Fwurg

[Aosen]

Mister Oasen is glad that Lady Susri is such an excellent talking partner and he seems intrigued by her knowledge and skills.

"Lady Susri, could you tell me a little more about yourself."

[Veolian Commonwealth]

"Of course, but let's make it interesting. You get to ask a question, and then I will ask one of you. I won't be offended by what you ask, otherwise this is no fun.", she replied as they danced.

"Go ahead, ask me anything."

[Dana Lantria Asillion]

Now it was Dana's turn to be amused.

"That's quite the assumption you're making, your highness." She moved slightly away from the empress.

"Do I look like a woman who would seduce a teenage girl?"

[Empress Saret Neferti]

((OOC: To be fair, both Dana and the other woman were introduced in the thread as 'young woman', but yeah age is difficult for Hemet Veolians =D))

"Oh, you misunderstand", the empress looked at Dana, "My remark about the dangers of experience as a teacher are in no way related to your intentions, whatever they might be. It's just, to take someone apparently so young and unexperienced to a high-profile gathering like this... You must trust her a lot. If she says the wrong thing, or unknowingly insults a foreign dignitary it's your career on the line. And hers of course."

The empress looked at Dana for a moment, as if guessing. "I always find it difficult to determine someone's age based on their looks. Regardless of her actual age, I'm much more interested in why you pose that question as if that would be wrong of you?", the empress' expresion had turned quizzical as she realized the tone of Dana's question.

[Aosen]

It seems to merchant Aosen that this could become quite interesting evening.

"Lady Susri what is your occupation/job?"

[Veolian Commonwealth]

"My, what a formal question.", she replied with a smile as she could hear the 'or' pronounced by Aosen as if it were a slash on a form. "I am the baroness of Gānva, a district on the outskirts of Mehanat."

"My turn. How did you get your job as merchant representing the whole of the Hiocan Society?"

[Dana Lantria Asillion]

((OOC: You're right. I imagined Dana just looks young for her age. And whether 19 is a 'woman' or not is debatable.))

"Well technically nothing. We're both adults and my other girlfriends won't mind." Dana said, shrugging her shoulders. "However she is just nineteen. I just wouldn't be comfortable with a girl younger then my little brother."

She cast a glance to the girl, who was currently dancing with an older Astrian gentleman.

"Besides she's smart enough to think before she says anything and I gave her some instructions. She'll be fine.

That is unless somebody tries something. But that surely won't happen." Dana added in a dismissive tone.

"Does veolian etiquette have some special way to deal with such situations?"

[Aosen]

"My interest in other worlds. I have traveled outside the Hiocan Society and experienced various cultures, that was the decisive factor for me getting the job.

How does the baroness of Gānva end up on an closing ball of the G-22 Galactic Economy Summit ?"

[Veolian Commonwealth]

"I received an invitation from a diplomat attached to the delegation of Deominius, and he in turn received my name from the imperial family. I must say that I had not expected to be invited. It is usually the younger ladies that get invited to decorate the arms of diplomats."

"Is it uncommon for a Hiocan to have an interest in other worlds?"

[Empress Saret Neferti]

The empress let out a soft chuckle as Dana told her about being uncomfortable with someone younger than her brother.

"That is a complicated matter", the empress said in an almost apologetic tone. "Suffice it to say that you are right, that surely won't happen. She is a member of a foreign diplomatic delegation."

The empress took another sip of drink.

"I am curious. What exactly is the origin of your outfit? Is there a specific significance to the wearing of both pants and a skirt?"

[Aosen]

"The organisation has put great effort in this closing ball and I am sure they wanted the diplomats to have skillfull partner.

It is not uncommon to have interest in other worlds but none had crossed half the Bozzy spine before the Hiocan Society joined the Union.

What a your hobbies, Lady Susri?"

[Veolian Commonwealth]

"I immensely enjoy gardening. There is a calm and subtle form of pleasure in seeing a garden change and react to your work over the years. It is very satisfying to see your work, living and adapting, while still flowing through the planned growth and patterns over the decades; I can heartily recommend taking up the hobby."

"What are yours, mister Aosen?"

[Dana Lantria Asillion]

"It's a modern design. Only traditional clothing gets attention like that. So no there is no significance to it.

I wasn't even looking for it. I was just getting a new suit tailored, when I saw this outfit. It was a fresh look on design and highly original.

Funny thing. I walked in planning to buy a business suit. I walked out having bought the entire business." Dana took another sip of her champaign, laughing at the memory.

"I had my doubts, if buying it then and there was the right choice. Turns out the Bluethread Group's main competitor tried to buy it the next day, so I guess it was. Have you ever had such an experience, your highness?"

[Empress Saret Neferti]

"I must say I never had the experience of buying, or wanting to buy, a tailoring business. Most things I want are not for sale, and the things that were I have bought already."

