Elite roleplay: The galactic bar

INGABA (Inara Galactic Bar)

Welcome to the swankiest bar and most popular bar on station. Located in the Pilot's market and due to its close proximity to the docks is heavily frequented by pilots and all manner of crew, tourists, and layover passengers. Dark, smokey and trimmed in neon lights and bits of tinsel, InGaBa plays only the best music straight from Radio Sidewinder and local DJ star, Janten Groove.

There are various tabled and seated cubby holes that patrons can hold private conversations as well the main bar top where all assortments of drinks and bar food can be ordered up. On the back of the bar on various shelves, from all over the galaxy, the fines and rarest ales preside. next to the impressive collection are several screens that can usually be seen playing adverts or the CQC championships.

It is the most prominent choice for meeting up with other pilots to discuss business discreetly, whatever they may be...

Notice booking the InGaBa for private functions require a deposit of 250,000 CR to cover potential damages.

InGaBa drinks menu:
  • Cubeo Gold - Mid Whiskey
  • Achenar Blue - Upscale Whiskey
  • Kamadhenu Red - Red wine
  • Old Sol - Scotch
  • Barnard's Choice - Gin
  • Crown Jewel - Cocktail
  • Pegasi moon - Pirate Surprise!
  • Supernova - Cocktail
  • Barron's Head - Beer
  • Lavian Brandy
  • Alioth Sparkling - Sparkling Wine
  • Jaques' Quinentian Still - Gifted by a mysterious benefactor, two of these rare devices now distill single shots of whiskey from whatever is on hand for the patrons of Ingaba.


General Roleplay Etiquette:

1. Control only the actions of your own character(s). (AKA: God Mode)
This doesn't matter how small the action is, even if it is as simple as scratching their nose or a direct reaction to something else that just happened. This applies to everything from casual conversation to full blown fight scenes. If you'd like someone to do something specific, PM that person, however keep in mind they are completely within their rights to say no. Especially if said action is inappropriate to their character and/or circumstance.

2. Don't brute force your way into another persons RP.
Approaching with a conversation starter is fine, or indeed some other small action. However charging in, guns blazing and disrupting the flow of another person/pair/groups conversation/arc is about as rude as doing so in real life. If something is going on that you'd like to participate in, be subtle about it. Put out a gentle hook for someone to take, but again, be aware that said hook may not be taken. If you fear it was simply unnoticed, PM the person or people it concerns. Or even leave a message in the OOC forums.

3. Good grammar and spelling is preferred.
We're not asking you to be perfect, but please at least demonstrate willingness. no1 iz gna tak u srsly usng txt spk. There's a wide variety of people here, many who speak English as a second, or even third language. There are even some with varying degrees of dyslexia and/or likely other issues that affect spelling/grammar. We accept them all here. However, people who aren't accepted, are those unwilling to accept polite correction. Remember that even a small thing like the placement of a comma, or the wrong use of there/their/they're can completely change the definition of an entire sentence.

4. Accept constructive criticism gracefully and politely.
If someone spots an issue with your writings, they may wish to help you improve that writing. They may do this through PM or even publicly air their thoughts on the OOC forum. If they have taken the time to be polite and explain what is wrong with your writing, the best way to behave is to respond in kind, using the same manner they have approached you with. It means they have taken an active interest in what you have written and wish to see more. Basically, you have a fan!

5. Don't take the actions or opinions of things done IN RP, to be directly relevant to the writers thoughts or opinions.
Basically, if some ones character calls your character a jackass, it doesn't mean the writer thinks you are a jackass. It's a ROLE they are PLAYING. Watch a movie. The argument between the characters isn't an argument between the actors involved. The same applies here.

6. It's not a popularity contest.
Your RP might be bustling with participants. You have 3 people off station in a fire fight, while another 2 are infiltrating the darkest areas of the station, meanwhile a group of 4 others are tracking your movements in an effort to stop you. Good for you, I'm sure it will be a thrilling read! But you know what? Sometimes the absolute BEST work, comes from two RP characters having a simple heart to heart. Both are valid, both are great, but NEITHER is categorically better than the other. Period.


