Shore Leave: Arrival

[cityship]

After the briefing, the Orbs Deck disconnected from Stacy, making it's way down to the planet and landing on the top of what looked like...a mall.

Outside, a mismatch of buildings stretched as far as the eye could see on a backdrop of a sunny green sky, a few golden clouds lazily floating across it. Here there was a mall, there there was a endless parade of street shops, and over there was a bazaar. And everywhere you looked there was advertising, selling everything from kitchen knives to starship engines to pet cosmetic surgery.

And populating this world was a practically endless number of species's, all of them brought together by one thing: trading. Credit was being exchanged everywhere you looked, from the shiny exclusive stores to the the dark and dangerous spaces in-between.

As the crew stood around, a peculiar looking alien with a mustache approached them, his oddly-shaped legs and knees making it looks as if he was walking backwards even though he was coming forwards. And as he moved, his accordian-like midsection made moved, making a weird, wheezing noise that might remind some of the crew native to Earth of the sound of Fran Dresser's voice.

<Welcome to XaXing, strangers!> he said to them in thought-speak, eagerly rushing towards everyone. <I am Guide! Your ship has already arranged accommodation for you, and I have been employed to guide you there and answer your questions! But if you would just sell me your memories then I can also guide you to all of the best stores and markets...>

[[ooc: After this post, everyone is free to make their own posts on the planet! Just tag all logs for Shore Leave with !plot: shore leave.

Also, if you have any questions you can ask Guide! ...just be prepared for him to also try to buy your kidney.]]

Comments

[cityship]

<But you must have so many unique and valuable memories!> Guide said brightly, apparently unperturbed but their disbelief. <But if you do not wish to sell memories, perhaps your clothing, or your curious red vehicle..."

[puny-parker.livejournal.com]

Peter caught the look. "Blame the older Spidey for this. I had nothing to do with it existing."

"And no. Not here to sell anything. Comprende?"

[powervacuum.livejournal.com]

"The older-- what?" She actually sputtered in surprise. She finally met someone she knew, and it was this guy?!

"What he said," she added, jerking a thumb at the kid. "My memories are mine. Not to mention, here I was thinking that the eradication of capitalism was at least a silver lining to our worlds being destroyed."

[puny-parker.livejournal.com]

"Spider-Man. There's an older one and a younger one on Stacy. I'm, obviously, the younger one. Alternate universe thing. Don't worry, it weirds me the hell out too." Peter answered.

[cityship]

Guide stared at them as if they were completely insane. <You...you do not wish to sell at all?> he gasped, horrified. <But this is XaXing, the planet of a trillian traders! What will you do, if you will not sell? You will at least buy, yes?>

[powervacuum.livejournal.com]

She just kind of stared at "Spider-Man", before shaking her head in confusion and glaring at the alien. "I'm planning on buying some clothes and food, but nothing unnecessary. Hasn't anyone ever told you that capitalism is the opiate of the masses?"

[cityship]

Guide was silent for a moment. Then... <In exchange for your hair, I can take you to the nearest seller of opiates!>

[livingontheweb.livejournal.com]

Peter rolled his eyes. "A: If you're gonna take up Marxism, make sure you quote the guy right. It's religion. B: It's an entire planet of entrepreneurs, as our friend here was so kind to illustrate. I don't think you're gonna have much luck converting them."

[powervacuums.livejournal.com]

Okay, so she'd mangled the quote somewhere in her head. "How do you know I wasn't paraphrasing him?" Although she had the same opinion of atheism. "And no, I'm keeping my hair. What is wrong with this place?!"

[puny-parker.livejournal.com]

"Because capitalism as the opiate of the masses doesn't make any sense?" Peter answered.

"And, again. Planet of entrepreneurs. Everyone's got to make a buck somehow."

[cityship]

<Yes!> Guide agreed with Peter happily. <We all must make credit!>

[powervacuums.livejournal.com]

"You've never been to a Wal-Mart on Black Friday, have you," she observed.

"Yeah, whatever. You guys have fun with that." She waved a hand dismissively and turned to leave them to their fun. "I cannot wait for this trip to be over."