Pets on the Promenade (GenPals Event and Exhibition)

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Farah"]

"Oh okay." His expression fell for a bit, he had hoped that it would be okay- the expression lit up again when Farah offered a different approach. Samson wasn't entirely sure what the difference was between petting the smol critter and holding it.... but he would take that chance like a thirsty man would take water in the desert. He had heard that analogy in the bar back then. It seemed like a very apt comparison in this situation, so he used it gladly for the moment.

"That sounds great, thank you."

He peered down curiously as Farah took the lizard in her hands and it started to wiggle around.

It even licked her! ...how unhygienic though, who knew where that tongue had been. Samson was about to apologize for its conduct to Farah, before she told him to stretch out his hands. "Oh, no, Farah, I don't think-" His hands, as if they had a will of their own already stretched themselves out.

A moment later the little thing was deposited on his hands.

There was enough space there for the SalaFrander to chase its own butt a bit, running a little circle, before curling up against Sam's thumb. "Farah..." Samson murmured while trying not to breathe too loudly, even a little shock looked like it could kill the poor thing. He was probably overreacting, but once you were in the class of 'burst melons with bare hands' you really started to wonder at how fragile everything around you was. "What should I do now??"

 

[Cassandra Paige]

[member="Itash Mecetti"] [member="Persephone Alonna"]

"I certainly have ways of pinning him down," she murmured with a ghost of a different sort of smile that shifted back into neutral friendly again a moment later.

"Mhmm, they can fly," she confirmed. "The small ones like you are looking at anyway. The largest ones, meant as guard animals cannot. But these? Certainly."

She almost told the girl to give it a little shake- often with the young ones they needed to be startled into it the first time- but Tash's response arrested her attention instead. Attempting to maneuver into check. She did not think so.

"Oh, they are rather darling," she said with a smile and a nod, "but you know how busy we both are! It would hardly be fair," she glanced at Persephone, "Or responsible of us- the poor thing would be alone so often with how much we travel. No, it would be deeply selfish and irresponsible."

Mostly because she'd probably strangle it or toss it out a window in the first two days.

"And even if one of us took it along when we worked, it would simply pine for the other. No, Tash, for the sake of the creature, that would be a such a fate."

She looked at him with concern on her face, but he could see it in her eyes.

If he bought one she would not accept blame to what might happen to it.

Even if whatever it was ended up being at her hand.

*****

[member="Six-O"]

The discussion and trading of information was easier, more in Matteo's zone- this was what he did, after all. Discussed, laughed, coaxed out the truth of what a customer had need of. Of course, Vera was damnably difficult to pin down to specifics, but it wasn't the first time a customer was like that and he mostly just considered it a professional challenge.

Of course, he hadn't been expecting someone else to join them. At least this one was human- oh Matteo wasn't like his boss, but it was still slightly more comforting.

Slightly.

Until she slid in right next to him. Far too close for comfort. Of course not for the reasons that might be obvious.

"Oh, uh, a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ashmedai," he said- he would have offered a hand to shake but the angle and nearness made that impossible.

He signaled for the waiter again, with slightly more trepidation than he had the first time.

"The Vornskrill are a marvel," he said with satisfaction. Also unlike his boss, Matteo actually was an animal person- canines specifically.

"A perfect blend of the Vornskr and Strill traits with none of the drawbacks. I have a pair myself, marvelous animals truly. Excellent companions, though I have found they are better in pairs or packs, unless someone has a great deal of free time to properly pack bond with them."

Matteo would continue for essentially as long as it seemed he had her interest in the topic, going into as much detail as she wanted- pitching the sale, certainly, but also genuinely interested in the animals themselves.

 

[Vaylin]

If [member="Darth Saarai"] very being wasn't about refinement and dignity (in Vaylin's opinion), then she would've expected the Thirriken to let out an audible groan or sigh after looking at the trio. This whole thing didn't seem like his scene at all, and Vaylin wondered why he had come in the first place.

To chaperone [member="Jorryn Fordyce"] and Hirou?

