RP Log: Bread - the Universal Currency

Roleplay Log
Participants: Ramirez Worthington	Castillo Alue
Location(s): Delonine V USS Phoenix
Stardate: 136308.58
2025-11-11 12:48

Transporter Room One <USS Phoenix NCC-170100-A>

The first feature of this room that catches one's eye upon entering is the large circular dais located to the left of the entrance. The transporter platform is marked with placeholders for six people, and the ceiling above is fitted with a variety of equipment to aid and assist the transport process, as is the platform itself.

Opposite the transporter platform on the other side of the room is the transporter control console, which bestows the system operator with a variety of tools to fine tune the process. The curved console is set into a circular platform, in much the same manner as the transporter system itself.

Castillo is standing at the transporter console, plunking away at the flat buttons.

Ramirez enters the transporter room carrying two knives of decently made (though not perfect) Damascus steel. He wears a commbadge, but it is concealed. The only piece of tech? A tricorder.

Oh, yeah. He is now a 5'11" tall Nuvolian male, with well-kempt, thinning long grey hair, and prominent brow ridges, looking like three flattened horizontal folds of skin, typical of the species.

Castillo seems slightly off-put by Ramirez's appearance as he enters the transporter room. She inhales with a deep breath, trying to hide her disapproval. "I think at least one of you should have one." Her head nods, indicating her approval for the risk. "I spoke with the Captain, briefly, we both discussed expectations for the time frame of the mission." Eyes lock onto Ramirez. "To clear expectations, your mission, is more likely to be counted by the number of days, rather than hours."

Cristobal nods. "Days it is, then, Luz." He motions. "Don't worry. You know how I feel about keeping people safe. Prina will come back in one piece." He shifts the knife. "I brought a knife for Prina. As for the tricorder? I'll keep it in a sack or something., I guess." He pauses. "Any word on Prina?"

"She told me she is preparing her clothing." Castillo says with a nod. "She should be around in a bit." She adds with a look to the transporter console. "Do you have any other questions or concerns?" Her attention flicking to Ramirez. "The both of you are going to have a significant amount of discretion while you are down there."

Alue arrives from Deck 1 - Aft Corridor.

Cristobal nods. "Luz? My goal is to escape notice while I gather what intel I can." He pauses. "Can we get some food replicated that won't arouse the locals? Better safe than sorry. I don't need any local GI bugs. Neither does Prina." He looks over as the door opens. "Speak of the devil, and she shall appear." He holds a knife out to Prina. "Local custom, Prina. And a great way to eat. Plus we can use them as barter if necessary."

Castillo looks to Alue as she enters the room, listening to Ramirez as he speaks. She asks, "Did you bring any rations with you, Lieutenant?" Her question posed to the ridge-nosed woman. "We were just discussing the likelihood of the mission taking a couple of days, rather than a matter of hours."

Prina stops rubbing the weird ridges on her nose and takes the knife from Ramirez. "Days? I brought some food, but only enough for a day, maybe two." She tucks the sheathed blade away into a convenient fold of her toga-style wrap and pats a wicker hamper she has slung over her shoulder.

"There is a replicator down the hall in the break room, for extra rations." Castillo suggests. "There should be a number of options available to choose from."

Castillo remains standing at the transporter console. She looks to the side as the other two enter. "Find extra food?"

Cristobal nods to Castillo. He lifts a leather-ish satchel, filled with boring-looking food. Concealed beneath that food is a tricorder.

Prina nods. "Got it," she confirms, patting her hamper once again. She also has a tricorder at the bottom of her hamper.

Cristobal drops a second bag. "I replicated an extra, Luz. I don't think we need it."

Castillo motions to a spot near the transporter column, "Leave it there. I can handle it later." She suggests, waiting with a nod.

Prina steps up onto the transporter pad. "Any last words of wisdom?" she asks Luz in light tones.

"Trust your gut and try to have fun." Castillo answers with a smile. "There are billions...trillions of people in the galaxy...and you're the only two that are embarking on this mission." She explains. "You're being given the opportunity of a lifetime, I would try and make the most of it."

Cristobal drops the extra bag over in the indicated spot, then steps up onto the transporter pad. "With a long, slow breath, he offers Luz a nod. "Food, a plan, and communications. What more could we need?"

"Are both ready?" Castillo asks, looking to both Alue and Ramirez.

Cristobal looks to Prina, checking her out in a way that seems professional rather than personal, then glances back to Castillo. "I'm ready."

Prina gives a nod. "Ready," she says. "See you soon."

