Terra - Ottawantreal

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A huge North American city, built in a mishmash of styles from many eras of architecture. the spaceport is bustling and filled with cruise ships, racing yachts, and transport craft. It's full of shops, clubs, gardens, and tourist attractions.

The weather is currently cool but sunny.

"People use debts to acquire slaves all the time," the outspoken one whispered. "You're sure that's not what he's doing?"

"Freed slaves keep slaves sometimes," another said. "Maybe your captain is the same way. It's all right, we know how this goes, you don't have to try and sugar-coat it."

The one who had suggested sanctuary earlier raised her hand. "Do you know where the police station might be, Mr. Eleven?"

Eleven tilted xyr head. "Uh..." they shuffled through the paperwork to find the map and found where they were. "we're here." and then found the nearest police station which was on the map. "they're there." Xe handed the map to the guy asking.

"I'm sure they can help you." Lope's smile felt a little forced now. He didn't like to think of the boss as a slaver, even though he did trap people into working for him with debts and contracts... it wasn't that they couldn't leave, just, it was going to be a lot of trouble and pain if they did. He didn't like to think about it. He still felt a degree of loyalty to Hytar.

The slave took the map and looked at it uncertainly. "Okay, we have to follow this road a few blocks and turn onto Oak street?" She said. "I guess we should go look, hopefully we can find our way back." This city was scary.

Nikita nodded, "Deal." She found a quick map that directed them to a local bistro to order their meals. The shard would cover it as a gift to Tala.

Tala matched pace with Nikita, sniffing the air as they left the spaceport. There were decorative trees and flowers outside the spaceport, and she loved them. "Let us hope this place does not serve overly much chocolate," she joked. "Such would be of great tragedy."

"If they put chocolate into salad or stir fry I would be insulted." Nikita laughed as they stood causally in line. On a occasion she would scan the area to insure that no one offical was around.

"We shall tell them no chocolate," Tala said. "If they are wise, they will listen to our request. If they are not wise, I shall smell it and shout at them!"

Nikita chuckled as it was their turn to order, "That would be a sight to see.."

Tala placed her order, for an extra extra large salad with extra pecans. She couldn't read the signs, so she had to just ask for things, which she did, very enthusiastically. A couple of people stared at the two, Tala had a very loud voice, and both she and Nikita were pretty tall.

Nikita ignored the stares and was obviously able to read the sign and put a order in for a vegan burger with fries. "I'll give credit Terran burgers are the best."

Tala snorted. "They are often made from the flesh of the sacred cattle, it is most uncouth. You have a better taste in burgers than that, for which I am glad." She approved of vegan burgers, oh yes.

Nikita laughed, a grin on her face. "My people are Vegitarians by nature, though I do break the rules a bit for sea food."

"Does meat make you ill?" Tala asked. "My kind cannot eat animal proteins or we become sick, it is most frustrating at times." She went to pick up her salad, which was at the pickup counter now.

"Technically shards are omnivores, Grey and Dark shards do eat meat without issues. Though because lights have substance from meat for numerous generations this has led to a slight evolution of distolerance of meat for the most part. In my case because my mother was a Grey shard I don't have as severe of a reaction luckily." Nikita said while paying for the meals.

"Good luck!" Lope told the group. "If you need anything while we're still about, come find us. Otherwise, enjoy freedom yeah?"

Eleven shook xyr head, well at least Lope was acting more like his dumb ol' self again.

Tala slapped Nikita's shoulder in a companionable way. "We have so much in common, it is most excellent. You have my gratitudes for paying our food," she added.

~~
"How long will you be here, Sirs?" one of the slaves asked.

Nikita didn't even flinch though Tala would feel the under armor she wore. "I figure I owed you after that bar fight." The shard did a mental sigh, so far no one questioning or noticing her.

Eleven and Lope looked to one another, truthfully they didn't actually know. They were waiting on Vestia to arrive.

"A few days?" Lope suggested uncertainly.

Tala snorted at that. "The fight was not the fault of yours, although I am still glad for the food," she said. "Come, let us return to our ships, to eat and enjoy the day."

~~
The slaves looked a little relieved, at least. "All right... Thank you." They headed in the direction of the police station, still looking pretty spooked.

Nikita chuckled and nodded, "Agreed." She walked with thr Minotaur.

Tala led the way back toward the spaceport. "You smell most excellent," she informed Nikita as they walked.

Lope sighed as the slaves all dispersed.

"Well that could have gone worse." Eleven remarked.

"I think I need a drink..." Lope complained.

"Aren't you supposed to NOT be drinking these days?" Eleven asked.

Lope made a face. "You're the one who starts fights."

Eleven shrugged. "Fine, bar's this way.. I think."

"How long has it been since you were last here?" Lope asked.

Eleven shrugged. "I dunno, I lost track."

"What?"

"Gargoyles don't age like most humanoid species okay? We spend large chunks of time hibernating and last time.. I kinda overslept."

"Overslept?" Lope frowned. "By.. how long?"

"I dunno, ten years?" Eleven started walking.

Lope blinked. "How the hell do you oversleep by ten years!??"

"It's not sleep really, it's hibernation. " Eleven waved a hand "It's complicated okay? "

"okaaaay then." Lope looked bewildered. Aliens man, they were confusing.

They headed for the nearest bar.

Kooshie wrote:Tala led the way back toward the spaceport. "You smell most excellent," she informed Nikita as they walked.

"thabk you...?" Nikita assumed that was a compliment. She started to munch on her fries relaxing a bit.

Tala made a good natured huffing noise. "I have been told that many other species find having their smell complimented unnerving. Do not have that concern, it is a fine compliment in my people."

"No, I just am use to a old friend of mind doing it sarcastically." Nikita smirked softly, but saddeness in her eyes.

Tala's ears flicked forward, curious. "Who would give such glorious compliments in sarcasm?" She asked.

"Well lets say I was doing a mission and ended up covered in a local fauna defensive spray which has a horrible odor." The shard laughed, "I got pay back though, he ended up extremely drunk so we hung him up side down in the bay covered in pink glitter. Obviously got in trouble but sooo worth it." Nikita grinned, it was clear she enjoyed her time in the military.