Nightclub On Vuundalla

Nightclub On Vuundalla
Date of Scene:	26 May 2025
Location:
Synopsis:	Navi and the Jedi visit a nightclub offworld to chase down one of the suspects associated with Dresda's death.
Cast of Characters:	159, Navi, Cayde Alexis, Pike Windu

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Athena (159) has posed:
With the return of the Jedi to Tenoo revealing that some rather unfortunate events (a murder, perhaps, to be specific) had occurred during the months while they were away, those who had been away would find their work cut out for them as soon as they'd touched down back at the colony site.

There'd been rumors circulating, about whether the lead engineer who'd died (a rather suspicious Volpai named Dresda) had been murdered, and about two particular individuals (A Chadra Fan Navi is familiar with, and a Dug named Weniscio) having been involved. Why, and how, were the questions of the day.

The local private investigator, Arsok Vons, thankfully, had found a lead on the Chadra Fan - somehow, he'd gleaned intel about him leaving the planet this very night, presumably temporarily, to visit another more established planet in the Bri'ahl sector - Vuundalla. The Zeltron private investigator had immediately brought it up to the Jedi and their allies, and hastily made plans to discreetly follow the Chadra Fan to his supposed destination - a nightclub in the capital of Vuundalla, not far from the royal palace.

Navi has posed:
Being familiar with the Chadra Fan, Navi came along to try to reason with him if it became necessary. So far she's had a good relationship with most of the colony's Chadra Fan population, and just maybe that's enough to prevent any trouble.

"Wonder why he decided to go here? I hope he's not running away from the trouble in the colony," she observes softly. She's wearing a dark hooded cloak over her normal clothes to make her distinctive features harder to recognize.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde is along with them as well, since if the suspicious Chadra Fan was unwilling to speak openly about it, there was always the more direct route. The padawan also has the hood of his robes up, and he keeps his gaze lowered, and does his best to keep the noise of the drunk, partying, and stars know what else out.

Athena (159) has posed:
Once the group has arrived at the nightclub, they'll find themselves in the lobby, barred entry to it by two muscular Zeltron bouncers and a crystalline reception desk. A Pantoran woman with garish makeup sits behind it, giving them condescending looks.

Vons takes one look at the bouncers and the receptionist, and then ushers them into the small hallway adjoining the lobby that leads to the men and women's refreshers. He grumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay, have any of you -actually- been to a nightclub before? You know what, don't answer that." He waves a hand dismissively. "Just... wait here. I'm going go get some clothes that you all can actually -wear- inside the club." And with that, he exits the club, leaving Navi and the Jedi to think what they will of what had just happened.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike glances down at his attire and hmphs. "Jedi clothing is never out of fashion. I've worn this in nightclubs and dives."

Navi has posed:
"Nice crowd..." Navi murmurs as Vons ushers everyone into an alcove. "That's a good idea, actually... Please do. I don't think I can actually afford any new clothes on my total lack of a salary."

"Master Windu is not wrong... I've actually worn my Brotherhood robe into several clubs on Coruscant, and my present outfit should be acceptable," she adds. "I wasn't aware of any strict dress codes in force here."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde arches a brow at Vons as he leaves to get 'acceptable' clothing. He hasn't been into clubs personally, but he's certain others have gone into clubs with the Order's usual attire. If the bouncers needed 'convincing', he could take care of that, couldn't he? Besides, if Vons has so much experience in said clubs, why hadn't he told them to prepare beforehand?

Athena (159) has posed:
However, while Vons is gone, a familiar but unexpected face will appear in the lobby - Thaarin. He's dressed up and looks very nice, but the Jedi and their allies may wonder what -he's- doing here. He'd made no mention of coming to this exact location, and certainly did not seem like the kind to venture off world simply for the sake of a good time.

He's about to approach the receptionist with a charming smile but then notices them lingering in the hallway near the refreshers.

Frowning, he makes his way over, and says quietly to the group, "What are you all doing here?" His brows furrow deeper. "Whatever it is, I hope you're aware that you'll attract quite a bit of attention with your current attire. This nightclub is only for those who can show that they have deep pockets for their credits."

"I can probably still get you in, but depending on what you've planned, you might want to change."

Navi has posed:
"Thaarin? Wow... nice clothes," Navi says, impressed. "I didn't know you were into clubbing... or are you here for a different reason?" She shrugs at his comments on their outfits. "Vons has gone to procure some outfits for us. I hope he won't be too long. He could've saved a lot of trouble if he'd mentioned the dress code at the spaceport instead of the lobby... then we could've acquired the clothes on the way here. He probably still would've had to pay for mine, but it would've saved time and bother."

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike glances at himself again and hmphs. "This attire has been accepted from royal court to Hutt audience chamber. If my status as a Jedi isn't impressive enough, too bad."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde absently wonders how Thaarin had managed to get himself such expensive clothing. He'd arrived with no Republic credits of his own, hadn't he?

    Well anyway, he is getting bored of waiting here so just as Pike finishes his bit the padawan simply starts heading into the club.

Athena (159) has posed:
Thaarin smiles faintly at Navi, "I dislike dancing," he says, "I hope that sheds light on why I'm here. But you haven't actually answered my question about why -you- are here," he says.

To Pike, he says, "I.. don't know who the Hutts are, but what I've observed about this nightclub is that there are many folk here who would avoid the prying eyes of the Republic," he says, "and if you are identified as Jedi, word will spread that the Republic is peering into what most here would not like them to look into. Then, whatever or whomever you're looking for may elude you, having been scared off by the simple premise of Jedi presence."

But then Cayde peels away, and the tall blue alien quickly follows, just as one of the bouncers barring entry to the nightclub stops the young padawan.

Thaarin gently edges himself in between himself and Cayde, and after a short conversation, the bouncers reluctantly step aside to let Cayde and everyone else through.

But as they are going, Thaarin will motion for Navi to fall back a bit. "Navi," he says quietly, "a brief, private word? This shouldn't take too long, I promise."

Pike Windu has posed:
    <"There is hope for you yet, Padawan.">

    Pike, approval on his face, throws up his hood and follows Cayde in.

Navi has posed:
Navi shakes her head slowly as Cayde hurries off toward the club entry. Thaarin's intervention gets him a grateful look, in spite of the danger to their mission that may result from the visible presence of Jedi on the club floor.

She nods at Thaarin's request, letting him guide her further away from the desk. "We came to find a Chadra Fan I know who seems to be somehow mixed up in the so-called accident that killed a colonist. I don't think he did anything terrible... I know him, and his family, and he always seemed a decent being. They all are," she explains softly.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde was about to discreetly 'convince' the bouncer to let him pass, when Thaarin steps in and does so without any mental manipulation required. With that, he makes his way inside and starts scanning the patrons' minds, searching for the suspicious Chadra Fan.

    It occurs to him that if the Republic knows this is a common place for people to come to hide from it, then what sort of hiding place was it, anyway?

    But then he recalls that Vons had gone to find 'appropriate' outfits for them. Hopefully he has not gone far, so Cayde tries to contact him through the Force to let him know that they had gone into the club because Thaarin had convinced the bouncers to allow them inside.

Athena (159) has posed:
Pike and Cayde will find this nightclub to be the worst of sorts, for Force sensitives with mind powers. It's crowded, loud, hot, and many, many beings are drunk, high on spice, or both. It will take a certain amount of concentration to sift through the chaotic minds here, and find their quarry.

