These Shattered Stars -- Logs

It's late morning, after having seen the Khar Velosi off from their holiday/reconnaissance of Tanaab, before Freyja gets a note from Lord Ghang's aides asking for a mid-afternoon meeting. The meeting time arrives, and Vakkal escorts her to see the Lord in his sunny conference room. The Lord and his Soulguard are there, she lurking in the corner, while the Lord sits at the table, glaring irritably at one of ten or so datapads lying in front of him.

Freyja grins at the incendiary look the innocent little datapads are receiving, but politely waits to salute the Sith lord until he looks up and acknowledges her. Lord Ghang is all too happy to be distracted from whatever unpleasantness the datapads have to tell him. He looks up and smiles broadly when Freyja enters, "Padawan Freyja! Soulguard Vakkal! Please, come in, sit down."

Freyja beams cheerfully in return, somewhat relieved the Sith lord seems pleased to see them. "Thank you, honored Sith lord." After the courteous salute, she settles comfortably cross-legged in a chair. She can 'feel' Vakkal move behind her to the other corner as she adds, "I was hoping I might ask your advice, honored lord? And as always, if there is some way I might assist you, I would appreciate you letting me know."

Lord Ghang looks quizzically at Freyja, "My advice? I'm surprised you would ask for my advice. I thought the Jedi felt we were the scions of evil, unpleasant and detestable? Why would you want my counsel rather than your own Master's, or even that of the Jedi here? I have found both Master Sarn and Jedi Manishsha to be thoughtful and competent so far."

Freyja laughs unselfconsciously, then cheerfully says, "Whoops, guess I missed that class!" She grins, adding, "I would like your advice, honorable Sith lord, because it concerns your people and a thought I had regarding them."

Ghang smiles, "I am happy to offer what advice I can, Padawan Freyja."

Freyja adds with enthusiasm, "You see, you were talking to me about the Khar Velosi and the problem they were having regarding keeping their numbers up, and how you were encouraging them to settle on other worlds as well. So a thought hit me earlier today -- would you like a suggestion on someplace else for some of them to settle? And I'd like your advice on whether or not you think this suggestion is a good one." More seriously she adds, "They are your people, after all, and you have their best interests at heart."

Lord Ghang says, "I've been trying to find appropriate places for them to settle with all of the Lords I can trust not to exploit them. Of course I'd like to hear more." He smiles and adds, "I am pleased to hear you think I have their best interests at heart. I do my best for them, but it is nice to see others feel the same way. Master Sarn said something similar."

Freyja nods quietly, "He is quite perceptive also, although I should not be surprised, considering Master Roakkana speaks highly of him." She considers a moment, then smiles, "Well... I know the Khar Velosi favor clans for their immediate family arrangements, within a larger 'tribe' of related clans. So I thought if some of them wished, and could not return to Khar Velos for some reason, we could find a good place for them within the 'tribe' of Haus Rigg." Happily she concludes, "What do you think, honored Sith lord?"

Ghang says, "But..." and then stops, considering. "That would be... unusual. Would they not..." Then he looks at Vakkal. Vakkal of Haus Rigg. It's almost possible to see gears turning in his head for a long moment. He says, "Khar Velosi are indeed happiest where they have others they know -- and sometimes many others. They are also best suited to an open area. Would Haus Rigg be able to properly house them?"

Freyja grins, "Neh, not house them -- have them roam the forested parks and estates as they wish! We always need more people as rangers, to help maintain the wild animals in the estates. The only thing I'd insist on is they learn about how many of the creatures on Balmorra are both dangerous and larger than they." She considers a moment, then adds thoughtfully, "I think they might want to wear a comm bracelet also. That way they can call for more information or backup if necessary." She adds sincerely, "The creatures of Khar Velos are nehwhere as, ah... cranky as some of the Balmorran ones, and I wouldn't want the Khar Velosi hurt due to a lack of training."

Lord Ghang considers this, then turns and asks Vakkal, "Vakkal, what do you think of this? Have you seen the lands she refers to? Would Khar Velosi enjoy it there?" Vakkal says, "Yes, lord. It is lush, green, and full of good hunting. Many new challenges, and many new things to consider. Dangerous predators, even for the likes of us. And new friends to help us and for us to help."

Lord Ghang considers, then looks back at Freyja. "If a group of Khar Velosi went to you, they would never be able to return. Your Haus is prepared to be their Lord, and that of their children? It would probably only be a family gathering who would consider such a move."

Freyja grins, glancing at Vakkal as she adds, "The terrain is rather, ah... domesticated for Vakkal's tastes, but I suspect the wildlife will make up for that. We've been working on a breeding program for the big geri-cats in the upper northern polar areas for a while now, and we have an old female who roams the forests around the main estate and helps keep the wildlife there from overflowing. So it shouldn't be boring for them anywhere they might wish to settle."

She smiles quietly, "Oh, I assumed we'd be taking responsibility for them, hai. I just wanted to be sure this would not be offensive to you, nor dangerous for them. I wouldn't want a hopeful act of kindness to... well, to inflame some young Sith lord with a chip on his shoulder, you know?" She adds slowly, "I take it you would consider it best for the species as a whole for the ones on Balmorra never to return to the Empire, even to visit? I would consider that sad, but if you think it's best, I understand."

Lord Ghang says, "At the moment I can't see how it would be feasible politically; they'd be called traitors and marked for death. Even if we manage to improve that, many of the Khar Velosi are not comfortable around spaceships. Some of the more adventurous young ones go out, but many more stay at home and never see the stars. I believe one trip like that would be more than enough for them."

Freyja nods, "That's fine, then. It was initially my thought it would be young ones who went to Haus Rigg anyway. I know there are some on Malice, for example, who are not comfortable with society on Khar Velos, for one or another reason. It would be nice if they had a good place to retire to, should they so wish, you know?" She wonders thoughtfully if the Khar Velosi on the Malice will eventually spread the word of the 'death' of Vakkal of Khar Velos. It would be nice, she thinks, if Vakkal could make his own choices about returning or neh to his birth world.

Ghang says, "The more technically comfortable ones might be more interested in less wild surroundings than their planet-bound cousins, actually, and yes, they'd be more likely to travel. If it were feasible politically it might be possible for visits. If we get the HoloNet set up between us, it might be possible to simply call." He looks at Vakkal again, then out the window, considering for a long moment. More gears turn in his head, and he drums the fingers of one hand on the table in an odd, unpredictable almost-pattern.

Freyja grins, waiting for the Sith lord to share -- and grins again, thinking how pleased Magnussen will be also.

Eventually, Lord Ghang says, "That is a very... intriguing suggestion. I see all sorts of possibilities." He looks back at Freyja, adding, "Until there is a true, lasting peace between us, it would have to be a secret. It might be some time before this could be well known. But no, I would not have any concern over Khar Velosi who wanted to go to Haus Rigg." He adds, "It pleases me to think they might be entirely out of reach of my rivals in the Moot."

Freyja beams, "I admit, the thought pleased me also!" She grins, adding, "Cred for your other thoughts?"

Lord Ghang says, "Among other things, I was wondering how many Khar Velosi you had imagined. Perhaps this would be a way to finally prevent the plagues from the swamps... no swamps, no plagues."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "Hai, that occurred to me also. I was wondering if the Khar Velosi would start naturally selecting for fewer kits per litter." She smiles, adding, "Well, I've neh idea how many. I suspect it'd be best if at least initially there were just a handful or two of them. That'd give everyone at home time to get used to them, so if or when a large group turned up everyone would be comfortable, and there'd be arrangements ready for them. Does that sound good?"

Freyja adds, "Even if they don't select for fewer kits, though, we can do some computer simulations for the optimum number for them, and help them stay within those parameters. That should help keep any possible disease down also."

Lord Ghang says, "You seem to be discussing a family group. I suspect you mean one of the nomadic families. What of those who would rather stay with the comforts of civilization? Would you be able to integrate some of those as well? I can see to it you get what data we've been able to gather, if you like."

