An Attempted Assassination

An Attempted Assassination
Date of Scene:	16 February 2025
Location:
Synopsis:	One of the marauders near the colony site attempts to poison Lady Graf, Navi prevents her death.
Cast of Characters:	159, Navi, 195

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Athena (159) has posed:
Today is definitely not a day where one might want to spend an extended amount of time outdoors, as the weather looks gloomy and the sound of distant thunder can be heard not so far off.

Regardless, the female Graf bureaucrat is not inside her collapsible penthouse as per usual - she's strolled to the top of the ridge that over looks the valley where the vergence is strongest. She's dressed down (odd for her) and she's carrying an umbrella...

Navi has posed:
Navi finds her there. It's not raining /yet/, but she'd packed a weathercloak in her satchel, just in case. Spying the lone figure holding the umbrella, she calls, "Please be careful near the edge! At least one person has almost fallen from there!" as she walks closer.

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera glances at Navi briefly, then turns away, ignoring her warning and heading straight for that same pathway that the young Sephi girl had gone down with the others that time they'd looked for the Jedi temple.

As Xera begins to descend, it starts to sprinkle lightly, and the sound of thunder in the distance can be heard again, this time a bit closer...

Navi has posed:
"Lady Xera!" Navi gasps softly. "I'm sorry... I didn't recognize you." She hurries after the noblewoman as the first hints of rain begin to fall. "That old temple is dangerous... there's a big and very territorial herbivore down there that doesn't like visitors," she adds, trying to keep up with her.

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera remains unconcerned, and does not slow her pace. "I'm sure it won't be lingering about when it's so wet out," she says.

"Besides, you're with me now, so it shouldn't be a problem?" She says, continuing to descend into the dense vegetation, where even what little sunshine is present on this gloomy day cannot reach the forest floor...

Navi has posed:
"Don't underestimate the wildlife around here," Navi warns softly, jogging after Xera. By the time she reaches the protection of the umbrella, her clothes are damp and slightly chilly. Xera's pace makes it impossible to get her weathercloak from her satchel.

"Were you wanting to see the old temple site?" she asks, after a moment. "I hadn't known you were interested in such things."

Athena (159) has posed:
"Of course," Xera snaps, "I'm paying to renovate it, isn't it my right to know where my credits are going?"

They've reached the bottom of the ravine now, and Xera finally stops, her expression eases. "I'm sorry," she says suddenly, her tone soft. "Coming from a family like mine means keeping meticulous track of where every credit goes. It's not no longer just tradition. It's culture."

Navi has posed:
Navi starts at the sudden outburst, cringing slightly. She's nervous until Xera pauses and apologizes. "I forgive you," she says softly, after a moment's silence. "We may need to take shelter in the temple if this weather gets any worse," she adds, looking up at the sky, or the canopy that hides it. The outburst has been forgotten in the face of more practical concerns.

She keeps her eyes and ears open, listening for the approach of the great herbivore, or anything else that isn't herself or Xera. Her experience with the locally-sourced cuisine reminded her sharply that very little here can be trusted.

Athena (159) has posed:
There's nothing, surprisingly, and that might either serve to unnerve Navi more, or ease her nerves.

Xera continues to walk, and the wind starts to pick up. "...now, was there something you wanted to say to me? About last night."

Navi has posed:
Navi blushes faintly, looking down at her feet. "I... I think you're beautiful. I realize that most people probably do, but... um... I still think you're beautiful," she manages, hesitantly, her words coming slowly and with effort. "I've wanted to get to know you for a long time, but I never seemed to find the chance to do so."

The wind picks up, and she hugs her elbows against the chill, wishing she'd worn a heavier jacket. Her damp clothes don't help.

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera doesn't seem flattered, or particularly enthralled by Navi's compliment. "Thank you," she says, but her demeanor is proud and gives off an air of Xera seeming to think the compliment is fact, rather than opinion.

She smiles when Navi says that she'd wanted to get to know her for a long time, but had never had the chance to.

Xera, despite having a nice rainjacket and a couple other layers underneath, does not offer the young Sephi girl more clothes. She just takes Navi's hand gently, and continues walking through the wooded area. After a moment, she says, "Well here you are now. You wanted to get to know me, I should hope you're not going to waste your chance?"

