Faction All The Bells Say | THR Senate

[Verity Stuyveris]

THE HIGH REPUBLIC SENATE
THEED - NABOO
[VIBES]​

Verity signaled her intention to speak shortly after the opening of the session; she had been allotted time on the legislative calendar for her newest reform legislation, the Senate Council of State Act. It was an ambitious reform, to be sure, but she rather hoped that consulting with colleagues and the Chancellor would avoid any misunderstandings around its intentions. That, and she had personally overseen copious insertions of assurances that the constitutional order of things were not upended, even in appearance, by the legislation. Perhaps that would be enough. Verity reviewed her notes and sipped her caf until she was notified that she would be speaking next.

She navigated her pod into a languid orbit around the Chancellor's podium, her appearance as immaculate as ever, her demeanor composed. "Thank you, Madam Chancellor, for recognizing me to speak. I rise this morning in favor of the passage of Senate Bill 7531, the Senate Council of State Act. As the many of you, with whom I worked to draft this legislation, will know, I am a firm believer in the power of collaboration and constructive consultation. I believe we harness the very best of what this august body has to offer when we work together where we can. Even when we do not end up reaching a consensus, I find most of the time that a better understanding of my colleagues' positions leads to more positive outcomes."

Verity clasped her hands behind her back, doing her best not to look like a looming harridan over the microphone. "To that end, I propose Senate Bill 7531. I invite you all to consult it if you haven't already, but I will summarize -- briefly, I hope." She allowed a slight smile there, fully aware of her reputation. "The bill will establish an advisory body comprised of the Chancellor, the Magister, four Senators, and the Jedi Council's liaison to the Senate, with an eye towards closer coordination where closer coordination could benefit the Senate, the Chancellor's Office, or both. Three of the Senators I propose to be the chairpersons of key Senate councils: on Defense, Justice, and Finance. The fourth Senator I propose to be the Senator for Naboo, in deference to the Republic's roots here in this ancient world, and cognizant of its connections with the Great Families. The Jedi Council's liaison would observe and advise, but not vote."

The pod continued its orbit. "Primarily, this Council would function as a sort of collaborative working group. Key committee chairs could collaborate to work out salient details and strengthen legislation ahead of its presentation on the Senate floor. The Chancellor could communicate legislative needs to align with her agenda and work constructively with. Committee chairs -- with their on-the-ground presence and contacts with relevant industry and advocacy groups -- could raise concerns and needs to the Chancellor and their fellow chairs efficiently and constructively. And functions which all-too-frequently threaten to derail the regular order of our sessions -- disruptive motions of no confidence, for instance -- can be treated with the gravity they deserve without turning this body into a spectacle."

Verity allowed her hands to unclasp. One rested delicately on the podium. The other gestured generously toward the central podium. "And all, I hasten to add, while preserving the independence and Charter-granted authority of the great institutions involved: the Chancellor's office, the Magister's office, and the High Republic Senate. The Council's authority is strictly limited; it does not place bonds upon the Chancellor; where it is empowered to act its authority is broadly advisory." She paused a moment, finally leaning forward slightly to give a sense of gravitas to her words. "Friends and colleagues, make no mistake. Stormclouds of war gather on the horizon, and some -- like myself -- believe that the deluge is already falling upon us. This bill aims to make the Republic more responsive, to give it the tools to quickly identify needs, generate solutions, appropriate funds, and otherwise address them. It does so by providing the knowledge and insights of those with the expertise around critical areas of Senate oversight -- Defense, Justice, and Finance -- as assets to the Chancellor and to each other, to make responses snappier and to give the Senate as a whole a broad base of confidence in the legislation we put forth."

Verity returned to a neutral position. "I ask for your respectful consideration of the legislation and look forward to the deliberations of my esteemed colleagues, Madam Chancellor. Accordingly, I will yield the floor and reserve the remainder of my time. Thank you."

Spoiler: OOC Note - Please read!

Hi, friends.

We're doing something a little different here. This legislation began as a THR staff effort to empower our fabulous Senate writers to do more politicking, more influence-amassing, more meetings, more everything -- and to give the ambitious among us you something to jockey for: elected Senate chair positions while waiting for the next Chancellor election. The legislation serves as a basic in-character framework and vehicle to introduce the concept.

We're starting out with 3 chair positions, and we will not be mandating that there be actual committee roleplay (although as you know I am very into that and highly encourage it) but the idea is that someone elected to a Senate Committee chair would have some kind of expertise and political influence on those matters. The Council, therefore, would be a small forum where that expertise can be shared directly with colleagues, the Chancellor, etc. The point is to create additional avenues of storytelling for those who are interested in the political game to maneuver with.

But first, you need to get enough Senators to vote for you to get into the chair! Politics!

This is an experiment, so we'll be looking at how it shakes out -- what works, what doesn't, what you want more of, etc. Please feel free to offer constructive and polite feedback in the Discord. Hateful invective and insults can be sent to me directly

THE SENATE

​

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

The quiet murmur of the chamber settled into a reverent hush as Ayumi remained utterly still, her tall, statuesque frame a study in composed elegance. The chamber's soft, diffused light played across her attire a breathtaking gown of pearlescent silver fabric that clung to her slender, athletic form before cascading into a sweeping, mermaid-like hem. The material shimmered with a subtle, liquid sheen, yet it was the intricate gold armor that captured the eye; a high, structural collar framed her long neck, flaring outward into sharp, gilded pauldrons that caught the ambient glow. From these shoulders, a translucent cape of gossamer silk, speckled with drifting flecks of gold like a captive starfield, fell in graceful, wingspan arcs around her arms and pooled silently behind her on the polished floor of the pod.

