Ask Coruscant The Opera House

[Dimon Fee Simm]

Coruscant at night was one of the most magnificent planets in the galaxy. It was one of the reasons why Senator Dimon Fee Simm preferred to live here and to call it home. Sure, he was Ubrikkia's representative, but that didn't mean he had to actually live there. It was the best place to do business, with the possible exception of Cantonica.

And it was business that brought him here today.

Business with the Empire.

Dressed in a light grey gaberwool cloak, with white web-chiffon scarf around his neck, Dimon tapped his cane on the ground as he walked up the steps to the entranceway of the opera house. It was simply the venue to be seen in, and he intended to be seen for sure. He stopped at the top of the stairs, Froogle hovering at his side, as he turned back and waited for his guest to make herself known.

 

[Heather D'Avignon]

Heather had repeatedly been on Coruscant, yet the urban planet during nighttime never failed to amaze her. The core world served as the venue for her meeting with the senator of Ubrikkia, Dimon Fee Simm, with whom she was supposed to engage with in terms of negotiations on possible trade deals on behalf of the Empire today.

The red-headed senator of Lianna was dressed appropriately for the occasion, hence donning an elegant black dress with black heels and evening makeup fitting for the Opera House, and as she was gracefully ascending the stairs, her gaze already fell on the Twi'Lek senator.

She approached him directly with the personal bodyguard following close behind. He, too, was dressed for the occasion and was easily to be mistaken for yet another visitor of the Opera House in his Tuxedo, but he did keep an eye on her. "Senator. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance" she politely greeted him, offering the extended hand.

@Nor'baal

 

[Dimon Fee Simm]

"Yes, I am sure it is." Dimon replied arrogantly, misreading the situation. Rising to his feet, he extended his hand to shake Heather's and ignored her guard. Here on Coruscant, one was quite safe - of this, he was certain. "It is a rare treat to be able to meet with an Imperial diplomat; in all my time in the Senate, your Empire was very guarded with its overtures to the broader galaxy - it is nice to see that changing." he added, seeking to redress his earlier impropriety.

Imperial Diplomats had become a familiar sight since the new Emperor assumed command. He had worked overtime to spread the love as it where. Not that Dimon minded; more diplomatic ties meant more opportunities to do business and probably meant more opportunities for his planet and sector beyond.

Or at least he could spin it that way.

"You simply must tell me what has changed. Does the Empire base you in the Core now, or must you focus on specific worlds?" he asked, genuinely curious and want to know more about his this new Empire was approaching politics. It was essential to know how such an influential player as the Empire operated, especially if one wished to prosper in this galaxy. "And, have you travelled far to come and see me today?"

 

[Heather D'Avignon]

If Heather was a little appalled by his initial reaction, she didn't show any of it. Not a single twitch bled into her facial features as she kept her professional fassade, having dealt with many many unpleasant politicians. She wasn't going to judge this one yet, even if he appeared rather vain, but he saved his first appearance seconds later anyway.

The gentle smile on her lips softly widened as he took her hand. Whether he was honest or not didn't matter, but he did at least try to be polite which was much more pleasant. "Shall we go in?" Here, outside, on top of the stairs in front of the entrance was perhaps not the best meeting place and she knew the inside were quite a sight anyway.

He started asking questions that sounded curious, and she didn't mind sharing information she could easily give away. "As a senator, I primarily represent my planet, but I do have the honor to speak to you on behalf of the Empire" maybe they could cut a deal that would surpass Lianna's borders.

"Well, yes. I'm coming from Lianna directly, but so is business. I'm used to the traveling" she replied with a soft smile, however intentionally leaving out that she hated it ever since her two mishaps. She was traveling less ever since she had been appointed as a senator and was still incredibly careful whenever she had to, but she also knew it couldn't always be avoided. "Tell me, senator. Why have you chosen the Core instead of your beautiful planet?" she was curious about that too, or why he hadn't come to Lianna, as politicians usually always did things for a reason.

