Private Stopping for a breather

[Adhira Chandra]

Coruscant // Galactic City // Senate District //
Gardens of Equality.
Auteme​

It was a fairly pleasant day on the topmost level of Coruscant, the sun was largely obscured by clouds and there was a gentle breeze. It was chilly enough for Adhira to don an embroidered silk wrap as she made her way through the Garden of Equality which dominated the western side of the Senate Building. She walked purposefully with a gruff-looking naval officer beside her and several feet back was an entourage of Senate Guards. The naval officer was elaborating on a plot by Corellia to force Balmorra back into their sphere of influence.​

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"We have reason to believe they may be planning more... drastic measures to force your hand, Senator."​

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"What? Are they going to assassinate me?" Adhira could not contain the deep belly laugh at the thought. "I suppose Kaito is behind these ridiculous plans? Champing at the bit to appease his masters." Her tone was full of contempt for her fellow Senator.​

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"If he is behind the chatter, ma'am, he is doing a phenomenal job at keeping his nose clean. So far we've found nothing to connect Senator Kiyoshi, mostly just low-level influencers in the Corellian government... radicals."​

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"They are all radicals, Admiral Jookiba," the dusky Senator was becoming visibly winded, a long-term effect of the lung damage she suffered as a Padawan. She reluctantly slowed and the Senate Guards closed to the gap to attend her. "I'm fine. I'M FINE!" She waved the guards away angrily, "I want regular updates on the Corellian Confederacy's movements, Admiral. If they want to shake their little fists at me, I'll give them such a bite they'll wish they'd kept their hands in their pockets. Dismissed." The naval officer gave a respectful nod to the Senator and departed as she lowered herself onto a stone bench lining the path. Adhira's lungs were on fire, but when her escort approached again to provide assistance she ordered them to keep a wide distance from her position which they reluctantly obeyed.​

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Her thoughts were laser fixed on how she could bolster Balmorra against their foes. It was ridiculous to think that even within the Alliance there were forces at work against her homeworld. As she was glaring into the middle distance, her periphery caught sight of a young girl approaching her resting place and Adhira attempted to steel herself to not look so defenseless. Her pained look gave everything away.​

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Auteme​

 

[Auteme]

C O R U S C A N T
Tag: Adhira Chandra ​

---

There was a real difference between reading about something and seeing it in person.

Until now she'd only read about the Garden of Equality; accounts of its beauty and serenity, when it'd been built and dedicated, but all that didn't matter much when it came down to it. Auteme found the real beauty of the gardens was the feeling of calm and warmth that permeated the place. The person who had designed it had done so with intent. The constant hum of repulsors that was ever present on Coruscant seemed to be absent here. At this time of day there were very few people roaming the gardens, so there was little to disrupt the calm...

So when pain burst from one of the garden-goers, it was pretty hard to miss.

Auteme recognized the woman as Adhira Chandra -- compared to the Old Republic, there were very few senators, so Auteme had read up on all of the ones in the Galactic Alliance -- and quickly made her way over. Senator Chandra seemed determined to hide her pain, though, and that made Auteme hesitate. Was it right for her to intrude on Adhira's business? If she was trying to hide something, should Auteme pry?

The padawan took a deep breath and settled her thoughts. She was a Jedi. Jedi helped people. This woman needed help. Auteme knew that if someone needed help, she had to give it.

"Senator Chandra?" She approached tentatively, searching the senator's emotions in case she was not welcome. "May I sit? You look... um... troubled." Auteme placed her bag down on the bench, then sat down beside the senator.

 

[Adhira Chandra]

Adhira pretended to be fiddling with the golden embroidered fringe of her wrap when the young girl, whom she now recognized as the newly appointed Senate Scribe, approached. The senator could feel the burning in her lungs as she drew each breath. The air on Coruscant, though filtered heavily on the upper levels was still far below the comfortable levels that Adhira enjoyed to remain full strength. Typically she had a medic standing by to administer oxygen out of the view of prying media-bots like the ones overhead, but otherwise, she needed a long rest to recuperate from such long walks out in the open.​

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"Hmm? Yes?" The elder politician pretended like she hadn't already realized Auteme was approaching. "Yes, of course, child, please sit," Adhira waved to the wide swath of stone bench next to her and smiled. It was a shortlived smile, however, as the young padawan correctly deduced that the Senator was not feeling quite herself. The Balmorran looked around, only to see the Senate Guard was swaying dutifully out of earshot now to ensure no threats approached. She had no choice but to engage the young girl.​

