Breaking Barriers

[Onrai]

Vanessa would return to the cafe promptly at around midday. A smile would be on her face, though deep down inside she was unsure as to what the potential circumstances would be. Despite the opportunities and whatnot, Vanessa still had lingering doubts that Nicole would come with her on this journey, and she was already prepared for rejection.

“Ah, Nicole!” She said after arriving at the table drink in hand. “Good to see you were able to make it. How have the past couple of days been for you?”

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

 

[Neyana]

At the sound of her name being called, the woman looks up and stares at [member="Vanessa Vantai"]. A slight glare is formed, but it soon fades away. "Ah hello again." And she moves to sip her drink. "I've been doing okay, I guess." A light shrug. She isn't stuttering at least, but that might be from the anger she is hiding away. "And you?" Her eyes never left the Sith. Just what was she planning? Probably nothing good.

 

[Onrai]

“More diplomatic things.” She said, a sigh on her face. She had been working so hard on her own that she frankly needed help - help which was to say the least not exactly forthcoming given the circumstances. Vanessa kept working, but support was always so frustratingly minimal. “ it’s been difficult, but I’m holding on. As is, speaking of work - have you given any thought to my offer?”

That was the million credit question.

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

 

[Neyana]

"Politics, I never really was one for politics. Diplomacy missions are just another form of politics, and I'm not really cut out for that kind of stuff." She politely stated. Perhaps declining the offer out right. "On that same note, you are aware of what the Sith tried to do to me, and I would rather not fall prey yet again to them. So, I'm going to decline the offer, for now." Another coughing fit occurs followed by her leaning back in her chair and simply closing her eyes. A regrettable choice, but why would she willingly follow alongside the woman who killed her sister?

Her eyes opened up, and she's staring back down at her cup. "So, I'm sorry about that Vanessa."

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa’s smile and pleasant demeanor soon dissipated. She was disappointed to say the least that Sarah has chosen to respond the way she had. “I see... well, that’s unfortunate to hear. I don’t suppose there is any way I could perhaps convince you to reconsider? Perhaps a ‘bonus’ of sorts?” She still had this one last ditch option to try. Maybe it would work.

Of course, it probably wouldn’t. Vanessa would have to do something to contact her later down the line.

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

 

[Neyana]

Nicole looked up at her with a rather straight look on her face. "I'm not quite sure you can change my mind, but I'll listen." Why was Vanessa so persistent in getting her as a partner. Nicole wouldn't know anything about the current affairs of the galaxy. All she would do is just stand there and listen and probably get in the way of things. "After all, I don't really think you would want me." Another sip.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

“Well... how about a high class penthouse with a multitude of droid servants? And a modified corvette for personal use retrofitted to a luxury standard? And a sizeable advance of tens of thousands of credits?” She asked. The last comment, though, was what disappointed her. “...why would you say that? Do you think I would have gone through the trouble to meet up with you again after a couple of days ago if I had no desire to have you as an aide for my work? I’m quite disappointed, honestly, that you thought that.”

She frowned - expressing her disappointment rather clearly and succinct.

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

 

[Neyana]

She blinked her eyes several times at this offer. Did this woman really have that much money to spend? Well, being a diplomat does give you a high pay grade, but how? She remains silent for the time being, but her face expression seems to show her being rather shocked or amazed by such an offer. Why would she want this short Echani though? Its not like she's done anything to help or benefit the Galaxy, she has no name to herself. Unless you count a few certain things, but still.

Alas, she speaks after this brief moment of silence. "Because I'm a nobody. Just a lost girl who found a family and is trying to understand where she belongs in the Galaxy. I have some thoughts already, but your new offer. Does it included not being pestered by the Sith? I, I really don't want to go back to them."

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

“Well, I can ensure that the Sith under my command don’t bother you.” She said. “And I was a nobody once too. I had an opportunity and took it to become somebody. I feel it’s quite fair to pass such an opportunity on to someone else. Someone like you.” She smiled. “That I offer you in concert with the many other opportunities that will come from this.”

Perhaps that was a good excuse. Especially if it meant more headpats awaited her.

