Moments Chapter 17: Shopping by klcutting
New clothes by kenobislover on A03
As the Batch returns from a mostly successful mission, Omega notices something strange. She seems to be having trouble with her kaminoan clothing.
"What's up?" Hunter asked, noticing this, to which Omega replied "My Kaminoan clothes don't fit me anymore. It's about time I grew out of them" she showed that her wrists and ankles were now exposed under her clothing, and her shirt seemed a bit tight around her chest.
"Are you alright, ad'ika?" Hunter enquired, but Omega sighed and seemed to be quickly getting emotional.
Before he knew what happened, Omega broke down and threw herself against Hunter, burying her face into Hunter's shoulder. Taking her in his arms, Hunter carefully climbed off the ladder and held her against him at the base of the stairs as he gently rocked her and traced circles into her back to try and calm her down.
"My body's changing, I don't like how I look in these clothes, they're a reminder of my past, and all of my clothes are uncomfortable because they're too small" Omega sobbed quietly into Hunter's shoulder.
The others notice this, and approach to help. Hunter said "We all know how you're feeling Megs. I never quite fit in physically with the other clones, so I know how you feel"
"None of us can exactly say we know what's going on specifically with you, but being the biggest guy around, I know how you feel," Wrecker said, gently taking one of Omega's hands in his.
"It's taken me a long time to accept myself with mechanical parts, and even now, there are times when I'm still insecure. Especially since I look so different now from all other Clones, and there's so much I can't do now" Echo admitted, taking her other hand in his.
Tech finally sat next to Omega, and put a hand on her back, before saying "I've always been physically thinner than other Clones, and that was something I've always been insecure about. You're at the age where this is normal. We all experienced this, it's normal" to which Omega smiled.
"Thanks, everyone, I love you all, and I'm so glad you're all here for me" Omega replied.
"We're going to get new clothes for you Omega. You've grown so much since you joined us, both metaphorically, and literally" Hunter said, to which Omega nodded. As she climbed up to her room, she thought to herself "It'll be good to finally be out of these clothes".
The Batch then returns to the cockpit.
"Do you know where we could go to get some?" Hunter enquired, to which Tech stated "Well, it's going to be a while before we can get back to Ord Mantell, but we are close to Naboo, so we could drop in there"
"Do we have enough to cover everything?" Echo enquired, to which Tech, after a quick check, stated "Affirmative, but only just"
"She needs a full wardrobe overhaul. Naboo will have to do" Hunter replied, to which Tech nodded, and arrived on Naboo. Going through all the proper channels, they landed.
"Well, I didn't expect fugitive Clones to arrive here. Welcome to Naboo. What business do you have here?" a shorter figure, maybe a head taller than Omega, approached, surrounded by several guards.
"We don't want to cause trouble, we're just here clothes shopping for our sister," Hunter said as the Batch exited the craft, Omega next to them.
Turning to face Omega, the lady said "I assume you're the sister they're referring to?"
"Yep. My name's Omega" Omega replied excitedly, to which the figure smiled, and replied "I am Queen Apailana, nice to meet you all. Follow me, you'll find what you need"
They found the shop and started looking around.
"What are you like with dresses?" Apailana enquired, to which Omega replied "I just need clothes for what we do. I don't think casual wear will fit alongside everything else"
"That's unfortunate. I'm sure you'll find something though" Apailana replied as Hunter found a couple of sets of shirts and pants in her larger size.
"These will fit you for a while. And the fabric's a little thicker, which will help with temperature control" Hunter said, showing them to Omega. Trying them on, Omega smiled.
"Fits perfectly. Maybe even slightly big when I'm wearing them normally" Omega said as she got out of them. Tech came over with a raincoat and some new shoes.
"I noticed her boots were wearing out, and that she was having trouble getting them on this morning. So we've got some new, and bigger, ones for her. I've also got a raincoat for her to help keep her out of the rain" Tech stated, and Omega tried them on too, the shoes she walked a lap around the area to try out.
"They fit well and are comfortable to walk in," Omega said as she returned, happy with the choices.
"So Snow gear and a hat for keeping the sun off her are still needed," Echo said, and he went off to find some. It was then that Apailana got an idea.
"I think you may need some new undergarments as well, Omega. I'll handle that" she stated, before she turned to Hunter, and asked, "How old is she?"
"Just turned 13" Hunter replied, and Apaliana smiled, and said "Same age as me. Though maybe not quite as developed. Oh well, I'm sure we'll find something", which caused Omega to blush slightly as she followed Apaliana to the female undergarments section.
A few minutes later, Omega returned with a bag containing several sets of underwear and tank tops.
"Got everything?" Wrecker asked, to which Omega and Apailana nodded.
"Alright, let's pay for these, then head out," Hunter said, to which Apailana nodded, and replied "I'll cover the cost. Your little sister needs clothes, and being on the run means your finances are likely stretched thin"
"How did you know?" Tech asked, surprised, to which Apailana replied "We've had a few Clone deserters pass by in the last couple of months. It can't be easy out there" before the clothes were rung up and paid for.
"Good luck, and stay safe. This galaxy is a dangerous place" Apailana called as the Batch returned to the ship, to which Hunter replied, "Thanks, you've been a great help" and they waved to her before they departed.
A few minutes after they got into Hyperspace, Omega exited her room, and fully changed out of her Kaminoan clothes.
