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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on May 6, 2016 3:08:27 GMT -8
This is the office of Stefanie Strange, one of the senior partners of the Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange law firm. It is a corner office situated on the fifth, and top floor, of one of the more newer buildings in Nystao. On the two walls that meet, making up one corner of the room, there is floor-to-ceiling reinforced transparisteel windows that can change opacity when wanted/needed with the push of a button.
The room, itself, is furnished with an efficient wooden sectional desk with a holocomputer screen atop it, a large comfortable sofa, a round shaped coffee table, and several overstuffed chairs. On one wall there is a large holoscreen with two smaller security monitors on either side of it, and shelving for law books/datapads. In the corner near the large holoscreen sits a smaller table that holds a mini-fridge and caf machine. On the other side of the room is an entrance to another room that houses a bed, a small clothes closet and the entrance to the bathroom/refresher. The bathroom/refresher contains a toilet, a shower, and a sink with a mirror above it.
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Crystal Kayne
Mist Government
Posts: 410 
Affiliation: Mist Government
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Post by Crystal Kayne on May 7, 2016 13:39:39 GMT -8
The comm had been rerouted straight to Stefanie Strange, due to the fact that Kassidy Payne was currently in court dealing with a case, and the caller wasn't aware of that fact, at all, Crystal was still, that evening in Umgul, waiting for Kassidy to pick up so she could ask a favor from an old friend, despite what might could have been their big differences, for Crystal always refused to get into the details of explaining what had happened that one evening when she and Stefanie broke up and pretty much called off everything...
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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on May 9, 2016 2:47:40 GMT -8
Stefanie Strange sat alone in her office going over a couple of upcoming court cases, with only the occasional intern popping their head in the doorway to speak to her or bring her any additional necessary files she may need. The other two partners in the firm, Kassidy Payne, Lindsay Mildhurt, were in court on this particular day and having taken their protege, Nicole Skylander, with them, Stefanie was left to her own devices. All of their personal comm calls had been rerouted to her office should any of their friends, and/or current clients, need to get in contact with one of them.
Just before noon, and in a rather good mood, Stefanie took a break from working to relax and drink a cup of tea when the comm on her desk buzzed. Seeing that it had been rerouted from Kassidy's personal comm number, she pushed a button on the console beside her without thinking much about it.:: You have reached the law offices of Payne, Mildhurt, and Strange - more specifically, Kassidy Payne's personal commlink, though she is unavailable at the moment. This is Stefanie Strange speaking. Is there anything I can help you with until Kassidy returns? ::Her voice was surprisingly jovial for someone who had been up since the crack of dawn this morning, though had she been paying attention to the actual origination of the incoming comm frequency, she may not have answered it. Little did she know that the person on the other end of the call was someone she had tried, and failed miserably, to forget for the last four years. Someone she would have given up everything for, and had actually given up so much, including the relationship, just so that someone would be safe from harm. Stefanie Strange's world was about to come crashing down around her and she was temporarily oblivious to that fact, but it would soon become painfully crystal clear when her greeting was answered.
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Ljiljana Jankovic
Mist Government
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Affiliation: Mist Government
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Post by Ljiljana Jankovic on May 9, 2016 10:39:38 GMT -8
On the other side of the comm, there is a momentary silence, until a voice exclaims Shit! Followed by another statement Stefanie, hang on a minute, Again there is a moment of silence until the speaker's voice picks up and resume the business of the comm Stef, this is Ljiljana, and I need Kassidy's help, or any one of you, Lindsay, you, I really don't care, but I wouldn't comm if this wasn't serious ...
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Crystal Kayne
Mist Government
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Post by Crystal Kayne on May 9, 2016 13:28:06 GMT -8
Soon after that first voice from Umgul, another one came... It only said, Stefanie... At first and in a shocked manner but then after another moment Crystal's voice was at least clearer after she recollected herself.
Stefanie. Recent events happened where Lily and I are, and like she said, she wouldn't be comming or I wouldn't be talking if it wasn't serious, our boss here is being accused of crimes he did not commit, and we need you to represent him. So, please can you get back to us whenever Kase and Linds are back, we'll want to speak to you three at the same time and on holocomm.
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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on May 12, 2016 9:43:50 GMT -8
Stefanie looked away from her holosceen with a bit of confusion when a voice could be heard on the other end with a cursing exclamation followed by a comment asking her to 'hang on'. Arching an eyebrow, she sat the mug of tea down on the desk and tilted her head a little to the side. She recognized the voice as belonging to Ljiljana Jankovic, or Lily, as her friends called her - though Stefanie wasn't sure if Lily still considered her a friend, or not, because of what happened four years ago."Lily? Where are you? What's going on? What's wrong?" She asked with obvious concern in her tone, a sliver of dread slicing through her while her mind raced with possible worse case scenarios. When Lily's voice came back on, she reached over and turned the volume up as Lily said she needed Kassidy's help, or even Lindsay's or Stefanie's because it was something serious.
Sitting up a little straighter, Stefanie eyed the comm and then she heard another voice say her name with a bit of a hoarsely shocked tone. She was taken aback when she immediately recognized that voice. Another voice from the past. The voice of Crystal Kayne. The voice of someone she had dearly loved and done all she could to protect, would have even given her life for if she thought the danger would end there, but she knew it wouldn't. As it were, she had ended up giving up something that, to her, was worth more than her life. She had given up her love, and a proverbial piece of her soul when she left without saying goodbye or telling Crystal the real reasons why. Instead, she had just left a note with a half assed excuse saying she couldn't handle the pressure of how intense the relationship had gotten, and that she needed her space. It was the best she could do because she knew it would hurt too badly to see the look of betrayal that would surely have been in Crystal's eyes if she faced her.
