Private Slurry of Plenitude

[In Rhan]

Where: Lothal
Who: Jack Sandrow and perhaps Kinley Pryse
When she and Niysha had been anomalously hyperdropped out at Companion Grek, it'd represented signifigant financial setbacks in the form of intense solar damage. They'd managed to recoup much of that with a trade agreement and some assistance, but recouping wasn't thriving. Buying up several pressurized tanks of Calimancha's unique age-defying algae had been a risky investment, but not TERRIBLY risky. After all, the further they got from Calimancha, the more it was worth! In had gotten a half-dozen massive fluid transport tanks fitted in the cargo bay of her Besaid-class freighter, and filled them up with highly enriched, happy little algae colonies in a nutrient soup she carefully maintained the balance of. As a happy side-effect of having so much algae on the ship, she and Niysha'd been able to enjoy EXTREMELY comfortable oxygen levels.

Unfortunately, that much Algae getting busy also made the ship smell bad in a vaguely flatulent sort of way. So rather than hauling it to Coruscant or Empress Theta for resale, In had been swinging by just about every frontier junction and waystation looking for a good price point to offload the stuff at.

While Niysha was out and about with the speeder bike, In had her ship parked at a starport at one of Lothal's busier cities. The bay and vents were open to vent the smell out, and so that the six large fluid tanks were easily visible to prospective buyers. As she supervised refueling efforts, In stood in the cargo bay entrance with an unlit cigarette hanging from her lips. A hand lingered on her hip as she glanced through a few contracts on a datapad. A tall, lanky woman with loose-fitting work clothes and sheet-white hair, the Pantoran looked every in the rambling space-trucker she factually was. She maintained a blaster on her hip, well secured. In the open spaces in the cargo bay of her ship sat a collection of hydroponic trays boasting a wide variety of functional herbs and decorative flowers, as well as a couple of smaller fruiting trees.

She'd put out feelers in Lothal days before arriving, reached out to some older contacts and infochants looking for a buyer with the credit to be worth her time. In checked her timepiece, noted that one such buyer was due to arrive any moment now, and went back to waiting impatiently for their arrival.

 

[Jack Sandrow]

Location: Approaching a Lothal space-port
Objective: Ascertain the quality of this so-called 'age-defying' algae
Equipment: Casual wear | Breather | Pistol

---

She didn't have to wait long.

A green oblong teardrop-like shape descended almost silently from above, coasting through the air before slowing down gracefully and pulling a smooth bank over the space-port. The pilot apparently found what they were looking for, because barely a moment later they were beginning to set down. The long green ship seemed to turn on its head, extruding three long 'feet' from the smooth hull to perch with barely a puff of dust wafting up from the landing pad.

From the smooth hull, a panel seemed to peel upwards where there had been nothing before, and the pilot himself hopped out from it to the ground, pushing a strange mask off his face before tossing it back up into the 'cockpit' just before it sealed behind him. He stood in front of the pod a moment, before giving a wave to the other occupant of the large berth, silhouetted in their cargo bay door.

"Hello there!" he called out, striding close with an easy-going smile. "You must be Captain Rhan; I'm Jack, I'm one of the prospective buyers for your cargo. Nice to meet you!" He stuck out a hand to shake, and took the moment to glance over her cargo bay, what little he could see anyway. Wow... this place was already well above average with plant life - was that a muja fruit tree?? Almost certainly the correct place. His opinion of the seller rose a few notches. Perhaps this wasn't a scam after all.

"I have to say, I love what you've done with the place," he gestured to her hydroponic setup. "It looks very rich, and if it wasn't more than clear that you've made the time to care for all of it, I'd almost be tempted to make an offer to take it off your hands."

---

In Rhan

 

[In Rhan]

It was dumb, but a small tribal part of In always felt a little solidarity with other non-humans and near-humans who came in shades of blue or green. She flashed Jack Sandrow a return smile and shook his hand in greeting, and chuckled politely at his compliment/non-offer. "I appreciate that, Mr Sandrow." She replied with a broad smile. "I couldn't bear to part with my ship or hardly any of my garden, but I don't mind the flattery. It's nice to meet you."

