The door opens to a vast cross-shaped interior with a central circular space. Storefronts of varying legitimacy and permanency line the walls and the walkways between are dotted by street vendors. The air inside is a little too cold to be a comfortable, which means people tend to keep their outerwear on. The nearest stores upon entry are a butcher selling space cow meat and that of local game, a money lender, a general
#FreedomFalls – May 4, 2019
human clothing store with mass produced goods, and a small store selling parts and materials for fabrication. With the outside space out of the question, the street vendors are packed more densenly. Va'ynna's memories of this place must have been inperfect at best, as what is unmistakably a cafe can be seen in the central area along the walkways on the second floor with another restaurant close to it; there's also a small
bakery on the first floor right below it that has pastries on display. The security in this place consist of patrolling LOKI mechs with some stores having mechs of their own, actual armed guards are a uncommon sight.
Victoria has a quick look around the area to try and familiarize some of the stores, mainly to get an idea of what is where and where to go first. She has never really taken the time to visit this market, but she leaves a mental note to visit this place some other time. She looks at Va'ynna. "So, sweetheart. Where are we going today?" She wants Va'ynna to lead the way, mainly because it
Va'ynna looks around the area, recognizing some stores from when she was here last time with Jason. This place has just about everything one would want for, but it would be cruel to drag someone else after her for safety and company without any specific intent. She does notice a specific absense, however, as she looks for the clothing vendor she went to last. "I... don't know," she answers. "There was a clothing
store here last time, but... she's not here now. I... I wouldn't go there if she was though, because... she was an aggressive saleswoman. And Jason was no help."
Victoria gives a quick shrug. "Well, how about we have a quick look around. Find different options to choice from before we actually go in there." She gives Va'ynna a quick peck on the cheek. "Plus, I reckon I could get you a good deal. I can be quite a charmer if the opportunity rises." She gives Vay a quick smile. "With me being a pilot of a ship, I could be able to make a transportation
Va'ynna places a hand on her shoulder. "I have... seen you being a charmer, and heard," she says. "Let's not get us in trouble now." She takes Victoria's hand and starts walking towards the center of the building. "If we find something that fit me that isn't too expensive,... I'll buy it," she says. "I don't have the... easiest shape to work with here."
Victoria allows Va'ynna to take the lead, Vicky is more than happy to allow Vay to lead the way. "I am just saying, I might be able to work out a good discount for us. That is all." Vicky is quite content in this moment, being with the woman she loves and being able to have quite a relaxful moment compared to most of her life. "Not going to lie, the old me would have been on the run by
There are quite a few people walking around between stores and browsing, even if it's way too early for those with normal day job hours. A keen eye would notice Uvena and Renala heading into the aforementioned parts store, but Va'ynna doesn't and the lack of noticing seems mutual.
Va'ynna shakes her head. "You... better," she says. "I... think I have enough credits, so... you don't need to negotiate a discount." She keeps her eyes out for stores as they come into view, but so far she hasn't spotted any clothing stores that might sell some winterwear.
The asari is too focused on the stores along the sides to notice a stall in the central area selling jackets, boots and some other miscellanious items like outer socks. It's a bit hard to see as it's blocked partially by one selling skis and snowboards arranged vertically along a wooden frame rack. The seller is a turian woman, but the vast majority of the seem to be for human and asari.
Victoria gives an sigh. "Yes, master. I will keep my theiving side in check. I am sorry for bringing it up." Clearly talking in a joking tone, about her old theiving nature. Vicky is too busy looking and trying to find a decent clothing store to notice Uvena and Renala heading into the parts store. Vicky does notice the winter stall. She gives Va'ynna''s hand a squeeze and points to the
Va'ynna nods. "Good," she says at her acknowledgement of Va'ynna's authority. At the gesture, she smiles and starts walking towards it at a higher pace, weaving the pair around the people going to the other direction. "I didn't notice it behind the... tall things," she says. "Hopefully they have something my size."
The clothing stall itself is surrounded by shelves facing the seller, though the stall can be walked past. The jackets are not sorted by any means, a small red jacket can be seen folded up right below an extra large blue one. The turian woman has a pistol strapped to the thigh, and her own jacket has some armor plating like most of the turian selection. The human/asari fitting ones do not, but a small minority of them has
kinetic barrier system. Price tags are nowhere to be seen aside from on the kiosk terminal on the stall.
