as written by Ottoman and DemiKara
Stahl brightened the moment she accepted his proposal for an evening out. To meet her away from this bustling, hedonistic place for the rest of the week? The Baron enjoyed the thought, both that he wouldn't have to come here and that she wouldn't either. With a smile he reached to gently pour himself another drink, pausing to offer to do the same for Rose, if she wanted such. The prospect of simply being with her put him in a rather generous mood. "It sounds marvelous, lady Rose." He mused.
To be introduced to her hobbies, who she might really be under her sensual dress and makeup? The man absolutely relished the opportunity, and would do his best not to let it go to waste. "Well, I didn't imagine I'd follow you into the dressing room." He jested playfully, recrossing his legs in the other direction, if he was to wait for her here. To see her dance was a treat, he decided, but to actually be with her was a bounty. Oh... where would they go first? The man's mind began to race, unsure just what to do or where to go with her. Perhaps the theater first? Or a walk? This was horrible weather for walking, he reminded himself.
"I'll be waiting." He murmured to her, returning to his thoughts that she might go and change for being out. As lovely as she looked now, they were clothes best suited to the bedroom and not the theater or a restaurant. Were it that Nixie wanted him to fund her, to become her financial patron, all she would have to do was give the word, though she might not know such yet. Nothing would delight the young baron more than getting her out of such a lewd institution.
Except, perhaps, that she reciprocate his feelings. But Stahl dared not think of such a thing, thinking it lecherous of him to even consider it. She was simply doing her job, he knew.
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Nixie smiled and stood once more, sipping at her new drink until it was finished. “Let me change. You can decide where we’ll begin while I do.” She said, and stepped out of the room, heading to the dressing room. It looked like he was eager for such a thing. It was likely that he enjoyed such a location about as much as she did then. The young woman stripped from these clothes and changed into the much more modest grey dress with green trim she had worn here, one that came to her ankles. She put on the thick tight she wore against the cold as well, and found much of her other gear. She did have a jacket, she reflected, but it was thin and would be soaked in a matter of minutes.
The dancer still pulled it on and removed the makeup she wore, replacing it with less make up, and more natural makeup. There, that was much better. Nixie slipped on her rather sensible if lovely flats, and looked herself in the mirror. She still looked attractive enough to keep his eye on her, she hoped. Uncertain, she fixed her hair more securely how she had it styled. There would be no need to pull it down today.
Satisfied, Nixie grabbed her clutch and headed back to Room 17, before knocking and entering. “Baron Nimitz? I’m ready.” She said, and offered him a smile. “I’m afraid I’m not a particularly colorful dresser usually. I could wear more eye catching things later, if you would like.” What she didn’t have she could come up with from inside the cabaret. Someone would have modest colorful clothes that fit, if he preferred the peacock colors of the nobility.
It wasn’t easy, ensuring everything was set to noble standard, but it was doable. The young woman hoped he enjoyed himself on these outings though. It wouldn’t do for him to lose interest in her, not when so very much could come of her maintaining his interest. She’d just have to manage to keep it, somehow.
She knew it could be a shock though, seeing her go from a rather skimpy black number, to the much more modest grey and green outfit she wore now. Hopefully it wasn’t an unpleasant one.
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Stahl had taken to standing, making sure that what little he'd drank had no effect on him being as the baron had yet to eat today. The thought slipped his mind, at times, when he was on his way to the cabaret. Perhaps simply meeting with Rose would cure him of the habit, but some part of him knew better. It wasn't this place that elicited such a mistake from him, but rather her. Already, were it that she hadn't eaten already, he'd offer her lunch before they went to see the film together, Stahl had decided, and would leave it up to her as to where they would go.
The man had no idea what kind of food she liked, after all, and wouldn't dare subject her to something she didn't enjoy.
