Chanteloup grinned. Stenn probably hadn't heard the rumours about Corsican cheese. If this... Was it a date ? If this whatever it was didn't bear fruit, she would at least had witnessed something entertaining. Still, the grin didn't last long. By the end of Stenn's retort, it was gone, far, replaced by clenched teeth and furrowed brow. She chose patience.
"Stenn", she said calmly, her hands joined. "I do understand that you would have... Difficulties leaving behind your adventurous ways. You're not the first man to show fear towards the notion of commitment, rest assured. But since I apparently need to, let me remind you how nations work. People live in them, and their governments are aware of it. And it's all so... Public. What do you think might happen if you, just now, suddenly waltzed in a Gallic consulate, waving your di...sinterested look around ? Nothing good for either party, to be sure. But fine. Fine ! Let's do away with the public apology thing. I can probably reach far enough to take you out of our kill list, but still : people are going to end up knowing that you're in our employ, should you accept. It will become public (she really hated that word). Are you prepared for that ? Granted, the formal apology thing was a bit much... But one : I had to try, and two, it would have decisively addressed the matter of your legitimacy as a Gallic noble and mercenary. Especially with your past. Unless you... Planned to live your life of a Gallic war hero as a wanted fugitive, keeping your employment a secret from absolutely everyone but your targets ? Oh, please, don't say "yes I can take anyone" and growl like you're certainly dying to right now."
(06-14-2019, 12:25 PM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.
Stenn smiled when Isabelle had finished her piece, and taking a sip of his drink for the first time, begins to speak.
"It's no secret to me how the idea of a nation works. What is equally known to me is how diplomacy works. Right now, I'm not aligned with you, and I can freely move through 2 of the houses to ply my trade without incident. Should I accept your offer, I will become a target where-ever I go. As such, public announcements do not work for me. Much easier would be a silent agreement."
He pauses for a moment, his fingers thrumming on the tabletop as he thinks.
"However, what you haven't considered is that I might say no. I doubt many people turn you down, and you seem to have forgotten the feeling of rejection. Before you begin to panic or calmly state that you expected this, allow me to break it down to you."
He turns his cybernetic arm over, allowing the palm of his hand to face above the table. An image springs from his palm, holographically projected onto the table.
"You recognize this ship I'm sure. She was given to me for the work I did in suppressing your pilots in my operations across the theater. I truly do like the sound of nobility, but I'm struggling to reconcile pushing my entire following into a situation that will only paint targets on their backs."
Stenn smiles at Isabelle. He knew she wasn't going to be happy with that.
"What I think would be an optimal course of action, is one that will require you to place more faith in me than you might be willing to."
Chanteloup's fingers coiled around her glass like snakes would close upon the throat of their victim. She had considered either an immediate rejection, which would have at least made for a pleasant and relaxed dinner... Or the brute would have shown interest, as he had done, and therefore accepted with joy... As he had not. Since she was, after all, having dinner with the brute, she might have well hear him out, after all, though her nose flared up at his mention of her placing faith in him. And she found his little holo-display to be in very poor taste, albeit effective at driving his point home.
She sighed. She was asking for a lot. But then again, she was offering a lot in return, too.
"Oh fine", she finally said. "What is this no doubt brilliant plan of yours, that I'm probably already enjoying ?"
The risotto would need to be even better than it usually was if it hoped to brighten up her mood.
(06-14-2019, 12:25 PM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.
"For a start, I'm going to leave. I need to talk this out with my captains. I'll be in touch to let you know what happens. No promises however." Stenn smiled at her. Sorry about leaving early, but he knows how these things go. First its lay the terms on the table, and then its soften the mark up with dinner. If he wanted to make a good choice here, he needed to break off.
"Sorry that our dinner is going to be cut short, but I'm sure you understand."