A white hovering car parks and shuts down next to a lone tree sitting under a blue cloudy sky. To the left of that tree a view of a curved metal mall entrance and its new dome extensions stand proudly in sight, even with all the passing vehicles. It’s also one of the closest places one could park to it and a highly sought after one, with the way a vehicle honks in rage for losing the spot first. It didn’t bug its occupants though. One by one all four doors open and a family of four unload. As the parents open the trunk and the kids hop around in joy, two pair of legs step past the front of the car and approach a crosswalk.
Before crossing the street Yoshi and a golden caseal turn left towards the new wing added to the mall. Since their visit is on a weekend day several other people travel to the same extravagant entrance they aim for. With its fresh new paint and more modern appearance it got the main mall entrance a total makeover and a fresh new coat of paint since its inclusion. A few years ago a giant dome was added to the left end of building first with a large fancy and spiky ARKs sign proudly displaying Tour of the Stars: The ARKS Experience. Since then several people from many ships have come to see the grand wonders each world had to offer behind the safety of glass and advance video technology. Why this was not added to every ship was beyond Yoshi, but maybe her companion would know.
Accompanying the tan casually dressed newearl is her aunt Arherowa, the Ranger of her father’s three sisters and the most formal to boot. Looking as though she had just left a secretary position to chaperon Yoshi, her black business jacket and pencil skirt contrasts greatly with her semi goldish skin glittering in the light and pearlescent dijon ponytail. Back home before they left she tried her best to cover up her skin and give it a more human tone. In the end several golden specks still shine through and sparkle as her body moves through the tree shade and out into the sunlight. For some reason she also prefers to keep her eyes closed at all times, even though she has perfect vision. Yoshi is always in awe in how she can still navigate without her eyes.
The music also gets louder the closer they get. Once they reached the wing’s metallic blue gateway Yoshi pulls out a small video camera out of her black side bag and turns it on. It is the same one she found on Naberius a while back and somehow managed to recover from Kreszentia. Making sure it still works first she waves a hand in front of lens before turning the lens onto her face with a smile. “Welcome to Oracle’s Tour of the Star exhibit,” the two hear a voice say in the background, “Where everyone big and small can tour the galaxy in the comfort of their everyday clothes. For those buying a ticket for the first time please ask about our special offers at the ticket booth.”
Yoshi looks behind her to make sure she’s in a good spot and smiles at the camera again. “How’s it going, everyone? As promised I came to visit the Tour of the Stars to give it a rating and share the whole experience with you guys.” Yoshi glances to her left and side steps a little closer to the caseal. “Here with me is my auntie Rowa. My favorite aunt in the whole wide world.” She cheers with a bounce and a tilt. “Say hi.”
Arherowa gives a forced bow and hesitant wave. “Why is it that you ask me to come with you again?” asks the tall confused woman.
“I needed an unbiased opinion of the exhibits we’ll be seeing today and fudged the truth to get one of you to come along. That and we need to spend more time together anyways.”
The caseal scratches her cheek and her gold brows drop with concern. “You do know I’ve seen every—”
“Yeah whatever,” Yoshi interrupts. “We’re doing it live. Let’s go.” Without warning Yoshi darts off into the crowd, her aunt’s arm in tow, until they find the shortest line and buy their tickets. Since the tan newearl attends the ARKs academy she is able to buy them at a discount and does ask about the special offers. To Yoshi’s amazement it is currently a discount to anything inside the mall’s dining court.
“I can’t believe I have to pay money for this,” Yoshi says as she pouts into her wallet.
“This is not a nature park or a shrine, Yadira. Nor is this on every ship in the fleet. All earnings will be used to maintain and expand upon this venue. All data gathered here is also used to gauge interest. You are doing the people a service by buying those tickets.”
Yoshi shoves the wallet into her bag. She also gives her aunt an unconvinced side glance. With both hands on the entrance two giant glass doors fly open and the newearl struts in as though she is making a grand appearance.
“Alright,” Yoshi’s voice echoes into the building. She looks down to see her reflection in the brown and white tiled floor. Along with her reflection she can also see one of the four marble pillars looming somewhere beside her. Following it to the roof she sees gold art deco signs leading directly to the mall, a gift shop or further into the building. The glass house gift shop sits between the two different paths with all products clearly in view.
“So,” Yoshi’s aunt begins. A gold flat hand rises in front of Yoshi and guides the newearl’s gaze to the left end wall where a few tour buses wait. “Would you like walk or take the whole tour?”
Yoshi puts on a smug face and proudly points to herself. “I’m no wimp. We’re walking.”
