Chapter Text
“I can’t believe i’m finally visiting Penacony!”
My words are getting out of my mouth even though i’m travelling by myself. I still don’t know how my friend got an opportunity to gift me a Platinum pass. I also don’t even know how to thank her properly, even though she definitely deserves it. In any case, it would be selfish of me to not make the most of this lifetime gift. My dream, finally accomplished! Ever since I was little, at the time during which I learned of Penacony’s existence, I imagined myself there. And now, here I am!
“Ahhhh I can’t believe it!”
Following in the footsteps of Robin! I can’t seem to get used to that idea. Exploring the Golden Hour in which she took a stroll on so many occasions. Maybe I could even get to witness one of her performances at Penacony’s Grand Theater. Although, with the recent events, not sure if they will continue the shows. I keep on hopping up and down in the middle of The Reverie hotel all the while quickly glancing in every direction. There is so much more than what I can see with one look! But how beautiful it is! The hotel lobby stretches out before my eyes. I can only look at it mouth agape, so impressive it is.
“Never seen this in my whole life.”
And I’m not only saying this because of how little I got to travel. The arc of the circle serving as the floor doesn’t necessarily extend that far, but my eyes can’t gauge the full size of the structure around me. I mean, I can clearly see the ticket counter awaiting the arrival of travelers, with its luxurious, golden appearance, but not the size of where everything is located. This is true whether it's the height, with floors and floors and more floors and still more floors of suites stretching up to I don't know what cosmic extremes above and below. Or even the horizon, invisible because of a kind of bluish mist behind the... oh! I recognize the famous Penacony clock! The gargantuan clock suspended in midair behind the reception desk remains the most remarkable feature of the lobby. I admit I'm not even sure it's a clock, as it bears no resemblance to any known mechanism. I even see an ethereal whale formed of... bubbles, it seems, floating and swimming peacefully around the monumental work. I even recognize it, since it’s the one seen in Robin’s music video of “Sway to My Beat in Cosmos”, during which she sits on it. I wonder if visitors are allowed to touch it. No, probably not. In any case, it's hanging far too high up, I couldn't reach it even if I were ten times my size! But seriously, what is this place? And yet, we're still in reality! I can't wait to discover the Land of the Dreams!
My eyes drift back down to the counter in front of me. Haha! And what's more, there aren't many other travelers or tourists waiting at the reception desk! How lucky! I make my way across the red carpet, which seems as luxurious as its patterns. And as the other travelers I see.
“Excuse me!”
Some are even waiting in mini VIP lounges with velvet sofas and guards from the Interastral Peace Corporation! It's clear that since the incidents surrounding the Charmony festival, security had to be tightened. I hope that the various Moments of the Land of the Dreams won't be too restricted.
“Excuse me! Sorry to be bothering you. But would you need any help?”
A hand presses on my shoulder as I stop in the middle of the passageway. I jump at the touch and quickly turn around to shake it off and see who it is. A young woman with brown hair is standing in front of me, pushing her glasses up her nose. She is wearing well-pressed black pants, a blue jacket over a white shirt, and a gold bow tie. Oh!
“Welcome to the Reverie! My name is Alley, and I work at the front desk. I noticed you looking a little lost, so I was wondering if you needed any information, help, or even a guide.”
“Oh, sorry to bother you. I was just taking in the surroundings. Let's just say it's not something I see every day.”
“Of course. I don't know of any other place that has the same effect on first-time visitors. Have you checked in yet?
“No, not at all.”
“In that case, you can go straight to the front desk. My colleague Dennis behind the counter will welcome you, check your Dreamscape Pass, and give you directions to your suite.”
I look behind him and notice a man in his thirties attending to a passenger who has just arrived. Very well.
“In that case, I'll go right away. Thank you, Mrs. Alley.”
“You're welcome. We wish you a pleasant stay in Penacony.”
Alley gives me a little bow, which I return. She then pushes her glasses back up her nose, smiles at me, and goes off to attend to other matters. The counter, then. After that, I'll finally be able to set off to discover the Land of the Dreams! I climb the few steps separating the arrival area from the check-in desk. I head up to the traveler who is still talking to the employee behind the counter. I wait a few minutes, and finally it's my turn. I walk up to the famous Dennis and nod my head in greeting. He responds with a friendly smile.
