VI

"How long have you been there?" She asked in surprise.

"Not long. Why? Got anything to hide already?" He teased.

"Was just surprised, that's all."

"You know, your ensemble is missing a final touch." He pulled out a golden arm bangle out of nowhere and enclosed it around her left arm.

"Here, so it's closer to your heart." He said quite pleased with himself.

The bangle had one large blue oval gem in the center, the color of his eyes, and a couple iridescent smaller gems around it. As she was looking at it, the fissures melted together, and it became solid.

"Hey!"

"It's so I always know how you feel."

"You already read people like books, this is a bit much, don't you think?"

"It resonates with the one I got, so I'll be able to tell if you are in trouble long distance and rush over. See?" He showed a similar bangle on his left arm.

"What in the world do you think I'll be doing?" What in the world turned Erot into such a worry-wart?

"You might get too excited about the real gift I've prepared you, so that's how it is."

"Yeah? What is it?" She got curious.

"Not telling." he teased.

"Then I'm not wearing this." She threatened.

"Tsk-tsk, it won't come off unless I say the magic word."

"Which is?"

"Do you really think I'd fall for such a petty trick?"

"Can't blame a girl for trying." She said with a sly smile.

"Alright my lady, let's head out." He said while reaching for her hand.

She gracefully accepted his hand, and allowed herself to be guided to the balcony where he parked his aircraft. An almond shaped smooth silver vehicle hovered over balcony floor, it looked like a large blob of floating mercury. Top melted off, revealing two seats inside. Erot helped her get in and the seat instantly melted to conform to the shape of her back and to properly support her neck for high speed travel. He hopped around the vehicle and got in into the seat next to her. Then he gave her a peck on the check and said "Shall we?"

The aircraft took off and they were zooming between buildings. They came to a halt near an enormous structure of concentric circles, Gaiya's eyes widened.

"Where in the world are we going to need to take the Bifrost? Are we seriously leaving Olympus just for a dinner date?" She exclaimed apprehensively.

"Since we were talking about Gard, I figured why not show you a small, tiny, itty, bit off it." He said as smiled mischievously.

"I swear, if you are dragging me into a diplomatic visit first thing after waking up..." She begun fuming.

"No at all, it unofficial tourist trip, trust me!" He interrupted.

"Right, like that's gonna stay quiet. Uggh, I can foresee all the hurt feelings claiming preferential treatment... unless my status changed." Brooding continued.

"No gonna happen, and no. Mars promised to keep your visit classified, he never let me down before."

"Who's Mars?"

"Alpha wolf of Gard, his word is law, so nothing will leak, trust me." Erot proclaimed with a confident smile.

"Why go so far?"

"Cause its fun!" He smirked.

"Lord Erot, your departure is ready." Informed Orion through the aircraft's interface.

"Great, let's go!" Erot was excited.

The aircraft smoothly glided towards the center of the concentric circles. The system powered on, bringing space closer between two specific Bifrost locations, which distorted space and created a beautiful iridescent tunnel. The aircraft shot up the tunnel towards their destination on Gard, where it came to a stop at the center of a similar set of rings creating giant concentric circle structure.

"Lord Erot, welcome to Gard, you are confirmed to have level three clearance." Orion confirmed his entry.

"Now way! You are a top cat of Gard yourself!" Gaiya exclaimed in shock.

"Lady Gaiya, welcome to Gard, you are confirmed to have level five clearance." Orion confirmed her entry.

"The what? How? What is going on?!" She was utterly confused.

"Pf-ha-ha-ha, short story is that Gard gave you honorary citizenship cause of your gramp's work. Your and your family statuses are accredited here just as they are on Olympus. You'd probably have a higher rank if you visited here before." Erot was having fun, too much fun at her expense.

"Ugh, my head hurts, lets go back..." She lost all appetite.

"Nonsense, we are just getting started!" He had no mercy for her.

They quietly glided towards their destination, Gaiya was in a daze, barely anything registered in her vision aside from bright city lights. They were in a time zone that was already in a middle of a night; however, as they moved against the sun, soon they saw twilight getting lighter like turning back time. Eventually they were approaching a mountain hill, at the base of it there was a narrow tower. The closer you got, the more you could see that the tower was not solid, but a series of floating platforms.

"Snow? It's not cold outside according to the readings." Mused Gaiya.

"Look closer hun, it's the cherry trees in bloom" Informed Erot.

"I present to you the magical Sacura restaurant!"