“Yes,” Juno managed.
BFF-19 clicked and whirred.
“We all like to feel at home,” Anna said to Juno with a smile.
Another set of images scrolled past. These were the flexible multi-pocket trousers and willowy blouses Juno was used to, but in lovely colors and soft, durable fabrics. Belts and accessories of suede were dyed in wine and berry tones.
“Exactly,” Anna said with satisfaction. “How long until Saca can complete them?”
“Saca is already at work,” BFF-19 said. “The wardrobe will be prepared by the time our guest finishes her bath.”
“I’ll bring her to the spa,” Anna said. “But first we’ll need her chipped.”
“Chipped?” Juno echoed worriedly.
“Oh, it’s nothing to worry about,” Anna said immediately. “It’s just a special bracelet. All our VIP guests have them. It allows us to locate you for security purposes and it acts as a redundancy for the platforms and room sensors. It’s sort of like a backstage pass, so you can have access to all the good stuff.”
Juno shrugged. It sounded like overkill, but she had no problem being tracked. It wasn’t like she could leave the ship, and it certainly wasn’t like she wanted to - at least not until she had done what she came here to do.
She followed Anna out into the main corridor again. A few paces later they turned into another glassy storefront.
A dark-haired woman was entering code into a dimensional printer.
“Hi Angel,” Anna said. “This is Princess Juno.”
“Hello, your majesty,” Angel said, bowing deeply.
They were really going all in on the whole princess package.
“Angel is another one of our founders,” Anna explained.
Once the woman had stepped out from behind the counter, Juno could see a little boy on the floor playing with some sort of wooden puzzle. He seemed to be making quick work of it, taking it apart and reassembling it into various geometric shapes.
“I’ve got your chip bracelet right here,” Angel said kindly, holding out a delicate silvery band.
Juno allowed her to fasten it around her wrist.
“We’ll have your BFF drone waiting in Wardrobe when you’re finished at the spa,” Angel said.
“My BFF drone?” Juno echoed.
Angel smiled. “They’re super cool. You’re going to love having a drone around.”
“This is incredible,” Juno said, hating herself for being so starry-eyed, but unable to hide her enthusiasm.
“Of course, your wardrobe and accessories, and the drone are all yours to keep after the cruise is over,” Anna told her, squeezing her shoulder. “It’s part of the package.”
Juno forced herself to nod and pay attention. She could do mental calculations on the value of used clothing and a BFF drone later, when she was alone in her room.
“Come on, Juno, let’s get you pampered,” Anna said.
“Bye,” Juno said to Angel.
The dark-haired lady smiled and bowed again.
“Your whole wardrobe will be ready for you when you’re finished at the spa,” Anna said as they headed back into the corridor.
“How could anyone make all those clothes so quickly?” Juno asked, trying not to picture some poor woman in the back sewing until her hands bled. Maybe it was a being with multiple arms.
“What do you mean?” Anna asked.
“The droid, she said someone called Saca was working on them?”
“Oh, ha,” Anna giggled. “I don’t mean to laugh at you, Juno. Believe it or not, this is all kind of new to me, too. But S.A.C.A. is an acronym for Sewing And Compilation Android. She’s the computer that instructs the machines that make the clothing and accessories.”
Juno nodded, trying to play it cool.
“Oh, here we are,” Anna said, pulling her into another glass store front. “Hi Vaxyn. This is Juno.”
A sparkling alien of undetermined gender strode over with a determined frown on its lovely onyx face. Long, graceful appendages trailed behind it.
“Juno is the recipient of our princess package,” Anna said.
Vaxyn looked Juno up and down slowly enough that she began to worry she was about to be cooked and eaten.
“Excellent,” Vaxyn said in a voice that slid like syrup. “I know what to do.”
“Wardrobe will be ready when she’s finished here,” Anna said.
“We’ll handle it,” Vaxyn said dismissively, as if they were anxious to get to work. “First, a bath.”
“Have fun, Juno,” Anna said, waving to her.
Juno followed the midnight alien to another room where a grass-like floor surrounded what looked like a small pond. The water was so still and dark that Juno couldn’t see the bottom, if there was one. Steam rose from the water and the scent of florifaua and honey filled the air.
“I trust you know how to bathe.” Vaxyn said in what sounded more like a question.
“Of course,” Juno replied, embarrassed.
Though she couldn’t blame Vaxyn for the uncertainty. Her journey here had been fraught, and there wasn’t overmuch water on Terra-4 for bathing to begin with.
Certainly not enough to cleanse herself in the way that was implied by this room.
“Remove your clothing and fully submerse yourself in the water,” Vaxyn advised her softly from the doorway. “Take your time. Refreshments are on the floating table.”
Juno nodded, grateful for the advice, even though she’d claimed to not need it.
She began peeling off her clothing as soon as the door closed.
Habit had her searching for a place to stash her clothes so that they wouldn’t be stolen during her bath. She found a small cubby close to the water and placed her things in it. Even if they were shabby, they were still hers.
She dipped one toe in the water and closed her eyes in ecstasy.
This was a hot bath. The books talked about these, too - though they always showed a plain white tub, not a pond.
Juno slipped into the water and was relieved to find it went up only as far as her chest.
It was hard to focus on getting clean. All she wanted to do was soak in the heat and the lovely scent of the room.
Her walk to the boarding shuttle had been nearly twenty kilometers, and she’d begun on an empty stomach.
She made her way to the floating tray on the other side of the pond, feeling heavy and slow in the water.
On the tray sat a steaming mug of something cream colored and a plate of delicate pink spheres frosted with pale paste.
She picked up one of the spheres and reminded herself that she was on an intergalactic vessel and that pink might not mean sweet.
The treat practically melted in her mouth, leaving behind that sugary taste that reminded her of mochi with birthday cake frosting.
She gobbled up all but the last sphere and was sorely tempted to eat it too. Instead she grabbed the mug with both hands and drank down the savory beverage.
On Terra-4 where food was often scarce, it was considered improper for a guest to finish everything on a plate. Her mother had explained that leaving just a little was a way to show that you had all you needed.
As much as she wanted that last sphere, and as few credits as she had in her pockets in the cubby, Juno had her pride. She could not let Vaxyn return for her and find an empty plate.