Open Social [Ralltiir] Under Twenty-Eight Moons

[Rrodossk]

Rrodossk softly sighed as the mention of friendship in the Alliance, which was further compounded by governments being tarnished from people like Dusty and arguably himself. He knew he would always be seen as a monster on the galactic stage, and many beings would treat him as such. So he took the insults flung at him with stride and simply threw them out with the rest he was given throughout his life. He knew even his guard felt he was not doing to hot and showed it. By the Scorekeeper he wished he had been born a different species. His own people did not accept him until recently, and the political sphere always saw him as a beast. With that though, his heart sunk slightly. Yet he did not let it show as he spoke.

"Sadly nowadays friendship needs to be all but left at the door of politics." Rrodossk nodded slowly and sadly as he spoke the words. He knew this was true but it shouldn't. "The Alliance did not fail because of thst however, it failed because a majority of the planets simply were too passive in the whole. Much like in the senate itself the Alliance simply had to many potential voices who were quiet. There is to much fat on the bones of the senate as much as there was on the Alliance. It's why I am trying to make the Trandoshan Enclave more of a modified oligarchy rather than a republic. You have an initial meeting where we vote on what the few representatives will go and vote on in the session. At least that way we can actually get things done without any of the graft or the choir of arguing right when the vote is actually important." The reptile took a sip from his glass again and slowly nodded. It was a decent wine, not entirley to his taste but it was fine. He would have to return home and get some sweet Trandoshan wine.

"I will be entirley honest, the galactic people may not entirely see the Jedi as a religious organization but I believe that a vast majority can see them as much more. We just have to show them that they can be more than just what they are already known for, much as Mr. Thorne here is pitching. I for one admit I am not the authority on the Jedi and their separation from their organization and their religion and all of that but I can atleast admit that he is on the right track to show the galaxy their views are limited when viewing the Jedi." He admitted he was wrong. That could either teach those young beings around him that being wrong is OK if you learn from it, or it could be used as ammunition against him. He did not care which way the children took it, he just hoped he could teach them something with this talk.

"I will also be entirley honest with you, I wish that one voice could not ruin a government's image but having Dusty most likely already shoots that idea in the foot." He conceded to himself that Dusty was probably the best example for this, yet he wasn't the only problem the FWA had for its image. "I for one will also admit I may not have been the for the Alliance image wise either. I represent my people not just with my words but also with my image, no matter how barbaric it is to the rest of the galaxy. My people want me to seem one way, the Hapans wish for men to get out of the way and let women do their thing, and the Jedi wish for more galactic unity. We all have our styles to live up to set in place by whom we come from. Some are just more accepted in the galaxy." He shrugged his shoulders after he was finished speaking, submitting to the fact that that pill would not be the easiest to swallow for the group.

@all the bullies

 

[Darth Tiamat]

She certainly heard enough to feel an annoyance bubbling and it took much not to give him the Raze special and toss him from a balcony. Oh-how she missed Sith socials. "By the gods, if half you senators," Tia gestured with air quotes for emphasis, "And actually take action as much as you gargle on about your injustices, we may have some respect to what you're trying to say, Rrody." she quirked an unamused eyebrow.

"I highly doubt you know what your people want let alone the rest of the galaxy with your idealistic direction towards a modified oligarchy. How much are your pockets being lined?" Tiamat took a sip from from her wine glass, "Would be a shame if the holo caught wind of the Trandoshan senator puppeting for his credit-heavy masters." she kept her gaze on the Trandoshan, knowing very well what she was intending.

"Hiss more, speak less next time and maybe you'll actually hear what is happening to the galactics around you." she turned her attention to the rest of the group, "Ms. Asteria, Asteria Industries, its a pleasure to meet you all." Tia introduced herself with a soft smile.

@Panda Hermit 98 @Eccles @Sreeya @lizziie @Charndley @Olwin @Raydo

 

[Lyra Lota]

The conversation flowed as more and more joined their little gathering. Lyra took a few moments to let the conversation wash over her and judge a few of the others involved. They were joined by an actual senator too. Such a treat. His words made her eyes glaze over, until the Hapan asked a particular question to Empress Teta's positions.

"Truthfully, who can say? Most of us are quite happy to stick to dynastic squabbles and social slights. There's no great appetite to send someone to the Senate at the moment. If something more functional arises in it's place, then no doubt a representative can be conjured from somewhere," Lyra shared, contemplating her own views for a couple of seconds. "I think Empress Teta has much to offer the Galactic community. A rich history, ample resources, right on the path of the Deep Core... our leadership has sometimes lacked the will to use these effectively."

