Némless

[South area of lands of Aleksithimia – 11:00 PM]

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Through the dark path, cast into shadows by the tall mossy pines on either side, the old locomotive was leading its passengers to the small town, surrounded by the mountains and the wild forest. As night fell the grey haze of the city lifted to reveal the shining stars. The trees were glowing virescently just at the edges of the trunks reflecting the brightness of the tiny orbs in the sky like a Christmas tree. Past the occasional highways, night lights were visible from the distance until the train entered the large forest area, zigzagging the autumn railroad with dyed yellow grass on both sides of the road gravy. The train started slowing down on its approach to the populated area.

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The sound of squeaky wheels coming from the vehicle woke up Nion from a brief slumber. Each house she saw was different, borrowing this and that from another era, an amazing jumble of different styles: rickety wooden shops, marble, and brick houses. Everything had been covered by green branches. The street-lamps were aglow at each corner of the tiny cart-road that was separating house blocks. Moonlight was everywhere. The vivid colors coming from each house matched in a perfect marriage with the smell of spices and seafood that was reigning around the area.

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The station was surprisingly crowded compared to the Southern Gate station. In the midst of couples and families, there was Seànn, quietly sitting on the bench reading a paper book. She wore an unbuttoned dark blue jean jacket with a grey hooded one-piece underneath. That was the first time Nion witnessed her dressing in such a casual outfit. Sober and elegant, Seànn's eyes, which cast the brilliancy of turquoise, were perfectly beautiful. Her cold and emotionless façade was hiding a complex human being, a humble philosopher, yet a naturally brave hero who would put her own life in danger to protect the others without hesitation.

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Nion walked towards her friend, then stopped. "It's impossible for someone to replace someone else. Just like it's impossible for someone to become someone else. No matter how much you like them, no matter how much you adore them."

"LOVE:less act 7..." Seànn folded her book, then raised her head. "You are full of surprises."

"I guess, I just earned 1 point am I not?" Nion smiled.

"You certainly did."

"It suits you well." Nion pointed at Seànn's outfit.

"Thank you."

"So that is Némless?!" Nion looked around fascinated.

"Correct."

"I didn't expect it to be so... Lively!" She offered her hand to Seànn. "Is there a particular reason or it's always like that?"

Seànn grabbed her hand and stood up from the bench. "Tomorrow is a very special day for all citizens of Némless, as we celebrate the festival of the departed ones."

"We?!" Nion frowned.

"Yes, this is my hometown."

Nion scratched her head. "Um-hum...I didn't know that. Anyway, that makes it even more interesting, let's get going I don't want to miss a single minute!" She hurried to the exit gates like an impatient child, her excitement was more than evident.

"Wait," Seànn called but got interrupted by people who came greeting her.

"Hurry! I want to see your hometown!" Nion shouted as she disappeared within the crowd of passengers.

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Smiling faces and sounds of laughter were a huge contrast to what Nion used to see in the capital. Human laughter; was a sound she hadn't heard in years. It wasn't just a sound: It was people's expressions, the way their faces twitched, the way their eyes filled with the joy of seeing each other. Joy radiated outwards through the packed platform.

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Nion pushed the main entrance doors wide open. "It's so nice here!" She looked at Seànn with a big smile. "What is that smell, is that fish smell? I mean... It is not like I do not know what fish smell like, but, why does it smell fish at the train station?!"

Meanwhile, Seànn looked at her friend like a mother who would wait for her overexcited children to calm down.

Nion ran left and right trying to pinpoint the smell. "And that odor of spice followed me from the moment I've entered the town, what is it? Where does it come from?" After moments of agitation, she had noticed that Seànn was extremely brief and quiet from the moment they saw each other at the station.

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Nion removed the smile from her face. "Sorry... Did I do something wrong?"

"No," Seànn shook her head.

"You just seem distant from the moment we've met you at the station, so I thought maybe I..."

