fandomtownies | Sanctity, Evening

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Sanctity, Evening

Zhaan had, once again, given up on getting any sort of conversation out of Batou that didn't involve boxing. Not that she disliked boxing, but even a member of the Delvian Seek can't talk about it every day for a week straight.

Opening the shop in the evening was unusual, but it gave her something to do. The shelves, for instance, needed dusting.

Prodding the dog (who apparently was bored with the upstairs) out of her way as she crossed back and forth over the floor, Zhaan found herself humming vaguely off-key along with the radio.

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Quark has taken to randomly going to various stores across town now.

When he enters the Sanctity, he is somewhat surprised. "You're either the prettiest Bolian alive or something very, very different," he says.

Tilting her head, Zhaan studied Quark, a slight smile on her lips. "And you appear to have luxian in your ancestry." Whether she considers this a compliment or not is best left to the imagination.

"Never heard of them," Quark shrugs. "But I'm sure they're nice people." He looks around and rubs his right lobe. "What exactly do you do here?"

Her lips quirki at the mental image of luxians being informed they are 'nice', Zhaan takes a moment to consider, then she replies, "I sell herbs and the various concoctions that can be made from them. Strictly non-magical, of course."

"Never put much heart in magic, myself," Quark eyes one of the shelves. "Everything boils down to a reasonable explanation eventually." He rubs a thumb under his lip. "Business going well?"

If she had eyebrows, Zhaan would have certainly raised one. Or both. As it was, she simply tilts her head. "Is there a purpose to your questions?"

"Just taking an interest in the business dealings of a fellow resident of this quaint little town," Quark says with a smile. "Business is the universal language, really. No matter who you are, you have to do it with somebody."

"I see." Her tone still pleasant, Zhaan muses, "You remind me of someone. He considered business one of the ruling principles of the universe. Along with sovereignty." Something that might have been a smirk touches her lips as she considers her visitor and Rygel having a face-off.

"Sovreignty, yes. Ferengi Rule of Acquisition Two Hundred Forty Two, More is Good, All is Better," Quark smiles. "Personally, I've gone out of my way to escape the... sovreignty of others."

Definitely related to Rygel. "Ferengi." She files the species name away for later use, if needed. "I am Pa'u Zotah Zhaan."

"Quark," he says, with a little nod. "Just Quark." He smiles again. "So, Pa'u, what brings someone like you to a town like this? Business dealings don't exactly seem to be your mode of motivation, if I may say so."

Well, there was the occasional piracy. But that didn't really count. "No, I suppose it wouldn't. I was... merely looking for a place where I could simply be."

"We have something in common, then," Quark says, leaning in towards Zhaan. "I'm merely here for a quiet retirement. The whole business thing is just something to occupy the time." He chuckles a little. "I still can't believe the hoo-mons call that green paper stuff money."

"I find it relaxing. And money is money, no matter what it looks like. The residents of Galaria Four use small chitinous bugs as currency."

"Small chitinous bugs aren't currency, they're lunch," Quark says, shaking his head. "If it ain't latinum, it's not worth putting any stock in as a hard currency." Quark tilts his head a little. "What do you do for fun around here?"

Amused, Zhaan considers, "I meditate, drink tea, take the dog for a walk... I'm afraid it's not particularly 'happening', here." She doesn't bother atttributing the wordage to John Crichton.

"Life is what you make it," Quark says. "While meditation has never been my thing, a bit of peace and quiet is always good when you're not trying to keep a steady flow of customers."

He then decides to press his luck. "So, you live alone, then? Other than the dog, of course."

Not quite speechless, after all, while it's been a long time since she was flirted with (D'Argo only counts when she's sleepy), it took her a little to realize. And even then... Deciding not to miscontrue his intent, she nevertheless feels a chuckle building.

"Not at the moment. I'm currently hosting the friend of a friend."

"How much rent do you charge him?" Quark asks, as that's the first thing that springs to mind.

Considering the amount of frustration Batou caused her, she really ought to be charging him rent. Still... "He helps out in the shop. And I owe the friend a favor."

"Always the worst thing to owe," Quark says. He scratches his chin and realizes this really isn't going anywhere. "Well, P'au, I think I'm going to have to take my leave, for now. Unless, of course, there's anything of particular interest I should be noticing here?"

Deciding this can of worms is not to be opened at the moment, Zhaan smiles, "Not that I can think of. Thank you for stopping by, though."

Quark nods. "Have a good evening, then," he says, before giving a little wave and leaving.

Having had nothing to do all day and a lot of time to think, Stark realized he had not been anywhere near the town, and more importantly he'd not been to see any blue people in a very long time.