Navi has posed:
Navi swallows, hard, unsure of what to say. She hadn't expected to find herself so tongue-tied when this moment came.

Xera's demeanor isn't helping her confidence. Her telepathic training tells her unflattering things about the tall woman. "What makes you happy?" she asks after a moment.

Athena (159) has posed:
She smiles, in that unpleasant way again. "Success," she says, "Is that what all beings want, deep down? To be loved and adored by those who matter in society," she says, "To be noticed. To be noticed enough that others begin to want to be noticed by me," she says.

She squeezes Navi's hand lightly. "Now, you tell me, what do you want out of life?"

It has started to rain harder, and the young Sephi girl may notice that visibility is starting to get worse and worse. Despite it being daytime, the dense foliage above them is making it very difficult for any light to pass through, and it is very dim down here. So dim, that even Xera's face has fallen in shadow and Navi won't be able to see her expression very clearly.

Navi has posed:
"Knowing that... I'd be happy to be noticed by you," Navi replies, just a bit nervously. She manages a smile, a winsome one, in spite of her anxiety.

"I... I want to find peace, I suppose. I don't think I've been myself since my Master died, and everything that came after that... it's just been terrible," she adds softly. "It's why I went to Jedha, why I joined the Shining Brotherhood. And for a while that seemed to work."

She looks up as the rain begins to come down harder. "We need to get to shelter, Lady Xera... I don't think this rain is going to stop anytime soon," she says, just a bit worriedly.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Mm." Xera says without compassion,"So what is peace to you? What do you think will bring it to you?" She ignores Navi's warning and keeps walking. "I didn't know your Master died. That's a pity."

Xera comes to a clearing, that same one that Amarik had taken her to not so long ago. Except the fish and glowing bugs aren't there anymore, the tree is bending in the wind, and water looks rough. Strange how turbulent the place seemed now that he wasn't there, by sheer coincidence, or will of the Force.

Somewhere across the pond, there's a suspicious rustling...

Navi has posed:
"I still miss her terribly. She was more than a teacher and a trainer; she was my friend," Navi says, after a long moment. "You remind me of her, just a little." But Xera's attitude is almost the polar opposite of that warm, beloved person who now lives only in her memories. "Peace will bring me... peace. Calm. An end to pain, to sadness," she adds, less certainly.

She almost doesn't recognize the clearing. Is it just the weather, or does her present company also play in? She doesn't know.

Her hand darts to her lightsaber as that rustle cuts through even the sound of the rain. "Watch out, Lady Xera," she warns softly. "We're not alone."

Athena (159) has posed:
"And how do you plan to bring yourself peace," Xera asks, an irritated edge suddenly creeping into her tone of voice. She starts to go around the pond, apparently still adamant to go see the ruins, despite the weather and strange rustling in the bushes.

There's a distressed meowing sound, and Navi may sense that there's something small, furry, and fourlegged there. It appears to be in distress...

Navi has posed:
Navi blinks at the woman's irritation. "Through the Force," she replies. "Through meditation and helping my fellow sentients. That's what the Brotherhood is about."

As Xera continues around the pond, Navi pauses to check on whatever is making that meowing sound. "One moment please, Lady Xera? I think there is a small animal in distress here," she calls after Xera, even as she searches for the source of the piteous cries.

Athena (159) has posed:
"And how's that working out for you?" she asks. When she starts to go check on whatever is in the bushes, Xera snaps. "I thought you said this area is dangerous," she grumbles, "so much for being concerned for my well being."

Navi will find there is in fact, a small tooka kitten in the bushes. It's shaking with fear, is totally soaked, and alone. Poor thing! However, when it sees Navi, it hisses and darts off into another adjoining copse of trees. The young Sephi girl won't need the Force to discern that the kitten doesn't realize Navi poses no threat to it, and is just frightened.

Navi has posed:
"Until recently, rather well. But my life has taken a lot of unexpected turns this last year, so I haven't had as much in the way of peace," Navi says. "And if you'd stop for a moment I could still protect you /and/ try to save this poor little Tooka kitten. Could you please stop, knowing that?"

