Overture

[Valar Dohaeris]

Disembarking from his transport, Valar had to admit that he was a little bit nervous. He was going to need to convince a damned representative of a company to do business with him without having the credits upfront - the whole point of the visit was to make sure that they didn't care that he was planning on paying upon completion and not upon placing the order.

He was nervous because he simply wasn't that type of Sith.

Valar was the kind of Sith you sent to pacify a village of unruly natives. Valar was the kind of Sith you sent off to the front lines because you knew he'd either win the battle or at least be out of your hair. Valar was NOT the kind of Sith to talk someone into something.

So as he waited in the waiting room for the representative, he glanced at the allies who had agreed to work with him on this mission. They were Sith and that was all that Valar cared about. With the revelation that there were Jedi in the Galaxy again, Valar couldn't care less what 'type' of Sith anyone was anymore.

But he did care about one thing.

"So..." he began slowly, "Please tell me that at least one of you is a smooth talker?"

He grimaced.

"Because I have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth and then resorting to threats..."

@Nightfall @Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric looked over to Saorise. He had worked with her a number of times and new that she could be extremely persuasive - especially with corporate types.

"Don't worry, young master," (this was meant in a warm, not patronising, way) "I can vouch for Lady Kallig here. She is the one that masterminded the revitalisation of the Kuat yards. Although, let's not dwell on that with our friends here, they may not have been so glad for the competition. While we wait, do you have anything that they can secure their debt against? Any property at all?"

[OOC - sorry for the substitute, but the way you wrote the OP it seemed right]​

 

[Darth Inheris]

"And yet I didn't come out of that without scars, but thank you Saric" Saorise joined the pair from the transport, dressed in a rather well tailored outfit that would hopefully see her suitably ready to engage in the sort of boardroom talk she'd cut her teeth on back on Kuat. Even if it had shut her down in the end, she didn't think there could always be sorts with that skill on every planet. For now she was confident,

"Not that you haven't shown no worth before, I think I recognise your face from Corellia. Between the two of you I think I'm in good company" she finished leisurely as she looked over to Dohaeris, extending the pair a smile as she began to step forward toward the door, getting ready to enter, trying to focus her mind on it all. This was no time to be distracted by thoughts or flattery. Saric had assisted her on a number of occasions, and this Valar was one to watch as well.

While she didn't want to get ahead of herself, for now at least she didn't feel there was too much to worry about,

"Either way, probably best we don't keep them waiting. Shall we?"

@Nefieslab @Ulysses

 

[The Storyteller]

.

This would be interesting, as from the perspective of the Sith and their attempts at convincing a for profit business that a deal would be in better circumstance if they not receive payment upfront. Regardless, the manufacturers were clearly not aware of Valar’s plan and had anticipated this would be an easy and seamless transaction. The meeting point was at one of the company’s satellite facilities, one catered towards private purchases and financing. A chaperone would be waiting for the trio in the lobby area and without stating a single word, he motioned to usher them towards the elevator. ALl the while, holding a placard with their names on it; the elevator sprang up quickly but smoothly as it opened into a narrow hallway. The Usher stated, “Come..” as he navigated through the maze of offices until leading to a conference room.

He nodded and then left them, a series of awkward silences would likely ensue until a beautiful young twi’lek girl clad in a somewhat more provocative short skirt soon entered. “Greetings! I am Vicancia, I will be the personal broker for this magnitude of an order. I apologize but I did not request for pictures during the initial purchase order. Which one of you is Mr. Dohaeris.

@Nefieslab @Nightfall @Ulysses

 

[Valar Dohaeris]

He supposed he could have done worse for a delegate team, but Valar was seriously worried about his own delegation skills. The man knew his weaknesses and talking to people was one of them. But, he supposed, there was nothing for it now was there? He was going to have to screw his courage to the sticking point and get on with it. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head slightly at Saric,

"No." he admitted honestly, "I've got nothing."

