[ you don't have enough money. ]

[spellsteal]

Who: Belthazar and... you!
Broadcast: Y
Action: Y, on the surface or on the Goldstone if you like
When: Anytime while on trashplanet

[video;]

[Belthazar looks annoyed when he appears on the feed, his ears pinned tight against black hair.]

I'll keep it short and to the point: I'm looking for new kitchen accessories and I need suggestions on where to find them. A few things were missing or not up to standard in the ship's kitchen when I took over, and I'm frankly tired of it. I need better things.

[He pulls out a piece of paper.] I'm looking for a new can opener, metal whisks, baking pans and sheets, glass dishes, stainless steel bowls, an extra large roasting pan... and a potato peeler. What kind of person lives without a peeler?

The planet is awfully disorganized, so I haven't had much luck so far.

[He huffs.]

I have aspirations for Pilgrim's Bounty this year and I won't let this hunk of garbage ruin them.

-----

[planetside; market]

[Belthazar has some shopping to do. And that means, of course, a trip to the massive auction place. He doesn't have as much money in the bank as he could, so he's wary of spending too much regardless, but some of these people are obviously trying to scam him.

Exhibit A: this guy talks a mile a minute and keeps doing weird things with his eyes when he blinks. He also smells like old yams, and he's been trying to sell Belthazar a corn stripper for about fifteen minutes.]

That's not what I'm interested in. I want that set of bread pans, and like I said before, I'm not paying more than thirty for it.

Ah, but they are-- special! Very special. You see, they were used by the best bakers a hundred years ago-- an absolutely priceless antique. No one would pay less than a hundred for these, seeing as their value is even more--

Just a minute ago you said they were selling for eighty. You can't even keep your lies straight, old man!

Out of the generosity of my heart, however, I'll give 'em to you for a hundred twenty.

[The elf, already red-faced, looks like he's about to blow a gasket. He's struggling not to wind his arm back and punch this guy-- who is already leaning so close. Granted, setting him on fire will be more effective...

Will you shield the shopkeeper from Belth's wrath, try to diffuse the situation, or just stand back and watch?]

Comments

video;

[necromanswers]

Thaaaat's quite a hit list. You making some kind of giant feast?

[She doesn't know wtf Pilgrim's Bounty is, but it seems to require a load of food.]

video;

[spellsteal]

[Another elf? She doesn't appear to be seething demonic ooze or even worse, the pompous self-arrogance of a mediocre middle-aged blood elf, so he doesn't need to be too worried.]

I am. I had my last one ruined by passing out for a week or two, and then I went back to my world, so I haven't been able to prepare one properly for some time.

It won't be for a few weeks, but that means I need to secure the materials beforehand. There's a fair chance we'll be in the middle of nowhere for the day itself.

[necromanswers]

[Yeah, surprise, this elf is suave and chill as heeeeell.]

Oh, right, these ships don't stay in one place for that long.

[Someone had definitely mentioned that, but it's hard not to think of the Starblaster and having a year to get used to things. Though she'd hate to spend a year in Garbageland, so that's a silver lining.]

Well... the good news is that everybody needs to eat, so baking supplies are pretty easy to find. The bad news is that since everyone needs them, they don't get thrown out as much, so what's around is probably new instead of recycled. Might be expensive.

[spellsteal]

I think the longest I've seen was two months.

[He takes in the information with a pondering expression. He needs to think about how to go about this in a smart way. He has some money, he just doesn't want to spend all of it if he needs to negotiate for food, too.]

New is fine, but I don't want to get pushed into paying more than it's worth. Mass-produced things are supposed to be cheaper.

[necromanswers]

Yikes. Barely long enough to map out a place.

[Hmmmm, though. That's a sensible requirement, so yeah, after a moment she nods.]

I know a couple of places that might have the supplies you're after- I was looking for them myself, not too long ago. And you can always convince somebody of parting with their wares at a fair price- one way or another.

[Though some methods may be nicer than others.]

[spellsteal]

Right. You're bound to miss things, even if you work fast.

[At least his search isn't impossible. That's a relief.]

I'm more likely to walk away from a deal than give in when it's a price I don't want, which isn't entirely constructive. I just get so frustrated. There are always people looking to screw someone over, to put it bluntly.

Still, if there's hope...

Do you enjoy cooking, too?

[necromanswers]

Cooking? After two hundred years, I ought to, yeah.

[Taako's, like, marginally better at getting creative with it, maybe, that doesn't mean her skills aren't just as top-notch. It's not even bragging, they're just damn good at what they do.]

[spellsteal]

[He arches an eyebrow.] You look very good for your age.

I have to admit to cheating a little. The ingredients they give us could be much better, so I conjure things on occasion.

[necromanswers]

What, do elves not live that long where you're from?

[She's not even a quarter into her lifespan, so she thinks she looks damn fine, as a matter of fact.]

I've done my share of conjuring, too. It's just a waste to make sub-par food with sub-par ingredients when you could be working with top-shelf quality.

Market

[abracafcku]

[It isn't in Taako's nature to interfere, not for friends and especially not for strangers. He was passing through to be honest, just grabbing a few things to even out his sets up on the First Breath, but when he grad this going on, he had to listen. This shop did have some of the best items around, including a fondue set Taako had been eyeing. It had mismatched sticks, but it was functioning and clean and also exhortation levels of expensive - and now he knew why.

This guy was a dick.

And while Taako could also be a Class A dick himself, he want about to let another chef get taken advantage of. So he sidles up, charging up the spell as he approaches, and slides in right next to the other elf.]

