Tereza awoke feeling refreshed. The rain had stopped, yet the grass was still wet and dewy from the rain. Tereza went to take a shower, looking forward to the new day. She washed and dried her hair, put on a light purple shirt and legging-type pants, and was on her way out the door when she saw somebody had already left a glass of milk and a granola bar at her desk.

Tereza took her breakfast with her as she joined the others in the kitchen area. The men were talking amongst themselves, engrossed in quiet discussion. They greeted her, saying, "Good morning, Tereza! We saved you some chocolate chip cookies."

Chocolate chip cookies were mandated on every Iredescent ship. A ship wasn't allowed to take flight unless there were cookies on board. There were inspectors who made sure plenty of chocolate chip cookies were well stocked and in plenty of supply, as well as milk, water, tea, coffee, and fruit beverages.

Iredescent chocolate chip cookies were homemade, fresh, soft, and decadent as ever. Tereza seized one and enjoyed it with her glass of milk. The men had already located some of the places they would like for Tereza to try, since she would be the one going solo in her exploration. After Tereza would survey her surroundings and check out most of England, the men would join her in seeing some of the cool sights and different places. Tereza wanted to test the waters and see everything first before okaying her crew to join her in her ventures.

But the primary reason for Tereza venturing alone was because Tereza's dim skin shimmer would allow her to blend in while her sparkly crew members would stand out amongst humans. Though Rêver and Niquead were finned ones, and though their skin shimmer faded when they were on land, their hair still sparkled in the sunlight and their eyes had a golden sheen in them that indicated one was a finned one. In water, their legs turned to fins, their skin shimmer becoming most vibrant and brilliant in appearance, their hair sparkling like golden sunbeams captured in diamond droplets. For this reason, the crew members would stay in the base while Tereza went out alone to explore.

"We are really close to a city called London," Rêver informed her. "You'll love it. They have iconic red pay phones and the most interesting vehicles: a red double decker bus, turquoise mopeds, and something called an Aston Martin."

"I want to drive one," said Niquead, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Please get as close to one as you can and take pictures. Maybe steal a ride."

Tereza's eyes widened. "Steal a ride?"

Kael grinned mischievously. "Why not? You would be having the greatest fun ever!"

"So here's the plan," Rêver said in a conspiratorial tone. "You will go in London, check out the finest restaurants and diners, take pictures of everything cool, find out who owns an Aston Martin, and at night, we have the greatest fun ever by stealing a ride in an Aston Martin. We will, of course, return it to the owner by sunrise, in splendid condition, unmarked, without a single scratch on it."

"That's assuming you can drive one of those things?" Vis said, shaking his head. "You don't even have a driver's license."

"Kael has a pilot's license," Rêver said. "He can drive the Aston Martin for us."

"Flying a ship and driving a car are two different things," Vis said analytically. "Neither of us has ever seen a car before, much less ever drove one of them. Kael would need to learn how to drive a car and obtain a driver's license. Secondly, borrowing a car is considered theft, even if you intend to give it back to its owner. You would be held liable for any damage that might occur, assuming your 'greatest fun ever' doesn't involve a car crash."

"I have never crashed a ship before," Kael spoke in defense. "I surely won't crash a car. Especially an expensive one like an Aston Martin."

Tereza decided to speak up in Kael's defense, saying, "Kael is a very responsible pilot. He can be certainly counted on to be a very responsible driver."

"Thank you," Kael said appreciatively, smiling at Tereza.

Vis sighed. "Our first day on planet Earth, and already we're conspiring to steal a car."

"Steal a ride," Niquead corrected.

"Same thing," Vis said, reaching for another cup of tea. "On your venture, Tereza, please, just evaluate things carefully first, at least think things over before trying to steal a ride."

"You can try to get cozy with the Aston Martin driver, maybe flirt him into letting you ride with him," Rêver suggested.

"That's assuming the Aston Martin driver is someone young and good-looking," said Kael. "What if he turns out to be someone old?"

"Or a woman," said Niquead.

"Guys, I will not be flirting with anyone," Tereza spoke up firmly. "I don't want to become involved with humans. I want to simply interact. But I will be on the lookout for an Aston Martin."

"Yay!" Rêver, Niquead, and Kael all said at the same time, cheering and raising their tea or milk glasses in celebration.

Vis shook his head, feeling the situation was getting out of hand, while Tereza smiled and finished the rest of her breakfast, glad to make her crew members happy. She thanked the men for a wonderful breakfast and headed for her room to get ready to head out.

Time to explore England, Tereza thought as she placed her Iredescent outfit on the bed and put on a jean jacket over a punk black and red shirt, jeans, and black and white sneakers. Her hair was loose, though she held one side of it up with a clear butterfly clip. The sun brought out the red tones in her hair, making her stand out as a redhead. In the dark, her hair looked more auburn.

Tereza went to a human city for the first time. Like to be expected, it was loud and noisy. Cars drove by Tereza, their tires screeching on the road while others honked at red lights. People walked everywhere, each in their own worlds. Music played from stores as vendors talked to passersby. Different scents and smells led her towards the different restaurants and diners. Tereza looked at the piece of paper Rêver had given her and asked people for directions how to get to those certain places he wanted her to check out.

