Bar-hopping

Posted on Tue Apr 2nd, 2024 @ 6:52pm by Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Savette & Lieutenant Kell Asaa Dr

1,845 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Investigate the Chintoka Shipyard Buildup
Location: Earth, Paris, France
Timeline: The Current/Alt-Past Timeline... 8^)

ON:

[ Streetside ]

Just outside the building, things looked more than a little different when they'd gone in. Savette and Asaa felt more than a little out of place, but they kept their scarves pulled close, which seemed to be common since it was chilly out, so it served their purpose.

As they walked along, looking for a shop, Kell asked Isabelle quietly. "Where do you think we should start? I'm thinking a small cafe' or two, not many people and might be a more relaxed atmosphere?"

Isabelle nodded. “I think that’s a good idea, the more relaxed the better.”

Kell nods. "Ummm... I don't think we've talked about it, but what's your combat training like? I know you had to have some to get into the ship's crew, but there's class katas and then there's the harsh reality of an actual physical altercation..."

“I’ve had the necessary training, but I’ve done my best to avoid physical altercations where possible.” Isabelle offered a wry smile. “Don’t worry I will do whatever I have to do if it becomes necessary.”


[ Funding ]

Kell nodded, then had a thought. "You get any sleight of hand training? We need some funds..."

“Nope, but I can read emotions which works just as nicely.” Isabelle smiled a wry smile.

Kell nodded. "Okay, you're the distraction. Sleight of hand has basic components and the most successful involve more than one person. You will be able to react better to any changes in a mark's awareness. We don't need much, but we need some basic coinage to have a reason to be at any of these bars or cafe's.

They tried a couple of carefully planned encounters to work out a routine, picking someone isolated in case they messed up too badly and had to render someone unconscious, but fortunately it didn't come to that. In the process of three more hits, they managed to have enough to cover basic expenses while minimizing the impact on those individuals that 'contributed' to their mission.

Isabelle had never before had to be so careful using her abilities. People in the time had no knowledge of alien species, she could only imagine what would happen if any of them were discovered.


[ Back on the target for a social encounter ]

Kell kept her eyes roaming, making sure she didn't meet anyone's gaze, or at least dropping her gaze if she did. "What do you think the women are like in this time? Should we affect a more demure posture or can we stand our ground?"

“In this era, women were more...stay at home and look after the home. Except during this war where women truly came into their own as part of the war effort.” She looked around. “I think we should try and be more...feminine.”

"I can wiggle when I walk... and you have the right assets, so I think we can pull that off. At least we can distract someone while we're trying to get info. It won't seem odd if we're hesitant because of the translators, if we're a bit demure or shy maybe? At least no one will be able to talk around us and we not know what they're saying, but we'll have to control our reactions so they don't know."

Kell saw a couple of tables with chairs around them up ahead. A sign with a frothy mug hung above. "Might be a place to start?"

“Looks good to me” Isabelle smiled warmly. “Let’s get ourselves a table, and see where we go from there.” She gave Kell a warm smile.

Their interactions had given them opportunities to try out their language skills. The translator worked wonders but it looked a little odd if you didn't know what it was. In the Federation's Future, it was common-place, but here, they had to take care to minimize any suspicion.

They sat down at a table outside, so they could see up and down the street. Exits identified, they nodded at a waiter that came to see what they wanted to drink.

"It eez 3 hours to curfew starts, enough time to eat if you like but we have to start preparing promptly. What would you ladies like to drink?”

Kell kept it simple, realizing that the voice translator doesn't help them read the menu! "Thanks. Just water for me." She was afraid to ask for a garnish, like a lemon slice, in case she should've known that wasn't available.

“The same, please” Isabelle offered a polite smile. “What would you recommend we choose from the menu?”

"Ohhhh... everysing is mmmm mmmm, so good. But for me, eez an easy choice." They ordered the pudding to split between them and noticed only one other table was occupied. If they hadn't seen and heard the troop formation earlier, they could almost call this a sleepy, little burg.

Isabelle looked around. “We’re going to need to find somewhere, or someone who's willing to give us some information. Let’s just hope we find them soon.”

Kell nods, wondering if this is the normal amount of business for this time of day. She remembered the garçon had mentioned a curfew in less than 3 hours or so but she would've expected a bit more activity as people tried to get things done before the lockdown.

