A Single Spark Starts a Firestack (Tegaea/Siobhan) [Past RP]

[Coryth Elaris]

(Setting this before the event)

Kaeshana - Coryth's Apartment

The tiny redhead was sitting in her living room. A pile of documents of various datapads surrounded her. Today was the day. Today, she finally was going to be taking her proposal to Siobhan and Tegaea, to see if they'd support her venture. The redhead had been planning for months, gathering funding, on top of what she already had saved up for much of her life as well as a whole lot of information that she'd need to run such a business.

Coryth had been a busy girl, that much was certain. The poor dear was actually quite nervous if truth be told. Nothing had ever really been as important as this company, this idea was to her. She needed Tegaea and Siobhan to like it as much as she did. With luck, they'd support it, and all would be well. Failure wasn't an option. Mittens had picked up on the tiny woman's nervous energy and was nuzzling at her elbow. With a sigh, she reached over and ruffled the fur on the top of his head. "I'll be fine. It's not a big deal, just the rest of my life and future. No, not a big deal at all." Her words dripping with sarcasm.

Finally the little Jedi got up, and gathered the needed datapads. Quickly stuffing them into her bag, she headed to the door. Mittens whimpering as she did so. "I'll be back later, I promise." She said reassuringly as she opened the door and headed off. Taking a taxi, she soon enough arrived at the Villa and rang the doorbell, patiently waiting. After all she really didn't want to just walk in, and catch Tegaea and Siobhan in a rather intimate situation. One never knew what they were up to!

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Harmony, the cute Dahomian maid, answered the door. "Welcome, Mistress Elaris!" she said warmly, letting Coryth inside. "The Mistresses are busy 'settling accounts', so please take a seat."
Suddenly, Harmony's commlink buzzed. "Yes, Mistress Alcori? Yes, she just arrived. ...Are you sure, Mistress? Yes, right away, Mistress. " She hung up and looked to Coryth. "They're ready for you..." Harmony said with a wink, moving to the study door.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Coryth Elaris"]


Inside the office Siobhan and Tegaea had been...looking at financial records. Yes, for once that had not been an euphemism for kinky sapphic joy! As surprising as it might appear to the dear reader and to this writer, Firemane was an actual company and this meant that sometimes its bosses had to do boring things like paperwork, settle accounts, plan new products to bring on the market.


Anyhow, the desk in the study room was stacked with various datapads and datacards. Likewise there were holographic projectors, which had just been switched off as they had been in conference with various project heads and financial advisers. To a large degree it had been about streamlining since ARGH had joined the Firemane family. A few prestige projects, such as laminanium chainswords, had to be abandoned due to the way the market was fluctuating. However, profits were still up, which to a significant extent was due to the success of hold-out bolters and Firemane turrets. It was predicted that Firemane's new walker would enter production within three weeks. Likewise there was a recent contract with the Republic to provide shattercannons and heavy bolters for a new tank. Conversely, Vandelhelm was fast becoming a good deal less profitable when it came to mining, but then the planet was boring anyway.


Feeling Coryth from afar through their bond, Siobhan, beautifully dressed as usual in a hot black power suit with a lovely skirt because she was such a girly girl these days, gave the tiny redhead a broad smile when she entered. "Hey, Coryth, darling, we've been expecting you. Ready for your presentation? No need to worry. You know we don't bite unless you want us to," she joked cornily. Approaching the firemane she bent down to give her lover a hug and a kiss. Her empathy was very weak but she tried to use what energies she could to hopefully calm the Jedi's nerves a bit.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth nodded, assuming as Harmony spoke the words, that Tegaea and Siobhan were having well a rather intimate moment. She started to take a seat but found herself lifting a brow, as Harmony spoke again. "Are you sure I'm not interrupting anything?" She asked nervously as she stepped towards the study door.

Stepping within the study she found herself surprised to find neither Tegs or Sio in any compromising position. It seemed they were actually working on something business in nature. For a moment, she pulled at her grey and well worn dress. The best piece of clothing she truly owned. Coryth never had been one for buying expensive things, always opting to save and use what she already had.

