The girl of Elysium
As I mentioned, Elysium was a city that floated in the skies of Deponia, more precisely in the continent of Elisia on the zone that covers the cities of Krem and Kapitol. Truth be told, it used to be visible all over the planet, shining in the sky like a little star. But many decades ago it started losing altitude, drawn to Elysia. Its creation is something we still don't know much about or how long it had been there, all the information concerning it has been lost on the planet, the only thing we know for sure is that Elysians lived a blessed and effortless life.
It had been years since the last time an Elysian came to Deponia, or rather centuries according to the elders of the place who in turn had passed the tales of Elysium to the young people…among them there was Rufus, who, after hearing those stories from his mother first and from the elders after, once he remained alone decided to reach the idyllic city no matter the cost.
Rufus and Tony arrived first on the ground zero. –Look, it's an Elysium space shuttle– said Rufus, ecstatic.
-Careful, Rufus, we don't know what it contains…- she warned him with suspicion.
Rufus got closer, ignoring Tony's advice, the shuttle smoked from one of its engines that had clearly been destroyed, which probably led to an emergency landing, you could also see it from the enormous debris trail it left behind.
Utterly calm, Rufus touched what looked like the door, first a caress, then a touch of knuckle, eventually he impatiently knocked three times.
-RUFUS!- she scolded him.
-What?! It won't open- he said while turning toward her.
In that very moment the door fell at his feet and nearly hit him.
Tony crossed her arms in a "I told you so" kind of way. Rufus turned slowly, a young girl with long orange hair was lying face down and wearing a simple white slinky suit.
Tony peeped out behind Rufus' shoulders to have a better look, the young boy was quite surprised instead.
For a few moments of confusion the two of them didn't have a clue about what to do.
-Help her, won't you?- Tony said, pushing him.
-Ah yes yes- he exclaimed after he somehow realized the situation.
He turned the girl toward them and…she was really beautiful, her face as pure white as snow, like the sun had never touched it, two more intense pink dimples decorated it. It seemed like she was soundly asleep, at first Rufus was impressed, he thought she was a very pretty girl, but his priority was knowing whether the shuttle still worked, so he left her in the hands of Tony.
-She looks fine- said his friend, but Rufus was already in the airplane.
He looked around for a few minutes, it was small and suitable for one person only, there was a cloche in the middle, too bad its circuits looked all blown…you could tell from the sparks on the control panel.
Rufus came out disappointed, but in his head he was already contriving a plan to repair it. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Krem's inhabitants had reached the place, creating a semi-circle around the shuttle.
-Rufus! What did you do this time?- asked one of them.
-Did you make her fall?- said another.
-You're wrong, she fell from…we don't know, but she fell from the sky- stepped in Tony.
-Uhm- an unconvinced big man moved closer to Tony and to the sleeping lady –What about the column that held up the goods lift, that I'll have to have rebuilt? Did that FALL on its own too?-
-No, well, that…- started to babble Tony.
-That's my fault, mister Mayor- stepped in Rufus.
The man frowned, he was heavyset with a scruff and grizzled, curly hair to frame his face, he was wearing a classic suit whose colors had faded a bit.
-Of course, naturally it's your fault, it always is, after all you're a disaster, a disgrace…-
-Patrick!- Tony scolded him looking right into his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
-Thank you- he said looking back at her –Say thanks to your…- he bit his tongue –to you father…- he said, threateningly pointing his finger toward Rufus –The only reason why I haven't exiled you yet is because of the bond he and I share!-
-Yes, yes I thank my father for abandoning me in this sucky town- he frowned.
-I don't have time to scold you now- the mayor cut the conversation short –bring the girl into my room, it looks like she isn't injured-
-WHAT?- snapped Rufus all of a sudden –I found her first-
-Rufus, she's a person, not a thing- pointed out the mayor.
-What's that supposed to mean, I found her first, I pulled her out, she has to come with me!- kept on going the boy with a capricious tone.
-Enough being a brat, she'll stay with me until she recovers- the major raised his voice, indeed when Rufus tried to answer back he indicated him to stay quiet –Not another word, it's a done deal-
The boy bowed his head and closed his fists.
The unconscious girl was taken and delicately brought away.
-Ah before I leave- the major turned once again toward the boy –This area will be closed, especially to you! Shall you be found nearby I'll have you locked up for a month, I'm warning you!– and he left.
Slowly even the curious ones left and Tony approached Rufus, who stood there with his head bowed.
-hei- she tried to look at him directly –are you ok?-
Rufus suddenly twitched and Tony jumped out of fright.
-He's wrong if he thinks I'll leave him the girl, she must come from Elysium and I'm sure I can reach it with her- he said moving a fist ahead.
Tony sighed and sniggered.
-C'mon, Tony, let's go- he said with his reckless and unconcerned look.
-No no, I'm not coming with you, I won't be locked up- she said, amused –I'm going back to the store-
-As you wish- he said with a shrug of his shoulders.
Now I need a plan, he thought, a good escape plan. "Goal n.1 recover the girl, goal n. 2 wait for her to wake up, goal n. 3 kiss her, wait kiss her? Ok. Goal n. 4 reach Elysium!"
