escordvi | The Light is Off But I Still Work

Entry tags:

The Light is Off But I Still Work

Who: Darin Altway and You!
Status: Open
Where: Eltrut and Nogard
What: MANTA quests and general catch-all
Warnings: Will Mark As Needed

-SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE-

[Darin sure as hell has no idea where this Tapir plushie craze came from but the markets are absolutely inundated with stalls selling tapir themed wraps and goods. A few days ago, that wouldn't have been a problem. He wasn't all that interested and fads come and go. He's a tradesman, he knows how it is.]

[But then he heard about what the tapir plushies do. And considering that someone precious to him is in some sort of sleep coma, he decided to go out and grab one. How hard could it be?]

[Hard enough that every stall is showing they're out of stock. And when one pops up with stock, they're overwhelmed within minutes.]

[So now, Darin's camping out one of the lesser known corners of the market on Eltrut. He's been out here all night and it's now 8 AM. Someone in this corner of the market is going to have a plushie and dammit he's going to get it. Trouble is...he's not the only one looking to get a plushie here.]

...Is it bad form to use your god-gifted superpowers to snag a plushie ahead of a bunch of crazed, entitled shoppers? That's bad form, right?

[He's talking to himself but hey, you're free to be there to help him.]

[Or compete with him.]

-PAINTED SKULL-O-LANTERNS-

[Coming from a world that usually has harvest festivals this time of year, hearing about all of the spooky happenings and upcoming events doesn't have Darin especially thrilled. He's got enough on his mind as it is! And while Darin might not be the most superstitious sort, he'll tend to try anything once. Especially if it means warding off scary monsters or even death itself.]

[Besides, decorating the forge could be fun.]

[So, he's sitting out front of the Starmetal Forge with a basket of (hopefully) fake skulls. He's got a small table set up and a whole bunch of paints and...a potter's wheel? Darin places a skull down on the center of the wheel and begins to spin it, then selects a color of paint and carefully drips it on the spinning skull, creating wild, circular designs. He's also making a big mess and he has more paint on him than he does the skull.]

[But there's plenty of room for someone to join him! And plenty of skulls and paint to go around. Hopefully you have a smock of your own if you're worried about making a mess. Because you probably will.]

-STARMETAL SPARRING-

[Darin has had a lot of nervous and anxious energy to get out. He hasn't had the focus to work on any projects at the forge. He's got too much on his mind to sit at home and work on personal projects. And with his body healing up nicely after crossing paths with Ganondorf, he's itching to start training. Problem is, how does he start? Well, if there's one thing he's learned is that riftfarers seem to have all sorts of crazy powers. And learning to adapt to their abilities would not only give him some valuable training, but it'd allow him to blow off some steam as well!]

[He's fashioned a small sparring area behind the Starmetal Forge. Nothing inherently fancy but enough room to move around in. He mostly uses it to test some of his projects but...well, today he's repurposing it. Finally, he hangs a sign out front that reads:]

Feelin' Frustrated? Come On In For a Pounding!

[Does Darin understand the connotations of that sign? You be the judge!]

-INFILTRATE AND LIBERATE PART 2-

[After the recovery of the tragic cargo last month, Darin's been keeping abreast of the situation regarding the victims' treatment. Since it looks like the victims can be saved after the crystals are painstakingly shaved off, Darin is currently researching and engineering a way to make the process even the slightest bit less arduous.]

[He's hunched over his workbench at the Starmetal Forge, toying with some precision tools. There's a small pile of elemental stones nearby that he's currently rummaging through.]

Gotta be a way to magically enhance the edge of a knife or scalpel...my first instinct is wind but...ice could work too. Or fire? Heating the crystal might make it easier to remove...

-UNDERWATER RUINS- HIDDEN CHAMBER

[Somehow, checking out these ruins without a certain somebody by his side isn't as fun as he was hoping. How is it he's gone on two expeditions and he's gone alone each time? He heaves a despondent sigh as he wanders into the large chamber. He wouldn't be surprised if someone was already here...these ruins have been around for over a month now. But he had to get off Eltrut for a bit. Even for a day. And being able to examine ruins would at least give him something to distract himself.]

[Darin stops and takes a careful look around the room. All of the mirrors had to serve a purpose, right?]

Why so many mirrors? They're just going to reflect themselves...

[Darin drops to a sitting position and pulls out his notebook. He starts to sketch the room in its entirety as he puzzles out the...well, the puzzle.]

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[There are several thoughts in his head right then. What did you try, is she in stasis, even the odd I told you so. But those, he doesn't voice. Maybe later.]

Then... why not let me stand in for you? If you think it's going to help, let's not beat around the brush about it.

[Either way, Darin gets the plush, as far as he's concerned. He doesn't want the damned thing.]

One way or another, you get the toy. [He's also perfectly willing to just chuck Darin at the store...] If it means that much to you, why the hell are you acting like you've given up?

Because I'm frustrated Garrus. And ...I just.

It's stupid, okay? I want to be the one to get it. I won't turn away help but I want to pick it if I can. I have let everyone I've ever cared about down somehow or some way I just...

I need a win, Garrus. With my own two hands. Maybe that sounds ridiculous...

[He crosses his arms over his chest.]

I've narrowed down which stalls are going to have the plushes. There's three. But there's already people casing them. Most of them are those scalpers I mentioned. I've seen them each time I went for the plushies. I'm starting to think they're paying over market price to the stall owners to walk off with most of their stock. I've seen it before, back home.

