CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 172: ARRIVING ON OCEANA SEVEN

[AUTHOR NOTE: Hey all, just a quick update regarding the Spector 3-tier on Patreon. After some trial and error, I have determined that by reducing the price from £7 to £6.99 in my native currency, it reduces some other currencies, such as the dollar from $10.50 to $10.

Why a 1p price reduction would save you Americans 50 cents, I have no idea, but you’re welcome.]

Adam and the others looked out of the shuttle’s windows as it descended towards the planet, while the chat got a much better view as one of the microcams attached itself to the shuttle’s hull when Adam boarded, allowing them to watch externally as the shuttle descended.

[AlamoMatador4thewin (Earth): It really is just a giant world of water.]

[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): You’re right, there is very little land mass of any kind.]

[Superhearofangirl (Earth): What’s that in the distance that appears to be sitting atop the ocean?]

[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): That would be the capital city of Oceana Seven.]

As the shuttle approached, the chat began to make out a huge circular city that sat atop the ocean’s surface. The city was made up of many interconnected circles that grew larger the further from the centre they got.

Between the gaps of each circle of the city, you could see the sea below, while bridges connected the circles together and allowed people to cross between them.

Small waterways seemed to run down the centre of each road, draining the water away back into the sea.

At the very centre of the city, on the smallest circular platform, was a large temple-like structure.

"Is that the royal palace in the centre? It looks like a temple." Adam asked.

"No," Lorelie replied before explaining. "The royal palace is located beneath the ocean, where it is impossible to see from on land or in the air. That temple is as you call it, is in fact a concert hall where Merinmians can go and perform for anyone who wishes to come watch them.

When I was younger and before I became famous and left this planet, I used to perform there regularly as a way to improve my singing and hopefully become recognised."

"Will you be performing there for one of your concerts?" Tephe asked.

"Possibly. It is unusual for concerts to be held there as it’s not very large and can’t seat many, however, I might request to perform there as that place holds fond memories for me."

"If it holds that much meaning for you, I think you should perform there," Adam suggested.

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Lorelie asked curiously.

"I’m no expert on music and singing, but a famous musician from my world once said that music can both affect and be affected by emotions.

Your singing can affect the emotions of those who listen to it, while your emotions can affect the quality and impact of your singing.

I think that playing in a place that holds strong positive emotions for you will enhance your performance.

Of course, I could just be wrong."

"Emotions, huh?" Lorelie replied as she considered Adam’s words as the shuttle continued to descend.

Soon, the shuttle alters course away from the capital city.

"We’re not going to the capital?" Stacey asked.

"No, my residence is on one of the smaller islands a short distance from the capital," Lorelie replied before turning to Adam and saying.

"Do you mind if I ask that you end your stream? I don’t really want to show my home off to everyone."

[Handsome3horns (Vinox 2): Aww, lame.]

[Superior4horns (Vinox 3): I was hoping we would finally get to see Diva Lorelie’s home.]

[Celebrityhunter69 (Earth): Well, everyone deserves a modicum of privacy.]

[StealthAssassin9 (Earth): You could argue that someone who seeks fame and fortune like a celebrity doesn’t deserve privacy.]

"That’s fine, end stream," Adam replied.

[[Mission Complete]]

[[Ending Stream.]]

"Thank you," Lorelie replied with a warm smile before accessing her uniband to send a message.

It wasn’t long before the group spotted a small island that the shuttle was heading towards.

The island was picturesque with white sandy beaches that led up to tall trees that made a forest that surrounded a large open space of land in the centre.

The centre was occupied by a medium-sized three-story building that was surrounded by smooth green lawns and flowerbeds.

One or two paved sections that looked like they could be used for sports stood out, along with a large open body of water that was perfectly circular in shape and seemed to have several small white things beneath the water at opposite ends.

Footpaths snaked through the forest connecting the house and garden area to the beachfront.

"What a beautiful location," Tephe said as she took in the island.

