RP Log: Delonine V - Let's go Shopping!
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| 2025-11-13 11:40 | |
- Attic <Delonine V>
Cristobal looks himself over, burying his tricoder deeply inside the leather satchel, where he then ties it in place with a leather thong to make sure no thief can really make off with it without notice. It is JUST then that Alue begins to stir. With a glance towards Tilar, he looks to Alue, saying. "Prina. The situation changed while you slept."
While Cristobal has a standard tricorder, Viari has a medical one. She adjusts her clothing to tuck the device into the folds of fabric, concealing it from view while still making it accessible. She looks over towards Alue as she hears Cris speaking, one brow rising curiously in his direction.
Prina stirs, stretches, hears Ramirez, then quickly rolls out of bed. "What happened?" she asks, stepping into her sandals and hurridly folding her wrap and draping it around herself as a toga dress once more while she listens.
She glances at Tilar and gives a sharp nod of acknowledgement.
Cristobal motions to Tilar, and McAllister who is sleeping over in the corner while he waits for Prina to collect herself. "Doctor Tilar was sent down as Life Sciences support. Lieutenant McAllister is going to help evaluate the landing site."
"The current plan is to move to the market, trade one of the knives for money to judge local market conditions, get a grain and bread sample from a merchant, ask around for information, and gather biological, technological, and linguistic samples for analysis."
He adds, "Commander Worthington has approved the plan, but it makes sense to bring you along, because frankly, you're better at talking to people than I am."
Viari nods in agreement as Cris explains, adjusting her coat and tucking her hands into her pockets. "I'd like to find out more about this 'protectorate' and some other cultural things. Hopefully it will start pointing us in the right direction about how and why these people are here. AND why they're starving."
Prina eyes the sleeping McAllister, then asks the others, "Are we beaming there, or do we get to take the scenic route?"
Cristobal grins to Prina. "Hope you like walking, Prina. They do a lot of that, here." He motions to the door. "We're ready to go. However, you're in charge of this party, Lieutenant. We have some information we need to gather, but how we do it is really your call."
"First, we need to understand how badly contaminated this planet actually is with warp technology. Second, we need to find out what the best overland route is from here to the landing site. Third, we need to found out what is mean by the N'Vol, and the Protectorate. We learned from our host to say 'yes' if we are asked if we are of the N'Vol."
Cristobal motions. "Doctor Tilar will additional conduct an anthropological and medical survey."
One hand rises, and Viari hooks a thumb in Cris' direction. "What he said. I have a few theories, but without more data, it's almost impossible to put any credibility in any of them." She gives a heavy sigh, nose wrinkling with visible frustration. "I just don't know enough to have a GOOD theory. Yet."
Prina sighs thoughtfully. "Well, it's hard to ask directions to a place without knowing what the locals call it," she notes. "We'll have to find that out as well." She picks up her wicker basket and opens the lid, pulling out the knife she was given and tucking it away inside the folds of her wrap. "Has anyone been out into the main street yet?"
Cristobal shakes his head. "Not yet. We wanted clear orders, a clear mandate, and a clear shot at the market. While you slept, we learned there is some sort of once per day religious ritual, that we don't clearly understand."
He jerks a thumb at Tilar. "Yet. The Doctor, here, will fix that. So. We leave, cover each other, and gather the info we need."
"And the religious thing has already happened," Viari adds, lifting a finger to accentuate the point. "So we shouldn't have to worry about that. It'd be good to learn a bit about their rituals if possible, but I don't think that's a major priority right now. I'm more concerned about the food scarcity and this 'protectorate,' as well as the how and why they're even here."
"Alright then," Prina agrees. "You say we need a food sample? Let's head out there and see what we can find. We'll sell or trade for what we need, and ask a few questions along the way. Is there anything else?" She looks from one to the other.
Cristobal lifts a knife from his sheathe. "We'll trade one of these for money. The landlady says we probably can. That serves three purposes -- money for bread and grain samples, a chance to engage in conversation, and we'll get a better read on the economic situation. It's good steel. If their tech base and economy is bad enough, these will be worth a lot."
Viari thinks for a few more moments before shaking her head. "I don't have anything else specific. I think we have a good plan, and some of it will just have to wait until we're there and start getting information."
Prina nods, takes a deep breath, then moves toward the door. "Alright then, let's see what we can see." She steps out and heads downstairs.
