Aeon Legion: Labyrinth by J.P. Beaubien Page B

are
rather fond of new companionship. They are very centenarian so they
like to have new guests to converse with.”
    Terra wondered what
centenarian meant while Delphia gazed at her shieldwatch before
typing on a holographic disc projected above the face. A moment
later, Delphia turned to Terra. “She is interested in meeting you.
Let's go to the Convivium to meet my mother.”
    “The what?” Terra asked,
now wondering what a Convivium was.
    “Delphia,” came a voice
behind her.
    Terra turned to see a handsome
man approach. He had a well toned body with beautiful eyes and could
have been a model if he wished.
    Delphia turned to Terra. “I
apologize. Let me address this small detail.”
    “My friends are waiting for
us,” he said with a grin.
    Delphia looked away from the
man. “I am sorry, but I have committed to another engagement.”
    “What?” the man asked.
    Delphia spoke in her usual
ethereal tone without a hint of emotion. “I am afraid I must
terminate our romantic involvement for now on account of numerous
minor details too superfluous to warrant citation.” She then turned
to led Terra away from the confused young man.
    “Wait,” Terra said after
they were out of sight of the young man. “Did you just dump him?”
    Delphia shrugged. “He
stuttered a little, and his eyes were a rather off shade of blue.”
    Terra wondered how Delphia
could be so casual about leaving such an attractive man.
    Delphia smiled and grabbed
Terra's hand.
    Terra shook her hand loose.
“Delphia, no offense, but I am not into that.”
    Delphia tilted her head. “Into
what?”
    Terra rubbed her forehead
while trying to think of a graceful way to explain it Delphia.
    “Minerva,” Delphia said.
“Explain please.”
    Minerva spoke from Delphia's
shieldwatch. “The act of holding hands in Terra's culture is a
symbol of romantic involvement. In addition, same sex romantic
relationships are considered taboo in her culture.”
    Delphia faced Terra. “Well
in Saturn City, Terra Mason, holding hands is a sign of friendship.
And since you are in Saturn City then you should do as we Saturnians
do.”
    Delphia grabbed Terra's hand
and led her to a large sidewalk sized glowing line on the ground.
When they stepped on the line their surroundings faded out before
fading into a new view.
    “What is going on?” Terra
asked as the surroundings faded again only to be replaced again.
    Delphia
pointed to the tall city buildings in the background. Terra watched
it fade out to be replaced by a similar view of the city except
closer. She then pointed to the glowing line they stood on like a
neon sidewalk. “It is called a fadeline .
This allows the people of the city to move from zone to zone quickly.
Faster than horses. Safer than vehicles.”
    As
the center of the city drew closer, she learned that bigger fadelines
took one further away than smaller fadelines, which faded into
shorter distances. Delphia grabbed Terra's hand again and led her off
the fadeline when she spotted an icon on the ground labeled VI .
    “Where are we now?” Terra
ask as Delphia walked off the fadeline. The smell food filled the air
along with the rumblings of a large gathering of people and music.
    “This is the Convivium in
zone six.”
    “What's the Convivium?”
Terra asked.
    “It's the recreational zone.
Many gather here every night to celebrate.”
    “Celebrate what?” Terra
asked, looking at a sizable crowd of people both leaving and entering
the area, all with silver hair. These people wore more varied dress
than the uniformed staff at the timeport. They all appeared in their
mid twenties with no children or elderly in sight.
    Delphia considered for a
moment before leading Terra again. “I guess they are celebrating
being in Saturn City. Festivities are held here every night.”
    Terra continued to gaze as
Delphia led her through the crowd. They passed many buildings with
some hosting foods belonging to specific cultures and time periods
though Terra