Fwurg

[Lady Daphne]

After waiting a while, Daphne decided to ask out the chancellor Dewa Lanadi to make good on her promise, by offering an invitation to a pool party which happened to be a recurring event in one of Union city's many nightclubs that Lady Daphne frequented. The venue of this particular party happened to be the Aqua Cantina.

A daylife pool party typically creates an entirely different atmosphere than your average evening at a nightclub, but this concept combines the two, bringing the daylife vibe of pool side lounging, with the pulsating music and high-energy sensation of nightlife. An after-dark soiree like this is sure to be a highlight of the season. Over the years the event had won in popularity, which resulted in a rather steep price for the tickets and gave the party, and its attendees, a certain prestige.

In addition to an exceptional selection of DJ's and music, VIP cabana’s and bottle service make this night top-notch.It is arguably becoming one of the largest, and most luxurious venues in Union City. The venue holds a capacity of over 5000 people, the outdoor area maxing out somewhere around 3000.

There’s no dress code for this particular event, guests are encouraged to break out their best swim wear for a dip in the pool. Lockers are available to store personal belongings. If you’re looking to switch things up, take a dive into Night Swim, you wont regret it.

The invitation included a ticket along with a small personal note which stated that transportation had been arranged with the Chancellor's aid.

[Lady Daphne]

Just before the agreed upon time, a rather extravagant entourage of several exclusive cars drove up to the Chancellor residence. While Daphne remained in the car, several aids step out to allow for the Chancellor and any aides that might accompany her to step in.

For the occasion Lady Daphne had clearly decided not to cut back on expenses, something she hardly ever did anyway, but instead she opted to go all out. The blue evening gown she had picked seemed to fit her perfectly and matched well with both the colour of her hair and her jewellery.

After the Chancellor had found a comfortable seat and had been offered a refreshment, Daphne felt this was good time to inquire about the Chancellor's day.

"I'm pleased that you have been so kind to accept my invitation duchess," she started, " I have been looking forward to this opportunity to get to known you better and I felt this pool party offered just the right setting to do so. As you may have heard, this party is one of the most exclusive in the whole of Union City"

She then paused to pick up two richly decorated wooden boxes and handed them to the Chancellor.

"I've also taken the liberty to have some of my favourite designers make custom jewellery, which I'm happy to present to you as a small gift. I do hope you like them."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

As the motorcade comes to a stop, the chancellor walks out of her residence followed by several servants and bodyguards.

Her white dress was cut to a perfect fit, and seemed to be made from a very smooth fabric that appears to be very white even in the dim lighting of Unity. She wore two tasteful, yet understated pieces of jewelry. As she gets in the luxury vehicle, lady Daphne sees that the chancellor's necklace is not holding a gemstone but somehow captures a large droplet of water that smoothly rests against the chancellor's blue skin.

One of her aides entered the vehicle as well, and made sure to sit a little away from the two ladies. The other servants and the two bodyguards enter another vehicles that smoothly joins the motorcade.

"I have been looking forward to a moment to relax and forget the duties of chancellor for a while.", the chancellor looked the sundarian noblewomen in the eyes, "I am very much looking forward to getting to know you better as well. It has been a while since I went to such an intriguing party, let alone in such company."

The veolian noblewoman accepted the gifts, and made a clear effort to examine the pieces.

"They are lovely, I am sure that they will go well with some of my more formal outfits.", Lanadi replies before handing the two boxes to her aide. Until now, the veolian had made sure not to address lady Daphne by name, waiting to see how the sundarian would address her.

"I must say that I was somewhat surprised by your gift of a while ago. Pleasantly surprised, but surprised nonetheless. It was an interesting gesture...", she let the sentence hang, inviting the sundarian woman to elaborate if she wishes.

[Lady Daphne]

"I'm pleased that you like them" Daphne said as the Duchess commented on the jewelry, "If you wish, I could provide you with the contact information of the designers. I'm sure they'd be willing to make you some more, and for a reasonable fee."

She then shifted her position slightly as the motorcade started off to their destination.

"Yes," Daphne replied to the Chancellor's implicit question, "I thought that they would make for a suitable gift, and one to start off our ... relationship on a good grounds. I felt that having a friend within the Commonwealth's higher circles would be useful as there are several aspects of your culture that intrigue me. It's also good for business, but I wouldn't trouble you with that tonight.."