And it DID feel like flattery. She wasn't sure if the man was Faleen, Mirialan, or something else, but he had a plant-like aspect about him and flew an expensive-looking ship that clearly looked like a seed. Such a person likely knew quite a bit about botany, and the ship suggested some degree of wealth as well. "I've got about three dozen trays, pots or similar in the living area of the ship, and a dozen more specialty habitats in the refrigerated storage." The Pantoran woman nodded past the storage tanks to a large insulated door with a warning sign indicating harsh UV light on the other side.

"You might need a bigger ship if you're planning on taking very much of this stuff, I think." In laughed as she led her potential customer up into the cargo bay. The fluid tanks groaned slightly due to pressure adjustments, the scent of active algae growth hung in the air. "I'd honestly love to part with the lot today if at all possible. While I adore the free oxygen and this stuff makes for fantastic smoothies and cosmetics,the smell is starting to bother my partner." In laughed. "No pressure or anything."

 

[Jack Sandrow]

Equipment: Casual wear | Breather | Pistol

---

He gave her a warm grin, nodding gently with a "Flattery is always free." She gestured to the various plant life and he took in the set-up appreciatively. She had one hell of a set-up, that was for sure. Perhaps keeping correspondence with her would be in their shared interest? If she had an eye for exotic plant life, and was willing to share with or sell to him, so much the better.

"Oh the Pod can handle what you've got, it has very efficient storage; if the volume and density you gave me is accurate, it'll be exactly the correct amount." He thumbed over his shoulder to the Pod, adding, "I landed it on almost empty, with just enough left to get back to orbit for storage."

He eyed the massive storage tanks with a pleased grin. Should be plenty to get started, plus lots of extra for usage as needed. Closing his eyes a moment to take in the familiar scent, he soaked it in for a long while. Familiar, but new in some subtle way. Definitely worth a long and close examination. "I should be able to load it all up, yeah," he said, turning to In with a satisfied nod. "You're gonna have to help me move all these tanks to the Pod, please. Once they're in position, I'll get them unloading into the ship." He eyed his ship, closing his eyes for just a moment. A few mental commands filled the space between him and the Pod, and that was all he needed for now. He looked back to In with a grin. "You do have a power loader, right?"

---

In Rhan

 

[In Rhan]

In couldn't help but laugh a bit, her hands on her hips with her back against one of the large metal tanks. "Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself, Mister Sandrow?" She asked good-naturedly. "We haven't even settled on a price, and you've got your eye on the logistics of how to transfer it." Ordinarily she might've worried that he was setting her up for a devastating robbery, but he didn't seem the sort. In liked to think she had a pretty good eye for that kind of thing. She'd been ambushed and had her things taken before, but Jack seemed too invested, and too well-off on his own terms to bother with theft.

In gave the tank a light pat. "These are hard to price - Calimancha isn't terribly well known. I've got a interested buyer out by Alee who's thinking about trying to cultivate this stuff. He's offering me 70C a gallon." The tall Pantoran woman explained casually. "I reckon you get within 10 of that, and you can take as much of this as you like. And you'll want every drop, I figure, if you get a taste of what these little guys can do." She promised.

She jerked her head towards the catwalk that led out of the cargo bay, up to where The Dancer's galley and living quarters were. "Are you lactose intolerant, Mister Sandrow? Because I've whipped up a mean gelato with some of the runoff here, and I've been experimenting with teas and skin creams. They have a whole festival for this stuff back on Calimancha, it's amazingly versatile."

 

[Jack Sandrow]

Equipment: Casual wear | Breather | Pistol

---

Jack let out a genuine chortle at that. "Yes - of course. My apologies, I am getting far ahead of myself. Yes, we should settle the price. I would like to take a small sample for analysis, and I'll be prepared to pay immediately." He had thought over a price on the way over, and it was settled - he would easily shell out 80C/g if the tanks were as rich as he was sensing now, 100C/g if it was as exotic as she was promising, and 150C/g if it truly was 'age-defying'. He was about to interject with a solid number, when In told him the competing price.

