Owner	Pose
Athena	After Cayde had been returned to Kublop and promptly sent to the hospital, the young Sephi would likely have seen the young padawan settled and then had little to do after. The doctor had told her they'd done all they could for Cayde, and now it was just a waiting game to see how quickly he would recover from the swelling and allergic reactions. He'd thanked her, and then immediately had had to leave, to coordinate when he could formally be seeing some of the farmers for counseling sessions regarding the nightmares. As it is, there's not much for Navi to do in Kublop, and as co-deputy and with Cayde out of the picture, she's likely going to have to return to Aklyrr Bend to review the long list of complaints that had apparently been filed in the very short leave of absence she'd taken to search for the young padawan...
Navi	Navi somewhat reluctantly returns to Aklyrr Bend or, as she refers to it, Whatever Bend. "What the frell is an Aklyrr, anyway..?" she murmurs as she boards the tram and takes a seat, settling into a meditative trance to rest during the long ride back to the colony site. "And why give it a name when its odds of even being there in a year or two are so low?"
Athena	Once Navi arrives back at the colony site, she'll find herself interrupted by that awful assistant of Xera's, Avi. "Haven't you checked your messages?" she replies haughtily. "Madame Graf wants to see you."
Navi	"No, because I've barely gotten back from Kublop Springs. Which you know," Navi replies, trying to remain patient. "Thank you for telling me, even if you weren't doing it to be helpful, or even nice."
Athena	Avi just turns up her nose at Navi and flounces off, arms folded. Well, Navi should probably go see Xera, and figure out what the Graf Lady wants to demand from her now...
Navi	"Xera, I love you, but you have the /worst/ taste in help," Navi murmurs. She sends off a quick message to Xera, reading, < Just found out you wanted to see me. I will delay only long enough to clean up and change into clean clothes. After the day I've had, I doubt you want to see or smell me right now. I'll be as quick as possible. > She signs it and hurries to her little hab-shelter. Twenty minutes later, clean, in fresh clothes, her long pigtails still slightly damp and smelling of shampoo, she presses the doorchime button next to the door of Xera's deluxe pent-hab.
Athena	The Lady Graf doesn't even bother to let Navi in herself, but the young Sephi girl probably won't be surprised. It's only in character for Xera, sadly. The doors to Xera's hab slide open, and a droid escorts her in, gesturing for her to sit on the fur lined couches in the living area. Moments later, the Lady appears, wearing a shimmersilk robe. "Navi," she says, smiling that sickly sweet smile that doesn't feel genuine at all. "It's good to see you. Or shall I call you, Deputy, now?" she sits down across from the young Sephi girl. "Did you find the padawan?" she asks.
Navi	"I love your robe, Xera," Navi says by way of greeting, relaxing on one of the couches. "And that depends on how formal you prefer to be. I prefer Navi, but I know how you prefer to keep a distance between us. As for the Padawan, he is alive and safe, even if he will be in the hospital in Kublop Springs for at least a few days."
Athena	The smile widens. "Why, thank you. It costs me about four thousand credits. Custom made, on Ghorman." She sits down on the couch opposite to Navi. When she says that Cayde has been found, her expression becomes unreadable. "Oh," is all she says. There's a pause. "Avi," she says, "will you get us some tonic and gin? I know that's what Navi likes." She then turns back to Navi. "Anyway. You're not still hanging around Thaarin much, are you?"
Navi	"No, but he hangs around me occasionally. But it's strictly business. I know he's an incorrigible flirt, and I'm happy to let him do his own thing. And he, in turn, doesn't flirt with me. He knows I'm not interested, you see," Navi replies gently, with the sort of nonchalance that goes well with speaking about a subject that doesn't bother her at all. "As for the robe, shimmersilk becomes you. I hope I didn't disturb your rest." "Oh, and please remind Avi not to poison my drink? I'm still not her favorite person," she adds, impishly.
Athena	She ignores Navi's compliment, and pours herself a drink as soon as Avi arrives with the refreshments. "You say that," Xera says, sounding dissatisfied and avoiding eye contact with the Sephi girl, "but something tells me that you'd kiss him in a heartbeat if it got both you and him exactly what you wanted." She taps her fingers on her glass, and the clinking sound is unpleasant. She finally looks over at Navi.
