The Cortosis Ordeal

The Cortosis Ordeal
Date of Scene:	21 September 2025
Location:	Kublop Springs - Tenoo - Outer Rim
Synopsis:	Conflict over a chunk of cortosis comes to a head.
Cast of Characters:	159, Navi, Cayde Alexis, Zetha Rumir, Volken Mons

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Athena (159) has posed:
After Cayde had reached out to the Republic regarding the cortosis, the young padawan might have been both surprised and relieved when the RDC had responded rather promptly, saying they had an interested buyer from Cato Neimodia who would be happy to meet them on Tenoo, formalize the purchase and be on their way in hours.

The text transmission had detailed they were already en route, and would arrive in a day or so, as coincidentally, the buyer had been traveling through the Outer Rim when they'd received the RDC's message.

Exactly 24 hours later, a Neimoidian Haor Chall shuttle is touching down in the spaceport in Kublop, escorted by two RDC Skywings.

Navi has posed:
"I hope this works," Navi observes, watching the ships touch down. "After this, I could live with never hearing the word 'cortosis' again. Filed right between 'colony initiative' and 'Tenoo'."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Indeed, Cayde is quite relieved that the response came so quickly. And it seems that this particular situation is now on its way to being resolved smoothly. He'd carefully hidden the cortosis in a locked case in his room while waiting for the buyer to arrive. So now he finds himself at the port as the Neimodian vessel docks with the goods in hand.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha is making good on her word with stopping by the junkyard to work on her 'projects'. Her first one is taking care of the front door. Looking at it just in general tells a story that something either very big, very heavy, or both took care of the door in a hurry. For now she's assessing - and letting Wiis know that she's around so the old bat doesn't take her for an intruder. "Wiis? You around?" Cause, no front door. Can't knock.

Athena (159) has posed:
The 'buyer' disembarks as the gangplank lowers. Hopefully none of them like to judge on sight or by first instinct, because this frog faced fellow certainly looks.... pretentious.

He's garbed from head to to toe in red velvet, and is wearing a feathered hat, that's garishly garnished with gold studs.

He descends with pomp and circumstance, attended by two weird looking protocol droids that seem far too skinny to stand up right.

"Why hello my good deputies!" he says, grinning widely at both Cayde and Navi. "What a lovely little backwater planet you've been trapped on. It's very humid, and while I don't mind, it's certainly not doing anything for your humanoid skin." A pause, and he steeples his fingers. "Now, we probably shouldn't waste anymore time. The cortosis?" He stretches out an open hand, expecting Cayde to just, hand it over or something.

Meanwhile, Er'gi is conferring with Volken. "I've good news for you," he tells the other mammoth. "I've worked something out. I've made the executive decision for Kasseady and awarded the cortosis weave commission to Thaelin. He wanted to present Sanza with a pair of beskar cuffs - a gift he plans to present to her when they take their honeymoon. He says she swears upon her life she will not use it to harm or provoke a Jedi! Your young friend can be persuaded. Where is he?"

The old Zabrak woman appears. She looks visibly shaken. "..y-yeah," she says, "Look, will you keep an eye on Two-zee for a bit? I.. I'm gonna head into town. I saw a ship that didn't look familiar in a good way, and I want to make sure I'm not being paranoid."

Navi has posed:
"Sure isn't," Navi observes, shrugging. "Welcome to the most civilized spot on Tenoo, unless you count the Jedi Temple ruins. Good to meet you. Go ahead and show him the goods, Cayde." She glances at the Padawan and her co-deputy. "You've got it with you, right?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde nods and takes out the case with the cortosis inside, opening it to show him the piece. Although at the same time, he probes the Neimoidian's mind a bit, or at least tries to. Sure, the Republic trusts him, but that doesn't mean some level of caution isn't warranted. He'd feel terrible if it was stolen and Wiis was cheated out of getting paid. This time, he lets the buyer know what he's doing...just so he's aware that trying anything dishonest would be very unwise.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Is Twozee not operating well lately?" Zetha asks, noting the way Wiis is shaking and talking like she's nervous. "What's wrong?" Asking this even as she goes to grab a few tools that are sitting none too far from the doorway. Zetha doesn't know anything about who has been contacted about the cortosis or anything else going on with it. And to her, it's old news that will be handled and doesn't need her further meddling. She's just here to fix a door. And maybe a washer and dryer.

Volken Mons has posed:
"Alright fine.."

Volken's response is still brusque but Er'gi seems to know him well enough to know this does make things better for him.

"Let's go back. But let -me- do the talking. I"ve dealt with the Jedi before. Yelling at them doesn't make any difference. believe me, I"ve tried all that in the past. The boy should trust me by now as well. They don't -know- you so you coming in behind me to just raise your voice only to get yelled at by that slip of a girl and cowed down is a bad look.."

There's -some- humor in his voice at that at least. HE's apparently-quite- amused by how well Navi handled Er'gi.

"So keep quiet. If it looks like it's not going well then we'll come up with another plan but I don't want any of them hurt, you understand? I've history with all of them so it's -my- reputatio nthat's on the line here. That means Kassady, where ever he is, needs to stay the hell out of this."

With that said, and hopefully understood, Volken turns and begins to retread his steps back to try and meet back up with the others with, hopefully, Er'gi with him.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Thank you," The Nemoidian says, "your hospitality is most appreciated." He then turns to Cayde, looking annoyed. "I'm not a criminal, you know," he says, "I've no intention of doing anything illegal, so you can save your Jedi tricks for real criminals." He's not lying, that's for sure. But Cayde will sense that while he's not necessarily -dishonest-, he is manipulative. And very greedy. He immediately reaches for the cortosis, unless either Cayde or Navi try to stop him.

"Nothing," Wiis says, but Zetha will know better than to believe her. She's saying it ... in that way. In that way that means she's actually really worried.

"I'll give you a cut, thirty percent. We'd do good on this one, probably make at least a hundred thousand or more. It's the least I can do for you," the other Mandalorian says.

"This is good for you, vod," Er'gi says, keeping with Volken's good humor. "You'll do all the diplomacy, save me a breath or two and soon, Volken Mons will be known as a bureaucrat," he chuckles.

"Noted," he says, "but I can't help but wonder where the kriff he is! It's been days, and I haven't seen your companions or Kasseady at all. It's starting to look a bit suspicious if you ask me." He'll follow Volken, and their path will likely lead them to the spaceport, as it had been relatively obviously with the RDC Skywing escorts, that someone of importance had just arrived. And wherever important people were, the deputies likely would be, too.

Navi has posed:
"Don't read the buyer's mind, Cayde. It's bad manners," Navi says to Cayde, looking right at him. And winking at him with the eye that the Neimoidian can no longer see.

As the buyer reaches for the cortosis ore, Navi casually lays her hand over it and part of the case. "Credits?" she asks casually, arcing a pale eyebrow at him.

Volken Mons has posed:
"I didn't sign up to be that. I'd wish everyone would stop trying to make me be respectable. It's enough to make me want to tear something apart just to feel comfortable in my own skin again." grouses Volken.

"I don't give a damn where Kassady is in the end. If he just...rushed off or wnadered off then that's his loss. We'll find him and make sure someone didn't twist his head off after this whole mess is settled and we've contacted Sanza and Thaelin..."

That said he doesn't have much to add until he notes the activity at the spaceport and the signs of an important indvidual being present.