It made the Zabrak ponder who was suppose to be the real zookeeper here, Jorryn or Saarai. She pushed the thought aside with a chuckle, looking down at the bundle of excitement that was [member="Tabigarashu Madara"].

"Have fun Hirou, try and avoid getting grabbed. Someone's bound to think you're a pet that's gotten out of its exhibit." She said that, knowing well enough the Nezumi was likely capable of scampering out of tricky situations. Vaylin gave the Lord Inquisitor a small mock salute before the group split off towards their separate destinations. The Zabrak's was at Jorryn's side as the pair made their way to Guest Services.

"Oh, I already picked mine out. Was going to go meet 'em until I sensed your presence here, figured I'd swing by and say hello first." They reached the elevator, waiting a moment for it to open before stepping inside and pressing the button for Floor Nine. "Thank you, it's been a bit since I was Knighted. My master took me on a little adventure to cement it, then shortly after the Empire made it so within their ranks." A few minutes passed before the Echani and Zabrak finally reached the desk, where they were greeted by the same attendant.

"Welcome to the Guest Services! Are you the lucky winner of out latest GenPal of choice?" Vaylin would've been convinced the woman was a robot if she had addressed her, but her focus was immediately on Jorryn from the get go. "Please step towards the desk and take one of the datapads, you'll have a selection of GenPals to choose from." The attendant gestured for Jorryn to approach, that beaming smile plastered across her face.

 

[Six-O]

Before Matteo really managed to begin in earnest, the pretense with which Derketa leaned in upon the man paused, her gaze swimming towards the Alien across the table. "Ha'ze-ku ya'sn, Miss Ashmedai?" She wandered back upon her own native tongue, abandoning Galactic Basic for that very brief moment.

"Bth-uul et z'uuh-nai, Derketa." Vero replied.

The two mutually chuckled, following along Matteo's elucidation and pet fancy quite joyfully.

Back on Maena, the honorifics of Miss and Mister did not exist. Yes, for all of the horror and nightmares that shrouded that mysterious World - association of gender. . . of gender roles. . simply did not endure. Oh they had words in their Dialects that in some way could be loosely interpreted for such things, sure, and of course in New City the natal tongue of the Upper-50 Elite recognized such designations, given their approximation to visitors from all across the Galaxy. But it was not uncommon to locate women that preferred to be called Sir and men that favored Ma'am. In fact, in what [member="Matsu Xiangu"] described as a Mandatory Social Headache, Derketa had actually come across a Madame Raichford Vy'siggioth - although The Haruspex regarded that particular fellow with a good measure of disgust, obscene wealth had made him rotten to his very core.

Drinks came, they left, conversation heaved on strong.

"We've been given the authority to order a Trial Run of a few thousand specimens, Miss Matteo." Said Derketa, her accent much easier to follow than Vero's.

"Fahrr thahssand," the Arconan added, holding up all of the fingers of his left hand, and one of his right, the shimmer of gold and jewels winking in the lazy light of their booth.

But then a different sort of hand found Matteo's thigh, slender fingers, the touch was bold - the grasp even stronger. This sort of trespass was likely illegal in other sections of the Galaxy, kark, maybe in this one too. "Four Thousand Vornskrill, One Thousand Griffins." Derketa breathed warmly against the mans ear. "But. . . " Her hand silently moved away, fingers scratching the center of her chest as she reclined her side against the GenPals Representative's body. "We'll need to see the the specimens before we'll commit entirely."

[member="Cassandra Paige"]​

 

[Tabigarashu Madara]

Hirou squeaked- some combination of excitement and thanks- before scurrying swiftly down [member="Jorryn Fordyce"] 's back, hopping off somewhere around mid thigh to land on the floor and immediately disappear into the crowd.

It wasn't that they didn't want to spend time with Jorryn, [member="Vaylin"] or [member="Darth Saarai"]. Just that they wanted to explore.

And something in particular had already caught the Nezumi's eye.

