Bespoke stepped into the back room and brought out a lacquered wood chest. He gently cleared off the table and placed it in the center facing toward Duplicity.

  “Inside here is a thousand year old bolt of fabric. Typically it is only used for accents and accessories due to its scarcity. I have only seen this fabric one other time in the past 20 years. Even then, it was just as a tie and matching pocket square that it was worn. Just this small amount was a head turner at the time and helped Guru secure his place among the upper echelon of Eminent society. I imagine if you were to have a scarf and set of handkerchiefs made from this textile, you would make quite the splash. Such a luxurious item serving as an afterthought to blow your nose.”

  As Bespoke opened the chest, a gentle glow began to fill the room. “It is called Luminous Silk.”

  Duplicity’s charming smile faltered for a second as he took in glow. He knew it well, who wouldn’t? Luminous, the Glowing City was where the Millennia Dynasty ascended to the throne that long time ago. The power of one man, one child you could say, wiping out all the opposing forces with one pulse of light as though he were a god casually passing judgement. Just like this silk, a glow hangs over that city to this day. A burgeoning city built on top of an ancient battleground.

  “I… never expected to see such a piece in real life.” Duplicity said while not taking his eyes off the bolt of silk. “Sure, the city Luminous is just as beautiful, but after one thousand years, it is a shell. I heard the glow used to permeate everything from a gold bar to a rusty nail. Stripped by scavengers for artifacts such as this, what remains there is more of a fa?ade. The glow hangs over everything as if using makeup to try to hide its many flaws. It has lost its inner glow…” Duplicity almost whispered the last words before awkwardly glancing up to Bespoke.

  “Not to call you a scavenger, that is.”

  “I assure you that this was scavenged centuries before I was born, so no offense taken.”

  “It is beautiful and definitely gives off that stately aura as if it is one’s right to stand at the top. Could I wear it out?”

  “Unfortunately, these will take a couple hours as it will need a delicate touch, but if you come back in two hours, I can have them ready to be worn for pickup and everything else boxed up for delivery ready to follow you to your new penthouse.”

  “Then I will see you in a couple hours. Any dinner recommendations for while I am out?”

  As Duplicity stepped out of the store, he looked up and gave a slight wink to a raven roosted in a tree lining the boulevard.

  ****

  Corbeau chuckled as he saw Duplicity wink at his raven. “I’m not sure how, but he always seems to know when I’m watching.”

  He continued to watch Duplicity as he pulled out a pen a notepad as he walked down the sidewalk. Scribbling a quick note, he ripped it out and stashed the pen and notepad. He began to fold a paper airplane while strolling along to grab some dinner. Corbeau Commandeered the raven as Duplicity angled his arm back getting ready for the plane to make its maiden voyage. As the plane launched, Corbeau glided down from the branch on an intercept course. With a keen eye, he snagged the sheet midair with his talons as he saw Duplicity enter a family-owned restaurant Wurst’s Wursts. Without bothering to stop, he flew up to the nearby ledge and carefully unfolded the plane. 9pm Symphony Tower penthouse. Gripping the note, he took back off into the sky and made a lap around the city ripping off a piece of the note every few seconds and scattering it to the wind. As he circled back to the inner part of the city, he spotted the outline of a large tree starting to make a skyline of its own along the distant horizon. Turning his gaze back to the city skyline, he saw the half-constructed penthouse quickly being finished and furnished like a well-choreographed routine. Finding a good spot on a nearby tower, he roosted and tucked his head underwing for a nap until evening.

  ****

  Sitting under his tree, Parasite finally figured out what to give to Manasa and Corbeau. He had been using the arrowhead to craft for the better part of the day and currently was sharpening some sticks. As a byproduct, he was getting a lot of small shavings and he thought they might enjoy it for nesting material. Working on his last stick, he wanted to try to turn this one into a makeshift arrow or more precisely, a toddler-sized spear. After shaping the stick, he made a notch in the top and fit the arrowhead down in. Picking up some of the dried grass he still had, he started twisting it into a string adding two more strands, to strengthen it. When it reached a decent length, he began to wrap it around the shaft to lock in the arrowhead.

  Now he had a weapon and a better handle to use it as a tool. He stowed it in his satchel for now and started to gather up some of the wood shavings. I’ll take these to Manasa. See what she thinks about them. Making his way up the hill to Manasa’s nest, he looked toward Corbeau’s. He hadn’t come around today to visit, so Parasite planned to leave him some shavings where he first dropped the arrowhead when he came back down.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  ****

  Duplicity settled down into a booth in the corner of Wurst’s Wursts with some comfort food. A couple bratwursts, with a side of sp?tzle, and still steaming braised cabbage. This will be the last time I can just sit down and have some wholesome food before I must act like this is below me during my stay. He stacked up a piece of each and took a moment to savor the taste of it all. After this he wouldn’t be anonymous, and he still had a long day ahead.

  Before leaving, he stopped by the restroom. He stopped beside the mirror and gave it a quick glance, but then a copy of him stepped forward and turned to face himself with Duplicate 23 S. After getting a better look at the back of his haircut, his second body turned around for him. Giving himself a quick up and down, both cracked a smile and the double said. “Seems like I already turn my own head.”

