[IC] Flames of War

[Jealous Angel D]

It probably would have been too self righteous to claim that she was a modern day Robin Hood. After all, as child she hadn't distiquished between the rich and poor. She had done what she could to help her family. And now it was only convient to take from the rich. Often times they wouldn't know what had happened to them - too busy to notice that a braclet or a wallet was missing.

But her ways had led her to where she was today. She had made a life for herself or happiness and riches. But she would not be able to maintain her lifestle if she didn't have constant income. Which is exactly why she had popped up at tjis convention. All the new technology gadgets were out and the rich mingled here and there as business plolitics ran abundant.

She had already made a few moves, gracefully lifting a few items here and there. So now was a time to relax and blend in with the crowd.

[Pathas]

Being raised in an affluent family wasn't as simple as many would've thought. A certain standard had to be adhered to at all times, family 'friends' whom secretly sought to carry out their ambitions needed to be compromised with, and playing the information game without showing one knew too much. It was a chore, but Lucas had no problems with it. When not stuck in such situations, access to an exorbitant amount of funds opened many opportunities and abilities to do.

Today was simply a splendid example of just that. Lucas - along with a number of trusted advisors - were attending a technology convention today. Due to his family being a lead competitor within military arms business, knowing what others outputted was a must. His company's latest gadgets were also out for display, but the spokesperson for that was delegated elsewhere. He was simply there for enjoyment and public face.

"Would you look at that," he said as he stopped by a booth. Before him was a holographic interface. The monitor wrapped around the arm - almost like a bracelet. "Developmental phase. Invests being sought after."

"A prototype to be exact." The company spokesperson appeared, a pretty brunette dressed in the proper business attire. Sharp. "Our main contractors - namely private military companies and the U.S. military - have already placed a substantial order on the holographic arm disks."

"Impressive," Lucas said. "What's the return for the investor? A split of the profit - perpetuity or a fixed time?"

"We ask that you invest in our company directly," said the woman. "Stocks to be exact. Dividends will be distributed accordingly to how much of the company one has 'bought' so to speak."

Lucas nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. A pleasure, Ms...?"

"Angela Vedders." They shook hands. "And you are?"

Lucas sighed. The woman clearly hadn't researched her competitors all that much. If she did, she'd know that his family's company was already developing something similar to what they had on display, but was much more ... portable. "Kellan," he replied. "Of Astra Industries."

He turned away before Angela had time to respond. He hid a smirk. He scanned the crowd for no one in particular as he moved to the next booth. He stopped by a booth. A virtual training simulator of some sort was being put on display. Looking to his left, he saw another brunette who seemed interested yet uninterested with everything going on. Without having met her once, a strong dislike welled within his gut. Why was that?

He cleared his throat. "A good concept," he commented on the VR object in question, "but the price limits the clientele. You new to the convention? Each year, the faces never seem to change."

[Jealous Angel D]

Rosalie found it difficult to be truly interested in the displays that surrounded her. Occasionally she’d find herself amazed – to think that such technology actually existed. However, she was not in possession of enough money to even try and invest in any of the things placed before her. Besides, what good would any of it do? Most of these things would start at the top, and she doubted that only with time that those less fortunate may even dream of possessing such a device. As a child, she would have never dreamt any of this possible.

But she needed to be interested – or at least semi-interested. How else would she mingle and strike up conversations in the months to come. This convention was a large part of keeping in touch with people who she could take advantage of.

“Indeed,” she echoed the man’s comment on the object before them. She glanced at him, shifting her weight upon her feet as he asked his question. It unsettled her that he was one to point out that she was a newcomer. At such a large event, she hadn’t expected to be singled out in such a way. “Yes. The opportunity presented itself and I couldn’t let this event pass me by. You must be a frequent visitor to these sorts of things then, I’d assume. My name's Rosalie, but most call me Rose. And you are?”

Rosalie smiled – but it was that was forced. The man didn’t look like someone she had met before – in fact if she had than he would have said something. But something settled unwell with her, and she didn’t wish to spend too much talking to this stranger. Which caused her to wonder why she felt what she did.