"I wouldn't worry about it as long as you have a firm opening stance that proves all possible doubts wrong."

"Oh! I love those..." he muttered excitedly as he grabbed a Telosian Twist. He sipped it and swirled the drink in his mouth before swallowing it, taking in all the flavor it possessed. "Good batch too." He also stopped a droid that had ambled their way and took an assortment of different hors d'oeuvres, offering some to Ilanah. He proceeded to nibble on those left in his possession but all the while his eyes scanned the room for any new arrivals.

The voice was both pleasant and hard; an odd combination, but when Ryner turned and found himself faced by Moff Cole, he'd understand the oddity. Cole was by far a staunch supporter of humanity and Ryner's recent comments in the Senate had given Cole reason to speak to the politician. Cole did not see the purpose for an Interspecies Advisory Committee. Of course, it would be impolitic to say so.

"A pleasure to finally meet you firsthand. Tell me, Mr. Ryner... where do you come up with the fantastic ideas you put forth in the Senate? Many people I speak to have you on the tip of their tongues as a paragon of wisdom and justice. Perhaps, if your... friend... does not mind, I could borrow your brain for a few minutes?"

Geoff Cole
Moff, Abrion Sector
Controlling Shareholder - Dorvalla Universal Corporation

Adoven couldn't help but chuckle genially as the Moff mentioned that he was regarded as a paragon of wisdom and justice. A rather disgraceful pest you mean, he thought as he pretended to be amused by the man's comment. He couldn't help but admire him though. From Cole's mindset, the comment was clearly sarcastic. But his delivery hadn't conveyed that fact at all. He was good, that one. "I don't believe you've met..." he said, motioning to Ilanah. Adoven took a step back and looked from one to the other, using his right hand to indicate each person as he spoke. "Moff Cole, I present you the new Chandrilan senator, the most honorable Ilanah Thanatos. And Ilanah, this is the esteemed Geoff Cole, Moff of the Abrion Sector." He rather felt like a host at a dinner party. Next thing you'd know, he'd list three things they had in common and would leave them to discuss them! Not that, he surmised, those two had anything in common.

"Ilanah, Moff Cole would like a word with me. You don't mind do you?" He rather wished she had said no, but he had pointed out so many people already as it were that he knew she was capable of putting on the pomp and pageantry on her own. She was, obviously, a smart and resourceful woman. "Shouldn't take too long, then." Giving her a sly wink as he left, Adoven walked side to side with Cole, his Telosian Twist firmly in his left hand. "Oh, I wouldn't declare myself a paragon of anything, really... But I do strive for justice, yes."

"Charmed, Senator. I am sure that you will well represent your people in the illustrious Imperial Senate. For the glory of the Empire." He raised his glass in toast and took a sip. Cole was not much of a drinker. If anything, he preferred a clear head. A duelist, after all, could not afford to be off his game, and many things in life he approached as he approached his duels: calm, collected and fully intending to walk away the victor.

As Andoven joined him to the side, Cole leaned against one of the railings that ran about the room. Looking inwards, he considered his drink for a long moment. "Tell me, Speaker... do you truly believe the Senate has the best interests in mind for the Empire? Such a... politically active... committee as that which you represent, it must be difficult, seeing as many portray the Empire as standing against the nonhuman races."

Geoff Cole
Moff, Abrion Sector
Controlling Shareholder - Dorvalla Universal Corporation

"But to answer your question... Yes, it is rather hard to be... er... a bastion for wisdom and justice, was it? People get so comfortable and cozy in their little routines. So what if I shock them a little? People need to hear all the sides of a story to make their own judgments. But if they disagree with me, well, that's part of the game. No harm done." He would remain as clement and sporting as could be and give the impression of being stupider than he was. He would also skirt the nonhuman topic all night if need be. He knew Cole was no doubt a staunch speciest and it was pointless to anger him. He would not give him such satisfaction. Moreover, he did not want to cause some sort of scene.

Cole smiled faintly, fixing the man with a stare. Ryner seemed jumpy all of a sudden. Whether or not the rumors were true tying Ryner to Mon Mothma was not Cole's concern. Cole simply wanted to understand the man better. It never hurt to learn, after all. The fact that he was jumpy spoke volumes as did the fact that he drank his liquor so quickly. In short, Cole was able to discern that the man did indeed disagree with some of the Empire's policies, even if Ryner chose to live by them as best he could in a public view.

