Chapter Thirty-Three - The Perfect Fit

    Chapter Thirty-Three - The Perfect Fit

    Fashion amongst Samurai is a quick-moving and vicious thing. Most lower-tiered Samurai will change outfits and styles at the drop of a hat, sometimes literally. Their mass market appeal requires that they stand out, at least a little, from those that came before.

    Thats why youll see such wild styles being adopted by some. The rise of entire sites dedicated to judging the fashion sense of some Samurai (and the shaming of Shamurai, or those Samurai who go too far with their style), the tabloids around them, and the way that clothing companies are quick to copy any interesting fashion on display has led to a strange sort of competition.

    Most of the established Samurai, strangely enough, dont seem to care as much about it. By the time theyve gotten that far into their careers theyve usually figured out the look and style they want to adopt.

    --Edith Rockwell, lead clothing designer, Nimbletainment Inc. 2032

    ***

    New Purchase:Under Shoulder Autoloading Holster Mark I

    Points reduced to... 224

    I stared at the box waiting for me on the ground, right next to a couple of other boxes that Id kicked around. Myalis had convinced me to get healed up properly before moving on. Then she got me to buy a juice box.

    I sucked at the little straw sticking out of the one-point drink until my cheeks caved in.

    It was, hand down, the best drink Id ever had. Both sweet and savoury, with a bit of a citrusy tang to it, and it left me with an after-taste as if Id just bitten into one of those really expensive organic apples Lucy and I had once stolen from the better part of the city.

    Point was, alien food was the best and worth every point.

    I can never give any of this to Lucy, I said as I yoinked the straw out of the box, then tipped it over for one last drop.

    I cant see how it would be bad for her.

    Points reduced to... 214

    Five fresh magazines appeared next to the empty box before me. I took one and tapped it to the slim little box under my armpit.

    A trio of little arms unfolded themselves from the box, grabbed the magazine in little pinchers, then rotated around and behind me where I couldnt see them even looking over my shoulder. They slotted the magazine into one of the back pockets and then slid back into place.

    Cool, I said. I watched the little arms slot away three more magazines, then I stuffed my Trench Maker into place. The little arms got to work right away, tossing the empty magazine to the ground and fitting in a new one in under two seconds. Nice. I looked down at myself, then nodded. It even kinda looks cool. Does it come in colours that arent black?

    It does. You may pick next time. I didnt think it would matter.

    I perked an eyebrow. Which colours can I pick from?

    Which hex code is your favourite?

    I... nevermind, just curious.

    I have your measurements, so it should fit quite comfortably.

    I blinked, then felt the inside of the auto-loader. It was nice and padded. A quick zip, then some bouncing up and down revealed a few important things. When you said measurements, you werent kidding.

    If I gained any weight the damned thing wouldnt fit, but it didnt encumber my breathing or anything.

    Is there anything else you need?

    I... think this will do for now, I said. How much time had I just wasted playing dress-up with cool guns? I shook my head, considered putting on my torn up jacket, then gave up on that. I probably looked a mess with my black half-jacket and torn up and bloody clothes, but I looked like a dangerous mess, and that was a fashionable enough statement for me.

    I considered tossing everything in the trash, then gave up on that idea. The whole building was filled with dead aliens, it probably didnt matter all that much that Id left some junk on the ground.

    Time to go see if the others are still alive, I said.