Summary: Ayesha travels to Chronopolis, still trying to fix the economic crisis, and meets betrayal.

 

 

It is late in the evening, well past sunset, when Ayesha enters the Infinite Spiral wearing heavy robes over her armor. A small skyship brought her here, but not her personal yatch, she is visiting the city secretly. This visit, unfortunately, wouldn’t be approved by the devout members of the Dynasty. Five years ago, she would probably have disapproved, too. But times change, or rather, old beliefs are being proven incorrect. At least, she hopes so!

 

Once you are conducted to her office, Pleasing Sweet Viper smiles broadly and reaches out to shake your hand. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Pleasing Sweet Viper. I'm afraid I don't know much about you, but I imagine you know a bit about me. In either case, I hope we can have a good dialogue about this." The supernaturally beautiful woman conducts you to a seat, and sits down at her desk, briefly tapping at something on a magitech datapad.

 

Ayesha bows at entering, but then she takes the offered hand and shakes it gently. “The pleasure is mine, Lady Pleasing Sweet Viper. I have... heard about you, but rumors are unreliable.” Ayesha has a cultured voice, with faint southern accent. She speaks very formally, too. “I found Lord Chronos pleasant enough and it is a shame he has chosen to retire to devote all his time to the crafts. Then again, sometimes I wish I could do the same.”

 

Pleasing Sweet Viper smiles at you. "I believe it's for both of our benefits, really. What have you heard about me? And I suppose I should ask that you tell me about yourself as well, just so we're on even footing by that point." She sets her stylus aside.

 

Ayesha arches an eyebrow in mild disbelief. “Very well. I am a merchant and trader. I came to the East four years ago, with a fortune and a company I inherited from my grandfather. Ever since I have expanded greatly my trade network. My base of operations is Greyfalls, I am the owner of the Red Swans atelier manse and main shareholder of Saltwater skyship shipyards. Among other business ventures.”

 

Pleasing Sweet Viper nods, smiling. "Well, I'm the ruler of this small city, and work to advance our interests as best I can. There isn't really much more to say, so let's get down to brass tacks. What do you want to negotiate? Your appointment was vague about the exact subject, I'm afraid."

 

“Ah, that it was.” Ayesha sighs, pulling a... vast amount of scrolls and folders from a bag hidden under her robes. “Your city has quickly become an industrial center rivalling Nexus in produce. Few places can compete with the quality and quantity of the produces you manufacture here, and the markets are saturated in several areas, prices are plummeting, and the economies of several some cities are being destroyed.” She has detailed chars here, very detailed! “I have negotiated with several members of the Consortium, but they claim they are basically middle-men, they can not control or influence the city industry and their job is merely distributing the products for the greatest benefit. The East economy is very fragile right now, it could collapse if we are not careful.”

 

Pleasing Sweet Viper nods, merely listening to you for as long as you speak. "I haven't been informed of such, but what are you suggesting be done with regards to it? Though I thank you for the compliment to this cities abilities, surely we're not that large of a player yet." She waits for you to continue.

 

Ayesha tilts her head, trying to assess how serious is Viper. “I believe you are, my lady. I have a fair grasp of the economic situation of the region. Nexus industrial output was funnelled thought the Guild and reached all corners of Creation. But the Guild is splintered, and with the Civil War in the Realm, many markets have become unreachable or no longer exist.”

 

Pleasing Sweet Viper nods. "Very well then. So what seems to be the problem? Doing economically well is certainly a positive, but I'm sure we're just doing relatively well given the troubles facing other economic centers. I'm not quite sure what you're getting at." She pauses for a moment. "Ayesha, do you adhere to the tenets of the Immaculate Faith?"

 

Ayesha frowns faintly, perhaps to the question or maybe because of the familiarity Viper used. “Oh, Chronopolis is doing very well. But if you allow other regions to be ruined and economies collapse, you are damaging your future gains. Sometimes it is better to sacrifice immediate benefits for more long term gains. I am sure you know this.”

