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randomplaces2013-03-19 06:12 pm
ssjmihoshi) wrote in randomplaces2013-03-19 06:12 pm
Entry tags:
Nexus. Aiofe's Brownstone & The Mall. Nexus POI.
Finally done! Wherein Canderous and Matthew are grumpy, and Kataeni does something without the Force.
Alora: *coming to see if the young Jedi Exile's home*
Kataeni: *indeed home, reading by the kitchen garden*
Alora: *chuckles as she pauses in the kitchen doorway* What are you reading? *nods to the little one legged Wildling man who cares for Aoife's kitchen plants, and who has been sitting in his little house of branches invisibly watching over Kataeni*
Kataeni: *looks up with a smile* A history log. Paper has always been more satisfying than a computer file. *wearing a simple white dress along with her headdress*
Alora: *chuckles* I like to read from hardcopy myself. Canderous thinks I'm insane.
gruff voice: *speaks from behind the armour clad woman* No. I know you are, and that's not the only reason.
lighter male voice: Like letting you boss her around? Ouch! *laughter*
Kataeni: *marks her place and rises to meet the new guests* It was all we had on Togruta. Who is joining us today?
Alora: *moves from the doorway to reveal a strongly built elderly man in finely decorated katarn armour and a dark haired young man with smiling, slightly mad green eyes* This is my adopted father, Canderous Ordo, and my son in law and former padawan, Frank Kane.
Canderous: *gruff Mando greeting as he studies the young girl*
Frank: *cheerful grin* Yo!
Kataeni: *smiles softly first at the gruff Canderous and then at the Force-empty, but still glowing, Frank* It's good to meet both of you. May I ask the occasion?
Frank: Alora just wants to hang out. Show you around. *grins, then ducks smoothly as Canderous' hand whistles over his head*
Alora: Not in here, you two. You know Aoife's rules.
Canderous: *snorts, but there's a twinkle in his eyes*
Kataeni: Thank you, I appreciate the offer. I've been relaxing here since I arrived, but I'd like to see more of this place.
Alora: *smiles* I heard that Matthew's found Hell.
Kataeni: *laughs* Yes. I was afraid he would mope forever but he really seems to like that place. Would you mind if I invited him along?
Alora: He won't get bored visiting people and touring the mall? *grins*
Frank: If he doesn't like it, he can go to Hell! :D
Canderous: *swat!*
Kataeni: *amused eyeroll* Actually, he's been aching to get back to the mall now that he has a little coin to spend. I'm not sure how he got it. And he did say he would take me shopping.
Alora: Coin? Or credit? *elbows Frank, who is bent over pretending that Canderous hurt his head with the swat*
Kataeni: *picks up the book so she won't forget it on the table* *pondering look* He had a pouch, so I'm assuming it's some type of physical currency.
Alora: *brow arches as she and her family members move out of Kataeni's way* Is he crafty with his hands? I think I know where he's been working.
Frank: Nah. He's working at Hell too, Mom.
Kataeni: *amused smile for Alora* "Mom"?
Frank: Yeah. *cheeky brow quirk*
Canderous: *has moved down the hall to the door across from Legacy's sitting room door, and is speaking gently to someone inside*
Kataeni: *small chuckle as she moves to the stairs* I see even here people think of us as overprotective parents.
Frank: Nah. I can remember her raising me, even though it didn't really happen. *parks his long self on the bottom step after she's gotten past it*
Alora: *reaches to smooth his hair in a motherly manner*
Kataeni: *curious, makes a mental note to ask Alora about it later* I'll be right back. *dissappears for a few minutes before returning with Matthew in tow*
Matthew: *wearing his armor again for the first time since arriving, with a subdued (for him) patterned sash and pants over top. A clinking sound comes from the new earring obtained from Aoife*
Frank: *looks up and grins* Yo! *yes... he should move*
Matthew: Hey. *looks a mite tired*
Kataeni: *rolls her eyes again and hops around Frank to the floor*
Frank: *laughs and gets to his feet with a swish of robe and the clink of his lightsabre against his pale blue armour. The handle of that sabre looks like it started life as the leg of an aluminium kitchen table* *expression changes swiftly as he looks back to Matthew* Are you alright?
Matthew: *tiny smirk as he rubs at his right eye under the hair* Long night.
Kataeni: *amused* I heard him come in at 4:30.
Frank: *chuckles, the frown and concern utterly vanished again* Work or play?
Matthew: One turned into the other. You're looking at Hell's new bouncer.
Frank: *wide grin* Schway! I'll probably see you there some time.
Alora: *chuckles* I hear that working there isn't hard for those with the right constitution.
Matthew: *smiles* It's nice when the guy who knocks you around buys your drinks afterward.
Frank: *laughs out loud* It's just tough love. Like Canderous does.
Canderous: *ignoring anything happening by the stairs as he continues his quiet conversation through that door*
Matthew: *laughs too* It's a hectic place, but the patrons are laid-back.
Kataeni: *to Alora, indicating Canderous* Is he staying here?
Alora: *glances over* No, he's just waiting for us to get the show on the road.
Kataeni: Ah. Then let's go. *heads for the door*
Canderous: *quiet farewell, and then gently closes the door before turning and opening the front one and stepping out onto the doorstep. Looks up* ...There's Kingda.
Alora: *head whips around and she's OUT and shoving past him to look up* Ohhhhh. I am so riding on him soon! :D
Frank: *laughing so hard he can hardly walk straight as he follows his former mentor toward the door*
Kataeni: *blinks, surprised at Alora's sudden excitement, looking around for whoever it is*
Matthew: *nods a thank you for the doorman, also looking around curiously*
Frank: Look up. *still chortling*
Canderous: *points upward* The roller coaster dragon.
Matthew: *looking up* "Roller coaster..."
Kataeni: *follows suit* "...dragon?"
Kingda: *is a swoop of golden roar far overhead, trailing delighted screams in his wake as he weaves among the whales*
Alora: *wide grin and stars in her eyes*
Kataeni: *blinks* How... odd... *not sure what to think*
Matthew: *quirks an eyebrow, looks like he might be interested*
Alora: *and then she puts up her hand at just the exact moment that a little orange tabby creature the size of a well grown rat swoops toward her* *deep and wistful sigh*
Frank: If the Ebon Hawk had room Little Grin wouldn't be Mom's partner in crime anymore.
Canderous: Don't be ridiculous. We don't have time to take care of a pet that big. She just wants to play with it.
Kataeni: *smiles at the fuzzy thing* Is that Little Grin?
Alora: *tears eyes away from the sky as she brings her little friend to her chest and rubs his big ears* Yes. This is him. He's a common schink.
Little Grin: *soft trill as he looks at Kataeni with big dark eyes*
Kataeni: *smiles* He's adorable.
Matthew: *chuckles and looks to the other men* How many tiny fuzzy things are there here?
Frank: *snerk* Dude... Enough for all the ladies who stop by, and the guys that don't run fast enough.
Canderous: *rolls his eyes and starts down the stairs*
Matthew: *deep laugh as he follows Canderous* I've already had a few tapping at my window.
Alora: *smiling at Kataeni* Would you like to hold him?
Kataeni: If that's alright with him.
Alora: *as she follows Canderous and Matthew down the stairs* He's always ready to make new friends. *holds the little guy out* Careful of his horn.