What a load of bantha shit that note was, but it had done the trick, even if it painted her a coward in the eyes of some in the process. And maybe she was a coward leaving just the note and the ring on the nightstand, but her departure from Crystals life had kept Crystal safe. It had also kept Kassidy and Lindsay safe, though they would probably never know that. They had even followed her, without too many questions at the time, when she departed the planet that same afternoon. They were more like sisters to her than best friends, and were held with great affection at the core of what was left of her shattered heart and soul.
Snapping back to the present with a sharp intake of breath, Stefanie blinked a couple of times and pushed the bittersweet memory to the back of her mind before finding her voice again - albeit with a shocked whisper."Crystal...."Shaking her head in momentary disbelief, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk, trying to focus on the conversation at hand while the ever present conflicting emotions roiled inside her mind when Crystal spoke again.:: Stefanie. Recent events happened where Lily and I are, and like she said, she wouldn't be comming or I wouldn't be talking if it wasn't serious, our boss here is being accused of crimes he did not commit, and we need you to represent him. So, please can you get back to us whenever Kase and Linds are back, we'll want to speak to you three at the same time and on holocomm. ::
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Ljiljana Jankovic
Mist Government
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Affiliation: Mist Government
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Post by Ljiljana Jankovic on May 13, 2016 7:31:56 GMT -8
Back on Umgul, there are no replies for what Stefanie has asked since obviously things have happened and only when Kassidy is actually on the line and can be heard, Lily is the one speaking up in lieu of Crystal. Hold that thought for a second, Kase ... And the lines goes entirely silent due to it being muted back on Umgul until it returns a few moments later. Yeah, we are fine, Kase but like Crystal has said before you have rushed in there, I am sure, my boss and also technically Baby Girl's is in a very complicated situation.
There is a momentary pause and then finally after a minute or two the holocomm goes live and Lily walks up there to face her speakers wearing what she has been wearing at the pool party and clearly looking at Kassidy dubiously. Really, Kase, you couldn't have a limited comm transfer, like say my frequency? As Crystal has said, and as I have said when Stef picked up, I need your help, and I really am at that point where I can only trust you three to see this through despite everything ... And for that, Lily pointedly looks at Stef for she is sure that Stef will know exactly what she is referring too subtly and she is also certain that even Kassidy and Lindsay will get it.
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Crystal Kayne
Mist Government
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Post by Crystal Kayne on May 13, 2016 14:53:41 GMT -8
When the holocomm started, Crystal had her eyes closed, until she opened them to face reality, to finally face her what could have been reality. Stefanie Strange. Crystal clearly was looking at her with a saddened and hurt expression, her emotions were just a mess.
It took a moment when Crystal finally stood up from her seat, to at least try to regain some semblance of confidence, her hair was still damped and she was wearing a tank top and mini shorts, not that she clearly cared, for they have already seen more anyways, so whatever she was wearing. Briefly closing her eyes, Crystal addressed the three of them, and even the fourth, someone she didn't know at all, but if she was there, then it only meant that they trusted her and perhaps were grooming the one whose name she didn't know. Right, it goes like this. Crystal started to explain, usually she did not hesitate to keep eye contact with people, and on this case she mainly looked at Lindsay and Kassidy and was obviously avoiding to look in Stefanie's eyes. Currently, Lily and I work for the government here in Umgul, I as the Chief Financial Officer, and she, Glancing at Lily briefly and focusing back her attention onto Lindsay, As the Attorney General, and our boss, the Vice-Governor of this planet is being accused of murders, that while for the population at large, might be the truth, but we, without any shadow of doubts know he simply could not have killed those people, here is the crux though, he does not have the most amiable outward appearance but in truth, he is caring and tries really hard to make this place better for its population. And he is a Force user
Finally Crystal, even with every part of her rebelling from doing this, turned look at Stefanie, straight at her. Like Lily said, you are the only ones we can trust to exonerate him, so please do represent him under Umgul's laws... She said in a pleading tone, obviously she cared a lot about Andros, and that was also because he was the brother of her boyfriend, something that Crystal actually did or did not purposely omitted.
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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on May 18, 2016 10:47:44 GMT -8
Stefanie's mind raced before the holocomm flickered to life and the images of Lily and Crystal could be seen before them. She thought she was ready, had even nodded in assurance to Kassidy that she was, but now she wasn't so sure. Was she really ready for this? Could she handle seeing the face, and the hurting accusations in those eyes, that haunted her every time she closed her own eyes for the last four years? She would've probably gotten up and left the office had she the energy, and if the holocomm taken just a little longer to connect. Damn the speed of technology these days! As it were, the connection went through and for the first time in four long years she was face to face, in a sense, with her past.
Luckily, Lily had chosen to speak directly to Kassidy, which was good because Stefanie wasn't sure she could form a coherent sentence at the moment. She did manage, through all of her scattered thoughts, to hear what Lily was saying and to catch the not-entirely-subtle jab and pointed look from the other woman on the other end of the holocomm. Inwardly, Stefanie knew she deserved both, but outwardly she just pursed her lips into a thin line and gave a small, almost unnoticeable, nod to Lily.
Kassidy listened intently to what Lily had to say about her boss being in a complicated situation and even gave a tiny smirk when Lily asked her why she couldn't have limited her comm transfers to Lily's own frequency. Leaning a hip against Stefanie's desk, Kassidy folded her arms across her chest and met Lily's gaze.
"Lily, my sweet little honeybee, your subtlety still astounds me...and maybe if you called more often than once, or twice, every year then I wouldn't have to worry about limiting my comm transfers. As for this 'complicated situation'...." Kassidy knew her last comment had a double meaning, and she meant it to, while she cast a quick glance around the desk at Lindsay and Nikky with her gaze resting briefly on Stefanie before looking back to Lily. "We're going to need a little more information before we can do, or decide on, anything...." She arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at Lily, her eyes never leaving the brunettes until Crystal began to speak while taking the four women on the other end of the comm into her gaze then seemingly focusing on Kassidy and Lindsay.