  Duplicate 23 S – You are able to create an exact duplicate of yourself. All powers and attributes are inherited. Each duplicate is fully independent with their own memories and thoughts. They maintain autonomy until the skill Diperse 22A is used. If a duplicate dies, all knowledge gained by them since last duplication is lost, but no harm comes to other entities.

  Disperse 22 A – Become mist and dissolve from existence. All knowledge gained since created from Duplicate is dispersed in its entirety to all duplicates and the original.

  The first Duplicity laughed at his double’s joke. “Go on now and tell the rest of me I’m going to be their trust fund kid for a while. Remind us to pay Luminous a visit too. I’ll let you guys know how moving day goes later tonight.”

  “I’ll be looking forward to it.” The double said as he Dispersed into a cloud of mist.

  Duplicity turned with a slight chuckle as he left the bathroom muttering, “I crack myself up.”

  ****

  Golden hour was approaching, and it was almost time to pick up his wardrobe. Walking back into Bespoke’s tailor shop, the front was filled with boxes carefully wrapped and embossed with his logo. Surrounding them were rolling racks draped with matching covers and embroidered logos. As he turned to close the door, he heard Bespoke step in from the back room. The final two boxes were in his arms. The first was about the size of a shoebox, but half as thick made of etched wood and with brass hinges and latches. The second close to the size of a hardcover book with matching wood and hardware.

  “These are your luminous accessories.” Bespoke said as he placed them on the counter. Popping the latch to the smaller box, he lifted the lid so Duplicity could peer inside. “I have taken the liberty of providing storage for these pieces as well. As you can see, the inside of the box is lined with suede to prevent any snags as well as a matching suede pouch lined with traditional silk on the inside. This will stop the glow from escaping the case while latched, but if you decide to display it in a more conspicuous way, you can remove it from the pouch and then invert the pouch to serve as bedding inside the case while it is left open.” As he said this, he had opened the pouch filling the front room with the luminous glow and slid the box over with the handkerchiefs presented on the bed of silk.

  “I’ll leave the scarf to you, but before you open it, I set aside an outfit that should compliment it nicely if you would like to like to wear it out. I have placed it in changing room one for your discretion.”

  “I’ve trusted you so far, might as well have a look.” Duplicity said as he began to move toward the fitting rooms.

  “Splendid. We should have company here soon to help facilitate the delivery process.”

  Duplicity gave him a nod as he turned and stepped into the changing room. Inside he found a casual, but curated style. Starting from the base, he had slate grey boots, some crisp denim, and a matching belt. Moving up was a charcoal blue sweater with a smoky grey overcoat. He took his time putting the pieces on taking a closer look and enjoying Bespoke’s fine work. This time, he did look into the mirror. When he was satisfied, he picked up his classic black suit and folded it up. Holding it out in his hand, he said. “Looks like I won’t be needing this any time soon.” And it disappeared into a cloud of mist.

  Stepping out, he noticed all the boxes and racks were gone, but a pair of ladies had shown up “Allow me to introduce Concierge and Courier.” They smiled and gently nodded toward Duplicity.

  “You’ll likely get to know Concierge fairly well during your stay. She has come to assist with any needs you will have while living in Symphony Towers. When I reached out to them to arrange your delivery for the penthouse, she requested to accompany us so she could show you around. She has also prepared a pair of tickets to see Aria Symphony, heiress to the Symphony fortune and well-known classical vocalist. It should serve as a good venue for you to be seen at as you make your first steps into Eminent’s high society.”

  “Next to her with the parcel is Courier. She is one of my most trusted delivery contacts. All your wardrobe is currently being carried by her inside of that parcel. We just need to finish assembling your debut outfit for the trip to the penthouse, and she will be able to pack up the rest so we can leave. If you would do the honor opening the scarf case, I can show you how to effectively style it and we can be on our way.”

  “We can take my car and I will accompany Courier with unpacking and staging the wardrobe when we arrive. Concierge has volunteered to give you a tour of the community amenities as well as give you a chance to meet some of your new neighbors.

  Duplicity smiled and said “Seems like you have practice with this.” He then stepped up to the counter and flipped the latch on the scarf’s box. He gently opened the lid. Pulling out the pouch, he loosened the top and a light glow started to come out. Reaching in, he felt the soft silk and carefully gripped it and pulled. It was as if a river of light flowed out and in one swift motion, he slid his hand around his neck and allowed the scarf to drape to either side of his neck and down across his chest. It was playing off the darker tones of his other clothes like light and shadows trapped in an endless dance. “Go ahead and put in the finishing touches to show off your amazing craft, Bespoke.”

  Bespoke reached over and adjusted the drape and carefully placed one length forward and the other wrapped and over the shoulder so it could catch and play off the wind. Duplicity closed the wooden case back up with the pouch and handed it to Bespoke to pass to Courier. Approaching Concierge, he held out his arm and with a gesture to take hold questioned, “Shall We?”

  Taking his arm, she remembered how to breathe and they all exited the tailor shop to begin their trip to Symphony Towers.