Her aunt gives a light bow. “As you wish.”
“Besides, I’d rather look at everything at my own pace anyways.”
Skipping the busses the two traverse through the lobby and step through sliding doors leading into a dim upslope tunnel. A dark starry sky surrounds them and a layer of neon blue honeycombs pulse towards the other end every five seconds. Several white comet like trails also fly by at their own individual speed. Right when they make it halfway through the tunnel various random voices begins to speak.
“Real time. The whole world. A new world. Communication. Collaboration. Fighting. Not fighting. Light. Darkness. Space.” In unison all the voices finish, “A new world.”
Without missing a beat a new voice begins to speak with a somewhat gruff and serious tone. “Welcome brave and courageous space farers. Oracle would like to announce . . . that within a few moments . . . will like to show you many new worlds from that mystical void we call . . . space . . . and break the boundaries of what you thought was your whole world.”
The honey combs pulse faster and faster, the while trails enter light speed and rapidly flying through the wall. Right on time a white flash goes off by the doorway and air is blown into their faces. When Yoshi and Arherowa enter into the first exhibit and their eyes readjust to the light their noses pick up the scent of pine and flowers. They stand at the start of a long hallway of many rooms, each divided by their own walls and half walls. Behind this room’s particular translucent wall; with a scrolling blue line trailing along the top; they can see a familiar blue cloudy sky, a large rock wall curving around a shallow lake, a few trees and flower patches and other rock walls bending into the distance. They also see a closed gate blocking everyone from following a dirt path leading deeper into the exhibit. To Yoshi this looks familiar but not at the same time. She shifts in place to try and get a better look, but suddenly stops with a very disappoint look on her face. It’s a sharp contrast to most people around her.
“Wow, of all the places they could have used to display Naberius, they use the most boring area they can possibly imagine.” Yoshi looks to her aunt and points to it with both hands. “This is so lame.”
Through closed eyes Arherowa gives the green exhibit a quick study before she looks back at Yoshi. “This was likely studied and examined several years ago when the Darkers held a stronger grasp on the planet. This particular example is likely to have been one of the few safer areas they could have used to record everything for this venue.”
Sudden gasps redirect their attention back onto the lake. They catch the end of a Banther leaping into the exhibit and the water splashing into the air. Over on the right most end of the half wall several children gather to tap large blue circles that combat or pet holographic Odans and Gulfs. After a few minutes the monkey and wolf like creatures flee, the Banther leaps out of sight over the rock wall and the gate splits open to let people walk inside.
“Did you see the size of those claws,” a woman says to a man. “How scary. They look like they could really tear me up.”
“Well, like the announcer lady said,” the man replies. “It’s a good thing ARKs is brave enough to take those on every day.” The man raises an arm and gives it a flex. “But I bet I can easily take one on too if I really wanted to.” To this Yoshi rolls her eyes and walks to the largest and longest placard.
“So what’s with the pathway? Doesn’t look like it goes very far.”
“Well do you see how wide the dirt path is? The tour bus follows it into area two, makes a loop around and comes back out.”
“What’s area two?”
Arherowa taps at the second largest picture. It features a darker path surrounded by thick trees blocking out the sunlight. “The Deep Forest,” she replies. “You may have been there before. It is where you can run into the planets many rapids, rivers and waterfalls. After the bus comes out they will head right into the next exhibit or room. Would you like to take a look inside?”
“Nah, I’ll pass,” Yoshi dismisses with a wave of her hand. She walks to her right and continues. “Let’s check out the next area instead.”
“Do you at least wish to hear your parent’s experience—”
“No, thank you.”
Arherowa scratches her cheek and follows Yoshi up a quick staircase leading into the next room. They go from grass onto volcanic rock as they enter into the Amduscia exhibit. Like the Naberius one, this also has a half wall preventing them from just waltzing anywhere in the area. Unlike the Naberius exhibit however, they are surrounded by artificial heat waves to promote the feeling that they are inside an actual volcano. Area one drops them right in the middle of a path surrounded by streams of lava and tall volcanic walls reaching into the sky.
“Welcome to the planet Amducia,” the voice of the gateway lady announces to everyone. “A magical land of an active planet and its many floating islands. If you look up you may be able to see those islands up high in the sky. Here you can run into one of the many dragon clans that inhabit this world.” Some of the people looking into the greyish sky begin to point up and gasp. Out of nowhere a giant winged dragon with a large horn lands on the other side of the half wall and lets out a mighty roar. “On the surface live the redder dragon clans. Thriving amongst the heat unlike their sky bound counterparts these dragons are much heavier and can even breathe fire. To learn more about their sky counterparts feel free to enter area two. To learn more about these dragons feel free to read any of the signs they hold. Vol would you do us the honors?”
