The Market

[travelagency]

Who: Merchants, Reporters, and You
What: Open Market
When: M9 D13
Where: The center of town, near the resort
Notes & Warnings: Here is how the market works...

The marketplace is a large open air affair in the middle of town, with a couple of dozen vendors out supplying wares. For the most part they're local crafstmen and farmers; it is post harvest time now, and the last of the fresh vegetables are being sold off before it gets really cold (various tubers, fruits, roots, wheat, etc). There are also cooks with a variety of foods, so everything smells pretty good. There are even pierogi and sausages along side more unusual fusion foods like deep fried gagh on a stick.

Unfortunately, it's raining and while it's not a drenching rain, if you're not used to the rain an umbrella probably wouldn't go amiss.

There are a few odd stands, though. External stands, brought in by merchants that don't want to permanently reside here but are happy to do some sales for the resort. Sure they have to earn in the planetary currency, but they can buy a few unique items from here to take back with them before they go. That makes the trade worth it for them, and Blackstaff needs all the external trade it can get (even if the outside vendors doing the trading are a little dubious and are probably breaking the law just by being here during the quarantine).

In the meantime, with Blackstaff's cooperation Upsher and Doff have set up a booth in the middle of the market. Imports receive additional pay for going inside and answering their questions, and Jeffers is very adamant that imports should participate. It may help out their current situation by showing the universe what widely varying worlds are represented by the resort and attaching real faces and voices to the people of Quadratus.

Comments

The Market

[travelagency]

Show off your buys to other characters or ask for a thread with a vendor here.

The Market

[ewestmarch]

[Emilia has heard about the enchanted armor, and that's mostly why she's here. Mostly.

Her flesh golem is towering beside her, a boulder in a black raincoat topped with a tiny, ridiculous hat, holding a rickety umbrella over both of them.]

You're trespassing in the market I sell in. [Emilia snarls to Xûr. She's digging her sharp-tipped fingers into the edges of her black robe, trying to drag it shut.]

Re: The Market

[agent_of_the_nine]

[His feet are shifting, as is his posture. But he doesn't look nervous. When she addresses him, he looks at her- it can only be told that he looks at her because his glowing eyes shine out from under his hood as he turns his head. His face seems to swallow, deeply shadowed and featured. Misty, small wormish creatures seem to be reaching out, vaguely transparent, and when he speaks his voice rumbles.]

I am not trespassing. This is not your market. Sell your wares there.

[Sorry, Emilia, he doesn't seem the least bit intimidated. He's a creature of the outer worlds, one swallowed by the encroaching dark. A Jovian. On the plus side for you, he doesn't seem right either.]

The Market

[ewestmarch]

Not the market as a place.

[Emilia's Standard has improved, but is still accented. She's still having trouble with complicated concepts.]

Enchanted armor.

[She points, accusingly.]

That's my job.

Re: The Market

[agent_of_the_nine]

Your armor. Is not this armor.

[He shifts and points to it.] With time, and more wear, the armor grows stronger. The person who wears it fuels its power. It is special, and today it is the only armor I carry because it is burdened with so much Light.

Sell your armor. And I will sell this.

[archeologue]

[Belloq considers the Velvet Elvis. It's worth nothing back in his time, but if he's patient, waits twenty years...it could be a nice nest egg for his retirement.

It's an odd reversal of his usual treasure hunting. Typically, he seeks things of the past that have been made valuable from great age. He's never considered investing in something from the future that will become valuable. He hasn't made up his mind yet.]

[folkscallmewander]

[There are too many novelty items out of Wander's price range, but that doesn't stop him from window shopping. His exploration takes him to Jack Jeeb's stand, with its cheap jewelry that he might have bought if he knew someone here that would like it.

What catches his eye immediately is the picture of a dark-haired man in outlandish clothing. Judging by what he's going in the picture, he's probably a singer from Earth.

He wouldn't have dwelled on it too long if he didn't notice Belloq eyeing it for some time.]

You know this fella?

[archeologue]

No. I'm not certain he has even been born yet where, or rather when I come from. But I have heard that this man will become very famous some day.

[He eyes the picture critically.]

A very peculiarly dressed young man. [Especially by 1930s standards.] I hope not everyone dresses that way in the future.

[folkscallmewander]

So you come from the past... [He stares at Belloq in awe for a moment before returning his attention to the picture.

It's certainly is a unique outfit, but not out of place with the flashy outfits he's seen on this travels. It's pretty nice, Wander has to admit.]

I don' think they all dress like that. Heck, no planet has everyone lookin' the same. 'less they're robots, but they don't wear clothes anyway.

[archeologue]

There are some human tribes where clothing is more or less optional. But, I take your point. I do hope that in the future, class still prevails in some places, if, evidently, not-- [He points to the picture. There are many ways to describe Elvis, but "high class" would not be one of them. And Belloq judges this not-yet-born person for it.]

Fuck it, getting some warlock armor too...

