Faction No Diarchs Allowed In The Clubhouse (Diarchy)

[Merion Oreno]

Chancellorate of Commerce Facility Hoskor
Echoy'la
The Diarchy

For being a series of pressurized tunnels sunk into a mined-out planetoid, Hoskor Base was a surprisingly comfortable spot for downtime. Currently Merion had plenty. He'd flown a ship of Chancellorate people and assets here because someone struck a deep new vein of Mandalorian iron or whatever. All very exciting for plenty of people.

There was even celebratory cake in the break room, which was admittedly beautiful: it jutted from the asteroid-like surface and had a view of vast natural rings splitting the stars like an axe of pattern-welded steel.

Cake was not sufficient. Merion, in a rare moment of openness to personal connection, had tapped his private funds — he was a gorram prince outside his day job — and the system's culinary resources and let it be known throughout the facility that food and beverages were available. Finger foods, layered sloppy things, intoxicants within reason.

He even took off his cultic helmet and outer robes and stuck them in a corner. For the last ten minutes he'd been in animated conversation with a pair of Trandoshans over hyperlane navigation through the lens of death worship. As Scorekeeper devotees they had many thoughts of their own.

 

[Xian Xiao]

What teen wouldn't turn down free food? In this aspect, Xian was totally typical and almost raced the servers to the destination. Who cared if it was on an asteroid she had never been on? Another thing that didn't matter to the former Jedi was that she didn't know anybody other than Rellik. Everybody here was a stranger, and for one of the first times in her life, Xian didn't care.

She was still trying to figure out her style and what she wanted to be. So she attempted to appear to calmly walk into the room where the glorious food was being kept. As she entered, she stopped in her tracks to see who else was there. If anybody were behind her, they might run into her. Quickly stepping to the side, she tried to start mingling, but probably ended up looking like a fool

Merion Oreno

 

[Merion Oreno]

If anybody were behind her, they might run into her. Quickly stepping to the side, she tried to start mingling, but probably ended up looking like a fool

Merion, just breaking away from that Trandoshan conversation, barely avoided bumping into Xian. "Sorry about that," he said, still chewing on a slice of some sort of local savory slopcake topped with red sauce and a hard, thin, stretchy dairy product. "Welcome aboard - I'm Merion Oreno with Commerce. There's food and we keep getting a new variety of drinks every five minutes as more ships come in."

He glanced around and said, sotto voce:

"You're not a Diarch in disguise, are you?"

 

[Caelus Vire // NIHIL]

With Caelus's full release into the galaxy he had to integrate into society and build the backdrop for his persona or else he would easily be seen as aloof and obscure. With that in mind - at the offer of a visit to a mining center within the Echoy'la rings he accepted promptly.

Arriving alone Caelus entered. Although not a high society event he was told to always represent the Chancellorate with the upmost grace; wearing a fine suit and customary turtle neck. - The soft sweater hugging him near the same way his underlayer of armor did.

Walking through the door he had seen a member of the commerce section of the Chancellory. Walking up to the man he figured it would be a good opportunity to learn more about him.

"Merion, name is Caelus Vire. I work for Administrations, upkeeping laws and integrating new worlds."

He realized he might have been interrupting a previous conversation when he saw a slightly younger woman next to Merion.

"Where are my manners. Pardon me, I did not mean to interrupt. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

Tags: Merion Oreno Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

Xian had no idea anybody within the Diarchy was even remotely close to her age. This day was getting even better. Free food and maybe a friend! She only knew Diarch Rellik and hadn't been far from Bastion since he brought her there. Somebody walked nearby carrying a tray of drinks, and she took one that was light and fizzy.

Taking a sip, she shook her head at his question and introduced herself.

"I'm Xian Xiao. I have yet to figure out my position here, so I am just me."

Finally taking the hint, the girl got out of the way of traffic just a few moments before Caelus joined them. If Merion was a looker, this man was one too. One of a different kind, and Xian promptly fell head over heels with a crush on both of them.

"Xian. Nice to meet you both as well."

With as much grace as an 18-year-old with a flush could, she finished the fizzy drink and grabbed another from a different tray.

Merion Oreno Caelus Vire // NIHIL

 

[Merion Oreno]

"Merion, name is Caelus Vire. I work for Administrations, upkeeping laws and integrating new worlds."