Freyja grins cheerfully, "Hai, our Head Huskarl will gladly accept them once he's sure they're trustworthy! They're strong, fast, dedicated, and loyal, to my experience." She grins at Vakkal, "Admittedly, I've only had extensive experience with one, but I'm happy to learn more." At Ghang's comment, she beams and adds, "Thank you so much! That would help tremendously, I'm sure."

The Sith Lord says, "That matches my experience with them as well. They are an excellent people, and I am very proud of them. I hope I am able to find the best way to help them." Then he nods and says, "Amn, please take care of that for me." She nods, seeming to understand exactly what the Lord means. Lord Ghang says to Freyja, "A very interesting set of thoughts indeed. I see some new possibilities. Whatever made you think to suggest it?"

Freyja beams and shifts slightly in her chair -- the closest she'll allow herself to currently come to bouncing happily in place! "I'm so pleased you like the idea, honorable Sith lord!" At his question she thinks, then says carefully, "There's a Khar Velosi I met on the Malice who was lamenting how others in the Empire saw them. It was pointed out you treated them with respect and they were glad to have such a good lord -- but to most others they were considered a servant race." She sighs quietly, then adds sincerely, "I was quite shocked to hear that, and to hear there were other Khar Velosi who had neh place to go either, after their stint on the Malice was over... and that's when the idea occurred to me."

Lord Ghang says, "The traditional answer to that question has been they stay on the Malice as crew. If that doesn't suit them, or they wanted to stay elsewhere... I think that could be arranged." He asks, "Do you think the Khar Velosi you know would have been interested in staying in the Republic? Why would they choose to stay here, where they'll be unknown aliens?"

Freyja grins happily, "Hai, I think that one might like Balmorra -- or at least that was the impression I received!" She grins again, remembering Saleyn bewilderedly asking Vakkal if Freyja was always like that, and her shock at Freyja declaring she'd simply ask Ghang himself about possible Khar Velosi resettlement. Considering the issue thoughtfully, she decides even though Saleyn said flat out she'd like to go to the Republic, it's still up to the woman herself to state that to Ghang -- and not something Freyja can casually blurt out.

Freyja considers a bit longer, then says slowly, "If I understand the emotions I was seeing yesterday and today," she looks up at the Sith lord and smiles, "which is not a given, of course! -I think Khar Velosi would be willing to settle with Haus Rigg for several reasons." She holds up a finger, "First, they would indeed be aliens, true, but they'd be neh less considered valid sapients for that. There are four sapient major races on Balmorra as it is. What's a few more, under those circumstances?

"Secondly, apparently the culture on Khar Velos does not allow for a huge amount of societal upheaval, which I can understand... but I imagine it's a bit hard on those Khar Velosi who do not wish to go back to a nomadic hunting existence.

"Thirdly," Freyja pauses, wondering how to say this delicately. "...the general society of the Republic does not rank itself by species or Force abilities. It shakes out more along the lines of class achieved through money and influence... and Haus Rigg has plenty of both, to protect its people with. Kurasai on Balmorra are respected, for the simple reason the aristoi know they cannot survive without the kurasai. Quite frankly, patronizing your kurasai means they'll leave you."

Lord Ghang says, "Well, that last makes sense... as does the comment about multiple races. I get the idea there is a specific Khar Velosi you have in mind, though. Is this correct?"

Freyja says, "Hai, honorable Sith lord. However, I would ask you not ask me to divulge that individual's identity. I do not think it is my right to speak for that person." Politely she adds, "I hope you understand?" To Vakkal she adds, Is this what you think Saleyn would want, sweetheart?

Lord Ghang says, "I do. You might mention to them I would be able to help them more with this if I knew who they were, and I will probably respond favorably."

Freyja grins, "Well, if I see them again on the way to Ziost, or once we're there, I'd be happy to do so, believe me!"

Vakkal replies to Freyja, I'm not sure. Usually I'd have just said she was screwing around because it's fun and she's that way, and Master Sarn was just a new person to play with... but she bit him. And she looked so unusually serious when she left. I can't say. I'd want to talk to her some more.

Lord Ghang says, "Ah. That brings up an interesting question, actually."

Freyja grins mentally at Vakkal, Silly. I meant not telling on her! To Ghang she says, "Hai?" Vakkal oh!s and grins mentally.

Ghang says, "I have had some fascinating discussions with Master Sarn and Jedi Manishsha. This very morning Master Sarn and I were discussing the political balance of the Jedi themselves. What he had to say was very interesting, and reinforces my decision to move quickly."

Freyja looks interested, "What was it that so interested you, honored Sith lord?"

Ghang says, "The political machinations in the Jedi Council are not entirely different from those of the Moot. I suspect Master Sarn would make a fine Sith Lord, at least as far as dealing with the Moot goes. I'm not sure he has enough... intensity, perhaps, is the word... to be a truly powerful Sith Force user. In any event, he has given me many interesting insights and much to consider. He has also offered his suggestions and opinions on a number of items."

Freyja laughs in spite of herself at the comment about Master Sarn making a fine Sith lord -- mostly because she can well imagine the look of shock the good Master would get! She hastily stifles that, though, listening carefully even though she's still smiling.

Ghang says, "Most interestingly, he has made it clear the Jedi Council is not happy with his behavior and wants to replace him as soon as possible, and very likely remove yourself and Padawan Zero from the scene as well. Any number of unwholesome reasons why this might be sprang to mind, and I suspect several of them are quite possible." Freyja looks less amused at that, and simply nods inquiringly

The Lord says, "I have come to value Master Sarn's judgment and forthrightness, and do not wish to try and negotiate with someone who has other interests besides ending this conflict lying closer to their heart than the prospect of peace. That applies to both the Sith and the Jedi side of things, as politics are unfolding at Ziost according to my sources."

Freyja smiles a bit ruefully as she nods again. It doesn't surprise her there are, um... heavily conservative factions on both sides. Even those which are not rabidly associated with the Calefactors or the Oathers will doubtless be somewhat uncomfortable at dealing with what they've been taught are deeply ancestral enemies. "Well, your fleet is due to arrive tomorrow, hai? So... there is neh trouble with moving swiftly, true?"

Lord Ghang says, "There will be a half day or day layover to recharge the hyperdrives, but leaving will not be an issue. Leaving quickly may be, as it turns out." He gestures irritatedly to the datapads, "These are, among other things, final reports of the damage caused by the attack on Malice. While the superstructure is intact, there is some damage which will make a long hyperspace trip quite slow, and the parts to repair it are not available here."

Freyja looks a bit unhappy at that, but simply says, "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Lord Ghang says, "I discussed this with Master Sarn, and he had some suggestions. I'm going to make some recommendations based on his input and my own knowledge of the situation. That which would be most helpful would be to have Senator Kalatis, or his vital organs, in hand when we depart for Ziost. Jedi Manishsha has volunteered to go after him, but I would rather keep him and Sarn at hand. Master Sarn tells me he cannot give orders to another Master's Padawan, nor will he. Do you think your Master would be amiable to the idea of looking for the Senator?"

Freyja covers a grin, then says mock-solemnly, "I fear when I handle vital organs it tends to be because I am patching someone back up, honored Sith lord." She grins cheerfully, adding, "If we could borrow Watcher Manishsha and he were willing, I'd be happy to go try to find Kalatis! I can't speak for my friends, but I suspect they'd love to track him down once and for all, also."

She explains, "I would ask the Watcher to come with us so we would not have any trouble with the Jedi on the scene. We don't know when orders from the Council will finally catch up to us, after all -- and we don't want to have to deal with them trying to split up the triat while we're working on catching Kalatis." She hesitates, not wanting to be rudely blunt, then says politely, "I would hope Master Sarn and the honorable Vice Chancellor would suffice for the nonce?"

Ghang says, "Hmm, I hadn't considered that risk. I believe Jedi Manishsha is willing to go, and I don't think he has any difficulty working with you. The thing I'm having the hardest time believing is that I'm considering calling a Jedi Master on the HoloNet and asking him for a favor."

Freyja giggles cheerfully despite herself, choking it off in mid-noise and trying hard to look innocent. She coughs, then grins, "Ah, well, could I help in that, perhaps?"

