Open Let Diplomacy Resume

[Lon Tendree]

The Neimoidian laughed at the jokes she made, glad that they seemed to be able to find some common ground even if it was only in mocking someone else who was belligerent. But that was how all of his best friendships seemed like they had started.

It's difficult to say, he said thoughtfully as she asked who had already been convinced. I do think Quellor is on the verge. I think Pure Neimoidia will follow suit with Cato Neimoidia, he said.

Humbarine and Nubia will likely come over as well. I'd like to try to convince Corellia and Duro tomorrow if possible, he said. Corellia would be a major win and arguably one of the more difficult ones to bring over, but it would be something that would gain a great deal of influence to the pair if they could manage it.

@LouJoVi

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

Sibyl paid close attention while Lon spoke his opinion. She would be more surprised if Pure Neimoidian didn’t join. The Governor had heard rumors about how the old Neimoidian homeworld wasn’t that important economically anymore, with the influence slowly migrating to Cato Neimoidia.

This way, Tendree probably already convinced the government and Senator of Pure Neimoidia before this meeting. Sibyl believed that the Neimoidian had passed down to the rest of his species what they talked about during the Senator. Probably all the Neimoidian magnates already knew about the benefits of joining the ISC.

"Yes, having Corellia and Duro joining the Consortium would be wonderful. However, they were always faithful to the Republic, even during the rule of the Galactic Empire." their faithfulness to these ideals were annoying in her opinion. "How do you think that we could convince them? Perhaps by trying to use the idea that the Chancellor is going against the ideals that they defend?"

"The two also have a strong spirit of independence. Maybe it could also be used to influence them. What do you think?" Sibyl wondered if Lon had already thought about some strategy to deal with these two planets.

@Phoenix

 

[Lon Tendree]

Lon nodded at what she said. I suspect their loyalty to the Republic was more based in their desire for independence they had experienced that they lost under the Empire, he said. Perhaps he was wrong, but she was spot on: they were not people who took being told what to do well.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that today the ISC offers more independence than the Republic does. Less bogged down in red tape and... sanctions, he said. It was clear from his tone that he didn't approve of the impingements placed on businesses that was slowly strangling many worlds. He silently wondered to himself if this mass defection would lead to a war itself. He hoped not, but these days he'd lost a great deal of faith in the Republic.

If their surrounding worlds begin to leave, they may take further notice as well. A movement like this was only a matter of time after looking at the numbers. Worlds have been trickling out for years. We're just opening the floodgates, he said with a devious smile.

@LouJoVi

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

Sibyl agreed with Lon. It wasn’t a secret that both Corellian and Duro were against the Empire's domination of the Galaxy since the beginning. They joined the Rebellion during its early stages and were one of the first planets of the Core to join the New Republic and to rebel after the defeat of the First Orders. Independence was always important for them.

“Yes, it does. The ISC offers more liberty and less centralization than what exists in the New Republic. Of course, it wasn’t the same chaos of the FWA. It’s a perfect middle term between the two.” she explained to the Neimoidian. “Perhaps we could use the fact that Ro's recent actions showed that he has the desire to have more control over the Republic.” Sibyl was referring to the fact that he had ignored the Senate when he had decided to attack Denon.

The Brentaalan smiled at Lon. “Yes. If we make these planets join us, I believe that many others will follow.” this would be excellent for the economy of the ISC and of Brentaal. “I’m surprised that the Senator of Skako wasn’t there. I always thought that Skakoans and Neimoidians had a good relationship with each other.” Sibyl said. Even after the end of the Techno Union, the Skakoans were still famous for the production of technology. Having them as part of the Consortium could be good.

@Phoenix

 

[Lon Tendree]

Lon nodded at her comment. Neimoidia and Skako were indeed on good terms and he knew the Senator of Skako well. She was also correct that they had been absent today.

Combination of reasons unfortunately, he said. A scheduling conflict is the official line, but I suspect they want to see the results of this meeting before they're even seen discussing a topic like defection, he said.

Unfortunately, many of us who were members of the Separatist Alliance still know the history well. A civil war that tore the galaxy apart and gave rise to the Empire is what the Clone Wars was, he said. Both of their peoples had been part of the groups interested in leaving the Republic once before.

