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Welcome to SFS 4-12 A Festive Operation[/s] Absalom Station!
You can find the links for maps and other interesting imagery here, linked above, and in my profile.
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After a busy morning of training, most Starfinders know that the best place to go is the massive cafeteria located at the heart of the Lorespire Complex. A great place to meet up with other Starfinders, or just relax and people watch. Countless food stations present options
that can satisfy even the pickiest of diets and give space-weary agents a taste of home, regardless of how far away home might be.
Sometimes the cafeteria goes even more over the top. This Kuthona, as numerous popular holidays approach, is one such time. Galactic treats have been added to the cafeteria’s offerings and the walls have been plastered with festive decorations, including handmade garlands courtesy of Fitch’s grandchildren, floating lanterns, and holo-photos of Starfinders no longer with the Society.
Within the cafeteria, the excitement is palpable, as Starfinders from all over the Pact Worlds and beyond excitedly discuss their plans for the upcoming weeks. You are able to find a table along one of the walls with more than enough seats for your group to gather together.
As you sit down, a jolly little raxilite garbed in festive attire settles into an open seat at the end of table, placing down a tray piled high with cookies, candied fruit, and other sweet treats. They
smile, offering the tray out to share, before excitedly starting up a conversation. “Hi! I’m Camellia! I adore the holidays, don’t you? First Choices, Newspark, Reunion—there’s so many celebrations this month I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite. How about you? Do you have plans to celebrate?”
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The ysoki replies simply: It's a bit weird for me to be in holidays. I've always plenty of work. But you know that as you should have recognized me, didn't you? I'm the well-known lawyer Twisted Nicknick. I've several offices around the Pact Worlds. So you know what it is: we have to manage the people in the offices and take the most difficult cases in your shoulders.
He smiles then.
But it seems that in this Society we can get some free time. So let's enjoy it. What would you recommend?
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“Hi! I’m Camellia! I adore the holidays, don’t you?”
“I endure them.” A tall kasatha wearing elegant dark-gray clothes sits without a tray or any sort of refreshment in front of them. They look across the cafeteria with an expression (or at least what one can make out of their expression underneath their traditional scarf) that suggests they wish they could be seeing anything but the decorations adorning the ceilings and walls. Their glance drops down the the offered plate of sweets, and they look like they would very much like to roll their eyes. “Thank you, but no. Please address me as Vyecmuraf. And I prefer to celebrate privately, like most of my people.”
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"Negative," a blue-skinned android flatly responds. "This unit presently has no future intentions of engaging in any celebratory acts. Further, my internal chronometer is quite efficient and allows for the calculation of the passage of time without the need for periodic re-calibration in accordance with a specifically-designated time increment displayed upon any religiously or secularly devised calendar."
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"Negative," a blue-skinned android flatly responds. "This unit presently has no future intentions of engaging in any celebratory acts. Further, my internal chronometer is quite efficient and allows for the calculation of the passage of time without the need for periodic re-calibration in accordance with a specifically-designated time increment displayed upon any religiously or secularly devised calendar."
A female lashunta strides deliberately up to the table, sits next to Vyecmuraf and smiles at the android. "Well aren't you a regular Sister Mary Sunshine. You've actually managed the impossible and made my friend Vyecmuraf here look positively jolly." The newcomer turns towards the kasatha and grins. "Vyecmuraf. It's good to see you. Still as grumpy as ever I see. Nevertheless it's good to have a mini-reunion of the cyzom gang." She leans in and takes a selfie of herself with the kasatha.
Turning to the raxilite, she carefully examines the tray of sweets. "They all look so good, thank you Camilla." She snaps a quick photo. "I think I'll take one of these cookies. I'm Aluradux Hass by the way. If you don't mind I'd like to post this on my blog, 'Hass has Pizzazz."
