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Angela	It's getting real busy at Trideag Headquarters lately. Even after dealing with San's visit and the Welcome Back Mars celebration, there's consistently a group of people just sort of hanging around right outside Trideag's territory waiting to hear back on their applications to Trideag or, frankly, just because Trideag is getting a reputation of being safe territory in District 12. Joanna, The Silver Flash, an old pirate with silver hair, and a silver leg, is playing cards with Weather Report, a Distortion with a head that expresses her mood through the sort of weather-based iconography one might expect from, well, a Weather Report. "Lass, if you keep changing your head every time you get your cards, you're never gonna be able to bluff me." Joanna suggests. "Nooo I'm not ready to give up!" Weather Report snipes back. "Deal again!" But they aren't the only ones. But today there's a second set of visitors who are new to the District and, just by appearances, seem to have their own goal in mind. The one leading them from the front is also the most striking. He is a man with a clearly prosthetic head that is wholly rectangle and instead of a proper face, he has a video screen that has a big near-emoticon style face on it (those who remember My Shy Look might note a similarity). Right now the face is a big :) face on the video screen. He is wearing a suit, a tie, slacks, dress shoes, and is carrying a cane in one hand and a briefcase in the other. Behind him is a young goth woman with her hair hanging over her eyes, wearing a black buttoned overcoat the sleeves of which overtake the ength of her arms, some black stockings, and black heeled dress shoes. She is also carrying a briefcase. And there's a man with an earing in an ear with the sides of his hair shaved. He is also wearing a suit though he isn't carrying a briefcase and there's a coat over his shoulders that evokes a cape. In contrast to the square-headed man's smile, his clear subordinates seem morose and sullen.
Angela	"Make way, make way, official Wing business." The square headed man sees Joanna and turns into a >:E face. "Ugh you reek of booze and not the good stuff. Come on no Association's going to hire you, there's plenty of ditches for you to hang out in. Gross." He jumps away as if he's afraid he'll get something stuck to his shoe and then twirls the cane around happily even as Dart and Nonon who are pulling guard duty today approach. "Hark, well-to-do Fixer!" Dart shouts. "Do you have an appointment, my good sir?" "Yeah where's your papers?" Nonon asks as Joanna and Weather Report return to their game. The face becomes a :( face. "Oh no... my papers... Why didn't I remember papers--" And then immediately it snaps back to a smilng face again. "Oh wait! Here you go!" He opens up his briefcase, shoving a stack of papers nearly the size of Nonon's head into Nonon's arms. Nonon flips through them. She isn't a contract lawyer or anything like that but even she sees one stipulation in particular, written in bold ink no doubt so even someone like Nonon would see it. "Whaa? THAT much enkephalin if L Corp falls?" Nonon sputters. "Who are you people?" "We're the Cane Office, large guard woman! And I happen to be Nemo, its president, and these two are more employees Martina and Bada and we are here on behalf of W Corp and perhaps even get some business done on T Corp today? Wonderful wonderful now shove off!" The Cane Office pushes past them, Martina and Bada glumly apologizing on behalf of their boss while following after him like whipped dogs.
Riku Asakura	Inside Trideag, in one of the bunkrooms, lay Riku.  He was still resting and getting treatment for his wounds after the assault on the Library.  He was getting some well-needed rest before the hubbub of the three figures came to shake Trideag awake with activity.  He only got to hear the part with Nonon as he stepped out of the room and walked down the stairs to see the three figures.   "What's going on..?" He asks, hearing the mention of papers and his business.  "Oh, you must be here to see the Director?" He asks the man with the screen face.  Riku corrects his limp, trying to hide his injuries as best he can, despite the bandages on his body.   "I don't know where she is. Do you have an appointment with her?" he asks, curious if they even bothered to schedule in advance or if they just decided to drop in unannounced.
Madeleine Cadrasteia	Madeleine isn't actually on duty at Trideag right now - she's on break, playing cards (badly) with Joanna and Weather Report and chattering intermittently with Nonon and Dart between poker hands. When a man with a television head arrives, Madeleine glances at Weather Report for her reaction in case this guy's another Distortion.     "Make way, make way, official Wing business."     "Oh, good," Maddie mutters under her breath. Guess break time might be over.     "Ugh you reek of booze and not the good stuff. Come on no Association's going to hire you, there's plenty of ditches for you to hang out in. Gross."     "Hey man, alcohol is alcohol," Maddie jumps in to defend Joanna, her tone sharp. "Are you getting paid by the word, or what?"     "Wonderful wonderful now shove off!"     Madeleine grumbles and walks up to Nemo's underlings, following them into the building in expectation of trouble. "Nice coat," she mutters to the goth girl, perfectly genuine in tone."
Timekeeper	In absence of any contracts for her to do, Sonetto keeps showing up at Trideag to practice, partially, but also to gradually ingratiate herself into the work of the support staff, for seemingly no reason besides her own enrichment. Her industrious meddling takes her all around Trideag's grounds, from helping out with groundskeeping and gardening for the greenery on campus, to filing or running messages, providing directions to visitors, and so on-- all work that she could, and in fact certainly does, do at the Foundation, but seems to consider it a 'vacation' to come here and do more of it.     This is the circumstance that Sonetto is in when Cane Office arrives, carting a hand truck of someone else's supplies to someone else's office because they seemed overwhelmed with the amount of work they had to do and she offered to help. The general scattering of Distortions like Weather Report and prosthetics like Nemo's aren't something she's accustomed to yet, even with the obvious comparison of Awakened on her world, so she's eyeing Weather Report's card game out of the corner of her vision while rolling across the room when Nemo comes in. Seeing his lack of proper greeting, either on his part or on Trideag's, she hesitates before carefully placing her hand truck against the wall and making her way over. "We're the Cane Office, large guard woman!"     "Greetings and good afternoon, Nemo from Cane Office. I am Sonetto, a Grade 9 Fixer here." Sonetto tugs at the edge of her skirt with one hand to suggest a shallow curtsy, holding papers to her chest with the other. Today, unlike usual, she's wearing large circle-rimmed glasses, with either no or very mild prescription.     "Would you be able to state your business here clearly and precisely? I would be happy to assist you with finding your way around the Trideag Association Headquarters if that is possible."
Timespace Riders	Woz and Sougo aren't currently on guard duty. In fact, both are on their way up to the ground floor from the lower floors.      "Sire," says Woz, side-by-side with Sougo in the elevator, "Have you spoken with the Director yet about the... particulars of your arrangement with T Corp?"     "Not yet," admits the would-be Demon King. "Actually, it seems like she's been pretty busy. I'll do it soon. In the mean time... could you see if anyone from T Corp is going to reach out? I don't want to be taken off guard again."      "Of course, my Demon King," says Woz, cracking open his mysterious book and poring through the pages. He stops in his tracks after not too many turns. "Hm... according to this book, someone from a 'Cane Office' is visiting imminently on Wing business, which may include T Corp."      Sougo sighs wearily. "Man... I hope it's got nothing to do with me. Can you go let Lilian know they're here, at least?"      "Yes, sire," says Woz, with a little bow at the waist. When the elevator dings, only Sougo is in it. His faithful retainer reappears elsewhere, with a message for Lilian:      "Hail to you, Director, and pardon my interruption," says the somewhat unusual time traveler, with a bow at the waist made before his scarf has returned to its status as a mundane garment. He rises with his characteristic stately frown--it's usually either that, the catty smile or the contemptuous scowl anyway--"Guests from the Cane Office have arrived on Wing business. I believe by now, they should have just presented proof in writing, dismissed and brushed past Nonon. Rather brusquely, I might add."
Odette Raskins	After realizing she'd missed quite a bit going on, Odette's made sure to show up bright and early at Trideag HQ today! It's a good day to arrive early, too, as there's a few signs that something else might be going on. The first sign that something's different today is seeing all those hopeful applicants outside. She's used to seeing a few people hanging around normally, but not quite like those outside. The second sign comes later in the day, after she's already settled in and gotten some work in. She's still not quite comfortable enough with the training sword just yet, but at least she's finally managed to stop being scared of swinging it. Odette has just finished putting her gear back, too, when she sees some people from the Cane Office just kind of powering their way inside. Martina and Bada do get a slightly sympathetic look from ODette as she shuffles over to join everyone up at the front. "Good afternoon! W-welcome to Trideag Headquarters. Do you have... Er." Wait. Riku's already covered appointments,  Sonetto's already asked why the Cane Office is here, and Madeleine's covered complimenting at least one of the trio.  The EMT pauses to think for a moment about what else she could try and help with, and then... "Do you have any business cards we could show to.. Er. Whoever? That might help smooth a few things out...?" She half-asks and half-suggests, smiling politely and somewhat wearily. It makes sense in her own head, at least, although she doesn't actually elaborate on why out loud.
Sarracenia	Sarracenia is mostly recovered already thanks to her green mushrooms, so she has been spending her free time improving her swordplay when she isn't talking with Joanna and Weather Report. She's quite happy to have the two pirates as potential co-workers. Sarra has also been offering Riku said green mushrooms to help with his recovery.      When the Cane Office arrives, the princess is in her Trideag workout gear. A breezy white top and striped black and green leggings along with a short black skirt and pointed black boots. Hearing that they are being visited by some president of a Wing, the princess pulls a red overcoat out of her purse and slips it on for modesty's sake before she joins the group. She frowns at the rather rude entrance. Between what was said to Joanna and Nonon being told to shove off, Sarra has already decided she does not like this odd TV-faced man.      She steps into his way as he tries to shove past everyone, arms crossed, and blocks the way deeper into Trideag. Forcibly if needed. "Greetings, President Nemo. I am Princess Sarracenia Sundew, Crown Princess of the Sundew Kingdom, Grade 6 Fixer of Trideag. And, while I understand that you have business to attend to, I would think a president of your station could practice proper decorum when entering an ally's keep. If you would wait a moment I am sure we could arrange a proper meeting area for you."
