Loyola - The Sky's The Limit

Teresita had come to New Lanshire alone, unlike the rest of the residents here. She had no family among her. But it was better that way. Teresita valued her solitude. She valued the tranquility it presented her, the ability to come and go as she pleased, the pleasure of living for herself. She enjoyed it. But she had to admit, she did envy her neighbors, what with their large clans. They seemed so happy in their large homes, though bare in furnishings. She couldn't help but observe them. That was what a woman of knowledge did, after all: observe.

Teresita had several dreams and now, she was able to fufill them. She had always wanted to work for the SCIA but she also wanted to own her own business. So using her extra funds, she made both dreams come true. She had her home custom built for her, the bottom floor acting as a bakery while she lived in a small loft above it. It was all fascinating. She just wished they hadn't used such horrid elevator music.

It could be a bit lonely, she had to admit. But at least she could do what she pleased. Her mother would get on her case if she just lounged about, drinking out of a can. She could belch in peace and even got to use her telescope without people bothering her or calling her a pervert. She couldn't help it if the lens landed on a window and she saw something.

Of course, as much as she enjoyed her solitude, she wasn't going to turn down visitors. Her new neighbors had all come to visit her and she was quite pleased with it. They all seemed nice. Lorelle was a hoot and very wild. Ryouichi was very dashing and smooth. But it was with Derick that Teresita found most in common. He was a man of science and sweet as buttons.

He even helped her find a career. He had found out where the offices for the SCIA were and gave her their number. In days, she was working as a detective's assistant. Sure, she was mostly running to get coffee or filing papers but it was a start.

She had such exciting news to tell her mother when she called. The older woman was worried about Teresita and her calls were frequent. Teresita took it in stride. She knew her mother was trying to cope with it all. Teresita was an only child, so it was hard on the older Loyola to let go.

But if only her mom could see her. She was really living the dream. She lived in a beautiful home and the sky was the limit. Teresita was hoping, though, to make the limit pass that. She took every opportunity to go up to the roof at night and stargaze. She even managed to discover a star.

But all those cold nights caught up with her, mixed in with hanging around sick people seeking her boss' services. It wasn't long before she caught herself a cold. It was awful. She felt so drained. She wondered if she should take off a few days of work but that'd only slow her down. She was determined to not let some virus keep her from fufilling her dreams.