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Post by Ramulus on Jul 5, 2010 4:20:47 GMT -5
Ramulus has decided not to step into the big spotlight that the rest are making of themselves, and has taken to one of the back rows. He approached the edge of it, a seat where he could peer down the middle lane right onto the stage, a nice seat when so far at the back.
He takes it without further ado and watches the auction.
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Post by Lynn Deanna Payne on Jul 6, 2010 11:10:30 GMT -5
Bambi considers Rodimus Prime's reactions and questions, and she whispers wryly, "Why him boss man, me no think you lover of history. Many stories surrounding egg. Some say it egg that God hatched from. Some say it egg laid by God. Some say it... egg that will be God. Or Goddess. Or evil one. Or heart of ocean. But most stories say it egg of God, and it hidden away in Mystical Mountain. Only pure of heart can move it from altar, but once moved, can be stolen by anyone."
She snorts and opines sotto voce, "Just mean there good ancient trap system. Anyway, no one think it really exist, but me Bambi guess... it does? Since they selling it today. Probably just nice old piece of sculpture, but historical value priceless. It like... finding true cross of Jesus or Noah's Ark or Colossus of Rhodes intact - but not him Colossus Rhodes, him just weirdo jerk."
While she speaks, the first item sells for double its starting value. Second on the block is is the suit of armour of the girl warrior-prophet, starting at 1,400 shanix. The bidding for that is also quite frantic.
Botanica and Rodimus Prime might notice Dr. Perspicax in the audience, sitting next to a rather large, intimidating man in an immaculate black suit. She herself is in formal wear - a black silk lab coat.
The security guards grudgingly grant to Soundwave, "In the back, sir. Where you can't be seen."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jul 6, 2010 18:45:53 GMT -5
Silly Swindle! Rodimus Prime is stager-whispering for the same reason that intelligent people in fiction and on television always stage-whisper at ill-chosen times: because it moves the plot forward and gets characters involved that the speaker might not have invited!
The more Bambi explains, the more restless Rodimus seems. "It doesn't always just mean a good trap system," Rodimus murmurs. He pauses, then adds with a faint smirk. "But usually."
He looks up as the auction continues, and considering Botanica's words, muses, "Does seem pretty unlikely, though." A moment, and then he turns an amused grin on Botanica herself. "Of course, stranger things have happened..."
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on Jul 6, 2010 19:39:44 GMT -5
Swindle watches the bidding, biding his time. The first item didn't sell for too much, but he doubts the trend will continue. //Just out of curiosity, how much did you bring with you?// he transmits to Soundwave on the broadband.
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Jul 6, 2010 23:57:13 GMT -5
"Hmpf. You have a point, Rodimus," Botanica replies with her own smile.
Uninterested in the current offering, Botanica scans the crowds, and she does indeed see the lady from the crash seated across the way. She tries to catch Rodimus's eye and then nods in the doctor's direction.
Also attending the auction is an elegantly dressed older robot. He sits near the front, back ramrod straight, hands balanced on the silver head of a slim walking cane. Someone looking closely at him will note his tie tac, a pewter set of horns.
Toward the back of the room, near to Soundwave, actually, is an old avian lady in a wheelchair, her black feathers shot with gray, a blanket spread across her lap. She's wearing a nun's habit.
And lastly, sitting a row back from Swindle is an unassuming humanoid in a forgettable suit, with brownish hair and horn-rimmed glasses. He isn't watching the auction, however.
He's watching Swindle.
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Post by Soundwave on Jul 7, 2010 14:08:09 GMT -5
Soundwave takes a seat near the back as asked, shaking his head as does. He then gets radioed from Swindle, asking him how much he brought. Soundwave radios back, telling Swindle exactly how much money he'd brought. It was quite a bit, actually, though he saw no real harm in telling Swindle, despite figuring that the salescon probably had some ulterior motive.
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Post by Ramulus on Jul 8, 2010 17:20:12 GMT -5
Ramulus waits, patiently. He's learning the system by watching, not having been to an auction before. It's... interesting enough.
The items sure are. Not for having, he has no use for them. But they give him insights in this planet other than wandering it for himself. It's better than doing nothing.
He wonders if he might be able to meet some archaeologists from here.... and thus he casually takes in the room to see if he could locate the patrons who supplied this auction.
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Post by Lynn Deanna Payne on Jul 9, 2010 19:36:29 GMT -5
"Always assume hidden temple booby-trapped," Bambi mutters, crossing her arms.
Dr. Perspicax doesn't acknowledge Botanica's nod, if she saw it, but she does nervously fiddle with the handcuff at her wrist and her briefcase. Looks like she's playing the money today, but neither her nor her hulking companion have bid on an item yet, so whatever it is they're interesting in, it's bigger game then these first few offerings.
Speaking of which, the armour finishes at 5,100 shanix, more than doubling the starting the bid and also almost halving what Rodimus Prime offered to pay Death's Head to time travel after Galvatron. Next up is an offering altar, three hefty hewn pieces of stone fitted together with pinion joints. Being of Devourist make, it is newer, dating back to the early days of when Devourist immigrants first arrived on Pz-Zazz. Interesting, it mostly seems to depict Unicron pulling the feathers off a predatory bird of some sort, and the carvings are stained in red, black, and green.
