Time: 10:28 AM | Location: Poolside, Anna’s House, United States | Wednesday | 24°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Sunbathing

“Do you want a daiquiri, cutie? I know how much you like them when you’re sunbathing.” Janet’s voice carried through the open kitchen door, followed by the clatter of ice.

“Mm… yes, please, baby.” Anna lay stretched across a poolside lounger, sunglasses low on her nose and a broad sunhat shading her face. She had left her bikini top indoors. The generous swell of her chest was bare to the morning sun as she got her tan.

A blender briefly drowned out the music playing from Janet’s phone. When Janet emerged, she carried a tray with a frozen daiquiri for Anna and a mimosa for herself. She set it on the little table between the loungers, moving a bottle of sunscreen aside to make room. “There. Try not to exhaust yourself reaching for it.”

Anna lifted her head just enough to locate the glass. “You could move it closer.”

Janet stared at her for a moment, then laughed and pushed the drink within easier reach.

“You’re not even going to swim, are you?” She nudged Anna’s shoulder. “Lazybones. You’re just going to fall asleep out here.”

“Not if you keep poking me.” There was no irritation in Anna’s voice. She took a sip, gave a satisfied little hum, and settled back against the cushion.

Janet sat on the neighboring lounger, tucking one leg beneath herself. “I’m not working tonight. We should do something.”

“We’re doing something.”

“Something that requires shoes.”

Anna lowered her sunglasses and looked at her. “That sounds serious.”

“Bowling. We haven’t gone bowling in a while.” Janet took a sip of her mimosa, apparently satisfied with the decision. “Let’s go bowling.”

“Bowling’s good... Later...” Anna mumbled and then stretched before she settled deeper into her chair. “Sunbathing now.”

“You said ‘later’ last time.”

“And eventually, it was later.”

Janet shook her head, smiling despite herself. She leaned across the gap and kissed Anna’s forehead. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Move the sunscreen. It’s blocking my drink.”

---

Time: 10:28 AM | Location: Riviera Palms, Anna’s Right Breast, The Anna Collection | Wednesday | 29°C (Hot) | Resort’s Current Activity: Morning Arrivals and Watersports

For once, the arrival board had promised an uninterrupted approach and delivered one. Clear access, favorable conditions, and no last-minute instruction to circle while the destination changed position. It helped that Anna had chosen to sunbathe topless today; the approach to her breast was completely open.

Beyond your aircraft’s window, Anna’s home had passed out of sight behind the immense landscape of Anna herself. At this scale, she was less a resort destination than a sprawling terrain feature. The aircraft dipped down, flying into her nipple. The aircraft completed its approach into Riviera Palms, banking toward a line of runway lights before touching down with a brief squeal of tires.

“Welcome to Riviera Palms,” the cabin announcement began. “Please remain seated until we reach the terminal. Local conditions are warm, shoreline activities are operating, and the time is ten twenty-eight.”

By the time the cabin doors opened, ground crews were already moving luggage carts alongside the aircraft. A shaded walkway led from the airstrip toward the resort, with signs directing arrivals to reception, staff services, and the beachfront.

As you walked toward the main complex, the terminal’s engine noise gave way to music and the rustle of ornamental palms. White sand stretched around a broad crescent of milky sea. Farther along the shore, timber boardwalks connected thatched pavilions and suites standing above the pale surface.

Cab-Anna was preparing to open. A bartender arranged glasses beneath its canopy while another employee dragged a chalkboard into the shade. Beyond the bar, someone tested a microphone, apologized for the resulting squeal, and tried again.

A few early paddleboarders were already offshore. Their boards left narrow trails across the gently moving surface, watched by an instructor in a small safety boat. Closer to the beach, colorful paddles stood in a rack beside neatly stacked flotation vests.

“Morning paddleboarding! We’re starting in two minutes!” A staff member called from the watersports desk. “Beginners welcome. Snorkeling at the coral reefs leaves later this morning—times are on the board!”

An information panel beside him displayed the day’s excursions. Underneath, a smaller notice identified the nearest reinforced shelter and reminded visitors to follow shoreline closure announcements.

The low, steady pulse of Anna’s heartbeat sounded beneath the music and conversation, almost like a tribal drumbeat. A gentle swell rolled toward the beach as she shifted on her lounger. At the boarding platform, an attendant rested a hand on a railing and waited for it to pass before resuming work.

The watersports instructor lowered his clipboard when he noticed you nearby. He gave a friendly wave.

Time: 5:49 PM | Location: Bedroom, Anna’s House, United States | Wednesday | 22°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Getting Ready

“C’mon, babe. If you don’t wanna be late, you’re gonna need to hurry up.” Janet leaned toward the bedroom mirror, applying the last of her lipstick. She wore an open flannel overshirt over a graphic T-shirt and jeans, her red hair gathered into a ponytail. “The bowling alley isn’t going to wait forever.”

“I know, I know.” Anna adjusted her bra strap beneath her white crop top, then checked the pockets of her shorts again. “I’m looking for my wallet. The last thing I need is to get there and not even be able to have a few drinks.”

“Did you check yesterday’s shorts?”

“Yes.”

Janet capped her lipstick and watched through the mirror as Anna lifted a book from the dresser, looked beneath it, and put it down. “Your bag?”

“Yes.”

“Yesterday’s shorts properly?”

Anna turned toward her. “How many ways are there to check a pocket?”

“Apparently at least two.”

Anna shook her head, smiling despite herself, and crossed to the bedside table. She moved a charging cable, opened the drawer, and found an old receipt that she briefly examined before dropping it back inside.

Janet picked up her car keys. “I could pay, you know.”

“I know. But if I win, I want to buy the victory drinks.”

“If?”

“When. I’m being polite.”

Janet laughed and headed toward the door, pausing beside the laundry basket. “Last chance to check.”

Anna gave her a patient look, then bent to retrieve the shorts draped over its rim. She checked one pocket. Empty. Her hand disappeared into the other.

Janet folded her arms.

“Don’t,” Anna said.

“I haven’t said anything.”