"The Senate... the Senate is a battleground as surely as the one I left only a number of hours ago at Roon. Instead of ships, you fight with words. But the actions in the Senate leave a trail of bodies just as large as those left floating in space when I departed Roon. We are no different in some regards, Mr. Ryner. We both fight for what we believe in with staunch conviction. It is a shame you were not a warrior. Alas... some men must fight with the words instead."

He shrugged, willing to let the species issue go. There was nothing to be gained by baiting the man.

Geoff Cole
Moff, Abrion Sector
Controlling Shareholder - Dorvalla Universal Corporation

She was momentarily distracted by the Moff shouting of Senator Fowlkes, then smiled, more to herself than to anyone in particular.
"It was a pleasure to have met you, Senator Ryuun. Hopefully my upcoming actions in the Senate will be enough to warrant your support. Unfortunately, I must return and address any questions which have been posed to me".
She stood, her feather shawl flowing to her waist, and extended a hand once more.
"Perhaps we can meet in a less crowded venue once I'm settled on Imperial Centre?" she asked, waiting for him to kiss her hand, before making her exit.

"We will certainly see how things go, Lady Lohden. Druckenwell and Kaal may likely have items in common that can be beneficial to one another. As you said, Lady, another time."

With a smile, he'd watch her walk off. The Senate was likely to be more refreshing with people like her around.

"I assume you are Moff Brandt And obviously you already know who I am....." She said as she turned to face him and extended her gloved hand to him. Her gaze trailed along behind Adoven for only a moment before she directed her full attention at Brandt. "Thank you for the invitation to the party. This place is certainly lovely." As she said that, her gaze drifted to the transparisteel ceiling, then back to him.

"Though entirely unnecessary. You must have gone to so much trouble to put on such a soiree?" She asked before she took a small sip of the champagne that she had been holding, untouched, since she had arrived.

"That is quite the analogy you make there. Absolutely right too, I'd say. And speaking of Roon, how did we fare? Or are you not allowed to disclose such information?" He didn't quite know how to react at being told he'd have made a good warrior, though. He had never even considered it. "Oh, I doubt I'd be a good warrior. Too... squeamish?" Oh that he was. He had received training as a child on how to shoot a blaster and had become a rather good marksman, but he had never shot a live target let alone blew up a ship fill of beings.

Cole smiled faintly as he looked Ryner over. A political creature. A cowardly, timid man who would not likely pull the trigger on a blaster to save his own life. It was a shame, really. Ryner had potential, if he could be weaned off Imperial Center and placed out in the Outer Rim somewhere. Perhaps... perhaps it was worth a thought.

"Tell me, Mr. Ryner, would you perhaps come visit the Abrion Sector? There are a number of alien species on Roon and I'd like to see that they are properly being cared for. Their rights and such seen to. Would you consider it as a favor for me?"

Geoff Cole
Moff, Abrion Sector
Controlling Shareholder - Dorvalla Universal Corporation

Ja’nar was a woman, who had earned her titles but felt as if she had not. At least the people of Garos thought she had. While not all agreed with what she did, they often saw that she always had their best interests at heart. She would smile up to him. She knew how to play these games. She knew Holt had hoped for her to react in a negative and unbecoming way when he mentioned he had just gotten in from Carratos. She did not agree with what was happening but she knew when to voice those opinions and when not to. She also knew that she needed as many friends in the Empire as possible at the moment at all levels. The day would come when she would need help. Probably not for herself but for her son or her people. She was willing to practically sell her soul in order to secure that future help now.

Ja’nar would listen to Holt speak as a little smile touches her lips as she gazes up into his eyes, “I know,” she whispers softly as she looked at those people who have gathered “honestly I keep to myself within the senate because I know if I got close to any of these people they would just let me down in the end.” That statement said a lot about Ja’nar. She was friendly but never truly got close to people. She kept them at a distance. She never shared personal details, that is why the fact that she had a son was still mostly a secret. Also most didn’t like the fact that she tended to stay calm within the senate and reasonable. They hated that. They hated that she tried to find the middle ground on most issues or came right out and said they were being stupid about the actions they wanted to take against the citizens of the Empire. Ja’nar would smile once more to him, “I would hope we were not included in that statement, though I may not like nor agree with what you do for a living, I think you may actually be a pretty deceit person.” She would flash her charming little smile, as a hint of laughter danced through her eyes.

Ja’nar would move to rest her head gently against his shoulder for a minute as they danced, she would shake it a bit “No, your dancing is not bad at all.” She would lift her head up to look into his eyes for a moment “Whoever taught you did a good job.” She would once more smile. His firm grip didn’t bother her, nor did his timing being slightly off. She rarely had the opportunity to dance and when it was not prefect she didn’t mind. “It has been a very long time since I last danced”