[ Despite having won the Emperor's favor, Michael has only a vague impression of what has historically been required of others to keep it. The relationship she has with Georgiou blossomed almost entirely on accident, like a neglected houseplant in some dim, forgotten corner, surviving against every odd and expectation. Yet she can begin to imagine what it must have taken for Lorca to ascend as the Emperor's right hand — and to stay there for as long as he did. No, he didn't get by on violence alone, and she takes that as a reminder to be just as cautious of his other talents.
Lorca may not hold all of the cards but he has the best hand and they both know it. The opening bid is hers to make and she came prepared. She takes out her device to pull up a drafted contract and sends him a copy. As with any first offer, the document is egregiously skewed in her favor, affording her as much independence as is legally feasible while minimizing their obligation to one another. Importantly, she gets to spend her money freely, but she has taken care, wherever possible, to eliminate financial burden for him. The matter of quota similarly severs mutual responsibility — they are both welcome to satisfy requirements with partners of their own choosing, implicitly not each other. She watches closely as he looks it over. ]
no subject
Lorca may not hold all of the cards but he has the best hand and they both know it. The opening bid is hers to make and she came prepared. She takes out her device to pull up a drafted contract and sends him a copy. As with any first offer, the document is egregiously skewed in her favor, affording her as much independence as is legally feasible while minimizing their obligation to one another. Importantly, she gets to spend her money freely, but she has taken care, wherever possible, to eliminate financial burden for him. The matter of quota similarly severs mutual responsibility — they are both welcome to satisfy requirements with partners of their own choosing, implicitly not each other. She watches closely as he looks it over. ]