The Market Post

[travelagency]

Who: Merchants and You
What: Open Market
When: M12 D14
Where: The Market
Notes & Warnings: Warnings will be in individual thread starters as players see fit. Here is the market OOC post.

The weather is starting to warm from the dead of winter, but it's still cool out. The morning in the market is foggy, too, so the warmer food is still getting a lot of attention. Soups and hot teas and cocoa (refined from the beans gathered in the planet's jungles).

After the recent efforts to clean up the town and the brief increased access to other universes, vendors there are a lot of vegetables brought in from that, too. This has been the first time in a long time there has been such a variety so take advantage of the displays. There are also people that have been trying out the potion samples here and there, doing things like attempting to set themselves on fire or inhale water. Luckily 99% of them are stopping when they're warned when their timer is running out.

There is the odd idiot that doesn't know how to hold his magic. Injuries won't be grave when they do happen, just incredibly stupid.

If anyone who helped investigate swamps wants to talk to travel agents about potential trips home, this is the chance to do it. Remember that you can also take visitors with you when the time comes around.

Comments

[vengeance_driven]

I know.

[And Niko relaxes some, too. Because he understands, and has always understood. Because he felt Kate alive in his arms one moment, and then she was limp and gone another. Because all he's done is fail at protecting people, despite promises otherwise.]

[He nudges Boone's nose again, though. Expecting him to say to forget it, which, for some reason, makes him want to try and enjoy the moment more. He wants to savor it and commit it to memory, and that way when Boone tells him that whatever happened was a fluke he can accept it.]

[It wouldn't be the first time someone he liked didn't want him back, after all. It's just the first time it's been a man.]

[Then it occurs to him that he didn't answer immediately. That he squeezed his hand. He set himself up for failure so sternly that it is only long moments after the fact that he realizes.] And if you were not afraid for me?

[thumbsdown]

[Boone frowns to himself at Niko's question. If he didn't have to be afraid for him? He's not sure. He's spent a long time being afraid for the people he cares about. He doesn't know if that's the only thing holding him back. He knows Carla would have wanted him to move on, but Boone isn't good at that. He's held his grudge against the Legion and mourned Carla every day, and dreamt of his mistakes every night. He's convinced himself that he doesn't deserve to be happy, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to be.]

Might've been an easier choice.

[He sort of tips his head up a little to nudge Niko's nose himself, a tiny gesture that sort of hints toward what his answer might have been. If he didn't have to worry about what might happen to Niko... the answer still might have been complicated, but maybe not quite as much. Boone has always believed that people should be with whoever makes them happy, and his best friend had preferred men over women. It's still kind of weird to be in that position himself, though. He's never looked at a man that way before. Whatever feelings he has, if that's really what's going on here, they're entirely based on the close bond they've built up over the better part of a year.]

[vengeance_driven]

[Niko watches Boone, wondering if that choice is already made. It sounds like it. But then he nudges his nose, and once again he doesn't know.]

[So he tips his head, leans in to press their lips together, and he feels as though his face is on fire.]

[The hair on the back of his neck tingles and his stomach flips and his chest tightens, and he suspects this is what getting to kiss Kate would have been like (just with a gentler jawline to hold). He makes a noise against Boone's mouth he doesn't expect, one of surprise, because even if he wanted it he didn't expect it to feel like that.]

[thumbsdown]

[Boone's experience is a little different, in that he still feels unsure even with Niko's lips on his. He doesn't think it's a bad experience, though. Maybe it would have been better if he could worry less all the bad things that might happen. He touches Niko's cheek briefly, and though he does break the kiss in the end he'd let it linger for a little while first. His face is slightly red, and he looks like he doesn't know what to say. Really, he doesn't. He doesn't know if it's a bad thing, but he thinks he liked it. Things would have been so much easier if he hadn't.]

[vengeance_driven]

[Niko lowers his hands when it's broken, but the more loosen and drop off than letting go properly. Because he's pretty sure that, when Boone pulls away, his decision is made. And he feels a little like an idiot but his face is still red and his heart is pounding.]

[Well, no one can say he didn't do his best.] Maybe it is something to decide later.

I ah... [he stammers, then just gestures off in the direction of the farms] ...before I... [saw the picture of them about to die out in the swamp] ...I was going to ask if you would want to come out and meet my riding animal. Riding it is kind of funny. I thought it might make you laugh.

[He likes to see him laugh.]

[See, he can do normal. They can forget this if Boone wants to.]

[thumbsdown]

[He broke the kiss, but he's still looking at Niko differently. Like he's seeing something he couldn't before. And he hasn't quite let go of Niko yet, his hand resting on his shoulder. He only really decides to step back when Niko changes the subject.]

Yeah. Maybe... not out here.

[It's all very personal, and he doesn't like to flaunt his personal life for all to see. If they're going to talk about this, they need to be doing it somewhere they won't be disturbed. It's pretty obvious that it does need to be discussed at some point.]

Okay. Where is it?

[vengeance_driven]

It's here. [He pulls out his comm and shows Boone his newly acquired map, turning the image so he can point from where they are to there.]

[It's something, at least. He's not upset- yet, anyway. That's all he wants. Maybe they can deal with it, either way. This could be a mistake, but not talking about it might be a bigger one.]

[At least he talked about the important part.]

I think I'm done with ah- [he gestures at the market] -so I will see you there?

[thumbsdown]

[Boone looks at the map, and nods.]

