Private Devil in the Details

[Alicio Organa]

"Sir! Are you okay?"

"Heh." It was an unconcerned, flippant sort of chuff, as Alicio pushed himself to his feet, favoring his shoulder. His cheek was cracked by heat, bleeding, but the Vice Chancellor seemed to barely notice. "I think we're past the 'sir' at this point. Don't you think?"

"Here." For the second time that day, Alicio handed over his datapad to Roman. The irony wasn't lost on him. "Now don't lose it this time."

Despite his condition, Alicio led the way out of the shuttle, making sure it was safe before letting Albion and Roman leave after. In no time at all, they were within the capital building, where guards were swarming, and police were mobilizing to clean up after them. Surely, they would be asked questions soon, to get the full story. But for now, they were left to rest in the grand hallway.

Alicio sat heavily on a bench, smoothening his breath, before taking a sideways look at the Jedi Padawan. Maybe he'd just accept that the Vice Chancellor of the Alliance was a card-carrying badass, and leave it at that. But if he were in the young Jedi's shoes...

"So..." Alicio smirked. "Usually, political errands are far more boring than this, I swear."

"You did well, Roman. Really well."

- Roman Vossari -

 

[Roman Vossari]

Vandelhelm | Capital Building
Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Alicio Organa

​

Roman settled onto the bench beside Alicio, the exhaustion of the day evident in his slumped shoulders and weary eyes. The chaos still echoed in his mind, but there was a semblance of relief now that they were back in the safety of the capital. He exhaled audibly, the sound carrying a weight that spoke of a long day filled with tension and unexpected turns.

"Thank you Si—Alicio." he corrected himself, the informal title feeling foreign still. He was always taught to hold a reverence for those in power, and breaking that barrier was a strange sensation.

"I hope not all of your errands are like this." Roman continued, glancing sideways. "I... I didn't expect it to turn into a full-on firefight. You really didn't need a guard it seems though." He offered a small smile, grateful for the Vice Chancellor's decisive actions. "I wouldn't have guessed the Vice Chancellor to be so capable in a fight."

"Are you a Jedi? Have you trained with the order?" he questioned, still a little shocked on what he had just seen from the Vice Chancellor. "I have to say I was surprised when you brandished a Lightsaber."

 

[Alicio Organa]

"I hope not all of your errands are like this."

"Not many. Fifty percent, tops." A half-smirk lit part of Alicio's face. Just enough to reveal he was exaggerating, but not exaggerating much.

Of course, the Padawan had questions. Questions he'd never truly had to answer before. His abilities were mostly secret, and he'd met most of those who knew when he was still just beginning. So... he took his time in answering. "The lightsaber, I made on my own. Compressed the artificial crystal myself. I had no idea what I was doing, back then."

"I'm not a Jedi, not really. But my wife Amani Serys says I may as well be one. She and Valery Noble have given me enough training to at least look the part, I suppose." Alicio brought a palm to his shoulder, rubbing it tenderly. "With the Chief Healer and the Sword of the Jedi giving you private lessons, it'd be a miracle not to pick up a thing or two."

Alicio's eyes stared straight ahead, novels of thoughts writing themselves behind his irises. "I'm a servant of the people. Everything I do, I try to do for them. And when I realized my connection to the Force, I realized I had to explore it. I was born with power most can only dream of, and it's my responsibility to help those who need it. Whether I'm fighting in the Senate, or on a battlefield."

"You're a Jedi. I'm sure you've thought about that, too."

- Roman Vossari -

 

[Roman Vossari]

Vandelhelm | Capital Building​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Alicio Organa

​

Roman chuckled softly at the Vice Chancellor's remark, shaking his head in disbelief. "Fifty percent, huh? I guess I just landed on one of your more eventful days then." he replied. As he listened to Alicio's explanation, he felt a deep respect growing within him. The idea that a politician, an esteemed Vice Chancellor no less, had forged his own lightsaber and honed his skills under the guidance of such powerful figures was surprising and reassuring all at once.