Scampering through the crowd, dodging feet and largely going unnoticed with how enthralled everyone else seemed to be, Hirou weaved through, making a bee-line for something they had noticed from their perch on Jorryn's shoulder. Moving swiftly on all fours, it wasn't until they reached it that Hirou rose back up on their back paws. Front paws coming up and circling each other, tail twitching in excitement, Hirou tilted their head to get a better look.

The aquarium wall that bisected the main entry and rose up floor after floor through the atrium was stunning.

The little Nezumi moved forward, pressing paws and nose to the glass and watching the aquatic creatures swim and cavort on the other side of the glass.

 

[Esis Nas]

A small, kind smile stretched the lips of the Je'daii Teacher as she saw Emmie pick up the menu. The Zelosian was sure that the whole concept of choosing was not very familiar to her, Esis wanted to change that. Everything in life is a choice. Sometimes there are always worse options than the current one, which is when people felt like they didn't really have the power to decide. But in the end, options could always be found, in one way or the other.

As a future Je'daii, it was important that Emmie learnt this. Nothing would be forced upon her by the members of the Order, she herself would have to find the will, the desire to follow down one of the many paths the Je'daii offered. She'd have to discern between what was for her and what she'd rather leave behind. Her past had robbed her of her freewill, it was time it was given back to her.

The quick reflexes of the Zelosian had her reacting immediately to the sound of Emmie's name over the PA. The announcement came as a surprise, albeit a very good one! Esis turned her gaze back to the child, a bright smile adorning her lips, reaching her eyes too. But she didn't find the same sentiment in Emmie. She seemed slightly worried, if her perception did not fail her.

"Sweetie, you've won a GenPal! We can go to Guest Services Desk at the ninth floor and you'll be able to pick a pet." She explained. This was very good news. A pet would help her built a sense of responsibility, confidence and affection. In truth, she was hoping to coax her into taking one of her liking home from the very beginning. "Would you like to go there right now, or after we eat? Either is okay, snowflake." The smile on her lips seemed to be unmovable today.

[member="Emberly Carrick"]

 

[Persephone Alonna]

One eyebrow raised, her smile, if it was possible, widening just a tad more as Tash suggested that he and [member="Cassandra Paige"] might indeed adopt one of the tiny creatures themselves. Her attention was drawn to the little Grifflet as it chirped sharply at her, disappointed in the lack of attention the Zeltron was paying it. Balancing him on her palm carefully, she began scratching him lightly behind his ear again, to the creature’s immense pleasure.

”You make larger ones too-? Guard animals?”

A surprise, but not wholly. With [member="Itash Mecetti"] in the business of defense, she supposed it only made sense to mix the two businesses to an extent. They would be rather intimidating, the mix of eagle and lion, should it stand chest or even waist high. A part of Seph longed to see these creatures in person, to run her hands along their back and inspect the seamless blending of animals further. Perhaps, somewhere deeper in the station they had a habit of their own, and she’d be able to do so.

”I would love to see one-“

Spoken quietly, barely more than a murmur, she let Miss Paige and Lord Mecetti continue their song and dance without interruption. Nodding along with Cassandra’s concern, she had to agree. With how busy the pair seemed to be, a pet did indeed sound more like a burden than a lovely companion, the darker undercurrents of the red-head’s commentary passing again unnoticed.

Despite this, she felt compelled to offer her assistance, considering how eager her boss sounded at the prospect. Glancing up from her new companion, she tilted her head softly, glancing from one to the other.

”I would be happy to watch him while you are traveling, Miss Paige.”

 

[Valgærd]

A pet, I'd won a pet!

I couldn't believe it. My heart began to race in my chest, my mind began to spun. I was so excited that my legs dangling off the edge of the chair started to swing back and forth. My entire body was buzzing with energy. My eyes were wide with wonder as I stared up at Esis, and I bit my lip excitedly. I didn't even try to smother the broad grin sprawled onto my face. My fingers curled excitedly around the edges of the table. Even my voice trembled with excitement,

"I... I won something?" I asked in wonder.

