Specters of a Sorcerer's Past: Outside Help

Specters of a Sorcerer's Past: Outside Help
Date of Scene:	14 April 2024
Location:
Synopsis:	Navi and the Jedi visit a pair of witches, and learn a dark secret.
Cast of Characters:	159, Navi, Pike Windu, 334, Cayde Alexis, Annelia Belask, 269

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Athena (159) has posed:
As the group heads for the Square of Supplicants, perhaps a few more will join their number, while they make their way towards central Jedha. At this hour, the Square of Supplicants is teeming with pilgrims, who have come to the Holy City to make their requests known through prayer to whatever deities they worship. Staying together might prove a somewhat arduous task (given Cayde's penchant for headaches and wandering off while in crowds).

At some point, they'll discover the narrow alleyway where the witches apparently live. It's a dim little side street, and oddly quiet in comparison to the Square itself. Most of the house numbers are somewhat obscured, but with a little extra dusting and peering, they'll find the limestone flat with the correct house number.

It's a strange, minute, abode covered in alien looking vines -- and for whatever reason, there's lots of fog surrounding it. The window shutters are all drawn, and had they not known any better, might have mistaken it as abandoned...

Navi has posed:
Navi is content to let the older, wiser Jedi lead the way. She can't help a faint smile at the faint sense of serenity from the prayer and worship occurring all around the Square. It's a little distracting, at least to her, and normally she would welcome it. But not tonight. Tonight is reserved for very important business.

The sensation fades slowly away as the party enters the narrow alleyway where Mal and her sister, and possibly other family members, dwell. "That fog seems awfully thick for this climate," she muses, cautiously approaching the door. Taking a deep breath, she knocks three times on the door.

Pike Windu has posed:
Following the Jedi group is Master Pike Windu, trying to keep out of sight as best he can while keeping on eye on them. His hood is up and his face is shadowed.

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
Ironically with Pike having opted to hang back for now, the only senior Jedi presnet would be Caius who is actually younger then Navi and to listen to Master Volk leap to conclusions you'd think he wasn't wiser.

The truth is far from that. He is determined and sometimes head strong. But not stupid. Such lack of stupidity is on display as he keeps a firm hand to Cayde, preventing the padawan from just wandering free with a gentle nudge here and there or even a telepathic reminder if necessary. He's not about to lose him in this crowd.

But he's also on task as well and as they near the witches living area he slows slightly and turns towards Navi and Cayde. "How much do you know about Dathomir? Navi? You seemed comfortable with the young girl at the temple. Her gifts were powerful and familiar to mine. But you didn't sense THe Dark Side?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As they near the creepy looking alleyway seemingly filled with an unnatural fog, Cayde becomes uncomfortable and seems to resist proceeding further. Mal had -appeared- innocuous enough earlier, but this place just doesn't sit right with him. Maybe this was why the Council didn't want them to investigate this any further...but at the same time, Tomi was depending on them. And Tomi's condition was...well, it was his fault.

    When Caius turns to he and Navi and asks about Dathomir, he appears to have something to say about that but instead just exhales sharply and glances over at Navi.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    Another young Jedi Knight swings by, this time a fiery-haired woman familiar to at least two of those present- after all, she's known Caius for years and certainly knows Cayde well.

    Annelia strides into step with the group, offering a silent nod to the rest for a moment. "Just made planetside, you all didn't get hurt too badly without me I hope? Excuse for a saber wielder like Caius, I was worried a scuffle would cause mass casualties," she teases, chuckling as she slows her pace to match to the rest.

Athena (159) has posed:
Navi knocks on the door, but there's no answer. Perhaps Dalin had given them the wrong address?

But just as some of them might start to think they've come to the wrong place, or that they've caught the witches at the wrong time, a disembodied voice coming from seemingly all around them says:

"Now why would Jedi come looking for a witch... like me?" The fog around them and the small flat suddenly thickens, and takes on an eerie light green color. Then it swirls around them, forming a smoky circle around the group, as thin wisps of green energy spider out from mist and brush the hems of their robes.

Navi has posed:
"Not a lot. I only met Mal, and I really didn't feel much from her except confusion, some panic from being lost, and deep sadness for Jedha," Navi explains softly, off of Caius's question. "If there was a hint of the Dark Side, I must have missed it. Or maybe I was just too focused on helping her. She was a young woman in trouble, and I very much wanted to ease her fears."

The arrival of Annelia is met with a moment's scrutiny, and then a faint smile and a sheepish wave. "Um, hi!"

Before she can say more,the fog thickens, and the voice from nowhere makes itself known. Nervously drawing the hem of her long robe away from the wisps of green energy, she calls out a soft, "There's really no need to be dramatic, um, Miss Witch? We'd like to speak to Mal. And you too, really. We didn't come to cause you trouble. I'm Navi, and I'm technically not a Jedi. Mal knows me."

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
Caius studies Cayde but says nothing. It would be good for the Padawan to be swifter to speak his mind as his silence leaves potentially necessary information unsaid but as Navi speaks he looks to the young sephi and then away from her as their knocking is answered by the disembodied voice.

Navi's words essentially cover what he would have said himself so he does not address the witch directly but instead asides to Anne, "I was beginning to think you'd gotten bored of us and headed back to Coruscant...leaving me to deal with two nervous and overly conservative Jedi Masters. We seem to have stumbled into a bit of a tangled web just by trying to help Master Tomi..."