@Nor'baal

 

[Dimon Fee Simm]

"Of course," Dimon replied politely, moving up the stairs and into the opera house with his guest "- Lianne is a world I have not yet been fortunate enough to visit, but one day I certainly hope to." he smiled, making general small talk as they continued inside. Luxurious in the extreme, the opera house had been the playground of the galactic elite for centuries - and it showed in its luscious decor.

He laughed as she described Ubrikkia as 'beautiful', a phrase Dimon would never use.

He tried to stay away from Ubrikkia as much as he could. It was a dusty and miserable industrial wasteland, filled with the ignorant unwashed masses huddling in their homes or trudging to their factories. Sure, it was a planet of means and potential, but not exactly the sort of area one went to willingly. "It is more suitable for both of us, no? Easier to get to, I feel." he lied, hardly willing to confirm that he didn't want to go to Ubrikkia, because it was Ubrikia.

"Please, this way." he added, walking into their reserved box. "It is excellent to see the Empire opening up some more - tell me, what is it Ubrikkia, or myself personally, can do to support you?"

 

[Heather D'Avignon]

They moved inside and while Heather wasn't too keen on outside missions and negotiations in general, she had to admit that the Opera House of the Core World seemed relatively safe. Her guard followed closely, however giving them enough privacy to continue their talk.

Coruscant wasn't easier to get to, obviously, but out of politeness, she didn't point that out. "It is surely a special venue" she thus agreed, a veiled evasion, but still a truthful statement and perhaps neutral ground was easier anyway.

Once inside and in their designated box, she gracefully took a seat before their conversation continued. "So Ubrikkia manufactures ships I hear. Our expanding fleet could always use some support now that we've reformed...what we can offer in return is safety, Senator. In times like these when everything is changing so quickly, there are new threats that emerge each day...We are looking to establish safety and stability". They could artificially drag this conversation, or she could just make her offer already. There were shows about to begin and before everything would become terribly loud, they could already exchange what they had to offer.

@Nor'baal

 

[Dimon Fee Simm]

She certainly cut to the chase quite quickly, something Dimon was a little surprised about. Doing business with the Empire would be excellent news for the Ubrikkians and for him - after all, Dimon was sure there would be a way for him to line his pockets in any such event. However, the trade-off implying he needed 'safety' was alarming. Just what was the Imperial implying?

"Indeed, we have a range of excellent manufactories on Ubrikkia." he grinned, bigging up his own world just a little too much "And they can manufacture a broad range of products, on licence if needed." Dimon continued.

Considering how best to address the more controversial issue of the trade-off, he drew his breath and waited a few seconds before speaking further. "A trade deal which enables Imperial ships, or parts of them, to be constructed on Ubrikkia, would no doubt be of mutual benefit. I am interested how such a deal would entail 'additional security' for Ubrikkia, however?" he left the question open for her to answer.

 

[Heather D'Avignon]

She wasn't quite sure whether her statement had been ambiguous or whether he was purposely misinterpreting it a little. Still, elaborating was obviously no problem for her and if they could cut a mutually beneficial deal, they'd all be happy about it.

"Oh?" she hasn't particularly heard of the excellent, innovative Ubrikkian designs, but politicians had a tendency to oversell whatever they were trying to trade, sl she didn't question it for now. Specialists would be able to assess the actual quality. "You do have my interest, Senator" she warmly smiled.

"I was thinking about this on a broader scale...if we expand this shipbuilding, maybe we can speak about other wares as well in the future. If your planet helps us, you could obviously expect to receive help if needed if you'd ever find your planet in a state of danger. With the Killik and Sith and whatever else lingers out there, it's always good to know your planet is safe". If they were to produce ships for them, the ISB would monitor them closely, however if they'd ever find themselves in need, the Empire would step in, too. From what she knew, Ubrikkia was relatively stable, but who knew what was about to come!

@Nor'baal

 

[Dimon Fee Simm]

"Droid foundries are also common on Ubrikkia, and depending on the scale of operations needed, many can be re-opened from the old days." Dimon replied, dropping into conversation that his planet would need a little investment, potentially from the Empire's businesses (as well as others) if they wished to see it at its full potential.

