[color=gold][center][h1][i][b]DELTΔ HYPER[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]SaturdayMarch 17th, 2094[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Video Call between Han Hyeon-Ae and Paul Mulder [/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] After having a satisfactory outcome from his call with Beatrix Ward, Paul decided to reach out to Han Hyeon-Ae. Paul understood better than anyone that she was competition on the track. There was something about her that made him feel sorry for her. He felt the media seemed to be harder on her. Paul excelled with dealing with the media. So far he had avoided having to deal with any large scandals. The biggest issue he had was invasion of privacy and their penchant for wanting to compare him to his father. They were always asking him how he thought his father would react to this or that. The truth was that Paul wished he knew the answer. He was very young when his father died. He didn’t have very many memories of him. He had gotten to know his father by watching home videos, every interview and piece of media he could find with his father in it. His mother had shared his father’s journals with him when he turned 16 and wanted to race. It was another way he felt close to his father. He would sometimes hold them and simply stare at his hand writing. It was silly but knowing that his father had written the words. It made him feel closer to him somehow like he wasn’t just some arbitrary imaginary figure. He had been a living breathing man. His mother had told him stories about his father but it was not the same as growing up having your father in your life. Paul envied Arianna for that reason. He still had not been brave enough to ask Alexander about his father. He knew that they had been rivals on the track but close friends. Paul sighed and pushed those thoughts away. It was evening and Paul had finished his duties for the day. He was relaxing in his room. He had on a soft green t-shirt and jeans. He was sitting at the desk in his apartment at headquarters. The desk was the typical black and chrome affair that was the signature look for Valkyrie AGR headquarters. It was a little cold for his tastes. The colorful photo of his mother’s that had been blown up and hung on the wall behind his desk added some needed warmth and nature to the cold space. He needed to contact Han and see if she would be willing to listen to his request. He felt it would be good for her. He didn’t know how his request would be received but one never knew. Paul stopped trying to talk himself out of making the call. He was being ridiculous. The worst that could happen would be that she would say no. He pushed the dial button and waited watching the spinning arrow that showed the computer was trying to connect the call. Meanwhile, in Seoul, the penthouse suite was back to its slightly cold, silent atmosphere, much of the clutter from last time’s social gathering now stowed away so it wouldn’t bother Hyeon-Ae until next time the apartment needed to meet other people’s expectations. The cascading moonlit lit up the obsessively spotless apartment through big window panes. Most people would be deep in sleep, or at least lazily burning their brain away in bed while staring at some entertainment. Hyeon-Ae wasn’t like most residents of Korea - she needed less sleep, and staying still for too long started making her body restless. So, like other times she was alone and left to her own devices, she was working out, pulling herself up on a bar fitted to one of the door frames. The buzz of the comm-piece laid on a nearby desk caught her attention at first, and before long the wall-mounted screen in her living room shook to life, bathing the apartment in light to showcase the incoming call. With a frowning brow, she ceased her workout routine and reached for the ear-piece, clicking on the video-button to stream her living room as she looked up to the monitor. [color=magenta]”Go for Han.”[/color] she intoned as she wiped her hands and arms with a nearby towel. Paul smiled as the screen connected and showed Han using a towel in workout gear. He frowned as he noted the room was dark and was only lit by the screen and the moon streaming in the windows behind her. [color=fff200] Paul: “Thank you for taking my call Han. I must apologize. I got the time difference backwards. I thought I would be calling you midday.” [/color] Paul blushed crimson as he admitted to such a careless mistake. He did the correct math and was surprised to note she was working out when most people would be asleep. At least he had not woken her up. [color=magenta]”Ah, Mr Mulder,”[/color] Hyeon-Ae offered curtly at first, finishing her little routine and discarding the towel. It seems it was a foolish decision to pack away all the decorations after all. She'd nag herself over that mistake later. Following that, she offered a small smile, peering up at the big screen as she took a few steps forward. [color=magenta]”It’s no bother. Occupational hazard for us world-travelers, no? And I was still up - no harm done. To what do I owe the pleasure?”[/color] Paul winced as she called him Mr. Mulder. He did his best to regain his composure. He was normally so calm and collected in almost any situation. What was it about Han that unnerved him so much? She had a way of making him feel like a bungling idiot. [color=fff200]Paul: “Please call me Paul. Mr. Mulder makes me look around for my grandfather. May I call you Han or do you prefer Hyeon-Ae?” [/color] Paul paused before getting to the purpose of his call. [color=fff200]Paul: “I was calling to discuss a business proposal with you. Have you ever done any charity work?” [/color] She curled a brow briefly, watching and listening with mild bemusement. [color=magenta]”...Please, call me Hyeon-Ae then,”[/color] she began in earnest, a brief bow of her head as she spoke. [color=magenta]”In my culture it would be impolite to refer to me by my family name when we are on first-name basis.”