Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Jun 26, 2013 22:00:09 GMT -8
As one passed through the door into Corellia's slice of home away from home, the offices of it's Senatorial delegation, a rectangular waiting room opened out, longer than it was wide. Chairs of numerous shapes and sizes were arranged tastefully along the long sides of the room. The majority were sized for a human or humanoid, but some were significantly shorter, no doubt adapted for Drall visitors, and still others, with graceful curves, had been designed for the Selonian race. Interspersed between the chairs were small tables on which lay publications from all over the Republic -- and even some from beyond its borders. The opulent green shag carpet was nearly six inches deep, and a visitor's feet sank richly into it's soft depths as he or she entered. On the right were two darkened conference rooms, with soundproof doors standing open, and reversible polarity windows that provided for their privacy to be adjusted. The light brown wooden paneling on the walls harkened to earlier times, a rustic throwback that took the edge off the formality of the surroundings. The ceiling was dominated by one single dome light, it's pale yellow hue chosen to exactly match the light of Corell, the home star.
At the far end of the room was an imposing oak desk with black iron trimmings and supports, and beyond it, the door to the Senator's private office itself, which followed a similar decor. At the secretary's desk were arrayed three terminals: one for showing a live stream of Senate proceedings, one showing a rotation of HoloNet News broadcasts, and the third for holonet research, correspondence, and carrying out secretarial duties for the Senate delegation. It was behind this desk that one could almost always expect to find the Senator's secretary, or if not, another staff member ready to assist.
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Sept 9, 2013 20:39:30 GMT -8
His mind filled with the problems that lay before the Senate, most notably the question of the Mandalorian War, any Republic involvement in that war, and the very thorny ongoing debate about who should pay for the Republic's defense forces, Dmitri entered his office, and exchanged glances with his Twi'lek secretary. Aylee'saresh had an uncanny ability to always return from each Senate session and be in her place at her desk before Dmitri himself walked through the door. She'd been doing it for years, and Dmitri still wasn't sure how she did it. But that was a mystery for another time. Right now, he had a job that she was somewhat uniquely suited to perform: befriending her fellow Twi'lek, the representative Belf'ima.
"Aylee, I have a job for you. Go pay the young representative from Ryloth a visit." He grinned. "Get to know her, make her feel welcome here. But also, see what you can find out about their planetary defenses, and what has become of the esteemed Senator himself." There was a pause as he unlocked the door to his private office. "The Republic should not place a burden on them that they cannot bear, but we can't afford to set a precedent of unlimited aid for every rim world, either."
=Aylee'saresh=
The blue-skinned young woman nodded, a slightly impish smile creasing her own face. "Good suggestion, Senator." She rose from her seat, gathered a few personal items, and departed. An intern who had been working at a side table go up, and replaced her as the Corellian Senator's receptionist.
Disappearing into his office, Dmitri left the door ajar, and tuned one of his holonet receivers to the Corellian local news channel.
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Nov 5, 2014 22:09:08 GMT -8
Koronov sat at his desk, his eyes traveling from the HoloNet News reports on the new treaty of cooperation with the Jedi; to the thick holobook at his right elbow with all the preliminary details of the Senate investigation on Ryloth, Kuat, Jedi Knight Mahir, and Senator Crom'nen; to the datapad at his left with all of Aylee'saresh's hard work on the amendment to the defense spending bill. One, two, three. Tic-tac-toe. There was a slightly stunned look on the Senator's face, and after a while he slowly shook his head, and wiped a hand across his eyes.
It had been a taxing last few months, and he couldn't help feeling that the Republic was wasting too much time fighting itself, while bigger enemies gathered at the borders. He appreciated all of the hard work of the Jedi scholars and Republic scribes alike, but it all felt a bit unnecessary. The role of the Jedi was clear from history. It ought to have been common sense, yet here we were, so maybe it wasn't so obvious to the younger generation. And as for the Ryloth herself, she still lay poorly defended, so far as he could determine. Worse, it was no longer politically feasible for Dmitri to bring his bill to the floor, at least until Crom'nen was replaced. So far the Twi'lek had flatly refused to resign. So what more could Dmitri do? He should have taken a fact-finding mission to Ryloth immediately, when he first had the idea. But now it was too late.
