Founder's Day

Founder's Day
Date of Scene:	18 May 2025
Location:
Synopsis:	The group attends the Founder's Day celebration in Kublop, and discover the two main suspects for Dresda's death.
Cast of Characters:	159, Navi, Cayde Alexis

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Athena (159) has posed:
Tonight is not a night for staying in, apparently.

Tenoo's 2 moons are both full and bright, and the skies clear. In the distance, the sounds of celebration can be heard, and almost everyone from the colony is waiting either patiently or impatiently at the transit platform for the tram to arrive - for the citizens of Kublop Springs had invited them to spend the evening on the town, as they are celebrating Founder's Day. It's the day Kublop Springs had been founded by Kaliah Kublop, so many years ago - consequently, many festitivies were being held to commemorate this momentous occasion...

Navi has posed:
Navi waits with a slight air of resignation. She wasn't really sure she wanted to go back to Kublop Springs, party or no party, but she also wasn't sure of the consequences of /not/ going. At least the celebration would break the grinding tedium of colony life, or so she hoped.

She's dusted off her one pretty dress for the occasion. The last person she remembers wearing it for is Padawan Imoen, a dear friend she very much misses. It wears more like a tabard than a dress, but she appreciates its simplicity and the elegance born of that simplicity.

She glances at her wristchrono bracelet and sighs softly. "I don't know if I want to get to town, or if I just want this whole thing to hurry up and be over," she murmurs. "Every time I go to town, I feel like I'm walking into a trap."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Founder's Day had Cayde immediately thinking of the commemorations held on Coruscant in celebration of the Republic's founders, the ones whose statues adorned the street outside the Senate Rotunda. But it seems this was a different sort of "founders" celebration. Either way, his natural inclination would have been to hide from the crowds, but lately the young padawan has been trying to step outside of his box a bit more.

    As the tram nears Kublop, he watches the lush landscape fly by out the window.

Athena (159) has posed:
"This will be good for you," Rykard encourages Cayde as they step onto the tram when it arrives. The young padawan will notice it's quite crowded, as most of the colonists have decided to turn up.

Navi may be distracted when Master Yutelli approaches, wearing her formal robes. "Navi," the elderly Mirialan comments, "how nice you look!"

She may also notice that riding at the front of the tram, in the VIP section, is Xera, dressed for the occasion and seated next to Taryn, and of course the tall, blue and familiar Thaarin.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Yes, yes...Cayde knows it will be good for him, even if it makes him nervous. But he has to learn somehow...

    Anyway, watching the landscape whizz by has at least helped prevent him getting lost in everything.

Navi has posed:
"Thank you for your kind words, Master," Navi replies to Master Yutelli, managing a small smile for her. "I hope it's not to risque for colonial life. It was designed by a young woman who enjoyed the challenge of creating a dress and accessories for the very slim price I could afford. Everyone I knew who saw it seemed to like it, so I'm of the mind that she succeeded beautifully."

She looks around the tram as they board. "I see Miss Graf has brought along her retinue. And Cayde is coming, too. I'm a bit surprised by that. He doesn't like crowds... they literally give him a headache. I hope he doesn't get one tonight."

Athena (159) has posed:
Rykard sits down next to Cayde, joining the young padawan in watching the landscape fly by.

Master Yutelli nods. "She does like attention," she says quietly. "Anyway, I do think he's trying. I think it's admirable. Master Rykard will make sure he stays focused." She smiles.

Thirty minutes later, they're disembarking - but Navi and Cayde will probably find themselves stuck behind a large crowd trying to exit the tram all at once.

Bodies will press against bodies, and somehow, Navi will find herself right next to Xera, Taryn and Thaarin. The female Graf bureacrat seems to be in a good mood, though. "Oh, you decided to come too," she says. "How lovely!"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde doesn't mind waiting, although he can feel the beginnings of a headache coming on. He gulps quietly and rubs his head, pursing his lips together as he tries not to let it show.