Lilian Rook	Honestly, as much as a washed-up Colour is sort of the perfect demographic for Trídéag to target, but Lilian has complicated feelings about hiring anyone who'd more or less betray Rita (and Matilda), so 'the Silver Flash' can fucking wait. There's already more than enough to do right now, and so Lilian fully intends to get around to the surprise personnel crush 'when she feels like it'. The Hana Association's new batch of Grade assignments is already plenty enough to go over today, and blocking Sarracenia from getting a (frankly somewhat deserved this time) promotion was the morning agenda, while the afternoon agenda is going to be--     'Hail to you, Director, and pardon my interruption,'     This, apparently. Lilian sighs on contact, and even someone less canny than Woz would understand without asking that it doesn't have to do with his intrusion.     'Guests from the Cane Office have arrived on Wing business. I believe by now, they should have just presented proof in writing, dismissed and brushed past Nonon. Rather brusquely, I might add.'     "What a disasterful name." Lilian monotones, setting aside her folders and gesturing for a secretary to come and take them. "No doubt appropriate, for disasteful people with distasteful behaviour, on distasteful business for a distasteful master. I wouldn't bother with a betting pool." she says. Grabbing her coat from its resting spot in the back of the tenth floor break room, Lilian quickly smooths herself down, adjusts her hair by her reflection in the unpowered TV, and says, "Thank you Woz. You may return to your duties." in under a minute.     . . . . . . . .     'Greetings and good afternoon, Nemo from Cane Office. I am Sonetto, a Grade 9 Fixer here.'     "Not anymore. You've been promoted, as of today." Lilian says, getting down her favourite out of nowhere presentation; already marching ahead, responding to the conversation like she'd been there the whole time. "You needn't worry about seeing to these people. It seems as if they're just on an errand." Lilian is already so transparent about the fact that her eyes are on the ensemble's suits, disapproving for strange and unknowable reasons. "Nonon, please put those papers away. The records department-- no, just find administrative staff with tier-3 or higher access and hand it to them, please. I'm afraid you'll drop them like that."     Finally, Lilian turns her gaze on Nemo. Despite the fact that she doesn't seem to particularly relish his presence, there's something . . . off. About how she looks at him. As if the nature of her gaze, in general, were overall different. It's the type of thing that, for the very attentive sort of socialite, is hard to put your finger on, but undeniably bothersome once you see it.     "Out of curiosity, is there any reason in particular that Warp Corporation saw fit to contract an Office such as yours for this? District Twelve is certainly a mess, but it's hardly that dangerous. I suppose I should consider it the paranoia of excessively sheltered men, should I?"
Angela	''I don't know where she is. Do you have an appointment with her?'' "Buddy! We're living in the fast lane here. W Corp delivers people from one side of The City to the other side in ten seconds, if I tell 'em I gotta join the three month waiting list, they'll find some rude guy to handle their business! You're lucky sweet ol' Nemo is here to handle the Contract!" ''Are you getting paid by the word, or what?'' "Oh hello there, blind lady. I'm afraid that alcohol is not alcohol, that is why there even is the idea of the 'cheap stuff' to begin with! Since you cannot see the labels, don't beat yourself up over it!" Nemo says before admitting, "By the hour my good ma'am." He reaches into his coat pocket and hands Madeleine a ten thousand ahn bill. "This is what we call money, you can use it to try the good stuff and perhaps be inspired to make something of yourself, lift yourself up by your bootstraps and all that yes yes I know it's not real but with advancements in City technology, who knows?" Joanna waves a hand at Madeleine, telling her to not worry about it. At least not on her behalf, but he isn't following into the Trideag building. She is, after all, fucking waiting. Odette asks for business cards and Nemo snaps a finger at Bada who approaches her and hands her a business card showing the Cane Office Logo (a briefcase with a pair of canes forming an X) along with a phone number and website. ''I am Princess Sarracenia Sundew'' "Oh! It's the lady who specializes in stepping in front of lasers. Keep up the good work, princess." Nemo says, though the way he says princess doesn't quite get the capital letter. "You're doing great, showing those lasers what for. But a proper meeting area? Sounds great!" ''I am Sonetto, a grade 9 Fixer here. Would you be able to state your business here clearly and precisely?'' "Oh you're doing great! Yes thank you, Sonetto. Love the name, and the style--I can get you a great deal on ocular augments if you want them, but keep the glasses. Looking good!" And he's even about to answer her when Lilian arrives, explaining Sonetto has already received a promotion. ''Nice coat'' "Thanks." Martina says, just as genuinely, to Madeleine. Her voice is hoarse and wispy like a ghost has to haunt the voice store for a while before letting it out for the night. "I like your eyes." Nonon rushes forward and offers Lilian the papers. "Um it does look like Wing business but I can't make heads or tails of these papers, haha. No clue why they're here! Grats Sonetto, by the way!" Weather Report's weather has changed to cloudy since Nemo's arrival, though Joanna is paying it no mind. The card game seems to be poker and judging by the bottlecaps they are using as currency, she's losing handedly. She waves at Sonetto with her hand upon raelizing she's being observed but the situation is rapidly moving away from her. Martina and Bada start moving around the Trideag courtyard, writing down things like 'NE building' followed by a ~ and then large numbers in ahn currency. Nemo places his hands together. His face changes back to his sadface as he says, "Ah wonderful timing. I was just about to explain our business to your protege here. You see, Cane Office has a reputation of tough but fair contract negotiations--normally a Wing might approach the Oufi Association to handle negotiations but they can be a bit, haha, tempermental! And we have a long history of working with T Corp and W Corp--why, we even helped establish with the post Smoke War Wing negotiations after Lobotomy Corp was establsihed, so you see we have an appropriate pedigree!"
Angela	"As for why we are here." Nemo says. "As evidenced by the papers your very impressively large bodyguard, Lobotomy Corp had made a deal with W Corp in the event of its dissolution that it would receive its Enkephalin reserves. And Timetrack just let them take it! Oh R Corp put up a good fight but the L Corp negotiator pointed out that if L Corp fell that meant that R Corp wasn't exactly doing its job properly which, well, may have been a screwjob those poor bastards." "So." Nemo fluidly swaps back to happy again. "There is the little fact that Trideag is now the biggest guzzler of Enkephalin in District 12 right now. Which means it's W Corp money you're spending!" Bada, more ehxaling than speaking, points towards the monument with the Trideag Code inscribed on it. "How much should I put down that for?" "Leave it, you jerk! An Association's gotta have a code! We're being gentle neighbors here, gentle! We're not animals!" Nemo snipes back. You can practically hear the steam in his ears though he has no ears. Bada's eyes don't seem to believe him but he scrawls a blank line on his pad. Nemo turns his head back to Lilian. "Now no charges are going to be filed of course, this is merely a matter of assets and as my clients I am giving the best representation I can according to their wishes but as you can no doubt tell, our clients are in a hurry! My poor clients! So we are prepared to accept alternative recompense for what is owed our client." He jerks his head at his minions and they start making their way into the lobby, muttering apologies.
Riku Asakura	"Sure, I understand, but at least calling ahead might have been more appropriate..." he says in protest to Nemo, though it's when he goes to insult Madeline that he puffs up.  He's about to say something when Sarracenia steps up and with her Sonetto.  He backs down, getting a place for them to go to is a good idea, even with the bad attitude from Nemo.   Then Lilian appears and seems to take things into control, which mellows out Riku.  He also hears about Sonetto's promotion, to which he grins at her and speaks softly.  "Congratulations, Sonetto!"  His smile is genuine and warm, actually honest to goodness, proud of her accomplishment.  "I'm still grade nine," he admits, but seems unworried about it! As the matter of business is being put down, Riku frowns as this starts turning into guys from a REPO agency rather than what they said they were.  He frowns. This seems like something done to try to rope them into something else.  Another big job from a Wing of the city, which would only be trouble.   "So what sort of job is it..?" He asks, still frowning at the blackmail happening.
Madeleine Cadrasteia	"Oh hello there, blind lady."     Madeleine is stunned by Nemo's assumption - she'd been looking right at him! It's a long enough stun for her to end up ten thousand ahn richer for it, even. She crumples the note into her pocket and doesn't even say 'thanks'.     "I like your eyes."     "Thanks," Madeleine echoes back, quiet enough to hopefully escape Nemo's notice. She follows Martina as the woman splits off from Nemo, watching her intently. "How do you put up with that creepazoid? Pay's just that good?" Nemo's clearly rubbed her the wrong way.     "There is the little fact that Trideag is now the biggest guzzler of Enkephalin in District 12 right now. Which means it's W Corp money you're spending!"     "Oh my god, what a *racket*," Madeleine exclaims. "If L Corp promised you the money, I think you should go to L Corp to get it, right? No such deal saying we gotta pay their debts." She points halfway across the district, toward the enormous tree of light in the former Nest.