Her anxiety must clearly having been showing so much so that she couldn't mask it. And it seemed even Siobhan had picked up on it."Yes, as ready as I'll ever be." She said timidly. Hugging Sio tightly, she tried desperately to let go of the nerves. Anything just to calm down, and at least with Sio here she felt better about things, but only slightly calmer. She gave a small sweet kiss in return, still looking quite tense if truth be told about what she needed to do here. Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose herself. "And .. I know, I know you guys don't. This, just means the galaxy to me. I don't want to screw it up." She said quietly, her eyes dropping to the floor for a moment.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Coryth Elaris"]

It had amused Tegaea to hear Harmony’s uncertainty though it probably made Coryth a bit more anxious. As someone who never got embarrassed by anything and felt fear only in combat she did not quite understand Coryth’s hesitation. She remained seated therefore, but gave the redhead Jedi a reassuring smile.
“Please, Coryth, you know us other well enough to realise that we’ll hear out any idea you have fairly. Please, tell us everything.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Harmony, dear, please get us some drinks," Siobhan said cheerfully, giving the maiden's derriere an appreciative look whent he Dahomeyan departed from the study room. Then she turned her attention back to the adorable redhead. Through the bond that had formed between them Siobhan could easily pick up on her nerves. Indeed, her anxiety was palpable to her.



Seeing the little Jedi had dropped her eyes to the floor she gently lifted her chin before stroking her cheek for a moment. "Cory, darling, you know you can tell us anything. And that you're not a fool. We're not here to beat you down. If we say something critical, it'll just to help you improve your concept and make it work, if that's needed." Maybe the years and recent events had made Siobhan more empathic. Fact was, while Coryth was an experienced and powerful Jedi Master, she was new to the business world and leadership in general. For a long time she had dedicated her life to helping others and done so most commendably, but oftentimes also endangered her life in the process due to being too reckless. In that regard this was quite similar to Siobhan, despite them being on opposite ends of the alignment spectrum and very different when it came to morality. Now she wanted to continue her quest, but take it to a new level by starting a non-profit organisation.


This would mean a significant adjustment. For one, she would not just be responsible for herself and whoever was her patient at the moment, but for countless employees who would rely on her judgement. Then there was the fact that doubtless many groups would try to hinder or exploit such an organisation for their own selfish ends. She gently took the firemane by the hand and led her to a plushy leather armchair with a nice cushion, beckoning her to sit on it. Then she joined Tegaea behind the imposing mahogany desk and sat down. "Take your time, sweetie, then begin."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth nodded slowly, "I know. I know you both will hear me out. I just," Biting nervously at her lip she then sighed, "I've never wanted anything as much as I want this now. It could help so many people." Her attention was then drawn to Siobhan as she stroked at her cheek for a moment. "I just need it to work." She supposed critisim was only natural and something she would have to deal with and gracefully accept. After all, Cory was far from perfect and with the knowledge that both Siobhan and Tegaea had of the business world, she knew their judgment would be fair.

With one last sigh, she let Sio lead her over to the cushy chair and slowly sat down. When Harmony returned with the drinks, Coryth more than happily accepted and took a small sip.

"So," Reaching into her bag, she retrieved two datapads and passed them across the desk to both Tegaea and Siobhan. In them contained her complete business plan of exactly how things would be managed, what services would be offered and how she would maintain funding. "The principle is simple enough. The company would solely be a non-profit aid group. It would do a few things, from helping to set up medical clinics on poorer planets, schooling and education for those that have no other means to get it, and disaster aid. Which the disaster aid would range from any natural disaster to post war recovery. Mind you, I'm not waltzing into Sith territory. Such things would be foolish and needlessly risk lives when the Sith hardly care if you're there to help the sick, wounded and dying."

