Three Spheres

Chapter 56 - Ágora

Surrounded by a funeral silence, Eloah and Amadeo walk through the corridors. She advances a few steps ahead. Amadeo goes over what they were talking about moments before: First, Eloah introduced him to the Magnum Paragon; then they defined an opportune date to discuss his joining on the special team of Shina Busia; finally, they asked about Aristourgima... Amadeo drags his eyes on the floor and he feels his body extremely heavy. However, suddenly, Eloah stops:

_ Yomi En, what a coincidence. We were just about to meet you.

The woman approaches while making bubbles with her chewing gum. Her delicate geisha face contrasts with the strong body, whose curves are well marked by the tight clothes. Her black hair is arranged in a straight fringe at the level of her eyebrows, and extends into a low ponytail almost as long as her cape.

_ Yo, Fortescue. Doing good? _ She says.

Before the blonde could answer, Yomi pulls Amadeo closer, and wraps him in a ridiculously tight hug.

_ Ammy, you grew up so much. _ She lets go and grabs his cheeks, ruthlessly _ Still so cute. It makes you wanna crush you...! _ She wraps an arm around his shoulders, bringing him almost 30cm below his height _ A part of me won't ever forgive you for stealing my place as the youngest Paragon, but you're just too cute, since you were little. I can't hate you.

Amadeo feels his body burning in shyness. It is impossible to disguise the redness of his cheeks. He stutters some guttural sounds, while trying to escape the deadly pats of Flavi's Prima-Ordinis Major Paragon.

_ How is the work at the North Sea? It must be difficult to be the head of the most dangerous Border Unit in the world. _ Eloah says, while the three move on their way.

_ Everything as always: Cold, full of huge Fabulares, few personal, cold. _ She makes a new bubble gum _ At least it's never boring. You should send Ammy over there for a few days.

Unable to escape from Yomi, Amadeo replies, painfully:

_ W-Who knows...! A-Ah, and are you excited for the opening show...?

_ Oh yeah! I've even separated our costumes. It'll be so cute. _ She says in a tone closer to anger than effectively joy; Amadeo swallows hard.

Meanwhile, outside the building complex, the organization strives to finalize preparations. Dijana, as part of the Art committee, runs around with decorations, equipment, etc. Nayla watches her, with her typical passionate smile. She wonders about the possible results of the big conference, about how everything is in Meigdan, about what her dear pupils are doing at a time like this...

Between daydreams and disappointments, Nayla watches the passing of hours. The colors of the sunset always remind her of her homeland. With no delay, night arrives.

Quickly, a crowd is formed around the square surrounded by railings. The place where the fair was held gave way to grandstands for special guests and a stage. Lights of endless colors turn on, floating above the eager spectators. Simultaneously, fireworks cross the sky, generating surreal images. The buzz is happy and lively. It is a great party of humans and Fabulares of all kinds.

After a few moments, the lighting changes and the stage becomes the focus. A well-dressed woman advances to the center. With a graceful turn, she stops with her back to the audience, and opens the second mouth that she has behind her head. The Futakuchi-onna* then begins her speech as the announcer of that night:

_ Welcome to the 432nd Ágora of the Ecclesia! _ The crowd celebrates _ The Ágora is an international conference that promotes diplomatic, political, religious, and cultural events. We're meeting, starting today for the next 3 days, to discuss and disseminate peace! _ She opens her arms and the screams start once again.