Yan Sun snickers, narrowly avoiding bumping into someone else when she's jostled by Jessica. After crossing the street she leads them down the block for a bit before diverging into a side-street, and one more turn later... they find themselves in a bustling street market. Booths line both sides of the street - it's an eclectic mix, some have simple sheet metal roofs and tarp sides, others are just carts, and others still seem permanent
#HongKong – October 5, 2025
fixtures built into the sides of the buildings, three-walled rooms with holographic signage. In the middle of the street a dense crowd moves through, stopping here and there to shop or browse. The section they've arrived in seems to be for groceries, fruits and vegetables of all kinds arranged in colorful display, but down one end of the streets the booth turn towards street food and down the other towards trinkets and clothes.
This is the direction in which Yan Sun starts to lead Jessica after grabbing hold of her hand to keep from losing her in the crowd.
Jessica follows alongside Yan Sun, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. As they find themselves wandering through the crowded market, a small smile pulls at the edge of her mouth. Now this feels a little more like home. A bit higher tech in its presentation and certainly a bigger crowd, but it feels familiar enough. She looks over one of the stalls, contemplating a big juicy tomato before Yan Sun grabs her hand and tugs her
along. "We have a place like this in Adrasteia!" she says, upping her pace to keep up with Yan Sun, lest her desire to browse cause her to fall behind.
Yan Sun nods in acknowledgement of Jessica's words as they weave through the crowd, past booth after booth. "Guess some things are universal!" she says with a brief look back. Rows of fish on ice give way to cured meats, and then to bracelets and leather goods. Up ahead is a couple of booths that's all bags - handbags, backpacks, and more, stacked on tables and hanging from wall displays. On the other side, where Yan Sun now turns, are
several aggressively colorful booths of clothes. Cheap dresses, novelty t-shirts, knock-off jackets... it's booth after booth, but Yan Sun passes the first few, that trademark distant look on her face that usually means she's got her eyes on something only she can see.
Jessica nods to herself. "Mm." she agrees as she follows along. "Sometimes when the farmers are bringing their shit in, everyone is coming to try and sell their shit, too!" she explains, the makeshift nature of the market undoubtedly drawing parallels. "One time-..." she begins, the memory causing her to snicker to herself, a small, genuine smile crossing her lips before she gives a shake of her head, cutting herself off. "...I will
tell you later!" she says, perhaps deciding the loud, crowded market where she needs to raise her voice to be heard isn't the place for a story. Besides, Yan Sun seems to be on a mission. A fact that becomes clear as Jessica continues to be tugged along past the clothing booths without so much as a pause to browse. Her brows furrow, amused look on her face. "What you are looking for?"
Yan Sun furrows her eyebrows. "I think that-... here, this should work," she decides, stopping at a particular booth that seems no different from any other. It seems to sell mainly sportswear. Various team jerseys, tracksuits, and caps. Mainly soccer, basketball, and cricket. Some of Earth's biggest traditional sports, rather than more interstellar favorites like biotiball or asajura. "One of these should work, right?" she asks with a look
towards the various tracksuit jackets on offer. The variety of team options on offer mean no shortage of color choice. "There's an alley behind this place, we can leave that way just to be safe," she adds, quietly enough that it almost gets lost amid the buzz of the cacophony of the marketplace. "You find a jacket, I'll browse the hats?" she suggests with a small grin.
Jessica frowns when they reach their destination. She looks from the clothing on offer to Yan Sun, the blank, expressionless look on her face saying all that needs to be said. She had clearly expected... more based on Yan Sun's bloodhound-like beeline towards this place. The mention of the alley helps to bring a little clarity, causing her to give a small nod of understanding. Still, as her gaze sweeps over the selection her lip curls
up in distaste and she pokes at one of her canines with her tongue as she reaches out and picks up one of the colorful tracksuit jackets. It's bright yellow with lime green stripes across it and some sort of pink... seal? Coat of arms? Team logo? On one of the breasts. She holds it up to herself, as if sizing it up, and looks over to Yan Sun once more with a tilt of her head, as if to say, 'How does it look?' She doesn't wait
for an answer however, Yan Sun's suggestion drawing a smile back out of her and she nods. "Mm." she hums, tossing the hideous jacket back where she got it from and breaking off to continue her browsing. "But do not get me something stupid!" she calls out after a moment.
