Open Mercy Ship Fundraising: An Unexpected Party

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex was singularly focused. Fate hummed as she danced with Dr. Morata. She felt the future solidifying with each movement of her feet. The path becoming clearer. She was exactly where she was supposed to be…but the party was about more than this dance. Her mind flicked out for half a moment. Distraction. She quickly touched the thoughts of the assembled Jedi. “We are here to work, young ones.” (@Forsythe Crowholde @Just Matt Now @Rhogar @ModernMarvel) Her tone was soft, never reproachful. It was a gentle reminder that the loft was filled with the political elite. This was not a social event for the Order but an opportunity for allies. They needed friends…and credits. Alex quickly refocused her attention. Her eyes going far for a fraction of a moment. She almost laughed at the question. “Everything?”

Truly, she was unaware to the extent the rest of the galaxy knew the Jedi’s resources. “My dream is a ship large enough to carry an army of medics, supplies, healers to any world on moment’s notice. A beacon of hope when it appears in orbit.” Her smile was soft. “The Order can’t buy a ship large enough nor staff anything near that size…let alone find such supplies.” They were few. The Order was growing but they would never reach the heights of the Old Republic. Not while they fought a war.

“Most of all…we need connections. Ones you have that I cannot hope to find.” It was a big ask, to join an undertaking of this size, with a person she barely knew. Yet, it was the only path. She saw no other avenues. Individual Republic or FWA politicians may send aid but neither lumbering institution would move quickly enough. This was outside politics, outside the norm. She needed to take risks. This was the only way.

@Killa Ree

 

[Sace Vsil]

The Sluissi certainly looked out of place. And it was more than his species appearance this time. Parties as fancy as these were something he'd hoped he wouldnt have to get used to, though if they were an unheard of part of being a Jedi, then Sace would just have to get comfortable with it. Sipping his drink by the bar, the serpent didnt really know how to approach anyone, nor could he really tell who was a Jedi or not. Him being so novice in the ways of the Force, he had no idea the feeling of another force sensitive. And everyone's wardrobe wouldnt help much with that either. Clearly no one wore Jedi robes with weapons slung from their hips to such fancy parties.

As Sace looked over the room, he felt as though he was the only one not trying to network, and truthfully wasnt completely aware for the reason for this party other than it being for fundraising.

"Hi there, met anyone interesting yet? It can be a little daunting, but at least its a different kind of danger than physical harm,"

Sace heard the words coming from a woman who had just ordered a drink beside him.

"Jussst not used to these sssorts of thingsss..." Sace retorted, taking another sip from his drink. He noticed another male greet the woman, clearly they were acquaintances, and give the serpent a nod to which he replied back in kind.

"All of these people are here to give the Jedi money? And what do they get in return...?"

@Brienna Lanaamer @Drastus Drahr

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

"Jussst not used to these sssorts of thingsss..."

Bri nodded with a smile. "I'm not sure if anyone really does. Just takes a bit of practice," she responded. The Jedi was curious as to how the Sluissi had ended up at the benefactors event, but was welcoming of his presence nonetheless. Sometimes the simplest, most genuine explanations were the best, and Padawan's were quite effective at that. Bri took a sip of her drink and replied to the Sluissi's follow up comment. "They get the feeling of knowing that they're doing what's right. Knowing what they're doing means helping those in the Galaxy that cannot help themselves. Right? Just be yourself and you'll get it right," she added with a smile, before stepping away.

The Jedi turned she heard another greeting sent her way, finding the Padawan Drastus Drahr. "Hi Drast, good to see you," she nodded with a friendly smile. About to start another conversation, she felt the reminding presence of Master Voran, encouraging continued engagement with the other guests. Bri gave a knowing glance to Drast, before heading back towards a group of particularly well-dressed guests.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Connections, funding, all of it was well and good. However, she was a new businesswoman. Even though she had plenty of wealth to distribute, she was still a new player to this game; the woman was trying to appeal to her humane side, which was something she was trying to work towards.