Pike Windu has posed:
Windu restains himself from making his presence known. He lowers his head and turns away, waiting to see how the younger Jedi handle this challenge.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    The sudden voice and thickening of the mist has Cayde on edge even more, but when Ann arrives he seems to relax at least a little bit. He hangs back--although not as far back as Pike--standing behind the redheaded woman.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    "What she said," confirms Ann, without much more to say for the moment.

    To Caius's aside she simply shrugs, wiggling two fingers in a semblance of pantomiming her running about helter-skelter, as they might say a long time in the future in a galaxy far, far away.

Athena (159) has posed:
There's a brief pause. "... so you didn't come to kill us. You want my help. /Our/ help." A chuckle reverberates around them, and the misty circle draws tighter around the group. Pike will feel the wind of someone or something passing in front of him, but will see nothing...

The green energy then spirals upward, winding around them.

Then, all of a sudden, another Dathomirian female appears out of seemingly thin air, floating several centimeters from the ground.

Two things can be observed about her: First, that she embodies temptation absolutely, for she radiates both raw power and beauty. Secondly, despite all of Masters Windu and Volk's warnings about their use of the dark side, there doesn't seem to be any darkness lingering around her. There's some apprehension, but most prominently, a sense of curiosity. She'd heard stories about Jedi, but she's never seen any before.

With a flick of her hand the green energy and fog dissipates, and she approaches without hesitation, circling them inquisitively, examining them carefully.

Navi has posed:
Navi takes half a step back as the fog closes in tighter. She stares at the Dathomirian witch as she appears from the mist, watching her curiously and just a bit apprehensively. "Wow... you're so pretty! And that was quite an entrance," she says, chattering a little in her nervousness. "Nice to meet you! Are you Mal's sister? Is she okay?"

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
Caius speaks up: "More precisely, we're herebecause I received a message that Mal wanted to speak with us again." No sense in leading her on into thinking they want their help in the literal sense.

"We met your sister in the temple and I thought...it was appropriate to hear her out. She has a very powerful gift." answers Caius, hands folkded in his robes.

Trained as he is, he exhibits no outward nervousness at the display nor does he move into some sort of ready stance. Though ..being a Jedi that probably doesn't mean much. It doesn't take much time to ignite a lightsaber.

He studies this sister with a sort of cool detachment though his eyes do narrow slightly and it's not necessarily at her appearence or her basking in the use of her 'magicks'. Rather it's the lack of the prsence of THe Dark Side that catches his curiosuity.

Pike Windu has posed:
After the witch takes form, Master Windu scoffs silently. As Cayde draws back, the Jedi Master throws back his hood and reveals himself. "Easy, Padawan. Blasted witches and their tricks, is all."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde tenses even more when the fog seems to tighten up, but it seems it had all just been theatrics once it quickly dissipates. Talk about a dramatic entrance. It helps that Master Pike appears and offers some encouragement. Still, he's wary of the witch who has just appeared. As she's circling the group, he backs away from her when she comes near to him.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    "Very theatric," says Ann dryly with a wry smile on her face, shaking her head. She shrugs it off a moment after, arms crossing as she turns relatively serious.

    "Something to do with the sleeping sorcerer, I understand. Likely worth discussing given his involvement in recent events."

    As he moves, she puts a hand on Cayde's shoulder to steady the lad.

Athena (159) has posed:
Her sharp gaze flicks toward Navi momentarily. "She's fine," she says curtly, but doesn't reply to Mal's other question. She then glances briefly over at Pike. "About time, baba," she scoffs at the older Jedi. She must have seen him before, then. But he hadn't seen her...

She then turns to Caius, approaching him specifically. "Is that so?" she says, meeting the Jedi Knight's gaze evenly and calmly. "Well it may be news to you but my sister wants a lot of things. However not all of those things are good for her."

She then intrudes into Caius' personal space, prying into his pockets and peering into the inside of his outer robes, eventually discovering the journals they'd recovered from the Bogan Collection. Her eyes flash in fascination and before Caius can stop her, a branch of wispy green energy retrieves it and levitates into the air in front of her. "Now what would a Jedi be doing with something like this..."

Navi has posed:
"/This/ might be good for her... the first time I met her, she was all but crying about how Jedha had been defiled. I know about her gift, and that it can overwhelm her... I saw it firsthand. I don't know what she meant by the defiling of Jedha, but I gave her my robe to calm her, and it seemed to help a lot," Navi explains. "Those journals may be able to help her. They may have insights into just what defiled Jedha. If we can solve this mystery, the defilement of Jedha may be cured, which means it won't plague her anymore." All the same, she pouts a little at the witch ignoring her question.

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
Despite not having been aware of Pike's presence, Caius doesn't seem particularly surprised when The Jedi Master reveals himself. In fact he smirks slightly and gives a light shrug. Though he believed Pike when he said he was going to continue to remain with Tomi it's reasonable that he simplyc hanged his mind. He's in too deep now and likely too concerned about everything happening. Perhaps now, without Volk around, they can give Pike a better view of the entire situation.

Assuming this witch doesn't make matters worse for everyone. Caius doesn't react too much as she gets into his personal space. The taking of the journal, however, is another matter and he reflexively reaches out with the Force to hold the book in place before she can truly lay hand on it and especially to keep it shut.

