LOG. OPEN. SHENANIGANS WELCOME.

[motivationalspeaker]

who. Kirrahe (motivationalspeaker), OPEN
what. A Choose your own adventure style log. Kirrahe's out gathering intel and exploring and you get to decide where you meet him
where. We'll get to that.
when. Any time during the week.
warnings. Nothing as of yet, will update accordingly.


Scenario I: Zeta District- If one is to be stuck somewhere for an extended period of time, it's a good idea to get a feel for the neighborhood. Poke around in corners and all that, get weird looks from NPC's. Like moving into any new place.

Getting to know the neighbors is probably a good idea too. He's not going door to door introducing himself or anything, but he's more than happy to chat with anyone who approaches.

Y'know, assuming you don't come at him with a shotgun. He's prepared for that, too.

Scenario II: Afterlife- Outside or inside. If outside, Kirrahe is hanging around near a group of whiny alien NPC's, nonchalantly listening in to whatever random conversation they're having. The elcor bouncer keeps giving him weird looks, but Kirrahe doesn't seem to care.

If inside, he's doing much of the same, though is likely spending much of his time cloaked (most likely how he got in in the first place 8U). If he's not hanging out near a random wall, he'll be at the bar. You'd be surprised how much information you can pick up from a bunch of drunks.

Scenario III: Omega Market- Seeing as Kirrahe's weapons and equipment are outdated by a good three years, you bet your ass he's going to be out price checking. Whether or not he'll actually be able to afford any of this stuff in the near future remains to be seen. Still, weapons can make for interesting conversations.

Comments

Scenario II :)

[professorwolf]

Lyall is not one of the whiny aliens Kirrahe is listening in on-- though technically he counts as an alien here, as well, he supposes. He is, rather, listening to them, himself, and finds Kirrahe's interest in them somewhat amusing. Given he's in wolf form, though-- a good-sized but fairly slender animal, more fox-like than really wolf-like, with sandy fur marked here and there with black or white-- it's not immediately obvious that he is listening in or amused. That will likely change in a moment or two... but for now, observing the observer.

He does pad over to Kirrahe after a moment to see how the fellow takes to being approached by a wolf. Or if he even knows what a wolf is... not everyone here has.

Re: Scenario II :)

[motivationalspeaker]

Always on guard, Kirrahe certainly notices the... fuzzy little creature approaching him. Dog? He isn't certain on the breed, but he does recognize it as one of Earth's animals. At least he was mostly certain that he did. It seemed to be a lot friendlier than a varren, at the very least. Perhaps it was someone's pet?

After a quick scan of the area, it didn't seem like anyone was looking for a lost pet. Still, checking it for a collar or something didn't seem like a bad idea. Not wanting to startle the critter, Kirrahe slowly extended his hand toward it to sniff or whatever it was that dogs like to do. Most domesticated animals seemed to operate the same way regardless of it's planet or origin. Hopefully it wouldn't try to bite Kirrahe's hand off.

[professorwolf]

Lucky for Kirrahe, Lyall was a friendly werewolf. Well, mostly friendly. Generally people looked a bit like food, especially lately, but it simply wasn't polite to eat one's neighbors, so he kept those particular urges under control. For now, since he'd come specifically to see this fellow, there were no urges at all besides getting a good sniff and maybe an ear-scratch before he went to change forms and see about a proper introduction.

So he gave the offered fingers a polite sniff, then closed the last foot or so of distance and sat himself down, head cocked to one side.

[motivationalspeaker]

Well, that was a good sign. Most likely, anyway. The lack of aggression was certainly welcome. Kirrahe decided to chance touching the fuzzy little creature, scratching it's ear while checking for some sort of collar.

"I hope you don't decide to follow me home, I can't afford to feed a stray right now."

[professorwolf]

Lyall lolled his tongue in gentle amusement at the idea. As much as he wouldn't mind having someone to help cover expenses for the rare fresh meat he scrimped up for, these days, he knew it wouldn't do much good mooching. Plus it wouldn't be polite, at all, effectively pretending to be an animal to someone actively helping him. He did, however, tilt his head and half-shut his eyes contentedly at the ear-scratch. He didn't get those very often, and he'd found, in the past weeks, that he'd willingly take them where he could get them. It wasn't the same as pack, or even real friends, but it was a moment of affection anyway.

There was, of course, no collar.

After a moment, he pulled back, deciding it was about time to initiate a conversation. He trotted a few paces away, then looked over his shoulder with a whuff, rather as if he was inviting Kirrahe to follow him.

[motivationalspeaker]

Once the critter looked like it was going to leave, Kirrahe straightened up and decided to go back to listening in on other people's conversations. It wasn't the most exciting way to pass the time, but at least he might pick up some useful information.