He wasn't a rich man and had virtually no property or possessions that he wasn't currently wearing. It presented something of a challenge but he hoped that he had chosen the right people to accompany him to make up for the challenge. Before he could greet Saorise, they were readied by the chaperone.

Following the chaperone through the small maze of an office, they waited for a moment before their personal broker arrived... and Valar knew that he probably shouldn't have come. And, at the same time, was incredibly happy that he had come. Valar was a xenophile by nature so seeing the lovely Twi'lek as their personal broker? He smiled wide and moved forwards, taking her dainty hand in one of his own.

"I have that honour - might I have the honour of knowing your name?"

He probably should have introduced his fellow delegates but he was busy. Getting his flirt on.

@Nightfall @Ulysses

 

[Darth Inheris]

Valar had a way with a blade but she had to wonder if his way with women worked quite as well. She liked to think it wouldn't work on her, and she quickly shook her head free of any other euphemisms that might have followed from these 'blade' thoughts. Whatever Dohaeris was about to try, she meant to make sure they had another tact going into these negotiations. She'd let whatever response the broker made occur before stepping forward and chiming in herself, her mouth curled into the most pleasant smile she could muster,

"A pleasure as well. In addition this is Saric Noms, while I myself am Saorise Kallig, Lord of House Dalaigh of Kuat. A pleasure to be speaking to you Vicancia. Never too often do I get to speak to others in the manufacturing line" she introduced confidently, extending a hand to shake with a polite nod of the head, hopefully smoothing over the fact that Valar had asked for her name when she'd already given it. She'd made it through more than a few business meetings in her time, if you could find something shared early on it made everything go much, much smoother. And while the Sith present all had their own personal goals, they could all see the Jedi were a menace. That kept them united. She didn't want to broach politics with the broker, but a shared business interest? That could get them somewhere,

"I'm sure you've been made aware of our order, but in person is so much easier to discuss. If you or the business has any questions, well, we're more than ready. Indeed, if you have any about the KDY you're welcome to ask me here or anytime as well" it might have been a bit much, but they needed to get in early with a rapport. Hopefully then they'd be out just as soon.

@Ulysses @Nefieslab @Faded Truth

Spoiler: OOC

Sorry for the late reply everyone!

 

[Saric Noms]

Having been introduced, Saric nodded with the warmest smile he could muster (which was still quite thin). There was nothing more he could sensibly add before the delegate responded. Therefore, Saric reached out with the force, gently probing at her mind - not so much to dominate her in any way; but rather to suppress any offence that might be inadvertently taken at Valar's advances, or any opposition to Saorise being an industry competitor, so to speak. He would try, therefore, simply to instill a positive glow, rather than any particular persuasion - the silver seductive words of a Sith.

@Faded Truth @Nefieslab @Nightfall

 

[The Storyteller]

.

There really wasn't much to probe in Vacania's mind, her thoughts were filled with the meager pay she received working this job, the numerous promiscuous dresses she would wear, and her bad boy Mandalorian boyfriend she would meet tomorrow night. She was growing rather bored with these squared, white collar Sith trying to flirt with her, but alas it was her job and if it got them the credits, she'd play along. She giggled as Valar took her hand with the obvious signs of interest from the males, a mild blush coming to her cheeks as she tickled the underside of his chin with her free hand. "Aren't you a handsome one..I'm Vicancia Hill." She stated before gently pulling away and moving towards the head of the table. She nodded in acknowledgment of Saric Noms and Saorise Kallig. "A pleasure to meet all three of you." She waited for another Twi'lek girl to enter the room shortly after the introductions, and to Valar's likely approval this one was wearing even a shorter skirt. She had a tray with four glasses on it, the local harvested liquor and national drink of Bilbringi. One would be offered to each of the guests before she slipped back inside.

"I hope your travel arrangements were suitable. In either case, let us start. It is pretty straight forward, we have the requested order instructions right here. If you'd be so kind as to verify everything is correct?" She said, eyebrow lifting towards Valar as she pulled up the order schematics on a hologram projector showing the modifications he requested as well as the quoted price at the bottom.

