no_fastolfe | 15 - Bright lights, fast cars, disease

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15 - Bright lights, fast cars, disease

Why is it always Earth?

Why is it always so crowded?

[Filtered to friends]
Who knows this place? What is expected besides rampant capitalism and hordes of people-- this I have noticed already.

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[She shakes her head.] I know that it is a social game aboard the barge.

It is. [He remembers a specific time when it was especially nice. He was death tolling.] But it may be necessary for us to play to get more money.

What sort of a game is it? If it requires physical prowess I may be unable to help, but if it is a logic game...

Unfortunately, it's not a game based in either. Rather, numerical values and cards and bluffing one another. You may enjoy the probability portion, but I imagine you would have more difficulty facing the other players [given her suspicions].

I can help you with that, however, if you would be willing to try your hand. I have no intention to leave our fates to chance.

[She nods] A team sport?

Not generally, but I don't intend to leave you alone in there and I can find some way to pass necessary messages to you.

[She gives him a slightly alarmed look]

Why am I to be the representative, as the less experienced?

Unless you want to lean provocatively on my shoulder and whisper hints in my ear while wearing an attractive dress, it's probably the best way to draw the least attention. You're better at math.

I used to be a spy. Familiar with this era or not, I know the behaviors well enough. Are you afraid of a challenge?

[Okay, serious look of distaste. Ew.]

Then let me get into clothing and you can inform me as to the basic rules of the game and familiarize me with the playing pieces.

I'll buy us a deck. And I need something more suitable myself. [A respectable suit or something.]

Such a wide array of clothing. [Suspicious look at the people they pass] Do you know what cultural significance any of it has?

Some of it. A lot of it has changed by my time, but I did research to help me better blend in to ancient ports. This clothing is largely based out of American and Western European cultures. Clothing that doesn't follow the convention, even if it's less revealing, tends to attract more attention and suspicion.

[Vasilia eyed the other women they passed with deep suspicion. In large part they were dressed quite reasonably, though there were certainly exceptions.]

The colors and styles are unusual, but little of it is scandalous. We must find an excuse for my gloves, or buy some in the fashion.

We can buy you a pair of driving gloves. They're still in use. [He veers toward one of the stores and gets the door for her.]

...you have me at a loss, sir.

That shirt, is that shirt appropriate? [She tips her head as discretely as she knows how towards a billboard on which a woman in shirt, sleeveless and mandarin-collared, is sampling food from a nearby restaurant with every evidence of ecstasy.

Vasilia will give the dramatic look of pleasure and the heavy makeup a miss, thank you.]

That shirt would be appropriate, yes. [He looks out at the billboard.]

...I don't suppose the food is, though, from the advertisement.

I was trying not to comment. [She makes a fantastic lemonface]

I think she was prepared for the commentary. [Neverending tease. Oh, but now he has to go make salespeople swoon so they'll cater especially well to their currently oddly dressed selves.]

[She is wondering why she puts up with you, sir.

Besides the whole warden thing.]

Once in the store I will let you do the talking. I have been told that my mannerisms can be abrasive. [Wryface]

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15 - Bright lights, fast cars, disease

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