Castillo looks to Ramirez with a nod. She then glances at Alue, waiting for something.

Prina blinks, confused. After a second though she smiles. "Oh... Energize."

Swirls of energy whip around your deconstructed body. Shimmering lumination dances about your form uncontrollably, dazzling every sense.

Alley <Delonine V>

This dark alley runs between the market and some of the residences nearby. The alley itself is wide enough for three or four to walk abreast, but thanks to the roof overhang above, daylight barely seeps down here.

The state of the alley suggests the inhabitants of this world, or at least this area, are not well off. The smell of urine and feces is evident if not powerful in some spots. A pile of garbage is being picked at by a small rodent.

A swirl of shimmering light appears then dissolves, leaving Alue in its place.

Activity from the nearby market is loud and carries into the alley. Luckily no one is currently in the alley, other than you two. A mouse-like creature scurries over Alue's foot.

Cristobal lets a ghostly smirk appear on his face, but he quickly masters it as he re-materializes. He looks to Alue, blinking slowly. "Okay, Prina. I'm as blind as you. I would suggest we stay away from names and whatever else we can. Linguistic patterns are something we need to record." Then he remembers something, and reaches into the satchel, and turns on the audio recording functions on the tricorder. "Mission log. Stardate 136308.58. We've arrived safely. Starting audio logs."

Prina jumps and lets out a muffled squal, kicking her foot nearly hard enough to send her sandal flying. She quickly regains control though, stomping her foot on the ground to get her shoe properly back in place. "Alright," she says, taking a deep breath. "Give me a moment." She closes her eyes and focuses on her empathic senses, trying to determine if there's anyone very near.

Cristobal waits patiently and quietly, not commenting on the reaction. After all, that WOULD be surprising. While Prina concentrates her empathic senses, Ramirez concentrates his physical senses. His eyes narrow as he looks about the alleyway, then the exits from it. "This place isn't secure. We should move on."

Prina opens her eyes with a sigh. "I'm not sensing anyone here in the ally. But the people behind these walls are... not well." She eyes Ramirez. "Alright, we move out. Lead the way. I'll be right behind you."

Cristobal huhs. With a soft murmurs, he asks "Sick. Inebriated? Diseased?" Though...as he asks, he begins walking. "Let's try.....that way." He nods towards the market. "People. Sounds like lots of people." He is careful as he walks, making sure to stay within a few meters of Prina, without smothering her. As Prina removes her tricorder, he pauses, not moving until she's done with her scan. Indeed, he keeps watch."

"Hunger, despair," Prina replies as she moves her tricorder to the top of the items in her basket without actually removing it from the basket. She flips it on and does a quick scan, walking slowly to give herself a little time.

Cristobal keeps his voice low, and his eyes narrow as he considers something. While Prina scans, he says, "Keep your food hidden, Prina. I'm getting a bad feeling." After a moment, he asks, "Anything?"

"There's a person in that building there." She gestures to a nearby door. "By these readings, I'm guessing that's where I'm detecting those feelings." She glances at the mouth of the alley, then back at the door. "Someone hungry, and we have food. Maybe we can barter?"

Cristobal nods. "I like it." He looks over to Alue, brow-plates lifting. "We need to find a secure place to fall back to. To sleep. To talk in private." He shrugs. "Maybe we can do some good. Within the limits of the Prime Directive, at least."

Prina nods, squares her shoulders, then steps over to the door and gives it a firm knock.

There is no latch on the door, and it swings open as Alue knocks on it. From inside a scared woman's voice says, "Who is there?"

Cristobal leans over, nearly whispering. "You're going to be less threatening than me. Suggest we're here to trade, but had some trouble. We just need a place to get our bearings. We have food, we're willing to share." His tone makes it a suggestion. "At least, unless you've gopt a better idea. Because I'm new at this."

Prina gives Ramirez a quick grin. "We mean you no trouble or harm," she replies to the voice from within. "We're travelers, looking for a place to stay for a day or two. We..." she glances around,then changes what she was going to say. "Maybe we can help you in exchange? We're willing to work off any charges you may impose."

Through the open door, the voice skeptical, intrigued, and also hopeful, "I have a room, do you have money?"

Cristobal says nothing. He does offer what he truly, desperately hopes is a friendly smile, and not a terrifying threat display. His lets his shoulders slide and droop. He glances to Prina, and motions to his satchel,m then his knife. Then he whispers, "We can likely sell something in what I think is a market. But better to barter here I think. Or maybe...make a promise?" He shrugs.