"If everything is correct, please sign at the bottom and as we've mentioned before, we would request half of the purchase price up front, sorry, standard company policy.."

@Nefieslab @Ulysses @Nightfall

 

[Valar Dohaeris]

As if coming out of some form of stupor, Valar's mind refocused on the task at hand. As his allies had done, he instinctively probed her mind while she touched him. The difference was that as soon as he saw that she had a Mandalorian boyfriend, Valar almost reacted.

He almost reacted.

Instead he managed to bring himself back under heel as he smiled and sat down. He didn't want to sit. He wanted to reach over the desk and tear the woman's throat out for dating an enemy of the Empire. The planet she currently resided on was Imperial in nature and she was consorting with an enemy of the state because she wanted a bit of fun.

A bit of danger.

Valar was tempted to give her just that and his fellow Sith would be able to feel his anger and disgust through the Force. Thankfully they were the only ones who could see that his smile was only surface level.

"Vicancia." he smiled a little more, "We are more than happy to put down a deposit but half upfront isn't because your company has the policy. Or rather... you only have the policy because there are currently pirates outside of the Empire menacing your supply routes."

His smile was predatory in nature now.

"We will make your policy no longer necessary - when we kill them all."

@Nightfall @Ulysses @Faded Truth

 

[Darth Inheris]

Oh, well now. Valar was frankly bubbling. His whole presence had changed, it was eternally interesting how the force could give people away like that, just like reading a face one could read a presence as clearly. And oftentimes it was harder to hide. No wonder so many Sith put great effort into stymieing and smothering their signatures. Happily it seemed their interlocutors weren't force sensitives, so hopefully they'd miss most it, and focus instead on Valar's smile.

And his offer,

"Think of it as our own insurance. If we don't clear up the lanes for you, no ship necessary. But if we do..." she let it trail for a moment, letting the weight sink in "you'll reap far more in clean profits than what you'll have bargained in faith to us" it was quiet the ploy. And it cleared up another threat for the Empire on the way.

It was a win/win, if Vicancia could see it in front of her.

Saorise took a sip of the Bilbringi liquor. Interesting flavour, texture, a little bite at the back of the throat. Unique. It gave her something to mull over while they awaited the dealers response.

@Ulysses @Faded Truth @Nefieslab

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric was taken aback by the growing rage of their companion. He could not see how Valar could know that their hostess had a Mandalorian boyfriend. Therefore he did not know the source of his anger. He just knew something was up, and Valar was hiding it externally - just.

He looked to Saorise. He knew her better. She seemed calm, so that reassured him somewhat. Nevertheless, he stood up in readiness, eyes darting around the room for threats. Unfortunately for Saric, he was not as good at covering his unease in his face as he liked to think.

Then the other two made their offer. Saric thought it best to wait for the response. By now, he would have satisfied himself that it must have been a false alarm, and so he would lean both elbows on the back of the chair, in a relaxed pose.

@Faded Truth @Nefieslab @Nightfall

 

[The Storyteller]

.

Vicancia had no way to know that the three Sith had probed her mind and hence knew of the romantic liaison she was having with a member of the enemy. To the young twi'lek that really didn't matter much; she was hired in this position based on her looks, given a meager salary, and lived hand to mouth for the most part. This galactic war never really cascaded down to the common folk, to them, today was just another damned day. Here she was, her boyfriend about to take her to dinner after this meeting and these three imbeciles were debating regarding a deposit. Sighing, she merely faked a smile towards Valar before shifting her attention upon Saorise. "All sounds well Lady Kallig, but I don't make these sort of decisions. We have a strict policy and we have orders to adhere to it.." She turned to look at Saric for a moment before moving back her attention slowly upon the others, her gaze sweeping between Valar and Saorise before she smiled again. It was a realization that they would likely continue pestering and didn't seem like the type to take no for an answer.