She looks around at the decorations and sighs. "Normally I'd celebrate the holidays with Daddy, he gets so melancholy sometimes since Mother passed. He's off-station on a business trip and can't come back for at least a month. I hope he doesn't get too sad. I'm planning to post a lot of holiday cheer to my media feed and make sure that he sees it as soon as possible. That should put a smile on his face."
With a few taps on a power computer mounted on her wrist, she sends the photos and a brief message off to the ether.
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Vyecmuraf looks like they very much would like to sigh with regret for ever having given Aluradux their social media handle (would it not appear undignified). “Aluradux. What a pleasure to see you again.” They sit rigidly as the lashunta leans in for a selfie, eyes focused on a particularly garish garland of red leaves and small green fruits hanging over the nearest exit.
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Camillia watches each of you as you speak, listening intently to your personal stories. A look of sadness passes over her face when Sev- mentions that they do not celebrate, but perks back up with Aluradux's enthusiasm.
Looking to Nicknick, she bubbly responds, "My favorite way to enjoy my free time is spending it with friends. I love when we can do things that are meaningful to them, so that I can learn more about my friends and create more meaningful relationships.
Then looking to Rodkin, "You could not be more correct! In fact, my my friend Kinnik is currently having that very problem! He is more anxious than ever with trying to make to make everything perfect for the First Choices party he is holding tonight. He keeps telling me that it is because he wants everyone to have a great time, but I suspect Kinnik’s having trouble selecting a gift for his dearest friend. He’s been so
busy preparing for the party, he just hasn’t had the time to dedicate to it."
Camellia pauses, lost in her thoughts for a moment. She then looks at you all, "I've got it! The best way to get into the holiday spirit is to spread holiday cheer! Would you be willing to help me with doing just that? I would love to go help Kinnik with his party, but I have to help Ziggy with some cleaning - however, I know with your skills you would be just perfect to go instead. Would you be willing to?"
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Aluradux's face brightens. "Of course we'll help Camellia. I'm down for some shopping. Just give me a moment to plan my holiday blogs and finish lunch and we can get started." Aluradux pops a few grapes into her mouth and turns to her powerful wrist computer. "Okay Mr. Fancypants. Let's see what we can find out about the upcoming holidays." A hologram of an armadillo in a top hat and monocle hovers above her wrist. It speaks with a tiny squeaky voice "Right away Ma'am."
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Okay okay, I will also help. Perhaps I can gather an affair at the same time. But I need to send a communication to my secretary. So they will know they don't need to wait for me as I won't come today.
Further: Well where do we go then? That's a question of a party, right?
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Further: Well where do we go then? That's a question of a party, right?
"Not just any party. A first choices party. It seems that the host, Kinnik, has been having trouble selecting a gift for his dearest friend. I guess we should find Kinnik and ask him what sort of things his friend likes so that we can find an appropriate gift? Unless...Camillia, can you tell us anything about Kinnik's friend?" Aluradux ponders for a moment. "Maybe knowing a bit about Kinnik would help also."
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Vyecmuraf looks as though they would very much like to sigh heavily at the thought of getting pulled into such frivolous nonsense, but good manners and decorum prevent them from doing so. "I suppose my expertise may be useful if this is a matter of quality," they answer at last. "Though there is no accounting for some people's taste."
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Vyecmuraf looks as though they would very much like to sigh heavily at the thought of getting pulled into such frivolous nonsense, but good manners and decorum prevent them from doing so. "I suppose my expertise may be useful if this is a matter of quality," they answer at last. "Though there is no accounting for some people's taste."
Aluradux smiles at Vyecmuraf. "I'm sure with a few drinks in you and a funny hat on your head you can be the life of the party, Vyecmuraf."
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"Awesome!" Camillia says, as she bounces out of her seat. "I will send directions to Kinnik's apartment to your coms - it's not far from here, just a short walk. He really likes the view of Jatembe park from his front window."
With that, Camillia bounces off, and your coms all ping as the address comes through. its them.
You’ll find Kinnik at his apartment in the Eye. It’s a lovely neighborhood, so make sure you’re on your best behavior!