She sighed softly, "With the disaster aid, we would focus on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. So when a disaster strike, we would come in and provide food, shelter, health and mental health services to address the basic needs after such tragedies. The idea would be to give assistance to individuals and families affected by such disasters to get them back on their feet as soon as possible, and let them return to their normal lives and activities." Sitting there, she nervously wrung her hands in her lap trying to remain calm as possible. "I'd also like to setup a means for family members outside the disaster area to be able to make inquiries about the status of loved ones, from their location to health status and so on. Reconnecting family members and such who were separated in the disasters as well."

"I realize it's an expensive prospect. It's going to rely heavily on fundraising, and what funds I personally have managed to secure until this point, as well as donations from medical groups, and other outside sources. The fundraising, would be a constant. It has to be. I've also secured funding from the Omega Protectorate to be able to come in and help their planets post-disaster and with education needs on more primitive planets. So, there is some government funding that will be coming in as well. And, I'd like to go into the Republic and try to make a similar deal as well. To provide support and in return gain a bit of funding."

"We'd also rely on volunteers at local locations, to help out in dispensing aid. Would be anyone, from your average citizen to doctors and healers like myself."

"The clinics, to be setup on more remote worlds where medical care is scarce, I find highly important. The goal being to offer health services to those who need it most and cannot otherwise access such care."

"Setting up schools, while it's on the list its probably the lowest priority. I'll have to get everything settled in the other areas before I can venture too much into this part of things. I want to be able to educate people, like freed slaves, to help them get on their feet .. to be able to learn a trade and learn to survive on their own. To give them all the tools they need to survive in this galaxy. The same for underprivileged children and even adults who were born into poor conditions and never had a chance for a proper education." She sighed softly, as she tugged a bit at her dress. Still she was doing her best to try and keep her anxiety under control. This just meant so much to her. She didn't want to screw it up, or have Tegs and Sio turn her down for this. Not when it meant the world to her.

"What do you guys think?" Coryth finally asked.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Tegaea let Coryth finish before leaning back and considering matters.
“Thank you, Coryth. Your intentions are certainly noble, and I applaud this idea. You’ve got some good thoughts here, and I’m glad you’re doing this. It’s what I would hope most Jedi try and do, though I know I might be a little mistaken there.”

“How much of an initial investment are you asking for? And what share of the organisation will that provide us, if any? Also, where will your base of operations be? You will also most likely need a large staff of people to distribute aid and see it is not being misused. Do you have any ideas about this?”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Coryth Elaris"]


"You know I love the idea, Coryth. It will take lot of work to get off ground, but you've got a good heart and ideas," Siobhan said warmly, glancing over to Tegaea. "Most Jedi are too busy being headless chicken. Or angsting about whether this or that is in line with the Code when they're not sanctimoniously meddling in other people's business." No, Siobhan did not like most Jedi that much.


"Anyway, my questions are the same as Tegs'. Do you have any people lined up to assist you run the company? You'll need assistants to handle the bureaucratic details, get the supplies you need, medics and healers. You know how the Eldorai are, but there may be some healers of Ashira who'd be willing to join. If you want to get a big project like this off ground you need to start small, baby steps, then gradually expand. If I were I'd try out some pilot projects on worlds that need aid, working with local governments. Means you gather experience running an organisation and get name recognition. There's plenty of third world planets in Levantine and even in Protectorate space. Likewise the Republic's got big refugee problems. Have you thought about security? You know Firemane could help there."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth nodded, still quite nervous about the whole ordeal. Though if truth be told one person in the room made her more nervous than the other. She sighed at the questions, trying to gather her thoughts, knowing these were normal questions. Questions she had mostly expected. Not that it actually helped her gather her thoughts now.

A part of her had an urge to run out of the room, but she was quick to quash it, knowing it was just simply nerves. And she wouldn't have been nervous if not for how important this was to her. "What I need, isn't a lot. Not when believe it or not, I've sat on a lot of funds for a very long time. Wise investing and well ... yeah millions." Perhaps a smarter cookie than she seemed, that or her prophetic gift was put to other uses than what she advertised. Even she wasn't blind to it's uses. "Probably an an additional one to two million and I'll be fine. I'd be more than happy to sign over forty percent of the company. I would however like to maintain the majority share."

