Tea, Biscuits, & Diplomacy

[Arda Breaux]

Cato Neimoidia

Arda had seen pictures and read stories about the bridge cities on the Neimoidian homeworld, but she never thought she would get the opportunity to visit. Though this visit would not be leisure and instead it would mark the beginning of new level of diplomacy she would have to learn and practice. Since the formation of the UP, Arda had been paying close attention to the politics within the core, in no way was the war over between the Empire and the Alliance, but it had certainly come to a cease fire between them and the Mandalorians, making this a very tricky and delicate operation to handle.

After many unsuccessful attempts to reach out to other senators, she was able to reach one who was generous enough to meet with the young Jedi Master and leader of the Galactic Alliance. In all, Arda was excited, but also nervous as this was nothing compared to the smaller scale of village boarder disputes. However, when she arrived to the world, she was escorted to a private retreat along the mountain ridges that overlooked the grasslands of the world. It was covered in a fog, and from what Arda understood, the fog was always present; she didn't find it eerie or unsettling, there was almost a fairy-tale mystical sense to it that drew her eye and senses.

She waited patiently in the commons of the home, deciding not to sit as she slowly walked around looking at the many portraits and paintings that hung in the room until Muith was ready to meet with her.

@Nommie

 

[Muith Chekaik]

It was not every day that one gets a message from not only a Jedi Master. But also the leader of the Galactic Alliance. He had heard of how the young master had been, some of them viciously, turned down by the other senators for a chance to meet. For whatever the reasons were, Muith saw it as unfair. Yes, she is the leader of the faction many want nothing to do with. The old senator saw it as uncalled for. Just like the leaders of the other factions, she too has a voice.

While there is a lot of risks just for speaking to her. It is a whole other risk to have her brought to his private retreat. Why? For one they will be away from people who may try to listen in or report the sighting of the Jedi Master to her enemies. Because they will be away from prying eyes, the two will be more comfortable with talking about what gave the Jedi Master cause to contact him in the first place.

The Senator had taken the time to make sure no one will be at the reptilian's private retreat when Arda arrived. Well there are a few, like the one that escorted Arda to where she is now waiting for the Senator to greet her. But upon her arrival the staff that helped run the retreat, including his assistant, were instructed to leave until he gives the signal they can come back.

The Master will only have to wait a few short minutes for Muith to arrive in the commons of the home, "I am sorry to have kept you waiting, Master Breaux. I hope your journey here was comfortable." He will say as he walked into the room. He had made sure that he had sent a vehicle that will allow the Master to relax without worrying about being spotted during the journey to his private retreat.

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

She felt someone approached, her senses habitually detecting ripples in the Force over the years in order to tune her instincts to the natural beats of the worlds around her. She turned when the Senator spoke and the Jedi Master smiled in greeting, "Hello Senator Chekaik, my journey was well, no problems." she said with a respectful bow, "I thank you so much for your time, I know you are busy with the U.P. and," she glanced around his retreat, "This place is absolutely beautiful," The Jedi gestured to the decor, her words sincere. She was a child thrown into poverty and even in her life previously, luxuries were not as elaborate as what she saw here.

Pausing to let him respond, she would continued following his response, "As for the purpose of this trip, I was hoping to gain more insight to the UP, there is only so much I can gather from the holonet and the Galactic Alliance has yet to gain any representation." she reiterated her purpose for the visit; having briefly explained why she wanted to meet prior to her arrival, she wanted to make sure they did not get too side track. Regardless, an innocent curiosity floated with the Jedi Master, politicians were a different category of individuals for her, she wondered how he would respond to all this.

@Nommie

 

[Muith Chekaik]

"Please. It is of no trouble to have you brought here so we may talk in person. I can assure you that you are not intruding on my other duties. I am more than certain that the discussions we will be having will be far more pleasant than the one I had with a couple of sith a couple of weeks ago." He looked around as the Jedi Master gestured to the room. Ah yes. That would explain why she was wandering around the room when he arrived, "Thank Master Arda." The senator was not always complimented on his choice of decorations. So it did feel a bit odd to receive such words.

With his reply, the Master went on to reiterate why she had contacted him. The old reptilian being nodded, "I see. Then there is much that needs to be discussed. If you will please follow me I have a much more comfortable room prepared." The Senator will gesture for him to walk alongside her as he led her to the room, "Don't worry. There is no one here. I ordered everyone to leave the moment you had arrived. So there will be no reports going to the Imperials and their Sith Lords of you coming here." Yes, it is a neutral planet but it didn't mean there was an absence of Imperial supporters. So for the Master's safety, he had his staff leave.

It was not much of a walk before he turned into a room that was much like a living room. Between the two sofas was a table. On top of the table was a tray with a steaming kettle and two cups. Small treats were next to the tray on a small plate, "Please. Have a seat. It is Neimoidian Tea in the kettle." He will say as the old senator walked over to one of the two sofas. He poured tea into the two cups. In all honesty, he is not used to having guests even with him being the representative of his region.

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

He reassured they would not be disturbed in their meeting or even eavesdropped, but being the leader of the Galactic Alliance has also brought a fair amount of suspicion to where ever she went. Even if the Senator was confident their meeting was being completed in absolute secrecy, Arda practiced caution and that caution didn't subside when she heard that Sith Lords have visited recently. She frowned, her eyes narrowed as she tried to determine his level of comfort with Imperials knocking on his doorstep. She wasn't surprised though, centuries of controlling the core has given them influence and the ability to extend their fingers into systems that wanted neutrality.

