Atton's mood was soaring.
It felt a little odd wearing a uniform again, especially a republic one, but Atton knew he looked good in it, and that was all that mattered. Of course it didn't have any rank insignia, didn't want to anger the army after all, but that just meant he could act like he had whatever rank he felt like. He had already fooled one of the guards he was his new sergeant prone for odd punishments...and a colonel that he was a newly arrived general in need of being sucked up to.
Now he stood before a small crowd of senators who, judging by their smiles, were neutral senators about to be convinced into the pro-jedi corner. To his left, an arm around his, was the Zeltron Jade. Of course as a reporter she had jumped at the invitation to a senatorial ball, but Atton liked to think she was a little happy about him asking too. Judging by the way she kept close so far he was pretty sure of it...and there were of course the dress.
The tight little black outfit had a cleavage enough to expose her belly button and was short enough to make Atton wonder if she would actually be let in. Of course if she hadn't been he would have been a gentleman and accompanied her to wherever she went...good guy as he was. Yep, she liked him, hopefully this one wouldn't steal his credits...damn Mira.
"So I told the rodian; 'I'm not saying you're cheating, I'm saying you're so bad you should cheat.'" The corny story was greeted by polite laughters, force these people were stuffy, but at least they were easily amused... Atton quickly checked the species of his audience before continuing: "Which of course prompted him to insult my origins, I believe he thought me a cross-breed between an Aqualishand a Bantha..." More laughter, this time above the average din of conversations. "...which of course stunted the game somewhat. Especially when said Rodian decided that he should do me the favour of reconstructing my horrible face."
The laughter continued for a while, drawing quite a few inquisitive...if carefully positive looks his way. Jade also laughed, though she kept hers down to a small giggle while pressing against Atton's arm. Yep...this was shaping up to a pretty good evening.
"Seems the outer rims are quite a dangerous place." One of the assembled pointed out, a short little man in a page haircut, it was easy to think him a servant if it wasn't for the senatorial gown...that or a teenage boy. The way he wrung his hands and constantly glanced up at his fellows suggested a somewhat meek personality.
"Quite right senator Oddass." Atton bowed his head, not letting the little smile show. He had made sure to quickly memorize the senator's names and was, correctly by the looks of it, hoping that his respectful way of treating even the weakest of senators would give him some points. "But some wits and guts can win you great wealth there as well."
That piqued some interest. One of them, a sickly looking twi'lek with a constantly pained look on his face looked up from his cane. It was subtle for one without the trained eye to notice...but compared to a hutt these people were like open books to Atton. "Really? I was under the impression that the outer rim was too dangerous for any sort of business."
"Not if one knows how to navigate the political waters there. A few deals with...say a smuggling group..." None reacted at the suggestion, good. "...and the local government on a planet wouldn't even try to tax your export of precious metals, not to mention that the smugglers would do the shipping for you." Atton smiled at the interested senators. "Not that I've ever smuggled anything away from there..."
Another polite burst of laughter. Heh, he should have gone into politics ages ago...
"Atton? What are you doing?" Not even the question coming from an obviously annoyed Mira could sway his mood. Turning he grinned at her...
Whoa...she was different...
Yet...not...huh.
Blinking Atton remembered himself and forced his face out of the stupefied look, instead he made himself smile even as he noticed the little group of three senators trailing her, their robes beige and faces in a rigid polite look that easily revealed their hostility. Hostile faction no doubt...was Mira running from them...or she was simply pissed with him for some reason and didn't notice them? "How did you get here before me?" How dare he was probably what she meant...the heated look she shot Atton's date didn't help matters either.
Bowing before her he took her hand before she had a time to object, lightly pecking a hand far more calloused then any other in the entire room. Smiling at her look of shock Atton gently directed her before the assembled senators. "Master Mira, this is senator Rann Lenn, Gopius, Callman and Oddass, not to mention the great Loana, who actually convinced some nemoidians to a fair trade agreement!" The elderly nautolan lady smiled widely at the flattery. "Senators, this is jedi master Mira, who is far more experienced with dealing with the outer rim than myself."
