Chatter filled the cream-coloured enormous room, echoing of the many customers sat at the tables dining for their breakfasts in the modern styled cafe. The tables were more metallic but sleek white in their scheme, same with the chairs now smooth in their bending instead of just legs, allowing for a perfect balance for most species to sit. The cafe sat as a favourite for the locals; it could get rammed up pretty quick, known well for its diverse food to accommodate any species living in city 31.
Sam sat at a small table for two, casually drinking tea in a glass like cup. He slurped it down gently, careful of the drink not to burn his tongue while savouring the sweet puncturing taste. Across from him was an empty chair with an emptied dirty plate and glass obviously used while his plate still had a half-eaten sausage sandwich.
Placing the cup down on the mat, he grasped the sandwich in his hands and brought it to his mouth, biting into the food and crunched down on it tenderly, savouring the meaty taste with mayo sauce. He uttered a quiet groan in satisfaction, milking up the moment for as long as he could, knowing the food was hitting the spot. He took his time munching down the sandwich until there was nothing left. Gulping down the last crunch, he wheezed in complete glee. Having been satisfied, and grabbed a napkin to wipe his hands and mouth. He gently tapped his thin stomach, becoming known of his satisfaction before placing the napkin on the empty plate and looked at his wrist, reading the time of his pad. It was quarter-past ten on the clock, leaving him with forty-five minutes before his shift started. Knowing it would take roughly a fifteen-minute walk afforded him time. He relaxed himself into his seat, letting his elbows shrug down. Grasping his drink, he prepared to sip some more of it.
"Pardon me, Mr Colten. Are you finished with your plates?" asked a somewhat unnatural gentle voice from a sectoid, walking up to the table dressed in a blue shirt and trousers with a white apron draped over his front. Holding a tray in one hand and pointing at the dirty plates ravaged of the food they presented.
"Hmm…" Sam hummed, looking at the Sectoid aghast, having focused on his scrolling through his C-pad before noticing where the Sectoid pointed and quickly straightened up on his chair. "Oh, yes. Thank you Grenn, we're finished except the drinks."
Grenn made a slight bow, painting a smile across his mouth, and set about stacking the plates with some help from Sam, placing it on the tray. "Your very welcome Mr Colten, I hope everything was to your usual satisfaction?"
"Ha… Grenn, please just call me Sam. We've known each other for months now and still call me Mr Colten. You don't need to give me the pleasantries," Sam offered with a small chuckle while also appreciative of the sectoids manners and remembered the question. "Oh yeah. It was brilliant, as always. You never disappoint with your breakfasts!"
"Thank you, Sam. That's very kind of you," Grenn bobbed his head with a grand smile.
"Of course. You guys know how much I love this place. You have been good to me and I'll always be coming here to spend my credits," Sam credited the sectoid and his partners. For a few months, he often came to the all-day restaurant and regularly dined, forming a regular friendship with Warkes and becoming friendly to his limited staff comprising another sectoid and hybrid.
"So how have things been with you lately, Sam?" asked the Sectoid as he took the empty cups, loading them onto the tray and took a cloth wiping the table.
"Oh. The same really if I'm honest, work been the same still working through my training to become a qualified doctor," answered Sam, hesitating initially at the question before staring down at his hot drink holstered in his hand as he crossed his other arm in front of his chest leaning over the table "Yeah it's going fine to be honest. If I keep at it, I should finish within a year."
The sectoid beamed a very positive smile across its face and sat in the chair opposite the human. "That's great, Sam. I'm pleased for you. You have that fire for it, I've seen it for as long as I've known you. I don't need my psionic's telling me that."
"But your psionics can't tell you anything, not with your dampener on," Sam retorted, peering his right eye, assuming the sectoid was trying to joke with him.
"Correct, I was testing you! As you humans would say," Grenn laughed. Sam just smiled, feeling a little awkward but slightly amused at the sectoid's attempt at what he thought was a joke. "Yeah… I thought that was the case. Hmm…"
It was crazy when he thought about it all the years these aliens spent under the control of the elders and their psionic network. Most aliens today born through a tube or an egg created through artificial means after the rewrites of their genome to suit the elders' needs. Most species now no longer look the same as they did before the Elders invaded their worlds. Rewritten and repurposed to serve the Elders' needs of what was required and their minds stolen away from them through the psionic network, chips being crammed into their heads or their intelligence diminished to the point of simply obeying.
Born with no identity, personality or origin. No memories or family to refer to or a homeworld of their own to learn and talk about. Breed like clones to fulfil a purpose and then be discarded when deemed worthless. Listening to the stories sent shivers down Sam's spine at the thought that could have been humanity's fate to follow had X-COM failed to defeat the elders.
The thoughts coming from within their minds of after the elders' defeat and their freedom from their control. Experiencing their own thoughts, it was all so new to them. They were all lost, unsure of how to grasp it. Most locked up in the detention centres and go through months of trials, personality tests, social adaptability examinations and seeing if they could condition to live in society; a life they have never experienced or understand. The thought of it all scared Sam enough to make him shiver, yet it was so weird. The beings he should have been expecting to hate as he grew up are now living as close to a normal life as they can get alongside humans in city 31.
