I wake up in my room to my MHC alarm blaring. I wave my hand over the band and the screen emerges. I flip through menu but don’t see a turn off option for it. I roll out of bed leaving the MHC under my pillow. I walk out of my room yawning and scratching my butt. I walk to Naomi’s room and knock on the door. It cracks open revealing the empty untouched room. I walk inside and see no traces of her.

I strut out and to the bathroom to take care of my morning rituals. After I get dressed I hear a knock on the hallway door. I walk over to it and open it. There on the other side is three waitresses all of them are beautiful and in maid outfits.

“We have brought you your complimentary breakfast sir. May we enter?” Says the girl with April on her name tag.

“Yes of course,” I say.

I step out of their way as they push in several tray tables. They walk to the dining room and set up the table. They open the silver trays and a heavenly aroma fills the room. When they finish I see they have set up enough food to feed six people. The three waitresses walk back to the door taking their cart with them.

“Please, enjoy your meal sir,” April says as she closes the door.

I walk over to the table that is now a grand buffet. Food was stacked on racks, and on trays, eggs, ham, chesses, pastries, fruits, drinks everything I could want for breakfast. I have not seen so much food at once since my sister’s, Jakakuto’s eighteenth birthday twelve years ago. When she was still alive before the war started. She took my brother and me to a buffet restaurant after she got off work.

Whenever I think of my mother I can only imagine Jakakuto. Since both my mother and father were killed when I was four I don’t really remember them. I just remember the stories my brother and sister told of them and how great they were. Jakakuto was the one that took care of me and my brother before she died and Timpuji took me in.

I sit down at the table and stack as much food as I can it on my plate. I eat until I feel as though I can’t have another bite. Which is more than I expected I would, but the food tastes so good I don’t want to stop. I lean back in my chair and pat my stomach in approval. I look up at the chandelier levitating above the table. Golden arms stretch out from it and at the end of each is a bright light that fills the room.

I stand up and walk to my room and the MHC has finally stopped blaring. I pick it up and wave my hand over it. The holographic screen turns on and I look up my false military documents. There are pages of fabricated official documents for my Gandole persona Edward Jackson, from the schools I went to, the jobs I had, were I was born. The Vortex I allows me to memorize all of the information after looking over it once. I walk from my room into the living room. I sit down on the couch and the Holo-TV turns on automatically.

From my reading I find that Gandole are not allowed the freedom to choose what they want to grow up and become. Everyone goes to specialization schools that teach a specific career. The school the person goes to is determined by a series of aptitude tests. Apparently I or rather my persona has been studying criminal justice since middle school.

A breaking news report on the Holo-TV catches my attention. The news reporter is standing outside a storefront that was recently subject to a domestic terrorist bombing. Emergency response personnel help injured people onto stretchers.

“A deadly bombing took place just moments ago and as you can see victims of the bombing are still being evacuated. There have been sixty-two injured and five casualties reported. The authorities are saying this is the work of the once peaceful Zerrii Tribe. The Zerrii Tribe’s War Chieftain Blood-Moon has yet to make any statements regarding the allegations against her Tribe…”

An incoming call indication appears on my screen. I open the call and Ayesha’s face appears onscreen. I turn down the television as I turn my attention to her.

“Hey, Edward,” Ayesha says. “I know it’s early, but I just wanted to know when do you get off work today.”

“I—uh…” I walk out of my room to Naomi’s a look inside again. “Have the day off apparently.”

“Oh great,” she says. “Well then if you’re not doing anything then…”

“Yes,” I say realizing I jumped the gun.

She giggles, “Then I’ll meet you in Allencord Resort’s lobby. Is twelve fine with you?”

“Of course see you then,” I say.

“Bye,” she hangs up.

I wait in front of the congos tree for Ayesha to arrive. After a few minutes I see a motorcycle pull up to the entrance. It is a stunning Red Ember GX motorcycle. It slows to a stop. The front and rear wheel splits into two becoming a four wheeler. I walk up to the door as the strikingly familiar figure parks and dismount. She is wearing a black and red leather motorcycle outfit to match her motorcycle. She takes off her helmet revealing that she is Ayesha. I excitedly walk outside to her.

“Wow,” I say in amazement. “This is yours?”

“Yep. All mine,” Ayesha says. “I bought it not too long ago. My father let me import it all the way from Clayton.”

“I know you said you worked for your dad but I didn’t know you were rich.”

“I am not rich by any means.” She admits. “I am good with money.” She puts her helmet on the gas tank, pulls out a second one from a saddlebag and walks over to me. “I am glad you’re free today. After I told my dad I was hanging out with a boy yesterday he got so upset. He was thinking about coming after you.”

“Should we be hanging out then?” I ask.

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“Yeah, he’s fine.” She waves off the question as she hands me the helmet. “I had to convince him but we have the whole day. I am on vacation after all.” She grabs my hand. “And besides I wanted to see you again.” She walks me to the motorcycle. “Have you ever ridden one of these before?”

“Oh no, never.”

“Then this will be fun.” She says as she pats my shoulder.

She puts her helmet on then helps me with mine. She mounts the bike and pats the seat behind her. I awkwardly throw my leg over to mount. I fidget around to get my balance. I don’t know where to put my hands or what to hold on to. I scoot back to give her more space so she can maneuver.

“Edward.” She says through a headset in the helmet. “You’re going to have to get closer than that.”

“Okay.” I say as I inch nearer.

