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Welcome Back
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| Janar_Cerra | Date: Friday, 06 Apr 2012, 7:36 PM | Message # 1 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 379
Status: Offline
| A Return and a Party
It had been months since Ja’nar Cerra, Queen and Senator for Garos IV, had stepped foot on the Imperial Center, or as she will always call it, Coruscant. She had been pulled away by business, some nasty business at that, that needed her immediate attention at home. Not only that but some of the senators had called for an election for a new senator to take place on Garos. Ja’nar had gone along with it. She had returned home in hopes of swaying the people to one of the other candidates but somehow, even though her name was no where to be found on the ballot, she had won, she had been elected senator once again with an overwhelming majority of write in votes. But her people had spoken once again. They were not going to allow certain senators within the Imperial Senate to dictate who would be representing Garos IV. No the people would decide and they decided on her once more. Not only that, the ruling council had suggested (more like demanded) that a party be thrown in Ja’nar’s honor to welcome her back to the Imperial Center. Ja’nar had fought for days with them, attempting to get them to change their minds on this but it would not happen. They were set on this happening and so it would this evening.
It had been planned for weeks now, the space was beautiful. It was the roof top garden of one of the better known restaurants that specialized in dishes from the outer rim. It was difficult to find outer rim cuisine in a five star setting but they had done it here. At least the council had found a place where Ja’nar would be a bit more comfortable with idly chatting with friends but mostly foes for a whole evening. She had honestly just wanted to return to work since she arrived on the Imperial Center but everyone was pushing for her to make a big reentrance. She would much rather be in her flannel pajamas lounging on the couch reading over the senate minutes and reports to get caught up. Instead where was she? She was in a hotel room getting ready for the party. Why she not in her senatorial apartments? Because they were redecorating them in order to force her to actually live and entertain in that awful place so near to all the others.
The roof top was elegantly decorated this evening as the senators started to arrive. No expense was spared so it seemed. Small cocktail tables were set up draped in black satin, tall vases sat in the center of each, little clear stones sat in the bottom of the vase a lovely white rose was anchored to the bottom magically as it was fully emerged in water a white candle floating on the surface. The soft light flickering in the dark night air, white lights were draped across the area, and soft music was playing in the background. The Garosian delegation, the ruling council, various advisors and even Ja’nar’s cousin Naria was in attendance, perhaps they were trying to put on a strong, united front, give the senators here a taste of Garos and what their queen loved, exotic food and a good party.
Ja’nar was ready as she took in a deep breath as the lift took her up to the roof, the city planet stretching out as far as one could see, the lights twinkling giving it an almost magical undertone, if only that was true. She was walking back in the wolves den and she was truly hoping that one would show up to this party, that it would an epic failure and she could go to her hotel room, change into her pajamas and curl up in bed watching an old holo. The lift doors would slide open as she steps out, the midnight blue gown clinging to her usually slender form but her form was different, her stomach was slightly rounded and it seemed that her hand rested on it a lot. She would smile to those who were already gathered, her smile brightening as she saw her son, who was standing with a guard, running to her. Ja’nar would gather him up into her arms as she lifts him up, holding him off towards the side, “Let’s go meet some new people Remus” she was proud of her little boy, he was so excited about being on Coruscant, about being able to meet new people, about being a big brother in a few more months.
Ja'nar Cerra
Queen of Garos IV
Acting Senator to the Republic, Garos IV
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Saturday, 07 Apr 2012, 3:18 PM | Message # 2 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| What's Cambrist doing here? No doubt, it'd be a topic of speculation tonight. Had he come for the wine? Possibly. To exercise his wit in a verbal spar? Perhaps. To be honest, he wasn't quite sure himself. He supposed the prospect of another evening in his suite in the company of his trade volumes was a dreary one. Of course, there was no shortage of Brentaal society types who sought his company, but Cambrist tired of their opportunism and preferred, tonight, the company of people he didn't know and who, frankly, didn't matter to him. Instead of throwing away the pile of invitations on his desk as he ordinarily did, he perused them and found a suitably inconsequential affair—Senator Cerra's "welcome back" social. Ultimately, its proximity to his suite was the deciding factor, as he shirked his robe and made ready to leave.
He arrived at the party alone, apparently the first to do so aside from Senator Cerra and the other Garosians from the embassy. Ugh. It's a good thing, he thought, that he'd fortified himself with drink on the way there. But say what one would of the Garosians, they threw a tasteful party. Cambrist detected Senator Cerra's influence in this, though she might protest she wasn't as involved as he suspected she was. But it occurred to him that despite its tasteful decor, he felt the absence of gargoyles on this roof. And it was dreadfully cold, but then again he was often cold.
