A Date In Pandora City (Part 2)

As they stood on the bustling street, Lydia and Alex took a moment to catch their breath, still shaken by their encounter. Lydia leaned against a lamppost, her face a mixture of sadness and frustration. Alex, sensing her need to talk, gently touched her shoulder.

"How are you holding up?" he asked softly, his concern evident.

Lydia sighed deeply, her eyes welling up with tears again. "It's just... it feels like nothing has improved since the last cycle," she began, her voice trembling. "I hoped people might be more accepting this time. But it's the same hostility, the same contempt. Nothing changed, like Erza said."

Alex nodded, his heart aching for her. He remembered the stories she had told him about her previous experiences in the city some time ago. Since the first time, from every cycle onwards, she had hoped for some form of change, for acceptance, but each time, she was met with the same prejudice.

"I know it's hard," Alex said, his voice gentle but firm. "But I know for a fact that people can be cruel, and it's never fair for us to be on the receiving end of their horrible actions and words. But I've come to realise that we can't let them dictate how we feel or what we do. I…believe it's better for us to accept that fact."

Lydia sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I…really just wanted today to be special. It's our first city visit as a couple, and I wanted us to have a good memory together."

Alex took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "And we have," he said with determination. "Despite everything that happened just now, I think we've had some amazing moments today. The murals… the park… and even the bookstore. They were all special because we were together."

Lydia managed a small smile, appreciating his optimism. "You're…right. It wasn't all bad," she admitted. "But it's hard to forget how people looked at us…and it ruined the mood."

"I know," Alex said softly. "But, hey, let's not let them ruin our date. Let's end it on a good note. I want us to have a memory we can look back on and smile about, too. Besides, we'll give them more power if we let them control our moods like this."

Lydia nodded, a bit more resolute now. "You're right. I don't want to give them that power over us."

Alex smiled, relieved to see some of her spirit returning. "I have an idea. How about you choose one last place for us to visit? Somewhere special, where we can definitely end the day with a good memory..."

Lydia thought for a moment, her eyes scanning the cityscape. Then, a spark of excitement lit up her face. "Hmm, I've always wanted to go to that tall tower over there," she said. "The view from up there is supposed to be incredible. Can we go there?"

Alex's smile widened. "That tall tower it is," he agreed. "Let's make it a perfect end to our date."

They made their way through the crowded streets, navigating the maze of paths and intersections until they reached the base of the towering structure. The building soared into the sky, its sleek design a stark contrast to the crumbling surroundings. Alex held Lydia's hand tightly as they entered the lobby, greeted by the cool air and polished marble floors.

The elevator ride to the top was cranky and shaky. The numbers flickered and ticked upward rapidly. As they ascended, Alex felt a little peeved about the malfunctioning ride while Lydia's excitement grew, her previous worries momentarily forgotten. When the doors finally opened, they were greeted by a breathtaking panorama.

The observation deck was spacious, with dusty floor-to-ceiling windows offering a 360-degree view of the city. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape. Lydia walked up to the glass, dusting away some of the accumulated dirt, and her eyes widened with wonder.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Alex stood beside her, taking in the view. "It really is," he agreed. "But not as beautiful as seeing you happy."

Lydia blushed, her heart swelling with affection for him. "Aww. Thank you, Alex," she said softly. "For always being so sweet."

As they wandered around the observation deck, admiring the city from different angles, the fading light painted the buildings in shades of orange and pink, creating a picturesque scene. For a while, they forgot about the hostility they had faced, lost in the beauty of the moment.

The city's vastness stretched out before them, a sea of rooftops and streets that seemed to go on forever. But as Alex took in the view, he began to notice a stark contrast in the landscape. The part of the city they had been walking through looked even more bleak and miserable from this height, the dilapidated buildings and grime more evident. In stark contrast, in the distance, a section of the city seemed untouched by the decay—a higher, nicer part of the city hidden from their ground-level view, now revealed in all its splendour from this vantage point.

Alex's eyes narrowed as he realised the disparity. The people who governed the city were truly corrupt, allowing even their own cybernetic-enhanced citizens to suffer while the elite enjoyed their lives in comfort and luxury. The injustice of it all made his blood boil, but he kept his anger to himself, not wanting to spoil the mood of their date.

Lydia, standing beside him, looked out in awe. "It's so beautiful from up here," she said softly, her eyes shining with wonder. "I wish we could visit those nicer parts of the city one day."

Alex turned to her, his resolve hardening. "We will, Lydia," he promised, his voice filled with determination. "One day, I'll take you there. We'll walk those streets together and see the city in all its beauty."

Lydia smiled, touched by his words. "Really? That would be wonderful," she said. "I look forward to that day."

They reached a corner of the deck where they could talk more privately. Not that it was necessary, as there was no one around, but it felt natural for them to do so.

Lydia turned to Alex, her expression serious. "Alex…I know we talked about how things haven't changed much," she began, her voice steady. "But I want you to know that being with you has made all the difference for me. Even if the world around us is harsh, having you by my side makes it bearable."

Alex's heart swelled with emotion. He cupped her face in his hands, looking into her eyes. "And you make everything worth it for me, Lydia," he said earnestly. "Since the day you first smiled at me, I feel like I can do anything for Grandpa and Mom, for the other guys in our district…and especially for you."

They kissed softly, a tender moment that seemed to freeze time. When they pulled away, the sky had darkened, and the city lights had begun to twinkle below, adding to the magical atmosphere. They found a bench near the window and sat down, their hands intertwined as they watched the night unfold.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the city lights flicker below. The observation deck was relatively empty, giving them a sense of peace and privacy. Alex felt a deep sense of contentment despite the challenges they had faced that day.

"I hope we can keep making good memories like this," Lydia said eventually, her voice thoughtful. "Even if things are tough, moments like this make it all worth it."

Alex nodded, squeezing her hand. "We will," he promised. "We'll keep finding beauty in the world, no matter what. And we'll face everything together."

The sky had turned a deep blue, stars beginning to peek through the darkness. The city below was alive with lights and movement, a stark contrast to the serene moment they were sharing. Alex felt a sense of hope, a belief that despite the hardships, they could find happiness together.

"Let's come back here next cycle," Lydia suggested, her eyes sparkling with the city lights. "Every cycle, let's visit this tower and enjoy this sight again together."

Alex smiled, kissing her forehead. "It's a promise," he said. "Every cycle, we'll come back and create new memories."

They stayed on the observation deck until the city was fully enveloped in night, the twinkling lights creating a mesmerising view. As they finally made their way back down, Alex felt a renewed sense of purpose.1

As they reached back to the gate of the city, Lydia looked back at the towering structure they had left from. "Thank you for today, Alex," she said sincerely. "It started rough, but you made it special."

Alex smiled, his heart full. "It's I who should thank you, Lydia," he replied. "For always being my strength and my joy. Today was special because of you."

They stood for a moment, taking in the view of the city lights for the last time before heading back home to the Genesis District.

Unbeknownst to them, a familiar figure stood in the darkness, watching their lovey-dovey interactions with jealousy burning in his eyes...