It's Just Business (Kalar Enterprises/ Trandoshans Only)

[Neutrino]

Leiris Synthes was the first to arrive to the Trandoshan conference room. With her arms folded across her chest, she stood straight and tall upon her high heels, looking out the large window that covered one of the four, high walls. Below her was a busy city and she looked down upon it through black lashes. She couldn't decide whether she approved or not.

Lei was here to oversee yet another meeting between her company, Kalar Enterprises, and the Trandoshans. Her objective was to get some details ironed out before beginning the commencement of a very large project that both parties would be investing a lot of resources into.

Her sharp, dark eyes wandered over the finely finished room. It was almost as classy as her business suit. She approved.

Moving away from the window, she smoothed her skirt and began to very slowly pace. Everyone should be early, if they cared about this meeting. But usually no one was ever as early as her. Lei didn't personally care so much as she just wanted it to get done efficiently.

 

[Santoro]

He was late, as usual. Bursting through the doors a few levels down and many hallways away, Tetin Hisro was moving at a brisk half-jog, a fluid movement he had spent hours practicing over the years of his rather unfulfilling career. He sighed and glanced at his wrist chrono, in the meantime nearly getting bowled over by a two-meter tall Trandoshan. He shot the reptile a dirty look, but continued weaving through the hidden business areas of the otherwise ornate palace.

The middle aged human in a sea of lizards was handed a briefing file, and grunted a thanks. It was the fourth meeting of the day and still early, but this folder seemed heavy... He slowed and opened it, reading as he walked down the now empty marble hall.
Tetin's jaw nearly dropped at the photo on front, his mind flashing to the numerous holovids and magazines he'd seen with the same image. Well, this should be interesting. He tucked the folder under his arm and straightened his back, pushing the doors to the conference suite aside.

In a few practiced strides the delegate had crossed the room, taking her hand in a professional shake. "Ah, Ms. Synthes- what an honor. The photos don't do you justice." He flashed his best smile and... was that a wink? Gone as quickly as it was there. He released her hand, and the act was on.

"Tetin Hisro, at your service. I apologize for my tardiness... Please, sit." He extended his hand to indicate the plush chair opposite the delegation table. He waited until she was seated, then did the same, smoothing his finely tailored business suit as he went. He cleared his throat, flipping open his folder and placing his hands on the table, palm to the wood.

 

[Neutrino]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hisro." Lei dipped her head respectfully as she took his hand.

She expected to disprove of him, he already had points against him for being late. But his well tailored suit and manners made up for his tardiness. After sitting, which a lady should always do before a man, she looked at him expectantly. This Tetin Hisro seemed to want to get on with things as much as she did. She was pleased with this. A faint smile lingered on her lips.

 

[Santoro]

"Pleasure is all mine, Ms. Synthes. I'd offer you some fine Trandoshan cuisine, but I'm afraid their tastes differ from ours." Tetin replied, a smile on his lips. He looked down and continued scanning the flimsiplast documents- a rarer sight that he insisted on. Tetin took another moment as he finished his reading, then looked back up with the same calming smile.

The ambassador spoke slowly and confidently- a man of practice and control, his eyes never leaving her own.
"Firstly, thank you for seeing us- I know you're a busy woman. As you know or may have noticed, Trandosha and it's reptilian inhabitants don't exactly have the best reputation about the galaxy. This is evidenced by one of their highest ambassadors being a human, and the fact that we as a planet haven't seen a tourist since before you or I were even thought of. We would like that to change, and were hoping that you could help."

 

[Neutrino]

Lei just smiled evenly at Mr. Hisro's comment about the food here. She kept her face pleasant as her dark eyes steadily watched him.

"Kalar Enterprises is pleased and looks forward to working cooperatively with Trandosha." She nodded slowly, wondering if she would have to repeat everything she said in her last meeting with the Trandoshan leader. Probably. No one seemed to be taking notes at the time. It was just a proposition then, but still, it should have been taken more seriously. Perhaps there was some cultural difference she was not detecting. Lei resisted the urge to roll her eyes and waited for Mr. Hisro to continue.

 

[Santoro]

Tetin sat still for a moment, an eyebrow raised and his head cocked slightly to the right. Her words were right- the standard business neutrality he had come to know, but an instinct- that little nudge he'd known all his life- put him off. He was ill informed. Blasted lizards, I swear they enjoy watching me struggle. A look of annoyance spread across his face, one he didn't try to stifle.

"I apologize once again, but my briefing isn't entirely... competent. If you wouldn't mind, give me a quick run down of the costs and details of your plans and I can write the check."

