Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Things had slowly begun to heal, and already the vices were up and running. Yes, even after a attempted coup, it seemed that high priced meals were still something that must be had for the overall population. Though, there was something to be said about wanting to return to a feeling of normalcy. It's how one would can cope with the loss and the anguish of what occured.

He couldn't look down upon the Alderaans for this. Still, things needed to change here. A return to normalcy did not have to mean a return to compliancy with the things that caused the disruption. That was sort of what he intended to do today. So he sat there at his table, rehearsing the things he had wanted to say in his head. It sounded all logical in his head.

All he could do now is wait.

Lana Beniko arrived in her usual emissary garb, and casually moved the chair with the Force and took her seat. She looked at the menu briefly and then focused her yellow eyes on Nudimsu and said, “Good afternoon.”

“This may sound crass, but this is the second insurrection I was privy to in my life time, the first being rather more successful than the second.”

He stood up as she approached and waited for her to be seated, also nothing the time of day in response as she handwaved her sitting down. "Good afternoon."

He looked at her with his red eyes and nodded. "Seeing as you are alive, I am to assume you were on the winning side of the first one. I would suppose that made you more apt to survive this. If such a occurrence happens again with the two of us in the area, I will do my best to ensure that I am not on the opposing side, as you seem to now have a streak." He looked at the menu as well for a moment, concentrating on the menu. Mostly to distract his thoughts, but also to determine what he could afford without breaking his budget. No telling when or how much the Organa would give them to repay all the circuitry that was burnt thru. Looking up, he turned his red eyes directly at her.

"I assume you are recovering well? No medical issues or concerns from the attack?"

"I was not harmed in the fighting," she said calmly. "It was far more orderly than what I endured on Ziost."

"Well, as I mentioned before, the Empire is rather proficient in many things. It wouldn't surprise me if your first experience was all planned out with a lot more accuracy and as much concern with the civilian body count as the Duke and his co-conspirators had put in yesterday. Perhaps, if I may speculate, that is what may have had a hand in their failure? It may sound uncaring, especially as it may also be the reason I survived without injury, but such a concern prevents you from doing what must be done to succeed."

He looked at her quietly for a long moment and nodded. "Still, I take no pleasure at the thought of what the efficient method would have been, and can be grateful in this instance that they went the emotional route, rather than using cold calculus." He closed his eyes and opened them, looking at her again. "Not just for my own safety's sake."

“Well that and because the Immortal Emperor possessed nearly every person on Ziost but a few strong willed individuals and forced them all to do battle and murder each other while a select group deposed and destroyed his essence, but basically the same,” she responded.

With that statement, Lana had successfully broken his concentration on his emotions; Nudimsu had exchanged his neutral look to a more one stunned one on his face. "Huh. I, uh, suppose mentally controlling a entire population would be the most effective route in pulling off a coup." His voice betrayed a small laugh as he did his best to quickly put up back up those walls within him again, drinking some water to help him regain his control. "Just glad that they didn't have that here."

Force Powers could be incredibly dangerous.

"I...was hoping I could talk to you again. I'm glad you decided to join me." He could hear his heart beating faster, he had to get it in control. "Not just because of yesterday. Although yesterday was good. I mean, it wasn't good because of the attack. But..." He drank more water. "No. I'm starting to get off track here. Give me a moment, please."

He took a deep breath and sighed, giving himself the chance to get control of himself once more.

Lana waited for him to collect himself.

With another deep breath, he returned to his neutral face and emotion. "My apologies. Out of all the logical means to get around that incident, that was not the one I had even considered. Completely thru me off."

"Yes, well, enough of that business. About what you said yesterday. I had done some thinking since then. About things I never really considered, if I am honest. " His heart started to beat faster again. "So, best to get to the point. I was wondering if you would be interested in hiring a pilot." He paused, but kept his eyes focused on hers, as to not break his concentration. "Not the Turtle, just me. Though that can be provided if need be. I...I know how the Sith and the Empire are with such things. Hiring practices aside, there are great risks to yourself and me if you were to hire me full time; could be used against you if you're not careful." He nodded. "So maybe we could start with some small escort missions. Few hours at a time. See if we can trust each other enough to work with longer assignments. See if it's worth the risks involved."

