Ask Receipts and Reasons

[Cassian Graves]

Thyferra, Inner Rim ​

The last thing Cassian Graves wanted to do was sink more money into another humanitarian project. Goodwill initiatives were all well and good, but nothing drained the pockets of a working man faster than a helping hand. Nevertheless, the senator's reputation was at stake, and that was something he took very seriously.

Senator Sapent's Galactic Outreach Program Act had been shot down almost unanimously by other constituents, but Onderon had not been wholly spared the addition of another unnecessary expenditure. Cassian had vowed before the Galactic Senate to increase funding to the GHO and to explore funding to the ISCRA, and these days politicians were expected to fulfill the promises they made. Electors could be worse than the Syndicates when it came to that.

Only a concern for public opinion would ever drive the Zeltron to seek a meeting with the wicked witch herself, Sibyl Lassiter. It never hurt to improve relations with the ever growing ISC either, even if that woman was one of the most insufferable people he had ever had the misfortune to meet.

The distant, low-pitched hum of the engine died away, and the light freighter's boarding ramp began to lower with a hiss. Beyond it, the landing pad. After hours confined to a stuffy starship, Cassian was ready to stretch his legs and breathe in fresh air again. Although, from what he had heard of Thyferra, you didn't breathe in the air here. You drank it.

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd really preferred to be at Sibyl's office in Cormond. He still had so much to do there! Brentaal's transition to the ISC was still chaotic. There was so much to be done. As always, Sibyl had left all the paperwork for her aides to do. However, the ones that she had hired to replace him while he was recovering were a bunch of incompetents. They left the archives and documents that the Brentalaan had carefully organized in total disarray.

However, the Governor of Brentaal had decided to send him to meet with Senator Cassian Graves in her place. Apparently, the Senator also wanted to know what the ISCRA had made regarding the refugees. So Sibyl thought that the Brentalaan man would be perfect for this, after all he helped the Firrerreo refugees to settle in Thyferra. But Tristodd knows the truth. She wanted to avoid needing to talk with a Zeltron. The young Brentioch knew very well how she hated them, thinking that they were basically prostitutes. Well, he doubted if there was any being in the Galaxy that she didn’t hate.

Now he was there, waiting for the Senator of Onderon to arrive at the spaceport. Tristodd was nervous, he had seen Graves on the Holonet before and the Zeltron was really handsome. Since he discovered his attraction for other men, the Brentaalan would always act as an idiot near handsome men. And in his opinion Cassian was really handsome.

However, he needed to control himself. He couldn't do something stupid right now, it could be terrible for his family name and his parents would be furious. The last thing that he wanted was to receive another slap on the face from his father. He could still feel the pain and shame fof the last one.

"Sir, the ship of Senator Graves arrived." one of the workers of the spaceport told him, interrupting his musings. Tristodd nodded and walked toward where the Senator's frigate had landed. He only hoped to cause a good impression on the Zeltron.

He arrived at the landing pad in time to see the boarding ramp opening. "Welcome to Thyferra, my lord. I'm Tristodd Brentioch, the chief aide of Governor Sibyl Lassiter. I'm here on her behalf to discuss with you all that you want to know about the ISC and ISCRA." he would say to Senator Graves, while bowing in respect. At the same time, the Brentaalan would be trying to ignore how handsome the other man was.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Cassian descended the starship's boarding ramp, his blue eyes wandering the spaceport. Spaceport workers hurried across the landing pad, rushing from ship to ship. Each looked as miserable as the next, sweat pouring down the sides of their faces. Their clothing was torn and stained from the daily wear and tear of their jobs. The senator wiped a single drop of sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh. He did not miss menial labor.

The Zeltron's gaze eventually settled on the lone figure that awaited his arrival, a younger man with short chestnut hair. Cassian's eyes narrowed, but only briefly. Governor Lassiter was nowhere to be seen, and the aide's words confirmed the conclusion that Cassian had already drawn. The Governor of Brentaal would not be showing up. In her place she had sent a member of her staff, an aide. Clearly, the witch did not consider Cassian to be worth her time.

A part of Cassian considered himself lucky to have avoided another run in with the harpy, and a part of him bristled with anger at the slight. There were no limits to that woman's arrogance, but the Zeltron would make the best of it. He was here to make a good impression and win favor with the ISC. After all, how bad could this aide be? He couldn't possibly be worse than his employer.

