Stray Cat Strut Chapter Fifty-Three - The Gem

Chapter Fifty-Three - The Gem

A diamond is a womans best friend.

But a goddess is adorned in painite.

--Pandora ad, 2049

***

Lucy spun around, then ca to a dizzying stop. The long pleats of her dress wrapped around her legs before gently unfolding. What do you think? she asked.

You look gorgeous, I said.

She really did look great. The dress was all dark purples and lighter grays. A sort of jacket-thing with padded shoulders that sank down to a thin waist and that wrapped around her hips. The main portion of the dress was a smooth, silky material, with a generous window over her bust and enough support to make things more interesting. It was still functional though, pretty without getting in the way.

My points were down to 10,644, but that did an that I had two things to present to Lucy. Unfortunately I didnt have a better box for them than the ones theyd co with. I have gifts, I said.

Oh? Lucy asked. She turned away from the mirror and looked my way. What sort of gifts?

I handed her the larger of the two boxes. Thats... a h gift. Its a thigh holster, for your handgun.

Lucy oohed appropriately and opened the little case to reveal the straps within. They were the sa grey as part of her dress, even the texture on the surface matching. Nice. Myalis has an eye for detail, huh?

Uh, well, I did ask for sothing youd like, I said.

Lucy laughed and pulled into a hug. Thanks. Itll look great. Really complete that fam-fatal look.

Uh-huh, I said. I have two more gifts, I said.

Oh, gifts plural. You know, what with the dress and the shoes and now the thigh holster--which is admittedly a bit weird--Im starting to feel a bit overwheld here.

I snorted. Youll like this one, I said. Turn around.

Lucy turned, and I walked her sideways so that she was standing in front of the mirror. Alright, she said, eting my eyes through the reflection.

The next gift is this, I said, a hand coming to the side. Myalis, the augs.

Here you go.

New Purchase: Cyber warfare Capable Class One Augntation

Points Reduced to... 10,594!

The package was fairly large, and I had to use both hands to open it, ruining the mont I wanted to make a little. Inside it was a large tubular syringe, with a pad on one end and a thumb-trigger in the middle.

I need to press this into your eye, I said.

Oh, yuck, Lucy said. She made a face, but then brought a hand up to her left eye. Should I keep it as wide open as I can?

You dont mind? I asked.

Well, its you, so youre hardly going to poke my eye out. She very clearly rolled said eyes.

Right, well dont move, I said. The tube expanded when it ca closer to her eyes, pushed them open, then connected in place with a faint click. A light on the side of the device went green and I pulled it back. Did that hurt?

No, not at all, Lucy said. She blinked a few tis. Uh, my augs are off now, though.

Thats part one, I said. I also need to jam it against your neck.

I lifted her hair and found the port for her augs right at the base of her skull. A compatible port slid out of the end and jamd itself into place. The lights on the side of the tube went from red to orange to yellow to green in the space of twenty or so seconds, then it dinged.

I think its done, I said. Myalis said that its part hardware change, part software. Basically, its.. Bullshit nano stuff replacing and adding more bits to your old augs. So you dont need to tear them out.

Oh, nice, Lucy said. She blinked and then grinned. Well, theyre back online. I cant see any difference though.

I dont think you should, I said. Faster, no viruses or anything, and so cyberwarfare stuff. Oh, and a better connection to Myalis.

Nice, Lucy said. I can send her more juicy s.

You send my alien space AI s? I asked.

She sends so back. Myalis is a bit of a shitposter, but she has this thing about cat pics.

Cats are fascinating creatures.

Im surrounded by weirdos, I said. Not even my head is safe.

Lucy elbowed lightly in the ribs. Youre not so normal yourself, she said.

Alright, alright, I said as I reached up and grabbed Lucys shoulders. I turned her back towards the mirror, then fished my last present out from my pockets. I snapped open the box, then grinned at the necklace within. Third gift.

You said two.

Im bad at math, I said.

Oh, Lucy said as I carefully wrapped it around her neck, then laid a kiss in the crook just behind her collar.

The necklace was made of sothing silver-like, long, mobius strip links that clasped together at the back with a screw-clasp. The pendant sitting over Lucys sternum was a bit... silly. A small grinning cat head, the eyes replaced by a pair of purple gems.

Its pretty, Lucy said.

I, ah, hope you like it, I said.

She leaned back into . I love it, she said. But I love you more, you silly, sentintal kittycat.

I hugged her, and for a mont we enjoyed just being close.

But ti, as always, intruded on us.

Soone knocked on the door, and I let go of Lucy. One of the kittens? I asked. I walked over and opened it. If it was so actual trouble, Myalis would inform .

Junior was on the other side, no expression on her face, even on seeing in paw-print PJs. Theres a pair of nuns here to see you.

A pair of nuns, I repeated. What was my life coming to when that wasnt implausible. Is one of them Gomorrah?

Think so. Looks like the sa samurai as in that Two Girls One Flar , she said.

Please dont look at any that Im part of, I said, knowing full well that it would be easier to ask the sun not to set.

Whatever, Junior said. Ive done my part. Shes in the living room.

Right. Thanks. I shut the door then turned and started looking for my clothes. Wheres my under armour, I need to get dressed too.

I can go play distraction for a while, Lucy said. She pecked on the cheek on the way out. Your stuffs all on that chair, by the way.

Thanks, I said.

I didnt take too long to squeeze into all of my gear. Then I ran into the washroom and jumped into my armour, which had fortunately dried up, and didnt stink of anything. After securing my helt on and making sure that my jacket was on straight, I left the room and stomped--quietly--over to the living room.

Gomorrah was there, in full regalia, though her mask was left on the kitchen counter and she was sipping so soda through a straw. Frannie was sitting on one of the stools, an amused smile on as she teased Nose who seed to have a lot of questions today. Or a sudden crush on the redheaded nun.

Hey, I said. I took off my helt and set it next to Gomorrahs mask. Didnt know if youd show up.

Its an excuse to get away from the church, and to actually get sothing done. Yesterday was an... interesting day.

Any trouble? I asked.

Plenty, Gomorrah said.

Frannie laughed. The sisters were nice to all the refugees the first day. Now, their patience is wearing thin. So much for proper deanor and candor.

Figures, I said. So you wanted to co with?

Gomorrah nodded. Itll an a day away from all the drama. I think the threat of returning eventually should be enough to keep everyone in line, at least for an afternoon. And it ans that I wont have to be there. You know, the sisters used to boss around? Now, they cant take a bath without asking for permission first.

Literally? I asked.

She glared. I was being figurative, of course.

Lucy giggled. Of course. Itll be fun to be with others. It can be a double date!

Gomorrahs face froze for just a mont before she composed herself. Frannie is just coming with to get out of the church as well, she said.

Yeah, Frannie said a little too quickly. Its stuffy over there.

Lucy and I glanced at each other and communicated a novels worth to each other in a few seconds. Well, whatever you say, I said. Do you think we can head over in the Fury? Itll be nicer than taking a taxi over.

Will Gomorrah need an invite? Lucy asked. Jeff might be surprised if two samurai show up when hes expecting one. And youre supposed to bring a plus one, not plus three. There might not be enough seats or whatever.

Ill send him a text, I said. It was a decent idea.

We can use the Fury, Gomorrah agreed. Should we head out now, or...

I guess? I said. It was a bit past noon. The gala was an evening thing, but being early did not hurt. It was that or we stayed here and chatted. You know what, lets head over now. If were too early, we can piss off and go do sothing fun to kill ti.

***