FoE RPG G16 - Session IX Talking to Director Cuffs

[20:17]<Waak|Overcolt>	 Silky Shackles entered the office of Director Cuffs. His secretary was looking through a few pieces of paper, possibly regarding the outpost situation, and the Director himself was writing a new report.
[20:25]<Silky_Shackles>	(She cast Soft Light before that, btw>)
[20:25]<Waak|Overcolt>	(Right-o)
[20:25]<Silky_Shackles>	(+1 to disposition and +15 to speech, if I'm not wrong)
[20:26]<Silky_Shackles>	"Good morning, mr. Cuffs." She says with a smile
[20:27]<Waak|Overcolt>	 "Good morning," Director replies quickly and with a monotone voice. "What's with the return?"
[20:45]<Silky_Shackles>	"Oh, I am a recently arrived trader in this region. I wanted to know more about it, and from what I seen of your work, you seem to be the perfect pony."
[20:46]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Speech check does he believe you ))
[20:47]<Silky_Shackles>	Where?
[20:47]<Silky_Shackles>	((*Where?))
[20:47]<Waak|Overcolt>	Hm.
[20:47]<Silky_Shackles>	((That's not a complete lie, though :P))
[20:48]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Not indeed. ))
[20:48]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Carrot's all alone in #FoEG16OOC :/ ))
[20:50]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Ooops, Xavi's there, too ))
[20:51]<Silky_Shackles>	(( <Bones> Silky_Shackles, Speech 40: 82 [1d100=82] :( ))
[20:53]<Waak|Overcolt>	 The Director puts down his pen and takes a good hard look at Silky. "Those questions you could have asked from any merchant in this outpost - yet you enter my office. I sense it is not your real purpose of seeing me."
[20:56]<Silky_Shackles>	((I'd ask about modifiers, but that was a complete failureanyway.))
[21:04]?	Silky_Shackles shakes her head. "Not just any merchant. It is not until a pony needs to take care of something bigger than themselves that they can truly understand the bigger picture. You are that pony. But you are right, there is more to it. This place is barren and surrounded by raiders, there is only a small settlement hours away from here... I'm curious, what would be here to make this enterprise worth?"
[21:05]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Another Speech check, if you may. ))
[21:06]<Silky_Shackles>	((Guh. <Bones> Silky_Shackles, Speech 40: 73 [1d100=73] Now I know what Godna meant about having Speech only making diplomacy more difficult.))
[21:11]<Waak|Overcolt>	 He lets out a heavy sigh. "I said it yesterday - it is company information, it does not belong to you, how hard is it to understand?"
[21:12]<Silky_Shackles>	((He argued that Speech players have to roll for diplomatic solutions more often than non-Speech players doing the same, which gives the Speech players a greater chance of fail))
[21:13]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( ...hm. Interesting. ))
[21:14]<Silky_Shackles>	((Yep... and I'm seeing this talk in particular is going nowhere. If anything I may get the endless wrath of the guy.))
[21:16]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( He is currently irritated, I can say, he's not completely mad at you... It's up to you. ))
[21:22]?	Silky_Shackles sighs, sitting back. "I understand." She pulls a lock of her mane away from her eyes. "I am sorry about my companion's behavior last time, by the way. She went through quite a bit of stress and she seems to have a bone to pick with slave traders. Not that it excuses any."
[21:24]<Waak|Overcolt>	 The Director eases a bit, as the tone of the conversation changes. "Well, we aren't only slave traders, as you have noticed. It can, however, be profitable."
[21:33]<Silky_Shackles>	Silky hmpfs. "Most certainlu. Not that the mare cares. I wonder when it will dawn at her mind that she can just refrain from buying and leave it at that. But nevermind." She adjusts her hat. "I am working on having two tamed lately. How do you handle your purchases?"
[21:37]<Waak|Overcolt>	 "It depends on the nature of the aquisition," the Director exclaims, circling his hoof on the desk. "The few we purchase from independent groups will be taken care of and brought back to health - at least, out of malnutrition. Food's important around these parts, see? Catched enemies and traitors - we don't sell them, too risky."