"It's okay..." she said as she focused her sight somewhere far in the distance. "If you don't mind I'd like you to meet someone, but before," Seànn came up to Nion and pulled her hood over Nion's head, then started walking down the street. "Let's get going."

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As they walked Nion did her best to cheer the odd atmosphere, but for some reason, Seànn only replied to the asked questions, her attention was elsewhere, miles away. After multiple attempts of changing the subject in vain, Nion gave up and just kept following Seànn in complete silence.

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"May I know where we are going at least?" Nion asked.

"To the place, we call the Night Bazaar."

"Okay," Nion hummed enthusiastically.

"The reason you smell fish is that Némless has the biggest part of the fish market coming from the Serre lake that is just one kilometer away."

"Makes sense!" Nion wowed as if her cheerful energy got replenished once again. "And what is that Night Bazaar looks like?" She ran circles around Seànn.

"I guess we can call it the Cyber Market but with the fresh food instead," Séann replied.

"Nice! Can't wait!" Nion smiled.

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Despite late hours, the Night Bazaar was crowded, vendor stalls were lined up in multiple rows all around the square. Shopkeepers screamed out offers at the top of their lungs to attract customers, each pushing harder than the one before to unload their wares and customers desperately tried to bargain for the best possible prices. According to Seànn, Némless Night Bazaar occurred once every half a year, and therefore it was always drowning in a sea of people. Not a single empty place could be spotted between the metal made stalls and vans. The odor of smoked fish mingled with the nose-tingling aroma of spices and the sweet smell of flowers coming from the florist's shop. Rich and unfamiliar scents cut through the smell of engines, so heavy Nion could taste them in her mouth. All these smells mixed together and gave the market a rather unique scent.

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Couples strolled hand in hand, casually browsing the accessory and souvenir stands. The table areas were filled with melodies of live music, some people were chanting without instruments. Groups of little girls were excitedly showing their brand-new garments to each other, while boys were running around the canteen tables racing each other during the time that the adults were finishing their meal. A large group of kids was attracted by the small blue van that was selling ice cream. Kids were screaming even louder than adults, it looked like there was a fierce battle ongoing for who is going to get served faster.

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Fishermen, proud of their catches, were not afraid of the strong odor of fish that was exposed to the sunlight for the whole day. All kinds of fish were hanged up and displayed on the old wooden table full of fish scales. Stallholders hollering out their special deals, customers haggling over prices, people gossiping in huddles, a cacophony of sound, bulging bags swinging into people's legs.

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Seànn thrived on interacting with the stand holders, each one almost a caricature of bubbly friendliness. Everyone knew her by name, without a doubt all attention was pointed to Seànn, and she always did return it back.

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"It is so different from the city," Nion reflected. "What is that orange thing they got over the shoulder?!" Nion pointed her finger at a middle-aged couple.

"Kasaya, it is a traditional robe people use for the festival I mentioned to you earlier," Seàn replied.

"Ah! The departure something right? What does it means exactly?"

"Tomorrow, the whole village will gather together to pay respect, and to send prayers to the members of their families who left them too early."

"I see... Is there any particular reason why the Kasaya is yellow? Nion continued asking questions.

"It is our traditional color."

"Why is it worn over the shoulder?"

"I don't know."

"Why you don't wear one?"

"Because I am not participating."

"Why?" Nion asked as her curiosity kept rising.

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One of the greengrocers waved at Seànn as the sign of invitation. "Good evening Joseph," Seànn kindly waved back at him. The greengrocer was a brown-skinned middle-aged man, his thin feather-like brown hair brushed away from his brow. He wore a white polo that looked almost grey because of sweat and dirt on it. His small stall displayed fresh fruits and vegetable baskets, these looked more than delicious.

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Halfway through, Seànn suddenly stopped, then looked right into Nion's eyes, and said "I am not participating, because... I don't have anyone to send my departures to..."