Chapter 208: Galleria
Rain’s jaw dropped as he stared out into the vast expanse of open space and greenery.
The curated garden that rested at the base of the Galleria was lush and inviting, perfectly balanced with both shaded and lit areas, discreet benches, and bins for waste. At the center of it was a lawn of short-cut grass occupied by about four-dozen tables, and surrounding the green space were restaurant stalls that filled the space with many sweet and savory scents.
There were stalls that sold only drinks, or sugary goods Rain had never seen. Stalls for cuisines from all over the world, worked by Elevated with broad smiles on their faces. Almost compulsively, Cassie moved to a small stall selling various kinds of pretzels - Rain hadn’t known there was more than one kind - and came back with a paper cup full of both sweet and salty ones.
She then proceeded to lead them through the bottom floor’s park, the pretzels disappearing rapidly. She giggled when Rainier finished gawking to ask "What is this place?"
"It’s the Galleria. You can get almost anything here," she said, pointing above the restaurant stalls.
She drew Rainier’s eyes to the stores. Clothing and shoes and curios, even at this distance obviously of the best quality. Sporting goods and books and jewelry. Everything seemed to sell separate products. There was even a shop that sold only halos; in more colors than Rain had thought was possible. Stores upon stores were stacked up on each other, but generally grouped vertically by themes.
While there were stairs, most of the angels simply flew up or down as they shopped, and their servants would take the stairs to catch up, or one of the floating platforms that went up and down at regular intervals.
More than one servant was laden with boxes and bags, and one even had their own miniature floating platform, on top of which rested a mountain of goods hidden by their various containers and wrappings.
"Rain, you coming?" Ozzy’s voice broke through Rain’s reverie.