Little Grin: *purring up a storm as one little paw goes toward the Togruta girl*
Kataeni: *nods and follows them down the stairs, holding her hands out for the fuzzball*
Little Grin: *spreads his feathered wings and hops over, then sits and tucks his tufted tail neatly around his paws as he studies Kataeni's face* *soft cat-like chirp to go with the purr*
Kataeni: *never been good at holding animals, but she tries to support and scratch him at the same time as she follows the group*
Matthew: *watching the Togruta just in case*
Little Grin: *stretches, and then hooks his forepaws around Kataeni's wrist in a hug. Will now hold himself up and wash her hand with a raspy little tongue*
Alora: *soft laugh* Let's stop at the pet shop when we get to the mall.
Kataeni: *soft chuckes at the tickly tongue* Does he need anything?
Matthew: *satisfied she's ok, follows Canderous' lead*
Alora: No. He's trying to reassure you. *soft chuckle* And he likes to take care of people.
Kataeni: I meant at the shop.
Alora: Ohhhh. *slight grin* Well, I won't know till I get there.
Canderous: I've never understood the appeal of things like that. He can't even hold his own in a fight. *random swat at Frank as that worthy pulls a face at him*
Matthew: Well, they do attract women. *sly grin*
Canderous: *gives him a grumpy old man "And your point is?" look*
Matthew: *blinks at the look, praying he's not getting too old to at least joke about having fun. Looks to Frank for help*
Frank: He's an old grump. *wide grin* And I already attracted a woman. She's even prettier than her mother. *looks over at Alora fondly*
Matthew: *satisfied smile at this answer* And a pet helped, right?
Frank: Nooo. Not really. *rubs the back of his neck* I can't really remember the real way we met. All I can remember is growing up with her.
Matthew: *chuckles* You had it easy then.
Kataeni: *offers Alora her pet back*
Frank: Not really. Like I say. That's just what I remember. It's not real. *glances back to watch Alora take the little schink* See, I was just a normal crazy underground rebel till I ran into this LOLed light sabre. Then I wound up with a whole 'nother identity and history that didn't really exist, and I couldn't even remember my twin brother, when we'd been mentally linked from birth to the point where we thought the same thing at the same time and finished each others' sentences.
Matthew: *concerned* That can happen?
Frank: It did. *tucks his hands in his sleeves* I didn't know about LOLs. Or I'd forgotten. I don't always remember things that great.
Canderous: *looks of gruff compassion for Frank, but swats him anyway*
Matthew: "LOLs" huh? I'll have to watch out for those...
Kataeni: *asking Alora softly* Was he possessed by the lightsaber? *that brings back unpleasant memories*
Alora: *rubbing Little Grin's back as he clings to the front of her robe* *quietly* No. It just... shifted reality only for him. I can see what he remembers, but it never really happened for anyone else.
Kataeni: *sad* Is there a way to undo it?
Alora: *slight head shake* He's been that way for over twenty years. The strangest part of it is that he remembers things that actually happened, that we never told him about.
Kataeni: So this new life of his... is one you know?
Alora: *shakes her head* It's as though he was reprogrammed. With a story that includes bits of reality, but has them written in a way that's never occurred. And I'm the only Alora Onasi in the Multiverse. *so she knows it never happened*
Kataeni: *soft sigh* Well, it looks like he's made peace with it at least.
Alora: Yes. Tiji was there beside him through the adjustment, and his brother Earnest soon found him again. They're still separate individuals, and I think that's good. They used to lose their minds regularly when I first met them.
Kataeni: *silently considers that*
Alora: *looks around as they walk past the edge of the neighbourhood near the brownstone. Waves to the little Seeker ghost that she can see sitting on the doorstep of Hormah's sanctuary*
Cloudtrader: *happy invisible kid waves back!*
Kataeni: *follows Alora's wave... and is surprised to see the ghostkid!*
Matthew: *happily making smalltalk* When I was a kid I had an Adelan skink. It would climb all over my shelves and knock things over. *laughs*
Frank: What do they look... like? *whips head around at Kataeni's spurt of surprise, nearly giving himself whiplash* Wha?
Matthew: They can engineer them in any color, but mine was-hm? *follows Frank's surprise* What?
Kataeni: *soft laugh at herself* Do you see that? *points to the ghost*
Frank: *looks toward the Sanctuary* What? You mean Cloudtrader? Yeah, he's looking at a picture book.
Matthew: Who? I don't see anything.
Alora: That's because he can't manifest in the Nexus. Cloudtrader is an extinguished Cybertronian spark.
Kataeni: Oh! I see. *waves to him*
Matthew: Cybertronians are those robots right?
Alora: They're cybernetic life forms. *slight grin* I'd say "Like Hormah", but she's actually an anomaly.
Canderous: The big guys at the Black Dog. *growls at a passing teletubby and watches it run off squeaking with terror*
Matthew: I've been there once. It was... interesting. *smiles*
Canderous: The food's alright. *shrugs* So's some of the conversation. *old soldier gets along just fine with the local Destrons*
Kataeni: Aiofe brought back some treats one night. I think she called them "sinabuns"?
Matthew: Oh! Those were good.
Canderous: *snorts* Sweet stuff.
Alora: *grins* Cinnabuns are good. *checks on Frank to see why he's so quiet*
Frank: *miiiiles away as he walks along. Expression totally blank*
Matthew: *laughs at Canderous* I couldn't eat more than one, but they aren't bad.
Kataeni: *soft chuckle* I hadn't had that much sugar in a while myself. *notices Alora and Frank, waits to see what will happen*
Alora: *reaches out and hooks an arm through Frank's to make sure he doesn't wander away* *then looks at the others* Would you believe those buns are actually nutritious? The cook at the Black Dog's a sneaky little thing.
Canderous: *as they pass the blanket factory he gives a certain little yellow Autobot the stink eye and gets raspberried. Bumblebee fears no old Mando grouches!* *not when they're that far away, anyway*
Matthew: *looks at the factory sign* Somebody thought I'd like working here. *laughs*
Kataeni: *concerned for Frank but trusts Alora to handle him* *turns to the factory* They make blankets? Is that it?
Alora: Knitted blankets. Some of them big enough to cover the big Cybertronians. But no. I think they make fleece dolls and blankets too.
Canderous: *snorts at the idea of Matthew working at the blanket factory* They've got enough heavies. *nods to the big furry guy on the roof*
Matthew: *eyebrow raise at the big cat, who he recognizes from around the brownstone* You can't tell me he knits.
Alora: No. He's security and transport. *waves to Kimahri and then bows to him and is bowed to in return* And protector to Jenny.
Kataeni: I've seen Jenny around. He makes a good parent.
Alora: *softly* Jenny isn't his daughter. She holds his heart.
Kataeni: *smiles in agreement* Sometimes it's the same thing, isn't it?
Alora: *shakes her head* Not this way. Daughters are loved with the knowledge that they will probably grow further away. If Jenny knew herself she would be Kimahri's wife.
Frank: *blinks* Skink. *looks at Matthew*
Kataeni: *nods and considers*
Matthew: What?
Frank: *blinks* You were telling us about your skink.
Matthew: *confused* That was a while ago.
Frank: *also confused*
Alora: *gives Matthew a look that asks him to please continue his story*
Matthew: *look says he's concerned, but understands* He was blue with orange and yellow stripes.
Frank: *confusion fades to a grin* Wow. Are they furry? Or are they lizards like the skinks on Earth?
Matthew: Oh they're better than the Terran versions. Bigger and with spikes. Dad made me file them down though.
Frank: *grins* I got to play with a blue tongued skink once. Aria really wanted me to buy him and bring him home. But there's no room on the Ebon Hawk for a ten pound lizard.
Matthew: Really? That must be a small ship! It'll eat replicated food, right?
