Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

Aeka accepted the menu, and looked over her options. Her twi'lek companion did the same, and both women were looking at their menus in silence.

When the waiter returned with the drinks for Maria and Emily, Aeka spoke up.

"I'll have the Gruuvan shaal, with a side dish of white rice please", she looked at Serrah for a moment. "And the lady will have the same."


After the waiter had taken the menu's and left, Aeka turned her attention back to Maria.

"What do you think of the recent events in the Commonwealth? I have not yet had the time to talk with others about the attack on the empress. I would love to have an outsiders view on the issue."

[Emily Hunteria]

Emily paused visibly when Aeka ordered for Serrah. But kept quiet for the moment.

[Maria Latharion]

Maria was more adept at hiding her thoughts than her partner.

"To be completely honest I'm unsure what to think about it. Of course such an attack is a terrible thing and I feel sorry for the people who lost loved ones.

But your empress' speech depicts a false image, in my opinion. She's denying the current situation in the Veolian Commonwealth. She's generalizing a minority and depicts them as violent aggressors, while claiming her own side has done nothing to provoke such acts.

Sure this is nothing new, governments depict themselves as saints all the time, but she's doing this without even trying to solve the issues she names."

Maria spoke calm and collected.

"Personally I'm amazed your government only now is starting to move seriously against organized crime."

[Nehket Aeka]

Aeka looked surprised at Maria's harsh words.

"How can you even claim that?", it was clear that Aeka was offended by Maria's words. "You think saying that Black Tails are a misguided group of radicals is a generalization? They publicly claimed the attack!"

She continues, though her tone is more subdued.

"Furthermore, while I have the greatest respect for you, but how can you claim that her highness is denying the current situation, when she actually names things that have gone wrong. Surely, you agree that twi'lek who violently protest a child's death in a hospital claiming that veolian doctors let the child die are misinfored as to the actual purpose of the hospital. Should they not be informed about this? Seeking to inform and to educate is not a solution to such ignorance, or do you disagree?"

[Maria Latharion]

Maria remained calm when she replied.

"Saying the Black Tails are a misguided group of radicals is not a generalization no, but your empress didn't name them, she named the twi'lek community. She failed to clearly differentiate between the general twi'lek population and the Black Tails.

That combined with her position will most likely result in severe discrimination against twi'leks, in and outside the Veolian Commonwealth."

She looked Aeka in the eyes with a determined expression.

"Your empress is denying the situation because she claims the twi'leks are the one who need to be educated and need to learn. Understanding is a two-way street. The veolians need to learn from them just as they need to learn from you."

[Nehket Aeka]

Aeka looked back, with a same determination.

"I think you misunderstand her words. Maybe you are not used to the amount of population on Mirda? You misunderstand this as if she was talking about an eighteenth of the population. Even on your world, an eighteenth of the population is already 227 million people. The empress was clearly talking about the Black Tails, because calling more than a billion people a 'group of radicals' is just ridiculous.

Next to that, she clearly said that we should seek common ground, and to accept and embrace the difference in culture. I think that comes very close to what you think she should have said."

Aeka did not look happy, though it was unclear whether she was angry or sad.

"Really, if I would've just met you, what you're saying would sound as if you are deliberately trying to find the worst possible, and most confrontational, explanation of what her majesty said. You take her words with a complete disregard for the context, both situational, and in her speech itself."

[Emily Hunteria]

Emily listened to the discussion between the two senators for a while, before deciding she didn't want an argument during diner.

"Look Aeka, may I call you Aeka? You are clearly very loyal to your empress and that is commendable."

She talked in a calm voice.

"But you where the one who asked for an outsiders view. Maria gave you her view of the situation. If you didn't want to hear the answer, don't ask the question.

And now I would like for both of you to stop this argument so we can enjoy our diner in peace."

As if queued the waiter came and put down four plates, a maid helping him with side dishes and such. After which they took the bowls Maria and Emily where eating from earlier and left the four alone again.

[Nehket Aeka]

Serrah smiled. Aeka took a deep breath.

"I apologize. It's not that I didn't want to hear the answer, it's that I was completely surprised by Maria's cynical view of the situation."

"Maria, if you still feel this way after a week or so, please do tell me. I'll ask her majesty to put her intended meaning in writing. I would like you to have the complete image if you are going to base policy on your views on the situation."

[Serrah]

"Miss Hunteria, I take it you are not aware of the implications of the use of a given name in veolian culture...", Serrah started with a smile. "Because the use of one's given name usually implies a certain intimacy to the relationship."

"This is not always the case. I know that my mistress has been addressing Maria with her given name for a while now, and I am very sure that the most intimate thing they shared was a cup of tea in an informal setting.", Serrah looked at Aeka. Maria and Emily could see a mischievous sparkle in the twi'lek's eyes. "And I am sure that Aeka wouldn't mind if you called her Aeka. But note that you should be careful with such things in a more formal setting, your question could be interpreted as an invitation for something else."

Aeka was fidgeting with her cutlery, trying not to draw attention to the blush on her cheeks while Serrah happily continued.

"Although, in this case, I am sure that it was meant in the most innocent of meanings. So let's eat."

[Nehket Aeka]

Aeka was blushing a bit, as if Serrah had just broached an awkward topic, even though in veolian culture intimacy was basically seen as just another activity between friends.

"I won't mind, Emily.", was all she said before picking up her cutlery as well, and politely waiting for the astrian women to start eating as well.

[Maria Latharion]

"Aeka, just to be clear. I don't believe your empress had nor has any bad intentions with her speech. It's just that people in her position need to take extreme care in what they say. I simply believe she didn't take that care or at least not enough."