You know...we could do you a huge favor and just take those off your hands. It must be such a burden to keep jacking the price up like that.

[spellsteal]

[Belthazar is aware of the peculiar feeling of mana in the air before Taako sidles up to him. He's already on edge, ears pricked and gold eyes wider than usual, but having a sudden 'friend' completely sidetracks him from what he'd been contemplating and-- yeah, he's lost. He glances up at Taako and... all of his fabulousness, and it's no surprise he's intimidated. His ears pin back.

This guy... is a wizard of some kind, and clearly out of Belth's league.

(Also, he looks kind of vaguely familiar, and yet not.)]

Ah--

[The shopkeeper also looks fairly confused at the new addition, but the spell appears to be working due to his mediocre roll. He nods along with Taako's words, agreeable, and starts reaching for the bread pans as well as that fondue set since it happens to be so close.

Belth has never actually seen a charm in person before, only in books. Is this guy a friend? A foe taking advantage of the situation? He lowers his voice in a rather panicked whisper.]

What are you doing?

[abracafcku]

Just roll with it, bubla. We'll both be better off for it.

[Nervous little guy. Taako gives him a grin that is halfway between reassuring and con artist as he taps a hand against the countertop. He turns his attention back to the shopkeepers smooth as can be.]

See? This is so much easier, isn't it? I'll even let you give us a few extras. It's such a pain to have so much here unsold, right? A few spaces in your shelf makes everyone else think "Wow! This guy has the good stuff! Look at how much has already sold!"

[He slides his gaze over to the stranger at his side.]

Anything else here catch your eye, friend?

[spellsteal]

[That is definitely the smile of a con artist. But Belth doesn't feel any malice from him, and he's obviously being helped, and this merchant is an asshole. Though he tries to stay lawful he doesn't always succeed.

This is one of those times.]

Ah-- [He clears his throat and tries not to ruin the spell.] The roasting pan too, please.

[Karma better not bite him in the ass for this.]

[abracafcku]

You heard him. Be a peach, would you?

[Amazingly, the roasting pan joins the pile a cheerful smile. Wherever the curmudgeon that the merchant used be went, there's no trace of him here now. It's all smiles and fawning over his best customers - nay, his friends! And what are friends for but giving each other a little help here and there, right?]

You're the best. We'll just take this wrapped up if you can? [Of course! The merchant gathers everything up and disappears to go wrap them up like gifts.

Then Taako turns and offers a hand the stranger.]

Hail and well met, stranger. I'm Taako.

[spellsteal]

[Belthazar is obviously nervous, and this comes out in the most obvious way possible-- with pinned, expressive ears and a stutter that just won't leave. He really hopes this guy doesn't decide to charm him out of his own coinpurse, but part of him wants to really believe Taako is just helping a fellow elf. He's trying really, really hard not to judge other elves by what his own kindred have done.

His hand trembles just a tiny bit as he clasps Taako's hand with his smaller, colder one. Despite using fire magic more frequently, it doesn't flow through his veins like his adoptive father.]

B-Belthazar Anor'thalion. Thank you for your... assistance. Some people only live to take advantage of others, and... it can be good, sometimes, to give them a taste of their own medicine.

[abracafcku]

[Holy shit, is this elf afraid of him? He's trembling like a cobweb in a winter storm and boy howdy another cold hand. Great. That's not uncomfortable or anything. Taako gives him a quick shake and then lets go, looking at his hand for a moment.

Not a Reaper - it's not the same clamminess Kravitz has, but he's cold. Could be that it's nerves? He does look like a stiff breeze would blow him all the way back to Faerun.]

Oh, I'm one of those people, but? [He shrugs] I felt generous today and he's an asshole. Might as well let one jerk take care of another, right?

[Taako leans against the counter on one elbow, eyeing Belthazar. That's one hell of an elven name.

He grins and puts a bit of a dangerous glint to it.]

So Belthy, why so skittish? You think I'm going to devour you or something?

[spellsteal]

[Definitely nerves, and the fact he's just small and cold no matter what he does. He's not a water elemental, though he has some grasp of the frost school of magic. He's just... small, and awful skinny, and he'll always be those things thanks to his stupid metabolism.]

That might be true, but today you helped me. And for that I do owe you.

[He does his best not to fidget. He's an adult now, but some part of him will always be the shaky, impetuous little fifteen year old who ended up hungry at Adrasteius' doorstep.]

What-- [His cheeks color a bit and his ears pin back against his hair, giving the impression of a washed kitten. Now this is a glimpse of his temper, as his voice gains an edge.] I'm not afraid you'll eat me. I'm just-- not good with people. Especially other elves.

I don't suppose your world's elves are isolationist backstabbing bourgeoisie.

voice;

[straightouttacarbonite]

I'm not sure I've ever been on a starship that had a potato peeler...

voice;

[spellsteal]

My god, you live like animals.

voice;

[straightouttacarbonite]

No, I live like a man who doesn't peel potatoes.

voice;

[spellsteal]

You're only proving my point.

I suppose you also don't have flour or salt, and you eat beans straight out of the can.

voice;

[straightouttacarbonite]

Only if I'm unlucky enough to have beans.

voice;

[spellsteal]

Beans can be wonderful. Beans in a can are another story.

Perhaps I'll invite you for a proper meal and show you what a potato peeler can do.

voice;

[straightouttacarbonite]

Hey, that sounds great to me, don't get me wrong. I just don't have much interest in peeling things myself.

voice;

[spellsteal]

So you're not a culinarian, I suppose.