10-16-2017, 07:05 PM
The first few steps into Coruscant were intense. Stein’s eyes naturally found the tall buildings dominating the skyscape, and immediately he was reminded of home. The little flying specs were next. Originally perceived as birds, he quickly came to realize that they were something else entirely. Flying fucking cars! This place was not just modern, it was futuristic.
The familiar yellow and checkered pattern of a Taxi appeared before him. It had no wheels; it just hovered centimeters above the ground. This is how to greet a Hero! Stein nearly pranced over to the driver side window. “Salutations!” He chimed.
“Are you Prime?” The man asked, tapping the ashes from his cigarette out of the window. When Stein nodded yes, the man thumbed towards the back seat. “Hop in, then.” Stein quickly obliged. He did not have to be asked twice. The back of the cab was delightfully roomy compared to normal cars. “Where to?”
Stein had no idea where he would go… or even how to pay the man. A few moments of silence and a confused expression, the cab driver decided to show a little mercy. “Name’s Greg. This is Coruscant. You pay in Omnilium. I can take you to whatever amenity you need, just name it and I’ll find the nearest one.” The man’s scruffy voice matched the salt and pepper beard and weathered face. He looked middle aged, but in that ‘I’ve seen some shit’ middle aged.
A few moments longer of consideration, the Prime finally figured out a game plan. “Shopping district first… then food… then an apartment… How do I know how much of this… Omnilium I have?”
The older man chuckled at the question. “Trust me, you Primes always seem to have enough.”
“Well,” if that’s the case, “would you mind being my tour guide for the day? I’ll pay in between rides as well, and toss in lunch.” He could see a dark brow rise. “And not fast food.”
Greg turned in his seat to look Stein eye to eye. “Boy, you had me at pay.” That is what Stein liked to hear. “What kind of clothes you into? Upscale, space-age, modern-classic or retro?”
Wow, so many choices. It was hard to pick, considering he hardly knew the difference between them. “Jeans, T-shirts and a hoodie?”
“That’d be Modern-classic, lad. I’ll take ya to the Omni-Mart. Buckle up.” With the destination set, they were off. The car lifted straight up for several meters, then launched forward. Stein hardly felt it move. “So. What’s your name, new guy?”
The realization he had not offered his name when Greg showed his caught up the Hero was in this new Verse. “Stein. Didn’t mean to be rude.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ve had worse passengers.” He laughed at that. Stein definitely did not seem to be his worst. “Especially on the lower levels; I’d stay on the higher tiers if you can manage. Below the fourth is nothing but crime and prostitutes.” The way he chuckled made it seem as if Greg knew from experience. “Second tier is fine, best place to live. Few tourists, nice neighborhoods, great security.”
Greg’s chatter went on for most of the ride. It explained a few things about a variety of topics but he did not give heavy specifics on any one thing, except that he was one of the best taxi drivers around – and that all other drivers were assholes. Stein heard the man’s horn almost as much as the man himself during stopped traffic.
Omni-Mart seemed suspiciously similar to another ‘Mart’ Stein had visited. As they drop into a parking space, he wanted to point it out, but doubted Greg would get the reference. “You plan on sitting out here?”
Greg gave Stein a little grin as he flicked a couple of switches. A small flat screen dropped from the ceiling and the old man lit up a cigarette. “Speaking of payment for my diligent waiting, how about a pack of smokes and a cream-filled doughnut; I sense you’re going to be a while.”
The Hero gave two thumbs up. “Smokes and a box of doughnuts to split. Gotcha.”
“Hah! Now you’re talking!” Stein was not the stingy type. If he truly had that much of this ‘Omnilium’ stuff for just being a prime, he might as well make good use of it.
The cool air inside the building and the layout of various shelves gave this place a sense of de ja vu. It was like instinct honed over generations pulled at him. He knew exactly where the apparel section was. It took only a minute to mentally divide where the men’s and women’s clothes were and home in on the better subsection of clothes. It really was that other ‘mart.’
