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[Coruscant, 6 ATC 4] A House Divided II: A Little Wrong

Senators Eyri, Tychus, and O'Keemi, Committee Meeting Room, Senate Building

---

Cᴏʟʟᴀʙ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ Sɪɴɪ, Aʟᴍᴀ, ᴀɴᴅ Bᴇᴀ

Tychus had grown up seeing a lot of aliens, had seen more during the war and more still after coming to Coruscant, but he had never got over the Amaran vulpine looks. They were very similar to the Coyn fox he had seen on holo-documentaries on Outer Rim fauna. This particular Amaran, O’Keemi T’Sombe, even had the same fur.

“So,” Tychus cleared his throat, sitting back in the comfy chair, “did you bring the twins?” His eyes flicked to the door of the committee conference room, as if trying to catch a glimpse of the blondes. Small talk, meant to amuse and confuse.

O’Keemi looked over at Tychus with a questioning eyebrow lift. “Those two wouldn’t know what to do with themselves if I hadn’t. They like to confuse people and probably would have created havoc back at the office.” Her nails clicked together as she rolled her eyes at the antics of the Twins.

The Alsakan senator could think of a few things those Thormea aides could get into, with themselves or… a third party involved. “That means you don’t keep them on a tight enough leash,” said Tychus. Before the Amaran could retort, he moved on. “So, what’s this meeting about? The brief was… well brief. I don’t see how we can make any progress on the Pantoran matter with Pharliis in absentia.” Think those high-tech, expensive desalination plants can turn her bitter tears into potable water? Not a charming thought, but that’s how Tychus’ mind operated. He still felt for his Pantoran colleague.

O’Keemi mock snarled at the word leash. “You go giving them ideas and they will be worse than when I picked them up off the streets. Leashes. Horrid thought. Pharliis will learn to pick her battles like we all did. Some of us sooner than others.” O’Keemi fixed Tychus with an intense stare. “How much reading did you get done over your fancy coffee this morning Tychus?”

No chance that she had got wind of his holographic tête-à-tête with the CEC Chairwoman, Tychus surmised she was referring to his better known fondness of vine-coffee. “I did not realise my morning routines were of such an interest to you.” This time, a smidge of vitriol laced his town. Tychus was very protective over what little privacy he had left in his capacity as Planetary Representative. “But if you must ask, I do my best reading in the outhouse.”

O’Keemi smirked. “I’m just going to savor this moment that I know something before you then. But I need you up to speed more than I want to stroke my own ego.” She handed him a data pad which showed the bill that Towler sent her. “See for yourself what Towler is plotting. If you take that out of my presence I don’t want it back. Fair warning it was one of the Twins.”

It only took a few moments of scrolling for Tychus to realise it was the impending bill of seizure the Senate would push in retaliation of Corellia’s Contemplanys Hermi. “Seems I will have to let you down. I’ve known of this for a little while now. It’s hardly in the province of the migration and immigration committee.” He entwined his fingers and watched her with heavy-lidded eyes. This is highly sensitive. Play coy. “What of it?”

O’Keemi nodded. “Not yet our problem, but it could be. Personally I’d love to hear your views on it.” She shifted and leaned over and lowered her voice to a whisper. “It favors one party far too much but that’s before everyone gets their claws into it, so to speak.” She leaned back and smoothed her tail absently watching Tychus with bright curious eyes.

“I’ll be candid. Personally, mark me: personally, I believe the Corellians get what they deserve for having a cop-out. Corellia has its ‘Contemplanys Hermi’ and Kuat its ‘Inheritance Exemption’… Call it what you will – meditative solitude or dynastic bequest – these are privileges exploiting goodwill. Why does one party get an exception and the other does not?” Tychus shrugged, took a deep breath. “There is a lot to be said for both sides though. I understand the strategic reasons for needing to remain in control of the CEC Shipyards, but I also know the Corellians won’t ever stand for it. If this bill passes, Free Corellia will only gain traction. Have you seen the news-feed, the vids? Then, we’ll all be looking down the gun-barrel afore too long. The Senate’s playing with fire, O’Keemi, and we need to mind not to get burnt so I’m waiting to see which way the wind blows. I do not intend to go down in flames.” He looked at her for a time, letting it sink in. Tychus cracked his trademark charming smile then. “Officially? That’s another matter entirely.”