Yan Sun scrunches up her nose at the offensively garish jacket, offering Jessica a skeptical look, but as they part ways she snickers and nods. "Promise!" she assures as she heads over towards a big table full of caps, scouring it for the right find. The jacket may be a temporary necessity to conceal Jessica's identity, but the hat is more than that, a long-promised replacement, and she's after something suitable. Eventually she finds what
she's looking for and makes her way back to Jessica with a hopeful grin, waving a cricket cap that she's holding by the brim. "I thought... something that commemorates the trip might be fun?" she says, although it sounds more like a question, waiting to see if Jessica deems it "stupid". The cap is black and red, with a white orchid tree flower - the city's symbol - on it.
Jessica isn't far from where Yan Sun left her, though she seems to have found something less 'offensive'. Matter of fact, it lacks much personality to it at all, merely a simple black zip-up jacket with white stripes running from the shoulders down the outside of the sleeves with some logo on the breast to some team she's never heard of for a sport she knows nothing about. But for looking non-descript on a security camera? It'll do. As
Yan Sun approaches she tilts her attention towards her, quirking an eyebrow. She studies the hat for a moment. It passes the color test, at least. She reaches out for it, examining it for a moment before looking back to Yan Sun. "What is the flower...?" she asks, sounding a bit skeptical.
Yan Sun looks briefly caught off-guard by the realization that Jessica doesn't know something that's so elementary to herself - of course she doesn't, why would she? "Oh, uh... that's the old symbol of Hong Kong. From back before it became part of the megacity. It's still used in some places. Like... sports teams. It's an orchid tree flower."
Jessica continues to appraise the cap for a few moments as Yan Sun speaks before passing her judgement. "I knew you would pick something gay like a flower." she says. But she removes her sunglasses and puts the hat on, perching her glasses back atop the brim, so Yan Sun's explanation for why she might possibly wear a flower on her head has, apparently, been deemed satisfactory. She tilts her head a few times for Yan Sun. "Is good?"
Yan Sun deadpans Jessica, one eyebrow raised, before leaning in for a kiss, cracking a smile as she pulls back and giving the brim of the hat a flick. "Very good. Let's go!"
Jessica gives a roll of her eyes as Yan Sun leans in, playfully leaning back before reluctantly pressing a kiss against her lips, as if doing her a favor, but the smile on her face lingers. As a matter of fact, it's been oddly present a lot more than usual over the past week. Maybe it's just the excitement of the trip, but she's certainly been in higher spirits despite her best efforts to hide it. "Mm." she hums in agreement.
Yan Sun seems in high spirits as well today, yesterday's mixed feelings over being back relegated to the back of her mind in favor of excitement over having Jessica here, only bolstered by her interest even in things that are utterly mundane to Yan Sun. After paying for the hat and the jacket, they leave through a gap in the tarp at the back of the booth, slipping into an alley that's empty aside from various crates, stacked chairs,
containers, and miscellaneous parts for holo-emitters or lights. The sounds of the market, and the ever-present background noise of traffic, is muffled here, and the buildings stand too close for the sun to shine, leaving the alley in shadow, and highlighting the opening to the street up ahead, the buildings there cast in warm sunlight.
Jessica slips on her new (And very temporary) jacket and follows Yan Sun out through the back of the booth. Once in the alley she reaches out, hooking her index finger into the waist of Yan Sun's pants to yank her back. She wraps her right arm around Yan Sun from behind, craning her head around the opposite side to press an annoying kiss against the side of Yan Sun's head, the brim of her newly acquired hat doing its part to make the act
just that much more annoying by pressing into Yan Sun. She brings up her left hand and presses her palm against Yan Sun's cheek, shoving her head aside and continuing past her down the alley. "Where now, slut?" she asks.
