You're not Invited [open]

[starwarsgirl008]

Jade stared at the young woman for a moment. "Why am I here?" she asked herself out loud. Did the woman have a right to know? Then again, Jade had asked her the same question and had gotten a pleasant response.

"I am here to show my support to the new Chancellor, and to show the Republic I am willing to stand by it side in a time of war." she stated firmly. She was somewhat proud of her answer and she let out a humble smile.

"So tell me about yourself." Jade spoke, trying to spark up some conversation material while she was in a good mood.

---

It took great strength on Cai's part to hold back a few giggles as the Senator stuttered to reach an answer. Cai always thought it was funny when a figure that was normally presented as arrogant and strictly professional messed up. Then again, they weren't droids, thus they were allowed to make mistakes.

"Interesting." Cai said, trying to grasp the right phrase for what she wanted to say next. "Why did you struggle to grab your answer for that question?" she asked, hoping to challenge the mind of the senator.

[Makiro]

Avi smiled. Miss Xu was not one of the simple-minded vultures usually assigned to cover events like this. She was sharp, and she knew how to put people on the spot. He was beginning to like her more and more. Perhaps she would like to come to dinner with him afterwards? He knew a few places in some of the swankier parts of Coruscant where his father's status alone would get him the best tables. He would have to...

Oh Chaos... He thought angrily; he had been daydreaming. Now he was going to look like a right kriffing idiot on the Holonet. That wouldn't be good for his career.

Erm... sorry, Miss Xu. Erm, as I'm sure you'll understand, my job centres around making this Galaxy one in which all beings are free and equal, and in which all beings can live without fear of oppression, abuse or worse. However, to achieve these ends, a Senator must, naturally, strive to remain popular with his peers. A Senator opposed by the rest of the Senate would not - could not - do anyone any good. The second half of my role, it could be said, is ensuring that people like me. Quite the opposite of your own job, I fear.

He smiled at Cai, pleased with his joke, but making sure she understood he had not meant it.

And besides, the issue is a complex one. To blurt out the first answer that came to mind, without giving due thought and attenion to the intricacies of the matter would have been remiss of me, don't you think?

[Anackis]

Realin was obviousely caught off gaurd by the question. Not that it wasn't a good question, people were meant to mingle and get to know one another at these events, or at least that's what she told herself. But she was still baffled as to why anyone would want to know about her. Even with the publicity and shoots, Realin did not fully grasp her possition in the galaxy. Though not the most famous of people, she did have a great deal of influence on the younger generations. She would not admit or choose to accept this fact though. In her mind she was still no more then the timid little girl that sat quietly in class, never getting called on to answer a question, never sitting with a big crowed for lunch; when she could avoid it.

She closed her mouth, which she suddenly realized she had left gaping open, and quickly licked her lips even though they were not dry. She wondered briefly if it was illigal for her not to respond to a senator, but she back tracked away from that thought and changed her course of pondering. If she was to be here she may as well have someone to talk with, and at least this woman was kind.

The realization came to her that she had paused too long while letting her thoughts collect into meaningful banter in the recesses of her mind. It was just reaching the awkward moment of silence when she spoke up.

"I'm kinda new to all this." she said motioning to the party that enveloped the two of them like trapped sardines. She wanted to kick herself for the obvious statement, but it was already said. Why was she so afraid to speak to these people? She had no reason to be. Except her casual dress compared to their elligance. She mentally slapped herself and continued throwing useless statements at the senator. "I am a song writer, you see and even though I love it, it terrifies me to no end. Even now," she admitted, "I'm shaking in my shoes just talking with you."

She felt as if every word she spoke pulled her deeper and deeper into an endless gulf. With no way out, she decided to dive in head first. "Senator? Um... You have to talk with people all the time? And-and groups of people too, right? How do you do it?"

[starwarsgirl008]

Jade raised an eyebrow at the question Realin placed upon her. It took her a moment to grasp the right words to answer her question.

"You must understand that my job is to talk to people." she began. "My job is to spread the message of the Republic to those that are in need of it. My job is to earn support, not for myself, but for a greater good. I was selected for my job because I am willilng to speak to others, and I have a way with getting my point across. And this 'greater good' I speak of is why I choose to sacrifice my time and risk embarrassing myself while talking to others."

Jade let out a deep breath. "However, speaking is much easier if you have someone that is willing to lesson." she explained to Realin, as she allowed a friendly expression to climb onto her face.

"So you are a song writer?" she asked. "Now why would you choose a career that terrifies you so much?"

---

Cai placed a serious expression upon her face. Avi had maded a good point- if he were to answer to quickly he could easily make a mistake. Perhaps Cai was unintentionally trying to make him mess up. After all, the general public enjoyed seeing high officials mess up, and if the public likes it, that means more viewers, and more viewers means more money.

While Cai had no intention to force a mistake upon someone, she did have the intention to force a difficult situation upon someone. With her, it was make it or break it. She thought about one particular statement- "A Senator opposed by the rest of the Senate would not - could not - do anyone any good."