“You’re about to.”

Anna withdrew her wallet. Janet’s smile widened. “Found it?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Where was it?”

“Somewhere very inconvenient.”

Janet stepped closer and kissed her cheek before slipping past her into the hallway. “I’ll be in the car. Bring the wallet this time.”

“Thanks, Jan. You’re the best.”

“I know!”

Anna tucked the wallet into her bag and reached for her phone. She checked that it was actually there before following.

---

Time: 5:49 PM | Location: Riviera Marina, Anna’s Left Breast, The Anna Collection | Wednesday | 28°C (Hot) | Resort’s Current Activity: Evening Dining and Cruise Boarding

The harbor was lively this evening. Swells rolled across the milk sea and broke against the sheltered marina’s outer defenses, while moored boats rose and settled against their lines. Each of Anna’s steps sent another disturbance through the water.

Along the promenade, the overhead illumination was fading into an artificial dusk. Restaurant windows glowed beneath striped awnings, and lamps cast warm reflections across the harbor. Waiters carried trays between terrace tables while couples stopped beside the railings to watch the boats.

A short chime sounded from the promenade speakers. “An update for this evening’s excursions: host activity is expected to remain elevated. We understand a bowling outing is planned. Marine services remain operational; please follow instructions from your vessel’s crew during boarding.”

Near a restaurant entrance, a waiter glanced toward his colleague. “Who found that out?”

“Someone at the Aeries, apparently.” The colleague shrugged and returned to arranging menus.

As you walked along the cobbled promenade, the Riviera Yacht Club came into view beyond the restaurants. Its broad verandas overlooked the busiest part of the harbor, with varnished wooden doors standing open beneath navy awnings. Conversation and the quiet clink of glasses carried from its dining terrace.

At the adjoining pier, the club’s signature yacht was preparing for its evening dinner cruise. Crew members in crisp white uniforms moved between the boarding station and the vessel, checking lines and helping passengers across the gangway.

Through an open doorway, a steward placed the final settings on a row of dining tables. On the upper deck, another straightened a tablecloth beneath a shaded lamp. A musician plucked a few tentative notes from a guitar, adjusted one string, and tried again.

The yacht lifted suddenly as Anna bent to retrieve her shorts. Milk waves slapped against the quay, and the gangway shifted on its supports.

“One moment, please,” the captain said, raising a hand to pause boarding.

A deckhand steadied himself beside a mooring post and watched the line draw taut. The passengers waited, one woman keeping a firm hold on her broad-brimmed hat. When the vessel settled, the captain lowered his hand. “There we are. Mind your step.”

Boarding resumed. A passenger halfway up the gangway turned to call for his companion, who was still inspecting the dinner menu posted beside the pier.

“Yes, they have something you’ll eat,” he assured her.

“I’m checking what you’ve signed us up for.”

The captain hid a smile and stepped aside to let them pass. Beyond him, the dining room lights shone across polished wood and neatly arranged glassware.

His gaze turned toward you. He tipped his cap and gestured toward the yacht. “Ahoy! We’re preparing to cast off in ten minutes. Care to step aboard?”

Time: 8:36 PM | Location: Living Room, Anna’s House, United States | Thursday | 22°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Choosing a Movie

“I’m telling you, The Thing is one hundred percent the right movie to watch. It’s a horror classic.” Janet stood beside the couch with the remote in hand. She wore green plaid pajama bottoms and a matching tank top, her red hair loose around her shoulders.

“Oh? You’re terrible with horror movies.” Anna raised an eyebrow, a skeptical smirk forming on her face. “Last time we watched Friday the Thirteenth, you practically cried and hid behind me the entire time.”

“That’s because it was shocking and startling! The Thing is slower and… more intellectual and stuff.”

Anna glanced from Janet to the television. “‘And stuff.’ Compelling argument.”

Janet crossed her arms, trapping the remote against her side. “You know what I mean.”

Wearing a Hello Kitty T-shirt and pink underwear, Anna settled onto the couch and tucked one leg beneath herself. She watched Janet maintain her indignant expression for another moment before laughing. “You’re just looking for an excuse to cuddle and hold me close during the movie, aren’t you?”

“And what if I am? Is that such a crime?” Janet sat beside her and set the remote down. Her arms slipped around Anna’s waist, and she gave a firm, playful tug that drew Anna across the cushion and against her.

“Apparently I don’t get a vote,” Anna said, laughing as she found her balance.

“You get to choose which arm goes around you.”

“How generous.” Anna rested against Janet and briefly nuzzled her neck. “You’re impossible. I love you.”

“You say that like they’re contradictory statements.” Janet tapped Anna’s nose with one finger, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

For a while, neither reached for the remote. The television continued displaying its selection of films while Janet adjusted a cushion behind her back.

“Seriously, though,” Anna said, “are we watching it, or are you still open to suggestions? We could do a romcom. Something where nobody needs a flamethrower.”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

Anna reached for the remote.

“But,” Janet continued, “I reserve the right to explain why mine was better.”

“Of course you do.” Anna began scrolling. Janet stayed close, her chin resting lightly against Anna’s shoulder as they considered the next row of titles.

---

Time: 8:36 PM | Location: The Velvet Retreat, Anna's Vagina, The Anna Collection | Thursday | 31°C (Hot) | Resort’s Current Activity: Evening Spa Treatments and Late Dining

Rose-stone arches surrounded the Velvet Retreat’s central courtyard, their sheltered passages connecting the dining gardens, private suites, and spa. Lanterns hung beneath the colonnades, casting warm reflections across the long pool at its center. The air carried a warm, intimate scent that left little doubt about the resort’s location deep within Anna.

As you walked beside the water, quiet music drifted from the garden pavilions. The resort’s lighting remained subdued throughout the day, but evening brought a deeper hush. Beyond the lanterns, flowering shrubs and carved screens divided the gardens into small, secluded spaces.

Dinner service was already underway. A waiter paused beside an occupied pavilion to describe the appetizers on his tray, while another carried fresh glasses toward a table farther along the path. Conversation and occasional laughter mingled with the music.