"What now..." grumbles Volken as he closes in the distance.

With him being over eight feet tall, probably four wide and ...well..a friggen Mandalorian - there's no missing his approach. ANd Er'gi being who knows how big but just BIG? Well it's like two tanks walking rapidly towards the gathering.

Mandalorians coming in!

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha doesn't want another fight. Pushing the issue with Wiis may just lead to another fight. But Zetha has gone less on instinct and more on heart recently which has led her down a lot of wrong roads. She sets the tools down and takes a step towards Wiis. "Doesn't feel like nothing. Maybe if you tell me we can work it out together?" She would say something else. Like she could help Wiis. But the last time she tried to 'help' landed her precisely where she is today. On edge with a lot of people. So she'll keep it simple and if Wiis pushes back, she'll very likely back off.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <I didn't accuse you of anything...> Cayde points out, obviously still in his head despite both of their protests. But he'll get the distinct notion that this was just a demonstration. Any sort of manipulative tactic was not likely to work, so he may as well just cut to the chase.

    The padawan was about to close the case before the Neimoidian could touch the product when Navi beats him to the punch, putting her hand over it instead.

    It's basically impossible to miss the two oversized Mandalorians' arrival. Cayde glances toward them uncomfortably. Hopefully they're not going to try anything...violent.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Oh." The Neimoidian blinks, and immediately removes his hand. "Well, I suppose we should go find the seller and work something out, shouldn't we?" he says, waving delicately with the air of someone who's gone to far too many parties for the elite. He steeples his fingers again. "Ahem. So. The seller. Where do they live?"

Then he notices Volken and Er'gi arriving and suddenly looks very put out. "Wh... they're just leaving... right?"

Wiis actually doesn't tell her to back off. Instead, she just goes to grab Zetha's wrist and head for the spaceport, if the young Twi'lek lets her.

"We could go hunting here, after, if that makes you feel better, vod. Looks like the live game here might actually prove a worthy chase..."

"I just don't like not knowing where he is or what he's doing. For all we know, he might have wandered off and sent word back to Mandalore about you and Jorn being here! Then we might both have to forget about not twisting his head off." The other giant then falls quiet, planning to let Volken do all the talking.

Navi has posed:
Navi glances at Cayde, nodding. "Up to you," she says. "Do you want to act as her go-between and handle the exchange, or do you want to lead this gentleman to the seller?"

She is careful to leave Wiis' name out of this for now.

She looks up at the approach of two familiar Mandalorians who would look at home among a formation of repulsortanks. "Or do we go with the idea that that may no longer be an option?"

She lifts a hand in a casual wave to the two Mandalorians. "Good day to you Volken, friend of Volken."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde closes the case and puts it back under his arm. But he doesn't respond to the buyer's suggestion, or move from the spot. Just continues watching him intently, as if expecting something. A thought meanders into the Neimoidian's mind, that if he is going to buy it, he'd better start making offers now. And if not, he'd better leave. He's only being given this opportunity because he is a trusted ally of the Republic. However, if he can't offer the right price, there were always...others.

Volken Mons has posed:
"Hello there Navi, Cayde."

Volken's voice is casual and not even forced at that. He does indeed seem pleased to see them despite the matter at hand.

The new arrival, however, only gets a quick glance. He's apparently becoming a bureaucrat. Er'gi said nothing about a diplomat.

"We're here to finish our business about the Cortisis. We've even arranged something that should put your minds at ease regarding the very ...sensitive and thin skinned feelings of your Jedi masters and leaders and you should be able to earn some good credit and respect to help you and your efforts here as deputies while we're at it..."

He glances and gestures to the Neimodians, "O'course...finish doin' what you're doing here...."

Volkens' eyes do drift down towards the case however. If he knows -thats- what it is? He gives no signs of it. Probably deliberately so. A test, perhaps...

Zetha Rumir has posed:
While she's surprised, Zetha actually does let Wiis take her by the wrist and heads with her to the spaceport. Somethings up, and maybe Wiis will be more talkative once her mind is put at ease. That usually works. It's the whole not having a clue what she's getting into that may lead her right back into trouble. Or something.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Look," the Neimoidian says, "I'm going to keep my word. It won't be less than four hundred credits. Perhaps it will even be five, six hundred. But I'd like to personally meet the seller, so we can work something out between the two of us. No need for you to play the liaison. We're respectable beings, and we can make a deal without a middle man. You may watch, of course."

Er'gi shifts, fists clenching and unclenching, but he doesn't say anything. Volken won't even need to look at him to know why. Six hundred for the cortosis is barely a fraction of the amount he and Kasseady had offered Wiis. But such was the nature of trying to sell cortosis in Republic Space. Nearly everything was mass manufactured, and they had little to no interest in a block of cortosis the size that Wiis had. Only museums, and private collectors would care about such an item, and they could offer whatever they wanted because -something- would be better than nothing at all.

Wiis' grip on Zetha's wrist tightens as she approaches the spaceport. She sees the Neimodian and stops approaching, her face turning even more bone white than usual. She still says nothing to Zetha.

The RDC soldiers disembark from their Skywings as soon as the Mandalorians arrive on the scene and appear interested in the cortosis. They're armed, and look ready to fight. "This is Republic business," one of them says, "Stay out of it."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde nods toward Volken when the massive man arrives and greets him, feeling somewhat relieved. It seemed they didn't have violent plans after all. At least, not yet. However, he still has his guard up, especially when the RDC come out order the Mandalorians to stay out of this.

    Well that was exactly the problem, wasn't it? Wiis wanted a lot more than that.

    <You cannot offer what she wants...only because of Republic...so you pay me now...or you leave with nothing> Nope, Cayde is still not out of his head.

    He still doesn't move.

Volken Mons has posed:
"Are you -serious-? It's worth so much more than that! A much higher amount was offered. -and- it's of cultural signifigance to my people. You've got to be joking. How -insultig- you'd offer so little for that."

Volken only gives the Republic offers the barest of glances followed by a flicker of a glance towards Er'gi and a nod of his head in the direction of the men. If Er'gi's got energy to spare he can go be intimidating to those men and hold them off for a bit like a big wall. Better that then stand behind him sucking up charisma like a black hole.

"You can't possibly be serious Cayde...." he says finally, "I told you before that my people were here to obtain the cortosis and you kept it - only to be willing to hand it over to -them-? And your only reasoning was because of -ancient history- with the Jedi? The Mandalorians haven't been in conflict with the Jedi for ages. We basically only shoot at each -other-. The cortosis will go to the armor of a wedding gift to a noblewoman back on Mandalore. The groom is willing to pay signifigantly for it in order to make the armor a gift worthy of his bride. They swear it will not be used against the Jedi. Are you seriously going to betray my trust over assumptions by selling to -them-?"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Republic Officials, Mandos, and Jedi - Oh My! The grouping seen at the spaceport would have caused Zetha to pause whether Wiis stopped or not. She glances to Wiis, taking note of how her face is drained of more color than she's likely ever seen before and she frowns. She doesn't even know what to ask and it seems like if either or both of them intruded many more Bad Things(tm) may happen. She doesn't want that. But she does sort of shift a step forward to put herself between the spaceport and Wiis.

Navi has posed:
Navi rolls her eyes toward the sky and sighs softly, moving over to get the attention of the RDC officers. "Guys, hey... I know them. They won't cause trouble," she says, nodding toward the two Mandalorian giants. A pointed glare at Er'gi suggests that he'd better not make a liar out of her...

