CHAPTER 5 – HIS NAME IS NABLON

[During their walk to the cafeteria, Mirika took the stranger around the renegades compound showing him what’s and not’s. The compound was indeed huge; it even had an amusement park and a few perks to it. It was like their safe haven. And now Mirika had taken him to the amusement park and as he stared on in awe, Mirika held his hand and dragged him along.]

_: Where are we going?

Mirika: It’s obvious isn’t it? You can’t just keep staring forever.

[The two descend the stairs to the amusement park in no time and stood in the amusement parks compound. A couple of children present trooped up and down as their joyous cheers filled the atmosphere]

Mirika: So where do you want to go first? Is it the Ferris Wheel or the Roller Coaster?

-: Ro...ller… Coaster! Have I ridden any of those before/

Mirika: Well I wouldn’t know since I didn’t know you before.

_: That’s true… (A sad tone accompanied)

Mirika: Don’t look so gloom, I have an idea. Why don’t we relive all those moments, starting with the amusement park. Come one, let’s go.

[They went ahead to explore the fun machines and attractions at the park; the Ferris wheel, the Roller Coaster, the speed whack a mole, and few others. After a while, they paused to take a breather on a bench with iced creams to boot]

_: What a lively and beautiful place.

Mirika: Haha!

_: What?

Mirika: It’s nice to finally see you crack a smile, put on a happy face. Must be hard what you’re going through. But don’t worry; if anything happens we’ll be here, I’ll be here for you. From now onwards, we’re friends okay? You’re not allowed to say no. [She stared on intensely]

_: Friends?.

Mirika: Yeah, you can come to me when you need help with anything and I’ll definitely find you when I need you. Promise?

_: Promise?

Mirika: A promise is… when you agree with or give someone your word and decide to never go back on it.

_: Promise.

[Sitting there, getting drowned in the scenery and environment they found themselves, Mirika kept getting this thought at the back of her head, that she’d forgotten something. She sat wondering, trying to remember what it is she had lost sight of as her thoughts were interrupted by the blonds’ words.

_: Hey, weren’t we supposed to go somewhere?

[Upon hearing his words she was reminded of her initial goal and hastily, they left the amusement park]

At a vendor space, right beside a large building, Kato and Guan were seated at the vendor stand awaiting Mirika and the blond.

Kato: That damned sister of mine, where could she have gone off to?

Guan: Relax Kato, this is a pretty big area. If anything were to happen she’d be more than capable of handling herself, so just chill.

Kato: That’s not what I’m talking about! I’ve had to wait this long for him to come to.

Guan: Don’t tell me you’re planning to…

Kato: Of course I am, but only if it’s his choice. I don’t plan on forcing him but I’d be glad if he accepted.

[Footsteps approached]

Mirika: Katoo… We’re here!

[The voice entered Katos ears from behind]

Kato: Mirika, you! How long did you intend to make me wait? [He vigorously got on his feet's and fired at her]

Mirika: Relax! I was just showing him around.

Kato: There’s no helping you is there?

Mirika: What’s that supposed to mean? Stupid brother [they stared at each other growling]

Kato: So they’re siblings?

Guan: Ah yes. Yes they are.

_: Why are they fighting?

Guan: Ah yes, well they’re not really fighting. It’s kinda like a thing you do when you have a sibling, its inevitable [he sighed]. You’ll get used to it soon enough.

Kato: Sorry if she put you through any troubles, my sister can be stubborn at times.

_: Ah… it’s nothing. In fact it was actually a wonderful experience.

Kato: Wonderful experience? Mirika! Where did you take him?

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Mirika: Like I’m gonna tell you!

Kato: I demand an answer!

Mirika: When did you start to become this over protective? Go die somewhere stupid leader. [She harshly stated without batting an eye, the words pierced Kato like a double edged sword rendering him silent]

Kato: Ahem! Shall we go inside? Everyone has been waiting long enough.

You just might be the savior after all.

Leaving the vendor stand, Kato and the others pressed on further to the building that was a few meters walk away from the vendor stand. Inside the building, was rather a spacious environment, even with people present. The distance between the halls ground and ceiling was 20 meters and its with 50 metres wide. Individuals present were of various age groups; from indivduals in their early teens, children, adults and members of the renegade. They stood chatting as they awaited. The building's double doors creaked open as Kato and the others walked. all the people inside turned, looking in their direction.

“Is that the new guy?” “Erhh… He’s handsome”

“Tch, I can’t believe Kato is accepting him, I don’t care what it is but I’m not staying alone with that guy.”

“You got that right.”

“That trash gets to walk with Mirika.” “Hey watch your mouth!”

As they walked pass the people, murmurs and gossips of all kinds come from every directions. It looked like not everyone was ready to welcome a “nobody”

From the hall's gate to opposite of the door, a distance of 50metres, various gossips went on among the people as Kato and the others pressed on elegantly like nobles.

Just ahead, there was a podium elevated 5 feet above ground level. Kato and the others were making their way to the podium as the people stared at them. Just as there were individuals that couldn't hold back their resentful talks and idle chatter, the kids and the young girls and adults couldn’t hold their admiration for their generous leader as well and as such, they cheered him on. Kato wasn’t the only the one, Mirika also got her fair share of cheers from the young girls that admired her though their cheers were overshadowed by the men who admired her. Guan wasn't left out either. The women, children and teens that admired him also showed their heartfelt appreciation.

