Should I Look Before I Leap?

Posted on Sat May 30th, 2015 @ 6:25pm by Lieutenant Commander Nicolao & Commander Oralia Zeferino

Mission: Breaking New Ground
Location: The Promenade

* * * The Promenade * * *

Following his evening out with Dru, many things weighed on Nico’s mind. As usual in such circumstances, he made his way to the promenade and to one small shop just a few doors down from Palaxia’s Playground. He examined the things in the display window, then steeling himself for the usual onslaught, he stepped in.

The place was surprisingly quiet. No blue ball of energy came charging at him and he looked around, feeling a little out of place.

“Falasin?” When she didn’t answer, he tried again. “Mamu?”

A grunt echoed from the back of the shop then the wizened old creature showed her face. "Nico. Greetings. How are you progressing?"

“It’s been an interesting couple of weeks, Mamu,” he answered. Then, with a look around and seeing no one, he continued. “I need your advice. You’ve heard the gossip I assume? You always know everything.”

"Hmmm. I hear things." She shrugged, winked and tapped a crystal gazing ball on a nearby shelf, as if she might have used it to know all. "What do you seek advice on?"

“I saw video footage of…” He paused as the image rose in his thoughts and he pushed it away. “I found the woman who helped Niro get me out of that prison.”

"Ah, yes, the lady lawyer, Julisa." She nodded. "I recall her. Prickly but pretty." She watched him a moment. "What is on that footage need not be in your head."

“I don’t remember her,” he said softly. “But maybe in time. She is looking for Niro.”

"And you don't want her to? She had a few days with him, during a stressful time, perhaps she wishes to connect with him again."

“You know him, is that a good idea?” Nico frowned and sat down in a nearby chair so he would be closer to Mamu’s eye level. “I know, this is for sale. I won’t break it.” He had to smile in spite of the subject of the conversation.

"Jump on it, you might." She shuffled something behind the counter then brought up a brightly colored deck of cards. She kept ruffling and rifling the cards. "For her, it may be. By snake, she has not been bitten; you have. She sees good in him because he helped get you out."

Nico nodded. “That is it exactly. But she has a point. If the admiral tried to finish off her and Holbridge and the two admirals here, he might have been a target as well. I doubt he would show his face here anyway. It’s a little too above-board for his taste.” Nico paused and now he smiled once more. “I need your help too. With Dru.”

"The girly girl. She is cute, yes?"

A laugh escaped Nico. “You might say that yes. A lot has changed since I saw you last, though your advice was spot on. She says she loves me.”

"And you love her. It was obvious before, will continue being obvious. She knows of Niro and Julisa. She knows your struggles." Mamu smacked her lips together, cackled and sat back. "Told you, I did."

“Yeah, yeah, so you did.” He had the good grace to look a little sheepish. “And I doubted you at the time. My apologies. We’re going down to the planet for a few days you know.”

She hopped down from her perch behind the counter and disappeared into the back for a moment. She came around the edge of the counter and handed Nico a box. "Open it not till you need it. Need it, you will."

He examined the box, extremely curious about what could be inside. But she had instructed him not to open it and she’d never steered him wrong yet. He slipped it into his pocket and nodded.

“Thank you...for whatever this is.”

"You will pay for it, eventually," she smiled, a scary sight as she looked strained rather than happy.

“That doesn’t sound good, Mamu. Should I be concerned?”

"No. You know I ask only what you can give. No more. There will be a time when you will know." She struggled back up onto her perch then asked, "Advice you needed? Have you asked for it?"

He considered the question, then shook his head. “I stand at the edge of something big, Mamu.” He did not elaborate as to what that might be. She would likely just pick it out of his head anyway. “What do I do?”

"Jump! Might as well jump! Go ahead an' jump!" She said with no rhythm whatsoever. "You think too much."

“That’s because I’ve had to lately, or lose myself altogether. But you’re right. So very right this time. Not that you haven’t been right before but...well...you know what I mean.”

"Right I always am. Be outside yourself and jump. Might as well... jump...." She was humming now.

“Are you feeling alright?” Nico looked at her with some concern now. as long as he’d know this little creature he’d never heard her hum. Falasin, sure, but not Mamu.

"I am well. There are things in the air, things coming. You will see." She nodded and shuffled the cards again. Then she flipped the top three over. Regarding them, she nodded and said, "You see? Something comes."

He rose and moved over to the counter, looking down at the cards. They were images to him nothing more. “Meaning? Something good? Or am I going to find a bug in my soup at dinner?”

She smacked the back of his hand. "Make fun, you like. This may not be for you, maybe for you. Never know till it happens."

He snatched back and sucked on his fingers where her ring had hit him. “Got it. I think.” He patted his pocket. “And thanks for this, whatever it is.”

"Of course. Enjoy your time on Archadia."

“That is a certainty.” He gave her a wink and started towards the door.

************
Mamu
Weirdness Multiplied

Nicolao
Gifts (?) From The Oracle