Taking A Ni

[Akirapryde]

He nodded softly, "folks in these parts have a strong dislike of those from the Core Worlds and Colonies. That predates even my own birth. So I can't tell you what started it. But I can tell you that taxation is a festering swore that doesn't seem to want to heal." He turned in his seat to face her, "this OPA thing, it is what many in these parts want. More control over their own lives. Few desire to have Coruscant telling them how to live or what they should or shouldn't do."

He nodded to her comment about Reds, "yeah he was a good friend of mine. Had been more like a father than my own." On that note, he heard her statement about the sand castle. He had a strange look on his face and shook his head as a grin crossed his lips. "Silly girl" he mumbled playfully.

He started to get out of the speeder and followed her as she ran across the sand. However before he could reach her a pair of speeder bikes pulled up to him. A tall Twi'lek and a tall slender droid were riding to two bikes. Both wore similar hats as Sheriff Saar, and long coats. As the bikes came to a stop Sheriff Saar turned to face them. The two new arrivals tilted their heads towards Kaleb and touched the forward brim of their hats.

[Gar]

Ni looked over her shoulder and, noticing he had not caught up, came to a stop. She stood quietly on the sand and watched him and the two arrivals curiously, waiting to see what they wanted.

[Akirapryde]

The three men spoke softly for a moment. What ever the topic was appeared to draw some concern from Sheriff Saar. A deep frown washed over his face as he turned and walked towards Ni. As he walked away from them the two new arrivals sped off. Sheriff Saar walked up to Ni, making no effort to hide his disappointment. "It would appear you picked a fateful day to be hanging out in the marketplace. Those men were relaying an alert to me. It would appear that the infamous Unna Hi Chaanu was in the marketplace also. She is considered one of the most closest advisors to the Chancellor and wanted on every OPA world between here and Coruscant."

His frowned deepened, "the last time she was spotted on a world, alot of good people died. I fear what she has brought to my world."

[Gar]

Ni's face dropped at these words, feeling a chill rush through her body despite the beach heat. For a second she forgot to breath and she could only stare at him, shocked. Then she remembered herself and shook her head, whining passionately, "These Jedi spread their drama all throughout the galaxy! Why does everyone need to fight all the time?! There are much better things to do, like make love and enjoy the phenomenon of being alive!!!" She frowned and crossed her arms, turning to the sea to watch the waves. "What is the problem, anyway? What is the OPA so mad about? And why does the Republic have its panties in a bunch?"

[Akirapryde]

At her first comment he gave a deep laugh and robbed his hand on her hair, "if only the Jedi were filled with more like you, we would have less drama in the Galaxy."

He allowed her to turn and gaze over the massive man made lake. He listened to her questions and sighed heavily, "the issue is very near and dear to the people of the OPA, and I am sure to the people of the Republic. It's about World rights over the rights of the Republic. This Chancellor is a threat to the progress that has been made over the past few years. If you need proof, just gaze upon the thousands of ships she has deployed to the Outer Rim already. And her elite terror unit, the second battalion tenth division. Their in the news almost weekly. They answer only to the chancellor and have caused hardship and chaos no matter where they go."

[Gar]

"Why not just give the world their rights, then? Let the Republic have their own worlds, with the worlds that want them. Simple as that, no one has to fight!" Ni said, turning to look into his eyes seriously before her amused smile slowly lifted her face. "Look at us, worrying about things out of our control!" She giggled, "I refuse to let the Jedi drama trickle into this part of my life as well! Come on, pouty face!" She takes his hand and pulls him forward playfully, leading him towards the shore of the lake.

When the two reach the shore the Zeltron finally releases him and bends down to cup a handful of damp sand in both palms. "The opposite of war is creation!" Ni quotes cheerfully as she sets to work making her sand castle, glancing up at him briefly to give him a small wink. After a moment of shaping and building with her hands, carelessly getting sand all over her new dress, she adds casually, "Do you trust the OPA?"

[Akirapryde]

He laughed and watched her for a moment playing in the sand. Soon he dropped down on his knees and started to help her build her sand castle. "Do I trust the OPA?" He asked almost as if he wasn't sure of the question. "I reckon they ain't as bad as the Republic but their politicians too. Liars, thieves and backstabbers the whole lot of them." He kicked back and set down I the sand facing her.

"A long time ago, the Crown Queen, a Jedi Master to boot, had this idea about giving power to the people. Sure her idea was great. But money got involved and soon the politicians were all over this new government. They sucked on Coruscant's tit and lead us right in to a war where nearly a million people from Baklid lost their lives. Then came thus Graff fella. Didn't much care for him, but he got rid of the politicians and their lobbyists. He created a council to advice him on what needs to be done."

He looked at the sand castle and nodded, "he's done right by Baklid so far. Better than I can say for those clowns on Olivan."

[Gar]

"Isn't it funny how, where politics is concerned, we always have to chose the lesser of the two evils?" she comments as she pats down another tower of sand and begins to erect a wall connecting them. She frowns and looks up at Kaleb when he mentions the other planet, a fleck of sand atop her nose, "What does Olivan have to do with any of this?"

[Akirapryde]

"Olivan is the seat of power for the OPA," he said moving sand to build another tower for the castle. "Despite what the fake CNN wants everyone to believe. I heard a report they did that claimed that Graff was strong arming the OPA Senate." He started to build the base as he continued, "hey I may not like the man but he is doing the best he can considering the situation. The OPA Senate runs the show. Graff is just one of many leaders. Okay, so the guy is very popular. I will give him that, but man the way the media makes it sound. You would think that he is a one many army."

He shook his head, "I get these invites to the Palace all the time. But I just don't think it's right. I am a man of the Law, he is a military leader. Our worlds shouldn't cross. And until those damn Dark Wings showed up, they didn't."

[Gar]

"Still, you are part of this planet and its faculty," says Ni simply, "It seems you both are already intertwined, whether you accept these invitations or not." The Zeltron ponders her words for a moment and comments light-heartedly, "Seems you left the Core Worlds to escape one circus, and here you just found another one." She helps erect a wall to connect her tower and his, adding, "If you really wanted to be above it all, you could be a traveler! Like me! We don't belong anywhere and we aren't mixed up in anything--Well, not unless trouble finds us, as you've seen," Ni sighs, "But I have a feeling that you're the type that needs a sense of order, so in the circus you will stay." She smiles in spite of her silly metaphor and asks, "Now I'm curious: what kind of invitations are these, anyway? Does this military guy like ballroom dancing or something? And what are these Dark wings that you mentioned?"