Athena (159) has posed:
The Neimoidian looks significantly discomfited when Cayde remains in his mind, prodding him. "I don't think you understand. Cortosis may be rare and valuable, but not in that form, and certainly not that little. The refining process is arduous, and delicate, so few manufacturers would bother for such a small amount. And it's nearly useless as an artifact, unless one knows how to market their collection to the right crowd. Might I add, most museums and private collectors don't. They'll offer you less, or ask for you to simply just donate it." He hmphs. "You don't have to believe me. But it's going to be your loss, -Jedi-. Look at you! You're just a child. You don't know anything about cortosis, or credits, or what kinds of gems and minerals are valuable where."

The Neimoidian scoffs. "This man is an enemy of the Republic! And you're just going to... trust him? Believe what he says? Don't be ridiculous. Not even the RDC are fooled."

Er'gi twitches. He's using every bit of self restraint to not strangle the froggish alien. He might make Navi out to be a liar. He might.

"I owe that Neimoidian all my life savings and more!" Wiis finally says. "It's him, Zetha. He's the reason I was ever in debt. You could have had a father, Zetha. But I couldn't pay the medical bills. I tried. I tried so damn hard. He loaned me credits, and for what? My husband died anyway."

The RDC don't lower their weapons, but they take -one- small step back. "You sure about that?" the one speaking says.

Navi has posed:
"Sure /enough/," Navi replies to the RDC officers. "If I thought anyone needed watching, it'd be /him/." Accompanied by pointing at the Neimoidian, who seems determined to make enemies of absolutely everyone here, arrogant in his RDC protection.

She looks to the Neimoidian. "Sir? You should quiet down, right now," she says coldly. "Ignore the fact that that sounded like a suggestion... it's a lawful order. You're not going to provoke a brawl on my watch."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"His death isn't your fault, Wiis. Some times all the credits in the galaxy can't save someone." Zetha says. "I think I would have liked to have a father, but at least I have you...and despite everything...I'm proud to call you mom." She finishes and then looks back over. "They're talking about the cortosis. Is -that- who Cayde is trying to sell it to? But the Mandos...they also want it...and for a much higher price. This...this might get bad Wiis. Maybe we should head back home. Let this sort out and whatever you get of it...we'll handle the rest. Somehow."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde glances at Volken as the Mandalorian questions him. [I must respect the Order] he tells him very simply. After all, they saved him, and raised him, and taught him nigh everything he knows. If it hadn't been for them, he wouldn't be here. He'd surely be dead, or perhaps even worse...

    He shakes his head at the Neimoidian. <You don't understand...> But then Wiis suddenly arrives and speaks up. The padawan turns, arching a brow at her. Well then...if she was already here, they might as well. He steps aside.

Volken Mons has posed:
<<Let him be their problem.>> Volken remarks roughly to his 'Number One', speaking in Mand'oa as he turns towards Er'gi. Navi speaking up pretty much reinfores this.

But he does add, "Well it's a good thing our culture has ARmroers whose entire craft and secret skill deals with the cortosis and can use however amount they have and need to whatever purpose they need alongside with beskar itself. So I don't think you need to worry about that at all, scrawny neck. Hardly a concern of yers."

"You must respect me as well. I've bled for you, Cayde and deended you against people who don't care for you and I'm -telling- you that the cortisis must go to Mandalore where it belongs, with the people that know how to use it. At this point you're just being stubborn for the sake of stubborness. We're talking about a sale of an item that isn't yours to keep in the first place."

The arrival of Wils, however, does draw his attention. That part of the story is news to him...but if he cares or not is up in the air. His focus in on securing the resource for Er'gi and the rest.

Athena (159) has posed:
The RDC officer presses his lips into a thin line. They don't like him Navi won't need the Force to tell, but they're bound by duty. -Very- bound by duty.

"Me? Provoke a -brawl-?" The Neimoidian says. "Please. There's two oversized Mandalorians standing -right- there. It's not my fault their ability to have any self control falls in the negative."

"I'm not the bad guy," the Neimoidian huffs. "Really. I've a spotless record. I'm aware that many of the elite have come upon their wealth in unlawful manners but I am -not- one of them."

"No, I-- You're right, Zetha. This isn't what Dayzon would have wanted for me..." She suddenly lets go of Zetha, and when Cayde steps aside to let her pass, she storms right up the Neimoidian. "Alright you frog faced creep. Sure. You can have the cortosis. On one condition. You forgive my debt, all of it! You deprived Zetha of a decent childhood, and it's about high time you paid!" She shakes a fist at him.

The Neimoidian looks disgustingly pleased. "Oh, Wiis, very lovely to see you too. You see, I can't do that. There's the way of the galaxy, and you must follow it. When someone loans someone else credits, they must pay them back, eventually. That's just common sense and the -right- thing to do. It isn't my fault you embezzled all of the credits I invested in your company on your husband's medical bills. And then you asked for more, and I was, once again, very generous. You signed the contracts, Wiis. You agreed that every year, the loan interest rate would go up. This isn't my fault. You knew the risks, and you took them. You can't blame me for how you mismanaged, well, everything. And to think, I would have been willing to let the interest rate stay the same this year, and extend your due date out another two weeks. I could have been even more generous."

Zetha will be able to see that Wiis is crumbling, emotionally, physically. She hunches over even more, looking even smaller, somehow. "Dayzon.. died! And you don't even care!"

The Neimoidan dusts his vest off. "You're right, actually. I don't. I can't be blamed for his death. Perhaps if you'd chosen a better doctor, he'd still be here today."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Wiis! Wait!" Zetha says this a little too late before the Zabrak is laying into the Neimoidian. THen she watches as Wiis crumbles. Then she tightens her jaw and jogs over to gather Wiis in her arms before looking to Cayde. "I trusted you to handle this for me. So handle it. Sell it to the Mandalorians because that's the /right/ thing to do. If it gets Wiis any money it's likely going to go to this man anyway because that's all Wiis wanted to do. Pay off her debts. Maybe have a little bit left to retire on."

Then she looks to the Neimoidian. "I mean. You'd rather leave here with MORE credits than spend anything right? So see this from another point of view. The cortosis goes to a people who can use it for good. You get your money back for what you loaned Wiis. Everyone leaves happy. Nothing bad happens to any of us. And those of us who call Tenoo home can go back to some measure of peace and happiness while you go live your best life in the Republic's high chair." She'll deal with the emotional side of Wiis later. First things first. Break this all up and make people see it from a practical point of view. But the look she then gives to Cayde at the end of it all. The pleading in her eyes. "After everything I've done...help me make this -right-...."

Navi has posed:
Navi growls softly under her breath, watching the exchange between the Neimoidian and poor Wiis. Her fists clench tighter and tighter, and then she suddenly looks down, noticing a slow trickle of blood running from inside her left fist.

Her eyes harden like glacial ice. "/Kark/ this..." she murmurs, reaching for her comlink and taking a few steps away from the RDC men. Dialing in a channel, she begins to speak softly into the comlink.

<< Don't sell him /anything/, Cayde... this mess ends now, and I'm not going to watch this smug slime slurper break Wiis and talk down to everyone here for another second, >> she tells Cayde telepathically as she speaks into her comlink. << Just make sure the Mandalorians don't mash him to slime jelly before I get done with this call... >>

Volken Mons has posed:
<<Wait and see how this plays out...>>

Volken glances towards E'rgi, the Mando'a rolling off of his tongue towards the other giant.

