After two weeks, she was finally ready for her trip but first, she needed to head south.
Goodbye, my gorgeous, icy, pearl city and hello to the south's white sandy beaches and scorching, agonising heat.
After hesitating between shuttle and lift she finally decided that the lift would be better.
Lifts were the quickest way to travel between the Arctic and the south in the pacific. Every time her eyes fell on one of the lift stations, she could not help feeling a sense of pride. The stations were the empire's most advanced method of transportation.
At first glance, it looks like a glass dome inside another glass dome inside another glass dome. In reality, the glass panels are solar encased in Satirum, an element needed to power the station's artificial wormhole.
The trip only took a few minutes. A burst of warm air greeted Izzy as soon as she was out of the station, but it was not all bad.
Standing outside wearing a long dress with a delicate floral lace motif and a deep open back was her cousin Pamela Wu.
Yanar's women's fashion can be described as a risqué interpretation of the Victorian era. Most of their outfits had either an open back, plunging necklines or sheer backs. Sometimes even a combination of all three; they believed it accentuated their sensuality.
She truly is the most gracious and elegant girl in the empire, thought Izzy
Izzy's cousin Pamela screamed with joy and ran toward her. Pamela and her twin brother were just one year older than Izzy, so the girls were inseparable growing up.
Pam, also known to be Izzy's favourite cousin, had straight, long, jet black hair that contrasted with Izzy's dark crimson, curly hair.
The girls exchanged a forearm handshake before kissing each other. Unlike other cultures, the Yans greet each other by gripping both forearms and then laying their forehead on the visiting person's.
"The gods must be smiling at me, " said Izzy while placing her forehead on Pam's.
"I couldn't believe it when Mother said that you would come; I expected you to be on your way to the Academy," said Pam.
Izzy pouted, "no. There will be no Academy for me, at least not physically."
"Oh yes, I forgot, the Messa incident"
"Hum-mm," said Izzy while kissing her cousin's cheeks.
Pam rolled her eyes and sigh "I am really starting to get tired of this war"
Izzy chortled "Are you serious? It just started"
Pam scowled "I hate violence, I hate war. Why can't we have peace for a change?"
Izzy raised one shoulder "Because sometimes......," she placed her hand on Pam's shoulder, leaned toward her, and whispered "violence.... Solves.... problems"
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Pam's eyes grew, she wrinkled her forehead and smirked "no it doesn't"
"Hum, well in that case we owe the gods a serious apology "added a laughing Izzy
Pam furrowed her brows, "By the way, why on earth did you volunteer to go to England? Last time I checked the Saxons ......"
Izzy placed her hand on her shoulder again "Everybody knows what kind of people Saxons are, but they haven't been in a fight for an awfully long time. They should fear me, not the other way around"
Pam took a few steps backwards, shaking her head "I don't know; their history is filled with scary stories; some people even accused them of attacking without provocation or worse."
Izzy smirked "hey, look at that, so do I. We will get along famously"; and they both burst into a laugh
Pam took a big breath. "I am glad you can joke about it, but I am still worried so i am coming with you."
Izzy shook her head "No! you are a ballet dancer not a soldier, you are not coming"
After a short staring contest, a smile appeared on Pam's face, "oh yes, I am, consider me your wings from now on, or I'll just go by myself" and she crossed her arms.
Izzy looked up "Awwww! Come on," then back at her cousin, "Pam, you could get hurt"
"So what? Besides, I have graduated from FIST just like you. I am coming, end of discussion"
Izzy shook her head and exhaled "Fine but you follow my lead to the letter. Deal?"
Pam smirked "Deal"
As they were making their way to Pam's Mota, Izzy was still anxious. Wings are soldiers and state securities back-ups. But Pam was far from a typical backup; she had graduated from FIST, but she was still a civilian.
FIST is a mandatory martial art; it is part of all-female Yan's education. It is also illegal for girls not to be trained, failure to register one's daughter is punishable by five years in prison.
As soon as they got to Pam's Mota, two-sitter solar-powered city vehicles used in warm parts of the empire, Izzy smiled.
It was beige with cherry blossoms, very Pam she thought and a lot prettier than our northern Snowpiercer's.
On the way to the palace, Izzy was admiring the scenery; Yanar's southern region is a series of islands, and they were undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the Alliance for anyone who likes beaches and warm weather.
It had crystal clear turquoise waters, soft white sandy beaches, shallow lagoons and beautiful coral reefs. It also has 1200 Coral Islands, each surrounded by crystal-blue lagoons and grouped in a double chain of multiple atolls, making it one of the most unusual places on Earth and in the Alliance.