Navi has posed:
"She does," Navi agrees softly. "I wish both Cayde and Master Rykard the favor of the Force." She contents herself with watching the scenery roll past until the tram arrives at the Kublop Springs station.

She wasn't quite prepared for the crowd trying to get out all at once, and is surprised to find herself so close to not just Cayde, but Taryn, Thaarin, and Xera! "Good evening to you, Xera, Taryn, Thaarin. You're all looking fabulous, I must say," she says, managing a smile for the trio. "I hope the VIP section made for a pleasant trip for you all."

Athena (159) has posed:
Master Rykard helps to guide Cayde forward so that he can get out first and hopefully avoid getting a terrible headache. As they are marching out, the young padawan will glimpse a familiar face - the doctor ...

"I know," Xera says haughtily, then looks Navi up and down. "You dont look so bad yourself." Then the crowd presses forward and she starts to exit, doing her best to get to the front without shoving too aggressively. Taryn nods slightly to Navi but follows Xera, however, Thaarin lingers behind.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Dr. Cassias? He didn't seem like the type who enjoyed these sorts of gatherings...but perhaps it was out of obligation. Once they're out of the tram, the pain eases at least a little bit, but doesn't clear up completely.

Navi has posed:
"Thank you," Navi replies modestly, though she can't keep back a faint blush. She's keeping her feelings well in check, but something about Xera Graf always affects her more deeply than she ever seems to be prepared for, whether in a good or a bad way. Perhaps she reminds her of her late and much-lamented Master... she really must think about that very soon.

She pauses to hug Thaarin briefly, not missing his lingering. "Are you all right?" she asks softly.

Athena (159) has posed:
Cayde also won't need the Force to see that there's something on his mind. His expression seems troubled, but everyone else is too busy heading for the festivities to even notice.

The former naval officer seems a bit uncomfortable when Navi hugs him. He doesn't return the hug. He gives her a faint smile though. "As well as I can be," he says.

But before Navi can reply, she'll hear Master Yutelli calling her name.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Well, Cayde doesn't even recall a time when Soren -wasn't- troubled about something. But the man wasn't exactly on the best terms with him so he hesitates to approach...

Navi has posed:
"Please take care, Thaarin. I'll catch up to you later. Master Yutelli is calling me," Navi says worriedly, giving Thaarin a quicker hug before jogging to catch up with Master Yutelli.

Athena (159) has posed:
But this time, the doctor catches Cayde's gaze, and starts to approach. Unusual, given the uneasy relationship they'd always shared. "Do you mind if I speak with Cayde privately," he says to Rykard, who nods, though he seems puzzled.

But as Navi starts to jog away to join Master Yutelli, one of his the buttons on Thaarin's shirt snags on the fine fabric of Navi's formal wear. He reaches out to grab her arm and stop her from either tearing her own clothes or popping one of his buttons off. "Your clothes don't seem to want you to leave me~" he says chuckling softly, maintaining eye contact with the young Sephi girl.

There seems to be less need for Navi to go over to Master Yutelli, as she's approaching. "Navi...! I saw a tailor selling some fine , durable fabric--"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Now, that Cayde didn't expect. Dr. Cassias usually didn't want anything to do with him these days. But maybe now that Ann isn't around anymore, he's less closed off. He resists the urge again to enter his mind and search his intentions, instead just looking up at him expectantly.

Navi has posed:
"Eep!" Navi squeaks as her arm is caught and she's brought to a sudden halt. The tug on her dress doesn't tear the fabric, thankfully, but does cause the gold synthsilk sash at her waist to be tugged loose, and pulls some of the tabard-like fabric out of position, partly exposing her underwear (which, though she's switched to more conventional two-piece underwear instead of her former one-piece thermal bodysuits, is still fairly modest).

She looks back at Thaarin in surprise, blinking once as she notes the snagged button. "It would seem not," she admits, blushing faintly as she lets him unsnag the button, and sees to trying to straighten up her disarrayed dress and sash.

