Omake: Life in a conquered Terminus City
You'd expect things to have changed.
And admittedly, they have.
But... things are... The same. For the most part.
There's less crime. Apparently. Or at least, it's less violent ones. Not that this is something that affects day to day life. Save perhaps, having less to be on guard about.
Life goes on. People still work, they still struggle and try to better their lives.
Perhaps there is more success in those endeavors than other places, perhaps the struggles are less crushing, but it's still close enough that the difference between before and after isn't really noticed by most.
But, as previously said, that's in general. The "bigger picture" of an individual perspective. There are still changes.
Habits quickly adapted, of course.
Where once one would watch out for the various thugs and gangs of the city, now you have to watch out for the various animal girls. Servants of the new order, in a way, looking for a mark, though now the aim is far from a monetary interest.
Don't look too unhappy, or they'll decide you could use some help with that.
Don't look too happy, lest that draw their attention.
Don't be too effeminate, because they'll decide you're craving more.
Don't be too masculine, since obviously that means you're repressing a more feminine side.
Hide your face, that way they won't choose you based on your appearance.
Don't hide your face, they'll decide you're being shy and need to be broken out of your shell.
Needless to say, their criteria are just as arbitrary as the violence of the gangs once were, and the various tricks people have convinced themselves keep them safe are but a placebo.
But life goes on. And Terminus City remains Terminus City.