Welcome to Gaia! ::

The Neiani Embassy was a familiar sight for Luna. Every time she'd gone back and forth between her world and Gaia, she'd been through this building... and the gateway contained under heavy guard.

But never in her life did she have to deal with this much paperwork.

"When you're done initaling, we're going to need to have you fill out a form 10-15B; authorization for Native Gaian visitation, and issue her a visitation pass," the clerk droned in a bored tone, taking the stack of completed forms that Luna had already completed and set aside.

...And then what? Luna's hand was cramping from all these forms, and the prospect of more wasn't comforting.

"Native Gaian Visitation, and then this one, saying that you are responsible for her behavior, and these will be for her." Another stack. "Medical considerations, emergency contacts, and sworn statement that she will cause no harm while here."

Do you hear that, Elle? Luna rolled her eyes at Elle as she added the finishing touch to her signature at the bottom of her latest form. And don't forget that every form has to be signed and dated twice. Dot, slash, dot.

"First time with the forms, mm?" The clerk muttered, an apologetic smile finally forming on his face.

Luna nodded in reply, looking at this point like her hand was about to fall off.

"Don't worry. Most of these will be good indefinitely. You'll only have to go through this again for new guests."

Oh, JOY. Luna made a mental note. Don't invite anyone else to Neilan.

Jokeph, standing some distance behind them, couldn't help but smile. Lucky him; he'd dealt with the forms when Luna was still a baby. And gone through five copies of each because he was nervous.

"Well. Here you go, Miss... Ellette?" A fresh stack was sent across the desk. "Sign at the X-ed lines."

"It's just protocol, ma'am," the clerk answered, quirking an eyebrow at Elle. "If we thought you were going to hurt anyone, you wouldn't be allowed through the gate."

Luna snorted, shooting a glance at Elle. What he said.

With a quick pause to check over the forms, the clerk methodically stamped each one before sliding a laminated pass across the desk. "Don't lose it. You're going to need it to get through, and you'll be required to present it to any official who asks for it. If they need to see it, they'll flash their badge first so you know who they are. You are not required to show it to anyone who does not show their badge. In fact, it's probably a good idea not to whip it out to anyone and everyone." He gestured with his pen. "The more you have it out, the more you're likely to drop it into a grate or something. And don't think it won't happen!" He jabbed the pen for emphasis. "You'd be surprised!"

Luna rolled her eyes at the speech. She couldn't imagine the kind of idiot who would--

"-- The prime minister of Rentares Nine had his flushed down the commode by his four year old son!" The clerk interrupted, attention suddenly on Luna. "The boy went through his wallet, found the card, and thought it'd make a good sailboat. One. Hour's. Worth. Of. Forms."

Riiiight, right. RIght. Luna GOT it already.

"Well." The clerk, sensing Luna's impatience, began arranging the forms and straightening them. "You two have a good trip, all right?" A smile. "And Miss Keth? Welcome to the force."

...Ah...Thanks.

"Portal." The clerk gestured to the steel double-doors at the back of the room, flanked by two armed guards. "Be prepared to show your pass."

Today, there were very few travelers going in and out of the portal. With the alien threat in Gaia, very few wanted to visit, and those who'd planned on returning to Neilan had long gone.

Come on. Luna took Elle's wrist and began to lead her to the doors. Going through the portal will feel pretty weird; you might want to hold onto me for the first time.

Luna shrugged. She didn't really know. More than most, but less than one would think, was the way she saw it.

Through the double doors they went, into a very sterile-looking white room with four armed guards; two on the other side of the door, and two on either side of what looked to be a long tunnel.

Both snapped to attention at the sight of Luna. "Ma'am!"

"A...Ah..." Luna answered awkwardly, unsure of how to answer them. They'd never reacted that way to her before. But... she supposed being what she was-- an Agent-- was common knowledge in the embassy.

"Be sure to keep walking," one said quietly, directing the statement to Elle. "Present pass."

Luna burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her free hand. Almost instantly, the other guards cracked a smile, all understanding the joke.

"It doesn't work quite like that, Ma'am."

"--But it probably feels the same," another one piped up.

Come on, Luna urged. Just keep walking. No matter how weird it feels, just keep walking. The other end of the tunnel will be Neilan. With that, she led Elle in.

Still with me?

Luna nodded. See?

Within moments, a room identical to the one they'd left was visible, complete with guards.