Viciously, the Corellian stabbed his index finger into the power button of his holonet set, stood up, and stormed out of his office into the reception area. He needed a drink.
|
|
|
|
Post by Senator Zarine S'daya on Nov 12, 2014 17:57:02 GMT -8
Deciding that it was time to acquaint herself with Coruscant, the Senate Building, and the Senators more particularly, Zarine had dismissed her retinue and was walking about on her own, datapad tucked under her arm. Accompanied by the soft rustle of the fabric of her gown, she smiled and slid a hand over the smooth satin. This sort of luxury was new enough on Yavin IV to still be refreshingly uncommon. To be sure, she'd not had nearly as much variety in her wardrobe on the jungle moon. Anyway, her hair was looped up and the light in her eyes sparkled. She'd been a bit nervous earlier as she was introduced in the Rotunda, but she'd expected that. ~I'm supposed to be nervous, right? Make sure I don't end up mutating into a power-hungry politician or something~ the thought trailed off as she stopped outside a largeish door with a plate announcing "Corellia's Senatorial Office."
"Rather posh," she reflected quietly to herself, wondering if she should knock or press a chime. However, she extrapolated that most offices here had a similar layout and there was probably a reception area inside.
Zarine entered the room and paused to take in the decor. She assumed that this was a reflection of the Corellian Senator's physical home. She was passing a closed door that led into the deeper office, when suddenly it burst open, and WHUMP!!! Two and a half seconds and one broad chest later, she found herself out of breath upon the floor looking up at---- someone that was obviously angry. Not for the first time she wished she had some of those 'Jedi reflexes' that were so much in vogue.
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Nov 18, 2014 21:17:34 GMT -8
The hard-set lines of Koronov's frustration and anger melted almost immediately into surprise as his speedy exit from his office came to an unexpected halt. His reflexes were rather good for a middle-aged human male, and he had no trouble catching Zarine's datapad in his left hand before it hit the floor. But he was no Jedi, and his right hand met only empty air as he tried in vain to catch the unfortunate woman's wrist in time to break her fall. Fortunately, the carpet was pretty thick.
The anger almost entirely gone from his face (aside from the deepest corners of his eyes), Dmitri stared at the younger woman, wracking his memory for her identity. His secretary, Aylee, would have known the answer, but she had gone out, and he desk stood uselessly empty not three feet away. The strange woman's clothing and hairstyle indicated that she was someone of some importance, but even that was no guarantee. There were Senators who cared so much about appearances that their garbage boys wore clothes as fine as Koronov's very best suit. He had nothing definite to go on, except the datapad. And he was far too much of a gentleman to pry into her identity that way.
"Are you all right?" He asked instead, offering her his hand. The look of concern on his face was genuine, and masked the confusion he also felt.
|
|
|
|
Post by Senator Zarine S'daya on Nov 19, 2014 15:19:23 GMT -8
The one positive thing right now was that no one other than the Yavinite and Corellian Senators respectively were present to witness this ungraceful fiasco. Zarine wasn't sure whether to be angry or annoyed. Maybe new Senators were only announced every day in the Rotunda! ~Nonsense, Zarine, he's seen a lot of people come and go in this position.~ she told herself.
"Is it normal for females to be breathless in the immediate potency of your presence?" she shot back at him, with an eloquent arching of her eyebrows.
Zarine sighed. This was not how she'd envisioned introducing herself. Frankly, she'd been hoping for something more---reassuring? familiar?---from the Corellian Senator. Like herself, he was not a Jedi, obviously, otherwise she wouldn't have had a chance to examine the fine weaving of his office carpet in such a closely intimate fashion. And like herself, he represented a world with a large population of Jedi. However, unlike herself, Corellia had a large population in general. On Yavin, most of the residents were affiliated with the resident Jedi Praxeum in some way. She felt like she was walking a fine line, and she didn't know exactly where the boundaries were. However, she really couldn't tell this stranger any of that.
She noted the concern and accepted a hand up from the floor. She straightened gingerly, tugged and brushed her outfit into something approximating the unruffled exterior that he'd so abruptly ruffled, and offered him her hand in a more genteel fashion. "I'm fine," she smiled, "nice carpet, by the way."
"However," she hadn't missed the preoccupied anger that had sent him fleeing precipitately from his inner sanctum, "are you alright?"
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Dec 27, 2014 21:35:57 GMT -8
It was quite true. In a legislative body as large as the Senate, it was almost impossible to know and recognize every new face. But Koronov was a veteran politician who knew the importance of Yavin to the Republic and to the Jedi, and under ordinary circumstances, although he had not been in the Rotunda when Zarine was introduced, he would have caught the event on the Senate Holonet from his office. This, however, was anything but an ordinary circumstance. The new Senator from Yavin would soon discover just how complicated a situation could be invented by the current group of politicians!