"So, your true goal is to agree on something quickly- whether you truly believe in it or not- and get out of your senate sessions and back to your cozy little homes." Cai began, a little bit of anger to set in. "When I go to the election poles, I vote for someone with similar interests. I expect that person to fight for those interests, whether they are the only ones that believe in it or not." she stopped herself, knowing her rambles would not do any good.

[Makiro]

The smile dropped, ever so briefly, from Avirod's face. So now she was questioning his morals? Speaking with only the slightest hint of annoyance - he wanted people to know that her accusations had hurt him - he said,

I did not say, Miss Xu, that I simply vote for popular decisions. I'll have you know that in many cases the exact opposite has been the case. I have often found myself fighting against a large majority of fellow Senators whose views I have seen as incompatible with the continuing freedom and equality of Republic beings.

What I said was that I do not make an effort to separate myself from the rest of the Senate. A Senator must remain, at all times, polite and cordial, in order that his, her or its objectives are not simply brushed aside by others. I want you to understand, Miss Xu, that although the people of the Republic are my foremost concern, I strive to ensure that others listen to my concerns and take them into account.

You must also remember that I was appointed as Naboo's representative in the Senate, and thus I hold the safety of the Nabooan people closest to my heart. Do you have any idea what the other Senators could choose to do to the people of my homeworld if they thought that I was becoming too rebellious? Blockades, trade embargoes, martial law. All of these things are perfectly legal and possible under Senate law, but they are all things I - and indeed any other Senator from any other world - wish to avoid for my home.

It would be completely pointless to work constantly towards what I see as a brighter future for the Republic and for Naboo, only to throw it all away with a few callous words or actions.

Now, if you will excuse me, Miss Xu, I regret to inform you that this interview is over. If you do not mind, I shall shortly be returning to what you have so cordially referred to as "My cosy little home" - that is to say my Coruscant apartment, having not actually returned to my real home for a number of months. But what does that matter? Hmm? After all, I clearly do so little for the Republic.

With that Avi turned and left, feeling foolish, but not wanting to let go of his frustration. He knew he would regret it tomorrow; as soon as his father saw the Holonet News he would be on the comm., demanding an explanation for his son's rash behaviour. Bah. What did it matter anyway? The High King of Naboo had already been disappointed by one child. Why stop there?

Coming to a large set of glass - this truly was a classy establishment - doors, Avi went out onto a breezy balcony and breathed deeply of the night air. The stench of Coruscanti pollution hung heavy in the air, and Avi found himself with a deep hunger for the sweet-scented atmosphere of Naboo. The towering skyscraper jungles of the "Jewel of the Republic" couldn't hold a candle to the sheer breathtaking beauty of Naboo's rolling plains, her rugged mountains or her shimmering lakes.

Unexpectedly, and quite against his will, Avi felt a tear streak down his cheek. What in Shiraya's name was he doing here? Why did it even matter?

[Anackis]

Realin bit her lip and mentally asked herself the same question. She enjoyed it, that was true. If she hadn't been forced into it- no, that wasn't right. She wasn't forced, but how could she say no to him? She let her lower lip slip from the grip of her teeth and let out a distant sigh. "Don't get me wrong, Senator, I do love writing songs and even preforming them." It was the simple truth, however much she disliked admitting it, "I can usually get over the stage fright after the first song. You see, I wasn't intended to be the lead singer... or to sing at all."

She paused a second letting her mind filter back to that day. "He had lost his voice. Nothing we did helped, and no one else knew the words." Realin seemed to be staring right through the Senator as she spoke, "He asked me to do it..." She paused again, a hint of sadness filling her eyes, "he asked me too."

Realin blinked and put an obviously fake smile back on her face, "Well, the show must go on, right?" She said trying to sound cheerful, "I am scared of speaking to, anyone really. But once the music starts to play the crowd seems to vanish and it's just me up there. Free from all my worries and for that small moment I feel important." Again she bit her lip and lowered her head. Here she was, amongst the finest of the galaxy, blabbering on like a little girl. But she felt like a little girl in their pressence. They all knew how to act propper, and dress propper. Here she was in casual cloths as if she were going to preform. She hoped the Senator ws not too bored with talking to her.

[Makiro]

Staring out across the darkened skyline of Coruscant, Avi laughed to himself. He truly did have no idea what he was doing here. But that didn't mean that he wasn't meant to be. Wiping his eye with the sleeve of his robe, and feeling incredibly foolish, he turned back inside.

Once inside the room, he cast his gaze around until he saw Cai on the far side, her hair unmistakable amongst the otherwise boring crowd. He approached her from behind.

Clearing his throat he said, Miss Xu, I apologise for my hasty departure. If you wish we can resume the interview. However, I really should be going very soon; as you have seen I am fairly tired, and I don't know how much longer I'll cope under the pressure of your interrogation! If you like, we could resume this discussion at a later date?

He thought for a moment.

Oh... and if you have any footage of my rather abrupt departure... erm... at the risk of sounding much like the deplorable Senator you made me out to be... can you please delete it? I may be a Senator, but I'm also a Human, and I can only take so much embarassment...

He coughed nervously.