ss_noanga | [Open] Arda Space Mall Vist

[Open] Arda Space Mall Vist

Who: All of you!
What: Space Mall time!
Where: Arda Space Mall; OOC info post
When: Day Ten and Day Eleven

Warnings: None?

The morning of Day Ten sees the Noanga drift within range of a space mall. Finally, a chance to get off ship... Even if they have to disguise themselves? Huh?

Navi-No helpfully supplies some disguise tech; it's not the best, but it will hide the fact that some of you are human (and or mechanical). The AI also points towards what seems to be a rather small hanger bay that has seen better days. Inside are several small shuttles known as 'Jumpers'. Characters can take them to visit to the mall, and will find they have 1000 Federation Credits to spend.

Interesting, neither kittens nor goose follow characters into a Jumper, and characters will find they are snubbed for an hour or so after returning.

The Arda Space Mall itself is a small but bustling space mall located within the Arda Asteroid Belt, around a red dwarf star also known as Arda. The belt itself is home to a thriving mining community, all employed by the GeniaMining Corporation. The Arda itself is located on an largeish asteroid and combines a space station's practical aesthetic with the local community mall’s comforts: food court, clothing outlets, hobby stores, some recreation, and a few other shops to round things out.

The average species within the community range from a human sized 6ft to roughly 15ft tall, and the mall's ceiling height is 20 feet to accommodate this.

Station security is handled by a team of Tardi-kin, but even so, the mall is full of drama - mostly from local teens wagging school, and at least one couple deciding the mall is the perfect place for a fight and the airing of dirty laundry.

But all of that is easy enough to ignore while you relax and enjoy somewhere that is not a run down spaceship.

Note: Humans and Mechanicals must disguise themselves as an alien species or risk detention by the Tardigrade Security Forces who'll assume them Terrans, and treat them as such.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Daniel enjoyed colors, but for now function was more important. Warm, ideally waterproof too, sturdy enough to be mendable or not fall apart in the first place. And neither black nor white. He'd rather be cold than wear Republic colors. This here... he couldn't quite put words to it, but the clothes didn't seem made to last. "Are you finding anything? This seems all rather... cheap" Baffled him somewhat, Republic not having such things. The affordable things there had been reused ones, things with faults you had to fix yourself, simple basics.

Æn'kae shook his head no, wrinkling his nose. "I. Think I agree with you." The idea of flimsy clothing was absurd to him, yet that's what this seemed to be. "I um. I think we may need to see what else there is." Even if this was the only option, he'd rather put funds to something everyone could use than apparel that would only even briefly benefit him.

Day sighs. "Should've asked Jack for economics lessons, he'd know why." The small town they'd lived in only had a second-hand store and even that had better quality. Not that he minded, he felt bad enough they had to buy him clothes when he arrived without anything. "There is a second one at the other end of the mall, I just hope it won't be the opposite of this." Too specialized or expensive wouldn't help them either. "If it's between clothes and medical things, I rather you get what you need to help. My wires can wait, I can always start cannibalizing the other defunct stuff for spares."

Æn'kae shrugged and started the direction Day had indicated. "I think we'll just have to see what there is. It's sort of looking like we'll have more luck finding tech related items than medical supplies. So that'd be a step in the right direction at least." And if they were really lucky, once they were working correctly, it was possible the replicators could be programmed to handle medicines. Not that he was counting on that unless it happened.

"I'm not even an engineer, all my practice is from breaking things, not fixing them." he grumbles. His brother, Eden, had been the one to always tinker, to think of new things. Sure he could redo some faulty wires, get the stove working again, perhaps even a radio, but the truly broken tech would be beyond them. At least unless they needed one of these shuttles to explode. "If not we'll just have to collect all the yarn that keeps appearing and make our own." Not that he knew how to do that either.

"I'm not either really, but I know enough I should be able to help at least. I tended to get assigned to help anyone who was short-handed when there wasn't need for an extra medic. The T'Rikhei was from the Terrha Rihan War, and um, the old Riov called it quirky. The engineers used the same word, but somehow it sounded a lot more like profanities from them than her."

Æn'kae paused at the idea of collecting yarn. That must be about clothing again. "Huh. I wouldn't know where to begin with just that? We'd probably have better luck searching more of the empty rooms to see if clothes that might fit were left behind, or making something out of the extra blankets." While he knew how to make secure stitches, he didn't think he could make anything good enough to really be functional, but it still sounded better than just yarn.

"Yeah, Republic referred to mine as 'destruction of military property and hindering the war effort'. Among other things." He was proud of what he'd accomplished there, for all that it labelled him as a criminal. The laws had been wrong, unjust, the system broken.

"I'd suggest reading up on it, but that ships library is a disgrace." There'd been no books for him in Republic, so he could do without reading for pleasure, but the Gas Station had been crowded with them and it'd... been nice, in a way. "Don't know how to sew beyond patches. There wasn't time to learn." Mostly when he needed something urgent, they'd steal it - not proud of that one, for the people needed it themselves, but there'd been little choice.

