Log:Jedi: Auspicious Audience
Jedi: Auspicious Audience
OOC Date: February 8 2022
Location: Nar Shaddaa
Participants: Aryn Cortess, Kasia Ashkuri Ban Iskender, Rune and Reverberate as GM
The Hall of Lords on Nar Shaddaa is opulence embodied. Gold leaf, silver filigree, statues of hutt lords cast in bronze, brass and precious metals atop plinths supported on expansively ornate columns. All of it to signify the untouchable, immortal, glory of the hutts.
So now is found Lord Chrouda, Voice of The Council. Aged and venerable, wealthy enough to command its own position. The full six meters of the creature is curled about its throne with a white suited dug perched on one of the arm rests and guards stationed all around. From Gammorean grunts, niktos, weequay and figures in flashy armor and high tech weapons.
The Hutt itself is sipping from a bulbed straw stuck into a vat of something thick, bubbling, and with a few desperate cries coming from it when the the silver plated protocol droid standing just before the hovering throne announces,
"Let all be knowing that Lord Chrouda, Voice of the Council is accepting special audience today and would have the petitioners come forth and announce themselves so that all of the High Council can know who addresses?"
Aryn Cortess steps forward, following the path to the petitioner's location near guards that controlled traffic to the Hutt Lord. Compliant and quiet at first, Aryn raises her voice when prompted, "The Princess, Aryn Cortess of Alderaan, Kasia Ash'kuri, Rune Ysanna, and Lord Ban Iskender of Alderaan, Representatives of the New Republic, my Lords." Aryn says this in basic, glancing around with a bit of uncertainty in knowing if it should be translated. She doubted it given the Hutt Lord's alleged age. This was not the first he had heard of basic, she wagered.
Ban Iskender stands alongside the others, in one of the few locations where his attire (pale armor trimmed in green and gold, a sheathed sword with an elaborate swept hilt at his side, and an elegant green and gold half cape worn over the left shoulder) could be considered understated. The gentleman offers a short bow of the head and shoulders when he is named, green eyes sweeping over the varied camera to extend the gesture to those others as he returns to his full height, regard resting once again on the present Hutt.
He had been informed somewhat of their business with the Hutts, the young Jedi Padawan from Ossus nodding along prior to their arrival when his master had told him of what to expect. But regardless of any preparation, meeting with this sort of individual could always be a tricky matter. Rune had dealt with a Hutt once before, with the Jedi as a whole when Jax had given up his lightsaber as a show of good faith. The faith ended up being sorely misplaced and the group had a rather hard time because of it.
As such, finding himself here with Kasia, Aryn, and Ban in the presence of the elder Lord Chrouda, the Ysannan minds his P's and Q's but watches and listens with particularly tuned senses. Shuffling slightly in place, hazel eyes flitting from the protocol droid to the Lord himself, Kasia's Padawan nods with a slight bow when introduced. He's not certain if the bow was necessary but it's better to be over honorific than not enough.
Of all the places that Kasia could be, standing in front of a Hutt Lord again is among the last she would want. On the approach to the palace, she was more tense than is usual for her, and before they could enter there was a moment where she halted the group. "Remember," her voice is low. "Do not agree to anything immediately, Hutts like to twist words and play mind games, they're shrewd and are only out for their own gain. If they can trick us into... basically anything, they will. Be cautious and watch your words."
Once they're in the hall, she seems as though she is going to speak and then holds back as Aryn handles the introductions, shooting a sidelong glance at the others as their turn to address the Hutt has arrived. Her displeasure is far less visible now, she's good at hiding it, but those that know her well might spot some tells.
The hall is so quiet in the wake of introductions that the sound of a dribble of fluid falling from the hutt's chin to splash on its throne is audible, seems to echo even, and there is the barest tick of the massive purple eyes that move from one face to the next. A fat arm with thick fingers descending into a pen of small, short furred, creatures to select one and rest it on its tongue for a hutt's languid heartbeat.
The rodent like creature using that short turn to try and find escape, squealing shrilly before the pointed tongue wraps around and draws it in, speaking while the hapless beast struggles against its bite plates. When Chrouda speaks it is like the ground before volcanic eruption, something heard less by ear and felt more within one's chest; as if the voice were taking the place of the oxygen in the room. Permeating.
