A Drill Puzzle

A Drill Puzzle
Date of Scene:	25 October 2025
Location:
Synopsis:
Cast of Characters:	159, Zetha Rumir, Cayde Alexis, Navi

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Athena (159) has posed:
It's a sunny and quiet afternoon at the junkyard, and with all that has transpired in the past few days, both Wiis and probably Zetha are perhaps on edge. The Mandalorians had been found, and the marauders, that very same day, had vanished from the streets and retreated back into the Gorge.

So things have settled down and are back to being peaceful -- perhaps -too- peaceful.

Either way, neither of them will be surprised when Thaarin comes knocking, after all he'd promised to check in about the drill, which is what had prompted his visit to the junkyard that first time he'd come...

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha is the one who comes to answer the door. Though she only opens it a crack at first until she sees it's only Thaarin who has arrived. Not surprising, but it's a welcomed sight compared to who else could be standing there...

The door finally opens more wide and Zetha offers a kind smile but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Thaarin. Welcome. I didn't expect you to come so soon but...please. Come in. How are you?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Actually, Thaarin isn't the only one who has arrived. Cayde is with him, standing to the right and slightly behind him. He nods politely when Zetha opens the door, although he doesn't actually look genuinely happy.

Athena (159) has posed:
The tall blue skinned man nods and smiles faintly, but there's a weariness about him, although that wouldn't have surprised Zetha at all, he's looked tired ever since the Mandalorians had arrived.

"I'm alright," he says, ducking to enter their humble abode, "What about yourself?" He steps aside to allow Cayde to come in as well.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"I'm fi--" Zetha begins, but then she shakes her head. "I've been better. Honestly. But we're all still alive so that has to count for something." She still jerks sometimes at sudden noises, bumps in the night, but that's nothing she'll outright share. Her gaze shifts to Cayde and she offers him a faltered smile when she sees he's none too happy. "Hey Cayde. How are you?" She figures she knows the answer but might as well see how he answers.

Walking further in then, she speaks further. "You mentioned coming by about the drill? I'm afraid there hasn't been any time for me to try and put it back together as I had hoped. But...was there a question about it you had?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    [I am okay] Cayde signs to Zetha in reply, coming in after Thaarin. Right, the drill. They'd been looking for evidence. -Actionable- evidence...before all this.

Athena (159) has posed:
He gives the young Twi'lek a compassionate look. "I'm sorry," He says, "and well, that's understandable," he continues, "it's alright. You're free now, right? Perhaps we could work on it? If you don't mind?"

Then he glances around, probably looking for Wiis. "Perhaps Wiis could assist as well?"

Navi has posed:
Navi had awakened late after the events of the previous day, and had been playing catch-up all day since. Consequently, she arrives at the junkyard a few minutes behind Cayde and Thaarin; luckily, she'd spent the night in Kublop Springs, so she didn't have to deal with the hours-long tram ride from Whatever Bend.

"Sorry I'm late," she says softly to those assembled at the door as she jogs into the dooryard of the junkyard, with a quick hug for each of them. Zetha gets a slightly longer one; Navi knows a vulnerable soul when she sees one.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
What else could Zetha say except that it's fine? Cause it's not fine. She's terrified on the inside, but she can't express that to just anyone. Especially not a group of people. "I am free now, yes. So we could....." Then there's suddenly a Navi and she's getting a hug - which she returns. She also - almost - breaks ... but manages to hold firm.

"Uhm. No. No I'm letting Wiis rest a bit." Which is Zetha's excuse for not wanting Wiis to be out in any sort of open if she could prevent it. Keep her in places where sniper fire has less chance to hit her. Then she takes a breath. "Come on. The drill is...likely precisely where you left it."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde frowns, seeing that Zetha is rather distressed...scared, even.

    [I will protect you] he tries to assure her. [And Wiis] he adds.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin nods in greeting at Navi, then turns to Zetha. "Look... this could take your mind off of things a bit," he says softly, soothingly. "And you can talk to us. You know that, right?" His scarlet eyed gaze levels with hers.

He nods when she says Wiis is resting, and then starts following Zetha.