Lady Daphne's aides had pick up on her queue and handed the Chancellor's aid a handwritten note, which contained a drafted proposal for the terraformation of Morrigna:

Dear Lanadi,

I would like for you to consider the following offer with regards to the terraforming of Morrigna, which we would like to develop to her full potential. By our calculation this would require just shy of 11.000 . For the total project I am prepared to pay 30.000 in advance upon acceptance of this arrangement, and further 20.000 during the project.

Yours sincerely,
Dapne

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

The chancellor's aide smoothly accepts the note, and pockets it to hand it to Lanadi at a later moment. To this aide, being well-versed in the whole business of "aiding", a later moment means that Lanadi will have read the note before the end of the night.


"I appreciate that", Lanadi replies, "I have had quite enough of business for today."

"One would think that your assignment as part of Mr. Pendra's retinue and diplomatic staff on Mirda would have offered you plenty of opportunities to collect friends at court", she states with a playful tone.

"It makes me wonder... Why seek my friendship, instead of that of someone more involved in court life on Mirda?"

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

As Lady Daphne seems distracted by something, Lanadi decides that she would like a drink -- and signalled as much to one of the aides.

((OOC: Are you still there?))

[Lady Daphne]

As Daphne thoughts drifted a bit towards home instead of her life on Mirda, she looked out of the window to see the city's sites rather then to respond to Lanadi's question directly.

"I have found that," Daphne eventually responded after she had recollected her thoughts, "while the court life on Mirda is exciting, I find it difficult to adjust. Here on Union it is a bit easier. Besides there are certain people of the Veolian delegation here on Union that I would like to get to know better.."

She then focused a bit more on Lanadi as she got into why specifically she had opted to befriend the Chancellor.

"You for example. You have been able to make quite a name for yourself within the Senate and as Chancellor, rather soon after you were appointed the new Senator for the Commonwealth. I would call that not only ambitious but also a good choice for a career, much like I am looking to improve my own position, as well as my families, with rather ambitious projects. And yet there is an other side to all this work and effort and that is the need for relaxation and relationships, charity and compassion for those less fortunate or with lesser opportunities in life..."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

"I agree that relaxation and relationships are important. Yet not everyone shares the same definition of what constitutes such things."

Dewa Lanadi accepted the drink she was given by the aide.

"For example, I find that some things that are seen are part of a healthy friendship on Mirda are seen as something entirely on Unity. It really is quitte vexing, as such cultural differences can make navigating the social landscape challenging beyond even the intricacies of the Union's bureaucracy."

Fortunately, the commonwealth's culture seems to have had a significant impact on some parts of Unity city, thought more in aesthetics than in behaviour. Still, it's a start."

She takes a sip.

"So, lady Daphne, I heard a rumour that you and the empress once crossed paths. Is it true that her majesty is acquainted with you?"

[Lady Daphne]

"I would not go as far as to say that we are acquainted. She advised our current Ambassador to the Commonwealth, mister Pendra, on ladies suitable for his retinue. Afterwards I have had the pleasure of attending several events on Mirda, some in high society suitable enough for the Empress to attend. We might have crossed paths there."

Meanwhile the motorcade arrived at the Aqua Cantina, with the line in front of the entrance extending for the better part of a block. Judging the people in the line however, it was unlikely that all of them would get in. So were obviously there just as a ways of a day out, hoping to catch a hint of excitement and later gossip.

"Well..." Daphne said, seeing the line, "Looks like there quite a turnout tonight. I guess it was to be expected."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

Lanadi smiled.

"Might it be that word of your evening plans has accidentally leaked? I'm reasonably sure I see some paparazzi hanging around there..."

[Lady Daphne]

"No nothing like that,"

Daphna replied with a hint of pleasure,

"Though I don't mind the attention of the media, or better yet, attention in general. It's one the main events in the scene, so I guess one might expect for the media to go crazy on this."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

"Well, if you are interested in attention, I am sure that we will be able to find a way to satisfy that need", Lanadi replied back with a innocuous smile.

When Lady Daphne looks away for a moment, Lanadi's aide hands her the small note. As Daphne turns her attention back to Lanadi, the chancellor smoothly puts the note in her purse, intent on reading it at the earliest possible opportunity.