The knock and her voice immediately snatched his attention away from whatever thoughts he held, smiling to Nixie as she stepped in, dressed far more modestly than before. The change in dress didn't phase the man, nor did it seem to dampen his appetite for her as he debated mentally on moving to her, or his coat and hat. "You look lovely, Rose, don't worry." He offered, realizing that he would need to get his things before he escorted her out regardless. Quickly he moved to his peaked cap, sliding it over his styled hair rather easily before he took the coat from the rack, hesitating. She had a jacket, but it looked light as could be.
So the baron took it from the rack and gently approached her, holding it up ever-so-slightly to offer it to her, if she would take it. His uniform was already wool, and it would keep him warm wet or dry, but her clothing didn't seem so hardy or impervious to the elements. "It might be a bit big on you but, black is your color." Stahl joked, hoping she'd take it. The last thing he wanted was for her to be cold and miserable on their outing. Besides, to have a woman wear an article of your clothing? That was an achievement, in Stahl's eyes.
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Nixie hesitated as he offered her the coat. “Well…” Hers was rather light, she bit her bottom lip and smiled, uncertain. “I suppose I do look well enough in it. Are you sure it’s allowed?” She wasn’t familiar enough with the rules governing the military to really know if wearing his jacket like so was allowed or not. “I don’t want to get you in trouble.” She said quietly.
But she had glanced out a window on the way over, and it was still raining, if not too hard, or so it seemed from the inside levels. She bit her bottom lip and then offered an uncertain smile. She didn’t want to break the law by wear his coat, but she didn’t deny it was terribly sweet of him to even offer. Still, she’d have to remember to bring her own from now on. It wouldn’t do to let him have ideas.
Though it would be nice to be warmer than she would be otherwise. She made a lean living dancing, after the house took its cut. Her winter clothes were never quite up to snuff on Kosterbrau, and she well knew it. Her jacket would keep her warm enough so long as it was dry, but add in rain, and she’d be cold in short order.
“Are you sure you’d be okay without it though?” she asked, uncertain. Was it allowed, would he be okay? She didn’t know. But it was cold, and she’d wear it, if he insisted. He was her patron. It wouldn’t do for him to fall ill visiting her. He might take it as poor luck, and write her off. That would not be a good thing in any way shape or form.
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He smiled and nodded, rather amused that she might interpret it as being against the law. Of course there were laws against impersonating veterans in order to obtain benefits or pensions, but that was a much more complicated affair than simply wearing a coat. One had to have intent, a full uniform, forged chip-identifiers, the whole lot. "It's perfectly acceptable, Rose, as far as the law is concerned." As far as she was concerned? Well that might be another matter entirely. "You won't get me in any trouble." It might get him some teasing from his sister or comrades, if they happened to see him, but that was about it.
"I'll be just fine in the rain with this." He gestured to his uniform, if vaguely. "I've been caught out in much worse situations in worse clothing." It was part of his job, after all. He didn't relish maneuvers in the elements, but he was bound by oath to do it, and more, if it was asked of him. Still, he didn't want to reflect on such matters with such a lovely woman her, and so he moved to where she might slip her arms into the sleeves of the coat, and let her wear it, as well as she could. It was a deal long on her, and roomy, but he supposed that was to be expected.
"... there, black really is your color, Rose." The compliment was genuine, the man thinking that the color suited her hair and her eyes marvelously, hoping that she didn't mind the rather personal gesture of him offering her his coat. "Now, I meant to ask you but I forgot, before you slipped away, have you eaten yet, today?" If not it was a matter easily enough remedied. "If not, I thought we might get something to eat, once we're away on the tram, and before we go catch our movie."
The Baron offered Nixie his arm, if she'd take it.
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She smiled and slipped into the too large coat. It seemed a good deal longer on her, she realized, but didn’t drag to the ground, luckily enough. Besides, it wouldn’t get her in trouble, and she’d stay dry. Cheerfully, she pulled out a folded up cap from her clutch and slipped the clutch into one of the pockets. She’d have to remember that later, of course. The young woman placed the cap carefully. It wouldn’t provide much protection from the rain, but it would help a little. “I haven’t eaten lunch yet, no.” She said quietly.