Koronov rolled his eyes at the comment about breathlessness, deciding it was more appropriate to let the comment go, than to respond further. There was something familiar about her, he realized as he shook her hand. If only he could remember what it was. Blast it, Aylee probably knew exactly who this woman was. But she wasn't here. He would have to stall until his troubled mind remembered, or until the woman introduced herself. "I'm fine. My apologies for my haste. I have a lot on my mind, and I wasn't expecting a visitor." He glanced at the floor as she mentioned the carpet. If you were going to fall down, his office was certainly a better choice than some. One former Mon Cal Senator had even had fish ponds with live fish set into his floor. That would have been especially unpleasant. "I'm glad you like it. It's a little fancy for my taste, but it's modeled after our government buildings back home."
Dmitri cracked a slightly-crooked grin as he released her hand, and pressed the datapad he'd retrieved from midair into it. "What brings you to my office?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Senator Zarine S'daya on Dec 30, 2014 20:09:34 GMT -8
Zarine straightened her outfit with a quick efficiency that yet remained graceful, obviously out of long-practiced habit. A slight frown creased the middle of her forehead as he handed back her datapad, but it smoothed immediately as she tucked it under her elbow. She had a decision to make, well, lots of them really. She knew that she'd need allies in a political arena like this, and the Corellian delegation was an obvious place to look. However, she knew people mainly by reputation so far. This was an attempt to begin remedying that.
"Well, I'm recently arrived on Coruscant, and thought that it would be rewarding to start meeting people." She paused a second, thinking about how to say what she wanted to say. In the interim she examined Senator Koronov's appearance and bearing and decided that in this instance straightforward honesty was the best choice. "I have begun with you because you also represent a world with a sizable population of Jedi, and you've been doing so for some time now. As you are not a Jedi either," she mentally crossed her fingers and hoped her information was correct, "I thought you would be aware of the balance that must be maintained in this position. And pardon me for not leading off with this, I'm afraid the erm, manner of our initial greeting was rather unexpected, I'm Zarine S'daya, Senator for Yavin IV." She smiled warmly as she introduced herself to let him know there were no lasting hard feelings as a result of his earlier preoccupation.
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Jan 6, 2015 22:26:53 GMT -8
The middle-aged Senator's smile deepened as his visitor mentioned that she had recently arrived on Coruscant, and then a sudden look of recognition leaped into his eyes as she mentioned her name and rank. Of course. That was what was familiar, he had half-heard her recent introduction to the Senate. He really should have been paying more attention to the proceedings, even if there was nothing of significant importance on the Senate agenda that day. The Jedi needed every ally they could find in the Senate, and the recent frictions had put Koronov in a delicate position. That was, in fact, the very reason for his preoccupation and worry as he had attempted to exit his office.
"Welcome to Coruscant, Senator." He worked hard to hide his embarrassment at not recognizing her, and the reddening of his face remained almost-imperceptible. "I am Dmitri Koronov, but you know that already. It's an honor to meet you, and you are correct, I am very aware of those challenges. Just this month, the tension over Jedi activities on Ryloth ruined several weeks' worth of legislative work by my staff." He glanced over his shoulder into the depths of his private office, then motioned to her. "Won't you come in and have a seat? Yavin and Corellia ought to be better allies than we have been at times in the past, and if we're going to be friends, it might be a long conversation." He winked.
The smaller room was furnished in a similar fashion to the rest of the Corellian delegation's office. Holobook shelves lined the two side walls, and the rear wall was an illuminated display, projecting holos of various landscape scenes from the Five Worlds through a fake window. In the center of the room was a desk identical to the one in the reception area, except that the iron trim had been painted green instead of black, and there were three times as many datapads scattered across it. Apparently Dmitri was not as neat as his secretary. Behind the desk was a rather simple leather armchair, more utilitarian than comfortable, and to a trained eye, less posh that everything else in the office. And in front of the desk, again there was an array of different sizes and shapes of chairs for accommodating any number of alien races in addition to humanoids.
|
|
|
|
Post by Senator Zarine S'daya on Jan 15, 2015 17:09:26 GMT -8
"Oh please, 'Zarine' will do nicely under the current circumstances," she replied with a light touch to his sleeve as she interjected her comment immediately following his address of 'Senator.' Zarine blushed faintly as she realized he might take that in a more illicit manner than she intended having only been referring to their initial mode of meeting. Rather than draw attention to her gaffe she nodded graciously, accepting his invitation and preceding him into his inner sanctum.
