Ensign Tho’Bi - The Rules of Acquisition

[Tobi]

(( Main Mess Hall - Deck 3, USS Artemis-A ))

One meter ninety centimeter Andorians don't sneak out of places easily. Nevertheless, this was his chance, while they were distracted by the games.   

He backed away slowly, slow-mo legato footfalls. Granular in motion, he rotated his torso and landed his foot, toes first forty five degrees behind him. Just one more step…

As his head turned, his eyes caught up with what his antennae had already sensed.

Ensign Cole was standing behind him.  

Tho’Bi: oO Zalexu! Oo

Tho’Bi: Hey! 

His faux-happiness at seeing his roommate was fooling no one, least of all Ensign Cole. 

Cole: Big Smile:: Hi! Were you going to find me? That was very kind of you. ::feigning concern:: You weren’t trying to duck out on the fun where you? ::smile turning to a smirk::

The Andorian smile-grimaced in return. In time, he'd have to figure out which annoyed him more, the failing to sneak out or the getting court in the act by his roommate; a roommate that looked like she was feeling very pleased with herself. Fortunately one of the huddle of Ensigns interjected and distracted Ensign Cole. 

Meris: I am Ensign Meris, helmsperson, and this is Doctor Bancroft. ::again motioning to Roy::

Bancroft: ::extending his hand, bright fake smile:: Roy Bancroft, Ensign, M.D., general nuisance. My friends call me Crashcart. Pleasure to meet you.

Cole: Nice to meet you Ensign Meris, ::making mental note of their specific wording of position:: I’m Ensign Natasha Cole, Security. And I am already familiar with Doctor Crashcart. ::gently nudging his arm::

His roommate continued working the room with an effortless ease that made the awkward-at-first-sight Andorian feel like he'd snorted the sticky snow all over again. 

Cole: ::to K'Wara:: It’s nice to see you again, Lieutenant K’Wara. ::to all:: So, what's the game plan?

K'Wara: Response 

Ensign Bancroft had singled out ‘Galaxy-opoly’. The Andorian knew the game well. How many times had he lost playing Zee? All of them, was the answer. His Ferengi best friend would leap about in delight, chanting the Rules of Acquisition and throwing the fake credits in the air. A broad smile crept its way across the Andorian’s face. He hated the game. 

Bancroft: You ever played that one? It’s the galaxy’s longest-running war of attrition disguised as a board game. The Grok Brothers bought the rights from some ancient Earth company and made it “more engaging.” Which is to say, less about property and more about economic conquest and the occasional hostile takeover.

Tho'Bi: ::resigned to his fate:: Yeah, why not.

He knew he was stuck there. Might as well be truly miserable.

Ensign Meris looked, if anything, mildly less enthusiastic. No small achievement. 

K’Wara/Cole: Response

Bancroft: ::gesturing to the table:: It’s a perfect way to spend three hours and end up friendless and bankrupt.

Unless your friend is a Ferengi, in which case driving you to bankruptcy inclines them to cherish your friendship even more.

Meris: ::openly frowning:: That does not sound like an enjoyable way to spend three hours.

Tho'Bi: ::to Meris:: Rule of Acquisition number Fifty Five ::beat:: take joy from profit and profit from joy. 

The Andorian offered the J'Naii the thin smile of resignation that is shared between the condemned. 

K’Wara/Cole: Response.

Bancroft: Don’t worry - the only real skill you need is the ability to crush hope without blinking. Flipping tables is a bonus.

Apparently, the new Helmsperson was not accepting the fate of the damned as readily as he, the J'Naii appeared to be attempting to use Ensign Cole as some kind of humanoid shield. 

Meris: Aren't there any nicer games? Ones that help us make friends, rather than lose them?

Tho'Bi: Rule of Acquisition number six ::beat:: Never allow family to stand in the way of profit.

With that he sat down at the ‘Galaxy-opoly’ table and pawed his choice playing piece, and what had been his choice playing piece since forever, ‘USS Enterprise NCC-1701 REFIT’. He spied an NX Era Playing Piece and tossed it upwards in a gentle arch to his roommate. 

Tho’Bi: ::to Cole:: Your weapon of choice!

Cole: Response

K’Wara/Bancroft/Meris: Response

The Andorian felt oddly content to be sat at this miserable game. This was familiar. He had played this role many times. He readied himself for a catastrophic defeat. 

The holographic grinned back at him.

Holo-Ferengi: ::sneering:: No profit to be won in a solo game!

Tho’Bi: ::to the Holo-Ferengi and shrugs:: Rule of Acquisition number one hundred and sixty two ::beat:: even in the worst of times, someone turns a profit.

The Holo-Ferengi howled with delight and clapped his hands together in rapid fashion.

Cole/Bancroft/Meris/K'Wara: Response

Tag/TBC

((OOC: Didn't want to presume for everyone else… so feel free to join the game or not in whatever timing and fashion you feel works for your character. 

Rule of Acquisitions can be found via a simple Google Search….

Holo-Ferengi is a NPC. Anyone can play him. I figure a cartoon-ish version of a Ferengi. Keep it fun - his aim is to encourage as many people to play as possible for as long as possible. ))

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11