Station, стр. 36

"Something the matter, Marlin."

"No, you just look great. Cool clothes."

"Just because we don't live like your friends in theCelebration Cluster doesn't mean we don't take advantage of thecustom clothing here."

"I can see that."

"Well, get cleaned up, and I'll meet you upstairs.No rush, but don't keep me waiting either. There's a lot I want toshow you today."

"I'll get moving. Thanks for coming to get me."

"No problem. See you up top." Hadder thought henoticed Lilly's eyes drop and look over Hadder's underwear-cladbody as the door was closing. At least he hoped that was what hesaw.

Hadder showered quickly and dressed, frowning in themirror at his funeral director's clothing. On his way toCranesman's main level, Hadder found a lemma manikin on itsway to complete some trivial task and asked to go to a garmentroom. He waited patiently as the lemma manikin sewed gray pants anda white t-shirt. After thinking it over, Hadder also ordered alight black jacket with the back showing an animated grey Ophidianblowing smoke. Finally, he had his black and white high topsremade. Lilly Sistine was right, it would be a shame not to takeadvantage of Station's more enjoyable perks.

Suited for the oncoming Solay, Hadder took the stepsup to the bar level two at a time, crashing through the doors withexcitement. Glenn and Lilly sat together at the counter, talkingand sipping on orange drinks. They stopped their conversation asHadder approached.

"There he is," said Glen cheerfully.

"Nice threads," added Lilly, spinning Hadder aroundwhile admiring his clothes. "Care for something to drink?"

Hadder stared at their drinks. "What are those?Number 3s?"

Glen and Lilly laughed in unison. "It's just orangejuice, Marlin. We don't need to get high first thing in the Solayhere."

"Plenty of stuff out there to get you highnaturally," added Glen, nodding his head towards the Bar's frontdoor.

"Sorry, habit, I suppose," replied Hadder. "Sure,I'll have some."

Lilly handed him her drink. "Here, just finish mine.I want to get going." She picked up a brown paper bag from thecounter. "Glen was kind enough to make us somebreakfast-to-go."

Hadder looked at Glen with confusion. "You cooked?Why?"

Glen shrugged. "I cooked breakfast for my familyevery day in the Before. Why not do it for my young friends here inStation? There's a joy to be found in the little things, Hadder.The regular things that those in the Celebration Cluster take fortedium can bring great pleasure. Remember that."

"I will," said Hadder as Lilly dragged him away andtowards the Bar entrance.

"Oh, thank you, wise sage Glen. There will be odesto your timeless words," said Lilly jokingly, tussling Glen's hairas she passed.

"You two kids enjoy yourselves! Plenty to see inStation! The raw materials are here to mold your own utopia!"Glen's words chased after them as they exited Cranesman.

Hadder shielded his eyes against the full Idol Moon.Lilly laughed. "Geez, it has been a while since you've been outthis early."

"Where to?" asked Hadder as his eyes adjusted to thebrightness of Station's other night.

"Leave that to me," said Lilly, grabbing hisarm.

Lilly led Hadder west and then north, taking atwisting series of garden paths. As they walked, she pointed outinteresting aspects of Station's natural environment. They watchedin silence as a small bunny rabbit stood on hind legs the length ofa human's to reach the bright red berries of a tall plant borderingtheir path. When it had its fill, the legs folded down like anaccordion, leaving a normal-sized rabbit to hop away into thegarden. A rather unimpressive tree with a large hollow, smallbranches, and sickly yellow leaves sang "Ave Maria" from itsopening when Lilly tickled its bark with her black fingernails.

Not long after turning north, they came upon anornate bridge crossing the Lethe River. While the foundation of thebridge was white marble, the railings were pure crystal, grantingpedestrians an exhilarating feeling of exposure as they crossed thehypnotizing waterway. Lilly informed Hadder that there were severalbridges over the river; this one was the Bridge Gab'Riel.

After leaving the bridge behind, Lilly continued totraverse various garden paths, traveling in a generallynorth-easterly direction. This far north in Station, the gardenswere tall and thick, and Hadder was utterly lost within minutes.Should Lilly abandon him now, he thought, his bones would become apermanent part of the complex ecosystem.

"We're almost there," said Lilly as they passed anonyx statue jutting out from the garden in the shape of a mankneeling down with fists raised, frozen in a scream as if he werecursing the heavens. Just minutes later, their small path emptiedinto a large clearing, and Lilly threw her arm around Hadder."This, Marlin, is the Samsara. It's my absolute favorite thing inStation. Except for some of the wonderful people, of course."

Hadder looked around, taking it all in. If this wasLilly Sistine's favorite place, it must be truly magical, and hewanted to appreciate it fully. The border of the clearing wassimply manicured grass, green and vibrant. Dominating the openspace, however, was a large circle of silky white sand, perfectlycombed as if it were a Japanese art exhibit. In the center of thecircle sat the most giant tree Hadder had seen in Station, dwarfingthe Monarch trees that lined main thoroughfares. This was theSamsara.

While enormous, the Samsara appeared dead, its blackbark looking like it had been pulled from the fires of hell and itsbare branches looking like they hadn't given life to leaves orblossoms since Christ himself walked the earth. Despite itscadaverous presentation, however, the Samsara stood in darkcontrast to the white sand that surrounded it like a loyalproselyte, creating a wholly moving image.

"Impressive," was all that Hadder could say. "Veryimpressive."

"Oh, it gets better. Come on, I'm hungry."

Lilly led Hadder forward and dropped Indian-style onthe soft grass. She patted the carpet of green. "Join me.Please."

Hadder did as he was told, and was surprised by thesoft, spongy quality of the ground that made for an excessivelycomfortable seat. Lilly opened the brown paper bag and took out tworound sandwiches that had been carefully wrapped in wax paper. Shehanded one to Hadder and tore open the other. Hadder followed suitand found that Glen had made them bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits.Taking