My lord? That was a first. Cassian's lips twitched with amusement. Lassiter certainly had her aide trained and whipped into shape.

"Mr. Brentioch," Cassian greeted in a friendly voice, smiling down at the younger man. "It's a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to working alongside you." He extended a pink hand to the Senatorial Aide, shaking it firmly before taking in their surroundings. "It certainly is a hot day, isn't it?" It never hurt to play friendly with the staff, and Cassian had found that small talk was just one of the ways you could appear to be down to earth and win them over. "Well, shall we get down to business? I'm interested to see the work ISCRA is doing."

He held a hand out, indicating that Brentioch should lead the way.

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Senator Graves was really handsome. Tristodd had heard about how the Zeltrons were attractive and had these pheromones that enhanced their attractiveness and likeability. However, he had never met one before. While many members of Brentaal nobility, including his brother, would have visited Zeltros as a gift for their eighteenth birthday, the younger Brentioch never went there. When he became eighteen, he had a boring party where his mother tried to arrange a fiancee for him. At least she wasn’t successful at the time.

Now Tristodd was certain that he wasn’t prepared to meet one. Cassian was so handsome with his blue eyes and black hair, they matched so well with his pink skin. The Brentaalan didn’t stop staring at the Zeltron, not even when he was shaking his hand. “Yeah, you are very hot.” he babbled like an idiot.

Then he noticed what he had said to the Zeltron. Tristodd became mortified, while his face became red with shame. Why was he this way? He was going to embarrass the Brentioch Family again. He was really worthless! “I-I mean, the day is really hot.” he tried to recover from the stupidity that he had said. “But it 's good! Firrerre was a tropical planet, so the refugee camp for the Firrerreo needed to be on a place that was also tropical.” he said, giving to the Zeltron one of his bright smiles.

“Follow me, Senator. A speeder is waiting to bring us to the refugee camps.” Tristodd said, while walking toward the spaceport entrance. “We build the facilities seeking maximum comfort for them. Turning it not only into a simple refugee camp, but in a perfect small town.” the Brentaalan said with pride. He was proud of having been part of the group that organized it. “We will visit each part of it.” he hoped that Graves would become impressed with their work. The workers of ISCRA were doing everything that they could to help these people, many even sacrificed time with their families to work on it. Their efforts deserved to be recognized by a Senator.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Brentioch looked like a dugar caught in the headlights of a racing speeder, awestruck and gaping. Either the Zeltron's pheromones were working their usual charm or the heat had gotten to the Senatorial Aide. The words that tumbled from the aide's mouth involuntarily all but confirmed the former.

As always, Cassian considered the results rather entertaining, but he would not linger on the younger man's slip up. The galaxy only knows that that Brentaalan harpy he worked for was hard enough on him already. Undoubtedly, she demanded perfection in all areas of her life, personal and professional. The woman was impossible to please, and Cassian would never dream of even trying. It was already clear to Cassian that Brentioch was the woman's personal slave in all but name.

The Senator squinted down at the aide, eyes lit with a twinkle of mischief. However diverting, he would pretend to be oblivious of the mishap. Color had already edged its way onto the man's face, and he had suffered enough. "I can't tell you how pleased I am to hear that. It's important for refugees to feel comfortable in new and unfamiliar surroundings after everything they've gone through, he replied as Brentioch led the way toward the waiting speeder. "It is thoughtful of ISCRA to settle refugees on planets with climates similar to their own."

Although anything is better than a planet covered in fire, he added to himself with morbid humor before turning toward Brentioch to ask, "Is that customary or is it just the luck of the draw?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd was grateful that Graves didn’t said anything about his stupid comment. The last thing that he needed was having the Zeltron feeling offended and going to complain about him with Sibyl. Although, he doubted that the Senator would want to talk to her. He probably already noticed how she despised his species.

“It’s customary. We try to help them in any way that is possible, with comfort being only one part of it.” he answered the Zeltron’s question. In his opinion, the work of the ISCRA was fantastic, but still not even the best accommodations would be able to replace what the Firrerreo lost on their planet.

After they entered the speeder, Tristodd would sit trying to not be so close to Graves. When the vehicle started to move, he would turn to the Zeltron. “The refugee camp that you are going to see there isn’t the only one made by the ISCRA for the survivors of Firrerre. There is some more on other planets. All of them are tropical worlds.”

