"So this is the city," Kyle looked down from the Cathedral district wall to the buildings below. The sun was beginning to lower itself as the late afternoon came, shedding an orange glow to the scenery. Hundreds of streets spiralled across the sloping mountain in patterns that continuously crossed each other and in-between were the structures made by human hands. The homes, shops and so much more that Kyle had never experienced, all teeming with the lives of the tens of thousands of residents.
"Is it really alright for me to come too?" Tai asked concerned.
"Of course it is," Kyle turned to him with a pleasant smile. "This is as much your day as it is Lillia's. You're both going to have it rough so do what you want now."
"Exactly," Lillia nodded. "Let's have fun while we can."
Valandus who stood behind them wistfully smiled, "Speaking of which my young darlings, where exactly do you want to go? I'll say this now but you can't see everything."
"Kyle you've never been here before so is there anywhere you want to visit?" Lillia asked readily. "Tai and I have looked around a few times before, though not much."
"Don't mind me," he quickly shook his hands in reply. "I'll have time later to come by. So long as we're together I'm fine for whatever you two want."
"Ugh that just makes it harder," Lillia rapped her head in thought. "I was super excited before but I'm not really sure what I want to do either. Tai?"
"Um me?" the blue haired boy jumped and twisted shyly, "Well there is something I wanted to do...."
"Go on?"
"I've been wanting to watch that new movie in the theatre," he laughed. "Sorry it's really not much and I could watch it in the Garden when we get back but it's all I could think of."
"No I think that's a great idea," Valandus smirked as if he suddenly thought of something good. "Kyle you've never been to a theatre have you?"
He shook his head, "There was one in Trentheim but I never took the time to go. It was pretty far from Tomph after all."
Lillia clapped her hands, "Perfect. First we'll go watch that movie and then how about dinner? Valandus you know a good place don't you?"
The driver puffed up proudly and bowed, "Of course I do. Allow me to be your guide today."
Thus for the first time in his life Kyle walked into the streets of Central City. The very centre of their world and a place he had always been dreaming to visit, even more so now than before. It was unlike anything he had experienced before as even the architecture seemed foreign with its large multi-block buildings that housed dozens of families in the one space. Together with Tai the two marvelled at the scenery as Lillia and Valandus watched them. Tai himself only had the opportunity to visit on limited occasions, of which he was strictly guarded along with the other children. Now with the open streets and people everywhere, the city seemed new and full of possibilities. Aside from Valandus there was no one to stop his curiosity.
"It's a bit strange not seeing Kyle wear the Guard uniform," Lillia noted to Valandus. "If we put him in more girlish clothes don't you think it would be pretty convincing?"
Valandus laughed, "It's already pretty convincing." As they were visiting the city incognito each were wearing everyday clothing. For Tai and Lillia the two wore similar outfits in the Garden and only changed when they went to do official business. Kyle however usually chose to wear the uniform. At first it was to become used to it but the children in the Garden ended up identifying him with the clothing so he stuck with it. His current style of jacket and pants were simple compared to the city fashion and part of the few sets he brought over from Tomph. As for Lillia and Tai, the two wore caps to hide their vivid hair colours, something they were quite used to now.
"Is it just me or are people looking at Kyle a lot?" Lillia noticed the strange stares quite quickly. The people in the streets that passed by couldn't help but notice the two young men due to their outright curiosity but they especially lingered on Kyle.
"Maybe he looks familiar," Valandus replied knowing full well the reason.
"Hmmm," Lillia thought for a moment but couldn't think why. "Ah whatever, as long as nothing bad happens it'll be fine."
Eventually the four reached the theatre. Within Central City there were several theatres but Valandus guided them to the most prestigious of the lot and one that was used to celebrate the opening of new movies and performances. The grand building had wide and tall welcoming doors and quite the line leading up to it. With a flash of a pass however, Valandus easily skipped the line over, the man himself quite satisfied. It wasn't every day that he was given use of the Hero's pass usually reserved for Military guests and he was sure to make use of it.
Kyle's eyes were wide with wonder the entire time. He had watched a single film before but that was with his father a long time ago and in a place far unlike where he was now. He understood the concept and what they were but experiencing it like this was another matter as following Valandus they were taken to a private lounge above the normal seating with a perfect view of the screen. It was like they were celebrities.
Snacks in hand, the group sat down, Tai particularly excited as he described the movies premise to Kyle and the notable actors that stared in it. Much of the information went straight over his head but made him smile.
"You really like this kind of thing don't you?" Kyle said.
Tai nodded enthusiastically, "I think it's amazing. Not even 20 years ago movies like this didn't even exist but with current day technology we can witness so many cool stories that books just can't match!"
"Maybe one day you'll get to help make one yourself."
Tai blinked surprised at his words, "You think so?"
For a moment Kyle regretted his choice of words as the younger boy's eyes lit up reminding him of his age. He couldn't back down, "Yeah I do. Even if you're a Hero Candidate you should have a dream of something else."
"I'd really like that," the innocent boy's smile filled Kyle with a strange mix of apprehension and joy. On one hand it felt good to help him find something he wanted to do but on the other, was it alright for Kyle to say anything? He was far from making any dream reality.
"You two shush. The movie is starting," Lillia picked at the bucket of popped corn in Kyle's lap snapping him from his thoughts.
