A door ajar, Bujar? (D4 EA)

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

True to their word, as the sun made its way to the top of the sky #19 alighted from the public transit in Historic Esmeraldas. They didn't have much to go on, that much was true... but maybe with some searching and some asking around they might get to something.

The masculine-looking viking-like hairstyle they had used in the morning was back, and this time they had a black loose fitting shirt and something that looked like dark green cargo pants. If it weren't for the Lina model's facial features, #19 might even pass as a male - as it was, they looked positively androgynous.

They walked through the old streets as they searched on their PDA for any hits of "Bujar" and "Esmeraldas" and looked for a suitable place to ask some questions. Maybe a busier store, or a café. They had looked at the PDA before, of course, but they were still unsure, and it was good to have another look at things now while on-site.

Now... what would be the best way to find someone by that name there?...

[Boogiepop]

Trying to find someone named Bujar in the Esmeraldas might be rather difficult and that would be if he was registered officially as a legal citizen, to begin with. The name was Albanian in origin, which might give her some idea where to look if he hung out around Balkan communities. Of course, he could potentially be a ristie relaxing in his tanning bed at his sky-level suite too. This was going to be extremely difficult, to say the least.

[OOC: Lina may roll Streetwise (Cunning) at Hard or Knowledge: Society (Society) at Hard with two Setback.]

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

Trying to find someone named Bujar in the Esmeraldas might be rather difficult and that would be if he was registered officially as a legal citizen, to begin with. The name was Albanian in origin, which might give her some idea where to look if he hung out around Balkan communities. Of course, he could potentially be a ristie relaxing in his tanning bed at his sky-level suite too. This was going to be extremely difficult, to say the least.

[OOC: Lina may roll Streetwise (Cunning) at Hard or Knowledge: Society (Society) at Hard with two Setback.]

The androgynous Bioroid who presented themselves as 'Three One Nine' started exactly from Balkan communities. It was like looking for a needle in a haysack... but after some time, they might heard the equivalent of seeing a metal sheen...

OOC:
D4 EA - Bujar? Society vs Hard, 2 Setback. 1 Story Point used.: 2eP+2eA+3eD+2eS 1 success, 2 threat

1 SP used!

[Boogiepop]

It seemed that Lina's afternoon was rather fruitful when it came to trying to find a Bujar and there were certainly no short of people that went about that name. However, the trick was perhaps trying to find the right one. The Esmeraldas weren't exactly infamous for much and its crime was typically subdued in comparison to the other districts of the city. However, between a few people who might potentially be looking to make a buck by selling parts from a government bioroid model or sympathizers of Humans First, Lina admittedly had to tip a narrow line about who they might discover.

After a few questions, shrugs, and points, they would be direct to Fish and Ships over at the dockyards where a Bujar could be enjoying his meal at this time. And there was indeed a bearded man there dressed in a black suit with a deep red open-collar shirt.


Bujar Cani

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

It seemed that Lina's afternoon was rather fruitful when it came to trying to find a Bujar and there were certainly no short of people that went about that name. However, the trick was perhaps trying to find the right one. The Esmeraldas weren't exactly infamous for much and its crime was typically subdued in comparison to the other districts of the city. However, between a few people who might potentially be looking to make a buck by selling parts from a government bioroid model or sympathizers of Humans First, Lina admittedly had to tip a narrow line about who they might discover.

After a few questions, shrugs, and points, they would be direct to Fish and Ships over at the dockyards where a Bujar could be enjoying his meal at this time. And there was indeed a bearded man there dressed in a black suit with a deep red open-collar shirt.


Bujar Cani

It had been tricky, but it seemed like a promising lead.

Well, person, actually.

The androgynous bioroid made their way to the restaurant and, spotting the man enjoying his meal, politely asked the waiters at the entrance if they could go inside to have a word with him.

If that was allowed, they'd walk closer to the table and, in a firm, but pleasant voice, say simply: "Mr Bujar?"

[Boogiepop]

Bujar Cani

Bujar seemed to have been enjoying a swordfish grilled steak and some fries. Fish and Ships wasn't an overly fancy place, the utensils were metal but the napkins were paper. However, he seemed to still enjoy his meal with the spirit of fine dining as he utilized his knife and fork with precision, all with a tall glass of neo-Cola.

When he heard his name, he would pause in his meal and look up. While he was disturbed on his lunch, he looked more cautious than annoyed and still held his utensils as he regarded Lina. "Yes. That is me. And who might you be?"

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

Bujar Cani

When he heard his name, he would pause in his meal and look up. While he was disturbed on his lunch, he looked more cautious than annoyed and still held his utensils as he regarded Lina. "Yes. That is me. And who might you be?"

