Plans Are Made To Fall Apart

[Dusaro Dresari]

Dusaro had gotten an interesting mission up after having learned pyrokenisis from [member="Josh Dragonsflame"]. A noble house in the Tapani sector had called for Silver Jedi assistance with a certain matter. It was not anything major, mainly they just wanted a third party that was reliable and known for being level headed at a negotiating table. In this case, in spit of Dusaro not being the most... Diplomatic of people, he was a good choice. He had a bit of a reputation in the Tapani sector from previous jobs he had done there, back when he was still a Mercenary. Acted as a bodyguard and at another point, military consultant to one of the more open minded houses. Thanks to both of those jobs he had lived in the area for quite a while and was familiar with the intricacies of how to deal with nobles and all the specific, Tapani customs. But he was still not exactly a great Diplomat, which was the reason his master was sent along with him as well to make sure the mission went smoothly, to supervise and make sure Dusaro didn't do anything crazy.

All that said, Dusaro would be found in something abnormal. Jedi Robes. He never wore the things outside of ceremonies but he was wearing them today for this. He was also missing his usual plethora of weapons, no explosives even. For one thing Dus knew he was not going to be getting those past security, he knew how tight it was going to be so he didn't even try. That and he was familiar with this place, so he was more relaxed here then he might otherwise be elsewhere. This particular event was taking place on Procopia, one of the many Islands that the Noble houses claimed that dotted its surface. This one was something of a hub to the planet, built on one of the larger islands. It was one of the few places where the outsider commoners, the Nobles and everyone else mixed in the Tapani Sector. It was a rather grand sight to behold, though the stench of conspiracy and intrigue could practically be smelled from orbit. It was at least a more 'refined' kind of backstabbing then on places like Nar Shadda. They would arrange you a proper burial at least.

"Right right... Tapani sector, been to long." Dusaro said with a wry smirk as he brought his ship, the New Avalon YV-929 Armed Freighter in to land, having already gotten cleared. Josh would know well enough by now that Dusaro despised crowds, so him speaking fondly of a place like this would likely come across as... Odd to say the least. "May have to see about stopping by and visiting a certain lady friend of mind while we are in the block... Though knowing her, probably busy." Dusaro mused as he landed the freighter, getting up and heading to hop on out of the ship. "Ready to do this thing? Probably gonna be a day or two. It will be a bit of a walk, so we have some time to discuss on the way there." Dusaro had of course, told Josh about the situation and how the Tapani sector tended to be. In this case, the dispute they were going to help mediate was one concerning inheritance rights. A nice, complex thing when your family lines back several generations decided inbreeding was a good idea.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

With their lessons finished for the time being, Josh and Dusaro had been called in for a mission within the Tapani sector. Dusaro had mentioned this world being personal to him at some point, though Josh didn't remember every detail and would likely need a reminder at some point. Not that it had anything to do with the interest factor in Dusaro's affairs... Josh just spent every day constantly absorbing a lot of information. Some of it was bound to slip through the cracks, after all. Either way, Josh had been sent here for what was more or less a mission for Dusaro. Something arranged for him to watch over him and monitor his progress. Dusaro had grown greatly in the time they had spent together and it was about time that was put under review.

The Jedi Master noticed right away that Dusaro had forgone his usual attire for Jedi robes, something he usually only mandated for lessons or ceremony. And even then he was usually lenient with Dusaro during lessons, deciding that it was better he trained in the gear he would be fighting in. Speaking of gear, Josh had used the White Current to hide his lightsaber from view, and from the detection of scanners. If Dusaro needed it, he'd offered to do the same thing as well for his own weapon. There was a good chance they'd need them at all times. One couldn't be too careful on mission. Though as the New Avalon YV went in for a landing, Josh couldn't help but think. Josh had originally intended for Dusaro to fly with him on The Final Dragon, considering what he had to tell him after this, but... Perhaps flying here on Dusaro's ship was more a symbolism of how independent he had become since Josh had taken Dusaro under his wing.

Either way, Josh would be in a holo video call with his son when Dusaro would take the vessel in for a landing.

"I saw a big bird today, Jason!" Josh would chirp with a grin as he could already see the big open-mouthed gasp erupting from his son on the other line before he even did it. "Yup! On this planet we stopped on, I saw a really big bird! I'll tell you all about it when I'm back on Kashyyyk!"

"Can we see the bird, daddy?"

"Hmm... I think I can make that work if I do some research on the species..." Josh would muse aloud. "Yes, we'll look for the birdy, Jason!"

Seeing that the vessel had come in for landing, Josh would nod his head then. "Alright Jason, I gotta get going. I'll be a few days, but I'll see you soon! Be good! Daddy loves you!"

"Love you, daddy!"

