A red triplane soared through the twilight skies, heading towards a continent between the clouds. Two pilots gazed at lower homesteads, where flocks of domesticated wyverns rested on the roots under a waterfall over the abyss.

"You chose an interesting place... it's so serene." - The woman pilot, in the back seat, took her helmet off. Her long black hair swayed in the wind, under her goggles was a lovely, rosy smile.

"It... reminds me... Eh, you know what? Never mind." - The male pilot looked below and steered left.

"I understand." - The woman said as she rested her head between her crossed arms, on a steel corpus of the plane. - "The breeze is so nice, I could stay dreaming like this, forever."

"Take a nap, we're still twenty minutes away."

"Mmm..."

The plane continued flying between the green pillars with wide tops overgrown by the grass and flowers, until they gradually passed from sight and the travelers found themselves in the clouds. The male pilot pulled the steering stick and the plane rose higher into the air, piercing the white fog.

"Limi, we are here." - The male pilot whispered, and gently shook the girl's arm.

"Oh...?"

Limi lifted her goggles, opening her eyes. She stared in astonishment, which soon turned into a joyous grin.

"Andrew, it's... breathtaking." - Limi uttered quietly as she stared at a colossal gate in the skies, where numerous yellow lights flickered in a distance. Thousand of hanging houses were located on its pillars and large small skyboats docked slightly underneath, where flights of white birds, kindred to a seagull, roamed in the air.

"That's just the outskirts."

The triplane crossed the gate and flew higher. Around it, appeared large lanterns attached to balloons, glowing with dim orange light. They were connected by ropes, to form parallel rows of lines. Far away, a lighthouse illuminated the docks, with hundreds of large skyships, zeppelins, and planes gathered around it.

"You want to take a look from the above?" - Andrew asked and Limi nodded.

The triplane flew closer, crossing a wide defensive wall beneath it, situated just next to the island's edge. Limi stared at large artillery cannon, which appeared to guard fortifications all the way to the far horizon.

"It's one of the architectural marvels of this world, a sign of old times." - Andrew explained. - "It was built to defend against pillagers, far in the ancient ages."

"Is it true... that it surrounds the entire continent?"

"Pretty much, but sections of it were destroyed during the great wars, then reconstructed."

The plane lowered slightly. People and buildings appeared very small, but Limi's replacement body was capable of zooming the image in. The port district was a heavily industrialized area with a railway station used to transport goods out and into it. Rows of trucks waited next to the skyships, where porters unloaded or transported the cargo.

Andrew lifted his goggles. - "Do you like the view?"

"Their methods are outdated, but there is a charm to it."

"Oh, I assure you, given their current technology, these are the top-notch logistics. We're in the capital, after all... but what you see here, is actually a port for small entrepreneurs. Let's head to the main harbor."

Andrew made a sharp turn right and their plane flew along the shore of the abyss. Limi leaned over the edge of her seat, her eyes adjusted the perceptible distance, but Andrew forewarned her.

"It's better If you wait and close your eyes, you might want to see it from up close."

Limi listened, and once Andrew told her that she can look, a steel colossus, over four hundred meters long, entered her sight. It had no sails, ballons, or other conventional means of air travel. Instead, there were dozens of large outlets for steam below it.

"What... what is that? It looks like a lower class spaceship." - Limi asked, turning to Andrew.

"It's one of their cargo ships. They're powered by counter-grav crystals found in the abyss. It's the base of their modern tech."

"Ohh..." - Limi lifted her eyes, examining the thick hull. - "...does it mean, they aren't a spacefaring nation?"

"No, not yet. They've achieved the first steps, though. Although small, they already have a space station and a few recon units, with an operational range spanning across the inner region of their planetary system."

"I applaud their efforts, to think the universe still hides people of such determination. I wish we could help them... even slightly."

"You know it's forbidden. It's safer If they stay out of radar..."

"I know... it's just... they must feel alone in the universe and their life span must be short. It's... so unfair."

"Perhaps... but I see it differently. All effort they made so far, is theirs. The determination to reach the stars... the sacrifices they made... the conflicts it took... it's what shaped their identity, their history, their souls. I know what it's like, so they're all precious to me."

"...but is it really worth it? Knowing your lifespan is but a tiny fraction of the whole?"

Andrew saddened. - "I wouldn't say it's worth it, but we never had a choice. Neither they do."

The plane passed the ship and flew deeper into the land, crossing many of the residential districts. Some with small, three or four-floor houses, others with skyscrapers reaching the skies, until it reached the public parks, which surrounded a complex of glass and marble buildings.