- Alley <Delonine V>
The team passes out of their makeshift base of operations, into the filthy alleyway it connects to.
Judging by the noise levels, the market is open for business, and popular today.
Cristobal steps out of the boarding house first. Though he's not obvious about it, he takes a moment to look left, then right, examining the near area for signs of threat. To make the point to any potential predators, his hand falls to the handle of his knife.
Viari steps out of the building behind Cristobal, hands held loose and empty at her sides. She takes a few moments to simply look around, observing the people around them. For the moment, she seems content to let the others lead the way to the market.
Prina walks along with Cris, seemingly casual and unconcerned. Inside though, she's already reaching out with her empathic senses to get a feel of the emotions or intent of the people they're about to encounter. She bumps her elbow against the knife in her wrap once, just for a little self-reassurance. She gives a smile to the others and nods toward the mouth of the alley, heading that way.
Seeing no threats, Cristobal's hand falls from the knife's twine-wrapped blade. He nods to the others, keeps himself even with Prina, and turns to walk in the direction of the bustling market. "Game time, friends." And...off he goes.
- Market <Delonine V>
The open market runs for a hundred meters in each direction, with stands down the middle in places and booths lining the sides. Business is good today, as there are a lot of people at the shops looking at their wares, and haggling for the best price.
The market is busy, with dozens and dozens of people, buying and selling their wares. An argument is happening not far from the alley entrance, "You agreed to 2 dins, not two dinars."
Viari walks to the market, following the pair. The arguement is given a passing look, but she doesn't seem to be inclined to help break it up at the moment. "I'd suggest getting a preliminary value from one of the stalls, then check with another one of the vendors to see if the valuation is the same," she murmurs quietly. "Unless either of you have an idea of how the currency works here."
Having sensed the emotional state of the upset person in the argument, Prina's attention is drawn to the pair as the group passes by them. Dins and dinars," she says softly. "I wonder if that's what their money is called."
Cristobal grins to Vi. "I've learned that a din is worth more than a dinar?" And with that, he looks around for a stall. A specific stall. One selling cutlery or weapons. To Prina, he say, "I think they both are different values."
"Or it's the other way around," Viari points out to Cris with a small smirk. "Depends if that person is buying or selling." She rolls her shoulders slightly, glancing back towards Prina as she speaks. "We might want to half-watch them. I'm curious about whether there's any kind of law enforcement patrolling."
"I'm not buying for that." The upset person says, a Nuvol judging by their appearance. They stride off upset, right by the away team. Prina gets a double take.
There isn't a stall selling what Ramirez is looking for nearby, you'll need to wanter down the lane to see what is all here.
Cristobal motions to the others, keeping them close. As he moves, his eyes are cast about. Not warily, really. Just....he's very alert. Very alert. "Let's keep moving. We need a baker, a miller, or a blacksmith."
Prina notices the look and acknowledges it with a small nod before looking away. "Well, that settles that question. Too bad we didn't hear what the amount was or what they were trying to buy. But I'd say that whatever it is, it's not so important that it was worth haggling over." She nods to Ramirez. "Let's keep moving."
"Two of one or the other, but it does unfortunately lack context." Viari shrugs her shoulders, relatively unbothered. There's still ample opportunity to learn something. Her own head turns left and right, watching the vendors, searching for one of the mentioned stalls. "She DID say there would be a place to sell here, so there's bound to be someone."
One the vendors calls out to the trio, "I have some jewelry here, it would really accent your eyes. Only 3 dins."
Prina calls back to the vender, "Maybe later." She gives him a smile and moves on with the others.
Cristobal pauses, and looks over to the vendor in question. He gives the merchant a knowing smile. "She /does/ have lovely eyes, doesn't she?" He looks to Prina, then back to the merchant. "Tell me, friend. Is there a blacksmith near here? I promise nothing, but if you help us, I'll convince my friend, here to try on your jewelry. After that? Anything could happen."
Viari looks over at the vendor that calls out to them, grinning and casting a look in Prina's direction. She doesn't interrupt just yet, but she does take that moment to look around at the variety of people within the crowded area.
The people in the market are of varying species, much like what was viewed back on the ship. They all appear healthy for the most part, though all of their clothing is of a similar design queue, that of a lower class in a society. "Show me your dins, and I will let her try them on. That goes for you too, miss." The merchant says to Tilar.