She flushed though, at his compliment. Well, it was a common enough color in her wardrobe, she supposed, and it did look good on her. “We can do so.” She accepted his arm and smiled to him, pleased. Lunch, a movie, possibly dinner after. She was going to be spoiled by her patron, she could tell already. He seemed determined to do so, at least. Well, she didn’t mind at all. He could spoil her all he wanted.
Nixie smiled. “Let’s get going. I would hate to be caught out in worse weather, and there’s no telling if the rain will remain half so mild.” Or rather, mild down here. It was likely worse on the level above, but Nixie didn’t know if they’d take the tram up or not. Anything was possible when on the arm of a nobleman. She just had to make sure he didn’t tire of her, the dancer reminded herself. It was in her own interests that he ask her to cut her contract with Kesselring at the end of this.
The idea of having a patron in an action dancehall was exciting, and it caused her lips to curve with a pleased smile, but she didn’t have that just yet. She had to impress Baron Nimitz. Luckily, it seemed she had a good three months in which to impress him as much as possible. Surely in that time she could convince him. “You know…when I dance for you, it need not be sensual. I am classically trained.” She informed him, hopefully planting the see for a good deal more than what she had now. “I can dance both the ballroom dances that nobility prefers and ballet as well.”
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The man smiled as she took his arm, lightly placing his spare hand over hers. To think that she was on his arm now, and that he was escorting her! At the very least his heart was pleased to venture out of this place, and see her in a stronger capacity than simple sexual entertainment. Stepping into the hall he pondered for a moment, wondering if it would've been better to let her lead, as she knew the place better. Still, to hear her suggest dancing besides what was usually seen here in the club did pique his curiosity. It explained why she mastered this art with such grace, at least in his mind.
Stahl glanced to Nixie as his eyebrows climbed slightly. "Classically trained? Rose... are you asking to dance, later?" He wouldn't mind a dance with her, not in the slightest, perhaps just before or after dinner, if they had the chance and the time. Of course, ballet would also be lovely to see, but he knew they hadn't the room for it here, or really anywhere in the city besides a dance hall. But a private waltz between the two of them could be rather delightful. "Now, Rose, is there a back way out of here, that I won't have to take you through that gaudy antechamber that is the public floor?"
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“I would greatly enjoy dancing later.” She said and smiled to him, leading him out the back. The young woman smiled and glanced about, guiding him to the employee entrance. “It’s okay, we don’t like leaving out that exit either.” She confessed. “It’s incredibly demeaning at times, and a bit dangerous for the girls as it is.” She said and then smiled to the guard on the door.
The guard offered her a nod, and opened it for them, to reveal the alley to the back of the building. “Here, come this way.” She said, and stepped through. It was still raining, but not badly so, and the smiled at that. At least her patron wouldn’t get too wet, while they made their way to the tram. “The tram is in this direction.” She said, and gestured the way. This was simply amazing, she decided.
She had a patron, and one that didn’t seem to want to meet with her in the cabaret all the time, or simply see her sensually. “Tell me….about your sister.” She said, thinking to what he had said. Sister were a safe enough topic, she supposed. “Are you two close?” They might be, but they may not be.
She didn’t have any siblings. “What is it like having a sister? I don’t have any siblings myself.” She said and smiled, hopeful to learn more. She did want to get close to him, and learn more. It would be necessary to maintain everything.
The two spent several hours together, lunching at a small café, enjoying the film, going for a walk among the gardens, and then, simply, having dinner together. Now, he had found a dance hall for them, and they had spent a good hour dancing on the open floor, music playing. It was an open night tonight, with a public dance being held.