"The fact that you can handle yourself in a fight makes me feel a lot better about having you in a position of power." Roman admitted, not entirely joking. He remembered tales of less scrupulous leaders whose only weapon was their silver tongue, and the chaos that often followed. "It's comforting to know that someone who cares so deeply about the people's well-being is leading the Alliance."

He nodded thoughtfully, reflecting on Alicio's words about responsibility and service. "I joined the Jedi for the same reason." Roman confessed, his voice quieter now, more earnest. "To help those in need, to make a positive impact in the galaxy. At least I try to..." With that, he offered a somber smile, feeling a bond form between them.

 

[Alicio Organa]

"The fact that you can handle yourself in a fight makes me feel a lot better about having you in a position of power. It's comforting to know that someone who cares so deeply about the people's well-being is leading the Alliance."

"I'm glad. Because I imagine not everyone would feel that way." Alicio let a stray hand brush though his hair, the long curling waves of it refusing to be tame for any amount of time. "I put myself in danger constantly. And I'm not as good as I like to pretend I am, so I need reliable people to pull me out of the fire." He let the implications of that sentence hang in the air with an easy grin, before responding.

"To help those in need, to make a positive impact in the galaxy. At least I try to..."

Alicio quirked an eyebrow up accusatorily, even as his smile continued. "That Jedi modesty of yours will do you no favors with me, Padawan Vossari." It would, actually. Alicio let his posture relent, finding a more even tone. "How many people do you think you saved today?"

- Roman Vossari -

 

[Roman Vossari]

Vandelhelm | Capital Building​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Alicio Organa

Roman's brow furrowed slightly as he considered Alicio's question. Albion, of course. They had saved Albion from certain destruction, that much was certain. But beyond their immediate rescue, his mind drew a blank. Their time on Vandelhelm had been long with meetings, but the rescue was short and focused solely on the immediate threat. He couldn't recall any other specific instances of aiding civilians or rescuing people during the frantic escape.

The New Jedi Order instilled a humbleness in him, a reluctance to boast or inflate his accomplishments. "Just... Albion, I think." he replied, his voice a gentle murmur, the truth in his words as clear as the sky above. He wasn't seeking praise, merely stating the facts, however simple they might be.

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Thousands, Roman. Maybe tens of thousands." He didn't look at the Padawan, but he imagined what expression he might have. "We fought hard to save one man, and that was a battle worth fighting. But the contract work we've done today, your help specifically in melting the tension with the metalsmiths, you've safeguarded this world's economy against collapse."

"I imagine they would've figured it out on their own eventually. Wheels tend to grease in crisis. But the average citizen, the workers, would've suffered greatly up until that point. Lives, livelihoods, would have been ruined, had they not compromised. Like we helped them do."

Alicio stood up. At some point during their conversation, the wound on the Vice Chancellor's cheek had closed, and he'd stopped holding his shoulder.

He was husband to the Chief Healer, after all. It would be embarrassing if he wasn't at least passing in the skill.

"Not too bad for a hard day's work."

- Roman Vossari -

 

[Roman Vossari]

Vandelhelm | Capital Building​

Lightsaber: X | Armor: X | Training: X | Casual: X
Tags: Alicio Organa

​

Roman's mind whirled, struggling to grasp the enormity of the numbers Alicio had casually tossed out. Thousands? Tens of thousands? His initial focus had been on the single life they'd saved in the rescue, a heroic act that had consumed his thoughts and energy. But Alicio's words, like carefully crafted tools, chipped away at the narrow perspective, revealing a far wider canvas of impact. The economy of an entire world, teetering on the brink of collapse, had been stabilized by their actions. By their actions.

The implications were staggering. Lives, livelihoods, entire families -- countless individuals would avoid a desperate struggle simply because of the compromises facilitated by the metalsmiths. And Roman, had played a part in forging that path.

Alicio's words, and the sight of his near-complete healing, jolted Roman back to the present.

Roman rose, a wave of genuine gratitude washing over him. He stretched out a hand for a handshake. "Vice Chancellor," he said, sincerity lacing his voice, "I learned so much from you today. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside you." He paused, his gaze unwavering. "I hope our paths cross again in the future." The words were a promise, a testament to the deep respect and admiration that had blossomed within him for this extraordinary man.