RP: 4th Fleet (NSN) [4th AASP] Deal

“May I try?” Drei asked, watching Tessa intently as she demonstrated the cats cradle. She would take her time, responding to and talking with each of the pets in turn. She asked Kyia where her mother is from, if James liked Nepleslian or Yamatai’s mythology better, and talked with Dionysodoros about low frequency power transmission backup systems within the C3.

She would also certainly show thanks for the outfit that Lacquer had brought her, even if she didn’t quite think it was appropriate to wear around them. She did offer to try it on when she returned to her own ship.

She would take her time, ignoring Grunder in favor of talking with his pets. She would turn to him for a moment, in-between lessons from Tessa, to ask a quick question,

“You wouldn’t happen to know where Dr. Shinichiro Nobumoto is? We’ve been needing to arrange a friendly meeting but haven’t gotten the chance to get a message through to him.”

Tessa nodded, handing Drei the colorful string, and guiding her fingers slightly for the first attempt. "Like this" The prickly neko said, demonstrating how to use the strings.

"My mother was a Lmanel from Lor" Kyia said "she died in the moon-fall... Such things happen" She didn't seem particularly perturbed by it. She moved rapidly onto a discussion of Lorath culture, and the meanings behind the dance which was apparently intended to represent birds taking flight.

Dionysodoros was clearly most animated when talking about technology...

James laughed "Nepleslian all the way" she said "Woooot! There's something truly charming in a story where a horse with a stabby thing on it's head kills an army."

Lacquer nodded, "I would prefer it if you wore it now, so I could tailor it up and down in a few places to make the fit perfect, but if you do not want to show the others, we can do that in a side room"

As for Grunder's responce "I know how to contact the man. I do not know his present location." He said calmly.

Drei would let the neko demonstrate how to use the string, “Sorry, this isn’t really my strong suit,” she said, letting Tessa help her as much as possible, “You are far better at it than I am.” As she watched Tessa continued to toy with the string she’d nod along to what Kyia and Dionysodoros had to say and laughing along with James.

She would ignore Grunder for a few moments, finishing her discussion with Tessa first before even looking up at him.

“It would be a great help if you were to contact him for us. There is a personal matter my father wants to talk with him about.” She would eventually say.

"Using the NMX information networks to send communications to high ranking members of the NMX from opposing fleets is... It could cost me" Grunder said "But if you make the right offer, I would be willing to... accidentally lose a coms device. I'll scrap one of my escorts and report it as lost in battle. Then you can claim to have salvaged the com if they ask you. You can contact him with that. I can't guarantee he will respond, but you can contact him. But you'll have to name a... fair price" Grunder said, after a moment's studious thought.

Lacquer continued to watch Drei carefuly...

Drei would continue to focus on Tessa, saying thank you and giving her a reassuring pat on the head.

“How about you just give us the how, we’ll get in touch with him and remain discreet about who gave us his contact information.” Drei told Grunder, still focusing on his pet, “That would be worth trading resources for. Perhaps you can provide us a list of things that would interest you and we can base your payments off of that?”

"Well I need someone with good management skills that I can trust" Grunder said "To help me keep track of things, and the like. I do what I can, but I feel overworked. A secretary you know. I'm interested in any information or blueprints you might have of new technologies." he said after some pondering. "So basicaly, in general, volenteer pets with useful skills, new technologies, and short term access to any fleet building capabilities you might have to allow me to speed the production of my fleet"

“How about physical resources for this exchange then?” Drei asked, “A destroyer or two worth of raw metals and rare elements?”

"Hrm.... two ships, and only if you throw in a private com channel so that I can contact you and your fleet" Grunder said after some thought.

"That is something I can live with," Drei responded.

"Well that's a deal then" Grunder said with a smile, giving Drei a somewhat slimy tentacle hug.

As Drei continued to play with each of Grunder's pets, she would reach into the backpack by her feet, disconnecting a single Awesomecorp data jockey for reprogramming. By the time she had finished with each of the pets, the datapad would end up being slid across the table to Grunder.

"Unless there is anything else we need to discuss, I should be getting on my way. The pad contains contact instructions for getting in touch with the 4th fleet discreetly. Private communications channels and an electronic messaging drop box on Nepleslia will be set up for you to use."

"Ah, one more thing" Grunder said "I have a pet who's a bit needy, she likes physical contact and cuddling and the like, but she's not one of my primary pets, and I just can't really satisfy her needs. She's of plebeian birth, and she used to work as an organizer for some sort of community recreational facility. She would be much better with a master who can spend a good deal of time with her. If you'd like her, she's yours" he opens a door to reveal a young adult plebeian in a very simple white linen outfit. Like all plebeians, her wings were rather small. She smiled at Drei shyly. "So... want a pet?" Grunder asked, warmly.

Drei took a good look at the plebeian. She considered leaving without her, but the likelihood of survival here, as a slave, was likely fairly low. After a short pause she would say,

“I will take her with me,”

Grunder bobbed gently, then handed Drei the leash that attached to the girl's collar. "Then she's yours" he said warmly. The girl blinked, then gave Drei a cautious hug. Grunder and his pets escorted Drei back to her shuttle, like a host seeing their guests to the door.

Drei would take her backpack with her and put one arm around her new slave.

"We'll have much more to discuss the next time we meet."

"Indeed. And should we return to the void e're our next meeting, let it be glorious" Grunder responded. (End)