Practical Diplomacy

[sith_happened]

Today the class was back in the Danger Shop, but instead of a press conference, it was set up to look like an extremely stuffy reception. Waitstaff of various species wove through the crowd offering appetizers and drinks as people made smalltalk and tried to look and be as interesting as possible.

Anakin hated these events. "Right," he said to the class. "A huge part of your job as a diplomat will be making and maintaining contacts, and excruciatingly dull receptions is an excellent time to do so. Your job today is to find and remember three separate beings' names and what they do while holding a glass of something and eating a plate of appetizers. It's not nearly as easy as it sounds. You must also give them a false name and backstory. Silly accents are entirely optional."

Comments

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[always_someone]

"Oh, it is as one might expect," Norman said, putting on a kind of terrible fake British accent and putting his chin up into the air.

... Which mostly was just a side-effect of looking up at Sidon.

"These things are ever so refined, aren't they?"

He was rolling that 'r.' A lot. It was possible that he'd stolen this particular affectation from his old elementary school's drama teacher, Mrs. Hensher. She had been quite the personality.

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"Oh, most indubitably!" said Sidon, trying very very hard not to laugh at the airs Norman was putting on, which he though were being executed marvelously. "But wherever are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. I am..." And here you could see the moment of concentration on Sidon's face as he clenched his fist which wanted to pump so badly into the air, but he held himself back and tried something different, instead sweeping out an arm as he bowed slightly. "Vahn Ruto, from the dry and arid desert land of Azorilandia, where it is not wet in the least!"

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[always_someone]

"Ah, the desert," Norman said, giving an ever so knowing nod. "I've spent many a long year in the desert myself, what with owning multiple very lucrative sand mines."

... People paid money for sand, right?

"You wouldn't believe how well sand sells in the wintertime in those Northern states. And in the summer, for that matter. Sand is, after all, a year-round commodity."

Also, it got everywhere.

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"Yes, indeed!" Sidon agreed heartily. "I can only imagine! So coarse and rough! Although...I'm afraid I didn't catch your name, there. Considering it sounds as though you are quite a lucrative sand merchant and I from a world with nothing but sand, you and I may have many things to talk about!"

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[always_someone]

"Ah, but where are-" more R-rolling, "my manners? I am the esteemed Percival Prenderghast, heir to the great Prenderghast legacy," and that last bit even had some shred of truth, "and, of course, the most successful sand merchant in all these U-niiiiighted States."

This was possibly the first performance of his life that Mrs. Hensher would have approved of. He was actually kind of enjoying himself, feeling at least a little secure in the knowledge that his partner wasn't going to make fun of him for it.

"It is a pleasure and an honor to make your acquaintance, Monsieur Ruto."

And now he was French. A very badly American British sort of French.

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

It was the fanciness. Vague Frenchness couldn't really be helped.

"The Percival Prenderghast??" Sidon gasped a little, hand to his heart which absolutely, totally racing with excitement right now. "I knew the company here would be quite prestigious, but I had no idea. Sir, it is in an honor! In our sand-ridden land of Azoralandia, yours is a name I've heard whispered many a time."

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[always_someone]

"Oh, I'm not surprised," Norman drawled. That R was really getting a workout. "I probably employ a good many of your very own people. Nobody knows sand better than an Azoralandian, after all."

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"That's right!" Now at least Sidon found a good reason to pump his fist. "Sand! It's almost literally in my blood! Should you ever be in the area, please, consider this a personal invitation to stay with us at my family's sand villa. I'm sure you'll find it quite charming. And perhaps even, dare I say it? Profitable?"

Re: Smalltalk like its your job!

[always_someone]

"Oh, are you proposing I make an investment?" Norman grinned that much more broadly. "Why, Monsieur Ruto, I do believe we might have some important negotiations ahead of us!"

Over sand, yes.