Formal greetings

Posted on Fri Feb 21st, 2020 @ 6:56pm by Alliance Oksanna Petrovich & Jacerelyn Ellylo

Mission: Bright and Shiny things
Location: Deck 17 Over sized Docking Facility
Timeline: After Preparing for the Flood

Oksanna closed her eyes, frustrated with her irresponsibility and poor judgement of the night before. Her hands gripped the power plug for her Immigration booth, apparently made 12 inches too short for this location. She tugged and pulled, trying to wrestle a few extra inches from the gorram cord. The exertion mixed with her already throbbing temples to give her a headache she was in no way prepared to deal with today.

A dock worker saw her distress and came over to start trying to shove the booth closer to the outlet. "I've got this!" Oksanna shouted at the poor helpful man. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath. "It's fine, just a little more to the right," she said, attempting to regain her normally cheerful demeanor. Oksanna saw Scarlett and the Marshall arrive. All the dignitaries to greet the big ship from the Core. She stood and brought down the support arms for the booth and flipped the switch to warm the computers up.

Scarlett and the Marshal were exchanging some level of conversation she couldn't make out, not that it was her job to listen in. Oksanna adjusted her cap and smiled to herself as practice for the new arrivals. Despite its size, a mega hauler didn’t require that much crew; maybe nine individuals and of course any that may have secured passage on the craft. Whoever they were, they were coming in directly form the Core, and her booth would be their first real interaction and view of the Skyplex and this system. Good to be properly shiny and polished, even if she didnt feel that way.

The lights on the gangway flickered to green, showing a stablaized atmosphere in the tunnel connecting the Skyplex to the massive ship. It was only a matter of time until the inner doors opened and they would be greeting their new guest.

The airlock’s seal released with a soft hiss and a tall woman with no luggage was the first to come through. Jacerelyn Ellylo’s heels clicked against the impromptu catwalk as she disembarked with confidence and the cultured strut of a woman who knew she was undeniably pretty, dressed in fancy clothes and practically on display. It was blatantly obvious what she was; a Companion paid for her company, her words and her body.

A Companion was not a whore - well a Companion was more than a whore. Her thought and diligence would be honed to the purpose of becoming what her client needed, not just what they wanted. And that required effort though she had to make it look effortless. And this woman had a way of making everything look effortless. She had on a pair of blindingly white slacks that flared out below the knees, almost hiding her pointed brown boots. Her purple blouse was sleeveless and suggestive, but not unfavorably so. Her platinum hair cascaded down her back and across her shoulders in luminous sheets, with a wide brimmed sun hat hung low upon her brow matching her pants, decorated with a large purple bow and long tassels. It was an entirely infeasible outfit for space travel or station life, but she pulled it off as only an infeasible woman could.

Never mind that there was no natural sunlight on Green Leaf Station; nor indeed a star named Sun in the entire system.

The Companion stopped in front of Scarlett and the Marshall, her hip cocked to one side by it’s very nature. She tilted her head back, revealing from beneath the brim of the hat an angular face with a defined jawline and a smile full of perfect teeth below two vivid eyes so blue they wounded the vanity of lesser people. When she spoke her voice was like liquid passion, flowing from word to word in a nondescript dialect infused by a series of exotic consonants. “I thank you for being received by yourselves in person. I am Jacerelyn Ellylo, but there is more to a woman than her name.” She held out her IdentCard and smiled at the blonde woman behind the counter of the customs booth not far away.

Scarlett watched the woman disembark from the Blue Sun ship and navigate her way over to her and the Marshal. She was stunning, even in Scarlett's opinion. She had not expected... this from Blue Sun. A company known for its reach and love of profits was not supposed to walk into the house like a superstar. Scarlett couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated. The power than came with a Blue Sun officer was immense, but the fearlessness this woman carried in herself was impressive.

"Miss Ellylo. On behalf of the Skyplex, we are honored to have you here with us. I cannot speak of exactly how much literally thousands of people have eagerly awaited your arrival. They have literally been lined up since last night for a shot at what you've brought to the station. They seriously want it. And I am so excited to have contracted with you. I appreciate the shot you are giving all of us. And I will personally make sure you are completely satisfied while you are here."

