(Day 1, LA) - Silver Supper [open]

[Arsele Girard]

As long as she was getting paid like this, Arsele decided to splurge a bit and have a meal that was more than good. So it was that she sat looking out at the blue sky with a glass of wine and a salad, the second course to come later. High above everything, out on the restaurant's deck, one could almost imagine they were eating on some sort of airship or restaurant in the sky. No worries, no cares in the world. She would have enough to do and worry about later, but for now...

[Archibald Serrus]

After all the stress from the protests, Archie decided to take his faithful assistant to a more exclusive restaurant to unwind a bit before getting back to work. The datapad having quite a long record of conversations. Their starter a heartier baked potato soup.

[Arsele Girard]

After all the stress from the protests, Archie decided to take his faithful assistant to a more exclusive restaurant to unwind a bit before getting back to work. The datapad having quite a long record of conversations. Their starter a heartier baked potato soup.

Sitting at the table nearby, Arsele glances over; Looks like a local, likely a noble... here for the festival then? Maybe as one of the suitors looking to get a foot in the door... they certainly have the looks for that sort of thing, and the right age, likely. Still, they'd brought a datapad with them... so maybe some sort of clerk?

[Archibald Serrus]

After all the stress from the protests, Archie decided to take his faithful assistant to a more exclusive restaurant to unwind a bit before getting back to work. The datapad having quite a long record of conversations. Their starter a heartier baked potato soup.

Sitting at the table nearby, Arsele glances over; Looks like a local, likely a noble... here for the festival then? Maybe as one of the suitors looking to get a foot in the door... they certainly have the looks for that sort of thing, and the right age, likely. Still, they'd brought a datapad with them... so maybe some sort of clerk?

Another noble eating here and paying particular attention to him? Normally not a thing of note, but Torvalt is already deep in thought trying to figure out the legality of the law enforcement actions on the shoe thrower, so Archie decides to go over and be friendly while waiting on the second course. With a bow he introduces himself to the lady and politely see how she responds.

[Arsele Girard]

Another noble eating here and paying particular attention to him? Normally not a thing of note, but Torvalt is already deep in thought trying to figure out the legality of the law enforcement actions on the shoe thrower, so Archie decides to go over and be friendly while waiting on the second course. With a bow he introduces himself to the lady and politely see how she responds.

"Arsele Girard, of House Girard. A pleasure. You seemed lost in thought before you looked over; Or just enjoying the view from this high up?"

[Archibald Serrus]

"Just thinking about the protesters' claims, I mean 'the Republic is just the Empire'? How tangled must your mind be to get to that point"

[Arsele Girard]

"Just thinking about the protesters' claims, I mean 'the Republic is just the Empire'? How tangled must your mind be to get to that point"

"Hmmm... I suppose I can't speak for others, but I know I've heard that sort of thing both here and other places in the galaxy. I suppose, if you're just a simple person trying to live out your day to day life, one authority could be seen as good as another, if you think of things not effecting you as not your problem. When you boil it down to that sort of mindset, as long as the Empire doesn't disrupt your business or raise your taxes, they're no better or worse, no?"

[Archibald Serrus]

"That would imply that the common person doesn't care whether or not others are enslaved or forced into hard labor. Let alone not taking into perspective how the general use of force reflects poorly on the character of the even the smallest of men."

[Arsele Girard]

"That would imply that the common person doesn't care whether or not others are enslaved or forced into hard labor. Let alone not taking into perspective how the general use of force reflects poorly on the character of the even the smallest of men."

"I suppose so. But a lot of people think that way; They're worried about their next paycheck, their next meal, their family and friends. It's not that they don't think things beyond that are right or wrong per say, but they think it's not their problem. They have enough worries, and how the big wigs want to get things done... well, so long as it works..."

She gave a shrug.

"It may seem cruel to you, but to some it's just pragmatism. If things work out and things keep turning, and them and theirs are all all right, then it's just part of how things are."