"Oh! Master Yutelli... thank you for telling me," she replies to the elder Mirialan warmly, still blushing slightly. "I'll be along in just a moment."

Athena (159) has posed:
He guides Cayde over to the front of alleyway that's away from everyone else. Then he asks Cayde, "How was your trip?"

"Well," Master Yutelli says with a smile. "speaking of which, it would seem that a wardrobe upgrade is in order," she says. Thankfully Thaarin politely looks away when her underwear becomes partially exposed. But somehow he manages to help her re-tie the sash, without looking. "No need to be embarrassed," he says, "it wasn't your fault, and no being should be ashamed of their body, anyway."

Navi has posed:
"More like more caution from me is in order," Navi replies softly, still faintly blushing, as she finally gets her dress back in order. "Thank you, Thaarin," she adds softly. "You are a true gentleman along with all of your other very good qualities. Please feel free to join us. If not, I'll try to catch up with you later in the evening." Smoothing her dress down, she moves to join Master Yutelli.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    [It was...very exciting] Cayde replies when Dr. Cassias asks him about how the trip to Ilum went. [We have it...the crystal...] he signs. Then he glances over at Thaarin as he is helping Navi with her wardrobe malfunction. [New friend] he tells the doctor.

    But there must be something else...the doctor didn't pull him aside just to ask how the trip went, right?

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin chuckles softly, and Oona also seems amused. "I think you'll find what the Tenooian artisans have to offer to your tastes, then," she says to Navi. "Their linens aren't what you'd find on Ghor, but they're durable, and pretty, at least, so regardless of whether you find yourself with more or less caution, these incidents will hopefully occur less often."

She starts to lead Navi towards some vendors with pop up booths in a plaza just north of them.

"I think I'll join you," Thaarin says, "and really, you've got to stop being so terrible for my ego," he says with a smile. "I'd like to keep being your friend, after all..."

The doctor barely looks over at Thaarin. He seems worried, and stressed, and Cayde won't need the Force to see that. "... what does the Order have on medical for you?" he asks.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde is trying very hard not to start prying in the doctor's thoughts, but the man is making that very difficult with how stressed he looks.

    He frowns. [What is wrong] he asks, not directly answering the question.

Navi has posed:
"I hope they're less of an acquired taste than Tenooian cuisine, Master," Navi observes, with a wry smile. "And that I have enough money to spare to buy something nice." She smiles faintly to Thaarin. "I never give a compliment I don't mean, Thaarin. And I want to keep being your friend, too, so I think we're both safe on that front."

She moves to follow Master Yutelli toward the vendors' booths. Glancing back toward the tram, she can't help but notice Cayde speaking with the doctor, and her expression turns pensive. After watching for a long moment, she sighs to herself, though she doesn't look away. "I'd just cause trouble for them," she murmurs. She neither likes nor trusts the doctor, for all that she does feel sorry for him. She has inadvertently felt his emotional pain before, and it was terrible. But trying to speak to him inevitably leads to a fierce argument.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Just answer my question," he says urgently, his gaze darting around uncomfortably.

"Why I didn't know you had such a distaste for seafood!" Yutelli exclaims. Thaarin smiles faintly back at Navi, but then his expression becomes more solemn. "About that--" But then theyll be interrupted by Xera, who has just arrived at the same booth theyre standing in front of. "Did I hear someone say something about not having enough credits? Don't worry, dearest. I'm feeling generous tonight and I'll pay for whatever you want to buy tonight."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Truthfully, Cayde isn't quite sure how to answer that question. Not that he doesn't know the answer, but he has an idea what the doctor is looking for, and it's difficult to explain.

    He shrugs. [Annual check results] he guesses, as he recalls that yearly physical exams were the norm and especially when he was a youngling. [Scan data from first time]

Navi has posed:
"Well... it's less the seafood and more the plant-based dishes and local seasonings. Apparently they're not a hundred percent compatible with Sephi digestion," Navi explains, her slight blush returning. "And be careful if you eat the cookies. They may not agree with you."