M hunger was completely forgotten, my tummy instead filled with energetic butterflies. I still couldn't believe it. Me, the little Echani child, had won something! Menu and table forgotten, I pulled myself up from the chair and dance around to where Esis sat. I tugged on her robes, clinging tightly to them as my eyes were still glued on her face,

"Can... can we go and pick out a pet now, please?" I asked excitedly between giggles, a little louder than I normally do.

My mind began to race with possibilities. What sort of pets did they have? Would I be able to pick whatever I wanted? What would I pick? Which one did I want? I continued to bite my lip excitedly, hopping up and down on the spot as the energy just spilled over.

Today was a very good day indeed.

[member="Esis Nas"]

 

[Adriana Fortemps]

As the Nezumi made it's way down along the length of Jorryn's body, her discomfort was blatantly apparent. A grimace crossed her face as she tightly shut her eyes, the paws pulling along small strands from her outfit as they made their way down.

A barely muffled high pitch noise came from the Echani as [member="Tabigarashu Madara"] made their way along her spine, eyes shooting open as she bit her tongue to stay quiet. The awkward motions continued as the creature made it's way down her leg, the prickling against her skin causing the Acolyte's face to twist in discomfort.

As Hirou finally finished their descent, the relief on Jorryn's face was clear. The little mouse hardly said goodbye to the pair as they scampered off in whichever direction it's excited paws carried it.

"Don't forget two hours!" She pointlessly shouted indistinctly, the small Nezumi already gone.

With both the Sith Lord and Honorary Knight taking their leave Jorryn now gave her full attention to the Zabrak beside her, following along to the elevator that brought them to the prize desk.

"So did you pick up something cute or useful?" The Echani had already decided on what type of GenPal she would get before entering the gala, so instead of lingering on decision she decided to ask [member="Vaylin"] what her choice had been. "Or something in between I suppose."

Her attention was brought back as the elevator doors opened with a chime, the desk lying just a bit beyond. The assistant had an excited energy about them, though the falseness that came with most jobs was still clear as she called Jorryn forwards to select her pet. The Acolyte gently picked up the datapad after a quick nod to the girl at the desk, before skimming through the selection.

Immediately the griffriend selection was brought up by the Echani as she began vetting which one she wanted individually, desiring something that matched the general aesthetic that Jorryn carried with her. Eventually she found one that appealed to her before finalizing her selection and handing the disk back to the girl at the desk.

"Then may I be the first to congratulate you on the new addition to your family!" The enthusiasm in the girl's voice again catching the Sith off guard. "We will have your new pets ready for you alongside the GenPals brand food soon."

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Cassandra Paige"] | [member="Persephone Alonna"]

The glance that Cassandra received in return told a number of things.

She would know, because at this point... she knew him better than many could claim.

It said that Itash didn't care what happened to the pet (or what she would do to it) and then it was followed by something else. It came around the moment Persephone interjected with her beautiful proposal, the proposal that allowed him to be... magnanimous and rescue Paige from this fate. "Oh, that is very kind of you, Persephone." Tash murmured as he glanced back to his assistant and inclined his head in gratitude. "Thank you for the offer, we will take it under consideration, certainly."

Then a smile to Cass as he looked back.

It truly looked like the pair were madly in love and always worried about what the other thought in the moment.

"But Cassandra is right- this is a big decision and we should discuss it more when are home." Slowly Tash maneuvered them out of the situation of his making. The understanding was there- he decided not to use this opening, where he would have been able to cement his hold. Control established Itash released it gently, because... wasn't letting go of the reins the surest sign of domination? "Now, we won't keep you from getting to know your new little friend, enjoy."

With that done Tash guided Cass and himself away.

Softly humming to himself in satisfaction.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

She could sense his derision, if not in the Force, then by the most subtle twitches in his face. It was part of her trade to read people's emotional state. He seemed to warm up to the proposal much like he seemed to warm up to the salafranders. The motion of his fingers running over the little lizard's form, quick or slow, steady or erratic, reluctant, absent-minded, engaged? She kept it in mind.