Too bloody well busy trying to preen for one another and seethe over imagined insults from other worlds, more likely.

She groaned quietly, watching the young Thorne manipulate the flutes with his mysterious Jedi powers. "Oh, how charming. A parlor trick." His notion to push the notion of Jedi beyond the religious aspect was an interesting one. She wished him great success in dragging that particular institution out from the doldrums.

That carefully honed smile couldn't last through another aural assault from the Trandoshan senator, however. A good deal of hot air and very little substance, as ever. The newest arrival to their group took a rather aggressive approach, which made Lyra raise her brow. A fair bit more forthright than she'd ever go in polite company but she couldn't help but agree with the sentiment behind it. Besides, she seemed corporate. Quite fierce, that world.

"I must say that it's a shock, Senator, to hear a representative of a democratic body state so openly that they intend to focus power in a few, privileged hands. I cannot imagine what your people may think," she said, knowing that she didn't really care, "of such a matter. Perhaps a little less reductive thinking may be necessary. We wouldn't want you to be dismissed as, say, some kind of droning savage wearing the skin of supposed ally like a tribal relic, would we?" Lyra smiled sweetly at the senator and fluttered her lashes, before turning her attention back to the interesting Hapan.

"How fares the mood in the Hapes Cluster? Similarly grid-locked?"

@lizziie @Sreeya @Raydo @Eccles @Olwin @Panda Hermit 98

 

[Neri Morelle]

Neri sighed as Senator Rrodossk spoke. She couldn't help it. The male ignored both of her points - that he had admitted to being friends with a Sith and was wearing the pelt of a wookie - to continue on with his inane ramblings about galactic unity and whatever he was talking about regarding his planet. Seeing as there was no point in listening to him, Neri checked out halfway through and turned her attention to Lyra and the newcomer, Asteria.

'Oh, interesting.' Though she was more than happy to see another woman join the group, it was incredibly surprising to see the woman standing here amongst them when a Jedi was standing not a foot or two away. Though it had been several years ago, Neri still remembered when the Asteria Industries CEO was revealed to have been the infamous Sith Lord, the Eternal. That was almost more interesting to bring up than Rrodossk's Wookie pelt cloak or his hypocrisy. Almost.

"Ms. Asteria, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she hummed, reaching out her hand to shake the ginger's hand with her own. Neri's skin was cool to the touch, but her smile was warm. She like the woman already, even if just because she also disliked the Dosh male. "Neri Morelle."

Turning back to Lyra, Neri listened smugly as she tore into the male and made points of her own. 'Exactly,' her eyes seemed to say as she moved her gaze from her to Rrodossk, briefly. "Your hypocrisy is astounding, Senator." But once she was finish, Neri made a point to correct her about her inquires toward her and Hapes. "As I said before, I haven't been home in many, many years. I find Hapan politics to be..." Neri trailed off, allowing the others to make assumptions about what she might've said.

As far as any of them should be concerned, she was not affiliated with Hapan politics in any way shape, or form. Her last name 'Morelle' did not invoke membership in an aristocratic house. "But, if I were to assume, yes. Hapes had never been... all too open to the cultures of others. A shame, really."

@Sreeya @GABA @Charndley @Olwin @Panda Hermit 98 @Eccles @Raydo

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was rapidly getting bored of this dialogue. The Trandoshan Senator kept spewing nonsense and he was subsequently verbally eviscerated on the spot by multiple women. The part Sephi took a sip of his champagne, deciding he found the dogpiling to be rather tedious. Digging at a politician that didn’t project credibility to begin with was akin to kicking a sick puppy.

With a polite nod of his chin, he excused himself from the group. He glanced at Alexi in case he wanted to join, but otherwise made his way towards the Senator of Byblos. She was reported to open up the next Senate Session and he figured he would meet some new faces.

“Senator Kang,” He said, extending his hand out to shake hers, “Ezra Thorne. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” He mustered his most polite manner of speaking. This wasn’t his forte after all. Hell, she probably despised Jedi - her world had been formerly the New Republic, “How have you all fared since the collapse of the New Republic?”

@Eccles @Raydo

 

[Jana Kang]

Senator Kang heard some of the nearby conversation with the Senator for Trandosha and while she, like the youngsters, didn't quite agree with his political statements, their ways of reprimanding him lacked any of the political tact they would need if indeed there were the aspiring politicians that Jana thought they were. It was especially disappointing when the woman she recognized as the CEO of Asteria Industries decided to join in with the same -somewhat childish- derisement of an elected official.