"Really? Master Atton here has had some quite interesting tales about the outer rim...could you perhaps ravish us with the same tales of heroics and dashing skills?" The fat Gopius wiped his forehead with a handkerchief worth a fortune as he seized up Mira. Atton suddenly realized the jedi was far smaller then even the elderly Loana, but he wasn't worried, he knew she was good at staring bigger people down...
"I...what?" Mira blinked, obviously confused.
Olmark, the man practically invisible at Mira's side, frowned, shooting Atton a quick look.
Placing his hands on her shoulders Atton marvelled of how warm she was, then he quickly pushed her in front of him while smiling at the assembled senators. "Don't worry Mira, what he really wants is you to explain how to make a profit from trade with the outer rims." The assembled group laughed politely, Gopius inclining his head, as if indicating a point to Atton. Political games...
"I...see." Mira was obviously still uncomfortable and out of balance, force...don't let her stutter.
"Yes, perhaps you should explain how the leaders of economy in the outer rim works and makes deals, you know...the ones so wrongly labelled crime lords." Mira stiffened under his hands...why was he still holding her anyway? Stepping away he chuckled with the senators. "Of course they're legitimate...I'm sure Mira can explain it better then I though. Now...excuse me."
Quickly retreating Atton hoped he'd given Mira a good enough shove in the right direction as he turned to the more immediate danger. The three senators were close now, too close for comfort. Better not let them reach Mira...Atton smiled at the somewhat miffed-looking zeltron as he pulled her with him to meet the serious threes.
The woman in the middle was almost as short as Mira, her black hair pulled taut behind her, the one to the right was far taller though, her hair reminding Atton of a grey carpet. The man to the left was at least middle length, scowling and with a generally unpleasant looking face. Atton thought of a height joke for a moment...then discarded it as he bowed with a deep flourish. It was an echani battle greeting...but they probably didn't know that. "Greetings most honourable senators, it's an honour to make your acquaintance."
"I'm sure..." The woman in the middle snorted as the three recoiled at the warm greeting, then made a move to get past him and head for Mira. The former bounty huntress seemed to at least managed to strike up a conversation with the already dazzled group of senators. Atton just smiled widely as he pulled Jade up next to him, putting her in front of them. "Have you met Jade Lethrem? She's a reporter for holonet news."
"I see." The scowling man muttered, a hand quickly going to the central woman's shoulder. Her face softened a little, attention drawn to the pair. "Nice to meet you...?"
"Atton, Atton Rand, jedi master and ace pilot." That got their attention. Like three dark jedi they spread out, as if waiting to pounce on him...Atton smirked. "And you are of course Lars..." The scowling man flinched. "Mel..." The short one muttered something under her breath. "And Ewain?" The carpet-lady nodded in greeting. "I have heard so much about you three." Read rather...Olmark had written quite extensively about the three.
"Ah, master jedi." Mel the short one didn't even bother to conceal her scorn, making some nearby people flinch. "It's an honour to meet you, we have heard...well not much of you." She smiled, venom practically dripping from those grey eyes, he could feel her hatred, it seemed etched into her. Almost like himself once upon a time... "Except...is it true that you were tossed out of a cantina in the lower reaches?"
That got some attention, Atton merely smiled though. "Of a fashion, I stopped a few robberies down there and socialised with some people there...then I had a few too many drinks and decided to head home."
"Not exactly a shining beacon of hope." The carpet-lady muttered, an all too kind smile on her lips. Drawing a chuckle from the other two, there seemed to be awfully many people around interested in the exchange...
"I wouldn't know, how many robberies do you stop a day?" Atton asked, drawing a giggle from Jade and wiping the smiles from the senators faces. "Besides, one needs to interact with the people, to share in their experiences. How else is one to understand their tribulations and claim to represent them?" He shrugged. "Of course I humbly took on such a burden when I accepted my sabre...as well as the resulting hangover."
The scowling man bit his lower lip, an odd snort escaping him. The pair of women were anything but amused though, they were probably not liking his implication about representation one bit.... "You sir, are a rude oaf."
Atton couldn't stop the grin from showing as he exchanged a glance with the worried-looking Jade. "Oh really? Then please ladies, enlighten me...why am I an oaf exactly?"
This would be fun!