//------------------------------// // Navigation 2, Part 2 -その大胆な救助を ... That Audacious Rescue... // Story: ARIA Special Navigation: The Magic of Friendship in the City of Miracles // by Planetarian //------------------------------// Navigation 2, Part 2 -その大胆な救助を ... That Audacious Rescue... I guess I still have growing up to do, huh. Hahi! I still am inexperienced really. Past experience... they really do make a difference to the future. These experiences open up new routes and new possibilities that we would've missed. Those roads wouldn't be open if not for those experiences... One thing for sure. We wouldn't know how to cross if we don't have what it takes to do it. \-----/ The traffic was making the cat's boat spin about without any clear heading. Ai stood back, and immediately turned to Aika, as they nodded to each other. Akari seemed to know exactly that the two were implying, as she assumed the place of the oarsman. Ai dipped her hand into the water. "About a knot." She shouted. Sweetie jumped aboard the gondola, which was leaving the pier in a backward orientation. It was clear to all who were on-board the gondola that they were going to intercept President Aria before he could drift into trouble. Ai assumed to the bow of the ship, looking out to the rear view, while Aika was sitting before Akari and the fòrcola. Aika, one eye sealed shut while her head craned to look past the rower, was shouting course adjustments to Akari. Ai kept her hand dipped in water while she gave reading on the speed of the gondola and the current. The sea lane was not as busy as usual, but commercial activities were still brisk. Sweetie Belle gasped as she saw the shores widen around the mouth of the canal, as the ocean and the islands show themselves in all of their majesty. The gondola was moving to the President's position while going backward. This realization sank in for the unicorn just as Ai and Aika's voices vanished into the rushing headwind. Sweetie left her seat and went to the stern of the gondola, where Akari was. "Just get close enough." The unicorn said loudly as her horn began to flare. "I can intercept in about 4 times the length of this gondola." This may be pushing it, thought Sweetie to herself. If only I could teleport like Twilight can... Ai translated to the crew. "Get to within 40 meters of Aria-shachou." Sweetie took mental note of this unit. The gondola would be 10 meters or so in length. Aika eyeballed the distance. "Less than 100 meters, Akari!" The girl was rowing with all of her might. Sweetie felt the boat slicing the top of the water as the world whizzed by the gondola. They surely were going to make it. "Less than 80!" Aika yelled. A huge, airborne vehicle blocked out the view as it made waterfall. The gondola rocked violently as water splashed itself on the occupants of the boat. They clenched their teeth and hanged on, while fighting the pounding waves from the wake. It took half a minute to compensate for the disruption, but the gondola kept going, despite having been veered off-course. Unfortunately, the gondola had lost speed. The unicorn's light pink aura was visible to the Undines as she strained to halt the advance of President Aria's boat. The distance was simply too far. The gondola kept getting further, and Sweetie Bell couldn't feel anything at all. "Not doing it!" Aika barked. Akari was rowing with all of her might while the boat rocked against the broken wake of the spaceship. "Sweetie, break the forward waves!" The unicorn had no time to argue with Ai. She redirected her focus to the boat's bow shock (although it's the stern,) and took the brunt of the kinetic stresses from the momentum of the gondola upon her frame and mind. The gondola had a very shallow displacement. Sweetie was able to give the craft better stability by not exposing the boat to the wake. "We're gaining speed." Ai reported. "Ok! We're in business!" Aika called. Sweetie strained herself while she held the force field. The forward momentum of the boat was slamming her mentally and physically against the crashing waves, and she had to make the waves give in. "50 meters!" Aika marked. At the peak of her exhaustion, Sweetie turned her attention towards the President's boat. Without having been cued, the unicorn mustered all that she had on the little boat before her. The whole boat was lifted from the water as the unicorn sent the boat and the cat onto a collision course either the occupants of the gondola, or the water next to them. The freefall of the boat was an exercise in slow-motion. Sweetie had sent the President on a steep arcing angle, with the boat cart-wheeling in the air. The unicorn shielded her eyes as she expected the hear the impact of a belly-flop to the water, but it never came. Ai and