You're not Invited [open]

[Mara]

(((Open, but please post in here first to sign up before you post in here.
Also, see here for info regarding the plot.)))





The grand ballroom of the prestigious Horizon Plaza that resided in the upper echelons of the planet of Coruscant near the Senate Hall was filled with various celebrities from around the galaxy. Senators, actors, musicians, high-ranking military officials, anyone rich enough to secure an invitation, all had come to celebrate the newly elected Supreme Chancellor Victoria Aspen Naaden. Of course, if anyone ever asked any of them what they thought of their new leader's ideals, most of them would probably just answer with a blank stare. Most of the rich and famous could care less about who their ruler was or what she was doing.

Also attending the grand party were a few select members sent from the HNN to cover the party. If their superiors were hoping for a big headlining story, they probably were going to be disappointed if they wanted more than juicy gossip that fit better with the holozines of less reputable publication. However, they were optimistic, wanting some insight from the galaxy's celebrities on the newly elected Chancellor.

No one quite knew for certain who actually had organized the big shindig; it was just generally assumed it had been an aide of the Supreme Chancellor or some rich supporter of her causes. Whether the woman herself would be making a surprise appearance was rather unlikely. But despite all this, they showed up in droves, paying the extensive per-plate dinner fee in order to hobnob with other celebrities, hoping to better their own status or get a nice holo on the news about how much they respected the new Chancellor, despite knowing almost nothing about her.

Though mostly reserved for dancing at exclusive soirees thrown by its penthouse guests, the Horizon Plaza had filled their ballroom this time with dozens of tables for the guests to eat their expensive and tiny dinners at. The food wouldn't matter; after all, they had come to support the Chancellor, right? But even so the Plaza's top chefs had outdone themselves with the menu. The head chef was hoping that the Chancellor herself would show up, though it was mostly wishful thinking on his part. Nonetheless, the guests would be awed with hors d'oeuvres of rare Glee Anselmi ruterfish roe and rainbow shrimps from Alderaan, a salad with mixed greens grown from a greenhouse here in Coruscant, soup made from Selonian tubers, an entree of Manaanian firaxin shark steaks in a Corellian white wine sauce served with a fruity red wine from Zeltron of a vintage from 3698. And the grand finale, as the pastry chef liked to think of it, would be a dessert called the New Era, something of his own creation, that included a host of various tree fruits in a sweet sugary sauce. All in all, the guests would be getting their credits' worth, if they dared to care about it.

The rest of the hall was decked out in a tasteful array of light blues and silver from the tables themselves to the chandeliers hanging above them. It gave the grand ballroom a very elegant look, despite the fact it had already been fairly glamorous to start with. Despite all the circular dinner tables set for eight, the Horizon Plaza had designated an area for some dancing, leaving part of the tolgowood floors free for such activity. A quartet had set up in the corner, ready to play some soothing mood music. All one had to do to imagine the decor of the ballroom would be to think of the most spectacularly decorated room in the galaxy... and imagine it ten times more elegant, and that would be the current state of the grand ballroom in the Horizon Plaza.

Right now the various celebrities were milling about, picking at the hors d'oeuvres and drinking some sparkling fresian champagne from tall fluted glasses. They were engaged in light smalltalk with some of their compatriots, more than likely discussing any and all topics except for the reason they were at the party: the new Supreme Chancellor. And even more were waiting at the door to pass off their invitations and get checked off the guest list. The various clothing of the guests brought a bright rainbow of color to the muted blues and silvers of the ballroom.

One of these such celebrities standing out against the elegantly decorated room was the holodrama star Destini Xist. A Zeltron, she tended to dress more towards on the 'less is more' theory. For the party she had chosen to go more conservative. For her that meant a long slinky dress mersilk dress with a slit up to her mid thigh and a halter top with a wide scooping neck. It was made of a lavendar color which she felt showed off her light pink skin and offset her dark sapphire eyes and deep red voluminous hair. Around her neck she work a necklace with jewels that matched the blue in her eyes. Her feet were laced with silver heels that would make anyone dizzy just looking at the height of them.