 

[Neutrino]

Lei slowly smiled at him. It was a real smile and unfortunately or not, these usually intimidated people. She reached into a pocket on the inside of the breast of her suit and pulled out a datapad. Then leaning forward, she pushed it over to him. It slid smoothly across the table.

"Our financial department has come up with these numbers. If you and your financial department approve, then yes, a check would be most welcome."

On the datapad was all the figures and reasons for them. This included detailed plans that her engineers had been cooking up, along with a time line for developmental and financial reevaluation.

"You may keep this copy."

Lei was absolutely thorough.

 

[Santoro]

Tetin scooped up the datapad with his left hand, his right slipping into his jacket pocket to pull out a pair of reading glasses. He placed them on and began to look over the list with a casual grace, trying not to look nervous. He always hated dealing with money- it was a dirty business, one that was great at getting people maimed... and he liked the way he looked.

Lots of the information was over his head (for he was no engineer), but it looked right and he was willing to bet it was. After a few long seconds of faking an understanding of the material, he nodded and closed the datapad, sliding it on top of his folder and returning his hands to the table.

"Consider it done, Ms. Synthes- I'll transfer the funds as soon as they're given to me." He took off his glasses and quickly put them away, making eye contact once more and putting on his best smile.

"Now that all that ugly business is out of the way- what are your plans for the evening?"

 

[Neutrino]

Cute.

Lei leans back in her chair and then folds her arms across her chest. So that was it then? That wasn't too hard or painful. She wondered if all the bureaucracy was really necessary. She wondered if she really, absolutely had to come all the way to Trandosha for this.

"I plan on eating." She said smoothly. Lei wondered if he would attempt to ask her to dinner. She had left herself open to the question, even though her posture was cool and almost rigid.

 

[Santoro]

Somehow his face brightened just a bit- the genuine smile replacing the practiced one as his shoulders relaxed, foregoing his professional demeanor for a slightly more casual. Even his tone changed from cool to friendly, with a hint of playfulness in his voice.

"Oh good, just so happens I have the same schedule. Pick you up at 2000?"

 

[Neutrino]

"That sounds perfect." Lei said lightly before standing up. "I'll be at my ship. I trust you know where it is." She held out her hand.

Since when did she like older men? No, she didn't. She liked business. And he was business.

 

[Santoro]

Hisro stood, extending his hand in another formal shake.

"Of course."

He scooped up his information and exited the room, the fading clacks of his hard-heeled shoes taking him away and back into the bustling business center of the palace- a sea of Trandoshans. He passed off the information to the accounting rep then sighed as another folder was forced in his hands. He checked his chrono and shook his head- Back to the grind.

((New thread or continue this one?))

 

[Neutrino]

ooc: Let's continue this plot in this thread.

~Hours Later~​

Lei looked at the time displayed on the large, ornate chrono attached to her personal quarters' wall. It was fifteen minutes till Mr. Hisro was supposed to pick her up and she was just puting her shimmering, dangling earings on in the mirror.

Yes, she was all dressed up and they had better be gonig somewhere really nice. It had to be assumed. She was Leiris Synthes, after all, and Mr. Hisro was an important figure within the Trandoshan government. Money was not an object to be fretted over. She had plenty. Besides, when was the last time a man was expected to pay for her? She was way to expensive.

Lei pressed her lips together, making sure the coat of red painted there was even and perfect. She stood and walked about the room, observing how her long, black dress moved about her legs. Smiling, she approved. She was presentable.

And now all she had to do was wait for for Mr. Hisro to push the call button on the outside of her ship's entrance. Lei fidgeted with her diamonds around her wrist.

 

[Santoro]

Two minutes 'til, Tetin Hisro strode down the walkway, the sun Kashyyyk setting and casting long shadows in front of him. He was in an even finer suit than before, with a tucked in waistline to emphasize his figure- his best shoes, and a pair of rather expensive sunglasses keeping him from squinting. Nobody liked crow's feet, and he had to look his best tonight. This was Leiris Synthes- nobody would believe him. To be honest, he could hardly believe it himself- he'd had his share of girlfriends, but none quite as good looking and hardly one as famous. He shook his head, clearing his thought and focusing more on his gait- a confident and quick pace.

One minute 'til and Tetin turned the corner to Lei's dock, checking his fine, brand new wrist chrono, aiming to impress. He reached in his pocket and tapped a key on his commlink. The ambassador then looked back up at the growing ship, his eyebrows raising slightly. Don't see many of those around here. He pocketed his commlink, running a hand through his greying hair to make sure it was in place.

