Open Negotiations For A Holocron

Drow Venn

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Kaikelius. Capital City. Time: 1500.

The Praji family name had rung out through the annals of history time and time again. It was hard not to with the amount of wealth they had at their disposal. Even the more idiotic members of the family could lose billions and still have trillions to fall back upon. So, as it was, the family held countless businesses, moons, and estates all over the Core World. One of the more impressive ones was Praji Manor.

Sprawling and covered with gold, the house itself was a sight to behold. But the grounds were what truly set it apart from the other luxurious estates on the luxury world of Kaikelius. It had been radically transformed over the recent years into a gigantic home for the galaxy's most rare and beautiful plants. Even one who wasn't well-versed in botany could appreciate the majesty and wonder that came from walking under the arched sanctuary trees or the pulsating danger of the coma-bloom garden.

Jedi Knight Drow Venn could feel the living Force radiate throughout these grounds and while that normally would have given him comfort, today he felt ill at ease. He had never been one comfortable with wealth or the wealthy. In his mercenary days, he had kept them at a distance, counting on his superior officers to deal with acquiring jobs from aristocrats and getting paid by them. Drow was fine taking their money but interacting with them made him nervous and made him all too aware of his roughspun personality and rustic upbringing. Besides that, while he was perfectly at ease on a battlefield, his confidence in himself as a negotiator was almost non-existant. He'd been trying to get better at it recently - it was an essential Jedi skill, after all - but he still felt himself floundering most of the time.

But, here he was and here he would be because the Jedi Order needed this Holocron. Long ago, Rin Praji had won Jedi Master Cin Drallig's Holocron in an auction and had displayed it proudly in Praji Manor, along with his other Jedi artifacts. But Rin was long dead and the new head of the manor - Nestor Praji - was just as wealthy, just as eccentric, but more into rare flora rather than Jedi artifacts. He had a brief conversation with Drow when the Ishi Tib had asked about the Holocron and had invited him and other Jedi to come to the manor to discuss it. So, Drow stayed here, nervously pacing up and down the steps of the manor, waiting for Nestor to arrive.

"I don't like this place. Rich people always made me nervous." Drow said to his Jedi companions.

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Novaron Rah

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Novaron was never one for worlds with surface-wide spread cities. The urban landscape, the hustle and bustle of people who couldn’t give two shakes about the person next to them so long as their own day wasn’t inconvenienced… No, it wasn’t his forte. And yet here he was on Kaikelius, sent to negotiate with some aristocrat who’s riches were born from a bygone era over a near-ancient holocron of a Jedi Battle Master. Had it not been the holocron of Master Drallig, Nova may well have opted to pass on this assignment but there was too much to be gained from such a source of knowledge. The holocron and it’s teachings would serve as a magnificent addition to the Jedi Library and given time, would progress the Order to heights they had not seen in nearly two hundred years.

Nova had left his standard Jedi tunic and robes on board his craft, instead opting for a more elegant looking blood red robe made of a fine velvet. Dark green trim accented the collar and sleeves and displayed with pride along his belt were both of his lightsaber hilts, though he knew fully well the chances of requiring the weapons was nearly zero. In truth, he hated his attire. It went against everything he knew from his days as a mercenary in the Outer Rim to dress in such a flashy manner but if one wished to negotiate with the upper echelons of society, one needed to fit in. He only hoped his other Jedi companions had held a similar thought so he didn’t stand out. Should they not, he still had his standard sash worn underneath.

Standing at the bottom of the Praji Estate staircase, Nova closed his eyes and felt the force energies spilling from the copious amounts of flora that encircled them. If there was one thing to be said about the rich and famous, they had good taste. The Cathar was at least pleased that there was some sort of natural life around him, rather than concrete and steel. But the anxiety and pacing of Drow Venn soon shook Nova from his near meditative state.

”Between you and I, Drow,” Nova began, his eyes still closed though his black lips curling upward in a smile. ”The sooner this assignment is completed and we get back to Yavin, the better,” Nova had not yet met the Jedi he had been assigned to meet on this task. Not surprising, he knew few of his Jedi brothers and sisters these days, but Drow Venn and he shared a similar train of thought it seemed.