It wasn’t but a few minutes later when the doors to the committee conference room opened, and in walked Senator Pharliis. Accompanying her was her Junior Representative Barin Elwahs. Eyri held a datapad in her hands, one hand typing and the other keeping the device steady, as she approached the table to take a seat.

“You know you can work on that elsewhere, right? You should wait until the meeting is over.” Barin insisted, his eyes rolling, his tone reflecting his facial expression, annoyed.

“This is important, Barin.” she said sternly, sitting down one chair away from Tychus as she worked away at the datapad.

“More important than the meeting?”

“Not more important, just important.” Eyri huffed in frustration as she glanced up at her Junior Rep before her eyes moved to the table. “Good afternoon Senators.” she said, forcing out a sincere but weak smile as she looked at them both.

O’Keemi turned toward Eryi as the greeting was heard. “Looks like the mining bill is still on the table. You jinxed it Tychus. Good afternoon Senator. What can we do for you?”

Tychus saw the brittle resolve. “Senator Pharliis… Eyri… Should you even be here right now?” The reason why was left unspoken but clear for all presently in the committee conference room. “No one would fault you for taking some time off.” He had several questions, mostly pertaining to Pharliis’s security, and more still about the how and why of the murder. A chief of staff killed, even from a backwater like Pantora, was a big deal. It put them all at risk.

Setting the datapad down on the table, Eyri looked to O’Keemi and Tychus in turn. “There is still work to be done. I am a part of this committee, it would be highly improper if I wasn’t here to discuss the bill with you, we all have a job to do.” Eyri said. Her body language reflected confidence, yet her tone was obviously reflecting her emotions. It was weaker, and wavered from time to time, but Eyri kept on.

“You’re no good to us - or the bill - if you can’t think straight. Grief and mourning are a thing, Eyri.” Tychus remembered well the trauma of losing people close to you. Living on when others died could cripple the survivor with sorrow. “I am fairly certain your physiology is sufficiently similar to my own to know what you’re going through.”

O’Keemi watched as the two of them tossed the tense ball of emotion back and forth. “My condolences Eyri. I didn’t take the gossip as fact, or as close to fact as we get here. We can at least be that certain half the time. If there is anything you need just let me know.” O’Keemi bowed her head and indicated that Eyri take a seat.

"Iri would have wanted me to keep going." Eyri said, although she knew that was a lie. Her friend was always saying that she needed rest, needed to get away, to spend some time to herself.
"Now can we please change the subject." she continued, taking a deep breath and holding a hand up to rest her head on as she rested one elbow on the table. "The bill, how far have we gotten on it?"

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[Jedi] Tython

ᴄᴏʟʟᴀʙ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ Aʟᴍᴀ ᴀɴᴅ Bᴇᴀ

Brye, escort Jaslyn to my chambers.

Hearing those words, Brye took a deep breath. She calmed herself, for it might’ve been a little obvious how on edge Brye had been made by the events of the day. She was quiet, her movements rigid but with intent.
“Yes Master.” she said quietly, finally moving from the spot she had stood, and over to Jaslyn.

Brye didn’t say a word further as she walked up to her fellow padawan. She moved her head, indicating the way she and Jaslyn would be going. Brye didn’t taken Jaslyn’s arm, she did nothing to show the lack of faith she had in her fellow Padawan, but it was there nonetheless. Once Jaslyn would start to walk, Brye would follow right next to her.

Jaslyn looked at Brye and shook her head and proceeded with Brye at her side down the hallway. When they were alone Jaslyn looked over at Brye and sighed. “Out with it before you burst Brye. What are you dying to ask me?”

Still holding Jaslyn’s belt on one hand, that hand tightened. “Why?” Brye began, looking over at her friend as they walked. “Why are you with this, this Dark Sider? Do you understand all the chaos she has caused? All the Jedi that have died because of her landing?”

