A-315: Mundo Zargo Downport
Money
Lia pays her child support.
She sends the insufficient funds message. I think your assumptions are reasonable.
Randoms
Noted.
Raina Messages
The first message was sent on Lia Day 39, about the time Spanial was approaching the wreck.
The second message was sent on Lia Day 46, ironically about the time Lia was actually working on the Scent for Raina. The second message only arrived in the Mundo Zargo system lastCycle (Lia Day 71).
The third message was sent on Lia Day 54, while Spanial was coming in from the outer system at Zarg’s World to meet Kwint. It actually arrived at Mundo Zargo before Message#2, while Spanial was still in jump on Lia Day 66. It looks to have been sent via a message courier ship rather than over the usual Comms Net channels.
What would Lia like to do?
She will sit for quite a while, processing all of that information. Then she will sit for a bit longer, gathering herself for something. Finally, she will pull out a compact and touch up her makeup and hair and adjust her clothing.
Then she will compose a vid for Raina.
Her stance is relaxed but her posture is strong, self-assured. There is a little half smile on her face.
“Well well, someone seems concerned by my absence.”
Her tone is amused.
“I’m a big girl and sometimes I may be out of contact for longer than you’d like, especially considering where I’m currently living.”
She shifts into a slightly more penitent posture but still very confident.
“Apologies for such a long absence, I know I’ve missed more than one appointment but circumstances made this unavoidable.”
Raina may notice a flicker in her focus there but it’s very brief.
“I’m sure you’ll find some way I can make it up to you.”
Another little flicker there, that might be concern?
“Now, what are these ‘consequences’ you mentioned? I don’t recall anything of that nature… As for this vacation, it’s duration will be dictated by said clauses.”
Her expression betrays a slightly rueful concern.
“Admittedly, I may have missed enough to have triggered the second clause…”
There’s a slight pause as the implications of that sink in. I imagine this moment is one Raina might replay several times. She will see Lia’s brain tick over as her eyes flick to the side, her expression shifts into realisation and there is a tiny frown, a widening of the nostrils and a brief jaw clench before her lips part and her tongue darts out to moisten them just as her eyes flick back to the monitor. Raina may spot a tiny chink in Lia’s impenetrable armour in that moment before her unruffled expression slides back into place.
“As to where I am, you may not be thrilled to hear I’m back in Mundo Zargo.”
Her expression becomes slightly guarded.
“I’m hoping our business here will conclude soon and I can arrange our next meeting together but right now, I can’t say…”
(Some annoying character limit wouldn’t let me finish! Continued…)
“… when that will be.”
She smiles charmingly.
“I can say that when I next see you, I have a gift for you. I hope you like it, I think it’s perfect for you…”
Another tiny flicker there, Raina might guess that it’s discomfort? But she will struggle to guess why.
Lia leans towards the monitor slightly. Raina may catch a small glimpse of cleavage between those shirt buttons. Lia’s expression says that she wants something.
“There’s no need for you to be concerned about me. I’m fine here. I simply need to tie up our business and we will be on our way.”
Her expression becomes a little more pointed.
“If Mundo Zargo is somewhere you shouldn’t be, there is no reason for you to cross that line for me. I’m confident that things will be fine.”
Depending on how Raina feels about Mundo Zargo and the various elements she warned Lia about, this plea may be less convincing than Lia wants. She will also be fairly certain Lia is not confident of anything of the sort but she may be gratified to conclude that this is Lia trying to protect her. She may make of that what she will.
She leans back and gives a more genuine smile, soft around the edges and crinkling her eyes.
“Let me know as soon as you get this and I will try to organise our next meeting as soon as I can.”
Tiny pause.
“Be safe.”
Her smile will widen and she will give a little wave as she completes the message.
Once that’s sent, she will huff a sigh between her lips.
I was so concerned with all these complications earlier, I neglected to make her Merchant rolls for bargains – 14 & 8 vs 12. I’m guessing the first one didn’t go quite as well as the second 😉
Is it possible for Lia to return to the place where they had their meeting in search of Zoner?