Faction Celestial Navigation | THR Senate

[Dominique Vexx]

"I want to thank each of you for your contributions this day." The Chancellor paused to regard the assembled Chamber. "There is no Republic without the presentation, discussion, and adoption of new ideas. That we will not always agree goes without saying, but the manner with which we conduct ourselves in refining those ideas cannot be ignored."

"The Senator of Druckenwell re-asserted a desire for Senate participation, awareness, and input in matters of diplomacy. Others made mention of how even a well-intentioned body might delay the inner workings of such. I believe both sides had strong points on this matter. Neither was right. Neither were they wrong. Senator Stuyveris," Dominique's eyes swung easily toward the author of the now withdrawn bill, "I would welcome continuing this discussion out of Chamber. I am not disinclined toward ideas presented to this body. Or the concerns that prompted them." Eadu claimed she wanted to stonewall the effort. A good excuse to substantiate his call for a Vote of No Confidence. Still, as Ayumi suggested, if Dominique had truly been opposed to the very premise of Verity's bill she would have struck hard more mercilessly than implication and a few alterations.

For one, the Chancellor could simply terminate the session before the Bill ever reached the floor. Then Eadu would have something tangible to whinge about.

As for Eadu's motion, well there was nothing to say. He'd withdrawn it as well. Not without a few more comments, of course, but to engage further and draw it out would only invite disaster.

"Just one more thing," the Chancellor looked up from the next item on the docket having not yet moved the session forward, "concerning the Imperial Confederation. I believe this chamber rmay find they are open to further conversation even in light of our clash over Lola Sayu. There was quite the memorable encounter with someone of influence in the Confederation held when the Ambassador was returned. Our diplomatic representatives and officers remain free to continue their work in further conversation with them, and we shall establish a direct line of communication so that what happened as a result of Corellia should not be necessary again."

"Thank you, Senators. Now, as to the matter of fuel distribution in the Mara Corridor..."

Verity Stuyveris | Ayumi Pallopides | Aurelian Veruna | Eadu Yittreas | Cynan Obaith | Lex | Her | Adelle Bastiel | Isley the Younger | Mykel Dawson
FYI The Lord of Hunger​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

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Adelle Bastiel Aurelian Veruna

“Is this what they do all day?” Adelle asked Sibylla in a hushed tone. “I think I’d rather be back on Yaga Minor hosting Grand Vizier Yvarro on a warzone again. That at least had alcohol. It wasn't good, but it was still alcohol.”

The lilac Chersilk whispered softly along Sibylla's legs as the Voice of Naboo came to a graceful halt beside Adelle. She had urged the ambassador ahead to join Aurelian in the pod while she remained behind in the Senate pod hub's rear office suite, speaking briefly with Cordé. A few concerns from the Nobility Bloc had required her attention before she followed.

By the time the former Interim Queen of Naboo slipped into the pod beside the Ambassador of Mandalore and the King of Naboo, she arrived just as several of their counterparts were offering their closing remarks. The delicate arches of her brows lifted slightly, the motion drawing the pale pink scars across the left side of her face and over her eye momentarily taut before the skin eased again.

"Yes and no," Sibylla replied quietly, resting her hands lightly over her stomach where the ombré silk of yellow, pink, and violet flowed along the slender lines of her figure. She had chosen the dress deliberately -- as much for strategy as for beauty. The front displayed exquisite Nabooian craftsmanship, but when she turned, the deep sweep of fabric from the shell clasp at her throat revealed the elegant line of her spine, drawing the eye away from the scars of her face to the warm honeyed tone of her skin.

Sibylla had vacillated on wearing a headdress for her first official appearance at court and the Senate. Part of her wanted the veils and jewelry that would hide the stares that would surely be cast in her direction. Another, however, had grown emboldened in the past several weeks as a new awakening had unlocked a part of her that was slowly beginning to understand the power and strength she wielded. And even if this particular step began with a dress, then so be it.

"The truth is," Sibylla murmured, leaning slightly closer to Adelle, "most Senators arrive in these pods with their decisions already made."

She took a deep breath, her bare shoulders lifting slightly as she processed everything that had unfolded.

"The real bargaining happens long before the vote... in offices, corridors, private meetings. By the time a motion reaches the floor, most of the favors have already been traded. The speeches here rarely change minds." A faint pause. "They simply allow a Senator to stand with confidence behind the position they secured beforehand... well, that is the hope."

It was then that her hazel eyes drifted toward Aurelian, and a faint smile curved over her lips that Sibylla couldn't help but show. He sat a short distance away, absorbed in his comm, fingers moving in quick succession across the display. Dark curls had fallen over his bronze brow, shadowing the quiet edge of irritation that clung to him like static. He had not noticed her arrival yet, and if he was in the middle of drafting some message to a political contact or Tona, Sibylla suspected the rest of the galaxy could burn before he looked up.