Josh would chuckle as he would wave to the camera before the call would end. Taking a deep breath to steel himself, the Jedi Master would rise to his feet and move to join Dusaro in disembarking. "Lady friend, huh?" Josh would inquire when Dusaro brought it up. "I don't mind if we drop by, if need be. We'll be here awhile, after all. We have time. I'd rather take a bit more than have you leave with regrets."

As the two hopped off the ship, he nodded his head. "Aye. Ready when you are."

[member="Dusaro Dresari"]

 

[Dusaro Dresari]

Dusaro had turned down the offer for his saber to be hidden, their Nobles had expected them to come bearing their signature weapons and in fact, the Lightsaber was something of a fascination to Tapani culture. Though Dusaro didn't go into details on that last point, he would be fine to carry it about. As they went in for the landing, Dusaro couldn't help but grin in bemusement as Josh talking to his son. Though it didn't remind him of his own childhood much it was amusing to hear and listen to, even if he had a hard time relating on a personal level. "Kiddo seems to be excited." He said with that bemused look of his, lightly chuckling a bit. "Yeah, ladyfriend. Lotta Lady, and i don't mean that in the manner of physical attraction... Though that isn't incorrect either. Tapani Noblewoman, Cathrine Steiner. When the One Sith were falling apart and all that, shortly before i became a Jedi, she hired me as a bodyguard and military adviser to help keep her people secure. Fun times, fun times. Dangerous too, that is how i found out the hard way i am not the kind of person who needs to be near politics. Not a long story, but not exactly the time for it right now. But yeah, that job is mostly why i got chosen for this mission. Knowing local customs and courtesies, even having a few friends to call on if need be. Simply the ability to say 'i know this person' can open doors here."

Dusaro wouldn't call dealing with the nobles in the Tapani sector his favorite past time, but he did not hate it either. The nobles here had a certain level of old, archaic nature that appealed to him on a purely ideoligical level. The same noble that would poison you would just as gladly challenge you to a saber rake duel depending on the situation. Calling it a giant, unending battle and struggle was not incorrect and that was what appealed to him about the place. "So, to go over it again really quickly. They are going to be treating us as rather, unique things.. You will have ladies of the court come to you, regaling you with the latest scandalous news while trying to sway your opinion with charm and maneuvering. The Lord will be, some what more direct in trying to get your general feelings and thoughts, sowing doubt and subterfuge where ever they can and attempting outright bribery if they think they can get away with it. But don't worry, they are going to be doing it just as much to each other as me and you. Its a giant game, really. Everyone is a player and a piece, everyone wants to not be moved while moving everyone else. Most alliances and groups you will see are just about as likely to be switched around tomorrow as they are to be the exact same. I don't know if you have ever been in a busy, royal court, but that is what it will be like. Everyone wants to change our opinions with third party, uninvolved incidents, schemes and plots but at the same time we are expected to not give into those attempts. Don't make promises, seriously don't. They expect those to be kept for a lifetime, generations even." After saying all that, Dusaro paused for a moment, going through a mental checklist. "Mm... Yeah that should be, about it and cover all the key bases. Any questions on details?" He asked before continuing on his way.

As they walked, the grandiose nature of the place would be swarming all around them. The port was busy with important looking businessmen, minor nobles and roaming guards moving around the port district. Calling it bustling was putting it lightly. The sounds of heated debate on political matters, the price of cargo and even philosophy could be heard all around them. On one side of the street a nobleman dealt with a merchant for a 'little extra' to try and mess with one of his competitors while not far from them a guardsman was being quietly bribed to allow through some 'unlisted' cargo. It was easy to get caught in the massive swirl of events going on all around them but Dusaro kept focused, heading on wards.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Dusaro had soon enough explained that lightsabers were fair game. Which meant the two Jedi did not need to hide their main weapons after all. Of course, Dusaro had to go without his others. Josh? He did no such thing. Anything that needed to be hidden would be hidden, to say the least, as one should always be prepared. Either way, Dusaro would make a comment about his conversation with Jason. "Three year olds get excited about a lot of things" Josh responded with a smirk in turn. He didn't mind folks seeing him talk to his son in holocalls anymore, and Dusaro had earned the right either way. At this point he was a friend, not just a student.

Dusaro knew the nobles here, and so he'd let him deal with them if need be. Josh was experienced with nobility and found himself a hot topic with them back at Hapes and other royal and noble parties, but here he was likely an unknown and he'd like to keep it that way. Dusaro though, would begin to go on about how the nobility worked, politics and all but... Josh would stop him soon enough with a wave of his hand.

"Dusaro. I know" He spoke with a light smile. "Worry less about me and more about you. I don't think they compare to the political ladies of Gallinore, Hapes... But that's a story for another day."