It doesn't seem to make Dr. Perspicax, her companion, and a small but significant minority of the crowd happy, but a much larger minority of the crowd seems aboslutely delighted, murmuring and shuffling about, readying their bidding arms.
The bidding starts at 5,000 shanix, given the interest in this particular item.
There are some other archaeologists about, though they aren't wearing signs that say 'archaeologist'. Some are here as buyers, who would like to have these items to display in museums or to support their research. Some are here to see their finds sold off. Some just want to see the show. (That's why Bambi is here, after all.)
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jul 9, 2010 20:21:32 GMT -5
Rodimus loses some interest in the auction as the armor is being bid on, and it's because he's glancing around that he spies Botanica trying to get his attention. He looks off in the way that she's indicating and spies Perspicax. His brow-ridges lift for a moment, and then he looks back at Botanica and shrugs.
Then the next piece is revealed, and his attention snaps back to the stage. His optics open wide and flash brightly, his jaws clench, and his hands grasp the arm of his seat, cracking the edges slightly. He looks around, spying the interest in the piece, and scowls angrily.
"I hate this planet," he rasps out angrily.
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on Jul 9, 2010 20:41:47 GMT -5
Swindle nods to himself as Soundwave relays how much currency he brought with him. Not a ridiculous amount, but enough to be useful if Swindle needs a quick cash infusion after bidding beyond his means. He'd pay the communications officer back, naturally. //Thanks. We may have to join forces if the bids get too high,// he transmits, assuming the other 'Con cares whether or not Swindle can afford things.
Being a robot, Swindle does not have hairs on the back of his neck to stand up. However, he's been around the block galaxy a few times, and he does get the feeling he's being watched. The merchant casually pulls a hand mirror from his drawer, making a show of adjusting his tie as he checks in the mirror to see behind him, possibly noticing that he's being watched.
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Jul 9, 2010 22:35:37 GMT -5
The elderly robot raises his number as the bidding starts for the altar. He does not seem inclined to let the piece go, regardless of how high the price rises. He does, however, smirk slightly in an amused manner and tip his hat toward Dr. Perspicax and company. Botanica frowns in concern and tries to reach an arm over Bambi's back and just touch Rodimus's shoulder. She understand the Prime's anger, shares it in fact. But now isn't the time to garner unwanted attention. In the back, the old avian nun is...pretty much mirroring Rodimus's expression and actions, though she manages not to crush her chair arms. She does have some choice curses to mutter under her breath directed at the entire Devourist religion as a whole. HRG smiles thinly as Swindle pulls out a hand mirror and studies him. The man leans forward and tries to tap Swindle's shoulder with a business card. It reads: Noah Be'net Primatech <contact number>
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Post by Soundwave on Jul 12, 2010 1:01:53 GMT -5
Soundwave contemplates Swindle's offer for a minute before replying, //Perhaps we can arrange a deal, then. I am in need of certain upgrades...// Soundwave left it at that. The business con would know what he was talking about.
As Soundwave awaits Swindle's response, he turns his attention towards the auction. The next item seemed to be an altar dedicated to Unicron. Everything Soundwave gathered on Unicron from Ships computers, disturbed him greatly. The enthusiasm certain bidders in the crowd had for the item left Soundwave to ponder if this planet's inhabitants could get any more loathsome.
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Post by Lynn Deanna Payne on Jul 15, 2010 16:24:29 GMT -5
In this part of town, some people are known to get what they want, and wise auction patrons stay out of the bidding now. There are, however, some out-of-towners in orange robes who doesn't know the score. By the time that they realise that they are well and truly beat, the altar has tripled in price.
That's right, Rodimus Prime, there are those here who think some perverse stones are worth more killing Galvatron.
Dr. Perspicax just plays with the handcuff a bit more, staring down at her briefcase, and her companion just watches the show.
The next item is a crystal timepiece, a waterclock made of carved quartz. It is much less expensive, despite its beauty, starting at 300 shanix.
Bambi gives Rodimus Prime a puzzled look. Oh, she understands having a temper, but what set that off?
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jul 15, 2010 16:58:44 GMT -5
Surely angry scowling is allowed! Breaking chairs probably isn't, but Rodimus only cracked the arms of the chair a little!
When Botanica touches his shoulder, Rodimus offers her a weak smile, then he returns his focus to the bidding. He snorts and shakes his head at the final price. "You've gotta be kidding me," Rodimus murmurs, glancing ceilingward.
He seems a bit less interesting in the next item, but that's rather a good thing, considering why he was interested in the last one.
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on Jul 15, 2010 17:48:44 GMT -5
Swindle puts the mirror away, apparently satisfied that he still looks like a million bucks. Then he reaches up and takes the business card the man in the horn-rimmed glasses is tapping him with, glances at it, and files it away in his drawer.
//Now you're speaking my language, Soundwave. You need upgrades, I need a broadcast satellite. Call me later, we can do business.//
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