Prina considers, then calls out, "I'm afraid we don't have any money. But we do have a little bit of food left. We would be willing to share it with you." She whispers to Cris, "I don't think it's a good idea to be shouting that we have food, so I hope that came across as we only have a little and that's about to be eaten."

The woman's voice is even more hopeful, "You have food? Come in, come in."

Cristobal nods in what appears to be complete agreement with Prina, giving her an encouraging smile as he stays out of her way while she closes the deal. In a low murmur, he says, "Yes. I concur." And then the woman invites them in, and he sighs. "You're right, Prina. Desperation."

Prina sighs. "Let's go easy though. Non-threatening. I don't want to scare her." She pushes the door open farther and steps inside.

Residence Foyer <Delonine V>

The entry way, or foyer of this three storey tall row house, is in disrepair, and filled with the aromas of the alley it joins to.

There is a sign that reads 'Room for rent'.

The woman, one of the many species on the planet, is gaunt from hunger. "Do you have bread?" she asks, "I don't need much, but what you can spare." She holds a hand out, nearly begging.

Cristobal looks around the foyer with a careful and slow nod. To the old woman, he offers what he again hopes is a smile and not a threat. He reaches into his satchel, pulling out a dark loaf of unleavened bread. It's not luxury food, but it keeps soul and body together. The loaf is held up, and he does it not casually, but like he understands its value. "Will this loaf secure a room for...say, three days?" He shoots a glance to Prina.

Prina also smiles, trying to sense something more from this woman than her desparation. She's waiting for signs of either malicious intent, or of a genuinely friendly nature.

The woman reaches to snatch the bread from Ramirez, "it's fresh!" she exclaims, "Do you have more, can you get more?" She nods about the time spent, "One more loaf like this, and you can stay the three days." She adds hopeful. In her haste, she doesn't really look at either of you, focusing on the bread. Eventually she does look closer at first Ramirez, then Alue. She asks Alue, "You are of the N'Vol?"

Cristobal nods noncommittally to the old woman's question, letting her take away whatever she likes about their species. He looks into his satchel with a frown, glances to Prina, and says, "I have another loaf, but I've eaten a piece of it, and it is my last one. Will three quarters of a loaf suffice?" He shrugs. "It is all the bread I have." He looks to Alue, letting her fill in whatever details she likes.

Prina tries not to look surprised at the woman's sudden interest. "Only distantly... very distantly... related," she says carefully. Then in a more certain tone, "I believe we can get more bread. Given a little time, at least. May we see a room?"

The woman is confused by Alue's answer, but doesn't press the issue. "Top of the stairs. It isn't much, but it will keep you warm and dry."

Cristobal looks over to the woman, clearly heading up to look at the room. "We can get more bread from a friend, I think." He eyes the stairs, and asks, "We are weary from our long travel today. But I'm curious. Have you seen other N'vol?"

Prina pointedly looks at the bread in the woman's hand, then lifts her eyes to her face. She gives her a thankful smile, then moves to follow Cris.

The woman says to Ramirez, "You are of the N'Vol, but I have not seen one that looks like your friend. It may not matter, it has been so long since they were here." She inhales deeply, enjoying the fresh bread. "Please bring more." She takes a large bite, eating it down quickly, but stops herself from consuming the loaf too quickly.

Attic <Delonine V>

Not large, and not small, the attic is what it is, an attic. The walls slope downward at the sides, but the ceiling is tall enough in the middle to stand. A mattress lays in one corner, but it has seen better days. Two wooden chairs are also here.

A small dirt crusted window overlooks the street below.

Alue arrives from Third Floor.

Cristobal looks around the room with a slow and singular nod. "I can probably hide a tricorder in here effectively, Prina. Not sure that's the best idea. But."

Prina peers down the stairs behind her, then closes the door. "Hide a tricorder?" she asks as she tries the lock, testing it. "What do you mean?" She turns from the door and reaches into the folds of her wrap, pulling out her commbadge and activating it.

Alue taps her commbadge and says, "Alue to Phoenix"
[Alue's Commbadge] Sending request for communication to USS Phoenix NCC-170100-A.
[Alue's Commbadge] Communications channel to USS Phoenix NCC-170100-A open.

[Alue's Commbadge] Worthington says, "Phoenix."

Cristobal seems like he is about to answer, but stops as Worthington answers. He holds up a single finger and grins.

Prina smirks at Cris, then steps over to one of the two wooden chairs in the room. "Commander, we have a moment to get in touch, so I wanted to take the opportunity to do so," she says quietly, though not in a whisper. "We've managed to find lodging. We've rented a room in a..." Trailing off, she looks up at Ramirez and asks, "What would you call this place, Cris?"

