Playing the Game (Vincent Ventare)

[Feena]

Life was a stage, or so her fiance always said, but Feena had a slightly different take on it. Yes, the Galaxy was full of actors. Some brilliant, and some... gave less than spectacular performances. But more than that, Feena could not help but think of it all as a game. It was a game of both chance and skill. Some were born with the advantage. Some pulled ahead through careful planning, skill and in many cases, pure luck. As for Feena, luck had nothing to do with it.

There would always be winners and losers. Always. No matter how terrible or unfair her Jedi teachings told her to consider it. So, it was up to her to be a winner. Once she was a winner, she could try to even the playing field some. When playing the game, one had to be especially careful about everything they did. Allies were chosen with great care and enemies were provoked with perfect precision. The way you played was just as important as who you played with.
For now, that was what the Ambassador was working on. To get to high places, one needed friends up there to help you climb.

The best place to look for such allies was, of course, the very center of galactic wealth and power. The Senate Hall.
Feena swept through the halls, holding herself tall, just as her proud ancestry demanded. No slouching, head held high, shoulders back. Perfection, because perfection was what it took. Years of training in every step. Not her Jedi training, though. Her place with them was more or less a happy accident. She preferred to think of herself as a part-time Jedi. As of now, there was very little more she could gain from the order and she had her eyes on something a little more comfortable.

 

[Davin Jusik]

Vincent walked among the grand halls of the Senatorial Building with a practiced gaze. One of his little birds had informed him of the appearance of a Jedi Ambassador who also happened to be a Master, someone of great influence who he hoped to make a truce or alliance with in the coming days of woe. As he neared her supposed walking path he noted how the sun beamed in through the large windows past the statues of those past and seemed to reflect perfectly off her black hair and pale skin.

Vincent would have to watch himself around this one.

 

[Feena]

A little man up ahead. Her brain worked quickly, sorting through information at an unthinkable speed. She knew this one, at least, she recognized him. It was her job to know everybody important or useful.
"Senator Ventare," she swept into a low, well practiced bow the instant the name came to her, "It is truly an honor. I am Ambassador Feena Greyson of the Jedi Order. At your service."
His size did not bother her, save for the fact that she had to dip a little lower than usual. She straightened up once more, a knowing smile on her pale pink lips.
"I had so hoped we would meet some day."

 

[Davin Jusik]

"Thank you, as had I Master Feena, I wished to discuss something with you if you had the time." He said as he walked next to her in his semi waddle. The woman had all the trappings of a lady of the court despite her Jedi status. And a politician's eye.

 

[Feena]

So, she had been noticed by others as well. It was a dangerous thing to be in the spotlight, if the performer was unfamiliar with their part. Thankfully, Feena learned quickly. She slowed her pace, only a little, to allow him to keep up with her easily.
"With me, Senator?" she raised a thin dark eyebrow, but her smile did not fade even a millimeter, "How fortunate then, that we met as we have. I assure you, you have my full attention."

 

[Davin Jusik]

"As you know, the galaxy is soon to be divided, perhaps along unsure lines. I would like to have the backing of yourself, your house, and perhaps some of the more open minded Jedi to back Alderaan and it's houses if it comes to blows." Vincent said with practiced ease.

"This is all hypothetical of course."

Vincent was grateful the Jedi had slowed slightly to allow him to keep pace.

 

[Feena]

A division of the Galaxy. Support for Alderaan. if it comes to blows. Hypothetically.
The ambassador's smile twitched into a little grin.
"I see no problem in supporting a just cause," she replied slowly, "but Jedi are not soldiers. I am not a soldier."
But she knew how to get soldiers, or rather, was very close to someone who did. Her bright silver eyes twinkled behind a curtain of shiny black hair.
"I will need more information."
It was not a no.

 

[Davin Jusik]

"Ask and you shall receive Ambassador." Vincent said with a smile. He could win her over.

 

[Feena]

They were getting somewhere quickly. He was blunt. She liked that. Came right out with what he wanted. He didn't dance around the subject like most people would.
"You've spoken plainly with me, Senator. I feel it is only fair that I should give you the same courtesy," she said, smiling a little wider as they continued to walk together, "I simply cannot agree to anything without knowing first exactly what you will require of me. I also must know that I, or rather, 'we' will be properly compensated. I'm sure you must understand my concerns."

 

[Davin Jusik]

"Military support if necessary and a trade agreement. You and your fellows will be more than compensated, my system boasts a economy only dwarfed by that of Coruscant's." Vincent said with a grand gesture and a smile.

 

[Feena]

Now they were honestly getting somewhere. Of course, the ever peaceful Jedi Master did have a slightly bitter taste in her mouth from all of this. War was not exactly her specialty. if it came to actual fighting, she would of course, pass this on to someone else, someone more qualified. But that was what she did. She found people for other people. As she told him, she was not a soldier. She was an Ambassador. She was, however, also another player in the game.
And as he said, the Galaxy was on it's way to being divided. She would have to chose a side, one that would serve her and her family best. She was a Mother first, a Ambassador second, and a Jedi last.

"Sounds promising. And I've done research on you. I know I can trust you on that much," she continued, walking slowly along with him, "However, there are some other things I am still unclear about- suppose the Galaxy is divided... Where do you end up in all of this? And if I give you my loyalty, do I have yours as well? I do prize friendship above all else, after all. Friendship goes both ways."

 

[Davin Jusik]

"You will most certainly have mine Master Jedi. Friendship is as you said, a cooperative thing. Both pieces must be moving in the same direction." He said with a gleam in his eye.

 

[Feena]

Her eyes nearly shimmered with delight as she stopped and turned towards him. She held out a pale hand to him, a ring with a brilliant pearl decorating the second to last finger on it. she did not bring up the fact that he had not answered her first question. That was fine. Friends or not, she did not need to know his motivations yet.
"Then it seems you and I have an agreement, Senator," she replied, "I will value your friendship for life."

 

[Davin Jusik]

He shook her hand enthusiastically.

"As will I Jedi. I'm glad to be able to call you that." He finished with a grin. One more ally to add to the list for the coming strife. Another he could probably count on if things went sour.

 

[Feena]

"Oh, please just call me Feena," she insisted, "all my friends do, Senator. You should join my family and I for dinner some day. We would be honored to have you as a guest in our home."
Yes, another ally. Her list was growing little by little. It could only get easier from here on out.

 

[Davin Jusik]

"I would enjoy that immensely." The dwarf replied. He would soon have fleets under his command and systems under his control.