She moves slowly toward the trees in a crouch. "Here, kitten-kitten-kitten... no one will hurt you. Come to Navi, sweetie?" she calls softly, trying to coax the frightened creature out of hiding, with the aid of her telepathic training. At least it's no longer running away from her, but it doesn't seem to want to come into the open.

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera doesn't reply to Navi, and she doesn't bother to wait up for her, either. She continues to slowly make her way towards the ruins, which is in the opposite direction the tooka kitten had gone.

The tooka kitten meows again, less afraid now, and seems to be about to allow Navi to scoop it up when suddenly, a shadow leaping from an overhanging branch a few meters north of it catches its attention. Distracted, the tooka kitten starts to chase the shadow, clawing desperately at the tree it had seen the shadow leap from.

Navi has posed:
"I'll catch up!" Navi calls after Xera. The leaping shadow startles her almost as much as it does the Tooka kitten, and she has to redouble her efforts with her telepathy to coax the kitten to stop and hold still.

Taking a knee, she reaches out with both hands to try to gently gather up the soaked kitten. "Come here, darling," she whispers tenderly. "Let's get you warm and dry."

Athena (159) has posed:
The tooka kitten hesitates, and lets out an anxious meow, but allows Navi to gather it into her arms.

Navi may be startled, and perhaps shocked, upon getting a glance at the shadow leaping to and fro from tree branch to tree branch.

The individual is wearing Amarik's mask, and his usual Nihil attire. But is it... him? Something feels off. If Navi reaches out into the Force, she'll discover that he doesn't feel nearby. His presence is unmistakable. But it doesn't feel close. In fact, it feels far away...

Navi has posed:
Navi tucks the kitten into the front of her jacket and, steatying it with one arm, rushes after Xera. Reaching through the Force, she realizes with a start that this masked figure isn't Amarik at all, for all that it's dressed in his Nihil clothes and mask. She tugs her lightsaber free from her satchel, keeping it in hand against any possible danger.

"Lady Xera! Watch out!" she shouts ahead of her. "I think we're being followed!"

Athena (159) has posed:
But Xera is nowhere to be seen at all. The Graf noblewoman must have gotten ahead of herself and plowed towards the ruin without Navi.

And now the rain isn't just a sprinkle. It's pouring, and the thunder overhead is loud enough to frighten the tooka kitten even more. The wind is reckless, bending the trees and whipping cold droplets into Navi's face as she tries to look for Xera.

Navi has posed:
Navi comes to a full run as she makes for the ruins, and potential shelter. Whoever this intruder is, they're agile and quick, and clearly associated with Amarik. How else would they have access to his clothes and mask?

She reaches out with her telepathy and is startled to discover that the Nihil is none other than Lotus, the sinister little minx that seems so fond of Cayde. "Trying to get me in trouble, are you?" she murmurs, cradling the tooka kitten against her chest with one hand to soothe it. "Now I just need to find out what troublesome plan's rattling around in your vicious little head..."

Athena (159) has posed:
Unfortunately, the ruins don't provide much shelter. They'll stop Navi from getting utterly drenched, but the stony structures are still susceptible to the wind, and the young Sephi will find herself still getting struck by the larger raindrops and the occasionally twig blown loose.

Realization will dawn upon Navi suddenly - Lotus' presence is retreating, the deed is done. She'd left a venomous snake near where Xera had been wandering, and Navi may suddenly catch sight of a familiar pale hand laying on the ground behind a pillar not too far from where she's taking shelter...

Navi has posed:
With a surge of horror racing up her spine, Navi rushes over to that limp hand, unable to think of anything besides Xera's safety and her own foolishness at being distracted by the Tooka kitten. The only way the poor creature could have been left out here is if Lotus had left it there.

Only when she gets closer does she remember the potential danger. Igniting her lightsaber, she creeps closer, alert for any danger. Even if the snake Lotus had left for Xera is gone, there may be other threats nearby...

Athena (159) has posed:
There doesn't appear to be any other threats nearby, thankfully. But Xera doesn't look well, at all. Her face is porcelain white, and Navi will be able to see on her ankle where the snake had pierced her skin with its fangs.

The area around the injury is turning purple, and the skin on Xera's calf is starting to turn an ashy gray color...