Aika had somehow managed to prevent the destruction of the President's barge as they held the boat by their hands, with the cat still affixed to the miniature gondola. \---/ Akari was panting. "This really brings back that day, doesn't it?" Aika spoke to the group. "Alicia-san saved the day with impeccable oarsmanship. She was a lady knight, graceful and precise." Aika attested on the might of Alicia during the previous rescue on the wayward President. "So at least now I know how things would've gone if we actually got to Aria-shachou." The Prima from Himeya groaned as she made that comment. Ai said softly. "Wait till Alicia-san hears about this..." Sweetie gave a deadpan response. "I don't think you need to..." The figure rose from the waters on a bright red platform, with an oar in hand. She was majestic, and the waterways were her domain. She was clad in a striking white set of business suit. "Akari-chan!" The figure called. Akari turned to her mentor while Aika, Ai and Sweetie were rendered still by the serendipity of the whole episode. The Snow White lost none of her luster as she arrived in a gondolino, while in suits. Aika uttered Alicia's name in reverence, while stuttering badly. "Most Undines cannot handle a gondolino. They are fast and twitchy. Think of them as you would thoroughbred horses or super cars." Ai remarked. Her presence was so commanding. Sweetie saw Undines over the nearby pier swoon at the sight of Alicia. "Ara ara, that was an amazing rescue!" Ai's eyes were wide as saucers. "Alicia-san, you saw us?" The Snow White hugged the teary-eyed President, as she acknowledged the electrified crowd of Undines and passerby. "I came to the scene as fast as I could. I had to borrow this child from the post office rowing team." The gondolino was bright red, and it stood in contrast to the Snow White. Alicia was radiating a very loving smile. "These kind Undines by the pier were trying to reach Aria-shachou in their traghetto, but the rowers lost balance in the wake, so I had to help them first." Alicia gestured to an elongated gondola that trailed behind her. Two Undines were waving enthusiastically at the crowd. Alicia went on. "Everything that you have done in the past have been reflected in what you have done today." She looked at the entire crew of the ebony gondola. "None of you wavered for even a second about what course of action should be taken to help Aria-shachou." The gondoliers and the sole pony felt a tint of embarrassment coming to their visage. "If it wasn't for that spaceship..." Aika mumbled with a deep blush as she lamented on how that Alicia's rescue of President Aria was disrupted by the landing of that leviathan of a machine. Sweetie was too exhausted to pay heed to the might of humanity being so visibly demonstrated. The pony had applied her shielding and telekinetic abilities in ways that she had never thought of before. Ai was also spent. The girl was trembling slightly over the way how that her own snap decisions were of pivotal importance. The weight of having been trusted by the crew to this extent caught up to the girl. Akari, Aika and Alicia all noted that the pony and the Single were brooding to themselves. President Aria nudged the two adolescent beings with his paws, while showing a very concerned look on his face. Ai swallowed a bit of saliva before paying heed to the Martian cat. "I could have really hurt Sweetie-chan back there..." The Single turned to the filly. "Whereas I did hurt you..." The filly had a taste of disgust in her tone. Ai would have none of it. "No you didn't. You used your gift and everything you had to get Aria-shachou to safety." Sweetie was morose. "You saw what I did. I hurled him and his boat into the air. What was I even thinking?" Alicia's gondolino was now next to the gondola. "Both of you were thinking of how to save Aria-shachou. Neither of you let anything else came before you." Alicia looked at the Single and the unicorn. "Both of you hold yourselves to this scrutiny because of how much you care about everyone, and how much you've known from the past. This is what makes applying what you know to be a very scary thing. Your understanding is what truly scares you about your actions." \---/ Aika turned to Akari while Alicia tended to Ai and Sweetie Belle. "Akari, I am really envious of the Aria company." "Heeee?" The heiress to Himeya looked at Ai. "You can't train an Undine to be what Ai-chan is. She knows about what she could work with, and then she makes her decision in a snap. You don't have to tell her about what she needs to do at all." Aika added the unicorn into the picture. "You make friends that will perform feats of miracle with you on a dime. Akari, I forget about this when I'm this close to you, but little miss