Arda walked beside the Senator as he lead her to the new room, it was certainly more cozy and inviting for them to relax and talk. The Jedi Master took a seat on one of the sofas while he poured tea, "Thank you, I don't believe I have had Neimoidian tea." she said taking her cup after he finished pouring it; gently blowing along the lip of the cup, she took a small sip, the temperature was just right and the flavor carried a hint of a peppery herb. Nodding in approval of he tea, she took another sip and waited for him to get comfortable also before speaking.

"What do you wish to accomplish within the UP, Senator?" Arda asked, looking to let him speak and explore his beliefs and values in order to determine how the GA could engaged.

@Nommie

 

[Muith Chekaik]

The old senator took a seat on the couch across from Arda. Taking a sip of his tea, he listened to the Jedi Master as she questioned him what he hoped to accomplish.

The Neimoidian placed his cup down on the saucer quietly. Wondering if the Jedi Master knew what it was like living under imperial rule. Not of one but two empires after the two merged. The humanoid looked to her, "I am sure you are aware of the xenophobic views some of those in the empire has. Especially the Imperial Republica." The Senator began. He knows what he wants to accomplish. But how to explain it? Muith paused as he took another sip of his tea, "I wish to reverse the damages the Empire had done to those of us who were suppressed by the Empire. Everyone, not just my people." Leaning forward a bit with his hands folded together the Senator finished off saying, "I want to have it where everyone has equal opportunities. Not just a select few because they are the right race. As well as eventually see the supressive laws abolished and replaced. However that may prove difficult to do since there are some who are from imperial controlled planets.."

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

Arda listened carefully and intently as Muith spoke of the xenophobia that plagued the Imperial Republica, and though the Republica had be absorbed by the Sith Empire, the sentiment was still there, it could still be seen. Arda couldn't remember a time when other species outside of humans were treated with equality, even as low as she was on the social chain when her family was forced into the core, she still was treated semi-better than the rest of the species that she lived with. The Jedi Master took a sip of her tea, the flavor was splendid compared to the topic, but it was important for the senator.

"A difficult path, but not impossible." she nodded, she was all too familiar with paths of difficulty but with enough support rallying behind those who supported the ideal, then change could be made.

"The Mandalorian aligned sectors may be quickly to turn in favor for more policy changes, they would understand what oppression has done to their own culture and sympathy can be drawn from that own experiences. I agree though," she paused thinking, "The Empire aligned sectors may be an issue, but you won't know until you start to push for motion for changes, but I think with the combination of neutral sectors and Mandalorian sectors, you'll have the votes to pass."

The Jedi Master took a sip of her tea, "I can offer the help of the GA and the Jedi Order, we can make our work subtle for now, in order to protect your own reputation in the senate currently."

@Nommie

 

[Muith Chekaik]

The senator took a sip of his tea. While he didn't like talking about the way races that are not human were treated. It was the basis of why he entered diplomacy as well as became a senator representing his sector. It also was to show that he has the same ideals as the GA and the Jedi Order.

The Jedi Master does have a good point. While the senators representing Imperial controlled sectors will be a problem. The Mandalorians and other Independent will most likely give him the votes to pass a motion. That all, of course, depended on the motion he planned to push through. Yes, the last motion that was pushed through passed but from what Muith recalls either none of the Imperial senators were present or simply failed to cast their votes.

The Neimoidian leaned back on the sofa, scratching his chin as he listened to Arda as she said her piece. Now, this caught the old senator's attention. While he should be concerned or turning down the idea of representing the GA on some level, Muith honestly thought that it is not a bad idea. Well that, of course, depends on what the Jedi Master has in mind. He will take another sip of his tea as the humanoid thought through it all, "What do you have in mind to have your Galactic Alliance and Jedi Order help me?" He will ask, curiosity fully expressed on his facial features as he placed the teacup down on the saucer, "Don't worry about my reputation Master Arda. I can defend my reputation in the senate even if rumors started getting around that you are helping me." He told the Jedi Master confidently. If the word did get out it should be of no surprise since everyone knows that the planet used to be under Imperial control. And besides, as he said he can defend himself if needed.

@GABA

 

[Arda Breaux]

Arda could sense a genuine interest from the Senator as he seemed interested in what ideas she had in order to turn opinions for the better of the UP. He also reassured that he could take care of himself, and though Arda trusted his words, she didn't trust those who would have nothing to do with the GA and the Jedi.

"Luckily it sounds like our goals and missions are similar in their end game, Senator." the woman grinned, "I hope to meet with other like-minded senators, I can also task out some of my Jedi to help those seeking equality, I know there are plenty of worlds who are struggling and its from the centuries of xenophobia." the Grandmaster explained and took a sip from her tea and helped herself to a second cup. Carefully not to spill, she continued with the conversation.

"With those goals, I hope it also forwards the opinions of the Jedi Order, we have centuries of mistakes we need to reassure they will not happen again, an uphill battle all around, but I'd rather be climbing rather than falling, Senator."

The Grandmaster pursed her lips, thinking of all the opportunities the Jedi had to stop the Sith, but were for one reason or another, unable to do so, regardless, it was a new era, one that she would happily usher forward.

@Nommie