My Skin is Cold to the Human Touch (Invite)

[Viktor DuSang]

Before Viktor could satiate the curiosities of [member="Veiere Arenais"] and [member="Lady Kay"], the waiter approached the group. "I'll take the lobster ravioli. House white. The bottle, if you please. Vinegar and oil with my salad." He waited for his guests to order and the waiter to return with the drinks. Pouring himself a glass, he offered a glass of wine to his guests. "It's simply divine."

As the waiter walked away, yellow eyes focused on the group from Commenor. "Safety through subjugation." He paused. "I know that word carries a lot of negative connotations, but I ask you to look at life in the Republic or Galactic Alliance. They have a hard enough time fending off the Mandalorians and the One Sith that they can't even properly take care of their own people." A strand of raven hair fell in his face, he absentmindedly put it in place.

"Now compare all of that madness to what we have here in Avalonia. There is no unemployment. No homeless looking for their next spot to sleep. Everyone has a home to go to. Children are educated in first rate schools. There is a job for everyone here in the First Order. All citizens are able to provide for their families. This is the Supreme Leader's vision for all of our territory. Our diplomats have seen more action in the expansion of our territories than what have the military. People are terrified of coming under the jurisdiction of the Galactic Alliance. They welcome us with open arms."

He paused, sipping his wine. "The Galactic Empire had a few good ideas, and a lot of bad ones. The Supreme Leader took those few good ideas and expanded upon them. We're not trying to exterminate the Jedi or Force Users in general. There are no liquidation camps where those who think or look differently than us go to be eliminated. There's no xenophobia. Even members of the Resistance are allowed the due process of law.

"Just because they've been polluted by propaganda slurred by the Galactic Alliance and Republic, doesn't mean they're still not First Order citizens. We are united under the rule of the Supreme Leader, ready to stand strong against those that who would wish to cause us harm." He picked up his wine glass once more, taking a small sip.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay ordered herself a Bantha steak cooked well; and seasonal vegetables, with a glass of water, as well as fruit juice. She wasn't much of a drinker. Maybe a sip or two and that'll be that. For the moment, she shook her head to [member="Viktor DuSang"] and refused the wine.

Kay listened to him speak about the First Order, at times glancing to [member="Veiere Arenais"] in an attempt to see any visual clues as to what he was thinking. But for the most part, her attention was on Viktor. "I was once the Senator for Commenor when it was in the Republic, and the Commenori did quite well. Every world is sovereign and the lack of employment, education and the like falls on the planet's rulers. Now that Commenor is in Sith space, do I blame them for the troubles currently plaguing the planet? No. I blame the previous administrations that governed it. The Republic didn't put Commenori leaders into power. No. They were voted in by the Commenori. So your assessment of the Republic is not entirely accurate.

As for the Galactic Alliance, I don't know much of anything about them. Do they terrorize the people? What is it that makes them so afraid?

And lastly, who is the Resistance? What kind of people are they? Why would they rise up? If there is ample employment and education, what is it that they feel the need to fight against?" She took a sip of her water, saving the juice for her meal. Would anyone in the Resistance try to contact her through the Embassy? She used to be well known at freeing slaves and saving villages from oppression by the Hutt Cartel.

 

[WolfMortum]

What could he say as far as the Galactic Republic was concerned, it wasn't the government that Veiere had been so faithfully tied to but the old Order of the Jedi that had worked in conjunction with it, not under it as the current remnants of the formerly organized Jedi had. He had seen the effects of a broken leadership and just how far politics had twisted the others towards scrambling for any piece of political power, both in the Jedi and among the senators that they might change the way things would be run. Veiere's hope to return the Order to its former traditional standings had not only seen him pushed out and fought against, but disgusted him and broken all of his faith in the one organization that he had spent more than thirty years in service of. While [member="Lady Kay"] spoke for the Republic and while he respected her above anyone else that he knew to date, he could not agree with her views on the Republic due to how badly he had been scorned by his own Order and that frustration may have shown briefly upon the look that he threw sideways away from the table, silence taking him where he should've been paying attention to the male seeking to take their order for the middays meal.

