Constituency of One | Invite

[Natasi Fortan]

Perhaps it was the law's denial of her birthright of Herevan Hold that gave Natasi the bug for property ownership. Perhaps she just knew that real estate was a sound investment. She wasn't quite sure herself. Either way, it manifested itself in the fact that the Grand Moff owned several properties across the Empire. Number 10 was her home but didn't belong to her; it was the property of the Supreme Leader's government. But she did own Breakriver, a lovely, if modern, country house in the mountains north of the capital. She also owned New Herevan Hall, a country estate designed for entertaining dignitaries and foreign leaders. She owned a flat in a middle-class building in the Spaceport District of Avalonia, a penthouse suite in Cloud City, a townhouse in New Heliopolis, a cottage on Thakwaa, a namata plantation outside of Salis D'aar and a penthouse in the city itself, and a small but charming townhouse in Prosperia on Dosuun.

And so when [member="Arisa Yune"] requested -- needled, prodded, demanded -- a meeting with the Grand Moff at her home, there were many choices to select from. The leader of a hostile power had some testicular fortitude to demand such a meeting, and Natasi had agreed out of equal parts curiosity, respect for her backbone, and a desire to stop being heckled every time she turned around. Still, respect for Yune's backbone didn't qualify the woman for the dignity of a full state visit by virtue of the Silver's interference at Kaeshana and Skor II, so she wouldn't be invited to Number 10 or New Herevan Hold. Natasi didn't trust the woman not to go prowling around her things or magically divine knowledge of state or personal secrets by osmosis, so her more personal home of Breakriver was entirely out of the question. Natasi had just visited Bakura, so returning so quickly might be somewhat telling. Thanks largely to Yune's own efforts at Skor II, there was a distinct possibility that her Bespin home would soon be out of reach, so that couldn't be a possibility. Her home in New Heliopolis wasn't quite fully furnished, and it was the rainy season at her home in Thakwaa, so the invitation was to tea at her townhouse in Prosperia.

The Grand Moff had dispatched her staff, save for her HRD staff and bodyguards and the Horsemen, all of which were either, by computer programming or another kind, indisputably loyal to her. The kettle was filled and waiting for the visitor to arrive, and Natasi was sitting by the fireplace, a book open on her lap as she waited, patient and placid, for the foreign visitor to arrive.

 

[Eugen Aker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJKCG674sH4​

...Passion, Yet Serenity...

Arisa would step down the ramp of her sleek chrome courier ship alone, finding herself standing under a downcast sky. Dosuun was a dreary place, in more ways than one. From the moment she had entered the airspace, she could feel the whole planet beset by a dark ambiance of anxiety. Even within the political nerve center of the First Order, its privileged inhabitants were not immune to the toils of war.

There would be no red carpet or any sort of welcoming committee awaiting the Grandmaster on the tarmac. Just a pair of burly men with shades and dark suits standing near a boxy black speeder. She wasn't even in Avalonia, but Prosperia, some secondary location designed to ape the majestic cityscapes of the Core.

The politically savvy Jedi was acutely aware of the snub now taking place, but the shade didn't bother her in the slightest. She hadn't arrived to indulge in pointless vanity, but to fulfill a promise. While the First Order was backpedaling from setbacks, in part by her hand, this was the perfect time to do so.

Wordlessly, she stepped inside the speeder as the door was opened, and she was immediately whisked off for the site of the rendezvous between her and the Grand Moff of the First Order. Throughout the ride, she would keep to herself, eyes closed in meditation.

After some time, their destination would be reached, a rather modest home in a sleepy midtown neighborhood. She would thank the men for safe travels, then proceed forward on her own. She could feel many eyes upon her the moment she left the speeder, no doubt the security detail.

The door would swing open the moment her lead heel touched the welcome mat, where she would then come face to face with soulless eyes of an android. Easy for the Force User and cyborg to pick out from the lack of a living signature, and their peculiar electromagnetic emissions more akin to a droid than a humanoid.

After seeing her through the door, the automata would offer to take her coat before she proceeded further into the house. She handed off her coat without complaint, revealing her sleek charcoal dress underneath, though she kept her purse.

As she moved through down the hall with the android, she would reach out in the Force to gauge the other occupants within. She would pick out many more droids about the residence. She let out a small huff at the revelation, finding the precaution amusing.