Navi has posed:
"That's good. I think that's the first thing I've heard about that's actually where it's supposed to be since I took this job," Navi observes. "As for Wiis, I'm glad she's okay. No need to wake her."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha looks to Cayde, and it's in her eyes. Her true emotions will always be in her eyes no matter how else she tries to bury them. "I know you'll try. Cayde. And that's all I can ask..." But Cayde doesn't know what happened. And this isn't the Zetha Show. They came here for a purpose and she's not going to cause them to stray from that.

She then looks to Thaarin and gives a nod of her head. "I know I can...and I presume we're safe enough here to talk about it. I don't think there's any probes or whatever recording us. I just...I'm still getting used to being open with people. Like really open. If that makes sense." Zealot did just land, threaten and then take off again.

Navi gets a nod, but nothing more. And then she leads them to the main opening of the junkyard where that cart still sits with the drill pieces atop it. "Right then..."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Try? [But I will] Cayde insists, looking determined. He frowns. What had happened? Well he knew about a few things, but there was something else. He follows her over to where the drill pieces are still laying on the cart.

Navi has posed:
"It does. It makes a lot of sense," Navi replies sympathetically. She hovers near Zetha's elbow as the Twi'lek girl leads everyone to the remains of the drill. "Has something happened since the last time we were here?" she asks, gently.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Yes," Thaarin says softly in response to Navi, his expression growing wearier for brief moment.

"One step at a time," he tells Zetha. "Would you like to tell us more about what it is exactly that you agreed to do? For the marauders? Regarding the Mandalorians..."

He then sits down across from the drill bit pieces, and then starts picking up pieces that look like they could go together.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Not all the marauders. Just one." Zetha says. "And not all the Mandalorians. Just one." As if that makes a difference. "Zealot came here one night. Actually...it was the night you had come to work on the ship, Thaarin, and then you almost passed out so I sent you into the house. As I was getting back to the ship...Zealot came. Landed in front of me. Pointed a blaster at my head. Made a thing about how he had the cortosis back, and he's upset because he apparently helped work out the deal that Wiis had made..." She begins...

She picks up a few pieces of the drill as well, actually somehow fitting them together and perhaps trying to work out how to bind them. "He threatened me. He wants me to seduce the Mandalorian I know as Jasper. Because Jasper's got some lab somewhere and he wanted me to seduce Jasper, which would make him trust me enough to show me the lab. Put a probe in the lab.... because of...something going on that isn't good." That's all she says for now. Except she adds, "When I asked him what would happen if I refused...that's when he pointed a sniper rifle into Wiis' room...and...I..." Okay. THIS Is where she stops, because this is where she may just break apart. Again.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde frowns, listening to Zetha's story. A lab? Well maybe this 'Jasper' is the one behind the experiments involving a 1 year old adult human. But why should -she- be endangered? Why would Amarik threaten -her-...

    He shakes his head before she can finish. [I can do it] he insists. [Zealot will not harm you]

Navi has posed:
Navi sighs, hugging Zetha tightly. "Sometimes I really hate that guy..." she murmurs, cradling the Twi'lek girl against her. She wants to cry herself. But she can't, because Zetha needs her strength here and now. "So Zealot wants a probe into whatever lab created Jasper. I smell those shifty Arkanians behind this," she murmurs.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin's brow furrows. "Zetha, I'm.. I'm so sorry, I wasn't aware. I guess I was just so tired..."

He sighs, suddenly looking tired again. He picks up another piece of the drill. "I see the efficiency of it, though it's brutal and dangerous," he says softly. When Cayde offers to do it instead, Thaarin shakes his head. "Cayde, you know that's extremely risky. The Mandalorian will resist you. What happened at the farmstead --"

"Of course they're responsible," Thaarin says, "they've been making themselves so scarce lately, and I'm sure the doctor's concerns about their experimentation with genetics isn't unfounded."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    [Better to be me] Cayde argues when Thaarin says it's risky. Well of course it was, but it was better than endangering Zetha's life, wasn't it?

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"But that's the other thing..." Zetha begins. "The other day. When we were in the gorge and we found those naked men? You called them Kassady and Caine. But...they look /just/ like Jasper. In matters of hair, facial features and such..." She then sighs. "And previously..." She looks to Cayde then. "When you found me in the cantina? The first night I met Doctor Cassias without...realizing he was the therapist Crane referred me to... it's Jasper that I was meeting." There's a pause. She's not even focused on the drill anymore.