He realized he might have been interrupting a previous conversation when he saw a slightly younger woman next to Merion.

"Where are my manners. Pardon me, I did not mean to interrupt. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

"I'm Xian Xiao. I have yet to figure out my position here, so I am just me."

One of the few things Merion had accomplished alone in this life — he'd done it without them knowing his title, he was fairly sure — was getting his current job, and he had a lot of thoughts and feelings on seeking employment.

"Integration work — that's heavy lifting. I know Commerce people who help with that and it's a lot. If you're looking for a career in the Chancellorates," he said, switching focus to Xian, "it's a hiring boom right now. Hundreds of worlds needing reconnection and every kind of support. What do you see yourself doing? What kind of experience do you have?"

 

[Caelus Vire // NIHIL]

Caelus finally felt at ease. The past few events he had been to always seem intertwined with spies, galaxy wide politics, and the network watching with searing eyes. Here - he at least believed he could be himself for a moment. Even if he did not know truly what that was.

Seeing Xian finish her drink and swiftly grab another, Caelus decided to snag one as the tray went by. With a quick soft motion he gently clinked his drink to hers. Purposefully leading the glass to his face; he took a sip with a smile and wink.

"Pleasure to meet you Xian, Caelus Vire" He said with a quick bow.

As Merion spoke of the Commerce section of the chancellery he nodded along in full agreement. It was hard for local customs to pardon with their traditional goods and allow integration of foreign foods, art, and more. The flow of finance was what brought quality of life to the Diarchy. The Commerce members were integral in that regard.

As he asked Xian about her experience and life he felt intrigued. Offering a look that screamed; "I will interrupt if you need it" in case she felt out of place in the hands of politicians.

Tags: Xian Xiao Merion Oreno

 

[Xian Xiao]

If Merion was nervous that Xian had any idea who he was, she didn't. All she knew was he was close to her age and looked like candied ice cream, and she loved her sweets. She tilted her head slightly as he told her what he did and that it was an active sector.

"Before Diarch Rellik brought me to Bastion, I was a server in a small diner. So that's the only experience I've had with work. I grew up on Coruscant and spent a few years with the Jedi."

If it had been acceptable, she would have spat on the ground. That not being the case and wanting to make a good impression, she just made a dirty face when she said Jedi. After getting picked up and dropped several times, she had given up on the Order and returned to Castell.

"At the moment, I'm trying to figure out where I do fit. I'll keep your offer in mind!"

A clink of another glass brought her eyes to meet those of Caelus. He introduced himself, and Xian quickly took a sip of her drink and lowered her glass with a shy smile. The look he gave her of rescue wasn't missed, but she wasn't feeling that need just yet.

"What do you do, Caelus Vire?"

Caelus Vire // NIHIL Merion Oreno

 

[Merion Oreno]

A former Jedi with intense feelings about being a former Jedi. That sure put Xian in a class and category that Merion hadn't seen coming.

"The Diarchy has a need for trained Force-sensitives," he pointed out. "There's a formal broherht order of sorts, though I'm not really involved in it. But also, for the stellar megacrisis, Planeshift, Sundering Dawn, all of it, the government's been hiring on or contracting with many sorts of attuned navigators from Force traditions with absolutely no common heritage with the Jedi. Void Guides, Pathfinders, I heard they even got a Chiss sky-walker and her caretaker. And stranger angles like me. Did the Jedi teach you instinctive navigation at all? It's rewarding work."

He was asking Xian about fairly specific things and wasn't sure whether Caelus would know anything about them or be interested.

Caelus Vire // NIHIL Xian Xiao

 

[Caelus Vire // NIHIL]

A small tune picked up in the background and Caelus found himself slightly bouncing at the noise. It was a weird and un-conventional sensation.

He listened to Merion and Xian, slightly dazed by the sensation he was feeling.

"I have heard the Diarch speak of you before Merion. It is the uniqueness of us all that make us such valuable assets."

To most it might have seemed he had one to many drinks but he had never danced before in his life. Hell, Caelus by all means was only a few years old and those years were spent in deep training.

Abruptly he stopped. Looking to answer Xian.

"I am the LAW!" He said almost cartoonish, a smile across his face. "I work for the The Chancellery of Administration, we uphold Diarchy law upon all worlds. Mostly, I make sure people behave and treat each other like living things."

