Inside the shop

Firmware already slotted in and loading itself into Dignity's systems, Vincent let the merchant rub his ego's metaphorical shoulders, murmuring a word of thanks. He made it to the door without further incident, only to stop dead upon reading the street signage. "How on earth did I wind up all the way out HERE?!" the man squawked, and reassured his earlier flail without missing a beat. It was, after all, one of those Days.

<(To Electown)>

((From -> Mikhail's Home))
----

Rather than carry the bulking speaker order around with him, Mikhail opted to stop by the navi shop first, and was humming the tune of his troupe's current piece to himself as he made his way in through the navi shop doors. He moved to the catalogue, while Pirouette appeared as her smaller hologram on the edge of the display, looking at her options. The ballet instructor gave a polite greeting to Suitachi as he arrived, but it was still a minute or two before the pair had finally worked out what Pirouette was putting the greatest priority on. Eventually Mikhail stepped across to the counter.

“Good morning. A few more upgrades this time than last, I believe. Let me see... We would like Customiser Expansions, versions five through ten, please, and also process upgrades, versions nine, ten and eleven.” He produced his card and held it across the counter as he spoke.

--
Buying:

NC Expansion V5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10: (2000+2250+2500+2750+3000+3250 = 15750z)
Process Upgrade V9, 10 and 11: (900+1000+1100 = 3000z)

Total: 18750z
Funds Remaining: 160z

Turning his head to Mikhail and giving him a nod, the shop owner would quickly grab the items he requested, bagged them up with a neat little red bow on the front and proceeded to swipe the card, the balance quickly brought up and subtracted from the purchase. "Thank you for your business and have a happy holiday." Suitachi would speak simply, handing back the card.

Mikhail Get: NC Expansions 5-10, Process upgrades 9-11
Mikhail Lose: 18,750z

Mikhail accepted the cutely wrapped collection and nodded as he slipped his card away again.
"My thanks, and a joyous season to you also." With another congenial smile, he turned to leave the store. Pirouette had already started chatting to him before the door opened and closed.

"Oh! You should visit the coffee shop here, yes? They are doing their seasonal mint drink again! You can install all of the upgrades, and I can request more work while you do! Do say we can enjoy the atmosphere a little, before we return, Mikhail!" A soft chuckle answered her enthusiasm as they departed.

----
((Returning (eventually) to -> Mikhail's Home))
((Pirouette, Branch to -> Her Next Mission))

((Jenny, from -> Her Home))

The door to the navi shop opened to admit the fairly nondescript teenage form of Jenny, with the clear energy of someone who had jogged to the store front, then had to stop and wait for the sliding door to open properly.

“Yeah, I know, it'll only take a minute! I just figure, if you're going to stick it out for a while, I can get you a little more ready, right?” she was talking halfway towards her PET, while she quickly scanned the product list and checked her own navi's details a second time. After only a few moments she came to the counter, offering a quick rainbow-braced smile.

“Hey there! Can I get an NC expansion, a First Barrier Part, and process upgrade. Ah, the NC expansion should be, um, version five, and the process one is number ten, I think.” She produced her card and handed it across as she spoke.

==
Buying:

NC Expansions V5: 2000z
First Barrier NCP: 2500z
Process Upgrade V10: 1000z
Total: 5500z
Funds Remaining: 960 z

Looking at the order and sliding the card, Suitachi was quick to nod, quickly grabbing the parts that he was requested of. Putting them in a plastic bag and sliding the card again to get the full balance, he slapped a bow atop the bag of navi upgrades, sliding both card and bag over with a nod. "Merry Netmas and enjoy."

Jenny LOSE: 5500z
Jenny GAIN: NC EXP v5, First Barrier and PU EXP v10

"Thanks! You too!" Jenny grabbed up her purchases and gave the shopkeeper another brief wave and a smile as she hurried out again.