Now that they're closer, they might see another small stall squeezed in between two others selling some christmas decorations and a few white-trimmed white hats of variying shapes. Close to it is a store selling imported alcoholic drinks looked after by a human man and a LOKI mech.
Victoria gives a cocky smile. "The eyes of my old trade, gotta find the good stuff before anything else." While letting Va'ynna leading the way, Vicky notices the store selling the imported alcohol. "Well, since I have been mostly good so far. I would like to check out that bottle shop, after we have done looking after your needs, my sweet." She offers an slightly innocent smile to try
and get herself some alcohol, it is also at that time she notices the stall with the christmas decorations. "Oh, that stall might be a good place to pick some decorations for christmas." She stops talking for a moment. "God, I can feel my wallet losing credits already."
Va'ynna follows her gaze to the alcohol vendor, giving a small frown but deciding to withold judgement for now. Victoria was here for Va'ynna's errand, so it's only fitting she offers some leniency. She smiles as she looks over the decorations, however. "You're... getting one of these hats," she says, the light-heartedness almost lost in the tired asari's voice. Va'ynna approaches the stall selling jackets and
The turian woman steps forth and looks the pair over, her eyes on the asari. "I can't believe you would wear something like that in this weather," she huffs and brings up her omni-tool. "That's what you're here for? Or do you both need proper equipment for the winter?"
Victoria gives a quick peck to Va'ynna's cheek. "If it means I can get something for myself, I am more than happy to take that sacrifice." She smiles, she quickly turns her attention to the turian. "Not for me, but for my partner." Pointing to Va'ynna. "She has been stealing my winter clothing, so we are looking for something fitting for her."
The turian nods. "The winter is getting a lot worse before it gets better, so I'll be seeing you again soon," she says before looking back at Va'ynna. "Stand still for a moment." She gestures slowly with the omni-tool up and down, a few measurements showing up on her screen.
Va'ynna blushes at the peck on her cheek, but she doesn't say anything and follows the turian's instructions.
She checks the readouts on the screen, matching it against her inventory. "Was your father a turian?" she asks jokingly as she goes off to find the items matching the readouts on her omni-tool. "Fortunately, your height won't be much of a problem."
Victoria mostly keeps the smirk on her face when she notices Va'ynna blushing. She also keeps her silence as the turian merchant jokes about her parentage, Vicky decides to remain silent and let Va'ynna answer for herself. "So what do you have in stock for my tall lover here? I think a blue or a green will suit her nicely."
Va'ynna shakes her head at the question before realizing it's in jest, but she doesn't say anything about it.
The turian shrugs. "You don't come to me to look good," she says, "but to laugh at the weather's pitiful effort to get past your defenses." Regardless, she pulls out a green jacket and puts it on the counter. It's simple in design with a lime green fold over the zipper, though the green is a brighter shade of green than the one that complement Va'ynna's purple complexion. "The jacket's going to hold up without it, but the
heating can last two standard hours on a charge if you need a little extra or just feel homesick for the place where that jacket of yours sufficed." The kiosk shows the product and its price tag of 440 credits. "Please come around the counter before trying it on," she says.
The alcohol importer is barely four meters away from the store. Victoria could still keep an eye on Va'ynna, and -- more importantly -- vice versa. It is a small stall with a few bottles along the top of it of various vodkas, whiskeys, rums and brandies. There is an open crate behind it, but it looks to be getting empty. Either the stock was small or it's flying off the shelves, the latter more likely considering the
difficulty of finding imported alcohol in Freedom Falls. The prices that can be gleamed from the kiosk show them to be at least twice to thrice as expensive as buying them on the planet they're made.
Victoria looks towards the stall with the alcohol, and then to Va'ynna. "Well, as you try on these jacket. I will quickly look at this stall next door. If you need me give me a shout." Vicky tries to make her way over the to alcohol stall, but will stop if Va'ynna stops her from going.
Va'ynna looks a bit unsure, but she gives her a nod. She's not that far away. "Active heating does sound nice," she says to the turian as she crosses around the counter and let the turian help her out of her jacket. At least she seems to have gloves on, which tempers Va'ynna's general discomfort around turians.