Cayde may feel a familiar presence in the likeness of the Chadra Fan's on the edge of his scan radius, but pinpointing where he is exactly will prove difficult. It's just so wild and uncontrolled in here!!

Thaarin frowns. "I hope you find him only to discover that his name is still in good standing," he says, "I wasn't aware, but I wish you good luck with that endeavor. However, I meant to speak to you about something different." He pauses, and leans nearer to her, lowering his voice. "I don't know if Xera has approached you similiarly," he says, "but my guess is that she already has told you not associate with me, as she has told me not to associate with you. I didn't agree to anything, of course, but I thought you should know. As to why I'm here, she's here tonight meeting with an individual that so far, I'm unable to know much about. Hopefully I'll be able to learn more about him tonight."

Navi has posed:
"She has. It was the first condition on my being formally considered to be in a romantic relationship with her, actually. I didn't agree to it, either," Navi replies, blushing faintly. "Did she tell you to do so for similar reasons? I've noticed that she seems really taken with you, and she is very controlling."

"May the Force be with you. I'm tempted to join you in that meeting, but I stand out too much here. I plan to wait for Vons to return before I go in," she adds softly. "And I'm wondering if she's here to see the same person we are."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde frowns, his head beginning to throb from the effort of preventing himself from becoming overwhelmed by the cachophony of thought, emotions, and all manner of sensation from the various club patrons.

    But wait! There it was, the one they were looking for. He was here, for sure. Maybe in the back, or out one of the balconies. Or...upstairs....the padawan starts heading in one of those directions.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike senses Cayde's teep scans and follow's the Padawan's example. The Master senses the Chadra Fan's presence and smiles. Keeping to the shadows, he makes his way to the stairway leading to the VIP lounge where he pauses to alert his companions.

Athena (159) has posed:
Pike and Cayde will soon find themselves in front the entry to the VIP lounge. There's an ornate staircase, guarded by three more Zeltron bouncers! Apparently access to the nightclub didnt guarantee entry to the VIP lounge. They look both unfriendly and disappointed. "What business do Jedi have here?" one of them barks. Perhaps they should find a different way into the lounge. Or wait for Vons. Or both. Theyre attracting... looks.

"She didn't say anything about a relationship, but I can read between the lines. I know you don't like deception, but what did you agree to? What would you like to do? I for one, wouldn't like to hardly ever see you." His expression softens, and he touches her face gently.

Outside, she'll be able to see Vons approaching the nightclub, looking a bit annoyed.

Navi has posed:
"Likewise. You've been nothing but kind and courageous since I met you, and I think your presence enriches the colony tremendously. You're worth any three scientists and techs when it comes to know-how, and you aren't afraid to speak your mind when something is wrong," Navi replies, blushing faintly at his touch. "I said I would be willing to consider it if I could explain the situation to you, but she wouldn't let me do that. So in the end I agreed to nothing at all."

She glances up as Vons returning. "Oh, good. He's here. I hope he's not too upset that Master Windu and Cayde already went in," she says. "But it's probably an empty hope."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Immediately as they approach the disgruntled looking bouncers, Cayde attempts to enter their minds and...well, change them. No, these were not Jedi, but simply wealthy patrons who had just come from an important meeting at the palace, and dressed like it too.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike doesn't exactly know what Cayde is up to. But he reaches out with his own power to help

    
    <"Believe him,"> in fluent Zeltran.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Willing to consider it?" For a moment he looks slightly surprised, and maybe just a little hurt. But then he composes himself and nods. "I... understand," he says. "And thank you, for not agreeing to anything. I--"

But then Vons enters the lobby, looking even more miffed when he sees Thaarin's here too. He arches a brow at Navi. "Why'd you wait for me?" he says, but he doesn't let her answer. "Here," he says, handing her a garment bag. "Put this on, and make it quick. We don't have a ton of time."

Thaarin chuckles when Vons arrives. "How odd, that fate would have me meet my roommate here, of all places," he says goodnaturedly, but Vons just rolls his eyes and quickly heads inside the nightclub after paying his fare. He sends a text transimssion to Cayde and Pike, asking the where they are and what they're up to.

Once Vons is gone, Thaarin reaches out and places a hand on Navi's arm. "Look, I know you won't like this. I don't, either, but we both know that jealousy is a strong driver for Xera, and depending on how things go right after this, I may need her to be just that, tonight. I'm sorry if this is a lot to spring upon you all of a sudden, but will you at least consider it? And let me know."

Meanwhile, Pike and Cayde are jointly successful in convincing the bouncers that they're patrons having just come from the castle. Unfortunately, it's the wrong card to play. "Authoritarian sympathizers!!" one of them roars, balling up his fists. "Take -this- message back to the king and Queen!"

Navi has posed:
"Because you said to wait for you," Navi replies, accepting the garment bag. "Thank you. I'll try to be quick." She blinks at the exchange between Vons and Thaarin. "I'd no idea you were roommates. You're both assuredly in good company."

She watches Vons stalk into the club entryway. "I /do/ understand, and I agree. Just so we both remember that we are friends above all else, and will remain so after this is over. And that you explain just what the jealousy is so necessary for after this is over," she says at last, nodding firmly.

"I need to change. I won't be long," she says, giving Thaarin a quick hug and slipping away to the women's refresher.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Ugh, of course it had to be like that...

    Well now he doesn't have time to come up with another elaborate delusion, so he instead resorts to attempting to force them all into a deep slumber. Hopefully Pike has his back for this...

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike doesn't want to attract anymore attention. "Be calm. We are just a dream. Your eyes are heavy."

Athena (159) has posed:
"Thank you, Navi," he says gratefully, returning the hug. "I'd explain it all now if we had the time," Thaarin says. He hears a crashing sound coming from inside the club and frowns slightly. "May all of the Force be with you," he says, "certainly sounds like you will be needing every ounce of it you can get tonight..."

Vons rushes up holding their garment bags just as the Zeltron charging Cayde falls asleep midstep. He inadvertently falls into a waitressing droid carrying a tray of fine Corellian wine in crystal glasses. It goes flying through the air and lands on a low table in front of a bunch of patrons lounging on couches nearby. Someone screams. The other two Zeltron bouncers aren't immediately rendered unconscious, and in their dazed and confused state accidentally end up tasing a couple of random bystanders just before Pike's mind trick causes them to collapse, finally. More people scream. But the chaos is serving as excellent cover to dart up the steps. Unfortunately, both Pike and Cayde will feel their quarry's mind become alert. The shenanigans on the lower levels have become cause for concern...

"What the kriff?!" The private investigator grumbles. "Right, that's -so- not going to make sure the Chadra Fan tries to make a quick exit..."

Athena (159) has posed:
Navi will find that what's in the garment bag perhaps the most revealing and attention seeking kind of tiny, tight dress she will have ever seen (or worn). It's so short, that it barely covers her backside! Not only that, but it's so tight, she can barely breathe in it.

It's iridescent, sleeveless, and designed to be worn without undergarments. The neckline is sweetheart, bedazzled with gems, and the wiring in the chest area will make Navi feel like she's twice as endowed as normal.

To top it all off, there's a pair of five inch silver high heels in the bag as well, along with glitter lined translucent tights.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike groans as the Jedi cause a scene. But he wastes no time and hastens up the steps. He reaches out again to confirm their target's location.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde immediately takes the opportunity presented and starting rushing up the stairs, already reaching out toward the Chadra Fan and attempting to keep him calm. Nothing was amiss, it was just some overly drunken Trandoshan bumbling into a waitress.