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"I am... quite alright, thank you," she heaved, with labored breaths as she attempted to master her respiratory system, "You... are the new Senate Scribe... correct?" She managed, feeling herself reach into the Force for assistance. Though her remaining connection to the Force was distant and untrained, Adhira had occasionally found strength in drawing from this long-dormant power. The dusky woman felt a cooling sensation around her as she consciously grasped at the oxygen chemicals in the air around her. This began to soothe her and her breathing normalized slowly.​

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"What brings you to the Gardens at this hour?" Adhira posed as she continued to recover.​

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Auteme​

 

[Auteme]

C O R U S C A N T
Tag: Adhira Chandra ​

---

See, this was why Auteme was big on avoiding stigma around medical conditions and treatment. This woman was obviously in pain and potentially in need of treatment -- why was she trying to hide it? Her advisors should be encouraging her to seek out a medical professional. Her pain appeared to be in the lungs, perhaps a simple bacta treatment? Or if it was really bad, they could have her lungs cloned and replaced... though, that kind of procedure always had a bit of risk to it.

Auteme would ask the Chancellor about increasing healthcare funding nation-wide... subtly, of course. It was an important issue. If she was going to become a doctor it might be nice to have a good work environment.

"Yes, I am. My name is Auteme Denko, it's a pleasure to meet you officially, Senator." Weird. She found herself talking so formally and politely lately... not that she wasn't already formal and polite. She just rarely had the chance to show it among the often gun-ho, overly candid, and occasionally rude Jedi. It was different, being in an environment with actual interaction standards, rather than the only rule being 'be nice'.

The padawan's skill at sensing was still rudimentary, but she realized after a moment that Senator Chandra was using the Force to keep herself active and to push away the pain. A sort of Force healing, maybe? Or perhaps she came here to meditate and focus on the Force, and Auteme was now interrupting...

Auteme looked away, searching the trees and flowers of the gardens for an answer to the question. In truth... well, there was no reason not to be honest, now was there? "I've never actually visited, and I thought it was about time. This garden... it's very beautiful. I had a bit of time and I thought I could take a walk." She gave a warm smile, for no other reason than she felt like it. Her responsibilities as a Jedi and Senate Scribe were left in the building behind her; it was alright to just take a moment for herself.

 

[Adhira Chandra]

The entire time, Adhira was eyeing the young girl from her peripheral vision expecting to detect a hint of deception, but she found none. She could feel Auteme's energy. It was in the air around her, comingling with hers. They were kindred spirits if nothing else. "You and I have quite a bit more in common than we'd readily admit, Miss Denko," Adhira mused with a smirk toward her new sitting partner. It was unlikely that anyone trained in the force, even a padawan had failed to recognize Adhira's desperate call to the Force.​

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"You are a Jedi? I was too... once," Adhira admitted, wary of her precise lip movements as the media-droids circled overhead. Her face was like living stone, moving only when necessary but giving away no secret of the words she was speaking. "Tell me, Ms. Denko, what brought you into the service of the Senate?"​

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It was not common knowledge, but it was also no deep secret that Adhira Chandra herself has been reassigned from the Jedi Order after the sitting High Council found her ability to utilize combat skills wanting. During the negotiation her Master had led with the crime families on Plexis, both Jedi were ambushed and attacked with poisonous gas. Her master perished, but Adhira managed to escape with permanent damage to her lung capacity, leading the Council to reassign her to the diplomatic corps of the then republic.​

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Auteme ​

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[Auteme]

C O R U S C A N T
Tag: Adhira Chandra ​

---

Auteme was pretty sure that she was ready to admit if they were similar. The way Adhira spoke showed enough tact and caution, both regarding Auteme and the media droids that hovered above them. The padawan found herself looking up at them. So many people dreamed of being famous. Was that one of the costs? That they'd need to be under constant surveillance from these droids, operated by people who wanted the next bit of gossip? She really hoped she wasn't a public figure now. Maybe this hadn't been the best idea...

Her eyes settled back on the Senator, and she was reminded of why she'd walked over in the first place. Senator Chandra was struggling with her pain and stress. Maybe. Now that Auteme was sitting close to her she realized that the other woman was rather difficult to read. Instead the padawan relied on the Force to tell her how the woman was feeling.