Except the thing wasn't leaving.

In fact, it almost seemed like it wanted Kirrahe to follow it. Well okay that wasn't weird at all. Except that it was.

"...Seriously?"

Yeah, seriously. Kirrahe took one last look around, and deciding he probably wasn't walking into some sort of ambush, took a few steps toward the dog-thing. At this point he was almost certain that he must be going out of his mind, but whatever. A lead was a lead, even if he didn't exactly know what he was being lead to.

[professorwolf]

Lyall bounded in the direction of the corner and niche in which he'd left his clothing, paused once to make sure Kirrahe was still following, then darted aside and out of sight. He started the change back to human form as immediately as he could, in the hopes that he might be finished by the time Kirrahe actually made it around that same corner and between those currently-empty booths. The change took a good thirty seconds, this side of the station, and it was still pretty noisy. Bones breaking and snapping back together, muscles grinding around, a whole body reforming to a different configuration.

If Kirrahe hurried when he registered those sounds, he'd get to watch the last few seconds.

Scenario 3: Omega Market

[anarrowtotheeye]

Someone else is admiring the array of firearms on display and he's in a similar position of being unable to afford any for the time being. Xiahou Dun still wants a gun of his own, but his dignity, honour and pride has kept him from scavenging around during the Adjutant event or stealing them from others. A man can dream though and he's just staring at the selection with somewhat concealed awe and desire. He really, really, really wants a gun. Very badly. Any of them will do, even. Whether it's the stubbier and powerful shotgun or the smaller and easily concealed handgun, one day he'll figure out which one he'll work best with.

Re: Scenario 3: Omega Market

[motivationalspeaker]

For his part, Kirrahe had already determined what sort of weapons best complimented his abilities and training. He preferred sniper rifles over most other guns. One well placed shot could drop an enemy from a safe distance, and Kirrahe was a damn good shot. Salarians as a whole weren't known for being physically strong, so the further away they were from dangerous targets, the better.

As much as Kirrahe would love a new rifle, however, he knew he wouldn't be able to afford one any time soon. And so, he was currently looking over a display of small pistols. His own was pitifully outdated, it couldn't even use heat clips.

On second thought, these guns were way overpriced as well, and mister frog here wasn't happy about it. Some bitching was in order, and the closest person to him just happened to be this one eyed goatee human.

"Can you believe these prices? I could put a down payment on a new frigate for this!"

[anarrowtotheeye]

Dun raises an eyebrow at the sudden outburst; there are so many Salarians and apart from a difference in skin colour they all looked alike, but he's somewhat sure he's never met this particular cricket-frog creature yet. It's a bit strange that he's suddenly addressing Dun about the pressing need for cheaper priced guns, but while Dun doesn't exactly know what a good price is for firearms he does know that they are probably too common on Omega for them to be priced as high as the ones here.

He obliges Kermit with a shrug and a brief response, "I agree. I could buy enough rations to last for a few months with how expensive these things are."

There, a polite enough reply. He doesn't even know why the Salarian suddenly started complaining about the prices with him, a total stranger, but he's noticed that people tend to do things differently around here than 2nd century China. Best to just roll with it, at least until his poor ribcage has had time to heal up from that Krogan charge he'd taken awhile ago.

That being said, perhaps Dun could use this cultural oddity to his advantage. Casual small talk could lead to precious information after all, and he had been polite enough to deign the salarian a response. He gestures at the guns and asks, "What would be your price then?"

[motivationalspeaker]

"At least half of these are marked up to double what they're worth anywhere else. Unfortunately, the merchants here know they can get away with inflating prices. If this system's cut off from the rest, there's no way to bring in new imports."

Which was unfortunate, but there wasn't much that could be done about it. Except maybe assassinate the merchants and steal their shit, but that would be rude.

"I suppose I'll have to make due with my current equipment. Were you looking for anything in particular?"

[anarrowtotheeye]

Dun aims one of his infamous angry glares at the shopkeeper, who quickly engaged in conversation with another customer. "Hmph. Trust the lowlife scum to take advantage of the situation to bleed the rest of us dry", Dun grumbles. "With supply so limited, people will be willing to pay anything if it would mean better protection."

If he was back home, Dun would've brought the issue straight up to the local magistrate. The unscrupulous merchant would be beaten with rods and fined for his ill-begotten gains, and other dishonest merchants would quickly switch their prices back to normal for fear of being next. But this is Omega, where there is no justice system, no law save for one that does little good to any of the ordinary citizens here who tried to stay on the right side of what little law that remained in this pit of a city.

