Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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An Olive Branch in hand

A heavy sigh crossed her lips as she sat quietly on the shuttle. The old Lambda vessel was a reminder of the woman's mother, about the only reason she was now keeping it around. Even the name sounded ridiculous, and yet she couldn't bear to change or even fathom the thought of changing such a name. A small smirk crossed her lips as she listened to the co-pilot click on the small communications array.
"This is the Shuttle Peisinoe requesting landing clearance. We are under a sign of peace, a diplomatic envoy from the Avidon System. Our passenger requests to speak with Genevieve Lasedri..."
Nodding softly she turned her attention to the few guards that remained on the vessels. At that moment she realized that she was walking straight into the hornet's nest as it were. A soft sigh crossed her lips once more as she steeled herself. Almost as if she channeled her mother, her eyes closed for a moment before flashing open. Red hues falling upon the world of Onderon, the current capital of the Republic.
There had been words and rumors that had arrived to her ears, and yet she wanted to straight it all out. She wanted to find out what was happening and if such rumors were true. She remembered as a little girl that the Jedi and the Republic stood for something, and now they were slowly turning more like the Sith with each passing day than they knew.
No, she told herself. She pushed such thoughts out of her mind as she focused upon the task at hand. She was there for diplomacy, to speak with the leader of the Republic; or so she had heard. Softly taking a breath she stopped and waited. All that she could do now was to wait and hope that what came next would see her stepping out of Republic Space intact and not joining her mother in the realm beyond.
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
 
It seemed like everyone wanted to speak with her these days. Sure, she was the Prime Minister and all, but there were delegates and ambassadors and even--in some rare cases when they got off their lazy rumps--senators to take care of some of these diplomatic things. Well, she would have to judge if it was worth her own time to deal with this new caller. "What is this all about? I'm not entirely familiar with the Avidon system." Indeed, she had felt the more important matters of focus were on the One Sith and their lines. One was attacking. The other was, well, rather silent in comparison.

"I'm not certain," her secretary replied. "Apparently they want to establish a record of their public stance. It's the Magrath house, I do believe."

The Magrath name rang a bell, but Gen could not recall anything too significant about it. Intelligence officials had indicated to her that they had a questionable agenda and it would be unwise to ignore them, but nothing of concern had arisen thus far. Whatever could they want? "Ask them who their passenger is, and what their purpose here is. We'll see if I have the time if they can answer that."

The secretary nodded and opened a holo line with the incoming envoy. "Shuttle Peisinoe, Prime Minister Lasedri would like to be informed on your diplomatic passenger's identity and the intent of this requested appointment." Geneviève stood to the side, out of the cam's line-of-sight but alert to the conversation. This had better be important.

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
Without a moment of hesitation, the young woman stepped forward. Her eyes piercing as she looked upon the Secretary through the holo line. Her voice coming through crisp and clear, without a single hint of worry or hesitation.
"I am Almira Feehan Magrath. My intent is to diplomatically discern if the rumors of a planned genocide of my family are true or false. Plans that I have been told are to be orchestrated upon the command of one Mrs. Lasedri."
She stood silently upon the last utterance of her words. Her mission clear as to why she had arrived. The rumors had troubled her, and she wanted them cleared up. For such rumors of a possible threat did not merely extend upon her own family, she felt that those zealous enough would reach out to those that had even associated themselves with the Magraths. That was a possibility that she was not going to permit.
Waiting now, she kept her eyes focused upon the holo line, waiting for a reply. Her hands clasped together behind her back, her stance more in line of a warrior than a true diplomat, yet her mother had taught her that she would need to be both.
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
 
Well, that was one way to catch Geneviève's ear. Such bogus claims--what did she have to gain from offing a family when she had hardly ever heard their name uttered? It was a ridiculous notion in her mind. Unless this family had made threatening moves against the Republic, they could expect only apathy from the Ministerial Office.

Interestingly enough, the Republic's leader felt more jolted by being referred to as "Mrs. Lasedri" than by the erroneous claims of her desire to murder someone's children. It was nothing she would draw attention to, but it was notably amusing, considering the fact that she had never once had a lover, much less been married.

Feeling like it was time to take over the situation, she grudgingly stepped into the camera's view. "Magrath, I will dispatch an escort to you that will bring you to my wing of the Senate Building. I will see you immediately." This was certainly interesting. It had better not be a ruse.