Jaslyn tilted her head at Brye. “So I had two options. One go with Selene and see what she was up to or stay and be ignorant. I chose the former. Secondly she didn’t reach out with the Force and make the storms or quakes. No the planet reacted. Do you know why Brye? Why react so violently to one being? Selene is not the reason people died today. Our own arrogance and ignorance caused people to die today.” Jaslyn was deeply saddened by the loss of life because it had been preventable.

There was a heavy frown on Brye’s face, and almost a glare in her eyes as she watched Jaslyn. “So you’re saying everyone who stayed back today, because of the violent storms, everyone is to blame for Tython’s chaos? Those who stayed to protect the Younglings, and those injured in the Medbay, those who were out on Tython and had to fight their way back to safety; all those deaths could have been preventable? Had that Dark Sider not landed on Tython, none of this would have happened.”

Brye shook her head, she could feel the frustration and anger building up even as she knew her emotions were under her own control. She would not be another to lose sight of the Jedi way today. “Have you even thought of your own actions? What would’ve happened had you stayed and helped Master Vondin fight her way back? Perhaps Master Elav would still be alive? All of our actions have consequences, Jaslyn. The events of today, everything that has happened, the blame does not just fall on the Jedi who call Tython their home. It is not just those who lived through the chaos who were arrogant and ignorant. They did everything they could to protect our home. Can you say the same for yourself?”

As they approached the door to Satele’s quarters, Brye went silent. Waving her hand in front of the panel, the door opened and she walked Jaslyn inside. There were many places to sit, but Brye instead stood next to the door as it closed, arms folded, Jaslyn’s belt in one hand, and a very stern look on her face as she watched over her fellow Padawan.

Jaslyn shook her head sadly. “Yes, even I am to blame. Who’s to say I wouldn’t be the one dead Brye? Perhaps that would have been better. This is, no never mind.” Jaslyn sighed and sat down running her hands through her hair.

“Just because she gave you the choice to join her, does not mean you had to stay... Sithspit- you even defend the Dark Sider after the fact!” Brye said, throwing her hands in the air. She placed Jaslyn’s belt on a small table next to the door before returning to her original position. “What’s so important that would make you want to defend her?!”

Brye’s voice was calm, quiet, yet she couldn’t help but want answers. One of her closest friends was suddenly a traitor to the Jedi Order, to everything either of them had ever known. Brye wanted to know why Jasyln seemingly up and left her ideals to tag along with the Dark Sider.

Jaslyn looked hurt at Brye’s outburst. “You wouldn’t believe me. I have yet to wrap my head around it. But tell me this Brye, where in the code does it say slay all Dark Side users? Where in the code does it say to spurn those that don’t agree with the code? Or rather does it give more direction on bringing one to the light? Everyone deserves the benefit of doubt now and again. As for what is so important that I defend her…” Jaslyn looked up and gave Brye her “I am disappointed that you have not come to this conclusion yet” look. “That is my business, not yours or anyone else’s. Even though I’m sure that they’ll pry it out of me. So I’m sorry if that sounds harsh but you’re one of the few people I will apologize to about it.” Jaslyn looked upset but with what was going on who wouldn’t?

[Coruscant, 6 ATC 4] A House Divided II: A Little Wrong

Eyri Pharliis and Detective Leena, Coruscant Apartments, the next morning.

Cᴏʟʟᴀʙ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ Wʏʀᴍ ᴀɴᴅ Bᴇᴀ

Eyri was unable to talk to the officer without choking up every few seconds. Her closest friend, her advisor, one of the most important people in her life, dead.

They were supposed to talk that morning, to meet in Eyri’s office. Afterwards, Eyri was going to offer a trip into town for breakfast and maybe a little shopping, like old times. She should’ve offered to walk her home, or perhaps even just dinner the night before. Something, anything. Eyri regretted everything now. She should’ve spent more time with her friend, she should’ve accepted Iri’s offers to eat out, or for a hand-delivered meal, anything.

The officer Eyri was talking to was trying his best not to make her say more than was needed, or to ask repeating questions, but the Pantoran senator wasn’t being very clear in between her sobbing and choking up.