Reminded that he was being waited on, Veiere turned to glance to the waiter, at first looking as if he'd been interrupted in his thoughts before briefly lifting a hand in silent apology and soon handing the menu that had been in front of his seat to the waiter requesting a small plate of spiced chicken and a quaint salad on the side. He wasn't honestly all that hungry but rather than disappointing or insulting [member="Viktor DuSang"]'s most respectful attention to their visit, he followed suit and otherwise kept to himself, listening and refusing to comment on the Republic as a whole; having always reminded Kay Larr that politics was a game of cat and mouse, armed with a knife when your back was turned.

 

[Viktor DuSang]

"With all due respect, Madame President, you have proven my point about the failures that are the Republic and the Galactic Alliance. Commenor was left to rule as it always has, no Republic involvement with the exception of leeching taxes from your planet. Taxes that weren't gone to improving life on Commenor. Just to fatten the pockets of their leaders and to pay for a military that allowed Commenor to fall under Sith conquest."

He paused, taking another sip of his wine. Salads were brought out, and Viktor waited for the server to leave before returning to address [member="Lady Kay"]. "Citizens of the Galaxy aren't being terrorized by the Republic or the Galactic Alliance. They're seeing how those within their borders. You watch the holo-news. They're both helpless against the Mandalorians and the Sith. But then they see what we have to offer. A complete restructuring of their government, allowing for instant assimilation.

"Resources are adjusted accordingly, strengthening the both the world and the First Order as a whole." His gaze drifted towards [member="Veiere Arenais"] before returning to the President. "Not everyone is open to change. There are those who wish for things to remain as they were. The Galactic Alliance feeds them with credits and propaganda. They think they're helping their people. But all they're doing is becoming terrorists."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay furrowed her brows. [member="Viktor DuSang"] had his opinion about other governments, but they weren't entirely correct. "The recent attacks on our sector were stopped by the Republic. The Mandalorians didn't even make it to Commenor, yet we had Republic fleets at our disposal and waiting to help defend us. Their enemies were beaten back, despite having a turncoat amongst them. As for other things that the Republic could give to better the Commenori, the previous administration didn't want it and allowed the Sith to have some control. But, and I stress this, we are so far out of their reach that the Sith have ignored us. Otherwise I wouldn't of been elected."

She thanked the server for her salad and then looked to [member="Veiere Arenais"] , trying to see if she can read him a bit, before turning her attention back to Viktor. "The Commenori wanted change, and that's what I offered them. They are free to change their minds, to change careers, free to learn what they wish, without having to conform. Each planet is different just as each individual is different. What works for one might not work for all. And I respect that. With the different Embassies and cultures, the Commenori will catch a glimpse of other ways of governance and be able to choose for themselves what they want their future will be. I wouldn't want someone else to make that choice for them."

Kay started on her salad. Maybe she was speaking too much or going on a wild tangent. But for most of her life she has fought oppression, losing her husband in that struggle, but instead of causing her to give up, it made her more determined and stubborn.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere took notice of the glance he was given by [member="Lady Kay"], it gave him the feeling she was looking for his input or at the least, wanting to know where he stood in the conversation. His experiences had admittedly left him biased towards the Jedi Order (such feelings were strongly discouraged against), yet he wasn't indifferent to either side of the discussion in all fairness. "The gift of leadership is knowing when one needs to be strong and when it is best to remain diplomatic and reasonable, perhaps even step back a bit if it suits the best interests of one such government or organization. Clearly there are very large differences between the way the First Order manages it's worlds, it's people in comparison to that of The Galactic Republic's...-The truth is that some people need to be guided by a firm hand to feel secure, while others prefer the freedom of choice and in this, I do not believe that there is a right or a wrong answer. If there are those that do not feel they benefit from any such leadership, you would hope they would find the means to seek out something more suitable...", he wasn't entirely wrong though even Veiere knew not everything was as simple as he was trying to make it sound; his focus was on keeping the discussion between them all on a mutual level and not disturbing the peace that they'd been welcomed into, for the sake of Commenor's benefit. Slavery was one such milestone that kept so many from seeking out better lives, slavery and finance or debt. He had seen many fall victim to such burdens and knew the weight of said things could crush lives and seperate families and friends entirely yet he did not go any further into detail, instead turning to glance to [member="Viktor DuSang"].