Frank: They like fresh fruit best. And the Hawk's not really small. *looks at Alora and laughs* The family's just that big.
Alora: *chuckles and nods* We have sleeping spaces in the bulkheads and between the floor plates. *then points to a building some distance away* There's the Nexus library. The harbour is behind it and past a belt of trees.
Matthew: Wow. And I thought ships' barracks were bad. *chuckles*
Kataeni: Is that where goods come and go?
Alora: The harbour? No. Not really. Though there is some fishing and seaweed harvesting from there.
Kataeni: I'll have to get to the library after I finish that book.
Alora: They've got a wonderful book store.
Frank: *perks* Yeah, you can get anything! Including the book of your dreams.
Matthew: Your dreams?
Frank: Like, the one that will entertain you the most. That you'll keep going back to read again. I have mine.
Matthew: Oh. *laughs*
Kataeni: What is yours?
Frank: *grins* It's an adventure story. A graphic novel in black and white. *takes a chip out of a pocket on his belt* I have more than one copy so I've got something to do when I need it.
Kataeni: *knowing smile* You like adventure?
Frank: *purses his lips and thinks that over* *then lifts his eyebrows* Sometimes.
Alora: Yes. Sometimes. *quirks a brow at him*
Frank: Real life adventures are a lot different from the stories. It's more than just waving around a sword and saving the girl, then living happily ever after. *slight frown* There's always someone else that needs saving.
Kataeni: *nods, a little sadness showing through*
Matthew: *now worried about Kataeni* But you have that big family of yours to help.
Frank: I still get my shebs kicked!
Canderous: *snorts from where he's walking ahead*
Matthew: *laughs* But that's what the med bay is for later.
Frank: That doesn't stop it from hurting, and worrying my wife and kids. *half grin*
Matthew: *and now he looks light-years away as he replies softly* That's just an occupational hazard.
Frank: Yeah. I guess. *grins at the large, long building they're approaching* Mall!
Kataeni: *looks up* Oh, it's big!
Matthew: *smiles* It's decently-sized.
Frank: *turns and grins at Mathew* Oh, this is just the outside. *points to the huge, dusky Cybertronian that just stepped over them and then entered the mall without even ducking his head*
Matthew: I went in once, remember? *playful smirk* Didn't have a lot of time though.
Frank: Yeah, but it doesn't show all of itself to you the first time.
Kataeni: Is everything in the Nexus that mystical?
Alora: *gives her a slight smile* As far as fairylands go, it's pretty tame.
Frank: *steps through the door, looks in all directions, and then puts his hands to his head*
Canderous: *comes back and gets him by the arm* We're going to the pet shop, come on.
Frank: *perks and looks up, all distress vanished*
Matthew: *looks to Alora* Is he alright?
Kataeni: *also concerned*
Alora: *nods as she lets Little Grin scramble up to her shoulder* Yes. The mall just offers a few too many choices.
Little Grin: *excited little flutter of wings and then looks all over*
Matthew: Ah. I don't blame him.
Kataeni: I guess we're going to the pet store first. *starts following*
Frank: *turns around* So, you're getting something little and fuzzy. Right, Matthew? *quirks a brow in a very slight tease. He doesn't think Matthew's really looking*
Alora: *face palm*
Matthew: *snerk* I would, if I wanted to get Deidre a snack.
Kataeni: *sound of distress but also laughter, which she hides under a hand*
Frank: *confused blink*
Alora: Deidre doesn't eat little fuzzy things. *shakes her head and faces forward* She likes her things huge and argumentative, or large and mushroomy.
Matthew: *laughs* It was a joke, Frank. But we could get one for you. *looks to Canderous*
Frank: I'm married, remember? The little fuzzy thing I play with is my two week old son. *remembers son and is suddenly one happy guy*
Matthew: *big grin* Congratulations! *whaps him on the back*
Frank: *burp!*
Alora: *both hands over face as Canderous laughs* Oi vey...
Little Grin: *looooking at Frank*
Matthew: o.o ... *snicker*
Kataeni: *chuckling too*
Canderous: *steps through the doorway of the pet store, ignoring the cages full of puppies on either side of it*
Kataeni: *smiling at the puppies, and the birds, and the rodents... and everything else!*
Alora: *wanders over and looks into a pen, then chuckles and turns to dump a fat and wrinkled but leggy and starting to grow puppy into Matthew's arms. The baby weighs about forty pounds*
Canderous: There's little and fuzzy for you. *goes to look at big lizardy critters*
Matthew: *laughs, trying to get the thing to stop wiggling*
Kataeni: *marveling at the size* That's a baby?
Alora: *wide grin* Carthian battle mastiff. The gentlest and neatest big mutt ever till Master says kill.
Kataeni: I guess it's like a cuter version of a rancor... *chuckles*
Matthew: *scritching and trying to get him to roll over for belly rubs, but the dog doesn't seem to get the concept yet. Puts it back gently into the wriggling mass of its siblings*
Alora: Rancor? *points to where one only seven foot tall is busily stacking boxes of pet food in a back corner*
puppy sibling: *pushes over to Matthew and rolls over*
Kataeni: *follows Alora's pointing* ....Oh! *doesn't know what to say*
Matthew: *will rub this one's belly then* *and call it a good boy...girl...whatever*
Frank: This one's a girl. *wide grin*
girl puppy: *wriggles and enjoys the belly rub, making happy and cute sounds*
Alora: Some sentients are sold here. By their own request. That guy's been waiting for an owner for awhile.
Kataeni: *awkwardly tries not to think of the one she drowned and cut the foot off of that one time... Oh look, birds!*
big raven: *turns his head* Oh look, people! *laughs*
Alora: *facepalm*
Matthew: *looks up at the noise* Did that bird just laugh?
raven: *leans down and gently tweaks the tall man's ear ornament* Maayyybe.
Kataeni: ...And talk.
Alora: *surprised* You've never heard a bird talk before?
Kataeni: I've heard they can mimic, but not carry conversations.
Matthew: *moves out of range to the other side of the puppy enclosure* Depends on the breed.
Alora: *nods* Even in baseline worlds there are bird species with the intelligence level of an average three year old human child. And some of them can talk.
raven: *crouching with his head lowered now* Awwww, was it something I said?
Alora: He's not from a baseline reality.
Matthew: *checks the earring* You break it, you buy it.
Kataeni: *holds an arm out to the bird* He's just protective.
raven: *carefully hops over* I'm careful. Just can't resist the shinies. *cocks his head and seems to smile at the Togrutan girl with his bright eyes*
Matthew: Don't tell me you want that one.
Kataeni: *laughs and pets the bird's head*
raven: *looks at the gem on Kataeni's headdress with one eye, and then the other, then tries to buff it with the feathers on top of his head. Softly* Gurk kurk kurk...
Alora: *chuckles as she watches the bird*
Matthew: I'd have to lock my room. *rolls eyes and goes to see what Frank and Canderous are looking at*
Kataeni: *giggles softly* What are you doing, bird?
raven: *peeks at the gem again and makes a happy sound* Now it's shiny. *ducks head and peeks after Matthew* *whisper* I don't take peoples' stuff.
Kataeni: *whispers as well* He likes his shinies too. He'd be jealous of your hoard.
raven: *peeeeeks after the tall man* Would he give 'em back if I shared?
