Without wasting any time I sprinted to the lift, I reached out with my augs ahead of time and dug into the safety restrictions and removed them.

I stepped into the lift and activated the lift, it springs up into the air like a potato out of a potato launcher, I could hear the equipment moving the lift squeal in protest. My stomach drops into my feet, the only reason I’m still standing is the physical upgrades I made to my bones and muscles, any normal human would probably be some sort of mush on the floor.

The lift comes to a sudden stop, and because physics being what they are I continued moving and gracefully slammed into the ceiling like a sack of potatoes.

Once I fall back to the ground, I sprinted to the awaiting Witch Craft, the engines are already warmed up and ready to go.

Of course, figured it might give you a few precious seconds.

Rolling my eyes I leapt into the open cargo door, before even making it to the pilot’s seat I started flying the ship out the hangar door and into the night sky.

I stumble through to the front, plopping down into my seat.

I opened up my armor settings and find the design section in the menu. A model of myself springs up into my mind with my current equipment on. On the sides it has tabs where my other pre-sets are stored for quick changes. Below the pre-sets is a little plus. I select that to open a blank slate.

My image changes to an image of me standing there naked, eep! Thankfully only I can see this!

I add in my standard underwear and save that as the undergarment standard, so next time it won’t start with me being nude.

Let’s go with something simple, but elegant. I imagine a simple dress, with a hint of dark blue that blends down into purple at the bottom. I add a black cloth belt to cinch it around the waist. I add in long sleeves with the same color transition going down them. Something is missing though, what does it need? Stars, why is fashion so difficult! Oh ho! Stars! I dash in stars, galaxies, planets, and moons! I spread them out and make them give off light as if they were real and make them rotate and spin around the dress.

Let’s not forget my hat either! I drop my hat on top, then make it match the dress color and star design, but I make the underside appear like the darkness of space, with stars twinkling. To finish it off, I add gold trim and stitching to the whole outfit, Happy with my rush job, I save it and activate the design.

The nanites making up my gear swirl and crawl over me, to bring to life my masterpiece of a dress!

I look over at my staff and wand, I can’t really carry them around on a date, not even just that, but they are bulky in general…

Can they? Yes of course, but you would have to purchase them again, and the cost would increase due to upgrading them to nanites.

Okay, picky-pants, how about a dimensional storage space?

I create an extra-dimensional space, like a warehouse, and store your junk there until you need it, what else is there to say?

It’s a Class II catalog called Extra Dimensional Solutions it will cost six hundred points and a token. The Item I have in mind for you is called Category II Extra-Dimensional Spatial Storage portal and is a thousand points. It will be keyed into your hats brim; you can shove just about anything into it that will fit. The space within is essentially limitless, has no air, no temperature, and time does not flow in it. So, anything placed within, basically enters a state of stasis until it is removed. To get things out, you use your augs to recall the item, and it will drop out as quick or slow as you need it, within limits, or you can reach your hand in to grab it.

Yes, I figured that made the most sense since your hat is fairly large, and with your nanites you can change its size to fit a wide array of stuff.

Oh, easy, just like all your gear menus! Anywhere that your nanites form a complete circle in some way, can be set as an entry or exit point for the portal.

Loot inbound!

Class II Extra-Dimensional Solutions unlocked!

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Points reduced to: 68,220

Tokens reduced to: 4

New Purchase: Category II Extra Dimensional Storage Portal:

Points reduced to: 67,220

A summoning circle with purple rings materializes in the air next to me and drops a black and purple box out onto my lap.

I reach in to find a black and purple glass orb about the size of a golf ball, picking it up instantly starts the software install for my augs. As the knowledge gets add into my augs, a quick glance at the new menu tells me that, like my other items, it will integrate into my armor just by placing it against any part of it.

I press it against my hat, and it gets sucked in instantly.

A quick thought and the underside of my hat turns into an impossibly dark void that seems to suck in even the light. Grabbing my staff and wand, I press them both into the void, and they vanish into it without so much as a sound.

Eerie! I close the portal and check the menu, and see a list of items stored within the void.

* Wand of Fireballs

* Tempest Staff of Storms

I think about pulling out the staff, the void opens back up and I see the staff start to slide out slowly. Cancelling the command, it sucks right back up and the void closes.

We have arrived at Juhnes, it appears Devoy beat you here.

Your words, not mine.

The Witchcraft naturally doesn’t fit into the small alleyway that Juhnes takes up, so I leave it hovering over the shop. Using my portal emitter, I appear right outside the front door.

Taking a steadying breath I whisper “You can do this.” Pushing in the glass door I peek my head inside, the place looks fantastic!

All the tables were removed save one, the walls were decorated in holograms of Asian scenery, beautiful trees, little villas, greenery and waterfalls. They were even touched up with sounds of running water, and other nature sounds, as if we were out in a garden.

Standing next to the table was Devoy, decked out in a nice black suit. He must have seen my head poke in because his face lit up with a smile and his eyes shone with a welcoming warmth.