The bioroid would nod at him, silver eyes looking at him with a small smile. "You can call me Nineteen. I would like to ask a few questions. It could be after you finish enjoying your meal. I wouldn't want to disturb that", they add as the smile widens slightly.

[Boogiepop]

Bujar Cani

Bujar would glower slightly as he was in an awkward situation at the moment. Eventually, he did sigh and lay down his utensils before taking a sip of his drink. "Why don't you sit, Nineteen? I can't say I can eat on a good conscience if I'm around someone who can't do the same, affects the taste. It is best that you finish your business so that I can finish my meal properly. "

He gestured to the seat across from him before giving a glance around once more, hoping that this wasn't a trap or a bust. "Please, sit," he would iterate again.

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

Bujar Cani

Bujar would glower slightly as he was in an awkward situation at the moment. Eventually, he did sigh and lay down his utensils before taking a sip of his drink. "Why don't you sit, Nineteen? I can't say I can eat on a good conscience if I'm around someone who can't do the same, affects the taste. It is best that you finish your business so that I can finish my meal properly. "

He gestured to the seat across from him before giving a glance around once more, hoping that this wasn't a trap or a bust. "Please, sit," he would iterate again.

The bioroid tilted their head slightly. "Ah. If you insist, mr. Bujar. Thank you. I really don't want to disturb your meal, so I'll try to make it quick."

They sat down on the seat he indicated, their eyes locked in to his - although their ears kept attentive to their surroundings, as usual. After looking at his eyes for a moment, they went for a straightforward approach. "I've been told you've been in contact with one 'Felix'. I assume you remember him, yes?"

[Boogiepop]

The bioroid tilted their head slightly. "Ah. If you insist, mr. Bujar. Thank you. I really don't want to disturb your meal, so I'll try to make it quick."

They sat down on the seat he indicated, their eyes locked in to his - although their ears kept attentive to their surroundings, as usual. After looking at his eyes for a moment, they went for a straightforward approach. "I've been told you've been in contact with one 'Felix'. I assume you remember him, yes?"

Bujar Cani

"Yes," he would on the matter as the name brought some recognition to his eyes. "We were in discussion about seeking out a tourist ferry trip for four to the coast of Ecuador. I offered him a very low price too, criminal almost, 500 credits per person."

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

Bujar Cani

"Yes," he would on the matter as the name brought some recognition to his eyes. "We were in discussion about seeking out a tourist ferry trip for four to the coast of Ecuador. I offered him a very low price too, criminal almost, 500 credits per person."

The android nodded. "Ah, so it's tourism you were talking about, then. I'd figured something like that", they said with a slight smile. "Had you come to an agreement, then? And... has Felix contacted you recently?"

[Boogiepop]

Bujar Cani

Bujar took a sip from his neo-coke and licked his lips before speaking once more. "Something of an agreement, not enough I see the money in my hands. He said that he would have the credits for me next time he'd seen me, in hard cash. Of course, even with such a good deal, he manages to leave me hanging without any contact. No, I haven't seen Felix lately? Have you? Are you one of his friends? If I don't see the credits soon, I'm sure plenty of people would rather get on the tour instead."

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

Bujar Cani

Bujar took a sip from his neo-coke and licked his lips before speaking once more. "Something of an agreement, not enough I see the money in my hands. He said that he would have the credits for me next time he'd seen me, in hard cash. Of course, even with such a good deal, he manages to leave me hanging without any contact. No, I haven't seen Felix lately? Have you? Are you one of his friends? If I don't see the credits soon, I'm sure plenty of people would rather get on the tour instead."

The bioroid nodded again. "Hm. I understand." It takes a while before they actually answer the man's questions. "I've been in contact with his friends. Seems like something happened to him."

As they say that, their silvery eyes look straight to Bujar's for a moment before diverting away - as if scanning for any particular reaction.

"With four passengers at a time, I'm sure you'd be able to make a bulk discount of some sort? I assume the paperwork for this trip is entirely within the boundaries of legality too, right?"

The second question is asked with... a slight grin? Or was it a smirk? Or something else? With the light coming from the bioroid's glowing eyes and the slightly odd synthskin, it's hard to be sure...

As they said that, they reached for their PDA on a pocket and typed a short message to the number Doreen had given them.

(Ghost emoji) (Jar emoji) found. Any funds of your own?"

OOC:
Any rolls to see whether he could lower his offer some? Either Negotiation... or Coercion, even? :p Or Lina could offer some "legal advice" of sorts with Society maybe?...

[Boogiepop]

Bujar Cani

"500 Credits is the bulk discount for four passengers, 2,000 Credits in all. It is a very legal trip, just basic tourism." He shrugged confidently on the matter.

Doreen would respond to her, perhaps by some miracle of ducking into an alcove at work.

No. Maybe a few hundred between all of us?

