'Everyone have everything?' Guy asked the girls who stood in the hallway with their backpacks. They confirmed and Guy closed the doors of their apartment behind him. 'All right, let's go.'
They stopped at the toy store on their way to the train station.
'How's Sade?' asked Feli of Aada who stood outside cleaning the windows.
'She's doing very well.' Aada said. 'The operation went well and she's strong enough to come back home in two days. She's excited to introduce your dolls to the others she has.'
Feli chuckled. 'Tell her I'll check up on her when we get back.'
'You're going on a trip?' Aada asked at seeing the backpacks.
'We're visiting Aradaki.' Feli said.
'You've been to the capital before?' Aada asked.
Feli shook her head. 'None of us have.' she said. 'We're going to see the Interspecies Prospect Administration and some popular places there.'
Aada smiled. 'Well, have fun there then.' she said.
'Thanks.' said Feli, and the girls and Guy waved at Aada as they continued their walk.
Guy got their tickets at the station and soon enough they settled into their seats in the single carriage. 'Miss Tesha will wait for us at the central station in Aradaki.' said Guy after sending the arrival time to her on his mobile. 'She'll take us to an apartment which they use more often for visitors.'
'I wonder if we'll get a view from up high.' said Feli while she looked up photos of the city on her Versaty. 'It looks impressive on photos.'
Avia watched the photos and nodded. 'Would it be a problem if I flew around there?'
'I have no idea.' said Guy who sat opposite of them with Cani and Mami at his sides. 'We'll have to ask miss Tesha about it. I do expect we'll visit the Star Peak skyscraper.'
'Oh, that tallest one?' said Feli. 'I think I read the top floors are restaurants.'
Guy nodded. 'With the lights dimmed there, the view at night is supposed to be spectacular.'
'Are all skyscrapers spires?' asked Avia examining the skyline.
'Yeah.' said Guy. 'That way they minimise the shadows they cast and it's better for air circulation. Only buildings up to seven storeys are allowed to be built straight and the amount of storeys is dependent on the amount of free space around them. The skyscrapers can be conical, or have three or more sides, but pyramidal is the most common shape.'
'Don't the people there miss the forest, or grass plains?' asked Cani. 'I can't imagine anyone wanting to be far from nature. Our largest cities are more like a web. Rows of houses along two or three parallel roads intersecting with other roads and a large amount of nature in between. And no high buildings.'
'Well, there's lots of green along the streets and many small parks.' Guy said. 'And they can take a car or train any time to get out of the city. Aradaki also has lots of canals to enjoy by boat or take a swim in.'
'Most buildings in our country are slim and tall.' said Avia. 'But that's in our nature because it's easier to fly then.'
The girls watched and read a bit more about the capital before they pulled out a stack of cards and played while enjoying the landscape passing by.
After several stops at neighbourhoods on their way they reached the outskirts of the city. The girls leaned out of the windows to look at the city skyline and see how the suburbs consisted of small apartment buildings surrounded by trees and the skyscrapers scattered around the whole city.
The train made one stop at a station where more people got in and were surprised by the foreign visitors on it. Guy chuckled at some of the teenagers excitedly typing on their mobiles. A few small kids who came on the train with their parents watched with great curiosity and Cani beckoned them closer so they could introduce themselves. Ara felt embarrassed when one of the boys said she was very cool. He asked if she could do a fighting pose and although a little reluctant at first, she indulged his request when the other kids wanted to see it too.
Miss Tesha smiled a little when she saw the people getting off the train and the kids talking excitingly, waving goodbye at the girls and Guy as they got off. Guy stuck his hand up when he spotted her and she walked up to them while they came her way.
'How was the trip?' she asked.
'Good.' said Feli.
'Fun!' said Cani.
'Embarrassing for some of us.' said Mami with a chuckle and a glance at Ara.
'Want me to remind you how I caught you the first time?' said Ara and Mami grabbed Guy in mock fear.
'I'd say it was a good one.' Guy chuckled.
'Good.' said miss Tesha and smiled. 'I have a car in front to take you to the apartment.' Everyone followed her and when they came outside a small crowd had gathered to watch the otherworldly visitors. 'Word has travelled fast about your arrival.' said miss Tesha. 'And you're not the only ones in the city right now. Miss Minou is here for the premiere of her latest film, Between Black and White.'
'Minou?' asked Feli. 'Minou Kedisoy?'
