Chapter 18: That’s Fair, But I Need Clothes
There were so many people in the city proper. Not only that, but there were so many buildings and so many levels of streets to walk on. When in crowds alone, she could feel rather comfortable, but when there was another person with her she always got a little nervous. It would be so easy to lose Gramps in the crowds, especially since she wasn’t taller and able to see over everyone like she had been before. Maybe going back to being taller wouldn’t be the worst thing…
“How does anyone find their way around this place?” She asked, doing her best to be at his side while not awkwardly walking into other people as he weaved his way through the crowd. “You wouldn’t happen to have a mini-map hud in the vision, would you?”
“I have no idea what you just said. You learn your way around eventually. If you really need a map, they are dotted all over the place.” He gestured to a large and flat structure over to their side.
That was a little reassuring to know. If she just lightly touched one, would she be able to download a copy of the city map and make her own mini-map display in her vision? Technically, she wouldn’t actually need to put it in her vision; she would just know it. That was a slightly unsettling thought that made her feel more machine-like than person. However, that would come in very handy when they were off doing all the shows everywhere. The question of how much information she could store in her mind floated to the surface, but she had a very scary feeling that it was larger than she could imagine. Even if she reached that cap, then she could always just commandeer some external storage and always have access to it that way.
“There isn’t public transportation in the city center.” They had to take the sci-fi equivalent of a bus to get from Gramps’s yard to the city center, but now they had been walking for the past ten minutes. Thankfully, she no longer got physically tired by carrying anything, not that the bag of Heather’s clothes weighed too much to begin with.
“Sometimes, but not in all areas. Something to do with air traffic, clutter ordinances.” Turning to the side, he started heading down an alley. “Besides, walking isn’t bad for people. You don’t even get tired.”
She let out a small sigh of relief as the crowd didn’t extend into the alley. “Not physically, but sizeable crowds make me anxious. Are all cities this crowded?”
Shaking his head, Gramps said, “No, there are plenty of smaller cities. There are even bigger cities too. Crescent is the sixth-largest city on the Bryst, and even those fail in comparison to many planets. Granted, sometimes the cities are physically larger, so in a way it ends up feeling less crowded. Stations can feel really cramped though.”
“I'll keep that in mind.” Looking up at the towering buildings on either side, and marveled that they were already on the twentieth level. In her past life, she hadn’t ever visited any cities that were so vertical. “Do we have to go up anymore?”
“Just a few more levels.”
17 levels up, to be exact, before they found themselves opening the door to Olina’s Boutique. The inside was large but packed to the brim with racks and shelves. Looking around, she could see that there were all different sections full of different styles of clothes. As they walked to the back, they passed through a section very similar in style to Heather’s. Part of her wondered if this was a thrift store situation, but all the clothes looked so new. Would clothes from the Kenana era even survive the thousands of vols till now? At least those that weren’t stored in the freezing temperatures of space.
Coming to the only counter in the store, there stood a redheaded elven woman examining some clothes. She knew Gramps was considered to be of average height, but compared to the elf, he was short. Were all elves just tall naturally? Turning around, the elf spotted Gramps and immediately smiled.
“Vestan.”
Gramps froze, clearly caught off guard by her recognizing him. “You remember me? I haven’t been in here in over 50 vol and I only came in here twice.”
Smiling, the elf said, “I remember all who pass through my doors. How did the wedding go?”
“W-well. They’re expecting their seventh grandchild in a hept.”
“Wonderful. Now, what has brought you to my wonderful store?” Olina asked while setting down the clothes she had been examining. “Another wedding?”
“No. My granddaughter needs some clothes fitted to her.” Gently, he waved her over to the counter where she set down the bag of Heather’s clothes. Curiously, Olina reached over to the bag and started looking through it without ever taking a glance up at her.
“You know, in order to fit someone, I need that someone to be here.” Inspecting the clothes, her green eyes went a little wide. “Where did you get these?”
“I am here, and I inherited them,” she said, doing her best not to let any of the mild frustration she felt inside show in her voice.
The curious look on Olina’s face changed to one of annoyance as her eyes slowly glanced up at her. Those eyes looked her up and down with disapproval. “I don’t clothe automatons, nor do I like them in my store.” Olina waved her off before turning back to Vestan. “Next time, actually bring the person you want to clothe and not a machine.”
