Open [Indupar] A Night to Remember

[Korre Belasi]

A memory surfaced in her mind of a young Korre on her sixteenth birthday, being introduced to one of her favorite music artists on Belasco. While not of the same caliber and not exactly the same youthful excitement she'd experienced back then, Korre felt nothing but excitement when Ilana asked if she could pick her brain. Was a politician now? Yes, but Korre had spent years in university studying both microbiology and biochemistry. It was not a unique degree at all, but she was passionate about it. She'd even discovered a little passion project, though it had been put on hold while she learned the ropes of senator-ship. "Yes, of course! I would be happy to." The woman would separate from the small crowd with the doctor, taking up position by a rather tall window.

"I am absolutely flattered that you approve of my credentials, but I feel I pale in comparison to yours." Korre lifted her drink to her lips and took a sip, recognizing the unique flavor of whiskey. She couldn't say whiskey was her go-to drink, but she did not dislike it. Plus, it was the consequence of her plucking an unknown drink off a tray without first inspecting it. "I am absolutely flattered that you approve of my credentials, but I feel I pale in comparison to yours. "That being said, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. And if I do not know the answer, I certainly will know someone who does."

@Killa Ree

 

[Jin Vaisra]

Jin tried his best to ignore Emil’s sideways remark about Fondor. It wasn’t like there was much to debate. If he had to compare their respective homeworlds, it was obvious which was the superior one, what with Fondor’s grand shipyards and sparkling towers that rose in the sky like hands reaching out for the stars. What did Balmorra have by comparison? Rivers of sludge? Flesh-eating cows? Embarrassing.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Jin replied. “It is Her Excellency’s wish that Indupar and Fondor foster a close bond, as well.”

He bowed, the only gesture he felt appropriate for a man of Ordalos’ stature, and excused himself to allow the prince to greet the remainder of his guests. Besides, he had a bone to pick with a certain homeless-looking senator from Balmorra. He swerved through the crowd and around serving droids, narrowly avoiding knocking one of their trays loose, until he spotted Emil observing a table of wines.

“Don’t,” Venka warned, materializing out of the darkness like a wraith. He’d been so wrapped up in searching for Emil, he hadn’t even sensed her approach. “The two of you mix about as well as oil and water. Don’t turn this into a scene.”

“If I wanted your advice, I would have asked, Venka.” Jin cocked his head to the side. “Relax. I know what I’m doing. Why don’t you go disguise yourself as a houseplant or something? Enjoy the festivities.” He stepped away without waiting for her reply, resetting his mask as he stepped within range of Emil.

“Senator Ro,” he said, the picture of calm. “Might I suggest this one?” Jin selected a bottle of aged wine from Naboo’s southern vineyards. He popped the cork and poured generous glasses for them both. But just after he sipped, he made sure to add, “Our host has taste. Unlike the wine you were serving at your last event, this brand doesn’t taste like it’s been squeezed from the flaps of a freshly decomposing Hutt.”

He smiled warmly. Oh, this would be an eventful night.

@Mockingjay

 

[Emil Ro]

“I thought I smelled something vaguely resembling a speeder’s exhaust pipe,” Emil replied without looking up from his task. “Our host might have taste; but you certainly don’t. Ah, here.”

He plucked a bottle from the table, ignoring the glass Jin had poured to fill his own from a vintage Chandrillan. When he was satisfied with the amount, he took up the glass and drank deeply, sighing only once it was empty. He smirked at Jin, motioning to the bottle he’d just poured from.

“You should really try that, though. A bit more of a kick than what you have there, but I’m sure you have the constitution to handle it.”

He sat down his glass and poured another. He wasn’t stupid. Jin Vaisra, of the Jade Dynasty, didn’t follow random men around parties to trade idle jabs over wine. He either wanted something, or he’d come to fight. Emil wasn’t sure which he preferred, but he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t interested. Thus far, Jin was the only senator who unnerved him, but he wasn’t sure if it was the man’s family ties or his intimidating aura that was the source of his discomfort. And there was only one way he was ever going to get an answer.

