"Hey you," Deidre says, sitting down at the bar next to Aureum. She takes a drink from the glass of red liquid that she's holding. It's most certainly not the first drink she's had tonight and, by all appearances, it won't be the last.
"You're pretty cool," she continues, patting the girl's hand. Her words are slightly slurred. "So what gets you off, huh? You're probably pretty popular on the dating scene."
She takes another sip of her drink.
"Wanna dance?" she says with a sly grin as she sways just a little. "And that's not a epa.. eupa... euphemism, I really mean dance. I'd have to be pretty drunk to ... yeah, let's dance."
As the Half-Elf, the Lashunta, the Nuar, the Kasatha, and the Ryphorian enter the bar, Miraj thinks, We're a weird straight line looking for our punchline.
Diedre gives Miraj a subtle elbow nudge as they enter the bar.
"What's the punchline?" she whispers as she indicates the group with her eyes.
With a giggle, she heads to the bar.
"Hey you," Deidre says, sitting down at the bar next to Aureum. She takes a drink from the glass of red liquid that she's holding. It's most certainly not the first drink she's had tonight and, by all appearances, it won't be the last.
"You're pretty cool," she continues, patting the girl's hand. Her words are slightly slurred. "So what gets you off, huh? You're probably pretty popular on the dating scene."
"What gets me--?" Aureum, a few drinks in as well, looks definitively more at ease than usual.
She turns to face Diedre, crossing her long legs and leaning on the bar with one arm. "Not really," she says in reply to the second part of the statement. "Turns out, hopping starships and wandering ancient ruins and everything isn't as romantic as you'd think. There was this one girl though..." she trails off, looking dreamy.
"Wanna dance?" she says with a sly grin as she sways just a little. "And that's not a epa.. eupa... euphemism, I really mean dance. I'd have to be pretty drunk to ... yeah, let's dance."
"Sure." Aureum smiles, finishes her drink, and gets up (a little unsteadily) to follow the much shorter girl to the dancefloor.
She turns to face Diedre, crossing her long legs and leaning on the bar with one arm. "Not really," she says in reply to the second part of the statement. "Turns out, hopping starships and wandering ancient ruins and everything isn't as romantic as you'd think. There was this one girl though..." she trails off, looking dreamy.
"I knew it," Diedre says with a sparkle in her eye. "You heartbreaker, you!"
"Hey fans!" Diedre says as her face fills the screen. She pulls back waving at the camera. The brown duster she wears appears to constitute the entirety of her clothing. The garment isn't buttoned so the only thing protecting her modesty is a peacock blue guitar nestling in her lap.
She strums a power chord.
"I have acheived my next life goal!"
She pushes her chest forward into the camera bringing into focus a medallion pinned to her coat. A Starfinder medallion.
"Yes, you're seeing that right," she say pulling back again. "You're very own Diedre Lhashi is now an official, bonafide, in-the-flesh, Starfinder!"
She looks thoughtful for a moment before her smile returns.
"We handled the infiltration of a nightclub run by a downside gang."
A few still images follow showing the outside and then inside of the Fusion Queen. This is followed by a short video clip of Diedre and a tall Lashunta woman dancing in a crowd with a heavy bassline pounding away.
The camera cuts back to Diedre's face.
"That's my friend, Aureum," Diedre says. "She's a Starfinder too and a pretty good dancer."
--cut--
Diedre's sitting with the guitar in her lap again, although she's now added pants.
"We took some hits, but we did managed to capture the gang leader herself," she says as her face is replaced by a still image of a woman in armor standing in a small office with her face blurred out.
The camera jumps back to Diedre again.
"We did so well that they promoted us to full Starfinders after that." She's quiet for a moment. "So," she says, her cheery nature returning. "Not sure what's up for us next, but I'm sure it'll be exciting."
--cut--
"Hey, one other thing," Diedre says. "We need to come up with a name for our team. So if any of you folks out there have any suggestions, send 'em along to me and maybe I'll do a special show for whoever sends in a name we use. Bye for now!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"What's the punchline?" she whispers as she indicates the group with her eyes.