“All she said- she just- she wanted to meet me in my office this morning to talk. Just to talk about something… I don’t know what for- she didn’t show up and I was worried so I came down here and-” Eyri was trying, she really was. She dared not look in the direction of her friends body, not now, not again. Then Senator wiped tears that were flowing down her cheeks, her sleeves wet with them. It had been a very emotional morning.

Leena stepped from the apartment and found herself relieved to see a victim services worker stepping off the lift at that very moment with a musical “ding”. She waved the worker over and gave the bothan a quick rundown on what had happened. The bothan nodded and the pair walked over to the Senator.

“Excuse me, Officer, sorry to interrupt. May I speak with the Senator for a moment please?”

The human nodded. “Not a problem Detective, I think we have as much as the senator is able to tell us.” He glanced at his datapad. “Statement concluded at 10:37 hours.” He thanked the senator and then walked away with the droid humming in his wake.

“Hello Senator, I am Detective Mala, with the Coruscant Security Force, Homicide division. I am terribly sorry for your loss.”

Eyri took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself. She noticed two more individuals approaching her. She took the time to quickly wipe any tears from her face, yet the wet sleeves made it hard to absorb them, the tears just being spread around on her cheeks. Eyri nodded to the officer as he thanked her before turning as the detective introduced herself.

She took another deep breath in an attempt to regain her composure.

“Uh, thank you, Detective,” Eyri began, using her hands now to wipe a few small tears from her eyes. “I just… I can’t believe she’s actually-” Eyri had to stop herself again, trying to maintain her composure as she quickly wiped forming tears from her eyes.
“I wanted to speak with you before you come to any conclusions about your friends death. I don’t believe it was an overdose, senator.”

Eyri looked up at the detective for a second, her eyes still wet but her facial expression changed. She was very confused at that statement.

“If it wasn’t an overdose, then what happened?”

“I can’t say for certain, but there is going to be at least one other being I would like to speak with. My officers are canvassing for information on this individual at the moment and I can assure you that we will do whatever it takes to find out what really happened here.” Leena offered a small smile. “As we go forward, please keep in touch with Danian, our victim services worker. He will be your point of contact and can keep me informed of any questions you may have.”

This was almost a relief in Eyri’s mind, almost. When she had found Iri, the spice had caught her eye. Iri was never one to dabble in drugs and narcotics. The thought of her friend hiding such secrets had hurt Eyri deeply. But now, hearing it might not have been an overdose, Eyri had more questions now.
There were one or two other possibilities that Eyri could think of. Murder was one of them, and Eyri almost wished it wasn’t that. She wasn’t a professional at all, she didn’t see the signs. All she assumed was that her friend had overdosed, a selfish thing indeed.
“I’ll make sure to keep in touch.. But- if it’s not an overdose then what else? You must have other ideas?”

“I do indeed, but I find it best not say them out loud until I am certain.” Leena smiled again. “Good day Senator.”

Eyri took a long, deep breath as she wiped her eyes one more time. She nodded politely to the detective before looking towards her bodyguard. He nodded back to her and Eyri started down the hallway. She needed to leave the apartment, for fear of not being able to overcome the grief and loss she felt anytime soon.

[Coruscant, 6 ATC 4] A House Divided II: A Little Wrong

Name: Eyri Pharliis

Occupation and Affiliation:
🔸Republic Senator for Pantora.
🔸G.S. Committee for Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
🔸Subcommittee for Outworlds Mineral Resources
🔸G. S. Judiciary Committee
🔸Citizenship & Immigration
🔸Foreign Relations
🔸Migration & Immigration
🔸Sovereign Interplanetery Relations

Description:
🔸Pantoran female
🔸28 years old
🔸

Eyri

🔸Carries a small hold-out blaster concealed under her tunic.

Background:
🔸Senator of Pantora
🔸Protecting the public interest of her people. Constantly trying to voice issues she believes will help protect the rights and lives of Pantorans. Also rallies for other groups as well.
🔸Trade Associations. Pantora lies on the far reaches of the Outer Rim, close to Wild Space, thus Senator Pharliis is constantly trying to procure and strengthen trade ties with other planets and systems to ensure her people and planet thrive.
🔸Opposed to corruption, and a firm believer in democracy and the rule of law.

