We stepped through the portal once more, the familiar transition bringing us back to the ship. Log and Lizy looked up as we arrived, their faces lighting up at the sight of the supplies.
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"Hope this is enough to keep us going,"
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I smiled gently, setting the baskets down on the table. The aroma of fresh bread and coffee filled the room, mingling with the salty sea air.
Lizy's eyes lit up at the sight of the food.
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"Perfect! This will definitely keep us energized for the journey."
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Log gave me a thumbs-up.
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"Great job, RoseBud. And welcome, little one,"
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He nodded at Lily with a warm smile.
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"Looks like we have a new recruit."
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Afterward, he gives Lily a small head pat.
Lily's cheeks flushed as she glanced around the room, clearly overwhelmed.
We gathered around the table, the warm light of the portal casting a serene glow over our meal. As we ate, the conversation flowed easily, and the shared laughter and stories were a balm for our weary souls. Lizy's eyes sparkled with excitement as she talked about the flora in Axerith, while Log's steady presence provided a reassuring anchor.
Lily listened to the stories, trying to fit in, as Log finds her appearance amusing.
Log leaned back in his chair, a playful grin on his face.
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"You know, I think this boat just got a whole lot brighter.
It's not every day we get such talented company."
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Lily smiled shyly, looking down at her plate.
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"Thank you,"
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"So, RoseBud,"
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Log turned his attention to me with that familiar twinkle in his eye.
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"What's the plan now? Are we going to build an entire fleet of air blades or just the one for our new engineer here?"
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I chuckled.
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"We might just need an entire fleet, since you're useless."
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I joked; seeing Log's irritated face made me chuckle a little.
I then caught Lily’s eye and gave her an encouraging nod.
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"But first, we'll start with one."
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I turned to Lily, and our eyes met.
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"As I said, I would be teaching you the basics of technology and machinery,
I believe you can create your own air blade by then.
But before that, I want you to watch me build one,"
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"Wait, now?"
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"Now. Write down some notes, and ask questions. You wouldn't want to miss it,"
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I nodded towards the portal.
She hesitated momentarily, then quickly grabbed a notebook and pencil from her bag. Her brown hair fell into her eyes as she bent over the notebook, and she pushed it back with a quick, nervous gesture.
I led her to the workbench through the portal, where with a wave of my hand at its side, I projected my holographic tools. The blade works easily with Entech, another energy source resonating from Aelvale. I began by explaining the basic principles of what would create the air blade design, pointing out different components and their functions.
Lily's eyes followed my every move, and she scribbled furiously in her notebook. Occasionally, she glanced up, her expression a mix of awe and determination. I paused frequently to check her understanding, answering her questions and encouraging her to think critically about the process.
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"See this component here?"
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I held up a small, intricate piece of metal.
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"It is a resistor. It’s crucial for stabilizing the blade's Entech release."
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Lily nodded, jotting down notes.
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"Got it. And this part connects it to the main compressor, right?"
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"Exactly,
Now, let's install the Entech battery, can you hand it over?"
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As we worked, I could see Lily's confidence growing. She asked insightful questions and began to make suggestions, her initial shyness giving way to an eager curiosity. The more she learned, the more she seemed to realize her own potential.
LoggerHead and Lizy occasionally came over and peeked through the portal, their faces filled with interest and amusement.
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"Well, even Miss RoseBud has a student now!"
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"What happens if I mix you two up?"
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LoggerHead smirked, his tone playful.
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"Hey, that isn't cool!"
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Lizy retorted, giving him a mock glare.
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Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably only a couple of intense minutes, we stepped back to admire the completed air blade prototype. It gleamed under the workshop lights, a testament to our combined effort and ingenuity.
Lily's eyes shone with pride as she looked at the finished product. She took it up and gave it a gentle, small swing as the blade of wind flew across the room.
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"It's amazing,
Thank you for teaching me."
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"You're welcome,
Remember, this is just the beginning. There's so much more to learn and create."
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Lily nodded, her expression determined.
