04-08-2025, 11:32 AM
Emily greeted Ana with a smile and thanked her for the comment on her wedding. In truth, Emily had trouble remembering most of it. It had all passed by in a blur and after things had started she had become tunnel visioned on Jared. Cruz had been there as Rachel's date, and that was over. It made Emily think of her sister. She had been odd since the break up.
Nox and Ana seemed to have a very good rapport. Both of them mentioned Sage, and although Emily had never met the man, she'd heard of him from Rachel. He was an associate of Cruz's if she recalled correctly. It also seemed he was an associate of Nox and had written the proposal - apparently while high. High people didn't bother her as much as people thought it did. She personally didn't advocate drug use - especially the illegal kind - but mostly she didn't like it when people used to hide from their problems. Even so - if Sage had written the proposal while high, that was impressive. She did know that some drugs made people hyper-vigilant. That also made her think of Rachel. She had been incredibly focused on her thesis lately. Emily hoped she wasn't burying her break up with Cruz on drugs. She'd have to talk to her soon.
Emily listened to what they said, but she also watched. Emily noted Nox's posture and his choice of words. She picked up on the word "childish", "they'll become like me", and "try to do what I do." The man's guilt was palpable. All people had their flaws, and one of Emily's was that she wore her emotions on her sleeve. She could usually temper it in business deals, but her eyes revealed her compassion. The man was beating himself up. She didn't know him well, but whatever sins he had committed he was truly sorry for. She sensed that this wasn't a ploy - it was genuine. He hadn't asked for it, but it was in that moment that Emily forgave him for what he had done to her.
After Nox finished, Emily let silence pervade for a moment, hands steepled in front of her in thought. She had read the proposal and hadn't lied when she said it was well thought out. It was one of the best written and thought out plans she had seen. Normally in meetings like this, she'd have feedback or criticism to give, but she had none. She had ideas to add, of course, but now wasn't the time for that. Usually she'd ask questions that she already knew the answer to - a technique to get the person talking about their idea. It showed her what the client viewed as important. She had a feeling that route would annoy Nox. He had been straightforward and unapologetic in his approach. He would appreciate not having to wade through bullshit to get to the point.
Emily took a deep breath and put her hands down. "First things first - what are Second Chance's immediate needs, what can I do to meet them, and how does Shale fit in. Are you looking for financial backing or more?" Emily's choice of words was deliberate. A way to let them know that they weren't just petitioning for her company's resources, but also for something more personal for her.
Nox and Ana seemed to have a very good rapport. Both of them mentioned Sage, and although Emily had never met the man, she'd heard of him from Rachel. He was an associate of Cruz's if she recalled correctly. It also seemed he was an associate of Nox and had written the proposal - apparently while high. High people didn't bother her as much as people thought it did. She personally didn't advocate drug use - especially the illegal kind - but mostly she didn't like it when people used to hide from their problems. Even so - if Sage had written the proposal while high, that was impressive. She did know that some drugs made people hyper-vigilant. That also made her think of Rachel. She had been incredibly focused on her thesis lately. Emily hoped she wasn't burying her break up with Cruz on drugs. She'd have to talk to her soon.
Emily listened to what they said, but she also watched. Emily noted Nox's posture and his choice of words. She picked up on the word "childish", "they'll become like me", and "try to do what I do." The man's guilt was palpable. All people had their flaws, and one of Emily's was that she wore her emotions on her sleeve. She could usually temper it in business deals, but her eyes revealed her compassion. The man was beating himself up. She didn't know him well, but whatever sins he had committed he was truly sorry for. She sensed that this wasn't a ploy - it was genuine. He hadn't asked for it, but it was in that moment that Emily forgave him for what he had done to her.
After Nox finished, Emily let silence pervade for a moment, hands steepled in front of her in thought. She had read the proposal and hadn't lied when she said it was well thought out. It was one of the best written and thought out plans she had seen. Normally in meetings like this, she'd have feedback or criticism to give, but she had none. She had ideas to add, of course, but now wasn't the time for that. Usually she'd ask questions that she already knew the answer to - a technique to get the person talking about their idea. It showed her what the client viewed as important. She had a feeling that route would annoy Nox. He had been straightforward and unapologetic in his approach. He would appreciate not having to wade through bullshit to get to the point.
Emily took a deep breath and put her hands down. "First things first - what are Second Chance's immediate needs, what can I do to meet them, and how does Shale fit in. Are you looking for financial backing or more?" Emily's choice of words was deliberate. A way to let them know that they weren't just petitioning for her company's resources, but also for something more personal for her.