It was apparent that she was avoiding meeting Stefanie's eyes and Stefanie wasn't sure if she should be relieved or hurt by that fact. She wasn't sure she could look Crystal in the eye right now, but yet she couldn't stop looking at her either. Luckily, Crystal instead seemed to focus her attention on Linsday and began explaining hers and Lily's respective jobs within Umguls government. Lindsay then understood why it would be difficult for Lily to represent the Vice Governor and why Lily and Crystal had asked them to be his representation.
Then, what Stefanie had been dreading, happened. Crystal did, in fact, look her straight in the eyes and spoke the last words directly to Stefanie in a pleading tone. Lindsay, who had been silent up until now, still had a hand on Stefanie's shoulder and felt her friends reaction as a nervous tremor ran through her. Casting a concerned look at Stefanie, Lindsay then turned toward Crystal, removing her hand from Stefanie's shoulder letting it slide down to the back of the chair in the process.
"You say he is a Force User then shouldn't the Jedi on the planet be handling this, or have the local authorities even asked for their involvement?" There was no malice in Lindsay's voice, just genuine curiosity. She knew the Jedi usually handled almost all things when a Forceling was involved in any crimes, whether said accused was Jedi, Sith, or anything in between - including a Force wielding Vice Governor with a questionable demeanor. Maybe the Jedi couldn't get involved for some reason this time, she thought silently to herself.
Standing behind Stefanie's chair, Nikky could be seen tapping something into a datapad before handing it to Lindsay. Raising her eyebrows, she handed the datapad to Stefanie who tore her eyes away from Crystal long enough to accept the device and glance down to read what was on it. Apparently Nikky hadn't just been standing idle this whole time. The younger woman had been paying attention. She had brought up what little information she could find on Umguls current Vice Governor, Andros Vyridian - including the fact that he had once been with CorSec, part of the New Jedi Order on Haruun Kal, had an identical twin brother, Atlantis, and a vague connection with the Tarkins. Stefanie gave a little half smile, and what could be construed as a light chuckle, as she read over the information before carefully laying the datapad on the desk in front of her.
Leaning back in her chair, she had a contemplative look on her face for a moment before pushing up the sleeves of the casual long sleeved t-shirt she wore. Reaching out her left hand she picked up the datapad again, holding it out to Kassidy to accept. Kassidy took the datapad, with interest, and read it over before looking up at everyone again with a slight tilt of her head. Sighing softly, Stefanie braced both hands, palms down, on the desk in front of her and stood up. She kept her hands flat on the desk, mainly because she still wasn't sure she could stand without the support, and raised her eyes to Crystals again.
She had seen the hurt and sadness in Crystals eyes, on her still stunningly beautiful features, and it tore her up inside knowing she was the one responsible for it. She had lived the last four years wallowing in her own guilt at how things turned out, cried herself to sleep on more nights than she could count after it happened. That was something she kept to herself though, hid it behind the carefully constructed facade she had built up around herself. She had to if she wanted to keep her sanity and that feeling of helplessness at bay - but right now, in this moment, she could almost feel the cracks forming in the walls of her own self confidence, knowing she deserved whatever harsh words Crystal directed at her.
Stamping down the rising tide of emotions, Stefanie's eyes never left Crystal's as she mustered up the courage she was known for and spoke in a surprisingly even tone. "Right." She began slowly at first, gathering her thoughts as she went along. Okay, IF we do this, we do it our way....within the laws of Umgul of course. We set aside all differences we have, or had, and focus on the case....focus on proving the Vice Governor's innocence. Can we all at least agree to do that?"
She arched an eyebrow while quickly glancing around to everyone involved before settling her gaze on Crystal once more. Somewhere in the back of her mind, another crack formed in that invisible facade. The walls were beginning to crumble around her heart and soul. She just hoped she was strong enough to survive the cascading emotions again when everything came crashing down around her, and she knew it would, eventually.
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Ljiljana Jankovic
Mist Government
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Post by Ljiljana Jankovic on May 19, 2016 5:55:01 GMT -8
Sure, Spanky sweetheart, it would still stand to reason that I still do make the comm once or twice every year and therefore would still warrant a limited comm transfer ... While Lily's tone might have been passed as arrogant, she also knew that Kase wouldn't take any offense to that, and exactly most of them, the five of them would know that this has always been how Lily and Kase interacted. As for the info you are requesting ... Pretty much closing her mouth since Crystal is currently fielding that question, Lily doesn't need to add more.
Actually, Sweet Cheeks, about Jedi involvement ... Stopping right then and there, as in the background a knock and a voice could be heard, Lily turns to look over her shoulder briefly before looking back at Lindsay momentarily and clearly something has caught her eyes but does not show any signs that something actually did. With everything that Stefanie has just said, Lily is not commenting on that and instead, she is looking over her shoulder once more and gesturing for the man right there to come in. Here is one, please meet Atlantis Vyridian, the Headmaster of the Jedi Order here, and also as you have perhaps guessed or found out from the Newbie's search, the identical twin to the Vice-Governor.
With that explanation and with her looking straight at Lindsay for this, Lily has given out every possible problems that has ever existed on a high profile case she was facing. She was sure that Lindsay and the others would understand. So, not only we do have a problem, but we are also in a major conflict of interests stance, either from my side, or his.
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Crystal Kayne
Mist Government
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Post by Crystal Kayne on May 19, 2016 13:13:46 GMT -8
Crystal had been silent while Lily had been doing all the talking concerning the Jedi and just fielding out Lindsay's inquiries, though it wasn't until she heard a voice behind her that she finally moved and looked at the man right there with a frown and hurt expression at least that was until Stefanie had finished talking and Crystal looked at Stefanie. Crystal's jaw briefly locked until she finally spoke. Really Stefanie, from never giving me a choice, you are now asking me, to put all of our differences aside? Crystal rhetorically asked and perhaps her voice went a tone higher than she would usually speak. This was all draining her and she still couldn't believe that it had to be within Stefanie's rules, this time, again. I have never had any problems with Kassidy or Lindsay, and last I have heard neither has Lily. And now from not giving me a choice when you walked away, you are giving me an ultimatum and just practically leave the fate of my boyfriend's brother into my hands?! Looking at Stefanie accusingly, Crystal shook her head and raised her hand to prevent any one from saying anything. Fine, I will do it on your terms but that is only because I know I do not have a choice, again, and that I also know that you three are the best, but also because Andros just like Atlantis need their names to be cleared from the press' slanders. Turning around since she had already said her piece, and clearly she didn't need to linger for Stefanie again had chosen her terms, Crystal walked passed Lily and Atlantis but only after briefly stopping by his side and looking up at him. I'll be in training room. And with that she walked out from the office and didn't even look back.
