[D8 EA] Talking about Talking

[Alysele Cortess]

Alysele was... gambling again. Unsure if that is a good sign or not, she was doing it, while waiting for her conversation partner to arrive.

It wasn't going well.

Well.... better spend my time with something else than gambling.

OOC:
D8 EA Non-compulsive gambling, Cool (Presence), Tier 3: 2eA+2eP+4eD 0 successes, 1 threat


Lost 1100 credits

[Sylvain Torsin]

Sylvain arrived in his dark cloak with mask attached to his hip. He strolled up to where Alyese was playing and watched as the luck turned against her right as he walked up.

Bowing his head slightly he greeted her, "Looks like I brought a bit of bad luck with me..."

[Alysele Cortess]

Alysele gave a small bow of her own. "I would say the luck is my own.... though I am not sure if that is foreboding or not." She gestured towards the booths. "Shall we sit, or would you rather play something while we talk?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

He shook his hand in polite refusal, "I'm not much of a gambler personally. My father ingrained a strong sense of frugality in me that tends to manifest itself from time to time. But I could be enticed to share a meal with you if you have the time."

[Alysele Cortess]

"That is certainly a lesson. I must confess, I believe the Moon might be enticing me a bit..." She lead the way to an empty booth. "Well then, the least I can do is repay your time with a nice meal then. Any preferences?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

He smiled, "With what you just lost would it not be best if I paid for it? The company is more than worth the price."

[Alysele Cortess]

"Oh, flattery Sith Torsin? Already?" She smiled, then waved her hand. "No, I invited you, it is the least I can do."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He smiled and nodded, "If you insist."

He took a seat in the booth and looked across the table at the noble as they waited to have their order taken, "So to what do I owe the pleasure Lady Cortess?"

[Alysele Cortess]

She smiled as they spoke. "Well, I would like to say that my primary interest is getting to know you adn your charming personality better, but we both know nothing is that simple. I am curious about your take on the peace talks, as they stand, and how do you see them progress. IF you are willing to part with that. If not, well, there are other topics I am happy to discuss. I am curious about Sith poetry, for one."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He chuckled once, "That's quite a few topics there Lady Cortess. Where would you like to begin?"

[Alysele Cortess]

"I prefer to provide options rather than hole people in, if I can help it." She raised her glass of water. The day is going to be long, after all.

"What is your opinion on the current status of the talks?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Tenuous... they stand on the edge of a knife frankly... Mostly by the actions of your fellow Jedi." He replied calmly.

[Alysele Cortess]

Alysele frowned. "The luncheon was not well received, but so much so?" She asked, her eyes widening. "Are there any pushes towards peace, or has it been given up by the Empire?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"The luncheon is the least of the problems unfortunately... It appears your associates have no real desire for peace. A friend of mine and I were ambushed by two Jedi on Nal Hutta. My friend's leg was severed, and they kidnapped a personal friend of mine. Your delegates punch ours at weddings, you send hit squads to attack our offices and flee into the night... I am personally pushing for peace in whatever way I can, but I cannot allow the Republic to strike against me and my friends and not return in kind." He said with a tilt of his head.

[Alysele Cortess]

What in a Hutt's gut?

"Well.... I am terribly sorry to hear that, Sith Torsin. I have no understanding of those topics... well, except for the punch. I am ashamed that I did not intervene in time." Though your delegate was full of sticky fingers. "I will question these around the Enclave, and follow up to see if I can perhaps push back on these topics."

She let out a heavy sigh. "Is there anything I can do in particular to ease your concerns?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Thy Yulani's leg as payment for her senseless aggression would be a wonderful start." He said with a chuckle.

[Alysele Cortess]

"Well.... I can't exactly offer that at the drop of a hat unfortunately." She forced a smile. "I can offer mine perhaps?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

He chuckled, "Unfortunately your legs do not provide the satisfaction I am after, though I am sure they are quite fulfilling to other men."

He looked around for the waiter, "What needs to be done is for someone on your end to reign in all these deviants that your leaders have sent. You're far too disjointed... and you have weak leadership who can't keep their exploits in line."

[Alysele Cortess]

"I will bring it up with the masters than, hopefully we can improve matters."

She took a long, hard sip of her water. Why not wine? Should have been wine.

"Perhaps, peace can still be achieved... I am actively hoping for such, and acting as such. If that happens, do you see a chance of a Republic embassy being accepted anywhere?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

He tilted his head, "Perhaps... though any such embassies would be in serious risk of providing political prisoners to the Empire in the future. Why would the Republic want such a thing?"

[Alysele Cortess]

"Because if we are at peace, we would like to keep it that way. Having people there, who see things first hand, understand it better, helps with that." She tilted her head. How paranoid.

"We would prefer to have less death and destruction in our lives, at least."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Seeking order and stability is one of the Empire's main focuses. But forgive me if I am a bit skeptical that the Republic truly would maintain the peace... Holding the systems we have taken and extracting their resources could very well turn the equilibrium we are currently experiencing in our favor. I doubt the Republic would stand idly by as more and more systems flock to our banner during a drawn out peace." He asked.

[Alysele Cortess]

"Seeking order and stability is one of the Empire's main focuses. But forgive me if I am a bit skeptical that the Republic truly would maintain the peace... Holding the systems we have taken and extracting their resources could very well turn the equilibrium we are currently experiencing in our favor. I doubt the Republic would stand idly by as more and more systems flock to our banner during a drawn out peace." He asked.

"Peace would bring order and stability, in my opinion. Granted, I am not sure I am as privy to the Senate as you are to the Sith leaders." She shrugged elegantly. "Considering our history, both recent and ancient, peace is going to be a rocky road."

She looked at her food..... welp, appetite was out the window now.

"As for the worlds, that is for our Senate to decide what to sacrifice for the greater good. I cannot comment on it."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nodded, "I too wish for peace at this juncture. I am here to try and encourage that the best I can. But diplomacy is not about peace for peace's sake in these times... It's about securing for ourselves the best possible deal that will benefit our side. It would be lovely for everyone to 'get along' but unfortunately I do not feel either side is at a point where that is a real possibility. There is too much fear, and distrust of the other side... and this fear and distrust is warranted on both sides frankly."

[Alysele Cortess]

He nodded, "I too wish for peace at this juncture. I am here to try and encourage that the best I can. But diplomacy is not about peace for peace's sake in these times... It's about securing for ourselves the best possible deal that will benefit our side. It would be lovely for everyone to 'get along' but unfortunately I do not feel either side is at a point where that is a real possibility. There is too much fear, and distrust of the other side... and this fear and distrust is warranted on both sides frankly."

"So, you feel that the current expectations are optimistic?" She asked, her tone quizzical. "Do you see a ceasefire perhaps" She frowned... self interest. It seemed to drive the Sith. "May I ask what do you see to provide the biggest benefit for the Empire?"

She took another sip of water. "If we wish to step the mistrust, we must make a leap of faith...."