Lunch Date?

[Vernon Hala]

Alderaan.

Vernon Hala laughed heartily as the Alderaanian cracked an absolutely lifeless joke about the most recent tax hike on a particular type of Alderaan fish. He even put his hands on his hips and scrunched his face as he looked around to the other delegates, exchanging knowing glances with the Onderonians among him and laughing all the more loudly when looking to those from Alderaan. The newly appointed adviser to the Iziz city council, the full details of what the job entailed still unknown to Vernon two months in, was a part of an Onderon good-will delegation to Onderon.

While it was well known that Alderaan and its people to some extent looked down on Onderon and her 'wild ways,' it was also well known that the two planets were interconnected. Within the republic and within their own trade agreements, the interests of Onderon were often similar to those of Alderaan. And for those times where they were not, it was especially important to maintain positive relations where some arm-twisting might be of service to one or the other.

And so Vernon Hala was, walking with some Onderon nobles he had only met a few days ago, swapping jokes about being rich and members of the aristocracy with Alderaan nobles. For a man who had purposefully lived a life of poverty for most of his life, he felt wildly out of place. But the Jedi had taught him how to pretend he was laughing.

"Wild, Donald, truly wild," Vernon replied to the joke, a true knee slapper. Gesturing over to a fellow Onderonian delegate, he continued, "Melania, what was that bit you were telling us earlier? The one about the new import tariff?" The Onderonians all laughed before they even heard the joke, remembering well the bit that their fellow delegate had performed for them while en route to the beautiful world.

As Melania began her joke anew, Vernon tuned her and the others out as they walked, taking in the sights. The six of them - three Alderaanians and two other Onderonians - were walking down a ramp on an absolutely stunning gorgeous day. They were leaving a diplomatic session in the capital building, and ahead of them were some of the nicest streets in the nicest section of the nicest city on Alderaan. All of the majestic world's culture and affluence and best of society was displayed for them on this seemingly magic walk. Well dressed people of all different types - politicians, diplomats, businesspersons, and the like - brushed elbows as the little party started making their way down the street. Most were human, of course, but there were several aliens interspersed as well.

Vernon had visited the world a few times in his duties as a Jedi, but he had never seen such splendor. He had frequented the less nice parts of this city, and indeed the worst parts of the planet. He looked up to the orbital station, smiling fondly at the memories. They were out for the day, and having struck up a pleasant conversations with these folks, they had all agreed to go to lunch. The Arte Cafe. Sounded fancy, but it was on the Monarch's dime, so Vernon didn't mind.

Melania finished her joke, and so Vernon tuned into the conversation. During the meetings, all six of them had taken part in an interesting roundtable on how a new republic tax bill might effect the expert and import of fine textiles, an issue important to both worlds. It was interesting issue, and although it meant a lot more to the manufacturers of Alderaan, Onderon had some business that had been very local about the issue. It appeared that Onderon would be siding with Alderaan in trying to defeat the bill, but, that was what the lunches and the meetings and the roundtables were about. Not that any of them were decision makers on the matter, or anything close to it, but it was good to have dialogue. Or so they said.

As they strolled along the street, basking in the warm sunshine and taking in the clean, vogue looking city, they quickly arrived to the Arte Cafe. "Table for six," someone said, as Vernon continued to focus all of his attention on taking in the breathtaking Alderaanian culture. The six stepped carefully out of the sunshine and into the foyer of the restaurant, and as he passed through the door, Vernon looked off to his right. As he did, he caught a glimpse of the signature Jedi robes. He stopped there, allowing the rest of his party to enter as he regarded the Jedi. He wasn't sure if the robbed warrior noticed him or not, but something about the young human gave him a sense of familiarity.

Still, this was no time for him to deal with his Jedi problems. Vernon stole into the cafe, closing the door behind him. They were in a corner seat to their right, right along side these large, beautiful windows. The cafe was beautiful, Vernon had certainly never been in such a place before. At least that means the Jedi won't be running into me here, he thought to himself, taking a seat with a smile. He sat with his back to the wall, allowing him to see both the entrance and out the window. He wanted no surprises here, and certainly none that would reveal his true life's work to the fellow Onderon delegates sitting with him at the table.

