Sprig 04: Lack of communication shouldn't be a problem...

[grumpiest_tree]

Action | Around the Grocery Store | Morning

[Having been here awhile, Groot has gotten use to a daily routine working at the grocery store. Stocking shelves, working the register, managing the employee drones, etc. He's not sure if he actually is a manager there, but some of the drone employees defer to him, so maybe he at least has seniority. As such, he's thinking of just testing the limits.

He's noticed the drone employees chasing out the 'pets' of the town before, and he figures its time to see if they fear losing their jobs more than following rule to make this place seem like a normal grocery store.

So, on the morning of this particular day, he's placed a large signboard in front of the store, written in bold letters to make sure it grabs anybody's attention:

All Sentient Creatures are Welcome!
He takes a step back to see how it looks.]

There now. Hopefully that will make it obvious when some of the animals can shop here. And a good way to see how much the drone employees will listen to me...

Comments

[wavewalker]

[ Well, that's a new sign! And Ian's been kicked out of many stores for being a "dog" (despite the fact that he is clearly a lizard) that's not really bothered by the prospect of it happening again.

So he wanders into the grocery store. ]

[grumpiest_tree]

[Groot was just inside the doors putting up a display when he saw Ian walk in. Noticing the lizard, he quirks an eyebrow.]

...You wouldn't perchance be related to the Badoon in some way, would you?

[wavewalker]

Related to the what?

[grumpiest_tree]

[Groot shakes his head in slight dismissal.]

Nevermind, if you don't recognize the name, than it's very unlikely you are. They're an alien species, reptilian in nature.

Anyway, is there anything I can help you with?

[party_hard]

[Pinkie has stopped by the sign to stare at it curiously. She's got her head cocked to one side as she's reading it.]

What's "sentient," anyway?

[grumpiest_tree]

[...A pink talking pony. He's seen some strange animals, or humanoids with animal features hassled in the stores, but Groot does not recall seeing any colorful equines before. This merely reminds him that maybe he should be more sociable.]

It essentially means you are aware of your existence and able to perceive your surroundings. Essentially as long as you show you're not a wild animal, I'll make sure you can shop here.

[party_hard]

I'm aware of my existence and can perceive my surroundings! That means I can shop here, really? I don't have to play tag with the drones?

[Clearly, this has excited Pinkie somewhat. "Somewhat" being a bit of an understatement. She's bouncing up and down in excitement!]

I mean, it's kind of fun to run in there and see if you can grab something and leave money behind before they throw you out, but it sure gets old sometimes!

[grumpiest_tree]

Well, that explains the pink blur I've seen out of the corner of my eye sometimes... I just thought it was some type of superhuman speedster.

But yes, I am making it policy that while I'm working to let all creatures be able to shop here despite what status the town inflicts on them.

There may be some drone employees who give you trouble, but if they do, come get me and I'll set them straight.

[spinningorange]

(Okay, there's no way that sign was put up by a drone; absolutely no way.

However, Chen was more than happy to see it there. She had no idea what sentient meant, but creatures she knew about! They were things that weren't human, right? Well this flying cat girl totally isn't human, so she's totally flying right in!)

Does that mean there won't be any drones trying to throw me out?

[grumpiest_tree]

[Groot was setting things up in the front of the store, mostly to make sure he was by the doors in case people came in asking about the sign, when Chen comes in.]

Well, there might be some drones who might make a stir, but if they try and throw you out, I'll stop them from doing so.

If you have any trouble, just come find me, and I'll make sure you're left alone to do your shopping.

[spinningorange]

(And now there is one (1) very happy kitty in the store.)

Yay, thank you! I love browsing through stores, but the drones never let me do that!

[ooeeooahah]

A good thing to see.

[ Ilsa smiles at the sign. ]

I hope you can make it stick.

[grumpiest_tree]

I'm honestly hoping that too. This is a bit of a test in a sense.

I don't think I'm an owner or something at this store, but I've noticed the drones have deferred to me like I'm in a senior position. Hopefully I can convince any of them that it is fine to let 'pets' can be allowed in as long as they cause problems.

[ooeeooahah]

If it doesn't work, we can go back to the work-around of delivery assistance. Nothing official, of course.

[headfullofempty]

[Deuce is staring at the sign in confusion. He's wondering whether he counts as 'sentient.'

It would probably help a lot if he knew what the word meant.]

[grumpiest_tree]

[Groot is watching the strange little man staring at the sign. He's not really sure if he's seen him the store before either, but he might as well see if he needs help, or at least has a question about the sign. He addresses him.]

Can I help you there?

[headfullofempty]

Maybe.....

What's the sign for?

[nyanpire]

[To his credit, Nyanpire can read a little. Less to his credit.. he does not know what "sentient" is. But... all something creatures welcome? This... this is promising.

He paces back and forth in front of the sign for a few moments, pondering his options... then he attempts to enter.]

[grumpiest_tree]

[Groot is still near the door, so he sees Nyanpire enter inside.]

Hello there, need help finding something today?

[nyanpire]

[Spotting Groot, he stops short. Oh no, he's busted! Busted! He's...

...he's being nice!]

Nyaa, can I buy some strawberries? And... and some milk! And... and some ICE CREAM?

[fthisgetmecigs]

[Aww, fucking really? This dude wasn't a drone? News to Badou. Ooops. Welp, have your fellow not!drone grocer smoking a cigarette and staring at the signboard, hands on his hips.]

Uh..T'fuck?

[grumpiest_tree]

[Groot had an idea Badou might not be a drone, but as he tends to keep to himself, never really talked to him much.]

I am trying to let those in Mayfield marked as 'pets' know they can shop in here. Even if I have to shoo away the drone workers when they try.

I don't suppose you'd be willing to help with this? Or at least let them know they can come to me if the drones try to kick them out?

[fthisgetmecigs]

[The hideous smoking habit and foul mouth would've been a turn off anyway.]

Huh. [Oh right there's talking rabbits and shit here.] Sure, why t'fuck not? [Shrugs.] As long as they're not using aisle 6 as their fuckin' toilet, I'm cool with 'em comin' in. Customers a customer or some shit like that.

[woodsiequeen]

[Watches with interest as the sign goes up.]

A nice sentiment. It will be interesting to see how the drones react.

[grumpiest_tree]

I am a little bit curious about that as well. I am hoping it won't take much to convince them if they raise a complaint, but if this even slips past them completely unnoticed, that would provide some interesting insights.