One couple had drawn their chairs close together beneath a hanging lamp. At another table, a diner was studying the menu with such concentration that her companion quietly reached over and turned it the right way up.

Across the courtyard, the Velvet Retreat Spa and Boutique remained busy. An attendant emerged with a stack of folded towels, passing a departing visitor who had apparently become so comfortable in his robe that he had forgotten the shoes waiting at reception. “Just before you go, sir.”

He looked down, then back at the attendant. “Right. Those would help.”

The spa’s treatment menu occupied several panels beside the entrance. Massages, manicures, and pedicures shared space with hot mineral baths, mud treatments, and alternating heat and cold therapies. Through the open reception doors, a member of staff was explaining the options to someone who had asked what could reasonably fit into a single evening.

Then Janet pulled Anna closer on the couch.

A brief tremor passed through the courtyard. The goddess’s walls fluttered in the distance. Ripples spread across the reflecting pool, breaking the lanterns’ reflections into wavering streaks. A waiter stopped beside a pavilion, steadying his tray with both hands. Somewhere beneath an archway, a teaspoon rattled against a saucer.

The movement subsided. The waiter continued to his table, and the receptionist resumed explaining the difference between two treatments. Nobody in the courtyard could identify the cause with certainty; the evening service carried on.

Beside pavilion number three, a host checked her reservation book and exchanged a few quiet words with an attendant. The table inside had been freshly laid, its curtains drawn back toward the garden.

Noticing you nearby, she approached with the book resting against her arm. “Good evening. Pavilion three has just become available, if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to dine. There are spa appointments open this evening as well.”

She gave a small, welcoming smile. “Was there something you were looking for?”

Time: 12:31 PM | Location: Kitchen, Anna’s House, United States | Thursday | 23°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Making Lunch

“Okay, hold on. There’s no way you’re going to eat all of that.” Anna stared at the sandwich Janet was constructing on the kitchen counter. “Can that even be called a sandwich anymore?”

“Ham, bacon, American, Swiss, provolone, lettuce, tomato, pickles, garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, and a little bit of love.” Janet proudly lifted her creation. A ribbon of sauce escaped between her fingers and landed on the plate. “All between two little buns.”

“The buns are doing their best.”

“And I appreciate their service.”

Anna leaned against the counter, surveying the opened packets and abandoned utensils. “You’ve used most of the ingredients. There isn’t any more lettuce or ham.”

Janet glanced at the empty packaging, then at Anna. “You weren’t going to use those, were you?”

“No, I was making lunch purely as a theoretical exercise.”

“What about those burger patties? I’ll cook you something outside.” Janet returned the sandwich to its plate and nudged Anna with her elbow. “You can have some of mine, too. Aren’t I nice?”

“Totally. Now start making my burger. You owe me.”

“Owe you? Greedy thing.” Janet washed the sauce from her hands, retrieved the patties from the fridge, and gathered a plate and spatula. Anna held the patio door open for her.

“Cheese?” Janet asked.

“If you’ve left any.”

“There’s plenty.”

“Three varieties in one sandwich would suggest otherwise.”

Janet grinned over her shoulder and carried everything outside.

Anna took a bag of frozen fries from the freezer, tipped a generous portion into the air fryer, and started the timer. After putting the bag away, she collected a can of Dr Pepper and followed Janet onto the patio.

The grill was warming. Janet stood beside it with the spatula in hand, watching Anna settle into a chair.

“Fries?” she asked.

“Mine.”

“Some of yours?”

Anna looked at her.

“A modest contribution to the chef?”

“You haven’t cooked anything yet.”

Janet lifted the grill lid. “Tough crowd.”

Anna smiled and stretched her legs beneath the table. She cracked open the soda, raised the can, and took several long swallows while Janet turned her attention to lunch.

---

Time: 12:31 PM | Location: The Inner Sea, Anna’s Stomach, The Anna Collection | Thursday | 22°C (Warm) | Resort’s Current Activity: Observation and Excursion Boarding

The Grand Window occupied almost the entire outer wall of the observation lounge. Beyond its reinforced glass, the Inner Sea shifted beneath the resort’s floodlights, their beams fading into the enormous chamber beyond.

You stood near the viewing rail. Behind you, shallow tiers of seating rose toward a café and the adjoining reception hall. A few visitors had settled into armchairs with drinks, while others watched from the glass-fronted mezzanine above.

At the excursion desk, an attendant was checking tickets for the next submersible departure. A display beside her showed the route, boarding point, and scheduled departure time: 1:15 PM.

“Do we get a window seat?” a man asked.

“They’re all window seats, sir.”

His companion gave him a satisfied look. “See? You can stop worrying about it.”

A light came on beside the Grand Window.

LUNCH INBOUND

Several conversations paused. One visitor immediately gathered her bag from a chair near the café and moved toward the front row. Another lifted his camera, checked its screen, and adjusted a setting.

“Does that mean now?” someone asked.

“It means refreshments or a meal are expected shortly,” an attendant explained. She gestured toward the seating beside the rail. “You’re welcome to watch from here. Please keep the stairways clear.”

The excursion display flickered. The departure time remained unchanged, but the boarding notice beneath it turned amber.

BOARDING PAUSED—CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT

Beyond the window, movement stirred high overhead. The sphincter at the top of the chamber opened.

The first rush of soda descended through the floodlights in a broad, dark stream. It struck the surface below with a distant, rolling crash, throwing pale foam outward across the water. Another surge followed, then another, each sending fresh waves spreading through the chamber — millions of gallons of carbonated soda raining down as though the heavens themselves had opened

For a few moments, the café’s music disappeared beneath the sound.

Floodlights caught the rising bubbles and broken spray. The surface that had been gently shifting moments before became a confusion of intersecting waves, with widening patches of foam drifting through the illuminated soda sea.

A low vibration passed through the viewing rail. An unattended teaspoon rattled against a saucer before its owner reached over to steady it.

At the excursion desk, the attendant answered a ringing telephone. She listened briefly, checked the display, and nodded. “Yes. Boarding remains on hold.”