<<There might be an angle forming here. We won't have to resort to other options...>>
at other options is it that Mandalorians have? It probably involved violence and yes, mashing someone into jelly. It's all a matter of timing.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    That was true, but it still wasn't really a contest when it came to two directly opposed demands. Cayde doubts Volken knows anything about raising a child, not to mention a Force sensitive one who struggles with controlling his gifts. Part of him just wants to dump everything on him, -make- him see how hard it was. How much patience it required. How there were times when some wanted to give up on him. There was no doubt in his mind that the Order deserved more respect from him than anyone else. And surely, if the massive Mandalorian knew all this, he would understand--it would be simple logic. But he didn't like the mental invasion before, and he respects the man, so he does his best to respect -that- at least. [Yes and grateful...but you did not raise me] he signs, and leaves it at that.

    When Navi tries to contact him through the Force, she will find a measure of resistance. He doesn't seem to want to listen to her regardless of what she has to say, and there is a strong feeling that it has everything to do with Xera Graf. No, she doesn't get tell him what he should or shouldn't do. However, she manages to at least connect enough to project to him.

    He sighs as Wiis tells her sob story, but he doesn't trust her enough to be certain that she isn't putting on a show or exaggerating things. So he reaches into the Force, attempting to enter both of their minds and verify their stories. Were they both telling the truth? If so, he may have to consult his master again.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Outwardly, for those who know him, it would very much appear that he is no longer mentally present in the moment as after his reply to Volken, that vacant expression appears again.

Athena (159) has posed:
The Neimoidian gasps. "And allow her to receive credits from enemies of the Republic, which in turn will be given to -me-? I don't deal with dirty credits, you know. Not only that, but allowing them to have a powerful resource which in turn, could be used to harm both the Republic and the Jedi? Don't be absurd. I'm the good guy, with a flawless record, remember? I don't enable fraternizing with the enemy. Only Wiis would think of doing something so... backhanded. But she lives in the Outer Rim, so I suppose backwater plebeians can be forgiven for their ignorance."

The port authorities are slightly hesitant to approve Navi's request, but they do it.

<<He is aruetti of the worst kind, Volken.>> Er'gi says through gritted teeth. <<Look how he insults us so brazenly!>> But he doesn't attack, thankfully. <<What's wrong with the boy? He looks like he's been knocked into a waking coma>>

Cayde's attempt to see if both of them are telling the truth will return fuzzy, but the notion of lying is far from both of their minds. If some truth had been distorted, neither of them are aware.

"Well, this has been a grand waste of time," the Neimoidian says. He dusts his jacket off again. "Circle back with me once you've discovered that I'm -right-, and saving five or six hundred credits on a loan interest rate that's staying the same, rather than increasing, is the best deal she's going to get." He then starts to walk away, muttering in Neimoidian to himself.

Volken Mons has posed:
<<It's fine. I"m finished with trying to make Cayde see logic and reason. But just taking it from them isn't the answer..>>

Volken may be speaking in Man'doa but his inflection hsa become more cold and his body language more neutral. When angry, Volken doesn't necessarily shout and roar though he can do that as well if he wants.

He becomes cold.

<<If the cortosis leaves with the Neimodian then we know where it is and where it's going. And then we show them why it's better to keep Mandalorians as your friend as opposed to insult them and also make them your enemy.>>

Navi has posed:
"Thank you, gentlebeings. If I can do a good turn for you someday, I will," Navi says into her comlink. As a flow of data crosses her screen, she turns and shows it to the RDC officers. "Sorry to add to your workload, but I've just been in contact with the Office of the Republic Port Authority, Tenoo branch. I'm afraid your charge's landing clearance has just been revoked. He has two hours to vacate the spaceport or be subject to arrest for trespassing and unauthorized landing at a Republic port."

Then she turns and jogs over to intercept the Neimoidian. "I've just received a message from the Port Authority, Sir... your landing clearance has been revoked. As you can see here," she continues, showing him the comlink screen, "you have two hours to vacate the spaceport landing field. If you do not, you will be subject to arrest for trespassing and landing without proper clearance. I'm sorry, but..." she adds, with almost sing-song nonchalance, throwing up her hands almost in slow-motion, "we live in the Outer Rim... us backwater plebians must be forgiven our ignorance." Accompanied by what /might/ be a smirk...

Zetha Rumir has posed:
When Cayde says nothing and begins to get a blank look on his face, Zetha narrows her gaze. Whether she can feel him in her mind or not, he'll be able to see the memory of that Marauder which came to the junkyard. How he had papers and papers all pulled out for Zetha to see. Loans. Applications for financial assistance. More loans. It was all there in black ink on yellow carbon paper. At the same time, the Guy Wiis Owes Money To is leaving and there's a box in Cayde's hand which she had glimpsed when she and Wiis arrived was holding the cortosis. In what might be the most stupid idea ever, she moves to approach Cayde and pulls the box out of his grip. "I trusted you with this and you're leaving it all up to someone else's decision. Can you NOT make a decision for yourself for the sake of those who put faith in you?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Hmm...well, it seemed they weren't lying, at the very least. Cayde supposes it's enough. As the Nemoidian starts to leave, he had begun trying to 'convince' him to give in to Wiis' terms. She was obviously much less fortunate than him, and if he just gave her this, it could be the last time, right?

    But then, someone is trying to grab the cortosis from him. He nearly drew his lightsaber and lashed out with it instinctively, but perhaps since he is familiar with Zetha's presence he managed to recognize it was her and instead reaches out with the Force instead to pull it back from her. A foreign notion appears in her mind, the idea that somehow, the buyer will change his mind--accept Wiis' terms. But it isn't hers. No, someone -else- is confident of this...

Athena (159) has posed:
Er'gi seems surprised. He's never seen Volken angry this way before. Normally the Mandalorian's rage entailed rage at other Mandalorians, which involves punching. Lots of punching. And shooting. <<This is true.>> A pause. <<The boy's upset you. I've never seen you angry like this before>>

The Neimoidian harrumphs, as the RDC officers shrug. "That's completely fine with me," the Neimodian says, "I was just leaving anyway." Cayde will find that convincing him is... rather difficult. The Neimoidian simply does not care. He thinks it's only lawful and fair that Wiis pay him back, in full. It will be apparent that he really only cares about credits, and nothing else. Greed and self righteousness is so deeply entrenched in his character, that it's hard to sway him from his opinion.

Navi has posed:
"Have a safe triiiip~!" Navi calls cheerfully over her shoulder as she turns away from the Neimoidian, moving to shove her comlink back into her jacket pocket...

...only to see Zetha snatching the case with the cortosis, Cayde trying to stop her (more felt through the Force than seen), and Volken stepping in between the two and trying to give Cayde a less-than-friendly nudge. "Oh, /Force help/ me..." she murmurs, jogging back toward the exchange.

"Geez! I can't leave you all alone for five minutes... what happened /this/ time?"

Volken Mons has posed:
As the box is yanked back out of her hand, Volken steps forward and reaches out to try and grab the box mid flight and seize it to preven it from going back to Cayde.