"It's a Shobhad ritual," Jehir nods knowingly. "A coming-of-age thing. The young Shobhad walks within arm's length in front of a line of elders, who punch him as he goes by. The young Shobhad may not flinch or cry out while walking the Punchline. If he does so, he becomes a warrior of the tribe."
Jehir nods, while sipping his drink. "It's not easy," Jehir adds. "A Shobhad can punch pretty hard."
"And no, I don't think it's an institution the Starfinders should adopt, if that's what you were thinking. This mission was initiation enough."
Jehir wips his mouth with the back of his hand as he finishes his drink. He places the glass on the counter.
"Another Meltdown," he says to the bartender.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Mirage catches the eye of whoever is listening to Jehir and gives a wink and a shrug, smiling slightly.
Once Jehir is comfortable with his drink and the walking pheromone team are out on the dance floor, Miraj talks to the four-fisted drinker, "You are a helluva fighter, Jehir. I'm glad you are part of our team. Tell me, though, vat makes your blood black? Zat is not normal for a Kasatha is it?"
... and the walking pheromone team are out on the dance floor ...
"Tell me, though, vat makes your blood black? Zat is not normal for a Kasatha is it?"
Jehir breathes deeply, and sighs.
"I suppose that is a tale worth telling. Have you heard of a place called 'The Halls of the Living?' On Eox?"
"The bone sages host living beings there, in competitions. Ah... 'Bloodsports,' if you will. Gladiatorial games. They are broadcast all over the Pact Worlds. Great rewards can be won for those who do well. Most of those who participate in those games are volunteers, there for the rewards. But when I was there, it was not by choice. I was released there with an obligation to pay my debts with my winnings, and had I chosen not to participate I would have been incarcerated again. "
"I did well at first. I was popular, and my training with weapons and my solar abilities served me well. Until I... until I was killed."
Jehir pauses for a moment, and looks down into his drink as he continues.
"But they brought me back. Apparently I was popular enough and profitable enough that it was worth having a mystic raise me from the dead. And so I went into the games again. And I was killed again."
"They raised me again and again. Each time, something was... lost. When I first arrived there my solar mote shone brightly with a pale golden light, like the sun. But each time it got darker and darker, until eventually it was black as night, as you see."
Jehir looks up again, and sighs.
"By the time my debt was paid, I was as you see me now. Touched by the undeath that thrives on Eox. I am no longer truly Kasatha, but I have no other heritage either."
"Did Talavet refuse me each time I passed? Or was I not ready to leave the world yet? I don't know. But as I am now I cannot prove myself by simply being, since I am no longer one of my people. I must prove myself with deeds. The Starfinders seemed like a good place for that."
After about an hour of dancing, Diedre drags Aureum back to the bar where the others are involved in casual conversation.
"I think we've teased the animals long enough," she says with tired laughter.
Her skin glistens and her complexion is flush as she waves down the bartender for another drink.
"You grind pretty good for someone who says she doesn't dance very much," she slurs to Aureum with a smirk. "You sure you haven't been practicing in front of the mirror or something?"
Grabbing her drink from the bartender, she turns to the others. "So what's up, gents?" she says. "I'm up for giving the other half some play time. Who wants to dance with a lady?"
She sways slightly as she takes a sip of her drink. "And I mean me, before any of you crack wise," she says with a pout.
She turns to Aureum with a raised eyebrow. "Not a word out of you either, Missy! You're cute but that doesn't mean you get to ... "
She trails off apparently losing her train of thought as her eyes wander over the Lashunta's face. Shaking her head to clear it she downs the rest of her drink.
"So what was I saying?"
"That I'm cute?" Aureum teases, almost shyly, and quickly sips her drink, hiding a grin.
Diedre looks from Aureum to the others and then back to Aureum.
"Ok," she says slowly. "Sorry. When I start hitting on friends I am officially too drunk."
She looks around as if she's lost.
"Ummm... Could someone not drunk show me to my room?"