"That night. Jasper invited me to the Colony. He had actually /offered/ to show me something he had been working on. Putting it all together. I'm pretty sure it's this very lab. And when Doctor Cassias and I talked in the colony the day after Zealot threatened me. I told him...I gave him the probe Zealot gave me. But that's when I offered to do it. I don't think I'd even have to seduce Jasper. I'd just have to find him...tell him I had a change of heart. Because I need a change of scenery or something..." She glances to Thaarin again then. "Which is why I told you what I told you before we went to the gorge...you've tried everything else. Maybe I'm the bait you need to finally hook the fish."

Navi has posed:
"I don't like the idea of using you as bait, Zetha. Not at all. But I also know what it's like to need to do something," Navi says softly. "If you're really committed to this, we can try it. With some adaptations made for the sake of your safety."

She glances to the drill bits. "Now maybe we should try to put this stupid thing together. I'm tired of thinking about it."

Athena (159) has posed:
"I don't like it either," Thaarin says, "but Cayde attempting to persuade him using his powers of the mind seems just as risky. And those are really our only two options." He sighs.

"However... you're right, Navi. We could make it safer, we could have her escorted from a distance. We could place a tracker on her, to ensure we know where she is at all times." He turns back to the drill bit and hands Zetha another piece of it. "And we should make sure that you have a way to tell us to extract you, immediately, if at any moment you feel start to feel unsafe."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde doesn't really like it, either. Why did Zetha have to risk herself at all? But it seems no one agrees with his ideas, so he just sighs and starts picking up a few of the drill pieces with the Force. Maybe he'll just have to find Jasper himself, before everyone else does.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Whichever way is the way to go. I just...I don't know where Jasper is. Or if he's now in hiding or just sitting in the lab because of what all else has transpired." Zetha offers this and then takes the offered piece from Thaarin to try and place it together with the other ones she has. "Weird though, isn't it? That those two look like Jasper? Has there been anything indicating that they're cloning people?" Because what else could it be? Triplets? With one seeming like they're only years old? She shakes her head and then glances to Cayde. "Do you think you could get inside his mind? They say it's just as risky but...we're all going to have to work together if this is going to succeed. And I'm willing enough to be bait, but also to keep our options open..."

Navi has posed:
"I was Master Windu's assistant in the medical lab before I put on this badge," Navi observes. "And if I ever saw anyone whose whole demeanor just screamed 'unethical', it's those Arkanian scientists. I wouldn't put cloning past them. We already know that the Vergence makes for larger and healthier lifeforms in its vicinity, which is probably why they built that research lab so close to it. It's the kind of thing that might make major medical and scientific breakthroughs possible."

"Cayde or I could try to get inside his head, if we could find him, though Cayde is better at that kind of thing. He might be one of the two we netted yesterday... did anyone ever find out why they were stark naked and unarmed?"

Athena (159) has posed:
"Unfortunately, I've no idea either," Thaarin says, "the doctor suspects that yes, the Arkanians have attempted cloning. Navi's right about the vergence. It makes things that might not ordinarily be possible, possible. How successful they've been, well, only time will tell." He gives Zetha and Navi a severe look. "I just don't think that's a good idea. We all saw what happened at the farmstead. And cloning ... well it's never been attempted by anyone before. Not even where I'm from, has it succeeded. We don't know what kind of havoc that might wreak on his mind. Even with Navi there, it's just not something I think would go well. And while I don't feel particularly sorry for him, the last thing we need is a psychotic clone of a man we already deem untrustworthy..." He turns to Cayde. "You'll have to be part of the escorting party. We all will. No one will be doing this alone. I'll figure out the finer details and brief everyone when the time comes, but in the meantime, you should get some rest," he says to Zetha softly.

"Have you any means of contacting 'Jasper'?" he asks her. "Perhaps that's all I'd ask of you. Find a way to reach out to him..."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde just continues to fiddle with the drill pieces as they float around in the air in front of him, slowly rotating about. Some of them fit together, but there's nothing to hold them there except the Force right now. Had he ever heard any of what was just said?