"Would you mind if I finish my drink before we get out?", Lanadi asks after taking another sip. "I rather like the taste of this drink, and it gives you a moment to determine what kind of media attention you would like to elicit from the press outside.", the way the chancellor pronounced that last part produced the impression that there were multiple ways she would be happy to help feed the rumour mill.

((OOC: I'm currently a bit conflicted as to the best way to handle the terraformation note and the knowledge it contains (given the pending turn reports' contents the ordering of events is rather relevant given forum quantum time). To make sure that there is not strange cross-reasoning going on I'm going to leave it unread for now, and simply state that I am OOCly aware of the note but ICly Lanadi is not yet aware of the note's contents.

If you OOCly think that it is useful for the message to be read before other knowledge becomes available, please indicate so quickly; And maybe have Daphne turn away her attention for a moment or two, so that Lanadi can read the message without being rude ^_^))

[Lady Daphne]

"Oh not all," Daphne replied,

"In fact, I think I'll step out and give you a moment. I quite like being in the spotlight, and I am well known in this scene. But I can imagine that you are perhaps less fond of media exposure given your work. Join me in a bit? "

And with that Lady Daphne and her company stepped out of the car and made their way towards to red carpet and the flashing lights of photographers hoping to catch the best possible shots of the evening. Given that Lady Daphne was well known in the scene and quite keen on 'sharing', she was more than happy to draw the attention of the camera's and give a short interview, providing the chancellor the opportunity either join her a little later or sneak in, mostly unseen.

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

"Thank you", the chancellor replied to the offer of drawing the attention of the media, "I'll join you inside in a moment."

After lady Daphne got out of the hovercar the chancellor takes a moment to read the note. Those still in the car could read clear surprise from her expression. "Well, this is going to be an interesting evening", she said to her aide before getting out of the car.

As lady Daphne was the center of attention the chancellor simply walked past the press — she was quite adept at not drawing attention to herself when not needed. She entered the club before lady Daphne did. Inside, she noticed she was still holding on to the note, and handed it back to her aide.

She spent the short period that Daphne was still outside by looking at the advertisements the club featured in the foyer. When lady Daphne entered, the chancellor let her lead the way.

[Lady Daphne]

With the Chancellor making her way into the club quietly, Daphne waited a few moments for the fotographers and reporters to finish up before heading in as well, and meeting up with the Chancellor in the foyer.

"Have you been here before?" She asked, clearly a bit more nervous "I know I have, but than again, I guess it is difficult to get a feel of the nightscene for someone with your position... "

Exiting the foyer into the main lounge of the Cantina, Lady Daphne and the Chancellor were greeted by the noise of a party that was well underway. Most of the guests were busy enough to not notice everyone that came in, though not all. Nor did the waiter, who was clearly surprised once he noticed precisely who he had the privilege of welcoming and offering a drink.

Lady Daphne gladly accepted the drink, lest it be to calm her nervous a bit as she glanced around.
"Would you like to stay in first or make for the rooftop, and the pool, straight away?"

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

The chancellor notices that Lady Daphne is a tad nervous, and decides that staying inside would be better for now.

"Not really, I haven't had the time to go clubbing yet."

The chancellor accepts the offered drink, mostly for show.

"I suggest we stay in first. Since you know this club much better than I do, maybe you can find us somewhere where we can have some privacy while still enjoying the club?", the chancellor let Lady Daphne lead the way.

[Lady Daphne]

"Gladly, "The Lady Daphne responded with a smile, "I would prefer the inside for now as well."

And with that Daphne led the way towards one of several luxurious suites, as expected for a club of this standing, which offered guests the comfort of a more private surrounding. It also featured one way glass so that the guests could still enjoy the party, away from prying eyes. With Daphne being a more frequent and gladly seen guest, she had managed to secure the largest one the club had to offer, complete with private staff and a few musicians.

"I'm fortunate enough to have been offered this suite, so I figured I'd take it for tonight. We should still be able to enjoy the party from here."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

A little impressed, not by the suite itself but by the fact that Lady Daphne managed to arrange a private suite of this size in a high-end club on Unity, the chancellor looks around the suite. She takes notice the one-way glass, and spots the set of comfortable couches that offer a view of the ongoing party. With the suite being higher up, the large bent corner window offered a great view of the party-goers below.

After taking in the room to her satisfaction, the chancellor looks at lady Daphne with a roguish smile.