[Coruscant, 6 ATC 4] A House Divided II: A Little Wrong

Eyri Pharliis - Senate Building, Offices of Senator Pharliis

---

Eyri would be lying if she had told someone she'd been keeping track of the time. Her staff sent home, her office quiet and peaceful, Senator Pharliis sat at her desk. A cold drink that had once been warmed, a snack that was going stale; holomaps of Pantora and datapads recording the population, refugee figures, any piece of info that Eyri needed to figure out this bill, she had.

Please don't overwork yourself, Eyri.

Iri's words before departing that night rang in Eyri's head. Her advisor also happened to be her closest friend, a childhood friend, and for that Eyri was thankful. Iri had been a figure of constant support, almost like a sister to Eyri. She fondly remembered days where they'd go running through the square, chasing leaves in the wind or bathing in the sun as they lay in the grass.
Eyri couldn't help the soft smile that grew on her face as memories washed over her. She and Iri hardly had time to themselves anymore. They were still the closest of friends, but sometimes Eyri wished they could spend time together again, just like in their childhood.

One of the few datapads Eyri had scattering her large modern desk lit up. Glancing over at it, a message from Iri.

I need to discuss something with you. Tomorrow morning.
Eyri found herself frowning a little, as communication between them was usually less professional and more relaxed, as friends would be.

Of course. Meet me in my office, okay? Eyri replied quickly, the datapad sending the message instantly back.
Eyri began to clean up her office, putting the unused datapads away, dimming the lights and fixing small things that had been bumped and shifted throughout the busy day.

She looked one last time at the datapad she had used to communicate with Iri. No reply.
"I suppose I'll take that as a yes." Eyri said to herself. Putting the last datapad away, the Pantoran senator dimmed the remaining lights and exited her office. Tomorrow would be another busy day.

[Coruscant, 6 ATC 4] A House Divided II: A Little Wrong

Fosten Towler, Eyri Pharliis - Senate Building, Offices of Senator Pharliis

---

Towler straightened his jacket and stepped through the door. The offices of Senator Eyri Pharliis were smaller than his, and indeed, smaller than most of the Senatorial offices, but Towler imagined that wouldn’t be the case for long. Politicians with the fortitude to stand up to the entire Senate and hold up one of the largest bills of the year, in their first term no less, rarely stayed in the junior senatorial suites for long.

Towler approached the senator’s desk with a smile. “Senator Pharliis?” he greeted, offering her his hand. “Fosten U. Towler, Senator for Loronar and Caucus Whip for the South Colonial. Do you mind if I sit?” He leaned into his accent a bit more than usual. His natural Loronar drawl had faded a bit over his years spent on Coruscant, but the accent had a rich, smooth charm to it and there was no sense letting a tool like that go to waste.

"Oh! Um, very nice to meet you, Senator."
Eri quickly stood to greet the man, taking his hand and offering a gentle shake. "Oh yes, please, sit." She continued, gesturing towards one of the few chairs in front of her desk.
She watched the man for a few moments before meeting eyes with Iri, who bowed politely and left the two to their conversation.
"To what do I owe this visit?" Eyri asked politely, her aides and staff still busy buzzing around in the background of the office, paying little attention to the visitor as they went on with their day

“I know we don’t have a formal meeting set up and I’m sure you’re a busy woman, Senator Pharliis, so I’ll keep you no longer than a few minutes.” Towler said, taking a seat across the desk. “Senator, I’m here to talk to you about the Asteroid Mining Reform Bill. It’s my understanding that you are one of the last holdouts on the Outworlds Mineral Resource amendment. I must say, I find your resolve commendable.”

“Thank you, Senator... I just need more numbers. Should this bill go through it could cause a massive unemployment spike for the people of—”

“Please, let me stop you there, Senator,” Fosten interjected, cutting her off sharply. “I respect you so I will be direct with you. The small business exception will stay exactly as it is now. The bill will pass, Pantoran businesses will fail, and thousands of Pantorans will lose their jobs. I am sorry for that, but these are the facts, and nothing you can do will change that.” Fosten paused, allowing the silence to fall between them, and then continued. “As you probably know I am the whip for the South Colonial Caucus, and it is my job to keep the bills moving. Over my very long career here, Senator, I have opposed many a first-term politician who took a stand and died on a hill that wasn’t much worth dying for.”