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"I can't..." Zetha says almost suddenly. "Everytime I've tried to sleep...it's all I see. That kriffing blaster pistol settled right between my eyes. Or the sniper laser pointed right at Wiis' head..." She says this and then shakes her head. When Thaarin asks about her having any way to contact Jasper, she shakes her head. "I don't. At least, I don't think I do? I'd have to check and see if he ever gave me his contact details."

Navi has posed:
"Jasper might get nervous with so many people around Zetha, but her safety's a lot more important than his trust. We'll find another way if he refuses to talk to us. Like turning Cayde loose inside his head," Navi says, idly watching Cayde assemble the drill in midair. "Cayde, did you catch all of that?"

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin reaches and strokes Zetha's shoulder briefly before withdrawing his hand. "Zetha, you're safe. I don't trust Zealot, but if Cayde doesn't want you hurt, then he won't lay a finger on you or Wiis." He pauses. "I think."

He sighs. "I'll talk to Cayde later," he says to Navi, "as you know, he just doesn't pay attention well during group sessions like this." He turns to the young padawan. "You should probably give those to Zetha," he says to him.

"'Jasper' won't have to know,'" he tells Navi. "We'll set it up so that he won't know there's anyone watching or tracking her."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde does his best to hold the drill pieces together, and moves them in front of Zetha. Maybe she has a welder, or something?

    But his gaze falls at Navi's comment. Right, as if he's some kind of out of control weapon or torture device. A last resort, an ultimatum. Like a bomb. But it was true, wasn't it?

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha finally gets it in her head that she needs tools for this, and so she reaches over and grabs her nearby toolbox, setting it down and grabbing things one at a time with which to screw, pound, or otherwise make the pieces fit together like they should. At least the ones currently in her hands. There's a glance given to Thaarin then and she shrugs. "Maybe I'll conk myself in the head with a wrench... seems to do the trick nicely." Then she winks at him. Wait. Is she flirting? Openly? Surely not!

"He likes to stick to the shadows. Doesn't like to be seen. This much I know about him...mostly. Except for the one time he came to the convent. Again, I'll just have to see if I have his contact info." She pauses a moment. "So what's the point of us putting the drill back together anyway?"

Navi has posed:
"We can do our best on that, Thaarin, but that doesn't mean he's blind, deaf, or stupid. We'll need a contingency plan, just in case he realizes he's being shadowed," Navi suggests, watching Zetha work on the drill Cayde's holding up for her. Off Zetha's question, she shrugs. "No idea. I guess the justice system likes jigsaw puzzles?"

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin chuckles softly at Zetha's comment and gazes fondly at her for a moment, but then his attention is turned to Cayde. "You can do better," he says, "I -know- you can. I fully believe you're capable of it." He nods at Navi. "I'll think of something," he says, "don't worry. We'll have a contingency plan." There always had to be one, if Cayde was going to be involved... of course.

"Well, perhaps he'll turn up if he hears you're looking for him?"

"We need the drill put back together to validate some evidence that was aggregated against a certain colonist, Weniscio, for the murder of a Dug named Dresda."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde just continues to hold the drill pieces there as Zetha gets her tools and sets to work, his expression still unreadable but his demeanor noticeably unhappy. He still doesn't look up, even after Thaarin's attempted encouragement.

Navi has posed:
"Okay, then. I guess that makes sense." Navi keeps her attention on being moral support for the seemingly fragile Zetha.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha looks over the pieces as they come together and then nods her head in a sort of final way. "Alright. This piece is done." She offers this and then tilts her head. "Suppose it isn't enough that I could testify the drill was tampered with by a certain Chadra Fan and what he bought from here?" It's viable evidence, and it's even recorded. Even if the Chadra Fan was 'never there'...Zetha still recorded the sale. Otherwise Wiis would have had her head. She sets the one bit aside and down before looking at the other pieces. "This might take longer than anticipated..."

Athena (159) has posed:
"The Republic court systems will want both," Thaarin says, "Your eyewitness account, and the hard evidence." He pauses. "They might even want all of us testify back on Coruscant... I don't know when. Perhaps it could a welcome change," he says to Zetha.

