"All types, we use, of components," said the one in the center.

"Versatility is of value in our society organization," added the one on the right.

"How your currency is expended is business not ours," continued the one in the center.  "We understand these objects to have value for human purchasers."  He waved at the piles of shins.  "Days of exchange planned will be followed, a site selected.  Periodic encounters preferable to continuous intermittancy."

When the conversation finally reached Artor's question, the one on the left answered, glancing up toward the unseen speaker.  "Unscouted was the interloper.  Unknown effects on negotiations he can influence."  Turning back to the party, he finishes, "Profit fluctuations are undesirable, uncertainty spawned."

A soft chuckle drifted down to the negotiating table.  "Perhaps you should eat a few of the kalpa fruit, trader.  They grow near the base of the leaves of that reddish succulent by the boulder.  The Aix say they have a calming effect."

The blue, eyeless humanoid's lips grew thin with frustration, but they did not otherwise respond to the suggestion.

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 503):

<purple>"I'm not sure we have that much scrap to trade currently. And for shins we don't really need it currently. In the future I can not say though. The others might disagree with me though."

Artor nodded at Alyssa's words, though he pulled a pair of devices from within the folds of his cloak, his mask offering a half-smile for him, "I have carried this for long enough to know I will not use it... and though the shins have nowhere I might spend them, for now, I am intrigued. Future days of exchange would be of benefit, I suspect"

Offering them the Remote Viewer cypher he has

Still not completely comfortable engaging the blue people himself, Derrick one again whispers to his companions. "Maybe we should just set up a time to them to make their offer to the people of Canthus. That way the townsfolk can decide for themselves?"

The humanoids quickly examine Artor's proffered cypher and confer with each other.  "9 shins is offered for the current configuration of components."

"Nine shins and a day and time to recommence trading with the townsfolk", countered Artor, hearing Derrick's plea

Artor frowned and pulled out a twist of meat from his days rations, flicking it up into the rocks where Edgewood Dirk was presumed to be

"Why, Shadow-touched! That is quite kind and thoughtful of you."  There are quiet sounds of biting and chewing.  "This is quite well-seasoned," Edgewood Dirk adds.  "I suppose," continues the ... creature(?) between bites, "that it would only be fair for me to extend a kindness in return."  Again, small sounds of chewing and eating.

"This diversion is productive non-use of resources temporal," snipes the blue humanoid at the table.

"Reductions in output causing, interloper," added the one on the left.

"But I think I can be of use, Subenvoy Ivannaxx.  Your presence here, while unexpected, has provided me with some interesting insights."  Edgewood Dirk chews and swallows again.  "Kind Shadow-touched, I think that if you set up to trade in 184 days, that should allow more than sufficient time for the people of Canthus to fill, say, 500 square feet of components.  And if Subenvoy Ivannaxx will be so kind as to augment your instant shelter with coordinate sigil, these eager traders will be more than satisfied with the venue."  He bites and chews and swallows again.  "Of course, you are welcome to negotiate your terms if you like."

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 510):

Alyssa just looks flabbergasted. Edgewood Dirk sure is a peculiar creature!

Derrick's head spins trying to follow the conversation. Is Edgewood Dirk really proposing what he thinks he is? But of course, Derrick decides there's no reason the strange blue men would agree to such a proposal.

Tossing a second twist of meat to the Chesire figure with a murmur of thanks, Artor turned to the blue-skinned creature his companions were attempting to decipher, "Is such a bargain suitable? Half a year, with the proposed trade a half-kilo in cubic footage of components and your sigil to mark our ... tent. It is tempting to include my own percentage, a further five cubic feet"

His legs swell with nielle energy for a moment, the bandages wrapping them swelling

Hoa Sen remains skeptical of the whole endeavor, but does not interrupt until Dirk's interruption provides an opportunity. "Honorable Subenvoy, do you wish to trade only shins for component materials, or do you negotiate for other goods or services?"

The blue creatures "confer" for a very long time.  There are occasional, eyeless glances up toward the location Artor has thrown the second morsel of meat.  Small chewing sounds are heard from that direction again, a gentle counterpoint to the occasional crackle of electricity sparked by the traders.  Eventually they turn their attention back to the humans.

"Arrangement proposed by interloper may have merit.  Shins preferred, but some alternate currency impossible not.  Can device examined be for seal fixture suitability?"

Derrick scratches his head. The strange blue people seem amenable, but this deal would seem to put the people of Canthus into debt to strangers before they have even reached their new home. He tries to put his concerns into words to the others. "I don't think we should make such a commitment on behalf of Canthus. We were sent to scout for land to found a new settlement, not make trade arrangements with the inhabitants."

“Equally we were not forbidden, friend”, suggests Artor

In reply to Artor (msg # 517):

"If I've understood it seems that these beings are offering to buy the trash of this village. They seem to have use for it that we do not. That can't really be bad, can it?" Alyssa suggests.

Derrick looks unconvinced, but he trusts that the others probably understand the arrangement better than he does so he relents. "Very well. I admit that I don't think I've followed the negotiations."

"If we are sufficiently concerned, there is a way to enable direct negotiation.  But it would entail some cost..."

The older man looks thoughtful.

"I have the capability to link my thoughts to another for a limited period of time, and I have a one-time teleportation capability."

"Therefore, I could link my thoughts to one of you, then teleport back to Canthus, and serve as the means of communication for any negotiations."

"However, the window of communication would only last for an hour or two, and that includes whatever time might be needed to assemble the leaders of Canthus."

"Furthermore, once transported, I would no longer be with you all, until we physically traverse the distance between us..."

"Remain", suggested Artor after a moment's consideration, "It is strange enough within this ... bubble ... that you might not find your way back"

"And we cannot be certain that the residents of Canthus remain there." Hoa Sen says. "I do not think it worth the risk, Agatho. We better serve the people of Canthus by making sure they have a suitable place to resettle than in negotiating trade for a community that does not yet exist here."

The humanoids speak up at Hoa's comments.  "Research trading opportunities indicates successful human settlement.  Interloper's time frame within risk parameters of success is."

From above, the uninvited guest snipes, "I do have a name, Subenvoy.  Referring to me as 'interloper' at this point is just tedious."

Derrick looks seriously concerned for a moment when Agatho suggests teleporting back to Canthus. A look of great relief crosses his face when the others recommend against this course of action. "I agree Agatho. This is an... opportunity, but we need to remember our main mission: to find a place for the people of Canthus to live."

He turns to look at the subenvoy. "You say the timeframe will work. If you can agree to that arrangement, then perhaps we will see you again when the time comes. Until then, we must work to ensure that the people of Canthus can successfully settle in this place."

In reply to Derrick (msg # 524):

"With my previous experiences of teleportation in mind. Don't do it, you never know where you will arrive." Alyssa then chuckles and smiles. Somehow it seems the village healer in reality is content with her teleportation experience.

"Settlement and negotiate can entwine in peacefully."

Artor considers the moment curiously, "Settlement and negoiation can .. intertwine, they say? Commit, say I. We may not see such opportunity again. If needs be, I will inherit a sub-clause for my own profit..."

His words may be a little unhinged, but his meaning is clear