Most of us would like to not go to war with the Republic again over a desire to leave it, he said. The reason he had been so wary of this meeting, but had ultimately risked his neck to see it happen.

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

Sibyl paid close attention to Lon’s explanation. It wasn’t a surprise that the Skakoans were avoiding to be seen in a meeting where planets, among them Neimoidian worlds, were discussing defection of the Republic. The last time that happened the result was the Clone Wars. They were probably afraid of the possible backslash.

”It’s a shame. I had hoped to talk with the Senator of Skako.” Sibyl wanted to see if there was the possibility of doing business with them. After all, the technology produced by them was still a good source of income for their planet. She wondered if they accepted investments from foreigners. “Perhaps there will be other opportunities for us to meet.”

“I understand. At least this time we don’t have an ex-Jedi to instigate us to go to war against the Republic. We are doing it peacefully.” the last thing that Sibyl and the Brentaal Houses wanted was to enter in a war against the Republic, at least for now. “This time we also have the benefit of the ISC already being a recognised state.”

“Tell me, Senator Tendree. What do you think of Senator Jin Vaisra of Fondor?” she was curious to know the Neimoidian’s opinion about Jin. Sibyl still had hoped to bring such an asset to the ISC. At least this way she could have him save her from Hergalor and other idiots during parties without having passive-aggressive conversations.

@Phoenix

 

[Lon Tendree]

The political climate of the galaxy was not easy to read right now. There was a great deal of unrest and upheaval, but where those two existed, opportunity thrived. It was what he - and he suspected Sibyl - were hoping to capitalize on. Moments like these were what made or broke careers. But it also meant that people didn't want to risk their positions.

The server came over and he ordered, waiting for Sibyl to do the same before returning to her question.

I don't know the Fondor Senator well, if I'm honest, he said. He had had extremely limited interaction with the man apart from seeing that he existed from across the Senate floor and having bumped briefly into one another at parties.

He seems like he'd be wary of making a move like we're making. I can't tell if he's a Republic loyalist or not, but if I'm not mistaken, you know him better. What are your thoughts? Could he be convinced to join our little... delegation? he asked.

@LouJoVi

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

Then Lon didn’t know Jin, this was interesting. Sibyl had thought that Vaira, being always after a new profitable business, would have gone after the Neimoidians. Even years after the end of the Trade Federation, they were still wealthy. Perfect targets for the Prince of Fondor. Perhaps he wasn’t as clever as she had thought.

“He is ambitious and if we show how beneficial it is to join our little group, I believe that it could convince him.” having Vaisra by their side would be good for the ISC. The business that could be possible with Fondor would be excellent for them.

After Lon ordered his food, Sibyl did the same. She asked the same that the Neimoidian, the restaurant was a nice and expensive place, but she hoped that the food there would be good enough. Although, with how hungry she was, the Brentaalan would eat even the food from a cantina.

While the server walked away, the Governor of Brentaal turned back to the Neimoidian. “Beyond the planets that are participating in this meeting, is there any other that you think that we could approach in another moment?” there was many other worlds that she thought could be beneficial if they joined the Consortium.

@Phoenix

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Nor’baal Desiljic Fa’athra had yet to actually speak in a debate at the Galactic Senate, but in typical style, he had wasted no time at all in getting his office set up in the Galactic Core. Already owning a small residence (by Hutt standards) near the planet's underworld, he had been advised by his accountant to redesignate it as a Senatorial Office. Now, the good people of the galaxy financed his Coruscant residence for him.

And they said politics was a bad job?

He had also taken the liberty of hiring a few members of the displaced refugee species into his private political retinue, to further enhance his image as the ‘refugees champion’ within the Independent Systems Consortium. Over the course of the past week he had read more briefings than he could care to remember, and he came to the conclusion that much of the Galactic Senate was just awfully run.

As well as this, Hutt had made sure to attend as many private meetings as he could muster. That was why he was here, and, his relative infancy in the role was also the reason why he was so late. Having been unable to get into the upper levels of the building through the main corridors, which were far too narrow for a member of his species, the Hutt had been forced to take the scenic route.

It was almost as if nobody wanted the Hutts here!