Inara RP Etiquette:

1. Respect the setting and rules of the universe.
Inara is an Elite: Dangerous 3rd Party Tool. The RP Forums are set in the Elite: Dangerous universe. Elite: Dangerous has rules, as any fictional universe does from Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, or Game of Thrones to Star Trek. If you intend to RP within the Elite: Dangerous universe you are bound by the history and rules of that universe. Simply put, this RP forum is bound by the same rules as the game, so if it can't be done in the game, it is not permitted here. This applies to things from a 50Ly Jump Range on a normal, unmodified Sidewinder, to the destruction of entire stations.

2. Respect the characters created by others.
We have a wide variety of characters already here. It's expected that some will be similar, just as it's expected that two characters will be vastly different. Opinions of each persons character will naturally be varied, but all are valid provided they follow the rules of the universe. You are allowed to interact with, or avoid interaction with, any character in the RP forums. But you have no right to belittle others for their creation. You are not an authority figure on writing, nor are you directly affected by another persons imagination. You might not like it, but you MUST respect it.

3. Be caught up on current events before joining in.
You need basic things like character descriptions in order to interact with them. You also need to know what's going on in the surrounding areas. This is simply because the people you are hoping to RP with, might be gearing up to something that you might not want to be part of. Or simply that the most recent post, out of context, could leave a different impression on the goings on than if you gather that context. We don't expect you to read every single post from the beginning of the forums, just enough to get that basic understanding.

4. Either subscribe to, or frequently check, the Roleplay: Q&A and OOC forum.
People may be discussing something relevant to you there, or even discussing you directly. Perhaps someone asked what the general consensus on the existence or non-existence of a certain object. Or we're just chatting about random gibberish. Either way, be aware of it and use it. If you're unsure about something, such as how guns would look and or behave, or even the music selection, use the OOC forum to ask. We don't have all of the answers, but the collective knowledge and logic usually allows us to overcome an issue and come to a decision on what should be allowed. Frontier Developments, and even David Braben himself, don't have the answers to every possible question that can be asked.

5. Large Scale events exploding out of nowhere are a complete no go.
We get it. Everyone wants their character to be noticed and for people to be tripping over themselves to interact with them. In some audiences, an introduction involving you blasting in for landing in a fiery wreckage of a ship, before cart wheeling out and sword fighting 35 Ninjas before whisking off with the local celebrity for a glorious night of passion, is in fact, cool. This is not one of those audiences. It is generally considered better to build your character up slowly over time. Eventually, you might even have a legitimate excuse to fight those Ninjas. Maybe even with other RP participants by your side.

6. Perfect characters are boring.
The point of a character arc, is that it is in fact, an arc shape. One who is morally unquestionable, fully kitted out and an infinite fountain of knowledge, cannot go through an arc. Give your character flaws. Be it a tendency towards befriending the wrong people, or a bad knee that frequently gives out at inopportune moments. It gives readers something to latch onto and empathise with. You can give your character exceptional capabilities at something, but it requires balance. She's a damn good pilot with no equal, but can't drive an SRV for peanuts. It can lead to some very interesting moments between characters, be it heartfelt or comedic.


Other Notes:
It should be noted that there can be exceptions to these points. For example, good grammar when a character is speaking is actually rare. Few people in real life actually speak with perfect eloquence after all. Or previously arranged actions during a fight scene, such as someone stumbling back after a punch. What's key to remember is context.

All in all, remember this is purely for fun. We have some seriously talented writers here, and others whose writing history starts and ends at high school. But many are willing to help out in whatever way they can. All it takes is that you ask nicely.

Also keep in mind that many people who RP here, also have logbook stories related to the character, or characters, they portray. If it looks like there's an "in joke" going on that you're unsure of, it's probably in those.

In fact, some users have even gone to the trouble of creating "alts" to RP with. If you read back far enough, it's usually pretty clear who has and hasn't, and which ones are the "alts". It's therefore not unheard of to see the apparent seizing of control of other characters. If you do spot one, point it out in the OOC section. If intervention is needed, it will be sorted quickly and (hopefully) politely.