unicorn here helped us with everything she's got when she barely knows us!" The Undine in red then looked at her idol. "The incomparable Alicia-san cannot be touched. She is a figure larger than life... I mean... we have just witnessed the birth of another legend, with Show White gracefully leading Undines to safety." "And then there's you." Aika stated. "You just took me across space and time. I went from a branch manager to be that Single Undine that gets a bit annoyed about her easy-going friend. How do you manage to make me live this past again?" Akari was not sure about how to answer to Aika. Ai took to the podium. "Aika-san. I think I have an answer to that." She lets her mind loose. "You still are Aika-san, the Undine that stayed level-headed for everyone. You shoulder so much on yourself, and it's always been like that for you. I think that's why this flashback was so powerful for you." Sweetie finally recovered enough to have a word of her own. "Well, Miss Aika, you were the eyes for this boat. If I am hearing this correctly, you did the same before. Maybe this is not just literally, but it also applies in a figurative sense. You've been looking out for your friends... all this time..." The Prima in red was very flushed. "I... this kind of embarrassing remarks... are not allowed..." Her voice grew increasingly timid. Akari hugged her friend while Alicia had an understanding expression in her eyes. \---/ The Undines over the traghetti service point couldn't contain their excitement. To them, what Aquamarine and Snow White did during this afternoon was worthy of songs. Aquamarine rowed a fully laden gondola in reversed direction at a speed of three to four knots. Snow White steered a gondolino as the only pilot without her breaking a sweat. The water fairies of Aria company could win a Regata in just about any rowing boat with that kind of skill and force. Those two may even obliterate veterans of the Regata Storica in gondolini category. As the two of them coped with the adoration of the Undines, the three passengers and the cat had time to sit back and relax. Ai spoke first. "I am happy that Akari-san's unique skill gets put to use. That backward rowing ability is one of a kind." Aika had a curt smile. "Alicia-san in full form on the water made me very so happy. She is meant to be on the water." Sweetie gave a long stare. "First time that I've done anything like this on water. I feel a bit out of place I guess." Ai gathered herself together as she asked Sweetie a question. "So, how'd you like it?" Sweetie gave a tired smile. "Miss Alicia was beautiful." Aika couldn't agree more. "She sure is..." Sweetie concurred, then continued. "Is this what you meant about changes in itinerary?" Ai felt the bite. "Sweetie-chan, we don't end up chasing Aria-shachou at a sustained three knots against a current every day." Aika scratched her head. "Don't you worry, Sweetie. This sort of craziness will die down now that the show's over. The afternoon will be fine and peaceful." The sound of the bell in Campanile reminded everyone that it was afternoon. The Prima noted the time. "Since we're over Campo del Traghetto, we might as well as to get back to Aria company. Other places haven't gotten back to work yet." Sweetie and Ai nodded. "Is it always like this in the event of Acqua Alta? With the disruption and all." Aika was brisk in answer. "Basically always. It hits once or twice a year or so. We can ask Al about why that is the case." "And Al would be..." "Albert, he is a Gnome. They regulate the pull of gravity on the planet." Aika cheerfully provided the answer for Sweetie. Gnome? Gravity manipulation? This world was becoming more and more incredible by the second to the unicorn. \---/ "Yo!" A voice came from yet another traghetto. "Ahh, Ayumi! Sorry about the ruckus." Aika waved to one of the two Undines on the traghetto. This one's a Prima. "It's not every day that you get Undine heavyweights together like this." The loosely kept short auburn color haired lady had her periwinkle eyes trained on the unicorn and the Undines sitting there. Ayumi was rather playful. She had the traghetto parked over the meadows as the Single junior aboard was forcibly dragged out of the boat and shoved to the presence of the heiress of Himeya company. "This little one here is a bit jumpy." She said of the Single that was with her. This girl in Himeya uniform had a sandy brown hair that went to her shoulders. Her eyes were dark brown. Akari and Alicia walked toward the confident Prima. "Ayumi-chan! Sorry for the trouble!" "Alicia-san, Akari. Nice to see you two!" Sweetie realized that this girl was more than a casual acquaintance of theirs. The one in charge jumped out of the boat and motioned for the other Undines to settle down