Odette Raskins	Odette takes the business card from Bada gratefully, giving her another sympathetic smile. "Thanks. Er. Thank you! Oh, there's a website..." She's curious about that website just from seeing it printed there, but she doesn't get a a chance to bring it to Lilian before she arrives herself. Would this still be a good time to present? Maybe not, since she's right there and addressing the Cane Office trio already. Instead, Odette just pockets the business card for safe keeping and potential viewing later! "You've been promoted, as of today." Odette looks right over at Sonetto with a bright grin forming almost immediately, stopping just short of cheering right then and there. "Oh, congratulations...! Ah, We should do... Something. Later, though." She stage-whispers with a light giggle, then turns her attention back to Lilian as she addresses the Cane Office directly. It only takes a few sentences for her to take out her PDA and start taking notes. "Warp Corporation... Contracting... Cane Office. Mm." She doesn't audibly comment on anyone's paranoia, but Lilian's commment does get Odette to look away for a second. "Which means it's W Corp money you're spending!" "So we are prepared to accept alternative recompense for what is owed our client." The EMT sucks in a light breath through her teeth, then looks away again. It's moments like these that make her quite happy not to be in a position of authority like Lilian is, although she can already hazard a guess what Lilian's position might be on that. The temptation to speak up herself is still there, and she glances around a few times before noticing Nemo gesturing at Martina and Bada to head further in. "Oh! Did you want a tour around the building? I could show them around while you and Mister Nemo... Er. Hash things out here?" Odette suggests to Lilian, misreading the intent completely as she looks from Lilian to Martina and Bada. "We've got a lot to see around here, depending on where you wanted to start?"
Timespace Riders	Thank you Woz. You may return to your duties.     "And so I shall." Woz inclines his head respectfully towards Lilian. As she turns to leave, the distinctive flutter of his scarf is heard, and the break room is empty. Woz's duties would involve the assignment which he and Sougo have taken on. However, as this is not a time-sensitive matter...     He reappears with a platter of hors d'oeuvres. Specifically, Turkish meze--sliced ripe melon, stuffed artichoke bottoms, hot pepper paste with walnuts spread on crackers, and little cubes of beyaz peynir (a brined white cheese with a strongm rich taste) with olive oil glaze.     "Hail to you, Nemo of the Cane Office," says Woz. "Your reputation precedes you. I have heard it said you are no stranger to the finer things in life." Really, he just read what Nemo said about beer and money, and is cold-reading him here. "I am Woz, and I humbly invite you and your subordinates to enjoy our Association's hospitality."     He'd thought about just watching from afar, but this way, he has an excuse to stick close, which allows him to monitor what Bada and Martina are doing. No such deal saying we gotta pay their debts.     "Now, now," says Woz, further attempting to ingratiate himself to the office, "Our guests are only doing what they were hired to do. An investment was made; while the beneficiary may no longer be solvent, the funds don't simply disappear, as Nemo so elegantly implied."
Timekeeper	"Not anymore. You've been promoted, as of today."     "Ah? Hello, Director!" At her arrival, Sonetto swivels away from Nemo to face Lilian with a cheery nod. At the information, she mysteriously tilts her head with an uncertain look, then clenches her fist against her chest while holding her papers. "... I see. I was unaware. I will have to ensure that I am able to meet my own standards to accept this promotion as soon as possible, then."     In response to everyone else's congratulations, Sonetto dips her head, only somewhat pleased with herself. "Thank you. If we have a celebration, I would like it to be after I have completed a mission accessible to me for my higher rank, rather than for the sake of the rank itself." "Love the name, and the style--I can get you a great deal on ocular augments if you want them, but keep the glasses."     "Er-- thank you." Sonetto blinks bemusedly, politely having slid out of the way for Lilian to take forefront. Eternally in the role of assistant, Sonetto feels like she needs to be on standby for... something, though now that Lilian's here, it's not her business to ask exactly what. "Um it does look like Wing business but I can't make heads or tails of these papers, haha."     Sonetto stretches around to peek at the papers, adjusting her glasses with a finger. "This is a legal document, is it not? If so, then would it not be appropriate to discuss the contents and terms of the contract in detail so that both parties are on equal footing before beginning negotiations?" "There is the little fact that Trideag is now the biggest guzzler of Enkephalin in District 12 right now. Which means it's W Corp money you're spending!"     "Ah," Sonetto shakes her head, smiling pleasantly. This is all just a misunderstanding! "You see, there is a clear and rational reason for that. The Trideag Association is the central point of disaster relief and safeguarding for those affected by the tragedy that befell this area of the City some time ago, and so the energy is necessary. It is certainly possible to document the expenditure of the scarce supply of energy to ensure that it is being properly directed towards humanitarian ends, and surely your employers will receive such a thing as soon as it can be arranged." "So we are prepared to accept alternative recompense for what is owed our client."     "Which means...." Sonetto's smile gradually morphs into a frown. She looks around at Bada and Martina go around taking notes on clipboards-- something that should be among the most sacred of acts, but is here being turned to perverse ends!     Sonetto blinks, starting to get worked up as she shuffles back and forth. She racks her brain for alternatives, mouth opening several seconds before she starts to speak. "Er-- it is not appropriate to begin an audit of the Trideag Association's assets until a statement of debt and the accounts of its accruement have been properly drafted and sent through official channels!"}     Fussily, she circles around the courtyard as if she can pen Bada and Martina in through her pathing, warding them back with everything short of a warning growl. "I must insist that you produce your accreditation as appraisers before engaging in such behavior!"
Sarracenia	'Not anymore. You've been promoted, as of today.'      Sarra perks at the mention of promotion and she turns to Lilian expectantly...but nothing is said. Her expression goes flat. "...yes, congratulations, Sonetto." she says after Riku.      'Oh! It's the lady who specializes in stepping in front of lasers. Keep up the good work, princess. You're doing great, showing those lasers what for. But a proper meeting area? Sounds great!'      Sarra blinks a few times in surprise at the reply, then her expression goes even flatter. "I do not specialize in it. One instance hardly constitutes a specialization." she says with a huff. She watches the assistants go around writing down numbers. "...are you saying our facilities have been running on the energy that L-corp would have paid to W-corp? I find it hard to believe that Lilian or any of the other leaders at Trideag would leave a bill unpaid if we had received one."      'I must insist that you produce your accreditation as appraisers before engaging in such behavior!'      Sarra hmms, then nods. "I have to agree. And even if you are accredited, should it not be a neutral third party performing the appraisal? Otherwise, the numbers could be skewed unfairly." she says, then blinks. "Oh! Sonetto!" she says, turning to her. "I am not certain we have met in person before. I am Princess Sarracenia." She spares Sonetto the full introduction since she has given it already in the past few minutes.
Lilian Rook	'Oh hello there, blind lady. I'm afraid that alcohol is not alcohol, that is why there even is the idea of the 'cheap stuff' to begin with!'     'Oh! It's the lady who specializes in stepping in front of lasers. Keep up the good work, princess. You're doing great, showing those lasers what for.'     Aw man. Lilian kind of likes this guy now. He's kind of like an evil, talking, pet cat.     'And we have a long history of working with T Corp and W Corp--why, we even helped establish with the post Smoke War Wing negotiations after Lobotomy Corp was establsihed, so you see we have an appropriate pedigree!'     "I see." Lilian says, more gamely than before, but perhaps in that way of 'someone who knows a little too well how the implied game works'. "You go way back, is that so? How flattering to be a favoured instrument of no less than one of the Wings of the World." She adds, side-eyeing the other two, then coming right back to Nemo. "Ah, I do mean that, by the way. Consistency and discretion isn't easily shopped-for, much less from a 'one size fits all' outfit of that size. We all love being self-made, but nobody likes self-making; isn't that right?"     It's all very pleasantly conversational. She's having a strangely easy time of it, for her partner being a screenhead in a suit here. Perhaps it's because neither of them quite belong, actually? The City doesn't exactly produce gorgeous women who wear skirts anywhere except the upper reaches of Nest hierarchies.     'Oh R Corp put up a good fight but the L Corp negotiator pointed out that if L Corp fell that meant that R Corp wasn't exactly doing its job properly which, well, may have been a screwjob those poor bastards.'     Lilian snickers. It's oddly unsarcastic. "Oh that's just fascinating. Well, Ayin was hardly wrong on that count, but he really was quite a poor negotiator, wasn't he?" she says, hiding an impolite smirk behind the back of her gloved hand. "Fortunately for him, he was a hard worker; otherwise I'd dig up his grave and spit on him." Lilian says, airily as the lightest, most inconsequential thing.     'There is the little fact that Trideag is now the biggest guzzler of Enkephalin in District 12 right now. Which means it's W Corp money you're spending!'     "I see, I see. What an unpleasant surprise." Lilian sighs. She thinks nothing of the unease-inducing edge to her voice, nor does she compare her flirting with it to Nemo at all. "I suppose I'll have a wordd with my supplier; by the sounds of it, I've been had by a conwoman." she shrugs, scrunching her lips by quirk of 'how unpleasant, but I'm dealing with it'.     'How much should I put down that for?'     Lilian lets her hand down, and it falls smartly on the hilt of her sword.     'Leave it, you jerk! An Association's gotta have a code! We're being gentle neighbors here, gentle! We're not animals!'     Her arm slides so that just her elbow rests in the cross of the hilt and quillion instead; not too far.
