"…"
-silence-
"..."
"c'mon boy."
Xavier says softly to Mylo heading out the tent.
The wind sings something humble on this windy morning as Xavier and Mylo finally start for Pandora.
Despite the events of last night Xavier chooses to move forward.
To Pandora.
And to the place where the everyone who meant something to him had told him to go.
However, it is worth noting one thing about today's journey
Xavier did not pack up the campsite….
-A COUPLE HOURS LATER-
("mumbling")
(coughing)
"We finally made it…"
("mumbling")
(crying)
"Just hold on baby soon we'll be in the city."
("mumbling")
(shouting)
"HEY WHATS THE HOLD UP THERE?!?!"
Xavier arrives at Pandora!!
Well its gate more like
'The City shrouded in White'
The gate reads…
Judging by how pure and refined its white sand is that just might be an understatement.
As Xavier and Mylo wait in line at the gate to get in…
The first thing he notices is how big it actually is.
Pandora walls alone stand at least twice the size of the Oasis'
Higher walls and more people too.
And scanning the area he can see a number of people in line with him too
They are all so…
Diverse.
Which prompts Xavier to believe they are all refugees with nowhere to go…
Much like himself.
Their diversity also makes Xavier worry a little for their safety having had to deal with the cruelty of the Outer-lands first hand
But the more he looks around the more he realizes that their safety won't be a problem.
See while the Oasis had its fair share of guards and competent security
Its nothing compared to Pandora.
Not only do the people handling admissions to Pandora look more trained.
They look strong too.
And this coming from someone who for the past couple of months has done nothing but be around the strongest people on the planet.
"Name."
A guard asks as Xavier and Mylo reach the front of the queue
"Xavier."
Xavier responds softly
"Xavier Grey."
He says
"Ah…"
The woman exclaims caught off-guard at the last name
"ah-ahem…"
She clears her throat trying to regain her composure
"m-Most Oasis natives settled in the east side of Pandora."
She says a little awkward ripping a paper off a book after writing something
"…If you're looking for your family…"
She pauses
"y-You should head there first…"
She says ripping taping the paper to his hand.
"hm."
Xavier nods in response starting for the interior
"…"
"Sorry…"
She says sombrely as Xavier and Mylo halt their progress
"For what happened in the Oasis."
She says
"…"
"pa-Pandora is a great place."
She says
"Won't take long for you to settle in so try to cheer up."
"You're safe here…"
"Okay…"
She says smiling softly
"…"
Xavier howver does not turn back focussing forward
"…"
"Am sorry you can go right ahead."
She says softly as Xavier and Mylo start for the interior once more
"…"
-silence-
"…"
Wondering into the city
Xavier finally comes face to face with the city of lights he watched night after night with Jeremy.
Buildings higher than any of the Oasis.
Infrastructure more developed
And electricity throughout the whole city
The white of Pandora looks beautiful when couple with the red lights that paint the city.
And its people are like a sea.
Well diverse and all busy with their own agenda
"Beyaz Square."
A sign reads as Xavier reaches an intersection
Next to it a poster gives directions to all over the city.
Can't say how significant this is Xavier here… (._.)
But also given how big the city is helpfully convenient
"…"
"C'mon Mylo."
Xavier says leading the dog east of Pandora
More and more people come into view
But unlike the Oasis.
Pandora lacks vibrancy.
While the people easily outnumber the Oasis
Compared to the Oasis you could hardly call them alive.
There are no vendors in the streets
Or criers trying to draw up attention for their shops.
The infrastructure and technology might be a step up….
But you can't help but feel the people here may have lost a little of that spark that makes us human…
("…")
Moving further east…
Xavier eyes brighten a little as the faces begin to look familiar.
"They're from the Oasis."
He thinks
The idea that not everyone in the Oasis died obviously pleases Xavier.
Even if only just a little…
Ofcourse they now lack the vibrancy they once had.
But at least they're alive
At least he wasn't the only one.
As Xavier continues to walk forward…
Memories come flooding in as the faces begin to attach themselves to memories
Kids.
His age…
Made it out safe and now here in Pandora...
They might not have mingled much with him back in the Oasis but he's happy to find they survived.
"Thank god."
Xavier thinks before hiding his face when they look his way.
June.
The carpet lady
He might not have actually known her.
But every lady in the Oasis knew her for her carpet business.