"The Kathol Outback and the Galactic Alliance. From what I'm aware they're the closest territories to rival that of the First Orders. Have you seen a great deal of conflict or aggression from them, if I can ask? I do not know the Galactic Alliance perhaps as well as I should though I believe they follow in similar ideals to the Republic..." It was a military question really, to enquire about their relationships with the neighboring governments but the fact was that if Commoner was to enter into heavy trade with the First Order, then they'd need to be confident in that their shipments too and from the First Order would arrive safely.

 

[Viktor DuSang]

Beginning on his salad, he took a bite as he silently chewed, listening to [member="Lady Kay"]. Swallowing, he took a drink of his wine before speaking. Before he could, however, [member="Veiere Arenais"] made some terrific points. Viktor pointed his fork to the man and nodded, showing his agreement. "An unfortunate truth in this universe is we can't always get what we want.

"Citizens are placed in to jobs based on aptitude tests. It isn't just a question of necessity to the government, but also as to where they can best service the First Order. The Sith are falling apart, as they always do. But the Mandalorians are still hungry for blood. The Galactic Alliance is reeling from their two front war with the Mandalorians and the Sith. It is only a matter of time until the Mandalorians have finished licking their wounds and resume their offensive.

"Is our system perfect? No. We're constantly evolving in order to make things better here within our borders. But that's the process of fine tuning a well oiled machine. Every individual serves as a cog within the Supreme Leader's plans. It's not exploitation. It's a movement towards perfection. True. It isn't for everyone. But the ones it does work for, it works exceptionally well."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay continued with her salad. She needed to be more diplomatic and reign in her stubbornness. Perhaps that is partly what [member="Veiere Arenais"] was saying with his words. She nodded a little, having to agree with both of them on some parts. Maybe Veiere was right, there were no right or wrong answers here. "We have similar aptitude tests here, but for the University. Some students however do not excel as well as they should on the subjects that the test pick out for them. Yet when they follow their passions, they do extremely well." She planned to show them as much at the opening ceremony of the First Order Embassy on Commenor.

"Do you know what my aptitude test told me? That I should be a chef. Yet the only thing that I excel at is making tea. That and diplomacy. Just think of how bad things could have been if I only stayed in the kitchens." Of course she was only telling a half truth as she didn't answer all of the questions on the test. She ran out of time.

[member="Viktor DuSang"]

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere sat there for a moment wondering if perhaps his question regarding the current neighbors to the First Order hadn't been a little too forward though between [member="Viktor DuSang"] and the [member="Lady Kay"], it seemed the previous debate hadn't yet been finished. Offering some interest to the plate sat upon the tables surface before him, he briefly toyed with it using the utensil in his right hand whilst keeping open ears on the talk between them both. The First Order, and specifically Avalonia seemed to be a very clear and cut case for the governing body there; it sounded as though their people were given study and then told where they were best suited, and little more. Perhaps Veiere was misunderstanding yet despite the rather forward manner in managing their citizens, Viktor sounded adamant in that it was working well for the people. In the past, he had been unfortunate enough to see the worst of the Galaxies neglect on civilizations, worlds as a whole by governing or empowered bodies. The Sith he had seen crush regimes and wipe away political powers in order to come in, burn, devastate and enslave; on the other hand there were worlds like Nar Shadaar whom received little to no help in the way of care over its people, the slums and the lower levels where pollution was mercilessly high still held people housed or homeless and living within filth by neglect of the worlds leadership and control. The Galactic Republic and it's freedom were all well and good when it worked but without the strength to defend their people, mediums such as the way that the First Order sounded to be portraying, came at a lesser cost than both the Republics failures and the Sith Empires brutal rule. The lesser of two wrongs, so to speak.

As a former member of the Jedi Order and a witness to how dark the worlds could truly become under bad leadership, Veiere wasn't sitting their questioning the right and wrongs of the First Orders leadership, nor comparing them to Commoners own; the idealism behind it all didn't matter as much when he could plainly see that given all that could possibly go wrong, at-least in this case, they had something that was apparently working for all.

The lunch on the other hand, while he hadn't thought himself hungry, was rather wonderful.