Navi has posed:
"Yikes..." Navi murmurs, staring at the glittering outfit in something well beyond surprise. "It's so pretty... and tiny..." she adds softly, blushing. "I hope Vons didn't have romance in mind when he picked this out."

With a little sigh, she steps into a bathroom stall and goes to work slipping out of her clothes...

Several minutes later, she emerges into the now-empty lobby, leaving the garment bag and her clothes hidden in the bathroom. Aware of just how much her medic's satchel clashes with her shiny, shimmery dress and tights, she approaches the door and enters the club. Unless the scowling security try to stop her, of course...

Athena (159) has posed:
But wait! the Jedi will feel it in the Force. There was someone else there with the Chadra Fan, making their mind trick even more effective. They're telling him to calm down, to simply move to the 2nd balcony of the VIP lounge on the upper levels. The Chadra Fan is comforted, and they'll be able to sense him retreating, heading into the elevator and going up one floor.

Vons hurries after the Jedi, shaking the garment bags. "Okay this is seriously mandatory. Put these on before too many people figure out -Jedi- are here and vanish like womp rats into a boggy swamp," he says, reaching forward to grab Master Windu by the arm. "Cayde had better kriffing be nearby. Y'all are a damned hot mess trying to be undercover," he grumbles.

The bouncers don't stop Navi. They do stare at her, though, for a moment, before stepping aside and letting her go inside the nightclub.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    No, Cayde doesn't wait. He continues up the steps, but he doesn't intend to get -too- close, only as close as necessary. Just who was he with? He continues onto the first floor, and then about halfway up the stairs to the second floor, as he reaches out with the Force and attempts to enter the Chadra Fan's mind and search for whatever he might know about Dresda's death.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike glares at Von. "You are the most...very well." And the Jedi snatches the bag to change his clothes.

Navi has posed:
Navi feels herself blushing at the bouncers' stares, but proceeds inside the club anyway. "I hope I can find everyone... it looks and sounds like half the planet's in here," she murmurs, letting her eyes adjust to the darker interior of the club and hoping her ears won't be permanently damaged by the music.

Maybe that's why she doesn't notice the ruckus near the VIP Lounge entrance. It's dark, there's hints of a light show, and it's /loud/. "I just don't get the appeal of places like this," she murmurs. "Why would anyone want to destroy their hearing like this?"

Athena (159) has posed:
"Yeah, yeah, you can thank me later," Vons says, waving dismissively at the Jedi Master. "Now where the hell is the kid--"

What Cayde will find won't be terribly conclusive. He'd known - sort of. But he'd chosen to believe the best about Weniscio, who'd been an old friend who borrowed money from him but usually just paid him back in favors instead of credits. When Wenisicio had come in asking for a favor and promising to give him two in return, he'd caved. The other feeling that Cayde will observe is fear. The Chadra Fan is very afraid. Not just for himself, but for his family....

However, while Cayde is deeply immersed in the Chadra Fan's mind, he might not notice a waitressing droid approaching. "Sir," it drones. "This lounge is only accessible to those with VIP permits. Please show authorization..."

At that moment, Vons grabs Cayde and drags him away from the droid and into the refreshers where Pike is likely in one of the stalls changing. "Are you out of your damn mind!?" the private investigator grumbles. "Put this on!" And he shoves the garment bag into Cayde's hands.

Meanwhile, Navi will barely be able to hear herself think. She'll find herself on the dance floor, next to gyrating, sweaty bodies. On the balcony above her, she'll actually be able to see Xera talking to what looks like another rich, and beautiful looking bureaucrat dressed in a shimmersilk gown. Their conversation seems heated.

Navi has posed:
Navi feels the faint beginnings of a headache coming on as she tries to make her way through the crowd on the dance floor. The sight of Xera Graf and another beauty wrapped in shimmersilk draws a mix of emotions. "Okay, so I know where /you/ are," she murmurs.

"But where is Thaarin? Hopefully not too far away..." After a moment's looking around, she spots him at the bar and approaches to take a seat beside him.

"I found Xera, but not the Chadra Fan," she says. "I doubt she's going anywhere until she wins the argument it looks like she was in the middle of."

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike steps out of the stall looking...dignified. "Is Cayde ready?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Weniscio...that was who they needed to find next. But why is the Chadra Fan afraid for his family? Who is with him at this club? Cayde was in the middle of trying to find out when Vons wrenches him unceremoniously from his trance and jerks him back to the present moment.

    Unfortunately, this startles the padawan so much that his lightsaber immediately flies out, the blade energizing into existence with a loud crackle. Well-trained as Vons is and clumsy as the flustered young Jedi's swing was, he will likely manage to dodge out of the way without getting singed.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Hm? Oh there you are," Thaarin says, grinning and turning to face Navi. "I was about go looking for you," he says, "You look wonderful, by the way."

Navi will immediately notice that there's a few empty shot glasses next to Thaarin -- he'd been drinking and that seemed intentional. But why?

"Probably not," he says, "she's some investor Xera made promises to a long time ago regarding the colony. I doubt she'll be finished convincing her everything is going swimmingly until at least sunrise," he jokes.

The bartender suddenly brings another rack of shots, six to be precise, over and sets it on the counter next to Thaarin. He suddenly moves in close, placing a hand gently on her waist and whispering in her ear. "I imagine you might not want to remember tonight," he says, "and Xera needs to be thrown a bone. If we did this while sober minded, there's a chance she'll give up." He squeezes her waist gently, then leans back, pushing a shot glass in her direction. "My tab will stay open tonight," he says, "just for you." Navi might remember Pop's words about hedonism, and drinking a lot...

Pike will likely step out of the stall just as Cayde swipes at Vons with his lightsaber. "N--" The private investigator begins, about to reply to Pike, then lets loose a string of unholy curses. He barely manages to evade getting sliced. "Will you calm the kriff down?" Vons cries. "I'm not trying to lose any limbs tonight, especially not to my brand new roommate. Gods...now for the love of light and life, put this -on-." He holds up the garment bag.

Pike Windu has posed:
    "Or stay here and keep the Chadra Fan calmed. But decide now, Padawan."

Navi has posed:
"I'm glad you like it. It's pretty enough, but I keep feeling like the skirt's trying to crawl up under my armpits," Navi replies, blushing faintly. She eyes the shot with some trepidation, then picks it up a bit cautiously. "If you think this will work, I'll try it," she says. "But you might have to carry me out. I'm not exactly an experienced drinker."

Looking at Xera and the woman in shimmersilk for a moment, she stretches out with the Force, searching for Cayde, Pike, and Vons, who seem to have vanished for the moment, and also for the Chadra Fan. The mental noise of the club, however, proves impossible to sift through. "I can't feel anyone I need to find," she says dispiritedly. "I may need to refrain from any drinking for a moment more."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As Vons curses profusely at him, Cayde just stares at him with a vacant look, but after a few seconds, he finally seems to snap out of it. He glances down at the garment bag and frowns. But what for? He was already onto something, if Vons hadn't interrupted!

    [Why] he signs simply. But at the same time, he again begins searching for the Chadra Fan, hoping to learn who he was with and who was threatening his family.

Athena (159) has posed:
Vons backs away, throwing his hands up in the air. "Okay, I'm actually thinking that our walking anachronism here has a pretty good suggestion. So I'm gonna leave this here for you just in case you decide to go out-- you -do- need to wear it if you go out," He reiterates. "While me and Master Windu go on the hunt for the Chadra Fan." He then turns and goes out of the refreshers, but not before calling back to Pike, "I thought being old didn't equate to being the speed of a ... Trodatome without caf. I mean, come on! We don't have all night....!"