Kataeni: *snerk* Maybe. *imagines the huge man and the bird in matching outfits*
raven: *thinks it over* I suppose I could always get more. *gentle preening gesture for Kataeni's headdress*
Matthew: *eventually finds Canderous in the lizard section*
Canderous: *looks up from watching the restless pacing of a rangy little draconian beast the size and shape of a young greyhound* Did the girl find something fuzzy? Speaking of fuzzy... *quick frowning check. Spots Frank sitting on the floor with a puppy* Oh, there he is. *turns attention back to Matthew*
Matthew: *annoyed* Feathered, actually. *watching an amphibian swimming in a tank so big it takes up half the wall* And smart.
Canderous: *runs over known shop inventory in his mind* ...The Raven?
Matthew: How did you know?
Canderous: *shrugs* He's the only sentient bird here right now.
Matthew: *eyebrow raise* For a guy who hates pets it sounds like you come here a lot.
Canderous: *slight smirk* There's a stock list by the door when you come in.
Matthew: Uh-huh. *smirks and goes back to amphibian-watching*
Canderous: *turns his attention to the swimmer* Renian Siryn.
Matthew: Hmm?
Canderous: *nods to the amphibian* Renian Siryn.
Matthew: Is that the species name or its name?
Canderous: Species. The #$&$#@ things sing.
Matthew: *nods* Most aquatic creatures that big do. It native on your world?
Canderous: My world's the Ebon Hawk. *eyes go back to the restless creature*
Matthew: That's pretty sad. Only thing native to starships are space rats and photonic fleas. *playful smirk*
Canderous: *gives him a Look. Grumpy old warrior dude not amused* *though he doesn't look that miffed in particular either. He's probably had many years of this sort of teasing*
Frank: *right behind Mathew with something fuzzy in his arms now* You forgot the mynocks! And the...
Matthew: *startled, suddenly ducks and swings at the person behind him*
Frank: *just as suddenly several feet away* Aw man! You made the bunny pee on me!
Matthew: *eye wide, cursing in Voyaen* Sorry! Just... don't sneak up on me.
Kataeni: *rounds the corner with Raven on a shoulder* Everything ok?
Canderous: *shakes his head and pats Matthew on the shoulder, then goes to calm down Frank and the Angora rabbit he's holding*
Oliver: *lifts his head and checks things, then makes a little clucking sound before giving Kataeni's headdress an affectionate tweek* Be right back, gotta take care of that bunny puddle.
Alora: Are you alright, Matthew? *looking around the corner, Little Grin a slight floof of surprise on her shoulder*
Matthew: *small grunt* Reflexes...
Kataeni: *gives Oliver one last pet before he flies off* That's alright. Frank has good reflexes as well.
Alora: Ah. He did one of his sudden appearances? *mouth twists with wry sympathy* He's been doing that to Canderous for twenty years.
Matthew: *wry smirk* He does like living dangerously, doesn't he?
Alora: *comes over, her robes a soft swish* It's a memory thing. *studies him* Need a hug?
Frank: *wiping his robes now as the rabbit noses curiously around his feet and Oliver holds the roll of paper towels and supervises*
Kataeni: *small look for Alora that says he doesn't like that fluffy stuff*
Matthew: *dusts self off* I'll be fine. *nods to Frank* Is he ok?
Alora: *glances over in time to see Frank duck a Canderous swat* He's fine.
Matthew: *snerk* Good. *seems to ease up. Turns to Kataeni* Didn't like the bird after all?
Kataeni: You're in luck. Oliver works here. He isn't for sale.
Alora: *snerks* Has he given you his phone number yet?
Kataeni: He didn't have time, though he said he would see me again.
Matthew: Oh no.
Alora: *grins* You can count yourself a pet person then.
Kataeni: I couldn't possibly keep a sentient creature as a pet. Why don't I find something else? Something that won't steal your things, Matthew?
Matthew: *what? No that's not it why would you say that oh hey the Siryn is here*
Alora: *chuckles* No. Not pet person. Pet person. From the old meaning of pet that meant favourite.
Oliver: *comes walking back and looks hopefully up at Kataeni, then gives a little hop to ask to be picked up*
Matthew: *snorts* That sounds more appropriate.
Kataeni: *laughs and looks down at Oliver* Can't you fly?
Oliver: *muffled* Don't want any reflexes happening.
Matthew: *sidelong glance... moves down the aisle*
Kataeni: I know you're coming now. *mom smirk*
Oliver: *still muffled* Awk! No, don't go. I've got something for you, shiny guy.
Alora: *curious brow quirk as she lifts the young raven up to Kaetaeni's shoulder*
Oliver: Fanks.
Matthew: *eyebrow quirks as well* What is it?
Oliver: C'mere.
Matthew: *small eye roll as he does as instructed*
Oliver: Hand please. *looks at the tall man with one eye and then the other*
Matthew: *holds out his left hand*
Kataeni: *curious to see what it is*
Oliver: *carefully puts into Mathew's hand a glass turtle with a shell as big around as an American silver dollar. The turtle is brightly iridescent, and its shell has a light in it that changes colour* There. *chuckle* Shiny, huh?
Matthew: *ok, he's interested. Holds it up to see* Interesting. I think I can work with this.
Kataeni: Where did you get that? It's lovely.
Oliver: We sell them here. They're pets. *looks at Mathew* He moves, so don't do reflexes, okay?
Matthew: *eyebrow raises more* It's alive?
Alora: It's AI at the atomic level. Indestructible. My grand kids have some of these little animals.
turtle: *turns head to look at something with shiny little bead eyes*
Matthew: Oh, it's electronic? *looks a bit uncomfortable now* I ah... wouldn't believe the "indestructible" part.
Kataeni: *concerned, but trying to hide it by being helpful* We could keep it in the kitchen.
Alora: *takes the little turtle and tosses it hard against the floor*
Oliver: HEY! We just got those tiles installed!
Matthew: *stiffens, and he waits breathlessly hoping to see it move again*
Kataeni: Alora...
tile: *shatters on impact*
turtle: *peeks out of its shell after a moment of laying in the little crater, then puts out legs and starts walking toward Matthew*
Alora: I'll buy a new tile. Sorry, Oliver.
Oliver: *feather floof* *gives Alora an offended look and clicks his beak* No. Not electronic. Nobody knows what they are. But we know they're not electronic.
Matthew: Breakability isn't the issue... *picks it up anyway, considering it* ..... How much is it?
Oliver: *suddenly floofs a different way, trying for cute* I bought it for you.
Alora: *turns away so she won't laugh*
Canderous: *shakes head and goes back to Frank*
Kataeni: *snerks, holding back a laugh*
Matthew: -_- *teasing* Don't try to get on my good side now.
Oliver: *curious head tilt* Why not?
turtle: *tucks in legs and head and seems to snuggle in Matthew's hand*
Matthew: *rolls eyes and walks away* Ugh, my brother would've loved you.
Oliver: *sideways look at Kataeni, his eyes twinkling*
Kataeni: *smiles at the bird*
Oliver: Did you really come in to pick up a fuzzy? I thought you were just looking.
Kataeni: *looks around the store again* I did, but I haven't seen one that calls to me yet...
Oliver: *feather rustle of excitement* So... fuzzy, huh? Do you want a mammal or an avian?
Kataeni: *looks uncertain*
Oliver: Okay, do you know if you want a buddy, or somebody to stay at home in a cage while you go to work? *hops down and gets a piece of broken tile, and then comes back to her shoulder to nibble on it as he waits for her reply*
Kataeni: *thinks for a moment* I would like something that can come with me to work. The blanket factory isn't very loud, and I really only sit and knit while I'm there...