And here he was talking casually to a sectoid owning a restaurant, also functioning as a morning cafe. How so much had changed from fifteen years ago when man and alien were enemy although still restricted to the city for now are living side by side. Warkes noticed the bemused face of the human and shrugged internally, in a slight disappointment. "Ah. You didn't find that funny."
"No Grenn, it's good you're trying. But it's better not to try but let it come out on its own, it is funnier that way," Sam explained using two fingers pushing them together showing the thumb and finger with a small gap picturing the size of him needing to try "Also, you haven't got to make other's laugh to get along. Just enjoying another's company is enough."
The sectoid shrugged his shoulders with an innocent smile. "I suppose so, I find it interesting, the concept of humour. I've lived in this city for ten years, but I still struggle to comprehend it."
"Don't worry, Grenn, some never work out how to tell a good joke." Sam reassured.
"Just like your boring ass, hey Sam!" teased Grenn, firing a glare at the human.
Sam's eyes widened in the initial shock in a mixture of disbelief and confusion. "Wha… Grenn you are…"
The human stopped in his tracks when he noticed the big grin growing across the sectoid's mouth. Sam narrowed his eyes into slits and a smirk painted across his face, realising what had just occurred. "Hmm, hilarious. But that's more like it."
The sectoid chuckled in delight. He had amused the human feeling it was time he got one over him. Sam shook his head, huffing another smirk but appreciating the aliens attempts. The Sectoid stopped hearing a raised voice from what sounded like a customer coming to his left as Sam noticed it and they saw an elder human dressed in a black, smart suit calling out at the top of his voice to a hybrid server stood beside his table "Look, I want to speak to the manager. This is supposed to be a cafe, isn't it?"
Grenn sighed, feeling a wave of displeasure at the thought of a confrontation, balancing his hands on the table, standing up from the chair. "Well Sam, a pleasure as always, but I best get back to addressing the customers. Looking like I'm definitely needed over there."
While Sam looked around, suddenly remembering, upon uttering that last sentence, "Speaking of customers, do you know where Robert has gone? Surely it doesn't take that long to go to the toilet."
"Robert? Oh yes, hmm, hmm. He came out about a couple of minutes ago. He's playing his antics over at the counter again." Answered Grenn with a chuckle, pointing over his shoulder behind him leaving Sam confused muffling a 'huh' and leaned over to his left looking past the sectoid towards the desks and counters spotting a sectoid in a shirt and tie over the counter with a human wearing jeans and a blue hoodie leaning over the counter with his arms looking like he's trying to be persuasive. Robert lifted a hand and shifted some of his fringe, tucking it back on his long hair pushed back coloured in a neon blue, allowing Sam to spot him with relative ease.
Sam gently facepalmed himself, shaking his head at the thought of Robert performing his usual smooth talking antics. He sighed loudly with a slight chuckle before standing from his seat. "I can only apologise, Warkes. Half the time he can't help himself."
The Sectoid glanced over to Robert and the cashier and smirked brushing off the display and beamed a positive smile "Oh it's no trouble at all Sam, He causes no real bother and it's quite amusing to watch if I'm honest. And he's a great customer like you."
"He better finish and get that drink down him. We gotta head off to work soon. Anyway, I see you will have your hands full over there, I'll take the stuff back over to the counter as I grab Robbo," offered Sam grabbing the tray filled with the dirty crockery leaving only Robert's half filled coffee on the table.
"Oh, there is no need, Sam, although it is very kind you to offer," Grenn thanked while holding his hands up, prompting the human male to stop in his tracks.
"No, no. I insist Grenn. You treated us to an outstanding breakfast and I'll happily make your job easier. Especially with that customer over there." Sam exclaimed, his eyes widening a tad as he nodded toward the elder customer who crossed his arms, giving a look of death to the hybrid serving him.
Warkes sighed under his breath, although beaming positivity towards Sam. "Well, thanks for the reassurance, Sam. It won't be a problem, I'm used to unsatisfied customers. But thank you for your kindness. I'll leave you to it, I hope you have a good day at work."
The Sectoid walked away towards the unhappy human to resolve the situation as Sam nodded, echoing his goodbye before turning his attention towards Robert, still leaning over the counter gushing praise to the Sectoid cashier. Sam rolled his eyes, dismayed at what he was seeing as he carried the tray of crockery over. He manoeuvred his way around a few tables with their own attendees, mixed up between humans, hybrids, sectoids and mutons, all enjoying their fresh meals depending on the species and what they can eat.
He walked up behind, placing the tray down on the marble shiny counter and walked up behind, tapping a hand onto his friend's shoulder. "Robbo, are you harassing the workers again?"