"Now now. I'm sure you're familiar with the whole idea of 'look but don't touch'? Let's not get quite so hands on please. A little self control, perhaps? And perhaps letting your sister decide for herself might be in order? We are here, after all."

Pike Windu has posed:
Windu takes a step forward when the witch tries to take the Journals. But he nods in approval as Caius handles it.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde relaxes a little bit more when Ann puts a hand on his shoulder. As Navi and Caius converse with the witch, his gaze starts to wander about the area. Something didn't seem quite right.

    Why the shuttered windows, anyway? Were they hiding something? He wonders if Mal is in there. If she was the one who wanted to speak to them, why hadn't she come out to meet them? This one hadn't even told them her name yet.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    "Determining what is and isn't good for someone is... not the best look, I find, unless you happen to be her doctor or some such. Guessing not -mother-," Ann comments mildly, patting Cayde's shoulder before letting him go for the moment.

    "But what do I know of Dathomiri ways," she adds, shrugging again with that.

Athena (159) has posed:
Her expression sours. "I'll be the judge of that," she says to Navi and Anne rather possessively, eyes narrowing. "And if you wouldn't mind, leave the caretaking to me, please. Mal is a special case, so for her sake and your own, do not try to advise me, or do my job for me."

Then she turns to Caius, her expression and tone softening. "I've never heard of it," she teases, "must be a /Jedi/ thing." She shoots him a sultry look, and brushes a hand under his chin briefly. Then she releases her hold on the journals.

Just as Cayde is beginning to wonder where Mal is, and why the windows are shuttered, the door to the small limestone flat opens, and Mal peers out. "Oh," she says, seeming surprised. "We have guests?! We have guests..."

"Apparently," the other witch snorts.

"You... you all look so familiar," she says, "do come in... "

If they accept Mal's invitation, the group will find themselves ushered into a somewhat cramped kitchen and dining area. Mal will attempt to play hostess and serve them some light appetizers, but the plate, containing a bloody fish tail and bowl of wriggling worms, looks far from appetizing.

Meanwhile, the older witch turns to Anne, arms folded. "Earlier you said something about a sleeping sorcerer. What did you mean by that?"

Navi has posed:
"None of us want to meddle with your caring for Mal. We know she's your sister, and that you love her dearly. It's only right. I just want to help, any way I can... /if/ I can. She's a sweet girl, and I can't help but regret seeing her so troubled as she was in the Temple that night," Navi explains as best she can, blushing a little at the possessive witch's accusation.

And then Mal peeks out, and she smiles. "Hello, Mal. It's good to see you again," she says warmly, not hesitating to accept Mal's invitation, even if the 'appetizers' threaten to turn her stomach a bit. "Thank you for inviting us in. I've been wondering how you've been getting along."

She looks at Caius, adding, "Master Astras can explain it better, but the sleeping sorcerer is Master Tomi, a Sorcerer of Tund. He was accidentally wounded by an artifact that put him into a deep coma, and he dies just slightly more each day he remains unconscious. We are looking for a way to save him."

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
"There's not much more to the story beyond that." voices Caius, looking away from the older witch to look over the room as he speaks. "He's trapped in his own mind by a sort of waking nightmare. We'd been sent by the Jedi Council to help him but so far it's been slow. In fact without the aid of Master Windu matters would be far worse but his arrival and skills have aided Master Tomi. We were in the temple when we met Mal."

Caius smiles and turns his attention towards the younger witch, "When we heard she wnated to see us again...well..we had to respond to her invites. Your both are very gifted. I'm sure I need not explain your sisters talents to you but...they are such that if she has something to say one would be wise to listen. Don't you think so?"

he raises an eyebrow, realizing the other witch hasn't given her name yet and so he asks plainly, "..And what should we call you?"

Pike Windu has posed:
Windu lets the others enter the witches' abode. Without a word, he pulls up his hood and turns back down the alley, becoming one brown robe in a city full of them.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde follows the others inside, still feeling uneasy although he tries to push his feelings down. However, he doesn't sit down with the others, shifting nervously back and forth on his feet and glancing about the room.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    "That is more or less the situation, yes," Says Ann, nodding to Navi and Caius. "He was there during the incidents at the temple- I'm sure all of Jedha is all too familiar with the story there by now. Haven't ever been fully told how he was involved, but I understand he needed to be stopped from doing something and an unfortunate coincidence put him under."

Athena (159) has posed:
"I don't need help," the older witch snaps a little too immediately. But when Navi says that Mal had been troubled earlier, she sighs, looking weary. When Caius and Navi go into further detail to explain Master Tomi's situation, she listens, eyes narrowing once more. "Does he dream?"

"She likely doesn't remember wanting to see you again," the older witch says, frowning at the 'appetizers' that Mal has tried to give their 'guests.' With a wave her of her hand, a large green flame engulfs the fish and sears it, making it much more palatable. "But you should show her the journal."

Mal's gaze flicks to Caius, then to the other witch, frowning. "... journals..." she says faintly, her gaze growing distant. "I've dreamed..."

"Gael," the other witch says, meeting Caius' gaze once again. "And you?"

Cayde might not like what he sees. There are shelves lining the walls, full of things that he won't be able to identify. There are also a lot of jars of pickled... organisms, many of which look as if once upon a time, might have been very alive, or were part of something very alive.

