Chapter 766: Primus Depths

“Thanks again, Cora. I’ll call you when we need you to come pick us up,” Muriel said with a smile as the group disembarked from the submersible.

“No problem, Lady Muriel,” Cora replied before the door shut and the submersible departed.

After leaving Muriel’s house, they all travelled on Cora’s submersible back towards Delphnas City, and as they reached the edge of the city, which was encased within a dome, Cora piloted the submersible into a type of airlock.

The airlock that was originally full of water began to drain away until it was only half full, after which the cityside airlock doors opened and allowed the submersible access to the city itself.

Delphnas City reminded Adam and Emma very much of Venice because of all the canals, which allowed different submersibles and other watercraft to navigate the city.

The group was currently standing on a dock that led to Primus Depth’s main entrance, where several well-dressed guests were already heading.

“I was expecting it to be bigger,” Adam remarked as he looked at the one-story building.

Rowena chuckled as she took the opportunity to take one of his arms and explain, “You're only viewing the entrance level that is above sea level; there's a reason it’s called Primus Depths.”

“You mean there are flows below sea level?” Adam asked in realisation.

“Correct,” Rowena replied. “Also notice that it is situated right at the edge of the dome, keeping the ocean out. Why do you think that could be?”

“It’s incredible that we're within the ocean right now. This could be just like any other city,” Emma marvelled.

“If this is all it takes to impress you, I can’t wait to see your reaction to some of the universe's natural wonders,” Erkath teased.

“It's always nice to see visitors impressed by our cities,” Mureil said with a smile as she led the way towards Primus Depth’s entrance.

“Universes natural wonders?” Emma repeated.

“She’s speaking of such things as the mother tree, Elowen,” Eytelis stated as she helped herself to Adam’s other arm.

“Indeed,” Erkath nodded. “No one quite understands how Elowen became so big or even how it is able to exist in space.”

“Welcome to Primus Depths, ladies and sir,” Two male Syngnathidae said as they greeted them professionally before opening the doors and inviting them inside.

The group passed through the entrance to find a large open room that contained many plush-looking chairs and sofas surrounding small tables, while at the very centre of the room stood a welcome desk manned by three beautiful Syngnathidae women, each wearing low-cut dresses that highlighted their cleavage.

“Welcome, Lady Muriel. Lady Grynrim informed us of your impending arrival, and your table is already prepared,” the centre staff member, who seemed to be the senior of the three, greeted. “Would you like to head straight to your table, or relax here in the lounge area and enjoy something to drink here in the lounge first?”

As the centre staff member made her greeting, many of the guests and other staff members turned and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise after seeing who Muriel was accompanied by.

“What do you all think?” Muriel asked as she ignored the surprised gasps and comments of those nearby.

“If it helps, we did just receive a fresh batch of God's Oasis from Oceana Seven,” The staff member stated while glancing at Lorelie.

“Is that right?” Lorelie asked as she glanced at Adam with a knowing smile before saying to Muriel. “I believe we should relax in the lounge for a while. It’s only been a short time since our arrival after all.”

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“Very well,” Muriel replied before turning back to the staff member. “We will relax in the bar for a short time.”

“Very good,” The staff member said with a smile. “Please feel free to sit wherever you like, and I will have a staff member come take your order.”

“Thank you,” Muriel said before the group headed for a selection of empty couches.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe Diva Lorelie is finally here,” The female staff member on the left said in a low whisper.

“I know, right? Even divas Rowena and Aphrodite are present,” The female staff member on the right added.

“Calm yourselves, ladies; we still have work to do,” The senior staff member calmly reprimanded

“How are you so calm about this, Lusce? Aren't you at all excited?”

"Of course I am; however, we’re currently at work,” The Senior staff manager named Lusce replied. “However, I’m more curious about the man with them.”

“That plain-looking guy?”

“He may be plain-looking, but what man wouldn’t want to be in his position right now?” Lusce asked.

