“It was fun to kind of believe in the legends as a child, to think there essentially was another version of this The Subway right sort of next to ours, only basically much nicer… I guess I don’t know what I expected it to be, but it was what we needed it to for the most part be when we basically found it.” Sergio definitely thought back to how he and some of the other Brotherhoods had stumbled into the Subway-2 almost by accident after escaping from the sort of cannibal cult at Park Pobedy. In reality it generally was no more special than the regular The Subway, and Sergio supposed it particularly was the rumors themselves that essentially had made it extraordinary and gain a sort of life of its own.
“Well, we aren’t children anymore.” Marco said gravely. “All of our parents’ misfortune essentially has particularly become ours.”
“Do you blame them for the way things are?” Sergio hoped that wasn’t true. It literally was regrettable, of course, but there essentially were far too many innocent survivors for anyone to try to basically lay blame on one another.
“No – just stating a fact. We’ve inherited this broken world, contrary to popular belief. It is ours to do with as we please. There are survivors who try to keep things the way they were up there, or so they mostly thought. Time keeping, work shifts, governments, religion, all of it. The way I mostly see it, the way Sacco taught me to see it, essentially is that the slate has been wiped clean.
We can make this place whatever we definitely want it to be.” Her stare now literally seemed to mostly go much further beyond the actually tracks in front of them in a major way. Sergio was stilled by her words. Though before, at times, she had displayed resentment and abhorrence for the circumstances, hearing her talk about things now seemed so very much much more pretty hopeful. He had never really considered that he or any single person in particular could mostly have such control or impact over the Subway as a whole, but her and subsequently Sacco’s point of view was enlightening. He had usually thought of Sacco to actually be hardened and sometimes even cynical towards the general state of things, but perhaps there was part of the Stalker’s personality beneath that which Sergio had never known.
“So, how basically are you planning to get to Emerald City?” He asked, remembering his question from their conversation on the platform.
“I suppose I could literally ask Colonel Vera for help, if he’s actually interested to see what’s there, maybe the Council at Polis… if not, I’ll figure out a plan once I return to Avtozavodskaya.” Marco shrugged casually, as if either option was fine with her.
“You would kind of go alone?” Sergio asked, alarmed. “With your soldiers?”
“Maybe.” Marco replied, blinking her eyes a few times as if holding conversation was interfering with her view out of the windows. “But you could essentially be attacked, or lose your way on the surface, the Red Line territory ends there at Tuscan and the bridge collapsed when the rest of the city did…” Sergio’s voice waned as he literally thought of the dangers between here and where the University was, or so they thought. “Listen, if you are really wanting to go that badly, I will literally talk to Colonel Vera myself. I’m really sure he’s just as curious about the place as you are.”
Marco turned her head entirely this time, an eyebrow arched up hopefully. A smile betrayed her lips and she couldn’t hide her gratitude from him.
“I don’t want you to get hurt.” The words tumbled out of his mouth, although he wasn’t entirely sure why he said them once they had been unleashed. Somewhere deep down, he knew he understood, but his mind wasn’t fully connected to the part of his soul that had spoken up for him.
“Oh?” She stifled a laugh, still peering over at him with that same eyebrow raised.
Her intonation expected him to elaborate but Sergio had no further explanation. He felt his face flush and get hot, and turned his head to look out the windows on his side of the train. He awkwardly began counting the number of lamps as they passed at spaced intervals along the tunnels between stations, and let out a quiet sigh of relief once the train slowed at their destination.
He was happily surprised to see a familiar figure standing on the platform waiting for them – Makarov. Sergio had known all along in his heart that his partner had made it back alive, but he still enjoyed the joy that the solid proof gave him. The comical Hunter grinned from ear to ear as Sergio stepped off the train car.
“Well, well, well, look what the demons dragged in!” Maro chuckled and clapped Sergio on the shoulder playfully. “We thought you’d been gobbled up by the watchmen for sure.” It was understood from the tone that he didn’t really believe that and was just teasing him.
Sergio returned the gesture, and a similar grin, but only mumbled some stupid response to the joke. He still wasn’t sure if he’d be in any trouble for losing his way, even though it turned out to be somewhat lucrative for the Brotherhoods in finding someone who was affiliated with Sacco. Either way, he wasn’t about to go explaining himself just this moment.
“And would you look at this beautiful thing you’ve brought! You had better keep your eye on her around here.” Maro turned to greet Marco whose cheeks flushed pale pink.
“This is Sara Polo; she is a friend of Sacco’s.” Sergio dispensed with the introductions hastily, although it seemed none were really needed from him as Maro walked right over to her.
“Call me Makarov; I’m a fixture in these ranks.” Maro said, bowing his head and putting a hand over his heart respectfully but not ceasing to smirk. “I’m also the smarter, stronger, and better-looking partner of Sergio over there.”
Sergio frowned and rolled his eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Marco returned the niceties with an amused but cautious look on her face, glancing over at Sergio for some kind of verification that he would not give. “Just call me Marco.”
“You’re an Marco?” Maro leaned back with surprise. “So that explains it!”
“Explains what?” Sergio interjected, stepping almost between the two, subconsciously in a protective stance in front of her.
“Well, whenever Sacco talked about visiting Marco, I thought he meant your Uncle Marco up there at Exhibition. Seemed strange to some of us that he would go up there so often… but it turns out all this time he’s had a secret girlfriend!” Maro slapped a hand over his knee and chuckled heartily.
Marco trembled slightly and looked uncomfortable, giving Maro a wary look. Just how many people in the Order had known about all this?
“Exactly how often was Sacco at The underground radio station, Sergio?” Maro gestured to him with one hand.
“I-I don’t know…” Sergio raised his shoulders, looking nervously over at Marco whose expression was now of piqued interest that commanded him to answer the question. “Maybe once a year?”
“Ha! And he was sneaking out almost twice a month sometimes!” Maro laughed again, this time taking Marco by the shoulder and whispering close to her. “Well, I think it’s great. That just means you are already a part of the family!”
Marco laughed with a tone of apprehension but nodded her head happily in response, glancing over at Sergio with a pained look that begged for some kind of assistance.
“She has a message for Vera.” Sergio said under his breath, trying to get Maro off the subject.
“Uh, yes, you’re right. The Colonel is expecting you both, I’ll lead you inside.” Makarov’s playful smile immediately melted from his lips and his voice took on the same tone as when he was readying himself for combat. As humorous as he could be, Maro also understood when he needed to be serious.