When he stepped from the turbolift to find that she'd entered from the lift herself only a moment ago, he thanked all the gods of the Outer Rim that he'd not arrived a mere moment ago and had had to share the ride with her and that... child of hers. Cambrist loathed the notion of childhood—he'd spoken four languages when he was that child's age and he'd been learning another, too. And he'd been familiar with the history of his people and the politics of his planet. Senator Cerra's child probably frolicked, or something.
His gaze drifted from Senator Cerra to the rest of the roof, looking for the wine.
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| Alyn_Stark | Date: Saturday, 07 Apr 2012, 6:19 PM | Message # 3 |
 Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| Alyn Stark arrived not long after Senator Cambrist, fresh and back for at least a day from his travels along the Outer Rim, spreading the word of GalacticAid and gaining support for the movement and construction of its facilities. Naturally, as Ja'nar Cerra was one of its supporters, he could hardly miss the invitation to come to her welcoming back party. He was dressed in a modest black shirt and pants of Coruscanti cut, topped by a deep crimson armorweave cape. Unlike Cambrist though, Stark was accompanied by what most could loosely consider a 'date.' Stark's date, however, was a tall, silver-haired, white-eyed Echani who wore a long black evening gown that clung to her when she moved and sparkled faintly when the light struck it just right.
Emerging from the turbolift, arm in arm, the pair were laughing from a joke Stark had just finished. Taking quick stock of the room, Stark gave his companion a kiss on the cheek and separated from her. The Echani would make her way to whatever bar or cocktail area existed, leaving Stark to move up beside Cambrist, taking in the night air. His eyes drifted across Ja'nar, the child who was obviously her son from the facial features and then down to her stomach. With a knowing smile, he nodded once to her and then turned his attention upon the man whom he stood beside. "Senator Reuke Cambrist of Brentaal. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, I must say."
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
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| Janar_Cerra | Date: Saturday, 07 Apr 2012, 7:32 PM | Message # 4 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 379
Status: Offline
| Ja’nar was a tad disappointed when Senator Cambrist arrived on the roof top and then Alyn, she had hoped to be unpopular this evening but that wasn’t going to happen from the looks of things. She would smile brightly though as she moved over to Cambrist to greet him “Good evening Senator Cambrist.” She would continue to smile as Alyn joined them “Alyn Stark…another pleasant surprise for the evening.” She would nod towards the boy on her hip, he was almost four and getting quite big now “This is my son Remus.” She would say calmly, she did not like the fact that the boy was here at the party but the council had thought it to be a good idea, to paint her as a mother rather than a socialite like she once was. They probably also decided to do that party at this time due to the fact that Ja’nar would not get out of hand with the drinking. There was no worries about her this evening. She was pregnant again and she seemed to take that very seriously, though it had been years since her last crazy night. Remus was still young and well sickly at times. That was why Ja’nar kept him hidden, he didn’t need to deal with what could come with being in the spotlight. He was intelligent, of course he did not speak the four languages that Cambrist had at his age, he spoke two and that was good enough for Ja’nar. Remus would not speak, but you could tell he was studying the two men before him and his mother, his young mind trying to figure them out. He was more of an observer always watching and learning what he could from those around him even though they didn’t know he was. The boy would start to squirm in her arms and he was getting a bit too heavy for her anyways, so she would set him down. He would stand right beside her, looking up at the two men, though his eyes did travel to Stark’s escort of the evening. “Let me thank you both for coming this evening, but I must insist you both have at least one drink…” she would motion over a server with a tray of drinks for the two men. Saddly, Ja’nar did not take one. She was much more fun when she had a few drinks in her system. She was more friendly and relaxed. It was also easier for her to open up to others. It allowed some of her walls to come down, even if it was only for a sort while.
Ja'nar Cerra
Queen of Garos IV
Acting Senator to the Republic, Garos IV
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Saturday, 07 Apr 2012, 8:01 PM | Message # 5 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| Another fellow had approached Cambrist a moment before Stark did, having the audacity to latch an arm onto his and all but turn him about to face him. "Oh, I'm sorry," the fellow said, with an enormous grin, "I thought you were someone else. My name is"—Cambrist stopped listening momentarily—"I represent Red Star Shipping Lines." How contrived, Cambrist thought, how this man just so happened to 'bump into' the Senator he'd been sent here to lobby. Cambrist could anticipate the rest of the conversation already:
'And you're Senator Cambrist, aren't you?'
'So it would seem.'
'What a coincidence! We have a contract pending before your committee, and speaking of which!'
