Cmdr. Karrod Niac - Perverse Desires & The Great River

[Dekas]

Our shore leave is just full of people engaging in various levels of mischief right now. And our fearless leader @Karrod Niac is no exception. I bet you're wondering how he got here. 😂 

Quote

 

((OOC:  Something a bit different in the interests of giving the Captain an amusing day off.))

((Unknown, Dingy Basement, Ferenginar))

Karrod slowly awoke to a litany of regrettable sensations and tried to take stock of himself and his surroundings.  From what he could tell he was still alive and for the most part uninjured.  That was the totality of the good news.  The rest from what he could see wasn't quite as promising.  His arms were bound at the wrists.  He had no idea where he was or how much time had passed.  He appeared to be suspended by his ankles from a corroded pipe running along the ceiling, bobbing slightly back and forth like an oversized windsock.  And his clothes were gone.  

Within his mind Niac was a roil of emotions, with the contrast between smug 'I told you so' bemusement and mild panic colliding until it made Karrod's headache even worse.  A door was dragged opened with a horrible scratch like someone yanking a needle across an antique phonograph and Karrod affixed an entirely innocent smile.  

Niac:...I bet you're wondering how I got here.  

The being at the door did not seem quite as amused as memories started flooding back to him.  

((One Day Earlier, The Backstreets of the Capital City, Ferenginar))

Dressed in civilian clothes and a hooded cloak to keep out the rain as he made his way towards his secret destination, Niac again questioned exactly what he was doing...and why.  Karrod paused and for a moment and allowed himself to really entertain the question.  

This was something he hadn't done in years...not since the Joining.  Although there wasn't a specific regulation against it he'd never disclosed the habit to others, preferring to keep this particular atypical passion to himself.  The few times he'd seen others mention anything along the same lines they'd always been quietly judged or, worse, scorned for doing something that so many in the Federation simply couldn't understand.  To some it seemed primitive and base.  To others, obscenely indulgent.  Even Niac found it oddly distasteful and that had lead Karrod to set the habit aside for the last few years.  But it had been something Karrod had immersed himself in and become quite proficient at, finding something in it that resonated with him on a deeply personal level.  

 

So after speaking with Counselor Dekas and due to the repeated encouragement of his senior staff, he was taking a break and embracing a part of himself he simply hadn't made time for in quite a while.  Fortunately Ferenginar was the one place in the galaxy where he knew this particular desire could be explored with...gusto.  

 

So he'd prepared.  He'd contacted the Bank of Bolius and, in less than a day, had a single use authenticated padd that contained the information verifying his accounts.  He'd made a few secure inquiries and, after paying handsomely for the information he needed, made it down to the planet discreetly and found his way carefully to the non-descript location that lay ahead of him.  He rapped on the heavy low round door and an eyeslit opened, a sneering Ferengi voice calling from inside.  

Tok:  No tourists!  

The eyeslit began to close but Karrod slid his padd into the opening before it could.  

Niac:  I'm not a tourist.  I'm here to sit.  I think you'll find my stake in order.  

There was a derisive snort from behind the door followed but the padd was accepted.  A moment later there was a squeak of shock and the rapid undoing of multiple locks before the door rolled aside and a burly Ferengi waved him in.  

Tok:  My apologies, sir, my apologies, we had no idea you'd be visiting our establishment this evening.  What a rare treat!  Very few non-Ferengi know about the services we offer here and even fewer are disposed to...indulge.  Please please, come in, come in.  

Karrod nodded, non-committal as he stepped into the dim ante-chamber, grateful at least to finally be out of the ever present rain.  His cloak was taken and, after he produced a slip, he was given a claim ticket to retrieve it later.  The specialized padd was returned to him slowly, as if the Ferengi bouncer couldn't quite accept what he'd read and what it meant.  

Tok:  Sir, just to verify, this establishment is only for those holding the rank of...

Karrod held up a hand and cut him off.  

