Ask New Alderaan See No Evil

[Maxims Tionson]

Of all the places in the Galaxy for a Jedi Master to go willingly, seats of government was one that was rather low on the list. Politics and Jedi didn’t mix at the best of times but when some politicians were outright supporting anti-Force User demonstrations? Well it made for a frosty relationship between politicians and the Jedi Order in general.

But one man that Max still had a great amount of respect for was the Senator for New Alderaan, a logical man who was not deaf to the will of the people but also not willing to accept blinkered thinking. Max himself had met the man a few times at this point and he made sure to call ahead to set up a brief meeting with the senator.

Having landed, he dressed in one of the armoured suits that he had seen politicians dressing in these days and strode into the offices with a smile. He nodded to the secretary.

“Could you let the senator know I’ve arrived please?” he asked with a bright smile, “It’s down as ‘Max’ I believe in his diary.”

Assuming the senator hadn't cancelled on him of course.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Nicolas Clément]

These are interesting times, feels like it to Nicolas. The Sith are growing powerful, the 'No Jedi, No Sith' movement is a thing, the holonets greatly increasing traffic. Not to mention has been happening inside the FWA senate chambers and etc.

Nicolas had an meeting with a Jedi today. Nicolas feels he should be honored, he wonders just what it's about; although he can probably guess it's more than likely about the state of the "No Jedi, No Sith" movement that's taking most of the galaxy by storm. Nicolas doesn't subscribe to it, and the people of New Alderaan for the most part doesn't have a anti-Jedi sentiment, although they revile the Sith for obvious reasons. Still, things can always change.

After Max would check in with the secretary, she would get on her terminal and then scroll down for a 'Max', and she found it. "Alright, I'll let him know you are here." she responded to the Jedi Master Nicolas has received word via pager courtesy of the secretary. "Senator Clément, Max is here to see you" And it's time, Nicolas would respond back "Thank you, show him to my office please". She would get up and then escort Max to his office.

Nicolas would be ready, he would be sitting at his desk as he awaits the Jedi Master's arrival, and there would be an empty seat waiting for him, in which he would be ready to receive his guest with a smile.

@Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Max was glad that the secretary didn't seem to be interested in any anti-Jedi sentiments... that or she was just a consummate professional. Either way he was grateful that she didn't seem to be against him. Thankfully not many people seemed to realize he was a Jedi at all because of how he had come dressed to the meeting.

He had considered coming dressed in robes but they were a product of his half of the Galaxy, the mystic half. If he wanted to show that the Jedi were happy to step into the rest of the Galaxy it would be best if he started acting like it. Started acting like he was a part of the greater, wider, Galaxy and not some distant protector or observer.

Max nodded his head to the assistant as she showed him the way to Nicolas' office.

"Thank you."

Entering the office proper, Max casually undid one of the buttons on the suit jacket as one did when preparing to sit down. He hadn't been asked to sit and he didn't just yet. Instead he reached the desk and held out a hand.

"Senator Clement - thank you for agreeing to meet with me again." he smiled brightly, "I wasn't sure if I left with the greatest of impressions last time."

@The Good Doctor

 

[Nicolas Clément]

Nicolas saw the Jedi Master, and he didn't look like he was dressed like a Jedi. A good move on his part. The tabloids would just love to take pictures of a Jedi blatantly visiting a senator, possibly for some political favors. Although the Jedi Master is recognizable, at least he doesn't stand out.

He would then stand up to receive his guest, he would then take up Max on his offer of a handshake, responding with a firm handshake.

"No problem, nice to see you again" the New Alderaan senator smiled as well. And in regards to the impression he made last time, he would shrug and keep smiling "Oh, you were just fine." he would snicker, nod his head. Now with that out of the way, they should probably get to why they are here. Not to say he wouldn't mind a chill conversation, but this meeting wasn't called just to have that, he thinks.

Nicolas would then sit down "So, what can I do for you?" he would ask his friend Max after he would sit down, elbows on his desk and hands clasping. He was wondering ever since Max asked to meet with him. Nicolas wouldn't mind helping the Jedi if it's something he can assist with. Maybe it will be something he can, hopefully.

@Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Nicolas Clement had a strong, firm, handshake and a smile that was far more natural than it was forced – a man who had gotten into politics for the people and the work rather than the perks if he was any judge. He wasn’t much of a judge of course (Max did his best to avoid judging people at all) but he would say that Nicolas managed to straddle the line between being an effective politician and being a good man.

It was refreshing to see that there were so many of those types of sentients in politics these days, given how few there had been when Max was younger. Strange and bright new times these were it seemed.

“Still, hopefully better this time.”

He smiled a little bit as he sat down, mirroring Nicolas as he also sat. What could Nicolas do for him? Max smiled a little bit.

“For me personally? Recommend your tailor – this suit of mine is ill-fitting around the ribs.” He joked brightly before becoming more serious, “But in all seriousness… I wish to gain your blessing to try something new.”

Max rubbed at his beard slightly.

“I would like your permission, and that of your people, to open a small Jedi outpost here on New Alderaan but… different. It wouldn’t be hidden; it would be made of glass both physically and metaphorically. Like an embassy but open to free tours and subject to the laws of your planet at all times.” He smiled a little bit, “People are afraid, I know, but I feel as though it is because they do not understand. I propose to show them, to let them watch lessons and the like. Let them see us as sentients like they are, not some alien entity.”