Prina looks back and forth between the vendor and Cris, an amused expression on her face. "I guess he doesn't want to tell you about a nearby smith," she says quietly to Cris. "Or he doesn't know where one is... or maybe what one is."
The jewelry that is for sale, appears to be all hand crafted from local stones and hand shaped metal of some kind, rather dull, but nice enough.
Cristobal ahs. He lifts the knife from its sheath in a non-threatening manner. "This is the reason I need the blacksmith, friend. I am looking to trade this blade for money." He shrugs. The swirling Damascus pattern is eye-catching. "Beautiful, is it not?" He glances to Prina. "Well, that's too bad, isn't it?" He looks to the vendor, sliding the well-made metal blade away. "I guess it's time we moved on."
Viari doesn't offer any comment, instead just making some mental notes and listening to the noise of the market around her. Haggling and bartering, sales and conversation. "Hmm?" She realizes that the merchant is talking to her, turning to look back at the speaker. "Oh!" A warm smile is given to the merchant, looking over the wares before she hums quietly. "The work is quite good. But like he said, we are selling right now, and I'm not sure that blade is really something that you're interested in buying...?" One brow rises with the question, one hand reaching over to pause the pair before they disappear.
A nearby merchant's eye is caught by the glimmer of the knife, "I've never seen a blade like that before, what are those striations?" The jewelry seller shrugs, "If you aren't buying, why should I help you find another merchant, hmm?"
"So that we can sell, so that we can get money, so that we can buy," Prina explains simply and politely. But with that, she turns her back on the jeweler and toward the other vender, favoring that one with as bright a smile as she can manage.
Cristobal shrugs to the vendor, and turns to follow Prina, "With eyes like hers, friend, I'd be a fool to not follow." And, with that, he follows after Prina, moving in the direction she chooses. He tilts his head toward Tilar, murmuring something lowly.
Cristobal murmurs to Viari, "See if you can get some medical tricorder scans. I know, it's hard in the crowd. Keep it hidden in your coat."
Viari counters the merchant's shrug with one of her own. "Because we are selling to get some money to buy other wares, but if you're not interested in our business, that's okay." She turns then, hand dropping back to her side as she looks between Prina and Cris. There is someone else who is interested, so that's where the attention is going now. Her head tilts over towards Cris as he speaks quietly to her, listening to what he says before nodding slowly, thoughtfully.
"Are you selling that knife?" The other mechant asks, yet another of the varied species on the planet. "May I see it?"
Prina says to the interested merchant, "It's pretty, isn't it? You won't find a better blade around." She nods to Ramirez.
Cristobal turns to the other vendor, making a truly ostentatious display of motion with his hands as he touches the knife. Clearly not intending to stab anyone, he moves in ridiculous -- and extremely EYE-CATCHING, DISTRACTING -- flourishes. The blade is withdrawn as he locks eyes with Tilar for a moment, taking all the attention. "Behold! The finest blade I've ever seen." And, then, he sets it before the vendor. "Yes. It is for sale."
Viari slips her hands into her pockets casually, shifting her weight to one side as she listens to the negotiating. At least, that's what she's trying to LOOK like she's doing. Cristobal is pulling attention, and she is perfectly happy to work with that distraction. With the medical tricorder in one of her pockets, she carefully opens the device and lets her fingertips roam over the familiar surface, engaging a passive scan to try and gather as much data as she can. With the number of people around, it should get SOMETHING. In theory.
The merchant carefully lifts the knife, "I've never seen anything with this design before. Will it shatter along these lines?" He runs a finger along one of the damascus striations.
Sensing the sudden slippery feelings from her companions, Prina accidentally on purpose nearly drops her wicker basket. It slides down her arm and off her wrist, but she catches it just in time and secures it back on her arm. "Oh, that was close," she says with a laugh, hoping the movement, innocent though it should seem, will draw any eyes her direction instead of elsewhere for a moment.
Cristobal ahhs. "You're catching all the hallmarks of its craftsmanship. The whorls give the entire blade more strength; the irregularity helps prevent cracking. The entire thing can resist much more stress than a normal blade...." And whether Prina intended it or not, he sort of stops talking for a moment as Prina nearly drops her basket. Then he looks back to the vendor. "....sorry, friend. No. It is much stronger than any blade you've ever seen, in addition to being quite pretty."