Lord Ghang smiles, "Master Sarn said the same thing. If you are interested in the hunt, and would discuss it with your Master, it would probably be beneficial. Would you like to know the plan as we have discussed it?"

Freyja brightens, "Oh, hai, please!" She doesn't bother mentioning yet that she's already spoken to Master Roakkana, and he has full confidence in their making good decisions -- she'll save that for later, if necessary. A little wistfully she hopes this is part of what she's supposed to be doing within the Force, regarding bringing a bit of Light to the Empire. She'd prefer feeling more sure of herself... but doing what she believes is right will have to d for now, she quietly supposes.

Lord Ghang says, "The plan Master Sarn and I have worked out is this: I will depart Tanaab with my fleet. We will go to Dantooine, where I can get the parts to fully repair Malice, and hopefully continue discussions of how to resolve things in relative peace. Jedi Manishsha will take Balin Khoud to Coruscant, where the Republic and the Jedi both can judge him. Jedi forces, including Manishsha and perhaps yourself and your party, will begin looking for Senator Kalatis. Once we have word of what is going on, where and when, and you have delivered Khoud and Kalatis to Dantooine, we will proceed to Ziost to present the prisoners to the Dark Lord."

Freyja blinks startledly, then brightens noticeably, "Oh, I would most definitely like to go to Dantooine -- a friend of mine is supposed to be there!" She pauses, then confusedly adds, "Wait... how will Watcher Manishsha be with us, if he's going to Coruscant to...?" Her voice trails off as she considers for a while -- then she says in shock, "You want to send us to Coruscant?!"

Freyja shakes her head almost immediately, "I am very sorry, honorable Sith lord, but I cannot in good conscience take my friends there." She adds a second later, as it occurs to her, "I doubt the trials will be over before the Malice is repaired, either."

Lord Ghang says, "You can't?" A second later comprehension dawns, "Oh! Of course, the Dark Force user on the Jedi core world. Yes, that could be sticky. Hmm. Well, let me talk to Sarn and see what he can think of. Perhaps I'll simply tell them if you're not left alone I'll personally come and find out why. I would be most vexed."

Freyja laughs, then adds with a grin, "You're too kind, honored Sith lord. I've often found it's easiest not to fleece the geri-cat in her den, however." Curiously she adds, "May I ask why Dantooine, though? If what you need is parts for the Malice, why not go someplace closer?"

Ghang adds, "As far as the trials... the delay for repairing the Malice may be quite long. The parts needed have to be made, and may only be able to be made on Ziost or one of a few worlds with the correct shipyards -- then delivered to Dantooine. I don't know if Dantooine's shipyards have the capacity -- and even if they do, the Smiths likely won't let the knowledge leave Ziost. Even with the warp drive at full capacity it is a several-week journey in addition to that, so the trip itself will take time."

Freyja says, "Um... well, why not go to Balmorra instead?"

Lord Ghang looks incredulous, saying, "..." Then he says it again. He finally manages to say, "I doubt they'd be pleased with that."

Freyja grins at the blank look, then simply asks, "Why not? And who wouldn't be pleased?"

Ghang says, "Even if the Smiths will divulge the knowledge -- or perhaps the Balmorrans can simply reverse engineer it, I do not know -- even then, the parts involved are huge, and their building and installing will take time. The fleet will be there for that time, and longer if it is where we choose to wait for word from the searchers and about the trials. Do you think this will encourage trade and pleasant relations? Worse, if I understand correctly, power and life-support has to be removed from a large portion of the ship, which means all that crew must be housed somewhere... how will Balmorra feel about that? And how will we keep the Jedi from replacing Master Sarn there? We concluded Dantooine would be the closest safe point we could go to in Sith-controlled space.

Freyja looks faintly disappointed, but simply says, "Oh. Well, if Master Sarn thinks that would be best, I won't argue." She grins, "But hai, I bet our engineers could do it!"

Lord Ghang is still incredulous, "I wouldn't be terribly surprised, considering some of the things I've seen and heard of. However, I'm not sure the rest of the sector would be pleased at our presence. Let me think about that, and see what we can come up with."

Freyja grins again, "All right. If you think Balmorra would be nice, I can ask Mother about it and see what she thinks. We do have extensive territories there, after all."

Lord Ghang says, "What an amazing idea. Yes. Let me think about that some more." He looks at Freyja in slight awe, "You astound me."

Freyja tilts her head interestedly, "Really? How so, please?"

Lord Ghang says, "You just came and suggested I encourage my people to defect to your home world. You then suggested we take the Fleet there for difficult or impossible repairs. You mean these things. You are serious about this, and have obviously thought about it. I have little doubt you could make it happen."

Freyja looks a bit puzzled, but gamely tries to understand, "Well, of course, honored Sith lord. I wouldn't waste your time. Well, except I wasn't suggesting defection -- I thought another colony for the Khar Velosi might be nice. I'd actually prefer they be friendly with those in the Empire also, and that we both be at peace." She hesitates, then adds, "Er... do people often suggest things they don't mean in the Empire?"

Lord Ghang chuckles, "That depends on who you talk to. And these things you suggest are big things to discuss, and you continue to do so. Your Haus and the Jedi both have something quite special in you. I hope they realize it."

Freyja grins a little self-consciously, flushing slightly, "Ah, well, I don't really know... but thank you for the compliment, honored Sith lord." She amusedly keeps to herself the expected reaction to her from both the Order -- and occasionally from her father also! Instead she hesitantly asks, "Actually, um, if you don't mind... may I ask a question? I know I'm working on what's in effect just gossip, but... well, it was really startling to me, and I was wondering if I could ask you about it?"

Lord Ghang says, "Ask, Padawan Freyja, and I will see if I can answer. Gossip is not my strong point."

Freyja grins, remembering the sensationalist Sith holovid she saw, then carefully says, "Well... what I heard was about the Dark Lord. The person speaking said he was..." she hesitates, then edits slightly, "was a 'thoughtful Sith lord who respects everyone around him, even his enemies.'" She looks bemusedly up at the bigger man and continues, "But... isn't that against everything the Sith are taught? Isn't it considered a weakness in him to do so? How can he get away with that?"

Lord Ghang says, "It is not a weakness for a powerful person to respect other powerful people. His respect is a form of care, of never underestimating them. He can still be ruthless and very dangerous, all the while understanding he is dealing with a person, and who they are. Respect is only a weakness when it is used as an excuse. The Dark Lord does not use it as an excuse, but as a weapon."

Freyja says, "But... the impression I got was he was respectful of those weaker than him also. Was this incorrect of me?" She adds confusedly, "Wait... an excuse for what, please?"

Ghang says, "He does respect those weaker than himself, too. This is a little unusual, but it is not a weakness. He may not have to do so; he chooses to do so. Just because he respects someone does not mean he will not crush them if they are in his way or threatening him. But he would rather not have to do so -- he would rather have their help than have to destroy them." He adds in explanation, "An excuse for not acting."

Freyja says, "Huh." She considers for a few moments, then says bemusedly, "But isn't that against all the usual Sith training to consider yourself the center of the universe?"

Lord Ghang says, "Perhaps a little. I would venture to say the Dark Lord believes he is the center of the universe. But unlike some others, he acknowledges other people in the universe can be interesting or worthwhile -- just less worthwhile than himself."

Freyja grins delightedly, "Ah! I think I understand better now. Thank you." Amusedly she wonders what really happens when Sith get together intimately. There must be some really hefty rituals to prevent the almost inevitable fireworks, blight, and death that would normally naturally ensue, she thinks!

Lord Ghang says, "If there is nothing else, I think I should talk with Master Sarn some more and see if these new suggestions can be turned into a workable plan."

Freyja nods, giving a polite, seated half-bow, "Of course, honored Sith lord." She rises, adding, "Thank you so much for your time, and I will be sure to pass on your words to the individual I spoke to the next time we meet." Vakkal rises with her, nods to Amn Noss, and moves to the door, opening it for Freyja. He checks the hallway for intruders, holding the door for her to leave.