She gives Thaarin a curious and slightly concerned look, but Xera's arrival interrupts any attempt at a question to him. "Um, thank you, Miss Graf. I'm touched by your generosity," she replies politely and gratefully, blushing a little more at the tall woman's interest in her financial well-being.

Athena (159) has posed:
"I want to see it," he says, his brows furrowing deeply. He seems so distracted, and Cayde will be able to feel the strange angry storm brewing over him. "Tell Pike I want to see it." Then he turns to leave. But there's clearly other things on his mind.

"I didnt know you had allergies," Oona says, "I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully you didnt contract any rashes like Cayde did."

"Oh, of course," Xera says sweetly, "And that goes for you too, Thaarin. I know you didnt come with much." She then starts guiding Navi towards a mannequin with wearing a full length shimmersilk gown. "This one," she says, "youll have to try it."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    But couldn't he tell Pike himself? After all, they both worked in medical. This time, he can't help himself and he tries entering the doctor's mind as he turns away.

    <What's wrong? Master can explain better> he projects to him.

Navi has posed:
Navi lets herself be guided. "It's certainly pretty," she observes, lightly fingering the airy, shimmery fabric. "I hope they have a changing room." She waves a little timidly to get the attention of the stallkeeper. "Excuse me... I'd like to try on this dress, or one like it. Do you have a changing room close by?" she asks politely, blushing a little at the thought of changing into something so luxuriant in a colonial city like Kublop Springs.

Athena (159) has posed:
"No," The doctor says, not turning around, "I dont want to speak to your Master--" he trails off. "Just go. Dont worry about me."

"You're trying it on," Xera says sweetly, though its clearly a thinly veiled demand. But when she waves to the shopkeeper, he nods and shows her to the back, where there's a few wooden stalls for changing.

However, once Navi is inside, there will come a knock on the door. "Navi?" Thaarin will say softly. "May I come in? Hopefully you're still dressed... I'd like to speak privately with you."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde frowns at his back, wondering if the records would even be accessible from all the way out here...

    But as the chief physician, wouldn't Soren have been given permission to take them with him?

    Oh, well...he shrugs and goes back to look for his Master again.

Navi has posed:
Navi had just hung up the new shimmersilk dress and was reaching for her sash when Thaarin knocked. "Um, yes, I am..!" she squeaks, blushing a little but opening the door as surreptitiously as possible. What a place to have a private conversation!

Athena (159) has posed:
Rykard is at the center of the plaza with Master Yutelli, watching some of the locals put up lights on the buildings in the area. He smiles when Cayde approaches. "How did your talk with the doctor go?"

The tall blue alien pushes into the changing room gently, then closes the door behind him.

He glances at the dress, then over at Navi. "It's a beautiful dress," he says, "very fitting for someone like you." He smiles faintly at her.

Then his gaze intensifies, and he fixes her with that burning gaze of his. "Tell me, Navi, and be honest. What do you really think about me?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde frowns. <He is angry...> he answers telepathically. <Wanted medical records> he tells his master, and the elder Jedi can also tell he's wondering if someone had brought them along. If not, it might take a while to arrive.

Navi has posed:
Navi blushes a little more at Thaarin's compliment. "Thank you. I'm glad you like it. I thought it was a little much for a colony town like this, but Miss Xera seemed very taken with it," she says softly.

She smiles warmly at his question, almost unable to meet his eyes for a moment. "I think you are a thoughtful, brave, and thoroughly splendid person," she replies, after a moment's thought. "Though we haven't known each other for long, I consider you a dear friend, and I hope you feel the same way about me."

Athena (159) has posed:
"What an odd request!" Rykard says, looking puzzled. "Any idea why he might have wanted them? Or if there was anything else bothering him...?"

Thaarin seems somewhat relieved for some reason. "I do," he says, kindly, and softly. "I owe you and the others my life," he says, "and I'll never forget that." He pauses, and his tone suddenly becomes apologetic. "I'm sorry if some of my actions were misleading prior to my fluency in Basic," he says, "body language is one way to express oneself when there is lack of ability to communicate properly. You seem rather fluent in it, and I hope to confirm your intentions were platonic...?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <There was something else> Cayde answers, nodding. But he doesn't know what it was. He's been trying not to invade others without very good reason, lately...

