-Time skip: 2 months-
Location: Jedi temple - Room of a Thousand Fountains
Over the course of the next month after Zell become a padawan and came under the tutelage of Jedi master Fay, the two began spending a great deal of time together, talking and getting to know each other. Telling each other their strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, flaws, histories and thoughts on a multitude of topics.
To facilitate this Fay made the difficult chose to put a temporary pause on her usual roaming activities for a time, so that she could properly bond with Zell, train him, and develop as master and padawan for bit before she resumed her wandering.
After all Zell was her first student ever, she needed time to fully figure out how she should act as a master to a padawan, and how she'll teach Zell. And where best to do that? The temple where other master where near by that she could ask questions and seek aid in this, if she ever needed it.
And though she deeply yearned to return to space, continuing her calling. Traveling and seeking out conflicts, and resolving them through non combative means. She knew she first had to prepare her student, who would be right by her side from now on. And being that he was her first student ever, she wanted to make sure she gave him all the proper attention and instruction he deserved.
At present the two were sitting down together facing each other on mats in the [Room of a Thousand Fountains] within the jedi temple. A large greenhouse that contained waterfalls, huge amounts of flora, meditative areas, pottery, and stone walkways.
It was a chamber that served as a sort of meditative retreat for the members of the order.
And at some point it become a frequent study spot for Zell and Fay. Usually for when Fay gave Zell less hands on and more literary based lessons using holo texts or scripts to cover things like history, cultures, arts and other scholarly topics.
At the moment she was reviewing with Zell various diplomatic and conflict situations that can occur, and the types of resolution tactics that can be employed to solve them.
Some of them being techniques Fay herself created over the years.
Fay strived to instill into Zell the ways of conflict resolution and diplomacy. This was the main focus of the first few lessons she wished to impart to him.
After an hour passed the lesson concluded and Zell got up to stretch his muscles, but before he could completely unstiffen his master spoke.
"Padawan I have a matter of importants I must discuss with you"
"Yes master?"
Quickly returning to his sitting position upon hearing Fay's words, Zell looked at her with curiosity.
"As you may be aware from all the buzz from various news outlets as of late, senator Finis Valorum has recently been elected supreme chancellor"
"Yes I'm aware, he won just a few days ago as I recall, many are very excited about it"
He said in a slight upbeat tone.
During his early studies into the politics Zell often watched, and studied the actions and debates of various politicians and governmental figures. Such as the speeches they gave, the motions they supported and rejected, how they argued on topics in the senate. As well as the scandals that sometimes came to light on the activities of politicians and senators.
Zell did in order to gain a better understand of the minds of those who were in positions of power, that dictated the direction of the Republic.
And for the most part he was greatly depressed by what he saw.
Categorizing them into three types.
The first, from what he could see were important figures in the government who often acted in a self-serving manner, working mostly to benefit themselves and their collaborators. Rather than for the good of the Republic's citizenry, as people in their positions should. This type pretty much made up the majority.
The second were those who didn't involve themselves in such things, like the first. Normally keeping their eyes down, and avoided taking any official actions or raising any legal complaints against former, as a means to keep from becoming political targets of said powerful corrupt figures.
And as a result, allowing the sickness to continue to fester and spread through out the Republic unchecked.
The third type, were the few that try to actually fulfill their duties to the people, and combat corruption. Sadly are in the minority. And are often at odds with those who only seek to gain wealth and power at the expense of other, usually resulting in them facing constant obstruction, pressure and interference from political rivals when they try to do real good.
In Zell's opinion Finis Valorum, the newly selected chancellor of the Republic was one of the few politics that he saw in a more positive light. Don't be mistaken, Zell wasn't naive enough to believe that Valorum was completely clean of course by any means, Zell was sure that Valorum had undoubtably had at least one or two back room dealings at some point during his political career.
But even so, from what Zell had seen by following his political career from up till now, he definitely saw him as the lesser evil when compared to others possible candidates for chancellery.
Plus Valorum had always had a friendly relationship with the jedi, being an avid supporter of the order something that not too often seen within the senate nowadays.
"What are your feelings about him, if I may ask?"
"Hm...please forgive me master for answering a question with a question, but why do you ask?"
Puzzled as to why his master would ask such a thing, seeing as Zell didn't believe she was the type to get involved with the inner politics of the Republic, he inquired.
"Well it just so happens the council has given us our first assignment together, and its one that will likely have us come face to face with the man"
'wait.... seriously?'
Zell mentally thought to himself.
"You see a small gala is being held two days from now, to celebrate chancellor Valorumo's election, and an invitation has been sent to order. Normally the order tries to avoid attending politically aligned gatherings such as this, but the council has decided to make an exception. Since chancellor Valorumo has been a vocal supporter of the order for years. And I wanted to get your personal thoughts on the man, since you and I have been selected to be apart of the attending delegation that will be going as the orders representatives"
"I see..... well If its about chancellor Valorumo then I'd have to say that I roughly think he's good man, who will make a decent chancellor. At least that what I can infer from the information I've read about him on the holonet. But I can't honestly say more than that since I've never met him in person, so I can't confidently place his character. After all like I said the info I have on him is from the holonet, so its not entirely free from bias opinions and misinformation from the public opinion"
Zell answered
"That's good. A jedi should never draw a conclusion on a individual based on unconfirmed rumors and speculations, such thing should only be determined by our own eyes and ears. While we're at the party hopeful you'll have a chance meet him and see for yourself what type of person he is"
"Right, master"
Master Fay would procced to gave Zell a few more details about the upcoming gala before the two moved on to their next lesson.