"First step is to get spies on the inside, either by recruiting or by planting them." "Eyes in the palace is optimal, eyes on the palace is enough"

The salafrander in her lap lifted its head as she stopped petting it for a moment, something she responded to with a soft bop on its nose, then a long stroke down it's back, scritching the top of its hip.

"With eyes in place, we can create a smuggling route of information in and out of the planet"

The salafrander burried its head in her lap as it raised its hip, then fell over on its side.

"And when the route is secure, smuggle in what we require of weapons and personell" She played with its paws, batting them with her fingertips "Sow local dissent." The salafrander batted back, wiggling into a semi-circle and opening its jaws playfully "Arm them. Radicalise them." She tickled its belly, the salafrander curled around her hand. "Make them fight at their home as well as the front." Her other hand came around the creature's head, gripping it by the jaw ever so gently. It was just a twist of her hands away from the end. "Remove their structural integrity."

[member="Ronan Vizsla"]

 

[Cassandra Paige]

[member="Itash Mecetti"] [member="Persephone Alonna"]

"Mhm, guard animals and companions," she clarified, feeling particularly at ease with the exchange so far.

Until Persephone inserted herself into the game. Even if unknowingly. Cass had paused, something sharpening in that grey gaze for a moment before Tash interjected smoothly. Rescinding his original sally. Which meant in their own way he'd won, and they both knew it. Persephone's offer had sewn it up so neatly too.

She wondered now if it has actually been accidental, or if this woman were more than the insipid, cotton candy persona she offered.

"A pleasure to meet you, Persephone," Cass murmured, before letting Itash guide them off. They did, after all, have other connections to make. It was a busy day. Arm hooked into his, her hand on the inside of his elbow, her nails tightened there, ever so slightly.

Not of course, that there was any doubt she had missed the final aspect of that exchange. But a reminder to him that she hadn't.

"Charming little waif you've picked up," she said once they had disappeared into the crowd. "A little nice for Didact, though. I wonder if I could lure her away to GenPals," she teased.

Mostly.

****
[member="Six-O"]

Matteo blinked.

"Uh, it's... um..... Mister. Or just Matteo is fine, we're all friends here, after all."

He clearly missed just what was going on, in that regard.

Then he swallowed as the size of the order sunk in. A trial order? In the thousands? He cleared his throat, took a sip of his drink, then cleared his throat again.

"Of course. You understand that we cannot start growing out an order of that sort without some commitment? We are dealing with living things, after all, so GenPals is careful to not leave such things to chance, it would be irresponsible. I can arrange for you to see several samples of both species, and perhaps arrange an appropriate percentage for down payment to start the work? Final payment of course only upon the clear approval of the final products, which GenPals of course guarantees."

****

~*Attention GenPals Guests! We are pleased to announce the next drawing for a GenPal of choice! Will [member="Samson"] please make their way to the Guest Services desk on Floor Nine at your convenience. Congratulations Samson on the new addition to your family! Pick Friends. Pick Family. Pick GenPals.*~

 

[Six-O]

Now there appeared to be a large disconnect in what Derketa actually wanted, and what Matteo interpreted, not that the man could be blamed. Transactions with individuals of a wholly different Culture were most always crude and scrappy games of cooperation. When Maenan's were involved in the deal-making, generally, it was considered an outstanding success when neither Party was murdered, sacrificed to some Dark God of a thousand different denominations, or turned in to a unique Sandwich at Ugg's Deli.

So, in toto, Matteo was doing an outstanding job. [member="Cassandra Paige"] absolutely should consider giving the man a raise - right before shipping him off to the New City to thrash out a more in-depth expansion plan.

"Cth-uun, za'xii vom-r'ax zech uuth. . . " Said Derketa, predacious eyes of rich honey gold tipping towards Vero, her teeth clutching the left corner of her lower lip.

"Thu'zy-ai. " Replied the Arconan with a nod of his oddly proportioned head.