 

Pleasing Sweet Viper nods. "So again, what are you suggesting? You certainly seem to know where you're going with this. I would like to know as well. I don't see Chronopolis damaging other regions, and the economies should stabilize, we're not advancing quickly enough that they can't adapt."

 

“I can show you the numbers and you can verify them,” offers Ayesha calmly. “As for solutions, I have a few ideas. One would be to control better the industrial output, another to find new markets able to absorb the products. Perhaps investing in a mega-caravan and travelling northwards, to the northern independent cities and the Hashlanti League. Although you would have to make a deal with the Bull and perhaps the Linowan.”

 

Viper smiles at you, almost too widely. "Well Ayesha, those are all very good solutions. How would this affect Chronopolis though? Surely we'd suffer a bit. Cutting growth is one thing, but putting our resources into something as taxable and attackable as a caravan or cutting growth enough to actually matter is a problem. Surely you can see that?"

 

“Oh, of course, the mega-caravans are enormously profitable, but it takes years to reap the benefits.” Admits Ayesha, “fortunately with the collapse of the economy there are many excellent mercenary companies accepting simple jobs for barely profitable margins. There is another option too,” she hesitates, “there is a very interesting potentially very profitable market I wish to explore. With the backing of Chronopolis it would be much easier.”

 

Pleasing Sweet Viper nods. "Would you want yourself to be associated with an openly Solar locale? It seems it would be detrimental to your business to have Immaculate monks poking through everything." She smiles and waits for your response.

 

“That is correct,” admits Ayesha, “but I feel I have no choice but take the risk. If they find out and complain, it has been their failure as guardians of peace and moral which has brought the Realm to collapse and ultimately they as responsible for the current crisis as the greedy Guild merchants and the egoistical House elders.”

 

Pleasing Sweet Viper looks concerned. "But, what could they do to you? Certainly they'd take you into their custody, which I hear is none too pleasant. I would not want to push you into a position like that. How bad do you believe it will be for you? I need to know if I need to help set precautions."

 

“I can take care of myself,” replies Ayesha, “please, do not try to interfere in Dynastic politics. It will get you killed very, very quickly. You are easy to ignore here, the Houses are concentrating in the Civil War, but hundreds of Dynasts have come to the East and they are angry and itching for a fight. I am doing my best to direct that anger toward constructive purposes, but the situation is very tense.”

 

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "Activating Judge's ear Technique, and then Courtier's eye Technique on you, all out of peripheral motes. So may anima goes off."

 (Judge) Pleasing Sweet Viper rolls Perception + Investigation: [ 2 3 3 5 7 7 8 8 <10> ]

        Resulting in 6 successes.

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "ooh, nice"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "so, I successfully used Courtier's eye technique on you pg 214 of the core book"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "She's gathering info on you and making sure she gets the truth :P"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "these are investigation charms"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Resource 5, Allies 4, Command 5 (yes, she commands a legion), influence 3, multiple Contacts at 5, she... well, I am not sure how many people works directly or indirectly for her. Hundreds of thousands, probably."

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "and Judge's Ear technique let's me know if you're lying or telling half-truths!"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "I do have to end this scene here soon, though. What allies in the immediate vicinity?"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Her employees in the ship, not really allies"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "So no allies in the immediate vicinity, gotcha!"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "none you would have to worry, at least immediately"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Are you going to attack me?"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "Nope, unless Ayesha tries to!"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Okay then."

 

Pleasing Sweet Viper nods as her anima flares. "Well, I'm sorry to say, but I would prefer Chronopolis be the dominant presence on the economic market. There is only one way I could see us making a partnership. You fulfilling a few specific requests of mine in exchange for a me deleting the recording of this meeting." She shows you on her datapad. Clear and crisp audio and visual recordings of the entire conversation, up until Viper's blatantly Solar anima flare. "This will be seeing several recipients barring a few favors from you. First off, the immaculate order. I wonder how difficult it will be for you to do business when you have the taint of Anathema about you. Sure, you could deny your relationship as nothing more than trickery from my end, but then you've proven you're under the sway of the Unclean, and clearly must be examined and treated as such. Second, your rivals in Greyfalls. Once this becomes public knowledge, they will no doubt exploit it like they would any other scandal. Word of mouth helps it get around, and there's certainly many creative ways such information could be used. Third, you may wish to annul tensions in the Realm, but who would listen to someone who associates so readily with Anathema? Do business with you? Trust you in any action you advise? So, I most humbly suggest that you take a few actions on my behalf, and we can certainly enter a business deal." Viper's grin is rather sharp, her Lunar mate in the corner of the room looks on with interest at you.