This man should be in a Telosian theatre troupe, Cambrist thought, preempting him with a disinterested wave of his hand. "And I am someone else," he interrupted him. "Good evening to you, Sir." He moved away, in dire need of a glass of wine to replenish his patience, and it was then that Stark appeared beside him.
For a moment he considered pretending not to know who Stark was, but he thought better of it. "Mr. Stark, is it?" he said, pausing for a moment before he did so at least it'd seem to take him a moment to recall the man's name. In fact, Cambrist had a holographic memory. "I suppose you're obligated to be here," he said, bluntly, "I admit I can't say the same."
In his moment of snark, he'd not seen Senator Cerra approaching. If he was embarrassed at the possibility that she'd heard what he said, he didn't show it—his expression was as glacial as ever, and he was so white it probably wasn't possible for him to blush. One wondered if he ever went outside. He was dressed as he often was, in an uncomfortable-looking regalesque uniform that he was partial to because it was appropriate for all occasions and, moreover, its brilliance matched his own. He bowed his head to Senator Cerra.
"If you insist," he said, accepting one of the drinks with more gratitude than it was proper for a man of his birth to admit. "May I be the first of many this evening to welcome you back to Imperial Center," he said, raising his glass in a salute that seemed disingenuous but probably wasn't intended to be—not overtly so, at least.
Message edited by Senator_Cambrist - Saturday, 07 Apr 2012, 8:02 PM |
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| Alyn_Stark | Date: Sunday, 08 Apr 2012, 6:13 AM | Message # 6 |
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Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| Stark chuckled at Cambrist's tone, it brought him no amount of amusement from what he'd heard of the man. Stark was not the sort of egotist who expected a Senator he'd hardly had contact with to remember him, whether or not the man actually did. "No, no Senator, I am not obligated to be here. Just pleased to have been invited. And Stark it is indeed, happy though I am to see you've dropped the 'lord' that so often precedes it these days. I fear it's a rather small courtesy that too many people make far too big a deal over." Of course, that was indeed when Cerra had arrived, and Stark turned his attention to her. A half-bow was his formal greeting that dissolved into a smile when he accepted the drink from the server, raising it in time with Senator Cambrist.
"Many thanks to you, Senator Cerra, and may I be the second to congratulate you on returning to Imperial Center. It is a brighter world for your return, Senator, and I am sure all here are pleased to have you back." While some such as Stark, minor lords from distant planets, might have felt strange at being in such high company, for Stark, it was simply another day. Since he was young he'd been rubbing shoulders with nobility and royalty; those of people in power and their sycophants. Either way, he was as much at ease here as he was on the battlefield. For Stark, the two were indistinguishable in some ways.
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
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| Draken_Turot | Date: Sunday, 08 Apr 2012, 3:08 PM | Message # 7 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 258
Status: Offline
| A delivery man would send flowers along with some heels with a note attached to it:
"Welcome back to the Senate! Good to see your back on your feet for once rather then off!
Regards,
Draken Tu'Rot!
Message edited by Xane_Ray - Sunday, 08 Apr 2012, 3:09 PM |
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| Tremaine_Fowlkes | Date: Monday, 09 Apr 2012, 8:29 AM | Message # 8 |
 Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 881
Status: Offline
| The Telosian was away on a business trip, the one that the Empire doesn't need to know about. Besides, a man can only take so much public exposing before needing to find a secluded place to stay in for the time being. He had just returned to the Imperial Center in time for Ja'nar's welcoming back party. Of course, he had received an invitation and he wasn't going to miss out on this opportunity to see the Garosian yet again. Besides, she needed a type of friend that wouldn't stab anyone in the back at the party. A couple of bodyguards had been escorting the man as usual, moving along into the very same restaurant.
The Senator was given a detailed instructions about the party being held at the rooftop of the restaurant. The first person he'd spot was the beautiful Ja'nar in her usual good choice of attire, then he saw Senators Tu'rot, Cambrist, and Stark. Aside from Ja'nar, he wasn't really close with the trio of politicians. The Telosian still think the Acherin Senator's insane. Perhaps being insane isn't in the Imperial standards in becoming a politician. He assumed they don't care as long as one's truly loyal to the glorious Empire. He decided to move for the Garosian first, and spoke in a Telosian accent where a few would recognize. "Hey, Ja'nar. Nice party you got here." Tremaine smiled lightly and kissed lightly on her cheeks as a sign of respect.
