June 5th came with the kind of morning that looked too good to be real. The air had that early-day freshness that felt alive, as if the city itself had just woken up and decided to be kind. I stood in front of the hotel entrance, hands tucked into the pockets of my hoodie, my shades reflecting the soft glow of the glass building. For once, I looked normal.
Well… "normal" might be stretching it.
Igniferous Edge — my armor — was amazing. It reshaped itself into soft fabric and even mimicked the texture of jeans. If someone looked closely, they might notice faint glints on the seams, but otherwise, it looked natural. It felt strange though, wearing the same weapon that could deflect Xana now pretending to be streetwear.
I checked my reflection in the glass wall beside me. Short hair, sunglasses, hoodie and a clean look. I was the Lone Nomad, minus the long hair. Unless someone was actively looking for me, I'd pass for any other tourist.
I took a deep breath. "Alright, Phaser. First date. Don't screw this up."
Then I heard the faint sound of heels clicking against the polished floor behind me. When I turned around, my brain completely froze.
Gone was the formal cold presence of a Rameses heir. Instead, she stepped out into the sunlight. Her dark curly hair fell freely around her shoulders, shimmering slightly whenever the wind moved it. She wore a simple white sleeveless dress that ended just below her knees. For someone who could break steel with her bare hands, she looked disarmingly… soft.
And right there, on the side of her neck, just above her collarbone, was a dark-ink tattoo of an Ankh, the Rameses House crest.
"Uh… wow."
She raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Wow what?"
"You—uh—you look... different. Really different. In a good way. Like… really good."
Her smile deepened. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was supposed to be one."
She tilted her head slightly, her curls shifting. "You clean up nice too, Void boy."
"Thanks. Igniferous Edge makes it easy."
Her eyes glimmered with curiosity. "So your five star armor's playing dress-up now?"
"Apparently. It's weird. Feels soft, but I know this thing could still tank a punch if it needed to."
"I guess that's one way to make sure you're always protected. How come you were so lucky to have armor like that? Lucky you. Wish I had that "
I nodded toward her tattoo. "So, the Ankh. Is that new?"
She shook her head. "Nope. It's been there since I... Hinesia was born. Every direct-bloodline Fluxer from a House is born with their family's Crest tattooed somewhere on their body. Ours just happens to show on the neck."
"Huh. Didn't know that."
She gave me a sly look. "You should. You've got one too."
"Wait, what?"
She stepped way too close and reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against my collarbone through the fabric of my hoodie. "Right here."
The contact made the mark pulse faintly and suddenly, a burning memory flared in my mind. Back when I first fused with Igniferous Edge, I remembered seeing a mark appear. They were thorns, winding like a crown across my collarbone. I thought it was just a residual burn Phasnovterich had.
"Oh. That wasn't a scar."
"Nope. That's your Crest, The Crown of Thorns. You must have a rose tattoo somewhere. Didn't you explore your body when you transmigrated?"
"No, why? I'm a guy. As long as I have abs and a muscular body, I'm good."
"Haah... can't even blame you."
"That's comforting. So, where to first?"
She clapped her hands lightly. "Clothes shopping."
"Shopping?"
"Yes."
"For?"
"I want to see how I look in sexy outfits."
"...You're joking."
"Nope."
I rubbed my temples. "Of course you're not."
She grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the waiting taxi at the curb.
"Relax. You'll get to be my fashion critic. Think of it as… field training for future social interactions."
"Yeah, because nothing says 'social training' like watching you try on clothes," I muttered, climbing into the car after her.
The vehicle took off smoothly, rising into the morning traffic lanes. Nairobi looked stunning from above. Seriously, I can't get over this beautiful view. As we descended into one of the fashion districts, the car doors opened automatically and we stepped out into a sunlit plaza filled with boutiques.
Hinesia immediately grabbed my arm, steering me into the first store. The clerk at the entrance froze for a moment — probably recognizing her face — but said nothing. Inside, the store glowed with a faint pink hue from the overhead lights. Holograms lined the walls, projecting outfit previews onto customers. Hinesia didn't even hesitate. She picked out a few dresses and vanished into a fitting room.
I stood outside awkwardly, surrounded by racks of glittering fabric. A few shoppers glanced my way, probably wondering if I was some kind of celebrity incognito. Then, the curtain moved and Hinesia stepped out.
Her first outfit was a deep red dress with an open back. She twirled lightly, the hem brushing her knees, her curls bouncing.
"Well?" she asked, hands on hips.
"That's… uh…"
"Spit it out."
"Dangerous," I said finally.
"I'll take that as a yes."
She vanished back inside, and I just stood there, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.
Outfit after outfit, she came out and every time, she seemed to be having way too much fun. She'd pose, spin, tease me about blushing (which I absolutely wasn't, obviously), and then disappear to change again after I took a few pictures.
At some point, she called out from inside. "Hey, Void boy!"
"Yeah?"
"You're not secretly a pervert, right?"
"Why are you asking me that now?"
"Just checking!" She laughed.
By the time she was done, the store clerk looked ready to cry from happiness. Hinesia had bought half the collection. As we left the store, carrying a few bags, she stretched her arms, looking satisfied.
"That was fun. Next stop, food."
"Thank the Goddesses."
"You say that like I'm torturing you."
"Because you are. I could have three something."
She laughed again, linking her arm through mine as they walked down the bustling street.
"Come on, Void boy. You survived my father's training. Hinesia Rameses's shopping spree shouldn't kill you."
I glanced sideways at her and I realized something. This was the first time since I'd arrived in Altera Earth that I was actually dating. The one with Radellei was simply just a friend hangout but hers was literally a date. And for someone like me, a transmigrant, that felt more alien than any combat ever could.