Chapter 377
Three days buried in my workshop meant three peaceful days for me. After talking with Mira, I dove right into finishing the Roughrighders. All fifteen were created, tested, and then retested. All modules, weapon systems, and everything in between had gone through rigorous training for quality. With them ready, Luna had helped me drop them off by the Jade Fang.
Thankfully, Sakurai Yuki wasn’t there. She seemed nice enough, but something gave me the feeling she was a little… unstable? Not to mention she was about to take over the whole Fang from her mother. She didn’t have time for little old me.
Ishimaru and Elder Anzan were, though. I got my pay and split after giving them a couple warnings. My bikes were built with a full suite of anti-tampering measures. If one of their mechanics triggered one, it’d cause most of the internals to melt down like it’d been hit by a thermite.
“You okay?” I asked Luna as the Roughrider plopped onto the ground. She let go of my waist and slid off the back of the Roughrider.
“Y-yeah. Just a little…” Luna waved her hand around her head and leaned against the hover bike. She looked a little green around the gills.
“You helped me fly these all over the city.” I flicked off the Roughrider and shifted so I was half straddling the side. “I wouldn’t have pegged you as someone who got air sick.”
“Remotely flying one a-and actually being on one are totally different things.” She ran a shaky hand down her face, and her pale blue eyes flared with a vibrant light. A nearby flashing ad abruptly shut off, and she relaxed slightly.
Must be nice to do that kind of thing on demand. I shook my head and looked around the flyer bay. Yes, I actually landed in a bay this time around. Mira wanted the full experience for some reason, and actually using a flyer bay was part of that. Unfortunately, that also meant paying for a spot. I cheated my way through most parking garage’s, but I couldn’t do the same here.
I hopped off the bike and patted Luna on the back. “If you want to wait here and cool off, I’m going to go get a pass.”
She flopped a hand in my direction, and the red holo stripes around the parking spot flicked green. “I got it.”
“Woah, I need to drag you around more often.” What else could I get free? Free parking saved me, like, a hundred rayn an hour to park up here.
“Please don’t. I-I like just staying home.” Her nose scrunched up and her eyes narrowed on me like I just suggested burning her at the stake
“Chek chek.” I shifted from foot to foot and looked around the other flyers in the bay. Mine was noticeably smaller. I had a dream though—one where Cold Moon became prominent and I saw my own product everywhere. Wouldn’t that be super cool? “You sure you’re fine with this?”
She glanced back up at me with her pale blue eyes. “W-why wouldn’t I be? It’s just a dress. Not like it’ll bite me.”
“So you say.” With Luna helping me drop off the fifteen vehicles, she happened to be around just in time to catch Mira’s eye. She was promptly invited along to join us for this horrid adventure. That was what brought us here, to the flyer bay just above Crystal Aesthetics.
“Almost there. You guys save me a spot?” Speak of the angel—Mira’s voice vibrated through the back of my head.
”Chek.”
”Got it too.” The parking spot just next to us flicked red as Luna hacked another spot. The girl flopped her head back over the Roughrider and groaned. “I-I’m going to take the bus back.”
“If you think I’m bad, you should see—“
A Roughrider whipped into the flyer bay, stirring up a gust of wind that buffeted me and Luna. A moment later, it slammed into a stop just next to us. Somehow, it was perfectly parked in the lines. “Shiro! Luna! So glad you guys could make it.”
”Mira…” I stared at her for a moment. Her blonde hair waved everywhere crazily around her, and she had thankfully returned back to that cheerful, golden-retriever like expression from before the Savant lab. “You’re going to dent the landing gear.”
”Nonsense! I trust Cold Moon’s products with my life,” she proclaimed loudly like I paid her to do an advertisement. She pulled out the key and slid off the bike. “Luna… you’re looking as snowy as ever.”
”Mira.” Luna stared at her for a moment and her lips lifted into a small smile. “You're as golden as ever.”
”Thanks, chum.” Mira stepped between us and slung her arms over our shoulders. “I can’t wait! Us three besties on our way to face the world!”
”Since when were you two so close?” I wiggled out of her arm and headed for the elevator. Thankfully, the call button actually worked and the indicator lit up this time around.
”Since we worked together on something a day ago.” Mira slid her hands into her pockets and shrugged toward Luna. “Easiest five thousand rayn I’ve ever made.”
”S-she’s paid me more than you have, Shiro.” Luna pouted and crossed her arms. “Aren’t you supposed to be my boss?”
Aren’t you supposed to stutter? Seriously, why are you so brave when demanding your pay? The elevator dinged, and we stepped into it. “I’ve given you at least fifty thousand in benefits already. Sides, I just got paid. I’m still figuring all that stuff out.”
The way I figured it, at least briefly, was a 75-25 split. Most of the rayn from sales would stick with Cold Moon for various operating fees, taxes, and that kind of thing. I’d take the 25 split home. I didn’t have too many expenses quite yet, but I figured it was only a matter of time. Better to prepare now, especially with some of my plans for the future.
”N-no rush, but you did promise to p-pay for my new apartment.” Luna crossed her arms and the doors slid closed.
“Oh!” Mira shot her hand into the air. The halo atop her head bobbed to the side briefly before the hover anchors pulled it back. “There’s a spot across from me? Want it?”
”I-I was thinking somewhere close to Medtech.” Luna’s head dipped and a list of apartments popped into my HUD. Most were incredibly expensive, but it seemed she found a few good ones a bit closer to Oldtown.
