Familiar

For a while I was not sure where we were going, but I soon began to recognize the twists and turns of the tunnels and their patchwork metal walls. We were heading in the direction of my apartment, back to the docks. I looked over at Geo and tried to figure out what he was planning, but his face betrayed nothing.

Geo took a sharp left out of the tunnel, and I was hit with a sudden feeling of déjà vu. The marketplace was just as bustling as it had been the first time I had come here with Albin, but instead of the faux daytime scene, the sky lights had transitioned into a beautiful orange dusk. Arcans still darted across streets to finish their shopping, but now there were pockets of people leisurely taking in the evening after a long day.

I smiled to myself as I tried to think back on the last time I had truly enjoyed an evening out. As sad as it is to say, it was a long time ago, even in my memory. I didn't take the time to enjoy things much on Earth. I was too focused on the negatives of the world, too driven to leave it in all behind, to take a moment and experience what was around me. As Geo pulled up into a parking space I decided that I would learn to enjoy life a little more this time around.

"Are you ready?" Geo asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I nodded and stepped out of the car. He walked around to my side and tilted his head down the same pathway I had walked with Albin. "This way," he said with a smile.

The shop lights were dazzling, and the constant river of people moving down the alleyway almost overwhelming, but they could not distract me from how oddly similar this experience was compared to Albin's.

I leaned over to Geo so he could hear me over all the market noise. "Where are we going?"

"To get some dinner," he said as he weaved around a man inspecting one of the shops wares. "We will take it back to the lab so you can remove your mask." I nodded happily at the prospect of something new to eat other than bland stew.

Up ahead I could hear the loud beat from the clubs, and I hoped I would be able to take a peek at the nightlife that happens down those narrow alleys. I was taken by surprise when Geo suddenly turned right down one of them and continued walking. I tried to keep up, but I inevitably slowed down as I tried to look at everything.

I was used to seeing Arcans in their standard white uniforms. There was no variation, only sameness. I suppose there is a certain sense of equality when we are all in the same garb, but it is at the cost of self expression. From the looks of it, these night alleyways are where one can reclaim a little bit of that expression back. Uniforms were hacked apart and sewn differently. They were dyed and patterned in unique ways, often matching the color of the wearer's homemade makeup.

I stood in front of a club and peered in as bodies danced rhythmically to the music. Some things never change, I thought to myself with a smile. I suddenly felt a warm hand grasp mine. I stiffened in surprised but immediately relaxed when I realized it was Geo. He was looking from me to the club curiously before lightly pulling down the alleyway.

"Are we getting dinner from a club?" I shouted over the music blaring from several places down the way. "I never pictured you as the partying type, or a club having good food."

Geo shook his head, but I could see a smirk forming on his lips. After several minutes of walking the music started to die down and the alleyway become less crowded.

"This way," he said as he led me to an even smaller alleyway. If I hadn't been with Geo I would have missed it entirely. "Stay close to me, it is difficult to move through here," he said as he squeezed my hand in his. I nodded my head and secretly enjoyed the closeness as we made our way in.

The alley was flanked with tiny restaurants, each seating two to nine people max. Everything was packed in tightly to make room for patrons, and it was amazing just how many restaurants there were. Geo pulled me along, squeezing past people until we reached a shop in the middle. I was grateful that there were two seats open because we would have blocked the alley if we just stood in front of the shop.

As soon as we took our seats the chef turned around and smiled widely. "Hello, Geo! It has been a while since I have seen you. How have you been? Are you keeping your health?" the man asked rapidly, the concern clear on his face.

"I am fine. Everything is fine," Geo assured with a small smile. "I have just been busy lately."

"Always so busy," the man said as he shook his head sympathetically. I wondered how they knew each other. I could tell the man was Arcan by his sandy blonde hair and light green eyes, but beyond that I was not sure.

As is sensing my stare, the man turned to me and his eyes widened a little. "And who is this?" he asked with a charming smile.

"This is Flora of Earth," introduced Geo. "Flora, meet Pallav of Spororca." I froze for a moment. That name sounded familiar, I just couldn't remember from where. Pallav froze for an entirely different reason.

"From...Earth?" he asked in disbelief. "You are joking, yes?"

I smiled and shook my head. "I was in hibernation. Geo is the one who was able to wake me up."

"That is incredible," he said slowly as the information sank into his brain. Apparently it was all the convincing he needed as his charming smile made its way back on his face. "You know, Geo saved my life too." He raised his left arm, and attached was a custom prosthetic that looked like it was made for kitchen use. "I was in a dock accident. It smashed my left hand and permanently damaged my left leg. If it were not for Geo, I would have been sent to the labyrinth or worse. I owe him everything."

Geo shook his head, a slight blush creeping on his cheeks from embarrassment. "The reason you are here today is because of you, I only helped," he said.

"He does not like me thanking him. Sometimes I wonder if he regrets helping me now," Pallav teased.

"And how about we order?" Geo said quickly while handing me a menu. He must have been too frazzled to realize that I could not read common Arcan aside from the numbers since the translator only works with what it hears. I didn't bother to point it out and instead watched Geo as he pretended to be engrossed in the menu. Despite alliances and doubts, there is definitely a goodness in him.