"Xing So Lung!" Xing hears his name screamed, but doesn't initially react. Waking up from a dream- like state Xing removes his headphones and watches around. His boss is there standing in front of him with his usual face. "Xing where is your head? Come to my desk, we need to chat!"
Xing nods as he looks around and puts the computer on pause mode. The whole building office is full of people working in cubicles.
Damit! Not again!
"I am here, Marius!" says the Chinese.
"Good, let's hear your calls for today. I am not seeing progress in you for quite a while. You are my only agent who never sells the 1 euro phone subscription without a phone. While you generally do well on retaining customers, you lack skills in sales!" Then the manager shows an empty chair next to the desk.
Sakura runs while checking around the surroundings. No danger, not exactly safe. Nowhere is safe for them ever since the institution of console was founded.
"Xing! Xing! I don't know what happens to you, but lately you seem too out, distracted. I will evaluate your progress this month and we will see. Go back to your calls!" Marius looked at him going. He was a mere ghost, in those oversized hoodie and jeans the pale slim Chinese looked like a phantom. Short hair black and thick cuts are somehow wrong, not equal. His black almond eyes were lost in some other place, in stories within his mind. Poor boyish even at 28 yr old he looked like a teenager.
The world and times pass around while Xing goes to work and he works.
"Good afternoon, Oracle! I am Xing. How can I help you?" While the call goes by, he immerses himself into his own mind. The knives of Obsidian sparks as they descend into the hidden forest…
"You are not listening to me! I have already told you that!"
"I am sorry for bothering you. We have some security checks to do before proceeding to the call."
Call after call, Xing looks distant at his computer. He clicks on the Progress report every 5 minutes. The percentage are changing from 100% to 70% then 90%. The day passed by.
Shit! 90% while I should have been 98%. I will lose this job too. Why am I living for? I am a mere slave. I should kill myself.
"Xing! Can you stay another hour, please?" Marius says.
"Yes!" and he goes back.