Empires of Saturn, Part One

Chapter 14, Convergence

Chpt. 14 Convergence

"Your house of cards is falling, and the weight of its collapse will crack you like an eruption from the deep..." The Master Oracle said, looking at the moons of Saturn. "How different you might have been if only you knew all that there is."

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At the top of a tall building in Crown, Crassel was looking out a window at the fiercely turbulent weather stewing outside, rain hammering down on the glowing capital before him as lightning streaked through the clouds. He'd come all the way up here for some shopping, looking for some new shirts, but he hadn't included rain into his plans, meaning he'd be getting wet on his way back to his car, since he had no umbrella. Where had this come from anyway? There'd been no thunderheads on the forecast for this evening.

He checked his phone, looking at the time. It was getting pretty late; the only reason this store was still open is that he could pay automatically without the need of any employees. Sliding his phone back into the pocket of his bluish grey pants, he grabbed one more shirt from a circular rack, looking into the mirror beside it. His plain, white, snug sleeveless shirt wouldn't do too well for rain either. And come to think of it, his pants were a little short now too. Brushing a hand through his hair in exasperation, he just decided he'd continue this tomorrow, taking the three shirts on hangers he'd picked over to the checkout, where he scanned the tags on the large, mostly rectangular machine built into the counter. Then he pulled his phone out again, pressing a certain spot on the back of the case, which caused his card to pop up from the top, where he took it out, sliding it into the larger machine, completing his purchase, putting it back in his phone, and going to leave.

He passed only one other person on his way out, towards the elevator, that being a fairly nice-looking young woman who'd been giving him suggestive looks the entire time since he'd walked in. He shook his head as the doors closed. He was already engaged. And besides, Proxima was prettier. And more modest, based on what that woman had been wearing, and the clothes she'd been looking at; he didn't like a woman who felt she needed to flaunt her beauty. If she was truly beautiful, others would see no matter what she wore, both physically or mentally. On the way down the quiet skyscraper, his phone buzzed, and he pulled it out again, looking at it.

From Castor: Hey bud. Just got back home from my day with Alpha. How's it going?

Crassel replied: I've been clothes shopping for a while, mostly to get out of the house. Didn't quite finish though, so I'll be doing that tomorrow morning.

Castor: Sounds fun... not really. Want to go practice with those rifles tomorrow afternoon? Courus is apparently practicing some shooting tomorrow too for one of his classes or another, so I figured, well, why the heck not, right?

Crassel: Well... I'll think about it. Proxima is busy tomorrow, so I can easily say it's a possibility. Try not to die though! :P

Castor: ...Oh wow. A tongue face... from you. Never thought I'd live to see the day.

Crassel: Well if you aren't careful with that rifle, it would've been just barely. Anyhow, how was your day?

Castor: Oh man, it was a blast. I know you don't necessarily think too much of the prince... but he's pretty fun.

Crassel recoiled in surprise at the statement, saying: When have I ever said I didn't think much of him? We don't have a lot in common, but I do like him, mate. He's creative and young, and unconcerned with the world. He's pure, if you know what I mean.