“All of you? I shall be a busy woman indeed,” Jacy replied with a barely disguised smirk. She briefly looked over the docking ring at its pedestrian traffic. “Lined up and awaiting my arrival; it is just as it should be, though I had not planned to service quite so many. Perhaps I will refer some few of your eager populace on to the capable women of Mission Temple, just while I bed my way through their numbers. I dare say I’ll require suitable lodgings if I’m to be suitably rested between clients.” While she spoke, a pair of crisp uniformed Alliance officers disembarked the ship behind her. They were neither young nor old, but somewhere in between and unlike many of the slovenly soldiers one might find patrolling a Skyplex, these two men were robust, muscled and disciplined. They had the look of bodyguards which made it almost seem silly that they were each carrying and dragging assorted luggage from the ship. At Jacy’s nod, they bypassed Scarlett and deposited the luggage neatly near the customs booth.

A bewildered look came across Scarlett's face as the conversation continued. She was missing something, or this Blue Sun officer had a very off center sense of humor. "I'm sorry, are you not the representative from Blue Sun? There seems to be a bit of misunderstanding here."

“Your Blue Sun gentlemen should be on board somewhere,” Jacy waved a hand carelessly over her shoulder. “They did not wish to mingle with my officers. Shall I...” and Jacy indicated the customs booth with her IdentCard. She shrugged and moved along excitedly to Oksanna.

