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

[vengeance_driven]

You're not fine. [He says bluntly, and lets Snazzy slide down into his lap to rest. Which, just gets her ears cleaned by a waiting over-protective father. She likes that too.]

But there is something wrong much of the time. So I'll just try and help out however I can, ah?

[He knows he can't push Boone to talk. But maybe Snazzy is bothering him somehow.] I can take her if it makes it easier. I'll just need you to hold the umbrella over us. I don't want to make her wet.

[thumbsdown]

It's not her.

[If Niko wanted to take her back he wouldn't object, but he thinks the expecting father wouldn't be all that happy about it.]

Don't worry about it. Just... made me think of something different, that's all. She's okay here.

[vengeance_driven]

...You can tell me sometime. What she makes you think of. But I think she'll be okay here. I wanted here here since some fucking guy has it out for me. Spat in Charon's face. Figure she's better with you.

[He scratches under her chin.]

[thumbsdown]

What guy?

[He immediately narrows his eyes, frowning.]

You think he's gonna hurt you?

[He's concerned mostly as a friend, but also as part of security. If Niko thinks someone is out to hurt or even kill him, shouldn't he do something about it?]

[vengeance_driven]

No no. I just worry a fight might happen if we run into each other again. I don't want her to be around it. He doesn't like me too good. I could hold my own, but she is not much of a fighter.

Not many things go after her kind here. She doesn't really have a reason to be.

[At being mentioned, she purrs loudly enough to be heard.] Charon already knows about it, so you do not have to worry. It's just a precaution.

[thumbsdown]

[He doesn't look entirely convinced for a moment, but then he grunts.]

Well, if he gives you any trouble let one of us know. You don't have to deal with it on your own.

[He reaches out to pet her, but his hand gets buffeted out of the way by his own beast, who has decided he wants some attention too. He moves his hand to pet him instead.]

Got any idea why he has it out for you?

[vengeance_driven]

We had an argument, and assholes will be assholes. [Especially fearless ones.]

[thumbsdown]

Better hope you don't run into him again, then.

[His beast comes over to knead his lap, then flops on his side to expose his belly. Boone knows better than to try rubbing it now. His cat is an asshole, who will trick you into thinking he wants a belly rub and then sink his claws into your hand the moment you touch him.]

Yeah, I'm not falling for that again.

[vengeance_driven]

He is grumpy, but maybe he is also more playful than mine. [Niko reaches over, counting on the leather sleeve and gloves to give him some protection, and scratches his belly in more playful way than how he spoils his, making that odd little noise with his mouth again.]

[He is also ready to jerk his hand back.]

[thumbsdown]

Yeah, maybe.

[The beast immediately goes to grab Niko's hand and bite it, claws out, almost looking offended that Niko dare touch his belly.]

Or maybe he's just an asshole.

[vengeance_driven]

[Niko laughs sharply at that, extricating his hand as quickly as he can, before he nudges Boone.] Maybe he gets it from you.

[And then he jams his fingers up against Boone's belly, just to surprise him.]

[thumbsdown]

[Boone can only pretend to look offended at that, but before he can say anything Niko prods him in the stomach. It surprises him enough that he reflexively grabs his hand, but he quickly lets it go again. Not liking all the sudden movement, his cat swipes once at the nearest hand and jumps off his lap.]

He was probably an asshole before he followed me home.

[vengeance_driven]

Maybe he can smell his own. [Says the man that just grabbed his friend's belly for a reaction.]

[That is a soft sweater, though.]

[Satisfied that his pet is safe, he gets up, listening to her purr as he stands.] You two be nice to each other.

[She rolls onto her back and gives him an upside down gaze with her four eyes.]

[thumbsdown]

Maybe he should've followed you instead, then.

[His beast jumps back up next to Niko's when they move, and watches them both as he sits beside her. Rex goes to follow them out, but Boone stops him.]

You keep them safe. Okay?

[He'll take the bark as a yes.]

[vengeance_driven]

[And then, maybe gratifying, maybe saddening, the soon-to-be-mother grabs the father and pulls him down, holding onto his head and forcibly cleaning his face with a little chirrupy meow.]

[Niko's amused at first, but considering it makes him think of how Kate used to scold him, his expression falls and he occupies himself with turning to the door and getting it for Boone.] Maybe they'll have some good vodka there for once.

[thumbsdown]

[It's Boone's turn to notice something is off with Niko, but he doesn't say anything. If Niko wants to talk about it then he will, but if not he won't make him.]

Maybe. Not counting on it, though.

[Well, they're mostly going to play pool, anyway. They can get something better to drink afterwards.]

[vengeance_driven]

[It takes him a minute after they're already on their way out, before he says something. More of a much contemplated observation anyway.]

Your cat is an asshole, but he seems okay. He takes good care of my cat. She likes him.

[thumbsdown]

[He nods, shoving his hands in his pockets as they walk. The rain has stopped for the most part, but he's still kind of cold.]

Yeah. Guess he knows it's his kid in there.

[He can't blame him for wanting to keep his child safe. He can't help but feel sad again, though.]

He's gonna be a good father, too.

[vengeance_driven]

Yes, it looks like it. With Earth cats, usually not. But these are different. They care about their babies.

They will be the only two animals he doesn't swipe at. [He says as lightly as he can.]

[thumbsdown]

Yeah, probably.

[Poor Rex will probably always get a swipe when he tries to play with him.]

Didn't know they'd be so attached.

[Now he's wondering if it was a good idea to give the kitten away, though he knows there's no taking it back now.]

[vengeance_driven]

Yeah. It's good, though. They have each other. And even when I take her back, we can let them visit. Pretty sure she'll clean his face like that every time. Is more successful than when my hound tries to flirt with Rex- I'll just not feed him so much around him.

[At least Rex can play with the huge wolf looking thing.]

[thumbsdown]

[He smiles a little at that. Niko's poor hound, not realising that Rex isn't capable of having puppies with him.]

Must be frustrating for him. Maybe I'll just leave Rex at home if you've fed him. He might wonder where he is, but it's probably still better that way.

[vengeance_driven]

I probably feed them more than is good for them, anyway. I am not good with begging faces, you know? It will be okay.

[He realizes that they forgot the umbrella. Oh well. He can always hold his coat up over their heads if it starts up again.]

[thumbsdown]

Yeah, I get it.

[They just look so sad, it's hard not to cave.]

Rex can't even swallow what I give him, but he still begs for food. Leaves a chewed up mess all over the floor.

[vengeance_driven]

He is a very tough animal for living like that. I don't think I could. I like eating and drinking and- [Don't say fucking. There's something about Boone, even though he knows the word, that makes it seem extra rude. Maybe because he actually did more than fuck once. He had someone to love and to be with.]

[Oh. That thought hurts. Back to Rex.]

But he seems happy enough. And very old besides.

[Rex certainly seems to deal with his state of being better than Charon.]