~Well~ I reflected ruefully upon noticing his rather messy, overcrowded desk, ~it's good to know someone else takes this seriously and isn't above doing his own research.~ I noted the worn look to his own chair and selected armchair that looked comfortable nearby his own.
Zarine sat down with a fluid grace and crossed her right leg delicately over her left, in so doing revealing a rather shapely amount of leg due to her narrow dress being possessed of deep side slits reaching a good few inches above the knee in order to allow her relative freedom of movement in walking. She leaned slightly with her right elbow upon the arm of the chair, nodding with approval as she noted his choice of decorations. The little she'd seen of her own office so far was shockingly plain in the contrast with Koronov's room, however, that was most likely because he had been in residence for a decent amount of time and had left his own personal touch on the Corellian offices.
"I have nothing against a long conversation," she replied archly, matching his wink with a beatific smile of her own, "particularly with a denizen of a planet famed for its charming residents." She did not miss the fact that in one breath he spoke of Yavin and Corellia being closer allies and immediately assumed that the two of them would be friends.
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Jan 19, 2015 20:08:30 GMT -8
Koronov shot a glance over his shoulder towards the deserted waiting area of the Corellian offices, before following Zarine into his smaller, private office, and taking a seat behind his desk. He left the door open, in part so that Aylee would feel free to join them whenever she returned, and in part so that he could see if any other important visitors arrived. The Corellian hastily pushed aside some of the clutter on his desk, mixing reports on Dantooine's agriculture with a water quality analysis from Selonia in the process.
"Charming?" He repeated, bemused. "That's not exactly the word we Corellians usually hear used to describe us." The left corner of his mouth turned upwards once more in a smirk, and he paused, allowing her a few seconds to finish observing the decor. The younger woman's grace and fluidity of movement was not lost on Dmitri, but if he noticed her figure, he showed no sign of recognition, his attention instead focused on her facial expression and reaction to her surroundings. She was attractive, but that was merely one more fact to be filed away, and not something to be outwardly acknowledged about a colleague that he barely knew.
"Well then, Zarine, where shall we begin? I must admit that I am curious why Yavin has finally chosen to send a representative to the Senate." The curiosity was written in his face, as plain as daylight. He was quite pleased to see that the long-standing invitation had been acted upon, but the timing was a mystery to him. The Jedi had maintained that since they were the only residents of the Yavin system, it would be inappropriate for them to have a Senator. What had changed? Was this a result of the recent Ryloth scandal and subsequent legislation, or was it due to something entirely unrelated, such as an increase in the civilian population of Yavin IV and her sibling moons?
|
|
|
|
Post by Senator Zarine S'daya on Jan 21, 2015 13:13:27 GMT -8
"Oh? I suppose you would have preferred 'rogue,' 'scoundrel,' or something along the lines of 'scruffy nerf herder' perhaps?" Zarine replied, turning to look at him with a steeply arched eyebrow as she shifted sideways in her chair so she could keep half an eye on the door whenever she thought about it. Her eyes narrowed a bit as she wondered if Koronov was trying to throw her off balance. If he was, he wouldn't get very far with that.
She reached into a pocket and extracted a small case which she opened by pressing a small depression along its rim. As it folded open it revealed about eight delicate cigarettes, "Would you care for one?" she offered politely, all the while considering him closely. Some men hated it when a woman smoked. If he accepted one, he'd find it very weak, hardly a vice at all, though simply looking at it, some people were prone to dismissing the user. Zarine found this useful, and she'd adapted her own blend as she really didn't want to send herself to an early grave.
"Hmmm, you don't take long to get down to business, do you?" I riposted. ~He barely even looked at me, as if I'm a houseplant! Or 'one of the boys,' or some other equally worthless nonsense.~ I reflected, impressed and annoyed at the same time. Given that he'd spent some time on his surroundings, I guess he had also taken precautions to protect them accordingly, so with a curt, "mind if I do?" I selected my own cigarette, trimmed it meticulously and inserted it into a delicate holder that had been masquerading as a hairstick with a decorative flower carved at the end. I lit it and drew in a small puff of fruity tabacc. It was as if by donning a mask my threatening case of nerves vanished and I peered calmly over at the rugged Senator.