Miraj studies his drink as Jehir tells the story of his lives. When he finishes, Miraj lifts his glass and says somberly if not soberly, "Zat's a fery sad story. But here's to new beginnings. Zey say life is vat you make it. I expect it's the same fur ... fur vun such as yourself."
After about an hour of dancing, Diedre drags Aureum back to the bar where the others are involved in casual conversation.
...
Grabbing her drink from the bartender, she turns to the others. "So what's up, gents?" she says. "I'm up for giving the other half some play time. Who wants to dance with a lady?"She sways slightly as she takes a sip of her drink. "And I mean me, before any of you crack wise," she says with a pout.
She turns to Aureum with a raised eyebrow. "Not a word out of you either, Missy! You're cute but that doesn't mean you get to ... "
She trails off apparently losing her train of thought as her eyes wander over the Lashunta's face. Shaking her head to clear it she downs the rest of her drink.
"So what was I saying?"
Miraj attaches a leather strap to his cane so he can sling it over his back, not wanting to leave his weapon behind. Then he gestures at Diedre and bows politely, as he has seen men do in formal dances in courtly dramas. "Fair warning, mind vere you put your feet. My toes don't exactly twinkle vin it comes to dancing."
Although Miraj has acrobatic skills when it comes to fights and chases, he doesn't know how to translate that into graceful dance moves. Still he covers for it fairly well, leading well and letting Diedre do the fancy moves.
Diedre giggles as Miraj bows to her.
"Ok, fine," she says, the flush on her face growing stronger. "One dance and then I really should ... I need to "
She looks over at Aureum again.
"Then I need to go to bed."
"As you wish," Miraj replies. "Alcohol, as zey say, is a bad messenger. You send it to your gut und it ends up in your head."
After the dance, Miraj suggests the group calls it a night. "I have a feeling ve vill be investigating this matter further. Perhaps if ve have time, ve can research zis corporation und learn some names of people ve might try to 'run into' and strike up a friendship so ve might have a vay into their systems."
"...But here's to new beginnings."
"I'll drink to that," says Jehir, raising his glass. "Iziqalo ezintsha!" The flexing of the muscles at the side of his face indicate that he has broken into a grin, and after the toast he downs the rest of the drink.
"One advantage to my 'problem' is that I am less affected by alcohol and other narcotics than I once was. Or maybe that's a disadvantage! I'm not sure. Hah!"
"But if the rest of you desire to leave, I don't mind. I could use some rest myself."
After a rambunctious evening of celebration, the newly-minted Starfinders retreat to the Moons of Sleep for another night of rest. They wake up in stages the next morning, some more heavily effected by last night than others. No messages come pouring in from the Lorespire, however - it seems that the group may have another day off.
As Aureum arrives for breakfast, Diedre pulls her aside. The half-elf is clearly suffering the effects of the previous night as she looks around nervously.
"Hey, ummm ... I know was really drunk last night and I don't remember exactly what happened, but ... I'm pretty sure that I may have said something that I shouldn't have. I just wanted to ... er .. apologize if I said or did anything last night that made you uncomfortable."
She looks around at the others.
"I don't usually drink that much and ... I think I had fun, but part of me feels that ... that I crossed a line."
She turns to look up at Aureum's face again.
"So are we still good?"
Miraj goes shopping but ends up just getting a spotlight and a flashlight, just in case the lights go completely out. He saves his credits for things he wants but cannot yet afford.
As another morning is signaled by the brightening of the Station's artificial lighting, the newly-minted Starfinders find themselves once again breaking fast together in the common area of the Moons of Sleep. The hustle and bustle is no greater than it has been in previous mornings, but those in the group that are new to Station life are becoming accustomed to the hectic pace of Absalomian life.
A small chorus of chirps, beeps, and hums signals a priority message to the group's comm units:
<<Good morning, Starfinders. Two items for you - firstly, I have assigned a new recruit to your team. She is both skilled and dedicated, but I understand that her knowledge of Pact Worlds culture and the common tongue is limited. I would like you to mentor this potential Starfinder for a short amount of time and provide your opinions on her applicability as an agent. I have sent her instructions to find you at the Moons of Sleep. I understand that she goes by the name 'Lauren'.