With that in mind, he found himself outside Sanctity ~~at some convenient time unless you're busy with the big-eared guy~~ hesitantly opening the door.

"Hello?"

~~Completely certain there will be ass-kicking, nostalgia, or mutual agreement,~~ Zhaan looked up from the bottles she'd been rearranging and smiled. "I see the cold hasn't completely frozen you." She said lightly.

If he'd ever seen a sheep, Stark might have described his current expression as sheepish. But he hadn't, so he was just going to look slightly embarassed.

"No...Not completely" Shaking his head a little, he stepped inside and shut the door behind him and offered a small smile. "Not yet, in any case. It still might."

"Good." Still smiling, Zhaan gestured to the empty stool. "If you'd like to have a seat, we could... have tea? Talk?" Anything but boxing. Really.

"That would be good. Talking." Settling himself on the stool, Stark smiled back at Zhaan. "I miss talking with you." And luckily, Stark knew nothing about boxing.

Moving over to the small hotplate brought into the shop for this specific purpose, Zhaan began brewing tea. "I suppose that's partially my fault." She glanced at him, "I never did ask. How were the crew of Moya when you last saw them?"

"Not your fault. I'm the one hiding inside in my room. They..." Stark paused to think about how to best answer that question. "We all missed you. D'Argo and Chiana and that interion woman were well the last time I saw them. And one of the Crichtons. We had two, two Crichtons I mean, for a time."

Two Crichtons. For a moment, her mind boggled. It must have been worse than having Cameron and young Crichton in the same room together. Zhaan almost shuddered. Then she chuckled, "That is very Crichton. I'm glad they were well." She poured out two mugs and passed one to Stark. "I find myself missing them, and yet not. As if they were a part of my past, and this is a part of my future."

Stark nodded as he took the mug. "Of everyone, he would be the one to split in two." Deciding that the rest of that particular story could wait, he paused to sip at the tea and then looked up at Zhaan. "And what else is in your future?"

"I..." She paused and took a sip of her own, then met his gaze, "I'm not entirely certain, but I would hope that you would be a part of it."

[and, on that note, I flee for bed. Pick up tomorrow evening?]

Stark gave a quiet relieved sigh at that. That was an answer he could live with.

"I...yes. I hope so too."

((Tomorrow's good. I'll be around.))

Relief filled her. It was... difficult, at times, to remember the person she had been, the things she'd done. Fandom had changed her as surely as the uncharted territories and the Peacekeepers had. Losing one more link to her past would have been devestating. And that didn't even cover the feelings she still carried for the Banik.

Ever practical, however, she hadn't pressed for more than friendship.

Her smile widened, not quite giddy, but more than the polite and amused smile she normally wore. "Good."

*glares at typo*

"I was worried you would answer differently," Stark admitted, looking down at the mug in his hands for a moment and then back up at Zhaan with a crooked grin. "I am very glad you didn't."

"You've been well? Since I was here the last time? And...you have a dog?"

"I have indeed." The dog took the opportunity to completely ignore any reference to herself, not even whuffling in her sleep. If Zhaan knew dogs better, she would have been able to mention that she is the laziest she's ever met. As it was, Gabriel reminded her of Rygel--all sleep and no play. "The dog belongs to my house-guest. Batou is a friend of a friend."

"Good. That's good. Very good."

Pausing to consider the dog for a moment, he continued. "I didn't know you had a guest. When did that happen?"

"A few weeks ago. A contact I've been using in financial matters asked to redeem the favor I owed her. She had a friend that needed a vacation, and Fandom seemed ideal." Zhaan felt a little of her irritation at Batou's crankiness rise, and finished, not exactly grumbling, "He's spent most of the time here holed up in his room downloading sports scores."

"Oh. This is a strange place for a vacation, I think. Not really...relaxing. With everything that happens."

"And you are not so interested in the sports scores, I take it?"

"I suppose it's not. Still, it's quieter than Moya and Delvia." Sobering slighty, she sighed, "Not to the exclusion of everything else. I suppose if I could discover something to discuss with him it might go better."

"Most places in the universe are quieter than Moya, I think. Of course," he continued with a smile, "that may only be because none of us are most places in the universe..."

"I should probably be going." Setting the now empty mug down, Stark took a step toward the door.

((I have to scamper off to bed soon. Alas.))

All things must come to an end before they can begin again. Zhaan kept that bit of philosophy to herself as she stood, "It was good to see you, Stark."

[*snerk* I escaped without warning. Sorry.]

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Sanctity, Evening

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