"Uu-ax'iith gev zech kii'zai-eex! " Her eyes returned to Matteo, lips kinked in to a carnal sort of grin as she pressed a finger to his cheek. "Prrak nex zech uut oox'ze-ait. " Dear Gods, Derketa, this is a family sort of Space Station! "Kex-ut cth'za eex uut h'ziic vai. . . " The woman from Kr'ylland laughed with a deeply lecherous sort of distinction.

Vero Cyone coughed, seemingly choking on the words Derketa Ashmedai just breathed. Then, even the Arconan gave a chuckle with his deep, reptilian sort of voice.

That was. . . wildly inappropriate. Matteo, you don't want to know.

A new song wandered over the crowd of the Halo Speakeasy, gone was the thrum of electronic synthesizer's, replaced instead by a savory sort of number. Something to walk you on in to the night as the GenPals Conference Station began to curve around towards the dark side of the World it orbited.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe3DmPLB3zo[/youtube]​

For several moments Vero and Derketa spoke in that foreign tongue, neither translating, or paying much regard to Matteo.

Then silence.

All three sitting there, taking in the music of a man that had been taken from the Galaxy far too early by a Speeder Crash of all things. Now, truth be told, while Vero lacked perfect vision - as all of his species did - he was capable of seeing and understanding so much beyond the curtain. He could see heat, how it climbed and lowered over the course of the conversation. He could sense deeper details as his reptant tongue stroked the air every few moments.

He'd been reading the human this entire time.

And the book before him told a certain story, one that let Vero know that if they pressed on with what they had originally wanted to see - what Derketa had truthfully wished to witness - this deal may fall through. This was not a man that would likely wish to witness the gross abuse of one of these animals. Sure, for Vero and Derketa, the Vornskrills were simple beasts. Tools that they wanted to know wouldn't break immediately. Whether by blunt force, piercing stabs, or projectile wounds. . . they wanted to know they would still fight.

They wanted to know how long they could starve them so flesh would drive them in to a murderous frenzy.

They wanted to know many evil things.

But, they had Xerrzyk, and at the end of the day. . . that monster could tell them everything they needed after the deal was inked in blood.

"We'll pay triple the market price, we'd like our Trial Run to be off the books, so to speak." The woman finally returned to Galactic Basic.

"Will you prreferr Crreditss. . . " Vero began, that strange accent marring his words as another match was struck against an inch long claw, then lofted to light one more Spliff with the flame. "Or maybe Jewels, Aurodium, Obsidian Nova Crystals. . . Wupiupi? "

 

[Farah]

She had to admit that the scene was sort of entirely adorable.

Samson seemed so…happy. Oftentimes the man was content to just exist, or so it seemed. She’d heard of patients recovering quicker, surviving terminal illnesses with a furry creature at their side. Could something as small as a SalaFrander make a difference?

“Hold your finger out.” She suggested. “Let it…smell you? Do they smell through their tongues?” She gave the station attendant a questioning look. “It might help put you both at ease.”

Maybe. She didn’t know, she was just guessing at this point. But they’d probably be leaving this convention with a SalaFrander in tow, that much was becoming apparent.

[member="Samson"]

 

[Noatyr Moldmerr]

Although he had walked in prepared for anything, what Noatyr had not been expecting was to suddenly lose his cloak while in the middle of a crowd, and now he stood out like a sour thumb. He hadn't come as well dressed as most of the other guests and now he felt like he was underdressed compared to the rest of the crowd.

At least with the cloak he could look somewhat dignified and mysterious, but now he looked like some random person who had just wandered in from the street.

What was worse was a few people in the crowd seemed to recognize him. He wasn't a famous merc by any means, but his name flew around a bit and now a few people on the floor were pointing him out. Worried they may accuse him of something he hadn't done yet, or simply for his poor fashion, he quickly made his way over to the aquarium, where he began to observe the water and the wonders it held within, trying to act like he was just another person in the crowd.

That was what he had intended to do in the first place after all.

