It took the better part of a day to complete our little shopping trip. In some ways it was an advantage that I had nothing but a basic ship jumpsuit. We started at the low level of society, I looked like nothing more than a shabby Administratum clerk and then steadily, moving from shop to shop, purchased higher and higher class wares. Hadrian, for his part, was able to remain sternly stylish throughout the excursion. His clothing equally convincing as a minor merchant out with his squeeze to a rogue trader in severe style amidst the glittering clothiers and tailors of the higher city. I bought many outfits, imagining the types of people that might wear them as I went along. I will admit it was considerable fun to go shopping on the Inquisition’s credit. Most of what we bought I had sent back to the ship, though some we sent to the hotel Imperial which Hadrian planned to use as a base while he conducted his investigation.  

As the day wore on we climbed higher and higher into the spire. The neat salons of the upper class began to giveaway to luxurious tailors in dens of polished wood and gilded metal with servitors of polished marble. We were moving into the lower aristocracy now, and each new tailor plied us with amasec and delicacies to encourage us to stay longer and purchase more. Hadrian provided me with an anti-intoxicant, which I was glad for by the sixth glass of amasec I was forced to imbibe. Gradually I became aware that this wasn’t simply shopping for its own sake. Perhaps it had been to begin with, but now we were entering respectable society. Hadrian began to talk longer, exchanging little pleasantries with the staff, sharing a few tid bits about being a noble from offworld. I did my best to play along, trying to play the Imperial aristocrat to the best of my ability. It was fun and I got to try on alot of clothes.  Finally, when I thought Hadrian was about to bankrupt, an elegant clothier invited us into a back room where a tall thin man in an impeccably brocaded coat sat examining a jewel.

“Ahh you must be the delectable lady we have heard so much about, and her handsome beau as well,” he declared, his voice surprisingly nasal.

“I am Superior Duke Clanar Hostas, whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?”