Yan Sun flinches as the brim of Jessica's hat nearly pokes her in the eye, squirming in her arms until she's shoved aside. "Urgh... this way," she says with fond annoyance, turning down a side path in the alley to avoid coming out at the most obvious point. They head down a few more streets, less and less commercial, until they come to one that's mostly closed shops and old residential buildings. Like the street outside their building, a
roadway runs overhead, casting the street in shadows, and the crowd here is fairly sparse. A compact, white and blue car with "HK PUBSEC" printed on it rolls very slowly down the street, flanked on each side by a humanoid mech with a circular white photoreceptor in its faceplate. A human officer in a blue PubSec uniform is talking to a pedestrian on the other side of the street. He's got a cap with the organization's logo, as well as
Jessica follows Yan Sun, resisting the urge to stop for pictures. That can wait until they're done. Last thing she'd want is to drag Yan Sun through the mud over here poor criminalizing only to get them caught by being all over the city's cameras posing for pictures. She won't allow Yan Sun an opportunity to hold something like that over her head. So she keeps her hands tucked into her pockets and remains close to Yan Sun. She even
manages to stay on good behavior when they pass law enforcement! Well, she can't help but shoot a hard look towards the man across the street, but it's only in passing. Once they're out of earshot, she casts a brief glance back towards the mechs shooting a knowing look Yan Sun's way, clearly none too pleased by such an open display. It's hard for her to avoid being reminded of Cross and his Enforcers.
Yan Sun returns Jessica's look with a slight grimace once they pass the patrol, but then diverts down yet another alley after casting a quick look around to make sure no one is looking their way. This one is full of pipes, ducts and a truly astonishing number of ACs. "This is it..." she says, eyes following unseen on one of the walls. "Keep an eye out while I handle this?"
Jessica gives a dip of her head in acknowledgement and posts up by the corner. "Be quick." she says, casting another glance down the street before leaning against the wall. She pulls out her omni-tool just to have something in-hand in case an excuse is needed on the fly and does her best, 'minding my own business' impression.
Yan Sun walks slowly down the alley, hands in the pockets of her hoodie as she watches the right-side wall intently, head craned back to follow and unseen line up above. Eventually she comes to a stop and looks up at a nondescript utility cabinet with several reinforced cable housings leading to it. She eyes an AC unit just below it and tries to chart a path to it, eyeing the various pipes and protrusions that line the wall. Gaze settled on
a sturdy looking pipe not too far out of reach she rolls her shoulders takes a deep breath. "You've got this..." she mutters, takes a few steps back, runs and jumps! She does not, in fact, got this. Her hands don't even come close to grasping the pipe and her feet return to the pavement shortly before she lets out a deflated grumble. She makes another halfhearted attempt at jumping, this time with no leadup, and even worse results.
Jessica rolls her shoulders as she settles into her spot. She's played the role of 'lookout' plenty of times. No big deal. Watch your surroundings, but don't look like you're watching your surroundings. She shoots a glance down to her omni-tool, idly swiping with a thumb. It's all about using your peripheral vision. You just-... ohno what is she doing? Unable to resist watching, Jessica cranes her neck, brow lifting in
curiosity as Yan Sun begins to back up. A sharp, unexpected bout of laughter escapes her as Yan Sun leaps ineffectually at nothing. She brings her hands up over her mouth to try and muffle her laughter. An attempt which fails when Yan Sun goes in for a second attempt, a loud, strained snort sounding out against the palm of her hand. Bent at the waist, she nearly doubles over in laughter. "What-.... what the fuck you are doing?!"
Yan Sun stiffens when she hears Jessica's laughter, face heating up at the realization that she saw her. She shoots her an embarrassed glare, lips twisted in a displeased pout of a grimace. "Wh-... it's up there!" she hisses, gesturing up the wall at the utility cabinet. "It's not that easy to get up!"
Jessica is still hunched over in laughter, her job as dutiful lookout completely forgotten after the ridiculous, pathetic display Yan Sun put on. She points at Yan Sun and tries to say something, but more breathless laughter is all that comes out. She points up towards the cabinet and-... Nope, just more laughter. She brings a hand against the wall to brace herself, desperately attempting to regain her composure. "You-..." she
manages. She closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath, steadying the laughter, willing herself to get the words out. Another bout of laughter threatens to spill out but she clamps down on it. Concentrate! This is important! "You-..." she tries once more, hands moving to her thigh, one clutching her omni-tool against her leg as she seeks out Yan Sun's gaze, "...look so stupid!" and the flood gates break once more.
Across the street, the PubSec officer briefly looks away from his conversation, eyebrows furrowed as he watches the woman practically doubled over in laughter, before his attention is drawn back to the person in front of him.
