2022-10-28: Bribes are just a necessary component of our existence
- Log: Bribes are just a necessary component of our existence
- Cast: Yuliana Dispersal, Julia Ampere
- Where: Dive Bar - Nouvelle Tokyo
- Date: 2022-10-28
- Summary: Yuliana arranges an understanding with Julia with regards to alerts about the electricity of her home. Because Julia is an expert in electricity and knows how to solve the problem, obviously. She also invites her to her wedding! That's normal.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
Captain Yuliana Dispersal is an upstanding officer of the Federation, incorruptible and stalwart, and...
... well, she does tend to notice, when people start doing crimes in her backyard.
But she's not an unreasonable woman, and the crimes aren't terribly objectionable, so instead of setting up an arrest, she's arranged a meeting. In a nice, comfortable neutral location -- a dive bar! It's LOUD, it's DARK, and it's FULL OF PEOPLE DOING CRIMES.
She's not in any kind of uniform here, obviously; she's wearing her usual dark suit, and today's cheerful scarf is pink and blue. She's got something white and fizzy in a glass (it's non-alcoholic), and she's claimed a booth which no one else seems particularly fond of claiming. Something about the way she's smiling to them. Which is clearly just a misinterpretation on their part, because she's clearly very friendly. She even brought a deck of cards!
There is someone she's contacted to meet her here, though...
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
My! A pleasant invitation to a wonderful establishment of certain repute - how could Julia say no? It's loud, dark, and full of people doing crimes... thankfully, Julia is perfectly in her element among all of these things, so she's perhaps almost fond of the place she's been invited to.
Perhaps surprisingly, she does not arrive today in full science criminal accoutrement due to the nature of the meeting. Her outfit is trimmed down a little, to a black dress shirt with matching pants and her white neck scarf. Her gloves are not present, and as a result those with a keen eye might be able to trace the cybernetic enhancements along her hands, appearing as if something has been inserted just beneath the skin.
She stops by the counter to order herself a drink before slipping into the arranged booth.
"I must say, I was not expecting a request for a face-to-face meeting. I could hardly decline when I saw who sent it." Julia comments, looking up to Yuliana with interest. "You are doing well, I trust?"
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
Yuliana wriggles her fingers, cheerfully, to Julia. (Did you know that her name, itself, is both a common Zaftran and Indonesian adaption of 'Juliana'? Fun fact.) She makes no ill comment on her cybernetics -- and now that her bangs are clipped out of her face, the scar running down her left eye is perfectly visible.
"Oh, quite well, thank you! And you, too, I hope?" Yuliana assures her, and really, who wouldn't be cheerful, after a job well done? (Just reassuring an expat that they haven't run nearly far enough to do the horrible things they're doing. It was a very friendly chat.) Having completed her assignment out here, though, Yuliana's free to see to her own projects, which now includes --
"Do you play, Julia?" Yuliana wonders, gesturing to the deck of cards, before any business whatsoever. (She doesn't just know her name from her criminal files! She also got it from that very legitimate trade show, one time.)
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Julia takes note of the scar, but she makes no mention of it, either. Instead, she simply smiles politely at Yuliana's response.
"Magnificent! I am simply pleased to hear that." She replies. As for herself, Julia, looks pleased. "Why, yes, thank you for asking! Things have been most exciting as of late, and I have made some quite fascinating breakthroughs."
...These are mostly in the field of aesthetics, thanks to her and Xiahe's paint heist, but that is very important for her line of work.
She looks with interest, then, to the deck of cards that Yuliana has on hand.
"Quite a bit, back in my college days! But I'm afraid it's been quite some time since I've had the occasion... My talents may, perhaps, have waned a little." She admits. Her drink arrives, at this time, and she accepts it with a polite nod before turning her attention back to Yuliana. "Still! I would not object."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
"Fascinating breakthroughs, mm? How wonderful! It is so important to stay engaged with one's work. You know, rewiring a new Tiandong has given me so many opportunities to improve the underlying structure!" Well, Yuliana does tend to be pretty hard on her machine. Perhaps it's no wonder she's having to refit a second wanzer.
Something, something, that's what the name Annihilation is for.
She grins, to Julia -- and her teeth are uneven, now, too, with a single fang hooking down the right side of her mouth. Was that always there..? "Great!" She declares, as she shuffles the deck and deals some cards out. "Poker's fine, I trust? You can imagine it's quite common, in the military, what with how erratic downtime can be. Just a friendly game, of course."