'Yes.' said miss Tesha. 'I expect you know her from her star status in your country. This is the first big name otherspecies movie shown here.'
'She was also in my class at school.' Feli said. 'Always figured she'd become famous because she was the most popular girl.'
A couple of people asked if they could take pictures, so the girls posed for a bit and answered a few questions before getting in the car and waving their fans goodbye. The trip didn't take long and the girls watched the people go by on the streets and the colourful stores at street level.
Miss Tesha stopped at a skyscraper about half as high as the tallest one in the city. 'This is where you can stay while you're here.' she said.
Everyone got out and looked up at the the slender pyramidal tower. The vertical lines of the building made it look as if it was speeding towards the sky. They followed miss Tesha inside and registered at the reception area downstairs before taking an elevator halfway up to the top. There they were led to a spacious apartment looking out over the south side of the city and the lake at the edge of it.
'Wow.' said Mami, leaning her hand against the window. 'What a wide view.'
'Yeah.' said Cani, keeping a little distance from the window.
Guy moved next to her and put his arm around her lower back. 'Not comfortable with heights?' he asked.
She nodded once. 'Our species doesn't care much for living up high.'
'But what about home then?' he asked, frowning a little.
She smiled softly. 'I'm still comfortable that high.' she said. 'High enough to enjoy the view, low enough to be at ease.' She smiled softly at his relieved expression and kissed him. 'No worries, I love our new home.'
He smiled back at her. 'Good. Otherwise I'd be looking for a new one.'
'There's a kitchen, a big bathroom, and two large bedrooms, but I guess you won't really use those last two.' miss Tesha said with a wink, embarrassing the group a little. 'There's futons and the rug is thick and soft.'
Feli cleared her throat. 'I think we'll be fine then.' she said, glancing quickly at Guy.
Miss Tesha smiled and handed a couple of keys to Ara standing close to her. 'I'll be back tomorrow morning with the itinerary, enjoy your time until then. Take a look around here if you like. There's a few fine restaurants to have dinner at.'
'Thanks.' said Guy and walked her out the door. 'I'm sure the girls will enjoy their time here.'
'I think so too.' she said and saw Feli feel the rug between her toes. 'Don't make too much of a mess.' she said with a sly smile. Guy turned red and had no answer. 'See you all tomorrow.' she said and went to the elevator.
'Yes, see you tomorrow.' said Guy and went back inside, smiling at seeing the girls checking out the view and the room.
After settling in they went down to have a look around. Guy and Feli had marked the location of the apartment on their mobiles just in case and checked out the local map.
'We could take a walk along here,' said Feli while she pointed at a street on the map. 'then go around here and go to that park.'
The others agreed and they strolled along the street, looking at some of the shop windows presenting a variety of foods, drinks, art, books, household supplies, toys, and anything else of interest and use.
The girls themselves received as much attention from the citizens and on occasion indulged in the request for pictures.
'You're famous.' Guy said and smiled with some pride.
Mami nudged him with her hip. 'And you like that just fine, don't you?' she said with a devious smile. 'Famous lovers.'
He chuckled. 'As long as other guys don't look at you too much.' he said and tipped her nose with his finger. 'I'm selfish enough to want to keep you for myself.'
She grinned. 'Don't forget you're ours too.'
'Good.' he said and followed the rest arm in arm with her.
At the park they sat near the pond, watching ducks drift and several kids play in the water.
'Remember our first time?' asked Feli leaning against Guy.
He smiled. 'Unforgettable.' he said. 'Maybe there'll be more kids here who want to pet you.' He chuckled, then looked up. 'Oh! And another very important thing.' He stood up. 'Wait here.'
Feli watched him go and shrugged when Ara looked questioningly at her. When he came back a little later with a cardboard box in his hand she had an inkling of what he had done and smiled.
Guy came up to them and held out the box with a wide smile. 'Ice cream anyone?' he said. 'Can't enjoy a visit to the park without ice cream.'
The girls enjoyed the ice cream in relaxation when a young man walked up to them carrying an envelope. 'Excuse me.' he said. 'I was asked to give this to you.'
Cani took the envelope and looked at it. 'By invitation of Miss Minou.' she read. 'The actress?' she asked the man.
He nodded. 'You've been invited to the premiere of her movie tonight.' he said. 'She heard about your visit to the city and wanted to present you with tickets.'
Cani looked at the others and they nodded. 'Well, tell her we're delighted to attend.' she said.