Entering the room under his own power, with a protocol droid to one side and his trusted bodyguards in his wake, Nor’baal smiled as he clocked Lon Tendree of the New Republic, and Sybil Lassiter of the ISC. His retinue dispersed into the room, his droid at his side as he approached them both.

Nor’baal had not caught any of their conversation, so when he entered the discussion all he heard was the idea of a ‘delegation’ being cast about. He did not know what it was, and instead made his introductions <Banokon Tendree, Banokon Lassiter, mah bamauasa che mah hohbekokee, tah pantkhee doth tee bu cuaee woleue bai kohiakiha. Jee cha phaba jeejee gee vee manpanh, Banokon?> he said, as his droid garbled a translation into basic.

 

[Lon Tendree]

Lon was about to answer Sibyl's question about other planets that might be brought over by their alliance when he noted a very large set of ears nearby. Actually, they didn't have ears, did they? Ear holes? Anyway, it was difficult not to notice the Hutt that had made its way over to their table and introduced himself.

If he were honest - which he wasn't going to be - he wasn't overly familiar with the Hutt. He had heard some of the rumors surrounding the "Governor of Kessel" but what was true and what was merely rumor hadn't been fully parsed out.

He looked up to the Hutt, keeping a rather reserved countenance and reaction until he knew precisely what the game here was.

I don't believe we have, but you already seem to know us, he said. Were you planning to attend the discussions? he asked, lightly probing the Hutt's intentions. He'd not attended the discussions proper, but had appeared at a private dinner, which struck the Senator as odd, but he saw no need to poke the bear-hutt so soon.

@Nor'baal @LouJoVi

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

Sibyl was waiting Lon answer her question when she noticed that another person had approached them. If a worm with arms could be called a person. After all, Hutts were more a beast than anything else.

The presence of this stinky creature, who acts as if it was a civilized being, disgusted her. She never liked the Hutt, even less after one of them kidnapped Tristodd. They forced her to have to spend months with incompetent aides, while her office spiraled into chaos.

She recognizes this individual in particular. He was the recently elected Governor of Kessel. What was his name? Nor'bit? Nor'boot? Nor'butch? No, it’s Nor' baal! Sibyl wondered why this creature had such a difficult name to remember. He should have something more simple, like for example Jabba.

"It's an honor to finally meet you in person." she said to the creature. Only looking at this worm made her nauseous. Suddenly her hunger was starting to disappear. Then she turned to Lon "This is Nor'baal Desilijic, Governor of Kessel. Do you plan to participate in the meetings?" Sibyl hoped that the Hutt would not, because he would scare the other Senators.

@Nor'baal @Phoenix

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Were you planning to attend the discussions? Nor'baal blinked, thick eyelids brushing over dry, fist-sized eyes as he nodded slowly, scratching his belly absent-mindedly in the process. <Sa, sie Dobra tam douah peee Masonka see Pattee, fa chaweka mi bai manpanh mah pohii-> the Hutt struggled to find the correct word, Hutt dialect had few honorriffics that matched up with the appropraite ones in use here <Banoh- dotkola. Dobra bapy bai neu kava mee manpanh caiot chaweka mah camai.>

He left it deliberately ambiguous as to whether he was referring to the citizens of Kessel, or the Hutts in a broader sense. Returning Senator Lassiters complement with a slight incline of his head, his allowed his tongue to sloppily brush over his bottom lip, before speaking further. <Sie Pattee doth pacanlonh bai bu Banoh, fa doth mah wehca phaba da jeejee lwaa chaca bu makacheesa see kankahsou lkeg pinraumaoba cay bacdop kon.> he continued. Nor'baal, well Senator Fa'athra, had heard much of this Senator Lassiter. Despite their slight physical differences, Nor’baal and her were similar in their approach - both saw the Senate and the power it gave them as a vehicle to advance their worlds, and themselves - which they probably considered to be one and the same.

The Hutt reckoned he could do business with her at least.

Senator Lon was harder to fathom. <Toupee mi, cheska lumpa um baw wah tam kacdy dee Banbamanu Danko Pantahlea du tah koona see mee?> he asked, seeking to spur the discussion on.

