Ask Onderon Hutt of State

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

He had never been to Onderon. Of this, Hutt was almost entirely certain, for the planet was disgustingly law-abiding, and over the course of his long life Nor’baal had little interest in the world. However, he was a politician now! No longer just a criminal, he was a Governor and a criminal, and such a lofty position required going to a world where there was no immediate fiscal benefit.

Onderon.

More like, Onderwrong!

<Ho! Ho! Ho!> Nor’baal laughed at his own incredible wit as he pored over his datapad from his throne inside the Glorious Jewel, his private yacht on approach to the world. Senator Cassian Graves, the incumbent Onderon representative's data was displayed on the pad, his speaking records, political history and media appearances. A little bit of preparation work for their forthcoming meeting.

<Cauekepetka. Du mah banka la doth koumi yanatke ai bu cuee siadi Pyke! Jeeska da apiua dah tah bo, Irvan, neu haku uba caiot catkhepauka doi twa koneaha, an in ting Meecooda kohcha koumhaptecee cay cuee ai wa boha pankoph yabee.> Nor’baal spoke to his Majordomo, as the ship lurched down into the atmosphere.

He was keen to make a formidable first impression, as this was one of the first private political visits he had undertaken as Governor of Kessel. In many ways he was a planetary Governor, and also the backchannel conduit to the Hutt families these days, and he needed to look the part.

And when it came to first impressions, the advice of his Majordomo, was paramount.

 

[Irvan Yskel]

It has been some months since Irvan became Nor’baal’s majordomo and he hasn't stopped working since then. Gannick was more disorganized than the human had expected. During the Sullustan’s tenure, the household of the Hutt was in complete chaos.

The security was terrible and he was even giving improper food to the ringleader. Irvan had access to the dietary necessities of Nor’baal. By medical orders, the Hutt should be doing a diet with less sodium. The man found out that the Sullustan wasn’t following this prescription, perhaps he was wanting to kill the Hutt and replace him. Gannick was even stealing more money from the treasure that could be suitable for a Majordomo.

Since Nor’baal wasn’t only a ringleader, but also the Governor of Kessel, Irvan ended up needing to go with him on political trips. This time they were going to Onderon, where the Hutt was going to meet with Senator Cassian Graves. The Majordomo had studied the Zeltron before their arrival on the planet and compiled it in several archives, which were being played on his boss’s datapad.

“<Yes, my Lord. According to the information, Senator Graves seems to be ambitious. There are rumors that he is even the lover of the Princess of Onderon.>” normally, someone would not be interested in rumors about the love life of his business partners. However, if it was true, this knowledge could be useful for many things. For example, blackmail.

While the Hutt’s yatch started to land, Irvan decided that it was a good moment to repass the protocol for the visit. Since Onderon didn’t allowed slaves, some adaptations ended being necessary. “<My Lord, as we talked early, you will need to use your new litter. It’ll be waiting for you outside.>” being a Hutt, it was part of his culture to use this type of transport. After all,this species likes to cause an impact with their arrival.

However, with Nor’baal being the representative of a democratic government that was against slavery, Irvan had suggested to his boss that he should buy a model that had mechanical legs. It also had the bonus of having an energy shield that would protect who was inside it against blasters.

Was difficult to convince the Hutt to agree with this idea, but he agreed after the Majordomo said that it was an opportunity to show the Galaxy that he was against slavery, without abandoning an important trait of his culture. It was also decided that he would only be used in events of the ISC and of the Galactic Senate.

“<The security will be following, with groups at each side of the litter. I’ll be among them. Do you want a drum or a band to announce your passage through the streets?>” Irvan had brought both, just in case. This visit was going to be perfect, after all he didn’t want to end like Gannick.

@Nor'baal @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

The Minstrel-class space yacht's bronze plating caught the dying light of the sun's rays as it cut across a fair Onderon sky, the painted skies the perfect backdrop for its arrival. A warm, gentle breeze blew from the east. The Ubrikkian designed vessel was larger than your average space yacht, even by a Hutt's standards.

