Private Diplomacy and Other Matters

[Alexi di Garthos]

Esteemed Senator Sheltrak,

I would be pleased if you would join me for a luncheon in the High Council chambers here on Ralltiir at your convenience. It will be a modest and private gathering, intended for conversation and the sharing of ideas.

I look forward to your response, and hope that we might find time in the coming days to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Respectfully,

Alexi di Garthos
Matriarch of House di Garthos and Presiding Head of the High Council of Ralltiir

---

Her finger hovered over the send function for a moment. The others had failed to reply; no-shows that did nothing for her credibility, her strategic position, or the subtle pressures bearing down on Ralltiir from neighboring powers. Every day of silence made her homeworld more vulnerable. Every missed opportunity was a small opening for influence to slip toward the superpowers edging their borders. She could not afford that now; not when diplomacy might be the only thing standing between her people and someone else’s grasp.

Tag: Jack Sheltrak

 

[Jack Sheltrak]

Alexi di Garthos

The message when it had been received was different. He wasn't going to deny that and rolled his neck for a moment while in the seat. Zeltros had largely begun to be left alone and its position after the planeshift had been better in some cases. At least for them, the former chancellor and largely advisor since zeltron senators were stopped by the offworlder who took over as queen and forr a time had supporrt from other offworld powers. Had stopped it so once she was gone and they had been able to recover a lot was able to be done. Return to their industry return to elections and he mostly with the fall of the alliance just advised where he could.

Barsoom was where they could go from as the tram going from the hidden temple everyone knew existed that lived on the planet but pretended it didn't to the club that served as the entrance let him read. "Oh hot date?" The voice of Ami Dejah the head of the temple was there as she looked at him. "I... don't know who they are but someone wanting to meet and talk has rarely gone wrong before." He said it with a small chuckle as he moved. Ami speaking as she was there. "Didn't the last time you did that, you, three jedi and a guard end up drugged, nude and in the case of you and the master Leori... Married?" She said it as a question and he spoke.

"Yes but when the netherworld opened she was able to become one with the force and I will always remember her. " He said it but looked at himself, his clothing wasn't rags but it was layered, his hair unkempt and slicked back and a beard. "I'll need some clothing and a shave." THe zeltron looked at him as his aid was helping him but he had a small grin when they got to the club and his appointments were set. SOme small styling so that his hair didn't look freshly cut, a loose scarf he could wear as he didn't know if it would be chilled and an overcoat as he was moving through the port. He was getting to the ship to make way to meet Alexi with a confirmation message sent back. his ships transponder for checks and all information so he could arrive.

 

[Alexi di Garthos]

Alexi did not wait in the lobby. The decision was made without ceremony, as so many of her adjustments had been in recent days. The waiting area - once a space of quiet dignity and careful welcome - had become something else entirely. A stage for absence. For empty hours dressed in decorum.

Her office, by contrast, still obeyed her. The light filtered through the tall windows in measured bands, falling across polished surfaces and ordered datapads. Nothing here lingered without purpose. Nothing here reminded her of unanswered invitations.

The confirmation arrived while she stood reviewing a trade brief, her eyes scanning figures she already knew by memory. The soft chime did not interrupt her. It simply existed, and in time, she acknowledged it. He was coming.

For a moment, her gaze lingered on the message longer than necessary. Not out of relief for she had trained herself beyond such fragile indulgences, but in quiet calculation. A man who answered. A man who traveled. A man who did not hesitate overmuch, despite… whatever history seemed to follow him. Interesting.

She moved then, setting the datapad aside with deliberate care. A single adjustment to her schedule followed; minor on it's face, yet enough to ripple through the rest of her day. The Council chamber would be prepared. The luncheon would proceed. This time, it would not sit untouched.

Only then did she allow herself the smallest exhale, barely perceptible, before summoning her aide. “See that our guest is received properly upon arrival,” she said, her tone even. “And ensure the chamber is… warm. We will not have this meeting feel like an interrogation.” A pause as another thought occured to her. “And have a secondary arrangement prepared. Quietly.” She did not elaborate. She did not need to.