“Closer, I need you for balance.”

“Is this enough.” I say as I lean in my body pressed against her back.

“Yes. Hold onto me.”

“I-I mean if this is too close. I- I swear I am not doing it on purpose.” I put my hands on her shoulders.

She laughs a little and turns her head to look at me. “It is okay.” She flips her visor up. “Breathe. Put your hands around my waist. It’s for balance and safety so don’t be afraid. I am not going to bite.”

I put my arms around her. She backs out of the parking space and speeds down the road. As the bike accelerates the four wheels join becoming two. I tighten my grip on her as we zoom down one street to another. I feel and electrifying mix of fear and exhilaration. I make sure acceleration does not activate and slow everything down. I want to enjoy the ride in full speed.

“Hold on.” She says as she accelerates onto the interstate.

We join the rush of vehicles and zoom past cars. The interstate ahead of us splits. Two lanes merge into city streets while the other two continue straight for the Information Center. As we approach the massive manmade tree the road elevates and raps around the trunk. From here roadways spread out like a draping spider web. We travel around the Information Center to uptown where she finally gets off the interstate and joins into uptown traffic.

“How you feeling back there?” She asks. “Did I go fast enough for you?”

“Wow, that was awesome lets go again.” I say then I clear my throat. “I mean. That was cool.”

Ayesha parks the motorcycle in a parking garage in uptown. I dismount first then she does. We take up our helmets and she puts them in the saddlebags. My legs are numb from sitting on the back of the motorcycle for so long. I stretch out my legs than wait for her to tell me what we're doing. I look up and see her taking off her clothes. I quickly turn around to give her privacy.

“It's okay.” She says.” I have one close under. “It's too hot to be walking around in full gear.”

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Quazare Station.” She responds. “It's a shopping district not too far from here I thought I should show you around a bit more.”

“What all is there?” I ask.

“You'll see when we get there." She says as she pushes me along. “You'll enjoy it I swear.”

She walks out in front of me seeing that I still have not turned to look at her. With a leather outfit off I can see she is wearing a yellow shirt with skinny jeans. We walkout of the parking garage into the busy streets where other tourists have come in droves. The Festival of Allegiance so close I can only imagine what it's going to be like when it's here. She takes my hand so that we are not separated. Strangely I feel some kind of power radiate from her grip. Maybe it is just my imagination.

As we enter Quazare Station the crowds only become more prominent. It is a large area with many shops none of which I've seen before. The street smells of cultural foods along with cakes and pastries. Not to mention the alcohol. The crowd here is mixed with many nationalities. I'm still the only Aidoshian but that's not so surprising since this is a Gandole province.

“This way.” Ayesha says as she leads me to a clothing store. “Let's go here first.”

“Sure, no problem.”

We look around the store and she finds a new outfit she wants to try on. It is a yellow sundress with strappy sandals and a large sun hat. We walk back to the dressing rooms where I see the tri-mirrors and glass floors.

“Aren’t you going to use the shadow image displayer?” I ask.

“Between you and me.” She says. “I prefer to do it the old-fashioned way. Don't tell Britney she loves those things.”

“I told her the same thing.” I respond. “She thought it was weird.”

“That sounds like her.” She giggles. “I'll be right back.”

She disappears behind the door to the dressing room. I take my in a waiting area just outside. The stores full of tourists and shoppers eager to find cute outfits for the upcoming festival. I watch them for a couple of minutes until I hear the door open and Ayesha steps out. She is blushing and looking at me for a response. I stand up breathless searching for some words to say.

“Well?” She finally questions after I had been speechless for a few seconds. “How does it look on me?” She does a quick spin. “Does it look good?”

“A-amazing, you look gorgeous.” I say.

She smiles and pulls the hat down over her red face.

“Thanks, I'll get it.” She rushes back into the dressing room.

After a few minutes she reemerges in the dressing room in her old outfit. The new one folded across one arm. She walks up to me and together we walked to the front to pay for the clothing.

“This is surreal.” Ayesha admits. “Never actually thought I'd ever be doing anything like this. Or that my father would ever let this happen.”

“You're on vacation. You should be able to enjoy yourself.” I respond.

“That hasn't stopped him before.” She says.

“He's just being protective.” I say. “Anyone would want to protect the gem as beautiful as you.”

“Let's not talk about him.” Ayesha says as she takes my hand. “Are you hungry is a place here that sells the best spicy yawshi you've ever tasted.”

I notice her voice is quivering and she's shaking. Is this from talking about her father? What kind of father is he to have his daughter shaking just by mentioning him? We start walking towards the restaurant she was speaking about. She seems out of it looking over her shoulders as if he was there watching us just outside of our view. Maybe it would be best not to bring him up again.

“Yawshi?” I question. “I never heard of it.”

She pauses and does an exaggerated gasp. “You haven’t.” She says. “Its rice covered in super spicy yawshi sauce and—and the meat and vegetables. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.”

“Ha ha ha, well with a description like that how can I say no?” I ask.

“Edward,” she says as she tightens her grip on my hand. “There is something I should tell you. About my father and me we are...”

Suddenly someone bumps into us as a flurry of tourist cross the street opposite us knocking her into me. She seems shaken up by something and looks back at the man that bumps into us as he vanishes in to the crowd.

“Watch it.” I yell after him. “Are you okay? What were you saying?”

“Y-yeah, I am fine.” She says still shaking. “L-lets go get some spicy yawshi together now.”