Curios (D8 LE Schantz' Antique Shop)

[GM Yuusha]

(Open to 2 PCs)

After some shopping and general browsing around time, Lakshmi was ready to return to the dropsite. It necessitated a long detour across the countryside in the hover APC to avoid patrols. She'd be back late. However, the mall had made it worthwhile and she'd needed to let her hair down after the last few busy days. Still, she had to get some rest tonight. Tomorrow would be another busy day. The big positive was that she'd get to take her baby out again.

It was while heading back to the APC that she spots a strange little antique shop that catches her eye. It was still open. Strange. She decides to step inside...

[Klaus von Zinzer]

"Reconnaissance" was not the correct word for it, but the civilian hub did have importance to justify his visit and flush with pay some shopping wasn't a terrible idea. Especially if he found something nice for a certain blond.

So when Klaus sees the familiar figure of Lakshmi duck inside a small shop Klaus can't help but peer in through the window.

[John Slaktare]

He'd spoken with her about gifts previously, and he still wanted to get one. He wondered if they might have anything in the little shop she just ducked into. He waved to Klaus as he passed through the door, but didn't say anything. For now, he just takes in the layout of the shop and gets a sense for the kind of antiques he sells. He expects them to look relatively familiar compared to other places, having grown up in Rasalhague space.

[GM Yuusha]

John's expectation was entirely reasonable. It was, nonetheless, wrong. Very wrong. There are some of the usual Rasalhague knit-knacks, including at least two 'viking' crafts, but otherwise the store's contents are a very strange and eclectic mix of things. Vases and stuffed bears, candlesticks and hanging cages, Draconis wall scrolls and lacquer boxes, Lyran mirrors and clocks, paintings and tribal goods. There was no rhyme or reason to it.

Klaus, peering in through the dusty window, would notice the poor lighting and strangeness of the place. John would see it first hand as he entered. The place could use a clean yet nearly all the objects on show, those available for sale at least, were well looked after. Only a few items without any tags on them, such as a lucky cat statue, didn't look so clean.

(You're welcome to make a Knowledge: underworld [intelligence] TN20 roll...)

Lakshmi was inside, just looking around, when she spots John enter. She lifts a hand to him in greeting. "Hey John. Did the sign catch your eye too?" She asks cheerfully with her usual smile.

[Klaus von Zinzer]

Klaus has been around the block a few times and knows that there is something off about this place.

But that means opportunity

He steps inside as puzzle pieces come together.

Curios-Shop secrets! - Knowledge: Underworld - Learned advantage for free rank-TN 20: 5d10o10k4 25

[Klaus von Zinzer]

A smile crosses Klaus' lips and he approaches the desk.

(In German) "Hello. Do you have any souvenirs of the Homeland?"

[John Slaktare]

John nods as he replies, "Yeah. And noticing you coming in. Figure I can ask for a second opinion on possible gifts."

He keeps his eyes open for jewelry as he browses.

----
Autofail, 2d10 vs 25 with disadvantage

[GM Yuusha]

A stern looking young man pops out of the back room to approach the counter and Klaus. He checks the other two customers before replying to Klaus' query in Bavarian accented German. Klaus could still understand it, but to his refined ear it came across as very rural.

"Yes. There is mostly what you can see, or are you looking for something in particular?" (German)

[Lakshmi Kaala]

Lakshmi goes to say something until Klaus appears and simply walks past over to the desk. Her eyebrows lift up, but she looks back to John.

"A gift for Mei-Ling?" She queries to be sure beyond a doubt.

The shop did have a few boxes that looked suitably for jewellery, but there was no obvious display for earrings, bracelets or anything of the sort. Maybe they didn't have any. Maybe they were kept behind the counter or locked up somewhere. Further investigation was needed.

[John Slaktare]

"Yeah. I don't really know what I'm doing to be honest. Most of the time I don't have... relationships," John replies in a neutral tone. His redness disclosed his slight embarrassment. He continues the search, passing by the counter to see if there was anything behind there.