and gather around. "Alright! Listen up!" Ayumi projected her voice to all the Undines that were at the service point. The little ones were all energetic. "Today's not going to be busy. I want most of you to catch a break. Annette, Andrea and Angelica can keep working. Report to the office and log your hours. That's all!" The unicorn noticed that these Undines were Singles. The rest of the singles happily went off. "Thanks, capo!" Ayumi winced a little, while Aika did a spit-take. "I wish they didn't give me that nickname..." The chief of Campo del Traghetto sighed, and then continued with her salutations. "These girls are really kind, Ayumi-chan." Alicia noted the three that were to stay behind. "They are really hot-headed and they bit more than what they could chew." Ayumi was dismissive in jest. "On the other hand, Ako here needs to open up more! Come on, Ako-chan, say hi to Alicia-san and Aika-san. They're only the bosses of your boss!" Sweetie could've sworn that the poor little thing was whimpering (despite the fact that she was much taller than the unicorn.) "Hello..." It was a meek greeting that could rival Fluttershy. Alicia was being her radiant self. "Ara ara. You balanced the traghetto very well, Ako-chan!" Sweetie saw the little girl mumbling. It wasn't hard to imagine just what she was going to say to Alicia. Ai provided some explanation to Sweetie. "Ayumi-san is a rarity. She's a Traghetto specialist. Traghetti are water taxis that take people across points on the Canal Grande." Ayumi decided to butt in. "Ai-chan! Good to see you!" Ai was quite jovial. "Ayumi-san, are the traghetti just fine from last few days of weather?" The chief smirked. "I had them fished out of the waterway before the worst of it. These girls spent the morning getting them back into the water. The boats are all in great shape." The chief turned to greet the unicorn. "Hi there Miss Kitty. Nice unicorn costume you got." Ayumi left Ako to fend for herself as she studied the 'cat', and Sweetie cocked her head to study the human. "Wait, those are hooves... cats don't have hooves." "No. Cats do not have hooves. What sort of cat would have a horn on his head by the way?" Sweetie had enough. "Whoa! You just talked!" Ayumi was visibly excited. She was grinning from ear to ear as her gaze scanned the other Undines. "Something very fishy is going on here. Having the Rosen Queen, the Snow White and Aquamarine would have been an event already, but this?" Ai casually replied. "It's really just me doing a touring practice and giving a ride for Aika-san." Ayumi scoffed. "And then there's Ai-chan. Will wonders never cease? Okay. That was a great trick really. Making a robot this good. Voice control and all... quite an idea for tourism..." Sweetie was thoroughly insulted. She opened her mouth. "Look in my mouth. Look at my teeth. Do robots have saliva?" Ayumi peeked at the oral cavity of the little pony, and she stepped back as she lost her breath. "No way. Flesh and blood, and smells like butter." She shook her head. "And I thought that intelligent cats were pretty much as far as it gets for us on Aqua. Now horses too?" The unicorn had to correct the human. "I am a pony. Long story short. I am not exactly from here." Aika had the look of disapproval as she turned to Ayumi. "Ayumi, come over to Aria company and we'll explain it to you. It's not as if that the service is running today. Not even tomorrow for that matter." The Prima was somewhat pensive. "Alright. Let's just wait for those two over there to come back with the boat." She said of the two Undines that got rescued by Alicia. "Angelica gets too carried away about helping others that she forgets about her own limits." Ayumi wasn't done with the pony. "I'm dying to hear what's going on from you, Miss Unicorn. Come on my boat." The auburn haired lady pivoted to Ako. "Want to come with us?" Ako was very flushed. She was being praised by one of the idols of the industry. "Well then!" Ayumi was just a little scheming. "Alicia-san, we'll take you to Aria company on this boat here. Enjoy your first random inspection, Ako-chan!" "Ara ara. This is a very good idea." Alicia went to Aika. "Aria-shachou, come join us on Ayumi-chan and Ako-chan's traghetto!" The cat energetically responded to Alicia, as he went to her arms. \---/ Sweetie was sitting in front of Ayumi, who was rowing from the stern of the traghetto. "How many people would normally be seated on the traghetto?" Sweetie asked. "It looks a lot like the gondola, but it has that other oarlock..." Alicia said to Sweetie. "The oarlock is called fòrcola. These are custom-made for the gondoliers, since each gondolier is different." Ayumi scoffed. "Not on these boats. Part of the challenge with traghetti are to be adaptive as you have