Video - 002 - Announcements

[iceheart_imperial]

[When the camera came on, it would show her seated at an older wooden desk. And she allowed herself to look significantly more relaxed.]

Well, a number of you who said I'd move on quickly...you're right. This [she gestured around her with just a note of pride] is my new office. Bit of a risk, I know, but it's what I'm good at. And can do some good with, for the moment at least.

So I've opened up a private detective agency, the Iceheart Agency.

[Oh she loved that name. She had a good cover story for it, but it was an open reminder to any Imperials out there of who she was, and the authority she held. A coded gathering signal, really, all things said and done.]

It's early days yet, but I've been handling a few cold cases, and I'm hopeful to coordinate with local law enforcement to take more of that off their hands. I'm also in the business of locating whatever you need. Anything else you can think to bring me, please do.

[She leaned forward, hands folded in front of her, her entire attitude helpful and open.]

As I said before, I'm here to help.

[OOC: Corresponding log is over here]

Comments

[iceheart_imperial]

[Well, he is fairly humorless, or at least presents that way. Interesting.]

Well, yes, obviously. But as I said, my statement was in jest.

And I would assume so. I was not privy to strategy at high levels.

[A lie that would easily fool anyone who didn't know how an Imperial structure worked, regardless of the era it was in. But an obvious nod to the few.]

[tagential]

Of course. I apologize.

[He's too used to spies to take that as a real joke. Plus, it's always interesting how people react when pushed about those jokes.]

A Director of Intelligence who wasn't privy to strategies? Was the title an empty one, then?

[iceheart_imperial]

[And she is trying very hard to appear harmless. Bad jokes are all part of it.]

No, just a dedicated one with a proper chain of command.

[And there was a time - oh, there was a time - where she'd have been able to have his mind scrambled for the implied insult. Her temper had been...potent, then.]

But you've yet to introduce yourself.

[tagential]

That’s a long chain of command. It sounds exhausting.

[He’s not buying it, but he doesn’t feel like calling her out, either. ]

Edwon. I’ve had some dealings with intelligence agents in the past, actually.

Private

[iceheart_imperial]

[If he's in her business, he's not meant to. And his statement is indicative as well.]

[It is also at that point that she switches over to a private channel. Just in case.]

Edwon. How much in the past are we speaking?

Private

[tagential]

[He doesn’t trust that this is truly private, but he had no intention of sharing any secrets to begin with. Though the fact that she switched tells him a lot.]

Recently. I do similar work on a freelance basis, so I’ve ended up with a few stories to tell, if you were curious. Like that time I got between a Hutt and his carnovian eels.

It’s a good story to share over a drink.

[iceheart_imperial]

[Neither does she, but it narrows the range of potential problems, as she has no idea who he actually is.]

I think I could be described as that, yes. Getting between a Hutt and his meal is either incredibly brave or catastrophically stupid - I'm interested in which it turns out to be.

So yes, I think I'll say yes to your kind offer.

[tagential]

[That confirms she's from the same galaxy as him. Now he definitely wants to meet in person.]

One doesn't exclude the other, though I'm clearly still standing.

I've just arrived, so I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with the bars in these cities. Why don't I meet you at your new office, and we can figure out somewhere to get that drink?

[iceheart_imperial]

Very well. It is easy enough to find.

[She won't give him anything in the way of directions. A small test, if you will.]

I will await your arrival.

action

[tagential]

[Directions are overrated. It might take a little bit longer, since he doesn't have many clues to go by, but he's good at his job. An hour or so later, he's knocking on her office door.

He'll greet her with a small bow when she opens the door, a friendly smile on his lips. He's a short man, slender, nothing impressive if you don't know how to recognize the signs of training and confidence. He's also obviously Miraluka, going by the blindfold he's wearing.]

I hope I didn't keep you waiting.

[iceheart_imperial]

[Miraluka, well well. Rare indeed, and usually naturally attuned to the Force, at least to some degree. Or was it all of them were? The stories of the species were far more prevalent than facts. As for the rest, she assesses it calmly, and gestures to the seat opposite her desk.]

Not to any appreciable degree. Do, sit. Some refreshment?

[tagential]

[Edwon will take the offer, going to sit down, even if that means turning his back on her. That doesn't mean he's not on high alert - he can "see" in all directions, after all.]

If it's not any trouble. Should I call you Ysanne, or Director?

[She may not have told him her name, but of course he's paying attention.]

[iceheart_imperial]

[A mark in his favor, really. She'd dismiss him in an instant if he came uniformed.]

Director is for those who wish to work with me. Miss Isard will do otherwise.

[She'll tolerate the informality of her first name from very, very few. She stands then, smoothly, and moves to a side cabinet to get two glasses and a bottle of whiskey. She doesn't much care for the stuff herself, but he might, and more to the point his reaction will tell her something. She sat back down after pouring two measures and pushing one across the table to him.]

And no trouble at all, of course. A bit of ceremony to an occasion never hurts, even if you'll find this country to be almost excessively informal.

[tagential]

[Edwon picks up the glass, swirling the liquid inside for a moment, though he's clearly not admiring the color. But he does like whiskey. He's not really picky when it comes to drinking.]

It's a bit exhausting, isn't it? [Actually, he doesn't care about formality much, it's just another tool to use.] This place is taking some getting used to.

[He sips the drink, slowly, focusing on her reactions.]

Would you mind if I ask you a few questions, then, Director?

[iceheart_imperial]

Unusual, certainly.