“Not all the survivors that were rescued are in refugee camps. Some lucky ones had families living elsewhere, so they are now with them. The ISCRA helped them find their relatives.” the young man remembered how happy he felt when he saw the meeting of a son with his parents. He worked at the Corporate Sector, while they lived on Firrerre. Now they were living with their son and his family. Were these moments that made him survive all the chaotic weeks of work at the ISCRA after the attack to Firrerre.

Would not take much time for them to arrive at the refugee camp. After the speeder stopped, Tristodd would be the first to leave it. When Graves followed him, the Brentaalan would turn to the Zeltron. “Senator, I present to you the refugee camp.” he would say, with a smile on his lips. In front of them was what looked like a village with several houses that were identical to each other. At the center of it, there was a square with a garden and toys for the children.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Inside the waiting landspeeder, Brentioch sat as far away from Cassian as humanly possible. The Zeltron would, once again, pretend not to notice the aide's odd behavior nor the gulf that existed between them. He settled comfortably into his seat and allowed the low whine of the turbine engine to lull him the short distance.

Brentioch, on the other hand, was nervous and on edge. Cassian could feel it. It was an understandable reaction, he supposed. The aide was pitching an idea, and he didn't want to fail. He didn't want to let his toad-faced employer down, and— more importantly— he didn't want to let the ISCRA down. Clearly, this work and these refugees meant a great deal to the young man. A great deal more, Cassian imagined, than they meant to Sybil Lassiter.

Utilizing his limited telepathic abilities, Cassian attempted to project a sense of ease and tranquility onto the aide. Then he smiled to himself and observed the nature around them in silence, eyes roaming over drooping akonije trees and translucent alazhi plants. Thyferra was beautiful, but kriff it was hot.

The refugee camp could hardly be called a 'camp' at all, more akin to a small city or village. A series of pre-fabricated houses sat in rows, forming their own little community. Cassian had seen worse neighborhoods on the lower levels of Coruscant. The upper levels, too, for that matter.

Glancing over at Brentioch, the aide was beaming, pride swirling in his eyes as he observed the cozy little community he had helped create. For the first time, the Zeltron noticed his peculiar eyes. Their color was impossible to distinguish, a changing combination of blue, green, gray, and possibly even yellow. Perhaps 'peculiar' was not an apt description, after all, but enchanting.

"This is impressive," Cassian would reply, turning his gaze back toward the settlement. "Could you show me around? I'd like to learn more about what their day-to-day life and routine."

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

"Of course! Follow me, Senator." Tristodd answered Graves, before he walked toward the refugee camp. Even if he didn't say that, the Zeltron would have noticed how the Brentaalan felt proud for what they did there. Working at the ISCRA and helping give these survivors a new chance of life made him feel so happy. As if he was doing something that really mattered. The young man would even say that he liked working there more than when he did it at the Senate with Sibyl.

While they walked through the main street, Tristodd heard a familiar voice calling his name. He turned to where it was coming from, a smile on his lips. Running toward him was a five years old Firrerreo boy, after him came a twelve years old girl. The Brentaalan kneeled and hugged the boy, while he fist pumped with the girl. Running desperately after the two was a Nanny droid.

"Master Brentioch, I'm so sorry! When they heard that you arrived they wanted to come running to see you, even after I said that you would be busy.” the droid said. If it had facial expressions, Tristodd would be able to see that it seemed to be desperate. Taking care of two children wasn’t easy, even for a droid.

“No problem! I’m happy to see them.” he smiled at the two children. Tristodd was happy to see that they were well. Since he returned to work with Sibyl, the young man barely had time to visit the children. “Amaya and Izaya, we are going to dinner together after I finish showing Senator Graves the place, ok?” the children nodded, before following the droid. However, the boy turned and said to the Zeltron. "Take care of Trist, he always gets in trouble!” then he ran after his sister.

Tristodd became red with shame. He turned to Cassian, a nervous smile on his lips. “I-I’m sorry about it! They are a bit protective of me.” he explained to the Zeltron. “After what happened in Firrerre, I went with an ISCRA rescue team and we found them. They were under the rumble of what once was their house. Their parents were at work in the capital.”

“I stayed with them during the days that we searched for their parents. It was terrible to see them crying when we discovered that their mother and father died. They became two of the many orphans of the catastrophe. They were so afraid of being separated at the orphanage.” he stared while the droid and the children walked away. “So I adopted them.” it was a secret, if his parents discovered it, they would be furious. A Brentioch adopting near-humans was basically a sin. “They live there under the care of the Nanny droid and I try to visit as much as I can.”