At almost exactly 2000, Tetin arrived at the gleaming ship, pushing the call button and putting on a smile.

 

[Neutrino]

Instead of returning the call, Lei went directly to exit the ship. When the doors opened to reveal him, her eyes took in his appearance. With the slightest of nods, she approved. Mr. Hisro was in a fine condition.

"Good evening," she greeted him pleasantly while stepping forward. The silky black dress moved around her curves as she delicately descended the few steps to hold out her hand gently with the palm down.

 

[Santoro]

As the ramp extended, he couldn't keep his eyes off of her... Thank the stars for the sunglasses, at least. He tilted his head a little in a nonverbal greeting, and watched as she extended her hand. He wasn't very fond of formal etiquette, but humiliation was the name of the game, as he had come to find.

"Good evening to you, Leiris." Tetin took her hand and bent somewhat awkwardly, although through discomfort or pain one couldn't tell. He kissed the top of her hand lightly then stood, turning to look at the rapidly approaching luxury airspeeder. He grinned, then looked back.

"You look fantastic." He extended his left arm towards the airspeeder, the Trandoshan driver already holding open the door.

 

[Neutrino]

Lei took note of his usage of her first name and then how he bent awkwardly to kiss her hand. She smiled inside, knowing she was a terrible person. This Mr. Hisro was just so adorable. While quickly chiding herself in her head for thinking silly, childish things, she smiled pleasantly. "You clean up very well yourself, Mr. Hisro."

She demurely let herself be guided toward the airspeeder. Bending over to duck beneath the ceiling of the cabin, she saw that this was indeed a luxury vehicle. With its fully stocked bar and small appetizers, Lei thought she wouldn't mind spending the evening in the privacy of the airspeeder. As she slid inside though, she knew appearances were everything. Leiris Synthes dined in lavish restraunts and did not 'hang out' in airspeeders. She wouldn't be having much personal time with Mr. Hisro... not that that mattered.

She was here on business. He was business.

She was the temporary face of Kalar Enterprises. And her face must be pleasant to Trandosha in order to maintain friendly relations and a positive atmosphere for work.

 

[Santoro]

"Thank you- but Tetin, please." He smiled as he closed her airspeeder door, walking around the back to get in the other side. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, glad he hadn't stuttered yet. The driver had opened his side, and Tetin nodded his thanks as he slid into the seat next to Leiris. He removed his sunglasses and blinked a couple of times, sliding them into his jacket. He turned and smiled.

"So, excuse me for asking, but what got you into business? I'd have thought you'd have another photo shoot or holofilm to do." It was idle, pointless talk he knew, but at least the restaurant wasn't far, and thankfully the specialty wasn't fried worms.

 

[Neutrino]

Lei smiled to herself while he had walked around the airspeeder to enter from the other side. Tetin, she mused. She rarely used people's first names. But of course, she would respect his wishes.

Leaning back comfortably in her seat, she was quick to reply to his question. "Money," she said simply, not caring how shallow it seemed to some. She wanted it, and all the things she could buy with it. And business was just an enjoyable way to get it. "But photo shoots and holovids are just business to me. Both are equally gratifying and profitable, in my case." They were profitable because she was just too damn perfect for the industry. And the industry had been missing her lovely face lately since she had started working as the Director of Branches for Kalar Enterprises.

"But if you mean how I came to switch industries, I was contacted by a head hunter for the Kalar Enterprises position. It seemed to be challenging and potentially lucrative endeavor, so I took it up." She smiled at the memory. "And this doesn't mean I've retired from the entertainment industry." No, she was much too beautiful for retirement.

The fact that she had been contacted by a head hunter for such a high administrative position might have surprised some people since it was often assumed that brains did not come with beauty. Lei liked to think that the people who thought that had neither. The fact of the matter was though, that while her prior work experience was mainly involved with a different industry, she had the best education money could buy.

"And what, Tetin, is a human such as yourself doing on a planet where the fine cuisine does not match his tastes?"

 

[Santoro]

"Money."

Tetin grinned, leaning back as well, most of his torso facing her- designed to express interest.

"I didn't mean to stay very long. Ran away from home and wound up jobless. Trandosha was in a bit of a military crisis and needed a public face to cover themselves... The money was right, so two decades later I'm still here." He shrugged lightly, obviously annoyed with his line of work. The money was right and the benefits kept him there, but oh how he hated it. He shook his head and smiled again.

"Besides, my job is pretty easy. Nobody wants to cross a planet full of two meter killing machines."