Tremaine Fowlkes
Senator of Telos IV
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| Janar_Cerra | Date: Thursday, 12 Apr 2012, 4:03 PM | Message # 9 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 379
Status: Offline
| Ja’nar would smile to both of the men “I do insist that you take at least one, if not more. Someone should be having fun here and I am sure it will not be me” she would laugh a bit, but sadly it was true. She was comfortable talking to them, others have said that Ja’nar was unfriendly and isolated herself, which she did. She did not go out looking for friendship from the other senators, whenever she had in the past it had not ended well and isolation was better. She had far too many secrets to hide and friends made it harder and harder to keep those secrets. Ja’nar could only smile to both of the men at the moment though she addressed Stark at the moment “Thank you for the kind welcoming, but any more flattery this evening and I think I may actually enjoy being here” she would smile brightly once more, until the flowers came, it wasn’t the flowers but the little note. She would sigh softly as she folded the note up and placed it back into the lovely flowers, handing them off to a courier, “Please remind me to write a thank you note to Senator Tu’Rot” She would turn her attention back to the two senators just as Tremaine appeared near her and she would smile “Ah Tremaine! It’s so nice to see you again” she would pull him into a very friendly hug, he was one of the few senators that she could stand and knew on a more personal basis. She would release him after a moment and would nod her head “Yes, it is a lovely party…very respectable” she would motion to the two senators already with her “I’m sure you are all already acquainted with each other…correct?”
Ja'nar Cerra
Queen of Garos IV
Acting Senator to the Republic, Garos IV
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| Augusta_Aurelius | Date: Saturday, 14 Apr 2012, 2:37 PM | Message # 10 |
 Lieutenant colonel
Group: Users
Messages: 109
Status: Offline
| When she received the invitation, she couldn't help but laugh. Not in the form of joy, but in that she thought what she was reading was certainly a joke, at first. The Ruling Council hosting a party in Ja'nar's honor? It was an incredulous idea for anyone with any hint of knowledge of the current Senate. When her staff, however, confirmed it was in fact an actual event, she couldn't help be want to witness this. It was the first event since her own return to Imperial Center since her time on Deralia overseeing her husband's recovery; her meeting with Senator Thanatos was still a fresh memory.
Despite her staff wishing otherwise, as she was still the technical lone monarch of Deralia for the remainder of the week while her husband finished his recovery, she decided to forgo the security detail. This could only be evident in her standing alone in the turbolift. There, she was lost in her thoughts on the soon to be closed Senate session. It started nowhere near as smoothly as she hoped it would, but she now found herself returning to form, and to the issues she was most concerned and passionate about. She had an idea for her first piece of legislation in the next session, but was interrupted in thought on the matter by the opening of the turbolift doors.
Before her stood a veritable sentient traffic jam. She noticed Senator Cambrist and Lord Stark off to the side of the path out of the turbolift, along with another unrecognized man. In front of her was Senator Fowlkes, and the woman of the evening, Queen Ja'nar. Hoping to not interrupt, she gave a polite bow to Senator Cerra. "Your Majesty, I am Queen Deralius the Third, Regent of Deralia and Senator of the Tammuz Sector. I believe you and my husband met awhile back on a regrettably short trip to your homeworld?" she said to her, rising to look her in the eyes. She was wearing the more traditional stola of her homeworld, adorned in the official red and gold colors of the Kingdom of Deralia, secondary to the primary white coloring of the robes.
Augusta Aurelius
Queen Conosrt of Deralia
Chair of the Human Rights Monitoring and Crisis Resolution Sub-Committee of the Planetary Defense Committee
Senator of Deralia and the Tammuz Sector (30 BBY - 18 BBY, 10 BBY - Present)
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| Alyn_Stark | Date: Friday, 20 Apr 2012, 6:22 PM | Message # 11 |
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Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| (( From the chat transcripts. ))
Janar_Cerra was in top form at the moment as she smiled to both men infront of her. She had some experiences with Stark, he was a nice enough man but Cambrist was a completely new beast to her. Though under the calm exterior she was going crazy. She wanted a drink, a shot of something hard, something that would burn and allow her to have fun, but yet again she was unable to. She was sure that they did this on purpose, the only time they threw her a party was when she was pregnant...oh those clever little bastards, she would smile back to them both "You really must have a drink I insist...I am unable to so you two should have enough for not only yourselves but me as well"
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ "I know of Senator Fowlkes," Cambrist said with a hint of disdain in his voice, though whether it was disdain for Fowlkes personally or the fact the Senator was from an Outer Rim world, who knew? "Hello," he said and then turned from Fowlkes, having spent as much of his attention on the man as he intended to tonight. (Though he did have a secret desire to see Fowlkes's embrace of Senator Cerra in the tabloids tomorrow and wondered if there was a holocam he couldn't see, somewhere in the night. He almost smiled at the thought). "Gladly," he said to Senator Cerra as he accepted another drink, having finished his first, apparently, as he mused and pretended to follow the conversation around him. He answered Stark a moment late, perhaps. "I'm partial to honorifics, myself," he said to him.