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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on May 27, 2016 15:34:37 GMT -8
Kassidy smiled with amusement at Lily's retort, knowing that the other woman spoke her mind more often than not, much like Kassidy herself often did - and they often spoke in such ways to each other without taking offense to what the other said. While Lily was beginning to answer Lindsay's question about Jedi involvement, a soft knock and a muffled voice could be heard on Lily's end of the comm. Lily had stepped to the side, while looking over her shoulder, to motion someone else into the room. Lindsay and Kassidy both rose an eyebrow when a bare chested man came into the room and Lily introduced him as Atlantis Vyridian, the Headmaster of the Jedi Order on Umgul.
Pushing her glasses up to the top of her head, Lindsay gave a small smile and took the initiative of speaking before Kassidy or Stefanie did again. "Mr. Vyridian, it's nice to meet you. Please allow me to introduce myself and my colleagues; I'm Lindsay Mildhurt, this is Kassidy Payne, Stefanie Strange, and Nicole Skylander. We are all senior partners, and a partner in training, within the law firm of Payne, Mildhurt, and Strange." She motioned toward each of the women as she spoke their names, and briefly explained their positions within the firm, then returned her gaze toward Atlantis once more. "Lily and Crystal were just telling us about the things your brother is being accused of, and if you and he will allow us, we'd like to help in his defense."
Lindsay, probably the most sincere, and possibly most innocent looking, lawyer anyone would ever see, smiled warmly - waiting for Atlantis to acknowledge her words. It was then that the bottom seemed to fall out of everything when Crystal addressed what Stefanie had said before Atlantis' arrival.
From the hurt accusing expression in her eyes and on her face to the biting sting of her words, Crystal Kayne was probably the only person in the whole galaxy that could cut Stefanie Strange to the bone - and cut to the bone she did. Stefanie, much to her credit, had held her gaze while Crystal spoke those truthful, yet piercing, words. The dark haired lawyer, still standing with hands still braced on her desk in front of her, visibly clenched her jaw - a flash of pain, or perhaps even regret, showing briefly in her pale hazel eyes as Crystal directed her obvious anger and frustrations toward her, and rightfully so.
Sliding her hands to the nearest edge of the desk closest to her person, Stefanie gripped the wood so hard that her knuckles began turning white. She took everything Crystal had to say to heart and it felt like a knife was being driven into her body over and over with the final blow being when Crystal mentioned that Atlantis was her boyfriend before turning and leaving Lily's office. The significance of the admission, or the move, wasn't lost on Stefanie. She knew it was a purposeful venture to let her know that Crystal had apparently moved on and to remind of her of what she had done four years ago, only Crystal didn't slink away in the dead of night like she had. Another crack appeared in that invisible wall and Stefanie knew her defenses were taking a major beating but there was absolutely nothing she could do about it - not when Crystal Kayne was the one breaking down the barriers.
Feeling like she'd been punched in the chest, Stefanie sucked in a deep breath letting it out as she slowly sat down. "I didn't mean it as an ultimatum, Tigress...." She sighed softly, using the nickname she'd had for Crystal back then. Though it was probably too late for Crystal to hear the words since she was already out the door. Running a hand through her dark hair and dropping it to the surface of the desk, Stefanie glanced over to Kassidy, something in her eyes pleading with Kassidy to finish this conversation with Lily and Atlantis.
Kassidy gave a slight nod while taking the look as her cue to try to salvage the deal and work out an amicable agreement with Lily, and even Atlantis. Straightening up from where she sat on the corner of the desk, she gazed at both of them for a moment before speaking.
"Okay, Lily, Mr. Vyridian....I think what Stefanie was trying to say was...that if we do this, we're going to need to be able to do it in a way that only we can - with your help of course, Honeybee..." Kassidy casually folded her arms across her chest and directly met Lily's eyes with her own before continuing. "Because even with our seemingly excellent track record in the courtroom, we're still going to need back up plans to the back up plans....and probably even more back up plans for those. With a high profile case like this we can't afford any mistakes. So....will you help us as much as Umguls laws allows it's AG and Headmaster of the Jedi Order to help?"
Kassidy looked to Atlantis for a moment before shifting her gaze back to Lily's awaiting their answers. In the back of her mind though, something Crystal had said to Stefanie made Kassidy mentally pause. Had Stefanie been the one to walk away? She had thought the breakup was mutual, but now she had doubts - doubts that she would be questioning Stefanie about later, after the holocomm.
Nikky, who wasn't quite sure what to say during all of this, just stood quietly taking it all in. She listened intently to every word that was spoken, seen the reactions of the others and had the sense to know that more was going here than met the eye. The fact that Crystal did, indeed, look like the stripper from the canitina wasn't lost on her either. She could tell from Stefanie's reactions that actually seeing and hearing Crystal had affected her in a way Nikky hadn't been witness to before. It took a lot to shake Stefanie Strange's demeanor, but the petite Chief Financial Officer had visibly shaken the hard nosed attorney. Nikky wasn't sure whether to be impressed by that or what. She did, however, make a mental note to never piss the Umgul CFO off if they ever met face to face.