“What do you want, Vaisra?” he asked, bluntly. Then, a snakelike grin crawled across his face, revealing the jagged tips of his teeth. “If it’s too crowded here, we could go somewhere more intimate and… chat, if you like.” @Feng Mian

 

[Jin Vaisra]

Jin sniffed the air, pointedly at Emil. “I’m surprised you can smell anything over the reek of factory smoke and inbreeding.” He polished off the rest of his wine. Sweet, numbing satisfaction rolled down his throat. “Must be all the death sticks you’ve been smoking lately. I hear they do wonders in clearing the sinuses.”

He restrained another smile. Already, Jin could feel Venka’s glare in his peripheral vision, the look of utter disappointment. He was supposed to be mingling with the guests, making new friends and forging new alliances, but instead he was broiling the Senator of Balmorra like a rotisserie chicken. Fortunately, there were no journalists around to capture this little trade of insults. Last thing Jin wanted was his face on the front page of a raggedy tabloid like the Hyperlane Herald.

“Straight to business, I see,” Jin answered, almost saddened by how quickly Emil had given up. “As much as I would love some privacy, I’m not sure if I could trust you not to throw me over the side of a balcony. No honor among bureaucrats, as they say.” He leaned against the wine table, his temper simmering, but more than ready to set the man ablaze with a single look.

“And who’s to say I want anything from you, Senator Ro? Fondor has everything it already needs. Shipyards, running factories, a competent labor force…” He cleared his throat. “Well, maybe there is one thing.” Before he could say more, a chorus of violins rose above the crowd, picking up tempo, and several guests began to dance in tandem, suits flashing and dresses flowing across the marble floors.

“How about we discuss this over a dance?” Jin stretched out a hand. The idea honestly made him sick to his stomach, but he figured they could speak more clandestinely there, and with the appearance of not wanting to strangle each other on the spot.

@Mockingjay

 

[Emil Ro]

Emil saw the discomfort written on Jin's features and he loved it. Unlike the senator from Fondor, he relished opportunities like these, and took great pleasure in the unease they created. Anxiety, Emil found, was the great creator of opportunities, if only one had the stones to pursue them. And so, smirking as he did, he took Jin's hand and backed into a more open space, away from the other guests, where they could dance to the music unmolested by wayward senators greedy for connections and conversations.

Now in their little nook of the prince's villa, Emil pulled Jin close and quietly swayed to the beats, remaining purposely silent to draw out Jin's discomfort an agonizing few seconds longer. In this close proximity, he realized that the son of the Jade Dynasty didn't smell at all like an exhaust pipe. Rather annoyingly, he actually had a pleasant aroma, though Emil scrunched up his nose as though the smell offended him anyways.

"Relax Vaisra," he said of the senator's rigidity, speaking lightly near the man's ear, so that they could not be easily overheard. "I promise I won't hurl you over any balconies. I'd hate to leave a mess for the prince and, besides, the ravines around here aren't nearly steep enough for the fall to be interesting."

This felt good. Knowing Vaisra needed him for something—that he had to want it bad to seek him out and ask him to dance. Their past interactions hadn't been sour, exactly, but it was clear both men saw the other as an obstacle to their own individual ambitions, or at the very least a rival. And now that there was an opportunity for Emil to draw blood, he wasn't about to just sit idly by and watch it pass. No, he wanted to know what flavor the blood came in. So, he bit first.

"Now then," he said in a moderately higher tone of voice. "What is it that the Jade Empress' son could want from a Balmorran vagrant like myself? If it's a sense of fashion, I'm afraid that ship has already sailed, capsized, and sunk into the depths of the deepest oceans on Mannan." He made a nod to the senator's suit. "I mean, really, greens? Again? Do you own another color?" @Feng Mian​

​

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc’s keen ears could pick up on all the sidebar conversations or banter around him. However, his focused remained solely on the prince as the man addressed him directly. He sipped from his whiskey as he thought on the answer.

“AMS has, in many ways, become a critical point of consideration for any policy or initiative,” The President explained amidst all the chatter that happened around them, “As a result, the ISC has seen fit to line up our finances and process efforts to operationalize a military force that’s largely inorganic. On several planets we have seen instances where soldiers are sent to combat hordes of infected, only to turn themselves. That problem is immediately mitigated. Additionally, when dealing with Force using entities, we believe that sending inorganics takes away the risk of having their minds influenced. As a result, our top priority right now is to bolster a military force that limits the need to send organics into battle and to keep soldiers home safe."

