Ask Onderon Summer Small Talk

[Korre Belasi]

Lunch. Did she want to grab lunch?

It was a far cry from the meetings and conferences she'd left behind. Rather than spend hours scrolling on a datapad, taking notes in preparation for a briefing, she was just showing up to eat and make small talk with a former colleague of hers. Korre was really looking forward to it.

The Belascan chose to wear something a bit more casual since it was just lunch. The sundress matched the color of her eyes and was paired with a pair of nude heels and was accessorized with her bright smile. When she spotted the pink-skinned Zeltron seated at the table, she could give him a friendly wave as she quickly made her way over.

"It sure is warm out!" she would greet upon reaching the table. After taking a seat she would add, "It's good to see you, Cassian. How've you been?"

tag: @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Cassian had chosen a table near the large, fixed windows on the west side of the restaurant, where warm, yellow sunlight would filter through the glass pane. The Zeltron sat alone, fingers drumming along the white tablecloth as he stared out the window.

At the risk of sounding like a little old lady with too much time on her hands and the mind of busybody, he enjoyed observing people, picking up on their idiosyncrasies and habits when they thought no one was watching.

A flash of blue drew his attention away from the window and to Korre Belasi, walking towards him with a smile on her face that was almost as bright as the afternoon sun. Cassian stood, mirroring her smile with one of his own and pulling out the chair across from him.

"It certainly is," he agreed, sitting back down and straightening the casual blazer her wore. Kiacro had tried to talk him into a tie, but he'd forgone formal dresswear today.

"You're looking well. I must say, blue suits you." During her time in office, the former Prime Minister had often worn green and never anything so informal. "I hope you didn't have any difficulty getting here? I would have been more than happy to meet you on Belasco."

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

"Thank you," Korre replied of his compliment. It was true that she often wore green and that she often dressed, at the bare minimum, business casual. The former was just personal preference, but the latter she felt just came with the life of a politician. Now? Though she still remained the head of the Galactic Health Organization, her job was much less political and much less in the galactic spotlight. Korre was a much more casual person than most of the galaxy might've been led to believe.

"Oh no, it was fine! Belasco is preparing to shut down travel to and from the planet for foreigners anyway, so believe it or not, this is much more convenient." The septennial bacterial would be making an appearance soon, and Belascan law made it illegal for foreigners without specific and special clearance to visit. Though Korre could get Cassian just that, there was no need when Onderon was already a very nice planet to visit.

A waiter appeared almost instantly, and Korre ordered a lemonade. On a warm summer day like this, the sweet and sour drink sounded great. Once Cassian ordered, she would thank the waiter and then turn back to chat with the Zeltron.

"So, how have you been?" she repeated.

tag: @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Belasco's bacterial pathogen—truth be told, one of the few Belascan issues he was familiar with. Cassian had never visited the watery world in the Expansion Region, but undoubtedly that would change. The pathogen was septennial, and most interesting of all—water-borne. Hopefully, if those Onderonian savages hiding in the jungle didn't get in the way, Cassian would be able to provide some insight into the planetary wide dilemma. With Korre Belasi's invaluable assistance, of course. But perhaps that was a topic for another day.

For the time being, Cassian would merely say, "Ah, yes. The shut down must have slipped my mind," and leave it at that.

When the waiter approached them, Korre requested a lemonade, and Cassian would order the same despite his strong inclination to order something a little bit stronger. What was the use of that second liver if he never put it to good use? Their waiter, a fresh-faced college aged boy that couldn't take his eyes off of the ginger woman, hurried out of sight to fetch their drinks.

Once they were alone again, Cassian would answer her question. "Quite well, thank you." He supposed that statement was true enough, albeit not very comprehensive.

Between the bombardment of Kashyyyk, the removal of Korre Belasi as Prime Minister, and half of the free world's planets seceding from their alliance in recent months—it was safe to say the FWA wasn't doing so hot. Not to mention that the new Supreme Chancellor had begun a calculated attempt to integrate bordering free worlds into the New Republic on the down low. But Korre Belasi hadn't come here to talk business—the same business she had so desperately wanted to get away from. Who could blame her?

The Zeltron folded his arms on the edge of the table, leaning forward in his seat to give Korre his undivided attention. "But what about you? How have you been?"

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

"Ah, I've been good." Life was so much more relaxing and unstressful now that she didn't have to play politician. "I've been able to get back in the lab and work on stuff relating to my degree. I'll get to study the upcoming bacteria for mutations, so that's exciting. I've even been thinking about going back for another graduate." Korre had been thinking about genetics since it would apply some of her already existing knowledge.

The waiter returned with the lemonades, and Korre happily accepted hers. She dropped a straw into the glass, took a long drink, then continued talking.

"As much as liked doing what I did before, it's going to be nice to be able to get and see results from my work." For a moment she sounded almost bittersweet about it, but her expression didn't change from the smile.

tag: @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Idly, the Zeltron used the tip of a straw to stir the glass of lemonade he'd been given, watching every small piece of pulp float to the surface but never actually taking a sip. Why hadn't he suggested dinner instead of lunch, when drinking was considered socially acceptable?

"A graduate?" he echoed, features lifting. "I'm impressed." Personally, Cassian had never cared much for school. People and power were where his interests lie, and he had learned from an early age how to influence those around him to get what he wanted. A relaxed smile crossed the Zeltron's face, eyes twinkling.

"But be honest," he coaxed. "You must miss the political intrigue, at least a little bit. Those six hour long senate sessions, trying to herd your fellow legislatures into one mind, the congenial after parties where every smile is laced with duplicity and every friendly eye is silently throwing daggers at your back— all the time wondering which one of us would be the next to drop dead or humiliate you publicly?"

The Free Worlds Alliance did not have a good track record, for keeping their senators alive or for rallying behind their Prime Minister. Finished teasing the Belascan, Cassian leaned back in his chair once again, still smiling and posture relaxed, as if he didn't have a care in the world. "But in all seriousness, it is good to see you smile. You never wore one much in office." @lizziie