"Let me check with the boss." She suggested, nodding and slipping out of the office for a few moments. Moments would spurn to minutes, nearly 17 minutes to be precise as she peaked her head back into the conference room and stated, "You can follow me.." The twi'lek would lead them down a corridor of hallways and through a network of separate office spaces until they reached a corner location. It would be a distinct feel, reminiscent of a force signature but one with a considerably nefarious tone and significantly more powerful than any of the other three individually. The doors swung open and seated at the head of a large wooden table was Victor Aercos. A tremendously infamous Shistavanen Sith who had been released from Republic duties and thus had decided to spearhead financial oversight over the large manufacturing company.

The Sith was dressed in a sharp, grey suit but his lightsabers were likely not too far away. A chilling and cold breeze swept through the room, reminding them of the dark sided presence that loomed with him. Eyes shifted and settled upon the three. "Crusaders Nom and Kalling. Have a seat..." He didn't acknowledge the Acolyte, Valar was too far below on the totem pole for recognition in his opinion. An arrogant and self consumed Sith.

@Nefieslab @Ulysses @Nightfall

 

[Darth Inheris]

They had to go up the chain it seemed, their bait getting a bigger bite.

It was unsurprising really, such a deal they meant to make was... irregular, at best, worryingly uninsurable at worst. She could imagine the figures ticking through computers, calculating the costs and risks. And here was one that had the presence to back up any words of dissent.

Still, if they meant to cut a deal then it would be here they would do it. Taking a look back at Valar, she lifted her eyebrows and screwed up her face in a way that hopefully conveyed 'let's see how this goes' before taking a seat across from the former Sith. If he had made it so far up a business, and indeed had deigned to meet them, then he had to be somewhat open to the possibility. Or so her thoughts went anyhow as she went to begin the diplomacy,

"Aercos, a pleasure" she spoke through gritted teeth, forcing a smile at the thing. She'd played the game before, she was ready,

"I assume the details of our proposal have already reached you. Our promise stands, as does our commitment to see it done" there was little else she could say for now, unsure of how the Shistavanen would react, or if there was something he really wanted. For now though, she left the floor with either her comrades or with Aercos, whoever was ready.

@Nefieslab @Ulysses @Faded Truth

 

[Valar Dohaeris]

Valar didn't say a word when they were led through to the Sith.

The Sith before them now was a Xeno and that wasn't a bad thing in Valar's books - what was bad was that this Sith, lived and worked on a Sith planet. He was a Sith himself. And yet he was allowing his employee to continue her liaison with a known and undeniable traitor to the Empire.

The idea that her employer wouldn't have scanned her mind was insultingly stupid.

A man, a Sith, as arrogant as this one would have done it purely because he could and the employee would have no way of knowing and, even if she did, no way of stopping him. So that left Valar with a little bit of a quandary. The Sith in front of them was, therefore, either incompetent or a traitor as well.

Sitting there with a perfect mask of calm, his emotions hidden, Valar said nothing as he bored holes in the Xeno with his gaze. The Sith was arrogant and a fool if he believed he could intimidate the Sith here today simply because he refused to acknowledge anyone below the rank of Crusader.

Rank meant nothing to a Sith.

@Nightfall @Ulysses @Faded Truth

 

[The Storyteller]

.

Aercos didn't take the time to probe Valar's mind, he had a far more important task up ahead to ensure whether Saorise and her colleagues would be capable of delivering on the promise they had proposed. The Xeno Sith Lord looked over the documents and his datapad as he crunched a few numbers and then shifted his attention back to the Crusader. "Yes I have...." A few more moments of awkward silence as he finally spoke, "Very well, I'll allow it. Deposit the payment you intended to now and we will waive the remaining fee upon completion of your part of the bargain. My patience wears thin Crusader, so I expect results within one month..You and your associates are free to pick up the merchandise in two days."

He stated while yawning and returning to his mid-afternoon snack. It was cold outside and he needed his nap.

@Nefieslab @Nightfall @Ulysses