Once the cards have been dealt out, she fans her cards in front of herself, and smiles over them to Julia. "So," she starts, still with good cheer, "I happened to notice some electrical disturbances in Sri Lanka -- and you understand I'm not positing anything here, of course, but I'm sure you can understand why I would come to such an expert with my concerns...!" As if she's consulting Julia for help, instead of suspecting her.
"I care very much for my home territory, you see," she adds, lightly, as she thumbs through her cards. (And adds, paranthetically: "I'll raise twenty.")
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"Indeed it is." Julia agrees with a nod, and listens with interest as she brings up her Tiandong. She hasn't heard all the news, of course, but she can put two and two together and realise there must be a reason for it. Still, she doesn't comment on that. "Indeed, there's always room for improvement. One must never allow themselves to settle for 'good enough', if they have any pride in their work!"
She takes note of the fang, but her attention soon turns to the cards as Yuliana deals them out.
"Of course. I do so appreciate the classics. And I would never deny a friendly game." Julia agrees, picking up her cards and giving them a quick look over before looking back up at Yuliana. Her expression is sympathetic.
"Of course, of course! I can understand why you would be concerned... Your dedication to your home is quite touching. Inspirational, really!" Julia replies, her tone reassuring. "At any rate, you have come to the right person. Do you perhaps have any inkling as to the... nature, of these disturbances?"
Yuliana raises, and Julia follows up with a raise of her own. Given her appreciation for Spectacle, it may be difficult to tell if this means anything.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
"And it is so important to have pride in your work!" Yuliana agrees, having apparently now fully commited to the Olympic Sport of Saying Ominous Things Cheerfully. Really, it's uncanny how well she gets along with the usual character BioNet attracts, given her previously-established dedication to upholding the law.
Yuliana smiles, entirely pleased at Julia's recognition. "Oh, little things," she says, lightly. "Power being diverted, extra load on the generators... we're in a better position than India is, so the grid's been able to manage, but people are beginning to notice certain... discrepancies." She pauses, trailing a finger over one of her cards, before she reaches over to lift up her glass of some strange future soft drink and sip it through her straw.
"Of course, you can imagine that if we can't figure out what's going on, we'll have to investigate. Though... it would be simple enough to sign off on the power drain, if it were legitimate..." Surely only if it were legitimate!
(The game continues. Yuliana isn't terribly focused on it.)
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"It certainly is." Julia agrees, raising her glass in a sort of toast to the comment before taking a drink. She sets the glass down, then, listening with interest as Yuliana describes the troubles Sri Lanka has been facing. She nods, in understanding.
"Hm, I see..." She murmurs. "Well, if you would like my opinion as a professional... It is rare, but it is entirely possible there has been a brief... lapse, in maintenance. With how the weather has been lately... why, even something as simple as being a few hours late can lead to unexpected electrical discharges due to wear and tear."
She shakes her head.
"Now, thankfully, this isn't a serious problem. I imagine, once your generators and your grid are tended to and perhaps reinforced - given better insulation, studier exteriors, things like that, you know - you will not have to worry about any... repeat incidents." Julia explains. If it seems like she's explaining how to thwart future thievery attempts... that's probably just a coincidence, right? She swirls her glass briefly, for a moment. "...Of course. I am a generous soul and, as we have discussed, it truly is important to take pride in one's position. As such, I could see to it that... compensation, be arranged, to make up for such an unfortunate lapse."
Why would she be the one arranging compensation? Why, it must surely be that previously-mentioned 'pride', of course, and nothing more.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
Surely it's all about Julia's pride as an electrician!
"Hmm," Yuliana hums, inclining her head, as Julia offers a Perfectly Reasonable Explanation for the difficulties of the grid. A simple matter of maintenance!
Yes, the logic is entirely sound.
And surely it's a coincidence, the way she's offering such a thing. "That would certainly make it easier to streamline the paperwork," Yuliana agrees, cheerfully. "You understand how these alerts can be caught up in bureaucracy, of course -- but given I know what the problem was, I'm sure I can arrange for everything to be submitted promptly."
It's a very normal conversation they're having, around these cards.
"How lucky we are to know such an expert," she praises Julia, entirely friendly, entirely approachable.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Julia smiles, kindly, politely, all throughout her explanation, dropping it only to show the expected amounts of Concern at the appropriate times.
"Yes, of course. And I know you all have so much to do - so many issues to be addressed that are much more important. It would be such a shame to waste so much unnecessary time and resources on what is ultimately a minor, easily-solved issue..." Julia replies, offering a sympathetic nod. "I am pleased to be able to save you the trouble!"
She sets her cards on the table(only in the literal sense, of course).
