The rest of the afternoon was spent resting and having fun in activities that didn't require much energy. Fir showed them a very popular card game in the empire and played a movie where two big ugly nonis fought until they fell in love, then they fought more because they were in love.

—What did you think?— she asked when they finished watching it.

—I don't think I can get used to the empire's cinema any time soon— commented Liliana.

—Cultural tastes are hard to change— said Arturo.

—I liked that they were ugly— said Erica— in our world actors are always attractive people. These nonis seemed more normal.

But Fir stared at her in bewilderment.

—But they are super attractive— she assured.

—That's what you think— said Sikika— the tastes between one culture and another are very different. What we think is beautiful to us will always be horrible to others and vice versa.

—How strange— Fir wondered— And what do you find attractive?

Liliana prepared to answer, but then Erica and Arturo pointed at her.

—Her— they said in unison.

Liliana turned red.

—Me?! No, I'm not....

—In our world, everyone got nervous the first time they spoke to her, just because of her looks— commented Arturo.

—Really? Wow, I didn't expect that— commented Fir.

Liliana froze, not knowing what to say. Erica turned to Arturo.

—And how was the first time you spoke to her?— she asked.

—I don't know, I've known her since I was born— answered the mage.

—He and I grew up together, don't you remember?— said Liliana to Erica.

—Oh, right! You told me that.

—It can't be!— Fir jumped— You two have known each other all your lives?

—All MY life— said Arturo— Liliana is older.

—By a month— she argued.

—And you guys have never been a couple?— Erica wondered.

Liliana and Arturo smiled, amused at the idea.

—It's true, we were never dated— remarked Liliana.

—There was never any need— said Arturo.

Erica looked at them puzzled. She didn't understand how they could be so trusting and not want to formalize their relationship.

—Is that how a mature couple behaves?— she wondered.

She had no idea, she had never been in that situation with anyone.

At that moment she felt a lump growing in her chest, under her clothes. She shrieked for a moment, until she felt a familiar fur rubbing against her skin. Before the astonished gaze of the rest, she reached under her hotel robe and pulled out a long, white animal.

—Papel!— she greeted him— What are you doing here?

—How did it appear under your clothes?— asked Liliana.

—What is that thing?!— shouted Arturo.

—Eeeeeeeeeeek! Eeeek!— shrieked the little animal.

It immediately let go of Erica's hand, approached Arturo and sniffed him for a moment before doing the same with Fir and Sikika. The latter grabbed him with one of her thick hands, but Papel managed to get free and ended up taking refuge under Liliana's arms.

—And that?— asked Fir.

—It's... an animal that appears suddenly— explained Erica— Do you happen to know its species?

—Not at all— Fir answered.

—I've never seen it before— assured Sikika— Are you sure it's not from your world?

—Sure.

Arturo took it and lifted it up to have a good look.

—What is this weird thing?— he asked aloud.

—Eeeeeeeeek!— shrieked Papel, offended.

It growled at him in a hostile manner and squirmed to get away, to the point where Arturo let go of it out of fright. The animal went to take refuge with Erica.

—And how do you expect me to treat you?— she asked Papel— you appear out of nowhere.

—Kik— he muttered, shyly.

—Don't pay attention to him, Arturo— said Erica— Papel is very fussy, but he'll get used to you in a day.

—Could he understand me?— the mage wondered.

—He's very intelligent— assured Liliana.

—You don't know how long it took me to give him a name, all because he didn't like it at all.

—Ik.

Erica gave him a pat on the back and Papel relaxed. Arturo did not take his eyes off him.

Afterwards they went to dinner. The meal was not as formal as lunch, but it was just as hearty.

------------------------------

In the evening, Fir took them to the hotel bathroom; a heated pool where people went to relax. Everyone thought it was a good idea, until they arrived at the place and found several dozen naked nonis. Fir and Sikika took off their clothes right where they were, hung them up and went into the water. Erica noticed Liliana and Arturo, who were covering each other's eyes. Their faces were so red that they blended in with the environment.

—Come on, it's not that bad— she said.

—Erica, don't do it!— Liliana pleaded— Don't join them!

But Erica had already taken off her hotel clothes. She calmly went to hang them on the clotheslines and followed Fir and Sikika to the pool, followed by Papel. From there, the four of them looked at Liliana and Arturo, who were debating whether to stay where they were or flee back to the hotel room.

—What's wrong with them?— asked Sikika.

—In my world it is frowned upon to walk around naked— said Erica.

—And they don't take baths?— Fir wondered.

—Eeeek— shouted Paper, as if trying to explain the situation.

Erica looked at him. As it was so long, in the water it looked like a stretched otter. It moved smoothly in the heated pool.

—Yes, but we got dressed immediately when we got out— answered the brika.

—And you don't mind being naked?— asked the crivia.

—No, in the summer I spent my time naked at home. I never minded people seeing me— she explained.

—Oh, but they look very nervous— Fir remarked— maybe we should take them back to the room.

—We could do that— said Sikika— but it's not necessary. The clothes in the hotel are waterproof.

—Really?— said Fir— So they don't need to undress to enter the pool?

—It's valid— answered the bodyguard.

Erica stood up and went to tell them, but they didn't relax.

—Everyone is naked!— Liliana argued.

Erica scratched her head.

—It's not so terrible. They are nonis anyway, no one will care what you look like— Erica tried to convince them— besides, we've been here for two months, you know what the culture is like. If you don't get used to seeing naked people, you're going to be on edge for the rest of your lives.

Arturo sighed.

—Erica is right, there's no way we can avoid it.

—No, Arturo, don't leave me!— Liliana begged him.

—We have to be strong, Lili! Come on!

Liliana grunted for a moment, nervous.

—All right, but don't leave me.

—Of course not.

They both removed their hands from each other's eyes and looked at what was in front of them: Erica's naked body.

—Very good!— she congratulated them.

—Ah!— cried Arturo.

He immediately looked away, but in that place there was a group of nonis talking with their butts in the air. He had to turn around a second time to rest his eyes. At the same time, Liliana stood in front of Erica to open her arms and cover her.

—Erica!

—What? Do I look that bad?

—It's not that! You're making him nervous— she pleaded.

Erica looked at Arturo, puzzled. Then to Liliana.

—Come on, you both know I don't mind being seen. Arturo, you don't need to see me if that makes you uncomfortable. I'm going to the pool.

Liliana turned worriedly to Arturo. He pondered for a moment with his hand on his temple, then glanced at Erica, looked at her for three seconds and finally returned his gaze to his feet.

—That's enough for me— he said— if you really don't mind... I don't have a problem. To be honest, I also feel like getting into the water. What do you say, Lili?

Liliana put her hands on her hips and sighed.

—It's okay. I need some time to relax.

—Okay, let's go!

Erica took them both by the hands and led them to the heated pool. The two teens hugged their knees and avoided looking at people as they got into the water, but after a few minutes, they began to relax. Embarrassment ceased to matter so much to them.