[OOC: Sure, Lina may roll either of those at Hard Difficulty.]

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

Bujar Cani

"500 Credits is the bulk discount for four passengers, 2,000 Credits in all. It is a very legal trip, just basic tourism." He shrugged confidently on the matter.

Doreen would respond to her, perhaps by some miracle of ducking into an alcove at work.

No. Maybe a few hundred between all of us?

[OOC: Sure, Lina may roll either of those at Hard Difficulty.]

They nodded. "Hm... I understand. And it's good to know you take proper care with the legal proceedings. I did worry there might be legal threads hanging given the specificity of Felix and friends' documents. In fact, if you do have any worries left in that regard... I might be able to offer some help? I know from experience keeping your operations within the letter of the city's legal framework isn't always easy, and ensuring it is greatly helps all kinds of business..."

They weren't clearly asking for anything in exchange for such advice, but it was more or less clear that they hoped the man could shave off part of the price...

As they spoke, they typed another short message to Doreen. (Emojis in brackets!)

(Jar): 500 a (head). Trying to (arrow down). I might share some. Any (chips) you can fetch?

OOC:
D4 EA - Bujar - Society vs Hard - Legal advice to 'help' and get a better offer?: 1eP+3eA+3eD 1 success

Not much, but it's a success!

[Boogiepop]

Bujar Cani

He gave a passing shrug on the offer at first. "Eh, I know I'm legally fine to do what I do. It's my passengers who need to worry. It's not my fault if they're dressed a certain way or look a certain way. It's pretty dark on night cruises. It's not my problem if they get caught, everything I do is legal."

After some thought, he gave a shrug of his shoulders. "If you take care of some parking fees at the docks, like make them go away, then maybe I can consider lowering my prices to 400 per head as an exchange."


Doreen Malloy

I have maybe 300-something.
Maybe more if I try to take from the petty cash.
Manager watches it.

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

Bujar Cani

He gave a passing shrug on the offer at first. "Eh, I know I'm legally fine to do what I do. It's my passengers who need to worry. It's not my fault if they're dressed a certain way or look a certain way. It's pretty dark on night cruises. It's not my problem if they get caught, everything I do is legal."

After some thought, he gave a shrug of his shoulders. "If you take care of some parking fees at the docks, like make them go away, then maybe I can consider lowering my prices to 400 per head as an exchange."

The bioroid's expression was blank for a moment. The man might be right... in a way, at least. They were relatively sure some people would probably not have a hard time finding a way to press charges against him if they found out he was offering touristic trips to certain passengers. But that sort of pressure would be self-defeating... they were exactly looking for a way to transport these passengers, after all.

They nodded. "That may be possible. So... 400 per head, then? And... if one of the tourists has an issue, I assume we can arrange for him to join another group later?"

Felix still had to be located, after all... but with her funds, at least Doreen and the other two might have a way out...

Doreen Malloy

I have maybe 300-something.
Maybe more if I try to take from the petty cash.
Manager watches it.

Another short message.

Too risky. (Eyes) off you is best. Anything from K and N?
Managed 400 a (Head). Have some 800 myself, maybe more.
Any (Speaking head) on F-(Cat)?

[Boogiepop]

Bujar Cani

"I don't do reservations," he said with a dismissive shrug before looking down at his meal. "But I'm not going to say no if I have the credits in front of me, upfront. 400 per head is fine with me if you can deal with dismissing all of those docks fees from city hall."


Doreen Malloy

No, nothing from poor (Cat).
It's probably going to stay that way.

[Lina (NAG Mk3-19)]

Bujar Cani

"I don't do reservations," he said with a dismissive shrug before looking down at his meal. "But I'm not going to say no if I have the credits in front of me, upfront. 400 per head is fine with me if you can deal with dismissing all of those docks fees from city hall."


Doreen Malloy

No, nothing from poor (Cat).
It's probably going to stay that way.

A quick look at the PAD screen and Nineteen looks at the man again. Something seemed to be troubling them for a moment, but that was soon shaken off and they answered the man with a nod and a confident half-smile.

"You won't be occupying the docks long before the trip, I assume, yeah? That can most likely be arranged", they said, nodding again. "I'll have another word with Felix's friends, but sounds like a deal to me. When would the trip start?"

And... who was she dealing with here, exactly? There didn't seem to be any hints on that, and that worried Nineteen slightly... but getting a ticket out for the 'roids' was important, so...

[Boogiepop]

Bujar Cani

"Yes, if you get rid of my parking tickets, we have a new deal then," he reaffirmed again so that wasn't any misunderstanding on the matter. "I leave tomorrow, so make sure your friends are packed and ready. I only do tours and I'm not a destination travel agent. The rest is on them if they want to do any excursions."

He only got them out of the city, everything else and anything that happened to them afterwards was entirely on them.