She needs anti-venom, asap, but there was no way Navi would be able to make her way back up path to the colony site, at least not right now. It's raining way too hard, making traction on the muddy and slippery slope impossible...

Navi has posed:
Navi glares after Lotus, then carefully gathers Xera up and carries her deeper into the ruins, further from the blowing rain and debris. Setting her down as far from the entrance as she can get, she kneels beside her, plucks the Tooka kitten from her jacket and gently sets it on the ground, and begins to meditate, focusing on Xera's body in general and her blood in particular, working to try to break down the snake venom by degrees and strengthen her immune system against what remains. Maybe she can't get out of here until the rain stops, but at least she can keep Xera from dying.

"Please don't die," she whispers as she works. "Maybe you really are selfish and mean, but I can't make myself believe that that is all there is to you. Please... please stay with me..."

Athena (159) has posed:
Thankfully, Navi's efforts slows the effect of the venom in Xera's system, buying the Graf bureaucrat some precious time. Will it be enough to wait out the rain? The young Sephi girl will have no way of knowing.

She may become aware of the sound of approaching footsteps near the ruins, and before she can even look up to investigate who it is, she'll find herself confronted by two masked marauders - the Shani woman, and the Twi'lek.

"Kriff!" the Twi'lek woman says. "Dead already...?"

"No!" the Shani woman says. "Not yet, anyway." She comes nearer to Navi. "What the hell are you doing here?" she hisses. "What happened here?" They don't seem to have any intention to harm her or Xera, strangely enough. But if they're around, then perhaps Amarik is nearby. Perhaps he'd help her, or perhaps she can convince these two to get her somewhere safe, warm, and near a medic.

Navi has posed:
"Lotus happened," Navi replies, unable to keep all of the anger out of her voice. "She left a venomous snake near the ruins, and it bit Xera. Moreover, she distracted me so that I wasn't with Xera when she reached the ruins." She indicates the Tooka kitten. "She guessed that I wouldn't leave a frightened and distressed kitten to die out here, and she was right."

She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I don't for a second think you two were involved with this. That said, Xera is likely to die here without help. She needs someplace warm and dry, an antidote, and better medical equipment than I've got."

"I know we're not friends or allies. But she's dying, and I don't know if I can save her in this awful place. Can you help us?"

Athena (159) has posed:
The two marauders seem only partially inclined to believe Navi, though they don't seem think the possibility of Lotus doing something like this to be outrageous or at all surprising.

The Shani woman folds her arms. "And why should we help you?" she says. "Why shouldn't we just let her die? She deserves it after all, and her death will likely benefit us."

The Twi'lek woman leans towards Navi, and the young Sephi girl might not be able to see her face but she'll be able to hear the smirk in her tone of voice. "Well you know that we're not allowed to make these kinds of decisions without... Zealot. He's the reason we're here, after all."

Navi has posed:
"Maybe you'd rather see her dead, but I don't think Amarik would agree," Navi adds matter-of-factly. "He's had many opportunities to kill her, even just since she arrived on this world, and yet he's stayed his hand. I think he /wants/ her alive, for now at the very least."

She's not going to air out ALL of Amarik's secrets, but she's not in a position where she can take chances on keeping completely mum.

Athena (159) has posed:
The marauders scoff. "I knew he was foolish to trust you!" The Shani woman says. "But I suppose he always knew that Tenoo might end up a -dead end- for him." She chuckles.

"If you're so certain that he wants her alive, then why don't you ask him yourself? He's around, you know. And given the nature of your relationship with him, I'm sure you have a way to contact him."

"We'll humor you," the Twi'lek woman says. "if we hear it from himself that the pretty rich brat should be saved."

Navi has posed:
Navi rolls her eyes at the Shani woman. "Right. You're just enjoying daydreaming about me naked and covered in ketchup," she observes wryly, even as she reaches out through the Force...

<< Amarik? I'm sorry to bother you, but Xera needs your help. She's been poisoned by Lotus, and your friends won't help save her without your say-so. Please, help me. >>

Athena (159) has posed:
"You're too skinny to eat," the Shani woman scoffs. "Gain some weight, then maybe your wet fantasy can come true," she says derisively.

She'll be able to sense that given how far away he is, he can't quite discern exactly what she's saying, but he knows she's in distress and needs something from him.

