The Smiling Man

[protectorofthebooty]

It's been little over a year since the Nex virus had been completely purged from Crytex. The city had nearly died as it's citizens perished or fled. Now people are beginning to return by transport. Young hopefuls looking for a new beginning. Aspiring scientists looking to make some new breakthrough in their field of study. Students either coming for the military scholarship or the promises of a better education.


No matter what their reason for coming here, the city is becoming more alive.


Already stone and steel is mending like bone and flesh. The rain falls more, washing away the filth and rot of death and sickness. This city was once great. And we'll make it great once more.

 

[protectorofthebooty]

With the sigh of brakes the transport stopped it's slow roll into the docking bay. Machinery hummed, locking the transport into place as it settled. The attendants waited patiently, their smiles tired, as the passengers began shuffling off to be escorted into the station where they could finally grab their luggage. The station itself was bustling and clean. Most people were coming into the city, but a few were heading out.


Standing in a parted sea, a man waited patiently, his hands held behind his back. People cast glances towards him as he stood out rather starkly from the crowd. Once or twice a child whimpered, clutching closer to their guardian. One smiled brightly and tried to move closer, but was quickly whisked away by their parents.


Cameron of course paid no mind to the reactions he received. It was something that he had grown accustomed too. Not that it had particularly bothered him in the first place. In fact it quite suited him well as people were less inclined to try and bother him as he went about his business. At the moment he simply hoped it would startle his new friend too much. He had warned the young man, but hadn't exactly sent a picture of himself.

 

[maleficusmages]

Among them, a young engineer glanced around curiously. Jack had slept most of the trip to Crytex, assured that he wouldn't miss much of the view while heading there. Now fresh faced and fully awake, he took in the meager crowd, slowly shuffling his way into the station along with the rest. After hearing so many horror stories of what had happened, he found it hard to believe the place he stepped into had once been full of strife and death. Once he had collected his luggage, offering a small, yet nervous, smile with the guards, he continued on his way into the stations heart.


He had spent a good few months in chats and forums, theorizing what had happened with other interested people, when he met Cameron. He knew nothing about the man other than they shared a few common interests- and he lived in Crytex. After a good deal of chatting back and forth, he finally caved in, and bought a ticket for the quickest transport to the station.


It wasn't hard to find the man. He was one of the tallest men in the crowds.. And there was the mask. He had been told about it, but he honestly thought it was a joke. But, who was he to judge what Cameron wore? For all he knew, it was to hide an ugly scar. Picking up his luggage in one hand, he began to wave the other frantically, hoping to be spotted among the crowd.


"Hey! Sorry it took so long..! I ended up being the last one off the bus. Fell asleep," He spoke out once he got closer to the other, offering a sheepish grin. In person, he was a dwarf compared to Cameron. "And you said you were only a little tall-- you, my good sir, are a tree..!" He chuckled, offering his hand to his friend.

 

[protectorofthebooty]

Cameron watched as Jack waved frantically. The man was shorter than he originally anticipated and it was amusing to watch as hopped with each wave. Cameron stepped forward, people moving to avoid him and thus making it easier for Jack to move.


"I can imagine that the ride would be rather boring." he laughed easily, bowing slightly to better reach Jack's height, and took his offered hand, "Same to you. I wasn't quite expecting a bush."


Leaning down to pick up Jack's duffle bag, that he had grabbed before the man had woken, Cameron lead him out of the station and into the square. Like the station the square was busy with people going about their days. Shops of baked goods, fast food, souvenirs, and information circled a large, intricately carved pillar. It shot up from it's ample base towards the ceiling above where it branched out like roots. From the roots hung globes that glowed with intense golden light. Each globe wept a cool clear liquid that quickly evaporated on contact.


"Welcome, Jack, to Crytex. As you can see the city is still cleansing all traces of sickness away." Cameron paused, tilting his face up to look at the globes above. "This city can be quite beautiful, I assure you. Some days I like to believe that it could rival even Alaire. Come, are you hungry?"

 

[maleficusmages]

"Oi! I am not a bush..!" Jack huffed out, hands resting on his hips as he fixed the masked man with a fake scowl. Noticing the other had taken it upon himself to pick up his duffle bag, Jack quickly dropped the scowl, uncertainity painting his face as he began to sputter incoherently. After taking a moment to collect his mind and thoughts, he began to talk normally, "You know, you don't have to.. Uh, carry that-"


Realizing the protest was falling on deaf ears, he sighed in defeat. Unable to help it, he smiled and followed the other out into the square. Upon entering the station for the first time, a man so full of words was left absolutely stunned. Even if the remnants of the sickness could be seen, beauty could be seen glimmering through the rot. And given time and more life, it would be undoubtedly be just as stunning.


"Uh, well.." He didn't even have to answer, as his stomach decided to let out a sound akin to an angry walrus in the moment he had paused. Feeling his face flush in embarrassment, he placed a hand on his flat stomach, muttering more to himself, "Traitor.."