"It is fortunate that you chose to come to me." Julia says, smiling at the praise. "Others in my profession, they... well. Far be it from me to disparage my colleagues, but they have no interest in the science, the craft. Only the funds they can squeeze from their clients!"
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
It's important to show the correct amounts of Concern. That's just polite. And it's very, very important to be polite.
"With so many problems in the world, it is very important to know what one ought to prioritise," Yuliana agrees, smiling.
She lays down her own hand -- flush to spades, naturally. Luck would certainly call her that combative.
Yuliana inclines her head, with a sympathetic expression, as Julia talks about her colleagues. "Personally, I'll never understand why most of the Earth Sphere has chosen to operate under capitalism," the socialist sighs. "The constant pursuit of profits over progress is such a tragic thing... though it is unfortunate that money does tend to be a necessary component to life, given the world's affection for it."
Yuliana sips her soda, and sets it back down.
"But I have a great affection for scientists, really," Yuliana says, with a warm smile. "Even aside from my work as a mechanic, I have much occasion to work with them! Why, even my dear fiancee is a xenoneurologist, you know," she adds, and her fingers fan in such a way that the diamond-and-emerald ring on her finger is quite visible.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"It certainly is. There is far too little time to worry about unnecessary things..." Julia agrees with a shake of her head. Yuliana lays down her hand, and Julia looks it over with an appreciative whistle.
"My, you have a strong hand. Well played." She replies. It beats hers handily but she doesn't seem particularly concerned about the loss, taking it well in stride.
"Yes, it is a shame, isn't it?" Julia, who is the sort to simply take what she wants, agrees with a shake of her head. "It is a chain that binds us... but at times, we have no choice but to draw it tighter. Such is life!"
She listens then, as Yuliana remarks on her affection for scientists, showing off the ring on her finger. Julia takes note of that with genuine interest, before looking up to Yuliana with a smile.
"Ah, then you are engaged! Congratulations, dear, I am pleased for you." Julia says. "Your betrothed is quite fortunate, indeed. I wish you both all the happiness in the world."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
"It seems so! But you were quite the opponent!" Yuliana offers Julia, in the wake of her success. Of course, surely this means that if any money is to change hands, it's just settling a debt.
"Very few of us do not deal in chains," Yuliana agrees, lightly. "It is simply a matter of living in society! Of course, it's how we wear them that distinguishes us."
It would be terribly frightening, she supposes, if one were to break those chains.
But that's skipping a few chapters, so --
Yuliana smiles, brightly. "Why, thank you!" She says, fingers fanning over her lips. "We will certainly take all the happiness we can grasp from this world." She pauses, and adds: "You know, the ceremony's but a month away. Perhaps you ought join us! Of course, no one will be causing trouble -- we'd not abide such a thing." Or, more plainly: she isn't going to get arrested going to a cop's wedding.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"It was quite the invigorating bout." Julia agrees. And, indeed, she passes over Yuliana's winnings without complaint. After all, it would be simply gauche to decline. She has a reputation to uphold, after all... and if it's convenient for other things, all the better.
"Well spoken. Well spoken, indeed." Julia agrees with a nod, taking another sip of her drink.
She chuckles at Yuliana's comment... but pauses, as she continues. A wedding invitation! That's... entirely unexpected, actually, and it's only due to her talents as an actress that she doesn't miss a beat.
"My! That isn't far away at all." She comments with interest, and 'hm's to herself. "I believe I can manage that. If you would have me, then I would be honored to attend."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
"Wonderful! Since we're friends now, after all, it's only natural to invite you, isn't it..?" Well, that's not the whole story -- certainly Julia's own associations are colouring the offer a little -- but it's more or less true.
... Yuliana doesn't actually have many friends, so she has no real concept of how good a friend someone has to be before they get a wedding invitation.
Surely no one's impolite enough to point out how sad that is, though.
Well, her heart's in -- still in the wrong place, actually, given what this entire meeting's about, but that part is more or less genuine. Close enough to well-intentioned.
And, in fact, Julia may find that as Yuliana chatters about her upcoming wedding, and the delightful dress she's arranged, and the cake, that it's difficult to say her enthusiasm and warmth for this subject isn't genuine. For all she might actually be corrupt, she still, in fact, has loved ones!
Well. Loved one.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Friends, huh...? Julia rolls that over in her head for a moment, wondering how much she means that. Only a brief moment, however. Still...
"Yes, I suppose that's true!" Julia agrees. "I am quite looking forward to the occasion."
It's okay - Julia doesn't have many, either.
As Yuliana chatters Julia is perfectly willing to engage her, responding positively to her enthusiasm for her upcoming wedding. She even, at one point, gives a toast!