False kings and jealous gods

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

Here at the station, standing in the rain, lost in my train of thought

Looking around for a better time again, but yesterday ain't running on this track

Unpredictable fortune, my past, lights up my future, at last, ending my torture

(Poets of the fall - Gravity)

Now when Sybil, thanks to her new hair, black eyes and monster-like make-up, was no longer the girl, whose face was constantly in holo-visor and on all holo-banners, she had no need to hide. Nevertheless, going to the upper levels, she was always very cautious and that is why she put on her shoulders a grey cape with a hood again. Seeing Ayla at the speeders' parking, Sybil threw back her hood. Red-haired beauty in a mini-skirt and a bright top had been looking at her green hair for quite a long time, before she finally came closer.

- Sybil? - she asked unsurely. - You've changed so!

- I like changes, - the girl smirked, feeling glad for the results of these very changes. - Take a sit, we're going deep down, at the very ass of this city! - she said, tapping her hand on a passenger seat of her speeder.

Having found out, that they were going to see the "Poets of lower levels" gig, Ayla was totally delighted.

- What a nice surprise! - she exclaimed.

The evening was really unforgettable. Yakko explained Sybil where they had to perform, but she didn't expect, that they would find themselves at the fair under the bright neon sign board "Carnival of rust". There was a panoramic wheel, a couple of carrousels and several attractions, a booth of a fortune-teller Zoltar (this name seemed familiar to Sybil, but she could not remember where from; it was like an old and almost forgotten dream), a card-table and a gigantic roulette named "Revolution roulette". Besides, Sybil took a notice of a bearded woman, armless violin-players and fire-eaters. It was an interesting show and together with Ayla they just had time to exchange meaningful glances and try not to stare too much. The rest of public behaved like they spent their whole lives in places like that and the girls didn't want to stand out in this crowd.

The most of people crowded close to the stage where the musicians stood. This time Morpho wore a black singlet and on his face he draw black lines that fitted him a lot. He looked great but from the moment when Sybil saw a smiling golden-haired guy with a guitar, nothing else existed for her. She wanted to get closer to the stage, but it was hard to do, the girls stood so densely, that they just couldn't go through.

Yakko looked gloomy and detached. Lately he stopped shaving and now he had a thick beard. Ayla sighed deep, seeing him and her eyes became wet. Sybil nodded with understanding. Watching Eoll, she felt pain in her chest, but she never wanted to confess it even to herself.

- Good evening, true-born Maalakh citizens! - Morpho greeted. - Welcome to the Carnival of rust! I see that you are not frightened by the morning events and I am not surprised, because nothing can frighten a true-born!

The crowd answered with approving screams and joyful shouts kind of "Morpho, I love you" and "Yakko, I want to have your baby", and the musicians began to play. Sybil had never felt such a crazy energy. Their latter performance was a feeble echo of what the guys were doing now, and she liked it so much that she was ready to push apart this crowd, climb the stage and sing too. Together with Ayla they were jumping and screaming so loud, that they hoarsened and became deaf at the end, but the sensations were fabulous.

After the gig something unexpected happened - Morpho addressed the people and proposed them to continue the night, descending one more level lower. Sybil and Ayla exchanged by glances again.