And sure enough, several minutes later, he arrives. The mask he's wearing isn't the one he typically wears - leaving Navi to wonder how Lotus had managed to get her hands on his typical attire.

When he sees Xera he stops in his tracks. The young Sephi girl will be able to sense a brief shockwave of emotions roll off of him - anger, confusion, frustration, and sadness. He definitely didn't personally want Xera to live.

"..."

He turns to the other marauders. "We can take her to the Twilight Spectre." He turns to Navi. "There's a medic aboard." He scoops Xera up bridal style, and then turns to leave, expecting Navi and the others to follow.

Navi has posed:
"She needs antivenom... she was bitten by a poisonous snake. Ask Lotus about how it happened," Navi replies, rising and gathering up the Tooka kitten, then rushing to follow them. "You might also ask her why she was wearing your usual clothes and mask." She lets the Shani's taunt pass; it's the least of her worries by a long shot.

She inwardly hopes she can borrow some dry clothes once they get there, or at least a warm blanket to wrap up in. This day has been a lot wetter than she ever wanted.

Athena (159) has posed:
Amarik leads Navi deeper into the valley, and the young Sephi girl will have to watch her step as they descend into the lower parts of the valley, where the vegetation is even denser and greener than where she'd been earlier. There may even be a few times where Navi almost loses sight of Amarik and the other marauders.

But about twenty minutes later, she'll find herself in front of another of those strange, cobbled together looking vessels that were so distinctly Nihil. It's nestled in a large clearing west of a rocky embankment adjacent to a rushing river, and looks as ominous as the last one she'd boarded.

Navi has posed:
Navi follows with all due care. The jungle isn't forgiving to trekkers, and she's no exception to that rule. She's very much relieved when they come in sight of the parked ship, ugly and ominous as it looks.

Amarik (195) has posed:
The gangplank to the Twilight Spectre lowers, and permits them all aboard, then closes after them.

Amarik silently shows her to a room.

"Whatever you need you may avail yourself to," he says, "I'm going to take her to the medic."

And then he disappears into the dimly hallway, the door to the room shutting behind him.

Navi may be surprised the find the room is... cozy. It's clean, warm, well organized, and even has several ceiling to floor windows which give her a wonderful view of the lush greenery outside the ship. In the corner, there's a small reading nook with a twin sized duvet, several blankets neatly folded on top of it. Adjacent to the reading nook are the refreshers, adjoined to a closet full of towels, linens, and dry clothing. A hot shower! Now -that- would be nice...

Navi has posed:
"Thank you. I'm sorry to put you in this position, Amarik. It seems like all I do is impose on you," Navi whispers, then steps back as Amarik departs.

She doesn't hesitate to strip off her wet clothes and avail herself of the hydroshower, to try to get the chill out of her bones. The Tooka kitten is left on the duvet, wrapped in a snuggly warm towel to soak up the water in its fur and keep it warm.

Amarik (195) has posed:
Whenever Navi finishes with the hydroshower, she may find herself in the closet looking for a towel.

There are several, folded neatly and stacked neatly on a shelf within reach, and she'll also find some warm and comfortable looking tunics hanging in above them. There's also... clean underwear in a basket on the shelf next to the towels. What kind of being exactly was meant to wear it, Navi won't know, but it certainly would fit a humanoid sentient of either female or male gender.

Navi has posed:
Drying herself with one of the towels, Navi wastes little time in slipping into the provided underwear, and taking one of the tunics from its hangar to unfasten it and study it.

"Whatever else you may be, Amarik, you definitely keep a very nice ship," she observes softly, beginning to shrug into the tunic.

Amarik (195) has posed:
Her attention may be drawn to the tooka kitten, who has apparently become tired of being wrapped in warm blankets and wants to be freed. It's meowing loudly, and trying to wiggle out.

In its struggle to free itself of the blankets, it falls off the duvet and onto the floor with a muted -clonk-!

Navi has posed:
Navi kneels beside the duvet, carefully gathering up the Tooka kitten. "Oh, you poor, silly thing! Don't you know it's better to be warm than wet?" she chides the kit gently, cradling the tiny creature against her chest and gently petting it from head to tail tip. "You sweet little silly... what kind of person leaves something like you out in the jungle like that?" She sighs softly. "It makes me want to take a lightsaber to Lotus's face..."

