[Shan enters the shop. There's a little ding of a bell. The room seems to be stocked with cages hanging all over the place. Where there aren't cages, there are bags of what might be feed. (con)] [There is a door behind the long wooden counter that heads into the backroom. Right now no one is at the counter.] * Shan walks in and appraises the shop. [Most of the birds are asleep right now because of the dark. A few that aren't are gently cooing as Shan inspects them. There's some cooing from the back as well.] * Shan walks up to the counter and calls, "Hello? Is anyone here?" [There's a chirp from the back. A young female voice calls out. "Just a minute!" There's some rustling from the backroom.] * Shan bides her time. [There's a crash from the back and a bit of flapping and squawking. A few feathers and dust fly in sight of the doorway. A few moments later, a girl in her mid to late teens steps out of the doorway, crouched a bit and holding her head. She has short-cropped reddish-brown hair in beaded braids hanging down as bangs alongside her face. Her skin is olive colored and she's wearing a white shirt with a beige vest and matching shorts.] Are you alright? [She coughs as she comes in from the back and waves the dust away from her face. "Sorry. Sorry... *cough* it's a mess back there..." * Shan glances at the girl, then behind her. "Oh?" [Teen stands up and waves her hand in front of her face. "It's nothing. It's nothing" She perks up and looks at Shan, hands on her hips. "So, what brings you to my humble shop at this hour? The name's Marla. Marla Bradley at your service." She takes a deep bow. Probably not the types of bows Shan's used to but still a bow.] * Shan bows herself, in her more familiar manner. "I am Shan Dian Biao. I'm seeking a messenger service by carrier pigeon, and noticed your store." * Marla grins. "Well...you've come to the right place. My pigeons go allll over. There's not a territory, a hovel, a beach, a cove, or a lighthouse they won't find. Trained 'em myself." * Shan smiles. "Good. Then I take it you have one that would reach Chu-in?" "Absooooolutely." *grin* "But I can't let them out just now. They just got down to sleep." She pouts a little. "Well... most of them." * Shan frowns. "None at all?" * Marla tsks a bit at Shan, but only once. "You ever tried waking up a pigeon once it got to sleep? They're cranky when they get up." She frowns a bit and thinks. "But...I might think of something I can do about that..." * Shan shakes her head. "Can't say I have. But if you have an alternative, please share. These letters are quite important." Wellllll... I have been working on a new mode of communication. It's by private boat. I'd have to get someone to mind the shop though... * Marla looks dreamy eyed, just a little. "I've always wanted to see Chu-lin." It's quite lovely, I can assure you of that. Really? Does it always thunder and lightning there as they say? * Shan nods. But it doesn't always rain. Well that's good. * Marla drops her voice a little. "I hate the rain." Tell me more about this service you offer. * Marla grins. "I could deliver it personally. I've been working on a prototype. It'll put Dunlor to shame. To *shame* I tell ya." Really. How long would it take? From here? I could probably have it to the capital within half a week if I keep her going day and night. Maybe a little longer but I doubt that much. * Shan nods. "Good. Good.... what's the cost?" Depends...since I'm doing it personally, it'd be more expensive than an ordinary delivery you understand... I'd gathered. So... we'll say... 110 Drachs? * Shan blinks. "That's quite a bit more than I'd expected." Well... I've got to pay for food along the way...and building cost of the ship... travel expenses, return journey... it adds up." * Shan nods. "But at such a price, it may best to wait until tomorrow morning instead. I dunno... pigeons are slower anyway. Might take a week flight time. * Shan nods. "That's true, but it does me no good to spend all my money on one delivery, either. Could you lower the price to, say, 80 Drachs?" *Marla shakes her head and looks up slowly. "That won't cover the cost of expenses. 100 Drachs." That's still quite expensive. It wouldn't be practical for me to pay that much. * Marla shrugs. "Suit yourself. If you can last a week, it's 30 drachs." A week? I told ya that's how long it might take to deliver. These things take time and distance. That's a pigeon throw. * Shan nods. "That sounds much more suitable for my purposes. Very well... *she sighs disappointedly* Shoot. And I thought I'd finally have an excuse to leave this burg. * Shan shakes her head. "I apologize, but I simply can't afford such a steep price. Perhaps future customers will have that luxury." Yeah yeah... I know it's a lot. But I could get sacked by pirates. Come to think of it, so could my birds. Mmm... maybe I should start selling pirate insurance.... * Marla starts pondering that possibility It seems unlikely. Anyhow, may I leave the letters here, or should I return tomorrow? You can leave the letters here. Chu-in right? Anywhere in particular? * Shan produces several letters from the sleeves of her robe. "To the Imperial Palace, if you could. Also, I have one more to compose and send. Do you have any writing materials I could use?" Yeah...over there. *she points down the counter a bit* Wow. The Imperial Palace, huh? I've always wanted to be there. * Shan nods and gathers the materials. "It is quite grand." She gets to work, swiftly writing out a letter in beautiful Chu-Linese Calligraphy. You're... *she frowns as she tries to figure something out* Messages there... what's this all about? * Shan glances up as she writes. "Are you curious?" Wouldn't ask if I weren't. * Shan looks back down at her sheet. "Current affairs." * Shan finishes her letter and holds it, and the others, out to Marla. ("The guide I picked is still totally insane, and we tried to get rid of the female Zaxon many times, but she refuses to stay dead.") ( "Launch the nukes at once." Of course Chu-Lin has nukes. They're under the mounatins. ) * Marla nods. "Seems a little mundane for the palace." She shrugs and takes the letters. "But who am I to question?" * Shan smiles. "The simple things are always the most important." She hands them to Marla. "I trust they're in good hands?" Absoooooolutely! *She makes a fist and crosses it over her chest* Best in the business. Ask anyone. You can count on tip-top service when Marla's on the job. * Marla hesitates for a moment. "... except for pirates. No one wins when pirates are involved." * Shan nods. "I'll take your word for it." She thanks her and pays her, and heads out. * Marla takes her money. Haha! * Shan strolls back to the ship at a leisurely pace. [Session Pause]