Oliver: *perks* Blanket factory, huh? *chuckle* That place is fun. Okay! So... fuzzy and companion. *looks over toward a bank of cages, and then over in another direction* ...Wings or no wings?
((Written byssjmihoshi and random_xtras.))
Alora: *coming to see if the young Jedi Exile's home*
Kataeni: *indeed home, reading by the kitchen garden*
Alora: *chuckles as she pauses in the kitchen doorway* What are you reading? *nods to the little one legged Wildling man who cares for Aoife's kitchen plants, and who has been sitting in his little house of branches invisibly watching over Kataeni*
Kataeni: *looks up with a smile* A history log. Paper has always been more satisfying than a computer file. *wearing a simple white dress along with her headdress*
Alora: *chuckles* I like to read from hardcopy myself. Canderous thinks I'm insane.
gruff voice: *speaks from behind the armour clad woman* No. I know you are, and that's not the only reason.
lighter male voice: Like letting you boss her around? Ouch! *laughter*
Kataeni: *marks her place and rises to meet the new guests* It was all we had on Togruta. Who is joining us today?
Alora: *moves from the doorway to reveal a strongly built elderly man in finely decorated katarn armour and a dark haired young man with smiling, slightly mad green eyes* This is my adopted father, Canderous Ordo, and my son in law and former padawan, Frank Kane.
Canderous: *gruff Mando greeting as he studies the young girl*
Frank: *cheerful grin* Yo!
Kataeni: *smiles softly first at the gruff Canderous and then at the Force-empty, but still glowing, Frank* It's good to meet both of you. May I ask the occasion?
Frank: Alora just wants to hang out. Show you around. *grins, then ducks smoothly as Canderous' hand whistles over his head*
Alora: Not in here, you two. You know Aoife's rules.
Canderous: *snorts, but there's a twinkle in his eyes*
Kataeni: Thank you, I appreciate the offer. I've been relaxing here since I arrived, but I'd like to see more of this place.
Alora: *smiles* I heard that Matthew's found Hell.
Kataeni: *laughs* Yes. I was afraid he would mope forever but he really seems to like that place. Would you mind if I invited him along?
Alora: He won't get bored visiting people and touring the mall? *grins*
Frank: If he doesn't like it, he can go to Hell! :D
Canderous: *swat!*
Kataeni: *amused eyeroll* Actually, he's been aching to get back to the mall now that he has a little coin to spend. I'm not sure how he got it. And he did say he would take me shopping.
Alora: Coin? Or credit? *elbows Frank, who is bent over pretending that Canderous hurt his head with the swat*
Kataeni: *picks up the book so she won't forget it on the table* *pondering look* He had a pouch, so I'm assuming it's some type of physical currency.
Alora: *brow arches as she and her family members move out of Kataeni's way* Is he crafty with his hands? I think I know where he's been working.
Frank: Nah. He's working at Hell too, Mom.
Kataeni: *amused smile for Alora* "Mom"?
Frank: Yeah. *cheeky brow quirk*
Canderous: *has moved down the hall to the door across from Legacy's sitting room door, and is speaking gently to someone inside*
Kataeni: *small chuckle as she moves to the stairs* I see even here people think of us as overprotective parents.
Frank: Nah. I can remember her raising me, even though it didn't really happen. *parks his long self on the bottom step after she's gotten past it*
Alora: *reaches to smooth his hair in a motherly manner*
Kataeni: *curious, makes a mental note to ask Alora about it later* I'll be right back. *dissappears for a few minutes before returning with Matthew in tow*
Matthew: *wearing his armor again for the first time since arriving, with a subdued (for him) patterned sash and pants over top. A clinking sound comes from the new earring obtained from Aoife*
Frank: *looks up and grins* Yo! *yes... he should move*
Matthew: Hey. *looks a mite tired*
Kataeni: *rolls her eyes again and hops around Frank to the floor*
Frank: *laughs and gets to his feet with a swish of robe and the clink of his lightsabre against his pale blue armour. The handle of that sabre looks like it started life as the leg of an aluminium kitchen table* *expression changes swiftly as he looks back to Matthew* Are you alright?
Matthew: *tiny smirk as he rubs at his right eye under the hair* Long night.
Kataeni: *amused* I heard him come in at 4:30.
Frank: *chuckles, the frown and concern utterly vanished again* Work or play?
Matthew: One turned into the other. You're looking at Hell's new bouncer.
Frank: *wide grin* Schway! I'll probably see you there some time.
Alora: *chuckles* I hear that working there isn't hard for those with the right constitution.
Matthew: *smiles* It's nice when the guy who knocks you around buys your drinks afterward.
Frank: *laughs out loud* It's just tough love. Like Canderous does.
Canderous: *ignoring anything happening by the stairs as he continues his quiet conversation through that door*
Matthew: *laughs too* It's a hectic place, but the patrons are laid-back.
Kataeni: *to Alora, indicating Canderous* Is he staying here?
Alora: *glances over* No, he's just waiting for us to get the show on the road.
Kataeni: Ah. Then let's go. *heads for the door*
Canderous: *quiet farewell, and then gently closes the door before turning and opening the front one and stepping out onto the doorstep. Looks up* ...There's Kingda.
Alora: *head whips around and she's OUT and shoving past him to look up* Ohhhhh. I am so riding on him soon! :D
Frank: *laughing so hard he can hardly walk straight as he follows his former mentor toward the door*
Kataeni: *blinks, surprised at Alora's sudden excitement, looking around for whoever it is*
Matthew: *nods a thank you for the doorman, also looking around curiously*
Frank: Look up. *still chortling*
Canderous: *points upward* The roller coaster dragon.
Matthew: *looking up* "Roller coaster..."
Kataeni: *follows suit* "...dragon?"
Kingda: *is a swoop of golden roar far overhead, trailing delighted screams in his wake as he weaves among the whales*
Alora: *wide grin and stars in her eyes*
Kataeni: *blinks* How... odd... *not sure what to think*
Matthew: *quirks an eyebrow, looks like he might be interested*
Alora: *and then she puts up her hand at just the exact moment that a little orange tabby creature the size of a well grown rat swoops toward her* *deep and wistful sigh*
Frank: If the Ebon Hawk had room Little Grin wouldn't be Mom's partner in crime anymore.
Canderous: Don't be ridiculous. We don't have time to take care of a pet that big. She just wants to play with it.
Kataeni: *smiles at the fuzzy thing* Is that Little Grin?
Alora: *tears eyes away from the sky as she brings her little friend to her chest and rubs his big ears* Yes. This is him. He's a common schink.
Little Grin: *soft trill as he looks at Kataeni with big dark eyes*
Kataeni: *smiles* He's adorable.
Matthew: *chuckles and looks to the other men* How many tiny fuzzy things are there here?
Frank: *snerk* Dude... Enough for all the ladies who stop by, and the guys that don't run fast enough.
Canderous: *rolls his eyes and starts down the stairs*
Matthew: *deep laugh as he follows Canderous* I've already had a few tapping at my window.
Alora: *smiling at Kataeni* Would you like to hold him?
Kataeni: If that's alright with him.
Alora: *as she follows Canderous and Matthew down the stairs* He's always ready to make new friends. *holds the little guy out* Careful of his horn.
Little Grin: *purring up a storm as one little paw goes toward the Togruta girl*
Kataeni: *nods and follows them down the stairs, holding her hands out for the fuzzball*
Little Grin: *spreads his feathered wings and hops over, then sits and tucks his tufted tail neatly around his paws as he studies Kataeni's face* *soft cat-like chirp to go with the purr*
Kataeni: *never been good at holding animals, but she tries to support and scratch him at the same time as she follows the group*
Matthew: *watching the Togruta just in case*
Little Grin: *stretches, and then hooks his forepaws around Kataeni's wrist in a hug. Will now hold himself up and wash her hand with a raspy little tongue*
Alora: *soft laugh* Let's stop at the pet shop when we get to the mall.