Why she had let her manager convince her to attend this party was way beyond her. But he had said it would help her to gain more exposure, to attend functions besides those at late-night clubs with the more shady members of the Coruscant nightlife. She had begrudgingly agreed. And right now she was standing off to the side, alone, with a flute of the champagne in her hand, a bored look in her yes.



(((Okay, the rest of you can enter and party, and do what you like. No need to talk to Destini if you don't want; she's just around for some color and interest... I'll mostly just be posting more narrator-like))).

[Anackis]

(((Disclaimer: due to my lack of star war vehicle names and such I used limmo))))

She knew there was no way around it, she would step out of the vehicle and be ravaged by cameras and people asking every personal question one could think of and others that would make her turn a bright red which she prefered not to think of. But her manager had informed her that this would be a wise career move. He told her that she needed to be seen at these events to promote herself and the band. Her stomach turned as she thought of how much the invite for a simple meal cost. Though the funds to purchase an invitation where more then abundant, she still found it to be more then anyone should spend to be invited to a party.

"Why did I agree to this?" She asked herself out loud as she glanced down at her fingernails, the dark polish still gleaming in the low light of the limmo. Again she was braught back to the thought of the masses waiting to make a mockery of her. It wasn't enough to simply get her picture, but the tabloids had to start rumors and lies about her as well. She wished to be back in her apartment or back home with her mother. The slight clicking of the door told her her wish would not come true tonight.

Light spilled in and she placed a hand up to cover her eyes for a moment while they adjusted. She took that moment to put something else on as well, a smile. She had been told to simply fake the smile before, but she was no good at faking. The tabloids had gotten a picture of one such smile and it took almost four months to prove that she was not addicted to deathsticks. She had a trick though, that always made her smile. It was a simple memory, but one of those that could change ones mood.

She didn't waste any time pushing past the crowd, but headed straight to the doors, nodding periodically to the crowd on either side. She ignored the questions being asked and almost made it to the door without having to stop. But a small child caught her eye, poking up above the crowd. The child was poorly dressed and sat on the shoulders of her father, whos attire matched the little girls. They did not have much to speak of and she was certain that standing in the crowd to watch the famouse people enter a building would be one of the most eventful moments of the year for this child.

Quickly she turned and ran back to the vehicle, glad it had not left yet. She knew it was a mistake as soon as she leaned into the back seat to grab a small picture of her. Her short skirt had revieled a bit more then she was comfterble with and she knew that someone had a picture of this awkward moment. She let out a sigh before crawling back out.

Scanning the crowd she spotted the little girl again and, against the protests of the guards, she pushed her way into the crowd towards the little girl. Her father stepped aside as she finally reached them and blinked in astonishment when she stopped right infront of them. She held the picture up for the girl. With eyes sparkling the small child took the picture. But bfore she could say anything, she was being pulled back through the crowd. For the first time, she was glad her manager insisted she carried a stack of pictures with her.

"What is wrong with you?" the gaurd whispered to her, angry that she had made his job harder today then he had anticipated. She simply smiled at him and headed to the door.

At the door stood another man, collecting invitations from the guests and checking their names off the list. "Name?"

She blinked a bit surprised at first that he did not recognize her. "Realin Ardia", she replied.

The man held out his hand and after an awkward moment of nothing happening asked, "Your invitation?"

Realin suddenly flushed red with embarassment. She had left it in the limmo.

[starwarsgirl008]

((Playing two people here, so be aware))

Jade Rembora twitlled her thumbs around in circles as her escort pulled up to the plaza. This was one of her first public events, of course she was nervous! Her thumbs seemed to calm her down, and so she continued her circling.

"We are here, Miss. Rembora." the drivers voice echoed through the back seats of her rider.

"Thank you." Jade humbly replied, exiting the car with the invitation carefully placed in her left hand. She was still getting used to wearing her metallic suit outside of Skako. However, she was able to place a wonderful blue gown over it, although it did make her look a little chubby.

Jade carefully stepped up some stairs. When arriving at the security stops, she simply held up her invitation and kept on going. Then she arrived at the doors. She slowly opened them, creating somewhat of a Cinderella moment, although no one really looked at her as she was entering.