He grabbed another drink from a passing server. Foolishly.

Merion Oreno Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

Hearing what Merion said brought a thought to her. Did Rellik offer a home so he could put her to use? Bring her brow down, Xian didn't want to consider the answer. Didn't want to be considered a tool to be used. She preferred to remain the innocent optimist. Pushing the darker feeling away, she listened to his question. Shaking her head before she answered, the movement of Caelus dancing slightly caught her attention.

"No, I don't have that skill. But would be interested in learn it. My skills are more elementally based. You know, water, earth, fire, and air."

Turning a little to now further include Caelus in the conversation, she pulled away just slightly when he made his exclamation. Silently, she wondered if there was something wrong with him, but his tone calmed down, and he gave his answer.

"Can you also use the Force?"

In the short time they had been chatting, Xian was a bit less nervous and took a quick sip of her drink. Her stomach growled at that point, and she started blushing. Hopefully, these two didn't hear it over the music, but she still felt embarrassed.

Merion Oreno Caelus Vire // NIHIL

 

[Merion Oreno]

"Not when he's that tipsy, he can't. Wait, a Diarch knows my name? Of course a Diarch knows my name. It's the Calladene-"

Merion looked at his own drink, which was slightly stronger than anticipated, and bit his tongue.

"So we're all Force-sensitives. I need to ask — my focus is my job with Commerce, I don't know much about the Brotherhood, just that they've got an order-based Sith academy. Are either of you involved in the Brotherhood? Anything you could tell me? Worth my time?"

Caelus Vire // NIHIL Xian Xiao

 

[Caelus Vire // NIHIL]

There was a sharp stinging feeling in the back of Caelus's mind. It was familiar. Poison training during his time in the Shadow Laboratory. It did not cause any reaction in him. It was normal by now. The alcohol he had consumed was being flooded from his system. They must be watching now. He thought to himself. It was strikingly clear that however intoxicated he was, it was now gone. Face back and poised as if he had just arrived.

"I actually am not a user of the force. Not much of a fighter in general. I do stand behind the brotherhood at times as they enforce control. I can attest that they are fascinating people. There was a world I helped govern where Imperial remnants were using the civilian populace that hid from conscription as slaves. The brotherhood is quite unique in one moment they cut the savages down and in the next they were carrying children out in their arms with care. Their presence helps build trust in the rule of law."

He could feel them. For the first time Caelus was thinking we was beginning to form his on friends. Not for espionage or cover but just people who wished to speak to him personally. Even then, he noted that the receptors in his eyes began recording. The Network, perhaps even Rellik was watching...

"I heard there were Mandalorians here, I have yet to meet some. Excuse me for just a moment."

For the first time, Caelus felt that he did not want them to watch his new friends. He stepped away for just a moment. Giving Xian and Merion the privacy he deemed they deserved. At least until the Network had whatever they wanted to see.

OOC: Giving you guys a second to flirt
​

Merion Oreno Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

Chuckling a little at his comment about Caelus not being able to use the Force, she listened to what else he said. When he didn't finish what he started, it didn't cause her any undue concern, but she was curious. Sipping her drink, Merion looked at his, and she didn't notice he had shut his mouth like a clam.

Shaking her head before speaking, she finished her drink and went to move for another. Wanting to giggle a little, she felt giddy and happy.

"I am not part of the Brotherhood, but Diarch Rellik has taken me under his wing."

Not completing her reach, she listened to Caelus clarify he couldn't use the Force but stood behind the Brotherhood. She would have continued chatting with him, but he excused himself. Shrugging her shoulders, she returned her attention to Merion.

"I really like talking to Rellik. He's always so calm and patient with me. How did you get into commerce?"

Doing her best to talk clearly, her tongue was starting to feel swollen, but she knew that couldn't be the case.

Merion Oreno Caelus Vire // NIHIL

 

[Merion Oreno]

"You both know Diarchs—" Merion was looking at Xian and when he turned Caelus was gone. "—personally?"

He squinted at Xian's blush and peered at the drink. "These are maybe stronger than I thought, you look flushed. Here, there's this technique I learned back home for banquets."

Over the next five to seven minutes he earnestly, rapidly, and painstakingly explained using the Force to detoxify poison, alcohol included. By the end of his explanation he was a little more sober than anticipated.

Xian Xiao Caelus Vire // NIHIL