to work with the given boat. They don't have individualized fòrcola that you'd mount on a gondola." Sweetie started to look at the boat and Ai's gondola that was abreast. "So I guess that the traghetti are not so fancy because they are used for public transportation?" Alicia was very impressed. "Ara ara. That's very good, Sweetie-chan! The traghetti often taken from gondole retired from touring duties." Ayumi added. "This fleet has been growing. We are now up to 21. There's about 18 that's assigned, leaving us with three boats per service point. You are sitting in one of the three reserved boats." Sweetie looked at the boat. "So that's why you need two to row this boat..." Ayumi added. "You can be down to standing room only. I've squeezed 20 people onto one boat a few times." Alicia had that ethereal smile on her face again. "Sweetie-chan, how do you like Ai-chan's gondola?" The unicorn blinked for a couple of seconds. "She said that events like this only happen if she's out to look for miracles. I do like this somewhat, but I am not sure if tourists can handle this sort of action..." Sweetie sniffed the air around her. "but it was fun, even before the drama. Ai-chan, Akari and I started the adventure even before we hit the water." The little unicorn hovered the ballpoint pen that Akari had reassembled before Alicia and a totally enamored Ayumi. "Did you just..." The Undine saw that Alicia was completely unflappable at this incredible sight. The unicorn continued. "Ai-chan's gondola ride made me appreciate what I got, while Akari finds new things for me to think of. It's quite amazing, really." "How about this traghetto?" The taxi chief asked. Sweetie closed her eyes to feel the winds blowing against her mane. "Carefree. I feel as if I am gliding past this place. I am not so overwhelmed by the details all around me when I am on here." Ayumi was quite humbled. "I don't know anything about what you are, or where you're from, but... thanks. Not many outsiders would immediately want to take a ride in the traghetto. They want be guided by an Undine in a gondola. Not that there's anything wrong with that..." The girl was very sincere in her appreciation. "Thank you." "Ara ara. Ayumi-chan, this is why we have to think of ways for more people to realize the wonders of traghetti! Introducing this role to Undines, one at a time, and we surely will spread those feelings across eventually." "Alicia... I... wow." Ayumi looked at the deck. "No wonder Akari is this good. Heck, if it wasn't for you, Akari, Ayumi, Anzu and Atora, I would have never even bothered to get this Prima qualification." Ayumi thought back to her days as a Single, when she was urging Atora to not abandon her dream of being a licensed professional and start touring. "Ayumi-chan, is it possible for you to have the Undines working at the traghetti to row a Disdotona? We want to feature Undines rowing one alongside the rowing clubs." "That's the big 18 that Orange Planet and Himeya had commissioned! Alicia, taking these out during La Sensa?" "We're counting on you, Ayumi-chan! Ufufu." The unicorn was not sure of what Alicia was suggesting, but it looked as if that this was not an ordinary task. "Wonder if Anzu and Atora would like to lend a hand..." Sweetie heard Ayumi uttering aloud. \---/ Akari remained on the oar as Aika, Ai and President Aria quietly thought to themselves. It was odd for all of them. They've poured out their feelings just a little while ago, yet their business of the day were far from over. Ai finally broke the ice. "Sweetie-chan at least didn't have a boring gondola ride. I hope that she did have fun though." Aika and Akari looked at the somewhat dejected junior. "If we didn't have her help, Aria-shachou would have been in a real pinch." Akari wasn't about to let Ai berate herself. "All of us worked together to get Aria-shachou to safety. We couldn't have done it without each other." The President tugged Ai's top by one of the sleeves, with beady, teary eyes and a most apologetic expression on his face. "I am not angry at you, Aria-shachou..." said Ai. "I just wanted to show Sweetie-chan about Aqua. I wanted to do more than talk about it, with those that I love." Their gondola went past the Campanile as the bell chime reminded the citizens of the time. The Single confessed. "I've come to love this city because of you two, and I've wanted Sweetie-chan to have that same opportunity that I had." Aika, lost in thought, spoke without thinking. "It is a miracle to reaffirm that love..." The girl came to as all the eyes on the boat were on her. "I... ur..." Aika had to salvage the situation somehow. "Embarrassing remarks aren't allowed! For myself! Again!" "Hahi!" The heiress hung her head low in shame as her face was flushed with