A/N: Just something that came from nowhere. I only have a general idea where I want this to go. XD Hope you enjoy and tell me if I should continue!
Extra player
The air was heavy, telling them there was a storm on the way. But for now the sun was beating down upon the streets and the people who made their way like little ants in a giant colony. Shadow was hard to find and if there was a spot, it would already be taken by other people or animals that lazily stared at you when you passed by.
The Shuttle, or 'Psonik' as the natives called it, arrived from the east and glided to the station. It was attached to a long line of some kind of electricity, making sure the shuttle did not leave the pad on which they all traveled. On the last few meters the shuttle shook a bit, but then disappeared from view.
Malcolm held one eye on the cat-like creature that was sleeping next to the stall at which he was buying various .....he didn't know what they were exactly but T'pol had requested it. The man behind the stall wrote down the stuff he had purchased before giving him the bag. The lieutenant fumbled with the 'money' for a moment, but finally found the right amount of little silver marbles. He handed it over to the shopkeeper, who thanked him friendly.
He turned to leave, but found his way was blocked by a tiny girl with long blue locks of hair. The girl looked up at him, cradled in her arms were some big red grape-like fruits and on her left arm hung a basket. The basket was covered with a small blanket, but underneath it Malcolm could see something moving. He really didn't want to know what was under there.
As they stood there staring at each other, the armory officer soon understood that the girl wanted him to buy something from her. He searched his pocket for some money, when he opened his hand to reveal it all he was surprised that she carefully took only two marbles from him rather than taking it all and run. He now only hoped it was the grapes he was buying, not whatever was in that basket.
To his relief the girl smiled and handed him one of the grapes. She nodded before turning and disappearing into the crowd.
Malcolm stared at the fruit in his hand for a moment before putting it in the bag with the rest of the things he didn't have a clue off what they were. He swung the bag on his back and suddenly felt as if someone was looking at him. He looked back to the stall again and saw that the cat creature had opened one of his big oval green eyes and it was fixed on him. They looked at each other for a moment and Malcolm felt rather uneasy. He felt his hairs rise on the back of his neck and despite the sun he shivered. He looked the other way and quickly left the stall and crossed the market, walking towards the east station. He would meet the others there in about half an hour. Maybe he could get something to eat while he waited.
Malcolm stared at the entrance of the bar. The bar was located in the station and it was the rendezvous point with the others. He stepped inside and immediately noticed the change of smells. The air was dry and filled with some sort smoke, people were laughing and talking. He walked over to the bar and sat down in one of the odd looking chairs. The barman, a big guy with 4 arms, turned towards him and asked him what he wanted to have. Malcolm looked over to the menu and choose one of the drinks that looked the least dangerous.
"One...Popondel?" Malcolm asked hesitantly, and the alien laughed hard.
"A Popendil?" The man asked and Malcolm nodded.
"Coming right up." The barman said and turned to the glasses behind him, soon a green looking liquid in a very big glass was put before Malcolm. The lieutenant leaned to his right to look past the glass. He grabbed in his pocket for his money but the alien stopped him.
"Oh no no no, this one is on the house!" He said and laughed again before turning to other costumers, happily singing a tune of some sort of song which was starting to annoy the Armory officer. He stared at the glass for a long time, deciding if he should drink it or not, before he noticed the sniffing from his right side. Turning, he saw another alien sitting next to him, green this time with small eyes but a very big nose. The man, Malcolm assumed it was a male, sniffed in the air until he finally turned to the small lieutenant and his bag.
"Is that Lubbel I smell?" He asked, his voice was high pitched and it almost hurt Malcolm's ears.
"Lubbel?" 'What was it with this planet and its ridiculous names?'
"Ah, surely you've heard of the fruit! It's highly appreciated in this part of the land. Unless you're not from this part of course...yes, yes! That must be it! That's why you look so strange eh?" The alien squeaked and the Lieutenant suddenly thought about the grape-like fruit he bought from the little girl. He took his bag and pulled out the fruit and placed it on the table.
"Ah, yes, yes! That's a Lubbel all right!" The alien squeaked again, his eyes widened a bit as he looked at it.
"So, uh, what is so special about it?" Malcolm asked, eyeing the fruit suspiciously.
"Hmm, well the of course the taste is delicious, but when you hold it, it takes a different color."
"It changes color?" He lieutenant sounded surprised, he was no scientist but he knew for sure that wasn't normal for a fruit.
"Oh yes! It depends in what mood you are when you hold it."
"Well why didn't it change colors when I held it?"
"It takes time, of course! One or two minutes I think?"
Just on that moment, the Armory officer heard his name called from the other side of the bar. Looking back he saw Hoshi and Trip waving to him from the entrance. He took the 'Lubbel' from the table, looked at it for a moment and then stuffed it in the bag again.
"Ehm, thank you but I have to go now." He said to the alien.
"No problem, goodbye Malcolm Reed!"
The lieutenant nodded and walked towards the entrance before he frowned and looked back again. How did he know what his name was? '...He heard it when Hoshi called me of course! But...that was only my first name..maybe it slipped into the conversation and I forgot?' Shaking off the silly thought, he quickly left the bar to join his friends.
