Mira has been living in the same shack for a while now. Probably for a hundred years or more.

She lives there with her friends Kaya, Nera and Elena.
And she can't imagine it being otherwise.

As always, Kaya visits Mira in her room while she is reading a book.

Well, lazing around again? You should get out more often. Besides, how many times have you read this book?

I'm pretty happy here. The books don't get boring. Every time you discover something new, even when reading the same book again. It's not just generic stories.

Yeah, I know. But this spiritual nonsense still won't get you anywhere.

It won't get me anywhere? What do you mean?
Do I even need to get anywhere?
I've been able to have new experiences by reading and even learned a few new techniques. Isn't that enough?

Whatever you say.

And you traveled the world again?

I've only been to the next city. Or rather to the next suburb. Just visiting some friends. Why do you ask?

For no specific reason.

Mira didn't know there were cities in the valley, but she doesn't really care.

You could come with me next time. This would be good for you. I'm currently planning a longer bigger trip. Maybe through all the villages. The culture in villages is supposed to be very different than here.

Sounds interesting. But I've seen movies about it. I don't need to know more.

Well, I get it. Movies are just as good as real experiences.
I think I shouldn't waste more of my time. I'll be in my room.

Alright!

And you could clean up a bit. All your underwear is lying around in the room.

Finally Kaya leaves the room again and Mira can continue reading.

After a while Elena comes in.

I've prepared dinner. Are you coming?

Sure, I'm almost done anyway.

She finishes reading the current paragraph and then gets up.

When she comes to the table, Kaya and Elena are already sitting there. On the table are four bowls with the same porridge as always. It starts to annoy her.

Didn't we want to cook something new for once?

Next time I'll bring something. I still can't believe that there is not a single recipe in any of your books.

Porridge just seems so common. Besides of small variations you never try something new.

I hope you like it anyway. I'm putting a lot of effort into it.

Don't worry. There still isn't anyone who can make such a good porridge as you. It's just...

I also haven't eaten a better one yet.

Where is Nera?

She should be here soon. She had something to do today.

The three of them start to eat, and Nera is already coming.

Oh, you're ready already. I was just doing some training.

No problem.

So did you manage to master the the technique I recently showed you?

Yeah, I think so.

Then our next fight will definitely be exciting.

Nera laughs.

We'll see.

Nera sits down at the table and starts to eat as well.

After eating Mira and Nera sit down on the couch together.
They do many things together. Nera is almost always by her side.

Kaya leaves and Elena gladly cleans up on her own.

Mira and Nera just play and cuddle.

After a while Kaya comes back in the room.

Have you ever imagined how it would be like if there were other kinds of people?

Kaya approaches Mira.

What do you mean? There already are different kinds of people.

I'm talking about different bodies. Not just small visual differences or different personalities.

Wouldn't that be annoying?
Then you would have to make new clothes and furniture for each kind.

Only small body differences.
A fifth finger, a third toe, two eyes on each side.

That would already make some clothes not fit you anymore.
Well, you wouldn't care. You never wear anything on your hands or feet or face.
But just having more body parts sounds kind of boring too.

All right, how about spikes on the body?
But before you complain, it would only be little spikes, so that the clothes still fit.

Hmm...

Or what about some kind of tube instead of a pee hole to aim better?
That would be practical, right?

Kaya starts laughing.

You're having weird ideas.
But don't you have something like that yourself already?
I think I saw something hanging between your legs.

Mira starts to feel embarrassed about it.

Yeah, probably the only real difference between me and Mira.

Hey! Don't mention it, Nera!
Why did you even look so closely, Kaya?

We're living here for hundreds of years. It would be weird if I never saw it.

Anyway, it's not enough to aim.

Yeah, her pee still comes out normally, not from that thing.

Don't just tell her everything.

But I'm right.
How else would you have come up with such an idea?

Elena finished cleaning up and joins them, too.

I just overheard in passing.
But it's possible that there used to be other kinds of people.
They weren't that much different, but much stronger and a bit taller.
At least that's what Resa told me.

Oh, interesting. I'll ask her when I visit Linda the next time. I'm sure you'd like to accompany me.

No, just tell me what you find out.

Uhh...

You will never be able to persuade Mira to join you on some trip.

Elena giggles.

Sometimes it works.

Why are you never asking me?

Remember the last time we left together?
Mira was staying at home.

Yeah, why?

You couldn't stop talking about Mira. It was pretty annoying.

I just prefer to be alone with Nera.
So Nera, if you want to go somewhere, I'll think about it.

No, I don't want to leave either. And when you don't want to leave, I want to stay, too.

So I'll need to have fun without you. See you.

Kaya already leaves again, nobody knows where she's going.

Mira and Nera go outside to fight. Elena even watches this time.