[vengeance_driven]

[Since his unfortunate experiences during the skeleton take over (while they weren't traumatizing, they are uncomfortable) Niko has decided to pick up more armor to go with his current armor. So he purchases a set of the warlock armor.]

[And it's... more form fitting than he's used to.]

[And the coat is longer. So he's adjusting, trying it on and carrying the helmet under his arm, checking what's laying against the back of his legs. But the funny thing is almost as soon as he put it on, even slight aches and pains ebbed, stress and strain from all the moving and working he does. So he guesses that the healing effects work (he wonders if they'll come back as soon as he takes it off.]

[thumbsdown]

[Boone wanders over to Niko as he's adjusting, not looking too happy about the weather.]

New armour, huh.

[That makes both of them- Boone is wearing his new patrol armour, which also came with a coat. He's kind of glad for it right now, since it's raining. He has it closed against the cold, but he's still not feeling particularly warm. Rex tries to shake off beside him, despite not having much fur to get wet.]

[vengeance_driven]

[The saddest Boone is a wet Boone. He gestures for them to come over to him and steps under a shop overhang.]

You look like you could something more than a beret. Nice outfit.

[It actually worries him a little. He has friends that don't take too kindly to security, but if it came down to a fight he'd have to choose sides and he really doesn't want to choose sides. This is the first time he hasn't minded patrol at all. It's a sticky situation.]

[But Boone wears his uniform well (or probably does when he's not getting rained on, and when Boone gets closer Niko brushes some drops off his shoulders.]

Looks like Rex has the right idea. Dry off and maybe we can get you an umbrella.

[thumbsdown]

Thanks.

[He instinctively shrugs his shoulders a little when Niko brushes his hand over them, still not particularly fond of people touching him, but since it's only Niko he doesn't seem all that uncomfortable with it. It's just a matter of getting used to it, the way he did with Elle. He at least likes the idea of drying off.]

Yeah, wouldn't mind getting outta this rain. Got anywhere in mind?

[vengeance_driven]

Not really. There are still some restaurants with a covered place. Even if it's getting later in the year.

It's going to get colder, you know.

[He suddenly remembers that Boone is from the desert. He knows how he feels in the extreme heat. It'll probably be hard on him. The cold won't be easy on Boone.] When it happens, remember to layer up. Then you can just take off layers or put them back on. Don't just wear one warm thick thing.

[Then, self-conciously, he asks.] This armor. Does it look stupid? I feel stupid. [Which would suck, because he spent a lot of money on it.]

[theugly]

[For all the good that the thick fabric of Tuco's tattered outer-coat usually does to insulate him from the cold, it's not exactly waterproof. In fact, it's clearly quite the opposite, doing a rather impressive job of collecting the water like a determined (and not particularly welcome) veteran collecting money. This is all ultimately evidenced by the loud schlack that cuts through the air the moment Tuco's shoulder connects with Niko's arm.

Tuco, being the smaller man, spins and glares up from under his hat brim, letting out a fierce,] Hey!

[An abrupt pause. He probably meant to follow with the traditional swaggering tough guy growl of, "Watch where you're going!" Instead, there's a surprised flinch that just about passes for a smile.]

...Niko!

[He whips his hands down and away from any suspected pockets, thumbs pressing tightly over the tops of his fingers.]

[vengeance_driven]

Hey, watch it- [he started, not so offended by being sprayed with water (he tended to slap and shake rain off himself) but being irritated at being thwacked. Once he realized who it was, though, he smiled over the collar of his new coat and clasped his hand in a friendly way.]

Tuco! Good to see you man. How you doing after ah... all that bullshit. Looked like you got hit pretty hard.

[theugly]

[Realizing that his aborted pre-thievery must have gone unnoticed, Tuco's face relaxes into an easy smile. He gives the offered hand a shake, slapping his other one on top of Niko's knuckles.]

Good! Very good! [He punctuates with a flash of teeth.] Yeah, yeah... it's like my father used to say: "El que más temprano se moja, más tiempo tiene para secarse." [He pauses self-indulgently before translating.] He who gets wet earliest has most time to dry!

...A little like today, no?

[In case it isn't crystal clear that his earlier failings aren't his chosen order of small-talk for the day, he moves straight on, pointing to Niko's jacket.]

And what's this, huh?

The Documentary

[travelagency]

Answer this month's documentary questions in the booth.

1. How do you feel about the environment?


2. What are the standards of animal treatment in your world, ranging from pets to wildlife?


3. Do you feel that network memes are abusive and make dangerous and misspelled assumptions about animals?

[what_ho_jeeves]

1.

It depends about the environment where. The environment of the Drone's Club is a jolly and welcoming one, and it is an environment of which I am most fond. Whereas the environment in Aunt Agatha's flat, or really in Aunt Agatha's presence wherever it may be, is one of impending doom and bleak despair.

[Murmured correction from off camera.]

Oh, the great outdoors? Well, why didn't to say that in the first place.

The great outdoors... It's good for golf, I suppose. Although that's more just "outdoors" minus the "great."

America has a lot of it.

...

[Yup, that's all he's got.]

2.