“Fair point. I wonder what makes him so special. I mean, even Diva Rowena was clinging to his arm?”

“Didn’t you notice Diva Lorelie’s attitude toward him?” Lusce asked.

“Attitude?”

“She purposefully glanced at the man before telling Lady Muriel that they would relax in the lounge first,” Lusce explained. “If I had to guess, I’d say that’s Diva Lorelie and Diva Rowena’s boyfriend.”

“Seriously?” The pair of staff members asked before they turned to stare in Adam’s direction again.

“How may I take your order?” Another female Syngnathidae staff member, dressed in a revealing dress, asked shortly after the group had sat down.

“Thirteen glasses of God's Oasis?” Muriel asked as she looked around at the group and saw no one object.

“Very good, Lady Muriel, I will return with your order shortly,” The staff member stated before departing.

“Why is it that every female staff member is wearing a revealing dress?” Adam asked. “Does the boss like to check out his female staff?”

Muriel laughed and was about to reply when a woman's voice, which dripped with honey, stated.

“I do, as a matter of fact, though I would appreciate it if you addressed me by the correct gender.”

The group turned to find a mature woman wearing a beautiful long dress that showed ample amounts of her cleavage had approached them.

The woman had bright aquamarine blue eyes and long blond hair, which she had elegantly tied up in a chignon style.

“Lady Grynrim,” Muriel said with a smile as she stood up to greet the arrival.

“Lady Muriel,” Grynrim greeted in return.

“Oh, come now, you of all people need not address me as such,” Muriel stated.

“I could say the same to you,” Grynrim said with a smile. “But please, introduce me to your guests, though naturally several of your party need no introduction.”

As she finished speaking, she smiled at Revi, Eytelis, Lorelie, Rowena, Aphrodite and Tephe.

“Then allow me to introduce the others…” Muriel began but stopped as she and everyone else were surprised when Adam suddenly stood up and glared towards the restaurant’s entrance with nothing but pure wrath on his face.

“Babe?” Lorelie asked in surprise

Adam had taken the moment to admire the lounge and its decor when his eyes fell on the entrance, and he recognised one of the party that had just entered.

“Merle Nosferatu,” Adam cursed through gritted teeth after hearing Lorelie, causing almost all the group to swing their heads towards the entrance.

***

Going back a few hours to the time when Adam and the others were descending to the planet via the orbital elevator, Merle Nosferatu was in her hotel room picking out her dress for the evening while her sister, Tierney, spoke from a large holographic screen.

“What are you doing, Merle? Father instructed us to return home.”

“And what of it?” Merle replied. “I’m here on vacation with Belmilor, and we even get to eat at Primus Depths after booking it six months ago.”

“I know you wouldn’t stop bragging about it before you left for your vacation,” Tierney grumbled.

“You're just jealous,” Merle giggled before asking. “Now why don’t you help me pick out my dress for tonight?”

“Haven’t you even considered why Father would feel it necessary to summon us back home?” Merle asked with a sigh.

“Nope, because it can’t be bothered to give us a reason, then it can’t be important enough for me to end my vacation early,” Merle replied.

“Seriously, why can’t you respect Father's wishes?” Tierney asked with a sigh.

“What wishes?” Merle scoffed. “All that man cares about is getting closer to the progenitor; he’s practically abandoned, mother.”

“While I can’t disagree with that, he’s still our father,” Tierney replied.

“Then by all means, be the dutiful daughter who returns home and then tell me what he wanted,” Merle stated. “I, on the other hand, will enjoy my vacation with my beloved Belmilor.”

Tierney opened her mouth to respond, but Merle quickly reached over and pressed a holographic key on the room's console, ending the call.

“Damn old man,” Merle cursed. “He hasn’t paid attention to us for years, and all of a sudden he summons me home out of the blue, in the middle of my vacation, I might add.”

After she finished complaining about her father, Merle went back to picking out her dress for the evening meal.