Freyja withdraws quietly, pacing out to the lift. Once they're safe inside, she grins at Vakkal, "Is it just me that's the most curious person in the universe? I know in his place I'd have all kinds of questions for me, but he never does. It's starting to make me wonder!" The other thing she's starting to wonder about, but doesn't mention, is just how the Khar Velosi culture manages to hold itself together. The more she hears of it, the more fragile it seems. She hopes it manages to last for another century or two -- hopefully that'd be enough time for another colony to stabilize elsewhere.

Vakkal replies, "You're more curious than most. Lord Ghang has many things on his mind at the moment, too." Freyja laughs, giving Vakkal a quick, affectionate hug.

The rest of the afternoon is spent with Lord Ghang conferring with Master Sarn. Presumably they're trying to make plans, and consuming much HoloNet time.

It is late afternoon when Freyja and Zero's comms say feep! in unison. Zero sighs quietly, and sets his book aside. He has yet to complete this chapter, and it has been nearly three days. He picks his comlink up. "Shall I, Freyja?" The as-yet-unnamed faux raises her head from where it has been resting on Zero's leg when he talks, watching him quietly.

Freyja grins up at Zero from where she's been massaging Vakkal's shoulders, to make up for scaring him quite so much the last few days, "Hai, I'm all fuzzy-fingered!" She giggles at Vakkal's lazily contented snort, and continues.

Zero nods, absently stroking the animal's ears with his off hand. "This is Satau; go ahead, please?"

Fhazil, reading something on a datapad, says, "Gee, I thought he was the one who had fuzzy fingers."

Freyja grins cheerfully at Fhazil, "It's Spring here. He shares."

Master Sarn's voice comes from the datapad, "Hello, Padawan Zero. Could I come by there and speak to you all, or would you be able to come and see me? I've got a possibility or two I'd like to discuss with you."

Fhazil murmurs, "Oh, is that what we call that?"

Freyja giggles at Fhazil, then airily declares, "Oh, you're just jealous -- get your own fuzzy fingers!"

Zero glances around. "Ahem. Would we be able to receive Master Sarn in a few moments?"

Freyja grins at Zero, "Hai, let me just pull my tunic back on, all right?"

Fhazil looks down at himself, "I've got pants on this time. Sure, we can see the Jedi master."

Zero nods, "Take your time, dear." He turns back to the comlink, "Certainly, Master Sarn, we'd be pleased to have you."

Master Sarn's voice says, "I'll be there in a few minutes, then. Easier for me to come see four of you than you all to come see me. More then."

Freyja laughs muffledly from within the tunic being pulled on over her head. A moment later she flips her heavy mane of scarlet hair free, settles the tunic decorously about her, and smiles, "All right, I'm presentable!"

Sarn is indeed a few minutes, so everyone has plenty of time to make sure they're presentable before he arrives. He signals at the door, and Vakkal lets him in. He smiles, "Hello, all of you. Thank you for letting me come by at this odd hour, and on short notice."

Zero says, "Quite all right; please, come in."

Freyja has some hot tea ready for everyone, and is curled up comfortably on one of the beds, out of the way of the few chairs. She prefers the beds as it is -- chairs make her feel oddly exposed and too high up. The faux gets up and goes over to give Master Sarn a good sniffing over. Sarn smiles happily, lets her, and then rubs her ears. He apparently earns her stamp of approval.

Zero guesses that settles that. Freyja giggles, "Guess you're all right in little nameless' book!" She has a sip of tea, waiting for everyone else to settle, then adds, "What can we do for you, Master Sarn?"

Master Sarn seats himself, then says, "I've just come from talking to Lord Ghang. He and I have had a lot of long discussions about how to resolve the many issues coming up, and hopefully we'll be able to have your help."

Freyja nods with inquiring interest. Zero folds his hands in his lap. "That sounds promising."

Sarn says, "Things are complicated. The hyperdrives of the Malice, Lord Ghang's ship, were damaged by the attack on it. It can get into hyperspace, but only at about quarter-speed. Getting to Ziost in it would take a very, very long time. Lord Ghang would like to repair it; there are a couple of possibilities for this. One is to go to Dantooine and wait for Sith-made parts to arrive. This could take a while, but Ghang feels it would be a safe place to wait, and a secure enough location. I would join him and we would continue trying to figure out how to ease tensions between our two factions."

Freyja nods. Zero says, "And the alternative?"

Sarn says, "I admit, I'd have never thought of this, but the other possibility is to go to Balmorra and see if the shipyards there can't repair the Malice. Lord Ghang says he would consent to do so, and even to send the rest of his fleet to Dantooine to wait, with the surplus crews from Malice, if we could come to some sort of understood and agreeable accord between himself and Balmorra."

Freyja grins. Zero hmms softly, thinking. Sarn asks Freyja, "Do you think your Haus would consent to sponsor him and his ship under a Guesting Oath? Lord Ghang seemed to approve of that, and felt with Haus Rigg's backing and assurance he would be safe enough there."

Zero's thoughts ripple, projecting various possibilities and alternatives and potential outcomes. The political situation on Balmorra figures strongly in his thinking, particularly the worry of just who outside of the house of Rigg can be trusted.

Freyja says, "Well, let's see... let's do a cost comparison, shall we? Dantooine would be good for a variety of reasons: it's in Sith-held space, which would probably reassure both Ghang and the Dark Lord. There'd be space for all the Malice' crew, since it's just a farming world. We've met Sith lord Methel-ssa, and she might not think ill of us. It's the closest world to Garqi, which is where we believe Kalatis currently is. It's currently in the holding of Sith lord Khon Shu Fan, whom we've not met, but who is amenable enough to Ghang to send his apprentice with something the two of them are working on together."

Zero says, "My personal preference would be to find ourselves closer to Garqi if at all possible..."

Freyja pauses, then holds up her other hand and starts counting on those fingers, "On the other hand, Dantooine is just a farming world, and not only will they not have anything useful for fixing a capital ship... but also currently they're struggling with Templar manuses there. Oh!" She turns to the other hand, holding up another finger, "Jedi Colburth is supposed to be there -- that's a plus, I'd think! He's nice, even if he's not yet found what he's searching for."

Freyja says, "So... that's Dantooine -- six pluses, but two very big minuses. Now Balmorra." She starts counting on her fingers a-fresh, "It's the premier industrial world in the Republic -- if any place is going to reverse engineer a Sith capital ship, it'd be there. It'd allow us to be in a very comfortable spot, as far as just hanging around and waiting for the Malice to be fixed. It'd allow the dishonored Haus which helped Khoud show their good will and their rejection of the former treasonous baron by repairing the damage their creation made." She pauses, thinking a bit, "Umm..."

Zero hms. "Call it paranoia, but I feel somewhat disinclined to take a risk upon a dishonored house with so much at stake. I have every faith in the Rigg household, of course, but..."

Freyja nods to Zero quietly, "Hai, as do I, all things considered. I'll finish quickly." She holds up the other hand, "All right, minuses. The Order will have the proverbial autumnlas -- sideways! -when they hear a Sith capital ship is in orbit around Balmorra. Um, actually, I bet the Republic will too. I don't know yet how Father would feel, and if Mother would approve, and this is a big enough issue I should ask them first. We don't know yet if we'd be able to house all the crew someplace safe -- I'd need my parents' permission for that. Oh!" She brightens, going back to her plus hand, "We'd get to be with Master Roakkana again!

Zero scratches the back of his head, "But I feel perhaps that Freyja is better equipped to make that judgment than I."

Freyja grins at Zero, "Oh, I wouldn't ask the engineers of the Malice to take on good faith what a formerly dishonored Haus did -- I'd suggest they both work together on the problem!" She grins, "They're engineers -- at some point they'd forget they were different, in the thrill of..." She looks up with a far-away expression and says reverently, "the project!" She then looks back at the others and giggles, saying in a far more pragmatic tone of voice, "You know how they can get when they're faced with something technically insurmountable -- it's like a personal insult until they fix it!"

Master Sarn says, "A plus for Dantooine or minus for Balmorra, depending on how you look at it, is it would be difficult for the Order to replace me on Dantooine. Lord Ghang and I both feel this would be a problem. Another plus for Balmorra, however, is that Lord Ghang seems to want to go there. He was not clear as to why."

