With Enough Credits

With Enough Credits
Date of Scene:	15 February 2025
Location:	Tenoo - Outer Rim
Synopsis:	Navi and Cayde attempt to manipulate Xera in their own ways.
Cast of Characters:	Cayde Alexis, 159, Navi

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Cayde Alexis has posed:
    It's the middle of the night, long past the usual time most people head to bed. Most, but not all. Naturally, Cayde is quietly moving out of his mobile cabin, heading for the suite where he knows Xera is staying...

Athena (159) has posed:
The female Graf noble is in her portable penthouse, surprisingly, awake at this hour.

She's sipping on a cup of high grade caf, premium from Naboo, reading hologossip articles straight from Coruscant. She's cracked a window to let the cool night breeze in - or, unknowingly, allow peeping toms to spy!

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    No, no that would be much too obvious. Cayde doesn't need an open window, he just needs to get close enough...

    He moves as quietly as he can, keeping his head down until he's near the window but not in front of it. Then he tries reaching out into her mind, attempting to find that rage-filled memory from a few days ago.

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera is so engrossed in her reading and cup of premium caf that she doesn't quite notice Cayde. She hears his soft footsteps approaching, and dismisses it as some animal that can't pose any harm to her while she's in her collapsible penthouse.

She also is completely unaware of the fact that he's erasing some of her memories.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Since Xera seems to be completely unaware, Cayde tries something better than just erasing...since she or someone else might eventually find it strange that there is a blank where memories should have been. So he replaces it with a similar memory, where the droids that had caused her to fly into a fury had suddenly malfunctioned and fallen off of the cliff themselves. Yeah, that made sense. Right?

Athena (159) has posed:
Again, she seems unaware. But now she seems restless, and he'll sense that she's planning to head out of her collapsible penthouse and go for a leisurely stroll to the tented dining hall to see what her private chef planned to cook her tomorrow for breakfast. A pity her collapsible penthouse didn't sport a large enough kitchen for the chef to make proper meals for her everyday without having to go to the dining hall...

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde shakes his head. What a brat she was. But it doesn't surprise him. Still, couldn't they have found another source of funding that didn't depend on her? Hopefully now at least, that unpleasant event won't be in her memory any more...

Navi has posed:
Elsewhere in camp, after an hour of tossing and turning, Navi gives up on sleep for the moment. Shrugging into her old Brotherhood robe and shoes, she takes up her satchel and walks toward the dining tent, the only place anyone is likely to be awake and lucid at this hour.

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera spots Navi on her way over to the dining hall, and perhaps to the young Sephi girl's surprise, the Graf bureaucrat smiles and greets her politely.

"Good morning," she says, "now what would you be up doing at this hour? Shouldn't you be getting ready to go with the Jedi to Ilum, soon?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde notices Navi heading for the same tent, and overhears Xera greeting her. Maybe, he should hang around a bit, see if he really did do the job. He's mostly certain it worked, but...

Navi has posed:
"Good evening, Lady Xera," Navi replies politely. "I just couldn't sleep. I thought I'd take a walk to the mess tent and see if anyone was up and about. You had the same thought?" she asks, pausing to wait on Xera.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Yes," Xera says, coming to walk in stride alongside Navi.

"Too bad that meeting we were supposed to have had with leadership didn't exactly go as planned," she says, "I wonder what the sponsors would think about replacing Dr. Cassias."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde follows after Navi into the dining tent, but hovers outside the door, listening to their conversation. But a wave of nausea suddenly comes over him...those biscuits he'd eaten earlier apparently hadn't agreed with his system.

Navi has posed:
"I expected trouble, but not in that way," Navi observes sadly. "And we're too far out to just request a replacement. I think even if he were replaced, he'd still have to stay here anyway. He was required to come here, wasn't he?"

She glances around the mess tent as they enter. "Hope there's something left. Have you spent a lot of time on colonies like this?" she asks.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Oh don't be absurd," Xera says, "With enough credits, anyone can make anything happen." Then she smiles, in that unsettlingly pretty way. "My apologies, I didn't mean to sound callous or presumptuous," she says.

"Well, no. But my parents did their fair share of prospecting when they were young, so I've visited many strange and distant worlds." She starts heading for the kitchen.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Doubling over, Cayde throws up again, this time into the grass. The nausea is gone afterward, but now he feels rather thirsty all of a sudden. Straightening up, he goes into the dining tent to get some water, at least...