Lilian Rook	'Now no charges are going to be filed of course, this is merely a matter of assets and as my clients'     "How relieving to hear. I'm aware that Warp Corporation is more or less the law in District Twenty-Two, so it'd be a huge pain to take them to court over it." Lilian says, waving away the thought, and not bothering to emphasize the fact that she'd said 'take them' instead of 'go', like a slip. She leans in; just a little bit; enough to be a bit flirtatiously conspiratorial, but not putting herself in Nemo's arms reach, cupping her hand to the side of her mouth. "Just between you and me, I've always been very fond of the tireless work of fine service workers, so I'd prefer to make your job as easy as possible. So, in recognition of what a gentleman you've been, I'll give you fair warning."     Lilian clears her throat, and then raises her voice, backhandedly expecting Bada to hear. "In lieu of Lobotomy Corporation's, well, continued existence, we have our own way of doing things around here. On my land, which I've developed, and that I guarantee certain things about, we follow my rules; which I assure you that you'll find very reasonable. As such, we have very specific ways of responding to people who go through the front doors of that building with unacceptable intent. All of that is to say: If your people walk into my lobby with those clipboards in their hands, I'll remove both pairs of them."     Leaning back out, Lilian straightens her posture, and casts her gaze back over her shoulder. "I'd hate for your honest work to reflect poorly on your client, so could you be a gentleman and keep them on a slightly tighter leash until I've had the opportunity to go through a little standard procedure with you." Reaching into her coat with the hand that isn't at rest in the vicinity of her weapon, Lilian produces an odd little business card, slotted between two fingers, brandishing it like a very important corporate flip phone. "I sympathize with the plight of your clients, so I'd truly regret going over your head and directly to them over something as pedestrian as a couple of unruly subordinates who were caught unaware of the local rules. It'd be a lot of trouble for everyone over very little."     The fact that Nemo directed them that way is smoothly glossed over. Between two superiors, everything should naturally be blamed on those lower down on the totem pole. That's how civility is kept.     "Regardless of your client's timetable, I'm certain even they wouldn't stoop to the deeply uncivilized level of handing an upstanding champion of order a stack of papers and making off like bandits before they can even be read. That would be the purview of fraudsters and lowlife criminals; the sort of activity that your employers are doubtlessly far above. I assure you that they'll be fully read, assessed, and filed, by the end of the workday tomorrow, so if you'd be so courteous to catch me up while that's being done: How much is Warp Corporation evaluating Enkephalin right now, what was its valuation the day before the collapse of Lobotomy Corporation, what were their top three preferred asks for compensation at the time you were issued this job, and how soon as they warmly expecting a return on their contract?"     Despite Nemo's horrible vibes, Lilian even manages to smile, saying brightly, "I'm certain that your Office can answer such easy questions as those, just as my Association can easily provide our receipts and accounting as far as Enkephalin usage goes, and, if we're able to work together on smooth and agreeable terms, I'd be happy to put you directly in contact with my Ekephalin supplier! I'm certain they'd be very pleased if you accomplished that much."
Lilian Rook	'Hail to you, Nemo of the Cane Office. Your reputation precedes you. I have heard it said you are no stranger to the finer things in life.'     Lilian claps one hand to the other, pleased. "Perfect timing, Woz. Let's all go to the conference rooms; that'd be in the adjoined building directly adjacent to the headquarters tower on-campus. It'd be far more convenient to speak there than where we have no end of onlookers whom this doesn't concern." She only begins walking at the vanguard once the other two Cane Office members have been recalled to her satisfaction; in the meantime or along the way, she snaps her fingers in Sonetto's direction.     "That's right. You're an expert on this sort of thing, aren't you? Would you be a dear and check over the bullet points so we can get to a productive discussion as soon as possible? " Looking back at Nemo, and the state of his head, she asks, "Do you take any particular pleasures? Alcohol? Smokes? I can have something more appropriate sent." She's not totally sure he . . . eats. Then, back to Sonetto. "You're quite right that it's only appropriate to do so prior to a negotiation; so that both sides can communicate clearly and cut down on wasted time. These kindly people are quite far out of their way already."     'I must insist that you produce your accreditation as appraisers before engaging in such behavior!'     Lilian shrugs, affected good-natured. "That'd be quite a help as well. Though Sonetto is a new Fixer, she's already quite experienced and well-connected in her field. I'd like you to get along with her if at all possible."     '...are you saying our facilities have been running on the energy that L-corp would have paid to W-corp? I find it hard to believe that Lilian or any of the other leaders at Trideag would leave a bill unpaid if we had received one.'     "Your ample faith in me is appreciated, Princess Sundew." Lilian says, breaking from form. "But we have indeed been utilizing enkephalin, provided in a timely manner by a certain middleman, to care for this many displaced citizens. It's important to pay attention to what the gentleman says; no charges have been pressed. I assume this is due to the fact that his employers are perfectly aware that, an organization unrelated to Lobotomy Corporation, the CEO and XO wouldn't exactly have explained anything about their business arrangements prior to their unfortunate demise."
Angela	''How do you keep up with that creepazoid? Pay's just that good?'' "Yeah..." Martina says. There seems to be a little more to it but she shuts her mouth rather than add whatever bit more she was considering. ''Oh my god, what a *racket*.'' "Yes yes. It's a racket, there's a racket, you're a racket. We're all playing racketball here. But Wings make the rules not Associations, doll." He looks at a passing faceless maid and whistles, impressed. "Wow someone's filming a horror flick over here, gotta get BongBong over here to scream delicately and fall off camera with their neck exposed. Dig the special effects, appreciate the titilation. The City public is so particular about art these days." ''I think you should go to L Corp to get it, right?'' Nemo places his hands to the side of his head getse sadfaced again. "No way! That's scary!" This might suggest another reason to work for that Martina didn't say. He's not the sort of person to lead his team into obvious death traps. At least not ''these'' two. No way Cane Office is only three people. ''Did you want a tour around the building?'' Bada seems surprised. "Oh yeah that'd make things a lot easier." He says. ''I have heard it said you are no stranger to the finer things in life. ... Our guests are just doing what they were hired to do.'' A new face appears on Nemo's screen. A XD face. "You got it buddy! I'm living a good life. But I don't skimp on payroll! You get what you pay for you understand?" "He spends a Backstreet dweller's annual food budget in a day." Bada mutters. Apparently payroll doesn't include shutting the mouths of his subordinates. ''Her expression goes flat.'' It doesn't escape Nemo's attention. "Ooh that's rough buddy. You know N Corp sells salves for Bruised Ego, you get to experience the sensation of being right all along and winning the argument. Very popular. A bit pricy, but you are a princess." ''I have completed a mission accessible to me for my higher rank, rather than for the sake of the rank itself.'' Nemo's face becomes a test screen. "We've got a real one here folks." It's hard to tell because his voice is heavily modulated but he sounds impressed. ''Calm yourself Sonetto. They do not actually intend to begin dismantling this place as if we were common debtors.'' Bada and Martina, having been offered some form of tour or hospitality, stop in the library. Bada takes out a tape measurer and starts measuring a floor tile. He writes a smaller number of ahn in his notepad and then takes an expensive looking flat file and starts chiseling away at the spaces between the tiles. His face screws up miserably when Sonetto gets into just what the energy is for but briefly. "Accredidation? Sure. We can give you all the papers you want. Are you a representative lawyer for Trideag?" Bada asks. "You sound like you know legal." Martina opens up her briefcase and adds a fresh stack of papers, this time to Sonetto's hands. "Sorry..." She says. "If W Corp finds us dallying they'll take it out of our paychecks." Bada explains.
Timespace Riders	Perfect timing, Woz.     "I live to serve," says Woz. It's true right now, and true generally, not just in those he's Kamen Rider to. This is the same guy who responded to being called a simp by an evil spirit by stating the spirit didn't have the fortitude or righteousness to simp. He spends a Backstreet dweller's annual food budget in a day.     "Then rejoice, Bada," says Woz, louder than Bada had muttered, "For today you shall have a taste of the very same luxury. My cooking comes from my own personal pay; when entertaining guests, I settle for nothing less than what I may verify and assay myself." If W Corp finds us dallying they'll take it out of our paychecks.     A Sougo from the future casually strolls into the library with his backpack in hand, held by the handle and unzipped. He waves at Odette, though also places his index over his lips and winks. A receipt from a home improvement store back in Japan dangles from the backpack. He quietly follows behind Bada and replaces whatever tiles or other fixtures that Bada chips or pries loose. It's easy to know what all was taken if you just wait until people finish taking!      In the conference room proper, Woz lays down the platter of finger food, then flings his scarf outwards. A pot of Turkish coffee and a set of nice cups appear in its wake as it passes over.
Riku Asakura	<J-IC-Scene> Lilian Rook says, "You're Grade Five as of today. Be tough about it." This causes Riku to brighten up more than a little.  To climb the ranks so fast was impressive, though he could see disappointment in Sarracenia's eyes and actions.  And words.  He can tell it bothers her more than she's saying, and she's saying quite a lot on the private channel.  He sighs a little, but keeps a positive attitude about him.   'No way! That's scary!' Riku doesn't think badly of anyone, but it's clear that Nemo is a bit of a coward.  Which might explain his long time in the ranks of working for The Wings.   'He spends a Backstreet dweller's annual food budget in a day.'   Riku frowns at this severely.  He's starting to not like Nemo very much at all.  However, he keeps his mouth shut; he's there to be muscle for Lilian right now, not object about his disgust for another person, regardless of how disgusting they are.