Navi has posed:
"They were," Navi says. "Not that you're undesireable... far from it." She feels herself blushing a bit more, but pushes on. "I've never wanted to be anything but your friend. But why do you ask? Please forgive me if I'm confused?"

Athena (159) has posed:
Rykard motions for Cayde to sit down next to him on a bench nearby. "Cayde, I want you to try using words," he says, "remember... I know it was a long time ago," he says, "but I was telling you, to try not to rely on your powers of the mind so much..."

"What do you think was bothering him?"

Thaarin smiles faintly, and chuckles softly, waving a hand dismissively. "You need not fear offending me," he says, "I know you would never try to make anyone feel that way, and really, you should be careful with all the flattery," he says. Then his expression becomes more solemn. "Have you thoughtfully considered why you don't? And by that I mean, what -do- you desire in a person, as far as physical and emotional intimacy is concerned? Does your ideal partner have an assigned gender?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    [Yes master] Cayde signs, nodding.

    He frowns pensively. It was hard to know these things sometimes, without entering the mind. [He saw something... it upset him...maybe]

    Well that's about the best he can muster for now. Truly, the doctor probably wanted answers about a suspicion that upset him greatly.

Navi has posed:
"It's not something I've ever given serious thought to," Navi admits, still blushing a little and clasping her hands low down before her. "I was in the Jedi Order for so many years, and intimacy is frowned upon there. Especially physical intimacy. After... um... after some very bad things happened to me, and I left the Order, all I really wanted to do was find peace and try to heal. That's why I went to Jedha and joined the Shining Brotherhood."

She looks down at the floor, finding the conversation mildly discomfiting. "The last person besides Xera Graf that I was really, really drawn to was a Padawan named Imoen. She was such a dear, sweet person... I actually bought this dress so I could attend a Life Day festival. I didn't have much money for clothes, but I really wanted to look my best. I didn't really think about it at the time, but I think I loved her. Since she was a Jedi, it was awfully inappropriate, but... geez. I suppose emotions are terrible listeners when it comes to reason. So I guess I'm drawn to females. I wonder why... is there really an answer as to why emotions work the way they do?"

Athena (159) has posed:
"Perhaps you should ask him about it later," he says, "I sense that much occupies his mind," he says, "and I do not need the Force to discern this. Were you good friends with the doctor before this?" he asks Cayde.

"Well, you aren't in the Order anymore," Thaarin says softy, "so perhaps it's time to give it some serious thought." The former naval officer smiles warmly at Navi when he sees her discomfiture. "There's no shame in admitting what kinds of people you do or don't like," he encourages, "but I don't blame you for feeling a bit uncomfortable discussing this topic -- it's normal, and natural, after having avoided it for so long." He shakes his head, and gently lifts her chin up. "There's nothing inappropriate about love," he says. "And you should probably stop trying to fully understand your own emotions. They won't make sense, most of the time." He chuckles softly, and pushes a stray strand of hair behind her pointy ears. "You favor physical affection, don't you? Perhaps the Order wasn't for you, after all. But don't let me saying that stop you from reconsidering rejoining. They'd be very lucky to have you again."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde looks pensive again. 'Good friends' was stretching it, perhaps. They had a tenuous relationship. [Maybe...maybe not] he answers vaguely.

    [I asked him] he tells Rykard. [He would not say]

Navi has posed:
"Maybe I should at that," Navi muses. "Physical affection... I guess I do. I hug just about everyone I consider friends. Even a few people I just happen to know. I'm not good with words, like some people, so I guess I show my support with hugs. Sorry if it's confusing. Sometimes it is to me, too. But I still do it."

