[Soviet Union] Taking meetings...

[Dr. Ashleigh Connors]

A man dressed in a fur lined, leather bomber jacket, rides up to the border of the Soviet Union, on a WWII era Triumph motorcycle.  Painted on the bike, and appearing on a patches sewn onto the shoulder of the bomber and the flap of the saddle bags, is the Paladin Industries logo.  Stopping for the guards, he watches their movements intently, with a pair of very dark motorcycle goggles covering his eyes.

[Yuri_Prime]

The weather near the border is cold, harsh, and snowy. The winds would cut through lesser men like heated knives through melted butter.

A pleasant day if ever there was one on the steppes of the Soviet Union. The gate guards signal for Ashleigh to stop while they radio in and check his credentials. Being a corporate mogul might open many doors, but it wouldn't open this gate any sooner. Fortunately, the guardhouse acts as a grand windbreak, giving the rider a break from the harsh embrace of General Winter himself.

"Comrade Connars, you're cleared for entry. Here are you papers." the guard handed Ashleigh a small handheld portfolio, not unlike what one would keep a passport in. "You may need to show it again in the future. The Premier is expecting you in the Kremlin. It is not possible to miss." a pause as he motions for the gate to open, "And... welcome to Moscow, comrade."


Beyond the gate were the cobblestone roads and brick buildings of the industrialized city of Moscow at her height. Children played in the streets, rolling barrel rings with sticks, or some stopped by to pet the German Shepards that were sitting with their handlers. Some societies joke about putting a soldier on every street corner, though in Soviet Russia, the joke was on you. Each corner had a guard, some guards even had dogs, but they all had guns. Brand new rifles, from the looks of it. Kalashnikov had done a grand service to the Union.

Along the road up to the Kremlin, which seemed to be the only road of interest as Ashleigh continued onward, various propaganda posters were pasted to the brick walls, warning the citizens to be wary of questioners, to keep a watchful eye on the horizon, to know what to do in case of a storm, and to know the signs of an Allied Chronoport. It seemed that war had not yet reached the walls of Moscow, but from the feel in the air, she was ready at any time to repel an American invasion.

Soon Ashleigh had reached the curb of the Kremlin, a powerful and imposing building that seemed to generate a feeling of superiority, of triumph. Within those walls, something grand was happening, and it would benefit all within the embrace of the Iron Curtain.

It didn't hurt that the building was flanked by tanks, either.

Waiting for Ashleigh on the steps, wearing a rabbit-fur hat and an overcoat over his usual attire was the Soviet Premier, the esper known as Yuri, along with the horror of science and the product of the utter disregard for nature's sanctity and harmony, the daughter of Octogon... Esper.

Currently the abomination was in her father's arm, and as Ashleigh drove up, she waggled a paw in his direction, and smiled a cute smile in a way that only a felinoid could.

[Dr. Ashleigh Connors]

Connors, pulls the motorcycle up the street, as close to the entrance as possible.  Hopping off the bike, he unbuckle the chin strap of his helmet, removes the helmet, and tucks it under his arm.  The goggles he leaves down though.

"Premier.  Esper.  Lovely weather for this time of year."

[Yuri_Prime]

The Premier gives a nod, "It certainly is. Come, there is coffee brewing inside."

With that the Octagon turned and lead Connors inside the walls of the Kremlin. Guards stationed near the doors did not salute, though they did open the doors for their Premier and his guest.

The interior was spacious, though felt more like an office building then a capitol structure. Upon entry, Connors was asked if he would enjoy some coffee, and if his coat could be taken to the coat room. The Soviet definition of Coffee, though, wasn't so much "Boiling water strained through ground coffee beans" but more "Steaming Caffeinated Motor Oil". Thick, bitter, and guaranteed to warm and wake, even on a day like today.

"So what brings you to the Soviet Union today, comrade Connors? Certainly not the weather." He gave a chuckle, "I have office space, unless this is a meeting best held in a laboratory?" Yuri inquired as his coat was taken to the coat room. Yuri accepted a cup of coffee, while Esper declined, citing that it'd stunt her growth.