Cayde will be able to sense the Chadra Fan is still here, but he feels farther away than before. He's still afraid, and still with whoever he'd been with prior.

Thaarin smiles and suddenly gets up, placing a hand on her back and standing mere centimeters from her as he guides her towards the dance floor. "Care for a dance in the meantime?" he whispers in her ear.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike slaps Cayde on the back. "Find out what you can. Keep him calm. And change your clothes if you leave here."

Navi has posed:
Navi blushes faintly at the request, but nods. "I've never had dancing lessons, so you may have to guide me a bit," she confesses softly, letting him lead her onto the floor.

As they move, she tries again with her telepathy, reaching out through the Force to touch the minds of her companions and the Chadra Fan. It's a moment before she smiles wryly. "My people are working hard at... something, I'm sure. Cayde's habit of complicating things hasn't deserted him," she observes.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde nods vaguely at Vons and Pike, his mind once again focused on the Chadra Fan. But he's moved farther away now, so once the two of them are out of sight, he starts back up the stairs again, trying to delve deeper into the colonist's mind and pushing harder this time.

    Who was he with? Who was threatening his family? He needn't fear, the Jedi would protect him, but in order for them to protect him, he needed to yield. No, no he must not resist. Resisting would only cause pain...

Athena (159) has posed:
Pike will find Vons hurrying down the hallway once he leaves the refreshers. But once he sees the elder Jedi, he slows his pace. "Okay so... you know where he is, right? So you lead the way. Use your space wizard magic, or whatever." He then comes to a halt, and waits for Pike to take over.

"I know," he says softly, pulling her in, and placing her arms around his neck and wrapping his arms around her waist. "They'll handle it, I'm sure. But right now, I want you to be with me. I need this," he whispers to her softly, swaying both of them to the rhythm of the music. She'll be able to see from her vantage point that Xera is watching both of them closely. She's still talking to that other beautiful woman, but it's clear she's distracted. Then Thaarin says to her, "Tell me about that girl you loved, Imoen. What about her did you love?"

The person that he's with is not the person who's threatening him, apparently. And despite Cayde's urging for him to not resist, the Chadra Fan resists anyway. He's pretty convinced the Jedi can't help, and that doesn't help things. There were just so many nuances and details and feelings. He'd made a mistake. No one would understand. If only everyone would just leave him alone, he and his family could be safe. However, resisting Cayde is hard and actually detrimental, and is causing him to go into a catatonic state, which is causing the person who's with him to be concerned. Oh, no... he's being taken away, towards the hangar for the nightclub -- and Cayde is now starting to be out of range.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike leads the way into the VIP lounge. Empty. The Jedi reaches out with the Force to locate the Chadra Fan.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    No...no...

    Cayde quickly hurries out onto one of the balconies and jumps up onto the roof, using that as a shortcut over toward the hangar. If he can just get close enough...

    He switches over to whomever was accompanying the Chadra Fan. Perhaps they know something. At least a name.

Navi has posed:
Navi tries to follow along with the dance, blushing a little more as she's drawn so close to Thaarin. She tries to let the music flow through her, much like the Force, but it's not so easy as that. Eventually her sense of rhythm begins to take over, and it becomes easier.

"You need this? Please forgive me if I don't understand," she says softly, just loudly enough to be heard over the music.

"Imoen? Everything, I think. She was clever and sweet and lively. Nothing seemed to ever get her down," she replies. "It didn't hurt that she was very pretty, too, but it was the kind of beauty that isn't just skin-deep. It touched every part of her."

Athena (159) has posed:
Vons will follow Pike, presumably towards the hangar as the elder Jedi locates their quarry. He does, however, notice that Cayde is right behind them, and scowls as Cayde heads for the roof. "That kid is going to be death of us, I swear," he mutters.

This individual seems to know surprisingly little. Their mind is a dark place, and Cayde will be able to tell they're not a good person, at all. But they care about credits, and the Chadra Fan has promised to pay them, somehow. For that reason alone, this individual is interested in helping the Chadra Fan. With what, exactly the young padawan won't be able to know. Not yet, anyway. They're going inside a ship in the hangar - for more privacy, probably. Pike will be able to sense them going inside the vessel, as well.

Thaarin whispers to her again, softly. "She's watching..." His gaze flicks up towards Xera very briefly.

He guides her back to the bar after the song is over, and standing close to her, brushes her hair out of her face. "I'm not Imoen," he says, "but I can certainly try to be some of those things, tonight." He pushes a shot glass towards her with a smile. "Accept my generosity, please?" he asks, tipping her chin upwards, gently.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike breaks into a run, deactive lightsaber in hand. "The hangar."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde frowns, finding this individual to be rather repulsive. All he cares about is credits. He follows them toward the hangar, lingering near a window. Again, he goes back to the Chadra Fan, trying to calm him.

    <The Jedi will help...we always help...what is your name?>

    Come on, at least a name.

Navi has posed:
"I'd rather you be you," Navi replies gently, tilting her head lightly against his hand as he brushes a few locks of hair away from her face. "You're not Imoen, and I don't expect you to try to be her, but you're a beautiful person, too. I'd rather you be true to yourself."

She takes up the shot glass, hesitates a moment, then takes a sip. She isn't quite prepared for the burning sensation in her throat, and can't keep from coughing a little as it goes down. But it passes, and she takes another drink. This one isn't as bad. "Very well," she whispers, looking into his eyes.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Okay, I get it you love your lightsabers, but can you guys seriously take a trip to Hoth with them?! The whole point of dressing up was to hide the fact that you're Jedi! Dammit...." Vons grumbles.

Then Vons sees that Cayde is lingering near a transparisteel viewport on the vessel and he groans. "Seriously?? I told you, the get up... nevermind..." he mutters, massaging his temples.

Pike probably won't want to miss a beat though, the gangplank is actually down, and the Chadra Fan plus whoever is with him isn't in his direct line of sight.

The Chadra Fan is frightened. Cayde's presence in his mind is not anything he's experienced before. He manages to stammer out his name, Hedicole, but he says it out loud, and whoever is with him suddenly is on high alert again. He doesn't know exactly what's going on, but he suspects that there's an outside party involved, somehow. He tells the Chadra Fan to stay put, while he goes to investigate.

The tall blue alien man does the same as Navi, downing a shot. Then he says, "But what if I don't want to be me," he says, leaning closer. "I want to be whoever you want me to be," he says. "How can you call me beautiful," he continues, "You are a goddess. Don't you know that? Beauty has no meaning in your presence." He's giving her a look she's never seen before. It's sultry, and his eyes seem to say he wants her without any words. If this is all an act, it's a splendid one.

Navi might find her head swimming. She might realize too late that the glasses aren't single shots. They're doubles.

Pike Windu has posed:
    Pike hides his weapon up his sleeve as he steps onto the gangplank .

Navi has posed:
Navi feels the room sway, or at least it feels like it's swaying. The look in Thaarin's eyes is both enticing and mildly disturbing to her, and she has to force herself to remember that this is Thaarin.

"If you want to be who I want," she whispers, "then I want you to be Thaarin. Good, brave, thoughtful, selfless Thaarin."

"I'd no idea the liquor was this strong... I may have already overdone it," she observes softly, taking another sip. Her eyelids feel heavy, and it's becoming hard to sit up straight...