“I’m not a damn automaton.” Frustration was now making its way into her voice, but only a little.
“You disagree with this statement.”
A deep yearning for facial expressions filled her. “By Eternity, that sentence is going to start pissing me off so much. I’m not a motherfucking automaton!” That caught Olina by surprise. Reaching forward, she started grabbing the clothes out of the elf’s hands and putting them back in the bag. “Gramps, let’s go somewhere else. I’m sure she doesn’t want to work on real Kenana era clothes that have been perfectly preserved for thousands of vol.” Turning around, she walked away. “She can just stick to all this fake stuff.”
After a few steps, she heard Olina say, “Those were real?”
“The genuine thing,” Gramps said, starting to turn and walk away. “Ships lost in space are a treasure trove from the olden days.”
This was how her life was going to be from now on, wasn’t it? Everyone thought she was an automaton and did not give her the time of day. Even after she told them she wasn’t a damn robot. Getting money for an organic-looking body couldn’t come fast enough. Even if she didn’t have the right permits, no one could stop her from making one herself if she had to. Not that she knew how to do that, nor if that would be even more expensive.
“Why do you want to dress the automaton body? Wouldn’t you prefer your actual body?” Olina asked.
Gently stopping she sighed, but didn’t turn back to look at the elf. “I’m not really in a situation where I can do that. Due to circumstances outside of my control, the only real movement and freedom I have is with this.” She gestured to the automaton body. “Believe me, I’m not happy about it and this body makes me feel like shit, but if I could just have some clothes that make me feel good maybe I can live with this body for a while.” Turning around she face Olina. “So do you want to help me or not, because I’ve done enough waiting around without clothes that fit.”
Olina looked at her for a few moments; those green eyes scanning up and down the automaton body. It made her feel like Olina was appraising her, but she couldn’t pinpoint in what way. Just before she reached the point of turning around again to leave, the elf spoke. “You’re smaller than the clothes, so we have room to work with. The automaton is pretty bland and flat, so if you want shape, we’re going to have to do some trickery with the clothes. Kenana clothes typically had multiple layers, so altering them in the right way can give a better illusion of shape. Is this all the clothes you have?”
“I have more, but I was planning on saving the rest for when I don’t need this body anymore.”
“Are you only wanting Kenana-style clothes?”
“I do really enjoy that style, but at this point I would be willing to try anything to see what makes me feel good. We are going to be doing a lot of ship shows, and since the ship and this body are both from the Kenana period, I want that style of clothes to wear for it. I suppose I also need some clothes I don’t mind getting dirty while working on the ship.”
“That’s what the jumps are for, Kiddo.”
“I’m not wearing your jumpsuit, Gramps.”
“How much time do you have?” Olina asked.
“Only the mor—”
She cut Gramps off. “However long it takes. I need clothes.”
“Kid, we have a lot of work to do. Hugh will show up at some point, and no one’s going to be there to meet him, and he’s going to get worried.”
She turned to look at him. “Gramps…”
“What? He will get worr—oh…” He finally caught on that Hugh wouldn’t be alone. “That might be worse.”
“That’s fair, but I need clothes. If he’s uncomfortable, he can just hang around outside the ship. I’ll let you know when he get’s there if he does in fact get there before we get back.” Turning back to the elf, she found Olina looking a little confused. Even so, Olina didn’t ask questions. “Are we good to get to work? I really want to stop feeling so naked.”
“I’m ready whenever you are.” With a gentle wave of her hand and a word muttered under her breath, Olina’s eyes glowed a gentle green for a second as wisps of green smoke grew from her fingertips. Several tailoring tools floated up from behind the counter and followed behind Olina as she made her way from out behind the counter and started walking to another part of the store, gesturing for them to follow.
Gramps appeared unfazed by the simple display of magic, but she stood there a little dumbfounded. That was the very first time she had seen magic so far, and it was amazing. This universe was going to be so fun to explore, and maybe along the way she could even learn a little magic herself. If regents were capable of such things. Hopefully they were, because she was going to get really upset if she got ‘isekaied’ to a universe with magic and wasn’t able to use it herself. It would also be anxiety-producing if Stargazer ran on magic that she couldn’t replicate if something went wrong. Shaking away those thoughts, she followed the elf’s lead, excited to finally have some clothes again.