“I ask your discretion about it, Senator. These children do not deserve to have their faces on a dirty tabloid.” he said to Graves. Tristodd was being serious, he was doing much to maintain the children as a secret. If the Zeltron said something about it, he would see what a Brentioch can do.

Now that the children left, it was time for them to continue the tour. “Follow me, Senator Graves. We will continue your visit.” Tristodd walked toward the square. They have so much to see.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

The last thing Cassian expected was for two children to intercept the pair. Even more surprising was the immediate change in Brentioch's demeanor. Gone was the stress and apprehension, replaced with joy and affection. The aide was positively beaming as he embraced the children and conversed with them. Clearly, he was in his element.

It was a tender scene. Touching, even—were Cassian into that sort of thing. The children were cute, too, in a sticky sort of way. The senator had not pegged Brentioch as a family man, especially considering all of the rumors that swirled around his family. Once again, the old adage 'looks can be deceiving' proved true. Look no further than Sibyl Lassiter herself. Or Jin Vaisra, for that matter.

"I'll try," Cassian promised the boy with an endearing smile, unsure he was the right man for the job."What beautiful children," Cassian would remark to Brentioch as the children followed after their nanny droid. "Your heart certainly beats for the people, and I admire that a great deal. Your humanitarian work extends beyond that of ISCRA and into your personal life. I commend you."

The request to follow was expected, and the Zeltron already knew his response. "Of course, Brentioch," Cassian replied with utmost sincerity. For what it was worth, he liked the young aide. He was eager to please, and that was a useful trait. The Zeltron intended to build upon their acquaintance. It never hurt to have friends in high and low places, and the senator had made it his business to make friends in both. Lots of friends.

This knowledge, however, could come in handy. Cassian would tuck it away and keep it a secret just as Brentioch requested, but it was leverage. Leverage that he could use to his own benefit if ever he had need of it. It was doubtful he ever would, but still... it was comforting to know he had something on the man. It was hardly incriminating, but it was still a secret. "If there's one thing I know how to do, it's how to keep a secret."

He winked at Brentioch, following in step alongside the aide as they approached the square.

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd blushed with Graves' comment. He wasn't accustomed to receiving praises from others. His parents never did it, they would be indifferent most of the time, or would point out what he did wrong and needed to do better next time. Of course, he also never expected praises coming from Sibyl. The only thing that the woman praised was herself.

"T-Thank you, Senator. However, I only do what is my duty as a citizen of the Galaxy." the Brentaalan looked to see where the Nanny droid went with the children. "Amaya and Izaya are only two of the several orphans from Firrerre. I wanted to help the other children too, but there are so many." then he turned to the Zeltron, looking directly into his eyes. “Even with what I do with the ISCRA, I still don’t think that is enough. There is so much suffering in the Galaxy and few are interested in ending it.”

Even when Graves said that he was going to maintain his secret, Tristodd didn’t feel so sure if it was true. He had heard rumors about the Zeltron, how he wasn’t a very trustworthy person. However, the Brentaalan always give chances to the people around him, even for those that don’t deserve. He would believe in the man. “Thank you, Senator.”

He continued to guide the Zeltron through the refugee camp. “These houses are solid, built with material of the best quality.” Tristodd said, while they walked in front of the houses. “As I said before, the ISCRA not only cares to save people. We also want to give them comfort and a new beginning.”

While they passed in front of the central square, Tristodd would hear another person calling his name. Turning to it, he would see an old female Firrerreo. She was seated on a bench, together with others of her age. The Brentaalan would wave to her, with a smile on his lips. Then he would turn to Graves. “I was there when she and her family were saved. However, they lost everything. They used to have a famous confectionery on Firrerre’s capital.” they could have lost their material things, but at least everyone was still alive.

“Since her son and his wife were talented bakers, the ISCRA found jobs for them at a confectionery here in Thyferra. We find jobs for all the refugees that we rescue, preferably with things that they used to work with on their homeworlds.” he explained to Graves. This was the most important part of giving them a new beginning.