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <Hedicole....please....let me help...let me in...> They could protect his family, but he needed to know who was threatening them first. Cayde lets their faces flash before his mind's eye. The Force could make anything possible...and all the more because of the vergeance...that is, for those who could attune themselves to it.

    As he sees the other man going to investigate, he slips farther away from the window, moving toward the top of the ship.

Athena (159) has posed:
The timing couldn't have been worse, but how could Pike and Vons have known. The moment the elder Jedi steps onto the gangplank, the individual who had been with the Chadra Fan rounds a corner suddenly and comes to stand in the entry of the vessel.

Pike may or may not be intimidated. The alien standing before him is a very tall Zygerrian. He's well dressed, and wears multiple gold bangles on each wrist. He frowns when he sees Pike, and immediately is on guard, but doesn't react aggressively. At least not right away. However, when he sees Vons, his eyes flash and he growls. "Arsok -Vons-?!" he bellows. "What the kriff are you doing here? If you're here to meddle with my business, I'm going to make sure that this is the last time!!" Vons seems stunned speechless, but he barely has time to react when the Zygerrian suddenly pulls out a blaster and opens fire on him.

Hedicole seems partially convinced when he sees familiar faces flash before his eyes. "It's... it's you... " he mutters. "You... the Jedi... they followed me here... why..." And then he hears the sound of blaster fire and is snapped out of his reverie. "No... no... no..." he cries, cradling his head in his hands. "It wasn't supposed to be like this...!" And he suddenly gets up and bolts from where he is, down the gangplank, and back out towards the main lounge of the nightclub.

Thaarin sits down, suddenly pulling Navi into his lap. She'll be able to smell the liquor on him. Or is that her? They'd both had too much to drink. "I'm none of those things," he murmurs, "but you are. You are...." And then he kisses her.

Pike Windu has posed:
    SNAP-hiss

    Pike's lightsaber slips into his hand and ignites. The Jedi easily turns the blaster bolts away.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde isn't even aware of the confrontation between Pike, Vons, and the Zygerrian. When Hedicole bolts, he rushes after the Chadra Fan, hurrying back toward the main lounge.

    <Wait...> he projects, continuing to try to calm the colonist.

Navi has posed:
"Eep!" Navi squeaks as she's suddenly pulled into Thaarin's lap. She wasn't nearly expecting /that/! She wasn't expecting to be kissed, either, but neither can she resist it. She feels herself reciprocating, returning the kiss in kind. She's not sure if it's the alcohol or the sheer magnetism of the man, but she cannot resist.

Only when the kiss is broken off does she begin to realize just how quickly things are moving. "Thaarin... please, stop. This is going too far..." she says softly. "I like you, very much... but I don't /love/ you... is this why you said I would want to forget this night..?" She's so confused now, and the shot and a half of double shots isn't helping.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Jedi!" The Zygerrian roars angrily when Pike takes out his saber and easily deflects the bolt. "You piece of druk!" He bellows at Hedicole as the Chadra Fan rushes from the vessel and back out into the main lounge area. "You come to me asking for help, but instead you lead me into a trap!" He pulls out a commlink and speaks into it. "Hedicole set me up to be caught by the Jedi, and the Republic! Do not let him escape...!"

The private investigator doesn't hesitate when Hedicole bolts. "Thanks!" Vons yells back to Pike as he rushes after the Chadra Fan. But he comes to the balcony just as Thaarin starts kissing Navi. And when the young Sephi girl pulls away from tall blue alien man, she'll see him standing up there, his expression like that of a man whose heart had been shattered into a thousand pieces. But there's no time for grieving -- the guards the Zygerrian had called are rushing into the nightclub now armed and shooting. People are screaming. Cayde will have a hard time both reaching and calming the colonist -- there's just too much going on now.

"Excuse me," Thaarin mutters drunkenly, suddenly getting up. He looks ill, as if he's about to vomit right then and there, but he disappears into the crowd in the direction of the refreshers...

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde continues rushing after Hedicole, all the while trying to reach him again and reassure him that the Jedi can help him and his family. Somehow, through all the chaos and screaming, he manages to remain focused on the Chadra Fan colonist. Well, that 'somehow' is bowling over several droids and carts of food and drink that he didn't quite realize existed.

Navi has posed:
Navi is left aghast, looking between the departing Thaarin and the shattered Vons. But the sound of blaster fire and screaming penetrates the fog of drink, and she realizes she is very much needed...

And she draws upon the Force once more, focusing on the alcohol coursing through her system and breaking down the toxins, flushing them from her mind and senses.

A moment later, her head clear, she pulls her lightsaber from her medical satchel and ignites it. Thaarin and poor Vons will have to wait... innocent people are in danger!

Athena (159) has posed:
Drinks and food go flying as Cayde barrels after the Chadra Fan, who is desperately trying to evade the Zygerrian guards.

People are screaming, as blaster bolts fill the air with the smell of ozone. It doesn't take the guards long to notice that the Jedi are here, and a couple of them peel off from the chase in an attempt to bar Cayde's path. "Stay out of our business, Jedi!" One of them hisses, and opens fire on the young padawan.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    The blaster bolts are easily deflected away, although Cayde tries to shove them out of the way with the Force so they don't get hit by their own shots. He would rather avoid bloodshed as much as possible, after all.

    All the while he does his best to keep mental tabs on Hedicole. Where was the Chadra Fan headed?

Athena (159) has posed:
The Zygerrian guards are knocked aside by the Force, sending them sprawling into the counter in the bar area. Some of the glasses stationed there are knocked aside and fall to the ground, shattering. One of them manages to heave himself to his feet after a few moments, and rasps. "Forget the Jedi! Get the Chadra Fan!"

It would seem the Chadra Fan is just desperate to find a way out of the nightclub, and to get to somewhere where the Zygerrians wouldn't find him. But that's hard to do with all the chaos unfolding, seems like almost every exit is blocked by hordes of panicked patrons.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Right, a way out...that's what Hedicole needs. Cayde will try to find that for him. Thankfully the Zygerrians seem to have decided to ignore him, so the padawan again tries to search for the Chadra Fan's location, attempting to let him know that he intends to help him escape his pursuers...

Athena (159) has posed:
The Chadra Fan barely seems to register what Cayde is trying to tell him - he's so desperate to find a way out of this crowded nightclub.

The young padawan will be able to sense that there's a Zygerrian guard who's very hot on his tail, and he's doing what he can do not get shot by him...

It would appear Hedicole is in the kitchen of the nightclub, where all the staff prepare all the food for the people who hang out in the VIP lounges.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    The kitchen, got it. Deal the guard, and get Hedicole out of there. Cayde hurries to the kitchen, jumping over several overturned tables and other pieces of furniture and decor.

Athena (159) has posed:
Once Cayde reaches the kitchen, he'll hear the sounds of blaster fire and the muffled screams of panicked staff.

Hedicole is here somewhere nearby, he'll be able to sense him in the Force, frightened and running, making a beeline for a maintenance closet where he hopes the Zygerrians will stop chasing him.

But suddenly, in the middle of it all, Vons will materialize through a kitchen backdoor, accidentally putting himself directly in the young padawan's path.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Fortunately, Cayde had become somewhat aware of Vons' presence before he appeared and is therefore able to avoid bowling into him. He sidesteps, then reaches out into the Force again, attempting to grab ahold of the guard he'd seen was chasing Hedicole and pull him back toward himself.

Athena (159) has posed:
The guard stumbles backwards, crashing into a shelf full of serving trays filled with entrees. They come crashing down, and food goes flying.