A small form in the corner of his eye caught his attention for a moment, and he turned to look at the small creature, [member="Tabigarashu Madara"], a Neziumi, who seemed to be staring intently at the creatures within the aquarium.

''Don't see those very often.''​ Noatyr smiled inwardly to himself, choosing not to say anything out loud.

He really hoped he hadn't made to large of a scene before he winded up here. He chuckled mentally, Who was he kidding? Nobody would actually pay attention to him.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai had one objective on this trip : buy some SeaSnugs.


It was odd for a half-aquatic boy to actually want to keep small creatures in an aquarium. Some could say it was cruel and unusual, shouldn't they be out in an ocean, frolicking around in the wide expanse of warm waters. The teenage boy could argue predators and the fact that the creatures were genetically modified to be little pets and outside of a domestic setting they would surely die.


Ever since learning about the SeaSnugs he had pestered [member="Myra Elspeth"] for some. He had reminded her frequently this was her duty now as his newly minted girlfriend ; to buy him SeaSnugs. With his argument falling flat and on apparently deaf ears, he had went to the GenPals event alone.


In front of the large aquarium, Makai took a holo of himself and immediately sent it to the girl, as if to say 'I'm getting my SeaSnugs anyways'. Holo sent it was time to pick out his newest pets.

 

[Cassandra Paige]

[member="Six-O"]

Matteo waited, patient and friendly expression, as they bantered mostly past him. He had no idea what they were saying, and it was probably just as well. In the back of his head, he was already considering the commission he'd get on such an order, and how he'd like to use part of it to bring his boyfriend on a vacation- maybe even to the GenPals station, since then they could bring their dogs without any sort of issue. Plus the staff discount....

"Pardon?" He blinked pale blue eyes. Rewinding the words for a moment. The finger on his cheek. Nope, no idea what she'd just said.

It's for the best, we promise Matteo.

He cleared his throat, smiling genially and nodding as if he had any idea what was going on. Well, the look she was giving him, that.... that he just did his best to ignore.

It wasn't until they switched back to basic that he could really dive back in again, instead of being settled as an accessory to their strange and vaguely uncomfortable conversation.

"Of course," he said smoothly. "GenPals understands that some of our clients' needs for discretion. Delivery can be made, when the time comes, with that in mind, or pick up can be arranged if you prefer. And credits or Aurodium are what we typically do business in. Being located in the Corporate sector makes it easy, after all, to do any currency changing that is required."

*****

[member="Farah"] [member="Samson"]

"They do!" The attendant said brightly, referring to smelling with their tongue. "It's very sensitive, much more so than one might expect. They can sense heat, cold, individual scents, even mild electric currents.... I've found that mine tends to avoid things that would offer a static shock. If I see her skirting a particular sweater on the floor, or if she won't come over to me when I get home, I know I need to take care of that before handling her," she added with a laugh.

*****

[member="Makai Dashiell"]

Besides the large aquarium wall, dominating the center line of the station, there were multiple booths set up to show case the SeaSnugs, Coral Cuties, and several 'sneak peak' exhibitions of coming GenPals critters. The CephaloPal 'meet and greet' booth was particularly popular.

It didn't take long for him to find the SeaSnug touch tank, overseen by a cheerful, bubbly blonde woman. Her hands were wrist deep in the warm water, the small creatures swimming playfully around her fingers as she chatted with passers by.

 

[Vaylin]

"Oh, something useful of course. I know many like the more cute options, but I value something that can be of some actual use." Vaylin was not one for 'cute things', which was very apparent to anyone who spent any deal of time around the Zabrak. At first glance she thought had [member="Jorryn Fordyce"] had picked one of the Griffins; which Vaylin would admit was both cute and useful. Although after taking another glance over the Echani's shoulder, the Zabrak realized Jorryn had picked one of the Griffriends.

"I see you're going for cute instead." There was the slightest of smirks on Vaylin's face. "Come on, let's go meet are our new pets. We can have a little face to face with them in the GenPals Emporium." With the attendant no doubt busy awaiting the next lucky winner, the Sith duo departed from the floor heading the way they had arrived via and entered the elevator once more.