They have been incredibly lucky to have such an event tonight. It had all been a simply wonderful way to end the night, but it seemed like it was winding down. The dancer smiled, and leaned against him. “Have you enjoyed yourself, Baron Nimitz?” She asked, and smiled, pleased with how the day had gone on. It seemed to go so very well, at least. Everything had gone smoothly, and he hadn’t yet seemed to tire of her, at the very least.
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The Baron, hardly able to believe his luck from the day thus far, glanced to the dancer beside him as she asked such a simple question. Daringly he moved to gently lay his hand over hers, his gloves having been long-ago hung in his belt, holding it carefully. "Do you have to ask, Rose?" Of course he was enjoying himself, immensely, even if he knew that her company with him was something he'd purchased and not won fairly. Her worries of him tiring of her were ill-founded, more likely based in the intrigue and business that went on with the nobles of the deep-empire, but he wasn't so foolishly concerned.
A noble marriage was something everyone likely wanted, as a noble, but Stahl was far more concerned with simply being happy. Alke had already found what thrilled her, and some hopeful part of Baron Nimitz wanted to believe he'd found what did the very same for him. Of course, to admit to his sister that it was a dancing girl at a local cabaret might get him into a fair deal of trouble. He wasn't sure how he'd go about mentioning such a development to Alke, in all honesty, but perhaps, if he and Rose found that they enjoyed each other's company, he might introduce her in a week or so. That was a proper length of time, wasn't it?
"Tonight seemed to slide into place perfectly." He mused, utterly delighted that they'd been able to take advantage of all that they had. Did God will for this to happen? Stahl couldn't help but think so, letting him have lunch, a film, dinner and a dance with this lovely creature beside him. To the Unterscharführer, her common status meant nothing, save that he might not have to bother with going to a 'noble' function every time he wanted to see her in public. "I fear I long to repeat it."
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Nixie offered him a bright smile at this. “Then we shall.” She assured the nobleman. “Whenever you wish.” She offered, rather pleased. It had been quite the day. Still, she hesitated and smiled. “Will we meet up tomorrow, Baron Nimitz?” She asked, rather curious. He basically had all of her time this week, after all. She had put in her hours at the cabaret already.
Of course, it was possible he didn’t wish to see her daily, but judging by the past few days and this one as well, he wanted to see her for at least a few hours a day. “I can meet you somewhere other than the cabaret, if you like.” That wasn’t a hardship. The trains crossed much of the city, and she could certainly leave in enough time to get to wherever she needed to see him at with ease. Still, it was obvious to her that the day was heading for a close, and thus it was time to find out what she needed to know for the next day.
Hopefully, he wouldn’t be too offended by her asking. She had, unfortunately, forgotten to get a mobile for him to call her on. Well…He seemed gentle enough. She could safely give him her true number, she suspected. That wouldn't be a great hardship, particularly if he chose to keep her on later. Of course, she knew there was a chance he wouldn’t…but had she known his thoughts, she would have realized he preferred her for keeps, rather than just as a kept woman.
It was an idea she refused to entertain at all, the very possibility sending her heart into a tizzy. No, if she was lucky she’d be a chorus girl in a dance hall and work her way up, with his patronage. That was the best she could hope for and it was what she set her heart on.
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The man felt his heart skip at her smile, hardly able to keep his cheeks from flushing as they did. He imagined that he could see her tomorrow, and the next day, if he so desired. Unfortunately his duties with the Landwächter did take precedence, and he did have matters to oversee at his post before he could visit lovely Rose again. "I would adore seeing you tomorrow, I just don't want our visits to become too... routine." Too boring is what he meant, but he didn't want to upset her by saying such. The man didn't ever want to insinuate that she would be at fault for such a thing, rather he didn't want the two of them to grow so used to each other without him declaring his intentions, lest they find each other unappealing.