Navi has posed:
Navi, bored, trails after Xera without a second thought, unable to keep back a faint shudder at that unsettlingly pretty smile, and the words that preceded it. "Any replacement will still be weeks just getting here," she points out. "I don't like the guy, either, but he's done some surprisingly good work with regard to some of the younger colonists."

And then she hears the sounds of retching from the doorway of the tent, and glances back in time to see Cayde enter. Giving him a sympathetic look, she asks, "Guess the local cuisine isn't agreeing with you? That sounded really bad."

Athena (159) has posed:
"We could survive for a few weeks," she says, "everyone would just have to do their best to always wash their hands and be sanitary. And then those who do get sick will just have to be quarantined." She shrugs. "You say that, but you know, he's only here because the Chancellor is friends with him, you know. And how many real doctors have you met, anyway? It's hardly a comparison when your experience with such individuals is... limited."

Xera doesn't greet Cayde. Instead, she just goes over to the pantry where her private chef stores his belongings. Cayde will be able to tell that even though he'd erased her memory, she still doesn't like him very much. Anne is a sore spot in her mind.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Of course she doesn't like him, but at least she won't be enraged. At least for now...

    Cayde shakes his head when Navi asks about the food not agreeing with him. Obviously not. He makes his way over to a water cooler and starts to get a drink.

Navi has posed:
"I don't think I'll be trying any more mossberry biscuits. I hope at least some of the local food isn't as bad as those and the fish dumplings," Navi adds sympathetically "Better sit down somewhere until your stomach settles."

She pauses to stare at Xera, hands coming to rest on her hips. "Why he's here doesn't count for much right now, My Lady. We're stuck with him, at least for now. If he's replaced, he still has to remain here until his replacement arrives, because Master Windu can't handle every single illness and injury," she says, managing not to raise her voice. "I don't like the man, either, but to send him away without a replacement in place is just irresponsible. If he makes too much of a nuisance of himself, which seems likely, I'll admit, you can always revoke his seat on the council without relieving him of his medical responsibilities."

Athena (159) has posed:
"I can get rid of anyone I like and have someone else replace him and keep operations running smoothly," Xera says, "I can remove him from leadership, bring in my own medical team, and have him offworld in less than a week," she says, opening a cabinet and peering at her private chef's datapad. "Ooh. Butter basted land shrimp and Corellian wine."

"Anyway," she says, carrying on as if Cayde weren't around. "I'm well connected. I know plenty of medical professionals who don't live in the Core and can be here in a few days time."

"I'm sure that would please the Marshal, too."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde nods and sits down with the glass of water as Xera brags about how she can get rid of anyone she wanted. He just watches her, his expression unreadable.

    Well, Soren didn't really want to be here either, did he? If she could do that, why hadn't she done it already? [But not Chancellor] he remarks in sign. Because after all, it had been Rie's wish for Soren to be part of this.

Navi has posed:
"Less than a week? It took us over a month to get here," Navi points out. "Besides, this is the sort of decision that should be discussed by the council before anything's done. What kind of message does it send to the people of this colony if you just wave your hand and replace the doctor just because you want him gone?"

She gestures toward the doorway of the tent. "I'll tell you straight out... It says that /anyone/ can be replaced without due process, just because you don't agree with them or don't like them, and that the council's decisions are meaningless if you don't like them. That's the surest way to guarantee that this venture will fail."

She glances at Cayde, noting his hands moving, then back to Xera. "I like you, Lady Xera. I want to have faith in your judgement. But I can't agree with such arbitrary measures."

Athena (159) has posed:
"Well yes," Xera says. "They live in the Outer Rim, so their commute time here is much shorter, of course," she says, putting the datapad back, and smoothing her shimmersilk pants gently. "I'm sorry, but I must kindly disagree. It shows everyone exactly the kind of power that matters in the galaxy. Credits, and political wealth." She smiles again, in that same way. "What's the matter, Navi? I thought you didn't like the doctor."