Navi	"Manipulation is an ugly game, and one I've given up playing," Navi replies, shaking her head. "There was a time I would have kissed him, if it meant saving your life. But that time is past, and I'm tired of lies. Mine, especially." She pours a finger of gin and tonic and takes a small sip. "I lied to you once, and for that I am truly sorry. I did it with the best of intentions. But lies never lead anywhere good, and mine were no exception."
Athena	Xera seems even more offended. "If that was an attempt to get into my good graces, well you sorely failed," she says sharply. "Because first of all, you should do any and everything your power to save me if I was ever in danger. Secondly, I don't believe you. At all." "Are you sure you wouldn't kiss him, if it meant Coruscant sent more Core World friendly foods, ones that assuredly wouldn't make Cayde sick? Are you sure you wouldn't, if you knew that the botanists who were hired to come on this initiative, were assigned to study, cultivate, and conduct their research on native plants on Tenoo right next door to your co-deputy's tent?" Then she shrugs. "Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say you ought to go and kiss Thaarin. I'm just saying that I think you're still lying about being attracted to him, and I also doubt that you aren't playing your own little game. Because everyone has a game, Navi. And if you don't, well, you'll be a puppet to those who do. And you aren't stupid. At least you don't -seem- to be. I should hope, you aren't, and you've enough sense in you to realize that what I'm saying is true."
Navi	"I already have done all in my power to save you. And I continue to," Navi protests softly, struggling a little to keep her voice even. She's come to expect confrontational meetings with Xera, but that doesn't mean she likes them. "But somehow I doubt kissing Thaarin would protect your life, see Cayde given a healthier diet, or see those botanical experiments moved away from his tent. Perhaps you might enjoy watching me kiss him... I've no idea how you feel about watching lovemaking in progress. But I wouldn't enjoy doing it. I'm not sure how he'd feel about it. He's far, far more drawn to men than I am, or so I've witnessed. Sometimes I wonder if he would kiss himself, if there were ever two of him. And that's no slight to him. Merely a rather immature mature joke." "Perhaps I do have a game, Xera, since we all seem to. But I don't play it the same way as you," she says softly.
Athena	"Well of course it won't," Xera snaps. Then her tone evens out and she says softly, "I was simply making a point." "Don't be stupid," she then says icily, "it's obvious, he draws the attention of both and revels in it." She takes a sip of her drink, "You're not convincing me, Navi." Then she says sharply. "I saw you kissing him at that club on Vuundalla. You're a poor actress, and if you didn't like the way he seduced you, it would have shown. You were clearly having a good time, you just don't want to admit that you were. Why, you two are peas in a pod, Navi, finding yourselves pulled in by any manner of person who makes you feel... seen, and known." She smirks a little. "Well, whatever. I don't mind if you play your own games, I just care that in the end, I win. I hold all the cards, after all. And if you want to convince me that you really do love me, you're going to have to try another angle, because you still haven't persuaded me."
Navi	"Well of /course/ you saw me kissing him... you were /meant/ to," Navi replies, a hint of heat entering her tone. "The whole thing was arranged to make you jealous... the only wrinkle was the shots he was ordering were twice as strong as I had expected, which is probably why he became sick afterward, poor man." She doesn't bother mentioning that she could purge the alcohol from her system almost at will, Force willing. "Seeing and being seen aren't normally things that bother me one way or another, which is why I haven't show Avi the back of my hand on a number of occasions. Sparring with her would almost be fun if she weren't so embarrasingly bad at it," she observes.
Athena	"See," Lady Xera says, "That's the problem. You wanted me to be jealous so you didn't hesitate to kiss him. I'm no fool, Navi. I know you were playing games then, and probably still are, now. Why wouldn't you be?" "You liked it," Xera says frankly, "you just don't want to admit that you did. And, it's also why you're doing a terrible job of convincing me that you love me."
Navi	"That happened before I quit playing the manipulation game. It's actually one of the biggest reasons /why/ I quit it," Navi retorts softly. "I won't deny that Thaarin is good company, and quite good at kissing, but the alcohol made it possible, at least in my case. Men just don't interest me. Which I'm sure may one day break Cayde's heart, but he's Jedi... such relations are forbidden to him, and in the end he may be happier for it." She's not about to tell Xera that men /frighten/ her... "I also have a feeling that I'm here because you want something from me... and a chance at your love is the bait. It's the best bait you could set for me. It really is."