So many questions to answer.

"As for the base, I'm not entirely sure. I need some place safe. Not sure I have that part of things figured out." She had half a mind to use some form of large ship as a mobile base of operations to avoid such matters. Which who knew, such might work in the short term, at least while the company was in its infancy. "Siobhan is also correct. I need to start small. As well with the places I'd like to help with most."

"I've spoken with a couple other Jedi who have gotten away from the order and are of like mind with working on a project like this. And I know I'll need assistants, as much as I may not like the idea it's unavoidable. As for others, medics, healers, doctors and the like, I already know I'll have to recruit and hire in. Those folks don't come free. None of it does."

She then nodded about security, "I'd been hoping you'd say that with regards to security."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Since [member="Tegaea Alcori"] was not apparently not saying anything, Siobhan decided to move things ahead on her own."Ok, Coryth. We can go over suitable locations. There's something to be said for a mobile headquarters while your company is still in its infancy, but you'll need at least a fixed office front that sponsors and such can approach and to which people can address their concerns. Speaking of presentation, don't take this the wrong way, but your attire will have to change a bit," she said and for no apparent reason flipped her hair.


"For formal occasions at least. May sound shallow, but you gotta look fancier then and get used to shoes. On the bright side, that means you get to go shopping with me!" Clearly Siobhan was of the opinion that no woman would not want to do that. Now she came to the true punchline. "So, my dear Coryth, you say you've been investing and acquired millions? Do explain to me how you got those, darling," she said in an aristocratic drawl, both alluring and authoritative.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"I suppose that's a good point. I'm sure we can find something that works." She said quietly. Then as Siobhan mentioned it, Coryth glanced down to her dress tugging at it for a moment. It hardly felt like the right thing to wear but it was what she had. Even with the money she had acquired, she'd never really gotten the urge to spend it on herself in any sort of fashion. A soft sigh escaped her lips. "I guess, even if I don't like it, that you have a point about my clothes, and ... shoes or lack thereof." Cory didn't like to admit how much the normal custom of wearing shoes upon the feet bothered her. It cut her connection with the soil, the ground beneath her feet and her early warning system.

Then it came to the issue that Cory had hoped had slipped Tegaea's and Siobhan's notice. "Well .. I .. uh ..." She twisted a foot into the carpeting nervously. "You see..." She started but stopped, trying to find the right words. After all, there was nothing really normal about what she had done, and some would look down upon it. "Well, I made off with a small fortune when I escaped the Sith, in unknown space. But it wasn't enough to last or really do anything I wanted with. So I needed to do something more, to prepare for the future." The woman gave a small shrug, "So, I got into the stock market through the usual methods. Unfortunately I did not play my cards right, and lost a lot of money at first. Then I learned a trick, with enough focus I could fairly accurately predict the future of a stock. Seeing which would rise from next to nothing, to be the next big thing. Just using my visions of the future for a beneficial purpose. The thing haunts me enough, might as well get some good out of it, but not for myself - for others." Cheating under a certain perspective, but it had played out well for her. Under another, a good deed, done for the right reasons.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"]


No matter how hard Coryth struggled, resistance was futile. Siobhan would load her with fancy silk dresses, gems and shiny heels. In time she would come to love them. However, right now she had something else to focus her mind on. "You used your visions to cheat at the stock market and make lots of money?" Siobhan exclaimed, then grinned. "You naughty girl. Coryth, I'm so proud of you. You wouldn't mind doing that for Firemane, too, right, darling?" she asked sweetly. Siobhan did not see cheating as a bad thing. After all, the stock exchange was just a classy gambling den on a galactic scale.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Tegaea had stepped out briefly to take a call, but now returned to hear the latest discussion.
“Yes, a little precognition could be very handy in business ventures. I always wondered whether any Jedi or Sith had tried that before. Sort of like reverse insider trading!”