Arsele gave the Serrus man a curious look, "I take it, however, it's not your first time running into those sorts of people?"

[Archibald Serrus]

"A cousin of mine made a deal with the Sith, the details of which aren't clear yet. But knowing him, I am certain they threatened the family and only capitulation would protect them."

[Arsele Girard]

"A cousin of mine made a deal with the Sith, the details of which aren't clear yet. But knowing him, I am certain they threatened the family and only capitulation would protect them."

"Blackmail or threats?"

Her eyebrows went up a moment for relaxing, "Well, or just a very lopsided deal. Either way, that sounds rough, to say the least."

She decided not to pry too much more; After all, this was small talk with someone she'd just met. And that would be a bit... personal. Not to mention deviating from the topic of the protests.

[Archibald Serrus]

"I understand the desire not to dig deeper into such affairs, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't show up in people's minds when thinking of the worst case scenarios." He takes a moment to collect his thoughts and get back the information on the protesters. "But I suppose such information is actively avoided by the masses, and so they would only see the loss of territory and apparant failure to push a surface level advantage we would have."

[Arsele Girard]

"I understand the desire not to dig deeper into such affairs, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't show up in people's minds when thinking of the worst case scenarios." He takes a moment to collect his thoughts and get back the information on the protesters. "But I suppose such information is actively avoided by the masses, and so they would only see the loss of territory and apparent failure to push a surface level advantage we would have."

A nod.

"Yeah... that's another thing I never even mentioned, peoples' ability to simplify things into black and white without thinking about all the reasons behind things. Like going to a doctor and not wanting to hear how to change one's lifestyle to stop symptoms and further damage and just wanting a stim or such that'll make needing to deal with it go away."

[Archibald Serrus]

"Even so, wouldn't it be rational to follow the advice of the experts, especially if they can give an explanation?"

[Arsele Girard]

"Even so, wouldn't it be rational to follow the advice of the experts, especially if they can give an explanation?"

That actually got a small chuckle, "You ask that as if everyone thinks the same people are experts. If everyone though the same people were experts and trustworthy, it would make the universe a much simpler place. But it's a big place, and people have different beliefs and such all over the place, and that's without even counting all the different species and such that have very different core beliefs of what is correct or not."

[Archibald Serrus]

"Well, I know not everyone believes in the same standards of what constitutes an expert, but we must have come to some sort of agreement as a society. If these protestors have arguments for how this is not the case, then they should just come out and say what they are instead of dog whistling to warmongers."

[Arsele Girard]

"Well, I know not everyone believes in the same standards of what constitutes an expert, but we must have come to some sort of agreement as a society. If these protestors have arguments for how this is not the case, then they should just come out and say what they are instead of dog whistling to warmongers."

"Ah..."

Arsele gave a small nod, turning to look back at the mountains, "Solve everything with a civil discussion, where everyone will come to an agreement, and everyone who is wrong or misled will realize it and admit it, hm? No offence, but that dream is a myth, held by politicians and such across the galaxy. People don't like admitting they're wrong, and they're not just sitting around ignorant waiting for someone to come in and enlighten them."

She sipped her water, "Not that I don't wish you the best of luck with that sort of thing, if that's what you're looking to do. Better that than coming to blows or riots."

[Archibald Serrus]

"My apologies, I had to stall my formal education for obvious reasons. Just trying to catch up now, but I won't let another home planet of mine fall into disarray by malcontents if I can help it."

[Arsele Girard]

"My apologies, I had to stall my formal education for obvious reasons. Just trying to catch up now, but I won't let another home planet of mine fall into disarray by malcontents if I can help it."

"An admirable goal. I may not love Alderaan, but I wouldn't want to see anything bad happen to it certainly. Are you here at the festival for that purpose then?"

[Archibald Serrus]

"Well, I came here to represent House Serrus for the most important festival in Alderaan's history, but this is a might fine reason to be here as well." By this point the lunch meals would likely have come to the tables, and he takes a few minutes eating to calm his mind.