"Going where I list, my own master total and absolute" (Part 2 - Diplomacy, Tourism, and Processing)

[meat_mooks]

The trip down was uneventful. The view was gorgeous when the viewing window shields were raised again when they were through the atmosphere, especially as they passed down to Megalopolis, the simply-named giant city that was this world's capital. To the Earthlings there, the continents of this world would look vastly familiar, but that didn't mean

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Group 5 - Entertainment District - Orin Calad [Anna]

[galilee_npcs]

The last group was getting an amazing tour of the bright lights and sights of Megalopolis's main entertainment district.

[ooc: Posting order: Orin, Howard, Zedd, Ruffnut, Signum, Orin, etc.]

[galilee_npcs]

It was a short walk to the transporters, which was fortunate as Orin did not seem to be have much endurance. The transporters themselves were quite like those on Star Trek. "We will be teleported through this to the entertainment district. From there I shall take you to experience the feelies, and after that I will treat you to a delightful dinner and after we will decide where you wish to go next." He paused. "Ah, but where are my manners? I do not even know your names. You, my good fellow." He said, walking closer to Howard. "What is your name?"

[i_sell_drugs]

"Uh. Howard. Mr. Calad, right?" He doesn't extend his hand, instead slipping his hands into his pockets, but he doesn't look nearly as uneasy as he feels right now, either. At least Ruffnut appears to be his age, although Zedd is certainly someone to watch out for. "I'm down with dinner, but can I ask, what are the 'feelies' and can we opt out?"

Because it sounds like either some sort of space bug pedicure or a cutesy term for a lapdance, and Howard is beyond uninterested in either.

[not_edd]

"Zedd. Lord Zedd." the Emperor snarled, not letting the man ask that same question. This didn't make sense at all - why were they all separated like this? Not that he didn't mind being stuck with the rest of the mocking goody-goodies, something about this boded unfairly and he was a villain!

"You said 'entertainment district'. Is it just diners and... whatever these 'feelies' are?" Zedd said, equally feeling a bit freaked out over the idea of such a thing.

[ruffntumblenut]

"Ruffnut Thorston." The Viking girl grunted and did her best to look like she knew what everyone was talking about. She too had been concerned when the parties were seperated. She didn't even know the people she was working with here!

And Entertainment District sounded like they were being swept aside while everyone else did the hard work.

While that annoyed her something fierce...he had mentioned food. And a good Viking always cleaned their plate.

[brustriese]

Signum had been quiet, and generally trying to stay out of Zedd's view the entire time. At least he looked quite recovered...though she couldn't help but wonder if he'd managed to repair that Device of his.

At the indication of what important work they would be doing, though, especially after getting separated from her own friends, she has to speak up.

"My name is Signum, Councilor," she begins, only the edge of her irritation audible, and even that may have only been directed at a man representing the 'best medical technology in the universe' being puffing and winded after only a short walk. "While I appreciate your offer of hospitality, your request for aid sounded rather urgent. Is this little tour entirely necessary?"

[galilee_npcs]

While they were introducing themselves, several of Orin's guards arrived. They stood silently beside him and simply nodded at the others.

Orin's previously amiable face took on a rather indignant look. "The others are negotiating with Councilor Allin An. They will take care of the specifics. However, it is important to us that you understand our society. It is our hopes that you shall love, not as much as we do, obviously, but enough that you too will wish to preserve this way of life. There is much to offer you." He cleared his throat. "The feelies allow us to experience the feelings of others- a fictional, other. It permits us to experience the thrill of grand adventures, the curiosity of a detective unraveling a mystery, the passion of a new romance." He looked at the others. "Perhaps you are familiar with books? Imagine what it would be like to be inside of one and feel it all firsthand."

He smiled. "There will be time enough for the work to begin, but for now allow us to treat you to the finest we have to offer."

[i_sell_drugs]

Howard's fine with milking this trip for all it's worth, except that it all seems so controlled. He doesn't like being pulled away with strangers, nor having the schedule for them seem so planned. He almost wants the crew to whine until they change it just to prove that they can, that there's no meat factory or experimentation chamber they have a time-sensitive appointment at.

But that would just be his normal paranoia, wouldn't it? The kind people tease him about?

"You didn't answer us if we could opt out, Mr. Chalad. Personally, the feelies sound a little invasive to me."

[not_edd]

Sorry about this, Howard, but Zedd's gonna invade your personal space for a moment. Laying a clawed hand on his shoulder, he leaned in and whispered.

"I doubt he'll let us go so easily. Like it or not, we're in for this ride." he said.

Admittedly, he wish he had his staff with him. He never did find his snake after Philip and Andy spirited him away. Oh, well, he'll just make another here.

[ruffntumblenut]

"Books...right." Ruffnut had...to this day read exactly three books.

By which she often meant, "Looked at the pictures"

But she was game. These people wanted help, she wanted to prove herself and that meant being helpful. "Sounds like a plan to me."

[brustriese]

"So, you're taking us out to motivate us to protect your planet," Signum says. The idea of a VR narrative wasn't too far from Midchildan technology either, and didn't sound much different at all from the Sensoriums. "I can't really argue with that reasoning..."

She relaxes, ready to go now, even if it did still sound like too good of a deal, and favors their host with a slight ironic smirk. "I will say, though...being inside a book is rather overrated. Lead the way, if that's your wish."

[galilee_npcs]

Orin smiled. "Good, very good. And Howard, it is not invasive at all. Certainly much less than the scanning you agreed to." He gestured to the transporters, with a slight bow. "After you."

[i_sell_drugs]

Howard jerks away from Zedd's hand. "Don't touch me, man," he hisses in a whisper than hopefully won't get picked up by Orin. As uncomfortable as the unexpected restraint made him, he doesn't want to telegraph the group's discord to the Galileeans.

He looks distinctly unhappy at being forced into this entire thing, and he tilts his head at Ruffnut. "Nah, Valkyrie here can go first. She looks eager about it."

He's half-considering running screaming to another group, except Zouichi's group is already gone, and Rory's isn't in sight. Not to mention if they physically forced him, the only thing he'd gain would be the knowledge that his broken clock of a paranoid streak was right at that twice a day. Not even close to worth it, no matter how much he's getting the creeps.

[not_edd]

If Zedd could smirk, he would do so. Big time. Making people uneasy is his thing!

He let the others do their thing, though. No need to ruin things just yet. There'd be time to do that should the need arise!

[ruffntumblenut]

"Heh, Valkyrie." She chuckled at the idea that she was someone so strong.

Then again she was alot stronger then she used to be.

[brustriese]

Signum attempts to give the nervous man that Zedd's harassing a reassuring look, taking her own assurance of the weight of her untransformed Device against her collar bone. The scanners, being medical in nature, hadn't even bothered to note the magical weapon, at least not to her knowledge. Not that she was planning on attacking anyone in the entertainment district, but it's not like she'd have gone anywhere without Laevatein, either.

Zedd and the young pigtailed girl didn't seem to need reassurance, however, and Signum steps forward and toward the teleporter along with the rest of the group.