Kataeni: *soft chuckes at the tickly tongue* Does he need anything?
Matthew: *satisfied she's ok, follows Canderous' lead*
Alora: No. He's trying to reassure you. *soft chuckle* And he likes to take care of people.
Kataeni: I meant at the shop.
Alora: Ohhhh. *slight grin* Well, I won't know till I get there.
Canderous: I've never understood the appeal of things like that. He can't even hold his own in a fight. *random swat at Frank as that worthy pulls a face at him*
Matthew: Well, they do attract women. *sly grin*
Canderous: *gives him a grumpy old man "And your point is?" look*
Matthew: *blinks at the look, praying he's not getting too old to at least joke about having fun. Looks to Frank for help*
Frank: He's an old grump. *wide grin* And I already attracted a woman. She's even prettier than her mother. *looks over at Alora fondly*
Matthew: *satisfied smile at this answer* And a pet helped, right?
Frank: Nooo. Not really. *rubs the back of his neck* I can't really remember the real way we met. All I can remember is growing up with her.
Matthew: *chuckles* You had it easy then.
Kataeni: *offers Alora her pet back*
Frank: Not really. Like I say. That's just what I remember. It's not real. *glances back to watch Alora take the little schink* See, I was just a normal crazy underground rebel till I ran into this LOLed light sabre. Then I wound up with a whole 'nother identity and history that didn't really exist, and I couldn't even remember my twin brother, when we'd been mentally linked from birth to the point where we thought the same thing at the same time and finished each others' sentences.
Matthew: *concerned* That can happen?
Frank: It did. *tucks his hands in his sleeves* I didn't know about LOLs. Or I'd forgotten. I don't always remember things that great.
Canderous: *looks of gruff compassion for Frank, but swats him anyway*
Matthew: "LOLs" huh? I'll have to watch out for those...
Kataeni: *asking Alora softly* Was he possessed by the lightsaber? *that brings back unpleasant memories*
Alora: *rubbing Little Grin's back as he clings to the front of her robe* *quietly* No. It just... shifted reality only for him. I can see what he remembers, but it never really happened for anyone else.
Kataeni: *sad* Is there a way to undo it?
Alora: *slight head shake* He's been that way for over twenty years. The strangest part of it is that he remembers things that actually happened, that we never told him about.
Kataeni: So this new life of his... is one you know?
Alora: *shakes her head* It's as though he was reprogrammed. With a story that includes bits of reality, but has them written in a way that's never occurred. And I'm the only Alora Onasi in the Multiverse. *so she knows it never happened*
Kataeni: *soft sigh* Well, it looks like he's made peace with it at least.
Alora: Yes. Tiji was there beside him through the adjustment, and his brother Earnest soon found him again. They're still separate individuals, and I think that's good. They used to lose their minds regularly when I first met them.
Kataeni: *silently considers that*
Alora: *looks around as they walk past the edge of the neighbourhood near the brownstone. Waves to the little Seeker ghost that she can see sitting on the doorstep of Hormah's sanctuary*
Cloudtrader: *happy invisible kid waves back!*
Kataeni: *follows Alora's wave... and is surprised to see the ghostkid!*
Matthew: *happily making smalltalk* When I was a kid I had an Adelan skink. It would climb all over my shelves and knock things over. *laughs*
Frank: What do they look... like? *whips head around at Kataeni's spurt of surprise, nearly giving himself whiplash* Wha?
Matthew: They can engineer them in any color, but mine was-hm? *follows Frank's surprise* What?
Kataeni: *soft laugh at herself* Do you see that? *points to the ghost*
Frank: *looks toward the Sanctuary* What? You mean Cloudtrader? Yeah, he's looking at a picture book.
Matthew: Who? I don't see anything.
Alora: That's because he can't manifest in the Nexus. Cloudtrader is an extinguished Cybertronian spark.
Kataeni: Oh! I see. *waves to him*
Matthew: Cybertronians are those robots right?
Alora: They're cybernetic life forms. *slight grin* I'd say "Like Hormah", but she's actually an anomaly.
Canderous: The big guys at the Black Dog. *growls at a passing teletubby and watches it run off squeaking with terror*
Matthew: I've been there once. It was... interesting. *smiles*
Canderous: The food's alright. *shrugs* So's some of the conversation. *old soldier gets along just fine with the local Destrons*
Kataeni: Aiofe brought back some treats one night. I think she called them "sinabuns"?
Matthew: Oh! Those were good.
Canderous: *snorts* Sweet stuff.
Alora: *grins* Cinnabuns are good. *checks on Frank to see why he's so quiet*
Frank: *miiiiles away as he walks along. Expression totally blank*
Matthew: *laughs at Canderous* I couldn't eat more than one, but they aren't bad.
Kataeni: *soft chuckle* I hadn't had that much sugar in a while myself. *notices Alora and Frank, waits to see what will happen*
Alora: *reaches out and hooks an arm through Frank's to make sure he doesn't wander away* *then looks at the others* Would you believe those buns are actually nutritious? The cook at the Black Dog's a sneaky little thing.
Canderous: *as they pass the blanket factory he gives a certain little yellow Autobot the stink eye and gets raspberried. Bumblebee fears no old Mando grouches!* *not when they're that far away, anyway*
Matthew: *looks at the factory sign* Somebody thought I'd like working here. *laughs*
Kataeni: *concerned for Frank but trusts Alora to handle him* *turns to the factory* They make blankets? Is that it?
Alora: Knitted blankets. Some of them big enough to cover the big Cybertronians. But no. I think they make fleece dolls and blankets too.
Canderous: *snorts at the idea of Matthew working at the blanket factory* They've got enough heavies. *nods to the big furry guy on the roof*
Matthew: *eyebrow raise at the big cat, who he recognizes from around the brownstone* You can't tell me he knits.
Alora: No. He's security and transport. *waves to Kimahri and then bows to him and is bowed to in return* And protector to Jenny.
Kataeni: I've seen Jenny around. He makes a good parent.
Alora: *softly* Jenny isn't his daughter. She holds his heart.
Kataeni: *smiles in agreement* Sometimes it's the same thing, isn't it?
Alora: *shakes her head* Not this way. Daughters are loved with the knowledge that they will probably grow further away. If Jenny knew herself she would be Kimahri's wife.
Frank: *blinks* Skink. *looks at Matthew*
Kataeni: *nods and considers*
Matthew: What?
Frank: *blinks* You were telling us about your skink.
Matthew: *confused* That was a while ago.
Frank: *also confused*
Alora: *gives Matthew a look that asks him to please continue his story*
Matthew: *look says he's concerned, but understands* He was blue with orange and yellow stripes.
Frank: *confusion fades to a grin* Wow. Are they furry? Or are they lizards like the skinks on Earth?
Matthew: Oh they're better than the Terran versions. Bigger and with spikes. Dad made me file them down though.
Frank: *grins* I got to play with a blue tongued skink once. Aria really wanted me to buy him and bring him home. But there's no room on the Ebon Hawk for a ten pound lizard.
Matthew: Really? That must be a small ship! It'll eat replicated food, right?
Frank: They like fresh fruit best. And the Hawk's not really small. *looks at Alora and laughs* The family's just that big.