"What can the Order do for MorataCorp?" she asked quietly, tilting her head slightly towards the woman and regarding with a slight smile. "As you know, we are a very new company. The most I have to offer is funding, and with research for the vaccine, even my own connections are limited in how much they may provide." She wasn't going to soften her words. This was a fundraising party, even she could see that, but this was a dance. This was more than just giving funds to a cause, but something that was personal for her own investment.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

It would be a quid pro quo. She had known that. That was why all these fancy politicians had come to dance with the Jedi. Nothing in the galaxy was free. Altruism had a credit limit, even for the Jedi Order. The small voice in the back of her mind nudged her thoughts. What are you trying to prove? That you have not lost your touch? That you are more than the saber on your belt? Thoughts for another time. “What do you seek?” Alex disliked answering a question with a question but sometimes there was no better choice.

“Despite what many may think, we do not have some secret amassed wealth.” Rumors always spread like wildfire around the Order. The Force was magic to common folk and what they could not understand, they made up. “As you said, our reputation is not what it once was.” She trying to repair that as well. The process was painfully slow. “But the Order has survived thousands of years, we know secrets the rest of the galaxy could only dream at. You strike me as a woman who knows knowledge is power.” Her words rang with finality in the Force. Alex could not offer much of what she hoped. However, she had 8 decades of life and knowledge of her ancestors. She hoped that would be enough.

@Killa Ree

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast was just about to take a sip when he felt that gentle nudge from Alex. He offered a smirk to Bri before hopping down from his seat. He had no idea what they were here for, but he was definitely going to try to help. "I'll catch ya at the Temple or something." he said warmly before draining his glass and setting it back on the counter. His eyes scanned the room and when they finally stopped, they fell on a representative from Corellia. Perfect, someone from his homeworld. So, he buttoned the next button up on his dress shirt to give himself a more formal look and crossed the room to their table.

He'd give @Maiko Sigur 's shoulder a squeeze as he passed, before tussling his hair. The table itself bore several men and several women. So, he went ahead and just casually slid into one of the open seats. "My fellow Corellians." he'd begin with that grin.

 

[Vraes Trenessar]

Vraes rolled his eyes beneath his helm. This kid alone, was the poster child of why Aruetii shouldn't procreate. Was it a fair thought? Not at all. But the thought alone gave the Mandalorian a silent laugh. Though heavy gauntlet would rest on the top of Maiko's head. "Don't call me Mister. We don't have those on my side of the galaxy. Vraes is fine, ad'iik."

And when he turned once more to look at Vraes, that gauntlet would cover the boys mouth to keep the 'mister Mandalorian' from escaping his lips. His gaze would shift to Master Voran, who was still dancing and he was immediately impressed by the level of patience she had. Visor now falling once more on Maiko, he removed his gauntlet from the boys mouth. "We've killed together. Now who gave you the sugar?"

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

The woman's words might not have affected many, but for the Arkanian Offshoot, they seemed to have a remarkable effect.

She smiled.

Not merely a lifting of the lips, but a genuine, warm smile, crinkling amber eyes as they continued to dance. "You're full of surprises, Master Voran," came the mellow response, tilting her head slightly. The woman knew her; of course, she'd want knowledge. "I realize the Jedi aren't flooded with ancient, valuable resources; otherwise, why bother throwing this fundraiser? I commend your directness though."

The smile faded, but she nodded once to her words, mulling them over. "MorataCorp will provide the necessary funding for these ships; it is part of our tenets, after all. And we always answer the call to trauma areas of the galaxy. But in exchange... yes. I would like knowledge from you." Her gaze glimmered once. Perhaps the woman already suspected she was Force Sensitive. None of the other Force users she had met before was upfront about how they could tell of others' sensitivity; she would perhaps have to learn to cloak herself better.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Well, at least she had managed to be interesting. Alex could hang her hat on that small victory. Dr. Morata was fascinating. She could not help feeling she only scratched the surface of the CEO. A small flash crossed her senses. It was the same as the first. Alex kept her face still and mental walls high. She was a fully trained Jedi Master. The party guest felt what she wished them to feel. Her surprise was carefully hidden in the Force. She was certain Dr. Morata was Force sensitive. The woman had some training that muddled the waters either self-taught or otherwise. Alex knew she did not dance with an Order drop out, those marks were easily identifiable. Morata was something else.