@Richie B.

 

[Jon Reukli]

Being born from Alderaan's nobility means you knew everyone and everyone had a way into a joining a small party. But that wasn't the reason why Jon had shown up on his home planet, truth be told he been meaning to talk with his family for a long time. They have had tried contacting him quiet a few times, but he had never answered once. Not that Jon didn't cared but he wasn't sure what to do, since well when he left he did so with a strong opinion about his father. Sure his mother was nice but he was always moving and working so he couldn't really talk. And keeping on pushing it back and back because well it was never just the right time. Truly it probably would have never been a good time.

But now with the time and how much Jon had changes it just didn't feel right. Especially since his family would just be stuck with the rules of the nobility in how they greeted his return, a large party with other nobles just to show off there Jedi knight son. His father saw it as a great honor one of the main reasons why he allowed Jon to go anyway. Not that his father didn't also believe it was what Jon had wanted but, his father had always been concerned more with the family name then anything else. Which is what first started the beginning of the feeling of distant between the two of them. Sure they had moments of peace within the garden, but beyond that it was always a feeling of oppression.

Still Jon was swirling with emotions. Concern and worry just flowed though him, mostly cause the Jedi was not sure how it would end when he did finally go back to meet his family. Sure he was sure his mother would give him a warm welcome but his siblings not so much. Yet Jon had to believe that it would be worth it or that his journey here would be worthless.

"I need food." Jon shock his head having been wondering back and forth for a long time the Jedi was just outside a café, looking at the door he notice a familiar man walking in.

Now Jon wasn't one to bother a person while they were eating but he thought he remembered the person from the Jedi temple. So the Jedi figured best way to find some peace was to ask another Jedi. So opening the door the Jedi kept his eye open for the person that he had seen. Which he found with around 5 others, and the man's back was to the wall able to see him as soon as he walked in. Hoping to let the man know that Jon had come in to speak with him Jon would try to wave to the fellow Jedi, and smile.

Yet Jon figured maybe best not to sit right next to the other man's party, that would just be rude best to take a seat near but not close. So going to a table next to the window Jon kept his cloak on over his robes, thankful that his home wasn't one of the many hot worlds he had visited quiet often in his humanitarian efforts. Not ordering anything yet Jon simply lay back his lightsaber hanging off his belt, thinking of what he could ask the other Jedi for and what he should ask for advice on.

He wasn't alone though Jon had tried to invite another Jedi that he had spend some time with though very limited. But still looking towards the man he had only a rough idea on hoping that his fellow Jedi would come over.

@TAC

 

[Vernon Hala]

Vernon looked nowhere else in the room. For all to see, he was madly intent in both the conversation of his peers and the wide selections the restaurant had available. He did not contribute to the conversation, however, sitting quietly as he listened and flicked through the menu. Truly, though, he had never been more tense in his entire life. The Jedi he had seen outside had come in. He had sit down a few tables away from the Onderonians and Alderaanians. To Vernon, the Jedi's intentions to interact with him in some manner was clear.

But in what way?

Was he there to drag him back to the Jedi, to execute him then and there? Did this Jedi even know who he was? Was he one of the fool-hearty shadows or crusaders, who could not see the destruction their actions brought to the galaxy and to the Force? Was he a quiet counselor who wished to seek out the former Jedi? Or was this just pure happenstance, and unfortunate eventuality that Hala had known would come some day.

There was only one way to find out.

Vernon was about to stand up and excuse himself when Donald, his peer, noticed the cloaked figure. "Is that - is that a Jedi?" he asked the group, obviously peering but tragically failing at trying not to look like it. The others shifted their heads. The Alderaniaans replied in the affirmative, and Melania looked to Vern, expecting some reaction. He wisely rose his eyebrows, as if to acknowledge he knew exactly what she was thinking. He did know what she meant, and it did not thrill him. "Oh, that's right, you don't trust the Jedi, do you?" asked one of the Alderaanians. This time Melania exchanged glances with Donald instead of Vernon, and the latter was fine with that. This party had taken a turn for the worst.