Timekeeper	"How much is Warp Corporation evaluating Enkephalin right now, what was its valuation the day before the collapse of Lobotomy Corporation, what were their top three preferred asks for compensation at the time you were issued this job, and how soon as they warmly expecting a return on their contract?"     Not having the time to gather herself and her belongings up to her *high* standards as an assistant, Sonetto is forced to simply flip over the less important forms she's already holding. Pen produced out from behind her ear, she wastes no time drafting up negotiation notes for Lilian's benefit, outlining Lilian's requests clearly and readably with space underneath to record Cane Office's responses, notes on the Office's employer, their timetable, and so on. "That's right. You're an expert on this sort of thing, aren't you?"     Sonetto trots up when summoned, accepting the thick stack of contract paperwork from Martina at Lilian's instruction. She nods firmly, expression as determined as if she was headed off into battle. "Yes. I am not a lawyer, but the training for becoming a Chief Investigator as well as my ceremonial duties involved gaining a high degree of familiarity with contracts, local laws, and negotiations with members of government. If I am the best equipped for this task then I will commit myself to it dutifully." "If W Corp finds us dallying they'll take it out of our paychecks."     "Thank you." Sonetto gives Bada and Martina a sympathetic smile while taking the papers from their hands. "I understand the difficulties of having an employer with exacting standards and I wish you all the best in completing your contract to their satisfaction. Please cease your appraisal of the Trideag Association grounds or I will be forced to cut off your hands as per the Director's orders."
Odette Raskins	Odette's head shifts ever so slightly whens he smells something distinctly unfamiliar, and not in the sense of the Cane Office being unfamiliar, nor in the sense of the Silver Flash having alcohol around. No, what gets her attention is Woz's platter, and it reminds Odette that she hasn't actually eaten lunch yet today. She desperately wants to go check out all that food he's brought out, but... But she's on the clock, and she needs to make sure things go smoothly here first before she even thinks about sampling what he's whipped up for their guests. "I must insist that you produce your accreditation as appraisers before engaging in such behavior!" "What you're seeing is an intimidation tactic." "If your people walk into my lobby with those clipboards in their hands, I'll remove both pairs of them." Odette quickly realizes her mistake in assuming the pair just wanted a tour, and a bit of the color drains from her face as she stays stock still to let her brain recalibrate on what to actually do here. Bada and Martina do seem ready to go on that tour, at least, and Odette can at least count on Lilian's warning to probably be enough to keep either of them from doing anything too crazy. "Great! I'll show you around, then." As promised, Odette's actually quite a diligent tour-guide, and it's an excuse to keep her head down and not be a potential Nemo target. "It might not be as big as one of the Wing buildings or one of the older Associations'.. 's, but a lot of work's gone into making this place something real special. I mean, with the City being the way it is all over, it's important there's places like this and the Fa-" Wait, she probably shouldn't be talking about the Faded Print here, right? That might open up a whole other can of worms! "Theee-at people can look at as an example to get behind and feel safe in, you know?" Feeling pretty good about pivoting there, she's caught with her terribly mistaken assumptions again when it turns out that Bada and Martina ARE, in fact, going to act against Lilian's warnings! What the heck's she supposed to do about this? Odette's pretty sure she couldn't take even one of them in a fight, but Lilian did issue that blunt warning, and she did want Trideag to put forward a strong face of not being open to being messed with. She does have backup in the form of Sonetto, at least, and doubly so since she was even nice enough to remind them about Lilian's hand-removal warning! "Th.. That's right! I mean, it's not like it'd be... Permanent even if she did, but it'd still be rough? We have realy good medical facilities and personnel here, too, so I'd be able to put them back on, but nobody really wants to write up that incident report, right?" She makes an incredibly awkward attempt at a 'joke, rubbing her still-bandaged  wrist with her opposite hand uncomfortably at that. Her jaw's extra tight by the time she sees A Sougo from the corner of her eye, blinking slowly as she sees him and his backpack full of stuff-replacement. She opens her mouth briefly in apparent confusion even after seeing what he's doing, but he's rather successful in getting the tension to bleed out of her neck and shoulders once Odette understands that this is probably the cleanest way to go about this. She eventually gives this Sougo a quick nod, along with mouthing a silent 'thank you'.
Angela	''You go way back, is that so?'' "Thank the Head we do!" Nemo says. "Competing with the Oufi is crazy. They get so pissy after every little disruption and start beating to death anybody who speaks out of turn. An Association like that handling something like this is just asking for it to all go tits up!" ''We all love being self-made, but nobody likes self-making. Isn't that right?'' "It's a sad state of affairs we live in." Nemo admits. "Everybody wants the easy money of the Library, but I know a lure when I see one." ''But he really was quite a poor negotiator, wasn't he?'' "Oh all these CEOs they always get their way they always think they're CORRECT when they didn't spend years learning contract law in a City where most disputes are solved with bludgeons. Ayin? That guy looked like he was barely paying attention, hoisting it up all on his BOY BENJAMIN. He barely cared about the money, but maybe that's why his underground penthouse is now a tree. Was too busy thinking up dreams full of contempt instead of playing the game. ''I've been had by a conwoman.'' "You just can't trust anyone anymore." Nemo laments. He's been about as buttered up as he's going to get and then Lilian makes her move. ''If your people walk into that lobby with those clipboards in their hands, I'll remove both parts of them.'' Bada pauses in his work and then stands up and walks back just as cleanly back outside of the building, Martina following. "Boss. One hand is one thing but both hands? We can't do our work with zero hands." Nemo sighs. "Yes fine fine. We'll wait." Then he smiles. "A perfectly reasonable reason to get overtime pay after all!" Nemo gestures towards Bada and Martina with hand shaped like a mouth and then shuts it, indicating they should stop talking for the moment. "You'd like to read the papers. That's purrfectly acceptable!" He might indeed be a cat. "W Corp will certainly appreciate your quick timetable." Bada decides he likes Woz but he totally completely misses that Sougo just undid his hard work. ''It's clear that Nemo is a bit of a coward.'' He doesn't want to die, man! When Woz offers coffee, the two minions get their cups and enjoy in the background. Ironically, Nemo is now in the midst of negotiations and not even asking for anything. ''How much is Warp Corporation evaluation Enkephalin right now, what was its valuation...'' "Enkephalin is at a premium right now! Limited resource and who knows when a new power company is gonna claw its way up. If I had some new energy ideas, boy, I'd be out of the Backstreets in no time but alas I became a lawyer!" He pauses for dramatic effect before he adds, "But way back then, well, it wasn't quite as high as it is now, but it was still new energy! Expensive, not quite as desperately so as today." And then his face goes test screen for a moment as he's no doubt recalling something more complex for the last question. "Well naturally they would prefer compensation in Enkephalin or, failing that, cold hard cash! But they're also interested in...." He pauses for dramatic effect again. "Warpgate Management! Now between you and me, if they can work out a deal for Warpgate management, all of this is small potatoes but Warpgates got Warp in the name, they already have the branding." His excitement fades into a smile as he adds, "But of course, this is only for Citywide Warpgate management. And I'll give you a fourth thing they want because you've been such a peach. Business outside the City."
Angela	This naturally leads to them moving on to the conference rooms and the coffee and eventually Nemo even remembers to collect one for himself. They're in a good mood for right now. ''Please cease your appraisal of the Trideag Association grounds or I will be forced to cut off your hands as per the Director's orders.'' Martina flashes Sonetto a smile of gratitude for not cutting off her hands and a thumbsup that is wholly obscured by her sleeves.
Lilian Rook	'Competing with the Oufi is crazy. They get so pissy after every little disruption and start beating to death anybody who speaks out of turn.     Lilian grimaces. "What a useful warning. I'll make a note to steer well clear of them." she says. "This City has enough psychopaths already."     'Everybody wants the easy money of the Library, but I know a lure when I see one.'     "At least someone does." Lilian mutters. "That place is no milk run."     'Ayin? That guy looked like he was barely paying attention, hoisting it up all on his BOY BENJAMIN.     "That sounds just like him." She doesn't bother to hide a sour expression. "He got what he deserved in the end. Entitled little megalomaniac golden boy."     'Yes fine fine. We'll wait. A perfectly reasonable reason to get overtime pay after all!'     Lilian's arm finally slides from her sword. The retreat earns a smile, even if a measured one. "Your cooperation is tremendously appreciated. I see you aren't trusted for nothing." She means that. It isn't every Office that would actually take her threat seriously, especially backed directly by a Wing.     Nicely seated at a conference table, Lilian reclines forward, laces her fingers, places her chin on the back of her hands, and replies easily between sentences.     'Well naturally they would prefer compensation in Enkephalin'     "I'll happily direct them to the woman squatting on a mountain of the stuff. I'm certain they can recoup the vast majority of their contract from her. While I understand the importance of honouring contracts, especially in this barbaric place, I do fully intend to compensate strictly for the enkephalin that Trídéag has actually used, and not a single ahn more." she says, matter-of-factly. Of course this is a ridiculously stupid act of extortion; one she'd blow off if it were aimed solely at her; but she isn't exactly about to pick a fight with what may as well be the government of an entire country while hundreds of precious scrunklies are behind her, and W Corp knows their home address. There's only so much she can do right now.     'failing that, cold hard cash!'     "I'm afraid it's entirely possible that may be out of the question. Not willingly, you understand, but because even Trídéag's assets are simply not infinite; even our Association can't match the flow of money that goes through a Wing of the World."     'Warpgate Management! Now between you and me, if they can work out a deal for Warpgate management, all of this is small potatoes'     "Now, that's something I'd love to hear more about." Lilian says, raising an eyebrow. "Would you care to elaborate? 'Warpgate Management' is a very imprecise term; I've no idea what exactly that Warp Corp would expect from us if we accepted. Ah, though, if it's a service, I'll of course be setting our rate for it; negotiable, but to a degree. I'd like to maintain friendly relations with your client, but we have our standards as one of the Thirteen Associations, you understand."     'And I'll give you a fourth thing they want because you've been such a peach. Business outside the City.'     That's a double eyebrow raise statement. "Isn't that something they're perfectly capable of themselves? I don't see how going through us accomplishes . . ." Lilian trails off, thinking more seriously about it as the seconds go on. "That's not an Association matter, is it. They're after mine, spcifically."     'If I am the best equipped for this task then I will commit myself to it dutifully.'     "Thank you Sonetto. You're a darling."     'Th.. That's right! I mean, it's not like it'd be... Permanent even if she did, but it'd still be rough? We have realy good medical facilities and personnel here, too, so I'd be able to put them back on'     Lilian raises one finger to wag. "Not for free you're not. Not ever, here. Have some professional pride."