"While the majority of Yavin IV's population is indeed Jedi, there are others, a few of us descended in a very distant way from some of the Rebels initially residing on Yavin. We help the Jedi, and they help us. It is a mutually beneficial relationship." She tilted her head to one side as if the change in perspective of Koronov was helpful. A faint smile teased at the corner of her lips as it was amusing to see him leaning against his desk at an unplausible angle. "As for 'why now' perhaps it is simply to have some kind of voice in seeing that Ryloth doesn't happen again. And perhaps there are other reasons."
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Feb 2, 2015 21:17:11 GMT -8
Koronov rolled his eyes slightly, but there was an amused smirk on his lips. He noted the shift in her posture as she adjusted to the open door partially at her back, and briefly considered closing. But almost immediately, he decided that it had a purpose to serve just the way it was. Her initial reaction hadn't shown him quite enough. He observed the cigarette case closely, looking for any words or symbols that might offer clues to Zarine's background. The revelation of the case was a mild surprise, but Dmitri was a practiced politician, and he kept his surprise to himself.
"No, thank you." He declined. The only thing Koronov smoked was a very occasional cigar, and never within the Senate or while on official business, but he was not offended by the habit, either. It didn't serve much purpose to get offended about something like that.
He was impressed with the delicate grace of her smoking habit, and wondered where, exactly, the cut glass ashtray he kept for guests had gone. There were about twenty different piles it might be hiding under, and it wasn't a good form of hospitality for him to go rooting around for it. He'd have to trust her instincts (which seemed to be exceedingly clean so far). The carpet itself was fireproof, and nothing else was particularly at risk unless Zarine decided that she wanted to start a fire.
"I see." He paused slightly, parsing her words carefully. Ryloth was unlikely to be a complete diversion, but it was unlikely to be the only reason, either. "Yes, well, I have my own theories about why you are here, and if I have those theories, the Senators who distrust the Jedi will have far less friendly theories about you." He winked. "Just wait until you hear some of the imaginative theories they have about me. The Jedi of Corellia used to be heavily involved in politics, and apparently it's not much of a leap to assume that they are still involved, and I am simply a puppet under their total mind control."
|
|
|
|
Post by Senator Zarine S'daya on Apr 29, 2015 13:55:29 GMT -8
"And are you?" Zarine shot back instantly, "of course not," she corrected herself immediately. "It is common to fear what one does not understand, and I think we are even more prone to judge others as we judge ourselves. Thus the traitor walks around assuming all others will betray him. Wouldn't you agree?" she inquired as she puffed out a light haze of faint smoke. Truly inhaling the burning fumes caused her discomfort.
"I suppose they will have their theories; however, if the Jedi wanted control in a political arena it would be easy for them to accomplish that and through far less devious means. I wonder why it is that our political adversaries cannot see this?" Bigotry and hatred evidently were still strong on Coruscant, although perhaps not on the same lines as in the past. Zarine thought about this for a few moments before looking back over at Koronov: the Corellian Senator exuding confidence in every line of his countenance despite the momentary glimpses out of the corner of her eye of someone who could be very human.
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on May 7, 2015 20:18:31 GMT -8
Dmitri nodded knowingly, appreciative of her wisdom. "Yes, I would. That's exactly how it works." He replied with a wry smile. "The paranoid assumes that everyone else is a worrywart. The burglar assumes that everyone else is a thief. And so on. If I've seen that pattern once, I have seen it play out a hundred times." She might be new to the Senate, but she already understood a lot about sentient nature, it seemed. That would serve her well.
"Perhaps it is easier to blame their problems on a sect they do not understand, rather than admit their own responsibilities and failures." He offered in response. "Or perhaps they simply need a way to entertain their overactive imaginations." The Corellian shrugged. "I try not to get too distracted by it. The Republic has far bigger problems that need my attention." Such as preventing Ryloth from happening again, sharpening the watchfulness of the Republic military, undoing the damage to human-alien relations, undoing the damage to Republic-Jedi relations, and a hundred other problems that were quite literally as numerous as the holobooks and datapads covering his desk.
