How to resolve conflicts at work?
Homework (Part 2)
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Previously on “The Other Side of the Raid”
Chapter 9, Part 1: Homework
Returning home after her battle, Aria finds Vaeloria and Mittens sharing tea in her living room. Vaeloria is barely able to contain herself after watching Aria’s fight draw fifty trillion live viewers across multiple dimensional planes, with broadcast rights now being contested and fan mail so voluminous it required a dedicated quantum server. Mittens diplomatically attempts to temper Vaeloria’s excitement while keeping Aria from being completely overwhelmed by the scale of her newfound interdimensional celebrity.
Once the mood settles, Vaeloria shifts to business: Lady Kitsune Starweaver has requested an in-person meeting in three days at the Pleiades Entertainment Hub in the Pleiades system. The conversation turns to what gift Aria should bring, with Mittens suggesting something from Earth’s culinary tradition. Aria considers commissioning something from Ryusei, her contact in Japan, but worries about the travel time—until Vaeloria reminds her that portals make the trip instant, provided the diplomatic paperwork is already in order.
Before the subject of travel can progress further, Vaeloria introduces Aria to dimensional storage: the ability to fold reality into pocket dimensions using her Creation magic. After some trial and error—including an accidental shower of interdimensional sparkles—Aria successfully masters both standard pocket dimensions and the more advanced time-frozen variety, which preserve food and objects at their exact temperature and state indefinitely. The revelation prompts Aria to realize with some exasperation that she had been hauling physical luggage unnecessarily all along. Vaeloria departs through a portal to Senso-ji Shrine for an inspection visit, and Aria opens her own portal toward Ryusei’s restaurant to begin sourcing the gift.
Key Takeaways:
Aria’s battle was broadcast to fifty trillion live viewers across multiple dimensional planes, making her an interdimensional celebrity
Three different dimensional planes are competing over broadcast rights to her performance
Lady Kitsune Starweaver has requested a meeting with Aria in three days at the Pleiades Entertainment Hub in the Pleiades system (PL-E-001)
Aria learns to create dimensional storage pockets using her Creation magic, including time-frozen dimensions that preserve food perfectly
Aria has been traveling by conventional means when she could have been using portals for instant travel the entire time
Aria plans to commission a gift from Ryusei in Japan for the meeting with Lady Kitsune Starweaver
Vaeloria departs to conduct an inspection at Senso-ji Shrine, leaving Aria to make her own way to Japan via portal
Homework (Part 2)
As Aria exited the portal into the alley, she nearly collided with someone while stepping onto the busy street.
Aria: “I’m so terribly sorry---” she began, looking up to find herself face-to-face with Hina Matsumoto.
Hina: “OMG, Aria!” she exclaimed, already positioning her phone for a potential photo. “I had no idea you were in Japan!”
Keep it casual - just passing through, getting food for a party. Aria composed herself.
Aria: “Oh, nothing official today,” she smiled diplomatically. “I’m hosting a small private gathering this evening and thought some of Ryusei’s cuisine would make it special. His fusion of crystal energy and traditional cooking is quite unique.”
Hina: “Talk about perfect timing!” she beamed. “I’m heading to his restaurant right now. This is going to make such great content!”
They found Ryusei’s restaurant packed with customers, the air filled with enticing aromas enhanced by subtle crystal energies. When he finally had a moment between services, Aria made her request.
Ryusei: “Ah, a special occasion demands a perfect fusion of flavors,” he declared with theatrical flourish. “Though perhaps we might arrange a trade? Some Dungeon crystals would be most appreciated.”
Aria: “Certainly, but I’m surprised you need them. Has something changed?”
Ryusei: “The restaurant’s success is like a perfectly reduced sauce,” he gestured at the full dining room, “concentrated but demanding constant attention. My crystal reserves are beginning to... simmer low.”
Hina: “Plus Kaoru has been super busy since your visit!” she added while recording for her followers. “We’ve barely had time for any Dungeon runs!”
Aria: “I’ll bring you some crystals when I return for the food in a few hours,” she promised.
The Senso-ji Shrine might have some spare crystals I could borrow. Aria made her way through Tokyo’s bustling streets.
At the shrine, she found Vaeloria in the midst of what appeared to be a very casual “inspection” - mostly consisting of taking selfies with various shrine features.
Vaeloria: “OMG, that was like, super quick!” she spun around as Aria approached. “Did you already get all the fancy food and stuff?”
Aria: “The food’s still being prepared,” she explained. “Ryusei asked for some crystals in exchange.”
Vaeloria: “Perfect timing!” she chirped, manifesting a handful of gleaming crystals from nowhere. “I’m totally restocking this place anyway, so these are fresh from the distributor!”
Aria: “Are you sure? These look fully charged,” she examined the crystals carefully. “Usually they’re nearly depleted after battles.”
Vaeloria: “Chill! It’s totally fine,” she waved dismissively. “Sometimes special boss fights drop fully charged ones - it’s like, super rare but completely legit! Besides,” she added with a mischievous grin, “he’ll probably be too busy with his quantum flavor matrices or whatever to even notice!”