The bottle shop owner is a middle-aged man with graying black hair. He nods to Victoria. "Welcome," he says. "The local swill got you down? I've got just the poison for you." She would have to be inattentive not to see the folded up shotgun resting against the crate..
Victoria gives a smile to the man. "Not gonna lie, I need something that is a cut above the rest of the local stuff. It gets a bit boring having the same swill over and over again, right?" Vicky gives a quick look over his supply to see what catches her eye. "I am quite a fan of rum, spiced or otherwise."
The turian steps back and pulls out a mirror for Va'ynna to see while Va'ynna gets into place. The mirror is a bit unweildy to be held up, but there's really no good place to put it. "I have a similar one with shielding if you need that;" she says. "It's 1400 credits though, and heavier."
Va'ynna pats the jacket down and turns a bit to look from more angles. It is a bit poofy on her, but the asari doesn't seem to mind that. She shakes her head. "That's... out of my price range," she says, thinking back at the dress Ilyna bought for her. "This one is fine, I... think." She stands on her toes to look over the shelf at Victoria, waiting for her to come back to give a second opinion.
The alcohol seller nods and picks two bottles out of the crate and puts them on the counter in front of her. One of them is spiced, theo ther is not. They're not exquicite brands, but around the median of the price range. They show up as 150 credits each on the propped-up datapad that serves as a kiosk terminal. "You're buying for yourself then?" he says. "Good, because I don't have anything that impresses the asari. The
Victoria quickly looks over at Va'ynna, looking at the jacket she has picked for herself. Once she turns her head to look at Vicky, she gives the thumbs up for her confirmation that she agrees with Va'ynna's pick. Vicky turns her head back to the owner of the bottle shop. "Ah, she ain't much of a drinker. Me, however, is quite a fan of drinking. If it was a job, I would be able to relax
with ther finer things in life." Vicky gives a quick little chuckle. "So, are they the only bottles of rum you have, or do you have a wider selection to choice from?"
He chuckles and takes another look in the crate. "Nope, were you here at six when I opened, I would have had three more brands for you to pick and choose, but there are many people of good taste in this town," he says. "So what would it be?" He taps the spiced one. "Have another one of these, but that's all the rum I've got left."
Victoria gives a quick little nod. "I guess that was no harm in asking. I will take both, I got enough credits to get what I need." She pays the price for both bottles of rum. "Guess I will come back to pick up some more variety next time. Could I get a bag for both those bottles, rather not walk around with two bottles in my hands and looking like a complete alcohlic." Vicky does turn
her attention towards Va'ynna to see if she is doing well with her purchase and is not being taken for a ride.
Va'ynna nods and relays the all clear to the turian, and she brings up her omni-tool to pay for the jacket. Despite being far away from home and in a temporarily set up market stall, the purchasing process is not too dissimilar to what she expected. She doesn't argue with the price of 440 credits, but after moving in with Victoria and not going out much she has a decent amount of credits.
The turian puts some of the extra equipment and battery for the heating system in a plastic bag along with the asari's other jacket. "Thank you," she says. "If you need more help dealing with the Aitian climate, you know who to look for."
The human pulls out a plastic bag from under the stall and hands it over. "Pleasure doing business with you," he says. "Don't count on finding me next time. This business doesn't have the margins the prices make it out ot be."
Victoria gives a nod. "Well, if I see you here, I will come grab something from you. At least try and get some credits in your pocket." She gives a smile and a final nod before heading back over to Va'ynna to check on her. "Hey there, sweetheart. How did you do in you cloth shopping? Get me any surprises?" Clearly joking about that last part.
Va'ynna walks up to Victoria with a smile on her face, plastic bag in hand. She tilts her head at her question. "I... I haven't had the time to," she says. "I can buy you a... christmas hat, though. I think you'd look... good in one."
Victoria wraps her free arm around Va'ynna's waist. "I think I could get us both a christmas hat to wear, that way you can get me a better surprise than that." She gives a smirk to the asari. "I don't remember seeing a birthday present. Makes me feel a little under appreciated." Vicky gives Va'ynna another peck, not embarrassed by the scene of public affection.
The christmas decorations store is run by an asari maiden of teal skin that can't be much older than 40. There's a cheap datapad on a string next to a stack of hats and its content seems like its the payment terminal. The store sells various tree decorations, lights and a few strong hologram emitters pre-programmed with christmas-y stuff.