However, it was essential to ensure his world was not completely dependent on business from the Empire - for he had no desire to become a client state of a distant power.

"Perhaps, however, a modest range of your fighters can be produced in part here, the wings - for example?" he broached the idea "And if that works, if we scale to the liking of your businesses, we can explore further cooperation" he added, providing both sides an out if the deal did not match up to standard in the long term.

 

[Heather D'Avignon]

The senator surely seemed to have a lot to offer, but she obviously didn't miss the implications. He'd want credits to re-open them, but she wondered why they had been closed in the first place. Was there no need? She doubted it. If they needed economic support and would still deliver the ships they owed, they still both get what they wanted.

He didn't go in fully, but offered a compromise. An acceptable one, that was. "Sounds agreeable" she replied with a polite smile, "It's always good to start small". Still, the Empire didn't have a reason to fully trust them, so she'd surely request to let the businesses on Ubrikkia be monitored closely.

"Before you've started representing your planet as a Senator, have you served another planet?" she asked, this time out of curiosity about this potential business partner.

@Nor'baal

 

[Dimon Fee Simm]

"Oh no! It has only ever been Ubrikkia for me," Dimon replied "Whilst I do not originally hail from the world, I have only ever represented it myself. Ryloth, whilst close to me, is no longer my home." the Senator added. It was true as well; he'd come from Ryloth, but purchased citizenship on Ubrikkia as many others had done.

"Growing up on Ryloth was not easy; the world suffers greatly under the stresses of crime." Dimon continued, naturally ignoring the fact that he might be in the pocket of several local criminal organisations "But on Ubrikkia, we have a political class that cares more about moving forward as a people." he lied, nobody in Ubrikkias upper-class cared about anyone other than themselves.

"It must be an interesting time to be active in Imperial politics, no?"

 

[Heather D'Avignon]

The show was about to commence soon and so she was glad that business was already discussed. Quick and easy, perhaps too easy, but she'd stay on it. The conversation shifted towards him for now, and she listened intently. So he was at least very familiar with the planet, it seemed.

"I am sorry to hear..." her childhood had been easygoing and she had always lived in safety and prosperity, thanks to the Empire, but she wondered whether the ISC planet was indeed till that bad. Wasn't the president taking care of it?

What he said about his own people left her wondering whether the independent planet was this prone to act in perfect harmony, but given they'd open such trade relations, she was convinced she'd soon learn more about it. "Oh it is indeed. The New Empire is nothing like the old one and I am grateful for being a position to help shape it to see it flourish further" it was perhaps a poetic thought, but Heather had always been a little zealous."I wonder, how did Ubrikkia perceive the split and reformation?".

@Nor'baal

 

[Dimon Fee Simm]

'The New Empire is nothing like the old one.' How times have changed! Dimon smiled to himself. He remembered a time, not all that long ago, when nobody within IMperial Space would dare to have drawn any form of critique on their leaders. But this new regime was more tolerant of attacks on the 'old order', no doubt, because it helped shore up the legitimacy of the new order.

"Truth me told, during the turmoil, there was little information coming out of Imperil Space, so it was hard for us to draw a judgement." he replied truthfully. They'd only heard rumours up until quite recently - so it was recent events upon which he chose to remark "On Ubrikkia we welcomed the recent regime change however, a more tolerant and open Empire, no longer hostage to the Sith Order, is something we can get behind,"

 

[Heather D'Avignon]

The Imperial Diplomat was definitely interested in his answer, however knew she couldn't take it as a fully genuine answers. He was a politician, just like her, so he'd say anything to please her if he wanted this bargain to work, but as he did reply, it still sounded rather genuine.

He wasn't wrong. The Empire hadn't broadcasted everything that was going on, but she knew that while suspicions and prejudices prevailed, there were still some first attempted rapprochements around. "How wonderful that we agree on that. It's good to see that independent planets put some trust into the new government as well".

She gave him a warm smile then as she slightly leaned back in her seat up in their booth. "Do you visit the Opera often, Senator?" she wondered, making conversations a little more.

@Nor'baal