nerdeology | IC Communication

Oh, no, it's not that I dislike it... It's just that, your face is so close it's a little startling, that's all.

I... think the idea is that you're supposed to close your eyes, geez... don't just stare at me.

[Is there a book about kissing? They need a book about kissing.]

Mikleo don't tell me to take the 'can't see it, doesn't happen' approach to us kissing. Your face is still gonna be close. And your breath will be right there!

I won't breathe when we kiss, then! Is that better?

[You're so hard to please.]

No, that's just weird! If we're going to kiss it shouldn't be under conditions.

You're making it sound like you do dislike it, otherwise!

I already said I don't!

Alright alright, where are you? Let's hammer this out.

I'm in our room.

[....oh it really is their room now, isn't it. He hasn't called it that before.]

Okay, I'm on my way.

-do you need anything, while I'm out?

No, I think we're- actually, hang on.

[PLEASE HOLD

In a minute Mikleo sends an attached image of a blue pearl bead.]

If you're near the aboveground market, there's a stall with a striped green banner selling these. I need two dozen. And don't let them charge more than two credits per bead, that merchant is a shark.

[Aww, Mikleo, you know he's terrible at bartering.] Can't I just give him the comm?

You have to learn somehow, you know...

[You sweet simple soul.]

If he won't match the price, don't buy them.

[Everybody has a very convincing sob story!!! It's not his fault...his heart bleeds too much........]

Okay- okay. [You know what, no! This is a task Mikleo has set before him! Sorey is trying to become a strong pillar that the others can feel confidence in. If they all need to come together and be stronger without Lailah to hold them together, then he needs to clean up his act and be firm! He can start with this!] I'll tell him that. I can do it!

[Huh. He'll believe it when he sees it, but... okay, he'll just be happy if there's an attempt. Baby!! Steps!!]

Good. See you soon, then.

[And here's Sorey's voice thirty minutes later, a hushed whisper:]

Mikleo, he said he has a sales quota and he'll get fired...

[A shark indeed. He smelled that bleeding heart before it even hit the water.]

[oh that BASTARD]

I'll bet he did. Pass him the comm.

[What follows is a muffled and mildly aggressive conversation between Mikleo and the vendor - which is admittedly mostly Mikleo talking and the Co'kal growing increasingly wide-eyed and impossibly pale-faced beneath all the feathers. Every time he tries to get a word in he's greeted with half a dozen in return. It's less bartering and more of a hostile takeover.

After a few minutes the salesman sheepishly offers the comm back to Sorey, mumbling something about a price several credits lower than what Mikleo had originally given Sorey, and starts bagging up the merchandise.

Ain't no sharks gonna rip off his boyfriend today. ~~bitch pls~~]

[Sorey's own sheepish voice thanking the vendor -he even bows to the guy- as he takes the merchandise is the only thing Mikleo will hear for a moment until Sorey leaves the stall far enough behind to gasp,] Mikleo, what did you say? He looked like he was going to pass out!

Nothing much. I just reminded him of our last interaction, and that he's hardly the only one who sells those.

[Which is... an extremely short version of the conversation, admittedly, but that's the gist of it. Mostly.]

Using competition as leverage, [Sorey murmurs, like he's taking notes. Spoiler: he is.] You know, the man I got all that duct tape from, Erik? I think he might be some kind of merchant or someone who studies economics. He sounded just like Rose when she goes into full-on Sparrowfeathers mode.

...Yeah, it's no wonder you came back with twelve rolls of useless. Against someone on par with Rose, you'd be doomed.

[Sorey should not be allowed alone in the marketplace, ever.]

It's not useless! Duct tape is amazing! Also, he didn't ask for anything in return, he was just going to give them to me until I insisted on paying him back somehow! So I'm making him jerky.

Are you sure there isn't a catch somewhere? Why would anyone give that much tape away for free?

Apparently he had to buy it in bulk or they wouldn't sell it to him.

Huh.

[Well, if it's just jerky...]

It's fine, then, as long as you don't let him sucker you into buying something else later.

He's not actually a merchant, I just said he reminds me of Rose... [Should Sorey be worried that Mikleo hears 'reminds me of Rose' and immediately thinks 'will take terrible advantage of Sorey at every opportunity'??? like should he hav ea concern]

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