Æn'kae could only nod in understanding. Even after other governments had legitimized the Rheilhhu, the Lleis Hveillh still counted it as a terrorist organization and had placed bounties accordingly. Æn'kae had been warned that after Skisan's rescue mission there was even one for him now. Not that it even came close to those for some of the other members of his team. Not that he wanted it at all.

"They may still have books in the computer system, but um. I think we'd have to figure that out first, and who knows what repairs it might need." He rubbed at the back of his neck. "Elements permitting we'll find at least the basics that we need here." Just a jacket or robe and some basic salvaged electronics. That would be plenty to start with.

Day was simply glad that Æn'kae didn't react badly to knowing he was a criminal of sorts. Republic was a terrible broken place, but he still felt bad about breaking the laws. It wasn't supposed to be like that.

"Never really used computers, certainly don't know how to fix those." Breaking he could likely work out, but the more complicated parts a machine had the easier it was. First, the next store. Obviously in the pricier segment, though they had more of a focus on function. Question now was, would a vacuum-rated sari keep him warm? What did that even mean?

"I'm not exactly confident either, but maybe someone will be able to figure them out." Æn'kae acknowledged with a shrug. He might be able to manage basics with the sorts of computers he'd spent his life using, but he was limited with those, figuring out the inner workings of an entirely foreign system sounded. Daunting.

He chewed at his lip as he considered the clothing selections in this shop. While more expensive than the previous place, he could still manage an outfit and save the majority for odds and ends that might be useful for the ship. Maybe even sustenance that resembled food? Hey, he could hope. Of course, this all hinged on finding something warm and practical enough to wear that fit. He did pause on a piece of what was obviously formal wear, but only for a moment before moving on to a section with plainer looking attire. Hey, he could admire the appearance of the long jacket with the subtly toned but elaborate embroidery, while also knowing full well that same embroidery made it woefully impractical for their present situation. "Well uh, at least the clothes here seem to be better quality?"

“And still within the range of what we can afford with those credits.” Provided they were real and continued to exist, he wasn’t so sure on either end. Day had lingered at some dresses for a moment with a bit of longing, then ended up at plain coats and jackets too. The gas station had encouraged breaking societies norms and he thought dresses were beautiful – and so, so far from anything Republic – but he could never bring himself to buy such things if there was no other reason. “Though I’m not sure I know half the things these are rated for. Does it keep warm if it protects from the vacuum? And this temperature range is in ‘K’…” All he did was avoid anything majorly black or white. He’d rather have something colorful, anything else.

He took a moment to look over the section Day was referring to. "Well uh. I'm not familiar with any temperature scale we've used if I'm honest, but if it mentions vacuum too, it's probably pretty extreme. Vacuum rated would mean it could handle being in space. So uh it probably can handle the cold on the ship. But it seems like more than we need. I would look at ones that don't mention that and just uh. Feel the fabric to see if it seems like it would be comfortable and warm? Might be able to get something you like more for less."

Even as he spoke he shifted from the section they were in to the next to see if it would be more practical for everyday wear. Given that the first section had been formal and this one had been, well, he wasn't sure what to call it, but it certainly was some sort of category they didn't really need any more than they needed the first.

"Something I like..." he repeated quietly. That was a harder assignment than just giving him some criteria and find something he could afford - mostly because Day was still discovering his likes. But perhaps better to look in a different area, this one was at the upper range of prices. He didn't want to spend too much either, not when they still wanted to look for other things.

Next bit seemed to be more cloaks or ponchos than jackets, but he figured if they worked to keep the cold away they might also serve as a blanket in an emergency. "How do you know if a fabric will keep warm?" In his one winter it'd been more about staying dry and wearing 3 layers of clothes beneath.

Oh Æn'kae recognized that tone, most of his outfits had been picked out for him by others or just what he received by default after submitting a basic request. He was trying to not show how overwhelmed he was by the idea of making an actual decision here.

It meant he was fully ready to engage with the next question. "A few things are good indicators. While I mean, obviously some fabrics are warm when they don't seem like they would be." He paused and gave a nod back to the previous fabric. "Some are obvious. If it's thicker and a tighter weave, or if it seems to have a filling?" As he spoke he touched a few examples. He paused then and shrugged. "And I mean uh. If you can't tell, just uh... see if the shop will let you try it on, I guess?"

Talk to a shop attendant? Yeah, he'd rather go cold. One of these little hangups from his life before the gas station, an insecurity that he didn't need to have with his people skills. Little things.

He did listen to the explanation, nodded and gave his best to apply it to the selection they were looking at. One eventually caught his eye, something more like a blanket, in nice shades of green and blue, the back of the hood patterned like some animals eye-spots. And the price was... well, he could afford it with the credits they'd been given. Day had no idea if this was cheap or expensive or fair pricing. "I think I found something."

