[ open] hijinks with sonia

[vorbratta]

WHO: Sonia & YOU
WHAT: Catch-all for social calls, missions and hijinks
WHEN: gestures vaguely at this month
WHERE: Kirkwall, the Gallows
NOTES: Sonia’s info page is here!

Sonia got back from an extended mission that took her out of Kirkwall just a few weeks ago, and then spent the last few weeks fighting off an minor and irritatingly resistant cold. Now that she's no longer sniffling 24/7, it's time for her to get into some more interesting work and socialize like the wine-toting butterfly she is.

She also seems to be amassing quite the collection of children's toys and some clothes, evidently meant as souvenirs. They are slowly taking over one corner of her quarters, like an adorable invasion of stuffed animals.

If you'd like to work on a mission together, hang out (or meet for the first time), or get into trouble (cause problems) with Sonia, hit me up at runawayballista for a starter because I am too old and weary to write generic prompts

Comments

ellis

[vorbratta]

Sonia has been on a number of diplomatic (and assorted) assignments, but all of them minor, and largely in groups. This is her first time on her own, and she is ready for it. In fact, it's about time. The Sonia of three years ago would have happily passed on such an opportunity with a bright "oh, no thank you", because the Sonia of three years ago was dead set on living her life as pleasantly and entertainingly for as long as she could. But things have changed since then. Many other things have not, but by the time she had come back to Riftwatch, something in her had shifted. She wants people to take her seriously now. She can be taken seriously, regardless of what her uncle thinks.

She may also have gained a little too much unearned confidence in the process of convincing herself of her own capability. This could not possibly go wrong.

But Sonia is not entirely foolish, and thought to ask for backup. A bodyguard for a meeting like this is always a good idea. Not just for her personal safety, but to send a message, and she is thoroughly convinced of his skill and reliability. It doesn't hurt that he's rather nice to look at.

She is dressed a shade more soberly than usual, trying to put on a serious show for their would-be contacts. Hands clasped behind her head as they walk, she favors Ellis with a sunny smile.

"Nice day for a walk to the wharf, isn't it?"

It is never a nice day for a walk in to the wharf.

[heorte]

Diplomacy is certainly not Ellis' forte. He knows they're going to negotiate, and that Sonia is doing most of the talking, and Ellis is here just in case of—

Well.

Sonia is in good spirits, which makes the task seem manageable. The request hadn't come with many details, apart from stay close at hand. Ellis can see their destination ahead, considers that they should maybe have tried to set any negotiations in a neutral venue, but its too late for that now.

"We've had nearly two months of rain, so being out in dry weather is a welcome change."

He gestures ahead of them, to the weather-faded sign.

"I'll open the door for you when we arrive, you enter first. Are you ready for this?"

Because they have a few moments, if she needs to make some mental preparations. Has she done negotiations before? Ellis hadn't asked, and it seems rude to question her about it now.

[vorbratta]

Oh, Sonia has experience with negotiations, of a kind -- when she still spent all her time at court in Denerim, social negotiations were a specialty. But fortunately, partying is not the only skill set she can claim. She's been groomed as a diplomat by her exceedingly diplomatic father, and she's been present at more than one trade negotiation. She understands how they work, how they ought to go down.

This is her first trade negotiation on her own, though, and admittedly, none of the negotiations she'd sat in on ever had anything to do with smuggled goods. But it's fine. A merchant is a merchant is a merchant. At the end of the day, they just want their coin, and Sonia knows how to bargain.

She takes a minute to shake out her hair, fluffing it from beneath so that it spills a little more artfully over her shoulders, and then smiles brightly at Ellis. 

"I'm ready. I'll do the talking, but don't let anything I say distract you." There is, for a moment, a serious look on her face, deeply earnest. For all her unearned confidence, she really does want to do a good job. Then she smiles again. "And I'll be free of distraction just by having you here."

[heorte]

A momentary flash of a smile; that sincerity is something Ellis instinctively wants to safeguard. She wants to do well, he wants to do whatever he can to be certain she does well in this. His own apprehensions and misgivings about talking people into things can be set aside for a moment as he touches her elbow lightly.

"I can promise you my full attention."

Since theoretically all he's here to do is look mostly intimidating and interject if someone gets too rowdy. Neither is exactly a stretch of his ability. As he opens the door for Sonia, he weighs the pros and cons of taking out his mace. Maybe not right off the bat.

His initial impression: the room is clean, if slightly overcrowded. The table in the back is clearly where they're meant to be headed, judging by the expectant expressions of the individuals sitting around the table.

"There," he indicates to her quietly. "I assume that's the group about to make you an offer."

On some dubiously acquired coffee. It'll be interesting, if nothing else.

[vorbratta]

It's funny, how the slightest touch can make Sonia feel worlds more comfortable. She smiles beatifically at him before straightening and striding in through the door.

Sonia's gaze lands on the group at the back, nodding in agreement. They seem a little rough around the edges but a civil bunch, and in her experience, merchants usually are. Not very easy to deal with nobility if you insist on being unpleasant about it, after all. Granted, these might be smugglers, a breed with which she has no experience whatsoever. But, as they say, you learn by doing. Sonia makes her way over to them without a trace of unease, smiling pleasantly at all involved with a little nod of her head in greeting.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," she says cheerfully, and executes a neat little bow with a flourish of her hand. "Lady Sonia Barra, of Riftwatch. I believe we have an appointment."

One of the merchants (or maybe-smugglers) greets her with equal civility, offering her a chair. Sonia takes it without looking back at Ellis; she doesn't need to. A few pleasantries are exchanged, a courtesy drink poured, the usual diplomatic foreplay to a business deal. This, Sonia feels more confident in. She has spent her whole life learning small talk in its most powerful and necessary forms, and by all appearances, things seem to be going well.

Sonia folds her hands on the table and smiles at all present. "Now, I do believe you said you had some rather rare goods on offer. Riftwatch is certainly interested in doing business with you, if your advertising was true. I am authorized to offer you a competitive rate."