Veridis Quo

Chapter 10 - Promised

I folded a pair of pants just like how my mom taught me. Fold in half by an imaginary line in the crotch, another half by the length and another if still too long. It left me with a square fabric that fit perfectly into the suitcase.

There were dozens of pairs, of all kinds. It was a little tedious but I compared it to a game of Tetris, only the blocks were either two by twos or one by ones and could be rotated in the third dimension. It was complex enough as a game, imagine Chess on a cubed board. Shiver me timbers.

I didn't have to do it. I was aware of my "allowance," big ass quotes containing a big ass word. All I had to do was snap my fingers and like magic, I'd get what I wanted. I rather ask nicely and thank the courier. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate the never-ending generosity or the simple fact that an unhappy alien monkey could easily escalate to... I didn't know, but something bad no doubt.

My reasons were simpler. It felt right. I could've asked, well, not asked, and every essential thing I'd need was there before me. But why be wasteful? The toothbrush and paste in the bathroom were fine, there was a month or two before the brush retired. And... I kind of grew attached to the bleached drip, though those levels of swag had to be secured, contained and protected indoors and away from public eyes.

It felt great. As if I was coming back from vacation in the Caribbeans after soaking up enough sun for a year. I wanted to experience that return, the satisfaction. Plus, the luggage was cool. Matte black is overrated and rightfully so, shit looks sleek.

So, there I was, packing away whatever I wanted, everything replaceable like the plastic toiletries. I had five more garments before I was finished. In side compartments were miscellaneous items; the mentioned tools of the bathroom, a charger, and... that was pretty much it. The only other oddity was in my pocket.

Now, I wasn't a hater. Often. But who in their right mind thought parodying our brands was okay? Somy? Somy? You had to be kidding me! I wasn't complaining about the new phone serving as a device to spy on me, what were the chances they had a company one letter dissimilar to one I knew and hated and loved? Was god lazy when he erased us and bootlegged the restart?

Huffing, I folded the last shirt, pushing it onto the foot tall tower. Thinking over what else I missed, I shrugged, zipping the suitcase closed. „And that's... that." I grabbed the handle, lifting the case off the crumpled sheets and onto the floor. The four little wheels could take the abuse, it was their purpose. As I was going over everything just to be sure, I heard the door swoosh open, turning around with a smile.

"Hey," I greeted, elongating the handle to my lower chest, an elbow supported by the arisen.

"Good morning," Miya beamed, "how did you sleep?"

"Alright."

"... Just alright?" She grinned, the early bird.

"Mmmmaybe less. A little nervous, you know?" I chewed on an inner cheek, my elbow sliding sluggishly towards the button.

She laughed, "Of course I know. Did you get everything? You know-"

"I didn't have to. Yup. I just wanted to- woah!" The handle fell to the second notch, the sudden lack of a stable support pushing my knee against the case as I stumbled. It slid away, slowing to a halt before colliding with the wall.

Once I regained my footing, I sent a sideways glance to Miya, her hand covering her snickering beak.

"Ha. Ha. Funny," I frowned, slinking over to retrieve the luggage.

"It kind of is."

Pursing my lips, I let go of the petty beef. She was right, it was kind of funny, and I shouldn't take it to heart. Taking a deep breath, I dispelled the silly anger. Today was a good day. In fact, today was a special day!