"The venture will succeed," she says, tilting her head up slightly at Cayde. "And that's what the Chancellor cares about the most. His personal favoritism can be damned, and he'll understand once he sees that my executive decisions were for the best." She closes the cabinet, and starts heading out of the dining hall. "You... like me? Such kind words, Navi. Perhaps you'd like to join me at my penthouse for a bit, since you can't sleep?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde sighs and rolls his eyes. Sure, that's what she thinks. [Okay you are always right] he replies, then shrugs. He finishes off the water, then tips the glass upside down on the table before levitating it up into the air, turning it around and around with the Force.

Navi has posed:
"That sort of power may be effective at times, but it's not what the Republic is about," Navi replies. "I may not like the doctor, but I can't deny that he knows his trade well. Maybe we don't need him on the council, but we /do/ need him. Really, it wouldn't matter if he were a doctor or a janitor. No one's standing or presence in this colony should be decided purely on one person's whims."

She watches Cayde's actions with the glass as she fills a water flask from the water cooler. "I'll accept your invitation, My Lady. I think this conversation needs to be more private," she says.

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera's smile just broadens, and her gaze flicks to Cayde momentarily before settling back on Navi. She doesn't reply to the young padawan. "Whims? Oh, Navi. You think so little of me. It's obvious that everyone else in leadership strongly dislikes him as well, and I could find someone to fill his role in a single holocall. You may think he's capable, but he's just one doctor in a galaxy full of capable doctors."

"Perfect, then," she says, heading back towards her penthouse.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Okay, sure...of course they would rather him not be around. Cayde sighs and sets the glass down. [Okay good night] he signs.

Navi has posed:
"Good night, Cayde. I hope you feel better by morning. Or before," Navi replies softly to Cayde as he moves to leave, accompanied by a sympathetic look.

She follows Xera back to the penthouse tent (tenthouse?), still uncomfortable with the taller woman's thoughts on the situation. "Even if they do, they should play a role in dismissing him. That's what the council is for," she says. "Besides, I don't think the Chancellor sent him on this trip because they were friends. He always has a deeper reason for what he does, or so I've seen."

Athena (159) has posed:
Xera just laughs. She seems to find the notion of the Chancellor having a deeper reason for the things he did to be amusing.

Once they're inside, Xera reaches over and rubs Navi's shoulder. "Now that we're alone," she says, "tell me what you -really- think of me."

Navi has posed:
Navi is surprised by the unexpected rubbing of her shoulder. "My Lady..?" she says, surprised as much by the question as the rubbing. "I..."

Athena (159) has posed:
"Go on," she says, "don't be shy. You said you liked me, so what else is on your mind?"

"Would you like to start seeing me more, on a more ... private basis?"

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Even as they are leaving, Navi will feel a nudge in her mind...a notion. To be wary of Xera Graf, because everyone is simply a tool to her for the purpose of advancing her own status and influence wherever she goes. In fact, she is not much better than Emissarius Vlaven.

Navi has posed:
"I think I would," Navi says at last, her voice husky. "I'd no idea you were... interested in me?" The rubbing is surprisingly soothing, after the initial surprise has worn off. Why is it suddenly so hard to breathe? It feels like she can't quite catch her breath...

Her emotions are similarly tangled. Her fatigue, the sensual rubbing of her shoulder, and the almost intoxicating presence of Xera Graf almost overwhelm her worries about the colony and her misgivings about Xera's intentions toward the doctor, unpleasant though he was. Cayde's warning may be all that keeps her conscience lucid in this wonderful, terrible moment.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Well, you shouldn't think so poorly of yourself," Xera says. "It's not very becoming, you know. If you change your attitude, I might become even more interested in you."

She stands up. "I'm going to retire," she says in a sultry tone of voice. "You could go back to your meager accommodations... or you could stay, and make yourself comfortable in my bedroom." She then turns to head for her bedroom.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As he is trying to warn Navi, Cayde also feels the emotions running through her mind and finds them disturbing. No no that's the opposite of what she was supposed to do! Xera was dangerous. She only cared for people as long as they were useful to her, which wasn't bound to end well at all.

    But there is also...something else, and Navi might feel it, too. Is he...jealous?

    Before she can potentially ponder it further though, he suddenly bursts in. As fancy as Xera's room is, it's still just a tent for the moment.

Athena (159) has posed:
Just as Xera is about to retire, Cayde bursts in, ripping a hole in her collapsible penthouse. She gasps in horror. "-Excuse- you!!" she says. "This meeting was supposed to be -private-." She rolls her eyes, looking thoroughly annoyed. "Your master is going to hear about this," she says.

