boxofmisfits | The Complexities of Diplomacy

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The Complexities of Diplomacy

It was strange. The Chiss presence that was currently on the planet that Altair had called home for so long. For as long as he had been alive, the only Chiss he had ever seen were his mother and father along with pictures of those who had come before them- going back so far as the generation that initially had been exiled from the Ascendancy. Altair had honestly never thought he would see any others given that while the people on this planet were accepting of visitors and had a bright and vibrant culture that he loved, it hadn't seemed to him that they had anything that the Ascendancy he'd only heard of in stories could be interested in.

How wrong one could be, he supposed.

It was a shame that his parents weren't alive to see it given that they had always told stories of the home that they themselves had likely only heard about from their parents.

Not that he thought that the Ascendancy wanted anything to do with exiles either. His great grandparents had been exiled for a reason, after all- even if he didn't know what that reason was, exactly. Altair was far removed from them but he supposed that they still might see him as having tainted blood, somehow. His parents, his grandparents, and their parents before them had only told pleasant stories but Altair knew that it might very well be some sort of nostalgia and not rooted in any sort of truth.

Not that he wasn't curious.

He was very curious, in fact.

How could he not be when he finally had the chance to see people who looked more like him.

Altair had thought that he would only get to see them from afar- he was no diplomat after all, nor anyone important. But fate had had other ideas when an official had come running to his home to fetch him when one of the few people they had who spoke Cheunh had fallen ill and they had come to realize that they didn't share any trade languages they could adequately hold a conversation in.

As he was led through the halls toward where they were hosting their guests, he couldn't help but wonder how strange that must be for their guests. To initiate contact with a foreign civilization and being met not with a mutual trade language but their own language- though likely badly accented given that it had been a few generations since native speakers had lived here.

It had to be an eerie experience, he imagined.

As the doors to the reception room they had been welcomed into slid open, he brought his hands together in front of himself and raised them to cover the lower part of his face as he tipped forward slightly in a bow. He was Chiss- mostly- but he hadn't been raised like one of them and so he stuck to the cultural practices of his home which called for a certain degree of formality when speaking to someone more important than you. Which the floundering local diplomat who had been mid-charades in attempt to communicate with their guests and their actual guests counted as.

Altair's family had made a life of their own for themselves and had established a workshop that dealt in high-quality silks and embroideries and they- and thus he- were relatively wealthy, but of any particular rank they were not. And thus he would act accordingly and be polite.

"Greetings. My name is Mial'ta'iri," He said, straightening back up though keeping his hands up in the same position so that only his eyes were visible, "And I'm here to replace the translator who fell ill. My apologies for the wait."

And the local diplomat resorting to charades like an idiot. Like as if that would help in any sort of negotiation.

But he didn't say that of course.

His gaze flicked subtly around the room at the group this particular local diplomat was hosting. A few Chiss diplomats of varying ages- including a couple older ones who had looked less than impressed by the host- and in varying colors that Altair thought might signify being of different families. Though he wasn't entirely certain. One of the younger-looking ones seemed like he might be more pleasant than the rest though.

As well as what looked to be military officers- entirely more serious. Guards for their diplomats, perhaps. Seemed likely. Even though the planet was peaceful, there could be dangers to foreigners, after all.

Altair was glad that he was keeping his hands up since he could tell that though his expressions were more muted, he didn't have anywhere near the fine control of Chiss who had been raised properly within their culture.

"I'll also be the one handling any requests or needs you may have outside of meetings."

With one translator down and the amount of guests they were hosting, the people who had this as their day job would be spread rather thin after all and the locals might end up looking like poor hosts. Of course to actually say that would be to make excuses and so he refrained from speaking of anything unnecessary.

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"I would like that." Thrawn said. "I wish to see all manner of the arts that this world has to offer."

"My brother is something of an art lover," Thrass said, walking on their guide's other side. He could feel the stares into the back of his neck from the other diplomats, thinking that they were brownnosing. Probably plotting their own way to show favor and possibly get their families extra benefits.

As they walked, Thrawn would often turn his head to admire something that caught his eye, like a servant's dress or the way the walls were structured.

Altair wondered what the Chiss home world looked like, how different it could be.

"I'll ask him if a trip to the art district can be arranged as well then," He said, thinking that that would probably be good for an art lover. Of course the other diplomats didn't seem nearly as interested, so it was likely that such an outing would have to be done on the man's own time. That part of the city was nice though given that so many talented artists had chosen to settle down there.

He continued leading them down the hall and then stopped right before a turn down another hall and held a hand out to have the group stop in their tracks too. About a second later a courier came sliding around the corner, going at so high speed that he slid on the wooden floors, almost crashing into the wall on the other side before catching himself again and yelling something in the planet's native language as Altair yelled back at him to be more careful- though the guests would probably only pick up on the fact that his tone sounded irritated so it could be confused for a reprimand.