Navi has posed:
"Possibly. We know his sleep isn't always peaceful. But Master Astras and Padawan Alexis could tell you more, and more succinctly," Navi replies softly, flinching slightly as the fish is seared by green flames. "That is a very neat trick. I wish you could teach it to me," she adds, impressed.

She looks to Mal, adding. "I gave Mal my robe to wear, to calm her and help her focus. I wore it while meditating, and during prayer services and while helping to do good deeds in the name of my order. It shouldn't be full of anything but good and peaceful memories, and maybe a sense of doing good." Looking to Mal, she asks, "Do you still have my robe, dear? Has it helped you?"

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
"I suppose....yes..he's in a dream of sorts. A sort of perpetual nightmare." answers Caius.

Now he decides to show some caution. He'd have liked to have had a chance to catch Anne up before this but they're all in it now and with Windu gone...

"I'm not sure that's a good idea." he says towards Cael. "Especially given her gifts and the lack of peace she seems to have. This journal is connected to some dealings that are rather violent. I dont' want to see your sisters gifts torment her if she doesn't have control over them..."

He looks back towards Mal as she speaks, "What is it you've dreamed Mal? Can you share it with us?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Could it be called a dream? Cayde wonders when Gael asks if Tomi dreamed. He was trapped in a traumatic memory...but he lets Caius answer the question in more detail, since the older Jedi had also seen the vision as well.

    The padawan stares at the strange objects and jars of pickled things that look like they were creatures or parts of creatures. What were these items for, anyway? He approaches one of the shelves, examining one of the glass containers that has some kind of weird animal or animal part that he's never seen before inside of it...

Annelia Belask has posed:
    "I suspect with two young ones of gifted perceptions in the mix we could likely figure -something- out," notes Ann, most certainly not specifically for a certain young padawan in the room.

Athena (159) has posed:
Gael just folds her arms, looking both thoughtful and skeptical.

Mal doesn't respond to Navi. Her expression is far away, and unfocused. In fact, she looks a lot like how Cayde does whenever he 'zones' out...

"Page 66," she intones, "I need to see it... I need to see if it's all true."

Gael's eyes narrow. "Let's see it, then. If you don't trust us to look at it, then what did you bring it here for? She won't lose control - not while I'm here. Lay it flat on the table, and let us observe it without touching it, if you're too afraid of what will happen if she mishandles it."

Upon approaching the glass jars, Cayde will find they also don't smell very pleasant, either. He may also discover that some of the specimens aren't actually dead... just floating in the liquid, only partially conscious.

Navi has posed:
Navi tenses slightly, her eyes on Mal. She looks like she'd gladly hug the younger girl if it would calm her, but is afraid to interrupt whatever spell Mal is under. "If you're sure, Gael. But please be /very/ sure. I don't want to see Mal hurt any more than you do. And I don't want to see /you/ hurt, either. It seemed like everything Master Tomi was interested in, and a lot of things he laid claim to, were very dangerous. Please be very careful, for both your sakes."

"Gael? With your permission, Cayde might be able to sense what Mal is feeling, and help translate it to the rest of us. He's as strong with telepathy as Mal seems to be with her gift of touching and learning."

Looking to Caius, she adds, "I trust them, Master. They're not the kind to steal or deliberately harm the journal. Just my two credits' worth of input."

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
It's not a matter of trust. Nor is it an issue of fear. It's an abundance of caution for your safety as well as ours. I've heard that page number said before. It was in the vault with the dark side strong about us."

THis is the second time page 66 has come to him. Clearly no coincidence

Caius eyes the two girls and then cuts his gaze towards Anne and Cayde and then Navi.

"...We've come this far. I'm sorry Anne, you've missed quite abit. We'll have to play catch up fairly fast here. Be on your guard.." he says softly before stepping forward with the journal to lay it on the table.

"Alright. Cayde? Be mindful. Do not go too deep if they permit it.""

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde was staring at the various different jars, when he comes across something that gives him pause. There was...a presence, a living one. Inside one of the smaller jars. The creature was alive, but only barely conscious. It figured that these witches...these dark side wielders, would subject a being to this sort of cruel treatment. He picks up the jar, trying to enter the creature's mind and learn more about it.

    However when his name is mentioned, he turns around quickly and sets the jar back down, peering at the group inquisitively. What did they want him to do, now?

Annelia Belask has posed:
    Ann is pretty silent for the moment- frowning a little at some of the tension in the room, but not doing much to rock the boat for now.

    Except, perhaps, putting a hand on Cayde's shoulder again to guide him gently away from the witches' possessions.

Athena (159) has posed:
Gael's gaze flicks over to Cayde, her disapproval of him fiddling with their belongings apparent. "And why should I trust him?" she says, her tone skeptical. "Powers of the mind are dangerous and he clearly lacks self control. Besides, I have no fear of the dark side, unlike you lot," she scoffs softly.

As soon as Caius places the journal on the table, Mal practically falls upon it, grasping the cover tightly while using the Force to flip to page 66 of the journal. Her eyes glaze over, and she inhales sharply upon finding the correct page. The page is mostly blank, save for a haunting poem written in the center of it:

In Jedha's depths, the Force lies slain,
A chilling echo in its tomb,
Restless souls stir, history's pain,
Awaiting peace within the gloom.
To mend the rift, a task remains.
Lay to rest these haunting pains,
For when echoes dim and nightmares cease,
The fractured element finds peace.