“Welcome to the Reverie! I'm Dennis, the hotel lobby manager. It's a pleasure to meet you. How can I help you?”
“Hello, I just arrived. Your colleague Alley directed me here to check in and find out where to go.”
“I see. I'll get your Dream Pass.”
I place my cell phone on the counter. Dennis quickly picks it up and moves it on a terminal with the Family logo on it.
“Thank you very much. I will check your entry. In the meantime, let me give you some information that may be useful in the future. If you need assistance with services related to your suite, please refer to Alley, whom you have already met. She will be able to guide you. If you have any questions about entering the Dreamscape, please do not hesitate to ask Giovanna, our Chief Dream Nurse. You will find her on the third floor of the Reverie in reality, on the east balcony. Finally, if you find yourself in conflict with other guests or even hotel employees, please ask our Head of Security, Coty, for help. She usually patrols the second floor of the Reverie, again in reality. And finally, do not remove your clothes before entering the Dreampool. Your appearance in the Land of the Dreams will be based on it. Be wary, for you may sometimes encounter a few peculiarities, whether in terms of your appearance or your experience once you fall asleep. It is a dream, after all! And... that's it.”
After finishing his much-too-long speech, Dennis hands me back my cell phone, smiling once again. I put it in the bag under my sweater while waiting for the next piece of information.
“Firefly, welcome to Penacony. Your room is the Platinum Suite 661 in Zone 12 of the Red Heart. Please refer to the map included in your Dreamscape Pass if necessary. The elevators are on either side of my counter.”
“Thank you very much for all the information!”
“You're welcome. I'm just doing my job. Feel free to use your Pass if you have any questions, or ask any of the staff around you. I hope you have a great time and enjoy your stay in the Land of the Dreams!”
I thank him profusely once again and walk along the counter to one end of the reception platform. The elevator is waiting with no one in front of it, so I take the opportunity to get inside. I hurriedly press the button marked 12, hoping that it corresponds to zone 12 of the Red Heart. If not, I'll ask how to get there at the exit. The elevator starts up after a few seconds of waiting and begins to move at a good speed. The iconic Penacony clock descends as I ascend to the heights of the Reverie. My heart is racing with anticipation. And I can't calm it down. But then again, I'm in Penacony!
“Ahhhh!”
I let out a little cry of joy at the thought. The more I think about it, the more excited I am to discover the Land of the Dreams. With a jolt, the elevator stops on its way up in front of a distant floor. An access ramp extends from it down to the floor where I am standing. Then elegant royal gold barriers spring up from the edge of the newly deployed walkway. The elevator doors open before my eyes—once again amazed—and now let me step onto this elevated passageway. Once on it, I glance over the railing.
“Oh no.”
I retreat from this spot and hurry to the balcony entrance at a frantic pace. I'm not afraid of heights, but there are limits. Especially when you can't even see the floor! What was I thinking, looking down? Never again, Firefly. Pull yourself together. I catch my breath after this mock race and focus on my goal: finding my suite, 661. The red carpet makes me think that I must be in the right area. Good news. I open the map on my Dreamscape Pass to check the route. Straight ahead, take a door, go down past the bar, up the stairs to the right, and take the second room on the left. I put my phone away again, give myself a slap on the cheeks, and finally launch myself confidently into the luxurious hallway. A closed door awaits at the end of it. I reach it and stare at it intently. Even the normal doors are twice my height. Everything here is grand. It opens automatically after a few seconds, revealing the huge room behind it.
“You have to be kidding me…”
When I said “everything here is grand,” I now think that was an understatement. Everything was immense, everything was gigantic, everything was opulent. Once again, I wonder how my friend got a Platinum Pass. I know she doesn't have nearly enough credits to afford to give one to someone else. Maybe it was one of her acquaintances? I really hope I don't get arrested because I'm actually using a fake one.
“So this is what the VIP lounge looks like…”
I watch it from the top of the stairs of its entrance hall. A bartender is busy preparing drinks for customers throughout the room. His bar in the center looks like a small island of light surrounded by several ships, each with its own crew. Flamboyant-looking IPC members are deep in discussion on one side, several Halovians—but not Robin—on another, a few Humans and Intellitrons engaged in a lively debate elsewhere, and even one or two Foxians sipping their drinks a little further. A kind of luminous umbrella protects each table where all these small groups are carrying out their activities. I really don't think I belong here in my basic jeans and my poor favorite sweater. I guess I don't even look like much. I exhale loudly and slap my cheeks again. Pull yourself together, Firefly. No time to mope, time to enjoy!