Jeans were easy to find, and a belt was on an end cap to the very same shelf. Socks and boxer-briefs – roomy yet not free-balling – were next on his list. Stein could not find one turtle-toting T-shirt in the men’s section. It was a bit saddening. Those that did have logos were unfamiliar, so he just went with a blank T-shirt. Then a hoodie! Zip up, preferred of course.
With his armful of goodies, he found the dressing room and smiled at the cute chubby girl standing there. “Can I help you?” She chimed in a bubbly tone.
“Yes miss, can I pay for these back here? I’d like to wear them out.” She took one glance of his clothes and seemed to realize why. “Yea, new to this whole Omni-business.”
She giggled. “Well at least Omni’s still bringing in cute boys. I’ll ring you up.” He could not help but run a hand through his blonde locks at the compliment. He was a guy, of course he liked it when he got compliments from women.
“Alright, put your hand on that little pad right there.” She pointed to a machine with a hand-print imbedded in the hard plastic, “Prime Only” label resting right above it. He did as told and felt a little tingle. “Aaaaand here’s your receipt! You can change in the first stall. I promise not to peak. Much.”
He took the receipt with a smirk. After looking it over, he handed it back. “I think you made a mistake. You’re supposed to sneak your number before you hand it to me. Better have that fixed before I come back out.” She sucked in her lips, trying to stifle a grin as Mr. Charming walks into the stall.
As he removed the clothing, Stein thanked his lucky stars no rashes had formed from the itchy attire. The gentle cotton against his skin felt like time travel. For the moment, he did not put socks on, that required shoes first. After dressed, stood for a few more seconds, then grabbed his stuff and stepped out.
The voluptuous worker handed his receipt back and smiled. “Thank you for shopping at Omni-mart.” Stein just grins, winks at her, then heads on his way. See you soon, he mentally quips. As soon out of eyesight, he takes a look at the receipt. ‘Sorry, not my type.’
Ouch. “Shot down,” He mumbled. “Ehh. She wasn’t that hot.” She was stil pretty hot. Still, first day in a new world, it was probably best to focus on adapting before dating.
The familiar yellow and checkered pattern of a Taxi appeared before him. It had no wheels; it just hovered centimeters above the ground. This is how to greet a Hero! Stein nearly pranced over to the driver side window. “Salutations!” He chimed.
“Are you Prime?” The man asked, tapping the ashes from his cigarette out of the window. When Stein nodded yes, the man thumbed towards the back seat. “Hop in, then.” Stein quickly obliged. He did not have to be asked twice. The back of the cab was delightfully roomy compared to normal cars. “Where to?”
Stein had no idea where he would go… or even how to pay the man. A few moments of silence and a confused expression, the cab driver decided to show a little mercy. “Name’s Greg. This is Coruscant. You pay in Omnilium. I can take you to whatever amenity you need, just name it and I’ll find the nearest one.” The man’s scruffy voice matched the salt and pepper beard and weathered face. He looked middle aged, but in that ‘I’ve seen some shit’ middle aged.
A few moments longer of consideration, the Prime finally figured out a game plan. “Shopping district first… then food… then an apartment… How do I know how much of this… Omnilium I have?”
The older man chuckled at the question. “Trust me, you Primes always seem to have enough.”
“Well,” if that’s the case, “would you mind being my tour guide for the day? I’ll pay in between rides as well, and toss in lunch.” He could see a dark brow rise. “And not fast food.”
Greg turned in his seat to look Stein eye to eye. “Boy, you had me at pay.” That is what Stein liked to hear. “What kind of clothes you into? Upscale, space-age, modern-classic or retro?”
Wow, so many choices. It was hard to pick, considering he hardly knew the difference between them. “Jeans, T-shirts and a hoodie?”
“That’d be Modern-classic, lad. I’ll take ya to the Omni-Mart. Buckle up.” With the destination set, they were off. The car lifted straight up for several meters, then launched forward. Stein hardly felt it move. “So. What’s your name, new guy?”