It was clear that the executive council had given a lot of thought on structuring their military forces. Shipyards like Kuat and Fondor weren’t the only ways of obtaining naval and military might. Most of their efforts came from contracts that benefited multiple parties as ISC worked to established a flourishing economical ecosystem.

Instead of keeping on the topic, however, Emryc turned his head towards the large balcony with the giant waterfalls behind it. He politely motioned for the Prince to walk with him if he pleased.

“Your planet is truly a sight to behold,” He said with his eyes towards the waterfalls, “Do you venture out to enjoy it often?”

@Altaris

 

[Jade Archer]

"It has his own kind of beauty," Archer replied the Prince about Llanic, "I'll look forward to your visit." It was a beautiful and rough place all at once, but the young new governor hoped soon to improve its stakes on the galactic scene. Trade was vital for the survival of the ISC and ther Outer Rim, after all, and Llanic was a major point for exchange of all sorts.

Jade pointedly ignored Senator Belasi's second near slip-up with the smooth ease of practice. These other politicians were intimidating to various degrees but she seemed to possess an icy calm about that never left her eyes or the slightest curl of her lips. "She had a good eye," Governor Archer said, eyes glancing around the grand estate they were in. "You fit right in."

President Thorne had greeted her silently but it would do well enough to start. His stoic charisma and preference for direct action were well known and if Jade wanted to achieve her goals the large man would need to know she existed. But had a prince to speak to and she could handle her own things after. Eyebrows rose as Hipori tried and failed to swipe a drink but she made no comment on it, only watching as the other woman escaped the group to mutter some things into a comm unit. My, she was busy with something, wasn't she?

"Doctor Morata," Jade greeted next to the pale woman, another whose reputation preceded her. "Your work on the vaccine is admirable." She surreptitiously rose her voice a little, as if in eagerness to meet the famous researcher and medical pioneer. "I'm so glad President Thorne brought you on to work on it! After all, if nothing got done the galaxy would be worse for it." She offered her hand to shake, a sly little glint in her eye.

With the others finding groups to wander off and talk to and York being introduced Jade felt she'd found the place to be. "Governor York, the Treasurer to challenge the great banks of the Core." Jade particularly had business with this man who influenced the flow of money and funding in the Consortium. "Minting goes well I trust?"

@Killa Ree @Isen @lizziie @Altaris

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Before leaving with Senator Korre, she caught the words of the Governor of Llanic, Jade Archer. She inclined her head to the woman with a gracious smile, catching the glimmer in the woman's eyes. "Thank you, Governor. I am honored that my researchers in MorataCorp have been so dedicated to the cause; it is to them I owe all praise to. However, it pleases me to hear such high praise. But please excuse me," and she offered the woman a bow.

Hearing Senator Korre's praise, she merely inclined her head. "No need to be modest. I've heard of your studies and Belasco's unique struggles with a pathogen of its' own. Such dedication to your people is commendable." She took a sip of champagne, giving the woman a level, amber-eyed stare before replying.

"I will admit, general information about your planet is lacking; a fact I find disturbing, as it has produced some of the finest minds of the galaxy. Would you mind if I asked?" She gave the woman another gracious smile, but all the while, kept her senses out, feeling the general emotions of the party around them.

So many people with their hands out. I wonder what a party would be like without masks on.

@lizziie @Mr. Teatime

 

[Korre Belasi]

"Belasco has been..." Korre would trail off for a moment as she recalled the planet's not secretive, but definitely not open relationship with the greater galaxy. They did have a number of foreigners who attended Belascan universities for a while, but that had been disallowed almost immediately after the emergence of AMS. Unfortunately, her planet's leaders had not felt the need to aid the galaxy in the fight against the virus. In her campaign against her predecessor's son, they had argued this very topic. He believed that Belasco's self-sufficiency meant they were better off closing themselves off until things blew over. Korre had been adamant that sending aid out into the galaxy would only benefit their people in the end. She had called out to the Belascan scientists--former peers, colleagues, future employers--to ask them if they did not wish to meet the challenge head first. It had won her the election. "...to themselves, as of recently." Historically, even, Belasco was mostly concerned with themselves.