A little walk, and she would finally come face to face with the Grand Moff, again, who appeared to be entertaining herself by the fireplace, the pale sharp-faced woman looking the model of poise. Quite different from the fiery character she often saw over the holonet spewing all kinds of gross propaganda. Arisa would match the Moff's composure, standing still near the entrance of the room awaiting acknowledgment.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

When she heard the sounds of the Grandmaster entering the foyer, Natasi stood and replaced her book on the nearby bookshelf. She turned towards the door in time to see [member="Arisa Yune"] enter in a charming grey dress. She let her eyes drink the other head of state in and, though her face remained impassive and stoic, she felt a frisson of excitement at coming face to face with someone who had been a thorn in her side for some time. The Silvers had interjected themselves into the conflicts at Kaeshana and Skor, which was mildly irritating, but the predominant emotion she had felt was curiosity. Why a nation on the other side of the map had seen fit to create such a precedent in foreign policy was beyond her; she had concluded that because Force Users -- particularly Jedi clad in Hero Armor™ -- could never lose, the Silvers must have thought that First Order retaliation was no threat and could therefore act with impunity.

Fascinating.

The Grand Moff radiated curiosity as she pulled the cord by the fireplace and then took a few steps to the middle of the room. "Master Jedi," she said formally. "Do come in." She extended a hand and waited for the opposite leader to enter the room. "I'm Natasi Fortan. How do you do?"

Downstairs, the cord being pulled had set into motion a series of events. The kettle was put on to boil. Cakes, savouries, tea sandwiches, scones, and other delights were removed from storage. These were all served upon a simple but high-quality white china tiered tray. One of the HRD staff carried the tiered tray while the other carried the tray with the silver teapot, china teacups and saucers, spoons, sugar, milk, and lemon. It was all very dignified and solemn, as the mistress always took her tea. They entered the sitting room and place their wares down on the table by the window, then turned the wingback chairs to face the table, with enough space for the women to be seated. They pulled the blinds down and then exited the room as efficiently as they entered.

By this time, the greeting was bound to be over, and so Natasi gestured towards to the wingback chairs near the tea. "Please make yourself comfortable," she said quietly, before moving to stand in front of the opposite chair. "Shall I be mother? How do you take your tea, Master Jedi, black or white?" Natasi placed a teacup at each place setting, then a napkin roll and a plate before lifting the lid on the teapot to examine the color. Not bad. The Grand Moff replaced the lid and then poured tea into each of their cups before settling in her seat, crossing her ankles against one of the front legs of the chair. "Do help yourself, and while you do, perhaps you could tell me what it is I can do for you." Natasi smiled tightly across the table, once again radiating curiosity to the talented empath across the table.

[member="Arisa Yune"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

She shook hands with the Grand Moff, then joined her in another room to take a seat. There was a fresh pot tea and a full spread of gourmet pastries and hors d'oeuvres. All very tantalizing, but her appetite wasn't with her at the moment.

"General will do," she gently corrected. "Grand Moff."

Arisa wore dual hats as both Grandmaster of the Silver Order, and Supreme Commander of the Antarian Rangers, the largest paramilitary force in the galaxy, the equal of any army or fleet. In times like these, faced with such condescension, she was only too happy to remind people of that fact.

"I already have a mother," she said as she observed the woman preparing tea, "but I wouldn't mind you playing my server if roleplaying is your thing. No tips, though. Black tea with milk, and a few drops of honey."

She rattled off the request like she really was making an order at a coffee shop. It was quite apparent that the Grand Moff was a woman used to being in control, but she would quickly discover that Arisa would have none of that.

"There are a great many things you can do for me," she answered, clasping her hands over her lap, "but let's start with you. It hasn't escaped my attention about all the...stories now circulating in FO space about Silver Jedi. Was it all that surprising to you that we would someday cross paths? Do you remember me, by the way?"

The Grand Moff may have been denying her all the usual honors that an official visit like this would entail, but in their last encounter, she had been treated to the whole shebang while presenting herself as a common aide, then full of admiration for her counterpart for spurring unprecedented development in Wild Space and the Unknown Regions. Her efforts had partly inspired Arisa's own projects in the Outer Rim, though it admittedly it was difficult to tell where the Grand Moff's influence ended, and her Supreme Leader's began.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi narrowed her eyes slightly, the only evidence of the pang of annoyance she felt. She had thought to be dealing with a professional. What a shame. She was apparently not such a good empath as she insisted, reading condescension where there only existed politeness and gentility. Perhaps she was more a master of projection, instead. "You can dress it yourself," she said pleasantly after filling the teacup, then moving to fill her own.

"No," Natasi said frankly. If Yune wasn't going to play by diplomatic norms, Natasi was happy to dispense with the pleasantries. "Brass tacks, General, I have a busy schedule. For what purpose did you request this meeting? Surely you could have been rude to me at any time without the burning sense of urgency. What is it?"