The galaxy knew more distinct cultures than there were planets and almost as many types of sentient species, yet somehow coreworlders and human or human-adjacents would always impose their own perspective on others. In many ways Rrodossk could be a much better and more diplomatic character than an alternative Trandoshan leader would be. It were those subtleties that were lost on most and made them think the Galactic Senate were just some people arguing and never doing anything.

In time they would perhaps understand the complexity, Jana mused, but her line of thought was interrupted mid sip of her whiskey and a young man approached her and introduced himself as Ezra Thorne. Looking at him it was an introduction that was hardly necessary. He was the spitten image of his famous father. Jana lowered her glass and switched it to her left hand before shaking his. "Nice to meet you, Ezra. Calling me Jana is just fine," she wasn't the type to get hung up on titles or formalities, but when he came straight to the point she had almost wished that she had. "We lost a valuable ally now that Republic worlds are no longer bound by a charter to come to each other's aid," she sighed, no doubt thinking about the next invasion where Byblos would, for the first time in over a century, essentially stand alone.

She took a sip from her drink again and then figured she might as well check if her assumption was correct, "You and your friends, are you all interns and learning to go into politics?" she asked with a motherly smile from one seasoned politician to the youth that would inevitable replace her generation.

@Sreeya

 

[Rrodossk]

"Creative insults. Claiming I'm taking money from a foreign power. Claiming I'm some barbarian dinosaur." He felt his heart begin to beat harder, his cold blood turning hot as he wanted to just dig his claws into several beings throats. He wished he could just eviscerate these people but he couldn't. He had to calm down and speak calmly. Luckily for him he was a reptile, he could easily cool his blood back down. That and his emotion would not be easily seen on his face.

"Ms. Asteria (@GABA), please cool it with your specist remarks. Just because you do not enjoy my culture or species does not mean we were all mercenaries. I got out of that life. And please, bring some more unique insults next time. I tire of the same old same old 'brutish unthinking monster man' or 'your a Trandoshan, you can't think about anything but killing and money'. Maybe then I will actually let you keep squawking like a harpy. Now if you excuse me, i will actually do something more productive with my time." He turned away from the woman with an audible but soft pass of air through his nostrils. Specism at its finest. He would note never to do buisness with that corporation, if they even had the funds to afford them.

"Mr. Thorne (@Sreeya), I wish you luck on your mission. I do hope to see it come true. I know it most likely never will be needed, because I'll be honest most beings would not want to step foot there, but if for some reason you require the use of Trandosha we shall welcome you. And if they question it, have them get in contact with me. Good dayto you all." With that he turned his large frame from the group and stepped away. He was intending to find a senator he could vanish to speak to, but seeing Jana Kang (@Eccles) being already interacted with he moved on from her. His head was held high and his claws clacked against the ground, but the moment he reached the windowsill he would lean against his prideful face would deflate like a balloon. He would stare out of the window and slightly frown away from the crowd.

 

[Lissa Blackhand]

Holy...oh wow.

Lissa watched and listened as her client was verbally ripped to shreds by the other partygoers, calling him out on grounds of hypocrisy, barbarism, lack of tact, and it seemed, just for being a Trandoshan? Lissa wasn't entirely sure, the remarks and dressing-downs came so damned quickly it was hard to keep track of everything said. She couldn't deny that they were making good points, but she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Rrodossk. It didn't help that someone decided to call out her own behavior, Lissa almost shot them a glare, feeling that sudden frosty wave that washed over you when you were singled out, but she was barely able to control herself.

By the time Rrodossk moved away, Lissa's face had completely flattened out, the mask of emotionless professionalism returning to her - for all the good it did now. Lissa followed her client to the window, watching the proud reptilian's face just completely shift as soon as he was out of sight. Her first instinct was to put a hand on his shoulder and apologize profusely, but if her previous critique taught her anything, it was that there was always at least one eye on them. She needed to be on guard constantly now, these people were like sharks, and as a bodyguard, things were expected of her. She turned away from Rrodossk, her back parallel to the wall and began to survey the area.

"I'm...I'm sorry sir," She said softly, trying to keep her face neutral - no one needed to more fuel to gossip about the nature of their conversation. "I shouldn't have done that, I should've just stayed neutral, it's unprofessional." Despite the guilt currently tightening in her chest, she couldn't help but ruminate on some of the comments made by the other senators. Mean-spirited though they were, they weren't without validity, but how the kark was she meant to broach that? Should she even broach that? She was just the bodyguard, her whole job was to stand there and keep an eye out for threats, not debate her client on policy or give advice, it wasn't her...well, it might not be her place, but Rrodossk said he wanted free thinkers, didn't he? Still...maybe best to let him stew for a moment, let his response inform hers, if she should even make one.