-= [Alyn Stark] "Ah yes, Senators Fowlkes and Aurelius! Supporters of the GalacticAid act, and fine company I daresay." Stark raised his still mostly-full glass in toast to them before answering Ja'nar first. "I appreciate your generous offer, Senator Cerra, but I fear I limit my intake of inebriates whenever I can. It's certainly not overly good for one's system and it's terrible for the reflexes." And now Cambrist, the great Senator from Brentaal who seemed so out of place here, or was it an act? Stark was a decent judge of character, or so he modestly told himself, and there was a deeper side to Cambrist than showed. Every hunter knew their targets well, and certain senators, Cambrist, Ordan and even the odd Fowlkes were among them, or at least certain assets they held. "Honorifics do not make the man, Senator. The man's deeds make the man, but each to their own. My own small honorific is hardly worth mentioning, after all. A lord of a desert province harly compares to the knighthood you hold, among other titles, I'm sure. Of course, status is not only reflected by titles. Which reminds me, of course! I have recently had a ship commissioned for me, one of those beautiful passenger liners! Senator Cambrist, Senator Cerra, I do hope you shall join me on her maiden voyage. She is absolutely state-of-the-art. Yachts, I have seen, are all well and good when one must cater to a small group, but they hardly can carry a large enough party for one to be a gracious host to."
Janar_Cerra had been watching Tremaine for a moment and was distracted from the converstation for a moment, her hand would rest gently on her slightly round stomach before looking to the others once more with an easy smile on her face though she was realizing that she had nothing in common with these people, none of them really. "I would love to, as long as this little one doesn't cause too much trouble" She would continue to smile a waiter bringing a glass of water to her, "honetly I feel like we do not have enough parties around here, or perhaps I am just not invited to them, it is lovely to see co-workres outside of the senate building"
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ "I'd love to," Cambrist lied, making some, but not much effort to disguise the fact. Social events weren't his "thing," let alone a social event on a ship that he'd not be able to leave. Still, that Stark had raised the subject in the context of status symbols suggested to Cambrist that it meant something to the man. He thought of engaging Stark in this battle of bragging rights, but decided against it. Something had distracted him—Senator Cerra's gesture to her stomach. Even if he wasn't interested in people, Cambrist knew how to read them, perhaps, in his clinical way, even better than most. "Which little one would that be?" he asked her innocently, watching her reaction closely.
-= [Alyn Stark] "Oh, absolutely splendid then, Senators! It will be a grand maiden voyage." Stark raised his glass again, feigning excitement. He was beginning to get a feel for Cambrist, or perhaps for how poorly the man lied. For what Stark did, for the life he led, lies were the coin of the realm in some ways, especially in matters of survival, which was everything. The fact that Cambrist made such a poorly disguised effort to cover his lies amused Stark to no end though. If there was one thing, though, that the Lorrdian could read better than character, it was the minute signals a person gave off with their body language. Cerra's not-unnoticeable comment, as well as the way she had touched her stomach more than once, combined with the fact that she did indeed seem to have gained a bit of weight, especially around the midsection, led Stark to his next comment: "And are we expecting some company in the upcoming months, Senator?" His smile and arched brow would convey all the amusement necessary. Poor Ja'nar, it seemed, had come down with a terrible case of pregnant. Thankfully, it wasn't catching, though the stray thought led to another: Reuke Cambrist with a pregnant belly and it was far too much. Turning his head slightly, Stark covered his laugh with a cough before looking back at Ja'nar.
Janar_Cerra would look to Cambrist, giving him a sly little look. As if he didn't know. It was obivous and would only get more so over the next few months. She was amused by them. "Yes we are and we are very excited, the people of Garos are over the moon about this news." she would smile a bit more as she looks to Cambrist "And I thought it was fairly evident my 'condition' with the lack of drinking and the weight gain."
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ Cambrist deflated somewhat as his interest dissipated. "Forgive me," he glanced off at Coruscant's skyline, raising his glass for another sip of his wine, "The birth of young Remus was an object of secrecy, as I recall, so I supposed the same was true here." He took a sip and shrugged. Stark didn't have him completely figured out; no politician as successful as Cambrist was as bad a liar as he seemed to be tonight. The difference, fundamentally, was how much he cared; Cambrist had no lust for life (or for much else, either), and he didn't put a one iota more effort into a conversation if it didn't interest him. Of course, Stark was far more interesting a person than Cambrist was aware, or had any reason to suspect. He judged Stark at face value, as an Outer Rim pseudo-noble and the shameless promoter of himself and his "cause." He made an effort to enliven the evening, however. "Senator, and Mr. Stark, how about a parlor game? Tell us something about you that no one knows." It wouldn't be until much later that Cambrist would realize what a loaded question this was for Stark. But what of Senator Cerra?
