For
chaypeta 's prompt of "Nan runs into conflict on a trip to a human dominated world when she tries to do something nice for Terinu without his knowledge. "
"What do you think, Nez?" Nan asked, looking at the jewelry store uncertainly.
"Too pricy for me. I have to send half my pay to my clan to pay off my student loan. What about you?" her wazagan friend replied. For an answer Nan punched her account up on her hand comp and held it out to see. Nez's eyes bugged out. "
How much is he paying you?"
Nan sighed. "Let's just say my mum is jealous of me, all right? I asked the First One about it and all he said was 'At my age what the hell else am I supposed to be doing with my money?'"
"And of course you're going to just give it back to him by buying him a gift."
"It's his hundred and sixteenth birthday. I should get him something. He's been in a terrible mood since we got to this planet anyway."
"All right then." They headed into the shop together. Nan saw there was a human male clerk inside, who took a quick look at them, marked them "offworld visitors with lots of money" and said brightly, "How may I help you ladies today?"
"I'm looking for a gift for a friend," Nan said carefully.
"Male or female, ma'am?"
"Male."
"Would you say subdued or flashy?"
"Er, can be flashy when he dresses up," she said.
"Earrings?"
"Yes."
"Several per ear?"
"Oh, yes."
"Excellent. I think we might have something over here for you."
Out of the corner of her eye, Nan saw Nez lean over a display case filled with necklaces and chokers. "Er, excuse me," the wazagan said carefully. "Why do these chokers have locks on them?"
The store clerk looked slightly embarrassed. "Oh, those are for ferin. Which reminds me, what species is your friend, ma'am?"
"Um..."