"This is the largest and also the oldest university in their world." - Andrew explained, then pointed at a druid circle on a small hill, next to an amphitheater. - "Here, is where it all began. Today, it became a center of globalized culture and unites the brightest minds of all nations."

"It's like the academy."

"On a way smaller scale..."

The triplane began its descent.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Do you remember your role?" - Andrew asked.

"I'm Liane Mia Chovarette, your long-lost younger stepsister, a student from rural areas of oppressed, eastern archipelagos."

"...and I'm Andrew, an entrepreneur who escaped the war-torn Gresvadir, with a goal of establishing his own business."

"Convenient, considering it'll be close to impossible to verify the legitimacy of our records."

"Perhaps, but it still doesn't feel right to lie to these people."

"It's for our, and their own good."

"Yeah, either way, I picked this place, so it's on me."

The plane landed on a runway in the fields of grass, a bit north of the dormitories of the university. While on the runway, Andrew and Limi could notice that a small group of professors and students was prepared to welcome them. The plane slowed down and stopped right next to them, Andrew jumped out of a plane, then helped Limi climb down. They took off their helmets and goggles, and were approached by an elder representative of foreign affairs study.

"Greetings, it's an honor to make you our guests."

Andrew bowed deeply. - "The honor is mine. If we weren't granted the refugee status, our lives would be in great peril. We are forever in your debt."

"You being safe and sound is the only reward we need, it's only natural to help another person in need."

Andrew straightened and looked the elder straight in the eyes. - "You're too humble. We won't forget your generosity."

"To fly all the way here... it had to be a long journey, you must be tired..."

"Quite the contrary." - Andrew responded. - "We swapped pilots, so both of us had plenty of rest."

"Oh, of course. I should've noticed." - The representative laughed. - "...but still, perhaps you would like our fellow students to show you the dorms?"

Andrew fixed his gloves, then his jacket. - "With all due respect, If it's not too much of a burden to you, my sister was hoping she could visit the city first."

"Ah, then I might insist that you take Amanda and Jacob with you. They know the area. You can use them as guides."

Andrew looked at both of the students, it was a tall black man with intelligent, golden eyes, in a white vest, matching trousers, and a long winter coat. Amanda's curly purple hair, purple eyes, and brown skin indicated that she originated from mid-eastern countries, which had a vast wealth inequality. She was likely from the upper caste from society, as Andrew could notice from rose embellishments on her gothic jacket with a fur-lined hood.

"It's a pleasure to make you our acquaintances." - Andrew extended his hand and Jacob shook it, Amanda extended her hand and Andrew shook it too, then they both greeted Limi.

"We can finish the formalities in the morning." - The representative said after the group was done. - "I wish you an eventful evening."

"Thank you, once again." - Andrew replied and bowed, right before the representative left.

Amanda approached Limi. - "Is there anything you would like to see, Liane?"

Liane looked at Andrew, as If to ask him for permission. Andrew just nodded.

"Restaurants! I'm so, so hungry." - It was Limi's only chance to know what is it like to feel the taste.

Jacob laughed. Limi gave him a questioning look, as If she asked If anything is wrong.

"Oh, sorry. I hope I wasn't being rude. You just said it with such enthusiasm." - Jacob clarified.

"Let's go, then." - Andrew kept a stoical calm.

"Wait a minute!" - Jacob requested. - "I'll bring my car."

[ . . . ]

Limi stuffed herself with appetizers, she was mostly fond of blue cheese with a walnut dip.

"Liane, slow down... you're overeating." - Andrew sighed.

Jacob was all smiles. - "It appears my suggestion was a great success, but Andrew is right. You won't have a room for dessert."

"Dessert?" - Limi said with a full mouth.

Andrew rolled his eyes.

Amanda giggled. - "Of course, there is the main course, then a dessert."

Limi looked at Andrew. - "What is a dessert like?"

"You will like it." - Andrew just responded.

"Oh." - Jacob lost his chill, he kind of pitied Liane. - "You never had a dessert?"

Liane looked at Andrew, unsure what to say. It was getting too awkward.

"No, she did not." - Andrew decided to be blunt.

"I... I'm sorry." - Jacob uttered.

"Oh, don't stress it, Jacob." - Limi waved her hand, like she had no care in the world. - "It's in the past."

Andrew sighed, again. He felt that their week off was going to be a catastrophe. Limi was not prepared, at all.