Second item - it is my understanding that you will receive an assignment today through a third party. I know I don't need to impress upon you that you represent the Society in all that you say and do. Best of luck. - Chiskisk>>
Looking around the lobby of the moons of sleep, Lauren walks up to the counter, unsure of herself, but eager to succeed. Her tentacles still ache a bit from last nights race with her Kalo room-mate, adding to her nervous energy. She fumbles around at the counter until landing on a small metal head of some sort with a button on the top. Confused, she touches the button to the sound of a loud Ding! which causes her to bounce in her skin a bit.
"ဤသည်အများဆုံးစိတ်ဝင်စားဖွယ်ဖြစ်ပါသည်," She says, mostly to herself.
Looking around, she adds, "Uh, hallo? I am...looking for Starfinder.
"Are you Lauren?" Diedre calls out. "If so, then we're the Starfinders that you're looking for."
In spite of the pounding in her head, Diedre smiles welcomingly at the newcomer. The half-elf is wearing cargo pants and a heavy duster over the top of a suit of second-skin.
"I'm Diedre," she says holding out a hand with confidence.
Lauren rises to her full seven-foot height and cocks her bell to the right, saying, "Yes. Lauren," and points to herself with her left tentacle. The scyphozoan is wearing unusual clothing that is translucent and wildly patterned in multiple bright colors over her own second-skin armor.
Remembering herself, she points back and responds, "Diedre... Happy to greet you," and mirrors the hand-holding-out with a bit less confidence and her tentacle in lieu of hand.
Diedre takes the tentacle in hand gently.
"I've never met a Scyphozoan before," she says cheerfully. "This is Miraj, Jehir, Entiren, and that's Aureum," she continues, indicating the rest of the group.
She gives the tentacle a slight squeeze and then releases it.
"So, what's your skill set?" Diedre asks in a casual tone.
A slender human male approaches the table. He wears the same clothes that Miraj usually wears, the overcoat, hat, dark pants, white shirt, and sturdy, practical boots, carrying a cane. But his face is pasty white, his hair red and hanging down from the back side of his hat in a not very attractive mullet. He stares at Diedre for a moment, waiting for her to notice him, at which point he says, in a distinctive Triaxian accent, "Vat's cooking, good looking?"
It should be fairly obvious to everyone that Miraj is trying out his recently acquired holoskin. His facial features still look fairly similar and so even without the other props, it should be easy enough to see through the disguise. He taps a button on his comm unit, now strapped to his wrist, and the holoskin deactivates and his appearance returns to normal, with his long feathery ear fronds, his dark Summerborn Ryphorian skin tone, and sparse curly light grey hair.
Harder to notice, perhaps, he now has Alice, his pistol, holstered in his quick release armor upgrade, allowing him to draw the pistol with just a shake of his forearm while flexing his hand to prepare to have the weapon ejected into his waiting grip. He demonstrates if no one is watching them closely.
Miraj stands and when he thinks the scyphozoan is looking at him, he bows slightly, waves, and says, "Welcome Lauren. My name is Miraj." He then stands politely while others introduce themselves, observing the strange creature and trying not to betray any of his misgivings about how she is going to work out. But he keeps an open mind.
Entiren will not to the new arrival when Diedre introduces him. "Greeting, Lauren. It is good to have you join us. Are you hungry? If so, I can attest to the fact that the food her is quite good." He says the last bit while pulling up a suitable chair for the new arrival.
Lauren folds her ambulatory tentacles on the proffered chair and raises/lowers herself until she is roughly the same height as the rest of the group. She looks the group over and says, "I meet few of your kind...kinds? as well. So many... differences in shape and some pattern. Is take some adjustments."
She bows her bell at each of the other members of the group in turn and adds, "I am a rock-mage," holding up her comm unit as if it were a holy talisman, "And I am much hungry. Is algae... green here?"
"Tell us about your home world und vat lured or drove you so far from home?"