The blue-haired human drifted his vision towards Sam and beamed a huge innocent grin and leaned up from the counter, almost reaching Sam's height and gushed as he shot Sam a daring glare, "Oh, hey Sam. Harassment? As if I would do something so sinister. I was just telling Shirley how delicious and amazing the breakfast was. Wasn't I Shirley?"
"Oh yes, he was saying a lot of positive things about his breakfast, especially the bacon," answered the male Sectoid with a rough tone. "He said nothing but good things. We work hard to ensure our diners' needs are all taken care of."
"And that is something we should credit you all for. In fact, for your amazing work I want to shout from the rooftops just how this restaurant is the best in the entire city, especially how caring the staff are. All of my needs fulfilled and I couldn't buzz about it any higher, especially how good to it's been, especially for someone who dines here as regular as myself." Robert praised, with a hint of allure in his voice, nodding his head repeatedly and beaming the biggest smile he could conjure up gushing towards the sectoid, almost obvious he was buttering up the alien who crossed his arms with a glaring smirk.
"Mmm hmm. Well, that is a kind gesture of you, Robert. But I could recommend leaving a review on our network page as an alternative option rather than going outside and screaming." Shirley suggested. The smirk remained on the sectoid's glowing persona, amused by the blue-haired human almost knowing perfectly what he was getting at.
"Oh, but that isn't Robbo's style. He loves being the centre of attention," Sam butted in with a cheeky smile, gritting his teeth together adding emphasis onto his demeanour. Flashing a cheeky look at him, wrenching playfully at Robert's shoulder, nudging him. Robert flashed a slight glare as if he was telling his friend to shut up.
"Ignore him Shirley, sometimes I wonder if the poor soul hit his head and cannot understand acts of kindness," mocked Robert with a gritty taunting tone in his voice, flashing his own glaring smile. He released Sam's hold of his shoulder and stood up, straightening himself, beaming an incredible smile of positivity. "It would be my absolute pleasure to do another review about how amazing this beautiful cafe is. Especially the coffee. The coffee is just next level."
"Well, I would appreciate that, Robert. Your positivity is unmatched by any other person I have come across. It's astonishing… unique," applauded the sectoid, heaping praise onto Robert, only adding to widen the blue-haired human's gleaming smile.
"Why, thank you, Shirley. I'm glad somebody appreciates how nice I am," Robert gushed to the sectoid before landing a narrowing glare towards Sam, aiming the second half of his statement toward his friend.
Sam looked at him and rolled his eyes, shaking his head, puffing a quiet smirk, and rebuked, "Oh please, Robbo. Do it without trying to wriggle in a motive, and then I'll be proud."
"How dare you, Sam, no appreciation for how nice I am to you all the time? Gosh, such an ass sometimes, chill out Samulini," Mocked Robert, bobbing his tongue in a bit of a childish display to mock his friend. The Sectoid looked on, watching the act between the two humans, confused on how they treated each other as he crossed his arms together, deciding to observe them as they had their bickering banter amongst each other, wondering if this is true human humour.
Throwing chilled insults, trying to wind up or feign pity. For most aliens, this kind of behaviour was still hard to grasp thanks to their races, spending centuries of enslavement from the elders, denied a heritage or birthright. For now, only a percentage are getting to start again. But mixing into learning of the human culture had its benefits to experience life as they never have before.
Shirley shook his head, a smile painting across his pale white face, and jumped in. "I'll tell you what, my friends. Grenn wanted me to tell you anyway, but it was more fun to see this. Your meals are on the house. As you humans would say."
Sam and Robert paused in their tracks with an enormous wave of shock painting across their faces. Robert's expression quickly turned into joy while Sam was in disbelief at what they offered. Robert seized and shook the sectoid's hand, elating very thankful "My man" That is so generous of you. You and Warkes are our boys, honestly you guys are the best. "
"Grenn knows how good you two are to us. You two are always welcome here and we have to treat our favourite customers now and then. Even though we shouldn't be making favourites. But keep it on the down low. I believe another quote of you humans," asked Shirley, quietening his voice down to the point only the two humans stood on the opposite side of the counter could hear him.
"We appreciate the gesture, but that is unnecessary, Shirley. We make do well with the way our jobs are heading. And this is our favourite place, so we're always coming here," Sam argued, unsure of how to process such an offer despite how sincere it is.
"Sam, what are you doing?" Robert interjected, halting him from uttering another word. "You know how rude it is to refuse a free offer. It's the greatest insult. Besides, for this we will make sure we spend all our money out of next week here to thank them for such a gift. Right?"
Sam hesitated, unsure of what to say now as he hummed, his uncertainty easily picked up from the sectoid and Robert as his digits crunched up. Something about this didn't feel right, although he couldn't argue. Robert made a good argument on how to repay them.
"Hmm… maybe. Don't get me wrong Shirley, I appreciate immensely such a generous offer, but I feel like were taking advantage of your hospitality."
"In that case, Sam. Don't consider it an offer, but a gift of our friendship. You two have been so good to us. We felt we needed to do something for you, even if it is just one meal," persuaded Shirley. The sectoid adding onto his argument, leaving the human with not much option when presented with such opposition.
