Chapter 6 - Of Shirts and Schemes.

"ALL FLIERS, PLEASE REPORT TO LAUNCH GATE EIGHT. PRELIMINARY CHECKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. BOARDING WILL END WITHIN THIRTY MINUTES." The loudspeaker blared.

Friends and families gathered their things, crumbs were swept onto the floor, blankets were quickly rolled and stuffed into bags, luggage was gathered, and kids were called and swept into possession.

My little aluminum helicopter I was making with some rudimentary Formations and spare material in my ExtensionCube collected over years, came to a jerking life. The blades spun around speedily and the little body struggled into the air.

I smiled. Fiddling with Formations was a good idea. I didn't have any great knowledge about them, the reason I didn't place them on my Christophers, but I did have some rudimentary information about their function, and a revision would surely help. Geometric figures. A steady hand. A healthy Core. As simple as that. Most things were.

I swept the spare screws and metal sheets off the seat next to me and back into my ExtensionCube. I got up, hooked my EquipmentKit over my shoulder, and looked towards Gate 8. And I saw the greatest foe, a man has ever faced. The fucking queue.

It stretched forever. And there were kids there too. Snot-filled monsters running in between the legs of every man, woman, and other breeds of monsters there. I shuddered.

I would be on the shuttle for at least three days, so I should get an extra set of clothes.

'Lemme check...Yup, it's Piter 8th. Orbital alignment is a bit off, but it's not too bad. A little over a day-and-a-half? Maybe a little less.'

I had clothes in my ExtensionCube but they were all formal and inconvenient for sleep and leisure.

Instead of waiting in the wretched line, I went over to a gift shop.

It looked like a decent-sized store. I went over to the cashier.

"Hello, Mr..." I trailed off.

"Doraall. James Doraall." He grinned up at me.

Oh, dear. This one's going to talk me to death.

"Good Afternoon, Mr. Doraall, could you show me to the clothing aisle?"

"Yes, I sure can! Impressing the ladies are we, Sir? If you know what I mean!" He waggled his eyebrows.

I didn't think someone could be more socially blunt than that. Of course, I knew what he meant! He just told me!

"Ah! I see the aisle. Thank you."

He didn't get the hint. "Let me show you the polo shirts! They are dashing. All sorts of colors and patterns for your sublime self."

'Fuck me,' I groaned silently.

I plastered a stiff smile on my face, "Please."

"See this one here is navy blue, but that wouldn't suit your eyes now would it? I think we should check these frilly ones–"

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After securing a couple of shirts and some light cotton pants, I made my way out. That too, in a prodigious twenty minutes. I thought he'd talk my face off.

I walked over, satisfied with my purchases, and sighing in mighty relief that the throng had dimmed. A sparse scattering of people was left. I waited as the line shuffled forward. There was always something tranquil amidst the right number of people. Too many and it's hard to keep track and there was always the blustering push and pull of one person followed by a tide of others. Dominoes.

However, too little, it seems scarce and desolate. Humans are, by their very nature, social creatures. We desire social stimulation. Too few people and it gets uncomfortable and spooky. But the middling is perfect. Enough people to go around and a comfortable safety in numbers.

It was a subconscious satiation.

The line tottered forward, depositing me in front of a very attractive lady. The Gate Agent gave me a twinkling smile that I returned.

Mischief flashed in her eyes as she gazed into mine, "Forms and Pass please." She was a gate agent nonetheless.

I handed over the hard copy I had obtained. I liked paper and the rough-smooth feeling of perforated and synthesized cyperus was pleasing. And it made things so much easier.

She slid the sheets into a machine and waited for it to authenticate.

A flash of green and an absolutely gorgeous smile later, I stepped onto the boarding zone.

The boarding zone was a colossal area that could fit neighborhoods alongside each other and still have room for a fair. It was cylindrical, like a beaker without the spout. It widened at the bottom so that the many, many tonnes of pressurized and heated rocket fuel could escape without tearing the whole area out of its moorings.

A stout, thickly dressed man with a cigar in his mouth and a clipboard in his left waved briskly with his right hand.

"Oi! Get yo asses ovah here!" His shouting shepherded us towards him. "Alri', firs' thin–s firs'. The flight'll be ruffley two days n thray 'ors lon'. Meals will bay provided thray tahms uh day n bunks will bay assigned tuh you. We'll bay stoppin' in Borey. Thayure iz an Advanced thet can take any of y'all tuh Rhid. Any questions? Fucking freshies." He muttered the last part under his breath. Must be discontented with his job.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Now, way ain't takin' uh cruise down jolly lane. Yore gunna git injured or sick if you do not faller thuh fuckin' instructions!" He was shouting at us by now. Then the sad, mumbling reason came, "Wretched bastards lower my pay every time one of y'alls asses complain."

There was a mellow chuckle as those in the front heard it.

The portly man clapped his hands once, snatched his cigar out of the corner of his mouth, and beckoned us to follow him.

Like ducklings we followed. "Alright! This here is the entrance, you've got twenty minutes to get in." He jabbed his clipboard-holding hand to a rectangular protrusion out of the shuttle's monstrosity. "You! Beefcake! Come on up."

A rather bulky man stepped forward, a slight frown marring his long features. Quite intimidating, but the cigar-bearing man was undeterred.

"Step there", "Step up", "Left foot front", "Do you not know how tuh wawhk?!?" That got 'passionate' real fast. The shuttle...guy barked like a drill sergeant. And the bulky man was getting even more flustered. Eventually, he got in, stepping up the steep incline towards the shuttle and wiggling his ass into the hatch, a little cheer went through the crowd below.

A lot seem like first-time fliers. At least, I wouldn't be the bumbling fool.

