Private Nerd Prom

[Verity Stuyveris]

THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
THEED - NABOO​

The weeks was winding down. It had been another bear.

The Organas had done a bunk, necessitating a frank discussion with her policy team and Alderaan experts on how to proceed. A tentative search for alternative candidates was underway, but Verity had concerns that switching horses this late would make the Republic look like flighty dilletantes, or worse, craven opportunists. The alternative, though -- to cede the Alderaanian crown to a candidate that was, in the very best case scenario, open to Covenant influence -- was unacceptable. And with the way things were going now, it was hardly likely to be the best case scenario that they encountered.

The Senate was proving to be about as efficient as a turbine that had been flooded with molasses rather than lubricant, and there were moments when Verity was inclined to pitch the entire thing away. Was it still possible for her to accomplish her ambitions? What good would it be to eventually work her way up to the Chancellor's office if there was nothing to get done? She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before touching her intercom. "Kira, could you bring me a few painkillers? And caff."

"Right away, Senator. I'll send it in with Mr. Varencourt." Verity winced when she realized she had her Chief of Staff scheduled at the hour, which was about a caff brew away.

"All right. Thank you, Kira. You can send him in when he arrives, no need to buzz."

Lucien's final brief was light, thank goodness. Not easy; the Alderaan situation was still as burdensome as ever, and the prospects for her legislative agenda were limited. But those were the only two items, but for a small bag bearing the stately initials of G. T. She killed the last of her coffee and opened the bag, pulling out each bundle of stationery from her preferred stationer in Theed. In her view, Giuseppe Trossi was the only stationer worth a damn, and she was happy to let other Senators know. She had a ritual now of providing a small welcome package of stationery to new Senators -- notepads, note cards, whatnots -- personalized with the names and initials where appropriate of each new Senator. It was how she familiarized herself with new colleagues. Varencourt provided the bundles, clipped to a printed photograph of the new member.

"Wait a minute," she said, her eyes lingering on the photo of the new Senator for Tatooine. "I know him. He's in the Senate?"

Varencourt leaned over. "Mr. Moreau? Yes, the member for Tatooine. How do you know him?"

Verity smiled enigmatically. "It's a long story." A slender finger tapped one of the medals that he wore on his chest in his formal Senate photo portrait. "We're not best friends, but I did write the commendation that put that there. I had no idea he was interested in politics." She looked up at Varencourt. "You got me appointment with him and the others?"

"Yes, Senator."

"Good. When do I meet with Moreau?"

"Tomorrow," Varencourt announced. "Before your luncheon with the Ecological Resources Compact."

Leon Moreau
​

 

[Leon Moreau]

Verity Stuyveris

He remembered Senator Stuyveris.

Back then it had been miss Stuyveris.

Even at a younger age, Verity had been bold, brash and having a certain level of bravery that verged on the suicidal. Hearing tales of her facing down one of the SIth Lords of the Covenant without hesitation did not surprise him. Maybe it intimidated him a little. Leon knew he would have thought twice if he had been in her shoes.

What a formidable woman she must have become.

Leon waited patiently in the waiting room while Verity handled her latest appointment. Only when the PA came in and signaled that the Senator was ready for him, did he stand up, taking his hat off and with it in hand entered the office of the fierce senator.

"Senator Stuyveris." Inclining his head there. "An honor to meet you. Are you well today?"

The former soldier did not try to remind her of the time they had shared together all those years ago. Leon hardly thought she'd remember it now and it would look silly from him.

Maybe even an attempt to ingratiate himself to the powerful figure.

"I am not sure how to start this, I am afraid. I am rather new to this all." An apologetic smile there.

 

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

"Senator, come in," Verity said gregariously as she rose. She rounded the desk and offered a handshake. "Thanks for making the time."

She gestured for him to take a seat and set about offering coffee and refreshments.

"Normally I'd come to you, but I understand there was some kind of -- electrical issue, was it? -- in the north wing. Well, never mind. It's good to see you again. It's been a long time."

Yes, she remembered. The senate delegation when she had been working with the previous Senator. They had come under fire and it was Leon Moreau as much as anyone that saw them to safety. "What are you doing here? I never thought I'd see you in politics."

Leon Moreau
​

 

[Leon Moreau]

Verity Stuyveris

He blinked, making it clear to Verity that the man in front of her had not assumed she'd remember him.

"A long time indeed, Senator." Once she indicated it was allowed, he'd sit down opposite of hers. "I am surprised you remember me, ma'am. I was just one of many soldiers back then." Humble, but was it false humility or true? Back then he had seemed like a firm and responsible young man.

Someone who cared about protecting people and who had had the time to put Verity at ease, when it would have been easy to brush aside the concerns of a civilian.

But that had been the soldier and this was the politician.

"Neither did I, if I am honest." He said with an expression that verged on painful, before Leon managed to wipe it away entirely. "But I have always wanted to serve. First in the military... and now I suppose I am serving my planet in a different way." He still wasn't entirely sure how that would work.

Tatooine had a reputation for a good reason.

"I am quite happy to make the track, ma'am. This body isn't made for sitting behind the desk all day, having a walk is quite pleasant."

A smile there.

"I on the other hand, am not surprised to see you a Senator. Even back then I saw the steel in your eyes. You do not back down from anyone." It could have been just an attempt at stroking her ego. But his expression seemed sincere enough.

 

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

"I make it a point to remember people who put themselves between me and danger," Verity said genuinely, fixing the Senator in a gaze whose warmth seemed uncharacteristic for the woman whose entire persona was based on staying cool. "That includes you."

She went to the side table and picked up the small dark box that was sitting there, waiting. "Tatooine, though, really? I didn't know anyone was from there. I thought it was just a place that people... y'know. Ended up." She paused, made a face. "No offense intended, of course. I'm sure you know that the place has a reputation. I've heard it described as a hive of scum and villainy." Verity paused again, head canting as if she was searching her memory.

"Maybe that was just one city," she amended. "Anyway. Here, this is for you."

She held the box out to him. As he opened it an examined its contents, she explained: "When I first came here it was a nightmare finding a proper stationer. Until I found Mr. Trossi I was having stationery delivered from Druckenwell -- at my own expense, of course, which was manageable but there are better things to do with that money, of course." She smiled faintly. "And I was looking for ways to welcome new Senators to the club, so I put together a little care package for each new member. It's a nice little tradition. Some of the other Senators do something similar. If Eharl Sarn hasn't come by with a plant, he will soon, I'm sure. He's a darling."

Verity settled back in her seat.

Leon Moreau​