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Alexandria Voran

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The Force moved through all things. There was no world, no city, where the Force did not flow. But, the Lightside did grow stronger from planet to planet. Darkness was descending on the galaxy. You could almost feel the Light warring against it. It did not always win those battles. The galaxy was off kilter and balance need to be restored. Alex Voran breathed deeply of the Force. The Light felt stronger here. Life burst all around them…the very essence of the Lightside of the Force. She could very nearly feel the Force vibrating with energy. It made her want to close her eyes and simply breath. Sadly, she had a job to do.

The Morellian Jedi Knight was dressed plainly. She wore traditional brown Jedi Robes, soft dark leather boots, and tan synthweave clothes beneath. However, her hair was impeccable. She had arrived on Kaikelius separately from her Jedi companions…intending to meet them at the Praji Estate. She arrived just shortly before Nestor was set to meet them. She was greeted but a stunningly strange pair. The Ishi Tib Jedi paced nervously, while Cathar looked like a figure out of a soap operate. Alex smiled as she ascended the steps. “Oh boys, what do we have here.” She did not look it, but Alex guessed she was least a few decades their senior. Both Jedi vibrated with unease in the Force. The pacing and the blood red robes sure did not help the situation. Luckily, this was her forte.

“He knows we are coming, correct?” Her voice was light and airy. “There is no reason to fret…folks like these don’t take meetings unless they are at least willing to listen.” That much was true. The novelty of simply being a Jedi would likely not impress Nestor which meant he wanted something. They just needed to figure out what.

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Drow Venn

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"He knows we're coming but it's just...these rich types. I never knew how to deal with them. I was a mercenary. Not saying I enjoyed the work but put me in a desert with a vibrosword and point me in the right direction and I'll know what to do. But these aristocratic negotiation type things? I never know if using the wrong fork or taking my boots off is going to cause an intergalactic incident!" Drow explained. However, as much as he was fretting, he was glad the other two Jedi were there. He trusted in his fellow Jedi enough to save him if a faux pas that he made ended up costing them the Holocron.

With some time, the wide doors opened and Nestor Praji himself stepped forward. He had the demeanor (and possible cosmetic surgery) that rich people had where you couldn't tell if he was forty or sixty. Either way, his eyes told the story of a man who came from power and knew of no other way to live his life. He was flanked by a young Togruta girl and a protocol droid.

"Well, well, well! Jedi here in Praji Manor. Old Rin is probably turning in his grave now knowing that the Jedi have finally arrived at his doorstep long after he was gone!" Nestor smiled. The young Togruta and protocol droid both chuckled heartily at the joke in a way that Drow found a bit disingenuous. Then again, the money this guy had, he'd probably grown up never being told that he wasn't particularly funny.

"Your grounds are very beautiful." Drow said. Wealthy people loved having their homes complimented. That much he knew.

"Yes, they are, aren't they? In an urbanizing galaxy, I find that the peaceful nature of serenity brings me far more comfort than old Jedi artifacts collecting dust in my house" Nestor said. That seemed the perfect time to speak up to Drow. He cleared his throat but was then silenced as Nestor continued.

"Then again, there is something entertaining about having something nobody else does, wouldn't you agree darling?" Nestor smiled at the Togruta, who giggled in returned.

"Ahem...welll, I uh...we..." Drow stammered, trying to steer this conversation back on the right track.

"Then again, watching a man with a lightsaber struggle with something as basic as public speaking is entertaining too." Nestor chuckled.

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Novaron Rah

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Listening as Drow explained his unease to Alexandria, Nova found himself unable to contain a hearty chuckle. He understood the Ishi Jedi quite well as it seems that they not only shared a disdain for negotiating with wealthy and often snobbish nobles but also in a similar history. Perhaps one day when they had a little less riding on their roles, they could sit back and swap stories of their youth. Today, however, they had a task at hand.