The incoming stream dwindled and stopped. Outside, the waves continued their journey beneath the windows. Conversation gradually returned to the lounge, punctuated by the click of a camera and someone asking whether the next arrival would be lunch itself.

A guest beside you whistled, watching a bank of foam roll through the floodlights. “Funny how something you’d ordinarily find gross becomes a natural spectacle after you’ve invested thousands of dollars into seeing it, huh?”

Time: 11:22 AM | Location: Bedroom, Anna’s House, United States | Friday | 22°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Getting Ready for Shopping

“Where did I leave those accursed car keys?” Janet’s voice carried down the hallway, followed by the sound of something being dropped onto the couch. “They have to be here somewhere!”

In the bedroom, Anna was finishing getting dressed for their afternoon out. She smoothed the waist of her long white dress, then turned toward the earrings waiting on her dresser.

The glass spheres caught the light as she lifted them. Through their clear surfaces, tiny terraces and illuminated windows were just visible between the delicate gold ribs. She knew what they contained: two of the most exclusive hotels in the world, with thousands of people going about their mornings inside. Then, she put them on.

Anna secured the clasps, brushed her blonde hair away, and turned her head to check each side in the mirror. They matched the dress nicely.

“Any luck?” she called.

“No. I’m beginning to suspect foul play.”

“Have you questioned the couch?”

“We’re getting there.”

Smiling, Anna picked up her bag and left the bedroom. On her way through the kitchen, she spotted the keys in the little clay bowl beside the counter. She scooped them up before continuing into the living room.

Janet had removed two cushions and was reaching into the gap beneath a third. “I’m thinking we should stop somewhere before we start shopping. What do you think, babe? Coffee, maybe?”

“Stop for coffee?” Anna leaned against the doorway, keeping the keys loosely enclosed in her hand. “How many times? With you, it’ll be three or four stops.”

“In my defense, one coffee is hardly enough.” Janet withdrew her hand, inspected a stray coin, and dropped it onto the table. “I’m a big girl. I need more coffee per capita. That’s just basic math.”

Anna snorted. “More coffee per capita? Do you know what per capita means?”

“Hush. I need to find these keys.”

Anna let them dangle from one finger. “These?”

Janet slowly straightened. “Where?”

“The clay bowl in the kitchen.”

“The one by the counter?”

“The one we bought specifically for the keys.”

Janet looked at the dismantled couch, then back at Anna. “Well. Nice to know our system works.”

Anna laughed as Janet crossed the room and kissed her forehead. “What would I ever do without you?”

“Apparently, stay home.”

Janet took the keys and reached for her bag. “Come on. All that searching has exhausted me. I need a coffee.”

---

Time: 11:22 AM | Location: The Aeries, Anna’s Earrings, The Anna Collection | Friday | 21°C (Warm) | Resort’s Current Activity: Observation and Delayed Departures

From the observation gallery, the dresser stretched beyond the curved glass like an enormous wooden plain. A bottle of perfume stood in the distance, its lettering taller than the gallery’s windows. Farther away, Anna’s reflection moved across the bedroom mirror.

Inside, morning service continued beneath the ivory balconies. A waiter collected empty breakfast cups from the lounge tables while visitors gathered along the viewing rail. Near the lifts, a departure display listed the next flights between properties.

A soft chime interrupted the music.

“Attention, please. Handling is anticipated shortly. We recommend remaining clear of the stairs until the resort has settled.”

The waiter guided his trolley into a recessed bay and secured its wheels. Beside the window, a woman lowered her camera long enough to slip its strap around her wrist.

Then Anna’s fingers appeared beyond the glass.

The dresser dropped away. Wood grain swept downward, followed by the drawer fronts and a fleeting view of the bedroom floor. The sphere turned in her grasp, sending the room rolling across the windows while the gallery’s stabilizers worked to keep the floor level.

A slight tilt passed beneath your feet. Several visitors reached for the railing; a spoon slid across an abandoned saucer and stopped against its cup.

Outside, Anna’s hand briefly obscured the daylight. Her cheek came into view, startlingly close, followed by the curve of her ear and several loose strands of blonde hair. There was a faint vibration as she secured the clasp.

The sphere swung free.

For a moment, the bedroom mirror filled the view. It showed Anna checking her appearance, with the entire hotel hanging beneath her earlobe. The terraces, lounge, and gathered spectators occupied a piece of jewelry small enough for her to lift between two fingers.

The woman with the camera raised it again.

“Oh, that’s a good one,” she murmured.

Anna turned away before she could take a second photograph.

The bedroom gave way to the hallway, then the brighter kitchen. With each step, the scenery swayed beyond the glass. Inside, the movement was reduced to a gentle, uneven rocking. The waiter released his trolley and resumed collecting cups.

Near the lifts, the departure display changed. One flight after another acquired an amber notice: DELAYED.

“Attention guests and staff,” the intercom announced. “Flight operations are temporarily suspended while the host is moving. Updated departure times will be posted once boarding can safely resume. Please remain within the terminal or public lounges.”

Beyond the windows, the kitchen counter slid out of sight. The resort entered the living room, where Janet stood beside a couch with several cushions missing.

A woman beside you glanced between the departure display and the enormous room outside. She tightened her grip on the handle of her small suitcase and sighed.

“Just my luck.” She turned toward you. “Do you know if this usually takes long? My flight leaves in twenty minutes!”

Time: 9:46 AM | Location: Poolside, Anna’s House, United States | Saturday | 25°C (Hot) | Anna’s Current Activity: Sunbathing

“No… I don’t wanna. I wanna just lie here.” Anna settled deeper into her lounge chair as Janet swept a hand across the pool’s surface. The resulting splash fell short of the patio, but Anna lowered her sunglasses anyway. “Hey. Watch yourself.”

“Watch myself?” Janet feigned offense. “Watch yourself! Sprawled out like a little couch potato on a fine Saturday morning.”