[Alue's Commbadge] Castillo looks to Worthington silently, having opened the channel. She continues to listen.

Cristobal grins. "In Dickens, this would be a West End boarding house. In early 20th century literature? A flophouse."

[Alue's Commbadge] Worthington nods to the screen, unseen. "You've found lodging, good," he says. "What's your status?" A brief pause, and then. "We discovered something interesting about the landing pad. No facilities for ships there, but there was a road linking it to a nearby settlement. The road is in disrepair, and seems to have not been used in approximately the same time as the last ships, theoretically, to use that pad, so 10 years. It suggests that someone on this planet has had knowledge or contact with whoever was landing there."

Prina nods, giving Ramirez a thankful smile, then goes back to giving her report. "We've rented a room in a plop house," she says, fully unaware of her mistake. "I don't know about the rest of the planet, or even the rest of this particular settlement. But there's a real hunger problem in what little we've seen so far. We were able to pay for our lodging with a little bread and the implication that we may be able to get more later. Our plan for the moment is to get settled into this plop house, not only as a place to sleep, but as a temporary base of operations."

Cristobal nods to what Worthington says, glancing over to Prina. "Another thing. Did you catch what the old woman said?" He pauses for a moment, then answers his own rhetorical question. He mimics her creaky crone voice, to the extent possible. "You are of the N'Vol, but I have not seen one that looks like your friend. It may not matter, it has been so long since they were here." He nods. "It has been so long long since they were here. Did she mean the Nuvol? Some other species? Or the people who made that landing pad?"

[Alue's Commbadge] Castillo looks to Worthington. "I can transmit the coordinates down to them, of the other settlement." She whispers, trying not to interrupt. "They'll need to arrange for transportation there, /if/ they choose to head that direction.

[Alue's Commbadge] Worthington nods to Castillo. "Please do so," he says to her, turning back to the screen. "Prina, you likely are affecting a species we know little about, who may or may not be the ones who built the landing pad. However, the context would suggest the woman Cris was referring to was not speaking of the Nuvol, at least, not with respect to you in that moment."

Prina glances at Cris. "She later clarified that she thought Ramirez was of the N'Vol, but that she had never seen one that looked like me. Commander, in case you haven't seen Ramirez's disguise, he's disguised as a Nuvol. I'm not. It seems clear that what she calls N'Vol, we know as Nuvol."

Cristobal says, "I concur with Prina on that point. Locally, they seem to refer to the Nuvol as the N'Vol." He pauses, then adds, "Luz, what's the significance of the other settlement?""

[Alue's Commbadge] Castillo works at her console to transmit the coordinates of the settlement near the alien landing sight to the away team.

[Alue's Commbadge] Worthington chuckles. "Oh, I saw him," he says. "Do we even know what you are disguised as Prina?" he asks. A pause. "Cris, the other settlement's significance is that it once had a road linking it to the landing pad we found."

"We'll have a look around here some more, then see about trying to find a way to those coordinates," Prina says. "cris has his tricorder recording everything, so we'll have plenty to analyze when we get back. Do you have any instruction for us?"

[Alue's Commbadge] Worthington shakes his head. "Nothing special at this time. Keep doing what you are doing, and Prina, try and find out what species you are impersonating. There may be some clues there which could help us understand what happened here."

Cristobal ahs. "So. A trading post, possibly. Worth checking out no matter what." He nods. "Very well, thanks, sir." He looks to Alue, quiet as he thinks. "Lots of walking on this world. But maybe we can barter for a ride on one of the ox carts. Or whatever they call them, here." He sighs. "Okay, sir. We need to secure the area and rest up. Then we can figure out where to go from there. We should probably recon locally before we move."

Prina says, "We'll be in touch, Sir. Alue out."

Alue double taps her commbadge.
[Alue's Commbadge] Connection to USS Phoenix NCC-170100-A terminated.

Prina helps Ramirez secure the room, following his instructions as the security expert. Once they're done, she hides her commbadge between two of the coils in her hair, then removes the knife from her wrap and puts it in her wicker basket. She goes over to the mattress and steps out of her sandals, then unfastens her wrap and lets it unwind from around her body. She shakes it out flat, and now she has a blanket instead of a dress. She climbs onto the mattress, then spreads the blanket out over herself, doing her best to leave enough to share with Ramirez in case he gets cold in the night. She snuggles in as best she can and wishes him goodnight, then tries to get some sleep.