 

Ayesha’s eyes widen briefly. “You are a fool.” She stand up gracefully. “I believe this conversation has lost all interest for me. Have a pleasant evening.” The well-wishing was a lie, the rest is not. She believes Viper a fool, and she has lost all interest in more talking with her. She just heads for the door and leaves the room.

 

 

 

Aftermath OOC chat. Skip if bored by these things.

 

-= OOC =- Verumipra peeks in, "alright to watch?"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "The scene is ending. Unless Viper does something to try to fix her blackmail attempt."

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "You really didn't seem to want to be blackmailed, I could have not done it. So, you're escorted safely to your ship by Golden Legionnaires, and the scene is done."

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "Oooh, blackmail."

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Nah, if this is how Viper conducts business I don't see any reason why she wouldn't try to do it with Ayesha :)"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "have a +recc, Ayesha!"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "oh, right!"

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "Viper alone with a established DB, how brazen ;)"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "hehe"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "In the Spiral, and she had a lunar in the room!"

ooc :is not violent, though.

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha is not violent, though.

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "Well, now I have to start distributing the tape!"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "oh, then I have to start sending assassins"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "I think Wages first :)"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "Aww :P"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Hey, my brotherhood is strong!"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "I don't think I can actually make this thing hand out a video anyway, it's an artifact attached to the manse, I'm pretty sure I'd have to send the artifact itself to anyone I wanted to see it"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "So no actual IC trouble for you, just 2 hours of a scene with nothing accomplished :P"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "even longer, I think"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Good roleplay is a goal in itself (also, +reccs!)"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "Alrighty, thank you"

You have added a recommendation for Pleasing Sweet Viper

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Also, I am kinda impressed :)"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "It's kinda funny, Viper wouldn't actually have done much even if you had agreed to her terms"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "With what? My willingness to invite assassin's? :P"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Sometimes playing true to the character leads to less RP. Alas, it also deserves more credit!"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Ayesha is very proud."

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "Aha :)"

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "She had a lunar in the room eh?"

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "Which one?"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "My mate, Davon Timinus"

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "Really, I think I'm in the OOC room..."

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "I figure you could be mentioned as being around"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "unless Davon would leave Viper without his protection! :("

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "If you are going to use me to brow beat people, ask first next time. Ayesha do you mind if you don't know he is publicly a lunar?"

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "As I had no idea this was happening?"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "I didn't, just mentioning you in the room!"

ooc Hrm, sure. I don't know him at all, and he could be disguised (he could also be a disguised ninja!)

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Hrm, sure. I don't know him at all, and he could be disguised (the ‘lunar’ could also be a disguised ninja!)"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "instead of a lunar"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "I should have used man in the room, not lunar, sorry Davon"

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "Its okay, but I'm not a public anathema, just ask next time is all is all."

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "sorry!"

-= OOC =- Verumipra says, "I'm sorry if I barged in on your scene I can dip out if you wish?"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "We're done, and you're fine"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "So, oh well, is Ayesha going to try and kill me?"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "only if I hear nasty rumors about me!"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "Alrighty"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "then... wow, I dunno, embargoing Chronopolis might be a disaster."

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "half tempted for Viper to try and browbeat you into her terms, but eh"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "I'm going to go now :)"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Telling Chronos and Ord might be a better option"

-= OOC =- Ragara Ayesha says, "Oh, okay. Laters!"

-= OOC =- Pleasing Sweet Viper says, "seeya"