((To -> A Cafe Nearby))

"Good, nobody around," Maru mumbled to herself as she looked around for any visitors of the store, before eyeing over the counter, "I'll take 3 Process Upgrades." She took a short glance at her PET, but VenusMan was nowhere to be seen on the screen. After all, he had been malfunctioning and was undergoing maintenance. "I'd like to pay without using my PET," Maru continued as she looked up at the salesman and took out a debit card from her pocket.

((Buying Process Upgrade 4, 5 & 6: Total of 1500z))

Finding a quiet moment in Suitachi's upgrade shop was a tricky business at the best of times, but luck was in and Maru managed to pick a moment when it seemed like there was no-one else about. the shopkeeper didn't seem put off by her furtive behaviour and instead just looked up at her from his paper, before standing with a short sigh.

"Right. That's no problem, we take all types of payment here. Except eggs and promises of children or souls. Zenny. Mostly we take zenny, but we take it in any form. What was it you wanted again? Right, right... Just a minute." He rummaged for a moment and brought out a handful of upgrades. "Which ones? Never mind." He squinted at Maru, as though appraising her aptitude, then nodded and fished three process upgrades out of the pile of different version numbers, and handed them across the counter. In the same action he took her card and processed it, then swept the other upgrades away into a drawer.

"There you are, all done. Enjoy your upgrades and come again."

Maru GET: PU v4, 5 and 6
Maru LOSE: 1500z

Maru's eyebrow arched upwards as the 'promise of children' was mentioned as invalid payment. But quickly decided that she did not want to reward it with a rebuttal or comment. Her curiosity, however, was piqued by Suitachi asking about 'which' Process Upgrades. "Is there an order to these things?" Maru asked herself while taking her card back from Suitachi and taking the upgrades into her hands, "They just look the same to me... I guess the runt can tell the difference." She pocketed the upgrades and looked up at Suitachi as he said his goodbye. "Thanks for the help," Maru replied and left the building.

Any and all peace and quiet in the shop would be immediately disrupted, as two Netopian high schoolers walked in, one of which would look familiar to Suitachi. "Welcome to Suitachi's!"

"So this is the shop you go to? It's a lot...er...plainer than I was expecting."

"Yeah, the layout's kinda boring. But he's got pretty good stock, and the prices aren't bad, either!"

"Is that so? Maybe I'll grab something for CourtMan, then. But how do you check his inventory? Do I need to download a list?"

"Nah, it's a little lower tech than that." Sabrina grabbed the binder from the counter, and carried it over to one of the tables. "Here it is!"

"A binder? Rather simple."

"Yeah, but it gets the job done. Check it out." The blue shirted girl opened it up to the first page. "See? Nice, big picture, and it even has customer reviews!"

"I'm not gonna lie. I'm surprised you come here, if you have to do so much reading."

"And just what is THAT supposed to mean?"

"Oh, don't worry about it, hee hee!"

Over the next 30 minutes, the two girls gave the various pages a good look, chatting about them, with their Navis playing the role of basic calculators. Eventually, they were satisfied with their decisions, and Sabrina returned the binder to its original spot. "Okay, we're ready!"

"You can go first. You're going to be the big spender, after all."

"That...may be a first for us. Me spending a ton, and you just getting a couple of small things."

"I know, right?"

"Ahem! All right Suitachi, prepare to be rich! I'll take 8 HPMemories, and 5 Process Upgrades!" She readied her PET for payment, as well as allowing the shopkeeper to see her already obtained upgrades...which were already numerous enough that her order would be quite expensive, indeed.

[Order of Purchase
1-HPMemory #13 - 6000z (8 NC Upgrades also owned)
2-HPMemory #14 - 6250z (8 NC Upgrades also owned)
3-HPMemory #15 - 6500z (8 NC Upgrades also owned)
4-HPMemory #16 - 6750z (8 NC Upgrades also owned)
5-HPMemory #17 - 7000z (8 NC Upgrades also owned)
6-HPMemory #18 - 7250z (8 NC Upgrades also owned)
7-HPMemory #19 - 7500z (8 NC Upgrades also owned)
8-HPMemory #20 - 7750z (8 NC Upgrades also owned)
9-Process Upgrade #25 - 2500z
10-Process Upgrade #26 - 2600z
11-Process Upgrade #27 - 2700z
12-Process Upgrade #28 - 2800z
13-Process Upgrade #29 - 2900z