Athena	"As if," Xera says, "I still don't believe you. And you're digging yourself into an even deeper hole by admitting he's good company and a good kisser," she huffs. "At least that much I won't deny. However, you've contradicted yourself. If Thaarin didn't interest you at all, you wouldn't have found kissing him pleasant." She smooths her robe and sips her drink once more. "Don't pretend like you're easy bait, Navi," she scoffs. "it's disgusting." "What I want is for you to step down as co-deputy. Let me assume your responsibility, and you can finally relax. Then you could stay in here all day and enjoy all my luxuries, without a care in the world. Perhaps I'll even invite my family here and show you off a bit. Isn't that what you've always wanted? "
Navi	Navi hugs her elbows, shivering and staring at the floor. "So I would go from being Co-Deputy to being your pet, then?" she asks, without rancor or judgement. Only curiosity, and perhaps some sadness. "A pretty companion to show off and pamper to your heart's content? To be by your side when you needed an ornament for your arm on social occasions, perhaps?" She looks up at Xera, a few slow tears beginning to slide down her cheeks. "If only your love was part of that bargain..." she whispers. "I would have given this badge to you without a second's thought. But I don't think you love me nearly as much as I love you, Xera. I doubt you love me at all, really. To you, I would be like that robe... a pretty trinket, to be worn and shown off, and set aside when the seasons changed. I can't accept your bargain, Xera. I'm sorry..."
Athena	Xera just gives Navi a bland look. "Pets are loved," she says, shrugging casually. "Fine. Whatever. You don't have to accept. Avi will see you out." She then stands up, getting ready to leave.
Navi	"It's not the same, Xera. I can see myself out. Thank you for the offer, but I am very likely to slap Avi in that cruel mouth of hers if I must deal with her again... and it /will/ hurt," Navi replies softly, draining the last of her small drink and standing. "Thank you for the drink, and for showing me your beautiful new robe. Do call me next time you want to show off your wardrobe."
Athena	Xera doesn't even dignify Navi with a reply. She waves dismissively at the young Sephi girl and turns her back on her as heads for her bedroom, appearing non plussed.
Navi	Navi watches Xera withdraw to her bedroom. Then, somewhat against her better judgement, she follows her, right into the bedroom...
Athena	The woman is sitting at her vanity dresser, and has let her hair down as she starts to try on a variety of diamond chokers. She looks up and sees Navi in the mirror behind her. "Change your mind?" she says airily.
Navi	"No," Navi replies, as airily, walking right up behind Xera. "Just thought I'd see what I was missing out on." She indicates a choker set with black stones, not yet tried on. "That one would suit you well," she observes softly. "Not that that ruby piece isn't sumptuous, but it matches your hair too well..."
Athena	"Mm. Yes. Perhaps," she says. She picks up the choker that Navi has indicated, and examines herself in the mirror. She makes a face, not quite satisfied, and takes it off.
Navi	"Oh... my mistake. It doesn't go so well with your robe," Navi observes softly, lightly resting her hands on Xera's shoulders, looking at the tall woman's reflection in the mirror, some small, mean part of her savoring being able to look over her head. "Of course, you could always take the robe /off/..." she whispers.
Athena	Xera then looks offended. She stands up and pushes Navi's hands off of her, looking annoyed. "You haven't changed your mind, so you're not going to get any of the privileges that come with agreeing to my bargain." She rolls her eyes. "If you really loved me, and wanted me, then you'd do what I want. I suppose you don't, so you'll just have to live without what you want so badly." She then makes a shooing motion at Navi. "Now go. You've overstayed your welcome."
Navi	Navi can't help chuckling at Xera's annoyed reaction. "I've finally begun to understand you," she says softly. "And I think the best way I could show you how much I love you is to /never/ give you what you want. You crave too much control... you /need/ someone to tell you, 'no' from time to time. And I think this badge is the only thing you'll listen to." "Enjoy your empty boudoir and your pretty trinkets, my lovely Lady Graf," she says, turning toward the door, still chuckling.
Athena	"You're wrong," Xera says spitefully. "You can wave that badge all you want. But in the end, you'll remember I'm the coin purse, and if things don't go my way, the colony will have to find its own funding. Otherwise, when winter comes, you'll all starve. Or freeze. Or both." "I will control Aklyrr Bend, whether you do what I want, or not. I have resources at my disposal that you wouldn't even dream of, -Deputy-." Then, when Navi goes out, she closes the door behind her, haughtily.
Navi	Navi shakes her head as she gets outside. "Should I tell her we can all just move to Kublop Springs or, better, go home to the Core?" She glances back at the pent-hab, then grins, shaking her head. "Nah... let her find out for herself..."