It was magnificent. Everything seemed to be decorated in just the right way. It left Jade breatless, although she usually found pleasure in little things. Jade stepped forward, ready to meet some of her colleagues, as well as share her opinion.

---

Cai Xu's high heels clacked around the floor of the plaza. She had arrived an hour earlier with her camera man, and was able to get some footage of the set up of the event.

She was nicely dressed in a gray top and black skirt. Clipped onto her skirt was an HNN I.D. in case security mistook her for someone else.

In al honesty, Cai wasn't exactly looking forward to the task ahead. She knew she would face some celebrity temper tantrums, and be forced to interview a brainless blonde, but there was a chance someone would actually talk about something interesting. Politics, the Chancellor, or even the War. That was the juicy stuff, and that was what Cai looked forward to talking about. If an opportunity presented itself, she would jump on it.

[Makiro]

Senator Avirod Sarala stood moodily in the corner of the opulently decorated room; he really hated these events. His aide, Tyer Panaka had insisted that he attend, going so far as taking the liberty of postponing the Senator's return to his homeworld. That had annoyed Avirod; he had been looking forward to seeing the verdant fields and forests of Naboo once more, but instead he was trapped here, amongst the duracrete and transparisteel jungles of Coruscant.

The young Senator took another sip from his wine and sniffed dejectedly. Behind him, two maroon-clad members of the Naboo Security Forces stood attentively, keeping a watch for any would-be assailants, their muted uniforms contrasting deeply with the deep blue velvet of his robes. Gazing out of one of the impressive room's floor-length windows, Avirod was struck with a sudden memory of his sister: Essa. His stomach tightened as he wondered where she was in the Galaxy, and what she was doing... He smiled sadly, and turned away from the window. It was not something he wanted to think about for long.

As he turned, his gaze crossed that of Destini Xist, the famous holodrama star. He smiled and waved tersely, before glancing across at some of the other guests. That was when he saw her. He recognised her from the Holonet, but this was no glamourous holodrama star, nor glitzy musician. No, this was Cai Xu, reporter extraordinaire, and, in the flesh, one of the most beautiful women Avirod had ever seen.

Sidling around the side of the room in a way he hoped was not too conspicuous - or, indeed, disturbing - , occasionally stopping to hold a brief, hurried conversation with some political opponent or wellwisher, he moved up beside her.

Miss Xu? He said, extending a hand, My name is Senator Sarala, but you can call me Avirod... or Avi. Or whatever. Erm... he blushed. I knew your father, did you know? He stopped talking, and bit his lower lip, gazing intently at his shiny blue shoes.

[Anackis]

She knew she'd hear about this when she got back home, if not before. Pushing through a crowd of fans is quite a dangerous feat, but the embarrassment of forgetting the invitation would not be long forgotten. Though it was a painfull process she had gotten in. Once inside she wished she were back standing outside with the crowd.

Again the uneasy feeling of embarrassment washed over her. She had come highly underdressed for the party. She wasn't in rags, but she was dressed almost as if she where about to preform. Her black skirt was shorter on the left side then the right and her shirt showed a little of her stomach. The black boots she wore definately didn't fit in with the elegant footwear worn by the others. Quietly she slipped in and found a secluded corner where she hoped no one would notice her. She knew this was going to be a long night.

[starwarsgirl008]

"Really?" Cai replied to the Senator in a questionable tone. She could sense a flirty conversation in the mix. She wasn't one to be won over by looks. No, she would much rather have an intelligent man rather than a handsome one. However, she was open minded. But this night was porfessional for Cai. It would take more than a few words to win her over.

"That's nice, Senator Sarala, right?" Cai said, hoping she caught the name right. "If you want to impress me, why don't you scoot on over to that table and get me a drink, and then come back and answer a few questions." Cai said with a serious look on her face, although she was trying to hold in a little giggle.

---

Jade stood in the far, bottum right corner of the room. She continued to twittle her thumbs as she stared accross the room, searching for someone she would feel comfortable to talk to.

Suddenly, her eyes focused in on a man. Indeed Jade recognized him, he was on of the few Senators she could recall, Senator Sarala. He seemed to be talking to some reporter, although the reporter's back was turned to Jade, so she couldn't see her face.

