"How do you clean yourself before this?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRJXj6Ybj7
Lizy asked Lily, who wore the new clothes that I had bought with her.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lf44lpGnV
"The public shower rooms at the beach... People kept forgetting to take their shampoo."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fV8HhGM2f
Lily's voice was barely above a whisper. She glanced down at her hands, which were now twisting nervously in her lap. The quiet hum of the boat's engine filled the brief silence that followed.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn7V8OkHiO
"That's... I can't imagine,
How about where you live? Where do you live?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTla3rE0uu
"..."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXHKHGjvpY
The two kids were chatting together, and Lily was constantly shy during the conversation, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. Lizy, on the other hand, was asking questions that, while well-meaning, sometimes crossed the line of personal boundaries. Lily’s eyes darted around nervously, her shoulders tensing with each probing question.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUQ6pkvXDt
"Lizy."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb2CQVC1Vz
"Ah yes, sorry, sorryyyyy~
I won't do that againnnnn"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rmRehiiwi
With some new clothes, Lily looked more like a clean and young engineer. She ran her fingers over the material, appreciating the comfort it provided. She did tell me that every few days, she had to return home to eat dinner with her parents, but besides that, she could stay with us as much as she wanted.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT88sPxLMo7
"I still enjoy the workstation better,"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeZRaV5teK
She muttered, her eyes flicking away as she spoke. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking more at ease as the conversation shifted to lighter topics.
The chatter between the group went on for a while, lightening the mood. Lizy threw an anchor into the water and jumped off the boat with a splash, her movements confident and agile. She landed lightly on the sand and stretched her arms above her head, taking a deep breath of the salty air.
Meanwhile, Log flew to shore, holding me as I didn't want to go through the trouble of touching salty, impure water. His strong arms made the journey effortless, and I felt the rush of wind against my face. I glanced back at the boat, ensuring we hadn't left anything behind.
Once on shore, Log flew back to help Lily. He scooped her up in a princess hug, earning a startled gasp from her. They landed gracefully, and I couldn't help but notice Lily's face turning as red as a tomato. The sight brought a smile to my face, as I giggled.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8plQGI702
"Hey, why didn't I get the princess treatment?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFWPm5V0f6
Lizy complained, crossing her arms with an exaggerated pout.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46xHLyCj8T
"Well, you basically jumped onto shore and missed the chance, oops!"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt9ANQjGMA
Log shrugged, flashing a grin. He brushed some sand off his wings and folded them neatly behind him.
Lizy rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G5Z6uXiQH
"Next time, I expect to be carried like a princess!"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAZZ4pJHQ7
My mind jolted for a second, but I kept my composure.
As we gathered our belongings and prepared to move forward, Lizy looked to the side and spotted some blue, jellyfish-like plants. Their translucent bodies shimmered in the sunlight, creating a mesmerizing effect that caught our attention.
Lizy bent down to examine them, her fingers brushing lightly over the delicate petals.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeFURAFSy2
"These are Aquablooms,
The body of it can be used to make transparent-looking caesar wraps."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9WJB3RYEK
She gently traced the outline of one of the blooms, its surface cool and slightly slippery to the touch.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jofJOjiXb
"Don't eat the anther though; it could give you serious hallucinations and is addictive."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD8yPZInsn
I looked at the flowers and picked a few, thinking that they might be of use later. The blooms felt delicate in my hands, their petals soft and cool to the touch. I carefully opened another compression cube and gently placed the flowers inside, making sure they were secure. The cube whirred softly as it adjusted to accommodate the blooms as I closed the cube and slipped it into my belt bag.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UNGaOMUd9
"Lizy, can you tell me more about them?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIaHOLGS6E
I took out another cube. With a flick of my wrist, it projected a writing screen. I made an easy note-taking interface during the boat trip; it is already good for use now.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqFULV7TYs
"Sure! Aquablooms are quite fascinating.
These plants thrive in coastal areas and have a unique jellyfish-like appearance. The body of the plant is translucent, which gives it that mesmerizing, ethereal look.
They’re often found growing near the water’s edge, swaying gently with the tides—"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt4BvDrxpH
As Lizy explains, she casually guides us away from the beach, as the aquablooms fade from our sights.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGhcRavYe0
"I'm getting tired,"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuxWdPeOmJ
Lily complains, her voice carrying a hint of weariness.
We have been walking for two hours by now, and I can feel the fatigue starting to settle in. I glance at Lizy, who seems completely unfazed by the distance. Her scooter, now folded and strapped to her back, suddenly makes perfect sense. She walks with an easy grace, her energy levels seemingly untouched by our long trek.
I pause for a moment, considering our options.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWjbDgyOBH
"Let's take a short break."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWFuJdY9LZ
I look around for a suitable spot to rest. There's a small clearing up ahead, shaded by a cluster of trees.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKe2VLUXD5
"Over there looks good."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN8Kty5R5F
Lily nodded gratefully, her steps becoming a bit lighter with the promise of a break. Lizy led us to the clearing, and we settled down, each finding a comfortable spot to sit. I took out my water bottle, offering it to Lily first. She took a few sips, the tension in her shoulders visibly easing as she rested.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jrgi2Kt6Y
"How do you manage to keep going like this?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQXle7SeUB
I asked Lizy, genuinely curious.
She shrugged, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTXWcPiWAA
"Lots of practice and a bit of stubbornness,"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaJr2bwHrs
She replied, stretching her arms above her head.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWQaW6i1sa
"And the scooter helps, of course. I'll lend it to you next time."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHPKDzQVaQ
"RoseBud, can I return to the workstation?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDotTpaxA0
Lily asked, her eyes hopeful. She shifted on her feet, the fatigue evident but so was her eagerness.
I had been waiting for this moment for a while now.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKlNEi4QFi
"Of course you can, but while you're there, can you help me with something?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswWKRVCF9X
"What can I possibly help you with?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1D6wSklpH
"Let's set up a forum,
I'll call it...Techgirls Society!"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN58mK9keIq
I forced a grin that spread across my face.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtoEz1VkB5
"Huh?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp0AcwycEi
Everyone looked at me, their expressions ranging from surprise to curiosity. Lizy's eyebrows shot up, her head tilting slightly as she processed the idea. Log, who had been quietly listening, quickly straightened up, his wings giving a small twitch. Lily blinked, her mouth opening slightly as she tried to grasp the concept.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUkMkxm4MW
"That does not sound like you at all,
When have you started to want to connect with others?"
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRB3Uamd9B
Log noted in a mildly serious tone.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their scrutiny.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28cbdrcERA
"Well, it's something I've been thinking about for a while."
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tqxXYt9Jp
I made my excuse, meeting their gazes one by one. But in actuality, I do not know why I had to, either.
I placed down the portal module and activated it, the swirling lights of the portal shimmering in the air. As the gateway opened, Lily took a hesitant step forward, then walked through it. The light enveloped her, and in a blink, she was gone.
With a deep breath, I closed the portal, the space around us returning to its usual calm. The gentle hum of the module faded, leaving us in the serene silence of the clearing.
ns18.226.251.94da2
