Isabelle's world wobbles - Asil's hand is no longer there to anchor her. Instead, it's reality - in the form of a very forward, and drunk Adriana, who is literally pushing her way into her attention.

And yes, alot of this feels weird. Not just that she's now dancing with the most powerful woman in the Consortium (who also seems drunk off her feet). But also that it's happening in the Crystal Gala, in front of three star systems' worth of dignitaries, whilst dressed in a kimono that is trailing snowflakes. 

It would be safe to say that nobody, nowhere has ever been in a situation like this one.

... so then why does it feel so [i]familiar?[/i]

-=====-

[i]She steps into the boardroom, the first time in front of the directors since her appointment. Their faces turn towards her, frowns at the unfamiliar waif now approaching them. Not sure what to make of her.

One man stands up at her arrival, moving around the table at a speed that is faster than his size would suggest. He is [b]big[/b], easily a head taller than Isabelle, shoulders wider than you'd expect from a lifelong businessman - more suited to a weightlifter or someone who spends alot of times in gyms.

"Isabelle Lozano!" he growls, shoving a hand forward and grabbing her own as he gets uncomfortably close. She's forced to tilt her head back, just to be able to see him. The handshake is strong, firm, dominating. Another message. A message?

"I hope you're up to the task of turning this company around. Profits are down, retention is falling. Our major suppliers are deserting us and it's all thanks to your predecessor that our last flagship investment is not earning the returns it should have." he speaks, hard and fast, giving no opportunity for Isabelle to interject. "I had petitioned your mother to appoint someone with extensive industry experience, but she was adamant on giving you this chance. Given your lack of a track record in mining, I don't know what she's expecting, but I want you to be on notice that the Board will be watching you very closely."

Isabelle frowns. Stopping herself from taking the reflexive step backwards. Overriding instincts that scream at her to dissassemble, to stammer or run from the onslaught.

"Good." she interjects, her own voice hardening. Her own hand tightening on his.

"This company is in a poor position, but it will not stay there for long. I have already worked out three potential strategies to restore Akkanis to profitability, and I hope that today I can make the Board see the value in each." she replies, matching his energy with her own.

"What's more, I have also read up on the profiles of key personnel in preparation for today." she continues, and is pleased when the man's eyes shift slightly. Just a hint of a widening, but well hidden - a valuable talent for someone in his role.

"You can inform my mother that her test has been met." she continues, and by the sudden slackening of his handshake she can tell she hit home with that. "And a credit to your firm for your performance today. Was it Interstellar Motion, or Parascape Pictures? In either case, you nearly tricked me - as you are close enough in appearance to pass for the description I was given of Director Perez. But he's not due back for another week."

The whole room is quiet for a handful of seconds before a single clap echoes from behind her.

"Well done, Isabelle." says her Mother, who dismisses the actor with a glance before gesturing towards the remaining Board members. 

"Now, show these gentlemen your ideas."[/i]

-===-

It's a bull rush. Aimed to get her off balance with momentum, compliments and insults in just the right amounts. Strikes high and low, but with words rather than a sword. Even the "drunkedness" was an element in the attack - one on social norms and decency that Isabelle was known to hold herself to.

Her eyes narrow, as she steps around - managing Adriana's weight before swinging her upright and giving her the option to step quickly or lose her balance.

"Full of contradictions." she says, helping as much as guiding Adriana through the next moves.

"You claim you can't make head or tails of me, but everything you're doing here - interrupting my dance, insulting me and complimenting me with the same breath, even knowing what I have or haven't been doing with Quar, shows you've been watching me closely for a while. And more than that, you've been analysing me enough to know [i]exactly [/i]how to annoy me."

She watches the other woman's face, her arms and body held in hers, for the same tells as the paid actor all those years ago.

"If it's [i]special [/i]you want, you can just keep watching - I'll deliver on any challenge you set me, any hurdle that you or anyone else puts in my way." she continues, her voice hard. "And as for your advice on enemies - well, I only make the ones I have to."

Behind that hard mask, she stamps on the flash of pain that the match with Ksharta brings up - she'd [i]had [/i]to do it. To protect the things important to her. To protect Asil.

"What [i]I[/i] can't understand, is why you care enough to give me advice, but in a way that you know that I'd instinctively want to reject it." she continues.

[Rolling to figure out a person: 3 + 2 + 2: [b]7[/b] - what do you hope to get from this? What are your feelings towards me? Adriana can ask one.]