But Nor'baal was no ordinary Hutt, a member of the infamous Disilijic Tiure clan. One of the most infamous and influential crime families in the Outer Rim and blood relatives to the disreputable Grand Hutt himself, Jabba. Nor'baal was more ambitious than most and had quickly risen in power both within his own clan and within the ISC after his "Papa" had taken an unexpected tumble from the balcony of his three story palace on Coruscant.

How convenient.

Cassian did not know the meaning behind this sudden meeting with the Governor of Kessel, but he was sure that only greed and a lust for dominance would draw the Nar Shaddaa native to Onderon.

, Cassian was surprised that Nor'baal intended to present himself in person at all. Hutts preferred to do business by proxy, sending their agents or slaves or 'indentured servants' as it was dubbed today. Whatever business Nor'baal had with the planet of Onderon, he must have considered it important enough to show his face.

Tugging his left wrist free from his designer suit, the Zeltron tore his gaze from the ship to check his chrono. Nor'baal was prompt, if nothing else.

@Nor'baal @LouJoVi

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Following the advice of his Majordomo, Nor’baal ensured to arrive on a mechanised litter, whilst privately lamenting that he could not make use of the more traditional variant, that would have been in violation of the worlds overly liberal slavery laws. Moving down from the yacht, his retinue in tow, the entire process - which was more of a parade than a walk - took around fifteen minutes, something the Hutt had insisted on personally. After all, it paid to make an entrance.

With slow precision, the litter ferried the Hutt down the concourse from his Minstrel-Class Yacht, up to the entrance of the Onderon Palace itself. A few of the locals had come out to see the Hutts arrival, the heavy footfall of the large load lifter droids that carried his throne, in much the same style as slaves did back on the Hutt worlds, beating a slow march to the palace. It was exceptionally hard to ignore, the ground shaking slightly as the litter passed, Nor’baal looking out over the gathered crowd, oblivious to the fact that those who were making any sort of noise, were booing him.

Apparently, Crime Lords were not that popular on Onderon.

As the litter arrived at the Palace gates, Nor’baal smiled, watching as the vast doors opened and the Onderon representatives became visible. With the lordly arrogance one expected from the Hutts, Nor’baal waved his Majordomo forward, to commence reeling off his introduction, so that the meeting could commence.

Nor’baal meanwhile, stared at Cassian. Dressed in fine clothes, and with a chrono on his wrist that would be worth a small fortune, the man had expensive tastes, that much was clear. Expensive tastes I can help to meet, the Hutt thought to himself, as he pondered the idea that the Onderonian representative might be a little more susceptible to his charms than he had imagined.

 

[Irvan Yskel]

As soon as the yacht landed at the spaceport, Irvan orversaw his boss entering the litter. He had prepared the entire retinue previously, perfectly following the desires of Nor’baal. Due to the circumstances of this visit being due to diplomacy, the passage of the Hutt through the streets of Iziz city would be more festive, lacking some of the intimidating factors that normally were used.

Of course, there would still have guards to protect the Hutt, but with the energy shield produced by the litter, their numbers could be reduced without risking Nor’baal's life. This way, his retinue could be filled with even more musicians and dancers.

The Majordomo followed his boss through the streets of the city. Through where the procession would pass, citizens would stop what they were doing to look at them. Some were afraid, while others looked with surprise. The children seemed to be amazed with the colorful dancers, all dressed in a way that would be considered acceptable in planets that called themselves civilized. After all they were trying to not pass the impression that the Hutts were debauched, at least not in public.

When they finally arrived at the Palace, Irvan saw the Senator of Onderon. As he was informed, the man was a Zeltron and was well dressed. It would appease his boss, who would be furious if it was a servant who came to talk with them.

Nodding to Hutt, the Majordomo walked until he was standing next to the litter. "Greetings, Senator Graves. The great Nor’baal is very happy to be able to finally meet you in person. He hopes that the discussions that are going to happen today would be good for both sides."

