Welcome to the Tea & Pee Bar at Fortitudine .... enjoy your stay!

[Victor Steiner]

''The pleasure is all mine Edith'' he smiled back ''I have a table set aside if you would like to join me'' he said gesturing towards a quieter area of the Bar. ''I should very much like to continue our conversation we were having in space, untill that damned Ion storm showed up, unless of course, there is something you wish to talk about?'' He said

---

[Mushy]

Edith nodded, positively replying "It would be a delight," before standing up from the bar seats, taking the now half-full glass of water with her.

After a brief moment, she spoke again, a little bit more quiet, "Although, pardon me, it's been a while since that little space talk, and I do not remember where we were heading with it. What would you like to talk about?"

[Victor Steiner]

William led her over to the table he pointed out, a few people we about but no one too close. He waited for Edith to sit before doing the same.

''I believe we were discussing you, before the storm showed up i was going to ask how it was you came to command such a fine vessel.'' He paused before remembering something ''Oh, where my manners, Would you like a drink? Something other than water perhaps?''

---

[Mushy]

Edith thought for a while.

"Actually, one Mojito MacRae sounds nice."

She then took yet another sip from the glass of water, and coughed, starting the story, drinking the water here and there.

"How did I came to command such a fine vessel, you ask... Well, it's kind of a long story. Let's start from the beginning, shall we?"

"So, my space adventure, sort of, begins after I got my pilot's license. I wanted to explore the house of Bretonia on my own, and so I bought a cheap freighter, and looked for jobs that would take me around. Soon enough, some sort of a job popped up for me on Canterbury Station, just some very simple hauling. Few years passed, it didn't pay much, but it was good enough."

"Then, something interesting happened. I was a part of a convoy, which got into big trouble with a few lowlife pirates. Needless to say, we were defeated. They boarded us, took us in as hostages, and well, they would probably get away with this all, but a cruiser was on intercept course with the pirate group, a Bretonian Destroyer. Another fight broke in, and well, we were free once more. Pretty scary, but otherwise nice experience all things considered!"

"We were dropped off at the nearest station. Thankfully, under insurance, I had the damage caused reimbursed in finances. I could afford a better ship, when I combined this with my earnings from those years of flight. With a little loan, I also had the engines upgraded to something more... efficient, and I started flying around Sirius instead. My parents did not like that, of course, as they were anxious after they heard what happened to the original freighter, but I was determined I wouldn't get into the same trouble this time."

"And so, flying the Percheron this time, with efficient engines, I've started doing errands between Liberty and Bretonia, sometimes between Rheinland as well, and the money started flowing in. I was an efficient trader now, and with all the money and a loan from someone from Interspace Commerce I got to know during my temporary stays in Liberty on Planet Manhattan, I had enough money to buy an even bigger transport, but didn't have the permit to fly such. So, me and that acquaintance got to talking, discussing the matter, and they believed I could work for the Interspace guys."

"So, I said, why not, it won't hurt, and I'll be able to procure a bigger ship. It was around that time when the Gauls started invading Bretonia, and so, hastily, somewhat under fear, I rushed back to Bretonia, got my Shire, hired a few crewmembers, picked up my parents, and we flew to Liberty, where they live now. And I technically do too, but I'm mostly in space these days. My ship became my mobile home... Either way, my ship didn't have a name yet, when we arrived, so I considered the history, stuff I've been through, and called it the Eagle of Canterbury, as I started my trading on that very station, and now, I flew the colors of Interspace, a Liberty corporation, and Liberty equals Eagle, right? It sounded only fitting."

By now, the glass of water was certainly empty.

"And that? That's my story. Hard to believe at times, but it's all true."

[Victor Steiner]

William listened patiently, he tale was certainly unlike most traders, indeed, most would have given up trading after being boarded by pirates, but not her it seems. She stuck it out, and did all the better for it, there was something admirable about that. After she finished William waved the waiter over.

''Yes sir?'' the waiter asked
''One Ardmore Whiskey with Ice and a Mojito MacRae please'' William said
''Right away sir'' the waiter replied and returned to the bar.

