Ah, yes," he mused, "and I suppose the hunched posture and deep sighing are just part of the experience?"


    Nox scratched his cheek, trying not to shift under that piercing, knowing gaze his reptile eyes narrowing Nox′s thoughts down.


    "Nox," Luten began, his voice as steady as the city’s ever-burning neon, "a roof is just a roof. It keeps the rain off your head, but it doesn’t make a home. People do "


    the sound of a wind rushing trough the corridor dragging rubbish appeard.


    He finally turned his golden gaze to Nox, unreadable yet warm. No disappointment. No frustration. Just understanding.


    "But if you let the rain coulds in your head the a roof won’t help you anymore, but yet again People do.” Luten chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "You’re young. You’ll figure it out. Most of the time people want to help each other but it’s the circumstances that make them hesitate"


    Nox frowned, gripping his coat. "Yeah, but I don’t want to keep letting you down. I—I’ll get it, I swear."


    Luten nodded slowly. "I know you will." He paused for a beat, then smirked finally lifting his hands from behind his back he points toward the door.


    "But, in the meantime—come inside. I just brewed something new, and I need a victim to taste-test it."


    Nox responds like this Nox formes a generous slimm smile on the side of his lips "Thanks a lot really, but maybe another time ... im tired out of my mind today was an adverses day


    Luten studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. Not pushing, not prying—just understanding.


    "Fair enough," he said, slipping his hands into his sleeves. "Even the strongest tea can’t fix exhaustion."


    He turned slightly toward the shop but paused, glancing back with a smirk. "But don’t think this gets you off the hook. Next time, you owe me a full taste-test”


    Nox scratched the back of his head.


    “Deal Unc”