[Citadel, Embassy Lounge] A Drink with the Escort (closed)

Arina frowned when she heard the stories of how Illium developed. At one point, equality among species had counted for something a s greater good and goal. The quatrains for most of the time had a very short stick. There was a question if that stick would finally drop out of the game or be handed over to someone else. She sighed.

“Sad to hear, sorry. I have no real idea where this is going to be honest. Illium is in a way an experiment and unique in its setup and regulations. But what other than a long term improvement is to hope for?”

She sipped from her drink. There only was little left and she played with the glass, letting the fluid swashing around in circles. Tides are. She felt quite lonely, washing around in the universe.

“It’s nice that you and your mate stick to each other. Personal bondings are what changes the universe much more effective than politics, at least it’s the case inside asari societies. But maybe we are an obsolete model.” She chuckled and her face lit up.

“But not just doom and gloom. I brought this subject onto myself, serves me right. So, how’s your business on the Citadel going, is the film selling?”

"No, I don't think we're obsolete," Daia said, shaking her head with a hint of a smile. "Even on Illium. I'm sorry to go on like that - you can imagine how it's frustrating. But I don't want to make it sound as if it's all bad. It's so often the personal bonds, like you say - bondmates and lovers and friends. The club, Apricity, all the people connected with it in one way or another - it's our little community, and it's a good one. That's what Eafina wanted, all those decades ago when she helped start the Sisterhood: to recreate a piece of Thessia, an environment where the business wouldn't be just business, where people matter more than credits. It's still there, through everything, still going strong."

She looked happier at the thought, and nodded to Arina's question.

"About what the studio was expecting, which is good enough to call it a success. The setting..." She grimaced slightly, then shrugged. "Well, any film set during the war is walking a tightrope, and erotica doubly so. There's been some backlash. But if the festival's any indication, the people who aren't interested for that reason are mostly at least acknowledging that we're telling an uplifting story, not just exploiting it all. That's all you can ask for really." She chuckled abruptly. "I know I don't have to worry about Justicars coming after me, at least - no sutra prohibiting fictional portrayals, even... well, somewhat silly ones."

She took a sip of her drink, discovered that it was finished, and glanced over at Arina, noting she was low on hers. The bowl lay between them, emptied by various mid-conversation snacks.

"I'm not keeping you, am I?" she asked. She was in no hurry to wind things up, but she knew someone in Arina's position measured her time each day carefully.

“I have yet to see your movie. But I think I will go see it. Or maybe run it at home when it’s out as a holo… probably more likely. I have no problem with that kind of media. I know very well how much Illium and it’s people have suffered so it’s pretty clear this flows into the media that’s produced. Taste is another matter but heh, I am comfortable with a quite many things. A predisposition you need for my job.” She finished her drink.

“Not exactly keeping me, Daia.” She said with a smile. In fact there was only random desk work waiting. “But the pile on my desk is not getting smaller. I wished, every encounter was so pleasant. I would say, we should repeat this on occasion? Next time I could sign in for that tennis court. You could show me how to hit a ball without the use of biotics. Or I could interest you for a game of kepesh-yakshi? Thank you for taking my invitation anyway, I am happy we could do this.”

"As am I," Daia agreed. "We'll certainly have to do this again before long - hopefully circumstances will let us make a day of it, and we can each sample each other's sports."

She rose, and offered both hands to Arina in thanks for the meeting.

"If your next meeting won't be so pleasant," she smiled, "may it be fruitful in other ways, at least. It's been a pleasure meeting you, Arina."