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Atlantis Vyridian
The Mist Order
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Post by Atlantis Vyridian on May 29, 2016 11:29:57 GMT -8
When Lily just gestured for him to walk inside, he looked at her briefly but ultimately his gaze turned towards Crystal. He was about to reach out for her but he didn’t quite get to that part for one of the women on the holocomm, not that he really paid that much attention, had addressed him.
Looking at the blonde woman, Atlantis smiled faintly. At the introduction he did look at each and every one of them and had inclined his head respectfully but it wasn’t until his gaze had landed onto Stefanie Strange that he noticed quite clearly that her gaze was onto Crystal. Finally deciding to speak, Atlantis looked at Lindsay after briefly glancing at Lily, I cannot speak for my brother, but first please just ca—… Atlantis cut short right then and there, unable to finish his sentence, he clearly heard Crystal addressing Stefanie mainly. His head turned towards his girlfriend and he held his tongue for a long time, until his gaze turned in Stefanie Strange's direction, after his girlfriend walked away.
It wasn’t at all to lay a claim or just telling the dark haired lawyer to back off entirely, but Atlantis was just looking at her because from what he saw right then and there, he could see from her demeanor right there on the holocomm that Crystal had just shaken Stefanie’s entire being. Atlantis was simply conflicted, he didn’t specifically know how he was feeling, a mixture of guilt and perhaps even feeling sorry.
Rubbing the root of his nose, and trying to clear his mind from all of those thoughts, the mixed feelings he had ever since he stepped into the office, Atlantis finally focused his attention entirely onto Kassidy.
Please, call me Atlantis, for one. He said with a confident and friendly tone, and clearly it meant that he was going to stay for this matter and even if every women there on the holocomm had come to a realization that he was Crystal’s boyfriend, it really wasn’t going to change a damn thing, not here and not right now. And if Lily and Crystal called for your help, then it is clearly for a very good reason. I will talk to my brother, as I am sure that you were told that he is not the most approachable person ever, but I will do what I can as his brother, but when it comes as the capacity of the Headmaster of the Mist Order here, I have pulled away, officially, from the investigation, other Jedi are on the case with a Sector Ranger. But I don’t foresee the Mist Order or its Councilors giving you a hard time, therefore you will get our help as a whole. Giving the condensed version right there on how the situation had developed and so on, Atlantis glanced at Lily momentarily before inclining his head briefly. I am sure that the Attorney General will help you out better when it comes to the legislation of this planet, and if I understood correctly, it’s near aligned to Galactic standards.
Smiling briefly, Atlantis finally returned his attention onto the four lawyers there, and nodded slightly. As for when to expect you here, I will issue additional clearances in your names to have you directly planetside, without too many red tapes, but you will still to go through customs, and I am sure that Lily will explain the rest to you four. Taking a deep breath Atlantis tilted his head on the side briefly and glanced over his shoulder before returning his gaze onto the lawyers there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Counselors, it was a pleasure meeting you, He bowed respectfully to the waist and stood upright again, before looking at Lily meaningfully, he finally turned around to actually check upon Crystal who had said that she would be in the training room, again.
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Ryan Solaris
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Post by Ryan Solaris on May 29, 2016 12:41:36 GMT -8
Ryan set off towards the office to find Lily, Mi cuore...? Obviously stopped mid-sentence upon noticing the holocomm there, and the women that had been talking to his girlfriend and sister for a little while now. Ryan was wearing his wife-beater and shorts and clearly his main focus had been on Kassidy Payne before turning to look at Lily. I... And he just stopped on the spot, until he walked in Lily's direction leaning on her side pecking her temple after a moment he finally turned his attention to the lawyers from Honoghr and smiled a little smile at them. Kassidy, Lindsay, Stefanie, and Nicole. He inclined his head and finally turned around to exit the office and closing the door behind him.
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Ljiljana Jankovic
Mist Government
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Post by Ljiljana Jankovic on May 30, 2016 2:11:47 GMT -8
Lily is still there, despite Crystal walking away, for now she is more focusing on the people talking, and not saying a word at all. Until ... Span- ... Stopping mid sentence when she hears someone addressing her, there is a brief exchange there, and a few times she is looking from Ryan and Kassidy until she says. Uh huh, it would be best if you left, Hot Stuff. Thank you.
Looking at Kassidy mainly with an amused expression. He is the guy, you have been telling me about, huh? Not really lingering on that topic for Lily is currently leaning against the chair there and decided to carry on with the conversation. Right ... Okay, first things first, I am quite aware of your excellent track record in the courtroom, Turning to look at Stefanie and shaking her head, she adds on, I am more concerned about you, Strange. Her hand goes up to prevent the others from interrupting Lily, like she has the feeling they would. You do know that you have lost the right to call Crystal that way, four years ago? And you do realize also that I will question your integrity on taking this high profile case, with every one that is involved in it, because in the end, what makes me so sure that you can handle the intensity of all this? I did say that if I have contacted you, it was for a reason, and I am not about to jeopardize this whole case, by actually agreeing to all of your terms, right here and right now when I have no insurance that you are up to this task, Strange. Pausing there and letting everything sink in, Lily finally comes to the most ideal approach for now.
You know what, just get back to me on this, by holonet message, or comm me directly Kase, if you all agree, and if also Stefanie gets over her issues with Crystal. I need the three of you and not just one or two. It's all or nothing, Kase, and the quicker you give me the answer, the better it'll be for me to start preparing those back up plans. Until I hear from you again. And the holocomm is interrupted for it has been turned off and hanged up on Umgul.
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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on Jun 2, 2016 11:54:40 GMT -8
After Crystal left and Atlantis had spoke before leaving himself, there was another who had entered Lily's office. Kassidy arched an amused eyebrow when Ryan Solaris came into view of the holocomm camera and looked over to her before turning to look at Lily with a short stammer then a kiss on her temple. He then leaned over and whispered something to Lily, who in turn told him it would be best if he left. Kassidy couldn't help but chuckle when he faced the camera again and greeted her and the others, all by their first names, gathered in Stefanie's office. He then left Lily's office as the Umgul AG focused her attention on Kassidy once more with an amused expression while asking Kassidy if he was the guy that she'd told Lily about.
