The Director hoists a flute of champagne.

“Frohes neues Jahr, mein Freundfeind.”

@ArcedUpStark

@TheDirector "Happy New year to you, too." There is no sincerity in her voice at all.

@ArcedUpStark Piercing blue eyes train on the ring on Tasha’s finger.

“How are things in paradise?” Helena has, of course, heard about the kerfuffle in Canada.

@TheDirector "Always sunny and a balmy 90 degrees with an iced Appletini and a 42 caliber laser cannon ready to pop out of my arm."
@ArcedUpStark “Easy, Natasha. For once, I mean no ill will. I would rather not ruin my birthday dress. In all sincerity, how are die Kinder und die Frau?”
@TheDirector "I don't recall us being friendly to the point where my personal life is a topic of conversation I tolerate us having and I don't clock out. That's an implicit threat."
@ArcedUpStark “Very well.” Still much taller than Tasha, the Director inclines her head. “How is business? I heard that you are involved in a high profile court battle against Astris Technologies. Has Major Farnham taken the stand yet?”
@TheDirector "It's hardly a battle. It won't take long and is a minor inconvenience that's going to cost a company all of their defense contracts if they're not careful."

@ArcedUpStark Best not to tell Tasha about her quite sizable investment in Astris then.

“I wish you und Fräulein Sheridan the best of luck.”

@TheDirector "I somehow doubt that but as a fun bit of trivia, if someone salts your earth, it's really hard to grow things in it. You may want to consider offering some friendly advice to some of your investments."

@ArcedUpStark Helena’s face falls serious. “How do you know about that?”

She normally has no trouble keeping her cards close to the vest. She’s slipping.

@TheDirector "I'm Natasha Stark. Obviously. You'd be surprised the things the EDTF has access to when it comes to military contractors. I know where the janitor takes his dog for a walk. Except on Thursdays, when he walks the poor girl at a bigger park because a lady he's sweet on jogs there on Thursdays."

@ArcedUpStark Herman Koslowski, head custodian. He’s been subtly romancing a woman named Mackenzie Saunders. Helena has her sources too.

“There will soon be a decision in that matter, ja? It could fall either way, Frau Stark. I just hope Frau Varanna is good enough to sway the jury.”

@TheDirector "For everyone's sake. There is a shocking amount of ego that seems more than happy to tank your investment should a reasonable deal not go through. A pity, really. I had you pegged as smarter than to allow this to go on as it has."

@ArcedUpStark “I may be impulsive, but Ich bin kein Idiot. I’ve instructed the Astris lawyers to offer a settlement agreement in the event that the jury finds in Fräulein Sheridan’s favor.”

With an ironclad NDA, of course.

@TheDirector "Very, very wise, but I'd also advise the board to come up with back up plans should the deal go the other way. That's a lot of projects cancelled and revoked."