"So how are things Jorryn? Got up into any mischief since we last spoke?" Vaylin wasn't much for small talk to most people, but often to those that she knew. Which for her and Echani was their spar a while back, which was more than enough in the Zabrak's books.

Eventually the elevator dinged as it stopped at Floor Eight; the Genpals Emporium. They took a mere few steps onto the level before they were greeted by another attendant, datapad in hand.

"Welcome to the GenPals Emporium! Are you two of our lucky winners?" The woman glanced down at her datapad, although her plastered smile didn't disappear even then. "One Vaylin and her Vornskrill choice, and a Jorryn with her Griffriend choice?"

Vaylin didn't trust herself to snap out of a retort, so she simply let out an audible 'Mhm'.

"Fantastic! If you would please follow the directions to the individual exhibits, we'll get you face to face with your new GenPal."

The Zabrak spared Jorryn an exasperated look in reaction to the enthusiasm. But Vaylin didn't make any vocal objections, and made her way over to where the Vornskrills were on display.

 

[Kaia Vullen]

[member="Tegan Katarn"]

Kaia's head bobbed from side to side in response to Tegan's inquiry, making an interesting rhythm with the swaying of the long, gnarled stick in her hand.

"Are you planning on punching everyone you meet on the first day?"

As much as it was a response, it was also a genuine question. Was this representative of how Tegan treated everyone she met. If so, she couldn't have many friends out there. Not to mention, getting people to help her must be very difficult. A bit of Kaia felt sorry for her. Oh Tegan was strong, fast, perceptive, headstrong too. Yet, in the storm it is the supple branch that remains, not the rigid and the strong.

"I would like to introduce you to someone, a friend of mine." "I think you would get along" She nodded in a different way, more tentative "Or beat each other up. Not mutually exclusive, I would think."

She wiped a droplet of blood from the side of her mouth and sucked it off her thumb.

"She has your energy. -And then some"

Gryffin, she would have a gryffin. They were perfect. Absolutely a griffin.

 

[Adriana Fortemps]

It wasn't too surprising that the Zabrak had chosen a more useful pet for herself, her people were a very conventional type. Then again so were the Echani and Jorryn still opted to go with something that she found adorable instead, something that she could bring along more as an accessory than a pet. Perhaps if she was actually raised among her people she would have gotten the same pet as Vaylin.

"Of course it's cute, I need something that could match with me." Returning the Valkyrie's smirk with one of her own. "Plus I'm sure I can find some way for it to be useful."

With a nod the Echani followed closely beside [member="Vaylin"] as the pair made their way back towards the elevator, stepping on after her companion as it began to lower itself. Jorryn leaned with both her palms pressing against one of the metal bars attacked to the back wall of the elevator, looking out of the window at the crowd's before her attention was turned back to the raven haired girl with her.

"Well as you can probably tell I've been working closely with Lord Fa." The word dragging as it escaped her lips with insincere mockery, making light of something that she didn't truly mind. "Aside from that I've been following the Empire along their warpath, so getting away from it is nice."

A small chime played from somewhere in the ceiling as the metal doors slide open to allow the girls out, the pair quickly exiting as Jorryn stepped with a small skip towards where they would pick up their pets. She was admittedly more excited to get a GenPal than would be normally dignified, but getting one for free had let her anticipation forward.

"And I've heard you've done well for yourself as well." A smile creeping across her face as she addressed her companion once more. "Your own fleet is no small award."

They listened to the assistant once more with what Jorryn could swear was the exact same level of excitement as the last one, ignoring pretty much everything they said aside from where to pick up their pets. The Echani nodding along with Vaylin as the Zabrak let out a simple hum of acknowledgement before looking at the datapad for instruction to retrieve their pets.

A small giggle escaped Jorryn's red lips as Vaylin rolled her eyes in regards to the Zeltron assisting them, before following her towards the Vornskrill pit. The Echani couldn't help but wonder if her friend had picked something to match her look as well.

Maybe horns.