blood. \---/ Ayumi's group arrived at Aria company earlier than Akari's entourage. Alicia fastened the boat to the painted Palina. She insisted on getting Ayumi and Ako into the building first. The Palina bore the insignia of the Aria company. Sweetie was off the boat, but she didn't enter the building. The filly sat on her haunches as she waited for Akari to moor the ebony gondola. "Alicia-san! You don't need to..." Akari exclaimed when Alicia was taking hold of the mooring cable. "I got it. All of you should get some rest." "Demo...” "Akari-chan, the cable please~" "Hahi..." There was little that Akari could do when it comes to caving in to her senior. "Hehe. Alicia-san still wants to spoil Akari-san." Ai let loose a chuckle. "Akira-san would've never done that." "Living up to her reputation as the Demon Instructor..." Ai was pouring oil on a fire. "Hold on! I hadn't call her that! You're the one that's been sticking that idea in her head!" Ai was unfazed. "Wasn't she going to drown you to the Neo-Adriatic sea?" Aika's eyes were wide. "You still remember that?! Well I don't think she was totally lying, but still! She really gave me a hard time for that Demon Instructor nickname!" A look of desperation washed over the Prima's face. "You don't know the half of it. Akira-san was really angry that you made Sweetie-chan her think of her as a tyrant. Well she is a benevolent tyrant, but she doesn't like it when random strangers think of her like that!" Sweetie had her ears tuned to this outburst, and she practically glided to the eye of the storm. "So Miss Ferrari can be a harsh mistress huh..." Aika had a hand up against her forehead. "Oh no... look. Just don't land in hot water..." Alicia was done fastening the boat by that point in time. "Akira-chan really loves you, Aika-chan. She gets hurt and jealous about all sorts of little things that you do. Ufufu." "And I was supposed to meet up with her at the branch..." "Ara ara. I am going to call Akira-chan to come down here instead!" Alicia was rather delighted for some reason. "I didn't get to discuss any of the planning for La Sensa with her yesterday." \---/ Ai faded from that exchange with Aika in order to turn to Akari and Sweetie. "Sweetie-chan, are you unhappy about how things have turned out?" The little unicorn frowned slightly. "Only at myself. All of this was exciting, except for me throwing the President's boat into the air." Ai walked to Sweetie to give her a hug. "Thank you... and Aria-shachou felt bad about it. He said that he was a disgrace for letting a lady down actually." "That's... cute..." Sweetie turned her thought back to the topic. "Thanks." "We'll head out again. We don't do crazy things like this every day by the way." "I know." Akari was visibly relieved. "Ai-chan, Sweetie-chan. What were the good things that you've found this morning?" Sweetie had a ghost of a smile. "I got to see your true colour. I really like it." Ai was a bit bashful. "I saw what made me love Akari-san so much once again." Akari added. "I saw just how much we really believe in each other this morning." Alicia made her presence. "I saw how you all have stayed true to yourselves." The Snow White turned her attention to Aika. "Ara ara. It's your turn, Aika-chan." "But it's embarrassing, Alicia-san-" "Ara ara, ufufu." It seemed as if that there was no way around Alicia. "I... I... saw just how much I I... really love being with all of you..." "Hehe. Aika-san is very cute when she say such embarrassing things." Ai rubbed some salt onto Aika's bruised ego. "Hey! Is that any way to address your senior?" And laughter was abound, at the expense of the heiress of Himeya. \---/ Aika looked at the clock as she pondered aloud. "Just how long is it going to take for Akira-san to get here?" All the Undines and the unicorn were at the top floor of the Aria company building. Nobody entertained Aika's question for some reason. "This is the first time that I've been here." Ayumi spoke. "Well Ako, this is it. Aria company that grandma built." The little Single was fidgety. She still didn't utter much to the group at all. Sweetie took the chance to ask Ai about the Disdotona, with Alicia giving the response instead. "A Disdotona is almost twice as long as a gondola. They can have 18 rowers. There was only one in the whole of Neo-Venezia, and it is owned by a rowing club." Aika added. "Himeya and Orange Planet commissioned two of these boats. The Singles and Pairs would have no clue about how to time and balance themselves with these. It's not something that Akira-san can coach on either, so we'll have the traghetti Undines learn from the rowing club." Ayumi flat out made her admission. "I've never had a boat full of rowers. Getting the girls ready in less than two months... I