Total Spent - 68500z
Money Before Purchase - 73860z
Money After Purchase - 5360z]

As the pair entered, Suitachi cast one eye up from where he was reading, though he didn't try to appear too eager at first... but there was no escaping the distance sense of interest that emanated from the counter as Sabrina and her friend worked out their orders. By the time they approached, he was already standing at the counter with a welcoming smile.

"Welcome back! What can I get for you today?" the prospect of a generous return customer was matched by the enthusiasm with which he gave her PET a quick check to confirm its upgrade point, and then busied himself with the large order. The sizable pile of upgrades made an impressive monument on the counter in front of Sabrina as he processed the purchase.

"There you are! A pleasure doing business with you, as always! Enjoy your upgrades!" He nodded to her once more, then turned his attention to Sabrina's friend, checking if she had any requests of her own to make.

==
Sabrina GET: HPMem 13-20 (combined upgrade total now 28), PU v25-29
Sabrina LOSE: 68500z

((From -> A Nearby Cafe))

Jenny slowed to a more respectable walk again shortly before she reached the doors, but she was still a little flushed and breathing harder as she stepping back into the navi shop and made her way to the counter.

“Hi again... hahh... Um, could I get ah, the... version six customiser expansion, another copy of the 'First Barrier' customiser part, and the eleventh and twelfth process updates, please?” She fished for her purse and presented her card in between swallowing and taking deeper breaths.

==
Buying:

NC Expansions V6: 2250z
First Barrier NCP: 2500z
Process Upgrade V11, 12: 1100z, 1200z
Total: 7050z
Funds Remaining: 210 z

Raising an eyebrow at the girl running into his shop, he quickly processed her purchase, putting them in a small plastic bag for her to sort through once she left, her card being swiped and all the costs deducted from her account, he handed her card back and put a little chocolate mint on top of the bag. "Have a good day. Might wanna invest in some cardio, helps you get to your navi faster when you gotta make a run like this. Have a good day." He spoke bluntly, as he turned around to go through his stock. "Okay...need to buy some of these...this...that..."

Jenny Lose: 7050z
Jenny Get: PU 11 & 12, First Barrier NCP and NC Expansion #6

Jenny only took the time to raise a quizzical eyebrow at the shop-keeper as she took the bag.
"That's kinda rude for a store clerk, you know... Why do you think I choose to run over walking?" She shook her head as she took the back and put it away in her backpack, then made her way out of the store, breaking back into a run once she was away from the entrance.

((Return to -> The Cafe))

((From -> A Nearby Cafe, ten minutes later))

Jenny took a moment to straighten her shirt and run hands throughher hair before she steppe dup tot he doors of the navi shop again. It wasn't a terrible way of doing things, she supposed; Courser was doing the busting that he wanted to do, and getting his mind off... whatever it was that was bothering him, and she was being good and getting a decent amount of exercise against the tasty drinks that the cafe was supplying her with while she operated for him. It all worked out.

He crossed to the counter and double checked the list she'd scribbled down quickly after Courser had sent it to her, then pulled out her purse and fished out her card.

“Hey again... more upgrades! So, this time I need... the next two customiser expansions, that's seven and eight, another 'First Barrier' program part, a 'First Armour' program part, and the next two process upgrades as well. um, that's... versions thirteen and fourteen, please." She handed the card across and took the time after ordering to focus on breathing more deeply and evenly while she waited for her purchase.