He kept his eyes still, focused and calm. Even if his heart continued to beat faster as he spoke. "Because we just met, after all, and it would be really illogical to just...rush into hiring me full time, you know. I just...I didn't want to leave this planet without at least asking you. For a job."

He paused to give her a moment to think and for him to get his heart rate under control. "I'd regret it if I didn't try."

"What compensation are you looking for?" she said calmly.

"Standard rates, I suppose, seems fair." He said, keeping his gaze on her. "Nothing too outrageous starting off, depending on the assignment. If things work out, we can come back to the table and discuss a better compensation."

"What prompted this offer, by all accounts you seem attached to your Turtle," she responded.

"I am, she is a great ship. Still hope to fly her. But I'm...stuck on Pantora. Sitting around, doing odd jobs. Surviving. Who knows, if this doesn't work out, I'll be back to her before I know it."

He paused and looked at her. "Last night, I was at a bar. I saw someone throw everything away for their beliefs. Everything they had worked for, all to tell off some noble here. Blindly giving it all up with no plan to fall back on. It was one of the dumbest thing I have ever seen a human do in my life that didn't lead directly to their death. And that is saying something."

He nodded and continued. "However, she didn't do it to be emotional, she did it because she wanted to see a change. It reminded me of myself 10 years ago, when I left the Ascendency." He took a deep breath.
"Though, I was not that stupid or emotional when I did it. It also reminded me that, without risks, nothing can be gained. Calculated risks, naturally, but there is still that leap." He paused, but kept his red eyes her. "So, this is just a calculated risk. If you say no, nothing is lost. We enjoy our meal and go back to where I can from with nothing more to say. I just see so many humans living with regret that they didn't do something, or let a opportunity slip by. I see Craw living with regret behind a bottle. I see Riss going down the same path. It's a destructive emotion. I couldn't let that happen to me. I am a Chiss, after all; we do not let our emotions hinder us."

He took his glass of water and finished it.
"So, all I ask is you give it some thought. I don't expect a answer now or whatever time remains for the festival. It can be 5, 6 months from now. Maybe a year. Just think it over."

"I accept, I have need of a skilled pilot. I won't be returning directly to Imperial space," she said looking down at her menu. "It may prove more exciting than Pantora."

"I will have to fly Durasay and Hacha back there first, so there will be a short delay before I sign on properly. I would invite you to come, but I am unsure how welcome you would be on a Republic world." Also, as if on cue, he immediately returned to his menu, his emotions returning to normal. His heart beat now calm and collective. "Suppose you can fill me in on the finer details of our first destination when the time comes."

There was a doubt that maybe the finer subtext of his message was missed entirely, but everyone seemed to understand him well enough when he spoke. Plus, she was not like the rest of the humans he had known.

"I suppose something light for me. I ate something called nachos last night and have since learnt that it a delicacy that is best eaten in moderation."

She smirked with mild amusement and said, "I think a salad will be in order for myself. Durasay Mixo, I remember working with him many years ago. That was perhaps my first true assignment."

"Yes, a salad sounds like the best option for myself as well." Both budgetary and healthy. Good choice for him.

He turned. "I assume on Nar Shaddaa, then? Layne had mentioned you were there. I was there at the time, but I did my best to keep my head down. I was still somewhat fresh from exile and I was not as sociable as I am now." He said that comment with a straight face. "People on Nar Shaddaa tend to not be so forgiving of social slights as they are here."

He nodded. "Still, you could always go say hello again to him, if that holds a interest with you. Assuming you both left amicably, of course. He's not changed much, really; has more grey hair now."

“No need,” she said with a wave of her hand. “How did you meet him, I presume after your exile?”

He nods. "Yes. I was on some moon somewhere, starving. Taking small jobs to make survive on the streets when I came across him perchance. Needed a pilot, and I needed a way out. Seemed like a good idea at the time and he did seem rather promising. He hired me, and well, the job sort of stuck. Stopped looking for other work. Got a ship together. Stopped sleeping on the streets and instead on a ship. And so it's been for 10 years. It is no small consideration that I say I would likely not be here in this room without him. Quite possibly alive, even."

"Close friends are hard to come by," she responded. "Even more rare are those you can depend on long term."