Mom would've been so happy to find out she lived too…
"Looks like she's setting up a new store here…"
Xavier thinks quickening his pace
"…"
"Mr. Denver…"
He thinks as his eyes catch a chubby figure ahead
He was Smart Mark's rival back in the Oasis
And…
And Aisha's father…
He's here too.
Setting up a new shop.
But unlike last time
Across his shop this time… this time there is no Smart Mark's…
"Xavier?"
A soft voice calls from the side in disbelief
"huh?"
Xavier exclaims turning to his left to see a woman in her mid 40's working a grill
"…"
"Ursula…"
He mumbles
"Oh My God it really is you."
She says rushing from behind her grill
"Here come sit sit."
She says pulling him to a stool
Its Ursula.
From Ursula's Kebab
The last memory he has of the Oasis before the attack
She made it out too.
"I'm so glad you made it out too."
She says in relief
"How long you have you been here??"
She asks
"…"
"I just arrived."
Xavier says softly
"…"
-silence-
"…"
"Well that shouldn't matter you're here now that's all that matters."
She says noticing his tone and demeanour
"Want a kebab?"
She asks
"it's on the house."
She says smiling trying to alleviate some of his dread
"…Thanks"
Xavier says scanning the area
"…"
-silence-
"…"
"They sure are a lot of them…"
"huh…"
Xavier thinks looking around
"Seems a lot of people survived…"
Xavier says softly
"Hm."
"Yeah all thanks to Mr Jerry."
Ursula responds smiling softly
"U-Uncle Jerry?!?!"
Xavier says subconsciously
"Mhmm."
Ursula responds in agreement smiling
"He took most who would listen out the city for an early evacuation."
She says
"Giving them directions and resources to get to Pandora."
She says smiling
"It really is sad not everyone believed him."
She says
"I mean I sort of understand them…"
"Being asked to leave all they have behind…"
She says
"But still it would have been great if more people survived."
"…"
-silence-
"…"
"Anyway."
She says
"Mr Jeremy spread the news of the attack before it happened."
She says.
"And even came back to rescue those who didn't believe him after the bombings had already begun."
She says sombrely
"Most of the people here owe Mr Jerry our lives."
She says smiling
"…"
-silence-
"…"
"… I see…"
Xavier responds softly taking a sip of juice
"So do i…"
He thinks
"ah…"
"So how are your parents?"
Ursula asks awkwardly when she notices Xavier's mood has worsened
"I'd really like to see Marisa again if possible."
"Did you settle somewhere far?"
She asks
"…"
-silence-
"…"
"They ah…"
Xavier stiffens as the words fail to come out
"…"
"Aaaaah you don't have to answer that."
Ursula says awkwardly but understanding at the end as she continues to watch Xavier's mood
"…"
-silence-
"…"
"Is it okay if I ask you about a couple of people?"
Xavier says sombrely
"I want to know if they made it."
He says
"uhmm… sure ask away."
Ursula responds awkwardly
"I've been here longer than most."
She says
"So I know most people."
She says trying to smile
"Hm."
Xavier exclaims nodding
"…"
-silence-
"…"
"Well it's now or never Xavi…"
Xavier thinks sombrely
"…"
("PA!!!!!!!!")
Xavier slaps his cheeks!!!
"EH!!!"
"Smart Mark and Lucy Beyaz… no Just Lucy."
Xavier asks forwardly with hope filled eyes after Ursula exclaims in shock
Despite how much time had passed Xavier still clung onto hope that his saviours had survived
That by some miracle it had all been a dream
The question that burned his soul was now free
"…ah ….""
"Hmmm…"
Ursula exclaims in thought immediately trying to recall
"Ah…"
She exclaims
"I think I'll have to ask one or two people maybe its just me who did-"
Ursula pauses her rant when she notices Xavier has steeled himself
"N-no…"
She says coldly
"…"
"…I see…"
Xavier responds
A cold reality
But not one he didn't anticipate.
After all, all he sort was peace….
"…"
-silence
"…"
"B-But you don't have to beat yourself up about it."
Ursula cuts in awkwardly
"You could stay with me for a bit if you need to."
She says
"A lot of us lost family."
Ursula says looking to a photo of her daughters
She had twins…
"So now the whole Oasis is our family."
She says
"I know it's hard but--"
"Hey Miss Ursula could you do me a favour."
Xavier says cutting her off as he staring at the ground and patting Mylo
"HUH?"
"Sure what is it?"
Ursula asks awkwardly
"Take in Mylo."
Xavier says softly
"Hm. Yeah sure that's…"
"What?"
"…"
"…"
-To Be Continued-