Sarracenia	'Your ample faith in me is appreciated, Princess Sundew...'      Sarra blinks in surprise. She was...appreciated? "I suppose I still do not understand how we can be held responsible for the debts of a completely different entity."      'Ooh that's rough buddy. You know N Corp sells salves for Bruised Ego, you get to experience the sensation of being right all along and winning the argument. Very popular. A bit pricy, but you are a princess.'      Sarra hmphs softly. "I would much rather have the real thing. A cheap imitation would never suffice." she says, arms crossed grumpily.      'He spends a Backstreet dweller's annual food budget in a day.'      'Riku frowns at this severely.'      Sarra suddenly feels self-conscious. She likely spends more than a Backstreet dweller's food budget in a day herself just on clothes. Riku's expression makes her actually consider that for once. "A-and...just how much is a Backtreet dweller's average annual food budget?" she asks. Definitely for no reason at all. It is lucky for her self-esteem that he didn't share his thoughts on the matter.      Hearing that Riku and Xion have passed her in Grade definitely dampens the princess's spirits. She tries (unsuccessfully as noted by Riku) not to show it too much. At his sigh she blinks, and forces an awkward smile. "Oh, do not worry about me, Riku! There is no doubt you and Xion deserve the rank!" she says quickly. She looks back toward Nemo after that, her expression falling again. It isn't really him and Xion being ranked above her that is causing her distress. It is that old nagging thought that is always in the back of her mind. She will never be good enough.      Sarra collects a cup of coffee for herself as she follows the others into the conference room, but has gone rather quiet for an otherwise loud princess. She isn't even sipping the coffee, just holding it with a melancholy look on her face. She doesn't even object to the talk of removing hands, something she would normally do.
Odette Raskins	"Not for free you're not. Not ever, here. Have some professional pride." "Oh! Director Rook raises a very good point there, too." Catching on to Lilian's finger wag, Odette nods quickly while counting off on her fingers without actually counting anything. It just keeps her hands busy. "There's the material cost of reattaching limbs, replacing the medication used during and after the operation, sanitizing the operating room, and that's not even including my work rates..." Odette feigns stretching a bit to sneak a glance over at Lilian, like she's trying to figure out if she was on the right track just then.
Riku Asakura	'Oh, do not worry about me, Riku! There is no doubt you and Xion deserve the rank!' "Right... I'm sure you'll get Rank Five very quickly.  Don't let it bother you, alright?" He says to the princess, who is inquiring about the price of how much a backstreeter spends on food in a single day.  It does not dawn on him that Sarracenia would have feelings about this.
Timekeeper	"Everybody wants the easy money of the Library, but I know a lure when I see one."     "The Library...." Sonetto murmurs distastefully. She heard about Mars, of course, but even before that her knowledge of the Library is its existence as a cannibalistic bloodsports arena. "A 'lure' is correct. But as with any predator, it could be starved by a lack of accessible prey."     Honestly, her opinion of Nemo is that he's pretty much fine! Maybe a little rude, but nothing that she hasn't heard a million times in her life. If he's scared to go into the Library, then, good! That's pretty reasonable! He's a lawyer! "I suppose I still do not understand how we can be held responsible for the debts of a completely different entity."     Looking up from her notes, Sonetto says aside to Sarracenia, "In this case, the contract establishes... here, in Section A, line 13.1, that the ownership of Enkephalin after the collapse of the Wing that produced it is presupposed to be transferred to W Corp to prepay for a certain duration of lost future supply. So it is more as though we... spent inheritance money that was owed to another, without knowledge of the will."     Her brow furrows, intently scanning the comically small and dense text of the contract, intentionally misleading and verbose. She's slowed down in her skimming further by having to pull herself out of her concentration to jot down the notes of Nemo and Lilian's back and forth repeatedly, mumbling under her breath while flipping to another page to nest dialogue trees in dialogue trees. Her finger traces down pages of the contract, settling on a miniscule bullet point.     "Then, is it not... perhaps... here? Would this stipulation not insist that it is *Lobotomy Corporation's* responsibility to set aside such a sum of enkephalin in the event of its collapse? Thus, Lobotomy Corporation having failed that, it falls to the inheritor of the corporation or its legacy to prepare recompense? Did the deceased CEO have any children, perhaps?"
Angela	Unfortunately, the question of what an average backstreet dweller's average food budget is something Sarracenia is going to have to imagine because Dart interrupts Bada's answer with, "Forsooth! The grounded beans provided by the retainer of the Demon King!" ''I'll happily direct them to the woman squatting on a mountain of thes tuff.'' "Appreciated!" But that's all he has to say about that until he has more information. For all he knows the woman sitting on a mountain of the stuff is someone crazy but he is bobbing his TV head along with Lilian's critiques of The City and Ayin. Hey, he doesn't have to worry about business from Ayin anymore he can shittalk the guy all he wants which is exactly as much as Lilian wants him to. ''And not a single ahn more.'' "We can hardly expect you to pay for nothing!" Nemo admits. ''Trideag's assets are simply not infinite.'' Nemo shakes his head at Bada as if to discourage further clipboard activity in advance. ''Now, that's something I'd love to hear more about.'' "I'm glad to hear it. As you might expect, Warpgates just pop up, but there's at least one in each District and the ol' Warp Train, well, it doesn't go off world at all. But you are responsible for the multiversal presence within the City. The Trideag Association is annointed by the Head to handle all matters regarding to multiversal activity and Warpgates are, inherently, multiversal. And right now it's all free! That's not a very City way of looking at Warp travel. They'd like to handle Warpgate security--in cooperation with Trideag, of course, no reason to cut you out of the pie. And through security they can charge some modest Warpgate activation fees, security clearances, travel passports, and so on, yadda yadda you get the gist. Naturally, they could try and go after this without you, but even these CEOs recognize that's a bit silly. So some cooperation from the Association would be appreciated. It's only legit with your backing--so yes! You can get a significant payment for your agreement and services." His emoticon face forms a winky emoji for a moment, like he's doing a favor for Lilian here in a wink wink nudge nudge sort of way. ''The various costs associated with attaching limbs.'' "If you want to know every way they nickle and dime us, I'll give you a list. Might as well make it fair for you." Bada murmurs to Odette, misunderstanding her deal a little.
Angela	''Isn't that something they're perfectly capable of themselves.'' Nemo shrugs both shoulders. "Sure sure, though you might've noticed The City doesn't exactly have people venturing into other cultures, territories, and so on all that often." Vertin speaking glowingly of Sonetto's ability to adapt in this way and Olivier's appreciation for it may make even more sense now. "So this would entail guidance, knowledge of some contacts--naturally they wouldn't expect you to seal any deals for them, but a foot in the door is something best established through mutual contacts, more yadda yadda, you get me right, Miss Director?" ''It could be starved by a lack of accessible prey.'' Like he's doing Sonetto a favor he's still smiling as he looks at her. "Unfortunately not gonna happen. Everybody wants the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. The Library's gonna get bigger until something bigger than it shuts it down. All Stars fall in the end, though, so I wouldn't worry too much. That's why they call 'em Stars. Big shiny warm and hot and then eventually tumbling to the ground after inspiring the masses to think they'll be the next one to rise up high." He bobs his head in agreement with her assessment, though, that they essentially spent inheritance money without the knowledge of doiung so. ''Did the deceased CEO have any children, perhaps?'' "Fraid not, our job would be so much easier huh? And Warp Corp wouldn't be so generous. A bit hard ball of 'em, but you throw the hard ball then accept the bunt." Nemo admits. "Least not anybody who's recognized! The 'Pale Librarian' isn't a legal descendent just because she took over the place. And like I said, scary!"
Timespace Riders	I suppose I still do not understand how we can be held responsible for the debts of a completely different entity.     Woz pauses in his work setting the conference table to lean in and softly answer Sarracenia, hand politely cupped over his mouth to keep it from being overheard too much. <Tac-Concord> 4 Woz says quietly so as not to be overheard too much, "More than the investment is at stake, Princess. They came to Trideag because it is the largest and most visible. W Corp took a substantial loss from the fall of L Corp, and wants to recoup it. More than this, the fall of a Wing is no small matter. As you have seen, there is great upheaval in the absence of something so all-encompassing. When a nation that supplied a crucial resource collapses, its client states cannot be made to appear as though they are scrabbling for resources. To have their people digging around in the Library or the Backstreets would be a last resort." <Tac-Concord> 4 Woz says, "To handle it here, in this way, allows them to recoup their losses while simultaneously downplaying the extent of those losses, through a veneer of civility and, therefore, legitimacy." <Tac-Concord> 4 Sarracenia says, "Mm. It is a delicate situation, it seems. But, a gentleman thief is still a thief in the end. Let us hope they do not ask for an unreasonable amount."     Did the deceased CEO have any children, perhaps?     Woz suspresses the urge to scoff. No, despite his best efforts. "An interesting question," he instead says neutrally, finishing his preparing of the table to take a seat. The grounded beans provided by the retainer of the Demon King!     "Dearest Dart, your exuberance is as true an endorsement of my craft as ever I could hope to hear. I hope, too, that you understand the appeal of these beans is in the beverage, and have not been eating the grounds." You can get a significant payment for your agreement and services.     Woz gives Sarracenia a 'there you have it' look. That would be the actual demand; a token sum of Enkephalin (which Lilian has resolved by throwing her supplier under the bus) and future cooperation in making Warpgates profitable; the clipboards were just the show of leverage.