”Best bet would be to keep your boots on, boy,” Nova responded to his nervous peer, laughter not quite subsided. ”I for one don’t wish to smell whatever it is you’ve been cooking in there and I’d wager Praji would appreciate it the same as I,” Turning to face the newly arrived Jedi, Nova extended a large hand to her as he met his eyes with her own. ”I’m afraid we’ve not been introduced. I am Novaron Rah, and you are…?”

---------​

As the lord of the manor finally descended the staircase, servant and droid in tow, Nova straightened his back and grabbed his wrist behind his waist before allowing himself to bend to a deep and respectful bow. If there was one thing about his youth on New Alderran he could be thankful for, it was watching his parents when they were in the presence of the influential. Manners may not have been the Cathar’s strongest virtue but he wasn’t entirely unfamiliar.

Praji’s words soon told Nova everything he felt he needed to know about his character. If he was to paint a man with stereotypes, it appeared now was the time. Possession and power over the lesser, these were the things that mattered to Nestor. How painfully typical.

”We are delighted to be given this opportunity to meet with you face to face, Lord Praji,” Nova interjected, giving Drow the time to gather his wits after Nestor’s unnecessary verbal attack. ”I am Jedi Knight Novaron Rah. Needless to say, many of our Order are thrilled at the news of your willingness to negotiate terms to return the Drallig holocron to us,”

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Drow Venn

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OOC: Since Valen's out for a couple days, this post is just to move things along a bit in the meantime.

"Well, now, 'return' isn't exactly the right terminology, is it my Cathar friend? Because that would imply that it's yours to return to. You see, my family bought this holocron legally. And it passed on to me through inheritance, again legally." Nestor Praji said, frowning.

Prick, Drow thought to himself. The Ishi Tib was grateful for Novaron for jumping in to his aid so he certainly wasn't going to let Nestor verbally talk down to the Cathar.

"Lord Praji, I'm sure my companion meant no offense. It's just that the Holocron once resided with the Jedi. The Order would love to learn from it again. I'm sure Rin would have wanted the same thing." Drow piped up.

"Rin Praji wanted a lot of things. What I want is something different entirely." Nestor said. Drow wanted to roll his eyes. This aristocrat couldn't just come out and say what he wanted, could he? No, he just had to dance around it, had to make the Jedi play his game and beg to let them help him. If the Holocron wasn't so vitally important, Drow would have left already.

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Alexandria Voran

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Oh, this was going well. Nestor seemed to be every bit the incomprehensibly wealthy puzzle Alex had expected. What she had not expected was the odd behavior of her fellow Jedi. She had expected they would come prepared to handle this particular part of the mission. Jedi were more than just soldiers. They were scholars, diplomats, explorers. Of course, they all possessed differing skillsets. Alex had simply thought this stage of the mission warranted a certain type of skill. Meanwhile, Drow and Nova seemed to struggle getting full sentences out. Well…she had come for a reason. Alex plastered a large ingratiating smile on her face while she stepped forward.

“I’m sure we are exactly what you thought we’d be.” A light laugh. “Here we are beings from a holo and we can barely speak.” Her smile grew wider. “What a spectacular introduction we have made.” That got the laugh she was seeking from Nestor. Alex was many things, but her greatest skills always resided firmly in the navigating difficult diplomatic situations. She had met plenty of men like Nestor. She knew what he wanted, and she knew how to appeal to his sensibilities. Alex often forgot she had a certain appeal. It was unbecoming, in her mind, for a Jedi to wield that appeal. Sometimes, it could not be avoided. She smiled at Nestor again. “I know you’re going to invite us in now.” Nestor turned and waved them to ascend the steps.

“Yes…yes…come on now, we are just having a bit of fun aren’t we?” Nestor turned to wink at the Jedi. “I’m sure your friend will get their tongues untied eventually.” Alex laughed, pushing joy into the Force. “Oh, I would not be so sure…they are awfully excited about this Holocron.” More joy into the Force. “You know most Jedi have never even seen one.” Nestor laughed again. “Oh we may just have to change that.” Alex smiled again. She wanted to gag but what this was what they needed.