Alora: *chuckles and nods* We have sleeping spaces in the bulkheads and between the floor plates. *then points to a building some distance away* There's the Nexus library. The harbour is behind it and past a belt of trees.
Matthew: Wow. And I thought ships' barracks were bad. *chuckles*
Kataeni: Is that where goods come and go?
Alora: The harbour? No. Not really. Though there is some fishing and seaweed harvesting from there.
Kataeni: I'll have to get to the library after I finish that book.
Alora: They've got a wonderful book store.
Frank: *perks* Yeah, you can get anything! Including the book of your dreams.
Matthew: Your dreams?
Frank: Like, the one that will entertain you the most. That you'll keep going back to read again. I have mine.
Matthew: Oh. *laughs*
Kataeni: What is yours?
Frank: *grins* It's an adventure story. A graphic novel in black and white. *takes a chip out of a pocket on his belt* I have more than one copy so I've got something to do when I need it.
Kataeni: *knowing smile* You like adventure?
Frank: *purses his lips and thinks that over* *then lifts his eyebrows* Sometimes.
Alora: Yes. Sometimes. *quirks a brow at him*
Frank: Real life adventures are a lot different from the stories. It's more than just waving around a sword and saving the girl, then living happily ever after. *slight frown* There's always someone else that needs saving.
Kataeni: *nods, a little sadness showing through*
Matthew: *now worried about Kataeni* But you have that big family of yours to help.
Frank: I still get my shebs kicked!
Canderous: *snorts from where he's walking ahead*
Matthew: *laughs* But that's what the med bay is for later.
Frank: That doesn't stop it from hurting, and worrying my wife and kids. *half grin*
Matthew: *and now he looks light-years away as he replies softly* That's just an occupational hazard.
Frank: Yeah. I guess. *grins at the large, long building they're approaching* Mall!
Kataeni: *looks up* Oh, it's big!
Matthew: *smiles* It's decently-sized.
Frank: *turns and grins at Mathew* Oh, this is just the outside. *points to the huge, dusky Cybertronian that just stepped over them and then entered the mall without even ducking his head*
Matthew: I went in once, remember? *playful smirk* Didn't have a lot of time though.
Frank: Yeah, but it doesn't show all of itself to you the first time.
Kataeni: Is everything in the Nexus that mystical?
Alora: *gives her a slight smile* As far as fairylands go, it's pretty tame.
Frank: *steps through the door, looks in all directions, and then puts his hands to his head*
Canderous: *comes back and gets him by the arm* We're going to the pet shop, come on.
Frank: *perks and looks up, all distress vanished*
Matthew: *looks to Alora* Is he alright?
Kataeni: *also concerned*
Alora: *nods as she lets Little Grin scramble up to her shoulder* Yes. The mall just offers a few too many choices.
Little Grin: *excited little flutter of wings and then looks all over*
Matthew: Ah. I don't blame him.
Kataeni: I guess we're going to the pet store first. *starts following*
Frank: *turns around* So, you're getting something little and fuzzy. Right, Matthew? *quirks a brow in a very slight tease. He doesn't think Matthew's really looking*
Alora: *face palm*
Matthew: *snerk* I would, if I wanted to get Deidre a snack.
Kataeni: *sound of distress but also laughter, which she hides under a hand*
Frank: *confused blink*
Alora: Deidre doesn't eat little fuzzy things. *shakes her head and faces forward* She likes her things huge and argumentative, or large and mushroomy.
Matthew: *laughs* It was a joke, Frank. But we could get one for you. *looks to Canderous*
Frank: I'm married, remember? The little fuzzy thing I play with is my two week old son. *remembers son and is suddenly one happy guy*
Matthew: *big grin* Congratulations! *whaps him on the back*
Frank: *burp!*
Alora: *both hands over face as Canderous laughs* Oi vey...
Little Grin: *looooking at Frank*
Matthew: o.o ... *snicker*
Kataeni: *chuckling too*
Canderous: *steps through the doorway of the pet store, ignoring the cages full of puppies on either side of it*
Kataeni: *smiling at the puppies, and the birds, and the rodents... and everything else!*
Alora: *wanders over and looks into a pen, then chuckles and turns to dump a fat and wrinkled but leggy and starting to grow puppy into Matthew's arms. The baby weighs about forty pounds*
Canderous: There's little and fuzzy for you. *goes to look at big lizardy critters*
Matthew: *laughs, trying to get the thing to stop wiggling*
Kataeni: *marveling at the size* That's a baby?
Alora: *wide grin* Carthian battle mastiff. The gentlest and neatest big mutt ever till Master says kill.
Kataeni: I guess it's like a cuter version of a rancor... *chuckles*
Matthew: *scritching and trying to get him to roll over for belly rubs, but the dog doesn't seem to get the concept yet. Puts it back gently into the wriggling mass of its siblings*
Alora: Rancor? *points to where one only seven foot tall is busily stacking boxes of pet food in a back corner*
puppy sibling: *pushes over to Matthew and rolls over*
Kataeni: *follows Alora's pointing* ....Oh! *doesn't know what to say*
Matthew: *will rub this one's belly then* *and call it a good boy...girl...whatever*
Frank: This one's a girl. *wide grin*
girl puppy: *wriggles and enjoys the belly rub, making happy and cute sounds*
Alora: Some sentients are sold here. By their own request. That guy's been waiting for an owner for awhile.
Kataeni: *awkwardly tries not to think of the one she drowned and cut the foot off of that one time... Oh look, birds!*
big raven: *turns his head* Oh look, people! *laughs*
Alora: *facepalm*
Matthew: *looks up at the noise* Did that bird just laugh?
raven: *leans down and gently tweaks the tall man's ear ornament* Maayyybe.
Kataeni: ...And talk.
Alora: *surprised* You've never heard a bird talk before?
Kataeni: I've heard they can mimic, but not carry conversations.
Matthew: *moves out of range to the other side of the puppy enclosure* Depends on the breed.
Alora: *nods* Even in baseline worlds there are bird species with the intelligence level of an average three year old human child. And some of them can talk.
raven: *crouching with his head lowered now* Awwww, was it something I said?
Alora: He's not from a baseline reality.
Matthew: *checks the earring* You break it, you buy it.
Kataeni: *holds an arm out to the bird* He's just protective.
raven: *carefully hops over* I'm careful. Just can't resist the shinies. *cocks his head and seems to smile at the Togrutan girl with his bright eyes*
Matthew: Don't tell me you want that one.
Kataeni: *laughs and pets the bird's head*
raven: *looks at the gem on Kataeni's headdress with one eye, and then the other, then tries to buff it with the feathers on top of his head. Softly* Gurk kurk kurk...
Alora: *chuckles as she watches the bird*
Matthew: I'd have to lock my room. *rolls eyes and goes to see what Frank and Canderous are looking at*
Kataeni: *giggles softly* What are you doing, bird?
raven: *peeks at the gem again and makes a happy sound* Now it's shiny. *ducks head and peeks after Matthew* *whisper* I don't take peoples' stuff.
Kataeni: *whispers as well* He likes his shinies too. He'd be jealous of your hoard.
raven: *peeeeeks after the tall man* Would he give 'em back if I shared?
Kataeni: *snerk* Maybe. *imagines the huge man and the bird in matching outfits*
raven: *thinks it over* I suppose I could always get more. *gentle preening gesture for Kataeni's headdress*
Matthew: *eventually finds Canderous in the lizard section*
Canderous: *looks up from watching the restless pacing of a rangy little draconian beast the size and shape of a young greyhound* Did the girl find something fuzzy? Speaking of fuzzy... *quick frowning check. Spots Frank sitting on the floor with a puppy* Oh, there he is. *turns attention back to Matthew*
Matthew: *annoyed* Feathered, actually. *watching an amphibian swimming in a tank so big it takes up half the wall* And smart.