"Every seven years, a bacteria appears within our water sources. It has been a problem since the beginning of our history. We believe it is a part of the planet's ecosystem somehow, though the cause of its appearance has alluded us for millennia." It was Belasco's great unsolved mystery. It sometimes rose from freshwater roses and other times salt water sources. The nature of the bacteria changed slightly from time to time, but did generally remain the same. "We have had ample time to develop the technology to contain the pathogen each and every time it occurs. Science has been a great benefit to Belasco." Belascan universities had indeed sent several great minds out into the galaxy. One of these minds, in her time, had been successful in stopping the spread of the water-borne Blue Shadow Virus on both Belasco and several of her neighboring planets. "My degrees are in microbiology and biochemistry, so I have knowledge on those specific subjects. If I'm being honest-" Korre would pause to chuckle. "-I had no plans to get into politics until about mid-way through my degrees when I realized two things: I thoroughly enjoy public speaking, and Belasco's advanced biogenetic technology would be a huge benefit to the galaxy."

Korre would clear her throat. "Anyways, back to Belasco's pathogen problem. The bacteria itself is slow to mutate, but each reemergence is different--albeit not often by that much--than the last. We stockpile water in the years leading up to its outbreak, so we can, you know, have safe water while we contain the bacteria. The method is slightly different each time, depending on the nature of the bacteria. It is usually quite nasty for those who accidentally get infected, but infection is not a problem we've had in a long time." Her little spiel now over, she took a long drink to clear her throat. She would be more than happy to expand on anything if the doctor had questions. Belasco's research facilities and university research programs might be of interest to her. Korre would be more than happy to speak about what she planned to research on her own time, thought it was unlikely to come up.

@Killa Ree

 

[Soygun York]

One large positive of having President Thorne in attendance was that there was a bigger ass in the room to kiss than his own. York smiled behind his glass thinking about that...that was certainly true in a number of ways. It allowed York to simply pretend to be interested in other people's conversation as he quietly and patiently got his buzz on by nursing his gin and tonic on his own time.

People watching and eavesdropping. York loved to do both, and galas such as this was prime real estate to do either. York was attracted to intelligent, beautiful women, and this event had that in spades. He loved quarrels, and there seemed to be some venom spitting between a few patrons here as well. A few more drinks and a cozy chair to sink into while lighting up a cigar...he could have a great time and never say a word.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Senator Drast, the man who had tried to end York's political career with totally true allegations that were ultimately proven false. "Hmph..." York snorted before turning his attention back to conversation the President found himself in. His attention was grabbed by the beautiful young senator from Llanic. Perhaps he could make an exception and involve himself in conversation.

Governor York, the Treasurer to challenge the great banks of the Core. Minting goes well I trust?"

"Right on schedule. Of course, the biggest debate is should President Thorne's likeness be a frontal image or a side profile," York said with an easy grin. "Governor Archer, you look lovely tonight."

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She listened to the woman and the talk of her planet carefully, not even raising the glass to her lips as she nodded along. A pathogen that appeared every seven years... even for most regular outbreaks, it was unusually well-timed. It was ironic, as well; here was an expert in microbiology right before her. She was originally a practicing thoracic surgeon, but is now considered an 'expert' in her field. And though she had multiple credentials, if it weren't for political support she would be a nobody still practicing medical intervention somewhere in the Outer Rim.

"I was going to remark, for a planet in the grips of a sept-annual pandemic, Belasco is adept in crisis prevention," she remarked calmly, nodding once. "I would like to see specimens of this pathogen sometime; has it evolved over time, or is its' gene pool a limited marker of certain protein chains and deleted genomes?"

