Chapter 3: These Wonderful Additions
Spring has given way to summer in Neo-Venezia, and the heat has started to permeate the city. A small office building near the traghetto dock had a new sign put up above its door - a white sign with the words "Green Dream" divided at the center with a green horizontal bar. The door itself had a sign- "closed for preparations". The office building itself is undergoing renovation, and the smell of building materials surrounded Alicia and Ayumi as they sat on a table in the kitchen - the only furnished room in the building.
"I'm sorry, Alicia," the orange-haired girl sighed, mulling over her laptop display. "I was never good at filling out forms like these."
A soft giggle came out from the blond woman. "You'll get better as you go. Now, for this part, you have to say how many people got onto which ferry, and you will have to do a ferry for each line."
"Ah, got it. I'll just have to copy the data we got from the tablet." The sound of a keyboard clacking filled the otherwise quiet room.
The clacking paused as Ayumi reached for another tablet. "So that's last Sunday's data done...only six more days to go." An exasperated sigh escaped the girl's lips.
Alicia smiled gently. "It will be easier once you've caught up. Akari's gotten the habit of filling it out every night after her last booking, and she only takes a few minutes. Don't forget to do these forms every day - the work piles up if you don't."
Alicia stood up as Ayumi resumed her typing. "Would you like some tea? It helps me get through busy days like this."
A tired smile met her offer. "I would love that."
The small square in front of the traghetto docks was packed with women clad in various uniforms. At the center is a dark-haired Undine dressed in the Himeya summer outfit, holding a tablet. Alongside her is an orange-haired Undine wearing a white dress with a green bar at the front, nervously looking at the crowd.
"Attention, please." The crowd of undines quieted down as the Undine in the center spoke. "As part of the traghetto expansion program, Single and senior Pair Undines of Orange Planet and Himeya were given offers to transfer to the new traghetto company Green Dream. Although many of you accepted the offers, the Gondola Association can only assign a select few. If your name is called, please make your way to the center."
The excitement in the crowd was almost palpable - some of the girls started whispering to each other, while others looked on and listened expectantly.
The dark-haired woman scanned the crowd and looked at the tablet. "Eliza Flores of Himeya." A tall, bespectacled girl emerged from the crowd, walking with tentative steps. Feeling the gazes of the crowd at her back, she quickly reddened and cast her face downward.
"Hey, Eliza, are you okay?" A low voice, full of concern. The girl looked back and saw the orange-haired Undine look at her.
A nervous smile cracked the brown-skinned girl's face. "I'm a little embarrassed and nervous, but I'm also very excited to work with you, Ms. Jasmine."
The nervous smile was met with a shy one, and Ayumi quickly turned to the dark-haired woman. "Think we're good to go, Akira."
A soft whisper to Eliza quickly followed. "And call me Ayumi, it's embarrassing!"
The soft giggle shared by the two girls was quickly drowned by Akira's clear voice. "Kaela Maskros of Orange Planet."
A shorter, stockier girl quickly walked to the center with a huge smile and waved to Eliza and Ayumi. "Pleased to make your acquaintance!"
"Arya Magyal of Orange Planet." A pale raven-haired girl gracefully walked to the center and bowed to the three girls. "I look forward to working with you," she greeted with a collected tone.
"These three have been selected by the Gondola Association as the first additions to Green Dream. We wish you luck - Eliza, Kaela, Arya - in your new careers as traghetto Undines." Applause filled the plaza, and the three girls bowed in reply.
Akira continued as the applause died down. "Lastly, a special announcement. Just after the announcement of the creation of Green Dream, Himeya received a unique letter from one of its Prima Undines." Isolated conversations started, especially among the Himeya Undines.
"This Undine, a respected and highly experienced gondolier, has made a surprising request to resign from Himeya and transfer to Green Dream. This was the first ever request of its kind made in the history of the company, and so much deliberation was made between the senior employees in Himeya."
Akira took a pause as the hubbub increased for a moment, and continued as the crowd quieted down. "Eventually, we considered that this Undine's request was something she has thought of for a long time, and we have decided to approve her transfer. It is sad that she has left us, but we wish her all the best in her future with Green Dream. Please give a round of applause to Tomoe Suiren as she gives a speech."
A collective gasp was heard from the crowd, followed quickly by applause. A green-haired woman stepped out of the crowd and meekly walked to the center, making a deep bow before facing the crowd.
"My dear Undines, I feel both excited and sad. Excited, because I am entering a new chapter of my life. Sad, because I have to leave my friends and coworkers behind. I have enjoyed every second of my life with Himeya - from the moment I started my training to my very last booking as a Prima.
"It was a wonderful experience, being an Undine. To show people this beautiful city and its beautiful people had brought nothing but happiness to my heart. Just recently, however, I caught myself questioning while I was reading and reviewing the various sites of the city. Did I really know the city? Did I know its inhabitants? I realized that, due to the focus of my working with tourists, I barely knew anything about Neo-Venezia. I know how old San Marco Square is, and what the statues in it meant, but I don't know about the people who live and work on this city every day."
A tender smile emerged from the woman's lips. "And that's what I would love to do in Green Dream. I want to know this beautiful city, much more than what I have learned in my tours. I want to be closer to Neo-Venezia - and if I can do that with the traghetto, I would be happy."
Tomoe faced Akira and bowed, and did the same to the crowd. "Thank you for the many years and experiences we have shared, and I wish all the best to all of you." Applause roared as the two women approached and embraced each other.
"Thank you for your hard work, Tomoe. I- no, all of us will miss you." Akira's voice was very soft, and her eyes were shut tightly.
"Thank you, Akira. Take care of yourself."
The dark-haired woman nodded and turned her face away from the crowd. "You too."