"His Great and Wise, Chrouda, recognizes the representatives of The New Republic for the Hutt Council. He would also like to express his compliments to Kasia nee'Ciph that she has still had the fortitude to contend with day to day life with Heksash'kuri."
The Hutt looses a belch that raises the humidity of the chamber before another rodent is deposited on its tongue, motioning with a flabby arm while the droid translates,
"Now His Greatness bids you present your requests."
"We are, all of us, honored to stand before the Council and the Lord, Chrouda the Hutt. Our purpose is a matter of business. The High Chancellor of the New Republic seeks your great wisdom. With the threat of planet-destroying weapons running rampant throughout the galaxy, the need for shield technology to safeguard valuable worlds has become more pressing. The great and wise Hutt Council has efficiently secured and implements such technology, and the Republic would like an opportunity to learn from the Council's wisdom, and design." Aryn articulates, standing to one side with her gloved hands present and at the center of her stature, fingers pressed against their twin in a thoughtful and confident pose.
Aryn's stance allows for the others from her party to join in and add, as she seems hardly capable of dominating the group or the conversation. "We are aware that this information does come at a cost. Such is the design of business and good dealings. We hope his Lordship, Chrouda the Hutt, and those listening, will grant us this opportunity to discuss such arrangements."
As Aryn presents their premise, and the Hutt singles out Kasia's marital patience for comment, Ban is content for the moment to remain silent, until areas of his own insight are raised.
Unpleasant... that's another adjective to describe an encounter with a Hutt. Rune had come across many disgusting creatures during his time in the wilds of his home planet. Those he could forgive, they were feral and without understanding of how they acted. The Hutts simply believe they are better than all other species and don't care on how they present themselves. In fact, they revel in their uncouth nature, using it to put off those that make their acquaintance... and it works.
The mention of Kasia's day to day with Hex draws an eyebrow higher on Rune's forehead, his head tilting just barely in a question unspoken. He'd met the man maybe once or twice before and he didn't seem like a troublesome individual. Then again, Chrouda may just be trying to get a rise from the Jedi Knight...
Once Aryn speaks her request and leaves the floor open for the rest, Rune simply nods and adds his piece in agreement. "Indeed, there are many that could be saved through such technology, and the Council's wisdom, as well as their generosity would be known the galaxy over if arrangements can be made for acquiring such knowledge." The young Padawan swallows the bitter taste of deference in his mouth, stepping back to allow his master to speak her thoughts if she deigns to do so. He only hopes he hit the right notes in his remark... diplomacy has never been the former savage's strong suit.
"Thank you, Great Chrouda. I am fortunate to be sturdier than I appear, which is a necessary trait when wed to someone like Heksash'kuri," Kasia replies with a respectful incline of her head to the Hutt. She's not bedecked in her robes today, it's more aligned with her usual fancier getup. Makeup, jewelry, all done to look more than presentable for their audience. The others have the matter of the purpose of their visit in hand, so rather than ladle on more flattery she goes quiet and watches the oversized Hutt attentively.
Aryn remains poised, turning only to look over her companions before the Hutt's response is recited back to them. Aryn nods, "We observed upon arriving in system that the Hutt flagship is of Mon Calamari design. For many generations, the Republic has benefitted from their warship designs and capabilities. The High Chancellor extends this opportunity as part of our dealings, to upgrade and outfit the flagship to make it more reflective of the Hutt dominance that graces this system. Lord Ban may be able to expand on such details concerning the munitions and materiel in question."
Aryn glances to her side with an expectant look toward the Dragoon Captain to expand on the matters of war, a subject Aryn was not schooled on.
Ban Iskender gives a short nod when Aryn directs the topic toward him. Speaking in a polished and precise baritone, the gentleman voices, "Should any among the Council be unaware-" he is careful not to imply Chrouda doesn't already know what Ban is saying, "Advancements in subsystem relay efficiency over the past decade have allowed capital ships to grow significantly greater in size, power, and durability. Should the Council so choose, retrofitting your existing heavy cruiser with the most modern technology could enable the Hutts to launch ships the match of, or- dare I say-" he dares, "Greater in stature to those of the unlamented First Order." Hutts seem to be fans of size.