@Olwin

 

[Alexi Stravos]

With a nod of his head, he joined Ezra as they moved towards the bar. "That was fun." he said with a sly grin. The changing of times was a lesson many Senators would have learned in the coming weeks. He wouldn't be surprised that within two years' time, the political landscape of the Galaxy would be completely rewritten.

"Alexi Stravos." he said, introducing himself to the Senator as well. "A pleasure." he spoke warmly. He listened to a brief exchange of questions and answers. "I am sure there will be some difficult roads ahead, but difficult times breed innovation. What was in place obviously was inadequate. The right people and right system will rise to the top eventually.." he commented with a dismissive shrug before sipping at his champagne.

"Is that how you cut your teeth in politics, Ms. Kang" he asked evenly. "Fetching coffee and making copies?" he said with a chuckle. He was familiar enough with the Senator from Byblos, and her cooperate connections. "No, I am much more interested in the private sector, like you were." he said.

@Eccles @Sreeya

 

[Hugo Parasini]

It's so weird not being in the Core Worlds. By now Hugo would be used to desert heat and the dust in the air .This place was certainly fancy.

Hugo Parasini arrived not too long ago, just in time to see a certain Trandoshan get a verbal chewing out by multiple people and started walking away. Hugo would raise his eyebow. Wonder what he said to get such a lashing. Anyways, Hugo would look around, he can see quite a few familiar people he remembers seeing on the holonet at least once. Quite the turn out. This will be interesting for sure.

Only a Governor as of pretty recently and only of a colony, it's doubtful Hugo would be known, this outing here would be part of his first steps on the galactic stage. This would be a good time to start changing that.

First thing though, he wondered if the drinks here good, he would have to find out. From the drinks table he would get a glass of Corellian Brandi. He would then sip it. "Not bad" he muttered.


OOC: Open to replies here if anyone wants to interact.

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra shrugged vaguely at her take on the situation, “On the contrary, I believe you’re finally allowed more autonomy with your military assets than having them be exploited at the whims of some new nutjob Chancellor,” The New Republic’s track record with Chancellors was horrific over the past few years. First they had one that bombed worlds within his own territory. The next was a Joined. Both times they had exploited the Grand Republic Army at their disposal, “And you can make whatever alliances you please without having it conflict with the New Republic’s agenda,” Which was almost always stupid and shortsighted.

He grinned at her question, “I don’t think I’m impulsive enough to make it in politics,” He said dryly as his gaze flicked over to the Trandoshan Senator that was making a speedy exit after getting torn to shreds. Alexi’s comment caught his attention. Another interested in the private sector?

“Private sector might be my play as well,” Ezra said, “Specifically focused on engineering and manufacturing,” He took a sip from his drink. Jedi were almost always associated with being do-gooders that had no formal education. Ezra wouldn’t fit that mold, already catching some attention for making an ancient space station operational, “May even convince you to invest in my ventures,” He said with a smirk as his gaze flicked over to Alexi.

@Raydo @Eccles

 

[Jana Kang]

Ofcourse they were planning to go into the corporate first before going into politics. After all, it was better to already be rich and powerful before you decided to sit back, relax and argue endlessly over things you didn't care about anyway. Regardless, Jana's personal opinion didn't show and she gracefully shook the newcomer's hand as well, "Jana Kang, my pleasure as well."

She listened to Alexei intently and immediately sought to correct a wrong assumption; "I was employed by a corporation, Alexei-" she smiled, "-one of dozens scientists in a lab testing the natural toxins of a planet it was unsafe to be on. Before that I spend over a decade getting the doctorate that allowed me to set foot in such a lab to begin with." There was no government equivalent of medicinal research labs, nor had there been a desire to 'move into the corporate world' when she was their age. It was unfortunate that they saw a corporation's name and thought only of the big credits and the malpractice of megacorporations like Czerka.

"In a way," she chuckled to the comment about making copies and fetching coffee as she took a sip from his drink, "I'm still making copies and fetching coffee. Byblos has an elected democratic government and while I've had the honor to represent my planet in the senate for a little over a decade now, my job is still to voice the opinions of the government that is elected in a four year cycle."