Most, if not all RP participants here have Logbook stories pertaining to their character(s). These are for the reading pleasure of anyone who wishes to do so. While it can be useful to read them in order to gain a bit of backstory on a character you wish to interact with, it should not be assumed that your character shares that knowledge. Within the E:D Universe, these Logbooks either don't exist, or are private diaries kept by the characters. Either way, without explicit statements to say otherwise from the writer, your interactions should reflect that your character is in the dark about any information you, the writer/reader, have gained from reading the stories.
19 Mar 2024, 10:18pm
"Hm ..."

I thought about it for a second, then just looked at my wrist computer to be sure my memory was accurate.

"I have. Twice, it looks like. And the first time... I found this 'Zurara' megaship, by complete accident. I was just going to the system because I landed on a planet a little too hard. And it was in the same system as one of those deep space support carriers. It is why I am going back out there again, too, to find other sites that are apparently related. But already found, so I don't waste months searching empty systems."

I paused again, trying to remember more... even if most of it was just from logs rather than my own recollection of events. Not that I wanted to admit this memory loss to a stranger - or that it was not the first but second near-death experience I'd gone through. At least, maybe not yet, and certainly not in public. I also had a cover story ready for it all, at least at a first stage. Assuming this went anywhere other than two people with, seemingly, some common interests chatting.

"But it seems like I was only out there to explore. Not find... whatever that was. So I didn't search any further about it, or anything related. I guess, I decided, now is a good time to."

Especially since humans were giving me quite a lot of reasons to be out of the Bubble now, even if the madness surrounding the Titans somehow worked out for us - which I highly doubted. But I had little clue what kind of rabbit hole this search would be leading me down. I'd just found there were a few other deep space survey sites associated to the 'Zurara', and avoided looking into the details any further. But they didn't appear to be widespread public knowledge, so either had met an unfortunate end, or were told to not report back about... whatever it was they'd found. Or were told to look into. I suspected those places would hold the answers for me.
20 Mar 2024, 11:58pm
“The Zurara. That's a really interesting piece of information. One accident and you've stumbled upon another mystery. That's life - be ready for every opportunity it throws at you. In this way you might surprise yourself and experience the things you never dreamed of…”, I declared and for a while I stared blankly at my drink. It appeared as though the woman's words had brought forward a memory and thus an old wound. I let it come forward, hoping it would give way for new ideas and plans. In silence, I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly and resumed the conversation with a slightly strained voice while the fingers of my left hand played with my neck pendant,

"I bet you could write a whole entertaining book about your travels to various sites. The whole package - places visited and experiences had would be good reading material for the lonely cosmos travellers, walking sort of on trails of your past.", at this point I couldn't help but grin.
"But anyway... did you learn anything in particular about the megaship? And would you, perhaps... share more?" I asked. "Was there anything... peculiar about it? I'm curious about these discoveries, especially those which have been made, and perhaps forgotten about already. It would really enhance this pleasant evening at the bar," I urged gently, waiting to listen carefully her narrative.
21 Mar 2024, 12:35am
Maybe I just needed to let out that I had lost my memories - though not why, or that I'd nearly died. I shook my head, eyes closed, waiting for a few more seconds before I replied.

"No... sorry. I can't remember... I lost my memories not long ago. So I don't know if I found anything more than what was at the ship. And, even that ..."

I sighed. It bothered me a little that I couldn't provide a good answer.

"I don't know where it is gone, but it is like the data does not exist. Maybe it was deleted, but I wouldn't know why. All I found was a log saying that I had visited the ship and read some kind of logs from onboard it. No details of what was in them."

I paused for a second.

"I'm really sorry. I'd like to answer properly, but, I can't. I could share more after I return from there?"

That was the least I could really offer here. That playing with a pendant hadn't eluded me... a little like strange, gear shaped tags I had which I kept on me at all time, hidden underneath the shirt, held on to the neck by a string long enough to reach the chest. Something like military dog tags, but with an odd shape... I also didn't remember the significance of them now. Only that some kind of strong emotion was associated to them.