"Hey!!" Vons shouts unhappily as a plate of blue pasta lands on his shoulder. "Watch it...!"

But delaying the guard who had been chasing Hedicole has bought the Chadra Fan time to run into the maintenance closet and barricade the door while he tries to find a way to pry the small window in there open.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Should the guard try to get back up, Cayde will attempt to clock him in the side of the head. You know, to really make sure he is down for the count in case that shelf full of trays wasn't enough. Then he starts hurrying back outside, looking for the window Hedicole is trying to crack open...

Athena (159) has posed:
Unfortunately, Cayde's attempt to punch the Zygerrian isn't quite enough to knock him out. He climbs to his feet, and attempts to chase after the young padawan. "Jedi /scum/!" he howls.

But then Vons shoots him in the back, and he collapses.

Cayde will be able to espy the tiny window in the maintenance closet from the outside, and see that Hedicole is trying to wedge it open with a metal dustpan. They'll have to hurry, though, the young padawan will be able to hear shouts coming from the kitchen. The other guards must have wised up and come running...

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Fortunately, Cayde is able to focus in on Hedicole's mental presence and pick up on the Chadra Fan as he pries at the window. The young Jedi reaches into the Force and does his best to push up on the window together with the dustpan he's using. Hopefully it will be enough to get it open.

Navi has posed:
The alcohol finally cleared fully from her system, Navi draws upon the Force, reaching out with her mind to find her friend, and the father of her friends, as he flees the Zygerrians in a panic. It's a few moments before she gets a sense of him, and is direction and speed.

"He's probably trying to get out of the building and get away from here," she muses to herself, putting away her lightsaber for the moment. The sight of it is likely to only further fuel the panic. Hastily removing her high-heeled shoes and securing them inside her satchel, she hurries after her friends, hoping she can get through the crowd to reach them...

Athena (159) has posed:
Hedicole yelps as the window suddenly jerks open. The diminutive Chadra Fan suddenly falls forward through the now open window, but unfortunately, his girth is a little too wide. "Help!" he yelps, his body stuck between the window frame and the sill.

Navi will find herself in the kitchen if she heads towards where Hedicole, and discover Vons in a badly outnumbered firefight against four other Zygerrian guards, two whom seem hellbent on eliminating the Zeltron man, while the other two try to break through the barricaded maintenance closet door.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde frowns and pushes on the window more, trying to open it farther or even remove the panes completely so that Hedicole can get through.

Navi has posed:
Seeing Vons' peril, Navi hastily draws her lightsaber and, putting herself between Vons and his enemies, bounces their blaster bolts away with her lightsaber, sending them into hooks holding a wide variety of cooking equipment above their heads. Deprived of their support, gravity takes over, and the different tools fall right onto the heads of the opposition!

Unfortunately, they're just not heavy enough to knock them out, which had been what she was aiming for, almost literally, although the one who had the hand mixer land in him will have quite a knot on his skull!

"Bother..." Navi grumbles, and sets herself for the next exchange...

Athena (159) has posed:
"Ah!" Hedicole cries as the window pane pops open even wider, allow him to tumble onto the ground below. If Cayde goes to inspect him, he'll discover the Chadra Fan is rather dazed and disoriented. "....what... just happened..." he moans pitifully.

"About time," Vons grumbles, getting up and dusting the pasta on his shoulder off his jacket. He then sprints for the hallway with the maintenance closet, where the other two are trying to break down the door. At the very least, Navi's maneuver has bought them some time.

"You Jedi are too meddlesome!" one of the guards cries out angrily, as he staggers to his feet and attempts to shoot at Navi, this time, now that Vons has removed himself from the vicinity!

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Good thing Chadra Fans are rather small. Cayde just picks him up and starts running away from the club.

    <I'm helping you> he projects to Hedicole, trying to calm him and make sure he doesn't freak out thinking he's being kidnapped or something. At the same time, he searches for somewhere quiet, somewhere the Zygerrians wouldn't find them.

Navi has posed:
Navi takes half a step back and deflects the incoming blaster bolt away. This time it cuts the hook holding a large stock pot. Gravity brings right down over the Zygerrian's head!

With a moment's reprieve, Navi steps forward, grabs one of the side handles of the stock pot, and whacks it several times with the pommel of her lightsaber, causing it to ring loudly, with the accompanying vibration! This Zygerrian is likely to be dazed for quite a while...

Athena (159) has posed:
"N-No..." Hedicole whispers, but he doesn't struggle when Cayde just picks him up. "You won't," he laments. "You won't..."

The spaceport isn't too far from here -- it's probably the best place to go, since sticking around the capital in Vuundalla probably isn't a good idea.

The Zygerrian guard yowls and then finally collapses. Now it's time to check on Vons, who appears to have taken care of the other guards while Navi was occupied with one of them in the kitchen.

He bangs on the door of the maintenance closet door, but upon getting no response, presses his ear to the door and frowns. "He's out," he says wiping some blood from a nasty gash on his eyebrow, "the Jedi probably got him. Let's go," he says, heading for the same back door he'd come in through.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <Yes I will...I did already> Cayde points out to Hedicole as he starts hurrying toward the spaceport. They should be safe back on the ship.

    He reaches out to Navi briefly, trying to let her know that Hedicole is safe with him and they're headed back to the spaceport.

Navi has posed:
"I'm /not/ a Jedi!" Navi retorts at the downed Zygerrian, extinguishing her lightsaber as she notices that the firefight has died off. Hurrying to Vons' side, she nods at his comments and follows him through the door.

"Let's hope I can find him. If Cayde has him, he's likely to head for the spaceport," she says, already trying to reach out with the Force...

And Cayde makes contact with her just as she's beginning to get a sense of Hedicole's position. <I'm with Vons, and we're heading that way,> she replies. <Master Windu being the Master among us, he's probably there already. Since Thaarin came here separately from us, he probably has his own way home, if he's not too sick to travel. He really overdid the liquor.>

Athena (159) has posed:
It won't take them very long to get to the spaceport, although they'll have to hide a few times to avoid being seen by some of the other Zygerrian guards who have left the nightclub in search of Hedicole.

But when they arrive, they won't have much trouble finding Cayde, who has likely made his way back to the Jedi shuttle they'd taken here.

Hedicole seems mostly unharmed, though he looks rather miserable.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Oh...that's right...Thaarin. He'd had too much to drink. Maybe someone should go back there after everything has calmed down to check on him.

    But for now, he turns his attention back to Hedicole. He still needed to find out who was threatening the Chadra Fan's family. [Please...let me help...your family] he signs.

Navi has posed:
Navi takes a knee and hugs Hedicole gently. "Papa, I know you, and I know your family. You're a good person. I know you'd never willingly do anything wrong. Please, tell us what's going on. If your family is in any kind of danger, we can save them... I know it," she says softly, hoping to soothe him.

Athena (159) has posed:
Hedicole stares at Cayde and Navi, shaking his head. "..."

"If you want to help me," he says shakily. "Then get me and my family off of Tenoo, permanently. Help me find a place in Wild Space or the Outer Rim where no one will find us. No questions asked. If you can do that," he says softly. "Then maybe, just maybe, my family can be saved."

Vons comes in, the wound on his head dripping a few spots of blood onto the carpet. There's a purple abrasion forming under his left cheekbone, but his eyes are alert despite the fact that he looks like he was just pressed through a caf grinder.

"Just how desperate are you?" he asks, brows furrowing. "Zeek and his crew are traffickers. Did you know that?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde glances at Navi and then back at Hedicole, nodding. Well, they'd have to know where his family is first, right?

