These "central offices" were similar to a university campus. Electric streetlamps lit the pathways between modern-looking buildings surrounded by tidy grass, flowerbeds and trees. For the first time, Lily saw a few other people going about their business.
Soon they arrived at a building that was a little more old-fashioned, with brick walls that were covered in a layer of ivy.
There was no one at the reception inside, but there was an amateurishly sculpted mug on the front desk with a few centimetres of coffee at the bottom, as if the receptionist would be back soon.
We're taking you to Professor Banfield. He's basically in charge of our organisation. And he also helped save your life, just so you know.
...?
Actually, he's just the head of research. I've never met the president of the Society, though. The Prof's the one to go to.
Lily followed them into the elevator. It seemed they were headed for the tenth floor.
Banfield's a cool dude.
That's good.
What did you mean, when you said he helped save my life?
We wouldn't have known where to find you if not for him.
Plus, he stopped the place collapsing on you. Didn't you see the ceiling?
Just then, the elevator came to a stop.
When the doors opened, it became clear that this floor was not from your ordinary office building.
It had been at one point. Windows marked the walls and bright lights peeked out from the ceiling.
(It's like a greenhouse... no, a walled garden. How can so many plants grow here?)
Good day to you all. Please, take a seat.