-= [Alyn Stark] Stark's eyes brightened for a moment. This could indeed become interesting. Of course, only a fool played his best cards first. Something about himself that nobody else knew... well, that was a simple one to answer from the start. Of course, Cambrist had also unwittingly played a card that was almost irresistable to Stark: the thrill of the chase, so to speak, for all sorts of useful information could come out here, but at what cost? What cost indeed, and Stark would have to tread carefully. Best to take from the far past, then, and work his way towards the present. "Slightly on the scandalous side, I fear, but when I was a younger man, Jendos Merced... excuse me, Lord Jendos Malos, now, had a rather beautiful woman interested in him. She was to be his fiance, and I was rather smitten with her physical appearance. I fear I seduced her one night and in her guilt, she departed Lorrd. I do not know what became of her, but that is one thing in my impetuous youth that I never told a soul of before." That should be juicy enough to gain some tidbits in return.
Janar_Cerra would look to Cambrist for a moment "Yes, well there was an issue with his father and I was younger then." she would sigh softly as she looks to Stark and then Cambrist again, just shaking her head, she knew this was going to go horrible wrong at some point, she would start off slow as well "right after Remus was born I did a round on the speeder racing circuit in the outer rim, mainly on Tatooine...I was not that bad either, won a few races..."
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ It was more than a parlor game to Cambrist, of course, but it was less to him than it was to Stark. That is, less a game of useful secrets than, rather, an attempt to interest himself in the present company and to understand what sort of person they were. Stark's story—a youthful indiscretion—was rather straightforward, though it pegged him as someone more impulsive than Cambrist had suspected. In his youth, at least. The Senator's story was more curious; an image of her behind the controls of a speeder replete in racing regalia amused him. It seemed so unlike her. "What possessed you to do that?" he asked her, either forgetting it was his turn to share or, perhaps, changing the subject away from himself.
-= [Alyn Stark] The thought of Ja'nar, whom he'd first pegged as a partying sort and one who did not follow the constraints of society, entering speeder races whilst pregnant, was indeed more than a little amusing. "Indeed, I must echo the good Senator's comment. What did possess you to do that? And Senator Cambrist, you're the only one who has yet to share. I am curious what the mighty Brentaalian senator has that nobody else knows about him. There must be some amusing story or anecdote about you, senator. Do tell, do tell."
Janar_Cerra would look to him "I was in search of something, I never truly found it.." she would look to him with an amused smile "I do believe it is your turn...I would like to know more about you Senator Cambrist"
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ Cambrist hadn't quite comprehended, when he'd proposed this silly idea, that he'd have to participate in it too. "I lament I don't have much of a private life," he said, stalling for time as he plumbed the depths of his memory. A recent incident on Brentaal had left him with some misgivings about the Empire, but even he wasn't sure what he thought about that and, moreover, he wasn't about to share it. There wasn't much else that people didn't know about him, except.. "I killed someone once," he said, taking another drink of his wine as he let that sentence hang heavily in the air for a moment. He took on a distant expression as he went on. "Indirectly, but I can't deny the responsibility I bear for it. Years ago, I told the groundskeeper's young son he couldn't swim in my pool. He and a friend of his went to a rocky cove on my property, instead. It was deeper than he knew, apparently, and he couldn't swim." His gaze had drifted to Remus as he told the story. He took another sip of his wine and shrugged. "I suppose I've rather dampened the mood, haven't I?" There was no emotion on his face, but the drowning of the groundskeeper's son was something he'd thought long and hard about in the years since it had happened. He'd not told anyone about it before.
-= [Alyn Stark] "Terrible things happen sometimes, Senator Cambrist. Be glad you were spared the horrors of the Clone Wars. I daresay they would have broken your sanity, in some regards. You were... you were on a survey mission on the Outer Rim during the Clone Wars, weren't you? Quite lucky the Republic didn't scoop you up. I chose to join, myself. It seemed the right thing to do, at the time. Of course, I saw a number of things I wish I'd never seen and lost a good number of friends. Nonetheless, here we all are, all survivors in one way or another, eh? No need to let it dampen the mood." Now, was this the real Cambrist or was this an act? It did seem as if it had struck him rather hard. Perhaps Cambrist did indeed have a soft spot, but Stark would never trust that.