    [Where are they] he asks. [We will help]

Navi has posed:
"Last I knew, they were back at the colony. I hope they still are," Navi replies to Cayde. But when Vons adds his own question, she looks at him in horror. "Traffickers? In sentients? Is Zeek that troublesome Dug we've seen in Kublop Springs more than once?"

Athena (159) has posed:
"Back at the colony," Hedicole says, still looking forlorn. "They should be fine. For now..." Then he buries his face his in his hands. "By the light, I had no idea. I didn't know..." He says. "Traffickers... to think I had almost sent my family with them..." he moans softly, and pitifully.

"No," Vons says, "Zeek was the Zygerrian. I've run into him before. He runs a covert slaving operation under the guise of smuggling for a good cause. Victims will usually be enticed by his modest fee for quietly taking them anywhere they want that's not Republic Space."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Ah, well that wasn't surprising. Why would Hedicole trust a Zygerrian of all people? Didn't he know they were infamous for being slavers?

    [We will help them] he assures the distraught Chadra Fan. [Who will hurt them] he asks.

Navi has posed:
"Well, you don't have to worry about Zeek anymore, Papa... knowing you have Jedi friends, he's likely to never go near you again," Navi says, hugging Hedicole tighter. "But why is your family in danger at the colony? Once we know more about the threat, we'll know who and what to look for."

She looks to Vons, wincing at the sight of his injuries. "I'd better have a look at your face, unless Master Windu gets back soon. You could use some medical attention," she says gently.

Athena (159) has posed:
"I told you!" Hedicole says persistently, "no questions! You're either going to help me on my terms, or you aren't, at all. Which in the latter case, I wouldn't blame you." And then he goes back to looking forlorn.

Vons waves a hand dismissively at Navi, even though the wound on his eyebrow is still bleeding rather profusely. "You have to tell us why you were running in the first place," he says. "What do you know about Dresda and Weniscio's relationship?"

But Hedicole just keeps shaking his head. "No questions," he says, "or I'm just going to try to find my own way off of Tenoo...!"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde sighs. They were only trying to help him...really, he would rather not have to dig for the answers. But he touches Hediscole's mind again, making his presence known. It's just a reminder that he will know one way or another--whether freely given or forced. How else did he think Cayde found him so quickly in that club?

Navi has posed:
"Papa, we'll help you no matter what. You know that," Navi whispers, "But you and your family may not be the only ones in danger. If the threat is that dire, we can try to force an evacuation of the settlers that aren't involved in whatever sinister thing is going on there."

"And there IS something sinister going on... that's very clear," she continues. "I've been warned already that something terrible is likely to happen, and there are others waiting to take advantage of the chaos. The worst partt is, I don't know what that something terrible will be. Only that others believe it is inevitable, and are waiting to move in its aftermath. The death of that colonist may only be the beginning of what may come."

She looks back to Vons, gently releasing Hedicole and reaching for the first aid kit in its wall locker. "You're bleeding like a wine tap. I'll see if I can do something about that," she says, already opening the kit and reaching for a coagulent spray.

Athena (159) has posed:
"D-damn you!" he cries. "Damn all your do-gooding!" he cries. "It.. it doesn't help..."

He seems to think that Cayde is boxing him in, forcing him to choose between worse and terrible. And the young padawan will sense that he resents him greatly for it.

"That's not -news-." he says to Navi. "You'd have to be a blind and deaf fool to have no idea about the happenings around the colony," he says to Navi. "I--I... I messed up," he confesses. "And it's too late for me, there's nothing you can do get me out of this mess. But my family, you have to promise me that nothing terrible will happen to them because of me!"

"You messed up? What do you mean?" Vons says. The Zeltron PI won't even sit down.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    [You do not know us] Cayde tells him, shaking his head. Well, it seems he will have to do this the hard way, then. At least he'd warned the Chadra Fan father. He starts searching through Hedicole's memories, looking for information about who is threatening his family and how. And why...

Navi has posed:
"Papa, bear in mind we've been gone a few months, and we've never had anything like a complete picture of everything that happens in the colony," Navi reminds Hedicole gently. "Just a lot of suspicions about how much political pressure was being exerted to even get this colony venture to work at all, how quickly the colony muster was filled, how shifty both of those things looked, and Xera Graf's overwhelming interest in seeing this colony become fully self-sufficient, in spite of a healthy trading hub on the very same planet, no matter what it takes. And that was /before/ we discovered masked raiders camping out near the colony."

"And then there's Xera Graf's desire to get that Arkanian medical lab working close to the Vergence, and her sudden disinterest in fulfilling her promises to the Jedi Order about reopening the Temple there. It's all got the look and smell of a disaster waiting to happen."

She continues to work on Vons' eye and forehead as she speaks. "Papa, you know we're going to save you /and/ your family. No matter what. You don't have to tell us anything for that to happen. But anything you know, about messing up or anything related, may serve to help others in just as much danger."

Athena (159) has posed:
Cayde might be surprised to find that no one is currently threatening him, but he had not been lying when he'd said he'd messed up. That fear was there, overwhelming, like a thick. oppressive blanket in his mind. There had been a series of things that he'd done, in the name of protecting his family...

"I grew up poor. My great grandfather, and then my grandfather, and then my own father, all they ever knew was poverty. The outskirts of Jedha are a mean place to grow up. Competition for even the simplest of services, like the repair bay I run, is fierce, even savage at times. The constabulary won't look into an undocumented worker's complaint about a broken window, or sabotaged equipment. And quite frankly, I wouldn't want them to. With the BPIC cracking down harder than ever this year, it was the last thing I wanted. Putting food on the table for three little ones is enough of a headache as it is. Weniscio wasn't the best sort but he certainly wasn't the worst. He could never pay for anything, but he was always good for whenever I wanted to cash in a favor."

Vons bats Navi's hand away, then comes over to squat next Hedicole. "What does this have to do with ... anything?"

"I don't really trust him. But he is an old friend. So I don't ask why when he asks for something anymore. I just know that the next time circumstances are dire, he'll be there. And it's never a matter of if, it's just a matter of when."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde frowns, he knew this was likely to have something to do with Weniscio. He folds his arms and waits for Hedicole to continue. What did this have to do with the murder? What did Weniscio want?

Navi has posed:
"What favors has he asked for before, at least at the colony? And do you think it might have anything to do with the supposedly accidental death of that colonist?" Navi asks, after a moment, rubbing her hand and glaring briefly at Vons. "For what my opinion's worth, it sounds like we'd better get you and your family away from there as soon as possible, if not sooner."

Athena (159) has posed:
"There was this piece of equipment," he begins, "that he wanted me to modify. It didn't sound like something I should do but that's how all the favors he's ever asked for sound like--"

But then he'll be interrupted, when Xera Graf herself suddenly rushes into the ship, looking like a frazzled wreck.

This is the most disheveled anyone will have ever seen her. Her bun is falling apart, and her makeup is smeared, as if she'd been crying just prior to this. "Navi!" She cries, running to embrace the young Sephi girl. "Are you alright? I saw you at the nightclub, and then suddenly everything was--was--" She squeezes her tightly.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Ugh, what piece of equipment?? When Xera comes rushing in looking like a disheveled mess and interrupts the conversation, Cayde rolls his eyes and suddenly finds himself entering Hedicole's mind and searching for the answers himself out of sheer impatience.

    Hmph, as if Xera even cares about Navi at all. It's just an act.