Niac:  I know what I'm about, son.  Get out your scanner...my records will be a few years old but they'll still be in there.  Check under 'Morrahn.'  

The Ferengi bouncer narrowed their eyes and clicked their teeth together but did as instructed and scanned him.  A moment later the device chirped in the affirmative and the man nearly dropped it in shock.  

Tok:...you're a...this says...but that's....there have only ever been three non-Ferengi...

Karrod shook his head and rolled his eyes.  

Niac:  Yeah well I'm the fourth.  Now that we've established my credentials can we move on to why I'm here?

The bouncer took one final look at him before gesturing towards the interior door.  

Tok:  Of course sir, of course, I'm certain you can find what you're looking for....unless you have...particular desires I could assist you with?  

The Ferengi was clearly angling for a tip and Karrod fished a slip out of one of the several wallets he'd secreted about his person and held it out, but did not hand it over.  

Niac:  I want a no limit table.  And anyone who sits at it better be able to part with...::He nodded towards his specialized padd::...at least that much latinum.  Can the house cover action like that?  

The Ferengi blanched, wariness colliding with his establishments desire for the massive profit Karrod represented.  To accentuate his point Karrod put his padd away and began making his way back towards the door.  

Tok:  A no limits table, of course sir, of course....it's...it's a bit unusual, even here...but...if that's what the Grand Master desires....

Karrod's eyes narrowed at the use of a title he'd earned years ago but never heard spoken aloud.  

Niac:  It is.  

Karrod flipped the slip of latinum to the Ferengi who snatched it out of the air and pocketed it in one smooth motion before gesturing towards the interior door again.  

Tok:  Down the passageway and to the left, third door.  Our staff will be awaiting your arrival.  May fortune favor you, Grand Master Morrahn.

Karrod waited for the door to slide aside and glanced back towards the shocked Ferengi.  
Niac:  It's Niac now.  You should update your records..."It's always good business to know about new customers before they walk in your door."  

The Ferengi blanched again before nodding obsequiously.  

Tok:  Of course...please enjoy your experience.  

Karrod stepped into the dim interior hallway and had to hunch down to keep from scraping his head along the ceiling.  He centered himself on the indicated door and took a deep breath before tapping at the controls, quiet anticipation finally bubbling within him even as Niac continued to question exactly why he'd gone through all of this.  

The door parted and revealed what he'd been waiting for.  Karrod stepped inside, sat at the table and looked across to the dealer, who nodded to him with far more respect than the doorman had.  

Tik:  Welcome to Tong's Tongo Tenament, the oldest continually operating private Tongo parlor on Ferenginar.  Please place your verification of assets padd in the receptacle to the left of your seat and we can begin calling other players, if you'd like, or you can keep this as a private game between youself and the house.

Karrod nodded and, as instructed, placed his padd verifying the contents of accounts he'd slowly built up over decades of play.  When the connection was made and the dealer verified his assets Karrod could almost feel the naked desire in the room.  

Tik:  Thank you, Grand Master.  Our establishment is at your disposal.  Firstly...would you prefer a private game or shall I call other players to the table?  I believe there are two or three present this evening who you may find...suitable opponents.  

Karrod smiled to himself and wondered just how quickly he'd be able to clean out the best Tongo players on Ferenginar.  

Niac:  Please summon them...I can wait.  

Tik:  Of course sir, just a few moments.  If you would enjoy refreshment while you wait please speak it out loud and it will be procured for you.  

Karrod settled back into a chair that wasn't quite sized for someone of his frame and waited, his smile genuine and predatory.  

Any:  Response

Tags / TBC…

((OOC:  This is an open scene for shoreleave - anyone who'd like to is encouraged to jump in with a Ferengi/Non-Starfleet NPC of their choosing to play a round of no limit Tongo!  Tongo's rules are a bit tough to pin down as no official ones were ever published but I've found a few sets online I think we can work with to keep the mechanics consistent.  If that sounds like a fun time for you go ahead and jump right in!))

================================
Commander Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0