"You think it's a bit quiet here? Just those two over at the far table." She tried to keep them in her peripheral, noting they each had something in a dark bottle to drink, but neither were actually drinking so far... and the waiter had yet to go back over there to check on them.

“Too quiet” Isabelle nodded. “Let’s find somewhere else before this curfew kicks in or we’ll find nothing tonight.”

Kell nods and leans in. "Let's see if they'll offer a helping hand, especially since we actually have no idea where we can go..."

Kell shrugs and then points up the street as Isabelle points the other way. Of course they both change the direction they're pointing with the same perfect timing. Kell shook her head slightly, bunching up her shoulders, hopefully looking properly chagrined and forlorn...

Isabelle was about to say something when their table was approached by one of the other two people. It seemed their luck might be in after all.

The ladies were quiet as the woman quietly approached. A look over shoulder revealed the man she'd been sitting with was heading down the street. Affecting a meek scrunch of her eyebrow, Kell looked up, laying a hand on Isabelle's on the table.

The woman's speech was a little rough, but the translator was working, thank the gawds. "Is everything alright?"

Kell hesitated, almost glancing at Isabelle, started to say something, then clamped down. She knew Isabelle could signal her easily enough now that their hands were touching.

"We... We have nowhere to go. Curfew is coming quickly and we had to get something to drink before we started looking for a place to hide... Umm. I mean a place to stay the night."

Kell could feel Isabelle holding back her laughter, probably why she'd kept her head bowed the whole time. Kell squeezed her hand, the poor thing.

The woman eyes looked hard at Kell as she sighed. At her hesitation, Kell wondered what she saw in the pair.

"I was staying with my friend Isabelle. Her mate isn't a very nice man and... we had to leave. Do you know of a space where we can stay? Something no one wants will do..."

The woman's eyes softened a bit as her gaze turned to the other woman at the table.

Isabelle looked up giving a well faked unhappy expression. “We’ll be no trouble, we just need somewhere for now especially with curfew...”

The woman seemed to consider, examining them both. "Your man... Who is he?"

'Hmmmm,' thought Kell. "The plot thickens...'

As Isabella looked down again, Kell interjected. "He's with the military. Likely not as well-placed as he makes himself out to be, but we have no love of them. I'm sorry if that doesn't meet with your approval." Kell figured, in for a penny, in for a credit and a half.

The woman's gaze hardened, but then eased immediately after. "There is no love lost for those..." She clamped down on what she was going to say, taking a deep breath instead.

"Come, we must hurry. Is he after you or does he know you're gone?"

Kell shook her head, finishing her water with a gulp and stood, hooking her arm in Isabelle's. The woman got on the other side and they moved along with haste, but not so much as to garner attention. It was maybe twenty minutes later when the woman stopped and said, "Stay here."

She went up to a stoop, knocking quietly. Kell noted there was a pattern to the knock but she just stored that away for later. The door cracked open and a whispered conversation ensued. Kell watched the street while they waited. No one seemed to be taking any interest in them but she knew there were always watchers.

Kell caught movement and looked up. The woman waved them forward ushering them through the door quickly and then shut it firmly without slamming it. There were some heavy locks on this side she could see, and they were now latched into place once again.

Her eyes adjusting to the gloom inside the room, Kell looked around. There were a number of cots, and a grate over a fire in the fireplace. A pot was on it, a woman stirring it slowly but watching them. Around the room she could see at least a half dozen others.

The woman turned back to them. "I can't stay but don't worry, you will be safe here until we can find you a place to go. These people have similar stories as you." With a nod she hurries into another room, assumably taking another exit.

Kell's medical eye noticed some health issues, mostly due to the stress, and likely some nutritional challenges she surmised. Checking Isabelle she felt assured if there was any skullduggery afoot, she would know.

Isabelle looked around, “Seems we found the right place.” She knew Kell would know what she meant, she couldn’t say it any plainer in front of the others. Now all they had to do was work out where they went from here.

After Kell had examined a couple of the ones that worse off, she got Isabelle off to the side. "I'm guessing we're gonna have a visitor tonight..." She checked her watch.

"We're coming up on the 4-hour meet soon. If we don't get a visitor, then we'll have to wait until morning perhaps. Once the others run into the curfew, they may be stranded as well, or get back there in time. What do you think?"

Isabelle looked around. “I think we’re stuck here tonight. I guess we wait and see what happens next.”

OFF:

 

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