"It's alright," Thaarin says, "take your time. I've actually got to head back to Aklyrr, there was something Miss Graf wanted to discuss with me. But I'll see you all soon." He stands, and ruffles Cayde's hair affectionately. "We're still going to need you," he says softly, encouraging him, "when the time comes, to protect Zetha should the Mandalorian mean her harm. You're co-deputy, after all. You too, Navi." Then he takes his leave.

But just as he leaves, another familiar presence makes himself known. 'Crane' must have seen Zetha head down to the junkyard that morning and had been missing her. Or... well maybe it's something else. He's running, and waving at the group gathered around the drill.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Yeah, sure...they will need him. To be the backup plan. The 'to hell with everything' option if things didn't go well. The monster in the cage to be unleashed only if nothing else worked. Because that's all he's good at, apparently.

    He lets go of the patched together piece of the drill, and then starts working on another section.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Sounds good, Thaarin. Take care of yourself and see you soon." Zetha offers as the man heads out. Though she looks back over to Cayde after a moment. "You know. Giving us all the silent treatment isn't very fair. I've had to learn to talk things out because holding it in isn't good. So...why are you being all broody silent suddenly? You understand I volunteered for this whole thing right?"

Then she catches 'Crane' coming into the junkyard and she smiles a little while giving him a wave in return. "Crane! Hey! What brings you to the junkyard?"

Navi has posed:
Navi waves to Thaarin. "Be safe," she says softly as he departs. "She's right, Cayde. Holding it in just lets it fester. Let us help you work it out," she advises gently.

But as she sees 'Crane' coming, she scowls faintly. "Just passing by and thought he'd drop in, no doubt..."

Athena (159) has posed:
"Zetha, Navi!" he says, his electric indigo eyes bright. "The governor of Kublop Springs is going to host a gala at his manor. The whole town is invited."

"I want you all to come," he says, looking over at Zetha, and then to Navi, who, despite noticing her scowl, reaches over to grab both her hands and hoist her to her feet.

He looks to Cayde. "You, too," he says. "I think you'll like it too, Cayde."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde, liking a gala? Or any party whatsoever? In what world does Amarik live in now? The padawan also isn't giving Crane a very pleasant look.

    << Why you threaten Zetha >> he immediately asks. << You lie and you hurt her >>

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Wait. As in like... now?" Zetha asks and then she shakes her head. "I...I don't think..." Then she thinks back on the first time she met Jasper. At a fancy place, among fancy people, and her standing out like a sore thumb. Would he be there? "If the whole town was invited then how is it we didn't get any sort of invitation aside from you suddenly coming into the junkyard and letting us know it's happening?"

Navi has posed:
Navi comes to her feet at 'Crane's' urging. "A gala? Sounds fun, but it's odd that we haven't heard about it until now," she says.

Athena (159) has posed:
< I didn't hurt her > The Tholothian man responds. < And I had no plan to. Look, she's fine. I didn't shoot her, or Wiis. And now she'll help us. Listen, the Mandalorian is planning abominable things. And we cannot waste time, trying to find out a way into his laboratory. Besides, I think it will be good for her. She'll learn espionage. It's how I learned >

"Of course not," The Tholothian man says. "It'll be in two weeks time. He just announced it, less than ten minutes ago, in the town square. You'll hear about it, soon enough." He hugs Navi, and the young Sephi girl will be overwhelmed by a sense of affection coming from the Tholothian man.

Then he turns and takes one of Zetha's hands. "I really want you to come," he pleads.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <Why she need that...I could have done it> Cayde argues, frowning. <You should tell her truth> he continues. The Tholothian will be able to tell that he isn't in a good mood at all. Something Navi had said earlier.

Navi has posed:
Navi returns 'Crane's' hug in kind, unable to keep from reciprocating some of that sense of deep affection.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Two weeks. Zetha takes in a breath and then shakes her head. "I'll think about it. I make no promises. Fancy things and me haven't gotten along very well." Besides, it's not like he's asking her in any capacity outside of the whole town being invited. She doesn't know what other conversation is happening, and therefore she'll turn and go right back to putting drill pieces together. She has to keep her mind busy. She might just work on this all night.