<<Er'gi, make sure the republic officers don't try and interfere.>> he rumbles out in Man'doa before switching to Basic:

"She's right Cayde. You're acting like a mindless droid. It's -not yours-. Think for yourself."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"That jerk-face isn't going to listen to Wiis' cries. Did you not hear what he said to her?! He's about as heartless as a...as a...something!" Zetha says this and then she turns and looks back at Wiis. "She's suffering, Cayde. Wiis is. This will help. If you sell it to the Mandalorians and let it go...this has gone on for too long..." This is when she hears Navi from behind and she turns to look at her. "I maybe tried to grab the box from Cayde cause I was just going to hand it off to the Mandalorian here, but Cayde got it back because he's got all those Jedi powers and such. Now the giant is trying to get it back...and I should go check on Wiis. Maybe you can talk sense into Cayde?"

This is said and then Zetha decides the battle of Mando vs Jedi is NOT her business and she does precisely what she just said she's going to do. Go back to Wiis and places a hand on her shoulder. "Want to go home now? Not sure there's much else we'll know happens until it happens."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    The case was on its way back to Cayde, when Volken suddenly steps in and manages to get a grip on it. However, despite his great strength, for the moment it seems he can't get it to actually move without unintentionally damaging the valuable payload inside, like an invisible hand is pulling in the opposite direction with an equal level of force.

    Now at this point, the young Jedi is beginning to get rather frustrated. He wishes desperately that his master were here now, to back him up. Why couldn't anyone understand? He can feel his emotions boiling up inside of him, as much as he tries to push them down. He hadn't wanted to enter Volken's mind, but the man has left him no choice. It's the only way to -make- him understand...he'll begin to show the hulking Mandalorian everything. The day the Order rescued him from a slave ship as it went down in flames...and the fear and chaos around it. How much of a struggle his entire life had been, and how in spite of that, the Order never gave up on him. If not for them, he would either be dead or completely devoid of any sanity whatsoever. No, he's not a mindless drone, but this was the decision he himself has made. He was going to help Wiis, the way the -Order- wanted him to, because that was the way he -wanted- to.

    His hand goes to his belt where his lightsaber is, ready to fight if need be.

Athena (159) has posed:
Er'gi doesn't need further instruction. As soon as Volken tells him to stop the RDC from interfering, he nods imperceptibly and the thrusters on his jetpack engage. He jettisons straight towards the RDC officers, who now have their weapons trained on Volken. He'll barrel into one of them, knocking him fully to the ground. The others manage to scatter in time. He then pivots and heads towards Cayde. "Setting to stun," He says, adjusting the settings on his blaster. "If words won't make you see sense, ad'ika, then I'll have to resort to other means!" He aims it at the young padawan, but doesn't shoot. Not yet, anyway.

Wiis stares at the fray, her eyes glazed over. "I..." she looks away. "I'm sorry for all of this Zetha. I'm just so tired of being pushed around by the rich. Dayzon wouldn't have wanted this for you, or for me. And I'll be damned if I don't do everything in my power to make things right. But for now, I think... I think I do need to go home and have a cup of tea."

Volken Mons has posed:
Well aside from stopping it, he hasns't actually -tried- moving it yet. Even the Jedi must deal with opposing force after all. The main thing is that he has a hold on it and it's not going -back- to Cayde.

But as the images flood his mind, Volken narrows his eyes. He frowns deeply. He says nothing. Nothing for a few heavy seconds.

It's Cayde's move for his lightsaber that snaps him out of it:

"...Don't be -silly- boy. You'd draw on -me-?"

He quiets and then rumbles, "I do understand. We're the same. What happened to you happened to me. But it -doenst matter-. You have to make choices based on the information you've gotten not -just- what people far away from here tell you what to do and you've -gotten- the information Cayde. Sticking to orders strictly based on duty and not adapting to new circumstances and thinking independently isn't The Way. It labels you as a blind fool unable to account for flexiblity and new situations. It means your more loyal to an -idea- and not the -people- around you...."

He points at the padawan, "You really going to draw that lightsaber on me when the people around you are is telling you that the way you're going about thi sis wrong? Let go of the box Cayde. Now. You can still salvage this and leave everybody here happy except the stick-neck"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"I'll have Twozee make it for you just the way you like it. Then I'll try to fix the door as best I can but if it'll be too loud..." Zetha almost says she can fix it in the morning, but then remembers that Wiis hasn't told her she can have her bed back yet. "I'll come back by tomorrow. Maybe by then everything will have been worked out. I'm sorry for my part in this, Wiis. I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I'll be better. I'm trying to be better." She'll gently place a hand on Wiis' back so they can begin to head back towards the junkyard because at the very least Zetha is not leaving Wiis' side until she knows the woman is settled with a nice cup of tea and decent(ish) resting space.

Navi has posed:
"It's never worked /before/, buuuuuuut..." Navi murmurs, rolling her eyes. "You go take care of Wiis, like you said. I'll see what I can manage here," she adds, in a more normal tone.

She steps between Er'gi and Cayde, not drawing a weapon, but trying to ensure any shots at him would hit her instead. But her eyes are on Cayde.

"Cayde, I know you want to do the right thing... I know you want to respect the Order's wishes," she says gently. "But I don't know if you've considered another factor here. So I'll point it out, just in case."

She takes a deep breath. "The Jedi Order /isn't always right/. Why do you think I never went back after my Master was killed and I was blamed for her death? I spent two years in the worst Order mental asylum there is in the galaxy. Even after my psyche was healed and my connection to the Force returned, I was kept there for over a year, always with the threat of being charged with her murder, or being cut off from the Force, hanging over my head. By the time they realized I had been telling the truth the whole time, my faith in them was /gone/."

She shakes her head, almost putting her face into her hands. "That's why I left. That's why I trust /people/ over organizations now. It wasn't the /Order/ standing by you... it was /people/ like Master Rykard, and some others who believed in you. Or have you forgotten that if it weren't for your Masters, the Council would've sent you to the Outer Rim permanently? That it chose a /starship contract/ over its own autonomy when a corrupt official demanded greater transparency from the Order just so he could keep track of you and try to have you sent away or murdered? /I/ haven't. Right now the /Order's/ way would see a helpless old woman whose only mistake was trusting a heartless financier to help her save her husband's life condemned to a mountain of debt she'll never get out from under. The other choice will give her a chance to make things right and never have to be afraid of him again. It's not about /money/... it's about righting a great injustice, which is the whole reason the Jedi Order was even /founded/. And yet I wonder if the Council has lost sight of that. Just because it's the Order's way doesn't mean it doesn't cleave close to the Dark Side."

She lowers her head. "I'm done. I can't make the choice for you."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    There was something else, too, just before Volken pulled out. A lack of self-confidence, feelings of inadequacy...a desperate struggle to prove himself worthy of being knighted in the Council's eyes. Not just for the sake of having the status, or bragging rights or anything, but for knowing that he'd made it. Not only proving to the world that he could become something more than a child with no control, but to himself more than anything else.

    He doesn't try to pull the case harder, but he doesn't let go of it, either. He gives a long look toward Navi as she spills her long and tragic story, but he doesn't seem to be moved by it. [...let me ask master...again] he finally signs.

Athena (159) has posed:
But Wiis isn't really making good on her word. She's said that she'd like to go back and have a cup of tea, but her feet are rooted to the spot, watching everything unfold with growing horror. "How did our lives become this..." she whispers disbelievingly. "I'd do anything to have things go back to the way they were..."