“Now, we can play hardball politics on this issue,” Fosten continued, “but why should anyone lose if everyone can win? I understand you have a subcommittee meeting tomorrow morning. I am prepared to offer you some concessions, for the sake of your noble people, if you will agree to cast your vote in favor of the amendment. Would you care to hear more?”

The office was buzzing this way and that, everyone paying attention to their tasks and little more, that is, until Fosten interrupted Eyri. It wasn't a well known fact, but Eyri Pharliis hated being interrupted. The Pantoran Senator saw little use in it. Many facts had been overlooked because people prefer to interrupt each other versus listening to the others full thoughts. Rarely, Eyri viewed it as a challenge. This though, was one of those rare occasions.

So she sat quietly, she listened, she did not interrupt Fosten as he had done to her. She eyed her staff, as many of them had almost come to a halt because Eyri had been interrupted. Had Fosten been someone who she was more acquainted with, Eyri might not have kept her level head as easily.

"I'll make no promises until I hear what you have to say." Eyri stated. She was interested in negotiating, even if it was in the slightest, but there would have to be significant promise to her that one way or another, her people would not suffer for this.

"I'm glad to hear that," Towler said, smiling broadly. "My understanding is that your labor force relies heavily on sentient organic labor. As soon as I leave your office, my deputy chief of staff will send over a concept draft for a bill we've written up providing subsidies to developing worlds. The money is earmarked for the purchase of droids and the construction of droid manufactories. It'll go a long way toward modernizing Pantora's industry bases, especially in planetary and space mining, and the jobs provided by the new manufactories will work to offset the job losses Pantora and your fellow holdout senators' worlds will suffer because of this bill."

"Furthermore," he continued, without skipping a beat, "the Republic Navy is looking into the construction of upwards of a half dozen military installations across the Outer Rim. Starbases, shipyards, anchorages, the works. The funding and plans are all in place, the only thing left to argue over is location. A shipyard in orbit over Pantora would bring upwards of thirty-thousand jobs on its own, and with private investment in new factories to support that installation that number can go as high as a hundred-fifty thousand. Pantora will have more jobs than it did when you first came into office, and a stronger economy on top of that."

"You'll have to testify in front of the Committee on Armed Forces and convince them that Pantora is the right place to put it, of course, but we can put you on the list and my team will be with you every step of the way."

"I will have to speak to the Assembly about this first." Eyri said, barely giving a seconds pause after Towler finished. "I cannot move forward with this without first speaking to the Assembly." she said, backing up any question as to why she would not just agree.
This probably was not the best answer Towler might have expected, but Eyri refused to move forward in negotiations before first allowing her people and the Pantoran Assembly a say on the matter.

"You are free to speak to and consult with whomever you like," Towler answered easily, "but it will be far better for you and your people if you vote for the amendment regardless of how the Assembly advises you."

"I will vote for the amendment so that it may move forward, but only so it may move forward. The policies in the amendment are crucial yet many companies will suffer from it." Eyri responded. She had made a list for moments like these, yet now didn't seem like the time for an argument, she would wait.

"Until then Senator Towler I thank you for your visit and your concern over the people of Pantora."
Eyri eyed Fosten as she stood and held out her hand for a respectful farewell. Mister Towler had brought some unnecessary tension into her office. She did not wish to be rude but the Pantoran Senator did need some time to process Towler's offer, and to contact the Assembly to talk about the possible terms.

"Excellent," Towler said, beaming. He stood and shook her hand. "In my experience the difference between a good senator and great senator has always been the ability to turn a defeat into a victory. If you keep up like this, I expect we'll be working together a long time."

And with that, Towler turned heel and left through the office door.