=Aylee'saresh=
There was a polite tap at the door, and a slender blue-skinned Twi'lek woman entered the office. In her early 20s and dressed in a sleeveless green dress and flesh-colored blue heels, the Twi'lek slipped past Zarine on silent footsteps. Her confident body language indicated that she was very familiar with the place, presumably she was a high-ranking member of Koronov's staff. Without a word, she made her way to a stimcaf maker in one corner of the room, filled two clean cups with the steaming hot liquid, and set them on a dainty white tray, alongside two spoons, and small dispensers of cream and sugar. Almost in one motion, she neatly swept aside a pile of clutter between the two Senators, and set the coffee tray on the now-magically-visible spot of desk. Then, her delicate hand dipped beneath another pile, chosen from memory, and uncovered a beautiful cut glass ashtray, which she placed at Zarine's right elbow. Every motion was executed with grace and efficiency. Stepping back, she waited in silence until Dmitri finished his response and acknowledged her.
Glancing at the new arrival with something approaching fatherly pride, Dmitri motioned to the Twi'lek with his left hand. "Zarine, this is my First Secretary, Aylee'saresh. Aylee, this is Senator S'daya from--"
=Aylee'saresh=
"--Yavin IV." Aylee finished, a twinkle in her eye. She always seemed to know everything that happened in the Senate, sometimes even before the Senator did. Her lekku twitched with pleasure and honor. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Senator. Would you like anything else ... perhaps something to eat?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Senator Zarine S'daya on May 13, 2015 15:48:24 GMT -8
"It is always easier to blame someone else than to accept responsibility," she agreed calmly, taking a puff of her thin cigarette and almost immediately releasing the smoke from the corner of her lips, "and it is easy to be afraid of something that one does not understand."
She shifted in her seat, wondering if she had not better leave so that he could get back to whatever he had been working on before bowling her off her feet. Then someone tapped at the door, and a Twi'Lek who could be described as nothing other than statuesque and who moved with a grace that made Zarine feel like she was an oaf, entered the room as if she belonged there and began making stimcaf. Zarine accepted the cup that she was handed gratefully, assuming that this was probably Koronov's chief of staff. She tapped the dying ash from the end of her cigarette into the glass ashtray that had been dug out from under one of Koronov's stacks of work, and, balancing the holder across her fingers and between her thumb, delicately picked up her cup and took a sip. It was surprisingly delicious.
"Thank you," she replied in a warm contralto as the introductions proceeded. She was not at all surprised that Aylee already knew who she was. In fact, she suspected that her efficiency was the reason Koronov functioned. He certainly had seemed at a loss in his own office earlier when trying to find somewhere for her to sit. This glimpse of humanity made her smile, even as it calmed her. Perhaps things wouldn't be so overwhelmingly different here.
"And you, Aylee'saresh," she returned the courtesy, barely stumbling over the long name. Suddenly she found she was a bit hungry. "Something to eat would be lovely, though I'm not picky, so just whatever is fine. I'm sure Senator Koronov is wanting to get back to whatever he was doing soon anyway," she continued with an interrogative glance over at the Corellian male.
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on May 18, 2015 21:10:20 GMT -8
Zarine was not wrong in her assumptions. While Dmitri was a capable politician in his own right, the sheer volume of projects and laws and trade disputes and other matters that passed through the office of a Core Worlds Senator were far more than the average person could handle on their own. Fortunately, what the Corellian lacked in organizational habits were completely offset by the above average talents of his detail-oriented secretary. Hiring Aylee had been one of the best decisions the Senator had ever made. For a time, before she worked for Koronov, she had been the real brains behind the old Galactic Coalition, acting in the background on behalf of her former employer, a Gran named Nicas Kawlonic (the incompetent and corrupt final Chief of State of the Galactic Coalition). Recognizing her talents and her heroic service, as well as the seeming finality with which her whole life had suddenly imploded (with Kawlonic's removal), Koronov had offered her a job.
=Aylee'saresh=
"Please, call me Aylee." The blue-skinned Twi'lek replied with a smile. Turning, she crossed the room once more and opened a hitherto-unseen panel in the wall, and produced a woven basket. Setting the basket delicately on top of one of Koronov's piles, she removed the lid, revealing a variety of scones in various fruit flavors. Then she stepped back, pausing a step in front of the doorway. If Dmitri had any other need of her, he would say so, otherwise, she would disappear and leave them to their conversation.