He took the sectoid's hand and shook, conceding defeat to the persuasive alien. "Okay then Shirley, thank you."
Smiles flourished between the trio as Sam leaned towards Robert. "By the way, your coffee is still on the table so I'd finish it quick, as we need to get going soon."
The blue-haired human twisted his body, his eyes widening towards their table and gasped, "Oh my god. Thanks Samulini, I nearly forgot about it. I'll finish that inconvenience right away."
Robert stepped away, rushing over to the table, grasping his hot drink. He took his time to finish his morning coffee. Sam sighed, feeling deflated by the efforts of his friend, and leaned against the counter. He let his face drop at the display from his best friend. Sometimes too much to deal with, but he questioned how he managed with Robert and how active he was half the time, as if he was in a sugar rush.
"He is one a kind, as you would say, Sam," commented Shirley, observing Robert sit down on the table after they had cleaned it and went about enjoying his coffee.
"Oh, definitely. But I wouldn't change him for the world," complimented Sam, heaping a subtle praise onto his friend. Leaning back up, the human smiled. "I apologise if he did anything that make you uncomfortable or pressured. He can overbear sometimes."
"Think nothing of it. I find him quite enjoyable company to have. Although I will admit he is odd for a human but positively of thinking," pointed out politely by the sectoid. Tapping the terminal screen in front of him, cycling through the orders, writing off Sam and Roberts' order and moving to the current outstanding ones.
Sam nodded repeatedly, agreeing with the statement. He pushed off his arms, moving himself away from the counter. "Thank you again Shirley. I'll make sure I spend big next time I come here!"
Sam got cut off mid-sentence by a sudden outburst from a shout across the restaurant, "I DON'T CARE ABOUT A CERTIFICATE I DEMAN COMPENSATION AT ONCE!"
Almost everyone turned in the direction spotting Grenn and the female hybrid stood at the elder human's table as the customer had erupted, becoming hysterical towards the sectoid owner "Sir, I'm going to ask you to calm down, please so we…"
"I DO NOT CARE! You think you can try to poison me and expect me not to make a scene about it!" the human rudely cut off Grenn pointing aggressively at the sectoid whose eyes widened at the sudden burst "If you refuse to give what I'm owed I will see you shut down sectoid."
Sam's hands clenched into fists as his muscles tightened through his limbs. His digits crunching up, tasting annoyance towards the condescending, rude tone the elder human exhibited towards Warkes. Not only did he come across angry, but Sam suspected it was more listening to the end of the last sentence the elder spoke, also coming across snobby the way he dressed in a suit, implying this elder saw himself more privileged in a way. Everyone in the restaurant had their attention leaned towards the situation developing. Even a couple of onlookers gathered outside the entrance, hearing the outburst from the street.
"Sir, I have checked and cleared all items of your meal and there is no problem with it. It arrived just as you wanted and ordered. I can only apologise if the meal doesn't look up to your standard, but I assure you we have followed all guidelines and cross-species health procedures and I am happy to bring you a copy if you wish to read it," offered Grenn, holding his tongue and remaining profession in the face of a difficult customer.
The man banged his palm against the table, causing all the silverware to shake and clatter on the metallic surface. "You call this slop food? It is disgusting if you treat all your customers with such a crap standard. At least Renova heights have some decent standard of food to treat their people, unlike this poultry slop down here."
Robert almost choked on his coffee at the sound of such a statement. He huffed for a breath, turning to face the direction of the commotion. Everyone knew how fancy the Renova heights sector of the city was. The endless skyscrapers serving as the crown jewel of city 31 mainly served where the more wealthy lived or those with the highest paid jobs able to afford to live and dine in such establishment. Few aliens and hybrids afforded such a luxury, thanks to most having to start from scratch with enough credits and given accommodation to make a living when they first come to the city after they completed their re-education and social screening. Although in the interest of fair treatment and offer of a new life had equal opportunity, there remained some social stagnation and an invasion would never change that. Sam often observed times of the verbal attacks of those privileged with such a setting often condescended those of less stature, and it sickened him, and this elderly man was no different.
Grenn held his ground, keeping a calm professional position and a straight face as he pointed out, "Sir, with respect, this is not Renova heights. We have a unique setting here, so I'm afraid quality differences between city sectors are totally out of my control."
"Ha. No kidding, you can't even afford the goods to make decent food. You lot turn so-called food into dirty slop and you hire poor labour too," The elder remarked turning his attention to the female hybrid server stood beside Warkes "Your staff look cheap and they can't even hold their own they have to cry to their manager."
That comment earns a few sharp looks of disdain from around. The elder was oblivious to keeping his glare focused on Grenn. The sectoid's eye twitched, clearly having touched a nerve by the condescending human. He had enough and would not stand for it any longer and took a step closer to the table looking down towards the human "Sir, I have tried to help resolve this matter but I will not tolerate my staff being disrespected and I am going to ask you to leave the premises at once."