Freyja says, "So that's six pluses for Dantooine, and two minuses... and only four pluses and four minuses for Balmorra. What do you guys think?" At Sarn's comment she adds, "Oh, excellent point! All right, that's seven pluses for Dantooine, then." She cheerfully says, "Did you ask him why?

Zero hmms, folding his arms. "I'm not certain I would be ready to trust in them so easily on the basis of simple technical pride. Dantooine seems a more... stable choice, if that is the appropriate word." He turns to Freyja, "It would seem to be in our best interests to leave as few political waves as possible in our wake, at least until Kalatis is neutralized. He will have his every hired eye and ear out for us. To say nothing of our more important prey, the Knight-Cardinal."

Master Sarn says, "I see Dantooine with a total of plus five, and Balmorra with a total of zero. Logic suggests Dantooine." He answers Freyja, "Yes, and he was masterfully vague. Lord Ghang seems very intent on this, and I promised him I would ask you if you thought your Haus would agree to it, and even if you'd discuss it with them." To Zero he says, "The Knight-Cardinal? What has he got to do with anything?"

Freyja nods to Zero, "That also is an excellent point. It seems then we're talking ourselves into Dantooine. I admit, I would like to see if I can help the Templar manuses there." She grins at Master Sarn, "All right, I can do that. I'm happy to talk to them about it."

Zero says, "He wants to detain or destroy us. He nearly succeeded the last time we were on Balmorra." Freyja nods gravely in agreement with Zero, who adds, "It was with Lord Ghang's timely assistance we avoided a potentially fatal confrontation."

Freyja says, "The poor child may be just a puppet of his handlers... but his handlers are quite, um... avid followers of Khoud's beliefs."

Master Sarn says, "I see. Interesting word you chose there -- 'prey.' Is there a reason he would be your prey and not the other way around?"

Zero simply says, "I like to know where my enemy is at all times. It's an artifact of bygone days that's remained too useful to outgrow."

Freyja says, "He carries a lightsaber, Master Sarn, which Khoud gave him and which we need to destroy. It has caused former Jedi to Fall, and this poor child stands neh chance against it. It is an iconic saber like our own, but worse."

Sarn gives Zero an appraising look, then just says, "Hmm." He looks back at Freyja and adds, "That's more disturbing news. I've heard he fights with a zeal and skill beyond the experience of most. Perhaps there's more than hyperbole to what they are saying."

Freyja says, "There is. Khoud intends the poor boy to be the next Red General."

Zero says, "Needless to say... that cannot happen."

Freyja nods, then adds quietly, "Going up against that lightsaber without iconic blades is quite likely to be suicide, Master Sarn. Please be cautious." Then she continues, "So... are we agreed, then? I should talk to my family, and we think Dantooine would be wisest?"

Zero nods, "That seems the best option." Freyja nods to Zero, then looks inquiringly at Master Sarn.

Master Sarn looks very uncomfortable as he says, "A Red General would make my job very difficult. With the Knight-Cardinal's name being what it is, I'm surprised I hadn't thought of it before."

Zero says, "His name?"

Freyja grins, "What, Redcloak?"

Sarn nods, "Yes, his name is Tomas Redcloak. Had you heard too?"

Freyja says, "It's got to be a boy who's either very strong in the Force, which the Shadow Dev-" she blinks, then says startledly, "What?!"

Zero says, "We're acquainted with another Redcloak."

Freyja shakes her head slowly, "Neh, we didn't know the boy, but he's doomed now, it sounds like."

Zero narrows his eyes a bit. "I suppose that I should be surprised. I wish I could say that I was."

Master Sarn says, "A young man by the name of Tomas Redcloak; an escapee from Dantooine. Apparently he hates the Sith unconditionally for what's been done to 'his people,' although he couldn't have been more than a toddler when his family fled."

Freyja frowns, folding her arms, "Khoud should be ashamed of himself!" Then she sighs, "Well, if we can get the lightsaber away from him without killing him, we will. I doubt we'll be able to talk him out of it, though... reason had nothing to do with his current 'pretend' status."

Zero says, "Interesting."

Master Sarn says something quietly under his breath, then vocalizes, "I wonder if this is part of what the Sith farseers were afraid of? Having someone like this as Red General would be very, very bad for them, particularly if he were being manipulated by others so he might miss chances to grow and mature."

Freyja sighs again, "I'm beginning to be really, really tired of Khoud's nonsense. Red General indeed! You know what we should do? We should mount a good PR campaign against him."

Zero says, "For them, for us, and for anyone who dared associate with us or countenance a philosophy not his own."

Freyja blinks, sitting up suddenly, "Hey! A... public relations campaign... something the Shadow Devil can't attack!"

Fhazil says, "Oh, we'd never do something like consider another path, would we?" but he says it quietly, and looks grave.

Zero says, "You're suggesting we attempt information warfare, then."

Master Sarn says to Freyja, "Your commercial upbringing is showing, Padawan. And it might help save us all. But what message? No war? Sith Are People Too? Down with evil lightsabers?" He looks concerned, as if he's thinking very, very fast.

Zero says, "Balance in all things, Master Sarn."

Freyja nods thoughtfully at Zero, "Why not? Think about it -- they've not announced this boy's status. Why not? Are they ashamed of him or something?" She grins, "We know they're not, but it'll push them to have to produce him, and let him talk to others!"

Zero says, "Better to fight them with information than drawn blades. It's one theatre on which we can meet them equally, since they own the brute force advantage utterly."

Freyja nods with growing enthusiasm, "Hai, exactly! And if we don't have anything to do with the campaign, all the better -- there are neh 'rogue' Jedi for his handlers to disparage! What's he going to do -- attack innocent civilians who just want to know what's going on?!"

Zero says, "He may. We must be careful, no matter how we choose to attack him."

Freyja says, "But if he does, Zero, he'll lose all credibility in the Republic. His handlers can not allow him to do so. They'll be fighting a losing battle -- they can't show him off freely, but they must do so to show they're not ashamed of him or sneaking something past the Council!"

Sarn says, "I wonder if we can get him to associate with some more moderate or even liberal Masters. Perhaps Master Roakkana can help." He grins quietly, "Perhaps all we'd have to do is get word to the boy that he'll never convince Roakkana we need a war, and nothing will keep him from trying, and they can debate it endlessly."

Freyja grins amusedly at Master Sarn, "You keep that wyrd-touched child away from my Master!"

Zero says, "Provided he or his handlers won't be easily provoked to violence, Master. Not that I imagine assaulting the Master-" He thinks briefly of the saber he trained with, on its full-length setting... "-would be anything but an epic of woe for everyone involved."

Master Sarn says, "Even if, as you say, he wields an iconic blade? I wouldn't want to put Roakkana in the position of finding out if skill and reach will overpower that. Freyja is right; it isn't worth the risk."

Freyja says, "Hai, we don't want any dissenting Jedi anywhere near. Let the non-Force aware flex their muscle! They have a right to question the Order -- let them! They have a right to know what's being done in their names -- let them ask! And let the boy's handlers handle that!"

Sarn asks, "You're suggesting the Republic try and stop him?" He looks a little confused.

Fhazil comments, "Hopefully his handlers won't be at their best with Khoud captured and Kalatis hiding."

Freyja says, "Hai, I am, Master Sarn. My mother could easily mount an extremely effective, nearly untraceable back to her, public relations campaign. That's part of what the major Hausa do, after all."

Zero says, "What worries me primarily is that we don't know this strange mind's capabilities. I know only what Kawatuara can tell me. If this Redcloak boy is equivalent to us in learning, I would not hesitate to say with confidence we can easily best him. But for all I know this mind riding him could possess all the learning of a hundred bygone swordsmen."

Freyja says, "With enough outcry, the handlers will either ignore it and let the citizenry know the Jedi are now untrue to their oaths to serve the people... or they'll have to produce the child publicly. The more chances the public has to interact with this deluded boy, the better the chance the boy can be saved."