In return, if asked, Miraj will tell about Triaxus, dragons, and the strange seasons of his home world.
Lauren raises and lowers her bell at Miraj in a gesture reminiscent of looking someone over and responds, "Primoria is different than here. Water and land are mixed. We live in both. My people all have same-ness of shape, but... differences in patterns. Our homes and... machines... breath? live? grow? The lands are full of mycelar and the sky full of meat butterflies. I come from place where land and water meet. City of Tarinth. I find rock machines like this... wonder. Is what I do." She holds up her comm unit again, and gestures to some electricians tools dangling from her backpack.
"Tell me all of Tri - asus? Dragons seem... Dangerous, no?"
As the Starfinders greet their newest member, a humanoid figure quietly enters the bar and walks towards their table. Clad in an environmental suit, the figure's face is entirely obscured by a mirror-like visor. Although such outfits aren't rare on the Station (as not all sentients can tolerate the station's atmosphere), they are not especially common.
Without a word, the figure places a thick, marbled envelope on the table and walks away. Across the rich, multi-toned front of the envelope lies the words "Jahanet'ai et alia" in flowing, cobalt-blue lettering.
Your presence is kindly requested for a meeting at 1000 today, Arodus the 20th, year 317 after Gap, at 13 Embassy Row.
I hope to discuss a task of both some urgency and a moderate amount of delicacy. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
- His Excellency, Gevalarsk Nor, Ambassador for the Eternal Conclave
DC 10+ Culture check:
DC 15+ Culture check:
"Tell me all of Tri - asus? Dragons seem... Dangerous, no?"
"Yes," Miraj responds decisively, "Very dangerous. Not just because zey can breath fire or acid or electricity und are huge, strong, vith many vays to kill. Zey are intelligent und zey live long lives und take very long views on vat zey hope to accomplish. I know first hand how treacherous zey can be."
'The stories I could tell,' Miraj thinks to himself after saying this.
"Not all dragons are evil, of course," Miraj added. "Zey are like humans und most other species, some are good, some neutral, some evil. But zey always seek power and ve all know vat power can do to the best people."
Carefully examining the envelope, Entiren will look around the table as he opens the thick package. Opening it, he removes the inside paper and quickly reads it as Miraj continues speaking. Eyes widening slightly as he finishes, he sets the paper onto a clear section of the table. "I think that we now know who that third party that Chiskisk mentioned happens to be. It appears that we are being hired by the Ambassador to Eox. Do any of you recognize their name?"
Diedre reads over the letter.
"Wow," Diedre says in astonishment. "I read a news feed about this guy Gevalarsk Nor. He's like the seniormost diplomat from Eox here on Absalom. He's a real high roller. He wants to talk to us?"
She frowns.
"Someone's either really looking to get something done without attracting a lot of attention. Or someone's looking for someone else to be caught holding the bag."
She looks at Jehir.
"I--I was thinking the same thing. I mean, that I did something, not that you," she composes herself, taking a breath to gather her thoughts. "Of course we're good. I'm not used to partying and dancing and all that, but you're fun and interesting and pretty and we're friends and I enjoyed myself."
She smiles, and winces slightly as she sits down to breakfast, resting her pounding head in her hand. "Lets skip the drinks next time we hang out though."
-----
Aureum smiles and greets the newcomer as Diedre introduces her, and listens with interest as Lauren and Miraj discuss their home planets.
"Ambassador of Eox? What would they want Starfinders for? What have they found?" the Lashunta ponders as she reads the letter, turning it over in her hands as if it will sate her curiousity. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Carefully examining the envelope, Entiren will look around the table as he opens the thick package.
Jehir eyes the envelope warily.
Well, it isn't the gold ink that my... patron uses. And it's not the same name, but the name from before could be an alias. I wonder if it is connected? It seems like it must be.
"Yes, I believe I have heard the name somewhere."
He looks back at Deirdre.
"I can't say I know what he wants, but the Bone Sages are not to be trifled with. They may be Pact Worlds citizens, but they consider themselves far above ordinary mortals. And they have the power to prove it. But they do honour their bargains... usually. They are not swindlers."