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
Nodding quietly, she reached forward, pressing the small button on the holo line to close the call. A light hand pressed against the pilot's shoulder was all he needed to bring the shuttle craft down towards the world below. Almira stood silently as she watched the world come closer into her view, her eyes upon the gem that was Onderon. Still with her arms clasped behind her back, she remained where she stood as the shuttle began to shake and shimmy as it tore through the atmosphere.
Looking over her shoulder she could see the handful of personal guards she had brought with her. Though she would not be taking them with her to the meeting. After all, if anything happened to her, it needed to be clearly in the hands of the Republic as the aggressors.
Taking a deep breath, she listened as the shuttle slowly came down. The loud creaking of the vessel told her that it had finally made land fall, the boarding ramp hissing as it slowly dropped down. Turning from where she stood, she approached the mouth of the ramp, her hand coming up to stop the guards from leaving the vessel. A few words spoken in passing though told them just what they were to do.
"If I do not return. You leave. You gather what allies we can find then you strike back at the Republic. If I die here then you unleash hell upon this world and the Republic."
With a silent salute, it was all she needed to know they understood her orders. Stepping forward, her heavy boots pressed against the metal boarding ramp, thudding loudly. Her hand came up as she shielded her eyes from the sun before stepping forward. A light breeze causing her silver hair to dance for a moment before it settled once more on her shoulders.
"Take me to her."
Almira spoke as she stepped forward, her eyes falling upon her escort.
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
 
The Senatorial Guard was by no means lax in its operations today. There were no less than four men stationed outside the Prime Minister's office when the alert about a visitor arriving was thrown about. The halls were lined with them. Geneviève Lasedri was no one to be casual about security, that was certain.

When this emissary and her provided escort had arrived at the Senate Building, she was received with no celebratory manner. In fact, people had been dispersed and removed from the halls that this Magrath woman would be treading to preserve an environment that was lacking in the usual chaos of special events, tourists, and other such diplomats and moochers gathered about. This meeting was short-notice as it was. There need not be further complications.

Gen took to her desk to await her unexpected guest, taking a nonchalant position to signify that she really had little interest in this affair. Rumors were rumors. She did not have time to honor each and every one. It was a little unusual that she would even recognize this woman. She barely took time to look up her profile that intelligence had so far obtained.

But she had a diplomatic duty, she supposed. Apparently she was some murderess, or at least a potential one. Indeed, that could be true. Gen certainly had the power to become a murderess--and get away with it in many cases. But that was not her agenda, save the extermination of the incessantly agitating Sith aggressors. Had she the magic button, she certainly would slaughter them in any way possible. But she had no magic button, nor was that the matter at hand.

Sighing, the Galacitc Republic Prime Minister bade her visitor enter. "Let her in." Neither of them had all day, she was sure.

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
Even had there been some ceremony, she was not one to enjoy them, and her pace to push through would match that of her quick step as she strode through the halls. Her movement fluid as she matched the foot falls with those that had been sent to escort her. Long tressels of hair flowed from the movement as the rest fell in a cascading white river over her shoulders and down her back. Red hues fell upon the door before her as she stepped forward, waiting for only a moment.
When the door opened, she stepped forward, moving into the room. Her eyes falling upon the Prime Minister as she stopped before the desk she was sitting at. Almira didn't care that she was lax, as she could have just as easily had her vessel torn from the sky at a simple word. Even with her needing to tread lightly she still had no time to pussyfoot when it came to the reason she was there.
"I would have let a simple rumor go had it not been one so blatantly told. Just as I'm sure you do not have the time to address every little rumor that comes across your desk. Yet its nature prevents me from turning it away and looking blindly forward. More so due in part to the recent assassination of my mother the Duchess."
Almira spoke, keeping her eyes upon the Prime Minister. At that moment she was about to find out what type of person this woman before her was. The words had come to her though a friend, one whom had received the information from a Jedi, the so called 'defenders' of the Republic and the Galaxy. Though they were little more than another sect of a religion that was fighting a war against those that didn't believe in their teachings and chose a different path.
Taking a breath, she steeled her mind as she brought her arms behind her back, clasping her hands together as she awaited the reply. Though what words would be told would not send her away that simply. She had either stepped upon a plan that was in the making, or she had just given ideas to those that sought to remove any element that was not supportive of the Republic.
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
 
Lasedri furrowed her brow as Magrath was ushered into her room. Well, she certainly was bold in more than just self-invitation. This one was not going to be shy about anything, Geneviève could quite clearly see that. "Hm."