Sarn says, "This adds a whole new layer of complexity." He shakes his head as if to clear it, then says, "Could I ask you to call your Haus on the HoloNet and ask if they would sponsor Lord Ghang? I'd like to solve one dilemma at a time, and this one we might actually reach a resolution for."

Freyja grins at Sarn's initial comment, "Thank you!" then nods, "Hai, I'm happy to do so. Shall I do it now?"

Master Sarn says, "If you would be so kind, I could take word back to Lord Ghang and see what his conclusions are, so we can formulate a plan."

Freyja nods, "Well, let me try to do a good hook-up here..." She putters around with her comm and the terminal in the room, setting things up, then puts the vid-call through.

Zero steeples his fingers under his chin, thinking intently. The others can feel he's hit upon the germ of an idea and is fixing himself on it... another potential avenue of preparation.

The call takes a moment to get put through. It is the dinner hour at Freyja's home on Balmorra, and it is a moment before her mother appears on-screen, saying, "Heiyo, Freyja. Is everything well?"

Freyja smiles, "Heiyo, Mother. Hai, all is going well here. May I ask a private and hypothetical question of you?"

Freyja's mother raises an eyebrow, "You always have the most interesting questions. Of course you may ask."

Zero turns and murmurs softly to Master Sarn, "Master, could I ask you a brief question?" Sarn nods wordlessly.

Zero asks, "Do you know if the hotel has a relatively open room someplace where we might be undisturbed by staff or guests for an hour or more?"

Master Sarn answers quietly, "I can arrange that easily. Shall I?"

Zero says, "If you wouldn't mind? I've just had a thought that perhaps might prepare us a little better for our eventual meeting with the young sah Redcloak." Sarn pulls a battered and slightly outmoded datapad out from under his cloak and writes on it, quietly sending directions to the front desk so as to not interrupt the vid-call he's busy eavesdropping on. Zero says, "Thank you, Master... I appreciate your help in this."

Freyja grins at her mother affectionately, "Hai, I've been told it's a specialty of mine!" She pauses, considering, then says carefully, "If my party and I were to return to Balmorra, and we were to bring a particular Sith ship with us that's visited before... would you and Father be willing to extend Host Oath to the Sith lord and his people again, while repairs were done on that ship?"

Freyja's mother replies, "If the Sith and his crew agree to and abide by the Guest Oath, we would do such a thing. These Sith have treated us well so far, and I don't see how forbidding it will help things get better." She also carefully asks, "Is this likely to happen, or are you merely curious?"

Freyja sighs and smiles with quiet relief, "Excellent. Thank you, Mother. Neh, we don't know yet. We're studying options, and this was one amongst a few others." She grins, adding, "I promise we'll let you know ahead of time if this is the one we choose, though, hai? Oh! One other thing -- do we have an estate or an island or moon or something free where we could house some of the crew, if necessary?" Freyja's heritage betrays her there -- it doesn't occur to her most folks don't have spare provinces to hand.

Erde Rigg smiles, "I see." She then laughs brightly and adds, "Hai, dear, I've got a spare moon in my handbag; neh problem at all." Still smiling, she says, "I'm sure we can find places to house crew members, although if there are many I'll have to speak to young Fafnir and see if there is, in fact, room on the moon to house them for a time." Her grin turns wry as she adds, "I wonder how he'll react?"

Freyja beams at her mother, pleased to see she's doing well and hasn't lost her sense of humor in these grim times, "Thank you, Mother. I'm sorry to interrupt your dinner with this, but it apparently needed asking as quickly as possible, as the Sith fleet will be arriving tomorrow and we'd like to have all our plans in order then." She adds cheerfully, "Fafnir? He's likely to want to talk to them, don't you think? The scholar in him would run rampant!"

Freyja's mother says, "Not a problem; I'm sure Fafnir is busily failing to get your father to acknowledge facts of some obscure historical event again. I can't help but think he enjoys being able to do that, particularly after having to spend all day under Forsetti's tutelage in the ways of running the family. Don't listen to either of them, by the way; Fafnir is doing well so far, and in very difficult circumstances."

Freyja laughs again! -then grins, "I'm really happy to hear that, Mother -- you can tell him it's a tremendous relief to know things are going so well for him!" A little shyly she adds, "So, um... does he wear any particular necklaces a lot?" She wonders if Leif kept his half-implied promise and made a necklace out of the blue-green malachite she gave him almost two years ago... and if he's still slowly (albeit probably unwittingly) working his way into joining her Family of the Heart.

She'd told him about the blue-green malachite being traditionally worn for protection, to detect impending danger, or lend extra energy for magical rites, and also of the tradition of wearing it so it touched the skin near the heart, to expand his ability to love, and thus draw love to him. She grins, figuring the other tradition, of wearing it during business so as to increase his ability to obtain good deals and sales, wouldn't hurt any either!

Freyja's mother says, "I believe he has something he wears, but I'm not sure exactly what it is. I know he has a couple of rings, too."

Freyja pauses, considering. That's a hopeful sign, she thinks! She then says carefully, "Um... have you by any chance noticed a blue-green stone on his necklaces?"

Freyja's mother smiles, "I haven't noticed, dear, but I'm sure I'll pay more attention now." Her eyes twinkle with suppressed mischief.

Freyja grins at a sudden thought -- maybe one or two of the rings are some of those she's sent him for giftings and holidays over the last two years! She'd deliberately put a few toe- and finger-rings into the mix, since they were small and easily shippable. She grins a little sheepishly at her mother, "Hey, I can ask!"

Erde laughs brightly and says, "Of course you can, and I'll try and snoop and see if I can find out. Whether or not I tell you is yet to be seen."

Freyja stares in astonishment at her mother for a fraction of a second -- then laughs aloud in delight! A moment later, her own silver-blue eyes dancing with delight, she cheerfully says, "Oh, I'll have to tease it out of you, eh, Mother? Oh, the anguish!" She giggles... then her grin slides quietly into an affectionate smile, "I... thank you, Mother. It's truly heartening to know home is safe and well."

Freyja's mother says, "He is here where we can all look after each other. You're the one we worry about, so far from home. We are quite relieved you are traveling with your paramours, and none of you are likely to be easily trifled with." On-screen, the older woman smiles and says, "I see your huskarl Vakkal there, and I hope Zero and Fhazil are well too."

Vakkal smiles and says, "Good evening, Frau Rigg. I am indeed happy to hear from you again." Erde smiles, "Hello, Vakkal. It is good to see you happy and healthy."

Freyja smiles, "Hai, they are all well and with me here, and last time I spoke to Master Roakkana he said you all were well also. I'm glad you're all looking out for each other so well."

Freyja's mother smiles and quotes an old Balmorran saying, "When things are bad, we have only each other, so we must to each other never be so." She adds, "Having your Master Roakkana here has been neh trouble, and perhaps a great deal of trouble avoided by it. Syf has seemed to enjoy having someone to introduce to people, and the Master seems willing to humor her."

Freyja says, "Oh! That reminds me, Mother!" She brightens, pleased at having good news, "There may be some more of Vakkal's species coming to stay with us! If Sith lord Ghang gives his permission, then after the war I may be able to bring a group of them with me. Even if I can't be there, though, I gave them one of the key phrases." She cheerfully relates which one, then adds, "They understand they'd be switching fealty to Haus Rigg, of course. They're originally a tribe/clan based family structure, so it's neh problem for them. I thought you'd like to know ahead of time, though, so you can warn Magnussen he'll potentially be getting some new recruits."

Erde says, "That's interesting news. If they are half as skilled as Vakkal, then Magnussen will be pleased to have a force of them. He still speaks at length about how impressed he was with Vakkal, and busily urges all the others to match his accomplishment. So far none have come close." She curiously adds, "How many might 'some more' be, Freyja?"

Freyja beams proudly at Vakkal at that comment, then glances at her mother, "Um... I don't really know, Mother. This should be kept quiet, but they're having trouble keeping their species numbers up on their homeworld -- and they don't have any viable colonies on any other worlds. I suspect Sith lord Ghang would be thrilled if we could help them do that, but I did point out we needed to start with only a few, so folks could get used to them first."

