Open You Are Cordially Invited...

[Sutton Rayne]

You are most cordially invited to attend a fundraising gala, hosted by:

the Commenorian Committee for Galactic Aid

and

Sutton Rayne, Senator for Commenor

to be held at the Chasin City Hall Building.

Dancing, fine foods and brandy will be provided for guests.

The charity auction will begin at 9. Please give generously!

For a Better Galaxy!
​

The gala was in full-swing. The great and the good of Commenor and the Colonies were all out in force, schmoozing and boozing. The tinkle of glasses, the tickling laughter, the hubbub of refined conversation.

What a load of crap.

Sutton Rayne sipped her glass, casting a critical eye over her assembled guests. If each one of them bothered to give more than a pittance out of their own pocket, they could probably help cure AMS overnight and rehome every refugee in housing pods made of electrum. They'd feign concern and talk endlessly about what should be done, but in the end they'd contribute little.

Quite why she'd helped arrange this, she had no idea. Her electoral agent insisted that it'd be a good way to introduce herself to the Galactic community at large. Sutton was considering whether to introduce her foot to his ass, but then again he had helped her win the senatorial race. She couldn't be too mean about it. And it was her third glass of brandy.

Instead, she sighed and pulled on all her deep, moral fibre. It was time to schmooze. Time to head out and meet people. She descended from the second floor, mixing in with the crowd arriving, as helpful waiters ferried around fancy drinks and nibbles that were simple to die for.

 

[Julia Hipori]

Ever since she had been appointed as Secretary for Intergalactic Affairs Governor Julia Hipori had seen her diary practically swamped in appointments. As it turned out, an awful lot of people wanted to do business with the Independent Systems Consortium (ISC). She had spent a great deal of time triaging requests to meet, but this specific event, Julia had decided could be well worth her time.

Whilst it was not a formally backed event by the ISC, nonetheless, it was of great use. A gala such as this would attract the great and the good like flees to a bantha, and she was now, one of the swarm.

Swooping down in her Guild d'Lanseaux Star Yacht, it cut a neat line through the skies, making a swift approach to her intended destination. Julia watched through one of the small viewports in her study within the ship, watching as one of her escort fighters pulled back as they began their landing descent. Behind her, on a holo display, the ambassador for Naboo was talking to her, lamenting about the various woes his office was facing due to the new imposition of the tax needed to fund the army.

"...the administration of this is draining resources. Some of our best and brightest, future ambassadors from the program, are now pouring over documents to implement an effective tariffs policy. Madam Secretary, it's simply not workable."

Since imposing the tariffs, the Ambassador has been less than cooperative - unlike the Queen, Parnelli, who had thrown her full weight behind the move, as expected.

"I understand the concerns Ambassador, but we need to work through them. I will arrange for some of our economists from the capital to support this, they've helped Bestine with the transition, to great effect. Consider it a favour from me," she smiled "I won't take no for an answer!"

The Ambassador softened, he always found it hard to turn down offers from the Secretary, he rounded up the call and Julia turned off the holoprojector as the ship swept down onto the landing pad.

Rising from her seat, she headed toward the landing ramp, and walked down, seeing who was there to welcome her.

 

[Lucas Rinn]

He flipped through his comm device in the back seat of the speeder that had been sent for him, music playing in his earbuds. You would be hard-pressed to find a person more openly against the New Republic, but he hoped tonight be go some way into showing he was at least somewhat willing to cooperate. If there was anything the Galaxy should be cooperating on, it was the AMS Virus. While he was skeptical these functions actually did anything, he doubted it hurt anything, and there was gain to be had.

He let out a sigh as his speeder approached the gala as he took the earbuds out and the sounds of the city around him came swarming back in. He stepped out, straightening his tailored tuxedo slightly. There were photographers and celebrity gossip reporters outside. Several tried to get his attention, but he ignored them. Lucas had no desire to be a "celebrity".

He stepped inside. The Gala was in many ways, like others he had been to, they all were. He didn't understand how some did this night after night. He took a glass of brandy from a nearby server. Taking a sip, he nodded appreciatively. At least they had chosen good brandy.

 

[Sutton Rayne]

"We really must talk about the corporate tax rate, Madam Senator," the executive said, red-cheeked and ruddy-faced with too much brandy, "we would appreciate some support in lobbying the administration..."

"Oh of course, please do schedule an appointment, Mr. Repule, I'll be certain to move you straight to the top of the agenda," Sutton lied, looking around for someone she could palm him off onto. "Oh, I do believe I'm out of my drink. I must go and refill, excuse me." With a cool smile, she left and started to descend the stairs, looking for someone more interesting to talk to.

As she did, one of her aides dangled at her elbow. "What is it?" she asked quietly. The aide pointed downwards.

"Lucas Rinn, ma'am," he whispered to her, indicating the man below. "Governor of Gyndine, in the ISC." That was interesting in itself. Very few of the New Republic politicians had bothered to show, save token representatives from Balmorra and Corellia. Getting more links with the ISC couldn't hurt.

"Hm. Useful. Anything else exciting happening?"

"Well, I'm hearing that Julia Hipori has just arrived too."

"Hipori? The new Intergalactic Affairs secretary?" Sutton asked, frowning a little. Even better, though that presented obstacles of their own. What little she'd read on Hipori mentioned her background in the corporate world. Potentially ruthless, undoubtably nasty.

"Send a couple of waiters to greet her at the doors, with a glass of the good stuff. The real good stuff," she indicated, "and mention how much I've been looking forward to meeting her."

The aide nodded and left as Sutton moved on, grabbing another flute of brandy. Approaching Rinn, she offered him a smile.

"Governor Rinn. A pleasure," she said simply, nodding her head, "Thank you for blessing us with your presence. I trust you're enjoying the brandy? One of the finer kinds on Commenor. I must confess I've had few dealings with the ISC before, though I only hear good things."

@Nor'baal @Raydo