Close Nemesis

Chapter Ten: Close Lovers

XALIR:

After last night's fun, I left my apartment for work half an hour ago. Today, Laiva's doing some renovations at a new skyscraper that is going up at Entrek City. It's not that far, so we've decided to meet each other for our lunch break.

I'm quietly praying to the stars of the Aurega that Oppugnant doesn't interrupt my day today. After today, however, I will pursue my sweet vengeance against Oppugnant.

Speaking of Oppugnant, the black eye they gave me has been hidden with pale concealer. I use more makeup than Laiva, so my co-workers shouldn't really mind. However, I'm starting to suspect that Laiva isn't buying my explanations about my black eye. This morning, though, Laiva said that somehow the barriers on Podplanata she was scheduled to work on had already been built. So, she was reassigned to the new apartment building currently under construction in Entrek. I don't really buy that explanation either. But, like she does with me, I give her a pass for her clumsy explanations. After all, that is what makes us soulmates.

Anyway, I've finally arrived at the wooden, dome shaped building that houses the hair salon, Eno the robot is waving a sign with holographic text.

"Discounted prices for haircuts, today," the robot choruses unenthusiastically in his mechanical voice. "Discounted prices for haircuts today."

I shrug, stepping into the white linoleum floored salon. My boss isn't here today, but the second person in charge of this salon is a dry skinned Illanikar named Karmydaz. His pentagonal shaped head has a few strands of black hair, but that doesn't stop him and other hairless species from working at the hairdressers.

I am so funny. I make myself laugh a lot.

"Eyrik wants you to pick up some shampoo from the chemist," Karmydaz croaks happily.

"What flavour?" I jest cheerfully.

"Scent, you mean? Just get a crate of silky hair wash and conditioner for the salon, you silly chap!"

"Haha, I will, Karmyadaz!" I chuckle. "I'll go to the chemist, no biggie! Just for you!"

I turn back the way I came and stare at the mauve sky reigning above. I turn to look at the dome shaped salon one last time before I walk down the muddy street. As I walk along the grey dirt, ships fly overhead, casting shadow over me. Rows of tall wooden buildings stand parallel to each other on the opposing sides of the road.

After about five to ten minutes of walking, I turn right, walking through a narrow alley way

I exit the alleyway, coming across a single storey cube shaped home with walls of orange acirch wood. A holocrete health sign sits on top of the building, glowing vibrantly in greens and yellows and pinks.

          

 

ENTREK PHARMACY FOR FAMILIES

After I deactivate my holocrete uggboots, ensuring that mud does not enter the pharmacy, I pull open an old fashioned hexagonal shaped door made from oak. I enter the door, finding myself inside a dark walled room with dusty grey carpet. Neon blue holocrete shelves hold translucent plastic boxes of varying colours. These boxes contain a variety of pharmaceutical products, such as medicine and cosmetics.

However, I ignore the boxes, as I am not interested in the items they contain. Instead, I wander over to the counter, where my friend Ibrieen works. They are a member of the grey feathered humanoid species known as the Parylatans, similar in appearance to Silveagak's species, but not quite. They are garbed in a black lab coat, which, surprisingly, is cleaner than my perpetually smooth face.