[b][i]Ashton and Flame - The Galactic Bazaar[/i][/b] Ashton and Flame sent a message to Nero and Laurey through omni-tool text, saying simply, [i]Hey, you two! We’re going to the bazaar to look for some bootleg Earth Music - J-Pop, Classical, and Heavy Metal! Want to come with? PS: We might try and enter [b]Korta[/b] Stock Markets next - They have their own Stock Exchange and Corporations and have had them even during their vassalage. Won’t that be fun?[/i] The message bleeped inside Laurey’s mind as she lay, spaced out, on a crate in the Cargo Bay. The Mech towered over her. Avelyn, where had she gone? Oh well. Music? Yeah, that’s what she needed. Something to really transport her. And Stock Markets… that seemed important, like something sober Laurey wanted to know about. So came her reply: “You know it!” It’s funny, because at the time, Nero was actually trying to figure out what the hell he could spend several million credits on besides ‘the best goddamn chainsaw in the world. [i]That[/i] was still bookmarked, but while he was seeing about maybe finding some [i]really good[/i] low-profile armor online before hitting the bazaar, a message appeared! [color=green][i]Ah stupid pop-ups… Always when I’m- Oh wait. Nah, this is legit.[/i][/color] After all, he didn’t usually get messages from people who were...you know...in the same ship as him. But since they’d landed at the Bazaar now, that probably made it a bit more necessary. He wasn’t sure about Classical music. Some people swore by it. Nero’s eyebrow DID go up at J-Pop and Heavy Metal. He didn’t know Metal as much as the other, ‘cause...you know...orphan Japanese boy, buuut he was curious, so he sent a [color=green][i]-Sure, why the hell not?-[/i][/color] in reply and also needed to know their location. The response was, [i]We’re still near the ship’s airlock, waiting for you guys. After that, we’re going to the hangar and taking a Food Crawler so we can have breakfast, while also heading for the Main Bazaar where we can go to an obscure but good music shop in the northern section of the superstructure. By the way, the two of us are paying.[/i] “Double neat!” Laurey messaged back, swinging herself upright and almost toppling straight over again, “Thanks guys. I’ll make my way there.” Despite having just gone shopping, it wasn’t that daunting to go again, and there was breakfast. Can’t argue with breakfast. [color=green][i]”Eh?”[/i][/color] [i]They[/i] wanted to pay? But weren’t they all…? Ah, he’d explain it to ‘em in person. Nero would show up at the airlock in basic casuals, then. Still armed, of course, but mainly stuff in his pockets so it’s not so obvious. Not that it was gonna be an issue where being taken by surprise was concerned. With the way he’d upgraded, the young assassin was feeling pretty good about handling shit right now. Besides the fact, teaching a basic novice like Laurey kind of underlined how frigging cool he was, so bonus ego boost! Thanks to all that, well, it’s not like the boy was in any sort of sour mood as he broke the confusion to the pair by the airlock. [color=green]”How come you guys wanna pay the way when I could spend [i]literal years[/i] trying to figure out what to do with all those credits?”[/color] Ashton blinked at that and said, “Well, we invited you, so it’d be rude to ask you guys to pay -” Flame sighed and said, “Ashton, we should probably get to the food crawler - That and I do have some ideas on how Nero can spend his money.” He looked at Nero, “Basically, once all this is over, why don’t you buy a farm, as well as settle down with the… Partner of your choice? Or if that’s boring, why not learn how to be a gunsmith?” The Food Crawler in question, a gigantic restaurant on wheels, was quickly approaching. Perhaps it’s time to get out of the ship? Yeah, Nero would be leaving to flag that sucker down while they were walking and talking. He’d given the duo kind of an incredulous stare. You know, the whole ‘You serious?’ look. [color=green]”Ya gotta be kidding me. [i]Farming?[/i] Gunsmitching? Putting aside the part about ‘partner’, although a girl who can keep up’d be nice, you just said two things I’m [i]definitely[/i] no good at. I spent the war [i]killing[/i] plants with [i]knives[/i]. I mean, c’mon, Flame. Literally the worst guy to do those things. I’d be a better...uhhh....hey, computer: What’s that prize-fighter wrestler with a mask?”[/color] The Omnitool replied [b]”Luchadore.”[/b], and he nodded, going [color=green]”That.”