XVI

Peach colored ambrosia liquid filled large stone basin to the brim, sometimes plopping and flapping waves, yet never spilling. There was a body inside the liquid, and invisible hand cut it's stomach in quarters with a cross, skin peeled back like petals opening on a morning flower. One small the size of a cherry, and one lage the size of a fist devices floated into the cavity and nestled between organs. A diagnostic screen came up and tested the device functionality. The skin slowly closed back, like petals of a night flower going to sleep. The seams begun to slowly disappear, as if being erased by an invisible hand.

After a while the body begun floating up. The head came above the basin level and ambrosia liquid begun floating out of the mouth cavity like a spilled drink. After a while there was a first breath, then a second. Gaiya was floating in the liquid, half submerged, but still sleeping. After a while Orion gave an update:

"The V.R. Session is complete, it is safe to move her."

Taras scooped the sleeping doll from the liquid in the basin and carried her to a lounge chair. She was laid gently on the chair and covered with a soft blanked. The chocolate giant with gently golden eyes watched her peacefully while she dreamed undisturbed. After a while a honed voice asked:

"How is she?"

"You have already returned my lord? Everything went well, she is jus sleeping now.Should wake up any moment. Did everything go well on your end?" Taras answered inquiry and asked for an update.

"Ah yes, as expected the didn't want to wait, so the meeting is set for tomorrow." Erot answered with a serious look on his face.

"We have to survive tonight's battle first." Worry permeated in the golden eyes as Taras said it.

"Well, at least it is something. It's an improvement to being ignored."There was hope in Erot's tone.

"So you two were ignored, poor babes." Gaiya stretched under the blanket.

"You were up? That's sneaky! Tsk-tsk!" Erot's cheerful facade was plastered back on his face.

"I just drifted back, following the voices. Orion, I would like a cup of tea please."

She stirred up, uncomfortable boating become apparent. She was mulling things over as she sat up, put on a robe and took a cup of tea into her hands.

"Is everything alright?" Erot was very observant.

"Ehh, I'm fine. Just need to get used to this. I'm regretting setting the dinner date for today, should have waited until after the meeting. By the way, when is it set for?" She asked for update.

"I guess you weren't up since then, it was set for tomorrow. And we can move the dinner date if you are uncomfortable." He replied.

"No, it is important on personal level. We will war, but we will also live, we have to live well at that..." She replied with a hard look. Something snapped inside of this pacifist.

"Oi, it's a bit scary when a calm person gets angry. I might have sounded too dramatic, we just drifted apart over time. You know things change, it's not a big deal. We can leave it for later..." Erot was backtracking.

"I refuse, I don't like this status quo. I'm an empath remember? So both your pains resonated with me, thus I'm not going to leave things as they are. Nothing's worse than being neglected, even quarreling will be a step up since it might lead to dialogue." She was stubborn to the core once she set her mind on something.

"Alright then, we will do as you wish. I have brought comfortable clothing for you to wear tonight if that is alright with you."

Erot handed her a box. Inside was a deep blue velvet sweetheart dress with a nice stretch to it, matching slippers & underwear.

"Thank you, this was very thoughtful of you." She accepted it grateful for not having to think about it. She sipped her tea a bit more and decided it's time to get moving. Once she changed Erot stepped behind her and pulled her her into a ponytail with golden brooch that also had blue jewels in it.

"I'll be able to take this off right?" She asked jokingly.

"He-he, maybe. I just might and bundle you up in golden armor skin." He joked back, with half a serious tone betraying his intentions.

"Isn't that a bit overboard my lord?" She asked, suddenly concerned.

"Maybe, but it would make me feel great knowing you're surrounded in protective skin." It was escalating, she needed to nip it in the but.

"It wouldn't be a very comfortable existence for me, besides, you wouldn't get to touch me either. Please don't over do it, unless you want me to be careful around you as well." She subtly warned him. She knew that she had the resource room to remove anything he would impose on her, but she found that a possibility of an argument with Erot unpleasant. So communicating boundaries ahead of time was key. A little arm decoration for his peace of mind was fine, a golden armor body case was a big no.

"Ahh, I will have to restrain myself then. Shall we go then?"

"Yes."

As they were leaving Amrita department Erot asked Taras whether he wanted to ride with them, who declined in favor of taking his own vehicle. They floated to where their aircrafts were waiting on hoverboards. She was surprised to see the Taras owned a bright red aircraft, which looked like a liquid ruby, she didn't take him for a flashy person. The again, everyone likes to look at pretty things.

The ascended from the underground hangar; floated up navigating through the magical looking city complex that took up a mystic feel in the red sunset glow; went through the security force field bubble and sped up towards the distant city.