The Festival | Nozomi

Chem began to stare again at the entrance of the city. What had begun yesterday as a few small murals across a building had evolved into an enormous festival. Lights had been placed along wires stretching between buildings. The buildings had been painted with a variety of colors and styles that stretched all around the city block. Underneath tents, tables were filled with an array of food from looted grocery stores. The food smelled glorious and familiar, and the feeling of people rushing past you on all sides was a welcome change. All ninety-eight citizens were bustling through the city block, taking in the artistic sights and sounds of the first event since they’ve woken up.

Chem relished the sight of it all, and marveled at what a wonderful job the event’s organizers had done. Chem grabbed a small cookie and held it in his hand. The logistics of the event were a pleasant surprise. Up until this point, they had been fed by the tubes of their old facility, which seemed to have an unlimited supply of liquid food without smell or taste.

The festival, though, was a welcome array of sights and smells, but even it too was limited. There was no fresh produce, or bread, or any food that could expire, since the grocery stores weren’t actively managed. All that remained were non-perishables like canned meat, nuts, and frozen food. Although the frozen food couldn’t leave the freezers they were stored in. Still, the event was a soft reminder of the city’s culture. It wasn’t quite the same as the old world, but with the mixture of sights, smells, and people, Chem was proud that it felt like a new one.

Kasumi walked through the city streets to the sight of an active festival. With bright lights overhead, and crowds of people moving on either side, it felt like the city she only visited in her childhood. She even felt claustrophobic.

“Hey there” Birdcage said as she walked up to Kasumi , “I’ve been waiting for you. How have you been holding up?”

“I um, I’m fine.” Kasumi said, as she looked up at the lights above her, “I just don’t know what I should do now. I think I want to go home to the farm. It’s what my Dad would have wanted.” she paused, “Is there … no fresh food here?”

“Yeah, nope.” Birdcage laughed, “No farmers means no produce, so I think everyone here would welcome your decision. Actually, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Birdcage gestured with her arm, and a tall man with a worn hat and overalls stepped forward.

“Hi, miss …”

“ Kasumi ,” she said, looking up at the man, “You can call me Kasumi.”

“Kasumi.” he said, “You can call me Farmer . It’s not a name like Kasumi, but it’ll do.”

“Alright Farmer” she said, “Why did Birdcage here introduce you?”

“Well, if it isn’t obvious, I am a farmer.” he started, “I intend to harvest the nearby farms and grow some fresh crops. And if it’s alright with you, you can join me. I’ve done my fair share of farming before, but not much around this area.”

“Yeah,” she said, “Yeah, I’d be happy to show you around.”

“Perfect.” he said.

Kitsune weaved through the crowd with her sword on her hip. It had been a long time since she’d been in such a large crowd. She scanned the crowd for any potential threats, as she made her way forwards. Behind her was a man with a plaid shirt and an apron with the number forty-three at its center. A woman followed him with a soft purple screen, holding the hands of a teenage boy and young girl.