Ask Chandrila Future Days

[Sutton Rayne]

Senator Chak,

I have been most impressed with your rhetoric on the rise of the Sith. I too have grown tired of the ineffectual way our current leadership is responding to the Galaxy at large. I do believe we may be able to help one another.

It would be lovely to discuss these with you after the Senate session. I have a table booked at Grazini for 7, it would be fabulous to meet you there for some dinner. The drinks will be on me.

Yours, in solidarity,

Sutton Rayne

Senator for Commenor

They really did serve good drinks here.

The restaurant bustled and tinkled with the good-natured chatter of the elite. It was the kind of place that didn't print prices on the menu. If you had to ask, you couldn't afford it. And whilst a senator's salary wasn't anything to sniff at, Sutton Rayne had made a comfortable amount of money during her active legal practice.

She sat in a booth near the back, basking in the gentle music from the house band. A pleasant evening meal awaited after the bustle of the Republic Senate, which some interesting potential. She sipped wine from a slim flute as she brushed away an eager waiter.

"I'm waiting for company. I'd rather wait until he arrives, thank you," she said, politely but firmly. If this meeting played right, it could be the start of something with real potential. The last thing she'd want to do is order for him, Senator Chak didn't seem like the type who liked others to make decisions for him.

I bet he'll have a steak. Rare. Practically living when they serve it.

@Reyn

 

[Raz Chak]

Senator Chak was dressed far more sharply than he looked. The aging veteran hobbled into the Grazini wearing a fine black dress shirt and pants, coupled with a cane of pure white wood. His left sleeve was sown off at the elbow, drawing a few strange looks from the patrons and staff. The Senator paid it no mind though, smiling and thanking his waiter graciously as he was escorted to Senator Rayne's table. Whatever Sutton may have seen of Raz in the Senate or on the Holonet, here he was just as loud, but decidedly more friendly.

As he arrived at the table he did not move to sit immediately, instead extending both arms out wide as though he had just run into an old friend. "Sutton Rayne! What a pleasure," If she did not protest, he would reach out and shake her hand perhaps a bit too vigorously. "My sincerest apologies for my tardiness. I'd say it's always nice to see you, but I don't believe we've ever met before!" He laughed and then eased himself into his chair with some effort, waving off the waiter's attempts to help the whole time as he situated himself.

"I do hope I won't make you regret offering to pay for the drinks," He said with a wry grin. "My wife never wants to go out to places like this anymore. I intend to enjoy it while I can." He laughed again before clearing his throat roughly. While he kept up the jolly exterior Sutton would easily be able to recognize the analyzing eye he had fixed her with. He was sizing her up, seeing how she would react to him in everything she did. "But, allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart." He said in a more gentlemanly manner. "It is truly a privilege to join you here tonight. I've been told you're a woman of strong convictions, and if that's true, I think I'm set to have a very good night." He added with a knowing smile.

@Charndley

 

[Sutton Rayne]

When she noticed the good Senator was being escorted to her table, Sutton rose and put on a friendly smile. Buttoning up her blazer first, (a habit from her law days), she returned his handshake with aplomb, if quite not so much force. With her knuckles throughly crushed, she returned to her seat.

"Raz Chak. No apologies necessary, I understand the plight of the busy senator. It is quite the shame we've never met in person before but you know how it is. Meetings here, negotiations there... I'm barely back from Humbarine myself. Bloody tightwads." She raised her glass in recognition, though. "I'm quite sure my purse can handle it, Senator Chak. Please do enjoy yourself."

She slid the two menus towards him. Drinks, and then food. "I've already had a glass of wine, do forgive me. First time I've been able to sit and enjoy a proper drink in a week," she commiserated. "The food here is gorgeous though, if a little pretentious." The exact kind of food Sutton adored, but she ventured that he'd be a little more plain.

"Why, that's a compliment coming from you, Senator Chak. May I call you Raz?" she said, leaning forwards a little more. "I must say, it's a revelation to finally have someone in the Senate willing to speak their mind. Someone of action. I fear the Republic is too used to fatuous sleazes who sit on their backsides all day." A hint of bitterness in her voice, borne from constant frustrations about how things were run.

A waiter soon toddled over, waiting eagerly. "I'll have another wine, please, and the salad to start," she ordered, watching Raz carefully.

@Reyn

 

[Raz Chak]

Sutton's remarks on the business of senatorial life was answered with a quick bark of laughter from Raz, the man quite sympathetic to her troubles. His eyes quickly fell to the menus as they were offered, scanning over them for whatever looked most appealing. "Ah nothing to apologize over, I'll be matching you shot for shot soon enough." He commented with a chuckle as she mentioned already starting to drink.

He looked up again as she quickly turned the conversation to politics, nodding with a kind smile as she asked if it was alright to call him by his first name. He was already liking the lady, and what she said put a grin on his face from ear to ear. "You are absolutely right." He replied with a sage nod. "You know sometimes I feel like I'm living in some kind of fantasy world. I can't believe these people are so content to just sit back and watch the fireworks. If it doesn't effect them directly, they couldn't care less what happens to the Free Worlds. If they could think five seconds ahead they'd know that we're the second course."

He paused to look at the waiter as it was his turn to order. "I'll have the Serenno Gold and the seared scallops. Thank you." He said. As their waiter departed he turned his attention back to Sutton, his tone becoming more serious as he leaned forward a bit. "We need to start doing something now. We should have been doing something a long time ago, but there's no use in dwelling on that anymore. We need to look to the future. The common people are losing their minds over this. They're looking at their leaders and they're seeing a pack of idiots doddering about and doing nothing for them. The atmosphere is perfect for a shake up. They just need the right figures to rally behind..." He would watch Sutton closely, waiting eagerly for her reply. He felt he could be straight with her. He wanted to massively alter the political climate of the Senate. As far as he was concerned, it would take nothing less to start making progress before it was too late.

