[center][u][color=6ecff6]2[/color][/u][/center]
"Don't forget soups. And Dee needs more wet food. She's got plenty of crunchies. And we need beer."

The young man exhaled shortly in amusement and switched the communicator to his other hand.  ”[color=39b54a]I’ll get what I can carry, all right?[/color]" he said, approaching the small dry goods and light-grocery store in the a small, but busy alleyway in the sky-port section of Renescentia.

"You shoulda brought the Sky-Board. Put stuff on it and -"

"[color=39b54a]I'll see you in a bit.[/color]"  He quickly ended the call and slid the communicator back into the pouch at his waist. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "[color=39b54a]That man talks way too much[/color]," he murmured as he rapped on the door loudly. Within a moment, the middle-aged owner was at the door and unlatching it.

"Tal! Buddy, you're back in town!" the man exclaimed, pulling the young man into a quick embrace. The owner looked at the digital display behind the counter. "A few minutes earlier than last time, eh? You were here quarter to two the other... How long's it been?"

Tal chuckled as he stepped into the store. "[color=39b54a]It's been about three months since I was last in Renescentia, Owen,[/color]" he answered, paying a quarter-tayl to rent a shopping cart.

Owen walked around the counter and leaned on it. "How's work? Still staying right side of the law, I hope?"

Tal nodded while he selected a large package of canned cat food. "[color=39b54a]Mostly[/color]," he replied cryptically, moving onto canned soups. Since none of the shelves were much higher than his shoulders, it was easy enough to maintain eye contact with the owner while he shopped, though he had to raise his voice in order for the man to hear him.

"Any military favors?"

"[color=39b54a]A few - You know that’s all classified info, Owen.[/color]" Tal stopped talking so that he could focus on reading the ingredients listed in a box of sauce mix.  Tal continued to scoot around the store, looking for items that he could carry with him back to the airship. "[color=39b54a]A few calls here and there[/color],” he continued, “[color=39b54a]Mostly just checking in and what not.  Making sure I’m still up to date on training.[/color]"

"Your ship still airborne or has it become a rust bucket?" Owen fiddled with the register and tidied up the counter while he waited.

Tal made his way back to the front and stopped at the counter.  He began unloading his cart. "[color=39b54a]She's flying fine. Needs a few parts to keep her from rumbling too loudly, but I'll have to get those in Galeton. This place is too expensive.  Got any work for me?[/color]"

Owen began tallying the items and calculating the final cost. "What's your fancy?”

Tal shrugged and helped package the supplies into a carrying carton.  “[color=39b54a]Nothing too terrible.  Preferably something heading to Galeton, since that’s where we’re going anyways.[/color]”

Owen checked a scrolling chart by the register.  “Nothing headed that way.  But I’ll give you a heads up, if I get anything.  How long’re you gonna be in town?”

Tal fiddled with his credit card while he thought.  “[color=39b54a]Rei’s got a class he’s attending on Thursday…  So that’s… We’ll be here about a week and a half, maybe?  We have a show we want to see on Saturday.[/color]”

"Danny still visiting her parents?"  Owen craned his neck around to look at the calendar behind him.  “Not too many days for me to get something for you,” he commented.  “But you always luck out somehow.”  Owen waggled his fingers at Tal for payment.  “Thirty-four fifty.”

Tal handed over his credit card and stared out the double-glass windows at the opposite wall of the alley.  “[color=39b54a]Lucky in strange ways, I guess.  We’ve had a few close calls.  Yeah, she's with her dad.  Oh![/color]”  He looked back at Owen as the man slid his credit card through the card reader.  "[color=39b54a]We upgraded Sparrow with a few new rooms, more storage... Might not be a bad deal to have a few extra hands. Could allow us to take on larger work orders.  So if you’ve got anyone looking for a ride, we could do some short term stuff.[/color]”

Owen handed the card back and raised both hands.  “I’ll see what I can do, kid.  It’s not like I get out of this shop that often, you know that.”

Tal nodded, "[color=39b54a]I know that[/color].”  He picked up his groceries box and headed for the door.  He paused before opening the door and turned back.  “[color=39b54a]Just, uh… Owen?  This time?  Make sure they’ve been on an airship before.[/color]"

Owen laughed and waved him out of the store.  “Will do!  Will do!”