I put on a forced smile—perhaps a little too forced, but never mind—and rush down the stairs to find myself at the bottom. Wow, the ceiling is so high... I can't believe it. Okay. From what I've read, this bar is called Anderson, after its owner. Although I'm old enough to drink, I'm going to avoid this place, which is far too serious for my taste. I cross the room at a brisk pace, nimbly dodging the seats, tables, and bar patrons. After nearly bumping into a waitress, I finally reach the staircase at the other end. Slightly smaller than the one at the entrance, I climb to the top in just over twenty seconds to find myself in what I hope is the right hallway. I quickly check my location on the app, and my assumption is confirmed.
“Soon…”
Soon I will dream and visit the “real” Penacony. I continue down the hallway, looking at the door numbers on the left and right. As expected, the second door on the left has a golden “661” on its panels. A new terminal with the Family emblem lights up as I wait in front of it. I close my eyes for a few moments to compose myself and exhale loudly.
“Here we are.”
I place my Dreamscape Pass on the terminal and wait two seconds for it to be validated. The door finally opens to the suite reserved for me, so I go inside. A large round room serves as the main room for the suite. No, more like a single room. Sofas that look very comfortable are lined up one after the other along the right side of the room, surrounding a large double bed in the center, much bigger than I am. On the left side, a fireplace inside a sort of hat provides cozy warmth to the rest of the room. The fire inside seems very large compared to the heat it produces, but I imagine it's just another one of Penacony's techniques to make it look more impressive. Small tables surrounded by chairs have been placed on either side of the fireplace, probably for inviting a few friends over for tea. Assuming we bring them with us. And that we have more than one.
I walk a little further into the living room to put my bag on one of the tables, not far from the bathtub between the two “areas” of my suite. Oh, wait a minute. A phonograph next to it? Now that's luxury! I hurry to connect my cell phone to it so it can play an instrumental version of Robin's “If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking” on repeat, of course. I start humming the melody with a smile on my lips as soon as the piano begins to resonate in my suite. It always reminds me of the concert I was lucky enough to attend. I grab the cuffs of my sweater as a memento. When I saw it in the store with Robin's iconic dove, her signature, and her “Embrace who you wanna be” in a gradient of pale blue, light pink, then white and back again... I admit it made me fall in love. I have no regrets. I never take it off, except to wash it, of course. And I intend to keep it for my entry into the Land of the Dreams.
Speaking of which, I dip my fingers into the water of the Dreampool to test the temperature. As I expected, it's perfect, just the right heat. Luminous blue bubbles scatter everywhere around the bathtub that serves as a receptacle, but also against its edges, on the surface, and even above it, floating in the air. I know this isn't normal water, but do I really have to get in there fully clothed? I hope it doesn't ruin my sweater. And honestly, I'll feel less self-conscious about my body that way.
…
Anyway. I sit on the edge of the bathtub and quickly undo my—
“No, maybe not.”
I keep my shoes on. I'd rather avoid being barefoot in the Dreamscape. In that case, I just tie my hair back in a ponytail, taking the opportunity to remove a few silver strands that have fallen onto my sweater. I put one foot over the edge and dip it into the warm liquid.
“Hm.”
Strange texture. It doesn't feel so wet, but I can feel its warmth, even through my shoe. What a strange sensation. But comfortable. So I hurry to put my second foot inside and head for the backrest reserved for sleeping. With a little anticipation, I sit down abruptly on the floor of the bathtub, immersing myself up to my neck in the fluid of the Dreampool. Oh by the Aeons, I was wrong.– How comfortable...
It makes sense, when you think about it. It was developed to facilitate transport to the Land of the Dreams. Of course it's comfortable. My clothes aren't even sticking to my body! And yet the warmth envelops me like a cocoon of blankets. That must be the closest comparison to how I feel. And now all that's left to do is... all that's left to do is...
“And what's more, it works fast.”
I exhale, feeling completely relaxed for the first time in a while. I then close my eyes to melt into the well-being that assails my senses. I start humming the chorus of Robin's song in the background again. And I feel my mind beginning to wander on its own.