Dmitri grinned, watching Zarine's reactions to Aylee. Most outsiders, upon meeting Aylee for the first time, assumed that he kept the Twi'lek around for her looks, and their mistake was somewhat understandable. Keeping a beautiful woman (or three) as decorations was not exactly unusual behavior in a place like the Senate. But Dmitri was far too practical for frivolity like that, and he made use of her relative invisibility at important events. Nearly everyone and everything in his office had a purpose.
At Zarine's question, however, his face sobered. "Oh, you're probably right, but there's no hurry. I was hoping you would tell me more about Yavin."
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Nov 30, 2015 21:06:01 GMT -8
Some weeks had passed, and new friendships in the Senate had been formed, while older ones had faltered. Delegates to the Senate came and went, but some departures were more painful than others. The recent events involving the Supreme Chancellor and his Vice Chancellor were most alarming of all. Republic Intelligence had been of very little use in explaining the extended absences of the top members of the executive branch, and Koronov began to suspect that Intelligence themselves were in on whatever was happening. But he dared not say anything, even to his closest advisers. This was a very delicate time for the Republic, and new leadership was needed -- immediately. It seemed that everyone was content on the surface to pretend that the Republic was functioning normally, and to hold the normally scheduled election, but Dmitri was suspicious of the state of calm. He expected some fresh treachery to arise within the ranks of the Senate. Crom'nen, or another like him, would seize power, while blinding all but the most astute observers to what had really happened. Invented crises were a Senate staple. So much for being better than the Old Republic, he thought bitterly.
This was the election cycle for which he had planned for over a year, the one when he would finally step forward and campaign for the role he had spent a lifetime preparing to assume. And yet now, in what should have been his strongest hour, with a new spirit of unity between the Republic's humans and aliens, everything felt wrong. He should have been putting the finishing touches on his platform, and recruiting an alien from the outer rim to be his running mate in a unity ticket. In fact he had even chosen a likely target: Crom'nen's young aide who had acted capably as Senator in his absence. Instead, he sat in his office, every alarm bell in his head ringing, as he waited for his senior staff and most trusted colleagues and advisers to gather. To quote Han Solo, he had a very bad feeling about this.
Not only was the Republic herself strained by her missing leaders, but there was unsettled baggage that Koronov feared would raise its head the instant he made a move forward. First, there was the unresolved investigation into the Sith activities of Seleevan Khar, which neither the Jedi nor the Republic seemed to want to touch, despite the very clear documentation of torture that had been submitted by the Jedi medical staff on Corellia, and the testimonies of those who had met Khar on the battlefield years ago. Second, there was the failure of the Republic to hold Crom'nen or anyone else responsible for the Kuat disaster. Third, he had been entirely unable to reach Bel'fima. No one seemed to know where she was. He had threatened to go to Ryloth himself to search for her, but eventually his security staff had dissuaded him from the idea. And fourth, there were the rumors about the dissolution of the Empire. That sort of action never happened in a vaccum, yet Republic intelligence could not provide any answers about that situation, either.
Clearly, the Republic needed leaders, more than ever. But could Koronov save it, or was it suicidal to try? He could not protect and defend Corellia if he were destroyed the instant he took office. And so that was the purpose for which he had called this meeting. He had questions, and no answers to give. He needed advice, more than he had ever needed it before. Koronov smiled wryly and shook his head slowly, his weary eyes falling on the ever-growing stack of incomplete Senate investigations as Senator Hadrig, his Drall couterpart, entered the office, followed soon after by Dmitri's Twi'lek secretary Aylee'saresh, Senator Alyse Naberrie of Naboo, and the Jedi Knight Jordan Halcyon. Last of all, a long, lithe Selonian entered. Priscilla was a newcomer from Corellia, unfamiliar with the ways of the Senate, but that was precisely why Koronov had asked her to come. He needed a voice from back home.
|
|
Standash Thul
Member
Posts: 1,377 
Affiliation: First Order
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Standash Thul on Dec 1, 2015 10:09:00 GMT -8
The Senator of Alderaan requests a meeting with you today. She has instructed me to make room in her schedule for any time that fits with you. She will be in the area most of the day, and can arrive very quickly. Please respond with a time that would work. She requests this to be a private meeting.
