“Big Dee!” Drew interrupted.
“Drew,” Jadis said more firmly. “If you go through life walking away every time it gets tough, you’ll never get your revenge on Betta Reganta.”
“I don’t need revenge. She was just a poor, sick woman… with an extremely large amount of fluid in her belly,” Drew said softly, following behind Jadis.
Gabriel’s boasted an old-fashioned golden neon sign reading “Gabriel’s” that cycled the level of illumination from easy on the eye to near-blinding when seen up-close. Holographic models walked down a red carpet that sat horizontal to the transparent structure. Inside the shop, there were tuxedos with expansive ties and dresses that went from ballroom to particularly revealing. Wherever Jadis’s eyes roamed, a holographic model would appear wearing something from that section of the shop, winking at him the entire time. There were also utility suits near the back end, sleek space suits of a design that Jadis had never seen, and finally an entire array of the very coat that Jadis wore. The big difference was that his attire felt cheap and lifeless compared to the liveliness of the golden colors that shimmered under the shop’s light. He suspected this was an added effect to draw in buyers. Mentally, he prepared himself to haggle.
Not that it mattered. A tall woman with mahogany skin that towered over the both of them stepped out through the sliding doors and onto the red carpet. She wore a blood-red dress that skittered to the side at the ankles and revealed a large bust at the top, the fringing black at the edges. Straight, black hair with bangs that were cut perfectly above her brow, and the same just above her shoulders, complimented the dress. The hint of diamonds glinted at the top of her head as a low-key tiara. Her lashes were long and her eyes round and wide as they studied the two men covered in muck.
Jadis prepared himself for another tongue-lashing, but white teeth were revealed with a wide smile. “You must be Jadis, and you must be Big Dee,” a low voice, that Jadis was beginning to suspect belonged to a man, as it was lower than his own, boomed out into the station proper.
“Big Dee!” the holograms gasped and giggled.
Jadis frowned. The last thing Drew needed was –
“That’s me, ladies!” Drew called out. “I think I’ve found heaven. And what might your name be, gorgeous?”
Gabriel extended a red-gloved hand with black stitching on the outside to match the red dress. Drew made to take it, but it was quickly held up in a signal for him to stop. “Hold on, Big Dee. You’ll need to clean up before you enter my establishment. I am, of course, Gabriel, by-the-by. I’ve also got more than a few items for you to model. Kat! Kat!” She called back into the shop.
This time a man of far lighter complexion with a head full of black curls scurried through the doorway. He was wearing one of the old-fashioned tuxedos, complete with a grey vest and a solid gray tie. “Yes, Gabriel?”
“These gentlemen need your help, my dear. You know where to take them. You must have the utmost care with that one.” She pointed at Jadis. “He’s the one our Miss Reganta kissed.”
A flashback of the kiss caused his hearts to race again. “News travels fast.”
Gabriel waved and a holographic image of Betta leaning in to kiss him was displayed across the red carpet. The modeling men and women “awed” appropriately. It paused mid-kiss and Gabriel clapped her hands. “It was this part here that truly touched my insides, Jadis. Look at how you closed your eyes, how your lips part, and how those clenched teeth opened right up to her. You can look as put out as you like, but, my dear, I see the truth. Kat!”
“Yes, Gabriel.” The young man snapped into action. “If you two gentlemen will follow me, we’ll get you cleaned up and ready for Miss Gabriel.”
“Oh, I’m ready,” Drew winked.
Gabriel winked back. “I like you, Big Dee.” She laughed a deep baritone laugh. Turning in a flourish, she re-entered the shop and the transparent doors slid back together. Both Jadis and Drew continued to stare while Gabriel grew distant, her walk painstakingly slow.
Kat cleared his throat. He cleared it again. Finally, he stepped before the two men. “If you are ready, sirs?”
“Did you hear that, Jadis? We’re sirs!” Drew said excitedly.
“Lead on, young Kat.” Jadis waved.
They were led around the shop and through a service entrance that led to a different part of the facility. Titanium grey walls attached to a heavy door that was magnetically locked. The thundering sound of the door unlocking shook the two men. They followed Kat into the interior which was laid out in plush red carpeting, a matching sofa with the same coloring, and a buffet table heavy with all types of meats and veggies. There was even a cooler with drinks both alcoholic and boring.
Facing the sofa, were a wall of six doors. Kat gave them each a code and bowed. “You’ll find a selection of clothing that Gabriel thought would match your desires and motivation. When you have found the combination that suits you, please press the green button on the wall. Gabriel will join you to inspect your choices and judge whether it is suitable.”
“Shouldn’t we be the ones judging?” Jadis asked.
“Shut up, Jadis. It’s obvious that Gabriel is a lady of refinement and taste. Not like you,” Drew replied.
“You are a very wise man, Big Dee.” Kat grinned. “I’ll leave you to dress.”
Jadis entered the code for the first door. It beeped and opened, revealing a room with a bed, a couch, a full mirror and an attached bath through another doorway.
Jadis pulled off his coat. He paused mid-sleeve, looking down in complete and total despair. How had it taken him this long to notice? All of his holsters were empty. His pulse gun, his knives, even the little ones, were all gone.
When had she done it? Well, he knew when she had done it. How had she done it? Had the whole thing been an act to get him weaponless. If so, why all the vomiting? That part really turned his stomach. There had to be a better way to disarm him. The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that if she had merely threatened to vomit he would have freely given up his weapons.
Was she planning to get him alone in this chamber so that she could attack him while he was defenseless? The more he thought about it, the more he felt he knew the answer. Never in his life had he met someone like her. Drafers by nature, especially in the royal household, were reserved and controlled. He knew that he rebelled against that control, which explained most of his impulses. Betta was like a child in a world where everything was a toy. She put costumes on her employees, ate like she’d never eaten food, and drank with absolute abandon. And now she’d pickpocketed him for his weapons.
His anger bubbled over into laughter. It was the first time in decades that Jadis laughed that hard. Every time he imagined himself standing shocked over the kiss that was obviously meant to distract him, he laughed even harder. Removing his coat fully and the remainder of his clothing, he wrung out his damp fur, ignored the musk-laden smell that rose, and used his scarf to wipe away the layer of fluids that covered his torso. He touched the spot where his lower abdomen had hardened earlier, now soft and pliable.
Stepping away from the stinking pile of clothing that was interlaced with both his and Betta’s fluids, he made his way into the bathroom to greet his toilet and take a long shower.
The pile was gone when Jadis returned to the room. In its place were four racks. The first had four coats that were similar to the one he owned, each a different shade of gold. His implants immediately connected to the coat’s interface. He sighed, acknowledging that Betta was indeed correct. His nanite mesh was decades behind this.
The holographic image of Gabriel, this time in a simple pair of jeans with a tucked in rolled sleeved shirt popped up at the second rack. Jadis put the towel he held to his chest, not certain what to hide.