Lt Commander Ava Munro - The Beauty of Ads
Ava Munro
((Ticket Hall - Slug-nasium - Ferenginar))
Ferengi Lady: Payment upfront. And payment now. I'm not dealing with those Starfleet adjusters. Took me a whole season to get my latinum last time :: eyes up MacKenzie :: The higher the rank, the harder to pay. Always the same.
Ava was stunned into silence. The sheer and utter belligerence of the elderly Ferengi woman was startling to say the least. Then there was MacKenzie. It was as if two powerful entities had collided and now threatened to destroy all known space. The space being her, who was currently caught firmly in-between the glares of both of these formidable women.
MacKenzie: ::pointing:: I don't have a problem paying, but you're not going to upcharge us - we're going pay the same ::gesturing:: as the lot that just walked in.
MacKenzie pointed to her.
MacKenzie: You sort it out. ::to the Ferengi:: And do not let me find out that we got overcharged.
Munro: Yes, sir.
So much for the fun-getting-to-know-you girl trip.
As the Fleet Captain stormed off with the force of a thousand Klingons in the throes of battle fury, Ava smiled at the Ferengi lady who’s rheumy eyes hadn't left the Captain once.
Munro: :: makes sure she's out of hearing range :: I'll pay anything to stop this conversation.
Ferengi Lady: :: smiles :: That's all I wanted to hear :: then suspicious :: Upfront? I'm not dealing -
Munro: Yes! No Starfleet bureaucrats. Just make it look like we're negotiating.
The Ferengi woman huffed.
Ferengi Lady: Hoo-mons have a strange way of impressing the boss. Personally I wouldn't hire anyone that wanted to be ripped off. I'm charging you double the rate and a 10% fee for my troubles. I'm going to have to lay down for a relaxing ear rub after this :: eyes her up :: I should charge you for that but I must be getting old. And soft. I don't have the mind for hoo-mon tears today.
Ava bites her lips and smiles in mock deference.
Munro: I appreciate that. So much.
After a few minutes, Ava made her way over with the tickets in hand. MacKenzie once again pointed back to the Ferengi woman.
MacKenzie: She give you a hard time?
Munro: She was putty in my hands. Turns out I have the Ferengi touch :: shrugs :: Who knew?
A white lie was still okay, right?
MacKenzie: Good. I wasn't in the mood to chew someone out today.
Before Ava could confess to her small deception a loud bell sounded off, signaling the beginning of a match.
MacKenzie: Let's go, I think it's about ready to start.
They followed a stream of tourists into an open spaced area with a domed window for a ceiling, at either side was raised practice rings where aliens from across the quadrant fought, some of them violently. Ava winced as she witnessed a Nausicaan and a Brikarian collide and the Nausicaan crumpled to the ground. She paused in shock before the Brikarian held out a hand to her opponent. The Nausicaan man accepted it with a wince of pain.
Munro: This is quite extreme?
MacKenzie: Response
Munro: I guess? It's not an accident that we have to walk past :: indicates the training rings :: All of this.
It could all just be for show. A perfectly curated experience to ensure satisfaction to the paying guests and return business. There was no stakes if there was no sense of danger. Her point was proven when a Xindi Primate female squealed up ahead in a mixture of fear and pleasure, and then she clung on to her companion. They both laughed nervously as they passed through tall archways.
((Azaqu Premium Arena - Slug-nasium - Ferenginar))
On the other side of the archways was an epic arena. The first thing that caught her attention was the holographic advertisements above their heads. Everything was being sold. From Slug-o-Cola to new starship timeshares to luxury cruises to the Delta quadrant to household furnishings to AI operating systems to fruits and vegetables and livestock. Everything.
The brilliant display of colours, creatures and performances each designed to grab your attention but seemingly all synchronised into a seamless performance of their own.
No-one did advertising quite like the Ferengi.
A large creature, somewhere between a targ, an Earth canine, and a snake swooped down towards them. Ava raised her arm as it passed through it while playing a jingle for the arena's main sponsor Azaqu Industries.
Munro: Wow.
MacKenzie: Response
Ava pointed to a short walk further down a sloped walkway.
Munro: Our seats are right down here.
MacKenzie: Response
Tags/TBC
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2