The lights dimmed and the curtains covering the screen of the theatre pulled back wide. Beams of light sprang alive from the back of the room where a projector began to roll. There was silence as they shifted in their seats in wait. The movie, as Tai had told them, was directed by the son of a famous director who many people had high hopes for. Titled, A Midnight Dawn, it was the story of love between the fictitious vampire and an equally fictitious elf who were torn apart by human hands. It was quite the provocative concept considering that all the watchers were human but in the end it didn't matter as there were only humans to begin with.
Kyle sunk back into the comfortable seat excited to see the movie play out. What he was not prepared for however was to see something else, his own face. What had started with upbeat patriotic music turned into a campaign for the Hero's Guard as the Guard's symbol revealed itself in front of a vivid backdrop. Then he appeared, dressed in the uniform of a Petty Officer with a matching cap, the most surprised person to see himself was himself. Lillia who was sitting on one side of him chocked on her drink as she suddenly gagged.
"I'm Petty Officer Kyle Barker of the Hero's Guard and we need your help," the image of Kyle before them seemed to glow with pride. "The Eternal Hero protects our world and...."
Kyle himself couldn't take it as the words washed over him in his own voice. He also realised now hearing himself for the first time, he sounded more feminine that he thought. His eyes caught Valandus who sat in his chair nonchalantly with a smirk.
"What the heck is this!?" he turned to the driver still in shock. "Why am I on that screen!?" Thankfully due to their private compartment his voice didn't disturb the other patrons.
"Oh, what, you didn't know Kyle?" the driver feigned ignorance. "Didn't the Captain ask you to record some questions? And you also did that thing with 1st Officer Leela."
"I mean the Captain did ask me... but," Kyle rubbed his head. Back in the Garden Bethial had asked him a few questions over some tea, he didn't think much of it or the strange device he had placed on the table. That combined with the footage they must have recorded of him was more than enough to mush together a promotional piece. "But- but why me?"
Valandus shrugged, "1st Officer Leela said you had charisma. Apparently the public agree because donations and support across Central and the Four States has risen by 30% since then."
"Wait it's not just here?" Kyle was aghast as he suddenly realised why the people in the Hero's Guard and the City had been staring at him.
"It's playing in all major theatres before movies and there's also some posters. I'm surprised we didn't pass any on the way here, funny that isn't it?" it was clear that the driver was having a good laugh though he didn't show it outwardly.
Lillia's jaw had been hanging open the entire time. She finally closed it and firmly pressed her lips together, "Why though?"
Valandus' smirk became sincere, "It was coincidence at first but the Captain thought it would be useful to have Kyle gain some credibility if anything happened. Now's he's basically a minor celebrity. Good luck kicking him out of the Guard now."
Tai gripped Kyle's arm excitedly, "That's so cool! You looked amazing. Next time let me come watch when you record. I promise I won't get in the way."
"No that's," seeing his enthusiasm Kyle could only inwardly sigh. "I'll talk with the Captain later...." He sat back into his chair as the movie finally began to play in earnest. With any luck his father and everyone in Tomph would never know about this.
*
In a back alley bar three youths and a man sat together at a table. The out of the way eatery was surprisingly full with a cheery crowd and unlike before the four sat amongst the other patrons. Tai was still giddy after the movie as he continued to rave about the actor's performance and the moving story. Valandus who sat opposite of him was keen to agree and together they chatted away as their drinks and food came.
"You don't have to try so hard to hide yourself," Lillia said to Kyle as he hunched himself over.
He squirmed in his seat, "How could I not? Those posters were huge!" He slumped against the table, "I really do look like a girl...."
Lillia cleared her throat trying to her hide her amusement. As much as she felt for him, she also found his dilemma kind of cute. "I mean it could be worse. At least most people would realise Kyle is a boy's name."
"I guess," he lifted himself up and shook off the negative emotions clinging to his chest. "Sorry I shouldn't get so clung to this. This is your and Tai's night. Are you enjoying yourself?"
"More than you know," she grinned and cut into the food on her plate. "It's different to your and Maila's cooking. Eating out once in a while isn't bad."
"Well if you're comparing what I can do to this, thanks," Kyle raised his glass to her.
Tai cut in, "Are we doing a toast? Let me join!" The boy hadn't stopped smiling since they left the theatre.
"Then allow me," Valandus raised his drink as well. "May tomorrow's expedition go well. To the Hero, to the Guard but most importantly to us!" Their glasses clinked in the middle and each of them drank.
"Ugh that's strong," Kyle shook his head. "What did you order me Valandus?"
"Just a bit of white liquor," the man smiled. "Also didn't I say to call me Val?"
Lillia nodded, "It's pretty good."
"Of course it is. I'm quite the connoisseur when it comes to alcohol, though Mel has me beat. Secret is, if you look beneath her desk she stashes a bunch of different drinks but you didn't hear that from me."
Tai looked at his own cup filled with a different darker liquid, "I guess I can't drink quite yet."
Kyle patted his shoulder, "Next time when you turn sixteen I'll take you out again and we can do another toast."
"But by then...," the boy's eyes turned down for a moment as they flicked past Lillia.
The hand on his shoulder tightened, "All of us together again. Isn't that right Lillia?"
The girl paused for the slightest moment but smiled, her eyes filled with a light hope, "That's right."
"Enough of the dreary talk!" Valandus chugged his drink and slammed the empty glass to the table. "The night is still young and there's plenty more food and drink to go round."
"Don't you have to drive tomorrow morning?" Lillia noted.
"That I do but this and that are different matters. Now let's get another round!"
For the youths, it was the best night they ever had. Though their reasons for it were different, none of them would ever forget it.