The Prime Minister sat up tall and gestured for the blonde to take a seat across the desk from her. "So I'm going to kill you, according to these rumors of yours?" She raised an eyebrow, again rather confounded about this. However, it seemed like everyone was here to make an enemy out of the Republic these days, so there was hardly any shock to this sort of news. Someone or some collective someone was always complaining about her policies and leadership competence. They love you for a few hours, and then your name becomes a household curse word. With certain parties, Lasedri had gone from the most spectacular of dark horses to that evil woman who stepped on their timid political toes.

"Why would I do that?" She focused her gaze into the other woman's eyes. "Is there something you're doing that I should be concerned about? I'd be happy to hear about it, and then I can judge appropriately whether or not I need to have you eliminated." That was mostly a joke--sarcasm warnings rising--but there was no doubt she would accept any pertinent information while she could get it straight from the horse's mouth.

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
She was not there for the pleasantries, waving away the offer of a seat with a small motion of her hand while remaining standing. Pulling her arms behind her back, she clasped her hands together as her red hues fell upon the Prime Minister as she remained seated. Listening to the words before she closed her eyes and shook her head slightly.
"I've no time to dance around a bush. A rumor as it is, though when brought to one through the raving words of a Jedi, is best not left forgotten. That is why I am here, to find out if such things are true or not, or am I to expect a dagger in my shoulder blades when I leave? Or has the vessel I arrived on already been dispatched?"
While her own little quips back where mainly just that, something in the back of her mind told her not to stay entirely too long, or to dig deeper into what could and could not be. Keeping her eyes upon the woman, she slowly looked around the room, her white hair draped over her shoulders as she brought her attention back forward.
"Some would say you should remove my family because we decided it was in our best interest to remain away from the Republic. I suspect the Jedi spouting his words was one of those whom desired to destroy any and all whom would rather not stand for a Republic that many in the Galaxy see as a mere shell of what it had once been."
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
 
"Well, I have a blaster under my desk if you want me to take care of this now," Lasedri replied, obviously in dark humor. But it troubled her that a Jedi would be spreading this ill will around. As far as she knew, she had never shared any such thoughts with anyone--much less a Jedi. And she was not even sure she had ever spoken the name of Magrath in her life. "If you don't mind my asking, who was this Jedi that confronted you? I don't usually confide anything in those of the Order. In fact, I hardly ever share those sorts of details with anyone." This was a curious case.

"To be blunt, your interests are none of my concern until they become my concern. And I promise you that I have not held any intention of malice against your family." Her eyes then briefly rested on her visitor's bosom, slightly amused but nonetheless intrigued. "I'm not thinking anyone would want to dispose of those anytime soon, besides."

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
"If you're more interested in my bust size, be it for knowing whom I bring my business upon to ensure my comfort, or for a more personal reason; that subject is one best left for another day."

Almira spoke as she took notice of the rather blatant gawking of her figure. For the most part she had not been given the name of such a Jedi. She had dug to figure out how this information had come about, yet it was something that required a tactful mind and one that required a great deal of discretion.

Following in the foot steps of her mother, she ran her hand along the front of the gown she wore, her hair remaining as a waterfall as it rest upon her shoulders. Her red hues looked forward to the woman before her. Taking a soft breath, she moved forward, her hands coming to rest against the desk as she leaned forward.

"This information came from a close friend of the Magrath Family. Thus no names were given as I suspect that the Jedi in question was a member of that Family; at least estranged as it were."

Taking another moment, she pulled herself back up and smoothed the few wrinkles from her gown as she looked out towards the cityscape of the planet. Her arms came to wrap behind her, hands clasping as the long coattails billowed out slightly as she walked. Looking out the windows she turned her head to look back over her shoulder.

"As I mentioned. Rumors are one thing, easily brushed off. Rumors that involve a Jedi speaking of the destruction of a family for not supporting the Republic is another matter entirely."
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
 
Geneviève practically laughed. "If you're worried about me propositioning you, let me reassure you that I'm not... interested." If she was married to anything, it was her job. And while she may have been curious about such things, Gen could hardly pay attention to those things. Her life was too chaotic; too rushed and absorbed in the workings of the galaxy at large. Perhaps there were cravings (She was a grown woman, after all.), but this was neither the time nor place to meet 'someone'. Particularly a woman--and one nearly accusing her of conspiring to murder her, at that. "But take it as a compliment, if you wish. I'm obviously not in your league." The Prime Minister capped her commentary on the matter with a smirk. Ah, the double-speak. Though it was truth that this Magrath outclassed her by a far margin if one were to judge on physical assets. She had long ago conceded that some women were built for different things.