The redhead treaded water a short distance from the edge, her goggles pushed up onto her forehead. Her green bikini shimmered beneath the rippling surface. “You’re not even going to swim with your cute little girlfriend?”

“My cute ‘little’ girlfriend is taller than me.” Anna stretched languidly like a cat, then set her coffee on the table beside her chair. “Besides, it’s warm up here. Comfortable. Everything I need is within reach.”

“Except me.”

“You could come over here.”

“I’m already in the pool!”

“And doing very well. I’m proud of you.”

Janet narrowed her eyes before dipping beneath the water. She resurfaced closer to the edge and rested her arms on the coping. “It’s refreshing. Promise.”

“Mmm. I don’t want to do anything before noon.”

“Does that include swimming?”

“Especially swimming.”

Janet rested her chin on her folded arms, considering her girlfriend. “That’s a shame. I was starting to wonder whether you remembered how.”

Anna lifted her sunglasses onto her head. “Excuse me?”

“It’s been so long. We could start you off with some floaties.”

Anna slowly sat up.

“There she is,” Janet said brightly.

“You’re getting very confident for someone within splashing distance.”

“Not from that chair, I’m not.”

Anna stood and pulled off her white crop top, leaving it on the lounger before stepping out of her shorts. Beneath them, she wore her blue-and-white floral bikini. Janet watched with a satisfied grin.

“See? Much better. A little swim, some lunch, and tonight I’m taking you to that new nightclub.”

“Oh, are you?”

“Karaoke, a proper dance floor, a gorgeous bar—”

Anna laughed. “You’re just trying to get me to do body shots again, aren’t you?”

“I plead the fifth.”

Anna placed her sunglasses beside her coffee and approached the pool. “Fine. But first, you’re about to regret those floaties.”

Janet pushed away from the edge, laughing.

“Get ready,” Anna declared. “Biggest cannonball you’ve ever seen.”

---

Time: 9:46 AM | Location: The Hollow, Anna’s Navel, The Anna Collection | Saturday | 22°C (Warm) | Resort’s Current Activity: Breakfast and Morning Market

The funicular arrived with a soft bell and the gentle click of its doors opening. You stepped onto the platform above the Hollow’s village square, where café owners were unfolding chairs beneath striped awnings.

Timber balconies overlooked the cobbled streets, their flower boxes bright against pale plaster and rose-colored stone. Beyond the roofs, the piercing’s clear enclosure framed an enormous stretch of blue sky and the edge of a patio umbrella.

Morning sunlight reached the upper terraces first. Below, a waiter carried a tray of coffee cups toward a table beside the fountain, while a woman outside the patisserie turned its sign from CLOSED to OPEN.

Market stalls were being arranged around the square. There were jars of preserves, baskets of bread, flowers wrapped in paper, and a carefully presented selection of wine and spirits.

At the last of these, a customer held up a bottle of cognac. “Three fifty?”

The vendor looked up from his ledger. “Certainly not.”

“That’s what the sign says.”

The vendor leaned across the counter. He read the card propped beneath the bottle, then turned toward the neighboring pastry stall. “Luc. Why is your croissant price on my cognac?”

The other vendor glanced at his own display. “That would explain why nobody’s bought a croissant.”

“You’ve priced them at eighty-five.”

“They’re very good croissants.”

The customer continued holding the bottle. “So, just to confirm—”

“Eighty-five,” both vendors said.

Their discussion continued as the signs were exchanged. Near the fountain, someone hid a smile behind a coffee cup.

Then Anna sat up.

Beyond the glass, the patio umbrella swept out of view. Blue sky gave way to the garden, the pale paving around the pool, and a broad expanse of moving water. Janet appeared near its edge, her arms resting on the coping.

Inside the Hollow, the fountain continued flowing into its basin. Cups stayed on their saucers, and the funicular began its return journey up the slope. The resort’s local gravity held steady: down remained toward Anna’s body, whatever direction the world outside seemed to take.

A visitor on the café terrace turned his chair to face the new view.

“Oh, that’s better.”

Anna rose to her feet. The pool dropped farther below the village, and a brief shadow crossed the enclosure as she removed her outer clothes. Sunlight returned, catching the silver fittings high above the roofs.

At the market, the cognac vendor checked the rest of his labels. His neighbor offered him a pastry across the gap between their stalls. “A peace offering.”

“At that price, I should hope so.”

You continued along the square toward the bakery. Through its open window came the smell of warm butter and freshly ground coffee. Behind the counter, a pâtissier was sliding another tray into the display.

He noticed you nearby and gave a welcoming smile. “Good morning! Could I interest you in a croissant and a café au lait to wake you up?”

Time: 7:28 PM | Location: Karaoke Lounge, MuzikHaus, United States | Saturday | 22°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Singing Karaoke

Janet finished her rendition of “I’m Still Standing” with one hand raised triumphantly and the other resting against a support pillar, putting the title of the song to the test. She had needed considerably less support at the beginning of the song, but the final pose was mostly theatrical.

“Thank you. Thank you.” She bowed toward Anna’s table as a few nearby patrons applauded. “You’ve been a wonderful audience.”

Anna set down her strawberry cocktail and clapped. “Very moving.”

“You laughed.”

“I was moved to laughter.”

Janet approached with the microphone extended. “Your turn.”

“You know I’m awful at singing in public.”

“The nightclub was your idea. You’re not weaseling out of this.”

Anna stared at her. “You invited me while I was trying to drink my coffee.”

“Details.”

“Fairly important details.”

“You also said my singing sounded like a seagull tap-dancing on hot coals.” Janet collected her vodka seltzer from the table. “You can’t say that and then refuse to demonstrate.”

“Your singing sounds better when you’re more sober.”

“So does your criticism.”

Anna laughed and raised both hands. “Still love you.”

“Then come sing with me.”

Janet returned to the touchscreen and began searching the catalogue. Anna watched her scroll past several titles before finishing her cocktail and joining her. “Oh, fine. What have you got?”

“‘Don’t Stop Believin’.’ Karaoke classic. We’ll do a duet.”

“Who gets which part?”

“I’ll take the difficult bits.”