[/color]. At this point Laurey arrived, dressed in her tatty and curry-stained clothing (the only set she had besides the Ascendancy uniform and her brand-spanking-new overalls). She did not seem to notice, or care. “Fellas,” she nodded to the three. They had nice auras, purple-green lights dancing about them. She shook her head. “You ready to eat until our stomachs burst?” “Yes!” Ashton said, while Flame thought about Nero being a Luchadore and nodded to show his approval for the idea. [b][i]Minor Timeskip[/i][/b] This food cart had a wider variety of food than the last one, and quite a bit of Earth food too, such as steaks and ribs and salads and vegetable soups. Also fresh fruits grown in greenhouses on the Bazaar, such as plums and apples and oranges and grapes. Then Flame said, “You guys want to know something potentially gross? Some Rau’ve bodies are [i]edible[/i], just like fruits and vegetables. Rau’ve can also grow fruit and flowers, too, and those are edible as well.” “Gee, Flame,” Ashton said to his boyfriend, “You could have made me lose last night’s dinner right now, you know that?” “Same goes for humans,” Laurey said, wearing a dramatically grim look, “doesn’t mean you’ll catch me chowing down.” Yes, they were enjoying a great deal of foods to feast on, aaand when Flame brought up the subject of eating Rau’ve, there was...sort of a cough or a grunt of [i]some[/i] kinda’ noise from Nero’s direction. It sounded a [i]little[/i]...like embarrassment. [color=green]”So uhh...I may’ve actually figured that part out… I was a bit low on rations, and it wasn’t cannibalism, so...”[/color] It was also a bit of trial and error, because there were also parts that [i]weren’t[/i] edible. Ashton twitched as Flame said, “To be honest, if it’s flowers and [i]seedless[/i] fruits, it’s no less different than eating hair or fingernails. Still gross, but not cannibalism -” “Okay,” Ashton said, “Let’s talk about something else.” He looked at all three of his companions and said, “My father is a fencing teacher, and by fencing, I mean swordfighting, and by sword fighting, I don’t mean the pretty stuff with rapiers and sabers. My dad knows how to use a longsword, like the one that Crow guy kept waving around, only not Perfected Electrum. He taught me and my adoptive brother a few tricks, too.” Flame looked at Ashton and said, “That Arthur kid?” Ashton smiled and said, “Yes, Arthur, my brother. We found him trying to take shelter from the rain - We didn’t ask why he was running away - And then we took him in and adoption was surprisingly smooth due to me being able to afford the right bribes. He fast became my dad’s finest student and was teaching [i]him[/i] new tricks after a time.” He then stood up from his seat and began to demonstrate a few poses and stances, not caring about what the other customers thought. Laurey clapped for the little display. If Nero gave it a thought, those were nigh-identical to Blue Crow’s fighting style when the latter eventually decided to ‘get serious’ instead of just throwing magic around... “Nero’s been teaching me how to fight,” Laurey said as she chewed something wholly unsentient, “Not with a sword though.” [color=green]”Yeah, with proper fists and that.”[/color], continued Nero, swallowing so he became a bit more intelligible. He [i]had[/i] noticed the similarity in the stance from the Crow guy when he started fighting properly. Really, the boy had been a little more interested in the sword itself, but hey, he was observant. [color=green]”This father of yours have like a student that he expelled or something? That merc kinda’ fought like that. Not like really well, but I did get rushed when he launched out from the wall.”[/color] Ashton said, “He taught for money - Gave courses lasting for years and made a few dozen apprentices [i]in addition[/i] to his students. I was his best, though… And Arthur was better.” He sighed, “I miss them. I miss my family.” Flame said, “So, what about your mother, Ashton?” Ashton perked up again and said, “Well, she was a mechanic. A mechanic for sports cars. Also did the family expenses. I wonder how they’re doing, how they must be worried about me - At least the Ascendancy didn’t take Arthur, though… Maybe they thought I was the bigger pain.” Nero sat back a bit. His capacity for food was reaching its limit. [color=green]”I don’t know or care for family. Yours have been fine, but mine are a pair of right fucks, so the hell with ‘em.”[/color] Always a sensitive topic, in a way. Nero’s parents were on his list of people that he wanted dead, somewhere after the ascendancy commanders who’d started the Star Marine project and that of the soldiers - any who [i]survived[/i], that is - who brought him in when the orphanage basically sold him to them. Come to think of it, if those people weren’t [i]sort of[/i] taking care of some other kids up shit creek like him, he’d off them too. Maybe he’d kick them around a little. Wasn’t sure. Point is, Nero had no love of family. They fucked up his life long before the Ascendancy ever got the chance. He didn’t like the subject, but he had no problem talking about his hatred for them. This was obviously part of the reason he was so standoffish. Where would he gain the trust of anyone in his life? Nowhere, that’s where. “Hear hear,” Laurey said, raising a glass of blue ice wine in toast, “To family, can’t live with them, can’t live without them. No, shit, can’t be born without them. Without your parents.” A pause and a wry smile, “Fuck them. To us, and the infinite potentials of suffering and solace born unto us.” She finished off the last of her drink. Once the food was over - Obviously, it was paid for beforehand - Ashton and Flame led the way towards the interior of the Galactic Bazaar, where they eventually entered a shop filled with musical instruments and old laserdiscs ran by an old Korta, who greeted the four and said, “Wolf Cub! Fire-boy! Glad to see you - I just got a few new pieces of Old Earth Music you guys might like!” He then looked at Nero and Laurey, asking, “New friends? Don’t worry, I won’t pry!” This was one of those off-to-the-side and out-of-the-way spots, as opposed to the guy shouting for business at a vendor spot marked ‘Akbar’s Emporium’ a ways back. Strange little man, that one. Anyway, this shop had a whole helluva lot that was music, ranging from instruments that Nero [i]might[/i] be interested in messing with, here and there, to musics of all kinds and in all forms. At the mention of him and Laurey, the young assassin just shrugged and went [color=green]”Yeah, basically.”