Now, Tristodd would be guiding the Zeltron to where the school was located. However, before going there, the Brentaalan decided to ask a question that he was wanting to ask since they meet early “Senator Graves, if you allow me to ask, what do you think of this charity effort?” Tristodd wasn't stupid, he knew very well that for many politicians of the Galaxy, his family and Sibyl included, it was only an easy way to have the admiration of the people. However, for him it was a way of being helpful and comforting those that had nothing anymore.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Brentioch looked as if that was the first compliment he'd ever received in his entire life. Cassian had never met the Brentiochs, but apparently their reputation was well-earned. He sympathized with the poor fellow. Growing up must have been quite the hardship.

The young aide loved those two Firrerreo children as if they were his own flesh and blood— that much was clear. He had big plans for the ISCRA and an even bigger heart. Talk about an excellent public relations stunt, and yet Brentioch kept his little familial arrangement a secret. It was such a missed opportunity, but Brentioch didn't see it that way. He wasn't in it for the credit or the acclaim. He wouldn't make it far in politics with an attitude like that, but perhaps that was not his desire after all. Cassian had assumed so, but the Zeltron had assumed many things. Brentioch was more than anything he had assumed.

The Zeltron considered Brentioch's words. A crazy idea had occurred to him— what if he were to do the same? An image played out in his mind of small children, running around his apartment and running their sticky fingers over all of the furniture. No, it was out of the question. He couldn't handle that responsibility at present. More than that, he didn't want that responsibility. The stunt might have garnered some measure of favor with the public, but at what cost to his personal life?

"I can see you're quite the favorite around here, Brentioch," Cassian would remark as they came to a stop in front of the square, an elderly woman waving toward the aide. Brentioch kindly returned the gesture, and Cassian offered the elderly woman and her companions a smile of his own. "You must spend a great deal of your time here."

Cassian's answer to the million credit question had already been decided, long before he even arrived on Thyferra. He had publicly promised to look into funding the ISCRA, and he could hardly back out of that now. If he did, he would be labeled a heartless politician. "I'm very impressed. ISCRA is carrying out a wonderful work, and I want to support it wholeheartedly. I know the Royal Family of Onderon and its citizens would agree with me." He grinned at Brentioch. "So tell me, what yearly figure sounds reasonable to you?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

"After what happened with Firrerre, I supervisioned the construction of this place and helped the survivors to settle there. I think that I spend more time here than at Sibyl's office." Tristodd explained to Graves. He also felt more comfortable and even more happy working with the ISCRA than with the Governor of Brentaal. "These refugees need all the help that we can offer."

Tristodd was satisfied that the Zeltron was being direct when answering his question. At least he seemed to have it in common with Sibyl. The Brentaalan also always went direct to the point, principally when it involved donations and offers of money.

When Graves said that he knew the Royal family of Onderon, the Brentaalan remembered the rumors about this relationship. Some said that the Zeltron was the sugar baby of the Princess, while others said that his sugar daddy was the King of Onderon himself.

Tristodd overheard a conversation between Sibyl and Dongwa where she said that Cassian was a doll, he has nothing on his brain and everything that came from his mouth was dictated previously by his dominatrix and owner, the princess of Onderon. Now the aide didn’t believe it, this conversation showed that the Zeltron was a very clever man.

"I think that 500.000 credits per year would be enough. Unless, Onderon prefers to donate 100.000." this was a high value, but the refugees are worth it. Seeing their smiles and happiness after all that happened, it has no price. "It's how much other individuals donate. Of course, some donate more than that." Sibyl and his family, for example. They use these great sums of money to show to the rest of the Galaxy how they care for charity.

"This building is the school." Tristodd would stop in front of it. "The children don’t have class today, so we can visit it without disturbing them."

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

It's no wonder he spends so much of his time here, Cassian thought to himself, wiping a single bead of sweat from his temple. Anything is preferable to his employer. Even this infernal heat...

500,000 credits a year was a substantial sum, but Cassian was not a man to be outdone. Not without significant protest, that is. If that was the customary donation, then that was exactly what Cassian would contribute. No more, but no less. "I must agree with you. These refugees need all the help we can offer," he repeated the sentiment, clapping Brentioch on the back. "So 500,000 credits it is. Consider it done. My office will be in contact with you shortly to sort out the details and to arrange the transaction."

A contented sigh escaped his lips, relieved to have the matter settled. Time to go one step further. "I understand that ISCRA is under the umbrella of the ISC, but consider Onderon your ally in this goodwill initiative. Any assistance you might need— additional credits, security, engineers, or land for settlement camps— please, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will be there, whatever you might need. This is an issue that transcends the political aisle and goes beyond the limits of our government's borders. This humanitarian crises touches each of us, from the core worlds to the unknown regions."