[member="Arisa Yune"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

"I didn't think so," she replied simply, glancing over at the cup meant for her. "But you know me now."

Her voice grew low on those last words, eyes raised again to meet the Grand Moff's with a glare.

"A long time ago, during the Alliance's admittedly ill-advised assault against the First Order on Kaeshana, several prominent members of what was then the Sith Order were sighted providing assistance to your forces. Months later, and said members would appear at Midvinter in a continuation their vendetta against the Silver Jedi, fielding enough hardware and personnel to pin down a sector. Seeing as how they were only able to previously been reduced deploying ragtag fleets and...meteors for their assaults, them now appearing with a first rate army and fleet struck me as odd. The One Sith and Triumvirate were dead at that point, and there was just about one entity at that time who could supply them with resources and logistical support to waste on a non-strategic target at the edge of the galaxy - a backwater planet of Luddites still living like they're in prehistoric times."

She could go on with that line, but the Grand Moff was a smart woman, and could already guess the conclusion on that line of thought - quid pro quo. Though little did Arisa or the rest of the Silver Jedi know, the First Order's current Supreme Commander had been a participant at Midvinter. Or how thoroughly the Sith Order had already infiltrated the Knights of Ren spreading their corruption.

"Though I'm sure you know nothing about that. Allegedly, there's a lot of things you don't know about the Sith you employ. Those impassioned words you speak about all those poor dead workers on Kaeshana ring hollow when you consider the crimes of your associates. Mass-murder, illegal experimentation on sentients, the use of children as suicide bombers, etc. This is why was why your encounter with the Silver Jedi was inevitable. We have lived through the horrors those Sith have wrought on the galaxy over the years, and did not want them repeated as the Sith hold influence within the First Order."

Her expression softened as she switched gears, her purpose there not to deliver admonishment. She had already done so at Skor.

"With that said, the Galactic Alliance could have approached you with their grievences in an amicable manner, and try these apparently lost arts of diplomacy and conflict resolution. You've always struck me as a rather reasonable woman. It's clear to me that you care about your constituents, and that you were pushed into certain measures by the rash actions of my cohorts. Believe me, I did not enter this conflict with any glee, but I felt the need to intervene before matters spiraled out of control."

Whether or not the Grand Moff wanted to believe it, Arisa hadn't entered the fray with annihilation in mind, but to stop the galaxy from becoming embroiled in another great war that dragged in everyone. The last one, between the Republic and One Sith, had nearly broken her as one person after another was taken away. The last decade for her had been one battle from another, and now she was tired.

"I'm glad to see that cooler heads have finally prevailed and that everyone now understands the futility of continuing this war. With that behind us, we can finally talk about the future. For the past year, I've had an economic project in the works, all with the aims of facilitating trade and scientific development between various powers. You were actually the first person I thought of when I began drawing up the framework for this plan, as your experience in development in the outer regions is invaluable, but there was obviously difficulty involving you with recent events between the First Order and Galactic Alliance. So I partnered up with the Iron Empire first. Now, though, I think we can proceed."

Finally, she would reach forward, sipping on her tea without any preparation, the Atrisian able to enjoy the earthy tones without any additives.

"I would like to apologize for my brusque manner earlier and reintroduce myself. Arisa Yune. Feel free to call me just call me Arisa from here on out. So then, would you like to know more?"

Spoiler

"Hello, my name is Arisa Yune, Jedi Master of the Silver Order. I would like to thank you all for coming out here today for this economic conference. In the past, for many of us this wouldn't have been possible as we stood on opposing sides in war. During those tragic periods, it's easy to think of the opposition as nothing but faceless monsters, but in my time of service, I have come to know that we all usually acted with the best intentions in mind. For our family, friends, and people."

"Thankfully, those times are now behind us as we have found a better way to serve the ones that we love and cherish. True prosperity not from conquest, but from collaboration. So I come with you all today with one humble proposal."

"That is the creation of one common market between our societies, where trade and the exchange of ideas may easily flow in a way they haven't since the last golden age of the galaxy, leading to unprecedented progress in our time. Furthermore, we may collectively gain bargaining power against much larger entities as we act together as one economic bloc."

"Now, of course, we'll have to work hard on hammering out the details in any sort of arrangement on this scale, but first, I would like us to get on the same page on a conceptual level, and develop a basic outline of how things may work."

There was applause from the small crowd as she finished her introduced and sat back down to let the other delegates have a chance to make introductions or share their ideas.

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/110097-the-great-exchange-silver-jedi-commenor-iron-empire/#entry1573756

[member="Natasi Fortan"]