12
Addy led the way, her enthusiasm for the station’s wonders infectious as they wandered the sprawling corridors of Disguised Serenity. “And here, we have the eco-chambers, each simulating different planetary environments. It’s like having a dozen worlds under one roof!”
Polly, following close behind, was visibly impressed. When Re-lee’s assistant, Addy, offered to give them a tour, Polly jumped at the chance. Exploring the station was a welcome distraction from her confusing thoughts about Erzo.
“It’s incredible,” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with curiosity. “How do you maintain so many different ecosystems?”
Addy launched into a detailed explanation, her hands gesturing animatedly. Erzo, walking alongside Polly, watched her reactions with a subtle smile. He seemed to enjoy her fascination, occasionally adding his own insights.
“The engineering behind this is remarkable. Practical and yet so intricate,” Erzo remarked.
As they moved into the station’s marketplace, the colors and scents from various galactic cuisines made Polly pause.
“Oh, what’s that aroma?” she asked, her nose leading to a vibrant stall.
Erzo chuckled. “That’s spice bread. Want to try some?”
His offer was casual, but there was a warmth in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. His behavior perplexed Polly—if he truly placed such high value on credits, why bother seeking a mate? His actions, especially during the tour, only muddled her thoughts further. He was attentive, even a bit flirtatious, answering her questions with an enthusiasm that matched her own. Despite Addy’s presence as a third wheel, Erzo had all the makings of a perfect date.
The trio continued, with Addy pointing out various shops and recreational areas. Polly’s wonder grew at each new sight, and Erzo’s usual reserve seemed to melt away bit by bit, his comments becoming more personal and less guarded.
Finally, they reached the docking area. Addy had organized several special stops on the tour, including witnessing a ship docking and visiting various biospheres designed to support diverse life forms. The ingenuity of it all—a conglomeration of ships welded together to create a miniature world captivated Polly. The complexity and sheer size of the station were difficult to grasp. Polly’s steps slowed, her new shoes betraying her earlier excitement.
“I just need to sit for a minute,” she said as she sunk onto a bench in one of the station’s park areas.
Erzo settled beside her, his tail coiling into a comfortable position.
“That’s like a built-in chair, isn’t it?” Polly asked with a playful curiosity in her tone.
“Always handy,” Erzo replied with a rare, easy grin.
Standing a bit apart, Addy watched the interaction with a knowing smile.
“I’ll give you two a moment,” she said, suggesting she understood there was more developing here than just a tour.
Polly stretched her feet as Addy walked off, grimacing slightly at the discomfort. Erzo observed quietly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. There was a palpable shift in the air, the earlier casualness giving way to a deeper, more intimate atmosphere.
The park was a marvel with air that smelled fresh and earthy, almost convincing her they were outside on a planet rather than in a space station. Upon closer inspection of the domed ceiling, she realized the illusion was broken as she gazed at the stars scattered across the cosmos.
Polly leaned back, taking in the simulated sky. She rotated her ankles, a look of mild agony on her face. “I’m going to have to prop these puppies up when we get back. They’re staging a full-blown rebellion.”
Erzo’s brow furrowed in concern. “Are they injured?”
She shook her head, a wry smile on her lips. “No, just protesting against my poor life choices. Who knew new shoes and a space station marathon weren’t a match made in heaven?”
“Do you not walk much where you’re from?” Erzo inquired, puzzled.
“Oh, I’m a walker back on Earth, but these shoes are the devil’s handiwork.” Polly decided not to mention the escalating mutiny happening from her calves to her knees.
Addy returned from her excursion into the digital world, tucking away what looked like a space-age smartphone. “Everything alright?”
“Just breaking in the world’s most deceptive shoes,” Polly quipped. “Apparently, they’re not fans of long spacewalks.”
Addy’s hands went to her hips. “Who conned you into buying those?”
Erzo interjected, “She needed magnetic shoes.”
Addy rolled her eyes dramatically. “Should’ve gone for the full package, not just the lite version.”