Janar_Cerra would follow Cambrist's gaze to her son, she would smile softly as she watched the boy, he was currently sitting on a chair with one of his books. she would just smile, he was a sweet boy, a good boy, she would look back to Cambrist for a moment "We all have corpses in our closets...some are just worse than others" she spoke softly as if she knew from experience and in many ways she did. So was this game over? It surely seemed like it, though she wanted to share, to let everything out, to let out all of the secrets she had kept in for years. To start a scandle about Artemis, letting everyone know who his son was, but she couldn't. It would shatter her very carefully built world. And she couldn't do that to him, to either of them, she would have to keep the father of this one a secret as well, she was truly collectings senators as the fathers of her children.
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ Cambrist found something annoying about Stark's response to him, and he couldn't be the only one who found something odd about Senator Cerra's. True, it could be that Cambrist's story was a ruse, another of his games to see how present company reacted to it. Indeed, one couldn't be certain with Cambrist. But Stark's response—in essence, to accuse Cambrist of draft-dodging—was curious, even if it was quite true. He'd reminded Stark of some unpleasant memories, perhaps. He decided that the man meant no offense and dismissed it with another sip of his wine. But he wondered what "corpses" Senator Cerra had in her closet; he'd never supposed there was much intrigue in the Garosian court, but then again, there was a lot he didn't know about Garos IV and its Queen and Senator. He realized, then, that he was surrounded by Outer Rim sensibilities. It wasn't company he was accustomed to or knew much about. For instance, he'd never understood how Senator Fowlkes could have so inflated an opinion of himself to travel as deep in bodyguards as he did. He wondered what secrets the Senator from Telos IV had, but didn't wonder for long. "So," he said, glancing to Senator Cerra, "Who's the father?" The question was so wanton, and echoed her own thoughts so closely, it'd be a wonder if it didn't take her aback.
-= [Alyn Stark] Cambrist was quite correct; the barb thrown out regarding his lack of military service was intended to bother him; it was a sign that Stark was well-versed on Cambrist's public history in some ways. It was doubtful anyone other than his highest detractors within the Senate might know that, or even care, but Stark knew, and Stark cared. It told him that Cambrist thought like a politician, and as such, would likely fight like a politician, which meant he would have someone do it for him. Stark, on the other hand, was a politician and then a soldier. He had the home field advantage in some ways. Now, though, with Cambrist's comment about parentage, was not the time to bait the Senator about his lack of military service. "That is a good question, Senator Cerra, who is the father, if we might know." Cerra's corpses must be foul indeed in that closet. Of course, Stark had had to resist the momentary temptation to say, 'I run a criminal empire that verges on control of several planets and has brought about the death of even Imperial ministers.' Unfortunately, statements like that, made even in jest, were likely to arouse some suspicion.
Janar_Cerra was caught off guard by his question as she looks to him with a small frown touching her lips. She would let out a heavy sigh, "my guard, Alor'ad, the Mandolorian who escorted me to Mr. Stark's party on Lorrd, we got into a situation on Tatooine." she would let out a heavy breath. If that was only true...if only he was the father, it would make life so much easier.
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ But not too much. "A Mandalorian?" Cambrist said incredulously, a rare moment when something surprised him. "You don't see many of them in reputable places," he added, more nonchalant now. "And for good reason, we're told." Indeed, the Mandalorians were one of the most formidable opponents of the Empire. That's how he knew of them, though he couldn't know that many years from now he'd come to loathe everything about them. For now, he knew what the Empire told him; namely, the Mandalorians wanted conquest, and nothing else. He wondered, darkly, what this "incident" on Tatooine truly was. But whatever had happened, it was bold for a Senator to have a Mandalorian as a bodyguard; it was easy to see it as a political statement. He thought about raising this with Senator Cerra, but felt a moment of pity for her instead. He directed is aim on Stark, instead. He deserved it more. "Mr. Stark," he said, "Have you an Aurek-class license yet?" He took a sip of his wine, glaring at the man from the brim of his glass. It might take some time, but Cambrist never forgot a barb and he could be depended on to return it.
-= [Alyn Stark] Stark chuckled faintly at Cambrist's comment about Mandalorians. Stark wondered what Cambrist would do if Stark called Tarin Mako into the room. The Mandalorian had little patience in the best of times for insults. "Mandalorians? A rather angry race. Now Echani... they are far more preferable." If Cambrist did indeed put one and one together, he might well realize that Stark did have a rather attractive female Echani bodyguard among his retinue. Then again, Cambrist might not catch it. "I daresay, Senator Cerra, that that is indeed a... compromising situation. What will become of your bodyguard?" Turning slightly to regard Cambrist, Stark gave an amused look at the glaring senator. "I fear I have not yet done such, Senator Cambrist. However, I do not personally need such a license. Vigilance Technologies and its president need a license to sell drones. Sell, being the operative word, if I am correct though. I suspect that at some point in the near future, the company shall work to attain one."