Directions are attached. I’ve let him know you’re coming.Thank you for your help!
Camellia
Once you gather whatever supllies you want to take with you, you can head off to Kinnik's apartment.
Upon reaching the address Camilia sent you, you find a shirren overburdened by shopping bags and struggling to
get the foyer door open. He sees you approaching, and calls out to you. "Hey! you aren't by chance the friends Camillia said would be coming are you? I coud use a hand!" As he finishes calling to you, he loses his battle of balance, and the bags he is carrying falling to the ground, pulling him with them.
First Choices: This shirren-innovated holiday centers around the exchange of gifts, specifically, creations that epitomize your personal style, favorite hobby, or most recent experiment. Groups of friends, and sometimes even strangers, gather for a show-and-tell of these items. While reciprocal exchange isn’t unheard of, the most common format involves a grand choice-buffet accompanied by games to decide who ends up with which gifts.
Newspark: Believed to originate with the early abolitionist movement, today many androids throughout the Pact Worlds celebrate Newspark. Though the famed Absalom Station Newspark parade begins at the end of Kuthona and lasts into Abadius, the celebration isn’t traditionally tied to a date. Instead, androids plan Newspark gatherings to spark joy in difficult times, and some of the greatest Newsparks in memory occurred during periods of economic depression, war, or other strife.
Reunion: An Akitonian holiday that developed in the first century AG emphasizing generosity and kinship despite economic difficulties and great distances, as a result of the thasteron bust and mass emigration to find work elsewhere.
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The ysoki introduces himself.
Yes, you recognize me. I’m the well-known lawyer Twisted Nicknick. How are you ?
To not embarrass Kinnik the lawyer feints not to notice the situation.
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He sees you approaching, and calls out to you. "Hey! you aren't by chance the friends Camillia said would be coming are you? I coud use a hand!" As he finishes calling to you, he loses his battle of balance, and the bags he is carrying falling to the ground, pulling him with them.
"It would appear, in fact, that you could utilize multiple hands, as well as adjoining appendages in order to maintain your present load," Sev observes. "I believe that a variety of augmentations are presently available and offered for sale by a variety of suppliers."
"I would also suggest that you recalibrate your organic equivalent of an internal gyroscope," the android suggests further after the shirren has fallen to the ground. "In many mammalian species, such a mechanism is located within the inner ear. However, as your species is more insectoid in nature, a different location is more probable."
He coldly continues scanning and espousing his conclusions as the other Starfinders render assistance. "The absence of halteres extruding from your exoskeleton would suggest that such a mechanism within shirren would be among the sensory cells found in the pedicel of your antennae, which detect motion in the flagellum. Most likely, it consists of scolopidia arrayed in a bowl shape, each of which contains a mechanosensory chordotonal neuron."
"Query: I trust that you have found this advice to be helpful?"
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Aluradux giggles. "Oh my goodness Sev. You're just going to be the life of the party, aren't you?"
Sev pauses for a moment, then scans his fellow agents with his optic sensors. "At present, each member of our 'party' appears to be functioning at full capacity. Indicators suggest that none are deceased. This unit's condition, therefore, is not unique as each presently has 'life'."
The android cocks its head for a moment, then asks, "Are you anticipating some imminent alteration of that condition?"
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Aluradux giggles. "Oh my goodness Sev. You're just going to be the life of the party, aren't you?"Sev pauses for a moment, then scans his fellow agents with his optic sensors. "At present, each member of our 'party' appears to be functioning at full capacity. Indicators suggest that none are deceased. This unit's condition, therefore, is not unique as each presently has 'life'."
The android cocks its head for a moment, then asks, "Are you anticipating some imminent alteration of that condition?"
Aluradux responds to the android with a wide grin. "No, I'm sure we'll all be fine."
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Perception Checks
As Rodkin is picking up bags, he notices Kinnik has numerous vidscreens mounted to the walls that display images of him and his friends. As they flash between images, another shirren keeps appearing along side Kinnik, the two of them clearly smiling and laughing. Rodkin also notices that there is a lot of music memorabilia in the cozy apartment .