@Nor'baal @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Blue eyes followed the Governor of Kessel and his Majordomo as they swept through the palace gates with all the ease and authority of its owners. Bodyguards and personal attendants accompanied the Hutt, there to ensure his safe keeping and to attend to his every need and want. A good thing, too. The crowd that had gathered outside of the palace walls did not welcome the Hutt favorably to their planet, booing and hurling slurs.

Nor'baal Desilijic was now the Governor of Kessel. Any connection to the growing and prosperous ISC brought with it some degree of prestige and respectability, but in the case of the Hutt from Nar Shaddaa rumors continued to persist. A governor was under continual scrutiny, constantly in the eye of the public. Nor'baal certainly had a public image to consider these days, and nothing threatened that carefully crafted image more than possible connections to organized crime.

These rumors were hard to ignore, harder to dismiss. However, rumors were just that. Rumors.

Nor'baal Desilijic currently held the office of Governor on Kessel. As long as he held that position, Cassian would welcome him to Onderon with open arms. Not literally, of course. The Zeltron would treat the Hutt with the respect that his position demanded. If rumors ever turned to fact.... Well, Cassian would cross that bridge when he came to it.

The Senator of Onderon had his own image to consider, after all.

"Good afternoon, Governor," Cassian greeted, bowing his head respectfully to the Great Nor'baal himself. Cassian would have shaken hands, but such an acknowledgement was made impossible by the entourage that flanked the two of them. Extravagant. Excessive. Immoderate. Just a few of the words that came to mind.

Then the Zeltron turned his attention toward Irvan Yskel. "Majordomo." Well-mannered and polite (due wholly to his expensive education no doubt), Nor'baal was fortunate to retain Irvan Yskel in his employ. The Majordomo would counterpoise the Hutt's natural aptitude for filth and turpitude tendencies.

"It's always a pleasure to meet a Governor of the ISC. I must apologize on behalf of the Royal Family, as they were called elsewhere today, but they send their apologies and hope that your visit will be to your satisfaction." He smiled. "Is there anything you would like? Refreshments, perhaps?"

@Nor'baal @LouJoVi

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

"Good afternoon, Governor," Nor’baal waved his right hand with a dismissive gesture as the Senator bowed. He was keen to get this lackey out of the way, so the Hutt could speak to the Monarchy, people of station and power. As such, he looked quite crestfallen when the realisation he would not be meeting the Lords of this world became clear.

<Uba doth cuee dan Banokon, bai chobaso wa Yih bai mee danko. Fa doth kouwaueve da mee bahietka-en cha cahla mee dan tokiy bai mah bmala.> he referred to the booing crowds, unsure as to why the Senator allowed the people of this world to show such disrespect. On Hutta, such a gaudy display of rabble-rousing would have been met with a serious round of executions. Even on Kessel, Nor’baal ensured that the people kept their opinions to themselves.

The thought of refreshments, however, pleased him immensely. <Mawhachesa noa-a cuee kolka. In ting jeejee caiot paknee ata hoohah kankahnee mee yicei banki danko?> the Hutt referred to the vast palace behind the Senator as he continued to speak <Fa noa-a dan bai yoieu joniu bai yanee.>

 

[Irvan Yskel]

Irvan watched the exchange between his boss and the Zeltron. The Royal Family wasn’t going to see Nor’baal, this could be problematic. The Hutts were a proud species, meeting with a simple Senator would not be enough to them. The Majordomo knew that his boss would be mad for not meeting the king.

Thankfully, Irvan prepared Nor’baal for this possibility. In many planets, the presence of a Hutt wasn’t something that was appreciated. The Majordomo tried to make his boss understand that unleashing his fury over these individuals would only cause more problems. So far it seemed to have worked. He only hoped that the Governor’s patience would last until the end of the visit.

He would remain in silence, even when Graves offered refreshments to them. To be a good Majordomo, Irvan could only speak when his boss asked. When the Hutt asked to enter the palace, he stared at the Zeltron. If it was refused, Irvan feared how Nor’baal would react to it.

@Nor'baal @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Cassian smiled, pleased to see that the suggestion of refreshments eased any hurt feelings that the Royal Family's absence might have brought on. He thought it might.