''I believe you, quite the tale that. You miss home? or do you prefer Liberty? What with your family being there and all.''

The waiter returned and set their glasses on the table before leaving.
''Cheers'' william said holding his glass up.

---

[Mushy]

"Cheers!" she said as well.

"Well, I had some second thoughts about returning to Bretonia once the conflict with Gallia settles. At least to some extent."

She looked at her mojito. The way it was prepared, and the way the cocktail looked was very intricate. It looked positively amazing, and after taking a brief look, decided to sip a bit.
Turns out, it not only looked delicious, it was delicious.

"Mm, I haven't had a good drink like this in a long time, usually it's just water or some really mild blend of gin and tea."

"Either way, where was I.. Right, Liberty. Well, staying in Liberty is nice as well, but flying Liberty colors makes some people in Rheinland upset, apparently. Mad, even... Last time I was there, before I came here, I had to sign a deal with the Unioners. Had two choices, pay, leave and live, never return, or refuse, and get blown up. It wasn't an ordinary fighter either, it was a gunboat."

"Well, I signed up for a deal, ten million per one encounter with the Unioners during my presence in Rheinland."

She sighed. Of course, ten million was a large amount, and so she thought about not going there for a while at least. There is a whole lot of Unioners in that area of the Sirius Sector, and she wouldn't like having to pay so much. But maybe, just maybe, they'll forget who she is after a while.

"I think I'll be able to withstand that. If not, there's always a different way to earn money, although my higher-ups may not be happy about breaking the contract. Still haven't finished it. Maybe I will come back to Bretonia sooner, and fly my true colors. The colors of Bretonia, most likely under.. Border World Exports."

Sip.

"But that's all in the future. What do you think?"

[Victor Steiner]

William took a sip of his drink and smiled at her, ''The drinks they make here are some of the finest in Bretonia, and I have had the pleasure of visiting quite a few bars and pubs'' He paused and took another drink before setting his glass on the table.

'That is some bad luck with the Unioners, it really is. What's worse about Rheinland pirates is the fact that they have a very good and very long memory. If you like, i could procure a few escorts for you next time you fly there. So far as what i think? Hmm, well I think you're a very successful trader for one. I also think you should return, Bretonia is your home and she needs her citizens, now more than ever. Of course that is entirely up to you, if you're happy in Liberty, then I'd say stay.''

---

[Mushy]

Escorts. That word sounded very pleasant. Edith usually relied on her own ship's guns, but after some experiences, she understood that they are rarely useful. Most of the time, she just settled to making mutually beneficial deals with pirates to prevent a catastrophic event. The stray pirate in a light fighter, of course, got nothing, as Edith knew twelves guns aimed right at them would make them run home instead.

I may need escorts... she thought to herself, and pondered, drinking her mojito in the time being.

She then finally spoke, "I suppose I could come back, yes.."
"..and those escorts could be arranged, sometime, if I do need to go in and out of Rheinland again. How much would such luxury of additional safety cost?"

She smiled at William, ready to discuss business.

[Victor Steiner]

William was pleased, he didn't much care for Libertonians but so long as they caused him no trouble he saw no reason to give them any. He also knew the frustration caused by pirates, millions lost in one go, It was most irritating.

He took a sip of his glass.

''How much would it cost? Not a thing. Consider thanks for allowing me to take a Beutiful lady out for a drink''

He took a another sip, hoping he hadn't overdone it.

---

[Mushy]

Edith slightly blushed and was taken by surprise when William considered her 'a beautiful lady'. She would probably spill her drink if she were to be holding her glass up.

Enjoying the flavor of the mojito, she drank the rest of it.
"Oh, as I said, it was an offer I simply could not refuse," she said, as she looked at William, "and I cannot refuse this one either, now can I?"

She smiled widely, almost as if to chuckle.

"I'm just wondering, whether to quit Interspace and move back to Bretonia right now. My parents could actually stay in Liberty, while I could probably purchase a residence in Bretonia. You.." she paused for a while, "I suppose you don't know of any good places that are up for sale right now?"