"Yes, I am." Most of her research on the Senators considered their recent political careers and the basic information about them. Hearing that the Senator had once been a Jedi was a little surprising, though it did make sense. "I didn't know that. Were you a Jedi for very long?"

The next question was easy enough. Chancellor Tagge had basically asked her about her motivations when they first met. Spending time around such eloquent people was beginning to rub off on her. "I think that the Alliance's Senate can do a lot of good, and I want to help. I'm no good with a saber, and I'm not even a very good Jedi, so I suppose my options are a bit limited. But I think that by working here, I can do as much good as the others." As always, Auteme was sincere. She just had different skills than the others.

With a glance up at the droids above, she spoke again. "Do you find it difficult? Being watched, I mean. Do you ever... have a moment to yourself?" Many people made fun of politicians for being lazy or unskilled, but Auteme didn't believe the same things about them. It was as much a battle here as the ones fought with blasters in faraway systems. A wounded fighter here was just as devastated as on the field of battle.

 

[Adhira Chandra]

Adhira knew that the younger girl had looked at the media droids. There small sphere with colorful side panels to denote their allegiance and like bugs they followed around most of Coruscant's most prominent Senators. The Chancellor had more than her and she, in turn, had more than that teenage Rodian pushing droid reform in committee. When you were being seen on Coruscant you were either making waves or threats. Adhira chose to ignore this lovely charming adage. "If you are going to be working with us Auteme, allow me to impart some wisdom," she deftly brought attention to her face, "never give them a clear view. Find a shadow, sit beneath it, hold your head down, no expression whatsoever unless you must break to smile at a stranger. Never enunciate words and wherever possible use imperceptible gestures." The last word was marked by Adhira raising her dark right eye with purpose and on the bench between the two of them a small sweet was sitting there.​

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"The art of being invisible is just as important as the art of presence."​

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"To answer your question though? No." Adhira actually laughed rather loudly which brought the attention of the bots and her guards. "I've become quite accustomed to them all watching me, Denko. If they're going to watch you do something extraordinary!" The Senator stood up, smiling. Somehow this brief moment of kindness because of her will to recover. The tall Senator gently held Auteme by the shoulders and lanced into her eyes warmly.​

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"We are all united here, Auteme, and we will see the Alliance bring justice, order, and kindness to the galaxy again, but forces work against us all the time. Which is why my second piece of advice to you, young padawan, is that for every eye they have on you... have two for them," Adhira winked, "feel free visit my office any time, my dear!"​

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She gave a jerk of her wrinkled hand and the group of tall azure robed men who had been guarding the perimeter closed in all at once and surrounded Adhira again as she made her way back through the Grand Senate Door.​

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Auteme​

 

[Auteme]

C O R U S C A N T
Tag: Adhira Chandra ​

---

Auteme was quiet. Absorbing the wisdom imparted on her by Senator Chandra was rather difficult. Until now Auteme had been completely out of the public eye; being watched was an uncomfortable feeling. But the Senator handled it with a grace and knowledge that might be expected of someone of her station. Soon enough the woman had gotten up, placed her hands on Auteme's shoulders, then left with a new energy about her. "Thank you, I will!" She called after Adhira.

After that she stayed on the bench to consider what she'd just been told. Never give them a clear view. The art of being invisible is just as important as the art of presence. If they're going to watch you, do something extraordinary. Those were the kinds of things she'd expect from an experienced Senator, but was that how a Jedi should act? Then again, it didn't much matter how a Jedi would act here. This was the Senate, not a lesson from Master Morga or a meeting of Jedi. She mentally rehearsed those words for a minute.

Nearly all of the media droids had floated off, following the Senator from far above, but when Auteme glanced up she noticed that one had stayed behind, the holocam lens fixed on her. Her gaze immediately returned to the ground. Why was it watching her? She wasn't a Senator. Was it trying to figure out who she was, to get a name for whatever story Senator Chandra was in next?

Do something extraordinary.

The droid watched on as the padawan stood and brought her hands in front of her. With a deep breath, Auteme pushed her energy into her hands, creating a warm glow that grew into the image of a beautiful white flower. Shaping the Force light was a trick she'd learned from the best, but up until this moment she hadn't entirely found a use for it. Still, this little thing was quite extraordinary...

Auteme released the flower into the air, and after floating for a little while it burst into little flakes that dissipated soon enough. With a new confidence, the senate scribe walked back towards the grand building where she worked.