"I agree, I am most impressed with your home, Lorelie," Rowena said in agreement.

"Have you not been here before, grandmother?" Stacey asked in surprise.

"No," Rowena replied while shaking her head. "We might have been friends for many years, however, our careers kept us busy, and so we couldn’t visit each other’s homes."

"Thank you, though, as Rowena said, I am very rarely home. The beauty of the garden and surroundings is mostly down to my butler and gardeners." Lorelie replied.

"We will be landing momentarily, Diva Lorelie." The pilot suddenly said from the cockpit as the shuttle slowed down as it approached the house.

The shuttle came to a stop above one of the paved areas before it slowly descended and eventually landed.

Lorelie led the way to disembark after thanking the pilot to find an elderly male Merinmian who bowed slightly to Lorelie as she descended the shuttle before straightening up and saying.

"Welcome home, Lady Lorelie."

"Thank you, Morven, it’s good to be home," Lorelie replied before turning to the others and saying.

"Everyone, allow me to introduce Morven, my butler, who has looked after the house and island for many years."

"It’s a pleasure to meet Lady Lorelie’s guests," Morven replied with a slight bow to them all before turning to Lorelie and saying.

"I have already arranged rooms for your guests, and Sir Jacques has left a message for you saying that dinner reservations have been made for eight this evening at Metgar’s "

"Metgar’s?" Rowena asked in surprise and slight excitement.

"It’s unusual for a restaurant to excite you, grandmother," Stacey stated.

"It’s for a good reason, granddaughter, Metgar’s is the restaurant owned and run by Oasis Galaxy’s Paramount Chef Metgar."

"Paramount Chef?" Stacey asked.

"Similar to the title of Diva given in the entertainment industry, Paramount Chef is given to the universe’s top chefs

He specialises in seafood cuisine. I have always wanted to eat at Metgar’s, but I have never had the opportunity.

Normally, you have to book a table months in advance to eat there."

"I look forward to trying this food you speak so highly of," Adam commented.

"Metgar is unique among top-quality chefs." Lorelie began to explain.

"Normally, when you eat at a high-class restaurant, they focus on presentation and technique as a priority.

Metgar, however, believes that the most important aspect of food is its taste and therefore is constantly researching how to make his food taste better."

"I hope it tastes extra yummy then," Tahoe said happily.

"Shall we head inside so that I can show you your rooms and we can relax? We have a few hours before we need to depart for Metgar’s." Lorelie said as she led the group inside.

Lorelie’s home was a seamless mix of elegance and modern technology. The modern technology was so well hidden that you wouldn’t even realise they were there unless you actively looked for them.

The technology that couldn’t be hidden, such as consoles, was designed in a way that they blended well with the rest of the elegance of the house.

There were several living rooms and bedrooms, a large swimming pool, and a gymnasium with lots of futuristic equipment that Adam didn’t recognise.

A large home heater room with many seats facing a large wall on which a holographic screen obviously appeared in front of when in use.

What appeared to be a recording studio of some kind was connected to another room that housed all of Lorelie’s awards and accolades.

Around two-thirds of the house was a large decking area with many comfortable-looking chairs as well as something that looked like a hot tub.

"You really do have a beautiful home, Diva Lorelie," Tephe said.

"Thank you, Tephe," Lorelie replied before saying. "All of you are free to use any of the facilities you wish."

After they all thanked her, they then went ahead and dumped the few belongings each of them had brought from Adam’s ship into their designated rooms.

Adam’s room had all the necessary furniture, including a large double bed, desk and chair, a large wardrobe and even an ensuite bathroom with a large bath.

After dumping the large bag he had brought from Spector, Adam decided to take a stroll around the house to see the gardens better.

As he did so, he soon found himself standing next to the large circular body of water. Now that he was closer, he could see that the several small white things were in fact three circular rings at opposite ends of the body of water.

Adam tried to take a closer look to figure out what they were for when a familiar voice behind him asked.

"Curious what they are?"