((Gah... this post is longer than I wanted it to be. Trying to address everyone while also getting Salem new threads. Oh well. Luke, glad your cough is apparently subsiding a bit

Being sick is never fun, especially when it also eats sleep time >.<))
Salem's head had stopped throbbing. He knew that should concern him, since it meant his thought-speak chip was probably doing physiological damage, but he pushed his concerns aside and continued dressing, loading many of the items from the pockets of his old outfit into his new one as he did so. "Everyone's running from something, Andalite. Some of us are just more open about it than others."
Al smirked at Ossanlin. "I don't learn anything if I can help it," he said with a wink. "But seriously, yeah, I like to think of myself as being as sentient as you are." He turned to Myitt with a smile, nodding. "It's a cliche, but having a larger form to take on is kind of a gift and a curse, isn't it? So many benefits from what's really just a mobile prison."
"From what I saw of your swords, Ossanlin, they're beautifully crafted," Salem continued from within the closet. "I'm a trader. If you'd like to get something of value for one of those blades, I'm happy to haggle." He paused to blow dust off his hat, and sneezed before continuing. "I admire that philosophy. 'Take every advantage you can in battle.' I avoid battle myself, if I can help it, but I believe in being ready for anything," he laughed. He really was feeling much better, and he had a bunch of angry, volatile aliens aboard his ship, which was always entertaining. This night might not turn out so bad after all.
He opened the door and stepped out, in his newly chosen outfit. He wore a black cowboy hat and a long, dark gray coat. A red bandanna was tied loosely around his neck, and his button-up shirt and pants were both brown. Around his waist was a belt with several holsters and pockets, the only occupied one being the sheath for his knife. He wore the same boots he'd had on before, except that they now had spurs attached and appeared dark brown instead of black. As he straightened his collar, he asked Ossanlin, "Hey, can you hand me that?" as he pointed at an object near his feet. It looked like a six-inch length of nylon rope with a metallic ball attached to one end and a metal collar around the other.
When Ossanlin spoke to Cody, Al called out the door, "Party in here's a little slow at the moment. I think this crowd's heading for the bar anyway, and then you and I can teach these Andalites how to dance. Might as well join 'em for a drink. It's all on Salem!" He grinned and winked at Myitt as Salem shot him a glare.