The Zeltron glanced inconspicuously to the chrono around his left wrist, spying the time. The time he had allotted Brentioch had come to an end, but he wasn't about to mention that. He couldn't leave now, not without risking his public image. Brentioch would get all sorts of ideas if the Zeltron bailed on him now, most of them too accurate for comfort. He would stay.

Cassian had mastered the art of the artificial smile and offered one to the aide, with all of the appearances of genuineness. What politician hadn't? "I'd love to see the school! Please, lead the way."

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd wanted to raise an eyebrow. It was obvious to him that Graves’ smile was false. The Brentaalan knew very well how to identify one. After all, he worked with Sibyl Lassiter. This woman was the queen of fake smiles. The Zeltron really needed to practice more if he wanted to be convincing like the Governor of Brentaal.

“Follow me, please.” even then, Tristodd was going to guide the Senator through the school. He wanted to show him how the ISCRA also cared for the education of the refugees. He walked toward the building. They would arrive in front of the main entrance, where a female Firrerreo was waiting for them. She would give some keys to the Brentaalan.

“Thank you.” the Brentaalan would smile at her, before picking the keys. After this interaction, the Firrerreo would walk away. Turning to Graves, Tristodd would explain to him what happened there. “She is the school principal. She used to be one in a prestigious school in Firrerre. When the ISCRA was organizing the establishment of this school, we decided to invite to be part of the staff, individuals that used to work at schools in their homeworld. The school have autonomy, but the ISCRA is responsible for paying a salary for them.”

“Come, I want to show you the place.” Tristodd would open the door and enter. The first thing that they would see after crossing the door was the main hall. It was clean and modern, with stairs that would go to another floor. The Brentalaan would walk through a corridor that would go to where some classrooms were located.

“Here we attend children from the early school levels to high school. Services of day care and education for adults are also offered.” he would stop in front of the door of a classroom and open. It looked more like the classroom of a prestigious school on the Core Worlds than one located in a refugee camp.

“Senator, if you want, you can give a look around it. After all, your money is going to help continue making this place work.” he would allow the Zeltron to enter if he wanted. Then, Tristodd remembered something important. “By the way, since you are becoming a supporter of this refugee camp, you are invited for the Life Day party that they are going to make there. All the supporters are invited.” but few really come. He wanted to say. It was so sad how people only gave money to this place because they wanted to pass to the rest of the Galaxy the image of being concerned with charity. Tristodd didn’t care for image, he came every year.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Cassian nodded, listening attentively as he followed Brentioch into the school. He offered the school principle a friendly smile, asking as soon as she had walked away, "You mentioned that the school has autonomy from the ISCRA, apart from funding. Does that mean the schools decide on their own curriculum themselves? Or is that decided by the ISCRA?"

The Zeltron strode into the classroom, passing through the doorway that Brentioch had opened for him. Blue eyes swept over the contents of the room, over durasteel desks and cushioned chairs and modern, up-to-date datapads.

The ISCRA had spared no expense when it came to the quality of life these Firrerreo refugees experienced and lived. In all probability, the life they lived now had to be more comfortable than the life they had been forced to leave behind on Firrerro. At least, for some of them that had to be the case.

He ran a single pink finger over the durasteel desk closest to him, raising the index for a playful inspection. The result elicited a smile. "Not even a speck of dust. You would never guess that this is a refugee site."

Walking over to one of the windows that lined the classroom, Cassian stared out through the spotless pane of glass to the playground beyond. "A Life Day party?" he repeated, turning to face the Brentaalan Aide with interest. "Count me in. What's the date?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

”The curriculum was decided by the school, but it follows the same offered by the best institutions of the Core Worlds.” he explained. “The ISCRA seeks to help these people, but also respect their autonomy. We don’t want to make these people think that they live under our total influence and control.”

Tristodd smiled with Graves’ comment, keeping the place where the refugees lived clean was also a concern of the ISCRA. They would never allow these people to live in terrible conditions that could even make them sick. “ISCRA also cares about providing them with a clean environment in which they can live and learn. Every day, at 6:00 PM, garbage is collected and taken to a recycling center. There are also teams that are responsible for cleaning the streets and the school.”

He was surprised that the Zeltron was fast in accepting the invitation to the party. He was never able to convince Sibyl or his family to come visit during one of these events. “It’ll happen two days after the one that the Senator of Kashyyk was organizing.” If his boss was also invited to it, Graves probably was too. He already told Sibyl that he would not be able to go because he would be busy organizing the things there. She probably was furious. “There will be food, gifts and the children will make some presentations.”