 

[Viktor DuSang]

"I don't know. Given proper teaching and some time, and I'm sure you'd have your own style with cuisine as you do with diplomacy." Truth be told, Viktor took some cooking classes when he was studying at the University of Coruscant. He thought it would be an easy credit, but the young noble was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Still, by the end of the class he was able to somewhat maneuver himself around the kitchen. If he didn't have have any servants or Sebastian, he wouldn't starve to death. The butler was a proverbial wizard with food. All things that came to being a butler, actually. The man was a godsend. A blessing in his dark life.

[member="Veiere Arenais"] [member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

((So sorry. I didn't realize that it was my turn))

[member="Viktor DuSang"] missed her point. She was sort of joking about how the state of the Galaxy could have been far worse if she wasn't around to help maintain some peace. But who knows? Maybe there would have been no difference at all. Yes, her life and the lives of those she knew could have been vastly different. It was just impossible to say how.

Kay ate more of her salad, nearly finishing off her small plate. "I suppose you're right. But...regardless, I'm happy to serve in this capacity. My Presidency won't last forever, so I have to do what I can in the time that I have." Hopefully she doesn't make too many bad choices.

She looked to [member="Veiere Arenais"] , always curious as to what was going on in his mind. But this wasn't entirely the time nor place to ask. She had to be careful with the First Order. They were usually quick to take the advantage when they could.

Kay turned her attention back to Viktor. "So how far does the First Order wish to expand their territory? Or do you think that they would just acquire a bunch of alliances with other governments as they have with Commenor?"

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere couldn't help but chuckle to himself, glancing up to offer the pair a brief moment of amused acknowledgement. 'Acquire a bunch of alliances...-Just a bunch, no fewer, no less'. The way in which Kay had spoken it came off as somewhat comical, light-hearted which was best given that she was asking [member="Viktor DuSang"] about the possible future intentions and plans regarding their governing body. Veiere looked first to [member="Lady Kay"] with a fond smile before looking across the table to Viktor, needing to elaborate on his sudden new found amusement. "Apologies..." He cleared his throat, trying to return to his formerly placid demeanor, "I suppose that a bunch of allies in this corner of the galaxy might, however, impact Commoner. Given the trade routes reaching out this far and the business we have in those coming and going with them...-While I hope it is not too much in our asking, I think we'd both certainly be interested to hear what you believe might be in the First Order's future" He was speaking somewhat cautiously, so not to offend yet also to support Kay's question in which had given him the small and quiet laugh, now hoping that he'd not discredited her, any.

He was admittedly trying to remain mostly neutral in the discussion and finding the right moment to speak up had been difficult. In truth he knew about as little of Politics as he did of the First Order, Kay was the one that paved the way in that direction and Veiere, formerly in her employ, now continued to ride their path alongside her in loyal support. She had had something of an impact on the Exile himself, helping to take his hand and lead him back onto what he had once believed was his intended path, trying to find the Jedi Order that he had walked away from so many years back; then when it all fell apart for the second time, she hadn't wished to let go of his services and he therefore chose to remain. In most cases, he was very much so the fight out of water, so to speak, especially during such deliberations and conversations with other likely political sorts, yet when it came to protecting her, that was where he fit best. It was simply fortunate...-If not somewhat awkward, that things here were so relatively peaceful and unconcerning. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but he wondered if he wasn't more so anxious than Kay was. The discomfort was of course no one's fault, yet for some reason he couldn't shake it and felt rather unqualified given the nature of the room and people around him.

 

[Viktor DuSang]

"It's no trouble at all. I understand your concerns and if the roles were reversed, I'd like to know just what I was dealing with. Unfortunately, decisions like that are well beyond my level of security clearance. But rest assured that our expansion will be more diplomatic than militaristic. Military expansion is exceedingly costly, and we'd rather not overly tax our populations. It just isn't economic."

He paused, taking another drink of wine before continuing. "As to the extent of where we wish our borders to expand to; again, I'm afraid that is simply beyond my security clearance. As I said, the Galaxy is in a state of turmoil. Many worlds call out to us so that we may bring the safety and security that comes with being a First Order planet."