Smiling sheepishly, Kassidy gave a little shrug of her shoulders. "Yes, he is, Honeybee. Such a small galaxy we live in...."
She had already deducted that Ryan and Lily were a couple, just by the way they both acted during that short time he had been within the holocomm camera range, and she was happy for both of them. What Kassidy and Ryan had was in the past, and neither had really even considered a serious relationship for the short time they were involved with one another. When they had parted ways it was as friends and on good terms, though she did wonder from time to time where his seemingly restless nature took him - now she knew. If any woman could get him to stay in one place, she knew it would have to be Ljiljana Jankovic.
Kassidy's attention was snapped back to the present when Lily began speaking again and had apparently set her sights on Stefanie. Shocked for a few seconds, Kassidy started to speak up, "Look, Jankovic...." but was temporarily silenced when Lily raised a hand. Narrowing her eyes with pursed lips, she glanced over to Stefanie.
"Stef, you don't have to lis...."
Leaning back in her chair, Stefanie also raised a hand to halt Kassidy in her speaking. "It's alright Kasey." She stated in a soft weary voice. "Lily has the right to say her piece. It might as well be now instead of later...." Sighing softly, Stefanie rested her elbows on the desk while folding her hands and bringing her forefingers up to rest against her lips, silently listening to Lily's harsh assessment of her. Outwardly, she was trying to hold everything in check, though the emotional pain briefly flickered in her eyes, but inwardly she wasn't so lucky as more cracks started straining that invisible wall around her psyche.
"Fine." Kassidy waved a hand in the air before leaning a hip on the edge of the desk once more. Her unhappiness at being silenced, first by Lily then also by Stefanie in probably less than a minute, apparent on her face. Lindsay and Nikky remained silent through the whole lecture/verbal beatdown though Lindsay did keep watching Stefanie closely, seeing her reactions and the pain inflicted by Lily's words.
With Kassidy still fuming, Lily wrapped up the holocom by telling her to just contact her when they had made a decision and when Stefanie decided she could get over her issues with Crystal. The AG could then be seen moving toward the holocam but before she cut the call completely, Kassidy had begun to speak.
"Gahd dammit, Ljiljana! That was uncalled for!" She raged at the fading holoimage of the AG before realizing what had happened. "Wait...did she just cut me off?" She asked with a look of disbelief in her eyes.
"Uhm, yeah....I think she did..." Nikky replied with a slightly guarded look of uncertainty as she looked to Lindsay and Stefanie then back to Kassidy.
Kassidy had placed her hands on her hips and stared at the holocomm device with disdain. "Well fuck...." Was all she said before looking back to the others, zeroing in on Stefanie while pursing her lips as their eyes met over the desk.
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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on Jun 4, 2016 16:43:57 GMT -8
For a moment one could've heard a pin drop in the silence of the office as the four women were lost in their own thoughts. That was until Lindsay stood, took a deep breath then let it out before speaking with a level tone while taking them all into her line of sight.
"If Lily and Crystal contacted us then they must truly believe in Andros Vyridian's innocence. We all know if they doubted his character then they never would've bothered comm'ing us...considering how..."
"Considering how things were left on Coruscant?" Kassidy interjected questioningly as she folded her arms across her chest, her eyes never leaving Stefanie's. "What the hell happened on Coruscant when you and Crystal called it quits, Stef? What did Lily and Crystal mean by their comments toward you? And do not tell me 'nothing', or some other bantha shit like that, because I know something else happened that you haven't told us. I know that neither one of you would have just ended the relationship like that, out of the blue, especially not after getting engaged."
She continued to eye Stefanie until Stefanie looked away, running a hand through her dark hair with a small sigh. Stefanie didn't know if she had the strength, or will, to tell them what they so obviously wanted to know. Subtlety was never Kassidy's strong suit as was demonstrated by the questions she asked. It's what made her a good lawyer, but sometimes not such an understanding friend. Kassidy's often times brashness usually didn't bother Stefanie, she still loved her childhood friend regardless - but times like now, that required a bit of tact and understanding, Stefanie just found it irksome. Especially when she knew Kassidy was capable of having both when she wanted to. Leaning back in her chair, Stefanie caught her lower lip between her teeth while she gathered her thoughts and tried to figure out how best to answer.
Lindsay glanced over to Kassidy with a look of neutrality as she spoke up again. "Kasey, I don't think this is the best time to begin this discussion. It has little relevance to the Vyridian case."
"Little relevance? Really? You're kidding, right? It has every relevance, Lindsay! You heard Lily, we can't move forward on this until she..." Kassidy waved a hand toward Stefanie. "...can work out her 'issues' with Crystal! After four years I think it's about damn time you start working out those frickin' issues, Stefanie! What happened on Coruscant?"
"Kassidy," Lindsay spoke with a calmness still within her voice, but her eyes held a different sentiment, as she stared directly at Kassidy, blatantly daring her to interrupt again. "maybe if you didn't go after things like a bull rancor chomping on a piece of raw meat, then maybe you could get some answers. Gahd, woman....I swear! Can't you see that all of this has clearly upset Stefanie, or are you too blinded by your own need for always wanting to know shit? Turn off the bitchy lawyer mode for, like, two minutes...will you please?"
Stefanie, who was clearly agitated by their bickering, had closed her eyes momentarily as she pinched the bridge of her nose with a thumb and forefinger. Finally having enough of the word sparring going on between Lindsay and Kassidy, she abruptly stood up and slammed a commanding hand down on the desk.
"ENOUGH ALREADY, GAHD DAMMIT!"
Instantly the room was silent again with Kassidy and Lindsay both staring at Stefanie with surprise, and maybe even a little shock. It wasn't often that Stefanie Strange raised her voice, but when she did it was definitely heard. Stepping out from behind the desk, she walked over to the window and looked out over the streets of Nystao. After a moment or two she turned to face them again with arms folded across her chest.