[Klaus von Zinzer]

A stern looking young man pops out of the back room to approach the counter and Klaus. He checks the other two customers before replying to Klaus' query in Bavarian accented German. Klaus could still understand it, but to his refined ear it came across as very rural.

"Yes. There is mostly what you can see, or are you looking for something in particular?" (German)

(German) "Well, I have heard that it is a lovely day for a March at this time of year." Klaus offers a head tilt in the direction of the two grizzled looking mech pilots behind him. "Perhaps there is some supply under the table." The phrasing was a touch awkward, but with luck, any listening ears trying to translate would not pick up any subtext.

I'm looking for any military supplies you can beg, borrow and steal for me, and I am not picky as to to how you get them. And if we can help where your sympathies lie, all the better. I won't tell.

[Lakshmi Kaala]

Laks was shocked. Shocked enough she forgot about whatever Klaus was doing in that moment. She had to remind herself to close her mouth as she followed after John.

"I'll help. I can give you a woman's perspective and I'm pretty good at haggling." She sells her involvement with a grin.

[GM Yuusha]

The staffer's eyebrows lift up at first, but then he frowns. "You need to speak to Schantz." (German)

He looks over to the other two customers. He wasn't sure if the group were together. There wasn't an obvious thing tying them together as a group. Not one he could see anyway. He switched to English as he forced a smile.

"My German could use work, so sorry. Is there anything I can help you with right now?"

[John Slaktare]

Butcher was apparently into the whole thing enough to go looking for a gift. He was, however, still him and he didn't show any hint that he was enjoying himself.

"That'd be great, thanks. I was thinking about something like a bracelet. Or necklace. Hopefully they have something like that."

He doesn't interrupt Klaus's conversation. Just looks over occasionally while browsing. He does look at some smaller jewelry boxes.

[Klaus von Zinzer]

"Ahh, I see." Klaus switches back over to English. "My work friends over there" he gestures to Laks and Butcher "seem to be looking for keepsakes. I believe you said that the owner can handle specialty orders?"

[Lakshmi Kaala]

"I can see Mei-Ling liking either of those. Do you know her favourite colour?" Lakshmi queries, looking around for jewellery. There was none out. "I'll go ask if they have something."

She heads over to the counter, where...

[GM Yuusha]

Lakshmi looks surprised as she is gestured to and suddenly there was the talk of keepsakes.

The man at the counter didn't react in any particular way at all. "We can order things. Schantz is never free." He nods toward the small woman.

[Klaus von Zinzer]

Klaus looks back at Lakshmi. "It would appear that this fine enterprise has access to local markets. For some of the things from home that we just couldn't find around here."

He wags his eyebrows, hoping she gets the hint.

[John Slaktare]

"I know she don't like orange," he says, following along. She sometimes has red eyes, prolly contacts. So maybe red?"

Butcher waves to the retail worker, but it's obvious that he's following Lakshmi now.

"All of it's close enough to home for me."

[Lakshmi Kaala]

"Yes." She smiles stiffly. "I know."

Giving him a wink she slipped past to lean across the high counter. It was a good look aside from the fact she had to tiptoe slightly.

"We've come to see Schantz."

The man looked confused now. "Schantz is never free." He repeats the words from before.

Lakshmi grins merrily. "Schantz should be free. We're friends of Schantz."

His mouth opened a little as he pondered a reply. His voice becomes quieter. "If Schantz was free, he'd be here."

"Then we must make Schantz free."

Cautiously, the man gives a nod and stands up straight. "This way." He signals Lakshmi to join him as he heads toward the side door.

Pushing off the counter and looking pretty pleased with herself, Lakshmi gestures for Klaus to step ahead "After you Lieutenant." She turns to John. "Secret stuff, but they'll have more in the back. You ought to come too John. Don't worry, we'll find a gift. Something red."