Amarik (195) has posed:
It purrs, and seems pleased by the petting, but then suddenly leaps from Navi's lap and goes to swipe at a kettle sitting on a boiler across the room.

If Navi doesn't get up to stop it, it'll knock the thing over!

However, if Navi gets up to investigate the kettle, she may find that there's actually tea in it. It smells wonderful, and she'll be able to feel warmth emanating from both the boiler and the kettle. The tea is fresh, and still warm.

Not only that, but there's some delicious looking chocolates and nuts sitting in a bowl next to the kettle.

Indeed, this room didn't seem at all to belong to the criminal sort.

Navi has posed:
Navi hastily snatches up the kitten, placing it back on the duvet before it can knock over the kettle or the boiler. "You really are trouble, aren't you?" she asks softly.

Upon smelling tea inside the kettle, she pours a cup and takes a long drink. It's hard to believe such an aristocratic room could belong on a ship like this.

"Bet this is your room, Amarik," she murmurs. "I can't see any of the rest of this crew letting me wear their stuff or anything like." It's hard to conflate the man who keeps this room with the man who treats with the evil woman who leads the Nihil, or the man who doomed an entire starliner full of people just to try to kill his former fiancee. "Just who are you, Amarik?"

Amarik (195) has posed:
The tooka kitten meows in protest, but is obviously too weak to resist when Navi snatches it up, and away from the kettle.

Speaking of Amarik - just as she's musing about the Tholothian man, the doors to the room slide open and permit him into the room.

"She's stable," he announces. "Likely won't wake until tomorrow, but the rains will stop before dusk today, and you'll be able to return to the colony before nightfall, if you're lucky."

The young Sephi girl won't need the Force to sense that he's... somewhat distressed. Seeing Xera must have brought back all sorts of bad memories and negative emotions.

Navi has posed:
Navi blushes faintly as Amarik returns. "Thank you for saving her. I realize you don't have any compelling reason to do so," she says softly. "I'd expected Lotus to be a danger to Cayde, but I never thought she'd try to kill Xera Graf, or try to cause me so much trouble. Do you have any idea why she would wear your clothes and mask?"

Amarik (195) has posed:
"..."

The Tholothian man doesn't say anything, instead he sits down on the duvet and rests his head against a hand with a sigh.

Navi will be able to sense that he'd been very close to refusing Navi's request, and just allowing Xera to die. She deserved it, after all. But he'd remembered that he'd made a promise to give Navi a year to change her, and he'd never broken a promise after making it.

After a moment, he finally says, "Pop is mostly harmless. She will not attempt to kill or eat anyone, unless she has a very good reason to do so. Now, Dart, she's close with Pop, and likes to lie and play games. It is possible that they know one another's true names, a rarity among our Tempest, since knowing one's real identity is often a death sentence. And then Lotus, well, she would kill me if she thought she could get away with it," he says simply.

Navi has posed:
"Pop is the Shani woman, then? And Dart the Twi'lek woman?" Navi asks softly. She's never been sure of any of their names, unless it was Amarik's. "Lotus I know, even if I wish I didn't."

She stands and, sitting down beside him, hugs him gently. "Who are they all to you? Besides crew, I mean?" she asks softly.

Amarik (195) has posed:
"Yes," he says softly, resting an arm around her shoulder when she comes to sit down next to him on the duvet.

<Tentative allies> he says. <Most of them I only know by their aliases, and they only know me by mine - Zealot>

Navi has posed:
"I just realized that I called you Amarik when I was speaking to Pop and Dart," Navi murmurs, eyes widening. "I'm sorry... I didn't know about the whole matter of aliases..."

Amarik (195) has posed:
He suddenly sits up, and Navi will be able to sense a spike of frustration and distress protrude from his conscious and pierce her. "Too many people knowing is a guaranteed death sentence," he says.

The young Sephi will then become acutely aware of how heavily Navi weighed upon his conscience. He had done so much for her, and she had done very little for him in return. He did not resent her for it, or expect anything from her in return, but it did make him tired.

