Ask Just Getting Started

[Kai]

What had been idle frustration and stress from the man's daily activity turned into a more directed confusion and then in turn anger. "What? What are you-" He said sharply after the Arkanian gave a pause. But the woman continued and Kai would have enjoyed watching the spectacle. His gaze looked at his companion and while her face was a cold as white marble he felt a burning disdain. It felt, personal. Had he not been standing next to her he would have missed it.

Kai did not introduce himself even when the man looked at him for some kind of explanation for Ilana's words. The macabre man just stared back unflinchingly. "What....article?" His basic was short and clipped. It was an indicator the mirialan scientist was offended that such a trespass had occurred. Schmeikel's pride was on the line and his patience was limited.

"I would have heard about this. Unless...." His eyes dropped a little and moved back and forth as his own thoughts continued to race to find reasoning. The green skinned man's suspicions and resentments were beginning to take root.

Can you feel it? He's primarily suspicious of his enemies...the ones he knows. His own employer. Keep going Malakai telepathically encouraged Ilana. Now was the perfect time to fuel feelings that were already there. The man was not weak minded and Ilana was a relative novice with the force still. But there was more to getting what one wanted than by using the force. Use both your words and the force to compliment one another. Sometimes the Grysk found he did not need to use one or the other. But relying solely on neither kept him from having glaring weaknesses and he did not want Ilana to fall into the same reliance as so many other Sith or Jedi.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She listened to Kai, head tilted subtly. She had seen him do this before, with Bruss... that manipulation, in that case using fear, using instinctive, primal fear to get what he wanted. Surely she could do the same... her voice was low. Persuasion, and to grow his own feeling of dread and suspicion, laced the undertones of her voice. Her hands were still in her pockets, amber eyes calm. But ever so slightly, her fingers waved to add to influence.

"You already know who. They put you here, didn't they?"

She knew how furious she would be if someone else used her findings in their own publication, her research in their own supplemental findings. Her pride as a doctor, as a researcher, and as a surgeon would have stung bitterly, especially if Kai's own notes on the guy was any indication... his own articles would have been dismissed as irrelevant with his position here.

"Would you mind discussing your findings?" She gave him a slight smile, warmer than the icy expression of before. "I would far rather have an expert of this subject research than the second-rate that plagiarized your own." That influence still whispered there. She would calmly wait... if Kai was right, and he would suspect his own employer...

Well, perhaps he would be willing to clear his own name in the name of research. This was all just good business for now, of course. Now she just had to wait and see what the Mirialan would do next... and adjust accordingly.

@Darasuum

 

[Kai]

Kai's vision stayed staring at the Mirialan. He wanted to see the results of his companion's attempt. He gave the Arkanian Doctor a glance just to observe her change in appearance might seem. It was important in his own experience to know how to be discreet. Plenty of people were on the look out for force wielders these days.

Looking back at Schmeikel's body language and facial features alone Kai would say his counterpart was doing a decent job. "I already know who. They're put me here..." His voice trailed off for a moment as he began to go into a deeper degree of thought. Some of what the Grysk saw said the man was not afraid necessarily but instead starting to be more angry. He wondered if that was Ilana's intended outcome but remained silent.

"You talk like you're wanting to hire me. At least...I better be getting paid if I'm doing any kind of work." His more logical and business side seemed to return. The weakness of being emotional was nearly gone. Malakai knew if he concentrated he would be able to manipulate his mind but if Ilana wanted to do the same manipulation of the Miralan she would have to do even more than she already had. But that would be a test in of itself. Perhaps she would welcome the switch to a less mystical method of getting what she wanted, especially with it being more in her comfort zone. The edges of Malakai's mouth curled slightly at the thought.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

He had her full focus now, her entire concentration on this man and this man alone. If it was his research they wanted, it wouldn't end with him on their side. No... if they wanted the full answers to what they were seeking, it would take more than just his research notes.

They needed all the information they would get their hands on. And though it was all well and good to have a member of research on their side, they needed so much more to make anything of this venture. And his anger left him vulnerable. She would gladly use this to her advantage, taking another step closer.

He would feel drawn to her gaze. Steady, calm, full of understanding. His will would crumble to hers, they were practically the only two in the room. Unlike most, she was determined to succeed, to have him listen, and perhaps, to bend... Kai had to be testing her, why else would he allow her to go so far?

"Not yet... not quite," she smiled at him, hands still in her pockets. "I'm merely here to meet someone who published research worthy of a department head of a top-notch facility and give credit where credit is due... but I also extend the offer of a dinner to discuss. My treat?" She tilted her head, maintaining eye contact, feeling that same power threading through her voice, worming its' way through the chinks of his mind.

She could feel his will start to succumb; the tool of anger, the prospect of revenge and gaining credibility and freedom was a tantalizing lure. Especially so to one so embittered by the underhanded tactics of his employer.

Showing the carrot, and hiding the stick. She could appreciate the idea much more so now.

@Darasuum

 

[Kai]

The man watched on as his pupil worked. He would not exactly call her an apprentice at this moment. But he was trying to mentor her in the force. Mentor, sounded right but he felt like he sounded like some kind of old man. wayward warrior sage sounds way cooler An image popped into his head before he returned to the present.

After the fair skinned Doctor finished speaking, the Mirialan would raise a hand to his chin and rub it thoughtfully. His eyes shifted towards his desk terminal and then flicked back up to Ilana. He glanced at Malakai again who had stayed quiet so far but returned his focus to the one that had been speaking to him so far. "Very well. I'll hear what you have to say." He agreed.

Hearing the response the Grysk smiled a little bit more. There was more than just logistical data the scientist was good for. Though if the Separatist Remnants that employed him did not think him up to snuff then Malakai would still keep an eye on him to see if their judgements were well founded. Hopefully he already knew that.

Since this was the Arkanian woman's show she was free to suggest where to eat and make all the arrangements. It was probably best for her to just get his information and call him later. Kai did not know where on the planet to go to get decent food or what was nice by Terminus standards.

@Killa Ree