The human's mouth dropped open, filled with disbelief he was just spoken to in such a way and pushed himself standing up to the sectoid's height and looked him in the eye "Oh yeah, and what are you going to do about it, alien. Pretend to have our best interests at heart again?"
Gasps erupted throughout the diner from many of the punters watching the scene unfold. Some in horror, some in disbelief and some in disgust, unable to believe what they just heard come from the human's mouth. Grenn struggled to keep his composure after that comment stinging into the sectoid. He grunting a silent gasp, knowing he had to be careful how he reacted to the human.
"Hey, that's enough." scolded Sam, walking up and standing beside Grenn, scowling at the elder human. "Who do you think you are? Coming in here and abusing these people."
"I don't recall asking for your opinion, kid! Go mind your own business!" demanded the elderly man, dismissing the younger man before him, keeping his attention on Grenn, continuing to square up to the sectoid. While the Sectoid placed a hand on Sam's shoulder.
"It's okay Sam, I appreciate your help, but please; I'd rather you not get involved in this," pleased Grenn.
"No. It becomes my business when a friend is getting abused and shown no respect," retorted Sam, keeping his eyes directed towards the elderly man who reacted with a hint of surprise to Sam's words, his mouth edging open as he turned his attention on the younger man.
"You consider an alien a friend? Don't tell me you fell for all that crap of how they were all apparently under the control of the elders and just 'magically' set free when XCOM defeated them," retorted the elderly human, rubbishing any claims of innocence and twisting his fingers in emphasis "It's just a load of dribble. They all held the guns in their hands."
"So that's what this is about? This has nothing to do with their food, but the fact they are aliens?" Sam accused, rubbishing the elderly man's claim by putting him on the spot in front of the whole restaurant. The man peered around, noticing all eyes were towards him from sectoid, human, hybrid and even a couple of mutons. Some giving him stern gazes of disgust.
He puffed his disinterest of everyone around him and took a step closer to Sam, getting in his face. "Maybe so. Some of us stuck with the horror of remembering the atrocities they committed on us, especially in the invasion, when a lot of us lost families, friends. While people like you have the short memory of inviting them into your homes, get suckered into the lies spread to us. I bet you were born and lived in the advent cities making friends with them the whole time."
"Not like I need to give you a life story, but no. I was born in the resistance, and I understand what it's like to lose family. I'm the only one left of mine. So I can only understand the pain you go through, but what right does that give you to abuse these 'aliens' who have tried to show you kindness?" Sam retorted, stiffing up at the mere mention of his past, but continued to hold his ground against the elder.
"It's what they all deserve! And that's interesting, if you were born in the resistance and lost your family. Why are you siding with them over you own kind? You should hate them as much as I do!" The elder accused, pointing a finger towards the younger human.
Sam did his best to remain calm and gently brushed the elder's hand away in a defiant display of holding his nerve and expressing confidence. He crossed his arms as his eyes narrowed even further before he shifted his gaze to Grenn, stood beside him, creeping a smile across his cheeks. "I gave them a chance. To see if they can be as sincere as XCOM claimed they can be. And based on what I've seen so far, they are right. The 'aliens' are a victim of the elders and deserve a chance to show they can be just like us. I've even come to consider a couple of them friends like Grenn here, who you abused!"
Sam pointed a finger himself at the elder at the remark of his last words, having won this little debate of cooperation. There was some in the cafe showing brief stints of elation towards the human with discreet murmurs of applauding him. Robert sat down on the table having finished his coffee, leaned back crossing his arms and nodding with a smirk riddled across his mouth, feeling proud of his friend standing up against the elderly human.
"Your such a fool then. It's the likes of you that accept this lie and now roll over as us humans who freed ourselves from them have to abide and give them all the luxuries, as if we are rolling out the red carpet for them. To hell with that, these aliens deserve to rot in the detention centres," The elderly man shouted, swearing as if he is spitting down on all the Xenos present.
"So why did you come into this cafe then… in fact, why are you even in this city if you despise them so much? Why not just leave and go somewhere else if you can't stand them so much? Just walk away!" questioned Sam, chinking at the armour of the elderly man, considering it all seemed so a moot point if he lived in City 31.
"As if I had a choice. I've got nowhere else to go with what I have, and I've wanted out of this joke of a city for years. And I'd be out on the first train if I could," The man spat viciously, aiming the retort towards Grenn more before taking a step forward, getting into Sam's face and coldly sneered, "You people make me sick. I bet your parents would turn in their graves knowing what a traitor their son turned out to be. Welcoming the very freaks who killed them."
Those still sat around heard the remark descending into gasps. Sam's eyes widened as something snapped in mind, tugging on his lips as the muscles throughout his body tightened. His eyes twitched. Clearly the man touched a nerve this time from the remark. Sam gritted his teeth as a heavy breath swelled through his nostrils. His hands tightened into fists, slowly fighting an urge to lay into the elderly man, continuing his very hostile glare towards Sam.