Er'gi grunts when Navi moves in front of him to protect Cayde. He shifts his attention, and his weapon, back towards the RDC, who are now back on their feet and surrounding Volken. "Get away from the Deputy!" one of them shouts, their guns aimed at Volken. "-Now-!"

"Volken..." Er'gi says.

As all of them seemed to be locked in some kind of standstill, an unexpected presence makes himself known. It's the doctor.

Zetha will recognize him from the cantina, and Volken might have a vague memory of seeing the man once, somewhere far away, a long time ago. He frowns. "Cayde?"

He looks to Volken, and then Navi, then Wiis, who's just standing there, speechless, rooted to the spot. "What's going on here?"

Navi has posed:
"Tell him the whole story. Leave nothing out," Navi replies to Cayde. "Maybe we can even introduce him to Volk. Then see what he says. I think he'll tell you to sell it to the Mandalorians. I might be wrong, but I hope not."

She looks to Volk. "Can you wait just another day, maybe two? I'll try to get this sorted out," she says. Glancing back at the RDC and Er'gi, she sighs quietly. "Force, what a mess..."

She looks up at the doctor as he approaches, then shakes her head. "A mess. I'm not completely sure how things got here. And /don't/ tell me I should've been protecting Cayde, 'cause I /was/."

Volken Mons has posed:
<<....Stand down Er'gi. You can trust Navi...>>

Volken releases the box. He had been abou to demand Cayde make a decision right here and now. On his own. But Navi's words seem to have given him something else to consider.

Along with the arrival of the newcomer who, after a moment of contemplation, Volken does begin to recognize even though it's been quite some time.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"It can. It will. Better than before even. I mean, you'll have what you need to do what you want. I'll have the convent or...the streets...to continue being who I am." Zetha tries to joke, even a little bit, and also tries to pull Wiis out of her stuckation. "Come on, Wiis. There's nothing there that we can help with. You need to get home. Get some rest. Only because it's been a day...and I'm sure Dayzon would like to see you taking care of yourself, yeah?" A part of her wishes she had gotten the name of Giant Man before leaving that whole scene but...when needs must.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Once Volken releases the case, he pulls it gently back to himself and stows it again. Then Soren arrives, and he looks toward the doctor. He...really doesn't know how to explain it all, so he lets Navi do it.

    He nods when Navi reminds him to tell Rykard everything, sparing no detail. Well he will do his best for sure.

    The padawan then turns to leave, eager get away from it all. However, he takes a moment to step in front of Zetha, attempting to demand her attention. [You almost lost your hand] he points out, his expression hardened.

Athena (159) has posed:
The other mammoth grunts and finally lowers himself back to the ground, and the RDC remain vigilant, though they don't open fire on Volken.

The doctor looks to Navi, then to Volken after a moment, then to the case.

"It would seem there's some kind of misunderstanding about the possession of a valuable," he deduces. "Am I correct?"

"Don't leave yet, Cayde. Please." The doctor says, glancing over at the young padawan briefly.

"No... no something's about to happen," Wiis whispers, her words just barely audible. She swats Zetha's hand away.

Volken Mons has posed:
<<You might be right about at least one of them still being a child, Er'gi. Too young to be deputized here...>> comments Volken in Mand'oa as he watches the exchange between Cayde and Zetha.

<<But I think maybe...we'll finally have it sorted out soon. You can let Sanza and Thaelin now I"m on i-->>

As the doctor speaks, Volken glances back in his direction. He says nothing though, allowing Navi and others to explain as they see fit.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha looks to Cayde, seeing his hardened glance, and returns it with a glare. "Suck mudhorn eggs, Cayde." Then she decides that if anyone is going to have the truth, the whole truth and nothing but...she turns and walks over to where Navi and company are standing. "Cayde is holding onto a small chunk of cortosis that was originally in my possession after a Chadra Fan tried to buy my silence for it. My mom, Wiis, who's over there a ways...tried to sell it. Mostly to never do wells, some legitimate sources. It almost lost the plot, but then fodder hit the fan and I gave the cortosis to Cayde to try and help protect Wiis. Eventually, Wiis had a buyer - who I believe is either this Mandalorian -" and Zetha will motion to Volken. "Or someone they're with. Cayde tried to get someone from the Republic to buy it."

Nope. Zetha's not done. But she does take a breath. "Tonight, the Republic person came, offered about what sand would be worth on Tatooine for it...but the Mandalorian's, I hear, have offered a decent price, and wish to do something wonderful with it. It's come to this. Cayde's master apparently wants it sold to the Republic. We want to sell it to the Mandalorians. It's in Cayde's hands because I gave it to him. The Republic official is gone. The Mandalorians are still here and, for all I can hope, still wish to grant their offer on it." Then she stops, looks around. "I think that's the shortened long version. Ish."

Navi has posed:
"That's the cause of all the trouble, yes," Navi says in reply to the doctor. "In this case it's cortosis ore. It's a ridiculously complicated situation. I don't know half the details about it, but the core dispute seems to be on whether to sell it to a Republic trader or to a Mandalorian. Cayde has possession of the stuff right now, but it belongs to Wiiz here," she continues, indicating the Zabrak woman. "For what it may be worth, I think the Mandalorians and Wiiz have the stronger case."

She nods to Zetha and moves to take a seat on the steps down from the landing field with a weary sigh. "And when this is sorted out, I'm going back to the tram and back to that crappy hab tent in the crappy colony and sleep for the next two days. Who knew a chunk of ore could be so exhausting?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    In spite of Zetha's harsh comment, Cayde doesn't spite her back. He doesn't even glare daggers back at her. He just sighs. Of course she doesn't understand. No one ever does, really. But maybe that's his own fault. Well it probably is.

    When Soren asks him not take off yet, he pauses but doesn't quite come back, instead just looks sideways at the doctor.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Alright," the doctor says softly. "I'll buy it." He looks directly at Volken, and something about his gaze seems to convey that he wants the Mandalorian to trust him.

At that moment, a lanky, modified architect droid runs up, followed by a tiny RJ unit that Volken will definitely recognize as having been associated with the doctor. "Dr. Cassias...!" the taller droid cries. It seems distressed and appears to be wanting to tell him something urgent, but he waves dismissively at it. "Tubi, I want you to find this Wiis woman and wire her as many credits as she asks for." The droid seems stunned into silence for a moment, but it finally stammers. "Wh..y-yes. Right away."

Wiis gasps audibly and rushes forward to meet the droid. "....!" she doesn't seem to know what to say, other than wordlessly hold out the datapad she'd been carrying with her, that contains her prior conversation with the Mandalorians and the price they'd agreed upon. The droid takes out its own datapad, and less than a minute later, the droid looks up. "It's... it's done."

He then turns to Cayde, and makes a beckoning motion for him to hand the case over.

Volken Mons has posed:
The vast Mandalorian squints his eyes at the doctors offers.

<<THey're making this needlessly complicated...>> he comments in Man'doa to Er'gi.

<<Just go with what they're doing and stay calm. If this boils down to them simply not wnating to sell to -us- but that they would to anyone else then I'm going to have to rethink some things about them...>>

Volken makes a ew waving gestures at Er'gi to keep the other mammoth relaxed and held back but his body langauge would seem to indicate that he himself is hardly pleased. Yet he doesn't move to intervene.