Rune manifests his disappointment in blinking, preventing any other show of expression to mar his face lest the Hutt before them take it as some sign of dishonor. He really should take lessons in diplomacy from someone if he's going to continue to be a speaker for the Jedi or the New Republic. As of yet, he's been fortunate enough to have a more wise companion to do that portion for him and in this case, he's certainly not qualified nor schooled in what all the New Republic has in order to be offered as a bargaining chip. More to say, he's only familiar with the ships and the Jedi, neither of which he can expound on more so than any of the other representatives here. Such is the case, Rune remains quiet but nods happily along with each of the offers his companions give.
So far this is going as expected, which is good. Mostly good. Kasia's attention is on the Hutt, subtly listening as he speaks rather than to the translated version for those that don't speak Huttese. When the question of what they have to offer comes up, she again slides a look over to Aryn as she speaks, and then to Ban as he goes into more details about what is on offer. It's about ships, she is not a ship person, so she trusts that he can handle it.
A hand swings out again as if encompassing all before him before thick, triangular, fingers halt - pointing at the robed figure, holding there and slitted eyes zero in on Rune, gray slime coated tongue crossing its fat lips, streaking them with similar and sending a heavy rivulet of droop down its body before Chrouda's voice fills the room anew,
"Lord Chrouda says, refitting a singular cruiser in exchange for the defense of an entire planet would be a very, very, generous gift from The First Species to the New Republic. So much so that it could be viewed as the Republic dismissing their petty and imaginary slights that they have claimed that the Hutts have committed, thus it could be seen to lift some of the sanctions put on trade across borders of Hutt Space." the droids voice halts when the hutt's cheeks bulge and another belch rolls out like a geographical thunderstorm centered on the twelve hundred years aged creature. Massive eyes turn on the drink vat and to a gran who approaches, sniveling some and uttering something before a pair of twi'lek step up to pour from several buckets into the cauldron like drinking vessel. The gran holds his place though, shaking under a squinting glare before the hutt resumes speaking.
"His Magnitude Supreme says that this idea to show how the Hutt Cruiser can be so modified is an agreeable start." Chrouda's hand has still remained pointed at Rune, "But he also states that the presence of a Jedi here shows the Republic to have much more available. Unless he is just some man in stolen clothes playing dress-up. Lord Chrouda says that the Hutt Council could agree to the provisions stated if the Jedi also grant the Hutts... a favor."
The dug on the armrest and the rest of the room are quiet at the mention of the last, moreso when the Gran's shrill scream breaks that moment silence when the massive bodied ancient lurches with far more speed than might be expected - the first half of the three-eyed alien disappearing into the hutt's mouth - legs kicking as he is lifted bodily, with the great slug leaning back to bite, swallow, bite, swallow and swallow again, with a single cheap leather servant's slipper tumbling down its chest to skidder and fall off of the throne to land behind the translating droid.
This is one of those instances where more scrutiny behind the Hutt's chosen words required a Hutt expert. Rather than answer and potentially, or inadvertently, agree to something, Aryn shares a very casual look with Kasia. /This/ was her arena, negotiating with Hutt Lords and seeing between the lines. Aryn maintains her composure and confidence, though, yielding to another member of their team.
When the Gran is eaten by Lord Chrouda, Aryn tips her chin down and the color leaves her face. Watching someone eaten alive was a haunting experience. Aryn felt sick to her stomach, the confident look cracking slightly. She forced herself to keep her pose though, polite to the death, it seemed.
Ban Iskender chooses not to speak on behalf of the Jedi Order when it comes to promising favors. As talk goes from military concerns into the favored dress of Rune, the gentleman goes silent.
It's never a good thing to be singled out by a Hutt, and Rune does his best to maintain his composure while the Lord extends his hand to point stubby fingers square at his person. Through shattering nerves he listens to the translation of Chrouda's speech, the 'good start' with upgrading their flagship in orbit and finally to the reason for why he had been acknowledged.