Grenn waited long enough and stepped forward ahead of Sam. "That's enough! I want you off the premises at once, abusing my staff is bad enough, but I won't have my customers face such abuse. If you refuse to leave, I will have to notify the authorities at once, sir."
"Oh, need the police to remove just little old me… Can't do it yourself? What? Too afraid to show yourself as the bad guy again?" goaded the elder, mocking the sectoid.
"Just get the hell out, old man!" Sam bellowed, slight signs of anger in his voice as he struggled to keep his initial composure. "Your nothing but reduced to bitterness if all you do is go around hurling abuse at everyone. So just get out!"
"Or what kid? you going to hurt an old man for telling it as it is!" invited the elderly human, almost daring Sam or anyone else to have a swing at him "Cowards! Xeno loving cowards like you are what is wrong with the world today!"
"HEY!" shouted Robert, stepping forward coming and stood beside Sam, Having noticed his friend's nerve faltering standing beside him, and point a finger into the elder's face. "Who do you think you are, old man? Coming in here and hurling your crap of abuse onto everyone. It's like you're so miserable and want to heap it all onto others, just do one old man!"
"Get out of my face, kid. I bet you're one of the alien lovers too, getting all wrapped up in their company and feeding into their lies. A disgrace, the lot of you," rebuked the elderly man, brushing Robert's finger away and huffing away from him.
"Alright, I've heard enough," called out a deep, heavy voice coming from their right. A muton strapped in a black shirt and trousers wearing a black vest littered pockets and pouches across the chest and waist. The muton pried away his glass of lemonade, tapping it onto the table and pressing his palms onto the metallic table, lifting himself from his chair and his bulky enormous frame stomped forward, cutting past a few tables coming up near Sam and Robert.
They barely reached near his shoulder height, towering over the humans and sectoid. He tugged his lips and shrugged a 'hmm', seemingly curious while displaying a lack of concern over the elderly human's words. "You heard them. Get yourself out of here before you do something you'll regret."
"Threatening me, are you, alien? I bet 31PD would be interested in that!" declared the elderly human, continuing to hold his ground while spitting on the hulking muton who simply crossed his arms.
"Go ahead, tell the police. You won't have much success when I report on an old man with his knickers in a twist, abused members of the public and staff. With witnesses of everyone in the restaurant to back up my statement, I submit should you go ahead," emphasised calmly by the muton expressing in a calm deep tone as the elder human eyes widen from the snide comment from the muton and looked around seeing the stares of all the aliens, hybrids and humans all seeming to share their disgust towards him, he growled under his breath when he come to realise the muton had him there knowing if this dragged out over his words I likely wouldn't end well. The muton flashed a hint of a smirk and resumed, "That plan ain't not looking too good, is it? So do yourself a favour and give up. Clear on out of here."
The elder tugged at his lips with a quiet growl, sneering a deep-seated glare at the muton but also in shock at how quickly, despite how much he didn't want to admit, his argument disappeared out the window quickly by this alien. He backed up a step, grabbing his grey coat off the back of his chair and flinging it on "Fine. you'll regret taking that tone with me alien."
He backed up as the muton stared him down hulking above everyone stood present and uttered a groan of curiosity before the elder peered back to Sam and pointed at him "You better watch your back kid, some people won't appreciate you taking their side over your own race."
Cutting his losses, the elder sharply turned away and walked towards the entrance whispering as he peered towards the group spitting in disgust "Damn aliens sympathisers."
Soon enough, he went out into the street, disappearing from sight, and everyone felt like they could take a deep breath in peace. Most of the diners, with nothing left to distract them, returned their attention to their morning breakfasts. Robert painted a smile across his face before turning to look at Sam, having settled down for most of the part, but noticed that continued flicker in his eyes. The words of the elderly human looked as though they stung after all.
"Hey Sam, you alright?"
Sam broke out of his trance, looking at the main door, and warmed himself positively to his friend. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for helping me out."
"Of course, Sam, that's what friends are for. As if I was going to let that asshole speak to you like that," answered Robert, bumping his fist into Sam's shoulder gently, painting a gentle chuckle on Sam.
"I must thank you, Sam. I appreciated your help, but I was more than capable of handling him. But I appreciate your support," praised Grenn, patting Sam on the back closing his eyes briefly with a massive touching smile painted across the sectoid's face.
"Hey, think nothing of it, Grenn. You've been a good friend to me and I stick up for my friends," explained Sam. Accepting the praise and justifying himself. He turned his attention to the hulking muton stood behind him, his arms still crossed, viewing the human with curiosity "Thank you for jumping in when you did. It was getting dicey there."
"No problem, I heard enough from that mouth of his. I came here to enjoy some breakfast before work and the last thing we all need is the likes of him trying to make us all feel as miserable as he feels. But respect to you, human, you kept your cool and held your ground. A hard thing to manage these days." Praised the muton, giving an approving nod to Sam. He was about to continue before a buzzing ripple sounded on his C-Pad.