As they moved through the crowds, Josh was taking in one thing after another. Attempts at bribery, attempts to rip off, attempts to sabotage... And for each one, a wave of a hand and a whisper. "I'm calling the guards" Was whispered to an attempt at sabotage. The attempt at bribery to the guardsman? Boom, arrest made. One attempt to rip another off? "If I wanted to be ripped off, I'd have attended your birth" would end the transaction very quickly. Josh was not a fan of these things, not a fan of all these politics... But he did enjoy breaking it up with a casual flick of the wrist and a mind trick or two. But he still kept focused, and let Dusaro take the lead. This was his home after all.

"So where are we off to?"

[member="Dusaro Dresari"]

 

[Dusaro Dresari]

If this had been back in the day, Dusaro would have half expected to get involved in a saber rake at some point during this mission. That was when he was a Merc, he doubted they would be quite as interested in challenging a Jedi to such a match. But then again, one never knew, more unexpected things had happened before. "That they do aye. Only makes sense, they have a lot to get excited about. Everything is new and this is a big galaxy. Lots of new stuff." He said with a good natured chuckle and light shrug.

"Ah. Alright. Good then." He said with a short nod, stretching his neck a bit. "Never been to Hapes, so i couldn't tell you." He didn't know the nature of Hapes nobles and their politics, but he did know the manners of the Tapani sector well.

Dusaro heard and noticed all the same dealings going on, but did not move to deal with them. Not because it was below him, but he was not skilled with manipulating the mind as Josh and he was an outsider. Him attempting to bring up details about specific people doing nefarious things would bring another kind of attention that he did not exactly want. Outsiders in general in the Tapani sector were not liked and them having influence over events inside it was rarely viewed as a positive. Direct intervention from either of them would result in its own negative repercussions later down the road, but the way his master handled it both dealt with the situation and kept them from being directly involved. Dus didn't actively respond too it but he did let out a small smile at the actions.

"A nearby theater, for today. A private party from those hosting us here along with a few representatives from the involved parties. Meet and greet more or less. After it the judge is going to go over a few of the details in regards to laws on succession and how they work here. After that we go to a nice hotel, enjoy some rest, then tomorrow the hearing begins." Dusaro made a bit of a wry look and slight shrug. "Last time i was involved in something like this it went bloody. Though to be fair, it started bloody in the first place. This should be..." Dusaro's voice trailed off as he felt something off, stopping on his right foot as it hit the ground and pivoted around, looking behind them. Josh would likely feeling the same sensation, both of them looking back and both of them would catch sight of someone ducking out of sight. Dusaro knew that him and Josh coming was not going to be unknown or a surprise and that being watched was to be expected, he would have made Josh aware of the same thing. But that was a bit off.

"Peaceful and normal is what i was going to say." Dusaro said with a frown, turning back around and continuing forward. "Didn't even let me jinx myself first by saying it." It could have been something else or nothing, but Dusaro wasn't going to make that assumption. They couldn't exactly chase after someone for being shady, but they could be cautious and aware of their surroundings.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Strong women, don't take any kraf from anyone. They play a tough, very shrewd game" Josh would explain when Dusaro would note he hadn't been to Hapes and wouldn't know their politics. "I've been there, foiled assassination attempts, befriended some folks. Had a Ducha that I was close with, but haven't seen her in a long time. If you ever happen to meet a [member="Relina Zhan"] do send her my regards" He spoke. "Though I don't know if she's still around. If she has passed, then it has not reached my ears as of yet. It's very possible she's just busy, I suppose."

Josh knew the importance to these sorts of people about intervening directly in affairs, and this was his way of getting around that. It was a loophole he didn't apply often, but it was a loophole nonetheless. Not that it was guaranteed to succeed, and even risked having him be exposed. But he had learned to become good at covering his tracks in this, and figuring out quickly if his prodding was being resisted. Either way, things seemed to be going well thus far, so that was a good thing.

Dusaro answered his question with their direction being a theater, and a private party. Dusaro was leading this mission, so Josh nodded his head and allowed him to take the lead once more. "I'd almost prefer bloody if it wasn't... Well, you know, bloody" Josh joked in turn. "While I'm adept at this sort of thing, I can't stand it either. I feel like there are better uses of my time than to play the "game" as one calls it. But necessity is necessity, after all" He would admit then. Though he would stop when he sensed something off, something nearby. Almost expecting an attack, his head calmly moved, noting that someone had ducked out of sight when they looked. They couldn't investigate it just yet, and Josh dismissed it with a hand. He knew that they would likely get a chance to investigate later if the opportunity presented itself. It could be nothing, but... Something told him that it wasn't as such. Someone here knew who they were, and was watching.

"We'd best be off soon as we can then. Shouldn't keep such important people waiting, no?"

[member="Dusaro Dresari"]