2291/Insurance Policies

Insurance Policies
Date of Scene:	05 January 2017
Location:	Plot Room #1
Synopsis:	Precia asks Hannah to assist with ensuring her daughter's loyalty, and Hannah gets greedy in return.
Cast of Characters:	Precia Testarossa, Hannah Sharpe

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Precia Testarossa has posed:
When a rat shows up at the door bearing a note asking you to meet 'Ms. Precia Testarossa' after school, most people would be confused and uncertain what to do with it. That the rat also was able to rattle off an address to a penthouse verbally would only further confuse most. But Hannah Sharpe is a mage, and this sort of thing is commonplace.

The penthouse apartment is relatively far from Infinity's campus, but for Hannah it won't be hard to get there. A pair of elegant double doors greet her at the front, which open almost immediately upon knocking.

Just within is a short girl with a wicked smile, fluffy brown hairs and oddly red eyes. She's wearing a white vestcoat and a pair of matching shorts over a black bodysuit. There's an odd flesh-colored tendril wrapped around one of her legs--is that a mouse tail? Weird.

"Ah, Sharpe-san!" says the girl. "Welcome. I'm Ertiga. Testarossa-dono is just finishing up some notes. Please, come in. Can I fetch you a cup of tea while you wait?"

Hannah Sharpe has posed:
Somehow, Hannah resisted the urge to fingerpet the mouse. Doubly so when she realized just /who/ this mouse probably belonged to.

Never one to be late, Hannah arrives in her usual fashion: a gust of wind, spatial distortion, and Miss White lands. A quick brush through her hair, straighten of the tie, and in she goes!

She can't see it, but she can /feel/ that smile. The young mage shivers a bit. Already, Precia's surpassing expectations. She actually gives a full japanese bow. Still a little stilted, she hates doing it, but sometimes you have to leave an impression.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ertiga-san! Tea would be /great/. Honey if you have it. I cleared my schedule for the day. Not every day a mage like me gets to meet Miss Precia Testarossa!" She doesn't bother hiding the excitement. Her human hand is squeezing in her pocket, the CEO bursting with energy she's violently trying to cram down.

She'll take a seat for now, even pulling one out for the mouse-familiar if needed. Hannah leans in. "Hey. Is she really as strong as people say she is?" Whispers Hannah.

Precia Testarossa has posed:
Inside, the waiting area is oppulent. While this is ostensibly an apartment, the entry hall is clearly designed more like an office waiting area, with a comfortable set of chairs near a small table, beautiful paintings of lightning and storms on the wall, and a plush carpet.

Ertiga escorts Hannah to the table and then bows briefly. "I wouldn't know how strong people say she is," Ertiga replies. "But I don't advise getting on her bad side." Then, the ratgirl runs off to fetch tea.

She returns only a moment later with a proper service, which she sets on the table and begins pouring a cup for Hannah. "Honey here," she says as she offers a cup to the American mage. "And if you n--"

"Ertiga," comes a sharp, uninflected voice, interrupting the ratgirl.

Ertiga can't contain it; her ratlike ears pop out of her hair and she ducks a little, hiding behind Hannah almost on instinct, briefly. "Yes, mistress," she says, bowing graciously. "I've set out tea, and there is a cup poured here for you, as well. May I introduce Ms. Hannah Sharpe," she offers.

Precia Testarossa enters the room following this, walking in her fully barrier jacket--a purple dress with white armor accents. She carries a tall staff topped by a large gem, with golden wings.

Fully powered. As if she means combat. And yet there's no sense of malice coming from her. "Hannah Sharpe," she says, disregarding proper Japanese honorifics. "Hmmm. You're shorter than I expected," she notes, as she studies Hannah.

Hannah Sharpe has posed:
Hannah stands up as the woman enters the room. It's a bit hard to miss, coming in powered up. Then again, Precia does have a certain presence. Another bow, but her attention doesn't deviate from Precia for a second. She doesn't hide the tense to her legs, her arms. Hannah has her magic ready. Not pointed at the woman who called her here but the safety is most definitely off.

A fighter's greeting. Ertiga goes skuttling behind her, and she lets the mouse use her as a shield from her mistress.

"You know, I get that a lot. I just look bigger when I'm in the right kind of light, I'm told." Her smile is small, and definitely crooked. Her arms go wide. "Got pretty good reach though!"

Humor leaves her eyes quickly, swiftly replaced by interest. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Miss Precia Testarossa. I'm honestly a little surprised." A chair goes out. A proper gentlewoman is Hannah.

"What can I do for you?" As much as she tries, there's that little slip of excitement in her voice. It might almost be cute, like a really excited puppy trying to be good.

Precia Testarossa has posed:
Precia stares at Hannah, unimpressed by the teen's "good reach." She waits until the chair is brought out, then lowers herself into it primly.

"I am not yet certain," replies Precia honestly as she continues to study the white-haired girl. Ertiga, meanwhile, darts forward and begins preparing Precia's tea. Once she's done with that, the tiny woman transforms into a rat mid-air, allowing her momentum to carry her to land on Precia's shoulder. She curls up against the woman's neck, then burrows her way into the garment, hidding inside the folds of Precia's robe.

"You have been given a lot of leeway in Eclipse," Precia explains, voice quiet as she raises her mug towards her lips. The woman doesn't sip her tea straight away; she lets the scent roll over her a moment, then finally drinks before setting it down. "More than I think a young child should be given. If your associate, Takashi Agera is anything to judge by, I must believe that Tomeo's faith in you is misplaced."

Precia arches a brow, challengingly, then says, "I would like to be proven wrong."

