<div class="floatleft">(https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/images/thumb/7/71/Rodansmall.jpg/800px-Rodansmall.jpg)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong>Diplomatic Attache Anatole Kir-Je<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Transorter Room 1<br/><strong>Tagging/Mentioning:</strong>Veyea and new Ambassador<br/><strong>NSFW Warning:</strong><br/><br/>"Good morning, Lieutenant Commander," Anatole said as he entered the transporter room.  Unlike many of his peers, Anatole didn't mind change.  Most of the diplomatic corps would have had something close to a conniption fit to learn of such a serious change in personnel.  Anatole didn't see the problem.  Granted he's spend a certain amount of time tailoring the Redemption's facilities towards Ambassador Fleming's tastes and preferences; he'd just need to apply an equal amount of time making things perfect for ambassador Dubois.  He made a mental note to find out if she preferred being called an ambassador or an envoy.<br/><br/>He hadn't had a lot of time to go over her file; he'd skimmed it, making a few notes.  She was certainly a skilled diplomat, able to make decisions quickly and remain cool and collected in a difficult situation.   That would work well in their favour.  One thing that might prove problematic was her size.  Klingons would see her as weak, given her stature.  He'd need to discuss with her a way to demonstrate ability and power subtly.  Obvious attempts to show strength were generally seen as attempts to hide weakness.  Perhaps not even acknowledging her diminutive height might serve.  Adjusting her hair colour was another issue.  It had been noted in her file that the hair colour was changed on a whim but Anatole suspected there might be another reason behind it.  If he could determine what triggered the change, he might be able to predict it and if he could, others likely could as well and being able to predict someone's behaviour gave you a certain degree of advantage over them.<br/><br/>Take Veyea Fontaine, for an example.  Her facial scar was likely an issue with her, especially considering her level of attractiveness.  If someone stared at it, she would likely become self conscious, becoming keenly aware of her disfigurement.  He'd been among so many other species for so long, he'd lost any revulsion he'd ever felt for ugliness.  He was still aware of what he found attractive but he no longer judged anyone by appearance.  He gave Veyea a smile and wink, mild flirtation that would allow her to form a small bond of trust with him, unless she saw it as an attempt to play her, in which case it would lead to suspicion, rather than trust.  It was always the little things that made the difference.<br/><br/>Like presenting himself in a position of discomfort or difficulty, in order to elicit sympathy.  When had it all become about how people would react to what he did, instead of being about what he did?<br/><br/>"Wish me luck," he said,  as Sakura Dubois began to materialize.<br/><br/><em>Japanese and French.  I wonder which side she favours?  Likely the Japanese, given her advancement through her training.  I wonder if having an older subordinate will be an issue, given her culture's respect for wisdom and experience.  I certainly don't want it to seems like she is deferring to me.  That would be seem as another sign of weakness.</em>