If one was going to run in the house, Altair thought, one should at least make sure to run with heavy steps so people could hear you coming. Especially when one came from around a corner. Had it not been for him, one of the diplomats could have been injured by having a courier barreling into them at max speed.

He lowered his hand then and began walking again to continue leading them toward the guest quarters.

"He will like that as well," Thrass replied. Behind them, some of the others whispered to each other about 'Mitth'raw'nuruodo and his art' in a disdainful way. Even after all this time, they doubted Thrawn's ability.

As they watched the scene with the courier unfold, Thrawn and Thrass exchanged knowing looks, their minds immediately going to the same place. Thrawn shook his head for now. A single instance wasn't concrete evidence. Meanwhile, those behind him were already making conspiratorial whispers to each other, some of them possibly having the same idea.

"Does that happen often to you?" Thrass asked in a low whisper.

"... Does what happen often to me?" Altair asked, looking a bit puzzled.

He did hear whispering from the diplomats, though they were speaking quietly enough that he couldn't hear exactly what was being said. Given that he was a foreigner even though he was of the same species as them, he did understand that they had things they wouldn't necessarily want him to hear and bring back to the local diplomats.

He was just an interpreter, and would likely play the role of being their guide until the actual translator got back on his feet, but he was still a stranger.

He did glance back at the group walking behind them and was fascinated with how even though they were whispering among themselves, their expressions didn't really change much. Not as much as the faces of the natives did whenever they were talking. It did remind him a little of how his parents had been, though his parents had still been a little more openly emotional given that they had been raised outside the Ascendancy too.

"Your powers of observation," Thrass replied tactfully. Make it sound like a practical thing and not a mystical one. Even if the others had already guessed the truth, he found it best to downplay it for now.

Formbi suddenly showed up over their shoulders, practically shoving himself between Thrass and the guide. "Do you often have an idea of what is to happen before it actually does?"

Thrawn and Thrass gave each other subtle looks that practically screamed at each other 'here we go'.

"I'm sure our guide would rather do his job right now, Aristocra," Thrawn said.

Altair sidestepped slightly just as the older Chiss moved between them to make space. That move too happened just a little too easily and without surprise and without ruffling Altair's feathers as though he had expected the exact spot the man had had shoved himself into.

The younger diplomat seemed to be trying to hint at something or at least to avoid prying, while the older seemed oddly excitable.

"It's not like it's a secret," He said, to placate the brothers that he wasn't bothered by the line of questioning. After all, his powers weren't secret to most of the people he surrounded himself with and he had never been encouraged to hide his talents either- in fact, his parents had encouraged him to do the opposite. To make use of his gifts and to nurture that strange talent.

The only time they had discouraged him was when he had used his power as a child to toss furniture whenever he got upset but even then they had taught him healthier outlets for his emotions.

"It's not 'often', it's always."

That was also how he could lead them all expertly through the halls without looking ahead, instead keeping most of his attentions on the guests.

For as long as he could remember, Altair could always feel and see the world around him in a different way from most. As though he was seeing into the near future and acting accordingly to keep himself from having any mishaps.

"My parents didn't seem to know what it was, but I'm getting the feeling that you all might have more people like who are like me."

"Indeed we do," Formbi said. "Such predictions are often a sign of what we call Third Sight."

Thrawn could remember how their sister would often know when someone would be at the door before they heard the chime, or know when someone would trip. Shortly after, she was taken. Thrawn had some some prying, and found out that the children were then tested for predictions before being put to work as sky-walkers.

One of the other syndics, an Ufsa according by the indigo outfit and the crest on his lapel, came forward, shoving herself in front of Thrawn. "How unusual that it should show up someone like you." An adult man, in other words. Third sight was rare enough in boys, so to have a man who kept his powers into adulthood seemed a miracle.

"However did one someone with your talents end up here?" Asked the Irizi, who had also shoved himself to the front.

Thrawn and Thrass could only walk on in silence, watching the spectacle unfold.

It would seem that the offer to be subtle should have been taken and Altair couldn't help but shrink back a little at the way he was suddenly circled by people who were now much more interested in him than anything else. Perhaps he should ask one of the other interpreters to take on more work and look after the group of foreigners even though it would be a lot of extra effort on their part.

He put his hands together and brought them up to cover the lower half of his face behind the sleeves of his robe- a quirk he shared with the locals when it came to hiding their expressions mostly from view. If he'd had any of his silk fans with him he would have used that instead.

Shifting his position he turned himself just slightly to slip between them and position himself closer to the brothers, since that felt more comfortable than being encircled by people who were feeling chatty now but hadn't been earlier.

From how they were talking, this Third Sight was obviously rare and obviously important.