Anna glanced at her. “You’ve just spent three minutes convincing me I need to prove I can sing.”

“And now I’m generously offering to help.”

“How fortunate for me.”

Janet handed her a second microphone and tapped the song title. As the opening piano began, she leaned closer. “We can swap lines. Then both do the chorus.”

“Fine. But no pointing the microphone at me whenever you forget something.”

“That happened once.”

“During your last song.”

Janet grinned and took her place beside her. On the monitor, the opening countdown appeared.

Anna checked that her microphone was switched on, looked briefly toward the scattered tables, then back at Janet. “If this is terrible, we’re leaving.”

“If this is terrible, we’re doing another one.”

The countdown ended. Anna took a breath and began to sing.

---

Time: 7:28 PM | Location: Tasteclub, Anna’s Tongue Piercing, The Anna Collection | Saturday | 22°C (Warm) | Resort’s Current Activity: Karaoke and Dance Night

Tasteclub’s central dance floor pulsed beneath the clear dome, its illuminated panels changing from violet to blue as the DJ brought in another track. People leaned over the surrounding balconies to watch, drinks resting on narrow tables beside the rails.

You stood near the edge of the floor, where a broad walkway connected the main club to the neighboring venues. Across it, an arcade flashed through its open entrance. Two players were arguing over a racing game while a third quietly selected the next course. Farther along, the late-night diner was serving breakfast to someone who had apparently decided that the time was irrelevant.

Beside the dance floor, a small karaoke stage was between performances. Its host checked the queue on a tablet while a departing singer accepted congratulations from friends.

Light swept across the dome.

Beyond the glass, the distant colors of MuzikHaus appeared between Anna’s teeth. Her voice rolled through the structure like thunder as she answered Janet, briefly overwhelming the bass from Tasteclub’s speakers.

The DJ glanced upward without taking his hand off the mixer. “Sounds like she’s having a good night.”

The view vanished behind a rush of red. Strawberry cocktail washed over the outside of the sealed bead in a massive flood, turning the scattered lights into wavering streaks. For a moment, the entire dome glowed pink.

A few dancers looked up. Someone on the balcony raised a glass toward the passing drink.

The liquid cleared, leaving droplets that slowly slipped across the curved surface. Inside, the music continued. A bartender slid two drinks across the counter and leaned closer to hear the next order.

Then a different rhythm reached the floor.

The opening piano was faint beneath the DJ’s track, but he recognized it after a few notes. He lifted one earcup of his headphones, listened, and began easing his own music down.

Several people turned toward the booth.

Anna’s first sung notes arrived as a deep vibration through the platform. The nearby karaoke host paused with his microphone halfway to his mouth, then looked up at the dome. “Well,” he said. “Apparently we have another booking.”

Laughter broke out around the little stage.

The DJ found the tempo and brought in a simple beat beneath the distant accompaniment. A few dancers resumed moving; others joined in when they recognized the song.

“Guess we’re making tonight’s soundtrack a duet,” he announced, grinning at the crowd.

Beside the karaoke stage, a woman holding a spare microphone glanced from the ceiling toward you. She smiled and lifted it slightly. “So, does she count as backing vocals, or are we hers?”

Time: 1:19 PM | Location: Patio, Anna’s House, United States | Sunday | 22°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Playing Chess

Anna moved her knight and sat back, looking pleased with herself. Across the patio table, Janet studied the board with one hand hovering over a bowl of chips. “Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to be tricky?”

“Because we’re playing chess.”

“You could try being straightforward.”

“Certainly. I’m trying to win.”

Janet selected her bishop and moved it into position to threaten the knight. Anna glanced at the piece, then at her girlfriend. “There you go. You are paying attention.”

“Occasionally.” Janet took another chip. “We should get dinner after our hike tonight.”

“It’s barely past lunch.”

“Which gives us plenty of time to make an informed decision.”

Anna leaned forward to examine the board. Her right hand rested beside it, the clear crystal of her ring catching the afternoon light. “What sort of informed decision?”

“Noodles. Sushi. Something along those lines.”

“Those are fairly broad lines.”

“I’m open-minded.”

“You’re hungry.”

“People can be two things.”

Anna laughed and reached across the board, lifting her knight away from the bishop’s diagonal. She set it down with a small, decisive click. “Your turn.”

Janet considered the new position while reaching into the bowl again. Her fingers encountered only crumbs.

She looked down. “That’s disappointing.”

“There’s a whole game in front of you.”

“Yes, but I can’t eat it.”

Anna drew the empty bowl aside and folded her arms on the table. “We can look at menus when we’re finished.”

“Then you’d better stop taking so long.”

“I’ve just moved.”

“Right.”

Janet advanced a pawn. Anna’s smile faded slightly as she looked from it to her knight.

Janet noticed. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“That wasn’t a nothing face.”

Anna leaned closer to the board.

“Was that good?” Janet asked.

“You’ve made things inconvenient.”

“Oh, excellent.” Janet settled back in her chair, looking considerably more interested in the game. “Entirely intentional.”

“Of course.”

“I’d explain my strategy, but I wouldn’t want to spoil it.”

Anna glanced up at her. “Does it involve dinner?”

“Several moves ahead, yes.”

---

Time: 1:19 PM | Location: The Grand Signet, Anna’s Right Ring Finger, The Anna Collection | Sunday | 22°C (Warm) | Resort’s Current Activity: Afternoon Cards and Tea

The Grand Signet’s card salon was busier than its usual Sunday afternoon attendance suggested. What had begun as a friendly game between several regulars had attracted spectators, additional players, and a second table whose occupants were already disputing the stakes.

Polished mahogany framed the green baize tables. Brass lamps stood beside leather armchairs, and a long sideboard displayed bottles of bourbon and cognac beneath an oil painting of a particularly stern-looking gentleman.

You walked between the tables as a server passed with a silver tray. At the room’s quieter end, two women played chess beside the windows, apparently untroubled by the conversation rising from the poker players.