After saying that Maria picked up her chopsticks.

Both Astrian women had what seemed to be a fish dish, with different kinds of fish. The portions seemed to big though, two humans would have had enough from just one.

Maria shivered.

"It's cold in here."

[Emily Hunteria]

Emily looked at Maria with a raised eyebrow.

"I told you to wear another sweater, didn't I?

It really is one of the downsides of living on this planet, it's so cold all the time."

She then also picked up her chopsticks and Maria and Emily started eating.

[Serrah]

The veolian senator noted the exchange between the two women, but didn't react. Her slave however, did say something between two bites.

"Unity is indeed a cold planet. It took me a year to get used to it, after the warmth of Mirda. Then again, Mirda is not as warm as Stellaria in her summer."

After a few more small bites, Serrah spoke again.

"Maria, I have seen you stand in the senate with lighter clothing, and you weren't shivering there. If I might ask, why are you cold right now?"

[Maria Latharion]

The way Maria and Emily wielded their chopsticks made it clear the had years of experience.

Maria paused eating to answer Serrah's question.

"My work clothes are made of a special fabric that generates heat. Clothes like that are very expensive and I'm not willing to pay that much for clothes. As if having to eat every day isn't expensive enough."

The last sentence earned her an agreeing nod from Emily.

[Nehket Aeka]

Aeka looked up as well.

"Wait... The Astrian Colonial Authority does not make available enough funds to maintain a decent wardrobe for you and your partner?", she sounded surprised. "I do not intend to pry, but how expensive are those clothes?"

[Maria Latharion]

"Oh, we can afford it just fine. It's just that neither of us is willing to pay five figures for a single article of clothing."

Maria said waving her hand dismissive.

[Serrah]

A soft cough from Serrah drew the attention of the women at the table. The twi'lek woman's face was a bit redder than it normally was.

After she took a sip of her wine, she spoke "Excuse me." followed by another sip of wine.

"Your statement surprised me, Maria.", the twi'lek looked down for a moment. "I think that my wardrobe is actually six figures by now.", the twi'lek said in a soft voice, "And there's a few dresses that are very soldily priced in five figures."

She took another sip of wine.

"Surely, if you are shivering from cold if you do not wear those clothes, it would be better to buy them? Maybe another solution can be found... Something cybernetic maybe, or undergarments of the special material, a thin but covering piece would work, wouldn't it?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"What is a comfortable temperature for Astrians?", Aeka asked while Serrah took a sip of wine. She was a bit fast, as if to draw attention away from her slave's wardrobe.

"Because I also found that Unity is rather chilly for my tastes, Mirda is much warmer and much more humid."

[Maria Latharion]

"Forty degrees would be just right, then we wouldn't have to eat every day either." Was the reply Maria gave. "That's the temperature maintained in Triad city.

A bit dryer would hurt too."

[Emily Hunteria]

Emily nearly choked an a piece of fish when she heard Serrah's wardrobe was worth six figures. Coughing loudly to clear her airways.

"Six figures!?" She asked after drinking a bit. "Why would you waste so much money on clothes? I didn't even know there where shops that ask that much."

[Nehket Aeka]

"That's a nice coincidence then. I would personally enjoy around forty as wel, though I would like everything to be a bit more wet. The whole of Unity city is a rather dry affair, with little in the way of rain, or even a little bit of rejuvenating fog."

Aeka took a bite of food.

"Maria, next time you visit the Veolian embassy, I'll make sure that we can both enjoy a more comfortable temperature, there'll be no need for you to wear sweaters or heat-generating garments."

She then turned to watch the interaction between Serrah and Emily.

[Serrah]

Serrah looked at Emily with some concern on her face. Once it became clear that the pregnant woman wasn't choking, she looked relieved.

"I would not consider money spent on clothing wasted, it is important to look appealing.", she stated. "There are no shops that charge that much, as shops are not capable of offering the level of quality I demand of my clothing. Most of my garments are tailor made, as are my shoes and jewellery. And, of course, wearing the exact same outfit in public twice would be an insult to my mistress's wealth and standing. "

She took a sip.

"Then there are some outfits I have yet to wear in public. I have a very attractive combination of silver links and rare aerosol silk decorated with sapphire. The ribbons of silk are so light that the slightest movement actually makes them float upwards. The garment fits perfectly, and every movement feels like a caress. It took the dressmaker five days to get the measurements just perfect.", Serrah's eyes were twinkling with enthusiasm. "I had it made for our ten year anniversary."

"Unfortunately, Aeka has forbidden me to wear the outfit in public. She claims that it is too alluring, and that she would not be able to keep the suitors away from me. Ridiculous."

Serrah took another sip of wine.

"Emily, Maria, If you're interested, come with us after dinner. I'll show off the outfit for your viewing pleasure." "I might have something fitting for Maria to wear as well", she added towards Emily in a conspirational tone.

[Nehket Aeka]

Aeka looked none to happy with Serrah's proposal.

"Serrah, I am sure that Maria and Emily have plans for the evening", she replied.

[Emily Hunteria]

"Yes, I'm afraid we do have to decline." Emily said, smiling. Though there seemed to be something hidden behind that smile.

She exchanged a look with Maria.

"Would you excuse me for a moment?" She asked and got up without waiting for an answer, leaving the table.

[Maria Latharion]

Maria watched Emily walk away for a moment.

"Aeka, there's one thing I still don't understand about your culture. Why do your people place so much importance on wealth and social status?"