She illustrates her point by hugging Thaarin tightly, but not so tightly that he can't breathe or move. "You're a wonderful friend, Thaarin. Thanks for helping me like this. And now you might want to slip out of here if you don't want to see me undress... by now Xera is probably wondering if I need instructions just to put on a dress." She stifles a giggle at that sentiment.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin chuckles softly when she hugs him tightly. He receives the embrace fully this time. "Then you shall have it," he says, and kisses her on the cheek gently. "And it's alright. I understand you perfectly, now. Thank you for humoring this conversation..."

He's about to make for the door, but then he stops in his tracks and frowns. He turns to Navi. "Do you hear that?" he whispers. And if Navi strains to hear, she'll be able to hear voices on the other side of the changing room walls. There were two people behind the chambers, talking quietly and urgently.

"Hmm..." Rykard says pensively. He doesn't further comment. But Cayde might notice two shadowy figures skulking in the shadows, heading to the back of the tailor's pop up booth where Thaarin, Navi, and Xera are.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    [I can give them to him] Cayde suggests. After all, he is the chief doctor so it would be best for him to have all the information he need to give the right care whenever needed. He could see about it tomorrow, perhaps. Even if no one brought them, he could probably ask to have them sent over. Even if it would take a while, it was something.

    But he frowns upon noticing some suspicious looking figures heading toward the back of the booth. He reaches out with the Force, attempting to discern who it might be and what they might be up to, as he remembers some of the colonists having questionable backgrounds...

Navi has posed:
"What..?" Navi says, lowering her voice almost to a whisper. She presses her ear to the wall of the booth, frowning slightly. "You're right... someone's talking out there. Weird place to hold a conversation..."

She reaches out with the Force, extending her mind's eye through telepathy, and what she senses causes her eyes to widen very noticeably. "They're talking about the accident that killed one of the colonists... except they seem way too sure that it wasn't an accident. How do they know that?" she asks, her voice low. "Were they involved?"

She reaches for her medical satchel. She had left her retractable staff back in her tent, but her lightsaber was safely tucked inside the satchel. "We may need to be ready to act, just in case they're doing more than talking," she whispers, continuing her telepathic probe.

Athena (159) has posed:
Upon reaching out into the Force Cayde will recognize at least one of the individuals - the Dug who gambled too much, and the other is a Chadra Fan, male, and middle aged. He won't immediately be able to discern exact details, but it is about the lead engineer, Dresda, who had died while they'd been away on Ilum.

Thaarin doesn't respond, but his brows furrow pensively, as he does the same as Navi, attempting to hear more of their conversation.

Navi will be able to discern that there's something that the Dug doesn't want the other to say, but she won't be able to figure out what. She might be about to try to dig deeper when there comes a loud rap on the door of the changing rooms. It's Xera. She clears her throat. "I don't think it should take you that long to get into a dress," she says. There's a slight pause. "Are you alone in there?" she asks, suddenly sounding a lot more angry and demanding.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Dresda...oh, right some engineer who had died while they'd been away, but he hadn't heard many details about it. It seems they are just talking about it, but why so secretively? He keeps trying to find out if they're up to anything sinister...

Navi has posed:
Navi blinks. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Graf. I'll be just another moment or two," she calls through the door. And then she carefully reaches into the Force again, and into Xera's head, telepathically downloading the entire conversation she's just had with Thaarin, from beginning to end, changing nothing.

<Oh, and there seems to be a Dug and another sentient hiding behind the stall, chatting about an accident that killed a colonist. Only the Dug knows it wasn't an accident. I'm not sure what that means... his mind is difficult to penetrate. If you'll give Thaarin a moment to exit, I'll try on the dress as quickly as I can,> she concludes, with a little impression of contrition and regret at making the tall woman wait so long.

Athena (159) has posed:
Cayde will be able to discern that there's something the Dug does not want the Chadra Fan to say, but just before he's able to discern what it is, he'll sense their minds become alert and afraid, as Xera is loudly interrupting their conversation by asking Navi what is taking her so long. They start to inch away from the wall of the changing rooms, their anxiety rising.