Tereza found she loved England. She enjoyed having tea and pastries, biscuits, cookies, tarts, and rolls. She often drank tea, both in the morning and afternoon. She brought a variety of food and desserts, sharing them with her crew. They enjoyed all the things she shared with them and all the pictures she took.

They all gawked at a picture of a 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante in authentic British racing green color, with tan English leather interior with color-keyed green accent trim. Though it could only fit two people, Rêver said he could manage sitting on the back while holding onto someone's seat. Vis just rolled his eyes and hoped they wouldn't actually attempt to steal it, even if it was just for one night.

His hopes dashed when he learned Tereza secretly took Kael to a junkyard so he could learn how to drive a car. When he got proficient, he announced he would take them all on a ride at night aboard a beat-up yet drivable flashy red 1997 Lincoln Town Car, a rear wheel drive sedan that can fit five people.

Vis hung on for dear life as Kael excitedly drove the car. Rêver, Niquead, and Tereza were squished up in the back while Vis was in the front passenger seat. Kael made the car do donuts, kicking dust in the air as he sped around, making everyone dizzy. Then he led the car up a track he made himself the previous night, going up and down ramps and eventually making the car fly off a ramp and slam down into the grass on the edge of the lot, passengers intact, though Vis was freaking out, Rêver was slightly nauseous, Niquead had a headache from hitting his head on the ceiling of the car during the slamdown, and Tereza was wide-eyed with fear.

"I think I may be a little claustrophobic," Rêver said guiltily, trying to clear his head.

"I hit my head," Niquead complained, making everyone laugh for some reason.

"Your fault you're so tall," Rêver said in response, momentarily forgetting his nausea.

"Your fault for getting me into this," Vis said accusingly, glaring at everyone.

"That was definitely one hell of a ride," Tereza said, getting out of the car.

"I totally loved it!" Kael exclaimed, his face beaming with a smile. "Let's do it again!"

"Let me catch my breath first," said Rêver, "and have me sit in the front passenger seat this time."

"I'm calling it a night," said Vis, leaving promptly. "See you all tomorrow."

"This car is too small for me," said Niquead, struggling to get out. "How bout a jeep or a truck?"

Tereza rolled her eyes. "I thought you guys wanted to ride an Aston Martin."

"Forget the Aston Martin – I want to drive a 1997 BMW Z3!" said Kael. "I saw a 2.8 one in a gorgeous light blue color. It looks so cool and sporty!"

"I'm game," said Rêver, completely over his nausea and claustrophobia now.

"So am I," said Niquead. "It's a convertible, so I won't have to worry about hitting my head on the ceiling."

"I'm not sure," said Tereza, still recovering from the car ride. "I'm not used to cars at all."

"I'm already used to them," said Kael, running his hand on the hood of the car. "I love cars."

Tereza smiled, surveying the scene for a moment. The men all felt like brothers to her. Though she was fearful of car rides, she found she did have fun. And Kael was indeed an excellent driver, driving so well that the car didn't even scratch during the slamdown. "I'll be going to bed," she said, spreading her wings in the dark of the night. "See you later, guys."

"Wait! Don't leave without us!" said Kael, picking up Niquead. It went without saying that winged Iredescents carried finned Iredescents, who obviously didn't have wings and couldn't fly. "Stars, Niquead, you're heavy! No wonder Vis was groaning when he was carrying you."

"I would be even heavier if I was human," Niquead said in defense, feeling offended. "It's not my fault I weigh so much. It's all muscle."

"Guys," said Tereza, feeling like they were on the verge of starting a fight. "Get over it." She picked up Rêver, carrying him as she flew back to their base.

As Tereza settled in for the night, going to bed under her warm comfortable covers, she looked out the window at the dark sky, watching the stars twinkle as the moon changed phase, turning from a first quarter to a waxing gibbous moon. It would be a few weeks before it became a full moon. It had been a new moon that first rainy night, providing no light at all except for the stars in the sky.

Tereza turned on her side, unaware that on the other side of the world, a lonely young man was laying atop a surfboard in the dark California night, staring up at the sky, looking at the same moon Tereza was looking at earlier. The surfboard carried him many distances away from shore, away from any people that woke up early to collect seashells along the beach.

The young man closed his eyes, tears streaming down his handsome face as flames surrounded him, burning the surfboard. He sunk underneath the water, his flames allowing no water to touch him. He dispelled the flames, attempting to drown himself for the hundredth time, yet he remained alive. He couldn't breathe underwater, but his body still functioned properly, powered by the indestructible yellow dust that was his very biological genetic makeup.

He sighed, feeling powerless despite having immense power. He continued sinking until his body touched the bottom of the ocean, the smooth packed sand cushioning him while fish swam by, not seeing him as a threat. His dark hair floated as he rested there, wishing he could sleep, knowing he was unable to.

I'll rise in the morning, he thought, keeping his eyes closed as he remained this way the entire night, his senses alert to every sound and presence in his underwater bed. I always rise.

________________

Music:

"World in My Eyes"
by Depeche Mode

(Tereza exploring Earth)

"Jackhammer Manifesto"
by Blue Stahli

(when the Iredescents are
having fun riding a car)

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