"I'm just gonna go...do...something...."
Nikky, not really wanting to be a witness to this argument between the longtime friends, began awkwardly as she started to move toward the door. Glancing over to the younger woman, Stefanie's gaze softened. "Please stay, Nikky. You should hear this too because I really don't want to have to repeat it to any of you again."
Not wanting to object to her boss' request, more out of respect than anything, Nikky nodded and took a seat in one of the nearby chairs that dotted the office. Stefanie focused her attention on Kassidy and Lindsay again, narrowing her eyes at both of them. "Are you sure you really want to know what happened on Coruscant?" She asked, wanting to be absolutely sure they were ready for this.
Kassidy tilted her head a little to the side, her voice taking on a lower tone now. "Yes, Stef....I think we've earned the right to know. Especially after the things that were said during that holocomm." She said softly with a gentle seriousness in her voice as she walked over and sat down next to Nikky. Lindsay, silent for now, nodded her agreement and also took a chair next to Nikky while they all waited for Stefanie's explanation.
Stefanie took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check and get her scattered thoughts in place, then let it out again. She then looked at all of them and began the story from the beginning, telling them everything that happened from the time Crystals step father had given his veiled threats, to a week or so later when the mysterious darksider had broken into the apartment one night, invading her dreams, and later her alert mind when she awoke and tried to fight him off, with images of the deaths of everyone she ever cared about; her own fraternal twin sister, Alex's, their younger sister Andie's, along with Crystal's, Kassidy's, Lindsay's, Lily's, and even Kassidy's younger sister, Jaina. Images of each of them laying on the ground, dead, with blaster bolts and/or lightsaber wounds - all of them killed by a mysterious nameless, faceless dark figure in the visions, and Stefanie being the only one left alive to bear witness to it all. The pain and anguish of knowing she could have prevented it, by just leaving, following her all the rest of her days.
Pausing for a moment, Stefanie hastily wiped the tears from her face that she hadn't even realized were falling until she glanced over to the window and caught her reflection in the glass panes. Gazing back to the others, she took another deep breath and continued on, picking up the story when she and Crystal had awakened and tried to fend him off, to his rendering Crystal unconscious and proceeding to mentally torture Stefanie herself, with the previous images he had invaded her dreams with, only this time it seemed much more real than the dream did. When he was done with mentally torturing Stefanie, he had forced her to witness his wiping of Crystals memories so she had no recollection of the event.
Looking away again as she stood in front of them, she rubbed a hand across her forehead then began to speak once more. "The nightmares that followed then, and still do even now sometimes, made it all the more real. I knew I couldn't allow those events to come to pass - ever. I love you all too much for that. So in the end, I didn't know what else to do. I just...I ended up taking a cowards way out by leaving just a simple note and the ring on the nightstand a few days later, because I knew if I faced Crystal and told her what really happened that night then she would've tried to stop me. She was better off not knowing, you all were....or so I had convinced myself at the time. It wasn't until that damn holocomm that I knew otherwise. I had made a mistake and hurt all of you, especially Crystal, more by not saying anything than I would have if I had just said something then."
Silence again overtook the room for a few moments while everyone processed the information. Catching her lower lip between her teeth, Stefanie looked at each of them with an arched eyebrow. "You know what the best part is? The bastard even took the time to clean up the mess from the scuffle before he left. Great darkside logic there; break in, render one person unconscious and take their memories, mentally torture the other, and then clean up afterwards. I guess he overlooked the fact, or didn't care, that my shoulder was bleeding from some of the broken glass on the floor...."
Her voice trailed off as she absently rubbed the scars on her right shoulder through her shirt. Those scars which she had seemingly convinced Crystal, and everyone else the next day, as being from taking a nasty fall and breaking one of the mirrors in the studio when she was dancing - though now, Kassidy and Lindsay knew that wasn't the case.
Kassidy met Stefanie's saddened gaze with tears in her eyes before she stood up and walked over to Stefanie taking her in her arms and giving her a comforting hug, breaking the silence with a somewhat raspy tone to her voice. "Gahd Stef, I am so sorry you had to go through that alone. I'm sorry that you felt we wouldn't understand...you know we would've, sweetie. I'm sorry I pushed you to tell us. I'm sorr..."
Pulling away from Kassidy, Stefanie gave a small smile as she gently placed a hand on the other woman's cheek. "Shush. There's nothing you need to be apologizing for, Kasey, I should be the one apologizing, to both of you, for not telling you sooner."
She withdrew her hand from Kassidy's face while looking over to Lindsay, who was openly crying by now, and smiled softly. Lindsay got up from the chair and moved over to Stefanie as she held out her arms to embrace the blonde lawyer. Stepping back, Lindsay, wiped her face with the palm of her hand. "I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, Stef, but you didn't have to do it alone you know."
"Me too. I don't know if I could've been as strong as you have been." Nikky added with tears shining in her brown eyes. Giving the younger woman a warm smile, Stefanie walked over to her.
"Come here, Rookie, and give me a hug you tall ass bitch." Stefanie smiled with a just hint of teasing in her voice. Grinning, Nikky stood up and wrapped her arms around Stefanie's neck while Stefanie slid her arms around Nikky's waist and the two embraced for a moment. Releasing each other, they stepped back as Stefanie looked at each of them once more as she spoke again. "Are we all in agreement to help prove Andros Vyridian's innocence, and also help Lily and Crystal with gathering any necessary information regarding the case?
They all looked at one another in silent agreement until Kassidy arched an eyebrow, hesitating a few seconds before she spoke. "Stef....are you going to tell Crystal what happened? I think she, above everyone else, needs to know that you didn't abandoned her, that you really weren't given a choice."