"Perhaps we might find an indoor pool, some time. Perhaps not tomorrow, but some time when we can swim together." Considering she said that she enjoyed it so much. He could appreciate it, though he was never much of one for swimming - more for a lack of chances to swim than any genuine dislike. Stahl was a hint nervous at the chance of swimming in the ocean anyway, and preferred to stay away from the beaches. The poor spacer was much more comfortable with the concept of a sea of space than a sea of water. Things could hide in water, after all, not so easily in space. "I think meeting away from the cabaret might be preferable, if you don't mind?" He asked gently, not wanting to be too presumptuous.
"Shall we decide where now or... tomorrow? I could call. I have some business with work in the morning, but once muster is dealt with and there's no outstanding business with my men, I... I could be on my way." He didn't want her to have to wait overly long after all. Perhaps, given that there might be a delay, if the situation proved unpleasant tomorrow morning he should simply wait until tomorrow. "... and on that thought, perhaps I should just call tomorrow, if work holds me past a certain time." Baron Stahl let out a lengthy sigh on that note, speaking without words that he predicted such complications. He was less of an Unterscharführer at times and much more of a babysitter, at least when he wasn't being berated for the shortcomings of his men.
"How shall I reach you, lady Rose?" He asked, pushing such thoughts from his mind as he squeezed her hand gently. Oh were it that he knew her desires, he would have offered such patronage to her immediately, without a second thought, if it might warm her heart to him. Stahl was, however, deathly afraid that any forward act on his part might cause the lovely woman beside him to terminate his contract.
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“I wouldn’t want them to become routine either.” She assured him and squeezed his hand with her own. Still, she noted down the thought, so she could consider coming up with new ideas of activities for them to do. She didn’t want to lose his interest. That would go poorly for her, if he chose to terminate their contract because things had grown much too routine for the noble lord. She had no clue that he had any intentions outside of the norm for this sort of relationship though, and likely wouldn’t ever suspect such a thing.
“And swimming with you would be enjoyable.” She’d have to find a bathing suit that met noble expectations of course. “I’ll search for an indoor swimming pool that is suitable.” She assured him, not wanting him to have to bother himself with such minor details. The young woman smiled to her patron and considered where they could meet, before withdrawing her hand to pull a small notepad out of her clutch. She jotted down a string of numbers and smiled, offering it to him.
“Let’s meet away from the cabaret.” That was an easy stipulation to agree to. “You can call me on my comms unit, when you want to meet up.” She offered, cheeks red at the idea. She didn’t know exactly how she would deal with being at his beck and call, but it was her job now, and it was one that she could handle well enough, she hoped. “That way you can let me know when you are finished with work, and if we’re going anywhere that requires me to dress a little nicer.” She wasn’t exactly wearing one of her most formal gowns as it was.
He seemed a good enough man at least, and he had lent her his coat for the evening, when he hadn’t had to, strictly speaking. Perhaps this would be a good arrangement for all involved. She didn’t even consider terminating the contract of possibility on her ends. Mr. Kesselring would levy fine and punishment on her for doing so if she did, and she didn’t want that at all. Besides, Baron Nimitz was a good enough man. She could certainly live with him, provided he didn’t degenerate once they were comfortable together.
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A gentle hand accepted the piece of paper, taking and folding it twice before the Baron slipped it into his breast pocket. He had her number now, though it was probably a fake one, he reminded himself. "Delightful." He murmured, on the note of being away from the cabaret, "Perhaps somewhere pleasant, a little cafe or eatery." Where they could walk out and not feel like they had to hide their faces behind their collars. It was hardly that Nimitz felt Nixie poor company, far more that the man didn't want her to be at all ashamed. But, he reminded himself, she did choose dancing, and she was so very good at it that she must have enjoyed it at some level, her passion all too evident to him.
"I know you probably don't want me escorting you all the way home, but..." He began to ask, figuring that much. She likely didn't want him to know where it was she lived, exactly, just as she had probably not given him her actual comms-number. It was a disappointing fact, but one that he had expected from the beginning. She was with him because she was paid to be, not because she wanted to be. "... might I at least offer it part of the way?" Stahl tried, hand returning to rest on hers. "I fear my conscience wouldn't let me go without trying to help." He'd feel like a sorry excuse for a Baron and an Unterscharführer for days if he went without offering, and somehow or another Alke would find out and he'd be in quite a deal of trouble.