The realization he had not offered his name when Greg showed his caught up the Hero was in this new Verse. “Stein. Didn’t mean to be rude.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ve had worse passengers.” He laughed at that. Stein definitely did not seem to be his worst. “Especially on the lower levels; I’d stay on the higher tiers if you can manage. Below the fourth is nothing but crime and prostitutes.” The way he chuckled made it seem as if Greg knew from experience. “Second tier is fine, best place to live. Few tourists, nice neighborhoods, great security.”
Greg’s chatter went on for most of the ride. It explained a few things about a variety of topics but he did not give heavy specifics on any one thing, except that he was one of the best taxi drivers around – and that all other drivers were assholes. Stein heard the man’s horn almost as much as the man himself during stopped traffic.
Omni-Mart seemed suspiciously similar to another ‘Mart’ Stein had visited. As they drop into a parking space, he wanted to point it out, but doubted Greg would get the reference. “You plan on sitting out here?”
Greg gave Stein a little grin as he flicked a couple of switches. A small flat screen dropped from the ceiling and the old man lit up a cigarette. “Speaking of payment for my diligent waiting, how about a pack of smokes and a cream-filled doughnut; I sense you’re going to be a while.”
The Hero gave two thumbs up. “Smokes and a box of doughnuts to split. Gotcha.”
“Hah! Now you’re talking!” Stein was not the stingy type. If he truly had that much of this ‘Omnilium’ stuff for just being a prime, he might as well make good use of it.
The cool air inside the building and the layout of various shelves gave this place a sense of de ja vu. It was like instinct honed over generations pulled at him. He knew exactly where the apparel section was. It took only a minute to mentally divide where the men’s and women’s clothes were and home in on the better subsection of clothes. It really was that other ‘mart.’
Jeans were easy to find, and a belt was on an end cap to the very same shelf. Socks and boxer-briefs – roomy yet not free-balling – were next on his list. Stein could not find one turtle-toting T-shirt in the men’s section. It was a bit saddening. Those that did have logos were unfamiliar, so he just went with a blank T-shirt. Then a hoodie! Zip up, preferred of course.
With his armful of goodies, he found the dressing room and smiled at the cute chubby girl standing there. “Can I help you?” She chimed in a bubbly tone.
“Yes miss, can I pay for these back here? I’d like to wear them out.” She took one glance of his clothes and seemed to realize why. “Yea, new to this whole Omni-business.”
She giggled. “Well at least Omni’s still bringing in cute boys. I’ll ring you up.” He could not help but run a hand through his blonde locks at the compliment. He was a guy, of course he liked it when he got compliments from women.
“Alright, put your hand on that little pad right there.” She pointed to a machine with a hand-print imbedded in the hard plastic, “Prime Only” label resting right above it. He did as told and felt a little tingle. “Aaaaand here’s your receipt! You can change in the first stall. I promise not to peak. Much.”
He took the receipt with a smirk. After looking it over, he handed it back. “I think you made a mistake. You’re supposed to sneak your number before you hand it to me. Better have that fixed before I come back out.” She sucked in her lips, trying to stifle a grin as Mr. Charming walks into the stall.
As he removed the clothing, Stein thanked his lucky stars no rashes had formed from the itchy attire. The gentle cotton against his skin felt like time travel. For the moment, he did not put socks on, that required shoes first. After dressed, stood for a few more seconds, then grabbed his stuff and stepped out.
The voluptuous worker handed his receipt back and smiled. “Thank you for shopping at Omni-mart.” Stein just grins, winks at her, then heads on his way. See you soon, he mentally quips. As soon out of eyesight, he takes a look at the receipt. ‘Sorry, not my type.’
Ouch. “Shot down,” He mumbled. “Ehh. She wasn’t that hot.” She was stil pretty hot. Still, first day in a new world, it was probably best to focus on adapting before dating.