[Dr. Ashleigh Connors]

Ashleigh relinquishes his jacket, being sure to keep his paperwork on him.  He gracefully accepts the coffee, sips it, and raises an appreciative eye.  "Nice.  This stuff takes me back.  I'm here to talk about thoughts regarding Nexal politics and their influence on commerce.  As those always seems to be sticky wickets, and I'm taking your time, why don't we go where you'll be most at ease."

[Yuri_Prime]

"Ahhh, the eternal concern. Well then, right this way?" Yuri motioned as he walked. The pair would travel through the hallways, past the very nerve center of the Kremlin itself, and into what seemed to be some form of diplomatic office. There were comfy chairs, a globe (Mildly inaccurate to anyone outside of Yuri's origin reference), and a fresh carafe of coffee was already waiting for them as they entered. Who knows how many treaties and accords were negotiated within this very room...

"If it is one thing I am always up for a good conversation about, it is the thoughts of others. Second to that, is politics. Make yourself comfortable, Comrade Connors, you are my guest." Once the three of them were inside, the door closed, and a green light above the door illuminated, perhaps to show the room was in use, though oddly from the inside.

"So, where to begin?"

[Dr. Ashleigh Connors]

"Begin at the beginning.  Can I ask you to secure this room, from all external observation devices, please?  Call me paranoid, but I'm not looking for anyone to hear about these ideas, any sooner than necessary."

[Yuri_Prime]

"There's a saying about being paranoid..." the Premier begins, gesturing to his temple, "It's only paranoia if there *isn't* anyone after you."

Then there's a pressure. Not a physical pressure, but a weight of presence. It begins in the room and radiates outward like a explosion, though there is no visible effect, merely a feeling. A sensation. The sensation that this room right here, is the most boring object in all of creation. It is uninteresting, doldrum, dull... it is to be ignored and passed over. It felt like a message...

This room does not exist.

The tsunami of psychic potential felt like it ebbed and flowed over the psyche for hours, though in truth, Ashleigh's watch was just getting around to ticking the third second past the start of the event.

"The room is beyond secured, Comrade Connors. It is ignored."

[Esper]

The feliniod horror dismounted from her father's arm, landing on the desk and giving her head a shake. Her psyche was as far beyond the Premier's as his was above any conventional human's, but the weight of his presence even gave her pause.

To which she responded by pressing the "Having a tough day?" button on the bottom of her box of endless Bon-Bons, and to her delight, the box was filled with fresh yummy treats. One of which she even offered to Ashleigh, grasping one in a polydactyl paw.

"Bon Bon, Mr. Connors? They make everything better."

[Dr. Ashleigh Connors]

"Please.  Thank you Esper."  Ashleigh accepts the bonbon and pops it in his mouth, finishing it quickly.

"So let's talk about you, me, and Octagon house leadership and council representation, for next term.", he replies to Yuri, after swallowing.

(Buddha see PM)

[Yuri_Prime]

... is real. Room 347 is real."

And thus the weight of Yuri's psychic presence was removed from the minds and lives of the inhabitants of the Soviet Union.

"I'll see you on your way out, Comrade Connors. You have a long drive ahead of you." Yuri said as he walked with Ashleigh, Esper close behind finishing off this particular box of Bon-Bons, that glorious refill button peeking out through the chocolate treats.

[Dr. Ashleigh Connors]

"We all have long rides Premier, but that's what makes them entertaining." Connors replies, before popping a bon-bon.

Swallowing, he raise an eyebrow, and looks around for his jacket and helmet.  "Once again thanks for the time, and the coffee.  I'm sorry I couldn't provide you a simpler arrangement, but I'm sure we'll find something, or someone, to your liking, eventually.  It's a big Multiverse, you know."

[Yuri_Prime]

As they leave the diplomatic suite, Ashleigh will find his helmet and jacket waiting for him. The jacket had been dried, seemingly by hand to avoid damage to the many patches and the material itself, and had been warmed on the inside by what one could presume was an industrial heat machine. The helmet had been dried as well, and had been the subject of some degree of maintainence while the two of them were away. The nicks and scrapes had been waxed, and any rogue insects hitching a ride had been disposed of.

"These things happen, Comrade. As you say, it is a vast Multiverse." he said, a hint of a smirk on his features. "One cannot accommodate everyone at all times."

Esper padded along her father's side, along with Ashleigh.