I resisted the temptation to reach for those - especially since they hung near a rather inappropriate area of the body - and looked at the pendant of the other woman instead. She also looked... a bit older than me, but that wasn't really important. At the very least not right now.
21 Mar 2024, 8:05am
- What? You want me to work for free for the "good cause" because of "morals" And you saying this as an amoral criminal and overall dirtbag? Sorry, pardner, but that's a hard pass, but i see there's a bounty in your head. Do the smart thing and walk away slowly...

Because to be entirely honest you and the likes of you? Worth more to me dead as alive.
21 Mar 2024, 9:07am
(a lotsa smearing & swearing later)
(slowly pulls out peace puts to the table and points toward that jackass with a death wish)
- Buddy - buddy, guilt trippin not gonna help on you!
(more smearing & swearing)
(pulls the trigger)
- (facepalm) Ugh! Why do i always get the special cases? And i mean't mentally so...
Eh! Never mind, i got the bounty and that's why i was here for the first time.
21 Mar 2024, 11:45am
"Hmm... I'm sorry to hear that and there's no need to apologize for the situation. Memory loss is a complex condition. In some professions it can even mean that you are as good as dead because you don't know who is friend and who is enemy. But while it may not be that dramatic for you, memory loss is still very... worrying, if I can choose one word to describe it. But what exactly does that mean for you? I'm guessing you're looking for something from your past and hoping that recognition will jog your memory? The log you mentioned at least tells you where you were before. So that's something I would try if I was walking in your shoes".

I noticed that Kasumi's gaze was no longer focused on my face, but instead it seemed to rest on my chest. At first I was a bit confused, but then I thought that she was probably looking at my necklace pendant. In fact, I had been playing around with this and maybe that caught her attention in first place. The pendant looks more industrial and functional than decorative and has a dark, bronze-like sheen. It consists of a raised ring that runs around a closed disc. The disc has a relief-like structure made up of bolt-like elements and circuits. A group of few characters can be seen raised in the middle of the disc, it appears to begin with an S followed by maybe an U or V, but can only be clearly read at closer range.

I was about to reply to Kasumi's offer to share more once she returned from her upcoming journey, when our talk got interrupted by the noise of a gun fired. Apparently a guest who had just arrived shot at another bar patron! As my muscles instinctively tensed and one of my hands moved to my own weapon, an amused glint crept into my blue eyes. Almost like home, I thought. The difference, however, will probably be that this place will soon be full of security personnel.
21 Mar 2024, 1:29pm
"Ignore it. It was just... about a bounty, or whatever."

I hadn't really paid too much attention to that conversation, only catching a few words. Just seemed like a settling of debts in the usual gang way, maybe. I had been told to be wary of that around here. I lowered my voice to 'not being heard by anyone not directly nearby'.

"And if he makes trouble ..."

I discreetly pointed at a less discreet knife holder, currently on the side of the right thigh, pointing downward. I didn't feel like coming out without some kind of self-defense weapon, even if not bringing a pistol. But my interest was in the conversation. I wanted to focus on that, not idiots who brought their personal 'business' into places it didn't need to be in. And I kind of... really... wanted the guy to leave again - if I wasn't just going to kick him out myself. Didn't seem like the whole place was about to turn into a fighting pit so I just stayed in my spot and remained calm. Other than the startle by the sudden shot, nothing had happened anyway.

"And I was visiting some old places I have been to, in the past, which helped a little. Some other of my memories... 'returned' because I read about them in my own logs. It is why I came back here, too, to see if... it would help. Or I would meet someone I knew."

I 'pinched' my eyes slightly, as if to bring an object into focus, looking at her face intently for a few seconds... before I found somewhere else to look again, because direct eye contact had, somehow, always been a little uncomfortable. While, also, I tried avoiding for said look to go anywhere inappropriate, at the same time.