"I don't think I can dodge this one... I was on Eox for some time, and no doubt I am known to these people. But if any of you are not interested, I can probably make excuses for you."
Jehir gets up and gets ready to leave.
"But if you are coming, I suggest we go at once. You don't want to keep these people waiting."
"Of course we're good. I'm not used to partying and dancing and all that, but you're fun and interesting and pretty and we're friends and I enjoyed myself."
"Cool, I'm glad you ... It's good we're ... cool," Diedre manages.
Smooth.
She smiles, and winces slightly as she sits down to breakfast, resting her pounding head in her hand. "Lets skip the drinks next time we hang out though."
"Good idea. My head will thank me," Diedre says, sitting down as well.
... pretty ...
Diedre has a hard time keeping the warm sensation she feels in her middle from coming out on her face.
Get a hold of yourself, Dee. Lots of people have told you you're pretty. Hells, you get fifty posts a day on your site professing undying adoration.
She looks up at the attractive Lashunta across the table.
Why's it different when she says it?
~~~~~~
"Ok, but give me a moment. I want to get the rest of my gear," Diedre says, rising from the table and grabbing a pastry. "Undead scare the crap outta me and there's no way I'm going without at least a little hardware."
To the group, Lauren bounces a little, saying, "Am..bass..ador? I do not know this word. I take from actions this is important?"
Then, pausing for a second adds, "I came ready for mission." and stands up ready to leave.
With a couple hours to kill, the Starfinders (and their new intern) can take the time they need to gather their belongings and make for the Eoxian embassy.
A short hovertrain ride later, the group finds themselves in the "Eye" of the Station, an enormous transparent dome filled with open sky and soaked in sunlight. With time to spare, they take the scenic route through Jatembe park, enjoying lush gardens, picturesque water features, and well manicured lawns. Although the mighty Plenara, the capitol building of the Pact Worlds, rises at one end of the park, the Starfinders head instead for the Parkside neighborhood, which is populated with a collection of well-maintained government buildings and embassies.
The Eoxian embassy is not difficult to find. An imposing, catacombic structure of limestone stairs and black marble columns with disconcertingly organic flourishes, it sits in an architectural category all its own. The main entryway lurks atop a sloping staircase and under an imposing marble cornice, guarded by a pair of ghouls in heavy armor polished to a dark gray shine.
Lauren waits patiently at the main entryway, eager to follow the other's lead.
Miraj finishes his last bite from breakfast as he spends a short time on his comm unit, researching what might be known about proper etiquette when visiting the Eoxian embassy.
Miraj doesn't say much as the group passes through the sights of the diplomatic district. He is uneasy about interacting with the walking dead, even if they are members of the pact worlds and part of the diverse peoples of the system.
Jehir's story was still resonating in his imagination. He was still coming to grips with the implications of someone who has died many times and still is sentient and on top of that, an exceptionally pleasant and capable fellow Starfinder.
At some point along the trip from the Moons of Sleep, Entiren will concentrate slightly as he forged a small telepathic bond between Jehir and himself. Waiting until there are relatively few people around the group, he turns uses this bond to send a message to Jehir. I feel that I should apologize for opening your letter. A slight delay as he has to think through the next sentence. It was quite rude of me to just open it. Another pause. I sincerely apologize. Should I keep this connection going inside?
Entiren has nothing else to do particularly, except maybe purshase/put on more formal clothing.
Aureum deems her 'everyday' clothes (comfortable, practical canvas pants and a soft top in muted blue) decent enough to meet the ambassador, but she does take a moment to put her second skin on underneath.
The tall Lashunta doesn't seem particularly moved by the subject of undeath one way or another. She even seems in good spirits as the group makes it's way towards the Eoxian embassy, commenting on the architectural differences in all the planetary embassies, and pointing out landmarks and museums she wants to visit in the future; clearly, she is thrilled to be among peers, and anxious to resume her life of exploration and discovery after what feels like an eternity.