Scarlett closed her eyes for a moment, attempting to bury the embarassment of the offical greeting she had just provided to the... companion? She really wasn’t sure, but she certainly felt ridiculous for trying to accommodate and satisfy her. She’d need a drink after today and it was still morning. She nudged Marshal Anderson. "Thanks for the back up there,” she whispered to him.

~~~

"Welcome to Green Leaf Skyplex,” Oksanna said with an energetic smile that likely belied her condition from the previous night, but she was a professional. "If I might have your IdentCard please,” she stated, extending her hand to Jacy to receive the card from her.

Jacy nodded her head and held out her IdentCard which Oksanna accepted and swiped through a scanner. The blonde woman pointed to the white hat atop Oksanna’s head. “I love your hat! Would you consider a trade?”

At the mention of her pillbox, Oksanna smiled kindly. "I wish I could, but it comes as part of my required uniform. I expect you could find one at Rim Rats Surplus on Deck 2. They have all kinds of uniform pieces. Your hat is lovely.”

The two uniformed soldiers accompanying Jacy kept their eyes to the crowd as if they expected some sort of trouble, but Jacy went on conducting herself as if she were shopping or on vacation. To the trained eye however, there were subtle indicators that she was more alert than she appeared.

“What is the purpose of your visit to the Skyplex?" Oksanna asked. Everything quickly checked out and Oksanna became increasingly excited as she returned the other woman’s credentials. A registered Companion was about as close to a real celebrity as the Skyplex received. They did receive musical artists now and then, but some one of the social standing of a Companion was a rare event and usually part of an entourage of a wealthy traveler stopping in port.

Slipping the card down the front of her blouse, Jacy removed her hat and pursed her lips. “Business or pleasure? In my line of work they are one and the same. I am here to work for at least 72 hours, but I’d like to stay longer and enjoy the hospitality of your station if you’ve no objections.”

The woman's record raised no flags from Immigration control in the Core. Not surprising; Oksanna knew most companions were very upright citizens that brought a strong stabilizing harmony to the sphere of influence. Her presence might be good for the skyplex. "Do you have a private suite you are staying at? I could make some recommendations if you like." Oksanna suggested.

“It is kind of you to offer your assistance. Are you by chance able to confirm my reservation with Tensing Momo Hotel?” Jacy happily waved at a passing stranger who was staring, probably just as much due to the Alliance Officers as she.

"Give me a moment." Oksanna gave the Companion a broad smile as she tapped information into her monitor. Her eyes lifted a bit at seeing the response. "The Tensing Momo has your reservation, but it’s only a Deluxe room. Certianly not appropriate for a woman of your standing. The problem is we have so many folks in port for the shipment you came in with that just about everywhere is booked up. My family does keep an apartment for visiting business guests. I can likely make arrangements for you until the crowds die down if you like?"

Jacy flashed another toothy smile. “Would you truly ? That’s very generous of you and I’ll happily accept your family’s hospitality. Let’s not cancel the Tensing reservations just yet, however - in case your apartment proves to be less available than we would hope.” Jacy leaned in slightly towards Oksanna. “Are there...porters who I may hire to help with the luggage?” She nodded her head at the serious looking Alliance men who seemed bound and determined never to smile. “My boys prefer not to be seen publicly handling my things, though I assure you they are wonderfully accommodating when no one is looking.”

Oksanna typed more into her terminal. A response bounced back fairly quickly, her eyebrows narrowed a little as she typed more into the machine. A few moments later her brows relaxed and a broad smile appeared on her face. "My father wishes to extend his welcome to the Skyplex. You are more than welcome in our family's guest suite. Outer ring, deck one, unit 222. I can have your bags delivered. I am so exited to have you as a guest of the Petrovich Family. You are welcome to explore the station, your belongings will be delivered soon. If you would like a personal tour of the station I would be happy to oblige you after I get off work."

“You have handled everything, dear. I can think of nothing that would give me greater pleasure than to be guided by yourself personally.” Jacy tapped the desk with her fingertips. “Please connect to my signal after your shift; I will make certain to be free this evening.”

Oksanna smiled genuinely. "You can pick up the Passkey to the Suite from my brother Dimitri at Donut Czar Us on Deck 3. He's the manager. I hope your enjoy your stay on the Skyplex."

Hanging back on the gangway, Juni had observed the last few minutes of the reception received by the registered companion, measuring the reaction of the parties involved. Sizing them up, filing it away for future reference, she stepped out of the shadows and strode towards the waiting group. In contrast to Jacy, her appearance and clothing were utilitarian, practical and masculine. She sported a dark grey tangzhuang style jacket and trousers, black sturdy boots, and her hair was braided tightly to her head.

She held out her IdentCard, which flashed with a steady blue light that indicated her credentials and security clearance. Juni held the gaze of the woman she recognised from her Cortex search as the dockmaster of the skyplex, and raised an eyebrow in greeting. Miss Ellylo had done enough talking for the both of them.

Scarlett watched the new woman move out from the gangway. She looked more like what she was expecting from Blue Sun. She genuinely didnt know if her tight tweed skirt made her under or over dressed with the woman. She stepped forward towards the woman. "Welcome to Greenleaf Skyplex. I am Scarlett Newman Wilson, the station administrator. This is alliance Marshal Gill Anderson. I am glad to have you here. I know there are details from the contract to finalize. We can head to my office if you like, or if you would like to grab some brunch after your trip, I would be happy to arrange things to your liking." Scarlett kept smiling although she was sounding stupid to herself.

Having grown up on the Rim, Juni never said no to free food. "Something fresh to eat would be very welcome,” she nodded, holding her hand out to greet each of them. "Though I caution you that 'finalizing the contract' won't involve any great deviations from your pre-agreement with Blue Sun, if that's what you're after. Margins are margins, Ms. Wilson."

Scarlett grinned a little at the comment. "I assure you, we are completely satisfied with the opportunity you have provided for us. My concerns are primarily logistics that were better discussed once you arrived." She walked Juni over to the immigration booth. "Miss Petrovich, this is our representative from BLUE SUN. Could you run her IdentCard, please?" She looked back at Juni. "This will just take a moment; we have regulations to adhere to."

Jacy watched the exchange between Scarlett and the Blue Sun. She and Juni hadn’t spoken much during the trip; nothing more than simple one-sided pleasantries on Jacy’s part. It didn’t appear that Juni was any more inclined towards friendliness with the dockmaster either.

Juni handed over the IdentCard, and leaned in towards Jacy.

The Companion returned the gesture and leaned into Juni, nestling their shoulders together as if they were dear pals. “There’s no need for you and I to miss one another’s company. You are about to close on a very lucrative business transaction and I would be happy to receive your bid for contract.”

[TAG JUNI]

Placing the white hat back upon her head and turning to Oksanna, Jacy asked, “Was there anything further you required of me, just now? Or are we free to explore your lovely station until our rendezvous this evening?”

"See you this evening," Oksanna said to Jacy as the two parted and she made way for the administrator and her party.

Oksanna accepted the card from Juni and placed it into her reader. The woman's credentials immediately popped up with bold red "Classified: Not for Review" printed across the screen. Scarlet looked in a minute, making sure she finally learned the woman's name having missed it in their rather abrupt introduction. Juni Hart. Good to know. Oksanna keyed in her override codes logging the entry to the station, but not transfering data anywhere. Scarlett nodded as Oksanna worked, trying to look official, even though she had nothing to do with the immigration control.

Juni let the grunts untangle their red tape. Her credentials were first rate. She smirked at the departing Jacy. The woman had balls, she had to admit. She liked that.

Oksanna handed the flashing blue IdentCard back to Juni. Scarlett smiled. "Ms. Hart, if you would follow me, I know a great place for lunch."

Juni stashed her card carefully back in her belt - the pickpockets on a station like this would be rife. "Lead the way," she demurred, nodding thanks to the staff.