"I was born here," He said, a hint of irritation visible on his face, "My great-grandfather was exiled from the Ascendancy and my family has more or less lived on this world ever since."

According to what he knew of his family history, his great-grandfather had been an exile and had manage to find a way to travel from where he had been exiled too. He had drifted until he had met his Pantoran wife and they had started a family. Along the way they had met more Chiss who had been exiled as well until his parents' generation where the two of them were the only ones left until they'd had him. And now he was alone.

Not that he was about to go sharing the history of his family. Especially since he didn't really know it that well- his parents had likely intended to tell him at some point, but had passed away before they could.

He wondered if his parents would have reacted like these people did, had either of them actually lived in the Ascendancy at some point. But they hadn't. And so they had simply treated him like a normal child who just happened to have a mysterious power.

That made sense, Thrawn thought, and lined up with his own theory. He had actually assumed that Altair's parents were the exiles, though. That more than one Chiss exile had settled here and Altair was third generation was interesting. Thrawn had been threatened with exile more than once, and it wasn't a punishment the Chiss gave out on a whim.

"Have you ever considered relocating to the home of your people?" The Irizi asked.

"My fellows," Thrass interjected. "We came to discuss trade and making an offer to this world, I believe. So, perhaps we should stay on track? I'm also sure that we are all very tired from our long trip, and would wish to rest before the feast."

"I agree." Thrawn said. "By resting, your minds will be sharper for the coming diplomacy." The others with them nodded and gave agreements, more to be polite and not make a scene than anything else.

Altair would have argued that this was his home and that while he was of the Chiss species and had a keen interest in knowing more about them, technically the people of this world were his people. This was where his family had settled and it was where he had grown up. And with the exception of just a few assholes, the people here had accepted his family and allowed them to make a life for themselves on this world.

He would also have admitted that he had never thought of seeking them out both because he was unsure of how to go about it and also unsure that even a great-grandchild of an exile would be welcome.

He was spared from having to by Thrass and Thrawn and decided that among the people present, he liked the two of them the most.

"Resting is a good idea- the feast starts early in the evening, but such an event tends to last until at least midnight in noble households like this one."

Meaning that it would likely be a six-hour affair. Longer for him who had to be there to translate and would need to continue to linger if one or more of them did.

He wasn't exactly looking forward to that.

He led the group through a set of sliding doors and out onto a covered walkway that led to a house that sat in the middle of a carefully tended garden. Another quite fancy-looking building that was connected to the main house by the walkway but also detached enough to feel more private. He led them inside and gestured to the stairs in the entrance hall that led up to the second floor, "The rooms are up the stairs and to the left. They've all been prepared so you can decide which ones to stay in for yourselves."

As for him, given that he needed to stay with them, he imagined that a servant's room on the first floor had been set up for him. Given that he was not a servant he wasn't exactly looking forward to staying there but a job was a job. And better bedding had likely been put out for him considering he was a wealthy business owner.

He hesitated for a moment and glanced off to the side as he debated whether or not to bring it up, "Should any of you wish, I was also informed that robes may be prepared for you ahead of the feast."

They seemed to be quite prideful people, so he wasn't sure any of them would go for the offer of wearing the same clothes as the locals.

"At the very least I would recommend that you all ask for a silk fan. The natives here use them in various ways and to carry one in conversations between people of rank is seen as polite behavior."

"I think I'd like a robe," Thrass replied. "Something in burgundy, if you please."

"I would like one as well," Thrawn said. "Technically I represent the CEDF, so do not worry about the color of mine. We will also both accept fans."

The other Chiss declined the offer of robes, but accepted the offer of fans. They claimed that it was because they'd already packed plenty of things to wear, but Thrawn knew it was mainly their pride. The Chiss went off to find their rooms.

"You may find a room for us, if you please, Thrass. I wish to speak with our guide for a little while longer."

"Don't be too long. I expect you to take your own advice and rest." With that, Thrass vanished towards the guest area.

Altair nodded and made mental notes to prepare two robes and then a selection of fans for them all to pick from. He made a note of the colors they each wore as well so that there would be fans with those colors prominently displayed in case they wanted to stick within the color schemes they already wore. He really did prefer the sort of work where he had to figure out of what style someone liked over being a guide and translator.

Chiss were indeed very prideful creatures, he supposed. He had more or less gotten that feeling from his parents but it was even more obvious in Chiss who had been raised in the Ascendancy. He wondered if that was the norm for all of them or if it was just diplomats and the like. Thrawn and Thrass both seemed to have confidence in themselves without letting it spill over into rejecting anything that wasn't their own though.

He gave a polite bow as they all departed to go to the guest rooms and then tilted his head as the young military officer voiced that he wanted to stay and talk a little longer.