It's all good for Aria; no one would dare to cross her and she maintained her iron-fist rule over Omega. But it matters little to Dun, to his house mates, and to everyone else who were at the mercy of the mercenaries and unearthly creatures from hell.

The salarian's question is a particularly tricky one for Dun. He's actually not too sure what he is looking for; he knows that there are different types of guns, some that work better in certain situations than others. There is bound to be one that would suit his style of fighting better than all the rest, and that should be the gun he will be placing his credits on if he ever earns enough for it.

Any other normal, time-displaced warrior would've taken the opportunity to ask about the potential choices, but Dun's pride and arrogance from being one of the best fighters in his homeland are big obstacles. He already hates appearing the fool in front of others when it comes to modern appliances (how is he to know that the glowing signs were powered with this "electricity" and not some form of sorcery that should be destroyed immediately). He hates being reminded that he's been torn away from everything he knows and cares about, placed in a distant place and time with no clear way back home.

As much as he hates this place though, he knows he'll continue to be a fool, and maybe even die on, if he doesn't start asking the right questions to the right people. After a brief inside struggle with his pride, he eventually manages to mutter a few words for an answer.

"...I don't know much about guns. I only know they fire small projectiles that can kill from afar. They're useful."

[motivationalspeaker]

"Given the circumstances, I can't say that I blame them for wanting to take advantage of the situation. It's likely not a good move on their part, though. They'll either end up very rich, or very dead."

There were a lot of mercenaries on Omega, after all. Eventually, someone was going to get tired of paying for weapons. It was all just a matter of time, and a lot of innocent people were likely to get caught in the middle of it. Or maybe not. Either way, it was always best to prepare for the worst case scenario.

Not wanting to cause a scene, Kirrahe decided it was best to leave the merchant alone for the time being. Besides, it sounded like this human could use a few pointers, and he was more than happy to offer them.

"Yes, they are. In the right hands, at least. From that, I take it guns were uncommon where you come from. Is there anything specific you'd like to know?"

scenario three

[mathemagician]

One of the last things Kengo wanted to be doing after the events of the night before was working behind the counter of Ariake Technologies, but he knew that money was one of the key influences in Omega. He couldn't risk being without it, which was why he had pushed to get the job in the first place. Aside from that, having a detailed knowledge of technology in a new world would help, even if he had since given up on the idea of ever being able to return home. If there was a way back, so much time had passed that their fight would have already been lost.

Kengo had his jacket off and draped over the back of his chair, sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up. The table he was working at was a few feet away from the front of the shop and the kiosk, mostly as a way to discourage anyone from reaching over and stealing something or messing with what he was doing. The orange glow of his omni-tool made him stand out even in the dark lighting, his attention focused primarily on his current project. Once every few minutes, he had to remind himself to look back up at the counter to see if anyone was there. ... honestly, he had never expected his first job to be anything like this.

Re: scenario three

[motivationalspeaker]

Kirrahe didn't pay the human any mind at first, he was preoccupied with browsing merchandise and checking information on his omni-tool. Out of almost all of the other merchants, Ariake Tech was the one he was most familiar with. That wasn't saying much to be honest. Considering he was three years behind everyone else he knew, all the information he'd stored in his omni-tool about Ariake's equipment was completely outdated.

Looked like he didn't have any choice but to ask questions, and thus he approached the counter.

[mathemagician]

"Irasshaimase." Kengo had spoken automatically once he'd noticed someone was at the counter. Even though he had never worked anywhere before, he still felt compelled to keep his Japanese manners in place to use the customary greeting for any customer coming up to the counter. Omega wasn't a place for formalities, but Kengo figured that being polite would cause less trouble than blowing people off. Aside from that, he had a responsibility to do a good job.

Keeping his head down, Kengo finished up with the piece he was working on within a few seconds, making sure to put everything down in a way that he would remember what he had been doing whenever he came back to it. Seeing a salarian wasn't anything unusual -- especially since his boss happened to be one -- so Kengo had no trouble approaching the counter once he figured the other needed help.

"What are you looking for?" While Kengo still didn't know the equipment as well as he would have preferred, he was learning. Plus, he could always send a mail to his boss to ask him, if there were any issues.

[motivationalspeaker]

At least this guy was more polite than most of the other merchants Kirrahe had come across, it was a nice change of pace. The salarian was no expert on humans, but he couldn't help but think that this guy looked too young to be working in a place like this.

He'd keep his thoughts to himself, for now at least.

"My onmi-tool is out of date, I'm looking to update the omni-blade function. Admittedly, I'm not even sure if this company still deals in omni-tools, I'm a few years behind on the current tech."