can see why you'd ask for the traghetti for this." The chief of Campo del Traghetto- Calle Lanza relented. "Yea, I will do it. Those girls will get a real shocker." The unicorn then turned to Ayumi and offered a hoof. "Well, I should introduce myself. My name's Sweetie Belle." The Undine was stunned for a second, but she recovered as she grabbed the hoof and gave it a solid shake. "Ayumi Jasmine. Hi there, little Sweetie. Real life unicorn, neat. I am going to add this onto the list of the things that I've seen in my life." Ako was very meek in her introduction. "My name is Ako. I became a Single this year..." Ai looked at Ako with a smile. "Where? The Hill of Hope?" The little Undine took a step back, and barely summoned enough fortitude to continue. "At... Murano..." "I wanted to do something a little different with Ako-chan here." Ayumi said matter-of-factly. "Ako found out about that, so I had to ambush her... like this!" "Eeekkk!" The little Single was in the clutches of the senior. "Hehe. A bit surprised that there's actually an Undine this shy in our company, Aika?" "Yes actually." Aika shook her head. "I've been spending most of my time at the branch though, so I guess I won't really know about the newcomers at the headquarters." "Sweetie-chan will be spending her stay at Neo-Venezia over Aria company." Alicia quipped. "This place will get swamped by visitors. Never mind that. Undines will line up to hug the unicorn..." Ayumi looked at Sweetie. "No offense." Sweetie rolled her eyes. "Like I am some kind of exotic pet..." The door to the upper floor from the spiral staircase swung open. "Suwa! Why'd you had me called to Aria company out of the blue!? I really hate that!" "Akira-san. There you are." "Anyways. Aika. Am I hearing right that Ayumi will deal with the Disdotone?" "Yep. Alice won't have to handle this then." Sweetie looked on, as a cup of hot cocoa came to her side from behind. "Here. Let's have them while they are still warm, ufufu." Alicia waltzed her way back to the top floor without anyone noticing her. "Alicia, how will the Disdotone work with the gondole?" "I was thinking that the Disdotone will come before the gondole, as they dash down the channel without pause. We can make changes if that's needed." "That's fine. I am happy with that." Akira nodded. \---/ The tedium behind event planning and assignment could not be understated. Sweetie couldn't help but to concede that she didn't get anywhere when it comes to finding Twilight. Then again, these people have their own life to run. The filly was feeling a bit weary in the mind as she wondered off to the balcony. I wish I have some idea about where to start, but I just don't. The unicorn listened in on the gentle sea as water pound against the seawall and the platform. Lumber screeched ever so slightly with the tidal actions from the left, and of course, chatter from the rear. I feel so useless in a way. The little unicorn got herself to a lounge chair. Ai walked to the balcony as well. "Sweetie-chan. Let's head out again." The filly snapped her head. "I'd like that." The unicorn then realized that she'd somehow forgot all about those notes. "What was I thinking! Where'd those paper go..." Ai watched the peeved unicorn scanning around, frantically looking to see if she had left the notes on a desk somewhere. It was quite entertaining to see the filly moving around and using her forelegs to move things out of the way. Frankly, the whole scene screamed adorableness. But the fun must be spoiled. "I have them downstairs. Already took them out of the gondola when we got back." Sweetie was not amused. Ai went downstairs with Sweetie as the two of them took notice of Ako sitting by herself. The little girl looked much more at ease than she was for much of the afternoon. Maybe afraid of her own shadow? The filly pondered for a second. Sweetie casually went up to the table as she fetched the papers, while startling the girl. The girl took notice, fidgeted, tried to say something to her, but words failed to materialize from her. The unicorn went a little closer. "Hi!" The girl took around 10 seconds before returning the greeting. "Hi..." Only to cower at the sight of levitated notes. "It's only paper..." The unicorn spoke of the notes without any enthusiasm. Sweetie watched as the girl struggled between curiosity and fear. It was strangely fun for the filly. The unicorn moved to the girl. "I won't bite. Don't be so scared..." Ai felt that she couldn't let the girl be. "She means it." Ako was highly cautious, but her fear lost to her inquisitiveness. "... How..." The little unicorn pointed to her horn. "With this, and training, and magic!" "...wow..." The girl mellowed out, and the unicorn felt that she had a bit of minor triumph for the day.