Athena (159) has posed:
<The Baron will not come at your beck and call. Neither will the Arkanians> He tells the young padawan. <In fact, he knows your association with Volken and knows to keep well away from you. Even I do not know where he is right now. And you will not find his laboratory without him>

<You know I can't do that. It would destroy her, and then the truth about my dual identity would reach Xera. And if that were to happen, she would declare war upon the marauders and raze anything that got in her path of vengeance. It may happen, anyway, but the longer we can avoid this conflict, the better. Besides, I have news about the cortosis. Volken and his ilk no longer have it. They gave it to me, willingly, for information on the general whereabouts of my employer. And now, it lies at the bottom of the Temple, in a place unreachable except through the power of Jedi mystics. This should please you? I did it for you, because you're right about the Mandalorians, and because I wanted you to be happy>

"You'll come, then?" he says to Navi, and then looks to Zetha. "I'll be there. I'll make sure you have a nice time."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <You shouldn't be with them> Cayde argues. So what if Xera drove them away? Maybe that'd force Amarik to rethink his position.

    ...or, he could just tell Zetha himself.

    The news about the cortosis doesn't seem to improve his mood. The result of the entire ordeal hadn't been the problem, really. It was more how everyone else had treated him throughout. And nothing could change that, or the roots of it.

    But he shrugs and goes back to helping Zetha reassemble the drill. <Thank you.>

Navi has posed:
"If I'm not busy with more work, I'll come. It's been a long time since I got to dress up," Navi replies to 'Crane'. She looks between Zetha and Cayde thoughtfully, not missing the tension on Cayde's face.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"I said I'll think about it." Zetha reaffirms. "That's the last I will say on the matter for now." If 'Crane' actually looks at her. Really looks. He may see in her eyes the slight puffiness from fighting back tears, the lingering terror because she just lamented her tale about what Zealot did to her not knowing that she isn't really in any actually true danger. The truth would ruin her? She's already ruined. And in truth if she learned that it was all a ploy...breaking her will be the least of anyone's worries.

As Cayde rejoins her to reassemble the drill she looks up and over to him. Setting her tools down a moment she signs, <You okay?> Perhaps trying to make it subtle so the other two don't see her communicating with the young Jedi privately.

Athena (159) has posed:
<I know> he tells Cayde. And then to both Cayde and Navi, he says, <And recently, I've been thinking that once this is all over, if I somehow manage to survive... I'll have to disappear. The marauders won't want a Republic fugitive among their rank, that will draw unwanted attention from the RDC. But I hope you realize that once Xera finds out, people are going to die. Just my head on a platter won't be good enough for her. Some of them will be marauders, many of them will be colonists.>

'Crane' doesn't say anything else, instead, he plucks three flowers from a nearby tree and offers them to Navi, Cayde, and Zetha. Except for Zetha, he places the flower in her lekku and offers her a faint smile.

Navi has posed:
Navi accepts 'Crane's' flower, sniffing softly before tucking it into her hair, above her left ear. < For what it's worth, from someone knowing just how much you have to answer for? I really do hope you find peace, > she says softly. Noticing Zetha's struggle with unshed tears, she hugs the Twi'lek girl gently, trying to soothe her by gently petting her lekku.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    [I am fine] Cayde signs back to Zetha, although he still looks rather unhappy. [But thank you...] Then he just resumes a downcast gaze, not looking at her.[I don't know] It seemed random, but it was meant in response to the earlier questions about 'broodiness' that are most likely still on her mind.

    <Not if you show good> Cayde replies. As in, prove to everyone that he's truly decided to leave that life behind. He glances at the offered flower, but doesn't take it.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha would sign something else to Cayde but then they're being invaded by others so she leaves it. If only she could talk with him telepathically on her own. Maybe she'll offer to do that whole mind trip thing again sometime soon. In all truth she wants to shove the flower out of her lekku. She wants to run into her room, flop onto her bed and sleep. But sleep hasn't come much, and shoving away a gesture seems rude. Perhaps even harsh. She doesn't know the whole truth yet. Just her truth.

Her terrifying, sleep depriving, unforgettable truth.

So she continues to busy herself with the drill again. She says nothing. Barely leans into the hug that Navi gives her. Keep busy. Work. Don't think. It'll all come to pass eventually.

