Lt. JG Natasha Cole - Vaults, Traps, and Tourist Attractions

[Natasha Schell]

(( Ferenginar ))

  

After exiting Appetite Optional she walked around more while eating her Cardassian Dog people watching and seeing where her feet took her. After she rounded a corner she spotted a familiar profile.

 

Cole: Imril! ::waving her arm high::

 

Imril: Hi!

 

Cole: What have you been doing on your visit?

 

Imril: Seeing as much of this planet as I can, in the time I have. You?

 

Cole: I did some shopping, mind if I joined you?

 

Imril: Sure. You can join me where I’m headed, too, if you’re interested.

 

Natasha lifted the few bags she had, the rest already sent back to the Artemis. It felt good to be done, no more bargaining, no more being up sold things she absolutely did not need or want.

 

Cole: ::raising her few bags:: Finished what I intended to do. Where too?

 

Imril: An escape room. A building full of them, actually. Some place called Bryyk’s Boffles. I heard about it from someone at a spa I just beamed back from.

 

Natasha slowed half a step, a grin tugging at her mouth as she imagined the implications.

 

Cole: An escape room? On Ferenginar? ::a slow grin:: That sounds either brilliant… or a legally questionable hostage situation.

 

Imril: I figure with all of the effort that Ferengi put into hoarding and protecting their treasures, they probably make good ‘vaults’ that need breaking out of.

 

She hummed in agreement, taking another bite of her dog as she considered it. He wasn’t wrong.

 

Cole: You know… that actually tracks. If anyone would turn paranoia into an art form, it’d be the Ferengi.

 

Imril: The only thing I’ve really been buying around here is directions. Apparently, finding the place is part of the challenge. Or the proprietor has a profit-sharing deal going with all the shopkeeps whose palms I had to grease to know which way to go. Or both. Not the way I’d expected to spend my bribery budget, but… ::shrug::... Cultural exploration takes different forms.

 

Natasha snorted softly, shaking her head.

 

Cole: I’m starting to think the real escape room is just… leaving Ferenginar.

 

Imril: Response

 

Cole: Honestly? Getting lost feels on-brand for the experience. If we’re doing this, we might as well commit.

 

Imril: Response

 

She lifted the last of her Cardassian Dog in a mock toast before taking another bite, gesturing vaguely forward with it.

 

Cole: This is already more fun than shopping, so yeah ::gestures with her half-eaten dog:: I’m in.

 

Imril: Response

 

Natasha glanced around again, at the noise, the neon, the constant negotiation of space and attention. Ferenginar demanded energy just to exist in it, and she was acutely aware of how draining that could be alone.

 

Cole: Besides, it’s nice running into a friendly face out here. Ferenginar can be… a lot.

 

Imril: Response

 

Tags/TBC

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Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4