“Also, I have to agree with Sio. We’re going to have to load you down with dresses and shoes…if only for the board meetings. I dare say if I wore what I wanted to Firemane business meetings I’d get a lot more shocked looks than usual!”

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth frowned a little bit, "Not technically cheating, it's more like .... just using a skill to my advantage, and putting the money to a great cause." From her point of view, it was not cheating at all. Nope!

Coryth sighed a little and thought about it, "I suppose it would be for a good cause if I did it for Firemane, and for people I care about. So, I guess I can do that."

The redhead then nodded to Tegaea, "Yeah, I'm surprised that there are not more that have attempted it. To my knowledge, I'm the only one."
Then Coryth frowned, looking rather fretfully down to her dress. "But I didn't think clothing mattered that much." A pout formed upon her lips, "I hate shoes." She grumbled.

"By wear what you want, you mean nothing at all right? Or just leather?" Coryth had to ask. After all she was getting plenty curious about Siobhan's and Tegaea's lifestyle choices outside of work. "I suppose if I have to get new clothing, it might not be so terrible. But I so do not have to like it."

[member="Tegaea Alcori"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"]


"Tegs looks great in leather. I like her more in nothing though," Siobhan quipped because that was totally the thing to say. Speaking of Tegaea, because Siobhan was feeling like a naughty schoolgirl she passed on a handwritten note to her. Presumably the redhead would be able to read her wife's crude handwriting. I'm gonna turn Coryth into a lovely femme. She'll look like a pretty princess.


Evidently these thoughts were very relevant. "Coryth, shoes aren't that bad, and if heels make you uncomfortable, you know Harmony or I will always give your cute feet a massage. You don't have to look totally fashionable all the time. Mainly for board meetings and so on. Being dressed to the nines while in the field would be silly anyway. But give it a try, and, who knows, you may end up enjoying shiny clothes! And thank you for being ready to use your gifts for us. It'll go towards a good cause, after all. I'm very pleased with your presentation. I believe we can make this work."

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

Tegaea coughed to cover her laugh at Siobhan’s message.

“Yes, leather is practical and hard-wearing,” she said innocently. “However, you don’t have to go for heels. I’m not a big fan of them, just go for flat shoes if you want. Let’s just say that if you’re at a board meeting and you’re not wearing shoes, people will think you can’t afford them or are some sort of weird hippie. Unfortunately, those sort of opinions do matter…but kick them off as soon as the meeting’s over by all means.”

“Now…what’s next on the agenda?”

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth blushed a little at Siobhan's words about leather and a lack there of. She couldn't help but still be a little embarassed at such talk in public. Though to be fair, this time she did start it. She should have known Sio would add on.

Coryth gave a small nod, "It's not so much that they aren't bad ... I mean some of them are cute." Yes, she was admitting that she had looked at such things and even thought about them! "I just don't like losing my connection with the planet and the ground... Not for any length of time. I just like feeling the ground beneath my feet, and the information I gain through that has been invaluable. That's my hesitation on shoes, but I get it. Appearances and all...." A soft sigh followed. "As much as I hate to admit it, you have a point. You both do."

Another sigh, as Coryth flopped herself down in a nearby chair, seemingly both exhausted and relieved at once. "You think so?"

Then she gave a shrug to Tegaea, "I think ... unless either of you have more questions, that was all I really had." She admitted quietly.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"]


"Ok, excellent, can we have sex then?" Siobhan queried, sounding totally innocent. A certain someone had insisted they spend the day doing paperwork and balancing the budget instead of fun things. So it was no surprise that she was feeling rather horny. "After all, you did say you were curious about our...games, isn't that right, Coryth?" she asked with a devilish smirk upon her face, winking at the tiny redhead. "And you did very well today...that's gotta be rewarded."

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

Tegaea was taken aback by Siobhan’s forwardness. Tact, thy name was not Siobhan! Of course, she already knew this.

Then she shrugged. “So…Coryth, your face has turned a lovely shade of red. I second my wife’s offer of getting you even more hot under the collar!”