The large dragon bends down to bite onto a small chain. Once it has the chain firmly in its mouth it tugs the gates open and many smaller dragons rush out of the lava to greet the people. Though the spectators try to communicate with them the dragons stick to their own language, tilt their heads in confusion or apologetically bow. Kids cans also be seen tripping with smaller yellow cone nosed reptiles. According to the placard they’re called Diggs.
“Bleh, Amduscia, what a boring planet,” Yoshi says while leaning against the far back wall. She does look interested in the Diggs though. “I bet they don’t even show the best part. The Sanctuary.”
“You are correct. The dragon kin are very sensitive about the area and refused to allow the survey team to spend a prolonged amount of time in there.”
“Couldn’t they just like make it up, satellite scan it or just scan it from orbit in general?”
“You will find that they are very keen on giving the fleet the most authentic and accurate experience they can possibly provide. Such methods are out of the question, but that does not make they could info the people that it exists. For now area three is simply a large coming soon picture that gives people a general idea of what the area could look like.”
“Right well, this place is boring and so it the floating island stuff. So let’s move on.”
“Keep in mind that many of these people here have never experienced what you’ve experienced before, Yadira. This is a new sight for many on this ship.” Judging by the look on Yoshi’s face, she is clearly groaning on the inside. “It should also be noted that this planet holds a lot of value in your father as well, as it contains the fountain of your . . .” The Caseal pauses for some reason.
Yoshi’s hands sweep into a sassy shrug. “Of?”
Arherowa’s brows droop sadly. “My apologies, I was making sure nobody was listening. As it is not common knowledge. The Fountain of Arethusa is what I wanted to mention.”
“Right, right, the fountain dad loves to visit oh sooo much.” Yoshi says and rubs her head. “Why does dad love it so much again? What did he really create it himself or something?”
Arherowa pats Yoshi’s shoulder and urges her onward. “He had a large hand in its creation, yes. Come, you may like the next upcoming area.”
The two travel up another set of quick stairs and stumble into sand. Just like that Yoshi’s eyes light up and eagerly takes in the burning sunlight beaming down on her. A sea of sand dunes lies behind this room’s half wall along with distant towering relics and unmaintained structures. As Yoshi rushes up to press her face against the invisible glass she could see all sorts of random machines aimlessly roaming about. Seeing all this enthusiasm it brought a smile on her aunt’s face, who calmly meets her by her side.
“Where are they? Where are they?” Yoshi says in a deep voice. “I need to see the Lillimans.”
“Well actually,” a random boy butts in. For some reason he also feels the need to adjust his glasses. “They’re called Lillipans. Get their animal names right.”
“I know what I said.” Yoshi snaps and gives the boy a piercing glare. “Now get out of my face before I make you.” After that the newearl shakes her fist to show she means business.
“Please listen to her,” adds Arherowa. “She means it when she says she will harm you. So if would be so kind as to leave her alone, before I call security to separate you two.”
At first the boy doubts them and looks as if he was about to give them a piece his mind, but the moment Yoshi lifts her sleeves to show off her muscles the boy immediately changes his mind and darts off in the opposite direction.
“Yeah, you better run,” Yoshi mocks and pulls her sleeve back down. “That’s what I thought. So, will I be able to see the villages in here?”
Arherowa was worried trouble was going to come, but in the end nothing came. “They are in a later exhibit. This one simply allows you to explore the desert and subterranean tunnels. It does not display any Lillipans. However they did leave this cute cutout of them by the pictures.”
The entire time her aunt is speaking Yoshi is pressing one eye against the glass to watch a Spardan breakdance on a metal cylinder like platform. “Well . . . maybe I’ll give this place a visit later. Any thoughts on the area before we move on, auntie Rowa?”
“You seem to have the same strange interest your parents had with the planet. Though just as harsh as Amduscia in its own unique way, you will find that all sorts of critter also thrive in these sands. I can not say for sure if you will see them in this exhibit, but it is something to keep in mind. It is also home to our many dubious mining facilities. Though that is merely your parents rubbing off on me. Shall we move on then?”
“Yeah sure, let’s go.” The newearl looks to the distant structures while they leave. Dubious, huh?