Her posture was the very definition of regal stillness, her hands resting lightly at her sides, fingers relaxed. The gown's bodice dipped into a modest V-neckline, framed by sweeping, leaf-like golden plates that traced the contours of her ribcage and hips, accentuating her lean, commanding height of six feet and two inches. Beneath the sheer cape, the silver fabric split at the thigh, revealing a glimpse of matching gold lining as the material flowed seamlessly to the ground. The entire ensemble moved with her only in the barest whisper of fabric, catching the pale Naboo sunlight filtering through the high, domed windows. As the voice of verity continued on, Ayumi's expression remained placid, her features a mask of attentive neutrality.

Her dark-honey hair, a silken curtain of straight, lustrous strands, fell freely past her waist, threaded with natural streaks of gold that caught the same light as her gown. The deep honey of her eyes, flecked with warm amber, was fixed upon the speaker, yet her gaze seemed to see through him, processing every syllable with a quiet, analytical precision. The smooth, lightly bronzed copper of her skin held a sun-warmed glow and lent her a quiet vitality that contrasted with the cool metals of her attire. Upon her chin, just below the curve of her lower lip, a small, pale nick of a scar stood out against her complexion a faint, old reminder of a past struggle, barely visible yet adding a touch of hard-won experience to her otherwise ethereal presence.

 

[Anet Raine]

Verity Stuyveris | Ayumi Pallopides | OPEN
​

Having been briefed on SB.7531, Anet Raine, Senator for Belazura, had arrived to share her thoughts. Most eagerly, it should be said.

The half-pantoran was composed. Well enough to contain her jitters - a racing heart, tingling fingers. She took a deep breath once Verity had yielded her time, claiming it for Belazura. Her pod hummed as it orbited the grand chambers. Rare for her, really.

"Madam Chancellor. Colleagues." She began. "This Act, doubtless to me, will improve our channels of communication and strengthen the democratization of power. Highest praises to the thoughtful authorship. Truly..." Naturally, there was a--

"However, I am concerned by two points in particular." There it was. "First, the guaranteed seat for the Senator for Naboo. Second, the Jedi Order's liaison. I will explain both in order."

Anet took a sip of her water, eyes snapping down at the text on her datapad. "First, Naboo. The High Republic represents more than 130 systems." She looked up.

"Our expansion, since the incorporation of our government, has been rapid. Each time new worlds are added, Naboo's singular importance grows less and less relevant. I do not believe there is any objective metric by which Naboo can be measured as essential, other than as our capital complex. Important, yes, but must that award Naboo guaranteed representation on this Council? If so, then I propose Naboo's chair be advisory and non-voting. Anything less, in this Senator's perspective, is an act of awarding exceptionalism."

She cleared her throat and took another sip. There was a slight pause as she moved on to the next subject. One based on reports she had gathered, rumors collected at spaceports, and her own, private intelligence gathering.

"Second, I am most concerned that this body would even consider granting the Jedi Order more political representation," she nearly scoffed, "given recent events. Should the rump body of the Jedi Council, who so spectacularly failed to govern its own members, be granted such influence over the executive functions of our government, even in a confined capacity? Non-voting is not the limiter we imagine it to be. There is power, significant power in advisory. To be a voice in that room, even an ear, is a very powerful thing... especially for one who can read and influence minds."

She leaned across her pod, exhaling. "This provision reads to me as a compromise made behind closed doors - an imagined necessity, if you will. I believe the Jedi Order should spend less time focused on our politics, and more time on its own internal affairs, or hunting down its missing Jedi. I suggest patience. Exclude the Jedi Order for now, and revisit the inclusion at a later date, to see how the Jedi Order resolves their ongoing crisis."

She waved her hand over the datapad, dismissing the readout.

"My time is yielded."

 

[Lex]

Verity Stuyveris / Ayumi Pallopides / Anet Raine

The stylus rested on his lips. He had gotten word from Verity on the way up that she had something up her sleeve. He assumed it was some kind of resolution for the Sith war, but that didn't seem to be quite it.

A deep breath, a poor habit, tried to still his nerves. While parts of Nubia had calmed down in recent weeks there was still a lingering anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. They were still on the border. They still had shipyards. Republican expansion into the Corellian sector had alleviated some of the pressure, but how could someone draw easier breaths at the cost of someone else's?

The legislation as it had been written last time hadn't bothered him, and neither did this version of it. A sentiment he didn't seem to share with the delegation from Belazura who wanted Naboo and the Jedi out.

A curious glance fired to the side and was met by the equally surprised aide by his side. She raised a good point, of course. Rumors of the Jedi fracturing weren't exactly inviting a lot of faith, pun intended, but neither was the idea of leaving them out entirely.

Lex's cheeks puffed up with a sigh before he clicked the button to hover and speak.

"Alexander Vreen. Nubia." He introduced himself. "I am inclined to agree about the guaranteed spot for Naboo, to an extent." Lex continued. "However, unlike the representative from Belazura I am more inclined to say the Jedi do have a spot on the board — should they even accept it."

"We're on the brink of fighting a war against whack-jobs with lightning hands and a religion that calls for our destruction. If the so-called 'Covenant' attacks it will be Belazura's people who fall next in line after mine. So if having an inept Jedi Order at hand for advice is the difference that makes it so Nubia never falls in the first place I'd rather take my chances with an inept Order than leave out their potential expertise on how to handle these types of questions."

"That's all." Lex's podium floated back to its station.