As Kinnik thanks you all profusely for helping pick up the bags, he looks over to Twisted Nicknick. "Of course I recognize you from - aren't you the lawyer I see on the late night vid stream advertising your assistance for those injured in enercycle crashes?
Then looking over at Sev, he pauses for a moment, and then replies, "I... um yes, yes I have. Thank you for your advice. I'm not sure I want more literal arms, but U will definitely look through the infosphere for advice on... resetting my gyroscope, so to speak."
At that, Kinnik takes some of the bags, and heads off into the kitchen. He comes back out shortly, with a plate of cookies to share. Sitting down on the beatup couch, Kinnik starts to speak, his pace speeding up with anxiety as he goes. "With this being the first year I am hosting our group's First Choices party, I just want it to be perfect. I love this holiday so much, especially spending time sharing with those I love and care for. But... in all the preparation to make things perfect, I haven't had time to had time to track down the perfect gift for
Celeed - and his gift needs to be the best of them all." Finally pausing to take a breath, he continues. "Its' like... Well I mean... I just want... Look, I really like Celeed, like like like him, and I just need this gift to be perfect. I want to tell him how I feel... but I don't know if he feels the same, and I want this to be the ice breaker I need to confess how I feel. But... I just don't know what to get. I've considered flowers, chocolates, promises to go to events... but none of them seem to be good enough, or attentive enough. So, I need your help to come up with ideas."
You realize that a lot of the music memorabilia in Kinnik's apartment is for small rock bands. It's clear from the volume dedicated to Sonic Tumult, as well as the frequency of their memorabilia in pictures, that it is one of his favorites. Also, you realize that in a lot of the pictures, the other shirren is wearing a hoodie from the band as well.
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The ysoki has a large smile hearing that all the advertising he has done was useful. His secretary was right. Perhaps should he think about giving her a gift as well.
Further he tries to help with the gift for Celeed. And why don’t you think to give her a part of you. This would be a very particular gift, don’t you think?
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Vyecmuraf raises an eyebrow as they observe the garish decorations. “Many small rock bands, I see. And this… Sonic Tumult, is it? I’m not familiar with their music.” Their tone might suggest that the reason for this is because the band’s music isn’t worth knowing, but thankfully the kasatha is too polite to let any such interpretations be believable. “It would appear one of your friends appreciates their music as well, given their attire in these pictures.”
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As Kinnik speaks, Sev cocks his head for a moment as if momentarily uncertain about something. The android has no reaction to the discussion of music-related keepsakes.
However, when the shirren finishes speaking, the android interjects.
"Kinnik, my audio receptors registered you saying that you 'like like like' Celeed, repeating the word, 'like', in triplicate," Sev notes flatly. "However, while my analytical programming detected an increase in your heart rate and respiratory function, it has not detected any form of fluency disorder evident within the remainder of your speech nor has my internal chronometer registered any recent temporal distortion or similar anomalies."
"Therefore, Kinnik, I must inquire: Are you currently functioning at standard efficiency?"
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Aluradux's eyes go wide as she almost chokes in an attempt to not laugh at the android. She pats him on the arm. "Sev, You're just too much."
She takes a breath and begins to correct Sev's misunderstanding but changes her mind and decides to utilize her telepathic abilities to correct him in private and possibly save him some embarrassment. **Those three 'likes' were very deliberate on Kinnik's part, Sev. The first one was pretty much just a filler word with no real meaning. Sort of a verbal tic. The second 'like' with that particular emphasis is used as an adverb to modify the third. It means that he likes Celeed in a different way than he does the rest of his friends. Kinnik likes his friends but he like likes Celeed. It means that he is attracted to Celeed and sees him as a potential life partner. It's not quite love, not yet anyway, but close. Do you understand?**
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**"Kinnik likes his friends but he like likes Celeed. It means that he is attracted to Celeed and sees him as a potential life partner. It's not quite love, not yet anyway, but close. Do you understand?**
Sev looks blankly at the lashunta for a moment, before give a short response with no expression. "Yes," he replies aloud.