The Morellian Master smiled. “I am unique among our Order.” The fact she did not reach for her saber first made her an outlier. The very reason she sought this aid. She would not fall into the mistakes of the past. “Ask and you shall receive.” Alex’s smile was warm and genuine. The Force did not belong to the Jedi alone.

She was fairly certain Dr. Morata was not a Sith hiding as a healer. There was little harm in expanding her knowledge. Probably. This was all part of the game, a game Alex was typically very good at playing. She knew she would pay the price for this victory, and she was ready to pay that price. The good doctor had only to make the request.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Body language was the cue for everything. A stilled breath, surprise, even if not necessarily felt, could be silently expressed in numerous amount of clues if you looked long enough. The woman was clever, and she agreed to present with knowledge.

She was sure that dancing this long would create a buzz, and the thought mildly amused.

"I have no doubt you are," she replied, the smile fading. "MorataCorp was created to help and aid; this aligns well with our tenets. Anytime there's a crisis, don't hesitate to reach out. Especially with what happened on Byblos and other assaulted planets..." her mind cast back to Sullust, seeing Sevrin, and her lips firmed for a moment, "we want to avoid more pain than some dark shadows like to throw."

She released the master then and offered a smile and a short bow. "Thank you for the invitation. Might it be too bold of me to offer a drink for my host before others cry attention?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The party went on, but Alex had accomplished her goal. For the moment, MorataCorp and the Order were aligned. She was under no delusions how long that might last. Their delicate dance ended and the Jedi Master took a slow step backward. Her mind quickly sweeping about the room. She did not smile although the urge was hard to resist. Perhaps it had been unwise to court the favor of Dr. Morata so openly. Alex tossed the concern aside.

She cared little for tabloid gossip. Results were what matter. “Oh, I think they are more after you than me.” Her gazed danced from guest to guest. “I wield a power they don’t fully understand.” The Force was spooky magic to most of the galaxy. Even the powerful and well educated did not always grasp the true nature of the Force.

“I’ll take the drink…although perhaps more privately.” The Force was occasional extraordinary. She could feel the eyes on them, the fates colliding. Their little rendezvous would not remain in this room. Wise Jedi Master Alexandria Voran understand she should no longer stoke those flames. “And we can discus the finer points of our arrangement.” She needed to know what Dr. Morata would ask of her. The women was Force Sensitive. Alex was certain. Was it knowledge of those mysteries that the CEO sought? There was truly only one way to uncover that mystery.

@Killa Ree

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex floated the beverage into her hand, taking a small sip. Bitter. She could not remember the last time she’d drank. Alcohol clouded judgment and the Jedi could not afford inebriated slip ups. She pulled a small datapad from her pocket. The Jedi Master’s personal contact information flashed at the bottom. “For when you are ready.” She took another sip, flashed a brilliant smile, and floated off from Dr. Morata. She was fascinated by the woman, but she could not allow distractions. Alex flited around the room one last time. She nodded, she waved, she smiled. The political elite knew the value of meeting a Jedi Master. There were not many like her in the galaxy. Alex leveraged every bit of the mystery. She nodded slowly as her lap finished.

Her job was done. The Jedi had done a fabulous job. No one had caused any ruckus. Senators and governors alike seemed well satisfied. Most importantly, she had the support or MorataCorp. Finally, she felt the tension in her chest subside. Alex waved at Vraes to note she was leaving. With a little trick of the Force, Alex slipped off to a side room. Don’t notice me. The words subtly vibrating out. She sat on the couch and let out a long sigh. She was tired but it felt like she never had time to be tired.

How had Max done this? The wheeling and dealing, the reputation you must uphold. The chance any small slip up would reflect on all Jedi. It was exhausting. She needed time away but knew that would never come. This was the path she had chosen. Burn brightly for as long as you can. Do the most good you can and hope for the best. Her head tipped back against the couch. She closed her eyes. She just needed to rest for a moment. Just a moment.

OOC: Exit Thread