As they leave the area the breakdancing machine explodes and causes many of the much closer spectators to leap in fright. From one extreme to another they leave the desert heat and step into the cold embrace of the tundra. A winter wonderland complete with an aurora borealis looming in the night sky. Like the forest this exhibit is also surrounded by large grey rock walls, but they are frozen over and have many arch ways connecting the two. It also seems that they had just missed this exhibits spectacle as the gates are open and a tour bus can be seen already driving inside. It’s built in heaters warming up the occupants as it goes. By the half wall gate people can also be seen huddled together by a machine giving out hot coco samples. A staff lady is there selling scarfs too.
Also affected by the cold Yoshi shoves her hands into her pockets and rubs her arms against her body. “Well this is the tundra. I knew I should have brought a jacket. I’m surprised it got its own thing. According to the second picture it looks like it gets some sort of ice stage.”
Arherowa, who wasn’t affected by the cold, clasps her hands together and gleefully leans in front of Yoshi. “Rumors has it that there are talks to expand this into an official ice rink and stage in the second area. Turn it into a true entertainment venue. I believe if this goes through,” The caseal turns to point behind them, “An elevator will be installed behind us to lead into the mall or back, treating it as a sort of halfway point. I hear you also had fun in this anomaly created by the Falz sealed on Naberius?”
The newearl gives her aunt a strange looks for how she worded that question, but looks to the ice versions of the native creatures sliding around inside. “I did learn how to skate yeah. That was fun. But if there’s nothing to see here we may as well move on.”
“You really want to see the Lillipan village, don’t you?”
“They’re cute as heck. Not that you would know, Ms. Robot Lady.”
Yoshi’s aunt places her hands on her hip and furrows her brows in anger. “I’ll have you know I was once a human too. I think they’re cute. I just act this way to appease mother, that’s all. Humph.”
“Well you sure act like one. Does grandma even care?” Yoshi eyes suddenly widen and lightly raps her head. “Anyways, I’m sorry. Want to head to the next area?”
Arherowa glides her hand towards more sharp turning set of stairs. It is a bend with the appearance of a space ship leading to the rest of the rooms and towards the front of the building. In the fake windows they can see speeding lines trying to give them the image that they are warping past the speed of light. “Apology accepted.” As they travel around the other side of the hallway wall the aunt covers her mouth and muffles the word, “Dweeb.” Hearing this makes Yoshi peek at her aunt with a face that screams, “Is that best you could possibly think of?”
Once past the final step they are once again greeted by sand. Only this time instead of a blazing sun and blistering heat they are instead greeted by warm humid air and a beachfront experience. The trail into this exhibit is a branching sand bar all leading towards rainbow ruins surround by ocean, and many dolphins can be seen leaping out of that ocean. Just like in Yoshi’s training experience on Worpal there are also very large fountain like structures shooting water into the atmosphere. As Yoshi approaches to see what area two is she can see a picture of an undersea area similar to the one she visited with Commander Yvonna.
“You know, as pretty as this place is, I think I’ll move on.”
“Did you not bring the camera to show your friends this place as well?”
“Well, I mean, the people I’m showing this to have been here as well. But I guess I could come back later to record stuff in area two. It’s call the seabed, right?”
“Correct. This planet used to be a test bed used by a very devious member of ARKs and was found abandoned and destroyed later on. We have found both underwater and above water labs all over the planet. I will tell you more about it when we decide to explore it. The next room over should be the floating facility where you can travel on one of those above water structures and even ride atop a sea ship. Depending on whom you talk to however some would argue that it is actually a prototype warship. If we are done here for now why don’t we head on over to give it a look?”
“Sure, alright.”
Just like that the two head down a set of quick stairs and gaze into the distance. Just as they leave they can hear a huge splash and the roar of a Bal Rodos scaring many people with its sudden appearance. Since the two areas are of the same planet, the two rooms blend into each other and the two walk under a decorated archway leading to another end of the planet. Within the many vine draped walls, moss covered pillars, neon rainbow stairs and surrounding uprooted pathways is a large pool and a docked stone ship shooting several jets of water from the sides of it. Children and parents can be seen swimming, playing in the jets and jumping atop the large vessel pretending to be sea captains on their own end of the ship.
Yoshi is about to ask if they hand out free swimsuits but notices a large sign by the gate that says “Swimsuits are sold inside the mall. Please be safe and do not run in the area.” Next to the sign, a pamphlet and submission box is installed for people who wish to give their opinion of the area. Then on the floor another sign can be see pointing towards the tour path or the pool. While the newearl looks to her aunt to see what she thinks a couple of lifeguards walk by to make sure people are following the rules.
“Why don’t we come back some other time?” asks Yoshi while she rubs the back of her neck.
“Yes lets. A swim would be nice but that is not what I came here for. Shall we move on?”
