Private Pirate's Parlay

[Shiyan Zouh]

​

TAG: Gram Arranda

The Senate place on Naboo looks like it's meant to calm everyone down, with all that soft light coming through the big stone arches and hitting the shiny floors. There are these shallow pools too, reflecting everything, and you can smell the vines outside on the terraces. I guess the builders figured that kind of setup would make people think straight about running things.

Shiyan Zouh wasn't buying it though. She was off by herself, away from the groups of senators and their aides, legs crossed and sitting up straight even if she looked relaxed. Her glass of rum sat there half empty, the stuff from Corellia that's pretty strong, and she tilted it to watch the liquid move around before it settled. It felt real, at least, not like the games people play in politics.

Her eyes, that shone like rubies, kept going over to the entrance of the main chamber down the hall. All these senators walking in and out, dressed up in robes or suits, representing places with long histories, trade routes all mapped out, even their own ships for protection and official stamps from way back.

Tarnoonga didn't have any of that going for it. Back in the day, it was just a spot for pirates, nothing claimed or sorry about it. Now the people there are into trading, building ships, guiding routes, trying to shake off that old reputation. They pay what they owe, stick to the rules on shipping, and even send out boats to help fight the Republic's battles from time to time.

But when they put in for official status, it became tuck in review. That just means the Republic's bureaucracy was dragging their feet.

And dragging means trouble for everyone back home. Without the full nod, there's no real safety net, no promise from the big fleet to step in, no money for building stuff up. They get by, maybe seen as helpful, but not really part of the Republic proper.

She sipped the rum slow, and it hit right, burning a bit. Her face had that sharp Duros look, but her eyes stayed still like a Neimoidian figuring things out. She wasnt here just to hang around. This trip was about locking in something solid for the future.

Over there, a few senators were chuckling about farm money, like deciding on crop amounts was the worst problem out there. Shiyan's jaw went tight. It kind of annoyed her, that casual talk.

Recognition isn't some fancy event. It's about making it or not, survival basically. Her little comm device was quiet on the table next to the datapad, with the petition file pulled up, all the changes and adds and supports she got, but it still wasn't enough somehow. Shed talked in meetings, worked out deals on trade, promised paths for patrols and spots to dock.

How much more do they want, really, to see that old pirate types can turn into regular folks under the law? Another sip, not as big.

She let out a breath, trying to keep steady. Frustration builds up, sure, but you can't show it all the time. The next chance to speak up, or whatever talk comes along, shed jump on it.

Tarnoonga won't stay forgotten in the records. And leaving without something? That wasn't happening.

 

[Gram Arranda]

Rare was it these days that Gram could go back to his roots. His father had been an agricultural researcher, monitoring crops and soil for the Alderaanian government. He spent his childhood among farmlands, which made him uniquely qualified to discuss the subject with the Senator of Triffis.

Granted, it wasn't what he had originally intended to speak to her about. The Triffians had shown an interest in Alderaan's cause and were considering offering their support. He wasn't quite sure how they ended up joking about the arbitrary pricing of crops instead, but that was okay. Small talk came easily to him; most of it was just listening and letting the other person talk about whatever subject they wanted to discuss. He found most people were quite interesting, provided you gave them a chance - and it would make a good impression on her, which meant she would be more likely to vote in favor of Alderaan's membership in the Republic.

It was the Senator who first glanced at her chrono. "Ah, look at the time! I'm afraid I have a meeting soon. It was good to talk to you, Senator--I mean, Ambassador," she corrected herself shyly.

"Hopefully there will be a Senator of Alderaan soon," Gram smoothed over her error with a smile. "I enjoyed talking to you too. I hope your meeting goes well."

They bid each other farewell. While the Triffian Senator hurried to her appointment, Gram got up to refill his caf. Most of the other Senators and their aides were clustered together in one part of the mess... but one in particular was sitting by herself. To his untrained eye she looked like a Duros, in which case her homeworld was outside the borders of the Republic. But she was also dressed like a pirate - albeit a very polished corsair rather than a rough-and-tumble marauder - which seemed to indicate that there was more to her story.

His interest was piqued, but should he approach her? His gaze honed in on her rum. "It's a little early to be drinking," he commented, glancing up at her. His tone wasn't disapproving, merely curious.

Shiyan Zouh​

 

[Shiyan Zouh]

​

TAG: Gram Arranda

Those vermillion orbs of Shiyan's flicked over to the gentleman who found himself in front of her. She had seen him around the congressional building on occasion, but never took the time to remember his name nor speak to him. Always too busy with the bureaucracy, she supposed. She nodded to her glass.

"Early is a matter of perspective, friend." She responded with a degree of hospitality, "On my homeworld, it is perfectly respectable to have a small measure of rum with one's first meal of the day."

She took another sip before standing up regally, meeting her new companion at his level. She placed a fisted hand over her heart and bow slightly. Some sort of greeting gesture from her culture. She looked at him again before beginning to speak once more.

"Shiyan Zouh. Ambassador of Tarnoonga to the Republic." She stated, matter-of-factly, "Currently in the process of becoming Senator of Tarnoonga."

With that statement, her eyes gave the slightest suggestion of the frustration on her mind. She gracefully returned to her seat and motioned for the man to join her if he so wished. Her presentation was very much Tarnoongan. In her stride and how she carried herself, one could easily see the legacy of captains and quartermasters in her bloodline. A woman with authority, yet the Republic did not recognize. How badly was her inclination to do things like how her ancestors did it. But alas, that would only belabor the stereotypes her world was trying to move beyond.

"If the Republic even cares to recognize us as a proper system." She added, "But enough of my problems. To whom am I addressing?"

A thin smirk formed on her face. One that was genuinely playful, but inviting. Despite this process going to chit, there was always room for one to make company over good drink or two. If only the man wanted to join in.

 

[Gram Arranda]

"I suppose if you have the stomach for it," Gram said, nodding agreeably. He usually did not imbibe, preferring sobriety. But far from being a teetotaler, he understood the role which alcohol could play in bringing people together, lowering inhibitions and allowing otherwise impenetrable barriers to be crossed. He had been known to indulge if the occasion called for it.

The woman introduced herself as an Ambassador in the process of becoming a Senator. He bowed politely. "Gram Arranda, Ambassador from Alderaan to the Republic." And probably soon to be its Senator, he thought but did not add. "I'm afraid I am unfamiliar with Tarnoonga. I am quite familiar with the struggle for recognition by the Republic, though." The Senate was voting to decide the fate of Alderaan soon, but soon didn't feel soon enough.

"Tell me about your world," he requested, his curiosity genuine.

Shiyan Zouh​