You are cordially invited to attend Emperor Volodymyr Oblast’s private reception following the official coronation event at the Imperial Palace on Grandor Prime.
Onzaga Oblast, the mother of the Emperor, took a drag off a laced cigarette and slid the invitation into the hand of her dog walker. Greg smiled, fumbled with the golden ticket, and shoved it into the pocket of his cargo shorts.
He just returned from walking the dowager’s prize purebred snipter-zoodles. The elegant canine-esque quadrupeds had purple curly hair and were playful and harmless, considering their size. When on the leash the two of them tended to walk Greg more than he walked them. Nonetheless, it became his daily routine and the morning jaunt through the Imperial Gardens filled him with personal joy and provided time to ponder existence in a sublime natural setting. He also got tips in the form of drugs and odd gifts.
“Now, Gregory, I’ve taken the liberty of choosing an outfit for you to wear to the party.” She gestured to a jacket and slacks hung across a stand next to her and passed the joint over to her friend.
“It’s just Greg.” He took a puff of the thin hand-rolled cigarette. “You know, I used to say starting smoking when I was 40 was a bad idea, but now…
