The markazian and robot stop by a nearby hotel for the promised rest. A holographic terachnoid receptionist stands in front of the two to check them in. Nova stares in awe of the sight.

"..Thank you for your business. You'll be on the eleventh floor, room 1103. Please take your key from the slot." Sure enough, a small hole appears in the desk, and a keycard lies inside. Nova gently picks it up, immediately snapping her attention back to the hologram.

"I've heard stories about holograms; projections of light so realistic that it's like the person is standing right in front of you. Where are you right now?"

"Well, most of the employees are putting their focus on another part of the hotel. There's a con starting in the morning. Wait, you've never seen a hologram before?"

"I'm, uh, not from around here. I was born on Quantos. I've never seen anything like this place before. Everything here is so fascinating. I mean, you're not really here, but.." Nova's voice trails off as she reaches across the desk slowly, allowing her hand to phase through the chest of the hologram. It splits apart, settling itself as her hand moves out of it.

The hologram bats her away, annoyed by the gesture."What are you doing? Quit that!"

"Oh, sorry. Thank you for the key." Clank watches as Nova hurriedly leaves for the elevator the hologram pointed towards, a bit embarrassed at her lack of knowledge. Apparently, it's rude to touch holograms. Clank and Nova step into the small room, and a voice from nowhere speaks.

"What floor would you like to visit?"

"The eleventh floor, please."

The elevator responds, gently lifting the two occupants. The sudden gravitational force throws off Nova's balance a bit, and she looks outside the glass wall. As they fly higher and higher, Nova grips the bar in the wall with white knuckles.

"Are you alright, Nova? You look quite pale."

She tears her eyes away from the sight of the ground getting further and further, turning back to Clank. "I'm o-okay, just a bit dizzy is all."

The elevator stops, and Nova practically throws herself into the hallway. The two stop in front of their door, and Nova studies the card for a moment. There's a black strip on one side, and a tiny picture of a card printed on the door lock itself. She presses the card straight into the slot, but nothing happens. Clank takes notice, watching the gears turn in her head.

"Huh. Guess it's not like home, huh?"

"You were raised on Quantos, correct? I assume that all of this technology is quite the culture shock."

"Yeah, it's all foreign to me. Incredible, but new. Stories don't cut it. Maybe if I.." She removes the card, swiping it slowly. Her embarrassed blush from before hardens as the red light in the lock doesn't change.

"Do you need assistance?"

"No, I've got it. I sure hope I'm not too stupid to open a door." She swipes a bit faster this time, and the lock opens. She swings the door open, taking a look around the room. "There we go, open sesame!"

The furniture is modern and simple, with a holovision display in the main room, a small kitchen, and a bedroom with a connected bathroom. The view outside the window is stunning, with hover cars buzzing back and forth in the evening traffic. Nova sets down her staff and bag onto the couch, resting her feet for a while. Her eyes threaten to close, but Clank's voice keeps her awake. "You must be exhausted, but would it not be wise to bathe first? You would likely feel much better when you go to rest."

Nova's eyes widen a bit, just now noticing the layer of ash and dried blood that was currently on her and probably staining the couch. "Oh, right. Sorry. I'll get right on that."

Nova sits up, moving to grab a towel from the nearby closet. Before turning into the bathroom, she turns back towards Clank. "What are you gonna be up to?"

"I will occupy myself elsewhere. I have errands to run, but I will certainly return by the time you have finished."

"See you later then."

…

Nova emerges from the shower, her towel wrapped tightly around her chest. On the bed is a note, and two fresh new sets of clothes. She picks up the note, flattered by the gesture.

Hello, Nova. I have placed your old clothing next to your bag for you to keep or dispose of at your own discretion. Based on your previous outfit, I have provided you with these new clothes. I hope that they prove more durable, and I do apologize for prying into your physical measurements. I hope that they are satisfactory. -Clank

The top is a long sleeve shirt, made of a thin and breathable material. The black leggings pair nicely with the cobalt blue of the shirt, and grey sneakers complete the outfit. He even provided fresh undergarments! I guess that's what the apology is for. It's certainly nice to have a new bra though, so I can't be too mad. At least he was polite about it.

Beside the new outfit is a new set of pajamas: a simple black shirt and grey sleep pants. Changing into them, and moving her new clothing onto the edge of the king mattress, Nova shuffles herself under the covers and sleeps deeply, the stress of the past few hours finally catching up with her.

…

Nova's eyes drift open, aided by both the morning sunlight spilling into the room and the unfamiliar noise of morning traffic. She sits up in bed, and her mind recaps her current situation. As the thoughts roll in, the tears begin to flow, and quiet sobs fill the room. Almost as if on cue, there is a knock at the door and Clank enters. "You are awake. I was going to call you for breakfast soon, but I heard that you were emotionally distressed. Is everything alright?"

"It wasn't a dream. They're all really gone."

Clank slowly walks towards the bed, looking up at Nova. "If you do not mind me asking, what happened to bring you here?"

Nova shuts her eyes, a hand ghosting over her throat. The memories shake her body and voice. "He destroyed everything. He almost killed me, but I escaped. I don't know who else survived, if they did."

"Your home was attacked? By who?"

Nova's tears continue, but their emotional focus shifts from sadness to rage. She grits her teeth, gripping her sheets as she speaks."I'll never forget that monster's face. He was tall, thin, and a robot like you. There was a huge crack over his face. My parents called him Nefarious."

Clank hops onto the bed, placing a comforting hand on Nova's back. She stiffens at the sudden contact, but loosens at the sight of its source and continues. "We tried to fight him off, but it wasn't enough. He was looking for something."

"What would Nefarious be looking for on Quantos?"

Nova's posture loosens, and the waterworks cease. She looks into her lap, trying to wrap her head around the reason for such senseless violence. "I don't know. Me, I think. He scanned me with..something, and he spoke to me."

"What did he say?"

"He seemed..disappointed. He wanted me dead, that's all I know. He would have done it too, It it wasn't for my parents and the..oh, right!" Nova wipes her face, not wanting to put any more brain power on the attack. She shifts her body to face Clank, reminded of a question that's been on her mind for a bit. "Time for a question of my own. When I met you, I felt something. Something that felt like the air back home. The Zoni temples give off the same vibe you do. Why is that? You give off Zoni energy, but you're not one."

Clank is a bit surprised at the question, tilting his head a bit. "You can detect the presence of Zoni?"

"Well, yeah. Not as strong as the fongoids can, 'cause they've been around it for generations, but I can. I've been sensitive to it since I was born. But tell me, how do you know them?"

"I am half Zoni, given a soul by my father, Orvus."

Nova's eyes grow wide, excited by the news. Wow, the first person I meet after all this drama, and it's Orvus's son! "Really? That's awesome! My village always told me that Orvus saved Mom's life, and mine too!"

"How so?"