Animals are treated quite nicely. The horses get to do a lot of nice running around the track and receive much cheering and applause. Like actors. Only actors don't usually run around a race course. We provide foxes with the entertainment of the hunt. And the dogs have many policemen to bite.

3.

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. Network memes?

[Murmured explanation off camera.]

Oh, I see. In that case, yes, I think that it is very irresponsible to commit a misspelling in public. Because, you see, what if that misspelling were to catch on and then everyone were to spell in that manner? If that should happen, then those people in the future would look upon the right-spelling people of the past and think them wrong-spelling people. And thus lose their sense of proper history.

[athousandcurses]

[First question]

The environment? [Have a slightly baffled look.] It depends in what manner you mean.

[A pause.]

Oh... nature. Well, I have always believed that a balance between humans and nature is necessary. Those are the ways I grew up with, so I suppose I feel strongly about it.

[Second question]

I do not know. It isn't the kind of thing that was necessary to know. When I was young, no one would think of harming an animal or abusing it, because our livelihood depended on our animals. We received life from them.

[Third question]

[Have an even more baffled look as she tries to decipher what they could possibly mean by that.]

I don't think I've ever experienced a... "meme".

[They don't exist on Earth in the 90s yet.]

Re: The Documentary

[vengeance_driven]

How do you feel about the environment?

I don't know. I guess it is a good thing we can breathe? Back in Liberty City the air quality was terrible. Even in the Balkans, a lot of shit got torn up because of the mines.

But the woods are pretty safe. That is not bad.

Ah... what else.

I don't know. I know this place wants big investors, but you get too much money in here and people will start fucking things up for you. You need to be careful.

What are the standards of animal treatment in your world, ranging from pets to wildlife?

[He looks perplexed.]

Pets are treated okay? Things that are meant to be eaten, they are eaten? I don't know. I think I'm good to my animals. I've not had them since I was on a farm, and on a farm you take care of them, keep them healthy, but you don't coddle them very much.

Do you feel that network memes are abusive and make dangerous and misspelled assumptions about animals?

It makes me feel like I know English pretty good! When I screw up real bad, I almost sound like this.

Actually it is a lot easier to spell. I have no idea where you English speaking people get your spelling rules. Or standard. Whatever the hell it is here.

[archeologue]

How do you feel about the environment?

I prefer man-made wonders to the wonders of nature, but I will admit that there is a great deal of beauty to be found in a pristine forest or a wild desert.

What are the standards of animal treatment in your world, ranging from pets to wildlife?

The treatment of pets is the business of their owners. I imagine that most treat their pets well, or else they wouldn't bother having them. Wildlife is generally appreciated, sometimes hunted, and in a very few parts of the world, protected by government. But largely it depends greatly on the animal in question and what part of the world we're speaking of. The Hovitos tribe in South America rely on the hunting of wildlife for their sustenance, and give thanks to their gods for putting the animals on this earth and kill only what they will eat. But in England, foxes are hunted merely for sport, and considered vermin for their theft of farmers' chickens.

Do you feel that network memes are abusive and make dangerous and misspelled assumptions about animals?

I have no opinion on network memes.

[theugly]

How do you feel about the environment?

[He cants his head to one side, frowning.] It's... good? [Briefly glancing straight into the camera, he dampens his lips and tries again:] Where I come from, there's two kinds of people: those who stay in their towns and houses like they tied to a roof beam, and those who welcome the world like she's an old friend.

You learn to listen her, you going to live a hell of a lot longer than if you try and block her out.

[A beat.]

Here, you don't have to go so far if you wanna be one place or another. One day, you able to freeze your cojones off, the next, you welcome to sweat away in the desert. [He grins. The idea is clearly still pretty novel to him.] Yeah, it's good!

What are the standards of animal treatment in your world, ranging from pets to wildlife?

Since the war started, you get a lot of stray dogs. Less in the towns—maybe they still got owners, or some poor bastard is hungry enough to eat them—but plenty when you out a little further. You ask Tuco, it's better to avoid them. One second they showing you their belly, [he leans forwards, pointing up to a little groove on his nose bridge,] then all the sudden they wanna take a chunk out of you.

[He falls back again, snorting irritably.]

People keep other animals to eat. Chickens, cows... uh, you know, that kind of thing.

...I don't know what you want me to say. I mean, you own a pet, you look after it. You own farm animals, you look after those, too. Everything else? [He just kind of... lifts his eyebrows.]

Do you feel that network memes are abusive and make dangerous and misspelled assumptions about animals?

I don't know. Probably? [He shrugs, looking suitably disinterested.] I don't use the network too much.

[thumbsdown]

How do you feel about the environment?

Not used to caring much about it.

What are the standards of animal treatment in your world, ranging from pets to wildlife?

Some people keep pets. Dogs, mostly. Lot of people use brahmin to carry heavy things around. Most things aren't all that friendly, though. Good part of why you're better off carrying a weapon when you head out.

Do you feel that network memes are abusive and make dangerous and misspelled assumptions about animals?

Uh... I dunno what that is.