My heart skipped a beat as I took it all in.

I finally stepped into the place and closed the door behind me. Devoy opened his arms inviting me in for a hug, which I immediately jumped into.

I leaned into the hug, feeling his strong arms wrap around my person, it was like sitting in a warm bath, wrapped in a bubble of cake and cozy, and it smelled of tea tree and vanilla.

I let out a content sigh, enjoying the feeling, snugging up as close as possible.

Too soon, he releases me from the cocoon of warmth and holds me at arm’s length. He looks me up and down, I can see in his eyes the wonder, the look I was hoping for with the dress!

“You look amazing, and that dress… wow!” He said in awe. I do a little twirl for him, making all the stars and celestial objects spin aand twirl as I do it.

“Thank you, and you look rather striking as well, I approve.”

He lets my hand go and pulls out a chair at the table for me.

“Your seat.” He gestures.

I plop down into it with lady-like grace.

On the table are several candles and other random decorative placements.

Devoy walked over to his side and sat.

“So, we are getting a surprise special treatment apparently.” Devoy said, his eyes lingering with a question.

“Mr. Ji-Ho said that he is going to spoil us with his best items until we can’t eat any more. Which leaves me to wonder, what happened to get this sort of treatment.”

I sheepishly grin, “I may have beat down a local gang, that was exploiting the place for protection money. They then sent goons to my place, and I beat them up too, and warned them any more action would result in the full wrath of a Samurai.”

“So that’s’ the story behind the potential gang war you mentioned, think anything else will come of it?” He questioned.

At this point Mr. Ji-Ho came out from the back pushing a large table on wheels, in the middle of it was a pit with a fire going, and a grill suspended over it. Around the edges were a large variety of meats, toppings, and massive lettuce leaves.

My eyes leapt out of my head as my stomach gurgled in anticipation. Devoy laughed at my reaction.

“I think someone forgot to feed themselves today.” He joked.

“She has in fact not eaten any lunch today, only breakfast. Make sure she eats at least six thousand calories, please, Devoy.” Piped up Merlin from my hat.

He busted out laughing. Between laughs he managed to get out; “You got it Merlin, she’s in good hands, I think.”

“Traitorous AI, who’s side are you on?” I grumbled.

“Give him a break Mori, he only fusses because he cares. Right, Merlin?”

“That is correct Devoy, I want to ensure she is fit to fight when more Antithesis invade.” He said smugly.

“Go away Merlin, you’re ruining my date night!” I hissed at him.

“Pfft, you hardly need my help to do that.” He retorted.

“HUSH, YOU!” I screeched, throwing my hat across the room.

“My point exactly.” Said the hat from the other side of the room.

Devoy busted out laughing at our antics.

Mr. Ji-Ho just carried on with a smile on his face, watching from the side politely.

He placed plates down, and some skewer sticks, forks, and other utensils to facilitate cooking the food. Then briefly explained how to cook the food and wrap it.

Essentially, we cook the meats we want over the fire, use the giant lettuce leaves to wrap the meat up with our choice of toppings, like a bulgogi lettuce taco.

We spend the next hour or so, grilling our food and stuffing our face with the amazing food, only minimal small talk in between bites.

After we had our fill, Mr. Ji-Ho rolled away the grill and brought out a plate of sweet sticky rice with a side of mango, for dessert.

It was amazing!

With a content sigh, I sat back in my chair and grinned sillily at Devoy.

“What?” He said, obviously amused.

“Nothing, this was great! I hope you enjoyed it too.”

“Of course, much better than fighting off countless waves of aliens, in a pool of blood and gore.” He patted his stomach. “More filling for sure.” He joked.

“So much better.” I laughed.

“And I’m sorry that our first date was more of a plant grinding murder session.” I said, looking downcast.

He leaned forward and looked into my eyes.

“You’re an amazing woman, incredibly smart, beautiful, determined. I love that you care about everyone, and want to make this world a safer place.” He reached across the table, taking my hands in his, gently squeezing them. “Never be sorry for being you, this world is full of evil, selfish and power-hungry assholes. You are the counterpoint to them. You have my support for whatever it is you do. I trust that you have the best intentions in your heart.”

My eyes started to water as he was talking.

“Thank you.” I said, pulling a hand back to wipe my tears.

“Nothing to thank, if anything I’m the lucky one, who gets to see your dreams come true, and spend time with the most amazing woman on the planet.”

He got up and walked around the table, keeping one hand in his. He gently pulled my hand up, and out of the chair guiding me over to an open space on the floor.

Soft music came out of nowhere and we started a slow dance. I leaned into his chest taking in his amazing smell, and the warmth and strength of his presence.

We slowly danced around the room, just enjoying the moment.

When the song ended, he looked down into my eyes and leaned in, I felt my heart try to beat its way out of my chest, I leaned into him, and we had our first heart stopping kiss. It was soft, and warm and made the world shrink down to just the two of us.

It was at that moment the glass shattered and a brick came sailing into the room.