Above the salon’s central seating area, the great crystal skylight revealed an immense chessboard beyond the ring. Black and white pieces stood across it like monuments. Farther overhead, Anna’s face appeared as she leaned toward the table, her attention fixed on something well outside the hotel.

“Blast, another straight?” A portly man with a walrus mustache lowered his cards. “That’s your third today. I’m beginning to think you’re a cheat.”

“My second straight.” His opponent, a man with slicked-back silver hair, laid his cards neatly on the baize. “The other hand was a flush. You really ought to know the difference.”

“I know the difference.”

“Then do try to keep count.”

A woman beside them tapped the table with one manicured finger.

“Gentlemen. Some of us would like to lose our money before dinner.”

The dealer gathered the cards while the silver-haired man drew his winnings toward him. His opponent reached for a cigar resting in a brass ashtray and regarded the growing stack of chips with renewed suspicion.

Nearby, a waiter lifted a teapot to refill a cup.

Then Anna reached across the chessboard.

The view swept past the crystal roof. A white pawn disappeared beneath its edge, followed by the towering flank of a bishop. Daylight shifted across the salon’s carpet as Anna’s fingers closed around her knight.

The china gave a faint rattle.

The waiter paused, holding the teapot upright. At the nearest table, a player rested two fingers on his stack of chips without interrupting his conversation.

Anna set down her piece. The movement eased, and the waiter resumed pouring.

“Milk, madam?”

“Just a little.”

Overhead, the chessboard receded as Anna withdrew her hand. Her face returned briefly to view before the angle changed again.

Inside, the dealer began another hand.

As you passed the second poker table, a man in a cream waistcoat looked up. His cards remained facedown beneath one hand; the other rested beside a glass of bourbon.

“Tell me, sport.” He smiled, drawing the attention of the woman seated opposite him. “Do you think it’s in bad taste to announce to the table that you’re about to win?”

Time: 9:51 PM | Location: Living Room, Anna’s House, United States | Sunday | 20°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Winding Down After a Hike

“Oh, man. That view was worth it.” Anna pulled off her baseball cap, wiped her forehead, and dropped onto the couch. She tossed the cap onto the neighboring cushion before bending to untie her boots.

“Are you talking about me or the mountaintop?” Janet nudged her elbow.

Anna glanced up. “Well, we’re not on the mountaintop anymore, are we?”

“No. I suppose we’re not.” Janet grinned and set their water bottles on the counter. Her stomach growled before she could say anything else.

Anna snorted.

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were about to.” Janet stretched, then leaned against the counter. “I was hungry before we left, but that hike wiped me out. Still good with Asian food?”

“Good with it? We’ll need six pu pu platters just to keep me from gnawing on the furniture.”

“Six?”

“I’m willing to negotiate up.”

Anna loosened the first boot and worked it off with a relieved sigh. She placed it beside the couch, then started on the other.

Janet retrieved a takeout menu from the kitchen counter and unfolded it.

“Tea Garden?”

“Please.”

“Noodles?”

“Yes.”

“Dumplings?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to say yes to everything?”

“Eventually you’ll get to something I don’t want.”

Janet scanned farther down the menu.

“Steamed broccoli.”

Anna paused with her second boot halfway off.

“On its own?”

“There she is.”

Laughing, Janet took out her phone. Anna freed her foot and set the second boot beside the first.

“Get something you want, too,” Anna said.

“How thoughtful.”

“I’d hate to have to share.”

Janet gave her a look over the top of the menu, then tapped the number into her phone.

Anna peeled off her socks and dropped them beside her boots. She stretched her legs onto the ottoman, settling back against the cushions.

“You know, if you keep taking so long to order, I might have to start nibbling on you.” Anna snapped her teeth playfully as she wiggled her toes.

“Ha. What part of Janet do you think tastes best? Janet thigh?” The redhead laughed as she pressed the 'call' button.

“You already know what part of Janet I think tastes best.”

Janet lowered the menu, pointing at Anna. “Remember the rules. No making me blush while I’m on the phone.”

“That’s a very specific rule.”

“You’re a very specific problem.” Janet’s expression abruptly brightened as someone answered. “Hello! Is this Tea Garden? Great. I’ve got quite an order for you.”

Anna pointed toward the menu.

“Extra dumplings,” she whispered.

Janet waved her away, smiling.

---

Time: 9:51 PM | Location: The Wayfarer, Anna’s Right Second Toe, The Anna Collection | Sunday | 22°C (Warm) | Resort’s Current Activity: Pub Games and Late Dinner

The Wayfarer’s pub was doing brisk business. Beyond its windows, an attendant was stacking the last loungers beside the closed swimming pool, but inside, nobody seemed ready to call it a night.

Warm lamps hung from dark timber beams. Jackets covered the backs of mismatched chairs, and a chalkboard above the bar advertised burgers, baked potatoes, and pretzels large enough to share. Judging by the plates passing through the room, sharing was optional.

You stood near the games area, where a cheer from the dartboard ended in disappointed laughter.

“Oh, come on. That wasn’t even close!”

The man responsible lowered his remaining darts.

“I’m adjusting for the movement.”

“She stopped walking five minutes ago.”

“I’m still adjusting.”

Nearby, three people stood around a table arranged for beer pong. Cups were ready at both ends; the players were not.

“What do you mean, three? We need four!”

“I brought a partner. You were supposed to bring yours.”

“I said bring a pair!”

“And here we are. A pair.”

“Two people besides you!”

The third player put down her drink.

“We could have found someone by now.”

At the billiards table, a man in a faded holiday shirt leaned over his cue, reconsidered his angle, and stood upright again. His teammate watched from a stool with the patience of someone who had already offered advice and regretted it.

A waitress arrived carrying a Bavarian pretzel and a small pot of mustard.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks, Brandy. You’re the best.”

“Try eating it before you chalk your hands again.”

Overhead, the darkness began to lift.

With Anna’s boot removed, faint light filtered through the enormous weave covering the ring’s glass enclosure. A few patrons near the windows looked up. Then the fabric shifted, dragging its shadow across the courtyard before sliding completely out of view.