Looking to his wrist and saw the answer icon flashing, he curled his lips. Narrowing his eyes, curious with a groan before activating an ear piece and pressing it onto his ear "Excuse me."
The muton turned away before pressing the answer button, speaking into it with a tradition 'Yeah?' and took a few steps away to answer the call. Sam directed his attention to the sectoid, who went about tidying up the table for the next customer, removing the used cup. "Do you get those people often, Grenn?"
"Sometimes, but not usually that difficult. Sometimes they come in trying to get free stuff after saying we tried to poison them or just come in and shout their anti-alien speeches. I'm used to it now," clarified Grenn, playing down the concern with a neutral expression, paying no concern to the occasional situation.
"Doesn't it annoy you, though?" questioned Robert, crossing his arms with an annoyed gaze taking shape. "If someone spoke to me or my friends like that, I wouldn't stand for it. They would hear it from me."
"No surprise considering how loud your gob can get!" teased Sam, poking fun towards Robert winking at him.
"Rude much Samulini. Some friend you are, even after I was backing you up!" argued Robbo, producing his own snide wink, bobbing his tongue at his friend.
Sam chuckled at Roberts' remark, finding his smile after the confrontation, giving his friend a sly smirk. "Which I appreciate, Robbo, even though it took forever for your lazy arse to get involved, ha."
Robbo groaned with a mocking tone, snickering at his friend at his attempts to sass him, wavering his hips in a teasing display "Touché!"
"Alright, alright were on our way, keep your clothes on… Don't worry, I will make sure we arrive before she complains about inventory. Yes, we're on our way now," reasoned the muton, calling into his call before disconnecting. Deactivating his pad, the muton looked across to his table, spotting a bulky muscular human chowing down on a sandwich. "Hey Claymore, get a move on, we're needed at HQ soon, at least what the moaning in my ear said!"
"Seriously, Axiom! I've just starting tucking into this sausage sandwich. What's the problem?" questioned Claymore, uninterested in the plight going on.
"Well, if we aren't back in time I guess you can explain to Torque why she gets stuck having to do inventory today and not you… although that will amuse me to watch you two again," Axion retorted before conducting a gaping chuckle.
"Ah, whatever. This sandwich is totally worth it," Claymore justified chewing on more of the delicious meat, breaking it down and swallowing without a care in the world before heaving a satisfied moan. Taking his time, the muscular human, clothed in a black shirt and trousers similar to the muton but lacking all the pockets except for his coat parked on his seat.
Axiom crossed his arms, tapping one of his shoes as he waited for Claymore to swallow the last bit of his sandwich before wiping his mouth along his arm, exclaiming a satisfied groan. "Ah, that hit the spot."
Claymore raised himself off the seat, dressing into his coat before walking over to Axiom. "Okay, we can go now."
"Finally!" Axiom huffed before turning his attention to Green. "My apologies, Grenn, but would we be able to pay our bill next time we are here? HQ wants us to report in soon as possible."
"Of course, don't worry about it. I'll take the bill next time you come in," Grenn answered positively, almost thanking the muton for his efforts.
"Thank you, Warkes," bowed Axiom before motioning to Claymore for the two to leave as soon as possible, walking off out of the building to make their way to their line of work. Sam enquired out of curiosity with Grenn what their line of work was, especially having been peaked of interest by the Axiom named muton at how confident he was stepping up against the elder talking like he knew what he was saying as if he had done it many times. Warkes hesitated, stating they were part of 31PD, which bought Robbo's approval, but Sam suspected otherwise, believing it was more. But with the sectoid not being very forthcoming, he couldn't react any further on the matter.
He looked towards the entrance, seeing the muton and his human companion disappearing into the distance. Instinct compelled him to catch up and thank the muton for his help before logic came into play, realised by the time he got close, the duo would already be out of sight. He peered over to his C-pad, checking the time with his eyes widening in immediate horror as not long remained before their shift began and motion towards Robert. "Come on, Robbo. We better get a move on, won't be too long before our shift starts."
Robert checked the time, realising how quick the time passed on, knowing they needed to get a move on if they wanted to clock in on time. Sam pressed himself, peering back at Grenn, finishing with the table, flattening it ready. "Thanks again, Grenn. Thanks for the free meal. Shirley said that was the case, but I expect to pay for your hospitality next time."
"Think nothing of it, Sam. You and Robert have been loyal customers and you deserve it. Don't worry next time I'll be charging you, I have to make a living off you after all," joked Grenn, brushing off the request with a chuckle, booming positivity in his expressions thanking while also joking with the humans with his last statement.
Sam found amusement in his last words, uttering under his breath 'Cheeky little-. ha-ha' Exchanging their goodbyes with the restaurant owner, Sam and Robert fetched their bags, fastening the straps over their shoulder against the opposite side of their body mainly containing their paper work but other essential gear. They bid their farewells to the Sectoid and his staff walking out the main door, emerging into the sunny bright street of the riverside district dominated by shops and hospitality, one of the more favourable parts of the city in which residents visit and sporting a spot of fortune for Sam and Robert both being able to live in the district.