"Why I lost my memories... and look like this, now, is... complicated. Maybe also not for ..." I looked at the surroundings, purposely ignoring Mr. Gun Shot. "... not for public."

"And I am learning things again. Walking, speaking, ... not... bumping into... other people."

That last bit kind of made me blush a little. Still embarrassing. Also made me realize I needed to rely on intuitive body memory rather than where the knife holder was visually located, for as long as my shape remained 'concealed' by an indistinguishable hologram.
21 Mar 2024, 9:14pm
"Don't mention it. After all that bump resulted in a decent conversation. Quite a feat for a bar in which people shoot at each other." I laughed. A day to remember indeed, I thought, before pulling out a small data orb which I placed on the table in front of Kasumi.

"A customized module for encrypted communication, military standard, but uses a modified protocol originally reserved for emergencies. Communication may take some time to establish if you are traveling in deepest space, but this should allow you to contact my carrier even from there. Would be nice to hear from you when you're out there exploring the Formidine Rift again."

"And I hope that revisiting places and people continues to work for you." I noticed how Kasumi turned her gaze back to my neck pendant, but then quickly looked elsewhere. Carefully I lifted the pendant between my thumb and forefinger. As a result, the characters were now illegible due to the light reflection, although the design of the pendant still hinted at their significance.

Thoughtfully I added "Although I agree that this bar may not be the best place to discuss more delicate matters, including how you lost your memories. Anyway, my ship, the Lament of Raxxla is at the shipyard currently for some minor upgrades so I wouldn't be a great host right now."

I shrugged my shoulders and took a swig from my drink to hide a small smile, "I'd really appreciate getting to meet you for more of a catch up, though. You are welcome to continue this conversation at a more convenient location and time if you wish."


Last edit: 25 Mar 2024, 11:51am
21 Mar 2024, 9:36pm
I picked up that orb with two fingers, contemplating it, letting light shine off its surface. I put it into a small belt pouch, not without thinking I'd check it for any... unwelcome surprises, before I did anything else with it.

"Maybe I will use it. Or we could just... meet, somewhere. I wouldn't mind talking a little more right now, if going somewhere else is an option. Or ..."

I threw a look at the 'mess' that was left behind, which bar personnel were both unsure of what to do with and tired of, judging by the look on their faces. One of them seemed to be calling on security. Another brought over my, still mostly full, glass of water, from which I took a sip. I didn't pay too much attention to the pendant for now, and... couldn't really seem to tell what it was for, anyway.

"If some... 'undesirable' people have left. Or somewhere else in the station. My ship is an option, too. It is just sitting in dock, not used for... anything."

I'd certainly have felt more comfortable in the latter two of those, than in someone else's ship. Or, at least, that of a stranger I'd just met today, even if we seemed to share certain interests.

My gaze fell on that pendant again, much ore obviously so now. Something about it was making me feel uncomfortable, but I couldn't quite determine why. Maybe it was that lettering which I'd noticed, but not focused on, so I couldn't be sure what it was... and the way it was being hidden from view quite deliberately.
21 Mar 2024, 11:20pm
"The night is still young, going somewhere else is certainly a good option. And don't worry about that data orb," I added, noticing Kasumi's reluctance to take it, "I know we from the periphery don't have the best reputation, but I'm not going to ruin my first impression on you. Well, maybe the second, but that depends on the amount of alcohol and how well you can dance. Since we're not going to my place, let's go to yours..." I grinned broadly.

"Relax, I was only joking. Goddess of the void! Somewhere on the station is fine, definitely a bit more secluded than this bar and all that. You don't know what other weirdos are hanging around here. And the dock could be pretty busy right now, with so many people heading off to salvage a few things from the wreck of the Titan. Something about research on a new FSD... definetely too much attention there for me. And maybe you should finish your water before we leave - the waitress was a bit long in coming."

Her now very obvious glance at my neck pendant did not escape my notice. I playfully flicked the pendant on its chain in the air and then clenched it in my fist. It was admittedly quite theatrical, but I grinned broadly from ear to ear when Kasumi didn't take her eyes off it. "Don't choke on your water now, but I have a feeling your ship would be an even better choice than somewhere on the station."