Okay. Lemme take this thing back home.

[He gestures with his thumb at the super sledge slung over his back.]

Maybe I can show you what I got, too.

[Niko would probably find it hilarious. It would be a good distraction from what just happened, at least.]

[vengeance_driven]

Okay.

[He hopes it does. He still feels a little stupid, and after getting side-tracked by a conversation he actually shows up a few minutes later than he hoped. For all that he's trying to be casual about this now, for all he's trying to pretend that he didn't just make a fool of himself, he's still looking for Boone as if being a little late and the possibility that Boone might have left already might mean he'd committed a grievous error.]

[Considering what did just happen, though, and the conclusions they could draw, it's possible.]

[thumbsdown]

[Boone figured Niko would show up at some point, because he'd have no reason to lead him out here to stand on his own for a while. He doesn't mind that he's a little late. In fact, he's kind of relieved. He knows that when Niko does show up, they'll have to deal with even more awkwardness. When Niko finds him, he's halfway through a cigarette. He figured he'd need one to calm his nerves a little. When he sees him, he greets him with the usual nod, but it's obvious he's still a little confused about what happened earlier.]

Hey.

[vengeance_driven]

Hey.

[Again, short introduction, but he moves on quick. He's looking happier to see him, though, glad he didn't just leave.]

Over here.

[And he goes to a yellow stall with a yellow long necked bird thing. It turns its head to look at Boone accusingly. It's not saddled or anything right now, so it just looks like a big funny looking oversized fowl.]

This is mine.

[thumbsdown]

[Boone looks up at it, arching an eyebrow.]

You can ride that?

[It looks like it could be pretty awkward to stay on top of. At least Boone got something with four legs... though he's still having trouble staying on it himself.]

[vengeance_driven]

Possibly. I have not had much luck yet.

[The big bird opens its beak and touches Niko's head with its tongue. He holds perfectly still, unsure of what's happening, until it starts attempting to preen too short hair.]

[His expression doesn't change much, though.]

[thumbsdown]

[Boone just sort of stares at it.]

Huh. Guess it likes you.

[Maybe it won't object too much to being ridden if it likes him. Boone wishes his own animal liked him a little better. Maybe then it would stop spitting at him.]

[vengeance_driven]

Yes. It is very awkward. Okay, big guy. You ah... can go back to preening.

[He steps away, and the animal jams it's head very close to Boone and tilts its head, like it's trying to get a better few of his glasses.]

[thumbsdown]

[He steps back when the bird leans in, one hand touching his beret as if he's afraid of it being plucked from his head.]

Doesn't look as ridiculous as what I'm riding, at least.

[Strange, but... not ridiculous.]

[vengeance_driven]

What do you have?

[Niko pats the bird, and brushes its head back because it probably would have gone for the beret, to be honest. The thing he doesn't notice that he does is sort of protectively put Boone on the opposite side of him.]

[thumbsdown]

A llama.

[He didn't know what it was until someone else told him, and since he's never seen one before... well, he figures that's how all llamas look. He doesn't complain when Niko gets between him and the bird, but he does move further back so that it can't go for his beret.]

Can show it to you, if you want.

[vengeance_driven]

[Without a beat he says-] I am so sorry.

[But, still.]

Sure, I will look at it. Lets go.

[thumbsdown]

Yeah.

[He starts off in that direction, and doesn't say much on the way there. When he reaches it, he doesn't even say anything. He doesn't need to. It kind of speaks for itself. It's larger than your average llama, big enough for someone to ride it comfortably, but... well, it looks like this.]

[vengeance_driven]

[Niko isn't all the way over there yet and he breaks into the biggest grin he can at the Qtip head.] It comes sheered for you!

[Niko hasn't really seen them in person before, but he has seen sheered sheep. He knows what it is, at least.]

[But he has seen a camel's face, and that is a camelish sort of visage. So he doesn't get too close. Like he's expecting to get spat in the face.]

[thumbsdown]

Yeah. Wish I knew who sheared the damn thing.

[It looks ridiculous enough without half its fur missing. Still, it's almost worth it for Niko's reaction.]

You think it looks stupid now, wait until you see me trying to get it to move.

[It prefers to just wander around slowly. It's probably a good thing he has no intention of entering the race to win.]

[vengeance_driven]

[He can't stop smiling now, so that means Boone has to put up with his meanfaced grin for a bit while he watches the lumbering animal.]

Okay. Hop on. I want to see you take it for a drive.

[He leans against one of the stall dividers, watching, because this promises to be amazing.]

[thumbsdown]

[Luckily for Niko, Boone has no problem with his mean grin. He gives him a long look, as though trying to figure out if he wants to or not, before finally grunting and heading over to it.]

Okay.

[He leads the llama out, and spends a few minutes trying to get it to sit down so he can get on in the first place. He wobbles when it stands up again, obviously not used to riding on an animal, and it takes several slow steps before he manages to fall off, landing on his back with a quiet "oof". The llama keeps moving away for a few moments, then stops and looks down at Boone. Still lying on his back in the grass, he gets the feeling he's being judged by it. At least it doesn't seem ready to spit at him again.]

[vengeance_driven]

[He stays out of spitting range until Boone falls, and even if he comes over to help Boone up he still is grinning a tight smile.]

Okay, how about I stand by you to help keep you on. Maybe that will help.

[Though he's going to do his best to try and not catch that muppetheaded beast's hate.]