Two female arachnid-like species with black and reddish scaly skin, six smaller legs on their backside, and multiple greenish-blue eyes along their curved faces walk down a long blue-glass stairwell with steel railings looking down to a greenwood food court. Large red vines and sparkling plant life situated atop canopies and floating discs surrounded the room.

The eateries were very distinct culture-wise, with neon and holographic signs wrapping along the walls in various colors. While some offered parfaits made of edible liquid metals and glistening stones, others provided exquisite cuisine of cut translucent-white plums with orange juices.

The pavilion's flooring was gray steel, accompanied by large blue hexagons enclosing occupants in a semi-transparent bubble with a slime-like texture.

"... Ah! I've never conversed with a human before! What did you say your names were?"

"... My name's Loliel and my mother's name is Vi-… I mean, Dr. Schwerner."

"... Mmm! And your names are delectable as well! Does your culture pass down denominations or are they chosen based on ceremonial readings from a chief of sorts?"

"... N-no, we're just given our names on birth..."

"... So straightforward... Vesutough! Simply marvelous!"

Loliel and Vivi sat across from Kik and Raelle on floating red and blue orb-like chairs that warped around their backs and legs to provide comfort based on their height.

While Raelle's seat allowed her to sit up straight with crossed legs as she sipped a Yeemon-liquid metal parfait sitting on a floating white disc; Kik's seat was slouched forward so he could messily gobble up his bluish-green meat patties and frozen white lettuce shaped into angel wings used for buns.

Raelle looks over to him with a twitch of her eye, then sighs, deciding not to give him another lecture on his sloppy eating habits.

"… Hey vasuma, what're you wanting to order. We got a line here."

"… Just give me a second… I've never been here before and the menu is new!"

"… Not my problem, just order somethin' and be off already."

A man with bluish skin and two large wings curled onto his back waved a holographic fan at his face while his other three arms were crossed in front of his bulging gut. His food stand was similar to that of a walk-in ramen shop. Blue lanterns sat on the steel canopy's sides with floating stools posed in by customers slurping away at their bowls with gleeful faces.

Miya taps her chin and stares at the overhead menu of choices. The occupants behind her tap their feet and glare at her from behind.

The cashier sighs and slaps his fan onto his hip. "Why don't I jus' getcha the regular?"

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"Regular…? Like, what everyone else usually gets?"

"Sure, yeah… Hey hun, cook vasuma here the regular. Not to many spices and make it a smaller portion."

"… You got it hun!" A woman with similar features to his shouts from behind the grill counter.

"No! I want all the spices and I want the regular size!"

"Heh, whatever." The cashier chuckles and taps a set of white tracers that form a digital receipt. "That'll be forty-seven aeros."

“Oh, um… I don’t…”

"Huuh…? I don't what?"

“Have any… Money…”

The cashier groans and extends his hand over the counter with a flex of his fingers. "Just hand over your badge already. I got people waiting here!"

Miya unpins her badge from her chest and hesitantly hands it over. She jolts as the cashier swipes it from her hand and taps the center, with the receipt screen blinking green.

He then hands it back to her and throws his thumb to the side. "There, now get outta here already!"

She walks down the line to the relieved whispers and groans of the people behind her as the line moves forward. The woman-cook from the back steps through the red curtains and hands her a steamy red broth of blue noodles and plump red sizzling meats sitting on a levitating disc.

"There you go, vasuma. One 'regular sized all spices' bowl from yours truly!" The woman offers with a country-like accent and beaming smile.

She then dips back through the blue cloths and steps behind the counter. Miya looks down at the disc, pushes it in front of her with a finger, and then gazes down at her badge.

She'd never had the need to buy anything, with the Federation taking care of most of her essentials. Even while being stationed at Tavarus III, despite the trouble she'd always get into, they always provided food, sleeping quarters, and needed material for everyday living. However, she was aware she was in a paying grade in the Federation but never knew where the finances were being funneled.

She then blinks from her trance and stumbles back as a pair of legs strides past her.

"What the- … Hey, watch it you idiot!"

The woman stops her advance and turns around, looking around at the crowds of passersby, and then points to herself.

"Yes you! You almost spilled my food!"

She then steps over and bends down in front of Miya, pointing at the badge in her hand. Her body was slim, fitted tightly by a white Federation uniform revealing her slender shoulders. At the same time, her neck, side of her thighs, and arms were coated with navy-blue armor latches. Her skin was similar to blue gelatin, with the top of her hair, also jelly-like, wrapped into a long ponytail that swung at her lower thighs. She had no nose, mouth, or eyes, though it gave her a distinct appeal.

A Ciduvir, most commonly referred to as Cids. Their origins are unknown, even in the Q-database, and are only known for their squishy bodies and love for frost planets. It was rare for one to be spotted in a public space.

Miya takes a step back with a detestable gaze. "Too close. I'm leaving now, weirdo…."

The woman then taps her shoulder and points to a bubble a few feet away.

"What? I'm not following you. I don't even know you. Wha- Wait! Stop!"

As she walks forward, her food disc is latched on by the woman's long gelatin ponytail.

"Lady, what is wrong with you? Do you know who I am? I will shoot you-"

Miya notices the wide Federation logo painted on her back as they continue to walk.

"I see. You're with the Federation branch as well."

The woman nods her head.

"Is this some sort of haze? Are you pulling a prank on me?"

The woman nods her head from side to side.

"What? Then what are you doing… "

They stop in front of one of the bubbled-off eating venues, with the woman slowly walking through as the white blob envelops her entire body. The bubble returns to its neutral shape as she continues walking past on the other side with Miya's meal at her backside.

Miya pokes the bubble, causing the surface to ripple, then pushes her entire hand through. Her eyes widen with alarm as the foam begins to suck her in, but she takes a huge breath and jumps through, causing the surface to encircle her body and spew her out on the other side.