The Dathomirian girl reads the poem aloud, her expression trance like and glazed over. She could see hazy visions of that place she'd visited once in a dream, while sleepwalking. Dark winding tunnels, covered in bones. And then, even deeper within, there were the those tortured stone sculptures and... the shapeshifting shadow, the one she called Fear, for it reeked of death and was the suffocation of everything good and hopeful. "It's... it's all true," she finally says breathlessly, "the nightmares, the visions, that /terror/ below Jedha I dreamed of, in the catacombs...sealed away...!" She stands suddenly. "I know what to do. I've seen it done before. Through the eyes of another life..." She trails off for a moment.

"We have to go to the catacombs. A terrible thing happened there, and it's affecting the Force in Jedha. The memory of it is causing some kind of disturbance, and anyone deeply connected to that event in the Force ? well, they're being affected by it. There are others here in Jedha, that feel it too, and aren't quite as affected as your... friend, but they sense it. They just don't know how to explain what they're feeling. I think it's been happening for years, but the people here didn't know what to do other than to just bury the catacombs and seal them off completely. But the poem makes it clear - we have to resolve the broken memory." She pauses. "I don't know how else to explain this, but once we get to the catacombs, it is possible to do this through joint powers of the mind. I can serve as the catalyst and the anchor ?"

Gael frowns, suddenly cutting her off. "I'm not showing anyone how to get there," she says severely. "Least of all you. It's too dangerous, don't you remember last time?" Then she scoffs. "Of course you don't! You nearly died. You're not going back, and that's final."

Mal frowns. "But I won't be alone this time," she protests, glancing around at the others. "I can do this, Gael. I'm not a child. Stop treating me like one."

"But you /are/! You are a child!" Green flames flicker around her fingertips.

"If I am, then whose fault is that, other than yours?!" The younger witch humphs, and then turns around and storms to the back of the flat, where she rests her chin and arms on the sill of an open window.

"You ungrateful little - !" Gael rages, but Mal has already turned her back on the older witch.

Gael grumbles angrily, and a flicker of dark side magic echoes across the room when a small halo of flame winks into existence around Gael for a brief moment. Then, distraught, the elder Dathomirian turns on her heel and storms out of the small flat, a wake of bitterness and grief following her in the Force.

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
"Anne..."

Caius eyes are wide through all of this and he'd been silent. Listeing but tense. As the sisters begin arguing his expression doesn't change. It seems that the line he'd been worried about has been reached.

"Anne...we need to talk. Now...." he mutters while reaching for the other senior Jedi present and moving to try and steer her away from the table and the sisters and even Cayde.

"You've missed alot.." he whispers quietly, "And I doubt Cayde's told you much. We've stumbled into something that the Council itself doesn't necessarily want us pursuing and that Master Volk has been hesitant, officially stating his disapproval of us pursuing these matters furter while unofficially allowing us to. Master Windu seems to err on the side of being conservative as well and I believe Hal is teetering that way. If what she's saying is true...what they're talking about must be what the Council doesn't want discovered. Whatever's lurking in the depths of the temple. But whatever it is it's what Master Tomi was obsessed with. Maybe even what killed his brother. We found drawings of vile looking creatures in his journal and what looked like a mummified version of his brother and this journal itself is from a former padawan who went mad. This is is escalating..."

Navi has posed:
Navi looks between the turned-away Mal and the angry and hurt Gael, well and truly torn on where her duty lies. After a tense moment, she darts out the door after Gael. "I should try to bring her back... I won't be gone long!" she calls after her, rushing after the angry witch.

"Please let her not have gone far..." she murmurs, trying to run as fast as she can without running into anyone between herself and Gael.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    "Well, escalating or not, clearly things aren't getting -better- on their own," Ann returns in a hushed whisper to Caius, head shaking a little- a dramatic movement given the consequent motion of her fiery-red hair.

    "If something -this- dark, and -this- dangerous is starting to affect Jedha as a whole? Who knows what happens to the -countless- force users that come here. As I see it, we don't have much -choice- but to accept the escalation and meet it where it is."

Hal (269) has posed:
Hal is late to the party, but having gotten word from Volk, the knight hurried over, a grim expression plastered on his face, but his arrival is quiet. The joy of quiet clothing and years of practice.

Upon arrival, the one-eyed knight looks to the others and inquires, "I apologize for the delay, but what is going on?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde stares at the two sisters as their argument escalates into a full-on storm-off for both of them. He glances toward Anne and Caius as they confide in each other, and then to Navi as she hurries after Gael.

    His gaze also goes to Hal when he arrives, asking what's going on. However, he's really the worst person to answer that question. Or to really explain anything at all. He just glances back over toward Caius. He could explain, right?

    For some reason, the padawan finds himself wandering over toward Mal near a window in the back, using the Force to gently push the shutters open and let in a bit of light.

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
"I don't disagree but we can't just go barging into the catacombs with the aid of two witches from Dathomir and expect there won't be consequences."

Caius voice is louder now just as Hal arrives so no doubt he heard that.

"I sensed the darkness in the Temple for myself. It was the same that I think the girl did but we're going to need to decide now. Do we inform the council or not? Volk suggested waiting until after we had concluded our investigation but is there time?

He turns towards Hal now and then bows to greet the other Jedi. "Hal. You've missed much. I'll be blunt. You had concerns about going against The Council before but I think you should have a broad perspective here. There's clearly some danger here on Jedha we've uncovered and it's threatening many lives. There must be a way to resolve this while keeping The Jedi Council satisfied."