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

 

[Neyana]

"Oh, but what if those Sith that aren't under you come to me?" Of course, Nicole knows that one person can't control all of a faction. "I wouldn't want anything happening to me if I did accept this new offer." Yes, this new one does sound very appealing. Having a ship of her own and living the 'good' life all at the expense of the Sith. Well, maybe something good can come out of this new improved deal. "Am I free to come and go as I please?" She asked as well going to take another sip from her drink.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

"Well, as my subordinate, you do ultimately have to listen to me when working. Another Sith can't simply try to steal you away or make you do something without my approval - and I will let you know if I approve of any such thing." She responded. "Nothing's going to happen to you, Nicole. Why would I let something happen to you? You're a valued asset, and letting such an asset go to waste would be a terrible thing." The latter one made her think for a bit. "Well, you'll come when I need you for diplomatic work, which may be quite often. You will have plenty of spare time for your own things."

 

[Neyana]

"Uh huh. Right. Right." She begins to get rather shaky again. Who does Vanessa work for even? Is there anyone higher up then [member="Vanessa Vantai"]? Probably. Though, the offer is very appealing to her. "W-Well you better make sure no one gets me, but eh, when these missions start, we'll meet elsewhere and not in Sith space?" Did she accept this? Or is she still bargaining. Who really knows. The fear returned though, and her body is slowly reacting towards it. "And I, I don't really know h-how well I'll do on such missions. I already said that politics aren't really my thing." A sigh escapes her lips.

 

[Neyana]

(Double Posted.)

 

[Onrai]

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

Vanessa did a very unorthodox thing. She moved forward and gave the woman a hug. "Relax. No one will get you. You'll be fine and under my protection. Trust me. Please." She would gently pat the small Feanor on the top of the head in order to further reassure her of the positive circumstances. "You'll do fine. I promise. Just trust me on this, Nicole. Trust me. You'll be enjoying life soon enough - a life you wouldn't have had any other way." She smiled.

This made her feel warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[Neyana]

Well, this hug certainly startled her. Nicole tries to get out of her grip too. "Wh-What are you doing?! There's only a small group of people who I let hug me." She stated. She certainly wasn't a cuddly type of person, but they recently met so this hostility is to be expected. "Well, currently I'm enjoying the life I have, but I, I guess I'll, I'll see what this one has to offer." Something died inside Nicole. She couldn't quite understand what it was. Just a horrid feeling appeared.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa would conclude the hug and let go. She smiled with the verbal enunciation of accepting the deal. “Alright. In that case, I’ll need to get some information. I need an account to send the credits and the registration to the penthouse to. I’ll also have your ship delivered soon.” She smiled. “Wonderful - in that case, come with me to the embassy. We have some final Mandalorian things to get situated shortly, then we’ll handle things with the First Order schismic faction and our allies in the Ascendancy.”

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

 

[Neyana]

Yes, well, it seems bribes work yet again. Of course, that dreadful feeling still remains. Is she betraying her sister? No. Perhaps she has reasons for doing such. "W-When we get there I, I'd like to do something, and I left my things at the hotel I'm staying at, including my d-d-datapad." her hand raises up with her cup to finish her nice drink, and sets it down gently. "But if I sense a-any funny b-business t-that I don't like. I-I'm leaving. I hope you understand m-my reasoning for that."

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa thought for a moment. "Tell you what - where's your hotel located? It might be more efficient for me to take you to the hotel so you can pick your things up, then we can go to the embassy. Alternatively, how about I head straight over to the embassy, then you head to the hotel and get things before meeting with me at the embassy. Which one of those works best for you?"

Vanessa was very much flexible with regards to how to best handle this.

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

 

[Neyana]

"It, Its uhh, right down the street from here. Not too far of a walk." Yes, perhaps it is better for them to head to her hotel first. A soft smile appears on her face and her left hand slightly twitches. "We, we, we can head to the Hotel first. I might n-need some assistance wi-with my things anyway." Nicole started to stand up and leave the cafe. "Though I do want to know w-what these o-other factions are."

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]

They would walk over to the hotel, while Vanessa would explain things. "Well, there are a variety of different factions we keep diplomatic relations with. The Mandalorians are our closest ally as it currently stands. The First Order was also quite close, but they've collapsed for the most part. We're keeping tentative relations with the main First Order faction as well as the Crimson Hand splinter faction too. We also are working on furthering our relationship with the Chiss Ascendancy." She said. "I'll have a briefing for you with all the details you can go over. Will wait here for you unless you need my help to get things up to where they need to be." She smiled.

[member="Nicole Sarah Feanor"]