After a moment, he calms down, and lies back down, resting his head on her shoulder. <It's... fine> he says, though Navi may sense that he'd only said that to ease her conscience. <Xera will find out I'm here, eventually. It's only a matter of time. And then everyone will know everything about me.> Navi will be able to tell that terrified him, but he did not want to admit it to anyone, not even himself.

Navi has posed:
Navi hugs him just a bit tighter, sighing heavily. "How can I help you? I'm little more than a damned parasite to you, and I don't want to be," she whispers. "But what the Nihil seem to want is... abhorrent to me. It was Nihil who killed my Master, too. It's all so confusing and frightening..."

Amarik (195) has posed:
He rests an arm around her shoulder again, and takes one of her hands with the other. <I used to be so afraid of ... this. Of what we shared. Of you.> he tells her softly. <It was terrifying to know someone knew me so intimately, knew my every secret>

<But now, I realize it's freeing. I feel safe when you're near. And the only people who ever made me feel that way have been long dead now. You're already helping me, just by being here> She'll be able to tell he's getting drowsy, he's exhausted.

And a couple minutes later, he's fallen asleep on her shoulder...

Navi has posed:
Navi smiles faintly, and wryly, hugging him gently. With one hand she gently takes up the rebellious but sleepy Tooka kitten, places it on top of his head, and gently pets it with her free hand until it dozes off.

"I don't love you as a lover," she whispers, tenderly kissing Amarik's cheek. "But I do love you."

Amarik (195) has posed:
The Tholothian man is faintly awake when she tells him she loves him, and though he's barely aware of what she's saying to him, the young Sephi girl will feel a thrumming in the Force. And just like that, she'll feel their bond in the Force thicken, and become unbreakable. It's unsettling yet peace giving at the same time.

But then she'll hear soft footsteps near the door to Amarik's quarters, and she may not need the Force to suspect that the chances it's Lotus are very high...

Navi has posed:
Navi quietly lays Amarik down on the duvet, plucking the Tooka kitten from his head and placing it on his chest instead. Then she picks up her lightsaber, just in case. Lotus isn't nearly her favorite person.

"Come in and we are going to have some very serious words," she murmurs, squelching some very unflattering names that leap to mind.

Amarik (195) has posed:
The Cathar girl is swift, Navi will have to give her that - in seconds, she's in Navi's face, pressing a hooked dagger under the young Sephi girl's chin. "How did you know it was me," she hiss whispers, "How did you --"

But before Navi can ignite her saber and ward Lotus off, the girl lets out a strangled scream and collapses, blood spewing out of her mouth, a small knife in the back of her neck.

If she looks up, she'll see Amarik standing over the Cathar girl, and Pop lurking in the background, chuckling. "It's stopped raining," he says softly, "I think it's time for you to fetch the Graf woman and return to the colony site."

As for Lotus, the girl is crawling away on her hands and knees, leaving a trail of blood behind her...

Navi has posed:
Navi flinches away from the point of the knife. "You're the only... person on this ship whose... shoes squeak," she retorts softly. It's pure bantha fodder, but Lotus won't know that...

And then she cries out and squirms backward on the duvet as she's splashed with blood and Lotus collapses. She looks up at Amarik and Pop, but especially Amarik, with wide, wide eyes.

"As soon as I take another shower..." she murmurs, looking down at her bloodstained limbs and borrowed clothes. "Sorry for using up so much of your clean laundry..."

Swiping at her face with the sleeve of her now bloodstained tunic, she looks to Pop. "Please forgive me for believing you vicious and bloodthirsty," she says contritely. "Zealot has taught me the error of my unfair judgement of you."

Amarik (195) has posed:
Amarik inclines his head, then waves a hand dismissively. "It's fine. You can keep it."

Then he turns to leave, to give Navi full privacy if she wants another shower.

Pop chuckles. "He really likes you," she says, licking her lips. "That's dangerous. For both of you." She smirks. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Then she pivots on her heel and makes her way back down the corridor.

Navi has posed:
Navi definitely wants another shower, if only for the blood that splashed her. "I won't," she replies softly to Pop, rising and trying to both ignore and avoid the trail of blood left by Lotus as she makes her way back to the hydroshower. It's been A Day, in any language in the galaxy.