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Chapter 2 - The Resplendent Peacock

In the midst of universal anticipation, the viewing channel displayed the current title.[Now Playing — Three Chips Are Enough: All or Nothing!]As the scene unfolded, the camera's perspective began to shift, revealing a luxurious hotel that seemed to defy the boundaries of imagination. The seemingly endless array of rooms stretched out from the grand lobby, curving in a U-shape to both sides, creating the illusion of an enchanted labyrinth. The corridors, lined with plush carpets and adorned with intricate tapestries, seemed to whisper tales of countless secrets and untold stories.But what truly captured the eye was the enormous, clock-like object suspended above the lobby. This mysterious, hovering entity emanated an indescribable aura, as if it were the very nexus of time and space. Its surface flickered with a faint, ethereal light, revealing enigmatic symbols and markings that hinted at the mysteries of the cosmos and the capricious nature of fate. The entire hotel was suffused with an otherworldly atmosphere, enveloping visitors in a dreamlike state from which they were loath to awaken."Whew, we finally made it," March 7th exclaimed, stretching her arms above her head as she and Stelle emerged from the Astral Express. They stood in the lobby, observing the ebb and flow of the diverse crowd around them. "The family's entry procedures were ridiculously complex. They went through our luggage at least four or five times. I was worried they might try to extract your Stellaron Core for inspection!"Stelle raised a hand to her chest, her voice calm and reassuring. "The Stellaron Core is stable. There's no need for concern."March 7th nodded, a mix of relief and resignation in her voice. "Well, the fact that they let you in at all shows a certain level of tolerance on the family's part, I suppose." She perked up, her energy returning. "Come on, let's go. Uncle Yang and the others should be in line already."As they made their way towards the reception desk, they spotted Yang and Himeko already engaged in conversation with the staff."I'm terribly sorry, but we don't have any reservations under that name in our system," the receptionist was saying, her brow furrowed in confusion.Himeko leaned forward, her voice tinged with frustration. "But the Astral Express received confirmation that our rooms had been booked. Could you please check again?""Of course, I'll double-check for you. One moment, please." The receptionist's fingers flew over the holographic keyboard. "Ah, here we are. Four Platinum Suites booked through the Astral Express: Ms. Himeko, Mr. Walter Yang, Ms. March 7th, and... Mr. Dan Heng. I'm afraid these are the only reservations I have on file."Yang fell silent for a moment, processing the information. Finally, he spoke, his voice measured. "I see. No wonder there's no information for Stelle. When we submitted our list to the family, she hadn't yet boarded the Express."He turned to the receptionist, his tone diplomatic. "Would it be possible to make an adjustment? Our colleague Dan Heng had a last-minute change of plans and couldn't join us. Could we perhaps reassign his room to this young lady?" He gestured towards Stelle. "The number of guests would remain the same."The receptionist's expression grew troubled. "I... I'm not sure if that's possible on such short notice..."Before she could continue, Stelle stepped forward, producing a blazing lance from seemingly nowhere. "This is my proof of identity," she stated matter-of-factly.The receptionist's eyes widened, but before she could respond, a new voice cut through the tension."It's not a question of your identity, my dear. The issue is that we're on the eve of the Harmonious Celebration, the most significant event in Penacony's calendar. Add to that the family's invitations, and we have guests from across the galaxy filling every nook and cranny."The group turned to see a striking figure approaching. A man with hair like spun gold sauntered towards them, his movements graceful and deliberate. His attire was a masterpiece of tailoring, the fabric shimmering with an otherworldly sheen. The shirt was artfully designed to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of his chiseled chest and abs, hinting at a perfect physique beneath.Most eye-catching were the earrings that adorned his ears - intricate creations that resembled peacock feathers, each one a dazzling work of art that caught and reflected the light with every movement. Every aspect of his appearance spoke of wealth and refinement, from the precious gems adorning his fingers to the clearly expensive timepiece on his wrist.Curiously, a string of numbers was visible on his neck, their purpose unclear but somehow adding to his enigmatic presence.Walter and Himeko exchanged a glance before Walter spoke. "We apologize for any inconvenience. We've encountered some issues with our check-in. May I ask who you might be, sir?"The man's lips curved into a practiced smile. " Aventurine, at your service. I'm with the Strategic Investment Department of the company, specializing in the liquidation of non-performing assets under Diamond. I'm here at the Clockmaker's invitation — and, incidentally, I'm also a tourist who's been waiting quite patiently behind you."The guests queuing behind Aventurine shifted restlessly, their faces etched with growing impatience.Himeko stepped forward, her gaze locked on Aventurine. "We've heard that the Interastral Peace Corporation also received an invitation from Penacony. I presume you're their representative? The company's reputation for excellence is clearly well-deserved." She paused, her tone shifting subtly. "Given your esteemed position, might we impose upon you for a small favor?" Aventurine's expression remained unchanged, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. "A favor? Shouldn't I be the one asking that of you? I've been standing here for over ten minutes. Do you have any idea how many credit points that translates to for someone in my position?""I'm sure it's an astronomical figure," Himeko replied smoothly, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Which is why, Aventurine, I have an investment opportunity you won't want to miss. The company's influence spans the universe, and your word carries significant weight. We're hoping you might use your status to vouch for our friend here."She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering conspirators. "In doing so, you'd not only save yourself valuable time but also make some new... friends. Connections that could prove quite useful in the future, I'm sure you'd agree."