[attr="class","nikitaposttext"]



Nikita was at the same conference for much the same reason: to be seen. It would be inappropriate for the daughter of Wells Prosthetics & Technology's CEOs and founders to be missing from such a high-profile event, even though their Hoenn branch's sales and marketing representatives were already doing an excellent job on the floor. Yet there she was, representing the company, connecting with old business partners, networking with new ones.[break][break]

She needed a break. Fifteen minutes away from the flurry of activity should be enough time to collect herself. A drink might ease her growing exasperation for all those people.[break][break]

Her Rotom hovering close behind her, Nikita stepped up to the bar beside a man with long, black hair. "A vodka tonic, please," she said to the bartender, sounding a bit wearier than she intended.[break][break]

No one else stood behind her in line, so she lingered at the bar to wait for her drink, glancing sidelong at the man in the hanfu. She did not recognize him, but a peek at his badge told her he was none other than Húxiān Tianyu of Fennekin Pharmaceuticals. The name rung a bell; she had seen that the company on the roster of attendees.[break][break]

She weighed her options. Introduce herself to him, as expected of WPT's regional director, or ignore him for some peace and quiet. She was not sure if he would take offense at the latter. The former would be the safest option.[break][break]

So much for having fifteen minutes to collect herself.[break][break]

"Mr. Húxiān, is it?" Her Kantonese was middling at best. It had been years since her classes at Wyndon University. Still, she held out her hand to shake his and offered him a polite smile. "I do not believe we've met. Nikita Wells, of Wells Prosthetics and Technology."

[break]

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NOTES

+ Mission: Putting on a Front

BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","nikitaposttext"]



When the drinks arrived, Nikita accepted hers with a polite "thank you" to the bartender, then turned her full attention back to Tianyu.[break][break]

"I would prefer outside as well," she said agreeably, following the man out onto a balcony. Hotel patio furniture provided comfortable seating there, but Nikita had been sitting in panels all day. She wanted to stretch her leg while she could.[break][break]

She took a sip of her cocktail, enjoying the bubbly citrus taste, before replying to her companion's earlier remark. "We opened our Hoenn branch a few months ago, yes. In Mauville."[break][break]

The fact that conferences such as the one they were attending were crucial for establishing local connections need not be said. Nikita would not rehash what her conversation partner already likely knew. In any case, WPT did not need to appear desperate for a broader network. Her marketing team could handle that with more aplomb than she ever could.[break][break]

Tilting her head slightly, Nikita regarded Tianyu with an arched eyebrow. She knew nothing about Fennekin and had not had the time to research it in between panels. Perhaps the man cared to enlighten her, even a little, about his company and their goals.[break][break]

"I imagine Fennekin is well established enough in Hoenn, on the other hand, that these conferences are more humdrum for you," she remarked with a polite smile.

[break]

[attr="class","nikitapostooc"][break]

NOTES

+ Mission: Putting on a Front

BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","nikitaposttext"]



Nikita nodded along as Tianyu spoke and sipped her drink. She was familiar with everything he mentioned, though her parents were the ones who'd procured the Mauville headquarters and their first few factories in Hoenn. Establishing connections throughout the region was up to her, however. [break][break]

And she did indeed know how the capitalist schemes functioned. [break][break]

"Pharmaceuticals has a much larger playing field than prosthetics and orthotics to contend with, comparatively," Nikita mused aloud. At least the two fields were not in conflict with each other; in fact, they often went hand-in-hand when it came to a patient's recovery and rehabilitation. "I wish you all the success with it."

[break]

[attr="class","nikitapostooc"]
[break]

NOTES

Mission: Putting on a Front