Athena (159) has posed:
<No, Cayde. You don't who I am. You don't know what I've done. Even if I could be reborn, a lifetime of good would not redeem me. Xera would not forgive me, and neither will the law. Navi knows, and understands> He brushes Navi's cheek gently. Then he squats and squeezes Zetha's hand gently. "I'll see you back at the convent?" he asks.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde just sighs, looking even more dejected. But that's the only response Amarik will get.

    Zetha will feel some of his presence touch the edge of her mind. <If you need help to sleep...> is the offer.

Navi has posed:
Navi releases Zetha. "If you need to talk, I'm always available," she says quietly, withdrawing into the next room.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha feels that squeeze to her hand and she looks over at Crane. Can he see it now? All the emotion she's trying to hold back? The fear in those purple eyes? When he asks that question, she gently pulls her hand away and shakes her head. "No. I have to stay here. Fix this drill. Protect Wiis." The words are spoken softly as she goes back to picking up pieces to see what parts of the puzzle fit best before she makes them stick together again. "I don't think I'll be back for a while..."

She glances up at Cayde with a new look in her gaze. Puzzled. <If only because I don't understand...how? Like I'm not questioning whatever it is...I just don't know what it is.> She's likely liable to squish her fingers in the drill bits as she pushes them together whilst not paying much attention.

Athena (159) has posed:
He pauses. He looks to Cayde, and then to Zetha, and for a brief moment, he looks sad. "Okay," he says softly. "You don't need to be afraid," he says to her, "the co-deputies will protect you."

<I'm sorry> he says to Cayde. <One day, I'll tell you everything. And you'll understand, that some mistakes can't be fixed, no matter how much good you do. If the Republic finds me, I'll spend the rest of my life in solitary confinement on a lonely, remote planet away from everyone and everything>

He notices she's being careless with the drill and reaching for her wrist, pushes her hand away while pulling the drill pieces away. "Maybe you should take a break? You almost hurt yourself just now."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <I calm the mind> Cayde answers simply, shrugging. She'd seen that rooftop garden scene. Even that might be nice to sleep in, wouldn't it? And even if not, he could create anything, if she'd let him.

    He doesn't respond to Amarik's further arguments that he doesn't understand, it only seems to deepen that sad abyss.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Not if Zealot comes in the middle of the night, upset that she's taking too long. Finds out she's been talking to others about it and decides it's not worth the price he's paid or...whatever other horrible terrible thing that Zetha's mind can think of. Because she doesn't know the truth. Because the truth would destroy her more than the lie already is.

Then her wrist is being grabbed and she snaps out of whatever side quest her mind was taking. "I...I'm sorry. I'm just tired. I'm so tired..." The tears finally break free, rolling down her cheeks as she looks at Cayde. Right at him. And just nods her head. Her mind whirling. <Whatever it takes. I just want to sleep.>

This wasn't the same person a couple days ago in the gorge. When she saw those two men who looked like Jasper, it made her question things. Re-telling the story because she finally had the courage to admit she wasn't okay further opened the flood gates that were now crashing against the dam she had built in her mind.

Soren might very well be getting a call or text soon.

Athena (159) has posed:
"You don't have to apologize," Crane says. Then, with some effort and if Zetha lets him, he'll lift her up bridal style and carry her to the couch, laying her down on it gently. Then he picks up a blanket and covers her with it, tucking her in, just like Wiis used to when she was a little girl.

Then he steps back, to let Cayde help her quiet her mind, or who knows, perhaps Zetha will fall asleep even before the young padawan begins...

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde nods and sits down on the edge of the couch, taking one of her hands and focusing on calming her mind by creating a scene similar to the rooftop garden he'd shown her before. It takes a few tries, but he eventually manages to send her there. A place far away from all her troubles, where the air is perfect, and a quiet, clear waterfall gently splashes into a pond. There is a small cottage, with a bed exactly her size that feels more comfortable than anything she's ever slept on, even at the convent.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
It's likely sometime shortly after Cayde takes her hand. Zetha's eyes were closed, tucked in like Wiis used to, which brings a bit of calm to her. Then the place Cayde sends her to. Where there's no blasters or sniper rifles. Nothing else tugging at her. Just peace. Moments later she's out. Or so it seems anyway.