Sustenance

Nekane turned her black sedan onto the main road and headed back into her part of the city. Her trip had created more questions than it had answered, but she was happy about it. She would have run into the information sooner or later, and sooner allowed her to research and be prepared. He weekend was getting away from her though, one she went shopping, she would have time to do a little research at home before it was time for dinner. Nekane promised herself she would do something to relax on Sunday. Unfortunately for her, Nekane wasn't the most trustworthy person. She laughed in her head as she made the joke to herself.

Nekane stepped out of her car and into the parking lot of the grocery store. While some factions were based around culture or heritage or even skills or abilities, some were based on businesses. The grocers for example had their own guild. While there was some competition between stores, the guild effectively had a monopoly across the Metro. It could cause some interesting pricing issues around the city. Food prices had in the past been exorbitant in a money-grab from the guild. For a while there was a panic and the city council even looked into options for regulating the stores, a step rarely taken: regulations were anathema on Earth. It ended up being a nothing-burger. Since other vendors, even utilities, were able to charge what they wanted, they simply raised prices on members of the guild. This caused a short period of hyper inflation, until all involved parties realized they were better off allowing stores to compete within the same guild as keep prices at a market rate. Things like this happened every once in a while as the planet's deep commitment to non-regulation was stressed and tested.

Nekane walked into the grocery store, a low flat building that stuck out among the multi-story building surrounding it. For some reason grocery stores never built up. She was sure there was some storied history about why, but one of the unique side effects was that every store also had made use of its roof space very creatively. Most had turned the roof into a park of some kind. The best ones had sod brought in for real grass, trees and playgrounds. Some of the tress were fake, since the engineering required to support a massive tree on a roof was not trivial, and it also allowed for energy production via the small solar cells on the fake leaves. The parks were just as much of a draw as the grocery store, and the owners knew it. If someone came to the park, they would buy from the store with certainty.

Nekane walked in and grabbed a hand cart. She didn't require a ton of food living by herself, but she loved to cook. It was one of the areas she splurged her own money on. Plus it was relaxing for her. She spent enough time researching and learning about other cultures and the food that came along with it was a small put meaningful payoff.

She walked down the produce aisle and filled her basket with various vegetables and headed over to the meat section. She picked out a few of her favorite cuts, and headed to the deli. There was a short line, for sliced meats, but Nekane just wanted a quick sandwich. She perused the selection in the cooling display and picked out a chicken salad sandwich.

She made her way to the self checkout area.

-- OUT OF ORDER --

"Damn it." Nekane cursed as she looked over the the checkout lines manned by employees. There were only two open and both had lines 3 deep. One was staffed by a handsome but stoic middle aged man. She liked what she saw, but she couldn't risk it. She got into the other line where a bubbly young woman was chatting the ear off her customer.

She waited in line and allowed her mind to wander. Fortunately the cashiers were working at a pretty fast clip and she was just about to say hello to the talkative young woman when a store manager walked up to her.

"Jeannie, time for your break."

"Thanks Red, be back in fifteen."

Shoot. Nekane's mind raced, but she had no choice, she stepped up to the register and watched as the man began to check her out.

"Good evening miss"

"Um... hello"

Nekane's answer had done the opposite of what she wanted and now the man was starting at her due to her awkward response. "Damn it Jeremy. This is what I get for teasing you" she thought.

Nekanes heart was beating faster and faster and she could feel her face begin to flush. The man continued to check out Nekane's items, but was watching her like an animal in a zoo. He got all kinds in the store, but usually on the night shift, and strange behavior usually didn't come from someone who looked so well put together.

"That'll be 50g please"

Nekane licked her lips and inched closer to the counter separating her from him. She involuntarily stuck out her chest, and smirked at him.

"Fuck Nekane, hold it together."

Her hand shook as she scanned her credit card. She bit her lip and breathed laboriously.

"Thank you. Next!"

Fortunately for Nekane the person behind her was pushy and gave her jolt as they moved forward.

"yeah... thanks..." Nekane sputtered as she grabbed her things and rushed out to her car. She jumped in the drivers seat, immediately reclined the seat, undid her jean button and zipper and shoved her hand into her pants. She expertly found her clit and began to rub it feverishly. She found her rhythm at once and within minutes she brought herself to a serviceable orgasm.

She breathed deep as she slowed her heartbeat and glanced at the dashboard clock.

"Fuck. That wasn't even 24 hours." Today really was the worst.