Yellow eyes moved to [member="Veiere Arenais"] before returning to [member="Lady Kay"]. "Our goal isn't to dominate the trade routes. That's furthest from our mind. Our primary concern is First Order goods getting where we need them to be without complications. Pirates, the Resistance, the Alliance, Mandalorians. The Galaxy is brimming with n'er-do-wells that would like to disrupt trade for their own greed or self-righteous beliefs."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay looked to [member="Veiere Arenais"] while he spoke. For her, he could never speak out of turn. He was more than just her bodyguard, he was her adviser, like the Jedi of old. It was always up to her with whether or not she'd take his advice, but his perspective was always welcome.

She turned to [member="Viktor DuSang"] as he talked about security clearances. More than likely everyone was a pawn in the Supreme Leader's game and on a 'need to know' basis when it came to information. Sometimes Kay felt like she needed to know, yet she was blocked every time.

"Let us hope that the turmoil in the Galaxy comes to an end soon. I would hate for the Commenori to be put in danger once again, as well as all of the people living and working in the various Embassies. I hope that we will not become a target for hostilities by anyone, yet be a target for anyone wanting to expand their businesses and enhance their quality of life."

Having the added protection of the governments housing there Embassies on Commenor wasn't a bad thing either.

 

[WolfMortum]

Turning to spare a glance back to [member="Lady Kay"], Veiere spoke up as if to remind her yet also make a point of noting; "In the case that Commoner does come under threat, we do have a number of allies that are rather resourceful...", he soon turned to look ahead to that of [member="Viktor DuSang"] adding "The First Order among them, thus far as things are concerned though rather more militaristic, you will understand why things might make us curious to the intentions of your Organization. That said, we are glad for the company and honored by the arrangements you've set up for us during this visit. It's not a common thing for a leader of a planet, a former senator and one so politically intertwined such as Kay here to step into foreign territories so precariously". Viktor would no doubt see sense in this, Veiere was speaking a truth in that which Kay was now doing that Veiere himself doubted the head of the First Order would be able to achieve. Not for lack of ability but rather the amount of attention given towards the First Order and how much they resembled the older Imperial Order. "You've been very generous and it does do well for our confidence in the First Order..." He continued though there was a notable pause in his words as he considered himself briefly before speaking up on his curiousities; "Yet I know that not everything given, comes without a price or an expectation and in our future business dealings, I would be very interested to hear what you know that the First Order would have of us, on our part. Given that you've been charged with this meeting and organizing this fine lunch, this meeting and all; surely I can enquire as to what you might have been asked to secure as far as our efforts are concerned.." clarity on what would be expected of Commoner was what he was searching for here, more information around what they necessarily wanted to deal in aside form the security of their shipments along the trade routes both too and from their world. "Please forgive me if I am being somewhat forward though in my position it is best for the Lady Kay that I know in detail, what we are moving ourselves into; what obligations we will have to your Order".

 

[Viktor DuSang]

He wanted to make sure that he quelled the concerns of both [member="Lady Kay"] and [member="Veiere Arenais"]. "Completely understandable. I'm glad you both have been enjoying Avalonia. She's a beautiful city on our beautiful planet." He took another sip of his wine before finishing his food. Pushing the plate away, he wiped his mouth with his napkin before tossing it onto the plate. "C'est parfait."

Rubbing his hands together, he smirked. "We just want our goods to move through trade routes without molestation. It makes sense to make friends with worlds that have unblemished reputations with trade. It's a quintessential part of keeping the cogs moving throughout the Galaxy. It's an arrangement that works out best for both of our governments."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay quietly ate her meal while [member="Veiere Arenais"] spoke. The questions that he asked with regards to what was expected of Commenor were quite relevant and did need to be asked. She had just momentarily forgotten to do so herself while she focused on the differences between the way the two governments worked as opposed to how they could work together.

She looked to [member="Viktor DuSang"] while he answered, nodding as she recalled being reassured that all of Commenori laws would be followed. And it wasn't as though the First Order were a criminal organization. If anything, they could be more strict about what was being transported along the trade routes than Commenor was.

"Well I don't see there being any problems in the Commenori sector at least. We do our best to protect shipments going in and out. I must say that I am quite impressed and put well at ease. Thank you."