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

"It has evolved over time, but not significantly," Korre would answer. "There are small changes in it from emergence to emergence, but it lies dormant for the majority of its lifecycle so it reproduces only every seven years or so. Since a method of removal was discovered by our scientists eight or so millennia ago, we have only had to change our methods a handful of times. We believe that if Belasco had not been inhabited the bacteria would have likely remained as is." The senator took another drink, now contemplating on whether or not she could get the doctor a sample. After an incident where the bacteria was taken from Belasco to be used as a poison, laws had been passed to make it very illegal for the intentional removal of the bacteria from the planet. However, it would be easy enough for Ilana to be given clearance to come to Belasco to see it there. "The bacteria releases a neurotoxin in certain conditions, and due to some unwise actions of others in the past, specimen samples cannot be taken off the planet. However, I could get you clearance to one of our laboratories if you want."

The senator would glance about the room after she finished, quickly taking in the scene around her. Senators Vaisra and Ro were dancing together, and they again seemed to have some sort of tension going on. The Republic senators had not gotten along at Ro's charity event. President Thorne--not Emyrc--was speaking with their host, at the moment. A few others had arrived since she and Ilana deviated off to have their own conversations as well. Korre did not recognize them all, so hopefully she would get the chance to later tonight. She turned her attention back to the doctor.

@Killa Ree

 

[Jin Vaisra]

Jin’s right hand was clasped with Emil’s, one palm to the other, and his left was draped casually over the man’s shoulder, almost bored. Together, they swayed to the strum of violins. To everyone else, they were just another two faces in the crowd, another couple of politicians batting their eyelashes in hopes of scoring a trade deal, an alliance, or a boost to their ego. But the reality was, Jin wasn’t looking for a friend. No, he was here looking for a chance to do something great. Something unexpected.

“It’s ironic that you insult my taste in clothing when you’re the one dressed like a soggy cardboard box, but I understand your skepticism. I know you and your homeworld are quite unfamiliar with the color green.” Jin smiled warmly. Insulting the man’s rotting planet would never get old. And while the same could be said for Fondor, at least Jin had been lucky enough to enjoy the taste of fresh air—unlike Emil—in the gardens at the Palace of a Thousand Stars.

“Say what I will about Balmorra, there’s no denying its value to the New Republic. If it wanted, your planet could arm entire worlds, or fuel wars on a galactic scale. You could transform the Sector Rangers into something more than a glorified law enforcement agency, but an army rivaling the Sith.” Shameless flattery. Jin knew it would take more than a single foundry world to accomplish such a feat, but it didn’t change the fact that Balmorra was not a force to be reckoned with.

As was Fondor.

“My shipyards and your factories could do a whole lot of good for the galaxy. Instead, we spend our time twiddling our thumbs, waiting for something to happen.” Jin leaned in closer. “Why do you think that is the case?” He could distinctly smell the cologne Emil wore, a concoction of mint citrus and green leaves, and was reminded of the yellow lotuses that dotted the royal gardens.

Jin hated how much he liked that smell.

@Mockingjay

 

[Galek Ordalos]

Galek watched with glee as more and more people filtered into the hall, branching off into conversations of their own. Doctor Morta and the Senator from Belasco seemed to get on well enough, discussing a topic of science that quite frankly went right over the prince’s head. He was a diplomat after all, not a biologist. His eyes then fell upon the Senator’s from Balmorra and Fondor, a brow raising inquisitively in their direction. He had to hand it to them, the two of them danced together well enough, proving to be the first of the guests to have made it onto the dancefloor. Meanwhile, it seemed the lovely Governor of Llanic had struck up a conversation with Secretary York.

When Emryc began speaking the prince gave the man his undivided attention, listening with keen interest as the President took his time laying out the priorities and methodology of the ISC. Galek took a drink from his glass, nodding along. “So, not only has your government claimed the moral high ground by keeping your citizens at home and off the battlefield, but you have also mitigated one of the biggest challenges for relief efforts on AMS-infested plantets. Very impressive.” There had been many governments in the past, the Confederacy of Independent Systems being one, which used droids as the basis of their armies. It was hard to argue that their way was not more ethical, while the Republic and Free Worlds Alliance sent flesh and blood to fight their battles.

“I must say, it is refreshing to see the collaboration between planets and the effectiveness in which the ISC has been able to rise to meet these challenge. It is certainly quite the contrast to the inaction by some others.” His eyes briefly flicked across the room to Senator Drast. “Perhaps there is room in the future for such partnership between your government and Indupar.” He shrugged.