Freyja's mother's eyebrows raise again -- this is apparently common when dealing with Freyja -- as she says, "Oh, I see." She thinks about that for a moment, then says, "I'll put the hint that we might need a lot of open space in the back of your father's head. We'll need a couple of months, so he thinks it was his idea, and then we can arrange some. Then we should be able to handle any eventuality like this."

Freyja nods, completely understanding her mother's reasoning, and helpfully adds, "He was mentioning a few years ago how hard it is to keep competent help and enough rangers up in the polar regions... and the Khar Velosi do prefer cold weather." She grins in silent, cheerful conspiracy with her mother to accomplish something good. It's not the first time, and she'll gladly make sure it's not the last too.

The older woman looks closely at Vakkal, "Mmm, hai, fur. Good point, and I doubt any would object to our gathering more for that kind of area. Thank you for letting me know of the possibility."

Freyja grins happily, "Glad to be of assistance, Mother!" She automatically leans forward slightly, then sighs, remembering she can't hug her mother here, "I... wish we could be there with you all. Tell Master Roakkana we miss him... give our love to everyone, please?"

Erde says, "I will, dear. Our love to you and yours, and take care. Try and warn us if you're bringing people in, so we can make sure things are ready."

Freyja smiles, "You also, and hai, I'll give plenty of warning. May the Force be with you all!" Freyja's mother signs off, the connection closing.

Freyja turns with a small smile towards the Jedi Master, "Well... I hope that was of use for you, Master?" To the others she murmurs quietly, I may think Dantooine would be better... but I certainly shan't be aghast if we get to go back to my homeworld for some well-deserved rest and recreation.

Zero mms softly. It would be nice to let one's guard down for a little while. Still, we shall just have to wait and see.

Freyja nods quietly and thoughtfully at Zero's comment, then adds, "Since the Sith fleet is due tomorrow, we should probably have a plan by the end of tonight." She looks at the Jedi Master inquiringly, "What do you want to do, Master Sarn?"

Master Sarn says, "I could hardly ask for better, Freyja; I will know what to tell Lord Ghang. I suspect Dantooine would make the most sense, although I believe Lord Ghang would like to see Balmorra in more detail." He hesitates, then adds, "I heard you tell your mother Lord Ghang might send Khar Velosi to Balmorra... I gather you discussed that with him, and he liked the idea."

Freyja nods happily, "Hai, he did! Quite the interesting discussion, too. But he wouldn't be sending them. Only those who wish to go on their own recognizance, with the understanding they'd be transferring allegiance to Haus Rigg, would go." She grins teasingly, "So, will you be asking Sith lord Ghang why he's so interested in Balmorra? Or should I?"

Sarn says, "Well, I would be deceiving myself if I said I would not be interested in that ability. Thank you for discussing it with him; I need to consider that issue myself. I keep telling myself wherever we wind up going, I'll have time."

Freyja looks a bit confused, "Wait... which ability do you refer to, Master Sarn?"

Sarn says, "The ability to have some Khar Velosi living in the Republic. I am, of course, mostly concerned with one particular Khar Velosi, but I liked them all."

Freyja says, "Oh!" She laughs softly, then nods, "Hai, she was the inspiration for me asking the Sith lord Ghang, although he doesn't know that yet. I thought it best to let her tell him in her own time."

Master Sarn says, "If she truly wants to, and she does, then I will be very pleased. If not, I will be pleased to have made her happy, and to have known her as I did."

Freyja smiles quietly; she thinks that's nice. Then she takes a breath, straightening a bit, "Well, then -- what is next, Master Sarn? Do you need to talk to Sith lord Ghang, or should we, or what? Do you have a plan yet?"

Master Sarn's datapad feeps. He looks at it, then says, "Zero, you have use of the Grand Ballrooms number one and two until noon tomorrow. That's the largest space in the center. Is there anything else I can do to help you?"

Zero says, "Actually, Master Sarn, that is more than I would have asked for-- thank you very much." He bows politely.

Sarn says, "I need to return to Lord Ghang and complete the planning tonight. I suspect he will want to go to Balmorra, particularly now I've heard what he discussed with Freyja. I'll give him the positives and negatives, and we'll see where it goes from there." He stands and says, "If there's nothing else, I'm going to get back to it. Thank you all very much for your help and consideration."

Freyja nods to the Jedi Master, "Glad to have been of assistance. Might I ask you to share, should the Sith lord Ghang reveal to you either his motivations for wishing to return to Balmorra, or how his investigations are going concerning that one suspect aide of his?"

Sarn says, "I'll let you know anything I can."

Freyja sees the Jedi Master out, then looks curiously back at Zero, "What did you want a ballroom for, sweetheart?"

Zero folds his hands again, fingertips just under his nose. "I had a thought while we were speaking with Master Sarn -- an idea for a possible means by which we can prepare ourselves a little better to deal with the Shadow Devil when the time comes."

Fhazil sits up, "Oh? What's that?" Freyja comes back over and picks up her cooled teacup, listening with interest.

Zero reaches behind him, settling the Kawatuara across his lap. "If the Three are all linked, as we know they are, and they are able to share through us their collective knowledge... it stands to reason that they must have some sort of collective memory of this Shadow Devil. It's undeniable they know it; their reactions on Balmorra prove that. What I asked Master Sarn for a clear room for, was to put this idea into application. If we can perhaps coax some of these latent memories from the Three, I might be able to throw a convincing enough illusion to shadowbox by. In essence, we could perhaps 'fight' the Atarangi Rewara... in theory, at least, if not in actual practice."

Freyja looks confused, "I thought they'd not yet met it, though? Hasn't it destroyed all the missing iconic blades that it's met so far?"

Fhazil says, "I don't know. Maybe they can feel it in the Force or something. Let's go try!"

Freyja blinks thoughtfully, considering slowly. Finally she grins and nods, "Hai, who knows how they communicate through the Force? Sure, let's try it!"

Zero says, "Well.. we have the ballrooms and Sarn's arranged that no one will accidentally barge in and endanger themselves, we may as well attempt it."

Freyja adds thoughtfully, "Wouldn't it be interesting if our doing this helped the Shadow Devil orient in on us? That way it'd come to us -- we wouldn't have to go hunting it."

Zero says, "I'd be pleased if it saved us the effort; I want it to know exactly who is hunting whom."

Ballroom 1 is a large room, about a hundred feet long and sixty feet wide. It often has chairs or tables in it, but it's empty now, those all tucked away in storage where they're kept. The walls are papered in a brown-and-gold-weave-like pattern, and the carpeting is a similarly unremarkable artificial material with a short, dense nap. The ceiling is about three stories up and mostly covered in a huge, chandelier-like lamp made of geometric bits of glassite and alternating bits of gold-hued chrome. It's pretty, but it looks like it would be very painful if it fell on someone. That, and the flat, metallic, half-moons of wall sconces provide indirect lighting for easy seeing. Many doors exit around the edges of the room.

Ballroom 2 is just like Ballroom 1, and right next to it. The connecting wall between them has been retracted, making this a very large open space surrounded by doors. They get the idea it could be divided into several combinations of smaller rooms with the sliding partitions hidden around the edges.

Zero ahhs and nods, "Yes, this will be perfect. Plenty of room."

Vakkal finds a note on the door, and says, "They say the front desk has the keys if we want to lock doors and be uninterrupted. Maybe that's a good idea."

Zero says, "I think we should definitely do so. It wouldn't do for a staff member to suddenly find themselves in the path of a lightsaber exchange."

Freyja nods, "Hai, could you do that for us please, Vakkal?"

Vakkal nods and darts off to the front desk; it only takes him a few minutes. He returns and begins making his way around the room, locking the many doors. Freyja sheds her cloak and utility belt by the door and settles easily into stretching out. Fhazil says, "Okay. So here we are. Hotel ballroom. Three Force users. Now what?" He looks curiously at Zero.

Vakkal finishes, and says, "The doors are locked. They're not that sturdy, so hotel security could get in quickly enough -- or any Jedi with a lightsaber. Heck, anyone with a crowbar could. But it will make sure no one walks in by accident." Freyja nods, looking a bit reassured by that.