"...Ah. 70C?" he nodded, biting back a holler of joy. "Ah, sure, I can absolutely beat that." He gave her a warm smirk. "Again... I'll need that sample to test, but then yes. If this is what you claim it is, I can offer you a solid 100C per." He looked back to the tanks, running his tongue over his teeth as he thought through the logistics. What a jackpot...

"Hm? Oh!" He shook his head with a smile at her query. "No, not at all! I'd love to get a taste, if you're offering. That's very kind of you." A raw sample would be preferable, buuuuut... he could go for a quick bite. It was very impolite to turn down a free meal.

---

In Rhan

 

[In Rhan]

She'd never had somebody haggle her UP before. In could barely stop herself from asking if he was alright, or trying to make some kind of joke. Instead, she assumed that he was simply eager to secure the purchase. She was fine with that, honestly. The whole reason she was selling it on Lothal instead of somewhere closer to the core where it'd be worth more was to turn a profit now rather than a bigger one later. In motioned for Jack to follow her, bounding gaily up the catwalk and out of the cargo bay. "A price like that, then, the least I can do is show you what you've got. I've got samples up there, too."

The Dancer in Green had begun its life as a freighter and it still was at heart - but the upper section of the ship, the part In actually lived in, was filled with enough life to chase away the scent of rust and ionized air. "My parents were botanists, back in the day. Specialized in deep space 'ponics, aqua and hydro." She explained as she led Jack past hydroponics trays that lined the hallway. Meticulously kept herbs and flowers were tagged with small electronic sides for the benefit of the Miralukan who was typically on board and liked to help out. "I never went to school for it or anything. But a place doesn't feel like home without some plants, I think." Nothing In kept was especially dangerous, nearly everything served some practical purpose - culinary or medical. Sure, there were a few flowers and ferns for the ambience and scent. Otherwise, In kept a lovingly cultivated garden filled with her own favorite things. A lemon tree, some mint, potted tea bushes and the like. The Galley overflowed with plant life, the kitchenette stocked with preserved herbs and spices, containers of tea, and sealed bottles fermenting homemade cider and kombucha. The only part of the kitchenette that looked new and wasn't hosting a plant was the electronic drying rack - which was currently preserving marcan leaf.

In dug through the fridge, coming up with a tub of bright green gelato and a tray of labled test tubes. "It's subglacial algae - it likes to be kept cold. Below or near freezing." She explained. "It's got a nice natural sweetness, dries up very nicely into a fine powder that can be used as a food additive. I find it goes really well with mint and chocolate. So I made gelato."

The Pantoran woman dished out two scoops of a rich-looking gelato, sprinkling some powdered algae on top for good measure. "It's great for cosmetics, too. I've been using some in a handmade lotion for weeks now, I look years younger. Feel like it, too. But I'm told the primary purpose is longevity supplements, but ingestion isn't half bad!" She laughed, setting the gelato and test tubes on the table. "Take a load off. Can I get you a drink?"

 

[Jack Sandrow]

Equipment: Casual wear | Breather | Pistol

---

Proper haggling be damned, that algae is mine! Jack was happy they could come to an amicable solution so quickly. Like hell he was going to let all this go to someone who couldn't properly appreciate it. Certainly In appreciated it (at least somewhat), but if she was going to get rid of it, he was glad it was going to him.

In's ship was flush with flora, and Jack was yet again thankful for the chance meet-up. Someone who went to the effort to green their ship up this much was worth the investment and time. His hand swept past the trays, not quite touching, but getting a sense of the plant life here. His eyes went half-lidded, getting a more true sense, as he reached out through the Force. Every single plant here had the same opinion.

They loved it here. They were getting more than enough food (but never too much), as many nutrients as they needed, and were kept safe and sound no matter the locale. Plants, he had found, loved to be helpful and/or useful, and these were quite content to do so for both residents of the freighter. The place was overflowing with life in abundance, and again Jack appreciated the serendipity. "I absolutely agree - I try to spread a little green wherever I go; there never seems to be enough plant life in the galaxy."