"Of course," the Zeltron replied with all the grace and ease of a practiced host. "The Royal Family laments their absence today but was adamant that you and your Majordomo should enjoy all the comforts of their home. Absent or not, you are their honored guest, Governor Nor'baal."

He swept a wide arm toward the large, ornate doors of the palace, indicating that Nor'baal should lead the way. "After you, Governor."

A pair of footman stood ready to usher the Hutt and his Majordomo into the palace, where they would be led through the reception hall, a large staircase at the center with topiaries on each side. The Governor of Kessel would be led across the mosaic ceramic flooring of the entrance hall to the parlor room, where the group would get down to business. Oil paintings of royalty long since passed lined the wall, with plush arm chairs and settees placed orderly around the room. A large bay window faced the courtyard, dying sunlight filtered into the room.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable," Cassian would say, following the pair into the room and closing the doors behind them. Privacy was paramount, particularly in politics.

At the center of the room sat an oblong table, complete with a wide variety of refreshments, from Colo claw fish to deep-fried nuna legs. Cassian crossed the room in a few short strides, picking up a bowl of paddy frogs, the green amphibians still squirming around.

"Paddy frogs," he smiled to Nor'baal, although there was no doubt in his mind that the Governor of Kessel already knew what they were. They were, after all, a staple in a Hutt's diet. "I recently traveled to Klatooine and acquired a batch especially for this occasion."

@Nor'baal @LouJoVi

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

All these pleasantries were doing wonders for the Hutts ego, and he made a mental note to have the man flayed gently if ever he ended up in his dungeons - after all, it was the least he could do for one so polite. Pondering how much Cassian would fetch at the slave markets of Zygerria as he made his way across the parlour room, Nor'baal promptly made himself at home and grabbed one of the paddy frogs, greedily snatching the creature before Cassian could offer it to him. Halfway through scoffing down his second fist-full of paddy frogs he remembered the humanoid predilection for manners and grunted his appreciation.

<Dan. Uba woy tee bai uai bankop hee whonbola.> he chuntered back between mouthfuls of pleading amphibian. <Toupee mi, Hacda, woy bu sayey che Anbahan bai woy yanee cay Pattee dokanu chakee hoohah- bai bu Yih banpop?> he added with a belch, keen to get down to the business at hand.

 

[Irvan Yskel]

Irvan followed his boss inside the castle. The place came straight out of a holomovie about royalty. There were several ceramic, mosaics and paintings. Even the furniture exuded an air of wealth, there were details painted on them with gold. The Majordomo wondered how much these things would cost at the black market.

After they arrived at the room, Irvan took a seat next to Nor’baal. He noticed how the table in front of them was full of food, with some of these dishes being very appreciated by the Hutts. His boss was going to approve it. The paddy frogs were his favorite.

While Nor’baal talked with Graves, Irvan remained in silence. As a Majordomo, it wasn’t his job to meddle in the business of his boss, only speaking when he was ordered to do it. However, he was paying close attention to the entire scene. After all, who knows if the Zeltron didn’t have some secret plan against the Hutt.

@Nor'baal @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"I'm so glad you approve," Cassian replied, watching the Hutt wolf down one paddy frog after another with morbid interest. With Nor'baal's immense appetite, it was a shame that the Hutt species did not possess the remarkable metabolism of the Zeltrons. "Your comfort is paramount, Governor, both to the Royal Family and to myself."

The Zeltron placed the bowl of paddy frogs back on the table, situating it well within the reach of the Hutt's fat, grubby hands.

"Of course," Cassian would then smile, sliding onto the red cushioned couch across from the Hutt and his Majordomo. The man was as silent as the grave. Either Nor'baal had trained him into submission or the Hutt was paying him a substantial amount of credits for his silence. Both options were likely.

"I'm a businessman, Governor Nor'baal. I don't censure lucrative business opportunities simply because my business partner might be a Hutt. Kessel has much to offer, but so do you, Governor."

@Nor'baal @LouJoVi