Navi has posed:
Navi finds herself all but crushed by the extremely frazzled Xera, and hugs her tightly after a confused moment. "I'm fine... or at least I'm not hurt. But are you all right? Clearly you've had quite a rough evening."

She reaches into the Force, and then into Xera's head via Telepathy, and wonders at what she finds there... some of her emotions and concern are genuine. And some are not. "You needn't have worried for my sake. I've learned resilience and resourcefulness from my friends," she says softly. "Have you been crying? Let's get you to the refresher and get you cleaned up a bit."

Athena (159) has posed:
The young padawan will be able to glean that there was some piece of equipment that the engineering and construction teams had been using to drill into the hillside, that Wenisicio had asked him to modify in a fashion that would have been illegal on Jedha. But since they're in the Outer Rim...

However, Hedicole does not appreciate Cayde reaching into his mind, and actively resists. "You clearly don't trust me or any of what I'm saying!" he says. Then, using Xera's intrusion as a distraction, he rushes off the ship and disappears into the night.

Xera wipes her eyes. "I'll use the facilities on my own ship," she says, "And I'd like for you to come with me. No need for you to ride in this civilian transport when there are better options available," she says with a soft chuckle.

There's a pause. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you before. All those demands... that was cruel of me," she says quietly. "I was hoping that perhaps we could have a talk on the way back to Tenoo," she says. "And come to a mutual understanding."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    But why would Cayde trust Hedicole, anyway? After all it is quite clear that he was involved in the murder, even if not fully intentionally. If he hadn't probed, he'd have no reason to believe any of what he'd said about his family, either. But this time he just lets the Chadra Fan go. If he wanted to risk getting re-captured by the Zygerrians again, then that would be on him alone now.

    But now Xera is asking Navi to come join her on her private ship. Is that why she came here? He resists the urge to invade Graf's mind and make her leave and forget everything she'd just done, and instead he pulls on Navi's shoulder and shakes his head desperately.

    <Do not trust her...please...> Navi will sense that he has a very strong repulsion toward Xera, although that probably doesn't come as a surprise given the way she has treated him. He sincerely believes she is out for no one but herself and seeks only to manipulate everyone including her, to get what she wants which is control of the colony and everyone in it. The last thing he wants is for Navi to also become one of her pawns. Well, he doesn't want that for anyone but for whatever reason he feels especially strongly about her. She'll be able to tell that it also doesn't help that he's still distraught about the last ...discussion they'd had about Xera. Enough now his trust in her is at risk of eroding away.

Navi has posed:
<I /don't/ trust her, Cayde... you don't need to worry about that, or about me. I've gotten out of much worse situations than her ship. I'm not doing this because I trust her... it's because I'm trying to make her see the error of her ways, including the way she's treated you,> Navi replies telepathically to Cayde, in what she hopes is a soothing tone. <Not to mention save her life. There are things and people at work behind the scenes on Tenoo, and some of them like her even less than you. And I have a feeling if she dies, things are going to be very bad for the people in the colony. This might also be my chance to get some answers about a few other things.>

She looks regretfully after Hedicole. "I hope he'll be okay. He's a good man, even if he doesn't always make the right decisions," she murmurs.

She looks back to Xera. "We can talk," she says at last. "I'd like to know what happened to you after we made our necessarily hasty departure."

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera smiles at Navi, looking relieved. She takes Navi's hands in hers and squeezes them. "My vessel is parked in space C-15," she says, "I'll let you gather your things, then I'll be seeing you shortly." Then she kisses the young Sephi girl on the cheek briefly before turning and heading down the gangplank.

Shortly after Xera leaves, Vons starts going down the gangplank as well, carrying the small backpack he'd brought with him. The bandage Navi had half secured to his eyebrow is falling off, and he looks like he probably should probably sleep in the next five minutes. "I'm going after Hedicole," he says to them. "But you two should head back to the colony."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    See the error of her ways? No, no...there was no way to make her change, other than...well, brute force telepathy. Cayde steps away from her, shaking his head. <You cannot change her...she change you> But that is the last she will hear from him, as she will find him closed off to any further attempts to project to him.

    His brows go up at Vons. If Hedicole didn't want to cooperate, there wasn't much use in actually kidnapping him. But he just shrugs and doesn't try to stop the Zeltron.

Navi has posed:
"Be extra careful," Navi advises Vons as he moves to leave. "Those Zygerrian guards seem to be almost everywhere, and I doubt they're in a talking mood after that mess in the club."

She looks to Cayde, shaking her head sadly. "No, Cayde... no, she can't," she says softly, and then moves to get her things. That's likely to take all of five minutes.

Athena (159) has posed:
Vons spares Cayde a backwards glance, but then turns to Navi. "Don't worry about me," he says, shaking his head, even as the bandage she'd half secured starts to fall off even more. The wound on his brow is still bleeding even more.

Once Navi has gathered all of her belongings, he walks her to the gangplank, his expression sad. "Look, I'm--" he glances back at Cayde again. "Glad you're going. And I thought you should know, that even though he's jealous, I'm not. We might feel similarly about you, but where the similarities ends is I'm done being jealous and I trust you. I trust you not to do something you'll regret for the rest of your life. Just ... be careful, okay?"

Navi has posed:
Navi carefully resecures the bandage over Vons' wound. "It's not just jealousy," she explains softly. "There's some there, but that's not nearly the whole story. I'm sure of that. In his own way, Cayde's as complex as you."

She hugs him quietly. "I will be. I promise. Thanks for trusting me. I'm just hopeful that I can find out something meaningful from her."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    The response Navi gets is the usual unreadable look, and now that he has shut her out of his mind there is nothing more. He simply turns away from her and retreats into the passenger compartment, his expression downcast.

Athena (159) has posed:
"I don't know about that," Vons says softly, returning the embrace weakly, "I think he might like you even more than me."

When she resecures the bandage over his wound, he gives her a fond look of utter longing. He suddenly leans towards her, and just barely touches the tip of one of her ears. "Me... me too," he says. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but he knew he shouldn't, she was an impossibility. All this will be obvious to Navi, and she won't even need the Force to observe it.

"... I hope you liked the dress."

Navi has posed:
Navi sighs quietly, hugging Vons tighter. "I wish I could give you what you crave... I wish there were a lot more of me, and they were twice as loving," she whispers, tears in her eyes. "One who would love you completely... one to love Cayde... one to love Thaarin... and probably one or two more to love another couple people just as much. Damn me for not being what you all want... then everyone could be happy."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As much as he doesn't want to, Cayde finds himself listening in to the conversation between her and Vons. He just sighs and shakes his head...if someone didn't know any better, they probably would've taken that as some kind of sarcastic guilt trip. But that wasn't like her, was it?

Athena (159) has posed:
Vons wipes away her tears with his thumb gently. "Hey," he says softly and soothingly, "no, don't say that. You should remain special and unique. The only Navi there ever was, is, and ever will be in the entire galaxy. And don't you worry about giving a damn about what other people think or want -- you just be you, and do what you know is right."

Then he smiles and steps away from her, heading down the gangplank. "See you in a couple days," he says, "and take care of yourself... or else." Then he winks, and disappears into the night.

Navi has posed:
Navi manages the ghost of a smile for Vons. She watches him go, sniffling a little, until he's out of sight.

"I know you're right," she murmurs, brushing away more tears. "I know you meant so well... that your words were meant to make me feel better. But they..." She sighs softly, dispiritedly. "... they didn't." Dabbing at her eyes, she shoulders her small duffel and walks down the ramp and off of the ship.