While In dug through her fridge, Jack found a free patch of counter to lean against, and paid close attention to her notes regarding temperature. "Sub-glacial, hmm." He nodded attentively. "I'm not used to chilly temps; personally I do best in heat and humidity, so this will be new." He mentally added a note for the Pod to bio-craft a heat-exchange unit as soon as possible.

"Y'know? I've never actually had gelato before. I've seen it on shelves, I've seen the odd advertisement for a pint flavor based on some Coruscanti celebrity, but I've not actually had any. But, of course, homemade is better than store-bought, always and every time." He slid the offered bowl closer, but picked up the test tubes and uncorked the first one, swirling the dense matter around tentatively before re-corking it and looking back to In. "Oooh, I won't say no to a drink! If you have something Corellian-made, that would immediately put me over the moons."

---

In Rhan

 

[In Rhan]

In laughed at the the enthusiasm, serving up a nice, jiggly scoop of life-prolonging algae hand-mixed with mint, smooth blue milk, and sugar. The desert was cool and soft like ice cream, but without the air pockets - more akin to the cross between cheesecake and mousse. The dried algae sprinkled on top added a nice salty-sweet twist to the refreshingly minty product. The overall flavor profile was subdued and a little sweet, relying on the inherent sweetness of dairy to be enhanced by the slightly grassy, slightly bitter, overall matcha-like algae. And that algae's umami played fantastically with the crisp effervescence of freshly-harvested mint.

In did a LITTLE cooking.

"I think my partner keeps some whiskey around for guests or movie nights." The Pantoran speculated. "I'll go have a look. You enjoy that gelato."

In bustled off, half-dancing through the corridors of her ship to Niysha's room. She detoured slightly to a refrigerated storage. When In returned, it was with mild ceremony. She set a rocks glass in front of Jack, along with a pair of cooled whiskey stones on a saucer and carefully poured two fingers of a decent, mid-range whiskey.

It said Corellian Whiskey on the bottle, which didn't mean much. In didn't know much about whiskey.

She cracked open her own bottle as well - a sealed, fizzy glass bottle filled with what looked like pine needles. It smelled like pine needles, too, along with herbs, honey, and mint. In's own handwriting on the bottle indicated that it was spruce cider of a relatively recent date.

"You should have seen some of the things they did with this algae back on Calimancha. Fried dough, hot cocoa, spa everything. It's really incredible." In explained as she enjoyed her gelato. "The Youth Festival is something else."l I wish I could go every year."

 

[Jack Sandrow]

Equipment: Casual wear | Breather | Pistol

---

As In ducked out to find a drink, Jack took the moment to savor the gelato. Novel experiences were rare for him these days, in his field, so he was more than happy to experience it.

It was an odd flavor, but delicious in its entirety. Jack savored the spoonful, letting out a curious noise as he rolled it around on his tongue. And then somehow the whole bowl was empty... His spoon clinked in the empty dish, and he looked down in mild surprise. So much for savoring it.

He set the bowl back down just as In bounced back into the galley. "Someone ate all this while you were gone," he quipped, giving her an innocent smile. "Not sure how they did that to be honest. Oooh, lemme see that bottle..." Once she had poured it he examined the container closer; his initial joy had flattened somewhat. It was a 'Corellian whiskey', insofar as it was labelled as such. He flipped the bottle over: contains 51% real Corellian whiskey. That was to be expected, he guessed. Still, 51% was better than nothing. Best part of it was that it was freely offered, of course.

He raised the glass in salute as In opened her own drink. "Cheers!" A long slow sip brought an almost-familiar warmth to his taste buds, and he smiled a bit. Almost-familiar was more than good enough.

"Mm. I might just have to swing by myself, if that's the case," he said. "I've never been, but any place that actually puts stock in plant life and uses it for mutual benefit is absolutely worth my time."

---

In Rhan