"Is there anything you need?" He asked as Thrass left them, looking quite curious as to what it was he wanted to stay behind to talk about.

"Merely wished to pass along some advice and a warning. You see, your gifts are quite rare among the Chiss, and highly valued. While they are interested in opening up trade with your world, they will also try to convince you to return to Csilla with one of them."

Thrawn leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "All of them are from different ruling families, and you would be a prized individual for any family to lay claim on."

It seemed like Thrawn understood that this world was his home and that Altair might not be as amenable to leaving as one might think.

He had more or less gotten that his abilities were rare and valuable from the way they all acted, but having it confirmed. Well, it did make him slightly more worried. After all there was the possibility that they might not take no for an answer.

A few nearby items rattled as he suppressed the concern that welled up in him, not quite an outburst but enough to nearly knock a few decorative vases off their pedestals and he had to take a deep breath to calm himself- the items ceasing their restless movements as soon as he got his nerves back under control.

"They won't try to force me, will they?" He asked, keeping his own voice low as well.

Chiss seemed a bit too prideful for the concept of kidnapping, but he couldn't exactly be sure given that this was his first time interacting with Chiss who weren't part of his actual family.

Thrawn noticed the rattling, giving Altair a curious look. Others would likely think that was a coincidence. Thrawn didn't believe in coincidence.

"No, they won't force you. But they will try to entice you with benefits, such as a place within their family or other luxuries."

"I see. That's reassuring."

Last thing he needed to worry about was the possibility of being snatched from his home against his will. He had ways of protecting himself, of course. But he wasn't so arrogant as to think that he was unbeatable. He was small after all and still young. Much as he usually hated being reminded of his youth by others.

He would say that an attempt to lure him with luxuries would fail given that he was fairly wealthy, but sometimes it was better to keep his cards close to his chest. He did feel that Thrawn and his brother were fairly trustworthy though.

"... Is there any way to discourage them from making these offers?"

"I would keep your other abilities a secret, to start with." Thrawn said. He had met a Jedi shortly before, and that small display seemed more like a Jedi thing than what a Chiss normally displayed as far as the Force went. It was only through his meeting with General Skywalker that he realized the Force and Third Sight were one in the same.

"At the moment, you hold the advantage, for you could make it so that we fail to secure dealings with this world."

So Third Sight was limited to the power of foresight then- or at least didn't typically include being able to move things with one's mind.

He would need to keep a lid on them indeed then.

He had realized that he did hold a lot of cards. Like the ability to give completely wrong translation to sour the relationship between the diplomats and the natives. That was a powerful advantage to hold.

But...

"I'll take note of that first part, but regardless of how they act, I won't sabotage negotiations. That would be an act of betrayal against my home. And an act of betrayal against my species which I'd also prefer not to do."

Chiss were loyal to each other, from what he'd been told by his family. He wasn't sure what form that loyalty took since he had only had it modeled to him by his parents who also had never set foot on the home world. But they had instilled some amount of loyalty toward their own species in him.

"I won't threaten it, either. I won't squander an opportunity for this planet just because I'm uncomfortable."

"A man of integrity." Thrawn said approvingly, his lips raising in a slight smile. "I would simply rebuff any offers they make you, and remind them of their real purpose in coming here. Remind them that you have a life and a job already."

While Thrawn was notoriously bad at politics, even he knew how special someone like Altair was to the Ascendancy. Thrawn could also tell that Altair had no desire to leave his home world and join a culture he hadn't been born and raised within.

Altair tilted his head at that smile. Very subtle but very much there. Seeing a proper Chiss's expressions was fascinating given that while he himself and his parents had not emoted in quite the same way as the locals, he could tell that the Ascendancy natives were on a completely different level compared to them.

It was even more obvious now that he didn't have a whole group of them to tend to.

It was fascinating.

Altair was pleased that there wasn't that big of a difference in their accents though. A little, but not a lot. He supposed he could thank his family for that as they had always spoken in Cheunh with each other when they were at home rather than in the native language of the planet they were settled on.

"Well, 'a life' might be stretching the truth a little, but I do certainly have a job I'm eager to get back to once the translator who was supposed to be here recovers."

After his parents had passed, most of his days consisted of busying himself with the shop, and while he had friends, they had gone the way of all adults- in that their meetings tended to happen on a schedule rather than anything else.

He did quite enjoy tending to his shop though and working on new designs for the embroidered fans he sold. So there was that at least.

"Thank you for your advice."

"You are welcome. Now then, I should probably get settled in and unpacked. I look forward to talking with you more."

With a bow of his head, Thrawn ascended the stairs and found Thrass at the end of the hall to show him the room he had claimed for them.

They both had a chat about Altair as they unpacked, sharing their thoughts and coordinating how to negotiate for the route and resources.

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The Complexities of Diplomacy

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