The main course was there, it was a slice of delicate fish meat in a sun-dried cream sauce, with balls of green veggies on the side. Limi grabbed her fork and knife and dug into a dish before anyone could comment on it. Andrew silently followed, although his manners were perfect, compared to the girl's wild feast.

It was no surprise that Limi finished her meal first, so she had to awkwardly sit waiting until everyone else is finished.

"Liane." - Amanda said while cutting meat with her fork. - "If I may ask, where did you learn our language?"

Liane knew her script. - "From Andrew."

"You speak very well." - Amanda complimented the girl.

Jacob acknowledged it. - "True, you sound almost like you were born here."

Andrew felt like he needs to intervene. - "Liane... is a prodigy, when it comes to linguistics."

"The eastern archipelagoes are the strongest economy after ours. Her knowledge is a valuable asset on the job market." - Jacob noted. - "She has a promising future in the translation industry."

"Indeed, it is so." - Andrew said after he wiped his mouth into a napkin.

"I have friends in one of the big companies... I could arrange an internship, If you want, Liane." - Amanda added.

Andrew looked at Amanda, the girl appeared too eager for him, so he had to shut the idea down. - "Liane... it sounds like a decent alternative to our business project."

Liane looked at Andrew, she understood his intention without words. - "Thank you, Amanda, but my brother... is a bigger prodigy than me and I have full trust in his own idea for our future."

Internally, Limi fought not to laugh. Andrew? Prodigy? Sure, he was a good pilot and a soldier, but these two words did not go in a pair.

Jacob was skeptical but didn't show it. - "Really? You sound like a shrewd guy, Andrew. May I ask what plans do you have?"

"It's a business secret, but all I can say is that we won't stay here for longer than a week." - Andrew uttered, wanting to change the topic.

"Oh!" - Amanda felt mildly disappointed. - "That's a shame..."

"Yeah, there are no better opportunities than these in the capital. It sounds like you're playing a risky game, Andrew." - Jacob added.

"Not really, the market here is oversaturated..." - Andrew was happy, for once, that he did part of his homework. - "...and we don't plan to surrender our independence to foreign corporations."

Jacob couldn't read Andrew's intentions. - "Ah... the rules here are on a quite different level than in Gresvadir, yet you sound very confident."

Andrew looked behind him, hoping that waitress is coming. He wanted the conversation to end. - "It's not a matter of confidence, it's a matter of what must be done, for the future of our homelands. To choose the life of comfort and no risk, would be to surrender."

Jacob was taken aback. He was feeling that he knew Andrew and his ideology, better. He wanted to continue his inquiry, but cheesecakes have arrived. They were as white as snow, with white chocolate on the top and red berry syrup.

Liane took a piece in her mouth, the fluffiness of gentle, sweet flavors caressed her taste buds.

"Mmm..." - She moaned with pleasure.

Andrew also just kept his focus on the cake, to avoid further debate.

When the four were finished, Jacob paid for the meal with his credit card and they marched back to the car.

"Where would you like to go next?" - Jacob asked as they walked.

"Any suggestions, Liane?" - Andrew asked, kind of not caring.

"I want... to taste more desserts." - Limi said with a satisfied smile.

Jacob laughed heartily. - "You know what you want, but I'm afraid all the best confectioneries and cafes are closed at this hour."

Andrew allied himself with Jacob. - "True, and it's better If we diversify our experience. It's an integral part of the learning process."

"Uhh..." - Limi whined. - "...then let's go wherever you want."

Andrew smirked. - "Is the museum of aviation still open?"

"Andrew, you're a guy of great taste." - Jacob looked at the stars. - "But I'm afraid it'll have to wait until tomorrow."

"Not necessarily." - Amanda added from the front. - "The students get an 'extra' night pass."

Jacob lifted his eyebrow. - "Really!? Amanda?"

"Hey, they stay here only for a week. You really want them to suffocate in the crowd?" - Amanda replied.

"Eh, do what you want, but I want nothing to do with it." - Jacob replied.

"Are you suggesting... something illegal?" - Andrew asked, a bit concerned.

"It de-pends..." - Amanda hummed. - "If you're not interested, then I'm not suggesting anything."

"Liane?" - Andrew tried to consult the android.

Limi extended her hand to the stars, as If to follow Jacob's gaze. The man noticed it and smiled.

"I want to see it, what shaped their souls." - Limi uttered.

"Eh." - Andrew looked at the stars and sighed, but deep inside, he was smiling. - "That's the risk I'm willing to take."

Amanda grinned and joined them.