“Sure. Is it smart to make one area the end all be all entertainment area though?”
“Likely not, but it will still make for an interesting experiment. Would you not agree?”
Yoshi shakes her head and tried not to think about it. “I’ll get back to you on that,” she replies. She would rather not guess about the many potential results such a thing could provide. “So next are is Lillipa again I bet?”
“Did the sand give it away?” Arherowa jokes with a smug smile.
Yoshi sticks out her hand and grasps at empty space. “Nah, just the insanely dry air and increasing heat.”
“Oh come now, the air is not that dry. There are no walls in this path to make it so.”
The two walk into an eternal sunset and gaze upon small robed bears with rabbit ears going about their daily lives in the enclosed desert. Surrounded by thick grey factory walls and giant red metal pipping, the Lillipans could not see the distant structures and open terrain of their desert planet. Instead they get shaded puddles of water, sparse but healthy plant life and the many rubble piles their people pushed together to take from. With the rubble they were able to rig up matching tribal fabric tents to live in, build intricate water towers with a pool at the bottom to drink from and put up small pillars that could hold up a light source. New machines are also said to roam the next area.
“Eh, close enough.”
“You’re not going in to see them?”
“Maybe if they were real,” Yoshi replies and pockets her hands to hide how much she wants to pet them. “For now I think I’ll just watch from out here.”
Arherowa scratches a cheek. “For someone who really wanted to come here, you sure are adverse from entering any of the exhibits.”
“I mean we aren’t in a rush. We have all day to spend time in here. Besides, it’s almost lunch time. So I’m looking forward to those discounts.”
“It is lunch time.”
“Oh?” Yoshi takes out a hand to tap her glasses. In the right hand corner of her right lens a small clock appears. 13:14pm. “Oh, it is.” She looks to her right to get a good view of what’s ahead but sees nothing but dim lighting from here on out. “So what’s next anyways?”
Arherowa claps and sings, “That’s it.”
“That’s it?” Yoshi asks with a raised brow.
“For now at least. There are plans to add more planet exhibits but they need more money and time to study those areas. The reason we started going up was to go all the back down into the final area, which I believe would be a planet called Earth, as it is close to how our civilization looks, and ease us back into the mall as an exit. The bus will travel underneath the entrance ramp, creating a bit of ambient sound for the people on the ramp, loop back around the front where we saw them and we ourselves will appear somewhere in the gift shop.”
“Making us go in the gift shop, huh? Clever. So we walk all the way back in that?” the newearl asks as she points into the empty hallway.
“If you wish, but you can—” Arherowa interrupts herself so she could skip off and grab the attention of an incoming tour bus. “Excuse me,” she shouts. “Do you have room for two more?”
The tour bus stops and a few people take a picture of Yoshi’s aunt for some reason. This reminds her to turn off the camera. The driver in the meantime swings an arm to a few empty seats and the duo steps on. From there on out the bus headlights come to life and everyone goes through the tunnel until they reach the gift shop exit. Despite all the stairs they had to travel down, the ride back was shockingly smooth. Smooth enough to make Yoshi check if the tires were holograms when she gets off.
“So, how large is the discount?”
“Fifteen percent off,” Yoshi answers immediately. After they stop by the exit she takes out a ticket to double check. Just in case. On the bottom right hand corner of a long rectangle she sees a circled 15% off, just as she said.
“Oh, is that all?” asks Arherowa, who takes the ticket.
With a confident smile Yoshi’s opens the door so the two can make way for the dinning court. “I’m going to buy so many chicken nuggets, it’s not going to be funny.”
“I’m not laughing already.”
“Okay, smartass.”
“Rude.” Arherowa punches her niece on the shoulder and the two walk into the shop laughing.
Originally Posted by stukasa
That’s funny, because my first instinct was the exact opposite.I would think the second-person narrator has the biggest agenda, because a second-person story is the only one that assumes direct control of the reader. The second-person narrator says, “You are going to be who I want you to be. You are going to do what I want you to do. You are going to think what I want you to think. And there’s nothing you can do about it.” Whereas the first-person narrator is relaying their own story, and the third-person narrator is relaying the story of someone else. They may have an agenda, but they have no way of forcing it upon the reader directly. For example:
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This time you gave the spotlight to Aunt Rowa, someone we haven't seen much of before (and the first time in the extra story?). I like that you fleshed out her character a bit, though to be honest I kind of forgot what she was like before. xD The way you described her as walking around with her eyes closed, were you trying to imply she is like those anime characters who are always drawn with closed eyes? It works in anime, but comes across a little weird when you try to describe it in writing. 
.
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