Goerld PoV
I smiled at my friends' reactions as we walked through the commercial district with Varia as our escort.
"Wow, there's a giant egg picking up garbage," Roan mumbled, his eyes wide with wonder.
Tessa laughed. "I think that 'egg' might be what they call a robot."
"Correct," Varia said, nodding her head with a hint of amusement. "It's an automated sanitation unit. They help keep the city clean."
Mirasa smiled as she trailed behind us. She really wasn't one for many words. Uh, not that I was exactly talkative either.
We continued walking, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling commercial district. The streets were lined with various shops and stalls, each one offering a different assortment of goods. The air was filled with the aroma of street food, and colorful banners flapped in the gentle breeze.
"Look at that!" Tessa exclaimed, pointing to a shop window displaying an array of intricate jewelry. "Those pieces are beautiful."
Roan leaned in closer to get a better look. "Yeah, they are. Do you think they're expensive?"
"Most likely," Varia responded. "But it's worth checking out if you're interested."
As we wandered further, we came across a street musician playing a melodic tune on a strange, stringed instrument. People gathered around, some tossing coins into an open case at the musician's feet. The music was enchanting, and I found myself momentarily lost in its rhythm.
"This place is amazing," Roan said, his eyes wide with excitement. "There's so much to see and do."
Tessa nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's like a whole new world."
Mirasa finally spoke up, her voice soft but clear. "It's different from what we're used to, but it's fascinating."
Varia led us to a small café with outdoor seating. "Would you like to take a break here? They serve some of the best pastries in the district."
We all nodded eagerly, and Varia guided us to a table. As we sat down, a friendly waitress approached, handing us menus.
"I recommend trying the fruit tarts," Varia suggested. "They're a local specialty."
After placing our orders, we settled into our seats, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the café. The table was soon filled with an assortment of pastries, each one looking more delicious than the last.
Roan took a bite of his fruit tart and his eyes lit up. "This is incredible!"
Tessa tried hers and nodded in agreement. "It's so fresh and flavorful. I've never tasted anything like it."
Mirasa smiled, savoring her own tart. "It's wonderful."
I took a bite of mine, and the sweet, tangy flavor exploded in my mouth. "Varia was right. These are amazing."
As we enjoyed our pastries, we watched the people passing by. The commercial district was a vibrant mix of locals and travelers, each one adding to the lively tapestry of the city.
"Thank you for showing us around, Varia," I said, genuinely grateful. "This has been an incredible experience."
Varia smiled warmly. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. Quadra has a lot to offer, and it's always a pleasure to share it with new friends."
I blinked as I turned and thought I saw Lia and Arare chatting at one of the tables. Suddenly, the pair stood up and went to talk to another Arare and Lia outside. Or were the Arare and Lia we knew the ones outside.
Varia turned her gaze to where I was looking and chuckled as she saw her brother approach the two pairs of dopplegangers. "Seems my brother got hungry that he wondered off this this district when he should be in the residential one."
"A guy does have to eat," Roan said, smiling.
As we continued watching the scene unfold, Varia stood up, her curiosity piqued. "I think I need to meet these lookalike. This is too intriguing to pass up."
Tessa chuckled. "Are you just saying that because the older pair are Deros's grandparents."
Varia smirked but didn't say another word.
"Let's go see them too," Tessa mumbled.
We all nodded in agreement, eager to see where this encounter would lead. Varia led the way as we approached the two pairs of doppelgangers and her brother, Vyran, who was already in conversation with them.
"Vyran," Varia called out as we neared, causing him to turn around. "I see you've found some interesting company."
Vyran grinned. "Yeah, you could say that. It's like looking in a mirror but from another universe. Day and I were just telling them what transpired in Orginal."
Varia frowned. "I see."
My friends I weren't entirely aware of the details, but I could gather that whatever happened in Deros's home world had rattled our three guides.
The Lia in the suit turned to look at Varia. "Wait, weren't you with my grandson earlier."
Varia laughed. "No. That was Wilneth."
Arare crossed his arms. "Feels like staring at a mirror."
Deros's grandpa laughed. "True. Say, Arare. Wager a game of cards?"
He smiled. "Sure!"
"Arare, you're a newbie still," Lia said.
"Hey, I did well against you and the others. I can surely win!"
Deros's grandpa chuckled as he formed a set of cards using weird gray goo.
"What was that?" I asked, blinking. Arare and the rest of our group reacted the same. Even Lia did. Only the two siblings and Deros's grandma were unfazed by it.
"Nanobots," Deros's grandpa answered as he turned to look at me. "They're programmable microscopic robots. Quite handy for a variety of tasks." He held up the deck of cards, which had solidified from the gray goo into perfectly formed playing cards.
"Wow, that's impressive," Roan said, leaning in to get a closer look at the cards. "You can make anything with those?"
"Almost anything," Deros's grandpa replied with a chuckle. "But for now, let's keep it simple with a game of cards."
Varia gestured toward the café. "Why don't we all head back inside? It's more comfortable, and we can enjoy some more pastries while we play."
We all nodded in agreement and made our way back to our table. The café's warm, inviting atmosphere was a perfect setting for our impromptu gathering. Once seated, Deros's grandpa began dealing the cards with practiced ease.
"So, what game are we playing?" Arare asked, his competitive spirit shining through.
"How about a classic game of poker?" Deros's grandpa suggested. "Simple enough for everyone to enjoy."
As we arranged ourselves around the table, I noticed the excitement in everyone's eyes. It was a rare moment of relaxation amid the chaos of our current mission, and I was grateful for it.
"Alright, let's get started," Deros's grandpa said, dealing the cards to each of us. "Remember, it's not just about the cards you have, but how you play them."
The game began, and soon enough, the table was filled with laughter and friendly banter. Arare, true to his word, was doing surprisingly well, holding his own against the more experienced players. Varia and Vyran joined in, their sibling rivalry adding an extra layer of fun to the game.
Tessa leaned over to me, her voice low. "You know, this is exactly what we needed. A bit of normalcy."
I nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. "Yeah, it's nice to take a break and just enjoy ourselves."
Mirasa, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "It's moments like these that remind us of why we fight. To protect the simple joys in life."
As the game continued, I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and unity. Despite the bizarre situation of meeting parallel versions of our allies, it had brought us all closer together.
"Alright, show your hands," Deros's grandpa said, grinning as he laid down his cards. "Let's see who wins this round."
Arare's face lit up with excitement as he revealed his hand. "I think I might have this one!"
Deros's grandpa laughed heartily. "Well done, Arare! You're a natural. But, I win!"
Arare sighed dramatically but couldn't hide his grin. "Well, I guess I still have a lot to learn."
Deros's grandpa patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, other me. You did great for your first game. Keep practicing, and who knows? You might beat me someday."
Arare smiled. "Thanks, other me."
Roan leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed. "That was a lot of fun. We should do this more often."
Tessa nodded. "Definitely. It's nice to have moments like these to unwind."
Varia smiled warmly at the group. "I'm glad you all enjoyed it. It's important to take breaks and recharge, even when we're in the middle of a mission."
I smiled and nodded.
Suddenly, hologram appeared. "This just in, Sotes-3 in the Sotes system has been hit by an unknown entity. The corporation is currently investigating it."
We all exchanged stares. It seemed the fun and games were over. Yusan had made himself known.