She looked at Ezra now, who was eager to sling insults and being generally rude in his voiced opinions. Jana only heard the HoloNet state that the victims of the Killik were nutjobs to begin with, but then again, previous chancellors weren't always the most stable leaders of the coalition either and with that in mind he did have a point. Still, it surprised her somewhat since the boy was also a Jedi Knight. "Sometimes you need a thick skin, for sure," she said as she followed his gaze and they watched the Senator for Trandosha leave with his tail between his legs. "but a hard debate, while difficult and sometimes also hurtful, is still better than a more violent alternative. Rrodossk will soften his stance based on the critiques he just received and he'll become a more trusted partner moving forward. Had no one told him that wearing the fur of a dead wookiee was a bad idea, despite it being one of his species' horrific customs, we'd have a war in that sector within a forthnight." Jana delivered it with the calm and open way of carrying a light-hearted conversation, after all, these kids would most definitely be their future on the galactic stage and she only hoped they would learn to see the positives of the galactic diplomacy. For they far outweighed the negatives.


@Sreeya @Raydo

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tia gently squeezed Neri's hand as the Trandoshan senator continued with his rant, feeling the need to further justify what has already been disapproved of by several attendees present. It gave the woman several insights to how he felt about himself as she tried to determine where he was pulling some of this information. However, for a politician, he was good at just talking nonsense. She had to bite her tongue when she heard the hiss and he shuffled away to the windows.

"A pleasure, Ms. Neri." The redhead said, but letting the young woman continue her conversation with the other women. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing others still entering the party and a new face caught her attention. Tia took a sip of her drink and walked over to the novice governor, Hugo Parasini. She wasn't familiar with the recently colonized world, but it took off in commerce, offering its citizens stability with growth.

"'Evening, Mr. Parasini." she greeted.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Alexi Stravos]

"Don't sell yourself so short." he replied to Ezra. "I am sure with enough practice and dedication, even a noble Jedi Knight such as yourself could lower yourself to the degeneracies of politics." he quipped.

"That's all well and good; it seems like your planet could at least find a decent secretary for you." he replied to the senator with a wave of his hand. She seemed a little too idealistic for him, but this Senator was not completely intolerable. "Who cares if he wears some skins? I am much more offended by what others have chosen to wear..." he said, trailing off as a Senator walked by in a gaudy yellow outfit covered in garish jewels. "...A true warcrime.." he mumbled with a disgusted look. People would sit on their high horses, ignoring their prejudices and shortcomings. Alexi also did it but found the idea of someone clutching their pearls over some skins laughable. "Everyone here wears trophies of war; some just smell worse than the others," he finished.

His attention drifted back to Ezra. "I am always looking for interesting opportunities to explore..." he said before lifting his glass once again.

@Eccles @Sreeya

 

[Hugo Parasini]

Oh! Who come to have a chat with Hugo would recognize as none other than the Anat Asteria of Asteria Industries herself! Hugo remembers the announcement that a Hypergate is being constructed in the Corporate Sector. The Hypergates change space travel as they know it, how they were even a thing just boggles the simple colonial governor's mind. "Good evening to you too. Miss Asteria" he would smile and nod politely.

"Enjoying the occasion?" he asked, taking a sip of his wine. After enjoying himself and lowering his glass "I must say, amazing what you and your company have innovated. Simply mind blowing. Just how do you do it?" he would chuckle as he asked. To be frank that would be an understatement, it's galaxy changing stuff.

Hugo silently wondered if Asteria had more in store for the galaxy, if so, he could only imagine what.


@GABA

 

[Lyra Lota]

It seemed that the evisceration of the good senator was too much for some. A few broke away to their own private conversations, which was only inevitable. Lyra noticed the men peeling away to buzz around each other, which was fine. Despite Thorne's powerful name and undoubtedly stellar connections, she doubted that there'd be much for her there. Too cold and aloof. It must have been one of those ghastly Jedi hallmarks.

Lyra watched the Trandoshan step away, carrying himself in as much dignity as he could muster. A few minor points that he'd stood up for himself, she supposed, but nothing would change the display. Again, another connection that probably wasn't worth making. The Senate didn't seem like the best vector for her ambitions, anyway. All that effort to stand around and make snide insinuations at each other? Why, she could do that right now for considerably less investment.

Lyra turned back to Neri, smiling at her. "Ah, a fellow leaver. Truthfully, I spent most of my youth avoiding home as much as possible, until I had to return. Ghastly business," she said, shaking her head. "But in such lies opportunity. Everything is much more fluid now. Certainly time for some new blood, I feel. New ideas from different people. Different planets."

Of course, she meant herself, though she felt a slight kindred spirit in Neri.

"Despite being closed off, I must confess a little admiration for the Hapan way, if only because the matriarchy would chill many of my more egregious relatives to their bones." Grasping idiots hungry for every scrap of power. Not unlike herself really, but she had a little more self-awareness and ambition.

"I doubt there's any better time than now to make something happen. I know that many on my homeworld look at the chaos on Coruscant and see opportunity for us. Tetans have always felt themselves rivals with Coruscant."

@lizziie