Athena (159) has posed:
Thankfully, Gael has not gone far. Navi will find her wandering down the alleyway back towards the Square of Supplicants, a lit cigarra in her hand. She takes a draw just as Navi goes after her.

But when she notices the Sephi girl, she scowls and tosses the cigarra aside, looking embarrassed. "What do you want?" she grumbles.

Gael looks up when Hal seems to materialize suddenly and quietly. "Oh, -more- Jedi, great," she murmurs unhappily, watching Hal pass by and go to join the other Jedi inside. "Let me guess. Mister Tall, Dark and Handsome has just invited himself over without notice and now has all but convinced my sister to embark upon a mission to get herself killed, and you want me to go along with it."

Mal turns to Cayde when he approaches her and pushes the window open. She smiles faintly. <Hello> she says. <You seem so familiar...> A pause. <Should I sneak out and try to find the catacombs without my sister's permission? I don't want her to stay angry with me, but...>

Navi has posed:
"I only want to talk," Navi replies softly, raising her hands away from her sides in a universal gesture of surrender. "I doubt he has. The last thing we want is to see you or your sister harmed, quest or no quest. I'm more worried about the Dark Side, though... you don't fear it, but you touched it, just briefly, when Mal turned her back to you. Believe me, you don't want to feed that emotion. I've seen the evil the Dark Side is capable of... how it corrupts and consumes those who embrace it, no matter how cautiously. Mal could show you my memories of the spirit I encountered a few years ago, and how it murdered everyone around me... and it would have claimed or killed me, too, if I hadn't been lucky."

She hugs her elbows, shuddering at the memory. "You don't want anything like that around Mal... and what would happen to her without you? She's your sister... your family. You don't want to lose her. I know," she pleads gently, earnestly.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    "Hal," greets Ann as the man steps inside, crossing her arms as she considers the situation before the group.

    She looks back to the other two Knights after a moment. "Look- sure, there are two witches involved. There are -four- jedi and a third party that the council seems to trust well enough. I don't know about you two, but that seems alright by me. Maybe it's more a question of whether we ask permission or forgiveness."

Hal (269) has posed:
Hal frowns as he hears talk of dark siders. Caius gets a quick raised brow above the knight's missing eye. "The Council should not be kept in the dark. On that my position has not changed, but that does not mean danger should not be dealt with." A beat, "Keep records, as others will need to know, lest nothing be learned from this. What is it that her sister is being sent to do?"

Upon being asked, the knight responds, "I would prefer permission," Hal says to Annelia, "If there is time to ask and receive a response." A beat, "But what must be done should we proceed?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde sits down next to Mal by the windowsill, watching her inquisitively. Then she starts asking him, of all people, what she should do. However, she doesn't seem to have finished her last sentence.

    Tilting his head slightly at her, he just fixes her with an expectant gaze, waiting for her to finish that thought. But what...?

Athena (159) has posed:
"Oh please," the witch barks, "you light siders are so conservative. I have little qualms about using the dark side," she says, shrugging. "Where my sister wants to go is dangerous for two reasons, primarily. First of all, powers of the mind are dangerous skills to wield. One could become completely and permanently lost in a vision, dream or echo of the past, without proper control. Secondly, and more importantly, it is neither the light side nor the dark side that concerns me. It is the lack of the Force entirely. Where my sister wants to go, is a void. Like the poem says, it's where the Force goes to -die-."

Mal sighs. <Jedha is our home now. I think we should take care of it> Then her expression brightens. <Well perhaps you can help me with my amnesia. If I weren't so forgetful, maybe I could remember how to get to the catacombs myself...>

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
"I don't think anyone is suggesting that we hide information from the Council, regardless of the example they seem to be setting." remarks Caius as he looks to the sturdy one eyed knight. "But we're faced with a choice here and need to look at all the facts. That's all I'm laying out. We know that Master Tomi was being driven mad by something that has him locked in his own mindscape. That whatever it was likely killed his brother. We know of a padawan who also discovered some terrible secret and went mad for it. I myself have sensed a terrible darkness in the temple and now this young witch has seen the padawan's journals and told us there's a terrible threat in the catacombs that is impacting Force Users across the planet. Yet in all of that The Council was against us investigating further. It may be that they don't know just how far reaching whatever is going on is."

Caius quiets and then gestures to Mal for Hal to look towards, "She wants to go to the catacombs. She believes she can do something about what's goign on. I think....we need to be ready to ask for forgiveness and not permission. We should go, see what is there and then report to the Council."

Navi has posed:
"I know. Two Jedi have almost become lost in Master Tomi's mind while trying to revive him from his coma," Navi replies softly. "The risks of mind powers are well known to us. And the Dark Side is far more dangerous to use than you may know. That aside, we have several skilled telepaths with us, and we don't intend to just wander into those catacombs without a plan or safeguards. We can't let this lie. It took a terrible toll on every kind of Force user on Jedha years ago, and it seems to be stirring into action again for some reason. Probably what happened to Master Tomi got its attention. Besides, if we succeed, we will free your sister from her torments. I don't think it's just her gift that is impeding her when she leaves her home."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde wonders to himself why these Nightsisters in particular had left Dathomir. It was rare for them to leave their home at all, not to mention immigrate somewhere else. Had they been banished by their own clan?