Riku Asakura	Riku doesn't say anything about Ayin.  Speak not ill of the dead, and all.  Though he does think Lilian is mostly right about what she feels about the man.  His feelings are still complicated about him.  He tried to do a very complicated thing for mankind, but that sort of power could have thrown the world into chaos.   It'd be like if everyone became Ultraman on Earth.   He listens to what Nemo puts down regarding Warp gates and Warp trains.  He doesn't understand all of it, because it's a lot of things and nuances being talked about, but it sounds like they want them to help them with managing Warp gates.  That's something they COULD do, but that's also something that would be in Lilian's decision to handle.   Though when the talk turns towards the Library, he pays attention again.  It's gotten the coveted Star of the City.  Which means people will be trying to take it down.  "Can anyone take it down?" he wonders aloud.  "And if so, who could do it..."
Sarracenia	'Right... I'm sure you'll get Rank Five very quickly. Don't let it bother you, alright?'      Sarra, already letting it bother her plenty, offers a small smile of appreciation to Riku. "Thank you, Sir Riku." she says, adding the Sir without thinking about it. He seems very knightly, after all.      'A 'lure' is correct. But as with any predator, it could be starved by a lack of accessible prey.'      Sarra nods in agreement. "Thus why we have been trying to discourage anyone going there for any reason. Every person lost to the Library strengthens it. The Wings and everyone else will be making very little money if they are overtaken by the Library because they fed it themselves."      'Unfortunately not gonna happen.'      Sarra sighs with exasperation.      'So it is more as though we... spent inheritance money that was owed to another, without knowledge of the will.'      Sarra seems to understand that. She moves to look over Sonetto's shoulder as Sonetto continues pouring over the document. Of course, Sarra can't make heads or tails of it, but she doesn't want to just sit around doing nothing.      The talk of monetizing the warpgates draws a dubious expression from Sarracenia. She isn't convinced there would even be a profitable amount of travel and trade since the worlds outside the City know it is a terrible place. But, as this is a way for Trideag to lessen the money owed she keeps her thoughts on the matter to herself and finally sips of her coffee. "Thank you for the coffee, Woz."      'All Stars fall in the end, though, so I wouldn't worry too much. That's why they call 'em Stars. Big shiny warm and hot and then eventually tumbling to the ground after inspiring the masses to think they'll be the next one to rise up high.'      Sarra gets a bitter taste in her mouth hearing that. "...ah, so that is why they call them Stars..." she murmurs. Someone expected to fall in the end? At least they do seem to inspire hope, but now Sarra wonders if that is being used against the citizens somehow. Not to mention...how can someone or something with obvious ill-intent toward the City become a Star of the City?      'Woz gives Sarracenia a 'there you have it' look'      Sarra looks back at Woz, seeming a little impressed, then lets out a soft 'huh'. She's surprised they are only asking for reasonable repayment and offering business dealings. Even evil corporations still need business partners, she supposes.      'Can anyone take it down? And if so, who could do it...'      Sarra's expression darkens some. "...we could, I think." she says, though she obviously doesn't relish another war in that hellish place. Or another war at all. "...why could Merelisa not have waited until now? Unleashing that laser of hers upon the Library would be..." Sarra sighs. "But...she would likely have allied with the Library in the end anyway..."
Angela	''It'd be like if everyone became Ultraman on Earth.'' It is interesting how capital L Light can be used in such varied yet similar ways. The Library, no doubt to Angela's chagrin, isn't about to be labeled a Star of the City when it lost a battle against a bunch of Grade 8s, Grade 9s, a Grade 7, and one Grade 1. But that surely is ''her'' aim. Nemo seems to think it's inevitable. Those that have looked at his business cards know that this is a Grade 2 Office. These aren't chumps, even if they are also lawyers, and you can imagine how lawyers would have to enforce contracts in the Backstreets. ''Can anyone take it down?'' This isn't really Nemo's problem as far as he's concerned, "Didn't ya hear what I said? It's inevitable. There's a thousand stories like The Library. It's gonna draw too much attention to it and the Head will shut it down eventually, worst case. And if not them, some Grade 1s or some Colors or some idiots accidentally holding onto just the right tools. The City doesn't change so easily, pal." ''So that is why they call them Stars...'' None of these three goobers can read minds, but that doesn't mean they don't have a sense of insight. Martina is the one who speaks up, quietly, "Everyone wants to think they'll be the next force that sticks it to The city." The ill intent seems to be a feature not a bug. ''Why could Merelisa not have waited until now?'' The Cane Office doesn't seem to know the name Merelisa. Lambent Dragon, they'd recognize that, but they don't know what to say this lady Sarracenia brought up. "Why's that?" Bada asks, also softly. ''And have not been eating the grounds.'' Dart opens her mouth and coffee grounds tumble out and back into the cup.
Odette Raskins	"If you want to know every way they nickle and dime us, I'll give you a list. Might as well make it fair for you." Wait, wasn't Odette supposed to be the one making her work sound expensive? Bada's not supposed to be helping her make it even more expensive! Then again, if it's Warp Corp or someone footing the bill... "A list? Oh, that'd be super helpful, actually. Thanks, Mister Bada." She nods at Bada appreciatively while simultaneously feeling worse about having to be guided through this kind of thing. Such a list really would be helpful for her, after all, especially if it means being able to blend into the City's way of billing everyone for everything better. Some part of it also makes her feel even worse, but hearing Nemo speaking to Lilian about Warpgate fees does temper thatsomewhat. "There's really a whole lot to keep track of... And you both keep track of all this stuff every time you come out like this?" She lowers her voice as she continues asking Bada questions, looking up a bit when the topic shifts to the Library. "The City doesn't change so easily, pal." "Everyone wants to think they'll be the next force that sticks it to The city." "I.. Mm. I guess." Odette murmurs in a uncertain agreement, not quite certain herself if she's on board with that thought. On one hand, Trideag and her allies in the Watch alike have plenty of change to work towards, but hearing about the City's resilience also doesn't quite sound so bad to her, either
Lilian Rook	'Did the deceased CEO have any children, perhaps?'     Lilian snorts. "He wishes. He was a hopeless romantic failure to 'till the end." She rolls her neck with a performative little sigh, of reluctance, as if weighing the risks of saying something out loud in present company; which she isn't, really, but sort of still is. "Of course they should." she says, agreeing with Sonetto, holding back the majority of her distaste. "I'm certain they'd prefer to as well, but there's not much left of Lobotomy Corporation to sue for it." She blinks. "Except that girl who took responsibility for it, actually. As Ayin's successor. Petra." Consider her thrown under the bus! She said that in full view of god and everyone, after all!     "Suffice to say, I'm perfectly certain that they're in a dire energy emergency now, and are scrabbling for every bit of enkephalin they can. To keep the trains running, of course; those are a critical service to the City." Lilian says; she recognizes it's important not to overly badmouth Cane Office's client right in front of them, even if she's hoping that they can agree on common ground between them that they're both just the little guys stuck dealing with the failures of two Wings and the titanic motions resultant thereof. "It's not an easy position to be in. I doubt they particularly like having to negotiate with a new Association either."     'We can hardly expect you to pay for nothing!'     "I consider myself a reasonable woman. "Lilian lies. "The purpose of a negotiation is to come to an acceptable compromise, though, no? I'd like to do my civic duty in helping the provider of the transportation that the City needs, but we're a Fixer Association, not a charity. We have to make ends meet too."     'The Trideag Association is annointed by the Head to handle all matters regarding to multiversal activity and Warpgates are, inherently, multiversal.'     "What an interesting choice of words." Lilian says, smiling unwholesomely. "I don't necessarily disagree with that premise on its face. Continue." she says, extending her hand, before going back to laced-fingers posture. Her reaction to the suggestion is mixed; she doesn't hide her opinions either. "That's surprisingly reasonable, and yet, at the same time, how very Wing-like. I can easily see how Warpgates cut into their business," she says, meaning 'monopoly', but everybody can come to that conclusion on their own. "So I'm surprised they haven't already pursued it themselves."     Her pause for thought after is purely for theatre, as it so often is. "I wonder. Is Warp Corporation wary that doing so, instead of us, would countermand the desires of the Head? How interesting." Lilian rolls her shoulders, then smiles, calculatingly. "I wouldn't be averse to those terms. But they'd have to wait until I've dramatically expanded my personnel. Fortunately, I happened to already be in the middle of just such a step. As a Grade Six Association now, I thought it was about time to start taking on Offices of our own."     'Sure sure, though you might've noticed The City doesn't exactly have people venturing into other cultures, territories, and so on all that often.'     "I suppose that's true. For how wildly variable the City is from District to District, they certainly aren't a metropolitan bunch. I'll consider it."     'Big shiny warm and hot and then eventually tumbling to the ground after inspiring the masses to think they'll be the next one to rise up high.'     "It's snappier than 'bread and circuses'."