Yan Sun 's entirely unintimidating glare intensifies, and she makes a hurried come here gesture. "Urgh, just... get over here and give me a boost!" she says, caught between annoyance, urgency, and trying not to laugh herself.
Jessica waves a hand aimlessly at Yan Sun, a silent warning to not rush her as she tries to catch her breath. It takes a few more moments but she manages to reign it in. Hands on her thighs, she draws in a deep breath, face red and eye wet from laughter, she wipes at her eyes and finally manages to get completely upright. She almost loses it again when she makes eye contact but catches herself and only allows a sharp snort to slip out.
She shakes her head as she passes by Yan Sun and takes a position with her back against the wall beneath the cabinet previously indicated. She gestures Yan Sun over, irritatingly smug grin seemingly carved into her features at this point. And she is most definitely not laughing with Yan Sun. "Come on, stupid."
Yan Sun 's head falls back with a groan, looking up at the sky - or more accurately the buildings towering above them. "You are such an asshole..." she grumbles before returning her attention to Jessica and moving closer, looking at her expectantly.
Jessica's big grin remains and she waggles her fingers to urge her closer. She brings her hands down, quickly clipping her sunglasses onto her collar to keep them out of the line of fire, and interlocks her fingers for Yan Sun to step on. "If you kick me, I am going to hurt you." she warns, leaning a bit heavier against the wall. "And not in a fun way!"
Yan Sun mumbles inaudibly and plants one boot in Jessica's hands, one hand going to her shoulder to steady herself as her focus turns upwards towards the pipe, ready to leap.
Jessica begins to lift Yan Sun up. Lacking any and all confidence in Yan Sun's agility, she's careful to go slowly. "Is enough?" she asks, casting a brief glance down the alley just to make sure they're still in the clear. Not that it would matter at this point.
Yan Sun wobbles upwards as Jessica lifts, only slightly kneeing her in the face as she goes. With a final leap she reaches the pipe, clinging tightly, legs flailing as she struggles to actually get the rest of herself up onto it.
Jessica winces as a knee finds its way into her face, letting loose a string of expletives. But once Yan Sun leaps, she quickly straightens up and reaches up to push Yan Sun's flailing feet up. "Gah! Why you are so weak?!" she whisper-shouts at the dangling woman.
Yan Sun finally manages to heave herself up onto the pipe with a bit of additional help from Jessica, balancing precariously on the narrow, rounded surface. Too focused on not falling, she offers no response, hands grasping at the concrete of the wall, finding purchase in cable housings and cracks. With some awkward extending of limbs she manages to move from the pipe to the protruding AC unit below the cabinet. She sits there with a sigh of
relief, finally replying that "I'm good at other things!" before digging her multitool out of her pocket as she gets to work on prying the utility cabinet's door open.
Yan Sun scoffs. "Uh... how about right now?" she says as the cabinet opens, clearly of the opinion that what she's up to at the moment is pretty impressive for those that understand it. She turns her left hand palm up and opens up a panel near her wrist, pulling out a cable for establishing a physical connection to the surveillance grid node. With the ubiquity of wireless integration in modern hardware it's rare to not be able to handle
things with a short-range wireless hack, but there are still exceptions. Her gaze zones out as she focuses, legs dangling idly over the edge of the AC as she works.
Jessica gives a few rapid nods. "Mm. You are verrrrry good at looking like a scared pyjak trying to not fall off of a box. I forget that you are so good at this." she rolls her eyes, briefly meandering a few steps away to get a better look towards the street and ensure nobody is coming.
Yan Sun extends her unoccupied right hand over the edge of the air conditioner, waving her middle finger down at Jessica without looking her way as she works, but a small grin crosses her lips.
Unfortunately, somebody is coming. Namely, the PubSec officer, who has made his way across the street and is approaching the alley...
Jessica's eyes briefly widen and she moves to intercept. Bringing her omni-tool up, she gives the interface a few swipes, as if in the middle of something and far too distracted to notice the PubSec officer's approach. So distracted, in fact, that she nearly walks right into him! She stutter steps just before colliding into the officer, reflexively circling outside of him to narrowly avoid him. And, hopefully, get him to turn away from