His regard shifts to his companions, realizing though they all were Jedi, only he chose to wear his robes to this meeting... his only pair of clothes really. As if it weren't apparent last night at the fancy party, Rune really needs to get another set of non-Force related clothing.
Rune's attention returns to the Hutt at the perfectly wrong time when their host chooses to consume a full-sized being right in front of them. His face blanches and he takes a reflexive step backward, his composure on the edge of breaking entirely. Thankfully, Force be praised, the singling out of Rune from the rest wasn't for more nefarious purposes. Still, the screams of the Gran echo in the young Initiate's head and his eyes dart away to some 'interesting' ornamentation nearby.
Understanding that at least one Jedi was here isn't surprising to Kasia, or at least she doesn't appear to be visibly shaken by the observation made by the Hutt. Her expression hardens slightly as the Gran is eaten, because this is also not shocking based on who they're presently dealing with. "Great Chrouda, we are pleased that you view the offer as an agreeable start. While we can make no guarantees as to the willingness of the Jedi Order to work with you, if you have a particular favor in mind for the Jedi, we can operate as intermediaries and present the request to be discussed. If the Jedi Order is agreeable, we can return with the good news, and if they are not, I'm certain we can find an alternative arrangement that would satisfy the Hutt Council."
One thick ridge rises over an eye as large as the head of the creature unceremoniously consumed alive by the Hutt lord who reclines, mouth opening to have its straw placed back in the corner of its mouth by an attendant - and not without that possibly being the sound of a pained, dying, moan coming from the depths of its gullet.
A slow blink and the silence following Kasia's words stretch out, a dull thud that could be the titan's heart beat in its maddeningly slow tattoo thudding. There is a crunching sound before it spits the other shoe out onto the floor and the thunder roll of Chrouda's speech continues, chased by the droid translating,
"Most Powerful and Generous Chrouda the Hutt says that the offer to take his request before the Jedi is agreeable. Lord Chrouda, and so the Council, wishes to have a criminal to the Hutts apprehended, or destroyed, that this slaver who has earned the ire of the Council be attended to. Because she has moved beyond Hutt Borders and in their greater regard for sovereign limits; the Great Ones have deemed that their hands remain within their own territories. If the Jedi agree to this noble mission then that favor performed in addition to that already stated will pay your prices."
Another belch from the hutt and a dashade in chains steps up to begin massaging the hutt lords considerable stomach.
Eyes glancing down toward the ground where a soaked, slimy slipper lay leave Aryn a bit pale, yet she clears her throat to speak again, voice a little strained but still polite. "We agree to bring this mission before those known as Jedi, Lord Chrouda. Barring any input from my companions, I believe this concludes our petition, my Lord. May we have your leave to depart?" Aryn bows slightly, then straightens.
The end of their meeting with this repulsive being can't come soon enough as Rune represses a shudder from the grisly display that sits on the pedestal. Instead his eyes find those of his fellow Jedi, trying to mask the uncomfortableness that this entire affair has wrought on his mind. Thankfully, it sounds like their negotiations are coming to a close and the time in which they will move with haste from this place is near at hand. Rune shifts his weight from one foot to another, almost counting the seconds until they may be on their way. He wonders, even with some tutelage in how to be more diplomatic, would he be able to handle such activities as what just transpired and remain calm when the words were his to give.
"Thank you for your time, Great Chrouda," Kasia says as she bows her head deeply enough that it almost becomes a bow. She is trying very hard to not grimace as she does it, and by the time she straightens she's managed to master her expression once more. She shoots a look around to her companions, waiting only for the permission to depart.
A dismissive flip of Chrouda's hand comes at Aryn's request and the massive hutt is stretching out further for more attendants to come and begin rubbing it down as if the New Republic representatives had already taken their leave, a burbling grumble escaping to be translated by the droid in short order.
"The ever Grand and Venerable Chrouda the Hutt allows these current talks to end so that you may go and address them. But expects them to not be long before word is given of your mission, so that details can be provided and the task can be completed to the better benefit of both parties."
Another belch and scented oils are being poured over the hutt and are being massaged into his corpulent form. A dismissal if there ever was one.