[/color], and returned to looking around. He wasn’t completely ignorant of music. He just didn’t really own much, so certain things would get his attention. Laurey gazed at the metaphorical candy, a child. Just as the Korta had greeted his new customers, another entered the shop, though they were not as human as the rest. Jude had been tasked with checking in on those who were spending their time and recently acquired credits down at the Galactic Bazaar. Jude didn't have any interest in spending their portion, browsing the wares of the market or even really leaving their room, but they'd long since stopped refusing direct orders from anyone in a position of authority, so off to the shops they went. After sweeping a few of the bigger stores, this particular shop caught their eye. They [i]were[/i] a music lover, and hey, everyone was really so it couldn't hurt too bad to check for the crew in here. At the least it'd be less than a waste of time than that stupid Akbar's Emporium. Miraculously, Jude ended up picking correctly. First they spotted Nero, then Laurey, Ashton and Flame too. They cursed their luck at not having time to browse, and approached the group. "I was told to make sure you were all fine. Are you?" Holy moly. An eidolon of the future man had arrived from the future, man. Laurey’s mouth ran away with her, “Are you a messenger of the Great Machine?” Her face glittered like smashed glass. A disappointed sigh escaped Jude's 'mouth,' even as Laurey's face beamed in excitement. "I am not an AI. I was human. This metal shell is just, what the Ascendancy made me, I guess. I would appreciate it if you didn't call me a robot." Jude said, their voice carrying the slight sadness their face could not. "You're… Laurey, right? I think I've seen you around. I recognize one of the guys over there too." Jude mentioned, pointing to Ashton. "Are you all with Moonstrike? Like I said, I was just checking in." “That’s odd, I’ve never seen you,” was all she said, before letting the others deal with the not-robot. She hid her disappointment in the meticulous study of the music. “Jude!” Ashton said as he waved at the big guy, “Glad to see you - The higher-ups allowed you to finally join us, it seems?” Flame then introduced Jude to Laurey, “Laurey, this is Jude - He’s one of us, experimented on more… Comprehensively than usual by our old [i]tormentors[/i].” He then gave a rare smile and asked, “So, do you have a favored genre of music? This place sells obscure Earth songs...” Nero looked over back at the new arrival who was being kinda’ obvious, openly talking about Moonstrike and all. Granted, the guy running this place was a friend of Ash and Flame’s, so [i]he[/i] wouldn’t mind, but it was a bad idea to just open your yap about the rebel organization. The interaction between him and Laurey was also kinda’ weird, but then it was obvious that both of them were cybered up and...hang on a minute. Even as he was being introduced, Nero snapped his fingers. [color=green]”[i]Now[/i] I remember. I saw you in combat once. Think I jumped off that helmet once into somebody’s guts. Nice swords.”[/color] Jude wouldn’t recognize Nero right off because he wasn’t in his mask or any combat armor right now. The reverse was possible because the cyborg always looked the way he did now. Nevertheless, the instance of some Star Marine hopping off of his head and diving headfirst into someone to vibro into their body with vibroblades would be something he could easily recall. Jude was a tad confused at how Ashton seemed happy to see them, at first, but then they were swept up into introductions and the like and didn't really have time to process all that. Flame was here as well, and approached Laurey and themself with Ashton, eager to introduce the two. Jude was glad he had got Laurey's name right, not much of a worse introduction than getting someone's name wrong, but they were far happier at Flame smiling at them and making pleasant small talk. If only those of Jude's old squad were as welcoming… Before Jude could answer, though, the last person in the shop, who, again Jude thought they recognized something about, introduced himself. Apparently they had been in combat together, Nero vaulting off of Jude into someone they were currently fighting and disemboweling them. "Thank you. For the help in that fight and the compliment. As for the music question… Um, well, I have kinda eccentric taste? Or, eclectic? I'd be interested in some softer rock music, stuff from around the start of the 21st century." “We have those!” the Korta shopkeeper was in his element, “Let’s just say that during the ‘dark days’ of our vassalage, we made plenty of illegal contacts with illegal music sellers on Earth…” [@jdh97] [@FalloutJack] [@Kafka Komedy]