The Festival

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision 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.

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision 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” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision said as she walked up to KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision, “I’ve been waiting for you. How have you been holding up?”

“I um, I’m fine.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision 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.” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision 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 manTamashi #48View on SuiVision with a worn hat and overalls stepped forward.

“Hi, miss …”

“KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision,” she said, looking up at the man, “You can call me Kasumi.”

“Kasumi.” he said, “You can call me FarmerTamashi #48View on SuiVision. It’s not a name like Kasumi, but it’ll do.”

“Alright Farmer” sheTamashi #50View on SuiVision said, “Why did BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision here introduce you?”

“Well, if it isn’t obvious, I am a farmer.” heTamashi #48View on SuiVision 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,” sheTamashi #50View on SuiVision said, “Yeah, I’d be happy to show you around.”

“Perfect.” heTamashi #48View on SuiVision said.

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision 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 manTamashi #43View on SuiVision with a plaid shirt and an apron with the number forty-three at its center. A womanTamashi #57View on SuiVision followed him with a soft purple screen, holding the hands of a teenage boy and young girl.

“Thanks for looking out for us, KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision.” the manTamashi #43View on SuiVision said.

“I can’t turn down a request for protection, especially for a family.” sheTamashi #9View on SuiVision said.

The teenage boy looked away and ran off. KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision started to dash after him until she saw him join a small crowd of four teenagers. OneTamashi #13View on SuiVision had a key on his screen, anotherTamashi #18View on SuiVision had glasses. OneTamashi #17View on SuiVision had hearts across his screen, and anotherTamashi #36View on SuiVision had a locked safe across her face.

“They’re okay.” the man said, stopping KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision. “They’re the only other teenagers we’ve found around here. It’s good that he has people to play with. The one with the lock happens to be my niece.”

“Is it worth the threat of being exposed?” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision answered, “You still haven’t told me the nature of your threat.”

“WeTamashi #43View on SuiVision have a very loose connection with the uh, … corporation. It’s not something we wanted or took part in. Normally I would strike it out on my own, but you know, I have a family to watch out for.”

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision looked over and saw the motherTamashi #57View on SuiVision holding her young daughter’s hand. “I understand. I won’t let any harm come to you unless you invoke it. This new start has been peaceful for us so far, and I intend to keep it that way.” Kitsune began to spot a face through the crowd. Through the frantic motions of people moving about, one face had stayed still and staring. It was the face of the man, GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision, who had walked away from their campfire on the first night. “Stay here.” Kitsune directed at the family, and took a few steps forward. “What do you want?”, she directed at Gang.

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision stood still and stared right at herTamashi #9View on SuiVision . “I see you still carry around your sword.”

“Out with it.” sheTamashi #9View on SuiVision answered.

“I’m putting together a group of people to take charge of this world. I want to make sure no one despicable takes power over us.” heTamashi #21View on SuiVision paused, “I want you to be part of it. Join us.”

“And what manner of world do you intend to build? Which values do you intend to use to guide its course? Is this the same group where you’ve recruited my brotherTamashi #37View on SuiVision?”

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision paused.

“Don’t think I don’t track your movements or know the nature of your company. My brotherTamashi #37View on SuiVision and I could not be more different in terms of aim or purpose. You seek to claim power, but you care not for the values to champion, nor mission to pursue. It’s power for power’s sake, an empty ambition without the vestige of purpose” sheTamashi #9View on SuiVision paused, “And I don’t align myself with thugs.”

“You don’t know me.” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision said.

“I know enough.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision answered.

Suddenly a manTamashi #42View on SuiVision with a dark suit and jagged red lines across his face started to walk up to them. Alarm bells pulsed in KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision’s head. Every intuition raged against her as she looked towards the man walking forward. She turned to the father in a panic, and grabbed his hand. “Come on.”, she said, “We need to get away from here.”, as she and the adjoining family disappeared into the bustling crowd.

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision glared towards ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision in repressed rage. He took great efforts to contain himself and regain composure. “What the hell are you doing here?” he asked.

ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision walked calmly over, with a manTamashi #16View on SuiVision following closely behind. “We’ve heard you’re putting a group together” he said, “We would like to humbly request to join.”

“And why would I let you?” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision barked.

“Come now. We’ve worked well together in the past haven’t we? It’s really a question of where you would rather have me? With you here, or off somewhere else? And I promise I’ll always follow orders” heTamashi #42View on SuiVision whispered, “sir.”

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision took a moment to think. He knew much of his plan would ride on this decision. After he composed himself, he decided, “Fine. But I am the one in charge, understand?”

“Of course.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision answered, “And you have one more entry.” he took the manTamashi #16View on SuiVision behind him by the shoulders and shoved him between himself and GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision. The man was trembling and had ‘Do Not Enter’ written on his face.

“What’s his name?” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision asked.

“FearTamashi #16View on SuiVision.” the man trembled.

“What use could ITamashi #21View on SuiVision have for a man who’s always afraid?”

“Come now.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision taunted, “I’m sure he has some measure of ferocity.”

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision stepped back a moment flashed before his eyes from twelve, no, sixteen years earlier. Gang clenched his fists as he looked towards ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision behind the man. “Fine. He can join too, but that’s it.”

“Of course.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision said.

“Is everything alright here?” the womanTamashi #4View on SuiVision with the witch’s hat approached them. The muscular man and SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision followed closely behind.

“We’re fine.” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision said, turning to ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision and FearTamashi #16View on SuiVision, “We’re going to make an announcement soon, in front of the crowd. We’re in charge, and it’s time that they know it.”, he turned to the womanTamashi #4View on SuiVision, the muscular man, and SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision, and pointed at Chaos. “I want this one on a tight leash. He’s part of the group, but not above anyone here.”

ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision smiled and looked to his side. “I’m telling you” a manTamashi #35View on SuiVision in a suit and headset said to another man, “Any of these non-perishables are valuable commodities. You need to HODL them now and wait until there’s demand.”

“Fascinating.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision whispered.

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision walked up to a table of food that was mostly empty. He looked around the city block to the crowds of people gathered there. This is the perfect place, he thought, for us to make our stand. He shoved the food to one side, and stood up on the table. SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision , WitchTamashi #4View on SuiVision, ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision , FearTamashi #16View on SuiVision, and the Muscular Man all climbed atop the table.

“Citizens of Nozomi!” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision shouted. Everyone turned their heads, “We have founded a new city together! We’re starting to build new lives for ourselves! But no city can be safe without those that take charge of its integrity. We are the ones who take charge! We are the ones who will govern this city and make sure all of you are safe. I will make sure everyone is secure. We are the Nozomi gang. And we will be the law in this new world!”

BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision glanced at KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision . Kasumi and KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision glanced at each other. They stared with bitter resolve in their eyes, and conviction in their hearts. This felt wrong. They all knew it. Kitsune kept her eyes peeled, staring forward towards SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision . He had also found her in the crowd and was staring back – both with their hands on their blades.