“Well, if you follow me, we can go visit the rest of the school.” if Graves followed him, Tristodd would continue guiding him through the rest of the school. The Brentaalan knew that the Senator was in a hurry, due to seeing him look at his chromo. This way, he wanted to finish this soon. He also wanted to have more time to stay with Amaya and Izaya, after all he promised to have dinner with them.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"I'm a little surprised," the Zeltron would admit to Brentioch, but there was no venom in his tone. It was merely a statement. He shot the senatorial aide a playful smile. "But pleased. Independence is important for planets, for people. It's vital, really. I suppose it's my own fault for thinking the ISC would act contrary to their own name." He winked at Brentioch.

One thing the Zeltron had learned over the years was that parents loved to talk about their children. They could carry on four hours if uninterrupted. Cassian himself was fond of children, so long as they were other people's children and not his own. "Do Amaya and Izaya enjoy attending school here? Are they adjusting well to their new life? It must be difficult for both of them, particularly Amaya with her being so much older." A genuine frown clouded his features. "I hope she doesn't remember much about the attack...."

The Brentaalan led the way out of the classroom, and Cassian followed him through hallways and stairwells. From the study hall to the library to the kitchen where Cassian swiped a spare plum to snack on, the Zeltron found nothing to be lacking in the educational facilities. He could only imagine how much ISCRA had sunk into this project.

"Ah, Senator Aezzairfhowrrhudrrl's Life Day celebration. I'm looking forward to that," he smirked to himself, already trying to think of a Life Day gift what would get a rise out of the stubborn Wookie. It wouldn't be a difficult task. Back to the topic at hand, he asked, "Will you be able to attend Thyferra's celebration?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

When Graves winked at him, Tristodd blushed. This made him remember how the Zeltron was attractive. The Brentaalan was so passionate talking about the refugee camp that he had forgotten about this detail. Better he forget about it again or he was going to act like an idiot.

Tristodd was surprised when the Senator asked about Amaya and Izaya. He never thought that Graves would be interested in talking about children. “They love it. When I’m in Thyferra, I help them with their homework.” his parents never did it to him or his brother, but seeing how the children liked it, made the Brentaalan happy in taking some time to help them. He was becoming a father different from his own and he didn’t know if it was good or not.

“Well, it’s still difficult. When they discovered that their parents were dead, the two didn’t stop crying. Since I was with them most of the time while we're still searching, they only calmed down near me.” Tristodd remembered how these days were terrible. “They were sleeping when the attack happened. They only remember when their house collapsed. Both miss their parents, but Amaya is the one that has more notion of what happened on this day.”

“Like all the orphans of Firrerre, they go to a therapist. They are a bit better now, but sometimes there are some nightmares. I comfort them at these moments.” Tristodd remembers how Izaya would sometimes wake him at night, wanting to stay with him. And when they had nightmares and he was out of Thyferra, they would call him through the Holonet and he would stay watching them until the children slept.

“Even if they are starting to feel better, they will never forget what happened there.” sometimes he wanted to restore to the children their old normal life. However, it was impossible. They would forever have a trauma because of the Sith. The best that he could do was give them love and help them with their traumas.

After this conversation, Tristodd remained silent while guiding the Zeltron through the rest of the school. They would visit some other classrooms, the library and the kitchen. The last place that they were going to visit was the auditorium, which seemed to be more the stage of a small theatre from the Core Words.

“I’ll not go to the party in Kashyyyk. I’ll be busy helping with the organisation there.” Tristodd said, answering Grave’s question. “I already told Sibyl about that. She was going to be there alone.” she was furious because of that. The Governor hated jungle planets, this way she hoped that he would go as her representative. However, this time he had something more important to do.

Looking at Cassian, Tristodd thought about something. He wasn’t used to gossiping, but he was curious. “Senator Graves, if you allow me to ask, what is your opinion about Governor Lassiter?” the Brentaalan wondered if he had already noticed how she disliked Zeltrons.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"Of course not," Cassian remarked, brow furrowed. A permanent frown settled on his face, that particular expression a rarity for the Senator of Onderon. Ordinarily, he was all smiles. "The destruction of one's home planet... the sudden, inexplicable loss of your family— no one could ever forget that."