[Jedi] Tython

The shuttle ride had been tense, to say the least. The "prisoners" had surrendered easily, yet Brye wasn't sure what to expect from the Dark Sider, or even from Jaslyn. Standing next to one of her own, a close friend at that, "guarding" her, as an escort, it didn't sit well with Brye. Never had she imagined something like this from Jaslyn, what had happened earlier that day to make her want to parade around with a Dark Sider?

The violent storms, the deaths of Jedi. Brye had hearn whispers already, Elav Chiyoa had been amongst one of the Jedi killed today. While trying to protect their own, Jedi had died on Tython, their home. None of this was right.
The Padawan had spotted Satele but had made no attempt at speaking with her yet. Not much needed to be said, in reality. Brye figured Satele had already gotten word of what happened in the desert, and she did not want to be around when it came to questioning Jaslyn and San. Satele Shan was not one to disobey or anger, especially not by doing something rash such as pairing up with a Dark Sider or striking out in anger.

Still holding Jaslyn's belt, Brye would wait until Satele was ready to speak with her, if at all. Meanwhile, the Padawan brushed her fingers over the cuts on her face, attempting to clean the sand out of them as they stung.

[Coruscant, 6 ATC 4] A House Divided II: A Little Wrong

Eyri Pharliis, Senator - Senate Building Office

---

Hours later, Eyri Pharliis was still in her office. She, in fact, hadn't moved from her chair. Her various staff and aides filled the office. Some were doing their own tasks, datapads in hand, numbers crunched, policies reviewed, and various other things being worked on. Others, aides mostly, ran here and there, in an out, making sure Senator Pharliis had the answers she needed, datapad files... something to drink. Indeed, Eyri had never finished her meal delivered by Iri, had hardly even stopped to drink something for the last nine to ten hours.

She had been working, she was determined to figure this Asteroid Mining Reform Bill out before they forced her to accept the terms and move it to the floor. There just wasn't enough time in the day.
But one thing Eyri was good at was staying focused, finishing her priority tasks and not getting drawn into something else. Priority indeed described the current hologram conversation taking place. Projecting from her desk was the figure of a president heading a non-profit organization on Pantora. This same organization was making a plea for support with funding for a refugee effort in which desanitalization plants would be built in order to provide clean water to the refugees who resided on the Rochii gulf in the coastal land of Pantora.

"Please bring this to the Senate's attention, Senator. We need the funding in order to make this work. These refugees come to Pantora for a new life but we can barely promise them clean, drinkable water."

"I understand that President Valari, I'll see what I can do. The Senate is tied up over a mining reform bill that is taking up most of their attention, I'm not sure how quickly I can push this issue. How many credits does the organization require to get this project off the ground?" Eyri asked, her friend and Chief of Staff, Iri, standing beside her.

"100 million credits, Senator."

Iri interjected quickly, right as Eyri opened her lips to speak, "100 million?! And the organization wishes for the Senate to fund it in full?"

"Yes, Miss Iri. The organization and the Assembly wish for the Senate to pay the funds in full."

"100 million is a lot to ask of the Senate, mister President. I cannot confidently say that the Senate will easily pay this in full, though I will try to convince them best I can." Eyri continued.

"Thank you Senator. Pantora and it's refugees always appreciate your caring heart and continuous support."

"Of course President." Ey finished, nodding her head in thanks as the holographic figure of the president minimized and the transmission was ended.

"100 million credits, Iri... I don't know if I can make that happen. I'm already asking for an extension to the Mining Bill... I can't let it go through as is, and now this? I feel like a child begging for sweets." Eyri rested her head in her hands, taking a deep breath as her mind raced. She had millions of refugees' well-being on the line. Add that to all of her people and the companies who depended on the exception of the Mining Bill being raised? There was too much room for error, for failure.

Iri stood by her friend, a hand on Ey's shoulder in an attempt at comfort. Iri sighed, watching as the rest of the staff scurried around the room, attempting to accomplish tasks. It was quiet for a time, Eyri swimming through the worries in her head, all the people she didn't want to disappoint.

A simple bell rang at the entrance of the office. Eyri and Iri both looked up, the young Pantoran senator attempting to collect herself before she spoke. "You may come in."