    Regardless of whether he thinks she ought to sneak away and find the catacombs herself or not, he nods and holds out a hand, as if expecting her to take it.

Hal (269) has posed:
"The Council acts in its collective wisdom," Hal notes sharply, "I believe they did not wish to have just anyone to just go and investigate this. They likely wished to pursue it when the time is right and they have the right Jedi involved. This has touched upon an event that we do not normally speak about," he frowns. "But if time is of the essence, then we have no other option," the grim knight notes and sighs. "This is why we should not just run off and do things on our own. We have rules for a reason!"

A beat, then two. "But our hands are forced now," Hal grumbles, "I will not let you take this journey unaided, but know that this must be brought to account. You are risking letting hubris guide you in this."

Annelia Belask has posed:
    A sarcastic sort of snort from Annelia at the mention of hubris, her head shaking a little.

    "Listen, call it what you want- there are things that need doing, and a very scary weird thing here. I didn't survive my master's death because I followed every little rule precisely to the letter- we're going to have faults and flaws and bad situations and -whatever- and we just have to do what we can with them, right? If we need to, sure, talk to Master Volk first, but the longer we wait here the less it seems like we've got time to -do- that waiting, the way people are talking about this."

Athena (159) has posed:
"Listen," Gael begins, "I don't care about the other people here, okay? I came to Jedha because Mal needed safe haven ..." Then she trails off, her gaze becoming distant. The statement isn't entirely true, but she isn't willing to admit it isn't. She turns around, and starts heading back towards the house. "Still, on the off chance that I decide to show Mal where the catacombs are, I would feel more comfortable knowing that she's not among strangers I'm not sure I can trust."

Mal reaches forward and takes not just Cayde's one hand, but the other as well. She presses both of his hands to her cheeks, giggling softly. She steps forward, and Cayde will be able to sense her jumbled memories, many of which aren't actually her own. <This is nice> she says, meeting the padawan's gaze evenly, her expression becoming doe-eyed. Cayde will become acutely aware of the fact that she's enjoying this, perhaps a little too much...

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
Caius is silent under Hal's rebuke but his eyes narrow and he just listens as Anne speaks up. He then considers matters and then nods his head to his own thoughts before looking back to Hal.

"We are here here expressely -on- permission and encouragement of The Council. I sought their oversight before I initiated this effort to help Master Tomi." His tone is mildly dry but there is some effort of patience as he studies Hal.

"So there is no element of us simply running off doing things on our own. If they wanted us to simply let him die and not pursue matters further it would have been said. We're balancing our mandate of compassion alongside our obligations to the order."

Caius turns away from Hal and moves to collect the journal, "It's more likely that the council simply doesn't know about the danger to The Force users on Jedha and they never would have a chance to learn until it worsened if we hadn't pursued matters as we did. The COuncil may be wise but we also have to listen to The Living Force. That is not hubris. I think there's lines we should not cross but I think we're in agreement enough to at least follow this lead and then report back to Master Volk."

Navi has posed:
"You wanted what was best for your sister. Believe me, I understand. I came here to find peace, too. But Jedha would seem to have secrets of her own, and we are going to have to deal with them if we ever want your sister to be truly safe here," Navi says gently. "We should go back. The others will be waiting for us, and we should probably check on Mal, too." She turns and starts back toward the house Gael and Mal share.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    Ann frowns a little, head tilting as she watches the exchange between Caius and Hal. "Well, more or less what I was getting at," she asserts, even if her version of it was curiously devoid of references to the Force and fate and such despite her jedi knight status.

    "So, shall we break up the lovestruck teens here and get moving?"

Hal (269) has posed:
After a sigh and a shake of his head, Hal nods, "Very well. Then we proceed and take notes accordingly. But we must steel ourselves accordingly, the Dark Side is a vicious foe, and one we must be ready to face down and retreat from, if needed." He exhales. "If it is a matter of them not knowing, then that I can work with. But we should at least leave word with Master Volk, lest we fail and not return, so that the Council at least knows." A bit of concern remains in his tone, but the knight does not move to hinder anyone.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde was trying to focus on helping her with her memories, beginning with attempting to sort through which are hers and which aren't, but suddenly he finds his hands against her cheeks as she holds them there. His face flushes when she giggles, a strange feeling rising up inside of him. Something he's never quite experienced before. No one's ever reacted to him like -that- before...and yet, somehow it felt -good-...it was nice to be noticed like this. Most others his age preferred to avoid him.

    She'll be able to sense his confusion, but also some fascination and curiosity about her.

Athena (159) has posed:
Gael quirks a brow at Navi but offers no further comment on the matter. She reaches the house just as Caius is collecting the journal, and nearly runs into the Jedi Knight upon re-entering. "You," she says, "You're the one spear heading this effort, aren't you? I want a word with you, in private." She then reaches out and rests a hand gently on his upper arm, attempting to steer him towards her bedroom.

Mal seems amused, and tugs on his braid playfully. <What's this for?> She too, is curious about him. She hardly remembers learning about the Jedi, and has never met one before, let alone one who is her age and can communicate telepathically.

Navi has posed:
Navi lets Gael move to speak with Caius, as she wants to check on Mal. She stifles a giggle as she spies the witch girl cheerfully interacting with Cayde, moving to a nearby corner to watch the pair (and the rest of the house) from a safe distance. "I suppose girls really do prefer Jedi," she murmurs, stifling another giggle.