@The Good Doctor

 

[Nicolas Clément]

Nicholas snickered, the Jedi Master has jokes. Sterotypes and perceptions, stemming from ages ago would leave the people of the galaxy to believe that Jedi have no personality or emotions, but Max shows that clearly isn't the case. Not that the New Alderaanian ever believed in those perceptions anyways.

But Nicolas was readying himself for what Max was going to propose to him, and he sat and gave him his undivided attention. "That sounds like an interesting proposal. I like it. I do like the idea of a Jedi embassy of sorts here, as well as greater transparency. There are more and more feeling like Jedi are to be feared like the Sith. Plus this would give a great deal of insight into the Jedi themselves..." That does interest Nicolas on a more personal level now that he thinks about it. It would help make the Jedi less mysterious, as they are often perceived as too much.

"I would approve." Nicolas has favorable views of the Jedi, even with the rising anti-force user rtherotic gaining traction and spreading fast. But there would be a catch."Unfortunately, I can't quite make that decision." His expression dropped. A reminder that the Senator of New Alderaan just represents New Alderaans in the Free Worlds, he acts and votes in their interests in there. Anything concerning any decision-making on the planet itself falls out of his purview "This will probably have to be taken up to the Alderaanian Council. Or the President." The people most appropriate for this.

Nicolas had more to say though, there is something he can do, so coming to Nicolas would still bear some fruit. "But, if you want, I can see about getting an meeting with the President arranged, which shouldn't be a problem. That will probably be the best route." he offered to the Jedi Master, leaving that on the table.

@Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

The proposal was one that had been floated around the Jedi Order by himself because it was his idea. Others had had similar ideas and supported him and he was confident that people within the Order were ready to make the change that seemed neccessary. The change that would see the Jedi Order becoming a more accessible part of Galactic culture. Hell, he was considering how much interest there would be in a holonet show that followed some of the training.

It would probably get vetoed by the Council considering their recent snafu when it came to the holonet but it was an idea he might think more on regardless.

That Nicolas agreed with the sentiment and the proposal was enough for Max; he knew the senator did not have the power to just force it through. It said something about how honest Nicolas was with his powers that he didn't have the authority to push it through since, in a lot of cases, senators used their positions to gain more domestic power as well.

"I completely understand." he assured the senator with a grin, "Sorry to say that I had always intended to come to you first as a sounding board for my idea and how to proceed with it. You're... well you're the only person in the administration of New Alderaan I actually know."

He paused for a second before adding.

"And personally? I like to think I can trust you, Nicolas." he admitted with a softer smile, "If you could get me any kind of meeting I would be extremely grateful. Though if we're doing this politically... is this the part where you ask me for a favor?"

Max was grinning to show that it he could be saying it as a joke but, well, so long as the favor asked for wasn't against his own code he would see about assisting Nicolas. Goodwill with a senator and his people could not be understated after all.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Nicolas Clément]

His reasons for coming to Nicolas are understandable, Nicolas would have probably done the same if the situations were reversed as well.. At least the Jedi Master is on the right track, so he can move forward. It can happen yet... Nicolas thinks the President would be for the idea if it was proposed to him.

"Thank you, thank you." he would nod and smile towards Max, it's a big compliment from the Jedi Master that he can trust the New Alderaan senator. Nicolas knows how people tend to look down upon politicions but Nicolas does have good intensions and does his best to act on them. "Yeah sure, I'll see what I can do. Shouldn't be too hard to get you an appointment with the President."

Nicolas would return the grin with Max. "Yeah sure I have a favor... be safe out there." that was his 'favor' to Max. He was mostly joking, but he did hope the Jedi would actually do so, these are some troubling times for the rest of the galaxy after all. Nicolas doesn't really need to be owed favors for a friend, if he needs something he will just ask for it nicely like Max did, and not hold him to an obligation.

"So yeah, I'll contact you later once I secure a meeting for you. Sound good? Nicolas would ask to confirm.

@Nefieslab

 

[Maxims Tionson]

If only all political meetings he had were like this one – if they were then Max would be much happier to spend more of his time around politicians. Though none of them were quite the same as Nicolas so maybe he had just gotten a bit lucky when it came to asking for someone’s help. Well, more like Nicolas had made a good impression and then lived up to it.

“Whenever they can squeeze me into their schedule works for me – one of the benefits of being a Jedi? Flexible work hours.” He grinned, “I’d prefer as soon as possible but, well, I know that’s not often how these things work.”

Appointments were important to some people even if they had never been something Max had to deal with a lot of the time. Honestly he was concerned that the leader of New Alderaan in truth wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to the senator in his estimation but that was by the by. He grinned a little bit and nodded to Nicolas.

“I’ll consider it an order.” He assured Nicolas, amused, before his gaze hardened ever so slightly, the usual good mood seemingly vanishing, “Nicolas. If you ever do need the Jedi – need me – then you call. Ask and you’ll find that you have friends.”

His smile returned, the overly serious air from before fading away slightly as he stood and offered a hand for Nicolas to shake.

"Be seeing you then Nicolas - thanks for this, really."

@The Good Doctor