Viari wasn't entirely prepared for Prina to play along, and her head turns over to the other woman to look her over briefly before catching on to the ploy. Her lips quirk into a small smile and she flicks her attention back to the task at hand. Nothing to see here. Just hands in pockets and scuffing one shoe slowly in the ground, drawing basic shapes with her toes, giving her an eyesight to her pocket if needed.
"How much do you want for it?" The merchant asks tentatively.
Cristobal looks to Prina for a moment, then back to the vendor. "I tell you, friend, she is as beautiful a woman as the blade is a thing of art. I'm here to trade the knife for the means to marry her." He shrugs. "And her tastes are rich. So. Make us a fair offer? Make an offer that will allow me to gain her hand." He nods over to Prina.
Viari gathers as much data as she can get before snapping the tricorder closed carefully. Hands are then removed from her pockets and she stretches her arms up above her head, giving Cristobal an amused look at the suggestion of marrying Prina. Her eyes flick sideways over towards the other woman, watching for her reaction to this play.
The merchant tilts his head in confusion at Ramirez, "I would not boast too loudly of expensive tastes, not all here will give you a fair price. But I do understand." He asks the three of you, "Are you of the N'Vol?"
Cristobal nods. "We are of the N'Vol." He says it with assurance, looking to the other two with raises brows.
Viari lets her hands drop back to her sides, nodding in agreement with Cristobal. "Yes, we are."
"I don't usually bother with such things, its an old habit. You just seem different." The merchant says.
Cristobal nods. "We are from far away. We are tired. We are hungry. And I am desperate to find a way to make money. Desperation is a powerful motivator, and makes a man do strange things." He considers, shoots a look at Viari, and adds, "I'm curious -- please excuse the change of topic -- but what do you think of the protectorate?"
Viari tilts her head curiously as Cris shoots a look in her direction. But this woman isn't a telepath, and her expression doesn't switch to anything of major understanding. Instead, she simply steps forward to stand beside her crewmate, listening to the conversation.
Cristobal murmurs in a low aside to Tilar, "Did you get what you needed?"
"I try not to, and they haven't been in Muddah for a generation. Not since I was a boy." The merchant replies to Ramirez. He turns the knife over in his hand, reluctant to return it, "I have not seen a blade like this before, you must be from far far away. I will give you 25 dins for it."
The jewelry merchant scoffs, hearing the price offered.
Prina shoots Cris a look at the mention of marrying her, arms crossed under her breasts. She furrows her brows, hoping that the look appears more considering of Cris than disbelieving of his statement. She stays quiet, letting the haggle happen until the first price is mentioned. "Pfft," she spits with a roll of her eyes, then looks away from the merchant. She shakes her head no as if becoming bored and disinterested with the exchange.
Viari can't help but give a small smile at the merchant's reply, nodding to Cris. "That's a long time," she muses, then looks over at Prina when she hears the scoffing. She laughs quietly and tsks softly, patting Cris on the shoulder. "I don't think that offer is enough for her."
Cristobal shrugs to the merchant. "The lady has spoken." He goes to grab the knife, though he does it very slowly. "Too bad for us both, friend." A pause. "Unless you have an actual fair offer to make."
The merchant considers, "I can go as high as 30 dins, but no more."
Prina looks slowly back and seems to consider. Finally she shrugs at Cris, giving him a tiny nod at the same time.
Viari steps back as the deal is made, turning to look at the crowd and grinning at Prina. "That offer does seem more amenable," she notes with a nod, seeming pleased herself.
Cristobal pulls the well-made though non-descript sheath from his belt, sheathes the blade, and pushes it across to the merchant in a fluid and graceful motion. "It would seem we came to an agreement after all." He looks to Tilar. "We'll catch up to you."
The merchant fishes in a pocket for the 30 dins, exchanging them for the knife.
Prina makes a show of watching the money exchange hands, then she smiles and flutters her lashes at Cris.
Cristobal looks over, and, for just an instant, there is a sort of deer in the headlights look, there. He takes the money, but isn't quite sure what to say to Prina. With whatever the opposite of debonair is, he says, "Uh. Shall we?"
Prina transfers her smile to the merchant, then sways off down the road back toward the plop house.