Xavier checked his watch: 8:47. Plenty of time before they needed to catch the 11:30 ferry to Catalyst Academy.
"This. Is. Amazing!" Calypso spun in a complete circle, nearly colliding with a businessman who swerved at the last second. Her borrowed jeans hung loose despite the belt, and his t-shirt slipped further down one shoulder as she moved. She didn't notice or care. "Look at that building! It's breathing!"
Xavier followed her gaze to the Phoenix Imperium Tower, its crystal-infused exterior pulsing with gentle waves of amber light—the corporation's signature color.
"It's not actually breathing," he explained, steering her away from the middle of the sidewalk. "The facade uses reactive crystals to create that effect. Corporate branding."
"I know that," she huffed, but her wide-eyed wonder betrayed her. "I've watched human cities develop for centuries. I just never..." She trailed off, pink eyes reflecting the kaleidoscope of lights from a passing crystal delivery truck.
Xavier studied her. Despite her claims of omniscient viewing and centuries of observation, this was different. She wasn't watching humanity through some divine scrying pool. She was here, breathing the same air, feeling the same ground beneath her feet, experiencing the sensory overload that was Metro City firsthand.
For all her divine power and ancient knowledge, Calypso was experiencing human life for the first time.
"Never been in the trenches before, huh?"
She glanced at him, something vulnerable flickering across her face before her usual bravado reasserted itself. "I've visited Earth plenty of times!"
"But not like this." Xavier gestured toward a holographic advertisement that morphed between images of the latest crystal-tech phones. "Not as one of us."
Calypso opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. "It's... more intense than I expected," she admitted. "Everything's so loud and bright and there are so many smells!" She wrinkled her nose as they passed a food cart.
"The sensory package takes some getting used to," Xavier agreed. "But it has its perks."
He steered her toward a crystal-lined fountain where children tossed coins into water that flowed in defiance of gravity. The liquid spiraled upward before cascading down in patterns that shifted every few seconds.
Calypso's face softened. "It's beautiful."
"Come on," Xavier said. "Shopping district's this way."
They turned onto Blade Street, Metro City's premier shopping street. Here, the stores catered to hunters and the wealthy elite who emulated their style. Crystal-enhanced clothing that adapted to its wearer's body temperature, shoes with impact-absorption technology, accessories embedded with minor defensive capabilities—all displayed behind gleaming windows at prices that made Xavier wince.
"Ooh, look at that!" Calypso darted toward a window display featuring a silver dress that seemed to flow like liquid metal. "It's like something I'd wear in the Liminal Space, but more... substantial."
Xavier followed, glancing at the store's name: "DIVINE THREADS." How ironic.
"Let's check it out," he said, pushing open the door. A subtle chime announced their arrival, and a sales associate materialized almost instantly—a slender woman with copper hair styled in an elaborate updo.
"Welcome to Divine Threads," she said, her gaze sweeping over them. Her eyes lingered on Xavier's white hair and purple eyes, then shifted to Calypso's silver locks and borrowed clothes. "Are you two... siblings?"
"Nah, we cousins," Xavier corrected smoothly. "Just moved to Metro City. She needs a wardrobe."
The woman's professional smile warmed a fraction. "Of course. I'm Elise. I'd be happy to help you find something suitable." She turned to Calypso. "Do you have a particular style in mind?"
Calypso opened her mouth, but Xavier cut in before she could say something like "divine goddess chic."
"Something practical but distinctive," he said. "We're starting at Catalyst Academy today."
Elise's eyebrows rose slightly. "Hunters in training? Congratulations on your acceptance." She glanced at Xavier's plain black t-shirt and jeans. "Perhaps you'd like something new as well? We have an excellent men's section."
"I need workout gear," Xavier admitted. "But let's focus on her first."
While Elise guided Calypso through racks of clothing, Xavier checked price tags and felt his stomach drop. A basic t-shirt: $120. Pants with reinforced knees for training: $350. A jacket with minor impact resistance: $890.
Post-Cataclysm inflation was no joke.
Calypso emerged from a dressing room wearing a silver-blue dress that hugged her curves before flaring at the knees. The fabric caught the light, shifting colors with each movement.
"What do you think?" She twirled, the dress flowing around her.
Xavier's throat went dry. "It's... nice."
"Nice? It's perfect!" Calypso examined her reflection in a mirror that offered multiple angles simultaneously. "I feel almost like myself in this."
Elise nodded approvingly. "It's as if it was made for you. The adaptive fabric responds to your body temperature and movement."
Xavier checked the price tag hanging from the sleeve and nearly choked. $4,700.
His entire budget was $4,820. If they bought this dress, they'd have exactly $120 left—enough for one basic t-shirt. No workout clothes for him, no practical outfits for her, no additional supplies they might need.