==
Buying:

NC Expansion V7, V8 (2500 + 2750)
First Armour NCP (2500)
First Barrier NCP (2500)
PU Version 13 & 14: (1300), (1400)
Total: 12950z
Courser's funds: 13110z
Funds Remaining: 160z

Suitachi looked up from carrying a box to a shelf when Jenny came in, looking slightly less out of breath than the last time she had been there. The shopkeeper smiled to himself in small amusement and slid the box into a corner next to the shelf, brushed himself off and made his way back to behind the counter. "All right, let me get those for you, then," he said, taking the card and pinging it onto the counter to scan it with one hand, while moving about behind the counter and deftly picking out the upgrades with the other. Stacked on top of each other in front of Jenny in five seconds were the upgrades she requested.

"12,950 zenny in all... Alright, that looks right. Thanks for coming! Have a nice run," he smiled.

Jenny GET: NC Expansion x2 (#7-8), [FirstArmor] NCP, [FirstBarrier] NCP, Process Upgrade x2 (#13-14)
Jenny LOSE: 12950z (13110 -> 160)

Jenny Nodded and scooped the purchases away into her bag along with her purse, then waved as she headed for the door again.

"Thanks! See you later!!" She quickly started running again as she headed back to the cafe before someone else could grab her table.

((Return to -> The Cafe))

{EAX009}

{<<< From Science Labs: Small Steps <<<}

"This is twice in one day. I know I said this before, but are you sure you're ready for this...?"

For the second time that day, her squad car was parked a small distance away from the Navi Shop. Eric wanted to add some more upgrades to Amy, given the effectiveness of the ones he installed earlier. That was the cover story, anyway; he just wanted to make sure she was as strong as possible with their newfound money.

"Yes... I think so..." he replied shakily. Gripping the purple PET tightly, he struggled to maintain his composure. If he at least had Amy with him, he felt this would be easier.

"Okay..." Stacey wavered in response. "In that case, if you want to add some more upgrades to Amy, I'd probably recommend another two HP Memory upgrades and two more Process Upgrades. It'll compliment the previous upgrades rather nicely."

"How much would that cost?" he asked. "2,500 zenny?"

"3,850 zenny. The two HP Upgrades will cost 1,250 zenny and 1,500 zenny, and the two Process Upgrades will cost 500 zenny and 600 zenny, so that's... yeah, 3,850 zenny total," she confirmed, checking she'd done her math right.

"Why aren't they the same cost as before?"

"Because you're not getting the exact same upgrades as before. You can't just stack your PET full of the same specific upgrade, they wouldn't work in unison. Therefore, the more complex the upgrade, the more expensive the part. Naturally," she added, as if it was common sense. "So make sure you ask for a HP Memory Upgrade #2 and #3, and a Process Upgrade #5 and #6."

"Okay..." With shaking hands he once again opened the back door and begun his walk to the store's front door, doing his best to keep his eyes firmly planted downward towards the pavement.

----------

Once inside he approached the same counter as before and placed the 3,850 zenny on the counter, just like last time.

"Sorry to bother you again, but could I possibly get two HP Memories and two Process Upgrades please? This should be enough, yes?"

"HP Memory Upgrades #2 and #3, and Process Upgrades #5 and #6," Amy added, as Eric had forgotten to mention which ones he required.

As the nervous operator returned to the store, he was almost bumped into by another customer leaving at a run - a teenage girl in casual clothes who grinned and offered him an embarrassed apology and a wave before running off. The store seemed well frequented today. At the counter, Suitachi looked to the new arrival and his eyebrow quirked at the top of a wry expression.

"There some sort of busting tournament on here today that I missed? All these kids and their repeat visits all at once... Well, what can I get you this time, young sir?" He eyed Eric up and then his PET, while the boy placed his order. The corner of a knowing grin twitched at one corner of his lips as Amy filled in the extra blanks, though curiously, Suitachi had already been reaching below the counter as she spoke, almsot like he had known in advance which ones they'd need.

"Sounds about right. One second... Ah... here we are." He stood again with a neat pile of slim packages, each securely sealed, and slipped them into a larger paper bag with the store logo on it. "Enjoy your upgrades, and good luck out there. Come back if you need anything else." Payment was exchanged and the bag crossed the counter towards Eric and Amy.

Eric GET: HPMem v2&3, PU v5&6
Eric LOSE: 3850z