"I suppose we can make do with it", she stated playfully. The fact that she was actually impressed was clearly readable from her expression.

She walks towards the window, spending a moment to look at the party through the window, before she sits down on the corner-couch near the small table. From here, she oversees most of the room and the only entrance — she knows her security team would be standing outside the suite, but old habits die hard.

She nods to the empty place next to her and waits for lady Daphne to sit down as well.

Putting her drink down on the little table, Lanadi turns to look at lady Daphne.

"So tell me, lady Daphne, what made you so nervous just now?", the chancellor asked coyly, referring to just downstairs where lady Daphne was clearly more than a little nervous.

((OOC: I took the liberty of designing a suite ^_^))

[Lady Daphne]

"I'm pleased you like it."

Daphne was glad the Chancellor was clearly impressed with the suite and settled in a bit more comfortably besides her.

"Well," She started to explain, "normally I don't mind getting attention. But perhaps with you here, I was a bit worried that it might just be a bit too much. And I kind of expected a bit more of a bumper crowd to greet us, fortunately that wasn't the case. Not that I mind being seen with you.."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

"It helps that nobody knew we were coming here... Otherwise there'd probably be much more of a crowd."

The chancellor picks up her glass, and takes a sip before putting the glass on the table again.

"Would there be any reason to mind being seen with me?", the chancellor asks with a gentle tone, "Something to do with relations and their appearance in Sundarian culture perhaps?"

[Lady Daphne]

"Of course not,"

Daphne said as she answered the Chancellor's first question while taking a sip of her drink.

"I consider you a friend. And someone who doesn't want to be seen with friends has no business in proper society."

She then continued to answer the second question.

"But as for the cultural aspects, I have a mind not really care for anyone's old fashioned opinions anyway. I believe it kinda of runs within my family, and certainly with those open minded enough to sent one of their daughters to be part of the retinue of our Ambassador to the Veolian Commonwealth. Why should we, as properly educated women, be unable to conduct the business usually done by men?

Furthermore, would you consider it to be a coincidence the our Senators to the Union, have thus far been women as well? I think not."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

The chancellor pays close attention to the way lady Daphne explains the situation, and makes note of her posture and expression at several points during her answer. She picks up her glass from the table.

"Good. I consider you a friend as well.", she says with a smile before she downs the rest of her drink — a contrast with her earlier sipping.

"Because some business is simply boring?", she counters the question about properly educated women with a sly smile.

The chancellor places her empty glass back in a deliberate manner.

"Though I must say, some business is altogether too interesting to ignore. That little note your aide passed along so discretely for example", the chancellor turns on the couch to face lady Daphne, ending up sitting comfortably with her legs a bit slanted, "The one where you propose a discount of one-and-a-half tax per terraformation module in combination with using only my given name..."

The chancellor leans forward a little, looking into lady Daphne's eyes.

"Both the use of only my given name, and such steep discounts, are reserved for good friends", the intonation of the word 'good' made it clear that the chancellor meant to say 'intimate', "Would you like to discuss such an arrangement, lady Daphne?"

The chancellor keeps her eyes locked onto lady Daphne's. Her expression shows that she is intrigued, and betrays hints of loneliness and attraction.

[Lady Daphne]

Daphne put her drink back down, seeming to have lost interest in it now that she was sure have the Chancellors attention, just like she wanted.

"Yes..." was most all she said in response to the Lanadi's avances, " I would like that..".

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

"I would expect such a friend to be there for me whenever I ask her to... And to accompany me to social functions that would otherwise be lonely."

The chancellor moves a little closer to lady Daphne.

"I would ask such a true friend to be there for me only, and not see others or put others before me", she takes lady Daphne's hand in her hand, "I have little time for myself, and would wish to spent it in perfect company."

"Could you be such a friend?", the chancellor asks sincerely.

[Lady Daphne]

"Well... " Daphne said as she too moved in closer, "You know I like the occasional party, and I certainly don't back down from a change to catch a spotlight or two. Besides I'd consider it a privilige to go as your.. companion."

She then continued to comment on the second part of the Chancellor's proposition,

"I also believe that exclusivity wouldn't be something that would cause inconvinience for me. Certainly not for my family, I'll make sure that my father understands the benefits of such an arrangement. I would however consider it a personal favour if you would make a similar commitment, at least publicly."