Jade did sort of a fast walk over to the side of the room where the two were talking. When the two had silenced themselves, "Hello there." Jade said, giving a friendly nod to the Senator and the reporter, whom she recognized to be Cai Xu. "I hope I am not interrupting anything." Jade said.

Suddenly Jade began to get nervous. "Well, just wanted to say high. Now I'm off." she exclaimed, turning around in a foolish way. She began to run back to her corner, when suddenly SMASH! Jade had colided with someone. She didn't really recognize who the person was, just some woman of sorts. One that seemed to want to hide from the crowds like Jade.

"I am terribly sorry." Jade said, getting up from the floor. Due to her metal suit, Jade had felt no pain, but she was sure the poor woman would have a few bruises.

[Makiro]

Avirod smiled, sort of, and blushed a little more.

Oh, goodness, erm, yes. Sorry, I'll be right back.

Turning to Senator Rembora - who seemed to have appeared at Cai's shoulder - he smiled warmly, before remembering his red cheeks, and blushing even more. Avirod liked Senator Rembora. Their politics differed, and sometimes he grew frustrated with her somewhat conservative views, but still, she seemed like a nice person, and that was a too rare quality amongst his fellow Senators.

Hello, Senator Rembora. It's nice to see you. And no, you weren't interrupting anything; I was just about to get some drinks. Would you care...

Before he had a chance to finish the sentence, Senator Rembora excused herself and hurried off into the milling crowd of guests.

How odd... muttered Avirod. How very odd. Oh! Drinks! Erm.. I'll be back!

Hurrying off towards the table in question, the young Senator inspected the drinks on offer - or at least pretended to - and attempted to collect his thoughts.

Come on Avi! Pull yourself together man. You're a Prince of Naboo! You rule over an entire City State, for Shiraya's sake. And your father's King! And you're a Senator! And yet you talk to this woman and you're acting like a shaakish teenager!

Avirod took a deep breath and grabbed two elegant glasses of bubbling champagne. Then, glancing around at Cai to check she wasn't looking, he emptied one in a mouthful and took a third. There was no harm in a little Corellian courage!

Returning to Cai, he handed one of the glasses to her.

Now, he said, trying - although altogether failing - to sound suave and sophisticated, you said something about questions?

[Anackis]

Realin mumbled to herself as she made her way around the milling masses of people. Every step seemed to sicken her a little more. The off tune pitches of the different conversations clawed at her ears like a haunting melody of some ill fated event soon to come. She hoped she did not have to stay long at this party where she obviousely didn't belong. Though that was a subject of protest by her manager as well, he insisted that she was worthy of dining with kings. Realin was certain that if he could pull it off she would be dining with kings, all for publicity purposes to promote his business through her, of that she was more then certain.

So preoccupied was she in thinking of how she might slip out unnoticed that she didn't even realize she had bumped into someone until her bottom made contact with the floor. Even then she wouldn't have believed it was another person with whom she had collided. Her arm ached as if she had just ran into a solid wall.

"I am terribly sorry." Came the voice, and Realin blinked in surprise as she finally noticed who she had so rudely ran into. Silently she cursed herself for not paying attention to where she had been going, though that she didn't even know. The woman slowly stood up infront of her and Realin flushed in embarrassment. Though a little plump, the woman was dresses like royalty and Realin was sure she had carelessly stumbled into another situation she did not want.

She placed her hands down on the floor to try and push herself up but a jolting pain shot up her left arm, it ws then she noticed the dark bruise blotching her tender skin. She knew it wasn't that bad, but couldn't help but favor her arm as she adjusted herself using just her right hand to help in her assent.

She did her best at a polite curtsy and blushed as she spoke, "I am so sorry, please forgive my clumsyness."

[Val - Warning:Contains Sarcasm]

The engine had blown up.

That was why she was late, essentially. She would have been on time, in her grey naval uniform cleanly pressed and suited onto her. Only a blaster on the inside of her jacket for protection, as though she needed anything more in the way of protection. Sure, her naval uniform was more decorative than functional, with smooth strands of fabric hanging down in a pretty arrangement. She glanced up from the passenger seat of the cockpit, seeing her ship floating in space, massive and threatening. No worries for her tonight. The main problem she was having now was arranging her lekku perfectly. Well, that and the engine problem. She'd been forced to change from one transport to the other, which involved getting the damaged one out the way and getting the new one suited up. She intended on murdering an engineer when she got back. Her fingers tapped gently against the dashboard, fingers grazing the artificial material as they descended towards COruscant.

