Stubborn Girl

Nathaniel Salem: "You're an awfully stubborn girl. Do you know that?" He glances over his shoulder.
Hanako Omori attempts to keep her breath from being too ragged, spending a good amount of energy in merely keeping up with the man. She clutches onto her journal, smiling widely. "Yes! I've been told that it can be a very good trait-- persistance, that is."
Nathaniel Salem: "Yes. Until you keep pushing into a ravine and die." He adds, cool and articulate - with an oddly affable tone, as morbid as he is.
Nathaniel Salem: "I believe I already said no twice. What more do you need?"
Hanako Omori shakes her head and if she weren't wearing mittens, she'd be waggling her finger. "No isn't a good enough answer for me. I need to know more-- I must! This expedition will provide the greatest story of all time."
Hanako Omori: "And I'm terribly great with people! I can be.. be.. your people-person!"
Nathaniel Salem: "What an excellent idea. You'll pester the local nobles into assisting our delicate endeavors. That could only go well." Flatly. "Story or not, Lady Omori, this is private business. This is /dangerous/ business."
Nathaniel Salem: "This expedition is not something to trivialize or sensationalize. Sensitive information transits aboard the ship. /My/ ship."
Hanako Omori: "Dangerous is -my- middle name, Master Salem!" She places her hands on her hips and puffs out her chest, proudly. "I ran away from home to sneak onto a ship heading for Eorzea! With the help of Kaname and Ayame.. BUT!" She clears her throat. "Wh-what if I get a bodyguard? And I'm great about not spreading information!"
Nathaniel Salem: "You're a /journalist/, Lady Omori. Your /life's work/ revolves around spreading information."
Hanako Omori: "Yes, but I'm good at keeping the 'sensitive' information confidential. I know how to change a few words here and there to protect one's privacy..."
Nathaniel Salem seems to be considering it for a time... But he closes himself off once again, making a dismissive gesture. "Tabloids have ruined me and mine before. I respect your work, as I respect your art; keep it to portraits, Lady Omori. This entire affair is beyond you, and I /doubt/ you will get a bodyguard /I/ approve of in that city."

Hanako Omori waves her hands to him, trying to motion him to wait. "O-okay, maybe I won't publish -your- story, but what of those in the expedition? With sensitive information kept, well, as I said... A-and I have someone in mind! He's a very tall xaela man, very strong.. carries a bow!" At least she thinks he does, not quite remember what weapon he held.
Hanako Omori: *quite remembering))
Nathaniel Salem was already getting ready to leave, letting out a loud sigh and stilling at her flailing.  "Of course. And where is he now?"
Nathaniel Salem: "Hiding over behind that lamp post, perhaps?"
Nathaniel Salem: "Do not make me regret stopping for you, Lady Omori."
Hanako Omori clears her throat, scratching her cheek. "A-actually, outside the um.. city.. He likes to play music and like to take his breaks to write songs."
Hanako Omori: "--And I've held positions in Public Relations! Translator, scribe-- outside of what I normally do with painting, reporting, singing..."
Nathaniel Salem: "We already went over your dossier. You know this has nothing to do with your competence."
Nathaniel Salem: "Why are you so obsessed with the Voyage, of all things?"
Hanako Omori: "The people, the places, the possible dangers to come-- I'm quite tired of being a prized bird in a cage. You know of my family history." She shake sher head.
Hanako Omori: *shakes her)
Nathaniel Salem: "And I am aware of the Ohta's. But I do not see either of them following me as far as Coerthas to prance about the docks. You would still be using us for your own gain, regardless of how noble or liberating it may be. I've allowed enough wings to be spread when I first set up this expedition, Lady Omori."
Nathaniel Salem: "I've little patience to spare. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
Hanako Omori: "Yes, but I -am- useful, as I keep saying, Master Salem." She takes a step forward, determination glimmering in her glowing lavender eyes. "I also have money to fund-- MY money, not the family's."
Hanako Omori: "I can pull strings, too."