Then she pivots on her heel and storms into the bedroom at the end of the hallway.

Navi has posed:
Navi looks up, as startled as Xera, as Cayde bursts in. "Cayde..?! What are you doing?" she cries softly. Watching Xera storm out (in?), she looks back to the Padawan, still shocked at what had just happened.

Looking down the hall, she sighs heavily. "Come on," she says wearily to Cayde, resting a hand on his shoulder. "We really need to talk."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde bursts in...Xera is indignant. And then Cayde...appears to be unsure of what to do. Clearly, he hadn't really had any kind of plan or indication of what he was going to do once he came inside. He just sort of stands there awkwardly for a moment, watching Xera storm off, and then staring at Navi. When she puts a hand on his shoulder, he reaches up and puts his hand over hers gently.

Navi has posed:
Navi smiles faintly as his hand covers hers. She steers him toward the actual door, not the one he'd just made, and out of the tent. "We'll go back to the tent," she directs softly. "Then we'll talk."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde flushes and nods, following her out. <Okay> he replies, looking a bit sheepish.

Navi has posed:
Navi, true to her word, keeps quiet until they are back inside his tent. "You thought she was going to harm me, didn't you?" she asks softly. "Thanks for caring about me."

She hugs him gently. "But you shouldn't have interrupted. I went with her because I must. Because of a lot of different things, I need to get closer to her," she explains, keeping her voice low.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde shakes his head, although he accepts the embrace. <No...you don't...> Whatever it is she thinks she has to do, he's certain she doesn't. Amarik had been the one who told her she had to, he wasn't to be trusted either. <She will hurt you.> he insists.

Navi has posed:
"I do, Cayde. This colony... there are criminal types on this world already who are here only because they know something bad is going to happen to this colony, and they want to loot what's left. I am /not/ going to let that happen," Navi explains, drawing back from the hug and looking him in the eyes. "Xera Graf plays some role in the events to come, and sending the doctor away may be what gets that ball rolling. The only way I can change her mind is to get close to her."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    Cayde shakes his head again. Well yes he does know all that, but... <No...I can change her mind> he insists, pointing to the side of his own head. <I will do it> She shouldn't worry. That's what the Jedi were here for, right?

Navi has posed:
"That's very risky," Navi says worriedly. "What happens if it doesn't work?" She's seen the results of some of Cayde's attempts at tweaking the minds of other sentients. Some had worked. Some had not.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    <It will work> Cayde insists, nodding quickly. He's not as certain as he wants Navi to believe, but he does his best to try to create that confidence in her mind by showing her what he'd done just now in 'editing' Xera's memories of the other day when he'd unintentionally destroyed the droids. If that had gone smoothly, then this could too...

Navi has posed:
"All right. But if it doesn't work, I'll do it my way," Navi replies, somewhat reluctantly. "She didn't seem to like you any better, no matter what you did to her memory. You're going to have to take that into account."

She lightly kisses his cheek, then rises. "I'm going back to bed. And hoping real hard I can finally get to sleep. See you in the morning."

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    As she finally relents, there is a palpable wave of relief that washes over him. <Thank you> he replies, nodding. <Of course...I will>

    When she kisses him, he suddenly puts a hand behind her head with the intention of pulling her in for more...not unlike the first time they'd kissed, when -she- had been the instigator.

Navi has posed:
Navi is surprised by the sudden hand behind her head, and the pull toward him. Realizing his intentions, she manages not to pull away, letting him claim the kiss. And whie she does return it, it's more warm than steamy on her part.

Cayde Alexis has posed:
    And...it is short-lived. Almost as quickly as it had started, Cayde suddenly pulls away, flushing furiously. Why did this keep happening to him? <Sorry...> No, he wasn't supposed to have done that.

    <Sorry...I...good night>

    Because he simply doesn't know what else to say. He hurries off back to his bunk to at least try to get some rest.

Navi has posed:
Navi pauses as Cayde leaves for his own bunk. << You don't have to apologize, Cayde. You're growing up. You're disovering girls. That's why. Maybe you've felt this way about Anne, too. Think about it. And sleep well, okay? >> she sends telepathically in reply to his unspoken thoughts as she returns to her own bunk.