It was a few minutes before they arrived at the venue for the party she had been invited to attend. By invited, she did of course mean by certain military officials who would see it as being a good career move if she were to be present. She did like career moves that did not involve her early retirement or placement in a far-off, remote or otherwise pointless region. Or the Sith front. As much as she'd not mind fighting them, they clearly had a powerful backing. More than she'd like to go against without a significantly powerful fleet at her disposal. Maybe one of xef'se's types that would give her enough to break the back of any Sith juggernauts they had lying around. The troop transport hovered for a few seconds, and the pilot nodded to her, giving her a 'Good Evening Admiral' before watching her disappear into the back briefly, disengaging the locks on the left door. Slowly it slid open, revealing a waiting audience with a few scattered flashes of cameras as she dropped the last few feet from the ship and hit the floor, bending her legs and standing back up immediately, brushing her sides in a calm manner.

She proceeded to walk slowly towards the entrance as the sound of the transport became louder, then quieter as it moved off, a large group of people apparently shocked by the unorthodox arrival. She mentally shrugged, knowing most of them didn't know who she was. Innumerable medals adorned her chest, several of them for minor things, but most of them not. Most of them were genuine and had big stories behind them. Her fingers remained loose as she continued to pass through the crowd, shouts for interviews going unheeded as she marched coldly to the door, her fingers remaining relaxed the entire way. No worries here, no pressure. Especially when you're a Twi'lek in rather nice clothing heading towards a fancy ball. To her it was strange but familiar all at once. Maybe her father had been to similar venues - she wasn't sure. She never knew him. Her lips contorted slowly into a cheeky smile as she approached the bouncer at the club, whose eyes dropped immediately to her chest. She guessed he might be checking out her medals, but didn't really mind as she let her in without an ID or invitation check.

[Mara]

(((Gonna move this along a little bit. Feel free to continue your conversations.
If anyone wants to join, check out our thread in the Civ. Plot Discussion area first. ))



The Zeltron attired in a form-fitting lavender mersilk dress was already on her fourth glass of fancy champagne. If one didn't know of her species' ability to put away scores of alcohol with almost no ill effects, one might think she was trying to drink the boring evening away. Which, in a way, Destini Xist was doing, but the alcohol was dimming none of her senses. She sighed, blowing out a breath that puffed up a little of her deep red hair. It was going to be a long night, she thought, sipping from her flute, standing off to the side, pretending to be into this other actor she was pretending to enjoy talking to.

Dinner had yet to be announced, and the appetizers and drinks were still being waded around with various servants. In an attempt to show unity with the newly elected Chancellor, every server going around with a platter was of a different species, most of them humanoid, though, or at least bipedal. The chef wasn't willing to subject too much risk to his food by having it delivered by a Hutt or Xexto.

Various celebrities or people rich enough to afford the exorbitant fee were still trickling in through the entrance way to the Horizon Plaza's grand ballroom. Destini had excused herself from her stale conversation in order to shuffle her way closer to the entrance. The Zeltron holodrama star wasn't leaving; she wouldn't do that to her agent. Plus, she had a reputation to uphold. No, she was trying to follow behind one of the servers, a Quarren, to get another glass of champagne. Also, she was hoping to see someone she knew, someone who might be better conversation than any of the uptight self-centered ones who called themselves men.

Unfortunately, one such man caught her arm, and she had to smile at him, tell him how great it was to see him, all the stupid pleasantries. Fortunately, she had managed to pluck another flute from a passing tray before he had come up to her. If the night was going to be long, she wanted to at least enjoy it with as much alcohol as possible.

