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

[theycallmetodd]

Again he chuckles. "I think not." While Henry might have seen plenty of things in his young life, at least from what Todd has understood, he still thinks that if the boy knew he was talking to someone who might theoretically want to make a snack out of him, he's be unnerved.

[goldencobra]

"I can handle a lot more than you think. If it's bad that doesn't matter. I learnt a lot of bad things from my dad this past year."

He's not about to go into what they are though. But killing and hurting were among them of course.

[theycallmetodd]

"I am sure you can. But one must be allowed to keep some secrets, no?" Though in his case it isn't a matter of just some secrets. He's got a ton of them.

[goldencobra]

Henry scowls but nods. He hates secrets. But they were marginally better than lies. "Fine."

[theycallmetodd]

He somehow managed not to chuckle at Henry's obvious disappointment. "You have your own, do you not?" He counters instead, nodding to the book.

[goldencobra]

"Yeah. I guess so." Why do adults always have to be right?

[theycallmetodd]

Todd would argue that he's always right, even in the rare occasions when he's wrong.

The boy suddenly looks quite sad, disproportionately to for the conversation, Todd thinks. Saying nothing for now, he just studies the boy, his head tilted slightly to the side in a curious look.

[goldencobra]

Henry didn't say anything either. Instead, he was looking through the pages he'd filled with the information he'd previously gathered, trying to take his mind off the problems and secrets he had.

[theycallmetodd]

"Now I think I am the curious one," Todd finally says, breaking the silence. "What manner of secrets do you keep to cause such a reaction?"

[goldencobra]

"If I told you, they wouldn't be secrets any more."

[theycallmetodd]

"True, they wouldn't be. The question is, then: do they have cause to stay secret? Or are you keeping them as such unnecessarily?"

[goldencobra]

"I could ask the same of you and yours."

[theycallmetodd]

"You could." Todd just smiles. Nice try. "And I have my reasons. For now."

[goldencobra]

"Then so do I." You're not getting something for nothing. Especially when this stuff hurts to talk about.

[theycallmetodd]

Stubborn little boy, isn't he? "Fair enough." He's patient, he can wait.

[goldencobra]

As stubborn as they come and even more so. "I'm glad we understand each other."