TEST DRIVE #3 - Alien Bazaar/Ten Forward

[tenforward_m]

#1

Option 001. Alien planet, marketplace: So you're new to this whole space travel thing. The ship is cool and all, but there are hundreds of alien worlds out there. You want to explore. To see what the universe REALLY looks like.

Well, here's your chance! Your first stop is this lovely indoor marketplace, which looks kind of like a mall. There are stalls one after the other as far as the eye can see, and they sell all kinds of things: food, clothes, trinkets, animals, fabrics, jewelry, perfumes, books, etc etc. Some things look human, easy to recognize; other things look very alien. There are two levels, and constant chatter as people hawk their wares and discuss prices.

Do you want to explore? Poke at the weird shops? Buy a gift for a new friend? Flirt with someone at the food court? Maybe you see a pickpocket, and must run to the aid of the victim. Maybe there's some other villainy afoot. After all, a crowded marketplace is a good place for villains to lurk, causing trouble. Whether you're a hero or just an unassuming traveler, there proves to be some adventure for you on this planet.


2

Option 002. Aboard the Enterprise, Ten Forward: You have no idea what just happened. One minute you were home, and now you're on a spaceship, in the middle of a crowded room. It looks like a bar. There are people eating and drinking, some in uniform, others not. Some are clearly aliens.

You've managed to land in Ten Forward a long bar with barstools and a bartender, tables sprinkled throughout, and the far wall is nothing but windows out to space. It looks like a nice lounge, low conversation making the room hum.

Better ask some questions and find out where you are, or just tap the closest person on the shoulder and try to make friends. The bar is open.

Comments

[home_fires_burning]

It is nice to be out and about, isn't it? Well, shops are basically the same everywhere; the currency may be different, and the exact items for sale, but they have the same feel and the same sales pitches.

So here's Sigyn with a bit of money, looking for a nice dress for her husband.

"Oh, that's a lovely color. These seem well-made, too."

thanks for your patience! :)

[osirian_doctor]

He's surprised when a voice speaks, apparently to him, and he looks up from the shawl to see a young woman standing beside him, looking at it too.

He smiles, covering for the surprise at being spoken to. He's still not used to the idea that people other than the crew of the ship might want to speak to him for reasons that aren't bad, after months as a fugitive waiting for the Feds at any moment, after the bad experiences he's had on several worlds Serenity has visited.

But here, there are no Feds, and there's no reason not to try to be at least a little friendly. She certainly seems friendly enough.

"Thank you. I'm ... I don't know a lot about textiles, so that's good to know."

[home_fires_burning]

"I know a bit," she says with a smile. "From raising the sheep, to shearing, carding, spinning, weaving, sewing--it's a lot of work. Much easier with machines."

She doesn't use the machines. When your biggest problem is finding a way to fill time, there's no point in time-saving devices.

"Those over there, I'd be more reluctant with, but then again, laundering seems to be gentler now. All sonic, or whatever they call it."

talk of fiber work makes this mun extremely happy ;)

[osirian_doctor]

Simon looks at her with what starts out as polite interest and becomes curiosity.

"I'm afraid I've ... only ever bought them." His laugh is self-deprecating, a little bemused. Of course, he's been to markets a little like this on worlds in the Outer Rim since be joined Serenity, but his purchasing decisions have always been based on taste rather than on any understanding of the work itself.

"You ... actually sound like you know a lot."