Calypso turned to him. "Can we buy it, Xavi? Please!"
The genuine happiness in her expression caught him off guard. He'd seen her pout, scheme, manipulate—but this simple, almost childlike delight was new.
"Calypso," he began gently, "we need to be practical. We need multiple outfits, not just one dress, no matter how..." he gestured vaguely at her, "...that it is."
Her face fell, and Xavier felt a twinge of something uncomfortably close to guilt.
"What's the point in having a woman that beautiful if you can't take care of her wants?"
Xavier turned to see a young man an inch or two shorter than himself, dressed in an expensive suit with crystal accents that screamed "more money than taste." Behind him loomed a mountain of muscle in a tight black t-shirt—clearly a bodyguard, and a professionally enhanced one at that.
The shorter man stepped around Xavier and took Calypso's hand, bringing it to his lips. "Dimitri Korzhakov. And you are?"
Calypso blinked, momentarily thrown by the interruption. "I'm Calypso."
"A name as beautiful as its owner." Dimitri's smile revealed teeth too white to be natural. "If this dress is what you desire, consider it yours. My treat."
Xavier's jaw tightened. The man's crystal-embedded signet ring marked him as Phoenix Imperium—likely the son of some executive or board member. The type who thought money could buy anything, including people.
"That's very generous," Xavier said, stepping forward to reclaim his space, "but unnecessary. We're just looking at options."
Dimitri's eyes—an azure that glowed faintly around the pupils—flicked to Xavier with barely concealed disdain. "And you are?"
"Xavier Valentine. Her cousin." He extended his hand.
Dimitri ignored the gesture. "Valentine? Not a name I recognize." He turned back to Calypso. "You really should be shopping at Phoenix Exclusive. This place is..." he waved dismissively, "adequate, but hardly befitting someone of your beauty."
Xavier's hand dropped to his side, fingers flexing. Alright... who is this asshole?
"I like it here," Calypso said, extracting her hand from Dimitri's grasp. "The dress is perfect, but my cousin's right. We need practical things for school."
"School?" Dimitri's eyebrows rose. "You're attending Catalyst Academy?"
"First day," Xavier confirmed, stepping closer to Calypso. "Orientation at noon."
"What a coincidence! I'm a first year as well." He gave Calypso a calculating look. "What's your rank?"
"D," she answered before Xavier could intervene.
"D-rank?" Dimitri's smile widened. "Perfect. My father's guild has an accelerated development program for promising young talents. I could arrange an interview immediately."
"We're fine," Xavier said firmly. "Thanks for the offer."
Dimitri's bodyguard shifted slightly, moving closer to his employer. The man had to be at least 6'5", with muscles that strained against his shirt and a neck as thick as Xavier's thigh.
"I wasn't speaking to you," Dimitri said, not bothering to look at Xavier. "Calypso, darling, why don't we discuss your future over lunch? My car is waiting outside."
Xavier felt his patience evaporating. In his previous life, he'd have already calculated three ways to kill this man and his bodyguard. But this was a new life, with new rules. Starting a fight with a corporate heir in a public place would draw exactly the kind of attention they didn't need.
To hell with that.
Before he could put his fist through that asshole's face, Calypso's hand slipped into his, squeezing gently.
"Thank you for the offer, Dimitri," she said, her voice carrying a hint of that ancient authority Xavier had glimpsed earlier, "but I'm happy with my cousin. Perhaps another time."
Dimitri's eyes narrowed. "I don't make offers twice."
"Good," Calypso replied, her smile sweet but eyes hard. "That saves us from declining twice."
The bodyguard took a step forward, but Dimitri raised a hand to stop him. "Your loss," he said, adjusting his cufflinks. "When I'm at the top, don't come crawling to me." He pushed past Xavier, deliberately bumping his shoulder. "Enjoy playing hunter, Valentine."
The bodyguard followed, casting one last intimidating glare before they exited the store.
Xavier released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Well, Dominic or whatever your name is, you just made my shit list.
Elise, who had tactfully stepped back during the exchange, approached with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry about that. Mr. Korzhakov can be... persistent."
"Does he harass all your customers?" Xavier asked.
"Only the beautiful ones," Elise admitted. "His father sits on the Phoenix board. The son believes it gives him certain... privileges."
Calypso was still watching the door. "He was ready to spend nearly five thousand dollars on a stranger."
"That's not generosity," Xavier explained. "It's investment. He'd expect returns."
"I know that." She turned back to the mirror, admiring the dress one last time before sighing. "You're right. We need practical things."
Xavier studied her reflection, noting the genuine disappointment in her eyes. She'd been a goddess, able to manifest whatever she desired with a thought. Now she was bound by human limitations—by his limitations.
"Elise," he said suddenly, "does this store offer payment plans?"