Just as there are people that cheered them on with admiration, there were others that weren’t big fans of Kato; they stared on quietly from afar, at the corners of the hall amongst the crowds staring on with scornful eyes.

Waving their hands in the air, accepting their heartfelt cheers Kato, Mirika, Guan and the blond climbed the stairs of the podium and found their way to the platforms surface in no time. Kato: Sorry to have kept you all waiting. My sister here decided not to listen to me… as always.

So, I’m guessing we all have a slight idea of why we are gathered here making merry today right?

They were all silent as most their faces were stale and some silent. In actuality, this was a rare incident. They were never ones that had time for gatherings, unless it was an emergency. Not to mention large scale gatherings of such. The individuals present stared on silently, hoping to hear what this gathering was all about.

Kato: From the looks on your faces… I guess I’ll tell you what it is then.

We’re here today for quite a lot of reasons, nothing serious to worry about so you can rest easy.

I am well aware of how you have all been feeling; having to move from one location to another tends to be quite bothersome and unsettling. Ever for us. Not to mention… loosing loved ones almost each time we are chased out or ambushed. All we’ve had time to do is mourn and hide.

But today... Today is a different day. On this very ground as we are all gathered here; I want you to let go of all those pent up stress and feelings you have bottled up. Cry, curse, laugh, drink, but in all, remember to have fun. I know it won't be easy for you all, but you’ll never know until you try.

But there's something I'd like you all to know. We owe all of this to a certain someone, some of you might have seen him around, some of you might know him, though I doubt it.

Standing to Kato’s right hand side with Mirika, Guan and a few members of the renegade, the blond found himself drifting in his thoughts.

_: (Kato, what is he talking about?)

Kato: Ladies and gentlemen gathered here today....

Staring into the crowd, his concentration curbed to his thoughts as Kato's words were tunned out. He could make out all sorts of facial expressions; some had a warm feel to the looks in their eyes, like they were glad to welcome him.

Kato: I give you a new member of our family,

As there were people who made him feel at ease, there were also others that were sure to make him feel unwelcome. They stared on with a heavy intensity, though there were only a few of such caliber; their reaction had more impact on the blonds’ heart. There was an uneasy sensation bubbling up in his stomach. He could feel it in his very being.

Kato: The person that saved us, the reason we’re here in one piece.

Kato stretches his hand to his right side, pointing to the blond.

Caught up in his thoughts and the uneasy feeling in his gut, he felt a touch on his hand, some one pulling his attire. When he came to, the people in the crowd were applauding, some willingly and the others vice versa.

Mirika: Go on!

The blond instinctively walked towards Kato, joining him at the mikes stand. The crowd screamed cheers from all around as their applauding grew larger.

Kato: So what do you have to say to the people gathered here?

_: What do I say...?

Kato: Haha, don’t mind him, he can be aloof sometimes.

“Does he have a name?” a young woman’s voice came questioning from the crowd.

Kato: A name huh…

Kato stared at the blonds face silently.

He'd crossed fists with him, run across the globe a couple of times side by sid and he'd even considered asking him to join them but never had he bothered to ask his name, he knew even he did ask the blond wouldn’t be able to say. It would only make things worse.

Kato: His name is Nablon!

That’s all I have to say to you all. Now come on, spread out. Relax and let's have fun.

With those as his last words before exiting the platform, he turned to Guan and gave a slight nod. At that that instant, one by one, in the span of 2 seconds, various fun attractions were brought into to the hall grounds, 40 tables and 2 pairs of chairs each, 10 speed whack a moles were also brought along with other fun items and set around the vast grounds. A couple of serve your self stands were put at the corners of the hall with a large table in the center. And finally at the platform, a sound system was set on the platform.

The people gathered there exclaimed when they came to. A place that in one moment was bare with nothing but people and a spacious environment was now occupied with tables, food, drinks and a few portable machines and attractions from the amusement park, it was almost beyond the realm of belief.

Guan: Done!

Kato: Seriously, I thought I told you to ask the others for help.

Guan: Ah, no, it just looked to me like it’d get done faster if I did it alone.

Kato: Humph… show off!

Nablon: Nablon…

Kato: Yeah! Cool name right?

Mirika: If he wanted to take a name, at least he should have been able to do so for himself, something that said something about him.

Not a name like Nablon, it sounds a bit off.

Guan: Mirika is right you know.

Mirika: I mean is Nablon even a real name?!

Kato: Tch… you guys, what did you expect me to do when they asked for his name huh?!

Guan: You could have at least given him the chance.

Kato: Ughh! So I’m the one at wrong here? And the name says something about him.

They stared at Kato intensely.

Kato: He’s blonde, and he looks good, right Mirika?

He’s blonde and he has no name. Nablon is the coolest I could come up with.

Nablon: … lame!

Mirika: See, even he thinks its lame.

Kato: Kaa!! Till any of you comes up with a better name, Nablon it is. Right, nameless blondie? [He launched himself unto Nablon’s shoulder]

Nablon: I guess so…

They stood amongst the crowd enjoying the satisfaction of seeing the people together and relaxed for once.