Already Stahl wondered if Alke would figure that he was seeing someone with him getting in this late, even through the rather unorthodox and roundabout way that he was doing it. It was no surprise that he was already concocting excuses and stories to explain his lateness, but a small corner of his mind told him to simply tell Alke the truth, though he knew where telling the truth often got him. The Baron dismissed such thoughts in a moment, squeezing Nixie's hand once more.
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“That sounds delightful.” She said, and smiled to him. Much better than the cabaret at least. Still, she considered matters carefully before offering him a smile. “And I suppose you can escort me to a tram stop near my place.” She offered, knowing he wanted to help, was all. The woman understood that it was something expected of him, at least. Of course, it meant he’d see what a poor neighborhood she lived in, but that was fine.
She could deal with that, and really he ought to be expecting it all. Nixie saved every cent she could to try and find a way into a dance troop. It wasn’t much but it might work out well. “It isn’t in the best part of town. You’ll have to be careful on your way back.” He was in uniform at least. It wasn’t likely that he’d be attacked. He was pretty obviously not half so poor as most of the inhabitants. Still, she led the way to the tram and smiled.
“I’ll be fine though. Don’t fret.” It was her part of town after all, and she knew it very well. She was known by it also, and that would keep her safe enough. Unlike, of course, the poor Baron who wasn’t familiar with it, or with the sort of people in it. She smiled and squeezed his hand, pleased. It would be fine. Still, she considered matters, and looked to the sky, before removing his coat, folding it over her arm, and offering it to him, slipping her clutch into her own pocket.
He’d need his coat back for work the next day, she was sure. She’d be fine in her jacket until she got to her place. It wasn’t too cold down in the slums, after all. There were too many densely packed people for it to be too cold.
It was rather odd to be without the coat suddenly though, and she ignored the chill that the coat had protected her from. “Thank you for letting me borrow this. It was kind of you.” And he hadn’t had to, despite the fact that he did. The dancer offered him a pleased smile, having enjoyed the added warmth of the heavy wool coat.
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The Baron happily accompanied her, thinking her terribly kind for letting him do such a thing for her. Stahl, of course, knew that she wasn't nobility or gentry, but he didn't expect her to live where she did. Seeing such a thing made him recoil somewhat - not out of disgust or displeasure at the thought of being there, but rather at the thought of her being there. He looked over the place with a pitying eye on the tram-ride in and the stop, however brief it was, and accepted his coat with a sigh. "You're most welcome, Rose." Came the gentle murmur, knowing that he would have offered it to her any time she asked, though he wondered if she knew such a thing.
"Stay safe, please." He offered, holding the coat in his arms, unsure what to say or do. He'd never done anything like this before, never courted a woman or been, as the commoners say, on a date. How did someone end one of these, without wanting to end the courtship? Just walking away seemed so very rude. "I cannot wait until tomorrow." Stahl added, sighing soon after. "... I should probably let you go. You don't want to miss your stop." Even though he wouldn't mind spending more time with her.
Still, she was her own person, and she had her own life to attend to, he knew. The Austran man did his best to root himself in the tram as she stepped off, making himself wait until the doors closed to finally move again.
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She smiled at this and stepped away from him. “I’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She said, quietly not mentioning his name. She didn’t want someone to hear, to think he’d be an easy mark, true or not. She watched the tram take off before she walked down the path to her place. In the end, she had waited until they were at her actual stop before getting off. He was being courteous after all, it wasn’t like hundreds didn’t live in this area. The woman walked home, pleased with how the day went.
As she unlocked her door and removed her jacket, bolting the door shut behind her, she considered the next day. It was unusual, she decided, this job of hers. He treated her less like a companion and more like a noble lady that he wished to court. That was something to think of, and she did just though, considering all that was going on as they had spent the day together.