"What do you want to do with this Omega?" Echo asked as he took the old clothes, to which Omega stared at them, and stated matter-of-factly "Burn them"
"Why specifically burn them?" Hunter enquired, surprised by how matter-of-factly she stated it, and that she wanted to do that. Omega stated "I don't want to wear the clothes of the Kaminoans. They contain a lot of bad memories for me. Maybe I won't be constantly revisiting those times if I'm not constantly wearing reminders of that time"
"We're going to have to organise that, maybe Cid will have something to help" Echo suggested, to which Tech stated "It wouldn't hurt to ask. I'm sure she has something"
"Alright," Echo replied. The Batch settled into their seats, Omega deciding to sit with Echo this time, and they took some time to rest before they got back to Ord Mantell.
When they arrived, they saw Cid waiting for them.
Cid was about to ask about what took them so long, but saw Omega in her new clothes, and stated "Looking good Tiny", before turning to the Batch, and stating "Guess the shopping trip was why you were late?"
"Yes. Omega's clothes were getting too small for her, and she only had that set to wear, so we got her a new wardrobe" Hunter explained, to which Cid nodded, and stated "Well time is money bandana, but I'll let this one slide. Don't make a habit of it though"
"We won't," Hunter replied, and Cid entered her parlour.
"Oh, Scomplink, got a message for you from Rex. So you can collect the payment for this one" Cid stated, to which Echo replied "Fine by me. What's Rex got for me?"
"No idea" Hunter replied as Echo followed Cid.
Once Echo got the pay and the message, Omega said "Hey Cid, can I please talk to you quickly?"
"What do you want Tiny?" Cid stated, to which Omega asked "Do you have anything that can help burn my old clothing?"
Cid was briefly taken aback by this question. She looked around at the rest of the Batch, then, deciding that she had come up with it on her own, enquired "What do you want to burn?"
"Clothing," Omega replied. Cid, putting two and two together, stated "You're going to have to go outside the city to burn those old robes. You're also going to need a gas mask so you're not inhaling the smoke" before she turned to the rest of the Batch.
"I can supply the items Tiny will need to burn the robes, but you're going to need to supply the mask" Cid sneered, to which Tech stated "We have the necessary piece of equipment on the ship"
"Good. Unfortunately, you're going to have to go outside city limits before you can do any burning, alright?" Cid stated, to which Hunter replied "Understood"
"Good. Now I'll get the bits, then get going" Cid replied before she returned to her office.
"I'll go grab the mask," Tech said, to which the Batch nodded, and Tech went back to the ship.
When Cid exited, she stated, "Where did Goggles go?"
"He went to get the masks" Echo stated, to which Cid nodded, and gave a small bag to Omega.
"Just be careful Tiny, don't burn yourself," Cid said, to which Omega replied "I won't"
"I want to see pictures of the burning robes, alright?" Cid called after the Batch as they departed, to which Wrecker called back "We'll get plenty for you Cid"
"You'd better" Cid sneered to herself as she returned to her office.
Half an hour later, the Batch arrived at the area Cid indicated. A dust patch, though with a Fire pit in the area.
"Well, this is the spot Cid indicated," Hunter said as Tech landed the ship nearby. Omega grabbed the old clothing and, with a determined look in her eyes, marched towards the Fire pit, the Batch following behind.
When they arrived, Omega immediately threw all of the clothes into the Fire pit. Then, she gets the mask on, as does the rest of the Batch. Omega then opens the bag Cid had given her and reads the instructions.
"According to this, I pour lighter fluid onto the clothes. Then I light a match, drop it from as high as possible, then run back to avoid being burned" Omega said, to which Hunter said "That sounds dangerous"
"I'll handle it" Wrecker called, and he walked up to Omega as she poured the lighter fluid over the clothing.
Once the can was empty, Wrecker showed her how to light a match, before she took it, and dropped it into the Fire pit. Taking a few steps back meant they didn't feel much more than a bit of radiant heat as the Fire pit lit up.
Omega stared at the flaming pit as her clothes burned, a sense of grim satisfaction welling up in her. Wrecker made sure to take a lot of photos for Cid, while the rest watched on.
Eventually, the fire died down, and nothing except a few charred fragments were left.
"Good. I'm satisfied" Omega said, slightly grimly, to which Hunter replied "We'd better get back to Cid's parlour. It's late and we'd better tell her how it went, and show her the photos"
"Then that's what we'll do" Tech stated, and they returned to the ship and headed back.
"So, it's done?" Cid sneered as they re-entered her parlour, to which Wrecker excitedly replied "Yeah! And it was awesome! I got the pictures"
"Cool it Muscles, just give me the holopad" Cid stated, and Wrecker handed the holopad over.
"Nice images. Boring on the robes, but the fire was intense. I'm guessing you used all the lighter fluid Tiny?" Cid called, to which Omega nodded as she gave the bag back.
"Thanks. Now, you all had better get some rest. I'll see if I have anything local for you guys soon" Cid stated, to which Hunter nodded, and replied "Thanks Cid" before they headed back to the ship.
As they went back, Omega noticed that a bit of the huge burden on her had lifted thanks to the burning of the old clothes. Another step in confronting her trauma had been conquered. Maybe now her nightmares and night terrors won't be quite so frequent.