Hannah Sharpe has posed:
Hannah's finally sat back down, and treats the tea with about the amount of respect one might expect. None. Siiiip. At least she's quiet about it. Her brows narrow just a bit when she realizes what's going on. A touch of worry passes through her eyes, before she sneaks a quiet breath. Calm. Confidence. She drills it through her head like a mantra. She can't show any fear to a woman like this.

"A young child, huh?" Tension in her spikes. But then she relaxes. "Hurts to admit it, but I guess I am that weak still. Prove you wrong?"

That grin comes back twofold. She can barely restrain a laugh. "I like it. Alright! There's nothing more I love than a challenge! But how can I do that?" She asks out loud, mulls over it. Turning her head, her gaze sits on Precia unblinkingly.

"Heh, I think I know. Haven't heard from your protege in a bit. What was her name...Fate? Not that we really ran in the same circles. She must be busy. How about this? I'll do your dirty work. Whatever you want! Collect Jewel Seeds, Lost Logia...maybe even give some of your enemies a good beating so they remember who they're dealing with. Go ahead. Test me. I'm aware plenty of people don't like me and my methods. But I know how to get results, and that's really all that matters, right?"

She finally laughs. "Still. You call me a young child. Maybe you could give me some of your guidance. I'm not satisfied with myself yet."

Precia Testarossa has posed:
Precia doesn't offer any interruption or guidance as Hannah works through her own feelings on the woman's words. She does, however, frown just a little bit more. Something Hannah's said has vexed her, though perhaps the ire isn't directed.

When Hannah reaches greedily for something in return, Precia arches a brow curiously at her. Leaning back in her chair, the woman studies Hannah anew, then lets out a soft noise of uncertainty.

"Maybe," she allows. "If you do not displease me. But let us start with something simple. Very soon, my dearest Fate will be rekindling our relationship0. Last time I sent her to work with Eclipse, that fool Agera allowed her to become weakened by sentiment and kindness."

Precia allows the slight foulness of her tone to linger in the air a moment, making it clear her thoughts of 'sentiment' and 'kindness'. "I am of a mind to give him a second chance, and to give her one as well. Tomoe will want to know whether he actually can learn from his mistakes, and I still believe he has the correct resources to aid in finding the Jewel Seeds I require."

Precia takes another sip of her tea, then explains, "But I need someone who can ensure that my daughter does not lose her way. Someone who will not be swayed by 'sentiment' and 'kindness'. Can you be that someone? Are you capable of it?"

Hannah Sharpe has posed:
Some small part of Hannah really wants to deck Precia. She's protective of her Lab Partner. But knowing well what happened to him when he angered this woman? Well, she's not an idiot. Bottling it up, she holds onto that anger.

And besides, this might just be an opportunity to start fixing her linker core problems.

"So you need an eye on your daughter, huh?" She grows far more serious, closes her eyes, and when they open they're far more flinty than before. If she'd worked with Fate more, she might have hesitated. But right now? Fate might as well be a stepping stone. Hannah's too ambitious to not reach.

"Alright. I'll make sure your daughter doesn't slip the leash. WPS trains magical girls. If you want her to be a weapon for Eclipse? Well, you've come to the right place, Miss Testarossa. You have yourself a deal. Anybody who gets distracted by things like that when there's an objective? Useless." Her eyes harden, flashbacks to shooting out that poor girl's Heart's Egg. Hannah tells herself she can do this. A smile comes to her face. She's done far, far more difficult things.

Precia Testarossa has posed:
Precia studies Hannah quietly a moment longer, then inclines her head. "Good," she replies, then sets her teacup down, still half full. Standing, she says, "Ertiga will be your contact, should you require a way to get word to me. You are free to use my authority as required to ensure Fate toes the line, but do not harm her, Ms. Sharpe. Punishment is a mother's pervue. Instruction are a senpai's. Ertiga?"

The little rat reappears, scampering down out of Precia's sleeve towards her hand. "Here," says the rat as it begins to transform from rat to girl once more. Ertiga reappears gently clutching Precia's hand for support as she gets her legs, then bows. Precia turns to leave the room without another word, but Ertiga is all wicked smiles again. "Do you have your device handy?" asks the familiar. "I'll just rattle off a few phone numbers for you, as well as a drop box in case of any parcels." And once Hannah's ready, she does just that, giving contact information and a reassurance that she can get anywhere in the city quickly as needed.

Once the information is exchanged, Ertiga suggests, "You're welcome to finish your cup of tea before you go. I'll be happy to wait until you're ready."

Hannah Sharpe has posed:
Hannah somehow looks immensely satisfied from the proceedings. "Alright, I'll lay off any beatings. Too bad." She mentally scratches Fate off the 'to Fight at' list.

But she rallies quickly from the dissappointment. Her hand raises from her pocket where Raging Tempest had been clenched the entire time. Seems Hannah came somewhat expecting a fight. Of course, that could just be her projecting.

Contact info and some Device-Data-Things later, and Hannah listens as Precia walks out. Only once the door is closed does she once again give a wide, toothy animal grin.

"You've got a real interesting Master, Ertiga. Hey." A card is flicked to her hand. The WPS logo is clear on it, along with an address.

"She doesn't seem like the type to enjoy a good fight, but if you ever get bored...you strong? I'll need a good sparring partner if I'm going to be dealing with /her/." There's no malice, but she's seen some of what Fate can do.

That done, slipping it towards one of Ertiga's pockets, she lets out a proper laugh. "Thanks. I'll do that."

Already, the tea tastes like victory.

Precia Testarossa has posed:
Ertiga glances after Precia, then sniffs at Hannah. "She doesn't enjoy a fight," Ertiga agrees, "but she certainly doesn't mind ending one if it's brought to her. I don't advise underestimating her, Sharpe-san." The card disappears almost as quickly as it's handed over. "I might come by some time. We'll see."