 

[Lon Tendree]

Lon watched the hutt carefully, but not too carefully. He hadn't spent much time around hutts, but there was a lot of... drool. That was probably not an appropriate thought, but he had a filter on what actually came out of his mouth or what came across his face. There were many different species in the galaxy, after all. Don't judge a book by its cover, he reminded himself.

A pleasure to meet you, he said with a nod in the direction of their newest acquaintance.

Indeed there is, if you're interested, he went on to answer Nor'baal's question. Many worlds in the Republic have become disenchanted with the actions taken by our common government. I intend to join the ISC and there are many others interested as well, he said. It would be a very public announcement soon, so there was no point in any secrecy.

We are working to bring together the secession into a single exit, convincing worlds who are still uncertain. You'd be more than welcome to help field questions being asked by those who still have concerns, he said.

Governor Lassiter has been doing an excellent job, but more minds can often be of benefit, he said.

@LouJoVi @Nor'baal

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

While the Hutt spoke, Sibyl was controlling herself to not roll her eyes. She always thought that Huttese was an inferior type of language, used only by most barbarian creatures of the Outer Rim. In her opinion, its pronunciation was unpleasant and reminded her of the sounds of an animal.

Even though she knew that Nor’baal was going to inevitably join the meeting, Sibyl was annoyed with it. Would be difficult to tolerate the pestilent odor that came from the Hutt. He was there for only a few minutes, but it had already spread across the entire place. The Brentaalan noticed how the servers were quietly staring at them, their faces showing how nauseous they were due to the worm’s presence.

Since there wasn’t the possibility of Nor’ baal going away, they could still find some way to make his presence useful. “Yes, perhaps you could help us to convince the Senator that joining the Consortium would be beneficial for them.” he could also find a way to blackmail or threaten them. After all, he was a Hutt and all members of his species were criminals. Knowing how to "convince" people was probably something natural to him.

@Phoenix @Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Lazily, Nor'baals eyes moved to scan the room. Whilst he listened to the two other Senators, he allowed his mind to wander - ever so slighlty - and he noticed the somewhat shocked faces from some of the serving staff and other patrons. Clearly, these lesser species are in awe of the Hutt form, he decided, returning his focus on the matter at hand. Regardless of what he thought of these 'politicians', it would serve the interests of Kessel, and the Desilijic, to do what he could to strike bargains with them.

After all - politics and crime where remarkably similar. Tax instead of rackets, police instead of enforcers.

Plus, Lon seemed keen to expand the membership the ISC, which in Nor'baals view was probably not a bad thing. As it stood, the ISC was more understanding of the differing cultures of the rim, his own included. <Jee gee nobata siw Banokon Lassiter doth see kosthpa boya du tah joday, ua gee vee whoma mi peee wa hecasenbe hauawanetka.> he spooned out some flattery to his colleagues.

<Mah banka cay bu ISC ah dan bo, la chespo kouwahe bai tam piukiha, tam bmala an tam chapteceha. Doi haku Jee gee neu la chahsa cuee vehpobaee cahla chatmahag an phata ai wa cahla piukihe tahca.> Nor'baal replied, with remarkable political awareness. He was a fan of the Consortium, and Lon Tondrees suggestion of a mass-exit from their respective groups to that Consortium, smacked of a common-sense approach.

 

[Lon Tendree]

Alas, the smell that was striking the good Senators nose was seemingly getting worse by the moment, and while he hadn't at first noticed it as much, it seemed to be... worsening.

His food - now almost finished - was no longer seeming very appetizing, and a quick glance at his chrono told him it was getting late. The debates would start again early in the morning.

An open mind and a head for business is what we need. Not moralized grandstanding, hypocrisy, and manipulation, he said. It was what he had seen from the New Republic of late, and he was being a bit more candid about it at the moment than normal.

But the debates will begin early tomorrow, and I should really be getting back to my hotel for the night, he said. Would you excuse us, he said, beginning to stand.

I look forward to your aid in the morning, he said.

OOC: @Nor'baal @LouJoVi Someone's welcome to jump ahead to the morning in their post if they'd like

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

When Lon started to get up from his seat, Sibyl decided that it was also a good opportunity for her to go away. She had already finished most of her food, but would not stay for a dessert. The foul odor coming from the Hutt had spread through the entire place, killing completely her desire to eat anything else.

