LongTech Industries - Money for Make-Believe - RPLOG
Participants
Date
26/3/478
Log
The poor Creator girl behind the counter looks harried and tired, trying to make her case to the pushy feline noble. "I am very sorry, HIGHLADY," he translator buzzes, "But Mister Harkness is a busy man, and it is not like I can just wave my arms and make him appear!"
A soft rumble, an almost agitated look in Flora's muzzle, before the cat leans back against her golem, somehow having managed to get it inside the store... Well, at least it's well-behaved, and doesn't seem to show any signs of agaression.
The girl looks nervous under Flora's harsh gaze. "I suppose I could send him a MESSAGE," she says, "But I cannot guarantee that he will get around to it any time soon. Like I said, he is a very busy man." The girl, her name tag says Alvira, turns away to press her hand against a wall panel which then slides away to reveal some sort of small screen with a glowing white line across it. She gabbles something in clipped Creator speech that her translator does not pick up. Something about an irritating cat, and the white line squiggles and waves as she speaks. There is a pleasant chiming sound and she turns back to face Flora. "There," she says, "I have sent a message."
"Flora could understand that, yes," the she-cat huffs as she watches Alvira with a frown on her muzzle, Soon enough, she's browsing through a few of the items in the store, though she soon makes her round back to the front desk once more...
Alvira sighs as Flora comes back around. "I told you HIGHLADY," she says, "Mister Harkness is very busy and-" She is interrupted by the sound of a gentle, but persistant chiming. The girl looks surprised, and holds up a hand to Flora. "Pardon me," she says before returning to the talking panel. She lays her hand on it and it slides away, revealing the round face of an unfamiliar woman. The two of them talk back and forth for a moment, then Alvira hurries over to the counter, skirts rustling. "Well," she says, "It- it seems that Mister Harkness wishes to speak to you." She seems nervous and confused, but lifts the counter for Flora to step back to the talking mirror.
A small smile, a small scoff as Flora watches Alvira step aside. "Yes. Hello, yes, Mister Creator Harkenson," the she-cat funally rumbles, waiting a moment, before flicking her tails. "Flora trusts Mister Creator Harkenson has heard of Flora's request from the... Scholars, yes?" the cat mutters after a moment of contemplation, searching for the right words from time to time.
The big, round face of Mister Harkenson fills the little mirror. "Hello, HIGHLADY," he says, the communicator acting as a translator, "I am not sure about your request, but have certainly heard some things. What can I do for you?" That last phrase sounds suspiciously like, 'What can I sell you?'
A small smile, a flick of Flora's ears, and a soft rumble. "Flora... Already figured Flora wouldn't be able to get an illusion-chair. Or a Glowy Table. That would be going against the embargo, yes? Since beings can't make either, and most of the glowy-tables are no longer in use, or needed, or known, yes?" the cat rumbles, tail swaying lightly.
Harkenson looks a little confused at whatever it is his translator is telling him. "Glowy Table?" he asks, then seems to look at someone off to the side for a second, "Ah! I see. Yes, you are correct. I am afraid that current market laws forbid me from providing you with either and ILLUSION MAKER or a LIGHT TABLE." The fat man spreads his hands in a 'what can you do?' gesture. "I wish I could help you," he continues, "But I am afraid my hands are tied on this. But if you already knew that, what is it you want from me?"
"Flora has... An alternative idea. The issue is that Flora cannot make the devices herself, yes? However, the... Illuaion-maker. It just shows images, yes? Just shows people what people want to see. Flora was thinking of buying some time on one of them, yes. Much cheaper for Flora, and more likely to be legal for Mister Creator Harkenson," the cat purrs with a smile on her face.
Harkenson purses his lips and rubs his smooth jaw with a fat hand. "Huh," he muses aloud, "I could probably sneak that by Parsons." He looks away from Flora for a moment at someone the feline can't see and seems to listen for a minute. "What exactly did you have in mind, HIGHLADY?" he asks, "I understand that you recently took part in some testing with the SCHOLARS that are studying the BEINGS of PROMISE. Is this something to do with that?"
"Flora was... Inside one of the illusion-makers there, yes. Flora saw... Potential," the she-cat rumbles after a moment of contemplation. "Flora would assume a Creator would have to be present, so Flora doesn't control the simulation, if that is what Mister Creator Harkenson is worried about," the she-cat offers after a moment. "Flora is sure the scholars have told Mister Creator Harkenson about that, yes."
"But, flora was figuring a few hours per week, for a small fee. No things not available on promise, no schematics of things beings can't make themselves. Other rules as Mister Creator Parson would like."
Harkenson smiles the smile of a salesman sure of a sale. It is a lot like a shark in a blood frenzy. "I believe that something could be arranged," he says, "And I have no worries about you misusing the ILLUSION MAKER. I believe that with the cooperation of the CREATOR SCHOLARS that I can arrange some time for you to use their facilities for as long as they are on PROMISE." Harkenson hardly seems to be the sort of person to worry about anything other than his bottom line.
"IF things are satisfactory, Flora could be interested in a more permanent arrangement as well, yes," the she-cat rumbles after a moment of contemplation. "Flora will be ready tomorrow, yes," the she-cat rumbles softly. "Flora will get some paperwork ready, yes. And Flora trusts Mister Creator Harkenson can take care of business on the Creators' side, yes?" the cat rumbles, though it seems to be more of a statement, judging by her tone... And the fact she seems to already be making ready to leave...
"Tomorrow!?" Harkenson cries, then catches himself, his salesman's smile taking its customary place on his round face, "Of course, HIGHLADY," he says, "I am sure that something can be arranged. I will simply put the fee on your tab, then." He turns away from the screen and starts to talk with someone. "Get whats-her-name from that SCHOLAR ship on the line I want to-" his words are cut off as the mirror goes dark again.
A smile, a tailflick, and Flora moves away behind the counter, glancing at Alvira with a look of triumph for a short moment, before settling upon the back of her golem and simply... Riding out of the store, as abrubtly as she came.
Alvira looks both a little confused and offended as Flora rides away. "I just don't get it," she mutters, going around to straighten up the store, "and here I thought all the BEINGS here would be cute and friendly."
