a proposition

[heresyandlace]

Who: Tekhetsio
Broadcast: Network video - sent to all ships
Action: SS Pathstone - he's hanging out in his 'office'
When: Oct 14, late morning

[as the broadcast begins, he knocks on the receiver with a knuckle, causing all speakers transmitting the message to give nice, sharp little pop noises. just to make sure everyone is listening. and then there is the image of a very pretty man with lavender eyes smirking into the camera.]

This meager allowance that they've started us off with really is a shame, isn't it? Only enough to make one significant purchase... and even then, we must choose between vitals such as palatable food, and those luxuries that keep us sane and happy.

It's almost cruel.

[and with that, he hoists up one of the bottles of alcohol that had been offered for sale on various way-stations, making sure that the camera gets a good view of it.]

...Being the generous creature that I am, I'm here to offer everyone listening the chance at a trade. I have alcohol. It is much more potent than anything that you will find on the stations, and I am looking to sell it.

And, since I know we are all still hurting for spending cash, I am taking payments of a few--very specific--different kinds.

Hail the SS Pathstone if you are interested, and we can discuss further arrangements.

[he tilts the bottle toward the camera, in salute]

Cheers.

Comments

video;

[proteusmoon]

[ Cecil answers the message after being disturbed from her thoughts in the armory where she was taking stock of the inventory, looking somewhat curious and somewhat apprehensive. ]

And how did you get that?

video;

[heresyandlace]

[ah, he gives a pleasant smile for the camera]

The same way everyone else has, of course.

video;

[proteusmoon]

[ The answer surprises her with how contradictory it is. ]

Then how is it that you can promise it's more potent than that found on the way-stations?

video;

[heresyandlace]

Ah, now that is a trade secret.

[he wiggles his fingers in the universal pantomime of 'spooooky' though, so maybe it's a clue]

video; private - open to comms officers

[proteusmoon]

[ That is a little bit telling, yes. Cecil sighs and narrows her broadcast down. ]

Magic?

video; private - open to comms officers forever

[heresyandlace]

It sounds so anticlimactic when you say it like that.

[he chuckles a little]

Would you like to try some?

[proteusmoon]

[ She does smirk at his remark. Well, magic is pretty common where she's from. ]

What do I have to trade for it with?

[heresyandlace]

Do you have any jewelry you're willing to part with?

[proteusmoon]

[ She hesitates only for a brief moment, thinking of the studded onyx earrings she's wearing. They were a gift... but for some reason, she can't remember who from...

How strange.

Still, it feels wrong to give them up, so she shakes her head. ]

No, sorry.

[heresyandlace]

Ah, that's a shame. [he'd kind of been hoping for those earrings]

What about coins? I don't really care where from.

[proteusmoon]

[ It really bothers her that she can't remember who gave her the earrings in spite of how attached she is to them, but she inwardly pushes the thoughts aside. ]

Coins? Are you telling me you want to trade for shiny things?

[heresyandlace]

No, of course not.

[don't be silly.]

...I'm primarily looking for metal.

[shininess is just a bonus.

...mostly.]

[proteusmoon]

[ Oh, well. Semantics. ]

I see.

[ Actually, she really wants to laugh, but she doesn't. ]

Well, I don't have coins or jewelry, but I do have weapons-- made of metals.

[ She moves the comm board to show the cage behind her. ]

[heresyandlace]

[he leans forward to peer at the screen, but frowns when he sees what she's indicating]

That's no good.

I need high quality, soft metal. Steel is terrible. And those are mostly synthetic materials anyway.

...Precious stones work too. You don't have any of those hanging around? ...What about small magical items?

[proteusmoon]

Not at the moment, unfortunately-- or at least, nothing I'm willing to part with for one bottle of alcohol. I'll keep it in mind though.

What do you need these items for? If you don't mind me asking, that is.

[heresyandlace]

Ah, well...

[hmm! and here has has to decide if he's really going to say. he's got to weigh some pros and cons here...]

They'll help me cope with these new living conditions, honestly.

[it's a start.]

[proteusmoon]

[ ...Yes, you're definitely telling me you like shiny things. ]

I understand. I'll keep an eye out. My crew, I'm sure, would appreciate the liquor. I'll talk with them too and see if they would be willing.

[heresyandlace]

[oh, it's hard to hide how delighted he is now!]

Jewelry and coins are my favorite. Metal is good--steel and iron tend to be too cold, though. Warm, soft metals are best.

Gold is ideal, obviously. But silver is nice too. I'll even take brass. ...Watches, trinkets, anything like that.

[proteusmoon]

[ Maybe she shouldn't find this side to him so endearing, but it amuses her to see him so excited about metals and she just barely manages to refrain from laughing. It's actually when he mentions brass that she perks up. ]

Brass... That should be easy to find. Would copper and bronze be all right too?

[heresyandlace]

[she should see how he gets about sunglasses. she'd really be tickled then.]

Yes, they'll all do in a pinch.

Just... [ugh and here he sounds almost literally sickened by the thought] ...Nothing like machinery parts or tools.

[proteusmoon]

[ That is quite the strange reaction, but, hmm. ]

I'll see what I can do. Presuming I'm successful, where would you like to do the trade?

[heresyandlace]

You could shuttle over to the Pathstone.

I have a lovely office set up and everything.

[proteusmoon]

An office, hm? What augment did they give you?

[ She did look at the other ship rosters, but she didn't memorize all of the crews. ]

[heresyandlace]

"Civilian," which I find rather demeaning.

[but it means that he has to do exactly no work at all, which is pretty sweet]

[proteusmoon]

[ Yeah, she's wondering about that, actually. ]

What would you rather have?