”We can talk about it later.” I waved a hand and the listings scattered. I had enough on my plate just planning this stuff.
“Later again, Shiro?” Mira lunged to ruffle my hair. I easily dodged her, though. She’d have to get speedware or catch me off guard if she genuinely wanted to ruffle my hair again.
I backed into the corner of the elevator and raised a finger toward her. “You better cut it out. We’re at a nice place this time around.”
Mira dropped low into a stance like she was just about to lunge. “Luna, grab her legs.”
”I-I’d rather not.” Luna backed away into the other corner of the elevator where she was out of the way.
”Are you sure you want to do this?” I slowly dropped lower to match Mira.
“Never been more sure of anything in my—“ The elevator dinged. As if that was what she’d been waiting for, she flung herself at me with the full might of a exoskeleton enhanced human.
I dodged to the side with Burst Step and sent out a bolt of electricity. The path in front of it ionized, and the electricity slammed into Mira. It froze her up for the split second that I dodged, and prevented her from shifting to catch me. She slammed headfirst into the side of the elevator. Or maybe I should say halo first?
”Owie!” She dropped to the floor just as the elevator dinged and rubbed at her head. “C’mon, Shiro! Just give in.”
”Never.” I dropped a hand down to her. “Now behave. We’re here.”
”Fine.” She blew a lock of gold out of her face and accepted my hand. I half-expected her to pull me down. It seemed she was actually going to stay true to her word this time, though.
I shook my head and pulled her to her feet. The three of us left the elevator and exited out into Crystal Aesthetics. It looked much the same as the last time I’d been here. If there was a difference, it was in the fact that more people were here than last. They were dressed and dolled up the finest that they could be in hopes of catching the master tailor’s eye.
Unfortunately for them, the eccentric man likely wouldn’t even give them a second glance. Not that it mattered to me. I wasn’t here for Telos. Not to mention he probably wouldn’t recognize me thanks to Master of Disguise. I preferred it this way, to be honest. I wanted to get Mira something nice, and any of the other Crystal aestheticians would work. Sean had spoken very highly of them last time I was here.
“What do you think of this one?” I stopped at the first dress I saw. It looked like a sunny little piece done in bright yellow and gold. “It could fit you?”
Mira frowned and looked it over with a clinical eye. “I guess if I’m trying to blind someone. Your fashion sense is a bit…”
”I know.” I frowned and moved over to the next one over. It was bright silver. “Luna, what do you think of—“
”What do you think you’re doing?” One of the perfectly manicured ladies stepped in front of me. Honestly, the amount of makeup and the modifications of her face seemed to make her uglier more than anything.
”Shopping?” I frowned and moved to pass her.
“Here? Master Telos doesn't accept just anyone.” As she said his name, her eyes filled with a fanatical glee. Several other people that looked just like her stepped forward as if to reinforce her. “Least of all a broke idiot like you. You’d simply squander his products with your short frame and boney body.”
D-did she just call me short? I dropped my voice into a low whisper. “Luna, hit her with one of the nastiest viruses you have.”
“G-got it.” Beside me, the runner’s eyes briefly flashed a vibrant blue before fading back into the usual shade.
“Leave.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
I likewise crossed my own arms. “Oh? So you own this place now?”
“Where’d you get that filthy rag from? A streetrat’s estate sale?” The haughty woman laughed alongside her group of friends and waved her hand in front of her nose like I reeked. It was a not so casual redirect.
“Skipped the sale and went straight for the corpse, actually.” I picked and pulled at my jacket. “What do you think? I got most of the dead person gunk out, didn’t I?”
“And streetrats don’t have estate sales!” Mira not so helpfully pointed out. “You’ve obviously never seen a poor person.”
”Why would I lower myself by being around such a filthy thing?” She sniffed and looked away from us like our mere sight was bothersome. “You best leave while I’m being polite.”
“If this is you being polite, then I’d hate to see you mean.” A cold shudder went down my spine.
An attendant moved over and stepped in between us. He had chemskin dying him a silver color, and his hair looked like it was made from crystals. “Ladies, what seems to be the problem?”
”This street rat here is loitering. I bet she can’t even afford anything here, and is just looking for a chance to steal.” The snide woman immediately tattled.
The attendant froze for a moment and looked me head to toe. “Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to leave—“
“My muse!” A crazed man charged headlong into the crowd starting to surround us, and completely bowled over the lady. He didn’t even bother offering her a hand, and instead directly grabbed my own. “I thought you’d never come back!”
“Y-you recognize me?” I pulled my hand away from the frantic looking Master Telos.
“You may hide your face, but I’d never forget your perfection!” The mad tailor clapped his hands sharply and turned to address the crowd. “I’ve been informed that it's now against the rules to loiter in my shop! I’m going to have to ask you people to leave!”
The woman had just picked herself up and stared at the man with a mix of confusion and anger. “B-but Master Telos!”
“Attendents! What am I paying you for?!” Telos screamed out toward the shop.
Immediately, a wave of people in Crystal Aesthetics charged out into the main hall from several other rooms. They rounded up the people and cleanly dragged them toward the exit. In the case of the woman, they dragged her kicking and screaming. Soon, peace once more returned to the store. This time around, though, it was just Telos, the attendants, and my group of three.
“My muse, you must come! I’ve been preparing for this day!” Without taking no for an answer, Telos grabbed my hand and the energetic man pulled me deeper into the store.