******
-Several days later-
Arriving outside the celebration hall that was hosting the gala in the early night, a group of three air speeders transporting the jedi delegation touched down on one of the many connected landing pads belonging to the venue.
From them emerged the 12 selected members that made up the delegation.
Leading the group was the master of the order Mace windu himself, following him were several other well known masters and knights, some of whom had their padawans in tow.
Among them were master Fay and Zell who like the other members wore formal party styled robes causing the delegation to have a uniform feel.
After every one had finished exiting the air speeders Mace Windu directed all the members to follow him into enter the gala hall. As they climbed the large front stairway up to the entrance, fay took a sideways glance to Zell who was walking beside her.
After staring at him for five seconds she spoke.
"I can sense your anxiety Zell, is something wrong"
Zell startled by his master sudden comment, quickly straightened his back from the surprised but managed to calm himself.
"---Yes a little bit master. This is my first time attending something like this, I mean we have been trained at the temple on how act during such forums, but if I'm to be frank--- I'm still a little nervous"
Seeing no reason to conceal his feelings he answered honestly.
"Take heart my student, events such as these can be quite overwhelming for those who are not use to them, its normal, just act as you do normally and I can assure you, you'll do fine"
"I will master"
Taking the words of his master to heart Zell was able to find much peace of mind from her encouragement.
After walking through the entrance and reaching the gala's main floor which was filled with flashy decorations, tables, chairs, a huge buffet that had an assortment of dishes and a large orchestra that was providing music the jedi delegation quickly spit into small groups and spread out to engage the other guest and make small talk.
Mace Windu as the head of the order's delegation swiftly moved to locate and congratulate the host and the man of honor, Chancellor Valorumo, on behalf of the jedi order.
Fay on the other hand quickly moved to an outer wall of the venue, following suit, Zell stayed right by his master's side, the two effectively became flies on the wall.
An hour passed and the gala found itself in full swing, with all expected guests having finally arrived.
Various groups of guests began speaking among themselves, discussing topics of politics intrigue or business opportunities.
Several couples even moved to the central dance floor, and following the orchestra's music began dancing hand in hand.
As the festivities continued on Fay and Zell remained rooted in there selected spot.
"uhm? master are you not going to mingle with the other guests like the other?"
Fay looked down at Zell with a faint smile.
"I shall refrain from such things, in truth I have little taste for such gatherings like these. In truth the only reason I'm attending is because the council strongly insisted that I participate. Seems that several of chancellor Valorum's associates had heard about some of my exploits and show cased a deep desire to possible meet me. So here we are."
"I see, but I'm a little surprised to hear you say that master, of the few guests who have approached us to talk, you spoke to and handled them quite well. As if it was natural to you, like you've done so many times"
As Zell said, though the two tried to remain unnoticed from everyone else attending the event, mainly due to master Fay's wish of wanting to avoid actively taking part in the party, however her presences and beauty sadly constantly worked against her wishes. Drawing the attention of several others to her, resulting in them walking up to Fay and beginning conversing with her.
That combined with the few guests who assuredly knew her and rushed over, Fay had to engage with no small number of people.
During which Fay showed incredible social and conversation skills.
"True, though I don't fancy parties like these that simply aim to pander to ones political achievements, I cant said that I'm not experienced in them. I often attended similar celebrations held by people I've helped during my travels, who wanted to make merry after finally gaining peace. Usually after I assisted them in either ending a long fought war or having helped forged peace between opposing factions"
'I'm not shocked, master has helped many. It makes sense that she's attended countless celebrations from those exploits, and become accustomed to them'
"That being said, the motivations between those parties and this one is very much different. Hence why I'm not too motivated to be proactive here. Besides our mere presence here alone shows our support for the chancellor, so our goal is met regardless"
"So no need for us to go out of our way, is there"
Fay said giving Zell a small playful wink.
Giving a nod of understanding in return, Zell couldn't help but admire his master's character even more than ever. As he inwardly hoped to learn and emulate her ways and principles on similar matters in time.
******
As the night went on an intense feeling began to come over Zell, and intense but silent rumble started growling from his stomach.
'Now that I think about it, I don't think I've had anything to eat his since lunch this afternoon. Guess I was so focused on the Gala I forgot to eat something before we left the temple'
He thought to himself as he placed one hand on his abdomen.
"Please excuse me for a moment master, if its ok I'd like to get us some food. That is if your hungry as well"
Unsure if Fay had also not eaten before they came, Zell offered to get food for the both of them.
Possibly noticing his hunger Fay chuckled and nodded to him in approval.
Arriving at the buffet table Zell quickly filled to two medium plates with various foods and swiftly made his way back, not wanting to keep his master waiting.
As he maneuvered through the crowded sea of guests that suddenly seemed to have thickened out of nowhere, he tried to avoid bumping into to anyone and accidently dropping the plates. Soon he draw closer to the spot he and his master had been occupying.
Finally breaking out of the crowd without dropping the food, Zell caught sight of master Fay again. But unlike when he stepped away she was not alone. In front of her was a small entourage of people, and at the forefront leading them was a noticeable individual.
He was a well dressed, blue eyed, white haired, middle aged gentlemen. Who gave off an air of refinement, professionalism and dignified strength. Traits commonly seen in those born from high class wealthy aristocratic families.
"Chancellor Finis Valorum"
Zell muttered softly.