xp_logs | Hope & the Archduchess; negotiations (Reply)

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During a discrete trip to Ksavia, Hope negotiates to get information in her nemesis.

"Your Grace." Hope dipped into an elegant curtsy and quickly smoothed her skirt as she rose. "I am grateful you were able to see me. I just wish I finally could see your country under better circumstances."

The Archduchess smiled and gestured for Hope to come and join her at one of two armchairs set before an opulent fireplace. On a low table between the chairs was a fine china tea set. "Please, join me. It is the least I can do after your previous introduction to my country."

"Thank you, Your Grace. I regret the short notice about this visit, but luckily your staff was very helpful when I explained it was a matter of some urgency. I do not know how much they mentioned to you?"

"My aide told me you were looking for information about the Archduke and his organization?" The young woman reached over to the teapot and poured two cups, every movement graceful and poised. "Plus his plans for our country?"

"Thank you, your grace." Hope replied as she accepted the tea. "Your aide was correct. I have found evidence that he is recruiting again online, which has me concerned he has reached a certain stage in his plans. I have already worked with some others to foil one scheme a few years ago, but I lack the information that we need to make viable guesses and from there, some concrete investigations."

"Forgive me if this sounds impertinent, but what could you do about whatever scheme von Hapsburg is hatching?" asked the Archduchess, not unkindly. "You are one young woman, and von Hapsburg has eluded arrest by the best people my country has."

"On my own, not so much." Hope admitted. "But the people I am connected with... the same people who brought me home three years ago and who worked with me to capture Scanner and Garrulous... we might be able to do things you cannot do, Your Grace. We have access to different resources... are bound to different rules." She explained, trying not to reveal not too much about that mansion.

The young woman frowned, wanting to ask more, but aware that she probably wouldn't get it, despite her rank. And the reports did mention a group of people dressed in black uniforms with powers who had been seen at the site of von Habsburg's fall. "I... see." She pressed her lips together and looked Hope in the eye. "Should I provide you with this information, I would of course want assurances that it will be kept secure. It could be embarrassing for Ksavia should the media, for example, gain access to his plans for us. Not to mention bad for mutants. The world is already afraid enough after M-Day - they do not need to find out a mutant supremacist was making his own mutant army with plans to take over a sovereign country."

"Of course, Your Grace. It speaks for itself. And..." Hope hesitated for a long moment before adding as an extra reassurance. "I would not be surprised if I was named in some of the plans and I am quite sure Ian and CJ are named since they were here so much longer. Both have rebuilt their lives. I would not want to ruin what they have created for themselves after everything that happened."

"So you too have something to lose." The Archduchess nodded, her expression far older than her years. "You understand, however, that I cannot simply give you what you ask for. There must be... compensation. Remuneration in kind, perhaps?

"That I understand. Unfortunately I do not have much intelligence that is mine to give. But I have something else to offer. I have tried to keep abreast with the happenings in Ksavia and from what I have read you are still working hard to revitalize the economy. Is that impression of mine correct?" Hope wanted to make sure her interpretation of the information was correct.

She sighed before nodding. "Yes, it is. Foreign investment, especially, has been difficult to attract. Von Hapsburg did much to destroy the reputation of my country with our traditional trading partners."

"I can imagine so." Hope sympathized. "And with the state of mines and the shift to other energy sources. I am able to offer something in that regard though. Storm Tech has been looking to build a new research center in Europe. I have spoken with a representative and they have agreed to investigate and negotiate with Ksavia as a possible location... I cannot make any guarantees and it will take a serious investment from Ksavia's side as well, but there is a chance."

"Storm Tech? That would be a great investment for Ksavia, if we were able to make it happen." The Archduchess considered Hope as she made her calculations. "Yes, providing their representative is able to contact my people, I believe that would be an appropriate exchange. Yes," she said determinedly. "I do believe we have ourselves an agreement, Ms. Abbott."

"Thank you, your grace. I will impress on the representative the urgency of their contact as much as I can. I will also try to make sure to share back whatever information we can, but I am afraid I am not the only one who makes that determination." Hope explained, thinking of whom she'd had to contact when she got back to the mansion with the data.

"Your... associates? Be that as it may, but any conclusions you come that are based from the information we provide, I would expect reciprocity." The young woman's voice was firm, a reminder that despite her young age, she was the ruler of a country, however small. "Von Habsburg is Ksavian, and will face Ksavian justice for his crimes against his country. That will happen, regardless of any deal we make here today, Ms. Abbott."

Hope was silent for a long moment. "More than understandable, your grace." She allowed. "As in as far as it does not endanger any of my associates, I will endeavor to share any new intelligence we gain."

"I can accept that." The Archduchess leaned back in her chair, raising her neglected tea to her lips. "I believe we have an agreement, Ms. Abbott."