Timekeeper	"And right now it's all free! That's not a very City way of looking at Warp travel."     Well, Nemo says it like it's an evil thing, but frankly that just seems entirely reasonable to Sonetto. Teleportation services, especially teleportation ritual disks, are expensive and difficult, and the latter is cutting-edge technology. To ask for such a world changing phenomenon to be free is to doom it to destruction and decline as the world of the world takes advantage of it and no one who would want to fix it has the ability to do so. Even warpgates need infrastructure!     The massive perceived tone shift since the Cane Office first barged into Headquarters reflects well on Sonetto, she thinks, and she suppresses a small proud smile while sketching uncannily straight lines in the diagrams of her notes. Primarily it's Lilian's skill in negotiation, but the Director has surrounded herself with people with good heads on their shoulders, from Woz's practical advice and political lubricant in catering, even to Sarracenia having surprisingly sound advice (don't punch them immediately!). This is, as much as on the battlefield, combat that she and her allies have navigated well as a team, and so the success increments their cameraderie higher in her mind. "Sure sure, though you might've noticed The City doesn't exactly have people venturing into other cultures, territories, and so on all that often."     "If it would be helpful to you, Director," Sonetto offers, having finally taken a primly ramrod straight seat by the wall of the conference room, "Timekeeper likely has resources and connections in other worlds as well. It may lift your burden to split such a burden with them in negotiating with W Corp."     Vertin is not associated with the Trideag Association, not directly. Not even the Paladins. Sonetto just sort of forgets about this and volunteers them, assuming they'll probably be fine with it. "It's gonna draw too much attention to it and the Head will shut it down eventually, worst case."     Sonetto tilts her head to the side, orange pigtails long enough that they brush the paper she's writing on when they sway. "Is it possible to accelerate that process by some means? To send a petition to the Head, or contact a Fixer who may be able to deal with it?" "Except that girl who took responsibility for it, actually. As Ayin's successor."     Well, that sounds basically like every problem's resolved! Whatever Trideag overdrew on the metaphorical account can be paid back through mutually beneficial arrangements, and then the debt L-Corp accrued falls to someone else! Sonetto writes down the final note of a name into her branching recording of the inherited responsibility of the contract, crosses the t with a decisive stroke, and pats her lap with her palms. "I am glad that we could all come to such equitable conclusions together."
Sarracenia	'Why's that?'      Sarra blinks, as if not realizing she had been speaking out loud. "Why is what?" she asks, then blinks again. "Oh...well...you would have to ask her. I never really understood her reasons. They seemed so...hopeless." Sarra says, then her eyes widen. She shakes her head at herself, letting this talk of the Stars of the City get to her. "And as I always say, one must never give up hope. Trideag is working to change the City, to give the populace hope." she says, a determined smile forming on her face. "I suppose it is inevitable that every Star, every hero, must fall one day. I just have to make sure I have provided plenty of hope and light before that happens."      'Except that girl who took responsibility for it, actually. As Ayin's successor. Petra.'      Sarra chokes on a sip of coffee, coughs profusely, then finally...laughs outright! It takes her a bit longer than it should to get her laughter under control. And she only does that by jamming her coffee to her mouth and burbling on it until she has calmed down.      Sarra is just listening to the rest of the conversation after that when she blinks at a thought as all the talk of trains soaks in. "Transportation!" she exclaims suddenly. "My world has a shipyard. An -AIR-shipyard. Director! We could start a transportation business! I could have a fleet of non-military airships designed and we could provide fast and safe transportation for a reasonable price as a way to gather funds for Trideag activities while providing a valuable service at the same time! I am sure if they had a reasonably safe and fast way to travel then trips between districts would become more common! We could also have a freighter service!" Sarra is smiling cheerfully by the end of her proposal, excited at the prospect of contributing to Trideag and possibly helping the people of the City at the same time. Her airships don't run on enkephalin, so they wouldn't add to the amount owed to their current guests.
Angela	Mister Bada takes out his notepad but, at the very least, isn't using it to write down assets exactly. Instead he writes out the last expense sheet he had when he had to get a new arm. He scribbles down about two pages worth of fees of which about three or five notations are actually related to the tissue regeneration and reattachment and so on. He then rips the pages out and gives them over to Odette. "Might be missing a few." ''And you both keep track of all this stuff every time you come out like this?'' "The rules are an expression of how power is enforced. They're not important for their own sake but it keeps everyone from just digging at one another with knives at throats. A lot more is taught on the job than in school though. Like that for any job." Pretty much everything Nemo says he says it like it's an evil thing. Him telling Bada to not pry the Code out of the lobby somehow even sounded evil. He's an inherently sleazy ball of sleaze wrapped up in sleazy packaging. And he knows it. Which is a kind of power as sure as swords, fancy badges, and lasers. ''Ayin's successor, Petra.'' Nemo looks at Bada. Bada writes down the name ''Petra''. Don't worry they can get the details with a little bit of wheel greasing, they're not gonna demand Lilian to do the legwork for them. And Nemo frankly is finding some healthy respect for Lilian here. He's fundamentally unable to bow and scrape but she seems to him to be someone who knows when to wield the sword, when to gesture to the sword, and when to agree they're all just being moved around by big dumb ceos who have more money than sense and make the rules and all ''they'' are here to do is to grab their piece of the pie while they can. It's no coincidence that he was positively excited to talk about the ways Trideag could profit as well. He's gotta make deals, he's gotta WHEEL AND DEAL. He just can't help himself. It's sort of about the greed, but it's also about the game. ''I doubt they particularly like having to negotiate with a new Association either.'' "Well sure, it's all 'who are these new jerks acting like they're tough shit' until they smell opportunity. And there's opportunity here!" ''Is Warp Corporation wary that doing so, instead of us, would countermand the desires of the Head? How interesting.'' "EHeh...." Nemo manages. Mentioning the Head is like an Uno Reverse Draw 4 Wild Card. "Well obviously no Wing is an island, and no Association is either. You've a near mandate, but it's not one you've seized up either. Warpgates aren't ''Outsiders'', but if a Wing and an Association shake hands over it, well, then it's not a near mandate, it's just a mandate!" But he nods (even if his face goes red) with understanding that he can't exactly ask Trideag to adopt a City-wide alliance when they don't even have suboffices. But hey! That's something they can do. Great! It seems like that negotiations are ending, for the day, pretty well as far as Nemo is concerned. Of course, little was actually promised, but the promise of a big score is a tasty pie in the sky. ''One must never give up hope.'' Bada stares at Sarracenia for a long time like he's never heard the word before. He's certainly a long-suffering sort, along with Martina. ''Sarracenia offers airships.'' Nemo quirks his head. His expression doesn't change from the blue but he seems more perplexed than anything. "They've trains that deliver in ten seconds, your airships compete with that?" Of course there's not NO merit in the suggestion. The trains do need energy to run but it's also a tough sell to go from seconds to hours and days.
Angela	The name Timekeeper sounds promising, that sounds like a proper noun important name but he doesn't actually know anything about that so he leaves that between Lilian and Sonetto. ''Is it possible to accelerate that process by some means? To send a petition to the Head--'' "Ah ... well you can certainly put word to the Arbiters though who knows if it'll ever reach them and when and if it does reach them, well, then you've got Arbiters involved and then there's no money to be made because there'll just be crater." Nemo really doesn't want that! If no body's distracted by the Library, then his competition gets stiffer! "But you could see about a Fixer. But Colors don't always work for money, they work for what they ''want''. Which is sometimes money! But usually what they really want... is ''satisfaction''." ''I am glad that we could all come to such equitable conclusions together.'' "Indeed!" Nemo beams. "You're so professional! Gonna be paying attention to your career for sure." Hopefully the rest after this is just some quibbling. With a day to look over the contracts and a Petra thrown under the bus, perhaps there will be a way to turn this to Trideag's advantage.
Lilian Rook	'Timekeeper likely has resources and connections in other worlds as well. It may lift your burden to split such a burden with them in negotiating with W Corp.'     Lilian actually looks a tiny bit surprised. "Really? Already?" She blinks several more times than is necessary. "My my, they're quite an industrious sort."     'To send a petition to the Head, or contact a Fixer who may be able to deal with it?'     "We all wish, but that'd require being able to access the Head." Lilian says. "Or knowing where they are. Or who they are. Some people theorize they don't even exist." Lilian upturns her palm encouragingly. "You begin to understand how this city is administered to in such a disastrous fashion. The vague and inscrutable whims of an opaque and inaccessible shadow government are hardly a replacement for proper guidance. It's as if the whole City is a social experiment to them." The way she says it means 'a petri dish of suffering'.     'Well sure, it's all 'who are these new jerks acting like they're tough shit' until they smell opportunity. And there's opportunity here!'     "It's also a bit beneath their pay grade." Lilian says, then puts on a theatrical little smirk. "And a bit embarrassing. Wings are supposed to live in a different world entirely than the hardscrabble mercenary underclass. Even if they frame it as throwing their weight around, people can't entirely fail to see it as a little petty and desperate."     'You're so professional! Gonna be paying attention to your career for sure.'     "It's been a pleasure to speak with you." Lilian only half-lies. "I'll give you my number. Contact me if anything new comes up."
Sarracenia	'Bada stares at Sarracenia.'      Sarra raises an eyebrow as she notices the stare. "What?"      'They've trains that deliver in ten seconds, your airships compete with that?'      Sarra sputters at that. "T-ten seconds?!" Her lack of knowledge of the City strikes again. She seems significantly deflated after that. "...of course...warp trains." she says. Apparently, she hadn't considered what the name implied despite all the hints involved with warpgates. "W-well, they cannot go very far in ten seconds, but...they can go anywhere unhindered by rails."      She really hopes the warp trains use rails.      Lilian doesn't comment on the airship idea. Sarra guesses Lilian thinks it is too useless to consider but not so dumb as to merit insults. A day without insults is a good one.      With the meeting apparently over, Sarra rises so she can bow politely as the visitors leave. She can totally be professional, too!