Canderous: *runs over known shop inventory in his mind* ...The Raven?
Matthew: How did you know?
Canderous: *shrugs* He's the only sentient bird here right now.
Matthew: *eyebrow raise* For a guy who hates pets it sounds like you come here a lot.
Canderous: *slight smirk* There's a stock list by the door when you come in.
Matthew: Uh-huh. *smirks and goes back to amphibian-watching*
Canderous: *turns his attention to the swimmer* Renian Siryn.
Matthew: Hmm?
Canderous: *nods to the amphibian* Renian Siryn.
Matthew: Is that the species name or its name?
Canderous: Species. The #$&$#@ things sing.
Matthew: *nods* Most aquatic creatures that big do. It native on your world?
Canderous: My world's the Ebon Hawk. *eyes go back to the restless creature*
Matthew: That's pretty sad. Only thing native to starships are space rats and photonic fleas. *playful smirk*
Canderous: *gives him a Look. Grumpy old warrior dude not amused* *though he doesn't look that miffed in particular either. He's probably had many years of this sort of teasing*
Frank: *right behind Mathew with something fuzzy in his arms now* You forgot the mynocks! And the...
Matthew: *startled, suddenly ducks and swings at the person behind him*
Frank: *just as suddenly several feet away* Aw man! You made the bunny pee on me!
Matthew: *eye wide, cursing in Voyaen* Sorry! Just... don't sneak up on me.
Kataeni: *rounds the corner with Raven on a shoulder* Everything ok?
Canderous: *shakes his head and pats Matthew on the shoulder, then goes to calm down Frank and the Angora rabbit he's holding*
Oliver: *lifts his head and checks things, then makes a little clucking sound before giving Kataeni's headdress an affectionate tweek* Be right back, gotta take care of that bunny puddle.
Alora: Are you alright, Matthew? *looking around the corner, Little Grin a slight floof of surprise on her shoulder*
Matthew: *small grunt* Reflexes...
Kataeni: *gives Oliver one last pet before he flies off* That's alright. Frank has good reflexes as well.
Alora: Ah. He did one of his sudden appearances? *mouth twists with wry sympathy* He's been doing that to Canderous for twenty years.
Matthew: *wry smirk* He does like living dangerously, doesn't he?
Alora: *comes over, her robes a soft swish* It's a memory thing. *studies him* Need a hug?
Frank: *wiping his robes now as the rabbit noses curiously around his feet and Oliver holds the roll of paper towels and supervises*
Kataeni: *small look for Alora that says he doesn't like that fluffy stuff*
Matthew: *dusts self off* I'll be fine. *nods to Frank* Is he ok?
Alora: *glances over in time to see Frank duck a Canderous swat* He's fine.
Matthew: *snerk* Good. *seems to ease up. Turns to Kataeni* Didn't like the bird after all?
Kataeni: You're in luck. Oliver works here. He isn't for sale.
Alora: *snerks* Has he given you his phone number yet?
Kataeni: He didn't have time, though he said he would see me again.
Matthew: Oh no.
Alora: *grins* You can count yourself a pet person then.
Kataeni: I couldn't possibly keep a sentient creature as a pet. Why don't I find something else? Something that won't steal your things, Matthew?
Matthew: *what? No that's not it why would you say that oh hey the Siryn is here*
Alora: *chuckles* No. Not pet person. Pet person. From the old meaning of pet that meant favourite.
Oliver: *comes walking back and looks hopefully up at Kataeni, then gives a little hop to ask to be picked up*
Matthew: *snorts* That sounds more appropriate.
Kataeni: *laughs and looks down at Oliver* Can't you fly?
Oliver: *muffled* Don't want any reflexes happening.
Matthew: *sidelong glance... moves down the aisle*
Kataeni: I know you're coming now. *mom smirk*
Oliver: *still muffled* Awk! No, don't go. I've got something for you, shiny guy.
Alora: *curious brow quirk as she lifts the young raven up to Kaetaeni's shoulder*
Oliver: Fanks.
Matthew: *eyebrow quirks as well* What is it?
Oliver: C'mere.
Matthew: *small eye roll as he does as instructed*
Oliver: Hand please. *looks at the tall man with one eye and then the other*
Matthew: *holds out his left hand*
Kataeni: *curious to see what it is*
Oliver: *carefully puts into Mathew's hand a glass turtle with a shell as big around as an American silver dollar. The turtle is brightly iridescent, and its shell has a light in it that changes colour* There. *chuckle* Shiny, huh?
Matthew: *ok, he's interested. Holds it up to see* Interesting. I think I can work with this.
Kataeni: Where did you get that? It's lovely.
Oliver: We sell them here. They're pets. *looks at Mathew* He moves, so don't do reflexes, okay?
Matthew: *eyebrow raises more* It's alive?
Alora: It's AI at the atomic level. Indestructible. My grand kids have some of these little animals.
turtle: *turns head to look at something with shiny little bead eyes*
Matthew: Oh, it's electronic? *looks a bit uncomfortable now* I ah... wouldn't believe the "indestructible" part.
Kataeni: *concerned, but trying to hide it by being helpful* We could keep it in the kitchen.
Alora: *takes the little turtle and tosses it hard against the floor*
Oliver: HEY! We just got those tiles installed!
Matthew: *stiffens, and he waits breathlessly hoping to see it move again*
Kataeni: Alora...
tile: *shatters on impact*
turtle: *peeks out of its shell after a moment of laying in the little crater, then puts out legs and starts walking toward Matthew*
Alora: I'll buy a new tile. Sorry, Oliver.
Oliver: *feather floof* *gives Alora an offended look and clicks his beak* No. Not electronic. Nobody knows what they are. But we know they're not electronic.
Matthew: Breakability isn't the issue... *picks it up anyway, considering it* ..... How much is it?
Oliver: *suddenly floofs a different way, trying for cute* I bought it for you.
Alora: *turns away so she won't laugh*
Canderous: *shakes head and goes back to Frank*
Kataeni: *snerks, holding back a laugh*
Matthew: -_- *teasing* Don't try to get on my good side now.
Oliver: *curious head tilt* Why not?
turtle: *tucks in legs and head and seems to snuggle in Matthew's hand*
Matthew: *rolls eyes and walks away* Ugh, my brother would've loved you.
Oliver: *sideways look at Kataeni, his eyes twinkling*
Kataeni: *smiles at the bird*
Oliver: Did you really come in to pick up a fuzzy? I thought you were just looking.
Kataeni: *looks around the store again* I did, but I haven't seen one that calls to me yet...
Oliver: *feather rustle of excitement* So... fuzzy, huh? Do you want a mammal or an avian?
Kataeni: *looks uncertain*
Oliver: Okay, do you know if you want a buddy, or somebody to stay at home in a cage while you go to work? *hops down and gets a piece of broken tile, and then comes back to her shoulder to nibble on it as he waits for her reply*
Kataeni: *thinks for a moment* I would like something that can come with me to work. The blanket factory isn't very loud, and I really only sit and knit while I'm there...
Oliver: *perks* Blanket factory, huh? *chuckle* That place is fun. Okay! So... fuzzy and companion. *looks over toward a bank of cages, and then over in another direction* ...Wings or no wings?
((Written by
ssjmihoshi and random_xtras.))