Aria found herself back at Ryusei’s restaurant, approaching the back entrance where they’d arranged to meet. To her surprise, Captain Whiskers was there, his professional camera rig capturing what appeared to be an artistic shot of a dumpster.
Captain Whiskers: “Fam! Talk about content gold!” he adjusted his camera expertly. “The universe’s hottest interdimensional celebrity, caught in a totally candid moment!”
Aria: “And here I thought I’d seen everything when it came to cosmic coincidences,” she shook her head, smiling. “What brings Earth’s most famous feline influencer to a back alley in Tokyo?”
Captain Whiskers: “That takedown in LA? Absolutely legendary content!” he exclaimed, checking his analytics. “I shared it across my quantum-viral network - now every being in three galaxies knows not to mess with you! The engagement metrics are literally breaking reality!”
Well, that explains the trillion-plus viewership. Aria felt a headache coming on.
Captain Whiskers: “Oh, and great news about Lily Zhang! She’s crushing her recovery milestones. Should be back to creating content in no time!”
Ryusei: “Pardon the interruption, Lady Aria, but your order is...” he emerged from the back door, trailing off as he registered the scene before him. “I... appear to be interrupting what seems to be a one-sided conversation with a cat who appears to be... filming something?” His professional composure wavered slightly as Captain Whiskers let out what to him sounded like a series of enthusiastic meows.
Aria: “Oh! Ryusei,” she straightened, trying to look less like she’d been having an intense conversation with a cat. “Just, ah, admiring this local feline. They’re quite... photogenic.”
Captain Whiskers posed dramatically, which to Ryusei probably looked like typical cat preening.
Ryusei: “Indeed...” he said slowly, clearly wondering about the sophisticated camera equipment attached to what appeared to be a normal cat. “Your order, my lady. All properly temperature-sealed, of course.”
They exchanged the bags of food for the crystals, while Captain Whiskers continued his enthusiastic commentary that only Aria could understand as actual words.
Ryusei: “Ah, and don’t forget the condiments,” he added, handing over several elegant packets. “Though these crystals seem unusually... vibrant.” He studied them with professional interest before retreating back inside, casting one final bewildered glance at the cat who appeared to be adjusting professional broadcasting equipment.
Aria: “Well, I should head back,” she told Captain Whiskers quietly, tucking the condiment packets into her pocket. “Try not to break reality with your viewer counts while I’m gone.”
Captain Whiskers: “No promises, fam! This behind-the-scenes content is going to be epic!”
After ensuring no one was watching - apart from Captain Whiskers’s presumably trillion-plus viewers - Aria opened a portal and stepped through to her London apartment, leaving behind a very confused chef and a very satisfied feline content creator. Back home, Aria carefully stored Ryusei’s creations in a time-frozen pocket dimension before collapsing into bed, exhausted from the day’s dimensional hopping.
The next day, her nerves about meeting Lady Kitsune Starweaver led her feet to wander aimlessly through London. She found herself, almost by instinct, at her old Guild Hall, settling onto a familiar bench with a sigh.
Mr. Wiskers: “Ay, wise star, you’re lookin’ paler than a nebula without stars,” he said, appearing beside her with feline stealth. “What’s eatin’ at ya, nebulisce?”
Aria: “Meeting Lady Kitsune Starweaver tomorrow at the Pleiades Entertainment Hub,” she replied, absently fiddling with her pendant.
Mr. Wiskers: “First time off-world, eh?” he groomed his whiskers thoughtfully. “Dat’s somethin’ to celebrate, not worry about!”
Aria: “I am excited, but...” she glanced around nervously. “After that fan incident here in London, I’m a bit concerned about what might happen in their own territory.”
Mr. Wiskers: “After dat last broadcast?” he chuckled. “Every being in three galaxies knows who you are. But don’t you worry your pretty head about it,” he added with professional pride. “Da Pride’s got connections everywhere. My guys’ll keep an eye on things at da Pleiades Entertainment Hub - nobody’ll bother ya unless you want ‘em to.”
Aria: “That’s actually quite reassuring,” she began, only to jump slightly as Kate appeared behind her.
Kate: “Oh my goodness, Aria!” she exclaimed, beaming. “What a lovely surprise! Though you do look a bit peaky - is everything alright?”
Aria: “Just tired from all the recent travel,” she replied diplomatically, watching Mr. Wiskers disappear with casual grace as Kate approached.
Kate: “I know just the thing! My new calming tea blend - you’ll love it!” she was already hurrying away before Aria could protest.
Please, for the love of all things normal, let it be regular Earth tea. Aria watched nervously as Kate disappeared inside.
To her immense relief, Kate returned with a perfectly ordinary cup of chamomile tea - no otherworldly vapor or reality-bending properties in sight. The afternoon melted away in comfortable conversation about Guild gossip and local Explorer news, a welcome reminder of her simpler days before interdimensional diplomacy.
Sometimes the best way to prepare for the extraordinary is to spend time with the ordinary. Aria reflected as she finally headed home.
📡 End of Transmission
Oliver here - That was quite a chapter! Our dimensional frequency is picking up intense emotional resonance from Aria’s world. What did you think of her decision? The comments below are buzzing with theories from other interdimensional travelers...