The two humans headed towards the small bridge peaking over the river running through the district, one of the main servers for producing water for the surrounding part of the city. One thing that impressed Sam was the technology of filtering and recycling all the water used from a toilet, even the showers. The one and only benefit people saw from the invasion was the advanced, futuristic technology now within their hands to use, propelling humanity decades forward, maybe even a century. Possessing the technology and means to manufacture the resources to maintain it.
Sam and Robert reached the bridge with a slope of steps to climb initially with the curve providing boats underneath room to manoeuvre as Sam gripped the metallic barrier with glass running through, giving it a majestic appearance. He paused as they reached the middle, Sam peering over to the edge, and leaned himself on the railing. Taking in the view. On either side of the river, residents of all the alien species Muton, viper, Sectoid, hybrids being the main species. Most of the others, like the Andromedon's had more restrictions placed because of their biology but allowed in the city.
Robert stopped when he noticed Sam wasn't with following with the lack of footsteps and turned, noticing him watching the scenery crossing his arms over the railing leaning over his strapped bag leaning over his hip gently brushing along the glass. He walked over with an enquiring concern in his voice. "Hey! Are you okay, Sam?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Sam answered, swinging his head toward his friend and leaned up unfolding his arms and placing his palms on the rail as a gently breeze blew over them, gently blowing strands of their hair "I'm just reminiscing a bit."
Robert narrowed his left eye, confused at his best friend's admission, as he noticed a glowing smile paint across Sam's face. "I just look at all this sometimes… and I'm still in awe of how much the world has changed all these years after the war."
Robert smirked with an understanding grin, getting how Sam felt placing his hands into his coat pockets and walked up beside him. "Yeah. Who would have thought after the initial invasion all those years ago this is where we would be now?"
Sam's smile dropped at the mention of the invasion. Something so long ago in the old world yet still hung so dear to people's memories like the old man earlier in the cafe, it made him wonder, "Do you ever think about the old world?"
"Sometimes," Robert answered, his face drawing black as his long blue fringe brushed in front of his eyes, occasionally covering but never obstructing his vision. "I still wonder what the old world was like. Many of our kind still talk about it so much like it was some paradise."
"Well, from what I heard, it wasn't far from this just without the advanced tech and aliens. I don't really know anyone well enough who lived in that time, it was so long ago," Sam veered on, letting his curiosity get the better of him about the old world; the world before the invasion.
Robert smirked before tapping his hand on Sam's shoulder. "Well, what can we know? We weren't born in that time, so technically, I guess it was never our world."
"Hmm… maybe. Still! I would have liked to see what it was like, the world both our parents and families came from," pondered Sam, running all the thoughts, tapping a finger on the metallic railing.
"I never knew my parents. Those who looked after me said they died a few months after I was born, when our camp got attacked," revealed Robert, hunkering up slightly at the mention of his parents. Sam felt a similar reaction when he pondered over to his departed family.
"Yeah, my dad died before I was born, so I never got to know him and my mom died when I was four. I only had my older brother left, and he died just weeks before XCOM won the war. When I was ten." Sam recounted, some of it being what he was told by others and he could remember from his own time in the war when he was still so young.
"Hmm… Hard to believe it's been nearly fourteen years. It feels like a lifetime ago." Robert revealed, tugging his lips, thinking about it.
"Yeah, these last couple of years have flown by quick. Since we meet, it's been nothing but a rollercoaster of stress dealing with you half the time." Sam jeered, glancing towards his friend, attempting to banter him and the typical reply was Robert forming a huge grin and beaming as he flew his arms open.
"That's just how I roll Samulini. You get the pleasure of basking in my presence after all, lad!" Robert joked.
Sam chuckled, shaking his head and puffing a sigh, amused by the fast-paced antics. He leaned off the railing. "Right, sorry for the delay. We better get a move on."
Robert nodded and turned his back, heading to the steps, taking them off the bridge as Sam followed suit. Putting the events of the morning behind, heading off the bridge towards the River south clinic they work at. Sam threw a smirk across his mouth, debating internally with how crazy the morning was alone, but was time to throw that on the back burner and concentrate on the task approaching of his work and training.
Having Re-write this chapter also, it's actually shocking how big this chapter ended up being just a simple café slice of life, portraying a sense of life in 31 especially with the mixture of species and it's hard trying to imagine all of the different species in one go in one setting though other things are easier.
Firstly thank you to the responses, I've had a few messages voicing reaction which I very appreciate for the support but could I ask if you want to voice your thoughts please put it in a review. Any questions or intrigue I welcome into messages. And for the first chapter a lot of reaction in follows and favourites. Although in my view secondary I really appreciate the early support. you are all awesome and I hope you continue to support.
I feel I'm off to a good start now especially having cleaned this up, and tidied the grammar and simplified the details. I find much easier.
Thanks for the support and see you all next chapter.