The Republic's leader stood up and leaned over her desk in mirror of the other woman at this point, somewhat annoyed at the seemingly circular course of this conversation. "What do you want? All you can truly do is take my word on the matter. I'm unaware of this Jedi, this anonymous family, and was all but unaware of yours until today." She gestured towards her datapad sitting nearby. "It's not difficult to look up my policies. You get in my way, and, yes, I might actually have you destroyed. As for now, however, I have bigger fish to fry. Namely, the One Sith.

"Rest assured, the Republic is unlikely to so much as lay a finger on you or your relatives so long as the Magraths keep out of this war. That is my promise. Take it for what it's worth to you."

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
Almira kept her attention focused upon what was beyond the simple window in the office. Her eyes moving along the smaller fine details that she could make out as she remained quiet. She had learned much from her mother, and one of those skills was to listen. What ever little quips were thrown about, the comments on one another's figure and forms, it was all information to be processed. The truth could simply be heard in one's voice if one was willing to merely listen rather than bluntly blurt out their thoughts like a wild Bantha running through a field.
Nodding softly as she brought her arms up, one resting under her bust, the other resting upon her shoulder as her hand ran along her chin. She closed her eyes as her hair settled upon her shoulders. Taking a moment she remained still before her eyes opened once more. Slowly pivoting upon her hind foot she stepped forward.
Keeping her eyes on the woman, she figured that perhaps had they met in a different setting this discourse would have lead to the two waking in a shared bed. Of course had there not been a war there might have been plenty of things different. The One Sith and the Republic, ancient enemies that were still slugging it out even now. Perhaps it would be best if one did finally win, or if both ceased to exist.
"Some would say it might be best if neither the Republic nor the Sith won this war. Perhaps it might be best to let the reins loose and merely let the galaxy decide what is best for it."
They were poised statements, nearly questions as she looked towards the woman whom was clearly coming to the end of her wits when it came to this conversation. Almira nodded softly as she turned fully towards her once more. Taking a moment to collect her words.
"Perhaps the Republic and the Sith should no longer exist. Perhaps the Republic needs to change in order to win this war."
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
 
Gen eyed the opposite woman's maneuvers with no inhibited suspicion. There was a hinted flirtation in them from what she could discern, and the shorter of the two women took no steps, holding her ground both physically and psychologically. She was not going to be taken off-guard by a fox. Her piercing brown eyes narrowed at the thought of relinquishing a steady arm on the "reins" of her Republic. "Yes. Letting everything just fix itself always works out." She rolled her eyes and turned on the ball of her foot a bit, right shoulder directed towards her well-endowed visitor. "It worked for the Togorians when Sith strewed genocide across their world."

The Prime Minister turned a sideways gaze, wondering what exactly this person expected her to do about 'saving the galaxy'. "In a perfect universe. And maybe the Republic does need to change. But we are the last bastion against wanton massacre, and that is what I stand for as of this moment." She raised her eyebrow, tracking the white-haired woman's movements with careful scrutiny. "I don't like killing. But I won't hesitate if I must.

"And how do you perceive your role in this galaxy? Rather important, I gather." Geneviève toyed with her famous sunhat and smirked. A narcissist to counter a narcissist.

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
Almira stood silently, deathly silent as she kept her eyes upon the woman, watching her movements and her counters to their now little game of cat and mouse. Though at that moment it was more akin to Corellian Sandpanther and Corellian Sandpanther. A soft breath slipped pass her lips as she listened carefully a small smirk replacing the smile as she shook her head slightly.
"Nothing so grand. I know my place. I know whom I serve, and I see what many do not see."
She took a moment to compose herself, knowing that the next few words could be dangerous in many circles, and even in many bars, least the simple fact that she stood at that moment in the office of the Prime Minister of the Republic. Her hands came across her chest once more, one arm slipping under her breast to rest while her elbow sat in her palm, her other hand resting against her chin.
"The Republic is beset upon on all sides. The One Sith push their way through your worlds. The Mandalorians have for the most part been distracted by the Primeval, yet their eyes might turn towards the Republic their ancient Enemy, once more. Even the Hutts and the Techno Union are rising in power."
A simple step forward brought her closer, red hues upon the woman before her. Watching her closely, watching her toy with her hand as Almira kept quiet for a moment.
"Your allies in the Omega Protectorate are losing ground, with drawing from worlds across their territories in a fever pitch. You are on a brink my dear Prime Minister. What you need is help, not just a mere reformation. The Republic can not change if there is no Republic to change."
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]​
 