[21:43]<Silky_Shackles>	"I see. I have had good results with hostiles, but quite a bit extra time and effort. But what do you do with them, then?"
[21:43]<Silky_Shackles>	*they take quite a bit
[21:47]<Waak|Overcolt>	 "Raiders - at least those with... mental problems - tend to be sold to do jobs that don't include lethal tools - in other words, hardly useful.  More sane ones, though - with the addition of traitors and other enemies - require time, and constant reminder that their freedom of choice has been forfeit. For the most part, in truth, but harsh words work the best."
[21:51]<Silky_Shackles>	Silky nods. "It is a wise choice. Not everypony can keep these kinds in line, anyway. But the traitors you say, who are they? Company saboteurs?"
[21:53]<Silky_Shackles>	((Maybe we should pause here, otherwise it could get too late for you anyway))
[21:54]<Waak|Overcolt>	 The Director nods twice. "Them, or those trying to give company information outside. Mainly The Dam City ponies, to lesser extend Steel Rangers."
[21:54]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( I can survive another hour. ))
[21:55]<Silky_Shackles>	"Excuse me, Dam City? I'm sorry, as I said I'm new in this region."
[21:58]<Waak|Overcolt>	 "Ah, sorry, it's a bunch of ponies who have managed to build a fortress in and around the Macintosh Dam, in the heart of Trampleton. It's still supplying power, despite all these years. Helps the company, but it could be more... monopolized..." The Director tails off, lost in his thoughts.
[22:01]?	Silky_Shackles raises an eyebrow. "Your company is quite... ambitious."
[22:04]<Waak|Overcolt>	 He returns to reality and looks at Silky. "To be frank with you, I'd rather see the Dam under QTC administration than at the hands of New Unicornia - let alone Steel Rangers! Now..." He hits his desk softly with his forehoof. "Is there anything else you were looking to discuss? I'd rather finish my report."
[22:08]?	Silky_Shackles sighs, trying her best to look sympathetic. "Actually, there is something else. Our group has decided to take a look on that building after you made you offer. We discovered it has been occupied. I thought you should know."
[22:09]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( No probs ))
[22:10]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Speech check with +10 for your skill ))
[22:11]<Silky_Shackles>	((<Bones> Silky_Shackles, 50: 88 [1d100=88] *sighs*))
[22:11]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Um, roll again, will you? I don't take a tie here. ))
[22:11]<Silky_Shackles>	((<Bones> Silky_Shackles, 50: 58 [1d100=58] :I ))
[22:12]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Well, The Director failed more this round... ))
[22:12]<Silky_Shackles>	((Oh.))
[22:12]<Silky_Shackles>	((You are rolling for him? Interesting.))
[22:12]<Waak|Overcolt>	(( Yes, I am. ))
[22:13]<Waak|Overcolt>	 The Director raises an eyebrow at the notion. "Occupied? By ponies? Really? The scouts said it had spiders in it!"
[22:16]?	Silky_Shackles shrugs. "Well, we were told the same at Bridlefjord, but how long has been since the last time it was checked?"
[22:18]<Waak|Overcolt>	 "Uhm, the reports are..." he motions his secretary over who in turn brings a piece of paper to the Director. He reads from it, "...a week old. Darnation, very bad timing..." The secretary walks back with the report and the Director slumps against the desk.
[22:19]<Silky_Shackles>	"Oh... it can't be that bad, can it?"
[22:21]<Waak|Overcolt>	 "Well, the initial mission I had in mind was to reclaim the plant, but with the resources given and a new order of things... not going to happen. We will possibly look around for something as interesting, using this church as a base. Well, thanks for the new information, anyway," he says, lifting himself up and tries to look executive again.
[22:23]?	Silky_Shackles smiles. "I am glad to help." She tips her hat and gets up as well.
[22:24]<Waak|Overcolt>	 "Just make sure you keep your marefriend in line, it'd be shame to see her in our plants..." he says as final words as he returns to his report.
[22:25]<Silky_Shackles>	Silky lets out a bitter chuckle. "Don't worry about that." She trots out of the room.