Schmooze By Proxie

Posted on Fri Dec 5th, 2014 @ 11:50pm by Samanthia Akiashiro & Ensign Corrine Steiner

Mission: Vagrants, Vagabonds, and Thieves

[ON]

The busy Samanthia Akiashiro might not have realized at first, but she was part of best laid plans of mice and Ferengi. The entrepreneurial Choople had gotten burned during his first encounter with Corrine Steiner in the hospital. Now that he had been released from the brig with a stern warning, he needed to approach this hoomon female much more carefully next time.

Choople carefully watched Samanthia, slowly moving closer.

Samanthia moved with ease amongst the various species that patronize The Dive. She had an easy way about her as she stopped at talked with some of more rougher looking clientele. Even the more rowdy of the patrons showed Samanthia respect. As the other females in the establishment were pawed overtly or covertly, Samanthia was left untouched. She had a pleasant laugh and gave it easily when she thought something was funny.

When she wasn't moving around through the establishment, she was enthroned behind the bar in the corner near one of the doors that lead into the back storage rooms. Across from the bar where the patrons sat, bar stools were usually vacant or occupied long enough to secure a drink from the active on duty bartender.

She had spotted the Ferengi scuttling around the bar, trying not to bring to much unwanted attention to himself. She tilted her head forward, letting her hair momentary hide the scowl, before brushing it back behind her ears with her hands as she settled at her spot behind the bar. Her expression was of a studious nature as she opened an actual hard cover book to read as she settled comfortably on her chair.

A man on a mission, Choople made his move. "Bartender? I have to tell you that this is one of the most impressive establishments I've seen... ever!" He was a young Ferengi, not yet refined in the art of concealing body language. Every once in a while, he tried to make discrete glances over at a table. He was keeping tabs on a hoomon female.

"Whatcha want, ya Rat?" Bartender growled as he nodded at the Ferengi as if he had better things to do other than polish the drinking mugs between mixing drinks and serving them or polishing the already highly polished, but dented and dinged, bar counter top. He followed the gaze of the Ferengi over towards Samanthia. He quickly put two and two together and smirked.

"Well, I need some advice concerning hoomon females. All I want to do is have a profitable business discussion. But last time I tried, the creature about split my poor eardrums with her screaming! I... was just wondering... if you had any tips for me before I proceeded."

Bartender just laughed, more of a snicker that shook him. He was the last one to be asked that question, buty, curiosity got the better of him. He could always throw the nuisance out if it was a waste of time. "Whot Business you would be referring to?"

Samanthia looked up from her book she was reading to see what made the current bartender snicker. Seeing the Ferengi before the Bartender. ~~This ought to be good~~ She thought as she listened in on the conversation while appearing to be reading or studying as there was an active electronic notepad next to her.

Choople was loathe to offer details. Spilling the truth usually entails splitting the profits, and that's just not the way a good business man conducts himself! "Wellll, I'm hoping to establish a healthy commercial rapport with a certain person who might possibly be present in this bar. Annnd, she unfortunately is... temperamental. I was wondering if your boss might put in a good word for me."

"That would be her." The bartender pointed towards Samanthia who appeared to be busy writing something on the electronic notepad with a stylus that went with it. "Hey Sammy! This rat wants to speak with ya!" Getting her attention.

Samanthia looked up, pausing in her writing to see what was going on. "Yes?" Was her simple reply as she looked at the both of them. She picked up her drink and took a sip as she waited for one of them to speak.

Getting to meet the boss is always a tingly moment for Ferengi. There's just some sort of cosmic ascension associated with it. "A pleasure to meet you! I'm Choople, aaaand I eagerly hope for the opportunity to be of mutually beneficial service to you!" He gave her a toothy smile, tipping his head side to side.

A Ferengi trying to be cute wasn't going to work with her as it looked downright pathetic. "What type of service you're referring to?" Samanthia spoke as she motioned Choople to a seat across from her. She was curious as most of her business was done with Starship Captains and the Akiashiro Intersteller Merchant Fleet.

Choople took a seat and folded his hands. "Well, I have certifications in information brokerage, creative trade practices in restrictive environments, and also discrete services subcontracting." He leaned closer and smiled, "I was in the top ten of my business school class!"

Samanthia involuntarily covered her drink when he leaned towards her, while at the same time blanked the electronic notepad screen. "I see... Just how restrictive and discrete we're taking about?" To see how far she could push this young Ferengi into disclosing his sources. It would have be very good to keep her interest as she played with the textbook page corners.

"Let's just put it like this. I have trade permits with all the big commerce players, Orion and Romulan included. I... facilitate commercial friendship and goodwill across difficult political boundaries!"

Samanthia studied Choople, letting the silence between them extend longer than necessary. She picked up her drink and took a sip. She set the drink a bit closer to her as she watched the young Ferengi letting the silence stretch for a few minutes. "What about into Ritorian Territory?" As a glint appeared in her eyes along with a soft smile that could mean anything.

Choople chuckled, "My friend, all the quadrant is my market place. If I can't get there, then I find people who can."

Samanthia leaned back in her chair as she listened to the young eager Choople speak, she nodded and then spoke. "In one weeks time. I would like some Ritorian Jelly. One case. Then we'll discuss business. If it meets my standards that is." She looked down at her text book, dismissing him, fully aware of his presence.

The gauntlet was laid down! The challenge had been made! "Yoooou'll have it!" Standing up straight, he raised his bent arm and then lowered it in the Ferenginar salute. He would've liked to have had opportunity to speak with Corrine Steiner today, but some investments take time and effort.

Samanthia ignored the young Ferengi, Choople as he saluted her. It was wasted on her as she didn't see it. She was looking at several pictures with covert glances at him through her loose hair.

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Samantha Akiashiro - The Dive / Warp-12 Propieter
Choople - PNCP by Ensign Corrine Steiner

Starbase 332
Pegasus Fleet