The opening between her eyelids shallowed yet further as Magrath stepped closer and closer, Lasedri ever wary of the things someone might do (to herself in particular) in this sort of situation. Someone whose initial purpose of coming into her office was to accuse her of plotting against their family was one to watch out for. And now as the subject shifted to quite unrelated things, every movement on the part of her visitor's was setting off alarms in her brain.

"'Giving up' is not in my vocabulary, Magrath," she returned, pivoting to face this woman full-front once again. "I was elected to this position by the people, and I'm expected to do everything in my power--and perhaps even beyond it--to protect them and bring about victory and peace once more. I can't turn my back on the Republic. It's my home, queen." While Geneviève usually addressed her guests more decently, her intrinsically crude nature still sometimes got a hold of her in passion. Those who had ever gotten a chance to know her for what little they could would figure out quite immediately that she had a sailor's mouth when not in public. Though sometimes it even activated in public.

"What are you really here for, Magrath? Do you have a proposal for me? Or do you get something out of the Republic dying?" She held her ground, nearly glaring at the taller woman to let her know she was waiting for the point.

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
A soft smirk crossed her lips as she listened to the woman before her let loose her other side. It finally came down to the point in which she could see the real Prime Minister standing before her. It was she whom Almira wanted to speak with, and not some pompous public facade. The smirk grew into a slight smile as she licked her own lips for a moment before setting her red hues upon the woman.
"Finally. The real you."
Almira said with a slight chuckle, her eyes staying upon her as the question was poised. That was something to think about. What would she get if the Republic died? She was standing alone, for the most part, with the leader of the Republic. She could just as easily decide to turn the tables then and there, yet she had something else in mind.
"There are many whom would get something if the Republic were to fall. Though I am not here for that, at least not yet."
Almira said with a soft smile, her fingers beginning to trail along the chair to her side before she slipped down into it. Crossing one leg over her knee, her hands brushed out the wrinkles in her gown before they came to rest upon her kneecap. Her red hues upon the Prime Minister.
"I am here, for the most part, to figure out if rumors were true. Then again, I am also here representing something that is waiting in the Outer Rim."
That same smirk crossed her lips for a moment.
"The One Sith have crossed many, and brought about enemies even within. My mother may have seen them as useful to some extent, and even she knew they would one day become more than anyone could handle. I am here because I want the Republic to live, we want the Republic to live."
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]​
 
Gen's eyebrows were nearly crossed, agitation evident in its broiling with regards to the person who had just now helped herself to a seat. It seemed a 'secretary move' followed, and the nature of this visit thus remained in the air. Intimidation was perhaps the goal, and Gen decided to assume that was the case. What could she lose to think on that path, besides? This was obviously politics. Or it was some unprecedented mind game that could have honestly been for sport.

"That's a nice goal. Could you believe it? It's mine too." The Prime Minister folded her arms and deepened her scowl. She was quite obviously not amused.

"There isn't much in the Outer Rim I'm concerned with. The wolf is at the door. I don't have time to worry about the cuckoos to the south." Her fist tensed but was kept placid. She wanted this chick out, but prudence dictated that she allow her a few minutes longer. "What do you propose to do in service of the Republic? If you want something badly enough, you're bound to do something about it. But perhaps you don't value as much as you claim."

Play your hand.

[member="Almira Magrath"]
 
"You don't have time to worry about the cuckoos to the south..."
Almira repeated softly, a short chuckle crossing her lips as she brushed a hand along her leg for a moment, her figure silent for the time being. She was collecting her words, listening and calculating before compiling those best used in the situation. Slowly lifting her head up, red hues fell upon the Prime Minister once more.
"Neither do the One Sith. If they are at the door, what would happen should they be forced to push resources elsewhere? What would happen should the Republic be forced to push resources elsewhere?"
Almira spoke just as bluntly as the woman before her, though these were not threats, rather these were calculated facts. If the One Sith and the Republic were at one another's throats, what could it cost them if they were forced to allocate resources to a far edge of their spanning, for lack of a better word, empires?
"If you've no time to worry about others, then your enemy has neither that luxury as well."
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]​
 

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