[/color] Hyeon-Ae smiled ever so slightly. Whether to lecture or merely inform, she seemed in good enough spirits. [color=magenta]”Charity work…? I have, yes. I am a founding member of the Joseon Women's Visibility group, who helps women in difficult domestic situations. Other than that, most of my activity was more of a figurehead, I am afraid. And I don't do much in the group either, these days. Something else has taken my mind lately, you know? Not much time for anything on the streets, now.”[/color] Hyeon-Ae chuckled softly, rolling her shoulder slowly to flex her tiring muscles. Paul nodded and smiled as he absorbed the information. [color=fff200]“Hyeon-Ae it is then.”[/color] He listened as she explained her experience with charity organizations. Paul put on his working face and began to make his pitch. [color=fff200] “My mother Alicia Mulder started the Mulder Foundation to honor my father’s memory. The Foundation provides equipment and stipends so that low income children and teens can pursue becoming a professional athlete. They also provide art supplies to children’s arts programs. They support children and teens in Europe. I wanted to do something for my mother for her birthday. I decided to plan a fundraising event for the Foundation. I could just donate money but I want to raise awareness about the Foundation as well. So I have begun to reach out to my fellow pilots in AG to see if they would like to be a part of it. Beatrix Ward has agreed to be a part of it. Of course with Bea it will be centered around her artwork. I thought there might be something we could work out if you would like to be a part of it too. It would be good publicity for you. There will be a silent auction at the charity gala where items will be auctioned off. Or if you have other ideas to suggest. I am open to discussion. I understand that there would need to be some compensation for your participation of course.” [/color] Hyeon-Ae listened with professional calm and confidence, taking in his explanation with rapt attention - a feat in itself when the hour was past midnight. [color=magenta]” That sounds like a great thing, Paul.”[/color] she shot in when it seemed he was mostly done. But, instead of broaching the topic at hand, she decided to dig with a soft-spoken question. [color=magenta]”Is this something that your father was also passionate about?”[/color] Paul was surprised by the question.[color=fff200] “No, my father was passionate about racing. When he was alive, he did a lot of charity work for children. The Foundation got its start by providing training opportunities for low income teens who wanted to seek a career in racing. As you know, it is still considered a rich man’s sport. It takes money, time, and resources to make it to this level. Money many poorer families simply don’t have. The art was added because that is my mother’s passion. She is a photographer.” [/color] [color=magenta]”A beautiful passion. There is a saying - a fish that meets water swims best. It is always good to hear of people working with what they love, yes?”[/color] Hyeon-Ae smiled politely and brought her hands together briefly in an affirming gesture. [color=magenta]”I am interested and honored by your proposal, Paul. I think I cannot risk being outshined by Ms Ward; however I think serious matters like this may perhaps be best dealt with in a more intimate setting. I apologize for being so old-fashioned,”[/color] she remarked with a dip of her chin, not looking particularly apologetic. [color=magenta]”Perhaps we could discuss this possibility of collaboration in person?”[/color] Paul smiles grew warmer as he listened to Hyeon-Ae talk. He nodded and respected where she was coming from. [color=fff200]Paul: “I understand that you need time to think about it. I will be in Tokyo on business a few days before the race and for a few days after the race. Perhaps we could set up a time while I am there to discuss this further?”[/color] He dipped his head in a respectful gesture. [color=magenta]”I am heading to Tokyo myself about six days before the ‘big day’; I need to scout a good place for my promise from the conference… but that sounds perfect. I'll forward you the number to one of my people, Hwang Sanbeng; he handles much of my scheduling. Whatever works for you will work for me,”[/color] Hyeon-Ae declared, with both of them likely aware that the truth was likely more complex. Paul carefully jotted a few notes into his notepad about when she would be in Tokyo and who she was connecting him too about her schedule. Paul smiled at her. [color=fff200]“I will work something out. My schedule in Tokyo is not as busy. I have some sponsorship commitments I must see to it. But I have built in some blocks of time for sight seeing and the like. I will make it work. I look forward to getting to know you better. I will see you in Tokyo for the race.” [/color] He gave a wave goodbye before cutting the call. [hr] [center][img]https://i.ibb.co/VWX401d/whatsapp-chat.png[/img][/center] [hr] —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [hider= Zygon Characters] [Url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19piUFhfdWItsUOtrGhnCSnFv8nLVsaw3nJXQnCKhAMY/edit?usp=drivesdk]Zygon Characters[/url] [/hider] [hider= Team Valkyrie Characters] [Url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zrLx5XUgYiVm6KjTpFTWZtJvXc0MX77enkLzINHujKw/edit?gid=0#gid=0]Team Valkyrie Characters[/url] [/hider]