Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 81

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There was nothing to pack up. Ava went with Jane to Asnio’s private studio. An android bodyguard drove them there. Jane yawned and leaned back in her seat. “I’m going to sleep for a bit. There was a gathering at my dad’s place last night, and I barely got any rest.” 

“Go ahead. I’ll wake you when we get there,” Ava said. 

Outside Asnio’s studio, a sign reading ‘Closed‘ had been set near the entrance. A tall young man was standing outside. The moment he spotted Jane, his eyes lit up. He rushed over without hesitation and pulled her into a tight hug. “Jane, I missed you.” 

Ava stopped a short distance away, reading the room, and chose not to step forward or interrupt the moment between them. 

This young man must be Jane’s fiance, Gerard. He is clearly still a student, carrying that unmistakable college–boy energy from head to toe. 

After chatting for a bit, Jane said, “Gerard, this is my sister, Ava.” 

Gerard just glanced at Ava once before his eyes went right back to Jane. The way he was looking at her made it feel like he wanted to melt into her completely. 

Ava called out, “Hi, Gerard.” 

But then she saw Gerard blush, looking a little embarrassed. “We’re not married yet,” he admitted. 

Ava wanted to laugh, but couldn’t bring herself to. 

Who would’ve thought that Gerard’s actually unexpectedly innocent? 

Jane said, “Cut the act. I know you too well. When she addressed you as her brother–in–law, Gerard, you were secretly thrilled, weren’t you? Hurry up, we’ve got business today. Asnio’s waiting for us.” 

Ava followed Jane into the house. Inside, besides Asnio, there was an older gentleman whose age showed in his calm, steady demeanor. 

Asnio introduced, “Ava, this is my mentor. He’s the director of the Ancient Terran Museum on Capitol Planet. Just call him Mr. Mett.” 

Ava quickly bowed respectfully. “Hello, Mr. Mett.” 

Jane mirrored her respect from the side. “Hi, Mr. Mett.” 

Asnio continued, “Mr. Mett, this is Ava, the girl I told you about. Our family is planning her coming–of–age party soon. I think she has that classic Celestine elegance, so I was hoping you could design a silk dress just for her.” 

From the moment Ava stepped in, Austin Mett couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her features were rare these days, the kind of classic Celestine beauty that could make anyone pause. Even standing next to Jane, she didn’t lose an ounce of her presence. 

As a historian who dedicated his life to cultural artifacts and museum work, Austin looked at Ava as if she were one of the treasures in his exhibits. His gaze was careful, almost reverent, yet burning with a sense of 

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Chapter 81 The History 

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excitement. “Young lady, where in the world is your family from? I can hardly believe I’m seeing someone with such pure Celestine features still around. Funny thing is, I’ve spent all these years holed up on Capitol Planet, and I didn’t even realize how narrow my view was.” 

Asnio chuckled. “Mr. Mett, she’s from the Morrens. She lived elsewhere for a while but just returned to Capitol Planet. Don’t treat her like an artifact.” 

Jane stifled a laugh behind her hand, knowing exactly how fanatical Austin’s collector instincts could get. 

Austin laughed heartily, a rich, booming sound that carried a twinge of wistfulness. “Artifacts don’t have her kind of life in them.” 

Asnio led Ava into the inner room and showed her the half–finished dresses. One was white, the other pink. Both designs were elegant and straightforward, exactly what she had in mind. “Try them on,” he suggested. 

Ava tried both. Asnio scrutinized every detail, jotting adjustments on his sketches. Ava went along with it without complaint. The dresses weren’t revealing and fit her age perfectly. 

Jane leaned over and said, “Looks amazing. You should wear more bright colors. You’re killing it.” 

Austin’s mind was racing. He was already imagining how the few antique dresses preserved in the museum would look on her if recreated. 

Humanity had endured countless catastrophes. Today, remarkably few complete examples of Celestian Empire clothing from ancient Terran survived. Each piece was a national treasure. Their ancestors had been citizens of that empire. However, after widespread genetic manipulation generations ago, the features of pure black–haired, black–eyed citizens of the Celestian Empire were almost extinct. 

That was why seeing Ava stirred him so profoundly. 

Austin measured her personally, opening his Holoband as he spoke. “Humans have been through several major calamities. These few dresses are what the Celestian Empire of ancient Terran brought with them when they left their home world. Unfortunately, only these survived through the ages.” 

Ava felt a momentary disorientation. This world wasn’t the one she had grown up in, yet their origins were intertwined. Ancient Terran had long been lost to time. 

Her eyes landed on the dress in the center. Austin said with a hint of regret. “This one belonged to a historical queen of the Celestian Empire of ancient Terran. Sadly, the weaving techniques are lost. We can mimic the patterns with machines, but a replica can never capture the soul of the original.” 

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