The rest of the crowd soon followed and the comedic occupational rage of the shuttle guy subsided, we collected in the shuttle.

It was black and presidential blue. The walls were padded slightly and the ceilings flickered in fluorescents. Hosts and Hostesses led us to our bunks and gave us supplies and a ditty bag filled with odd things. A blanket and pillows were thrust in our faces and we were left to ourselves. Without a word.

I glanced around at my companions. Those I would be with for the trip. Acquaintances, friends, barely-known, genial – fuck me if I know!

I grimaced, this was going to be a hard trip. I had to meet people. I'm gonna dismantle my face before this ends.

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The journey was, simply put, painful.

'I know, I know, I was supposed to make friends! But, why was everyone so dumb, so stupid, so imbecilic, so fuc– aaand, let's stop there. They were idiots. But I need to adapt, enough with the narcissism.'

I got down, and fortunately, there were no lingering kinks. The journey was painful on a social level, but they had a decent level of comfort.

I jumped out, the shuttle was no longer upright for launch, but landed, parallel to the ground. I stretched as I got out. Lethargic muscles stretched and warmed up. I jumped a couple of times, slapped my face with both hands on both cheeks, glared at the other passengers who looked at me weirdly and prepped myself mentally.

'Alright, Rale. You got this. Food, sleep, exam, admittance. Food, sleep, exam, admittance. Food, sleep, exam, admittance.'

I mumbled under my breath, "Alright! Lets. Do. This!"

God, why am I so scared? Oh! I know! I'm seventeen, just got emancipated, and my legacy consists of the largest Empire in the Cumulative, I've got 6 chips in my brain that are essentially –currently!– useless in combat, which is unfortunate because that's what I created them for. Aaand, I've got to make friends, forge alliances, learn the customs of the Roaring Flame, buy clothes, sell algorithms, learn enchanting, find a job so I can pay off fees without taking away from my 'bastard' persona, anything else? Oh, yes! I also have to acquire a fucking 800,000 units of fucking Essence and do so from scratch within 8 years. Oh, absolute joy.

'Damn it. Stop asking yourself questions! You know you're naturally fatalistic. Damn my overreacting self!'

Ending my pessimism, I finally took a look around. And, boy, it was beautiful. Grey skies. Dark hues. Barely any light penetrating the clouds. Little in terms of color. The flames were all the more gorgeous for it. Wicking in the cold wind, floating in the sky, the contrast let them shine higher and brighter than any other. Massive fires in red, blue, gold, and white-hot hues danced before the sky. The grey-dark skies breathed life into the flames.

Glory. One word that the flames encompassed. I gawked at them for a good 30 seconds before I got a grip. New places, new experiences. I'll reach the academy next year if I keep goggling everything that passes my sight. Shaking my head once, shaking it twice, and shaking it thrice I got rid of the lingering wonder. I can sightsee after I enroll.

Alright, food first! I set off resolutely towards what I presumed was the right direction.

A 180-degree turn was made. I set off in the correct direction.

I was wrong again. A 90-degree east turn was made.

The exit was found.

Stepping out into the cool air, the fires that welcomed me into Borey were as gorgeous as the ones that presented me to the city.

I walked briskly, training my eyes straight ahead, trying to avoid the sights. Everything was an exploration to tourists, it's why they never got to the last spot. First, was food and then I needed to catch the Advanced that would jump me to Rhid. I'd have to settle for an inn.

The city lights were candles and orbs of fire that floated in the air. Placed in a panorama of terraformed planets and twinkling stars.

I had to consciously keep focusing my attention on my eyes to not get carried away. I hustled down Walle Street, apparently, there was a tavern, the Brewery & Stewery. They served beer and stew. I didn't realize that!

I reached the intersection, of 4 different walkways, I chose left and saw a massive wooden structure. Left for the wood to chip away, no paint, everything seemed drab in this Empire but it had an unmistakable splendor.

I walked into the Brewery & Stewery, and a deluge of tinkling laughs and smells hit me. Roars of laughter vibrated through the room. Serving girls and boys swept past me like the tide against a rock. Orders were taken with the bored precision of experience. Beers, wines, and spirits were spun out of the bar quick enough to keep a promise of high commissions and tips. A solid place. Welcoming and warm. I snagged a menu from a slot on the left wall and read the contents.

'Dli Jan. Nope. Sor Fal. Nope. Samb Chut. Ry Lo Mi. Hamburger –– Fuuuck yes.'

"Hi, how are you this dim day, Sir?"

"Good, and you?"

"Fine, fine, thanks for asking. What can I get for ya today?"

"I'll do the hamburger with the sauces on the side."

"Alright, easy enough. That'll be right out for ya."

I handed him 5 copperbacks and left to find a seat.

Spotting one in the far corner I let out a short breath and made my way toward it. I sunk into the softwood with a sigh. God, it's been painful, had a hell of a ride, but I'm a short six hours away from Rhid.

'I wonder who I'll meet. I think there was some news about Prin–'

"Excuse me, you mind if I sit here?"

I looked up and saw a man well along the line of time. But still: Straight back. Hands clasped. Head high. Gaudy clothes and sparkling jewelry. A noble. Nobles didn't do anything without return. This one was scheming. But what for?

"Sure thing, my Lord."

"Thank you. Now, if you don't mind –– I couldn't help but notice that your features resemble something of a noble. Would it be too intruding if I asked which house you hail from? See, I'm getting on in my years and I've taken a particular interest in pedigrees. You, my friend, look rather similar to an acquaintance. A prominent acquaintance."

Ah, he wanted leverage against a house of better standing than him. He needed to know if I belonged to one such house, enough to raise his standing.

I snorted in my head. Pathetic. He wants to play games with me? I'll tear him apart like I did Taine.

"Of course." I smiled the smile of a viper.