[Anackis]

Realin backed up slowly, embarrassed that she had not been watching where she was going. She gave another curtsy and appology hoping she hadn't upset whoever this high figure of society was. As she did, however, she bumped into yet another person, this one was a waiter. It wasn't enough that she had braught attention to herself already, the crashing of glasses to the floor rang out like symbols in a temple. She hardly noticed the red liquid that had so recently resided in the glasses, now soaking into her own shirt and pants. Again she backed away, hoping to find a secluded corner to hide from all the staring eyes.

[starwarsgirl008]

"Yah." Cai responded with a smile. "I might as well get some occupational gain from this whole event." she explained to the Senator in front of her.

"What do you think about the new election?" she asked. "And how do you think this will effect the Galaxy..." she continued, "...In a nutshell of course."

Cai again smiled, and blinked her eyes, giving her that girly-girl appearance. Normally, Cai could easily divide her formal and casual personalities, and at this event, she would surely be wearing her formal one, but something about the event clouded her judgement.

---

Jade watched as the figure she had ran into backed away slowly. Clearly, Jade was not the only one slightly nervous about this gala. She hesitated a moment, but then decided to act upon the situation.

"Wait!" she blurted out as the woman backed up into a waiter. Jade then let out a quiet gasp and brought her hand to her mouth to hold back a small giggle. The woman stood up and trudged away to another corner.

At this point, Jade began to feel bad for the young woman. She decided to approach the corner. "Hello." she happily said. "I am Senator Jade Rembora, from Skako. And you are?"

[Anackis]

She wished more then ever that she hadn't come, that she could have found an excuse, any excuse to have let the evening pass her by, unaware. But it hadn't passed her by. To Realin, it seemed that the evening was aware of no one but her. With a sad sigh she leaned up against the wall and began to wipe at the stain on her shirt.

"Hello." a cheerful voice braught her attention up to the finely dressed woman who continued without pause, "I am Senator Jade Rembora, from Skako. And you are?"

She blinked and glances around making sure the woman was addressing her. Timidly she responded, still feeling quite out of place, "R-Realin Ardia." She kept her eyes down unsure of the proper way to address a Senator and scared she would see her embarassment.

[Makiro]

Avi bit his lip for a moment, deciding how best to answer the question.

Well, he said, choosing his next words very carefully, it’s no great secret that the Chancellor and I have always… differed somewhat in our politics. The good Chancellor has, as you will know, always been rather more conservative than I – or any of my fellow members of the Interspecies Advisory Committee – (a little promotion of the cause never went amiss) tend to be, and it is true that I have often found that her politics do, to a certain degree, hinder some of the goals of our organisation. Nevertheless, I think the Galaxy needs a strong Chancellor at a time like this. It is, sadly, fracturing slowly, and there is little that many of us can do to prevent this. It is good that Supreme Chancellor Naaden has stepped up to the mark to take on a responsibility that I know many of my fellow Senators would shy away from even in times of stability. As for her plans for the Future… I cannot say whether I entirely support…

Avirod stopped, realising he had almost said to much; it wouldn’t do to discuss the War at a time like this, and besides, he was probably boring Cai.

Erm… What do you think?

Avi’s face went bright red.

[starwarsgirl008]

"Calm yourself." Jade said, placing her hand of Realin's shoulder. Her confidence began to rise as she realized that she was not the most nervous being at the party. Of course Jade new it was slightly immoral to gain something from someone's pain, but she did what she had to do.

Of course, her peers might make fun of her for hiding in a corner and talking to a young woman, but it spared her the embarrassment of falling flat on her face in the center of the floor or making a ridiculous comment on something.

"So, what bring you here?" Jade asked, attempting to make some small talk.

---

Cai listened to the young Senator's response, scribbling down some notes on a notebook that she had taken out a few momnets prior. Then the Senator responded to Cai with a question of his own.

Cai stopped writing and slipped the notebook back into her purse. She signaled for the cameraman to put down his camera. "Take five." she whispered to him.

She then turned back to Avi. "What do I think?" she asked. Cai was always quick with a comeback to practically on question, but she was struggling to find the right words to respond to this one. "I think it is innapropriate for a reporter to share her political views, as it might influence that of her viewers."

She placed a slight smirk on her face and responded with another question, "Why does my opinion interest you anyway?"