Diedre has added her tactical sword, grenades and her new pistol to her carried equipment.
She seems happy to listen to Aureum's discussion of the features of the location having never really been anywhere but Cordana.
As the Starfinders approach the embassy's door, one of the guards holds out a shriveled hand.
"The embassy is not open to the public. Official diplomatic business only."
One glimpse of the ambassador's invitation, however, changes the ghoul's tune, and it short order the group is being escorted through the building by a pair of sharply-dressed skeletons. The inside of the embassy continues the sepulchral themes of the exterior, and the mix of vaulted ceilings and disconcerting organic details give the impression of crawling through the carcass of a great beast, despite the building's immaculate and well-lit passageways.
After a few twists and turns, the silent skeletal escort brings the party to a large set of double doors, which open to reveal the office of Ambassador Nor - a spare but well-appointed room that feels something like an ancient mausoleum. The ambassador looks up from his desk and gestures to six chairs placed before him.
Gevalarsk Nor is clearly undead - his skeletal countenance displays no scrap of flesh, and an eerie light burns in his otherwise empty eye sockets. Once the Starfinders make themselves comfortable, he addresses the group.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I’m certain you’re aware of the recent interest in the prospecting ship Acreon and the asteroid being referred to as the ‘Drift Rock,’ and I believe you’re also acquainted with the dispute between Astral Extractions and the Hardscrabble Collective over both the ship and the asteroid. Both parties are currently awaiting legal arbitration, but the wheels of justice often turn quite slowly. As a result, I have offered my services as a mediator in hopes of finding a solution that is equitable to both factions.
"The first step in this, of course, is learning the specifics of the opposing claims. Reports of your recent endeavors in dealing with some of Absalom Station’s most notorious gangs have led me to believe that you might be useful in this undertaking as well. You’re new to the station, you seem to possess a wide range of skills and abilities, and you certainly appear capable. In short, you’re perfectly positioned as a neutral third party that could cut through all of the red tape surrounding this issue and get to the heart of the matter.
"I would like you to go to the Acreon. I would like you to find out precisely what happened to its crew. I would like you to ascertain the value of its asteroid cargo, as well as determine whether this Drift Rock is truly as ‘mysterious’ as the media claims.
"Do you consider yourselves competent enough to complete these tasks?"
Diedre grins.
"I like questions like that," she says. "They seem straightforward, but they're really not."
The half-elf steps forward, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Just looking at the surface, the question sounds like you want to now if we're capable. But you're not an uninformed plebe, you're the head ambassador. There's no way you could hold a rank like that without having your hands on almost whatever information you wanted. So if you really want the job accomplished, you would know we're capable otherwise you would never have contacted us."
She cocks her head sideways with a knowing grin.
"Or, you're looking for a group to be the fall-guy for something and you don't give a flip about whether we're competent or not. Of course we have no way of knowing which it is."
"So the question is really rather are we confident in our abilities."
She looks around at the group and then back at the Ambassador.
"Speaking for myself, absolutely."
The envoy giggles.
"Of course, I wouldn't be what I am without a healthy and slightly over-sized ego."
She holds up her hand with her fingers held just scant millimeters apart.
"Just slightly over-sized."
She clears her throat and her tone turns serious.
"My question would be, is the pay in line with our abilities?"
"This is like home. Though still too dry." Lauren comments as they are led through the building.
As the ambassador speaks, Lauren bobs her bell up and down, a sign that she is actively listening with respect. She listens actively to Diedre as well, impressed with her grasp of a language that she finds quite difficult to master in spite of her efforts. She completely missed the double meaning in the question as posed. While the two of them speak, she makes mental notes of the phrasing and new words, finding 'ego' to be especially interesting.
"My question would be, is the pay in line with our abilities?"
"I believe the remuneration is quite generous." Nor steeples his fingers, no emotion showing in his ethereal eyes. "600 credits to each member of your party, paid upon completion of the aforementioned tasks and return to Absalom Station."
Having no real experience in negotiating this kind of work, Diedre looks around at the rest of the group hoping for some confirmation that the amount is acceptable.