Stefanie smiled softly at Kassidy while rubbing a hand across the back of her own neck before dropping it to her side. "To be able to do that I need to speak to Lily. She is the one who I need to convince first. You know she is protective of Crystal and she will never let me near her 'Babygirl' if she thinks I can't handle it. She basically said as much during that call."
Kassidy nodded her head in understanding. She knew how protective Lily could be and knew the Umgul AG would do whatever she could to protect Crystal if she thought anyone was being less than honest. Stefanie returned the nod, then placed her hands on her hips as she glanced to all of them. "So if we're all in agreement to help defend Andros Vyridian, then I suggest you get your asses out of my office and do some actual legal work."
She quipped teasingly, with a lot more confidence showing on her face than she actually felt inside. Lindsay and Nikky were already disappearing out the door while Kassidy stood in front of Stefanie for a moment. "Are you sure you wanna do this, sweetie?"
Looking thoughtful for a second or two, Stefanie finally gave her a small smile, one that didn't quite reach her pale hazel eyes. "Am I sure? Not really....but I think it's best if I do it in this case."
Pursing her lips, Kassidy gave a small 'hmph' sound then smiled wryly as she turned and left the office. Taking a deep breath, Stefanie closed the door and sat down to prepare herself for the almost certain wrath of "Hurricane" Lily Jankovic.
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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on Jun 14, 2016 2:09:22 GMT -8
After Lindsay and Nikky left the office, with Kassidy following shortly thereafter, Stefanie sat at her desk for a few moments with her face buried in her hands. Her mind was racing with the conversations that happened during the holocomm and after. Somehow, during these last four years, she knew the past would come back to bite her in the ass - she just didn't think it would be in the form of a holocomm with Lily and Crystal asking for the law firms help. Sighing deeply, she stood up and walked into the bathroom only to stand at the sink and study her reflection in the mirror above it.
"You look like hell." She muttered to her image before turning on the faucet of the sink, letting the water run for a moment before cupping some in her hands and splashing it on her face. Turning the faucet off and grabbing a hand towel from the rack beside the sink, she walked back out to the main part of her office while using the towel to wipe the water from her face. With the towel in one hand, she poured a fresh mug of tea with the other before moving over to her desk to sit down again. She set the mug down on her left side and the towel on her right, arranging both just so and within reach. It may have been a bit of her OCD kicking in, or maybe she was stalling, or maybe it was a little of both - but either way, she proceeded to rearrange everything on her desk before finally leaning back in her chair and taking a few calming breaths.
A few more moments passed before Stefanie eyed the holocomm device still sitting in the middle of the coffee table. Taking a deep breath and letting it out again, she reached toward a button on the console that sat on the smaller table beside her desk.
"It's now or never...." She whispered as she pushed the button that would activate and connect the holocomm to Lily's again. Even as it gave a beep to signal the connection had been made, she was a bit skeptical that Lily would even answer, especially if the AG saw the frequency the holocomm originated from and realized just who was on the other end of that comm.
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Ljiljana Jankovic
Mist Government
Posts: 374
Affiliation: Mist Government
Traffic Light: Orange
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Post by Ljiljana Jankovic on Jun 16, 2016 12:35:25 GMT -8
The holocomm back in Umgul connects instantly and a voice is heard, it started by saying, Kass- ... Until Lily notices who the person is on the holocomm, she curtly rectifies and says Stefanie. You look like shit.
Lily is looking straight at Stefanie, and clearly back in Umgul she is alone but she also notices something, it got her to ask dubiously. Where are Kase and Linds? Before adding on, So, what's it going to be, are you three taking the case, or not, because of the fact you know that she is here? It can be seen that Lily is looking somewhere but automatically her gaze returns to Stefanie and is looking at her in silence waiting for that decision.
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Post by Payne, Mildhurt, & Strange on Jul 2, 2016 17:13:31 GMT -8
Stefanie looked up when she heard Lily's voice on the holocomm, first beginning to say Kassidy's name then when realizing it wasn't Kassidy, curtly amended it to Stefanie's. Stefanie's lips tightened into a thin line as she briefly glanced down, noticing her right hand seemed a bit swollen. Studying her hand for a moment, it dawned on her that she may have smacked it a little too hard on the desk when Kassidy and Lindsay were arguing earlier, and quite possibly may have injured it. Oddly enough, she hadn't noticed any pain in it before, but now the dull throbbing was apparent. Taking a deep breath, and letting it out again, she gingerly flexed her fingers a couple of times which caused a sharp pain to shoot up into her wrist. She clenched and un-clenched her jaw as she folded her left hand over it on the desk and looked back to Lily's image on the holocomm, meeting the AG's gaze.
"Thank you for that assessment, Lily. I am well aware of how I look at the moment, but since this case is obviously a matter of great importance to you and...Crystal... and now us also, I didn't really think or care about looks." Pausing a moment, and never taking her eyes off of Lily, she picked up the caf mug and took a drink before setting it back on the desk and continuing. "Kase and Linds went to wrap up their current cases as we've all decided that we will take on the Vyridian case. The fact that Crystal is there...."
She glanced down again, flexing her fingers a few more times as she did so, and winced ever so slightly. Sitting back in her chair, Stefanie rested her right hand on the armrest and noticing that Lily seemed to be looking beyond the scope of the holocomm - at what, or whom exactly, Stefanie had no idea. When Lily looked back to the holocamera, Stefanie leaned forward, suddenly feeling the weight of everything that happened in the last few hours. She studied Lily for a few seconds then spoke again in a low somewhat exhausted tone.
"Right. Okay, look Lily...I know I'm the last person you want to be talking to right now, but the truth is...I need to speak to you and Crystal both - about things that have happened and things that could still possibly happen. Things that are too important to get into over a holocomm. I've already talked to Kassidy and Lindsay about it, but now...I just...I need to talk to both of you when we get there."
Bracing herself, Stefanie held Lily's gaze as she waited for what she was sure was going to be another verbal beatdown because she had told the AG that she needed to have a conversation with her and Crystal once they arrived on Umgul.
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