Annelise Sitar, Aide-De-camp to Her Highness, Princess Standash Thul.
|
|
Sara Ruluwoor
Member
Posts: 371
Affiliation: Five Worlds
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Dec 1, 2015 22:06:50 GMT -8
When Dmitri's friends and advisers had been seated, and once Aylee had provided himself and Hadrig with mugs of steaming herbal green tea, and a cup of the blackest stimcaf in the galaxy for the Twi'lek, the old Corellian Senator focused his attention first on the Jedi. His spirits, weighted down by recent events, were lifted by how promptly they had all gathered. While friendships remained true, there was always hope for the Republic."Master Jedi, I asked you to come here today, because I have always supported and defended the Jedi Order, and they have been lifelong, trusted personal allies of mine since before you were born." He began, addressing the much younger man in green robes who was seated quietly before him. "But rarely in my lifetime have I, and the Republic's citizens, needed your discernment more than we do today. I must ask you, do you the Jedi know where the Supreme Chancellor is, or even if he is alive or dead?" The questioning was pointed.=Jedi Knight Jordan Halcyon="I am afraid not, Mr. Senator." The young Knight replied in a troubled voice. "Or if they do, they have not shared that information with us here on Coruscant. I can promise you that I personally cannot sense his presence any longer, but my powers are limited, and so my own observations do not mean so very much." If the Senator's words had shown frustration, his unspoken emotions, felt through the Force, were even more agitated. He fell silent, considering in his mind how he might calm the Senator. It still seemed strange to be called upon to advise one so much older and more experienced."I thought as much." Dmitri responded, displeased. "And what about Seleevan Khar? No one has heard from him since the charades at the charity ball weeks ago. It is unusual for any politician to put on such a show, and then not follow up." =Jordan Halcyon=The Knight shook his head slowly. "Master Raganella's investigation has ground to a halt, thanks to Republic roadblocks. If we could but locate Khar again, the Jedi could devise a strategy to test his loyalties." He looked away from the Senator for a moment, and took a deep breath. "I actually came here hoping the Republic knew his location." Koronov heaved a sigh, and took a long drink from his tea mug. Then he shot a meaningful glance at Aylee. She nodded, reading his mind almost as clearly as if he had spoken the command. It was time to contact Admiral Korr of the CDF, and ask him to find Khar.After a long moment, he nodded to the Jedi. "There is little more you can do for me today, Jordan. But before you leave, I do have a question of a different type. I know that you cannot foresee my future, and even if you could, you would not tell me what the Force has planned for my life, but if you were in my position, would you run for Supreme Chancellor in the next election?" =Jordan Halcyon=The Jedi stood from his chair. He had known the question was coming ever since he had gotten the Senator's invitation. There was no other reason for Koronov to convene all his top advisers on a day when the Senate was not even in session. But he also knew his place, and it was to keep the peace, not to influence politics. "That is a decision you must make for yourself, old friend. I cannot make that decision for you." He bowed, and departed the Senator's private office on silent feet.The Corellian pressed his lips together and dipped his head in frustration at the answer, and silence fell on the room for a moment.=First Secretary Aylee'saresh="There isn't going to be an easy answer, Dmitri, but we all have your back no matter what you decide." Aylee said soothingly after a while.Koronov smiled weakly. "I know." "That's why you're all here. Aylee, because you have been my right hand since the last days of the Galactic Coalition. Mr. Hadrig, because you always sees the nonviolent solution in every problem. Miss Naberrie, because you understand the Rim in ways that us Coreworlders never will. And Priscilla, because you have faithfully run my campaigns to Corellia's non-human population for many years, and yet you have never once set foot on Coruscant until now." He smiled at the Selonian. "We need your fresh perspective at a time like this." Leaning back in his chair, Dmitri considered each of their faces in turn. "You are hear because I trust each of you with all that I have, even my life, and with the fate of the Republic. I hope that trust is mutual." His voice was solemn, but at the same time, it was not as grim as it had been earlier. Their presence was soothing, and they had work to do. It was always easier when you had something to put your mind to, instead of sitting around and worrying about politics."I want each of you to give me an honest assessment of what will happen if I run for Chancellor, and what will happen if I sit this one out. And I want you to promise me that nothing we discuss today will ever leave this room. Our very lives may depend upon it." Just then, Koronov's comlink buzzed. His eyebrows narrowed, but he didn't move.And then it buzzed again. In one graceful motion, Aylee answered it, and the message from Senator Thul was played back.The Senator of Alderaan requests a meeting with you today. She has instructed me to make room in her schedule for any time that fits with you. She will be in the area most of the day, and can arrive very quickly. Please respond with a time that would work. She requests this to be a private meeting.
Annelise Sitar, Aide-De-camp to Her Highness, Princess Standash Thul.
|
|