[Anackis]

What did bring her here? She had been considering that the entire time. She knew the response her manager expected her to say in such a situation, but she was not good at lieing, her mother had taught her better then that. Besides, she was sure it was a crime to lie to a senator. So she didn't.

"I'm really sorry, ma'm...um... Senator. But I have no idea why I am here. My manager made me come. She caught herself from saying any more. She probably should tell the senator she didn't even know what the party was for. Or that it was nothing more then a poblicity stunt.

She was relieved the senator didn't know who she was, she feared she might make her sing a song. Picking the right song would be hard enough, but actually singing infron of people. She hated doing it every time she had to, hough somehow she pulled it off.

[Makiro]

Avirod smiled, the colour of his face returning to normal. He was used to this sort of political banter. He could deal with it.

I’m afraid, Miss Xu, that I would not be a particularly good Senator if I were too easily swayed by the views of others. Particularly those whose job is already to… he paused, wondering how exactly to phrase it … well, to twist my words shall we say. No disrespect intended, of course.

As for my interest in your opinion, all I can say is: are we not at a party? I am aware you may be here on business, but that does not entirely negate the possibility of small talk. Does it? I merely thought we might talk. As equals. As friends, as it were.

What in Shiraya’s name was he talking about? He really needed to learn when to stop…

Erm… if that’s okay with you, of course!

[starwarsgirl008]

Jade smiled at the young girl she was speaking to. She was clearly uncomfortable and hiding behind the excuse her manager made her come. Jade got the feeling she felt like she didn't belong there.

Jade giggled for a moment and then began to speak, "In my childhood, my father often pushed me to do things I didn't want to do. I got by by thinking 'what worse thing could I be participating in?'. Now at first that list may be pretty small, but think about all of those Republic soldiers fighting in the Outer Rim. Now it seems like we are all pretty lucky to be here."

Jade, hoping she changed the girls mindset, went on, "In the end, life always gives us a reason for everywhere we go. Now, why do you think life would bring you here?"

---

Cai was surprised. Here was the first senator she had spoken to that was willing to look at her as a normal person, trying to do their job, not a secret sucking leech.

However, this was the way she made her living, and she did need some good responses to this electiong buisness. Her answering questions would just waste valuable time. "Why don't I ask the questions for now." she said, calling back her cameraman to start rolling.

"Do you think the relationship between Jedi and Senate will be altered at all as a result of this election?"

[Anackis]

Realin alost wished she were with the soldiors, at least then she could get shot and end her embarrassment. "You are right, Senator." She thought she might as well make conversation, it would be a nicer way to pass the time then sitting on her thumbs. "Though I fear the only reason life has brought me here is so that I might make a fool of myself."

Realin looked around at all the important people in the room, all of whom were dressed up far greater then she had ever been in her life. Just being here was frightening enough. She was relieved that someone was kind enough to at least speak to her, however out of place she might be.

"What about you, Senator, why are you here?" She wanted to stick her foot in her mouth as soon as the question slipped out. She had only wanted to continue the conversation, but asking obvious questions only made her look stupid.

[Makiro]

Avi grinned sheepishly.

Erm... of course... yes... sorry, Miss Xu.

The reporter's next question was an intriguing one, and the young Senator resolved to answer it more professionally.

Well, you are aware of the new Chancellor's position as regards the Sith conquest. She has, it must be said, rather aggressive views.

Avi considered this for a second.

Erm... not that I would suggest for a single moment that we shouldn't defend Republic Worlds against the Sith, of course! I simply mean that the Chancellor's tactics can often focus a little too exclusively on combat, and can sometimes overlook the innocent beings involved.

Although I know that the Jedi and the Sith are historical enemies, I would be concerned if they forgot their mandate to protect the individual citizens of the Republic to the utmost of their ability. I fear that the Supreme Chancellor's politics may push the Jedi down a path they don't wish to follow; and history has taught us what happens when the Jedi Council disagrees with the Senate. I worry that if the Chancellor does try to force the Jedi into something, she'll drive a wedge between the Council and the Senate which may be irreconcilable.

Erm, do you want a....

Avi stopped himself.

I mean... erm... the Council is... was... erm...

He closed his eyes and scrunched up his face.

Yes. I think it could. Potentially.