Nixie smiled as she chose a simple dress, just as modest, for tomorrow, and relaxed with the public television, catching up on the news. It was good to be informed. Perhaps he’d take well to her knowledge. She didn’t know for sure, but better safe than sorry. Still, the date today was on her mind, and she smiled, pleased by it all.
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Weltkommissariat Bureau,
Wismar, Administrative District,
October 3rd, D -17
The rain had settled in for now, the weather front having brushed up flush against the inland mountains, dooming the coastal city to a rather dreary couple of days as they weathered its duration. Bernard was glad that he was inside, even if being the clerk-on-hand for the immigration office was a rather boring job. He'd rather deal with dreadful boredom than be stuck out in that cold mess outside. Already he had Wismar's ambient electronic station playing on his wrist's computer, the music quietly playing as if it was within his mind. Such a way allowed Bernard not to disturb anyone else, even though there was no one else here to be disturbed. They kept a minimal staff in immigration affairs, even here on the frontier, considering how few actually ever came through.
The cold war between them and the Coalition kept things pretty stable between their two states, at least in terms of population fluctuation. Bernard wondered if defectors were shot in the Coalition like they were in the Hegemony, all too easily remembering the Grenztruppen office just down the hall. Perhaps they were, and that's why they didn't see too many people coming in. Of course, it could have also been the matter of the frontier, the lax population density and the lack of any significant interstellar traffic, at least in comparison to the Inner Empire and Core Worlds.
With a sigh he took up the pen he was using to doodle on a notepad with once more, admiring the ship he'd managed to sketch thus far. It didn't look like a warship, perhaps it was a freighter of some sort. The thought spurred the Belkan's mind, wondering what it was made to carry, and what house's merchant fleet it belonged in. Liquid or gas? Solid goods or raw materials? All valid questions that he pondered while the steady rain fell outside, providing a lovely natural accompaniment to his music of choice.
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It had been a very long journey to get here, Aerilyn taking the longest way to get to the Hegemony that could be managed. This was one of the few border planets that she had been able to get to without being smuggled to and so she had taken it. Her red coat was soaked by this point of course, as was the hat she wore, but underneath it, she was still largely dry. The lining kept her dry, even if everything else was wet. Uncertain as to her welcome, the relatively small and far too thin woman knocked on the door before entering. It had been some time since she had several meals a day, what with the destruction of the family livelihood, on top of their deaths. No, Aerilyn had managed enough to get here, to flee here, hoping for, if nothing else, a new start. This place, at least, had not killed her family.
The brunette tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and tugged her coat sleeves down, to better hide the bandages still wrapped around her arms. The back of her hands, at least, had not been too badly burnt, and were healed enough to go out in the open air so it wasn’t too obvious. “Hello?” She said, uncertain. “I was told to come here to immigrate?” She said, looking to him, eyes filled with hope. If she could immigrate here, then, at least, she could get further inside this nation, and perhaps find a job tending to gardens somewhere. The burns wouldn’t stop that much work at least.
After all that had happened though, she was nervous. They almost never said good things about the Scatterran Hegemony in the coalition, but it couldn’t’ be as bad as it had been back home. Besides, here she could hopefully, safely, settle down and find a new life. She couldn’t wander the stars forever, and, well, she was all alone now. Aerilyn closed her eyes until she was certain she wouldn’t cry. “Is that right?” Was this where she came to fill out all the needed forms to immigrate to the Hegemony. No doubt there were quite a few to be seen. She was a little nervous about it all, truth told. Still, she had any papers she might need, folded on the inside of her coat where they would stay dry. Now, if only he remained sitting, so she wasn’t towered over. It would be obvious she was a foreigner, she supposed. Most of the people she had passed on the street weren’t half so brightly dressed, and were all several inches taller. Well, she was Seshan. Seshans just weren’t as tall as other Scatterrans were.