When the topic turned to the cascading landscape before them, Galek flashed a toothy smile and gestured towards the open balcony, walking with Emryc and whoever else remained in their circle. “You are too kind, Mr. President. And yes, I often spend a significant amount of my time here in the countryside, save for when I am booked up in meetings with government officials that require me to be in the capital. To be honest, it is one of the few places I feel I can actually get some work accomplished. I am sure that must sound strange, though, given your position. The urban sprawls and glittering capitals must feel like home for you by now.” He nodded to himself, taking in the sight for a while longer before he continued. “But if you or anyone else would ever be interested, I’d be honored to give you a proper tour when time permits. It is certainly a lovely time of year for it.”

@Sreeya @Killa Ree @lizziie @Isen @Mr. Teatime @Wit

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Ah, offering the Doctor access to her laboratories. Amariel smiled, a real light glimmering to life in amber eyes as she regarded the Senator. "I think I'll take you up on that offer," she spoke quietly, giving the woman a slight toast. Perhaps she had found another ally in the Senate. She would have to play her cards carefully.

"So on Belasco, you have a team of researchers that work with the entirety of the planet regarding this organism, correct?" she spoke up. "Similar to what might be considered the AMS taskforce. Is that a correct analogy, or is it more than that with this sept-annual occuring infection bloom?"

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

"We do! It's government-sponsored, so it receives all the funding its scientists need to effectively do what they need to do." Korre was impressed by the comparison, though it should have been obvious to her. "The comparison checks out. They contain the breakouts and begin the filtration process, while making sure our antitoxins are still effective."

"They're a part--albeit a big part--of a government organization that monitors health in general on Belasco. Unfortunately, on top of the bacteria outbreak, we have to deal with other illnesses and such as well."

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She smiled at the Senator's own expression, and shifted, setting down her glass on a passing server with an empty tray. So her suspicions were correct; out of any planetary leader she could have crossed paths, the unique and delightful Senator Korre was one of them. Intelligence, wit, and beauty to boot all made for a tantalizing evening ahead.

"I promise I won't talk shop all evening, Senator," she chuckled once, a light sound that drifted above the rest of the crowd. "But I've always found Belasco fascinating... and in fact, its' policies might align with something that I might ask your own support for. I intend to attend a forum, you see, regarding the AMS taskforce and the crisis at hand."

She picked up another flute of champagne without looking from a walking server, tilting her head at Korre. "Would Belasco support a centralized vaccine dispersion system, and an independent galactic healthcare system?"

Her voice was low, soft, intended for her ears alone. This time, she did not take a drink, but looked into the woman's eyes with utmost serious intensity.

@lizziie

 

[Emil Ro]

“Because doing good costs a fair bit of money,” Emil replied, a lazy smirk teasing up the edges of his mouth. “And, I expect there is a decidedly minuscule desire to throw the stock market into chaos if two planets with some of the largest arms production corporations in the galaxy began to gear up for war. I dare say it would attract some untoward attention, too, if you catch my drift. Which is the long way of saying ‘we don’t want to.’”

As they danced, maintaining a remarkable rhythm despite the obvious tension between them, Emil couldn’t help but wonder what the endgame here was. Surely, Jin Vaisra was not suggesting Fondor and Balmorra begin ramping up arms production again. There was no surer way of provoking a Sith invasion than to let the whole galaxy know both worlds, critical to the conquest of past galactic powers, were once again in play. Or, perhaps he really was that mad, in which case, Emil very much wanted to hear what malady brought upon this sudden insanity.

“Besides, we both know neither you nor I give a wampa’s right testicle about doing ‘good’ for the galaxy,” Emil continued. “You scurry about doing the bidding of your family, and I— Well, let’s just say I have higher ambitions. Besides, even if our two worlds were to mobilize our arms production in any meaningful way, the Chancellor would kill any initiative we tried to put together in its crib.”

A bitter pill to swallow any day. There seemed to be a silent consensus among the New Republic’s congress that the Chancellor was as ineffectual as he was stupid, but thus far no one had made a serious move to depose him—though, Emil sensed such a move couldn’t be too far off the horizon. One more Sith invasion, one more planet fallen to AMS, and a vote of no confidence was almost a guarantee.