A few moments later, he adds, "I like you Aluradux Hass. However, our relationship, at least at the present time, does not warrant the addition of any further likes."
"And why don’t you think to give her a part of you. This would be a very particular gift, don’t you think?"
"A... part of me? You mean like be an organ donor? Or is this about the arms again?" Kinnik seems both confused and distraught by the idea, wringing his hands together.
"You seem to have a lot of music memorabilia here. Is music something you and Celeed both enjoy?"
Kinnik leaps at the opportunity to change the subject. "Oh, it certainly is! We've visited all the dive bars in the Spike together to watch new bands most folks haven't heard about. Gotta say though, our favorite is Sonic Tumult. Can you believe we've seen them perform forty seven times!? Look, this picture here was right after our first time seeing them live, and Celeed bought a band hoodie..." The shirren's face falls slightly as he looks at the holoscreen, though his antennae twitch slightly as if in response to Aluradux's telepathic whisper behind him. "It's sad though. He was devastated when he lost it. Someone must have nicked it from his bag on the tram-ride back from the Midnight Sun concert. But the band discontinued the hoodies when they switched to their new logo. It'd be impossible to find another one." He sighs again, tapping the wall next to the picture frame with one hand.
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"Ha! Impossible is my middle name!" She pauses for a moment. "Okay actually it's Questeria but I still think I know what we can do. There are plenty of second-hand shops in the Freemarkets and I know just the place to start. Second Time Around. The last time I was there I saw plenty of clothing. I bought a lovely blouse and skirt. If we can't find a hoodie there I'll bet Dot can point us in the right direction. You remember that place don't you, Vyecmuraf?"
The Lashunta looks around, confused. "Hey! What happened to Vyecmuraf?"
Kinnik claps with delight at the idea. "Oh, that's perfect! No gift could be better than a Sonic Tumult hoodie! Though, um, if you don't find that exactly, I'd be incredibly grateful for any of their merchandise."
"Hey! What happened to Vyecmuraf?"
"Oh, they mentioned having to take a very important call and haven't come back yet. I sure hope they didn't get lost!"
At Aluradux's suggestion, the Starfinders bid farewell to Kinnik and depart for the Freemarkets. The convenient, multi-story shopping center is operated by AbadarCorp - as indicated by the gleaming statue of Abadar presiding over the entrance - and contains countless independent shops and stalls rather than any large corporate outlets. After checking the directory near the statue's right foot to make sure the shop hasn't been relocated since she last visited it, Aluradux leads the group to a packed, cheerfully lit shop.
An eclectic array of products line the walls and floors and even hang from the ceiling - apparel, home furnishings, vintage toys, instruments - with the most useful equipment on display behind the counter where a grey-furred ysoki lady sits checking her datapad. She looks up at the sound of visitors and smiles broadly. "Ah, customers! Welcome, welcome to Second Time Around - oh, and I see it's someone's second time around here too! Welcome back dear, it's so nice to see you again after all that nonsense with the electronics acting up."
"Now then, who all are your friends dear and what brings you back here? Just browsing, or looking for something specific?"
"Older musical memorabilia, hmm? Right this way!" Dot hops off her stool and leads the Starfinders into a small alcove formed from two sets of shelving units. "So, what band are you looking for? I've got these lovely Abysshead mugs - have to sell them as a pair since they interlock, you know. Or maybe you're interested in this vintage Lita Starr decorative plate? Strawberry Machine Cake strawberry cake mix? Don't bother looking at the expiration date on the box, dear - that's just a tactic to make you toss perfectly good cake mix and buy new ones." The ysoki sniffs dismissively.