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Drow Venn

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Drow forced a smile in response to Nestor's wink. He didn't much care for the man and the thought of this jerk owning a sacred piece of Jedi lore was infuriating. Or, it would have been if Drow hadn't long ago learned to control his anger with breathing exercises. It still rubbed him the wrong way and he may grumble once this mission was over but he would maintain his composure for now.

Making their way into the grand rooms of Praji Manor, the Jedi would be greeted by a truly dizzying display of wealth. From ancient statues to exotic animals roaming the halls like pedigreed dogs, the Prajis clearly had the kind of money that only more money could buy. At last, they came to a stop at a small study. Or, rather it was small compared to the gigantic rooms in the rest of the manor.

"Here we are. Old Rin's Jedi shrine. Truth be told, there's probably quite a few artifacts in here that you Jedi would be interested in. But let's just stick with what we negotiated for now, shall we?" Nestor pursed his lips as he opened the study's door. Inside was an astonishing display of Jedi memorabilia. It looked like nothing less than a small museum dedicated to the exploits of the Order, both old and new. Drow was honestly at a loss for words. He saw kyber crystals, old sets of armor, and the crowning jewel of the collection; the holocron spinning on a display shelf. Drow could already feel the Force and wisdom radiating from it.

"Lord Praji, this is truly a gift you have given us. We'll do whatever it takes to make sure this holocron ends up being put to good use and will be well cared for."

"Well, now I haven't given it to you yet, have I? We haven't settled on a price." Nestor smiled his sickening smile.

"How many credits were you thinking?" gulped Drow. The Jedi did have some credits from wealthy benefactors and grateful nobles but even altogether, it probably wouldn't make a Prajis head turn.

"Do I look like a man who needs credits? No, the item in question is far more valuable and something you Jedi are uniquely suited to fetch for me. There is a tree species on the Wild Space world of Teth known as the loakwal. The red loakwal variant is one of the rarest plants in the galaxy. I want you to one for me." Nestor said. "Sound fair?"

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Novaron Rah

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While both Nova and Drow Venn had proven to be incapable of not only earning Nestor’s respect, it seemed that Alexandria had done just that. The Cathar, while not being a negotiator or diplomat in any sense, had at least suspected the man would express some willingness to co-operate but was proven wrong. It seemed that this was going to take a woman’s touch.

Being brought into the grand manor, the group passed by a young Duros servant who extended a hand toward’s the Cathar, a smug grin on his face.

“May I take your cloak, sir?” he questioned. Grumbling, Nova removed the blood red garment and handed it over to the man.

”Keep it,” he replied plainly. The Duros’ grin only grew with a sense of sarcastic smugness.

“Oh thank you, sir. I don’t think it suits me but I will make sure no one sees it… Ever again,”



Upon entering Nestor’s study, objects of the Jedi lining it’s walls, Nova could sense the impression of the Force emanating from a great many of them. Had his Master still been alive, he would have been delighted to witness such a collection. Instead, Nova would appreciate it for them both.

The red loakwal variant is one of the rarest plants in the galaxy. I want you to fetch one for me." Nestor said. "Sound fair?"

Nova’s ears perked up at the mention of the tree. He had journeyed to Teth on numerous occasions and not once had he ever found such a plant, though he had heard of them.

”A red loakwal, Lord Praji?” the Cathar replied, crossing his arms. ”So you’re asking the Jedi Order to chase rumours?” From Nova’s understanding, the tree had been declared extinct generations ago. Loakwal trees were common on Teth, but this variety? ”Fortunately, chasing rumours is something that Jedi excel at. And I know of a young Jedi who may well clamor at the opportunity to visit such a world and chase after your elusive plant,” Turning to Drow and Alex, Nova nodded slowly. ”Isen Ramm, if either of you know him. I believe he may be well suited for just such a task,”

Nestor, however, raised a hand to intervene in the conversation.