Living-room lamplight flooded through the roof.

“There we go!” someone called from the bar.

Several regulars raised their drinks. Beyond the curved glass, a vast stretch of ceiling came into view, followed by the edge of the couch as Anna moved her foot. The scenery tilted once more before settling as she rested her legs on the ottoman.

Inside, a hanging sign swayed above the pub entrance. Brandy steadied an empty glass on her tray and continued toward the kitchen.

At the billiards table, the player finally bent to take his shot.

His cue struck. The white ball rebounded off one cushion, crossed the table, caught another, and rolled to a stop without touching anything else.

His teammate closed his eyes.

“I was going for the angle,” the player explained.

“You found several.”

The teammate turned toward you, gesturing with the spare cue.

“Hey, any good at pool? Actually, scratch that.” He nodded toward his companion. “Better at pool than this clown?”

Time: 6:15 PM | Location: Dining Room, The Happy Hunter, United States | Monday | 20°C (Warm) | Anna’s Current Activity: Picking Up Janet

Anna stepped through the Happy Hunter’s dining room, passing a server carrying two plates toward a booth. She wore a low-cut black dress and heels, her gold pendant catching the light as she paused to look around.

Janet appeared near the staff entrance. She had already changed out of her uniform into an emerald cocktail dress, with her work clothes tucked into a bag beneath one arm.

She crossed the room and kissed Anna’s cheek. “You ready for a killer dinner? Where did you pick? I’m not choosing again. I’ve picked the last six times.”

“Relax. It’s a steakhouse across town. Reservation’s at six thirty.”

Janet glanced at the clock above the bar. “Across town?”

“The car’s outside. We have time.”

“You’ve accounted for parking?”

“Yes.”

“And you finding the entrance?”

Anna gave her a patient look.

“One restaurant. One time.”

“You walked into their kitchen.”

“It smelled promising.”

Janet laughed and adjusted the bag on her shoulder. Anna took a moment to look at her properly, then gave a low whistle. “That dress is dangerous.”

“Worth getting changed, then?”

“I might need another minute to decide.”

Janet caught her hand. “You can decide on the way. Apparently we have a reservation.”

She called goodbye to a colleague behind the bar, then followed Anna through the door.

The rain had stopped, leaving the pavement dark and shining. Reflections from the pub’s windows stretched across shallow puddles beside the curb. Janet stepped through one, sending a small ripple ahead of her shoe.

“You’re going to get splashed,” Anna said.

“Then stop distracting me.”

“I’m distracting you?”

“You started with the dress.”

They paused at the crossing. Anna leaned briefly against Janet’s shoulder while a car passed, its tires hissing over the wet road.

“Certainly beats taking me out in the Happy Hunter uniform,” Janet said.

“I don’t know. Cute little T-shirt and work trousers. Very practical. Plenty of room for a notepad.”

“Watch it.”

“I would, but you’re distracting me.”

Janet squeezed her hand. “Are you paying tonight?”

“Yes. My choice, my treat.”

“Wonderful. I was trying to decide between two entrées.”

“Choose one.”

“You’ve just said it’s your treat.”

“And I’d like to remain solvent afterward.”

The crossing cleared. They stepped off the curb together, heading toward Anna’s parked car.

“Fine,” Janet said. “One entrée.”

“Thank you.”

“And we’ll discuss dessert when you’re less defensive.”

---

Time: 6:15 PM | Location: The Pendant Palace, Anna’s Necklace, The Anna Collection | Monday | 22°C (Warm) | Resort’s Current Activity: Evening Arrivals and Entertainment

The Pendant Palace’s central fountain splashed into a broad marble basin, almost lost beneath the conversation and rolling luggage filling the atrium.

You stood beside its rim as another group of passengers emerged from the arrivals concourse. Some followed signs toward reception; others stopped beneath the departure boards to locate their connecting flights. A porter guided a loaded trolley around a family debating which restaurant to visit first.

Above them, gold-trimmed balconies rose around the open space. Geometric lamps and patterned railings gave the grand interior its Art Deco touches, while glass lifts carried passengers between shopping galleries, restaurants, and the entertainment floors.

An announcement sounded overhead.

“Passengers transferring to the Aeries, please consult the departure displays for your assigned gate. Staff at the connections desk will be happy to assist.”

Beside a directory, a newly arrived traveler traced a finger down the list of facilities. “Wait. Baggage claim is thirteen floors lower?”

“Atrium express lift, just behind you,” an attendant replied.

The traveler turned. The lift stood beneath a large illuminated sign.

“Oh.”

“It’s a direct service.”

“Good. I was beginning to regret the suitcase.”

Across the atrium, a café employee placed a fresh tray of pastries in the display. Beyond the escalators, theater posters advertised the evening’s performances, while an adjoining cinema entrance smelled faintly of popcorn.

A couple carrying shopping bags stopped beneath one of the posters.

“We could make the early show.”

“We could eat first.”

“You said that before the last show.”

“And I was right then, too.”

Through the pendant’s enormous crystal window, the Happy Hunter’s dining room shifted beyond the galleries. Tables and hanging lights passed through view as Anna walked toward the exit. For a moment, Janet’s emerald dress filled much of the glass.

Then the door opened.

Warm restaurant lighting gave way to the pale evening outside. Wet pavement spread beneath the view, reflecting shop signs and passing headlights. A car moved across the crystal’s lower edge, its roof briefly catching the light before disappearing.

Several people seated at the observation café turned to watch. Elsewhere, the bustle continued. A receptionist handed over room keys, a child pointed toward the arcade, and someone near the departures board hurriedly checked a boarding pass.

As Anna paused at the crossing, the changing view settled. Inside, the fountain continued its steady splash.

Two travelers with wheeled suitcases approached the directory beside you. One unfolded a map while the other studied the signs above the escalators.

“I told you we should have gone up.”

“We did go up.”

“After we went down.”

The one holding the map looked toward you, offering an apologetic smile.

“Excuse me. Do you know where we could find the theater? We’ve gotten lost and accidentally stumbled into a casino twice.”