To Brentioch he offered a small, commiserating smile that didn't quite reach the Zeltron's blue eyes. "We often say 'children are resilient,' and they are. They bounce back more easily than adults, and so we look to them as an example of the strength and endurance of the human spirit, that we hope lies somewhere within ourselves. But they're people, just like us. They feel every emotion, relive every painful memory— just as we do."

Cassian sighed quietly to himself, his shoulders sagging ever-so slightly, the gesture almost imperceptible. "As you said," he concluded, "They will never forget. Nor should any of us. If we forget the mistakes of the past, we are doomed to repeat them." Cassian could not claim that particular quote as original to him, but it bore repeating. "The decimation of Thyferra is a reminder to each and every one of us of the dangers that lurk beyond and, sadly, within our own borders. We must do better. We will do better. That is why I'm so excited to support the work ISCRA is doing, even in a small way.

"But you must forgive me," he smiled. "Here I am, prattling on as if this is some charity speech. You must allow me to bring Amaya and Izaya gifts when I return for the Life Day celebration. So long as you have no objection, of course."

Blue eyes roamed the theatre stage before settling on the Brentalaan Aide once more. It was a forward question, one Cassian would assume that Brentioch did not dare ask many lest it somehow reach the bat-like ears of Sibyl Lassiter. Either he trusted Cassian or curiosity had gotten the best of him. "Usually, I would not speak ill of a fellow cabinet member, especially one as intelligent and influential as Governor Lassiter." Smiling ruefully, he continued. "But. I imagine you and I do not feel so differently about your employer."

Sibyl Lassiter discriminated against Zeltrons and considered the entire species to be nothing more than the rest of the galaxy's play things, but she had failed to consider the possibilities of the species—their charisma, their telepathic abilities, their pheromones, and their ability to read the emotions of the people around them. Sibyl Lassiter had no natural abilities to fall back on, only her credits and her beauty, and the latter was rapidly fading away with each passing year. The woman was so busy looking up her own nose that she never bothered to look past it.

"You're far more intelligent than the Governor of Brentaal gives you credit for, so I imagine you've already guessed my opinion of your employer." Cassian stated, leaning confidently forward on his walking cane. "But let's call a spade a spade, shall we? I think she's despicable. I'm used to facing some degree of suspicion and prejudice, but her prejudice toward my species is, quite frankly, unparalleled." That might have been a slight exaggeration, but it never hurt to play the card of the aggrieved party. "I'll leave it at that, else I might use more colorful language."

Tilting his head to one side, Cassian stared at Brentioch with intrigue. "The more pertinent question is, what do you think of Governor Lassiter?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

What Cassian said about the children was true. They could be resilient, but they still suffer like any other being. Tristodd knew that they were still suffering with the destruction of Firrerre. It left them with deep traumas. For example, Izaya had developed a phobia of loud noises. It makes the boy remember the explosions and the collapsing of the buildings.

“You are right. There were so many children that developed traumas because of what happened in Firrerre. I wanted to be able to help all of them.” sometimes Tristodd thinks that adopting Izaya and Amaya wasn’t enough. There were so many other orphans needing help.

The Brentaalan was surprised that the Zeltron asked for his permission to give gifts for Izaya and Amaya. He never thought that the Senator would be the type of person that cared for others, unless during the period of election. Perhaps he was spending so much time with Sibyl that it made him think that every politician was like her. “I don’t mind. The two would love it.”

When the Senator finished saying his opinion about Sibyl, Tristodd laughed. He was laughing so hard he started to get short of breath. After he finally calmed down, the Brentaalan took a deep breath. “I never saw a better description of Governor Lassiter! It’s perfect!” Graves was very courageous, few other politicians would criticize the Governor of Brentaal to her own aide

He wasn’t surprised that Cassian wanted his opinion. It would be only fair after he answered the Brentaalan s question. “She thinks that I’m an idiot and incapable of seeing what she really is. Sibyl is a viper like any other member of the Brentaalan nobility, except some few exceptions.” among them his uncle Claudias and himself. “However, compared to others she is nothing. There are some individuals that are worse than her.” his mother, for example. Until recently, Tristodd never believed in the rumors about her being responsible for assassinating his father’s lovers.

“Well, I believe that we finished the visit at the school.” Tristodd said, trying to change the conversation. He didn’t want to think about the possibility of his mother being murderous. “There is any other place in the refugee camp that you would like to visit?”

@llamallove