I looked at her with a carefree flutter of my eyes. "You know, a girl shouldn't have to confess her sins in public. Not even if she behaved a little bad."
22 Mar 2024, 12:15am
"Oh, it is not... you.", I said, trying to not give the wrong impression. "I am just careful. Always."

'And I have good reasons to.' ... even if she didn't know those.

"But I don't think I should dance. I am... not very good at it."

And I'd be even more clumsy at it now.

"Or do you mean it in another way?"

I pulled my eyes off of the pendant and, instead, finished off the water in a few quiet gulps. If there was one thing I didn't like - to the point of absolutely hating - it was people making way too much noise while swallowing liquids.

"I think... we should just go to my ship, then. It is in hangar 18. Unless you want to rent a room somewhere here, but it might provide... incorrect impressions."

I kept my hands on my thighs, waiting, with an appropriate expression on my face.
22 Mar 2024, 1:12pm
Kasumi seemed still a bit confused by my previous joke. "Don't think anything of it, my remark about dancing was just a humorous thing," I said in response to her question.

“As for going to a private room, I don't really trust such rooms, rented or not. No risk, no fun - but I can do without THAT kind of fun. What could be more obvious than bugging such rooms and making a lucrative business with any secrets that might be uncovered?” I was perhaps louder and more talkative than Kasumi, but I also thought a certain amount of caution was useful. It was also useful not to see your exploits being broadcast on Butchers' Brewery or the like the next morning.

“Hangar 18 then. I'm curious what kind of box you're flying. Ready when you are."
22 Mar 2024, 2:26pm
"Let's go, then."

I stood up and - very carefully avoiding the people around - walked over to the bar counter to pay for my water, then waited for the other woman to do the same. And maybe finish off whatever drink she had still.

Of course, she could find the way to that hangar just fine on her own, but it didn't quite seem right to just wander off on my own - I was not that socially inept... unless I was doing it on purpose to make a point. Which wasn't the case here.

———————

Continuation


Last edit: 17 Apr 2024, 11:09am
08 Apr 2024, 10:08pm
The Galactic was cleaner than the last time she had visited. Walking towards the bar, Lambast could see Creamy's piano had been removed from behind the DJ booth. The music playing was not Lamb's kind of noise, nor was it the sort of music she pretended to like in order to keep up appearances, but it seemed fitting for a dive bar.

There were a few faces she recognised. Men and woman from her combat fleet enjoying their extra leave and spending their bonus. Given her reputation within the company, they didn't know if they should make eye contact or not, so Lambast helped them out with a wave, and the best approximation of a friendly smile as she could muster.

The person she was really looking for was not here yet, but he would show when it suited him. Kaisla had told Lambast to get a round of drinks in for the people that had volunteered, and thank them. "That'll humanise you a bit" she had said before jumping away to see what she could dig up on the freelancer fleet Vodan was targeting.

With nothing better to do while she waited, Kaisla's guide to ice braking was as good a way to spend her time as any.


Last edit: 08 Apr 2024, 11:10pm
09 Apr 2024, 10:39pm
Vasil entered he place expecting the usual clientele and found them in abundance. It looked like a party of crew or co-workers by the way they interacted with each other. It did not surprise him. The place tended to attract such gatherings that were too boisterous for the posh bars but not quite requiring the seedier bars where the regular clientele regarded strangers with suspicion. What did surprise him, though, was a dash of white hair belonging to someone more suited to the posh bars.

Vasil made his way through the crowd, stopping a respectful distance from Lamb. "Lady Lambast," he said with a nod. "I'd not expected to find you here." His barely contained smirk revealing both genuine surprise at finding here on the station, and of finding her in a place that catered mostly to transient spacers and other plebian types.

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ROLEPLAY ONLY! Respect the universe settings!
If you are new here, please try to at least partially involve in the ongoing stories and conversations instead of establishing a completely different "arc". You can always turn it to a different story later.