Ballroom Waltz

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"Ryloth is not 'my' planet. I was born on Denon. You'll find almost every planet in the Republic, including Corellia, has outlawed slavery. This isn't Hutt space. We're civilized here. And no, I do not 'want one.'" She replied, eying the cigarette disdainfully. But not nearly as disdainfully as the Mandalorian. Arbitrarily following the will of one man, betraying solemn promises? That wasn't something that inspired trust or respect.

"Your culture seems to place itself above every other. You'll have to forgive me if I don't express joy and admiration for the attitude that caused millions of deaths and several destructive wars. Democracy means renouncing violence and realizing discussion is the only way to progress. You seem to stand for the exact opposite of that. You're so confident in yourself and your own stubborn pride. Eager to point out flaws elsewhere but not at home. Have you ever once stopped to think about the cost of the Mandalorian Wars? Or do you write that off as 'just following orders?' You can't even begin to know how many atrocities all hinge on that phrase."

Lyn paused momentarily, un-clenching her slender hand from the wine glass she'd been pressuring. She sipped it.

"Maybe those flaws you like to complain about in the Republic could be addressed if your people weren't rebelling in the middle of a war. Can't you see the reckless danger that puts the galaxy in? Its irresponsible."

Now time to address his last question.

"What makes you even begin to think I'd tell you anything about myself? I don't even want to be talking to you Mr. Dragneel."

[havenn]

He looked at her "Just because you gathered a bunch of people and outlawed something doesn't mean it isn't going on, if you don't take a active stance against something nothing gets done." He let out a bit of smoke " Slavery still goes on even on the core planets if you look hard for it, you say your Civilized but you look around and I see slums and then the upper class who dine on expensive food and drink as their fellow people go hungry."

"You talk about those wars, but no matter how you look at it war has it's own benefits" he put out his smoke on a tray. "Your Republic needs to find that big bad evil people so they can all unite against it, war brings out the best in people and helps strengthen their bonds and set aside their own personal goals to work for the entire group." He smiled "Democracy will always have bloodshed in it no matter how hard you try, without war people were slowly drift away from each other and it will become stale and be unable to change for the better."

"And for your next question I could say the same thing for you, your so eager to defend your Republic and look away from the many flaws it has while condemning the cultures of people who don't see the same way as you do." He took a drink from a waiter "I know full well my own culture that I love with my entire being has it's own flaws and I don't care much for our Mand'alore at the moment either but I will stand by them in the end." He smiled "Can you say the same, admitting the flaws in what you believe is a hard thing but everything has flaws there is no such thing as perfection."

As she told him about how she would rather not talk to him he laughed "Now that's a bit cold isn't it." He finished his drink "Isn't it Civilized to talk a little bit about yourself when another tells something about their self." He was just teasing her slightly on the last bit but yes that fire was something he liked, it would be boring if this was just normal talking.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"In case you hadn't noticed, I report on those flaws Mr. Dragneel, on a daily basis. This is the best system of governance in existence. That doesn't mean it is perfect. However its far superior to following a dictator blindly. And we here in the Republic at least follow our treaty obligations."

Lyn's hand was clenching the glass again. This was getting to be too much. Far too much. The man was both grating and obstinate, and hadn't seemed to get the simple message that she did not want to talk to him.

"What's 'civilized' is not pouring out your personal life in detail to someone who hasn't agreed to listen. And I certainly have no intention of sharing anything about myself with you. I don't trust you, and I certainly don't want to know you or you to know me. Now I really don't think we have anything further to discuss. I'm getting up right now, and I'm leaving. And if you follow me, I will be very displeased."

The purple Twi'lek woman finished her glass of wine, set it on the end table, then rose to her feet. Quite promptly, she set off across the marble floor, the sound of her shoes' heels echoing slightly in the quiet murmur of the crowd. Her feet carried her all the way out from the lavish building and into the fresh night air.

She paused to look out on the cityscape below her before setting about the task of calling a taxi back to her apartment. Scratch one evening.