@Charndley

 

[Sutton Rayne]

"I do agree. Some people in our positions would be quite happy to sit back and draw their Senatorial salary, content to whine and bitch whilst the Galaxy burns around them. I'm glad we see eye to eye."

Sutton managed to avoid wincing as he mentioned the Serenno Gold, telling herself in her head that it'd all be worth it. "It's a pity it's taken the Republic this long to care, but there are others who are looking for leadership. I have tried to cobble something together myself, small measures to help where I can," she explained, waving her hand as if refugee resettlements and vast supplies for the quarantine front were trivial matters, "but I am just one senator. Think of what could be done with the backing of the whole Senate." She reached for the wine again. A little courage.

"Think of what could be done with the power of the whole Republic at one's fingertips..." she suggested idly, with a knowing smile. "Everyone here is crying out for real leaders. The Chancellor barely says two words nowadays. I wouldn't rate his chances in the next few months. One more crisis, one more invasion, one more world falls to AMS."

@Reyn

 

[Raz Chak]

Raz gave another hearty chuckle at Sutton's comments. Clearly he enjoyed a good laugh at the expense of their less active fellows in the Senate. "I heard about that," He remarked as she mentioned what she had already tried to do to help. "You've done some good work." But she had a point. She was just one senator. As was he. Their abilities were limited on their own. As she talked about swaying the whole Senate, and about bringing the strength of the entire Republic to bear, Raz's smile matched hers.

"The Republic was the single greatest force in the galaxy once," He agreed with her, his patriotic streak flaring up. "And it could be again. If we stopped bickering amongst each other and banded together. A Republic united behind one strong Chancellor could tear any of these upstarts to ribbons." Many politicians might have disagreed with Raz's assessment of the Sith Empire's threat, but he spoke with a certain confidence that made one think he had all the answers. As Sutton brought up crises that might be able to topple the current sitting Chancellor, the veteran squinted, becoming thoughtful.

"True enough, but I say, why wait on that, and not seize the initiative?" He asked. "The people are already looking elsewhere for answers, it's why this ISC nonsense has any traction at all. If a new faction within the Senate could start showing tangible results? They'd drop that dimwit Owusaan faster than you can say no-confidence." He gave a big, conspiratorial smile. The only question was what could they do to show they could get the job done? Helping refugees was goof for PR and all, but that was just treating a symptom of the problem, not presenting a solution.

@Charndley

 

[Sutton Rayne]

"The Republic has been strong before. It can be again. I'd say that the executive needed some kicks up their backsides, but I'm not certain that'd do anything at this point. You think Byblos would be a wake-up call. We only just held onto it, and that was with help from the Jedi. I'm not opposed to their involvement as some are but... it's not a great look, is it?"

The food arrived, quicker than Sutton though. Then again, it wasn't a particularly busy evening. The salad was served in front of her, before the waiter laid out the plate of scallops before Senator Chak. "I quite agree. Results and answers are what people are desperate for," she said, picking up her fork. She started pointing in the air with it as she spoke. "We should be arming up. We should be establishing a joint security force at the very least. Something to protect the whole Republic and project a little force out there."

She paused to sample a little of her salad. It was okay, needed a little more dressing though. She preferred things with a little more bite. Reaching for the pepper, she continued. "AMS is an opportunity to do better. We could be taking the lead on the response. The ISC does nothing for worlds unless they join them. We could be more magnanimous, offer security and support for free. It benefits us to look more charitable. Rue and her cabinet are a spent force, they're just content to sit on their backsides and make pithy comments to everyone." Sutton rolled her eyes as she placed the pepper back down. It's funny you should mention faction. I've begun talks with Humbarine and Cato Neimoidia recently. Something to help us non-Core worlds get a better voice."

"How are the scallops?"

@Reyn

 

[Raz Chak]

Raz nodded along with Sutton's words once more, remaining in lock step with her. "Absolutely, we can't be dependent on the Jedi for survival, we need to be able to stand on our own." He agreed. Of course that didn't mean he thought poorly of them, Raz greatly appreciated the Jedi's assistance in doing what had to be done. But the Republic needed them to be an ally, not a crutch.

As the food arrived Raz thanked the waiter again before falling silent. While Sutton went on he picked up his glass of Serenno Gold and took a sip, eyes closing briefly as he enjoyed the taste. It had been a while since he'd had a good drink too. He would then turn next to his plate of scallops, picking up his fork and trying a bite. It appeared he didn't have quite the same discerning taste as her, it was clear from his facial expression that he was absolutely delighted with the appetizer. He only remained locked in the rapture for a few moments however before focusing back on the senator. He seemed quite impressed with her remarks on Humbarine and Cato Neimoidia, his eyebrows quirking up. As she asked about the food he swallowed and answered.

"Excellent, you really know how to butter a guy up." He said with a chuckle before putting his fork down and becoming serious again. "It's disgusting just to think of our worlds being on the border of Republic space isn't it? We used to be in the heartland." He shook his head. "But you're right. We have the resources to be much more charitable to our old brethren in the FWA, just so long as we're not too charitable, lest they get it into their heads they can string us along." He looked off to the side and squinted again, thinking. "We should also make sure our charity is targeted very carefully..." He looked back at her. "There are some worlds that are more valuable to us then others. Some worlds that can potentially offer the Republic the same advantages as the ISC. And if we can get in their good graces, I think more will quickly follow." Raz figured it would be fairly clear to a well-studied senator which world he was steering the conversation towards. But even in a place like this, he didn't want to be too open with his intentions.

@Charndley