Navi won't be able to see it, but Xera's hand closes into a fist. "You're not being honest," she says so softly that Navi might not be able to hear the sentence clearly, but Navi might sense in the Force that despite her honesty, the woman thinks she's deceiving her.

Thaarin suddenly reaches forward and grabs Navi gently by the front of her tabard, drawing her mere centimeters from him so that he can whisper, "...she's... jealous! But she's frightening them away. Perhaps we just let her believe we need privacy of the intimate sort, and she'll leave us alone!"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Wait, why is Xera here?

    Ah, she is jealous because -she- wants to be the puppeteer, not someone else. He'd never quite figured out why Navi won't trust him or listen to him about her, so he takes matters into his own hands as he attempts to redirect her anger and anxiety toward something else by creating the delusion that her commlink is urgently notifying her that a security alarm has been tripped back at her office. She had best hurry back and make sure whomever it is doesn't get a chance to do anything serious! Yes, yes, that's what she's upset about, nothing to do with Navi at all.

Navi has posed:
"I know," Navi whispers back, a bit sadly. "She's the jealous type. But I /don't want/ her to go away... maybe she isn't as sweet and dear as Imoen, but she is still dear to me. I don't want her mad with me over a misunderstanding."

She hugs him, gently this time. "Please let me try to untangle this. Not with deception, but with honesty and earnestness. By now I suspect the Dug and his coconspirator are getting away from here as fast as they can, anyway."

<I /am/ being honest, Xera,> she replies telepathically to the angry woman. <I'm sorry if I upset you. Please don't be angry with me for sorting out a problem between myself and Thaarin that I wasn't aware of until now. But if you still doubt me, ask Thaarin. You know he won't lie.>

Naturally, she has no idea what Cayde is up to as she's saying all this...

Athena (159) has posed:
Navi won't get to know exactly what Xera thought of what she'd said, as she hears her footsteps retreating quickly. She won't know Cayde's involvement in this -- but she may suspect.

Thaarin releases Navi, but his brows remain furrowed. "You don't know her very well, do you?" he says. "You could tell her truth a thousand times, and she'd still not believe you. I could tell her the truth, too, and she also wouldn't believe me. There's no deception, really. Just her unwillingness to believe anything we tell her -- however, it could work to our advantage. I don't believe her jealousy will drive her away. She's far too controlling to just walk away. No, I think she'll just try to control us more by trying to deepen her involvement in our lives."

As far the Dug and Chadra Fan, Navi's right -- by now, they're not even within range of her powers of the mind. They'd have to follow up with them later.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As Xera hurries away, Cayde withdraws, releasing her to the rest of the delusion he'd inserted. She'll probably find her office clean and dismiss it as a false alarm. Those happen sometimes, after all. Hopefully, it at least bought Navi some time to make herself scarce from the Graf woman.

    As for Navi, she may have become aware of Cayde's presence in Xera's mind as she'd been projecting to her, as familiar as she has become with him.

Navi has posed:
"From what I know about her history, she's been taken advantage of a few times, and at least once by someone very dear to her," Navi replies softly. "It probably deeply damaged her sense of trust in her fellow sentients. I don't know why she feels such a need to control things, but I can't help feeling sorry for her. If she wants to be more involved in my life, and as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, I'm willing to let her."

She hugs Thaarin briefly. "I think Cayde may have played a role in her sudden departure... I think I felt his presence in her mind while I was speaking with her. I'm not sure. Anyway, we should go before we miss the celebration, and I should put this dress back. I have a feeling she's not feeling so generous anymore," she adds, releasing him and taking up the dress and hangar.

Athena (159) has posed:
"She's a bureacrat," Thaarin says softly. "It's in their blood."

"I have a feeling this may become tricky to navigate," he says. "I sense she's hiding a great deal, and I'd like to know exactly what." He opens the door of the changing room, but hesitates in the doorway, his expression softening. "You should be careful," he says. "I don't think any of us know what she's truly capable of." And then he disappears into the thronging crowd heading towards the main plaza.