“You will not search for it yourself, Master Jedi? Do you not seek the honor and glory for yourself? For your lack of social skills, I would assume you to be a great warrior… Or am I once again misjudging you and your Order?” the man smirked arrogantly, a response Nova reflected.

”A Jedi does not search for either of these things, Lord Praji. I have a prior commitment with the our youngest Jedi and while I would love the opportunity to serve you and your family, I must keep my word to them,” Nova then looked back to his fellow Jedi. ”Once I have accomplished my task, I can contact you and offer my aide should it be required,”

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Alexandria Voran

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Alex was well practiced in keeping her face a carefully constructed blank mask. The surface of her mind was equally calm. Even the most intrepid Jedi would sense only the tranquil lake of serenity. Beneath the waters she wanted to smack Drow and Nova. Neither Knight was a young pup, they should have known better. The Ishi Tib was far too differential while the Cathar insisted on needling Nestor. A frown tried to form on her perfectly smooth features. Did they skip the diplomacy section of their training? Was this why the galaxy thought all the Jedi saber wielding chaos causers? Find your center Alex…we all of our role to play.

She flashed another toothy smile, squeezing Nestor’s arm as she walked past to gaze at one of the many extraordinary fauna around them. “I can assure you my lord, we will find it.” She flicked her tongue across her lips. “Besides, we both know who you would rather have searching.” Alex gaged internally. She would need a long shower after this. She laughed. “Jedi Rah would just get fur all over your new prize.” Her eyes quickly swept over the room.

“But…how do we know you’ll old up your end?” The impossibly wealthy Nestor bristled, his voice darkening. “I always keep my bargains.” Alex flashed another disarming smile as she walked around the room. “You can hardly blame us…given our recent history.” She shrugged. “We have to be careful.” Nestor seemed to understand the implication. You could see the calculating wheels turning. “I suppose you have every right to be cautious.” Nestor swept his hands around the room. “You love your little artifacts…take one with you as a show of good faith.” A predator smile spread across his lips. “Then you can have the one you really want, when I have what I need.” Alex nodded slowly. She shot a veiled look at Drow. This was his party after all.

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Drow Venn

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Emboldened by Alexandria's smooth negotiations, Drow confidently strode to a set of ancient looking Jedi armor and placed a hand on it. Drow was always a fan of old school military tech (he flew an original Y-Wing for Force's sake) and he figured if he was trying to restore the honor of the old Jedi, he might as well look the part.

"This one." Drow stated. Nestor nodded and then turned back to the human woman.

"One last thing, dear." Nestor said to Alexandria. "My daughter, she does resemble Rin in the sense that she's quite obsessed with the Jedi. Her birthday is coming up. It would strengthen the ties between Praji and Jedi if a few of you fine robed friends made an appearance there."

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Alexandria Voran

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Alex kept the sickly-sweet smile plastered to her face. Her eyes followed Drow as he searched for a token. She nodded, a fitting choice. The Order needed reminders of their past and this was a good start. Nestor likely would not care. This was all a means to an end. A life of the lavish wealthy was beyond their comprehension. Luckily, Alex had the Force and Nestor was not half as clever as he thought. His mind was not particularly well protected. She saw the thought forming before it left his mouth. Alex smiled again.

“Of course…it will be a one-of-a-kind experience.” She cut a quick bow. “I’ll call it a deal.” A wink and a smirk for ol’ Nestor. That should be enough. “Deal.” He gave her an oily smile. Boy, did Nestor really think he was playing her. She supposed she had played her part well then. “We’ll see you soon.” Another false smile. Alex quickly turned on her heels. There was no point in lingering. They had what they needed, now it was time to deliver. Her mind touched Drow and Nova as she walked out. “Up to the two of you now.” She had done her part. The delightful little Jedi had been just what Nestor wanted.

She was not exactly proud of what she had done but it was necessary. Diplomacy was over, the burden now rested squarely on the other shoulders. Of course, she would help wherever she was needed.

OOC: Exit Thread

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