Navi has posed:
"I think I know where this is going. Thank you, Doctor," Navi says. "Volk, I really hope you're about to get what you wanted." She takes a deep breath, then moves to stand.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha blinks and then she looks from the doctor over to Wiis and back again. Though she does look towards Cayde but she's going to pin that thought for later. She wants to have a proper conversation with him, not just bits and pieces in the middle of chaos. Finally she looks back to the doctor. "Thank you." Is all she says, and she still doesn't realize this may very well be the doctor that 'Crane' had recommended to her. Maybe.

After a moment, and with nothing more to say, she turns and heads back over towards Wiis. "Now can we go home?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde's eyes widen in surprise at Soren's offer. The doctor has no need or use for it, but it's clear he just wants to help. Hopefully, he won't just give it to the Mandalorians, but even if he does at least it wasn't Cayde's doing. And to think, even so, the doctor still thinks of himself as irreparably damaged goods.

    He hands the cortosis over to the doctor, however he doesn't appear to be very happy about any of it himself. Then he turns away, starting to walk away again.

Athena (159) has posed:
Unfortunately, Cayde will just have to be disappointed. The doctor does indeed open the case, take out the cortosis, and hand it to Volken.

Wiis is... crying. She doesn't even respond to Zetha. "I'm... I'm free," she whispers, sinking to her knees, overwhelmed with relief.

The doctor then starts to walk away himself, but as he does he goes to block Cayde's path. He reaches out to place a hand on his shoulder. "I want you to know that I don't think you did anything wrong," he says softly. "And that I'm proud of you, for standing by what you believe is right, and not backing down even against impossibly difficult odds."

"What you did was hard, and admirable. Even if everyone here didn't agree with you choices, you demonstrated integrity. Life isn't easy, Cayde. Wrong and right will get complicated sometimes, like today. Even if you'd managed to sell the cortosis to that Republic official for a reasonable price, there's no guarantee he wouldn't have just gone and used it to cause more harm to innocent people. I've seen nyix land in the hands of the CEO of a thriving, legitimate pharmaceutical company in the Inner Rim. He used it to fortify the safe which held the master key to the all warehouses that contain life saving drugs, of which he raises the price of every year on his planet, despite the failing economy and heightened unemployment rates. These are the things that the Jedi will never catch, and the people the Republic will not, and cannot prosecute. All this to say is that every choice is a gamble, and the future is always uncertain. A decision that may seem right in the moment could go terribly wrong later, and vice versa. Sometimes, you just have to take a risk, and trust that if you keep doing good. Keep showing mercy, compassion, generosity ... someone somewhere will feel inspired to try to do the same."

"You took your gamble. I took mine. And I still respect the choice you made."

Volken Mons has posed:
Volken grunts as he hears Navi and then as the doctor approaches. He takes the Cortosis and then hands it off to Er'gi

However as he hears the doctor validate Cayde...he anrrows his eyes, clearly not agreeing.

"I dont' know much about what the Jedi consider 'ready' - but the boy's not mature enough to be a deputy. He can't balance what he thinks of as duty with what's happening right infront of him and that's dangerous. He should never have been given the cortosis to begin with. The Jedi still seem to think they can impose their thinking on everyone around them and Cyade's past with them clearly has his ability to judge things independantly out of wack. THis could have gotten -very- ugly...."

Such is Volken's assessment, based on what's all happened. But right or wrong - it's taken care of now. He glances to Wils as she breaks down crying - as far as he's concerned lending even more weight to things having gone far more sour then they needed to be to get to this point

"You did well.." he concludes, looking to Navi. "Especially with how you handled the Neimoidian...but the boy needs more guidance..I think...."

Shaking his head, Volken opts to fall back slightly and let Er'gi continue from here while he just watches. He might very well need to speak once again to a certain rich noble woman to get a better sense of her perspective....

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha follows Wiis down because otherwise she fears Wiis may have trouble standing back up again. It's a thing. She wraps Wiis in a hug too, squeezing the Zabrak woman tightly. "You are. You can pay off your debts and retire in peace. I'm happy for you, Wiis. I truly am." And after everything Zetha put Wiis through, the Twi'lek is simply happy for Wiis. For the life Wiis can finally retire into. Maybe she'll take over the junkyard, Zetha will. Cause she doesn't see herself doing much else and the people of Tenoo will likely forever need a place to buy parts, get things repaired, or have a spot to throw their junk into.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde watches with disappointment as Soren does what he was afraid would happen. But he's just tired of all this, anyway. The doctor paid for it fair and square, so it this was on him now. He was part of Aklyrr's leadership, appointed by the Republic itself anyway. Still, he can't help another deep, sinking feeling that he's failed the Order's expectations again. What will he say to his master, even?

    And just as the doctor's words might have lifted his spirits even a little, Volken chimes in with just the opposite of that, negating them all and then some. He pulls away from Soren. <It doesn't matter. I failed.> Then he starts to hurry away.

Navi has posed:
"As soon as I can find someone he'll listen to, I'll see that he gets that guidance," Navi replies to Volken. "I probably should've told everyone what I was doing, to make sure nobody did anything impulsive, but there's no guarantee it wouldn't've happened anyway, and the last thing I wanted was for that Neimoidian to get wind of what I was doing. Maybe there really wasn't anything I could've done different."

She walks over to Wiis and Zetha, gently hugging each in turn. "I'm glad things worked out this way. I only wish they had done it quicker and cleaner," she says gently. "If you need anything, please contact me. I believe you've got the code to my comlink."

She turns to leave, only to spy Cayde starting to hurry away. Sighing, she jogs after him.

Athena (159) has posed:
"It matters little whether he's ready or not. Rykard chose for all of us when he removed himself as Marshal. And unfortunately, there's nothing any of us can do about that, except make the best of our circumstances. Both Navi and Cayde want more guidance, but it's up to Rykard to choose how much he gives. Besides, I believe that Rykard wouldn't have tolerated me buying the cortosis and then giving it to you. It could have been worse."

He doesn't run after Cayde, though. He simply sighs and starts heading for the tramway. If Cayde didn't want to see him anymore, then he'd leave him well enough alone for now.

When the doctor starts leaving, Wiis cries, "Wait!!" But she's too slow to catch up to him, and he's already on the tramway by the time she's even halfway there. "Zetha... he gave me nearly a million credits... I ... " She stares at the tramway as it disappears around a bend.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha returns Navi's hug and smiles. "Thank you. Let Cayde know I want to talk to him soon. Mayyyybe even apologize. Sort of." She grins and then as Navi heads off after Cayde is when Wiis is talking about how many credits she was given. "Maybe don't say that to terribly loud, Wiis. Come on. Let's get home. You can wire credits to pay off all your debt and then you can decide where and how you'll retire. And I've been wanting Twozee tea since you mentioned it so at least let me stay long enough for that before I go back to the convent."

Navi has posed:
"Geez... he /had/ almost a million credits..?" Navi murmurs as she runs after Cayde.

"Cayde, if you're not heading for the tram, you better be on the next one!" she calls after him. "'Cause I'm going back to Whatever Bend /and/ going back to bed, and if that place is real lucky, I'll come out before my two-year sentence to Tenoo is up!"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As Navi hurries after Cayde, he actually stops and lets her catch up to him, which might come as a surprise. But his expression is hardened, and he fixes her with a determined glare.