Æn'kae looked over from browsing to the coat of some sort that Day was considering. "It looks like it would be warm enough. So if you like it, you should go for it," he offered with a small smile and a shrug, carefully keeping his own thoughts on the intensely colorful cloth from entering any part of his reaction, since they didn't matter and might cause Day to pick something he liked less. In many ways he was awful at holding back his feelings, but at the end of the day, if a Rihanha (or a Vuhlkansu for that matter) wanted to keep something to themself, not many people would be able to figure it out.

"I'll admit I'm still a bit, hm. Overwhelmed, myself," he added, pushing through a few items.

He wasn’t that insecure, but it was a nice gesture nonetheless (or would be, had he known about it or paid closer attention). As it was Day just hugged that coat-blanket close with a smile, clearly enjoying it and intending to care well for it. Even if it did cost about half the credits they’d been given. Now that he had something, easy to switch to helping. “Anything specific you’re searching for? Or just too much all at once?”

He shrugged. Look, the whole mall had him overwhelmed, what was a picking one outfit out of. Far too many choices? "I just want something practical that won't get caught on anything when I work, so even if it's loose at the torso, it needs more fitted sleeves or at least cuffs. And um, maybe a neutral color if possible. Nobody wants to see a medic in blood green." A pause. Oh. Right. "Or, uh, or blood red either, I guess."

"Green blood, huh?" he smirked a bit. Would be good to know should Aen'kae ever get hurt. "But I understand. This..." he patted his cloak "...this is because it's far away from Republics uniforms. No black. No gold. No white like funerals. Something that is loose, because I don't have to be on the run anymore." He'd help the other boy look, still. Practical he knew well enough.

Æn'kae shrugged. Hey, better than surprising the kid with that fact later. "Loose is practical too, just not really for me. But um. I understand what you mean well enough." He didn't avoid anything for that reason, but he had noticed those old enough to remember the Shiar pointedly avoided some of the traditional fashions of it. He stared at the racks of clothes then, chewing his lip. If he wasn't still a bit cold, even here with less sporadic environmentals, he might just give up. But it served as a reminder that he really needed to grab something. "I suppose I could go back to one of the more extreme ones since I don't care how it looks," he added with a small chuckle, shaking his head.

“I sure hope we won’t have the need for more extreme clothes anytime soon.” Far as he was concerned the weather was bad enough already. “There should be a middle ground between the two, something in more muted colors. Or wear multiple layers, maybe?” Day was looking through things as he talked, pulling some aside so the other boy could look at a smaller selection. He did notice how overwhelmed he seemed, wanted to help. Helping others was better than thinking about his own problems.

Æn'kae was pretty sure if they needed clothing that extreme, they had much bigger problems, but the decision would have been simpler. He smile in gratitude as Day started to narrow the selection somewhat. As much as Day's taste ran brighter than his for colors, he was respecting what he knew of Æn'kae's. He lingered a moment on a cream and pastel green colored tunic, but inevitably moved past it, just like he moved past a darker outfit with animal embroidery on the vest. Either one could be ruined working with animals, and someone had put time and thought into the art of both.

So when he actually picked something up, it was designed more around function, even if it still gave thought to form. A long grey coat, robe really since the way it crossed over the body meant it wouldn't just slip on and off over something else., with black accent panels, but no further adornment. Some of the details of the cut along with the neckline reminded him of things Skisan wore, and usually that would have sent him moving along immediately. He cared about his mentor but shied away from Vuhlkansu fashion, still there were enough differences in this piece, particularly with how fitted it seemed designed to be. Besides, between almost losing the man and now not knowing when he'd even be able to check on him again? He didn't mind it so much. "If this fits. Or if it could be altered," he said softly, more stuck in concern for his mentor now than thoughts about apparel. Oops.

Day took note of the outfits Aen'kae lingered over, but kept from commenting. It had taken him a lot of time with the gas station to get where he was and still there were things he considered too pretty to wear, let alone own. More time would hopefully help, both of them.

"I think it will." he reassured the other boy, glancing at the garment. He had practice at gauging such things, from his time picking targets to steal uniforms from. "But you can try it on first?" Over the clothes he wore now or using one of the little cubicles at the stores back end.

Æn'kae blinked a couple times at the suggestion of trying it on, pulled back to the here and now. Right, he'd suggested Day ask to do that earlier if needed. He could tell for certain it wouldn't go on over the oversized sweater, though he couldn't tell if it would work over the uniform jacket or not. And he'd have to juggle belt pouches and the slim ryill bag since he hadn't left anything back in his room.

Only after thinking over that a moment did he notice someone using one of the cubby doors in the back without seeming to talk to staff first? While he would have asked if he had to, not needing to meant he wouldn't feel guilty for wasting someone's time if it didn't end up working. Which was, admittedly a relief and meant he started walking that way. "Ie, that um, that would work."

Day of course followed, wouldn't leave him alone now. "I'll wait outside. Tell if you need me to hold some of your things" Those cubicles weren't all this big. And his own coat was oversized enough he needn't worry about fit.

[Open] Arda Space Mall Vist

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