“So, what is it you really want?” He couldn’t resist the words that came spilling out next. “Other than a new tailor, and perhaps a new barber while you’re at it. Surely, your family can afford to present you better. Unless, you’re trying to give the media the impression that you’re applying for the Cardia Military Academy, that is?”

A half-truth. The buzzcut was a choice, to be sure, but Emil didn’t really hate it. In fact, he hated how much he didn’t hate it. @Feng Mian

 

[Jin Vaisra]

“You say that, but you might be surprised. I’ve always been something of a military man,” said Jin, never once looking away from Emil’s silvery, blue eyes. It was the truth. Fondor had always been familiar with the politics of war—given its involvement in a previous, galactic-spanning empire centuries ago—and the Vaisra family did not shy away from that past. They embraced it. “Of course, I’m not suggesting war with anyone. I’m only saying a strong military is our highest guarantee of peace.”

“Besides,” he continued, “I think the buzzcut suits me. Better than the wet mop you’ve latched onto your head.” As the music began to rise and fall, flutes and violins stringing together, Jin noticed they’d reached the edge of the ballroom floor, farthest from the noise of conversation. Rose petals drifted down from the ceiling. It was all so painfully dramatic. “You are right, though. Whatever it is we do, not all of our colleagues will… agree.”

“So, as you can understand, there is only one thing I want right now. It’s the road cleared. The path made open.” He tilted his head to the side ever so slightly, as if what he said next was fact, and not opinion. “I hate you, Senator Ro, I do. But if there’s one thing I hate more, it’s a leader without a spine. And believe me when I say it, but Chancellor Owusaan has the backbone of a glazed doughnut.”

“At the rate this is going, the New Republic will sink, and Fondor does not intend to drown with it.” He left the implication of what this meant in the air. Jin couldn’t lie, he had considered joining the Consortium plenty of times. They had the freedoms, the strength, and the leadership that the Republic lacked. Still, he would not abandon a perfectly running ship for another. Not yet, not without at least trying to plug the holes in its side.

“Whether or not you choose to align Balmorra’s interests with mine, Fondor will continue doing what it does best—building armies. And I will do whatever it takes to make sure we survive into the next century, Senator Ro. Are you wise enough to do the same?”

@Mockingjay

 

[Emil Ro]

Emil was surprised to find himself agreeing with Jin Vaisra. In fact, he agreed with so much the Fondorian said, he almost forgot how irritating the man was. But then Jin took another under the belt shot and Emil was reminded why he had been looking over Jin's shoulder as they danced in search of that balcony they'd both been speaking about.

"You are an exceedingly insufferable man, did you know that?" Emil asked. "I'm sure your mother has told you once or two dozen times. Still," He leaned in to whisper near the senator's ear, "I rather like that about you."

He withdrew, smirking. They were at the edge of the dance floor now, their waltz slowed by the severity of their conversation. Still, they clung to one another, neither wanting to let the other go, almost as if they both suspected the other had a knife in their dinner jacket reserved for the exact moment they both split apart.

"Still, I take your meaning. There are only two ways I see out of this little conundrum of ours," Emil continued. "Either we garner enough support to remove the Chancellor and install a more proactive one, and one sympathetic to our plights, of course. Or we look elsewhere, as it were. "

Emil had the faintest sense that they both knew where 'elsewhere' was. The most irritating thing about Jin was that the two of them thought utterly alike, even though they both hated the other's guts. It was a tragedy, really. Were politics and ambition not in the way, a fruitful friendship might have bloomed, and perhaps something more along with it. But Emil had never been the wistful type, and while this vision of another future was enticing, there was, alas, only the here and now.

"I rather don't like like the taste of words supportive of your world, or you specifically, for that matter." The smirk that had been plastered to his face slithered into somewhat of a grin. "But it does appear we can assist one another, I think. Balmorra, like Fondor, has a long history of building armies. Imagine if we combined our initiatives? I dare say our options would multiply rather rapidly, wouldn't you?" @Feng Mian