Rocket Man (Continued)

"Yes, actually." Cyril was impressed, he didn't think Ryuzaki would have thought of that. "They're not really body shops as they are genetic farms. We keep vast stores of dna and model bodies. The Seraphim use them as a basis for what they want their physical bodies to be. A Seraph is born in the same race as the parent, but around 10 or so they can choose a different race. It's a nice little milestone. But anyway, we were encouraged by our developing relations with the Tuffles to begin selling the bodies, so it wouldn't be odd to see a few farms open to the buying/selling of bodies. That's where our girl would be." Cyril finished. Cyril led Ryuzaki to a local genetic farm, which wasn't far off at all. A fair number of eager children and their families strolled through white aisles nestled between huge stacks of pristine drawers, containing thousands of images and examples of differing bodies. "Ah, memories." Cyril smiled fondly. "But anyway, lets really hone your senses. Find her in this crowd."

Ryuzaki whistled in awe at the science. So sciency. So nuch science was present. He shook his head and concentrated on finding their Tuffle. He sensed the ki in a child. "Seraph," he said, scribbling the child's hand with a check mark. He did this to all the customers, as covertly as possible, only leaving three non-Seraphim. He found a female with the slightly not unfamiliar ki signature and waved to Cyril, "This one!"

Cyril put a hand on Ryuzaki's shoulder. "Good job, that is indeed her." Cyril hung back with Ryuzaki for a moment.


Emily was inhabiting a human form nearly identical to the one she had been in when she had crashed. Well, almost. This one was a bit shorter and the color of her kidneys were horrendous. I mean really, could she learn to cope with ugly kidneys? She hoped so. "Kidneys!" she exclaimed to the two Seraphim escorting her. One shook her head in agreement, "I warned you. They're awful aren't they?" The other Seraph was shaking his head, "I thought they were a nice color!" Both Emily and the other Serpah gave him a withering look. The conversation went along a similar vein for a bit. Another Seraph in a lab coat approached. "Found the one you were looking for?" She asked in a slightly nasally voice. "Yes, thanks." Emily replied. "How much do I owe you?" The manager adjusted her glasses nervously, "Well, there is no set price yet since the trade hasn't taken up but... well I'd estimate that to be around---" Emily paled. She obviously didn't have that amount.

Here Cyril stepped in with Ryuzaki and offered to pay the exuberant sum of money.

Emily and her newly acquired friends were shocked. "Thank you." her eyes narrowed, "What's the catch?" Emily knew what was up,yo. People don't just offer to buy you expensive new bodies.

All the Seraphim in the immediate narrative looked awed and a bit taken aback that some girl off the street would question the Lord of Heaven's kindness as if he were some random creep.

"No catch, I just figured Heaven's first Bio-Tuffle deserved a warmer welcome than a cold, stormy night in the forests." Cyril smiled warmly, not at all bothered by her directness. "I am Cyril, Lord of Heaven." Cyril waited for Ryuzaki to introduce himself, etc.

"I am Ryuzaki and I have no idea what I'm doing and I think I've met you but I can't place it. Nice to meet you etc." He blinked. "What the hell did I say etcetera for? Ah well."

This guy was the ruler of this planet? Woops. "O-oh." Emily brushed aside a strand of hair. First Bio-Tuffle on Heaven? She really hoped she hadn't just screwed up any diplomatic relations here. That would be awful. "Er.... Hi Cyril, Ryuzaki." she extended her hand to both of them and put her friendliest face on. "Pleasure to meet you... and thanks a lot for paying for this."

Ryuzaki shook her hand, blinking as he let go, "Didn't know Aliens shook hands. Well, not you people. That sounded racist. Sorry. I'm used to..." Ryuzaki just remembered that the Earth no lpnger exisited. He felt a bomb drop in hia stomach. Shaking his head, he put on a brave face. "Right. Right. Erm. Lovely to meet you. Don't suppose you smoke."

Emily suppressed a laugh at Ryuzaki's obvious discomfort at being abroad. "It's a pretty common thing. It originates in more than a few ancient cultures in which people would grasp forearms to check for weapons. Same for hugs. Sorta." Emily babbled on. She shook Cyril's hand as well. "Honored to meet you, really."

Cyril handed the woman in charge her money and she awkwardly shuffled out of the narrative. The two Seraphim who had escorted Emily bid her farewell and also left the narrative. How nice. "Why don't you walk with us Emily?" Cyril led Emily and Ryuzaki out into the city.

Ryuzaki slumped as his inquiry into her smoking habit went unnoticed.

"Um, okay."

Cyril led the two along absently, absorbed in thoughts for the moment.

Emily waited for Cyril to say something, and when it was clear he wasn't planning on saying anything, she turned to Ryuzaki for conversation. "No. I don't smoke, it's an expensive, pointless habit."

Ryuzaki shrugged. "In the whole of the universe, I've yet to find a smoking buddy. What now, Cyril?"