Hippie Girl set her tea to the side and hunched over as she pulled a box from underneath the bed; The constant rocking of the van caused Jioni to choke on her tea.
Hippie Girl proceeded to slam the box between Jioni and herself. Inside shined bright: gold necklaces and earrings, technology, and other goods; The package was full of valuable and rare items.
“I have my payment, you see? Shiny or ancient, but definitely valuable. Just like Geogen is looking for.”
Jioni frowned. “I thought we went over already why you shouldn’t steal.”
“These aren’t stolen, silly,” Hippie Girl said while flicking Jioni’s forehead.
The smiley sticker soon fell onto Jioni’s lap, so she rubbed her forehead. The pain from the van door hitting it earlier returned, and Jioni got a headache.
Hippie Girl seemingly noticed the sticker for the first time and squinted at it. She paused and looked at it for a long time before jumping back to her explanation.
“I traded all the weapons I made for them—it’s great. I literally sold a rusted crowbar for this gold and diamond necklace!” Hippie Girl said. She lifted the piece of jewelry as it shimmered.
“Price gouging during a crisis? Isn’t that kind of messed up,” Jioni asked. Her back leaned, and her posture became stiff again. She picked up the sticker from her lap and began playing with it in her hands.
“It’s called supply and demand, butterfly. Look it up,” Hippie Girl said. She then lifted a device with a Geogen symbol on the back. “No, seriously, you can search for anything on these GeoDevices!”
Hippie Girl leaned in close to whisper, “You know civilians aren’t allowed to have GeoDevices.”
“I know. That’s why I’m worried. Give it back to the Agent who sold it to you.”
“Nah.”
