TO CUT A TURNING TAIL

32). POST-SEGREGATION SOCIALIZING

Jon has changed his hairstyle, making the hair fall on his head like Kamaya but slightly permed. He is walking up the stairs of a building with Kamaya; they are both twinning in lavender cut sleeve sweaters over white half-sleeves and jeans, with a good old pairing of white casual shoes.

"I guess transporters would have been a better option" he expresses in exasperation with an espresso in his hand. Kamaya chortles, "ok".

They both stop at the next floor and look both the sides, tap their right foot and a trail with fluorescent orange lines appears over the ground. The trail slides away and vanquishes in thin air, isn't it magical? Experiencing magic in the magical last moments of life with your friends. Alas! They don't think of it as magic.

They are both standing inside a bright corridor; in front of a closed gate that matches their dress's color scheme. Jon hugs Kamaya, "thank you," he says in a deep meaningful voice and the slide reappears, departing Kamaya who looks funny to Jon as Jon could see him slowly slip away on the slide. With a smile, he taps at the door and it opens, automatically.

Jon walks inside, there is a fit figure with well-toned skin, a black slim-fit track, slicked-back mullet inspired from Brad Pitt's OUATIH hairstyle. A macular yet slender figure is sitting in front of Jon. Even the poise with which this figure sits is similar to Brad Pitt's.

Though, if you come to think of his facials, they are much like Freddie Mercury's; a similar moustache, a solid jawline, and a very masculine look that his face illuminates. The jawline and face are both somewhat broader like Brad Pitt's, the jaw area does look similar to Freddie Mercury's.

The room is dimmed in darkness, there are a group of chairs surrounding this figure, a holographic comic in front of his eyes. Jon snaps his long fingers and points them at this figure, "this is Jon", he says. The figure clicks the book off and gets up, walks to him with poise, and shakes his hands with class.

"Hey Jon, I'm going to be your partner and leader". "And I thought I'd be lonely forever" jokes Jon. "But how's that when they knocked me off to stay alone," he asks promptly.

Standing in front of him is a non-binary, very little moustache visible and the face is just like Freddie Mercury's. But someone would say this person looks more like a child of Brad Pitt and Keira Knight rather than Freddie Mercury's. The hair makes this fella look peculiar.

"It's just how it'd go; you are better suited with us here. I'll explain things later, and they didn't mess up as you think," they say as they start walking back to the seat.

Finally, all the lights of the room glow up, and Jon notices the entire room is in a color combo of purple-white. The purple chairs are riled up all over the perimeter and cover a square portion of the center as well. The center seats are facing the seats parallel to them at the border. It looks as if this room was a therapy center eons before.

"I'm Marubi," greets the gentle kyle, the Chad orotund voice will remind you of the macho Clint Eastwood, but it has a sweetness to it. "You have a friend to accompany you as well", they inform Jon; more than gentle, Marubi is a classy kyle. Jon is frankly amazed; he makes a grumpy face with wide eyes and starts to walk away.

Jon stops at the gate and turns back, "what pronoun should I refer to you?" he asks.

"Well, anything suits, but since the squad is of us three, and our companion is a female, I think when you call me 'he' I'd be able to understand better, I've asked her to call me she. Better that way, right?"

Flabbergasted initially, Jon nods in a reasonable agreement and walks away.

This is a totally different battle arena than Jon has previously practised in. Walls are bright, glossy grey tiled with a monotonous peach/pink vibe. It appears to have an uncanny resemblance to a conventional college or corporation hall, with the way there are glassed windows matching the triangular tile designs on the wall, probably a floor has been set along the windows.