Janar_Cerra would frown for a moment as she looked at Stark, looking deeply into his eyes once more, "What do you mean? what will become of him? We do not live in some sort of feudal society." she would sigh once more "He will continue to be my guard until he wishes to leave." she would shrug her shoulders "Alor'ad has already spoken and this child" she would hold her stomach for a moment "he does not want to lay claim to, so like before I will be raising my children myself and honestly I wouldn't want it any other way." her eyes would drift to Remus for a moment, with a sad little smile. Oh that secret was a great one. She would hear them briefly, speaking of business.
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ "Of course," Cambrist said to Stark, "Unless your drones are intended simply to be decorative, I expect you'll want to sell them." He shrugged and returned his attention, politely, to Senator Cerra. "That must be a difficult situation for you," he said. But a thought lingered in his mind, resisting the change of subject. Cambrist had assumed Stark's comment was simply a poor retort. But had the man, in fact, let slip that he'd be content not to sell his drone starfighters? If so, did it mean that he had some other purpose in mind for them? What possible use could Stark have for drone starfighters? He tried to banish the thought from his mind, and mostly did so. "I, uh," he went on, "I can appreciate, under the circumstances, that you'd not want him 'in the way.' But it's his job, surely, to get in the way if there's trouble. This does seem rather compromising, no? Have you considered relieving him of his responsibilities?" He wasn't as interested in this as he let on, but he'd bought himself more time to consider this man Stark, who had demonstrated that he knew more than most about Cambrist's past.
-= [Alyn Stark] "Hardly decorative, Senator! Under refinement, if anything. Harmless security drones, much like security droids, of course, are still being considered for sale. The more... dangerous designs, one might call them? Well, those will certainly require a license. I suspect I will have to comm Vigilance Technologies' president on the morrow and have him apply for the license. A simple enough matter. You must keep in mind, Senator, that I recently acquired GTU and I also oversee another company with intent to acquire further, likely in the pharmeceutical field. It's a busy business, if you'll pardon the pun. Of course, if one company goes under, I simply replace it. Fortunately, some are more lucrative than others." He turned to Senator Cerra next and nodded slightly. "An apt decision indeed. I can only imagine if one of my guards gave birth to a child of mine. Well, it would hardly be scandal on my level, but I can still assume."
Janar_Cerra would shrug her shoulders "He is a good man and trusted, you become closest to those who guard you because they are around you the most." she would let out a heavy breath "It is no scandal that is for sure, because for it to be, it one needs to be wrong and two an issue for the person and it is neither to me." she would glance to Cambrist "Again why? His duties are to protect me and nothing else...which is fine"
Sir_Reuke : ]|[ "Far be it from me to advise you on your personal affairs," he said, noticing a few moments late that Fowlkes had excused himself from the conversation. "I see Senator Fowlkes has left us," Cambrist noted. Indeed, the man was nowhere to be seen. "A strange man, Fowlkes. It would seem he has an obsessive regard for his safety. Can you imagine? An Outer Rim senator." It occurred to him immediately that he'd made this remark in the wrong company. "Mm, I mean no offense, of course. But I can't think of anyone less worthy of assassination," he said, as if the many threats to his own life were a matter of pride for him. There came a point, he supposed, when one had collected all the honors one wanted and looked for other things to earn, even threats to one's life. "Pardon me, will you? I'm going to find another drink."
-= [Alyn Stark] "I agree... your affairs and doings are your own, Senator Cerra, but I will toast to you having a healthy baby." Stark lifted his still not-empty glass in toast, taking a ship. "Assassination, Senator Cambrist? Such an unpleasant thought indeed. I fear I've been the target of a handful of such dreadfully unpleasant situations. Fortunately, of course, I can only assume it was a local politician I'd upset. Ever since I stepped down from House Malos, I fear the other Houses of Lorrd see me as within their grasp... but I'd hate to bore you with such... Outer Rim politics. After all, the cultured and the urbane seem to forget that civility... or at times, lack thereof, exists. It makes one wonder whether the true barbarism exists on the fringes or in the core, would you not say? And by all means, please return to join us." Stark smiled faintly at Cambrist. Ah, a worthy partner in the verbal sparring arena.
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
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