Across the chamber, Senator Yittraes and Dominique offered their closing remarks.

When the vote of no confidence was formally withdrawn, Sibylla blinked slowly, absorbing the shift before Dominique continued -- acknowledging that the Senator of Druckenwell's concerns held merit, even as others stood firmly in opposition to the bill.

Truth be told, Sibylla understood both arguments. As Ambassador of the High Republic to Mandalore, she had learned that most matters of policy rarely belonged to a single perspective.

"But the topic does raise questions about foreign affairs," Sibylla continued quietly, the silk whispering as she stepped forward, resting one hand along the pod's curved railing while her gaze swept out across the Senate floor, the glow of the overhead light casting its illumination over the jewels woven Quartzlight in her hair and the richness of her skin.

Then she turned slightly toward Aurelian.

"It may be in Naboo's interest, your Majesty," Sibylla said, her tone thoughtful but certain, "to speak with Senator Verity Stuyveris ourselves in a more private venue."

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Dominique Vexx Verity Stuyveris Mykel Dawson Sibylla Abrantes

She listened to Eadu's closing and her eyebrow raised.. if she honestly thought it could work and be passed she would floodgate and gate keep such a thing... that state of it being a right made it seem frivolous to the point it would be nearly laughable. It would have no meaning if you called for a vote at the smallest inconvenience..... but she was given the alert and note from Mykel who was speaking as it went over her interface and display. She could see more as well as a new person was here with the king and oh Sibylla was here... she looked hot... she might have to change her opinions of a few things but all of them were good as she was adjusting her ratings for.

"Hmm." She said it with Zahira there for a moment and she spoke. "I managed to get you a few tickets to the ballet for you in case it was needed." She said it and Ayumi was looking at some of the ideas they might have. She gave a small nod of her head when things were finishing up here.. Dominiques closing speech was important and Ayumi wanted to catch Verity when she got a chance. Now that she had it though she would send a message to Dominique with a nod of her head. "Write this down and send it to Dominique." She said it as she was standing up while mentally mapping the pathway to get around and to the senators pod aat least to prostrate herself.

"Chancellor, that was... interesting. I won't apologies for taking time but it had to be said and I will give plenty of contrition as needed." She said it with a small look and shrugged as she was sending it off to Dominique and moving. Her feet carrying her for a moment with a little extra but she wanted to be able to see Verity before the woman left or got mobbed by some of the press. "Senator Stuyveris." She said it when she arrived and was looking for a moment to offer a small smile. "I hope you are not one to hold a grudge, I prefer keeping faith and camaraderie with you but I understand if I am required to be humbled... I can only offer to accept some form of private flogging."

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Adelle Bastiel

The motion rose like a flare and died just as quickly. Aurelian watched the whole spectacle with a raised brow. Eadu certainly knew how to make an entrance. Erratic, theatrical, and completely unnecessary. One day that sort of behavior might become a real problem. Today it had worked in Aurelian's favor. Still. Unpredictable senators were a nuisance.

His attention dropped back to the datapad in his hands. No replies from Lex, Eadu, or Gramps. He frowned at the screen.

Rude.

His fingers resumed tapping as he began jotting down quiet notes for later. Little reminders about who had ignored him today. Politics was memory, and Aurelian had an excellent one.

Movement in front of him caught his eye. A sweep of silk passed through his vision. The fabric curved down the back of the wearer in a way that made him pause mid-thought.

Sibylla.

He blinked once, momentarily thrown. That dress had quite the back to it. She had become quite brazen, he was rubbing off on her too well.

Dangerous development.

Aurelian rose as she spoke, listening to her suggestion about Senator Stuyveris. His expression settled into thoughtful neutrality, though his mind was already racing ahead. "Why would I need to speak with the Senator from Druckenwell?" he said lightly. "She is trying to limit the power of the nobility in the Republic. Ostracizing a voting bloc is not a particularly good strategy."

His hand settled on the small of Sibylla's back as he spoke. A casual gesture. Or at least it started that way. His fingers drifted slightly lower before he realized it. For a moment the world narrowed to that contact and the faint tension in the air between them. Then a sound behind them snapped the moment in half. His hand lifted away quickly as he turned.

Adelle stood there in the new clothes he had insisted on. The sight nearly broke his composure. He tried. Truly. Failed.

"What, no dress?" he teased, grinning. "What did you think of your first bill proposal? Quite brief this one, yes?"

He puffed his chest slightly, amused with himself.

"The power of a King."

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