[What isn't a tool, really? To someone like her - like them, perhaps - everything is a weapon to achieve their ends. As for her reactions, he will get the vibe for which she was named Iceheart - she gives away very little indeed of her true thinking.]

By all means. I will endeavor to satisfy your curiosity.

[She sips from her own drink, considering it for a moment. Case in point about this planet - an utter backwater, but so complicated. That whiskey is better than most any alcoholic beverage she has ever tried, and she's given to understand it isn't even the best brand by any stretch of the imagination. Earth is a strange place.]

[tagential]

[He's not easy to read himself. The blindfold doesn't help, since it hides half his face, but even without it, his reactions are controlled when he wants them to be. But he likes a challenge, and she certainly seems like one.]

Alright. I'll get right to it, then. [He tilts his head a little, pauses like he's considering his words carefully.] There's no Director of Intelligence, as far as I'm aware. That doesn't mean much here, but... Why should I trust that you're not lying about your position?

[iceheart_imperial]

[Miralluka are, she finds, naturally inscrutable anyways. Try having conversations with High Inquisitor Jerec, really.]

One of many improvements on the past - and you shouldn't.

[But that is the last piece she needs. Nobody under Imperial command - her Empire, at any rate - doesn't know who the Director is.]

In any event - I believe you're looking for the wrong Empire. The Sith Empire is...well, a distant memory. We are of the same galaxy. But thousands of years displaced in time.

[tagential]

[She might have more experience with other Miraluka than he does, then, but being inscrutable has definitely worked out for him.]

I know. I've been warned that time doesn't mean anything here.

[It's in no way said dismissively. It's still strange if he thinks about it too much, though he's very good at just rolling with whatever situation is thrown at him.]

But the two Empires have a lot in common, as far as I've been able to tell. A few differences as well -- [Fewer Sith, apparently, which is a nice thought.] -- But I don't want to dismiss your Empire outright just because some things change over the millennia.

After all, if you are who you say you are, then you're a useful person to ally myself with.

[iceheart_imperial]

[They would absolutely be in agreement on that point - adaptation is key, but there is still so much to do.]

A number, though of course the similarities are of necessity. Methodology can only vary so much.

[But yes, fewer Sith. Such a vast improvement.]

You would do well, too, not to dismiss the future out of hand - and I would judge you an unworthy ally for doing so.

[Indicating her willingness, in concept.]

[tagential]

I never would. I'm still forming an opinion on it.

[He lowers his glass, pauses like he's considering something carefully. In reality, he'd made up his mind before coming here.]

You're just as reluctant to trust me, and I don't blame you. You've told me who you are, Director, and I haven't done the same. I come with even fewer credentials than you.

[A sigh.]

Cipher Five, Imperial Intelligence. [It's only half a lie - He's Cipher Nine.] We may be from different Empires, but I believe we have common interests.

[iceheart_imperial]

[Oh, she doesn't trust anyone, not completely. But there are many, many gradations within that.]

Here we can be much more of an...open book, I believe the phrase is. Our worlds, our times - they're an unknown country here.

[It is, in its way, wonderfully liberating. She can walk in the open here, without bodyguards.]

And what common interests would those be, Cipher Five?

[tagential]

[It's definitely freeing. Here, revealing his designation as a Cipher Agent doesn't really matter. It's a card to play, with very little risk involved - as long as his real number isn't revealed.]

Information. Someone like you always wants information. [And someone like him, too.] And we can learn more by combining resources.

Old enemies might be meaningless here, but that doesn't change who we are, does it? And it doesn't mean we're not in danger.

[iceheart_imperial]

[She takes longer than is entirely necessary to answer, letting him hang for a brief moment.]

In time, you're quite correct. There will be enemies, eventually. And you're right, of course. Every scrap of information is of great value.

But tell me. You are clearly of the old Sith Empire. There are two Sith of that era here. How do I know you do not serve either of them?

[He may already know that. If he doesn't, his reaction may be telling.]

[tagential]

[He knows. He doesn't react. He just pauses for a second himself, head tilting slightly.]

Have you made enemies of them, Director?

[For a moment he just sounds amused.]

There's nothing I can say that will convince you I don't work for either of them. I won't waste the effort. [Shrug.] You'll be confirming that for yourself after I leave, and the fact that you won't find anything still won't prove it to you. You're not the type to trust so easily, or you wouldn't have the position that you do.

I'm offering an alliance, not my allegiance. No one here has my allegiance at the moment.

[iceheart_imperial]

[Her own smile is swift in coming at that question.]

Not yet.

[But they're Sith. Eventually, as she establishes herself, they will become an impediment in some regard. Strangely enough, much more of an impediment than any Jedi.]

And you're quite wrong on that score, Cipher. Quite wrong indeed. There is much you could do to convince me. I can acknowledge that simply being a former underling of theirs does not mean loyalty - the cult has certain...tendencies that are problematic for those with more far-sighted goals. But in our line of work, actions speak rather loudly, don't you think?

[She leaned forward in her chair, hands folded in front of her.]

I think you also misunderstand my position here. I am not looking for partnership. Oh, I'm in no position to demand obedience, nor would I care to if I were - unthinking subordinates are of no use to me. But I can offer you pay, employment, security - for which I will admit, shall we say, a junior partner in alliance?

[She will accept - has to, really - that her authority has limits here. But the guiding will must be hers, her emerging grand design requires it. He's quite a catch, and she will bend to some degree as a result - even deigning to hear advice and accept some 'Lèse-majesté', as it were. But she can only go so far and still be Isard.]