Browsing for Brick-a-Brack

Posted on Tue Oct 10, 2017 @ 1:52am by Lieutenant Commander Kelani Tetanal & Lieutenant JG Logan Hunter

Mission: Strange Matter
Location: Deck Ten, Rustics and Rarities
Timeline: Just after from elliptical to spherical, 7:00 PM

Logan wandered around Rustics and Rarities in search of nicknacks for his quarters. He gave a polite nod to other shoppers as he browsed through the displays and shelves. He spotted a collection of leather bound books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a complete set of Sherlock Holmes novels.

Logan looked about the bookshelves some more and spotted yet another complete series by the earlier 20th century author Johnston McCulley. He immediately scooped up the six volume set as the stories all referred to a fictional character for which his call sign stemmed from. The stories of Zorro. He strode up to the front counter and deposited the volumes. "May I leave these here while I shop around some more?"

A Ferengi sales clerk eyed him for a moment before nodding and gesturing as turned to look at the book collection. "Of course sir." He gestured to the back wall. "If you are truly into the swashbuckling adventure. You may like to check out our regalia of ancient weapons and outfits."

Logan looked in the direction the Ferengi indicated and nodded. "Thank you. I will."

Kelani entered Rustics and Rarities and picked up a shopping basket as was her custom even when browsing. She moved around the store, noticing the leather bound set of the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. She smiled and placed them in her basket, continuing to move about the store.

A glint of po!ished metal near the rear of the store caught her eye and she moved to see what it was, very nearly colliding with another customer.

"I beg your pardon," she said, "I was curious about what might be back here...."

Logan held out his arms as if to help steady Kelani, but never really needed to make contact with her. "It's entirely my fault miss. I was rushing back here to look at the displays of ancient weapons." Noticing she was in no danger of falling he dropped one arm back to his side and gestured with the other for Kelani to take the lead. "After you."

Kelani smiled, "You are most gracious.". She paused for a moment, then spoke again as she moved toward the rear of the store, " I am Kelani Tetanal."

"Logan Hunter." Logan walked slightly behind and to Kelani's left as they made their way to the back of the shop. He struck out his right hand as they walked. "Pleasure to meet you."

"I am pleased to meet you as well,". Kelani said with another smile for Logan. "Let us see what treasures are here, shall we?"

Logan's eyes opened wide when he spotted the display of swords. He released a slow whistle. "Wow! Now this is what I call some impressive steel!"

Kelani's eyes went round at the display of swords. "It is most impressive!" she agreed as she moved to examine an ornate rapier. "It would be a true pleasure to fence with such a sword."

"It is." Logan looked to Kelani for a moment. "Wait? You fence?"

"Yes, indeed," Kelani replied with a smile. She sighed, continuing, "Fencing against holographic opponents is--less than satisfying..."

A smile crept to Logan's face as he studied Kelani for a moment. "Well if you're ever interested in a new fencing opponent, please let me know."

"I would like that very much!" Kelani replied with a delighted smile.

Logan's smile brightened in response to Kelani's. He couldn't help but think that her smile seemed to brighten the shop as they looked over the collection of swords. "Just say when and where."

Kelani thought for a moment, even as Logan' s thoughts about her slipped into her mind. "Hmmm.....Perhaps two days from now at the end of Alpha shift?"

Logan gave a nod. He was pretty sure that he had administrative duties that shift and could knock off a bit early. "Sounds great. I'll reserve us some holodeck time."

“That sounds perfect,” Kelani replied, beaming. “I will see you then.”

Logan gave a wave to Kelani and beamed his biggest smile yet. "I shall count the hours until we meet yet again Milady." He gave a deep bow and rose with a flourish of arms.

Kelani grinned delightedly. She replied in kind. “And I will wait that meeting with bated breath, my liege.” She said with a deep curtsy.

Logan gave a nod and went down one of the aisles for the front of the store. He spoke briefly with the store clerk as he paid for his items and left the store

Kelani grinned as she watched Logan leave. She continued to shop for a few more minutes, then moved to the front to pay for the items she had chosen.

The store clerk looked up at Kelani when she finally came up to the counter. "Anything else you find of interest?"

"Just the rapier you have on your back wall," Kelani replied, "But that perhaps must wait until a later time."

The clerk bagged up Kelani's purchases and handed them back to her. "The gentleman you were browsing with told me to credit his account for your purchases. So your all set."

Kelani's eyes went round. "He did? Oh my!"

~I must thank him for this,~ She thought, ~That was so gallant and gracious!~

The clerk pulled out a PADD. "The ensign noticed your interest in the rapier and paid for it too. I just need your cabin assignment to have it delivered."

Surprise robbed Kelani of speech for a moment, then mentally shook herself and gave the clerk her cabin assignment.

~This is amazing!~ she thought. ~Such generosity!