[mathemagician]

Too young wasn't far from the truth, considering that Kengo was still a student back home. At the very least, he'd been living on his own for his entire life, so it wasn't too much of a shock to alone for the last three weeks that he had been on Omega. Leaning forward, Kengo motioned at the nearby kiosk located next to him on the counter.

"Ariake seems to be the primary provider for omni-tools, as far as I can tell. If you look through the options on the kiosk, you can get a good idea of what we offer and what the specs are as far as current models. I can provide any of them if you'd like a closer look at any of the features, as well." He didn't personally know much about omni-blades, but he knew he'd at least want one in the future. That was more of a military thing, though. He knew that much. Did that mean this salarian had military ties?

"I apologize in advance if I'm not as knowledgeable as you'd like. I'm about one hundred and seventy-five years behind on the current technology, but I'm doing my best to catch up. It's no trouble to contact my boss if you need information I don't have."

[motivationalspeaker]

As soon as Kengo had pointed out the kiosk, Kirrahe started browsing it. Still listening as he spoke, of course. He didn't want to come across as rude.

That was before the kid's next statement, though. Kirrahe couldn't help but stare for a second.

"A hundred and seventy-five? That far back, humans hadn't even colonized Mars yet. And here I was thinking that being three years behind was disorienting."

wow i'm late to this party - scenario 3?

[keelahselai]

It's been a long while since she's had the experience of being unable to afford anything - the Normandy wasn't completely limitless in resources, but when it came to what she needed, it was certainly as good as. Of course, at this point, it's been so long since she's seen real currency at work and not just some kind of stunted trade system, she's barely used to price tags anymore.

Let alone the problem of affording them. (She can't.)

So when she catches sight of a familiar looking salarian, she's at one of the weapons vendors effectively window shopping, and in a few steps, she's standing next to him.

"This is like the galaxy's worst Pilgrimage." Almost as much to herself as to him - and then, "Major Kirrahe, right?"

psh the party don't start til Tali walks in

[motivationalspeaker]

It wasn't every day he was approached by a quarian. The only one he knew of that would know him by name was the one from Shepard's crew, and even then they'd only met briefly. Though it had happened a few times already, Kirrahe still found it a bit odd to be referred to as 'Major'. The whole time paradox thing or whatever was still taking some getting used to. He stepped away from the weapon display he'd been browsing and crossed his arms.

"Captain, actually. There's some sort of three year time difference thing involved that I'm still trying to grow accustomed to."

It wasn't the most scientific explanation for it, but it was sufficient enough. He gave the quarian a friendly nod.

"Tali'Zorah, was it? You're one of Shepard's crew."

d-damn straight

[keelahselai]

She bites back a reassurance that he'll get used to it. It'd be a hypocritical thing to say, really, considering she's barely used to the various time issues that spring up in places like these - and she's not quite so new to it. It always feels like you're just getting over one thing when another bursts in and makes everything else seem like child's play.

Instead, she settles with, "That's right. Shepard's crew." A beat, and then. "The female one."

She's heard of that issue as well - best to just get it out of the way.

83

[motivationalspeaker]

"Right, I heard about that."

All things considered, the fact that there were two Commander Shepards running around probably threw Kirrahe off the most. Being three years in the future was weird, sure, but he'd spent enough time catching up on news feeds and other files to have a good idea what to expect. But double Shepard? Nope, still totally weird.

"I'm afraid I haven't had the opportunity to meet her yet. I'm familiar with the male."

o7

[keelahselai]

"I haven't met the male version." Not here, anyway, but that involves too many explanations that aren't really relevant to their situation. Not anymore. A huff of breath and then, with a wry grin, "They're Shepard. We probably won't have to wait long."

And then she's returning her attention to the market stall they're standing in front of - a weapons stand that's not exactly expensive, but is still far beyond her budget. She's armed, sure - there's a geth shotgun holstered at the small of her back - but it's not quite enough, plus,

"I don't think I've ever not even been able to afford heatsinks."

Granted, that's not a budget issue, that's a, 'she hasn't had a chance to loot them after firefights recently' issue.

/o/

[motivationalspeaker]

"I imagine not." Reproductive organs aside, it was unlikely that these Shepards were too different from each other. Maybe. Honestly, it wasn't something Kirrahe could accurately predict.

"Heatsinks. You know, when it comes to advancing weapons hardware, that sounds like a step backwards to me." His crappy Mass Effect 1 era weapons may be outdated by today's standards, but at least he didn't have to worry about not being able to fire because his heatsinks were full. "I'm sure they have their benefits, I suppose I'd have to see them in action to really judge for myself."