...Maybe...Maybe you pull your Archangel schtick? Like you're investigating them? That should keep them away from the stalls long enough for me to get one.

All right, all right...

[He holds his hands up. He doesn't really get it, but not worth putting up a fuss.]

I could try. But, stop me if I'm wrong. Have you tried talking to the stall owners? First? Let them know it's for your sick friend? You'd be surprised how often that helps.

[~~Or knocking politely to ask the terrified volus to open a door instead of kicking it in~~]

Yeah, of course I asked. I even offered to trade favors considering I'm a business owner myself. No dice. That's why I think they're getting kick backs...

...I'm sorry about this. I don't like roping people into this stuff.

Is it roping if I nosed my own way in?

[No, it is not, thank you.]

... Let's try one more time. Ever heard of "good cop, bad cop?"

Isn't that the thing we did to that merman?

When I threw him up into the sky?

I don't think we should do that here, Garrus.

Normally, it doesn't involve pitching the target into orbit.

Just... one person making threats, the other makes nice. It works wonders.

So...you threaten to expose the ring and I offer to let the whole thing go if they sell me one of those plushies?

Now you're getting it.

Didn't work that well on the merman, we were on his home turf. This is different.

...Question.

Can we bust them anyway after I get the plushie? They're the ones creating the artificial demand to rake in profits. That doesn't sit right with me.

If you know an actual port authority, I'm not going to protest.

[He shrugs. Artificial demand for toys is ... kind of low on the list of INJUSTICES.]

If we were back in my world, it'd be easy - I've got weight and connections to throw around.

But... we can probably claim one of those toys for free as "evidence".

...Don't our shellphones have a 'record' function?

Good thinking.

Hit record while we talk to the owner. You have a pocket where it can record out of sight?

Yeah, I've got several.

Alright, you're bad cop, right? I think I was bad cop last time.

Oh, I'm the worst cop.

You can guarantee it.

Alright...

[Darin gestures over to one of the stall owners who looks particularly nonplussed by the crowd beginning to form. They all know he has what they want. But what they don't know is that the first people in line are oddly calm.]

That guy. He's the one I've been watching.

Let's go.

All right then. Follow my lead.

[Somewhere between where they stand and the stall owner, Garrus' steps change. From that calm swagger of his to something more... predatory. Purposeful strides, shoulders squared back, and his mandibles flexed up off his teeth.]

[A couple of the crowd glance his way and then shift aside.]

Excuse me. [It's not a request.] Shopkeep. We need to have a word about your operation here.

[Darin shoves his hands in his pockets where he finds his shellphone. He's gotten good enough with it that he can hit 'record' discreetly.]

[By the time he catches up with Garrus, he's already recording.]

[The shopkeep, a portly man in dire need of a shave, looks up at Garrus.]

Aye? And what sort of word do ye need to have? I'm opening up soon so if you're here for what everyone else is lined up for well...you might have a hard time if you try n'cut the line.

That's precisely what we're here about.

[His voice drops, with the vibration more prominent. Like a growl just on the edge of hearing.]

Can't help but notice how many familiar faces there are in your little crowd. There's been a lot of talk about these plush things lately. And how high the resale value is.

[A couple steps closer. All... seven feet of him.]

It's weird. How many people keep coming back here. Specifically. And they're always first in line.

[The shopkeep stands up a bit straighter. The body language is defensive. Garrus can recognize it from a mile away more than likely.]

Aye they tend to camp out. No business of mine what they do with them once they've bought their share.

[Darin steps a little closer but his attention is on the group at the front of the line. They're watching this exchange with more than a little passing interest.]

Oh, you've noticed too. The same ones? Over and over again? Once or twice is a coincidence.

Three days in a row is a pattern. And I think you know that.

[His shoulders roll, and he makes a show of flexing his hands. Oh, huh. He needs to get his talons filed, damn.]

It'd be a real shame if local authorities found out about it. I'm sure they'd be really interested.

Pah!

[The shopkeep lets out a single, derisive, dismissive laugh.]

What care do I have if they're always the ones first in line? What they do with my wares is no concern of mine! But I do not care for what you're implying!

[Darin notes that the shopkeep's not lowering his voice...which means he's trying to make sure others hear the conversation. Darin's not intimidated in the slightest but he can't help but wonder what the endgame here is. Is it just about making money?]

You're going to care for it a lot less if you don't start talking.

[A glance around. Sure enough, the patrons are studiously looking the other way.]

What's the deal here? You certain people in first, get first dibs - and then they resell, sure. A lot of fuss for a toy.

What is this really? Smuggling?

It's called supply and demand. They demand and I supply. If you've got issues with the way I do business, friend, then might I suggest patronizing the other stalls?

[He's managing to stand his ground while remaining somewhat cooperative. But he's not cracking just yet.]

You think I know why these are so popular? I'm just chasing trends, my friends. I'm sure that will change in a month or so. You know how it is.

[Except Darin knows that's not it. He's a tradesman, he knows how this works. He's raking in a portion of the resale profits but to what end? Where's he getting that much product? And so quickly?]

[Darin looks around at some of the other stalls. Why don't any of the other businesses have this level of stock...?]

I know how it is. Oh, do I ever know how it is. I know... you know more than you're letting on.

[Okay, we're getting right in his face, then. All teeth and plating and leashed energy.]

Why so many in stock? Why always the same people in front? Everything I'm seeing here is screaming smuggling. And when I see crap like that, I get really tired of people lying.

All I have to do is ask my friend to look the other way, and we have a little heart to heart alone.

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