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Aluradux absently flips through some nearby clothing racks while she replies."These are all nice but they're a little too mainstream. We're looking for something from a local band, Sonic Tumult. They're an eclectic post-modern disco-pop synth neu-retro vibrophonic metalcore band that frequently performs in dive bars in the Spike. We're specifially looking for a hoodie like this if possible. She pulls up a picture she took back at Kinnik's apartment and shows it to Dot before returning to peruse the clothing rack. "This one was stolen from a friend of ours awhile back and we would really like to get a replacement for First Choices. Oooh Polka Dot Unicorn! I love them!" She pulls a colorful tee-shirt from the rack and holds it against her body for size and frowns. "It's awfully long but I bet I could make it work as a dress with a belt and maybe some leggings. What do you think?"
Shaking her head she drapes the shirt over her arm in anticipation of purchasing it and returns to the object of their mission. "Anyway how about it, Dot? Can you help us find that hoodie?"
"Sonic Tumult, hmm?" Dot taps her snout thoughtfully with one finger. "I might have something like that, but I'll need to check my records. Come back tonight after I'm closed..." She watches the Starfinders' faces fall and then taps her snout again.
"Tell you what. Because you're friends of Aluradux - and if anyone can pull off that shirt, it's you dear - and you look like capable folks, I'll see what I can find if you help out in the shop for a little bit. The top shelves need dusting and as you can imagine I have a hard time reaching them. I also need another shelving unit put together - all the pieces are in the back room, but the instructions clearly state the warranty is voided if you put it together by yourself and that's not a risk I'm willing to take right now. I'll even waive the surcharge."
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Aluradux looks pensively at the dusty shelves. "Hmm...Daddy always said to work smarter, not harder." She gestures at the shelves and begins to use repeated castings of token spell to clean the shelves.
"Ha! This is great! I don't even have to move items while dusting."
Afterwards she looks at the unassembled shelves and giggles. "This reminds me of that cheap furniture I had to assemble for my first apartment. Daddy was so worried about me going out on my own. He tried to make his assistant assemble it for me but I flat out refused any help. It was a disaster but I was proud of myself anyway."
The Starfinders make quick work of the cleaning and assembly - before Nicknick can blink, the other three are already done! As Sev makes one last wipe of the top shelf, he knocks a small cannister off the edge. Rodkin swings out from a lower shelf, holding one with one hand, and catches it deftly with the other.
"Alright, so the cleaning spray is over here - I like the lemon one, but feel free to use whatever - and... Oh!" Dot looks in shock over her glasses at the sparkling shelves. "Oh my! And the new ones...?" She looks to the left at Aluradux leaning confidently against the fresh assemblies. "Oh my! You certainly made quick work of that - let me get your contact details for the next time I need those cleaned... Oh, and don't worry about putting that capacitor back dear. Consider it my treat for your hard work!"
"I'll need just a few more minutes to finish going through the other inventory records. Hold tight dears." Dot pulls out another datapad from her front apron pocket and types swiftly with two fingers. "Sabertooth...Sarcesian...Solitude...Aha, Sonic Tumult! Merchandise, apparel, tops, yes." She looks back up and nods affirmatively. "I've got plenty of inventory, but it's all in the off-site storage unit. Now, I can't leave the shop unattended to go get it, but since you've been so helpful..." She flicks a keycard from another apron pocket to Aluradux. "You've been such wonderful and helpful young folks that I would feel comfortable letting you fetch it yourselves and then bring it back here for the actual sale. And if you try to rip off a poor old woman, I'll go straight to the First Seeker and let him know exactly what happened."
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The coordinates for Dot's storage unit lead outside the Freemarkets to a rickety building with cracked siding and filthy skylights. The crowds of citizens preparing for First Choices celebrations - arms laden with bags and boxes, or chatting with friends about game ideas - thin out.
Inside, the building's central hall is lined with numerous storage units of varying sizes (each locked and labelled clearly). It takes only a few seconds to identify Dot's unit, and another second to unlock it with her keycard. What takes more time, however, is finding any band merchandise in the floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with small boxes and bulging bags and stacks of crates and boxes reaching up to the top of the unit.