As her aide departed, Alexi turned back to the window, her reflection faint against the glass. One reply did not change her position. But it was, at last, a beginning.

Tag: Jack Sheltrak

 

[Jack Sheltrak]

Alexi di Garthos

The trip was at least nice, he took the time to mostly prepare. There were social graces one needed to have... which he was good at but he was also at one point known for embodying Zeltros. He had represented them and gotten along with them which had informed much of his actions and style. Though he was a little older now and couldn't pull most of them off. The former senator taking a moment so that he would be able to look himself over. "Well you clean up good senator." The pilot said it as the man was looking at him and Jack spoke with a small look. "Former and maybe but I have no idea who this person is which makes it difficult."

He said it and the pilot looked at him for a moment as the man spoke. "Just do what comes natural... except you know more charming and in a way people like." He looked at the man as they both laughed. "You know I can always fire you right?" The zeltron shrugged. "You could but then you would have to explain it to the King and queen why you fired their nephew from such an important assignment.... and I know you don't like explaining that." He was smug in more ways then one as the ship was arriving for them to go down. Jack looking at him when he waas able to start walking out and being led to where he needed to go. A small look as everything look beautiful.

 

[Alexi di Garthos]

The chamber had been prepared precisely as instructed. Not opulent, not austere; but balanced. Warm light softened the edges of polished stone, and the long table had been set with quiet intention rather than ceremony. Nothing about the space demanded performance. Instead it invited presence.

Alexi was already there when he was shown in. This time, she rose as he entered. The motion was unhurried, composed, but deliberate; a choice made not out of obligation, but out of acknowledgment. Her attention settled fully upon him as he crossed the threshold, the documents before her forgotten without hesitation.

He carried himself well. That much was clear within moments. Not rigid, not careless. But practiced. Social. A man accustomed to rooms that required something of him. But not untouched by uncertainty.

Her gaze lingered just a fraction longer than politeness required. Not to unsettle, but to understand. There were small tells there, the kind that spoke not of weakness, but of awareness. Of someone choosing his footing rather than assuming it. It earned him a measure more of her attention.

“Senator,” she greeted, the title offered with a quiet ease, neither testing nor dismissive. Simply respectful of the path that had brought him here. A faint inclination of her head followed that was measured, but not distant. “Welcome. I trust your journey was a pleasant one.” There was the slightest softening at the edge of her tone now, subtle but intentional. “I appreciate that you came without delay.” A small gesture toward the table was given, nearer her own place, rather than the far end. It was an invitation, not a positioning. “You’ve arrived at an opportune moment,” she continued. “I find conversations tend to benefit from immediacy… before expectations have time to settle in too deeply.” A brief pause, though this one carried less weight than before. It was less a test than of more openness. “And I would prefer this to be a conversation.” The faintest hint of a smile touched her expression then that was reserved, but genuine enough to be felt rather than merely seen. “Please,” she said, “join me.”

Tag: Jack Sheltrak

 

[Jack Sheltrak]

Alexi di Garthos

He was able to get a decent look and worked to remain unobtrusive in this case where he looked around. Not walking into places but observing for a moment when she arrived. Offering a seat and he bowed his head. Moving along the table as he went for neutral distance for the moment but found it as he joined in sitting. "A conversation is helpful and I will admit my presence is more from curiosity then anything else. Not many remember an old former chancellor for their message lists." He said it to poke at himself but he was curious... he wasn't opposed to much though. "And I know my opposition when the jedi supported the offworld queen wasn't liked.

"That might have been before though as few paid attention to that. SOmeone trying to disrupt and destroy much of Zeltros culture and industry while also throwing something few announced like their elections into disarray. "We aren't Naboo so royal elections often confuse a few others." He offered a simple smile though when he found a place. "But I do not want to monopolize all of this when you are here and what your world has is beautiful. Tell me about it and yourself." He said it easily though while sitting there for the moment being able to reach a position of relaxed posture as he didn't slouch but he eased into a position he could sit straight up and presenatable but he was incredibly comfortable.