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"I won't let you down."
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"I know you won't."
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I patted her shoulder.
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"Now, let's head back."
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The portal's soft glow cast a warm light over us, and as we stepped into it, we were momentarily bathed in a hopeful, golden glow. The transition back to the ship was smooth and seamless, and I could see that Lily seemed more comfortable now, her steps more assured.
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We arrived back on the ship. The sky outside had deepened into twilight, casting a dusky glow through the windows. Lily and I didn’t realize how fast time had passed.
Log was already busying himself in the makeshift kitchen area, preparing something that smelled both hearty and inviting. The aroma of cooking food mingled with the salty sea air, creating a comforting and homey atmosphere.
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“Welcome back, you two
Hope you’re ready for some dinner.”
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Lily’s eyes widened at the sight and smell of the food, her stomach growling audibly. She blushed, but Log just chuckled warmly.
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“Looks like someone’s hungry,
Don’t worry, there’s plenty for everyone.”
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Lizy was setting the table and arranging plates and cutlery with practice. She smiled as we approached.
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“I hope you worked up an appetite, because Log’s cooking is not to be missed.”
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We joined them at the table, and as we sat down, the conversation flowed naturally. Lily listened intently, her eyes flicking between the faces around her, trying to absorb everything. The camaraderie and warmth in the room seemed to put her at ease.
Log served generous portions of a hearty stew, steam rising in fragrant curls. The rich, savory smell was mouth-watering.
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“Eat up, everyone.”
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He sat down with his own plate. After, he flashed a wide, playful grin and winked.
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“Everyone loves this stew back in Oriken. You’re in for a real treat!”
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Lily didn't need a second invitation. She dove into her meal with fervor, her spoon racing as she devoured the stew. It was clear she had not had a meal like this in a long time. The rich, savory taste seemed to surprise her with every bite, and her eyes occasionally flicked up to meet ours, filled with gratitude and relief.
As we dug into our meals, the shared laughter and stories continued. Lily even began to share bits of her own story, her voice gaining strength and confidence with each passing moment.
Log noticed Lily's rapid eating pace and smiled softly.
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"Good to see you enjoying the meal, Lily. There's plenty more if you want seconds.
And don't be shy—we farmers know how to serve up a feast!"
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Lily paused, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude.
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"Thank you."
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She slowed down slightly, savoring the next few bites, allowing herself to fully enjoy the experience.
As the meal continued, the atmosphere around the table remained warm and filled with a sense of belonging. The shared stories and laughter wrapped around us like a comforting blanket, easing the day's tensions.
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"Sleep tight, everyone, cuz we will be arriving in the morning,"
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Lizy announced with a gentle smile, breaking the tranquil silence that had settled over us.
Lily decided to rest on the sofa of my apartment since she was feeling mildly seasick. She settled in, wrapping herself in a warm blanket, her eyes fluttering closed as the gentle hum of the apartment provided some comfort. While tidying up, I noticed the stolen bread and an entech motherboard hidden underneath it, and gave a sigh before I left her to a deserved rest.
Meanwhile, I chose to stay on the boat, feeling the gentle rock of the waves beneath me. The rhythmic motion was soothing, I leaned against the railing, gazing out at the calm, moonlit sea.
Lizy walked over to me, curiosity in her eyes.
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"Why did you decide to take her in?"
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"I felt like her journey would intersect with ours, even if just for a little while,
I saw potential in her, and I think she can help us as much as we can help her.
So, I'll give her a push, and she can help with a project I have in mind,"
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I added, turning to meet Lizy's gaze.
Lizy nodded, her eyes reflecting the moonlight.
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"That sounds really nice. She's lucky to have you looking out for her."
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My thoughts drifted back to the journal page I saw when I went through the portal the first time. Below the bold words "Open the cabinet" was another line that caught my attention: "Build the Techgirl Society Forum."
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"Let's make it happen,"
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I murmured to myself.
As the night wore on, I found a quiet moment to rest, allowing the gentle lull of the waves to soothe my mind.
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