    [You are not my mother...sister...master...] he signs, and as he does, she will feel that for the first time, there is actually a measure of...hostility toward her. [....nor friend. Now leave me alone]

    Then he turns away again and disappears around a corner.

Athena (159) has posed:
Wiis starts walking, but she's frowning. "No I'm not retiring, are you kidding me? I don't want to sit around the house all day doing nothing. Not yet."

"Stop -fussing- about me! You ought to be more grateful, right now. 'Thank you?' That's all you could think of to say after he just.. -handed- us nearly a million credits?! We -have- to do something nice for that man. And I'm not going down to the colony site, so you're gonna have to do it. Uh..." She frowns, and Zetha may realize they're thinking the same thing. There's not really anything... nice, at the junkyard.

As Cayde is hurrying off to only light knows where, he'll run into 'Crane', who's out front watering some plants outside the convent. He immediately notices the young padawan seems distraught. "...What's wrong?" he asks, stopping his task.

Navi has posed:
"And thank the Force for small favors," Navi retorts, returning glare for glare. "But if I were you, I'd pray real hard I /don't/ leave you alone... someone's got to pull you back up when you fall off cliffs in the dark, and I don't see anybody lining up for the privilege!"

She shakes her head and starts for the tram station. "/Boys/... can't live with 'em, can't live wi-... oh, kark it all, you just can't live /with/ 'em!"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"He didn't hand us anything Wiis. All of that is yours. Every credit. I do not want and I do not deserve any of it..." Zetha protests. At least Wiis is back to somewhat her old self. Barking at Zetha about being 'more' than whatever she is now. "I can get something nice for him. I'll even make sure you approve it before I go take it to him." She says this much more. "Also, I thought this whole ideal was for you to get yourself out of debt and go retire somewhere nice. You don't have to live at the junkyard anymore. You're free to go do whatever you wish..." And Zetha is still thinking she's going to have to go back to the convent at some point. Wiis hasn't said she can have her room back yet.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Navi's continued scolding only would've made it worse, so it's a good thing he didn't really hear what she said due to being mostly out of earshot.

    Now who is asking what's wrong? Oh, that guy who won't even trust him with a name? Forget it. Cayde just ignores him, heading for the edge of town.

Athena (159) has posed:
Once Navi reaches the tramway, she'll find that surprisingly, somehow, it hadn't left yet. The doctor is in the same car, she's stepped onto. He seems concerned when she doesn't return with Cayde. "Where is he?" he says, but this time, there's no judgement, or sense of projected responsibility.

"Yes, he did," Wiis insists, "... the Neimoidian was right. Value is all relative. The cortosis is rare, but it's not really worth much in Republic Space. I got lucky the Mandalorians were willing to pay so much."

"I don't want to, Zetha. I've come to realize, that even though I never liked Tenoo. It's.. it's home. I'm staying. For now." A pause. "But back to the task at hand! I hope you and I can scrape together something decent..."

The Tholothian man has no trouble catching up to him. His hand closes over Cayde's gently. <My name is Amarik> he tells the young padawan. <I have no surname. It's been lost to time. The religious group my parents came from lived very communally, so they never felt it important to distinguish between bloodlines.>

<I'm going to tell you everything. I'm going to choose to trust you>

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Well. Zetha's not going to argue this. "Alright. If you insist. Does this mean I can have my room back?" She asks it now, so Wiis has no choice but to say yes or no to her about it. "As for the gift. I'm sure we'll find something. It doesn't even have to come from the junkyard. We could...I don't know. Buy something local? Or-order something maybe?" It's incredible to realize how a life can turn around, but she also knows they shouldn't flash it, or squander it. Not now that Wiis has dug herself out of debt.

Navi has posed:
Navi takes a seat, across the aisle and facing the doctor rather than next to him. He's still not her favorite person, but after today she's in a more forgiving mood toward him.

"Ran off into town," she replies, gesturing vaguely toward Kublop Springs in general. "He's in one of his Cranky Padawan moods. This one might be a bit worse than usual. Now that I think about it, I bet Volk's spiel really hit home, and he wasn't happy to hear it. Even if most of it was true."

"Thank you again for sorting that situation out so generously," she continues softly. "I misjudged you, at least in part, and I apologize for that."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde stops when the Tholothian takes his hand, sighing. Amarik, huh. <Thank you...> But he still seems quite upset. However, he won't try to hide the situation from him, and he'll be able to see the recent memory of the entire situation that had just played out. Alongside all of those feelings of inadequacy, frustration...even loneliness. Loneliness, and yet he just wanted to be alone now.

Athena (159) has posed:
"No no!" Wiis insists. "You can't have your room back, I'm going to do the renovations I should have done ages ago. You're kicked out, I'm kicking myself out, and Two zee will just have to hole up... somewhere. I don't know, kriff."

They've arrived back at the junkyard now, and Wiis is going inside her hut. There's some crashing sounds. "Dammit! I don't know. You... we'll figure it out."

"Yes, but Mandalorians were never known for their diplomacy or empathy," the doctor says, "and I don't think he meant to worsen things for Cayde but he did. He validated every single one of his insecurities, and for someone like Cayde, that's devastating." He sighs. "You don't have to apologize," he says, "I... I'm going to go look for him." And then he gets off the tramway.

The Tholothian man seems to be a loss for what to say, or do. He doesn't know how to make Cayde feel better, and that makes him sad. One thing will be blatantly apparent to the young padawan though. He wants to be close to Cayde. He'd never been close to anyone aside from Navi, and even then, their relationship had had its ups, downs, and everything in between.

Whatever it took, he wanted them to be close. Close like brothers. Like the way Kuv had wanted to be close to him, the first time he'd ever seen Cayde. The feeling will remind him of the first time he'd seen Kuv, at the Temple, so many years ago. Even if that meant taking a giant leap of faith and trusting him with things about himself that he normally would never tell anyone.

Navi has posed:
"Maybe that's why I see eye-to-eye with Volk more often than not. He speaks his mind. That puts him on the opposite side of the universe from the Jedi Council. But yeah... you're not wrong. Cayde never had any ear for criticism," Navi murmurs.

"Good luck, doctor. I hope you find him. Right now, I can't even /look/ at him," she continues softly. leaning back into her seat with a soft groan. "And if I see him, we'll probably rip each other up even worse. But if you find him, please tell him I'm sorry. And if he's sorry, too, I forgive him."

She strips off her jacket, expanding its retractable hood, and drapes the garment over herself like a blanket, the hood over her face. She doesn't know if she can sleep on the tram ride back to the colony, but she very much wants to...

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Thinking of Kuv suddenly made him miss his brother even more. Rebellious and impulsive as he often was, Kuv was always there for him whenever he could be. If he were here, he probably would've tried to go secretly steal the cortosis from the Mandalorians and find some way to send it back into the Order's or Republic's custody...not that Cayde would try to stop him. In fact, maybe the Council would have commended such an action. After all, the Republic wasn't exactly on what one might call friendly terms with Mandalore, even if there wasn't an active conflict happening at the moment. Not to mention, the Order's long history of conflict with them.

    <You want to be like a brother...leave pirates> he projects. <If you have to steal...steal for right reason>

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Then he pulls away, and hurries off toward the edge of town once more.

Athena (159) has posed:
The Tholothian man watches him as he goes, and Cayde will be able to sense that Amarik doesn't take issue with this at all. If that was what Cayde wanted, he'd figure out a way to do it. Or at least he'd try to...