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
Caius exchanges a glance with Anne and then looks back to Hal and nods in appreciation. IN truth all that talk about the force and the council was for the older knights benefit. THey have at least some footing here. After having made Anne aware of the details of the situation he would ahve been ready to go ahead and press onward. It seems he's the middle between the two extremes there, more or less.

"I don't think we need to worry. Master Windu is in the city and has been keeping close. Once he sees we're heading to the catacombs he'll move to join us and probably send word to Volk himself."

He gestures to Cayde as he looks back to Anne and now smirks slightly. "I think you're an expert Cayde Wrangler. Be my guest."

By then the journal is in hand and he turns just as Cael nearly slams into him.

"I'm spearheading nothing. We're all equals in this Cael." he corrects but...it's pointless anyway. She's made her mind up on several matters actually and after a helpless glance to Anne and Hal, he turns and follows her into the room though there's a slight frown as he overhears Navi.

Annelia Belask has posed:
    A smirk from Ann- and she walks across to where Cayde and Mal converse.

    Largely inferring the telepathic topic from her tugging the boy's braid, she leans down between them in a definitely-intentional interruption and notes; "That's the sign that he's still a jedi -child-," she says, feigning sweetness and an almost matronly air that absolutely does not suit her appearance or general air.

Hal (269) has posed:
"It is done," Hal says firmly, his expression remaining stony and stays quiet for the moment still clearly not happy, but exhales and nods as the plan is laid out for informing Volk.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde watches as Mal pulls gently on his hair, more specifically, the small part that was intentionally kept much longer than the rest. He flushes even deeper red, unsure of how to explain it exactly, but through a series of projections containing imagery and general impressions, she'd get the idea that it's some kind of status symbol. This is then confirmed when Ann explains it.

    Speaking of which, the padawan withdraws, suddenly realizing he probably shouldn't be doing that. Whatever that was. He gets up quickly, his face still red. [Sorry Master] he signs.

Athena (159) has posed:
Once Caius has entered the bedroom, Gael closes the door behind them and turns to Caius, her brows furrowed.

"You should know," she says, "That the catacombs are entirely inaccessible via traditional means. Cut and gouge all you like with your ... lightsabers, but you will not be able to reach the catacombs that way. When my sister said they're sealed off, she meant four thousand tonnes of permacrete sealed." She pauses. "You'll not be able to enter. Not without me, or my sister, for only we have... ways of traveling through walls."

"And I just know it. The girl is damned stubborn. She'll find a way to go with you, with or without my permission." She looks away for a moment, growing suddenly emotional. Then she turns back to Caius, her eyes glassy and her tone shaky. "I want your word as a Jedi," she demands. "even if I accompany, that if you must sacrifice yourself to ensure her safety, you will."

Mal laughs, a faraway dreamy look in her eyes. "But didn't you hear my sister?" she says absently. "I'm just a child, too..." She pats Cayde's cheek, but then moves away.

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
"She will be under the protection of four Jedi, possibly five with one being a Jedi Master, once he's finished tongue lashing us for being reckless again." says Caius slowly and with understanding.

"Each of us would gladly lay our lives down to protect someone in need. Your sister will be safe. We wont' allow any harm to come to her. In fact, I"m not fully convinced of how deep into these catacombs we will need to go. At first sign of great danger we will withdraw...but Cael?"

Caius pauses and then says, "It's your family and your business but...I had a younger sibling that I tried everything in my power to protect and guide and...he ended up going his own way and choosing his own path. He was his own person no mattre what I thought I wanted for him. I can't say more than that but I get where you're coming from just..as much as you want to protect Mal, trust her as well."

Annelia Belask has posed:
    "I mean I don't mind you having a friend, just- we're working on something here," Ann reminds, shrugging as she straightens back up and turns around, striding across the room to the door outside, scanning the street outside the house restlessly.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde flushes harder when she touches him again, and quickly looks away before following Anne outside.

    Mal will sense a deep loneliness within him, though. He doesn't have many friends his own age.

Athena (159) has posed:
Gael laughs softly when Caius mentions getting a tongue lashing. But then her demeanor becomes solemn again. "It's not that simple," she says, "Once you go down there, there will be no turning back."

Her expression softens when he mentions his younger sibling. "You're not wrong," she says quietly, stepping closer to Caius. "I just wish I didn't care so much. But emotions are often no small task to wrangle." She pushes a stray strand of his hair behind his ear. "At least tell me your name before you go," she says softly.

Mal rushes to the window facing the street and flinging it open, waves goodbye to the young padawan. "I'm sure I'll see you again someday," she says, finally sinking into a sitting position and resting her head on her arms as she watches them leave.

Caius Astras (334) has posed:
That's...concerning. Both the catacombs and ...her proximity to him. Dathomire girls, right?

"Caius Astras...and if you can tell us anything about the catacombs before we go then that'd help us be able to protect you both."

Key word on 'us'. Time to end this private conversation so that Annelia and Hal can step in and they can decide on best course of actions.

"Come on Cael. You've got nothing to worry about..." he gives her an easy smile and veyr deliberately and firmly steps back for the main room and in sight of Anne and Hal.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde glances back at Mal as she waves goodbye, but then quickly looks away. But then he looks back again, and then away again. Finally, he just waves back at her and hurries away from the flat after Ann.