"Yes, I believe that it’s already late. Tomorrow we have much to do.” Sibyl rose from her seat, wanting to follow the Neimoidian out of the restaurant. She turned to the Hutt “Good night, Governor.” then she walked after Lon. When the two were already outside, Sibyl would take a deep breath. It was good to be able to breath without having Nor’baal’s terrible odor.

----------------​

The following day, Sibyl was the first to arrive at the place where the meeting was happening. Following her costume of never wearing the same clothes two times, the Governor of Brentaal had replaced the dress that she was wearing yesterday for a yellow one.

While she waited for the arrival of the other representatives, Sibyl hoped that the Hutt would have some problem that would make him not come. His terrible odor inside this small room would be a nightmare. Looking at the table of food, the Brentaalan was already imagining the fight that would happen between Nor’baal and the locust that was the Senator of Quellor. Hutts were also known for eating basically anything. Perhaps he would swallow the Mon Calamari. This would be ironic, the worm eating the fish.

@Phoenix @Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Nor’baal had slept like a log the prior evening, returning to his residence on Coruscant over-night, and staying up late to catch up on correspondence pertaining to his ‘other ventures’ off world. Up early, he had made his way to the location of the planned meeting in good time, and had even dressed for the occasion.

A golden chain bearing the Desilijic logo rested around his blubbery neck, a deep blue cape over his shoulders and a thin chromium circlet with a fist-sized jewel at the apex rested on his head.

He took his position at the table, reaching immediately for the food - as was customary in his culture to eat the moment food arrives, regardless of whether all guests have been seated. “Well, tuck in Senator Lassiter.” he remarked, switching to basic, due to it being the more commonly spoken language in this part of the galaxy.

 

[Lon Tendree]

Lon had had a surprisingly good night of sleep last night and felt ready to tackle the day ahead of him. He knew he had Governor Lassiter on his side - a positive in this debate - and he was... still up in the air on whether the Governor of Kessel would help or hurt the work going forward. Hopefully the former, but you never knew with a new variable. At least the Senator of Quellor seemed like he had been temporarily shut up.

Now he knew the big take today would be the Senator of Corellia. Corellia - like many others - had been severely hit by the sanctions and additional red tape in ship production, and that had been felt by the voters. Many were eager to leave the planet while others were still dubious.

He arrived to find Nor'baal already jumping in on the food. Apparently he would be Quellor 2.0 today and together the two would probably finish off the entire table by themselves.

Good morning, I hope everyone slept well, he said, greeting the two Governors. The Senators were only just beginning to arrive and they had a short bit of time before the discussions started again.

Governor Nor'baal, we made good progress yesterday, but convincing Corellia to join us is one of the largest goals for today. Along with other worlds, of course, he said. No small task, but it was best to let their ally know exactly what the goal and stakes were.

@LouJoVi @Nor'baal

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

Sibyl wanted to scream when she saw Nor’baal, the worm, arrive at the meeting room. She had really hoped that the Hutt wasn’t going to come. “Good morning, Governor. I hope that you had a goodnight of sleep.” it was a nightmare. Needing to stay in a room with his foul odor during dinner yesterday was already a torment, now she was going to have a repeat during the entire day. What had she done to deserve it?

Seeing him attack the food was like watching a holodocumentary about Wildlife. The Hutt was devouring it in the same way that a tusk cat of Naboo ate the carcass of their prey. It made Sibyl nauseous.

“Good morning, Senator Tendree.” she turned to the Neimoidian, trying to not look much at the Hutt eating the food. Sibyl knew that if she continued looking at him, she was going to vomit. Then the other representatives started to arrive. Among them was the Senator of Quellor, who looked at the Hutt with obvious envy. The Brentaalan suspected that the Mon Calamari was already prepared to fight with Nor’baal for the food.

“Yes. We believe that to convince Corellia to join the Consortium we could use the idea that the ISC allows more independence than the New Republic.” she explained to Nor’baal. Convincing both Corellia and Duro were of vital importance. Both were planets that could improve the position of the Consortium in the Galaxy. “This same strategy could be used to convince Duro.”

@Phoenix @Nor'baal