Nathaniel Salem pauses at the mention of coin, stiffening.
Hanako Omori smiles rather sweetly.
Nathaniel Salem: "...The Voyage has enough funds to hold itself up." He is looking away from her for the first time, straightening a glove in doing so.
Hanako Omori steps forward, again, tilting her head to try and look up at him. "Are you suuure? According to some things I may have heard..."
Hanako Omori: "--Aall I'm offering is some extra coin to continue things, Master Salem. My paintings -do- bring in quite the amount."
Nathaniel Salem looks over his shoulder gaze burning - glaring. His entire physical attitude shifts, slowly, subtly, gradually; akin to a beast getting uncomfortable in a man's coat. One that would pounce if it weren't for the cage social circumstances form.
Nathaniel Salem: "What have you heard?" Carefully.
Hanako Omori doesn't appear intimidated in the slightest, keeping her smile, her sweet demeanor that was probably just as scary as a flower. A daisy. Something. "Budgeting things."
Hanako Omori: "--Why else would I offer assistance with gil? --Master Salem, you've been far too kind to me, allowing me a place in the Flare and furthering myself and my career. I want to return the favor."
Nathaniel Salem seems to check if they are truly alone for a time and approaches her, too close for comfort. He murmurs in half a hiss: "Then do not make it sound as though you didn't just snoop around things that are none of your business."
Nathaniel Salem: "I can not be bought. Do you understand?"
Nathaniel Salem: "If you really look to funnel money into the expedition, then it'll be no investment. There'll be no shares for you. Nothing."
Hanako Omori finally freezes, meeps even, not expecting him to have closed their distance so quickly. She lowers her voice in a barely audible whisper, "I'm not buying anything, Master Salem. I'm a reporter, after all. But you caught me, I did snoop. And I'm looking for nothing to gain but the stories of the people. How I spend my money is none of your concern, it's my painting money."
Hanako Omori clears her throat. "And those stories could help better the public opinion."
Nathaniel Salem: "...My reputation in Ul'dah is unblemished. I'll be back to Thanalan soon enough--Before Syndicate dogs can make a dig into my absence."
Nathaniel Salem: "...Think about this... Bodyguard of yours. Then we'll talk."
Nathaniel Salem: "You're not passing the gates if he is not to my liking. Do you understand?"
Hanako Omori: "Let me -keep- it unblemished while you  busy yourself with the expedition. A-and I will. I need to go and find him!! I promise I have one. And yes sir, Master Salem."
Nathaniel Salem shows canines in the beginning of a snarl, but recedes, stretching his fingers to evacuate tension. "No more digging. You hear?"
Nathaniel Salem: "No more." Pointing at her chest.
Hanako Omori || If she was more bold, she'd definitely ask 'Or what?', but instead clutches onto her journal more with a gulp and a nod. "O-okay." But she really can't promise anything.
Nathaniel Salem: "I need to be able to /trust/ my potential partners." He relaxes, lowering his hand, tilting his head back - though without breaking eye contact with her, even past the thick shades. He reaches up to remove them, staring at the woman. "You're fortunate I value passion."
Nathaniel Salem designates her for emphasis again, gesturing vaguely with his pince-nez this time. "We'll see if you're worth my time."
Hanako Omori 's bated breath turned into an elated gasp, almost a squeal of excitment, but she contains herself. Her eyes are sparkling. "I won't disappoint you, Master Salem!"
Nathaniel Salem has the air of a man who regrets his choice of words. His eyes lid. "You won't. Or you'll live to regret it."
Nathaniel Salem puts his shades back on. "I have business with Haillenarte. Get out of my sight before I change my mind, Lady Omori."

Hanako Omori gives him an affirmative nod, pivoting on her heel and rushing away, actually kind of fearful of what might happen. Oh. What did she get herself into now?