"I just don't want to talk about it," Melania said, shaking her head and visibly upset. "I just don't." Donald reached across the table and she firmly gripped his hand, and they nodded curtly at each other. The Alderaanians raised their eyebrows in that pompous way that they did. One of them turned the conversation back to senatorial trade negotiations, and the group seemed to relax. Vernon did not. After a minute or two he got an idea.

Gawking out the window, he made somewhat of a show of bending around and moving as if watching someone walk. "Was that Lachanze?" he asked. The Onderonians looked at him blankly. "Oh you've never met Lachanze?" he followed up, and then smacked his lips and rolled his lips as if surprised. "Of course not, I'm so sorry. She was friends with my parents before they left Onderon. If you'll excuse me." The Onderonians nodded in sympathetic agreement, and gave the Alderaanians a knowing glance. The tragic death of Vernon's parents, and the unfortunate end to much of his family, was well known to Iziz nobles. The Haunted House, or some such they said. He heard whispers about such things and 'that minor house' as he walked away, but ignored it. He had gotten the pardon he needed.

As he passed by the Jedi he caught his eye. Raising his eyebrows, he curtly cut his head towards the door, and continued to it and through it without missing a beat. He turned right out of the cafe and walked about two blocks, and then tucked into an ally. It was a crowded and well-lit city block, but this ally would at least give him a minute or two to ask the Jedi what in the hell he wanted. Or if things turned out for the worst, he had several avenues of escape. Up the fire-escape, down the alley, back into the crowded street. He peered back around the corner, trying to stifle a groan. There was no way this went well for him, but at least for now he was out of sight from the Onderon delegation.

@Richie B. @GABA Ren

 

[Jon Reukli]

Jon notice the fellow looking at him, which did make him happy at least he had gotten the man's attention. So now Jon just needed to wait for the man to come here hopefully. While Jon waited though, he looked out the window to his home planet. The beautiful buildings reminded him so much of his time spent visiting other noble families for tea. Honestly this world might be stuck up but everyone had to agree it was quiet a planet to look at. Having visited worlds like Nar Shaddaa, and Tatooine it was clear why people wouldn't want to leave Alderaan. Not much to look at when you could enjoy the natural beauty of this world. Still even though Jon wasn't trying to listen in, the Jedi couldn't help but overhear the talking of the party close by.

Apparently one of the man seemed upset by his presence, which didn't help Jon's thinking. What if his family had the same reaction, if these people could judge him so harshly what would those he abandoned. Maybe it was a mistake to return here, it wasn't like his family expected him to return that much was clear in the messages. At this point they only contact him to let him know how they are doing. Sometimes they ask about him, but at this point Jon just chucks it up to being how they were taught to write letters then anything else. Still as Jon waited it became clear that the other man was kind of busy, Jon didn't recognize anyone else in that group but it was clear they were some sort of nobility and had some responsibility.

But as Jon waited and contemplated his choices he watched as the man he eyed walked past him. Given Jon a look and a signal to follow him, which Jon planned to do but figured best to give some space between them so the man's partners won't judge him hopefully. So getting up Jon walked slowly out the door where he notice the man walking towards a alley where Jon went straight to. Seeing that he was alone Jon walked up to the alley getting close to the man bowing to the man he believed to be a Jedi.

"I am sorry to disturb you Master, I had only tried getting you attention cause I felt that I needed someone that could help me with a emotional issue I was having." Jon probably should have introduce himself first but nah, best to just send a minute saying stuff that doesn't make sense then try to backtrack by introducing yourself.

"But my name is Jon, and like I said was hoping for a small amount of your time brother." Jon could only hope he wasn't making a fool of himself but sadly it seemed he wasn't doing great on that objective.

@TAC