"To be honest, I do not even understand why you would buy a tailoring business. Surely such things are below someone of your means? Then again, if your main competitor was interested in it for some unfathomable reason you might as well buy it just because they want it."

[Aosen]

"With my long business trips I leave the gardening to my wife. Lady Susri, you might find it interesting that the Hiocan Society has two very diferent planets. Where Hio is vulcanic and hot, Erau is the opposite with big jungles and a lot of rain. "

"I play Kal-toh, it is what you could call in Galactic basic Hiocan Chess. It helps to order the mind and I am participate in a semi-professional league. Furthermore, I enjoy dancing. Listening to the music, move your and your partners bodies to match the rhythm and move in perfect harmony is very relaxing."

"What is the name of your husband and what does he do, Lady Susri?"

[Veolian Commonwealth]

"Well, lord Susri of course.", lady Susri chuckled a little. "He is the count of Gānva-Ksetra, which is the larger area of Gānva and its surrounding boroughs."

"And that were two questions, merchant."

"How many children do you have? Does your culture allow for having mutliple wives?"

[Aosen]

"So you are both in control of quite some area."

"I have one son. In the Hiocan Society there are no rules about the number of wives, but most have one wives/soulmate and some have changing one or more partners.

Is there in the Veolian Commonwealth a limit on this?

[Veolian Commonwealth]

Lady Susri seemed a little surprised that Aosen has only one child. But she doesn't ask any further on the topic.

"There are no legal limitations, but there are some practical limitations one should consider. It wouldn't do to have multiple wives and not satisfy them, not producing any offspring after ten years is a legal reason for divorce after all."

"What do you think of our world, merchant?"

[Aosen]

It seemed to merchant Aosen that heritage and offspring was very important in the Veolian Commonwealth.

"It is quite impressive. You have a very large population, but you are able to handle it and have a good infrastructure but also keep it green and lively.

Have you traveled abroad Lady Susri?"

[Dana Lantria Asillion]

Dana smiled.

"I sensed an opportunity. I never waste an opportunity and it has worked out very well for me.

Besides I don't consider myself above anyone. I wasn't born rich. And unlike my younger siblings I can actually remember a time when we needed to think before we bought."

Dana's expression became more serious.

"I earned the right to walk amongst the rich and powerful. By large and small gains. Besides quantity over quality. A lot of small payments can net you more than one large one."

[Empress Saret Neferti]

"I had not though you to be a tailor, that is all.", the empress replied with a smile. "In my experience, it is best to leave such businesses in the hands of those that are most qualified."

The empress took a sip of champaign, only now noticing that her glass was nearly empty. She handed her glass to a nearby servant, and turns her attention to Dana again.

"Shall I have the pleasure of dancing with you?", she says as she holds out a hand.

[Veolian Commonwealth]

"Not as much as you, I am afraid. I have been to Unity a few times. My duties tend to require my presence, making extended travel difficult."

"How did the Hiocan homeworld fare under the recent war?", lady Susri asked with a little worry in her voice.

[Aosen]

Merchant Aosen is surprised by the concern and curiosity of Lady Susri.

"During the war the Mandalorians cut off our trade fleets. This had quite some impact on our economy and we had to build extra factories to handle our trade excess.

Our worlds were not invaded as we were able to finish the Planetary defense grids just in time to fight them off. The Union and faction fleets had a big fight in our sector and as you know they were defeated. "

Merchant Aosen takes a look around in see what else is going on and how his wife is doing.

"I heard that the coming of the Twi'leks from the Slave Rebellion caused quite some disturbance on Mirda. How are your experiences on this?"

[Veolian Commonwealth]

Aosen spots the veolian empress speaking with an astrian woman. There are also several other foreign dignitaries talking and dancing.

"I imagine it is difficult to be forced to flee from your world and end up on a world with a very different culture. But to say that the Twi'leks are causing a disturbance would be very harsh. As I see it, only a small group is making a lot of noise. After all, there are about 1 billion twi'lek on Mirda, if the Twi'lek were causing a disturbance we wouldn't be dancing here is we would be in a civil war.

I have not experienced much of the troubles, but there is only a twi'lek population in Gānva, so maybe the hardliners have little traction there."

[Dana Lantria Asillion]

"I'd be delighted." Dana said as she took the hand offered to her.

As the Empress led her to the dance floor she handed her half empty glass to a passing servant. Once they reached the dance floor Dana took lead, pulling the Empress just slightly closer then was required. Perhaps even a little to close to be formal, but she still maintained enough distance to be polite and appropriate.

The Empress would find out Dana was an exceptionally good dancer.

"I'm not a tailor, I'm a business owner and an investor. Having a large variety of holdings ensures my income and owning those holdings allow me to maximize that income. As I'm sure you know, your highness, money doesn't grow by itself."