Zero hmms. "Give me a few moments." He settles down cross-legged on the floor, the Kawatuara in his lap. "I shall try to see if Kawatuara can do what I'm going to ask." He closes his eyes and exhales deeply, letting himself gradually slip into a meditative semi-trance where he can dimly sense the resonance of the Three without dropping entirely into the resonance of Triat.

This strikes the small faux as intensely boring, apparently; she sits down in the corner and eyes the more interesting Vakkal as he deals with securing the room. Freyja whispers to the little faux, "Stay with the nice big furry guy for a while, all right, little one?" The vixen wags happily at Freyja. Whether or not she understood isn't clear, but she's cute.

Kawatuara, Zero asks silently, can you tell me what you remember of the day when Atarangi Rewara scourged the saber-forges? Can the others? It comes, and I've sworn to the Path that I will meet it. We need your help once again, if you can give it...

Zero feels quiet, subtle resonances from the saber. Resonances of willingness, and even eagerness to help with this blight upon the Force, but there is a clear idea that Kawatuara cannot do this by itself, or even with Zero's help -- something is missing.

Zero mms. "Of course," he says, softly but audibly. "Freyja, Fhazil? Can you join me? We need all Three to do this. Kawatuara is willing... happy to help us, even, but we need your strengths as well."

Freyja sends quietly to Kourakani, Can you and Korotatinea help Kawatuara with this, please? She settles relaxedly, facing Zero so there's room for Fhazil to sit in the circle too.

Fhazil comes over and sits facing Zero at one point of a triangle, with Korotatinea in his lap. He sends to it Hello there, my friend. Can you help us find this scourge?

Freyja and Fhazil both get a sense of quiet encouragement and positiveness from their weapons. They can help, they want to help, but they need something more -- some way to truly be connected, so they can really see each other and all the wielders. Freyja hms thoughtfully. We should perhaps link into the triat, then?

Zero murmurs, "Agreed."

Fhazil replies, Aye. Let's. Freyja nods and 'reaches' gently to do so. After a few moments of meditation the three can feel each other in the Force as one. This time, more than the steady and empowering glow and protection that offers, there is a gentle pulling on each of them from the swords in their hands.

Zero nods almost imperceptibly. We feel it now... show us, please... The Freyja part of the triat smiles and is happy to follow the gentle lead... and suspects the entire triat will do so, in fact. The Fhazil-part follows, trusting in his other selves and in the icon-blades to do and know what needs doing and knowing.

The three fade into meditation, the blades guiding them to the view of the world the blades share. It is a quiet view, a view of only the Force and everything in it.

Most of the area is flat and filled with gentle randomness; free Force energy attuned to no one, under no impetus, and doing nothing more than existing in the space-time continuum. Perhaps it is the continuum; it's hard to know from here. The untuned Force is random; not dangerous, but not positive. It reminds one of static on the holovid, or of little wavelets on a wind-touched pool, going everywhere without moving, staying in one place but with constant motion.

The Triat sits in a triangle, much as they do in the hotel. The Force around Freyja is as smooth as glass: calm, unruffled, serene. It glows with perfect Light, health, creation, and beauty, like the sun on a perfect summer afternoon, distilled into perfect radiance. That smoothness spins slowly about her, with the subtle suggestion that it can go much faster should she need it, and can flatten anything in its path.

Freyja's essence is at the center of it, defining it and holding it there about her, with Kourakani at her core infusing her and enhancing her innate goodness, cheer, and joy. The Force around Freyja seems to orbit her clockwise, spinning gently but inexorably from left to right, circling her endlessly.

The Force around the Fhazil part is Dark and confused. It tosses like waves against a stormy breakwater and flickers with dark, malignant light, like black-light lightning bolts. This is the same Force, but imbued with the power to destroy, to render apart, and to change even those things that don't want to be changed despite their need for it. It is not evil... but it is different, dangerous, and unpredictable.

The essence of Fhazil is at the center, the hint of his manic grin and the Force-light in his eyes showing the relish he has at controlling such power -- controlling, not using. Korotatinea is there with him, adding control, adding the ability to render and tear, and the knowledge of what must be done and when. The Force energy around Fhazil seems to jerk around him widdershins, drifting unpredictably from right to left, tearing apart or absorbing anything that stands in its way.

The Zero-element of the Triat is between them. His Force-essence spreads out around him, but differently. It does not modulate the Force as much as the others; it smoothes it somewhat and shows some Light -- like Freyja's, but not as intense. It also has some of the tension and contained fury of Fhazil's, but not as intense. The two form together into a Gray, rippling surface, only slightly changed from the untamed Force around them, but somehow more intense and solid than that which is completely unaffected. Kawatuara rides smoothly with him, gives him more stability, the ability to absorb more of the Dark or the Light into the mix that is his Grey essence.

The Force around the Graysider does not seem to move; rather it absorbs the changes of the things around it and accepts them into itself, giving them some part of it and letting itself spread through them. This is very clear where the Grey meets the Light; the Light dims and changes, slowing and calming. The Dark cools and brightens, its bolts of power and dark roiling receding away into little patterns of the untouched.

The Light and Dark also interact where they are closest. That is a violently energetic place, full of change and power. Were they fighting, were the Triat not Balanced, it would be a source of pain and discomfort. Instead it is a source of raw energy which any member of the triat can see and be near, giving power to the whole and causing motion in the field of Force around them.

Zero gently wills words into his consciousness. This is our place of power, Awatea blades. Is this enough to help you do what we ask?

The swords flare in the centers of the pools of intensity, rippling out. The Light and Dark meet at the Grey and, for the first time, can all see one another. Lifetimes' worth of memories and thoughts of different wielders, of different backgrounds and different goals, pass between them. Each part of the Triat -- and therefore all of them -- can sense the former wielders of the saber they hold, knowing their goals and how the sabers reached for them. These stretch out of the sabers like a wake in the Force behind them, trailing off in a dimension that is not known outside the Force, all the way back to when the sabers were made.

That point -- the point of first creation, so dim in the deep and distant past that it is all but absorbed into the wholeness of the Force and all but only a possibility instead of a memory -- tries to answer the question. The Light mantle of the triat watches in bright, fascinated happiness. Zero wills himself not to strain to see, trusting it to come into focus of its own accord. It will come, he knows... here, all things are possible.

Kourakani, attuned to creation, is aware Atarangi Rewara will exist, that it exists, and that it is dangerous. It also highlights -- as seemingly random instances, very dimly and very far away in the Forceness around -- points where it was Made.

Korotatinea, seeking the change of phase, destruction and devastation, can also see Atarangi Rewara, where it has damaged and destroyed. Some more points in the Force slowly note themselves -- little knots of angry blackness where Atarangi Rewara was temporarily destroyed, leaving a void which would someday be filled again.

Kawatuara, the sword of balance and of understanding, untangles the mystery of all of these distant and hard-to-follow points, stringing them together on a cosmic cord and weaving its way along the life of Atarangi Rewara, showing the way back to where it came and to where it is now.

Freyja watches that one with great fascination also -- as well as where it will soon be, if the sabers can discern that. The sabers can. All things ever to be or that have been are visible in the Force. In the Force it draws closer. What that means in the world of life and the living is unclear, and the sabers don't know how to show that.

Zero feels for a moment a dimly resurgent memory. The sensation of perfect dawn calm that came of knowing he had slipped past all blinds and defenses. Just a little closer now, he feels. Kawatuara... what of its fighting? Where has it battled?

The three swords direct each of their wielders in their own way. The Triat begins to drift in the directionless morass of the Force world, slowly heading in the direction of the long tangle of Atarangi Rewara's history. Deep valleys of Force-upset, Light and Dark flickering dangerously around them, surround the most-current end. Whoever wields it is not balanced and may cause a maelstrom of Force power -- probably destroying themselves as well in the process. Freyja is not surprised... but is saddened. Hopefully some calm can come to this poor person someday.

Movement through the Force-field of time and space is incredibly difficult. The icon-essences of the blades pull energy from themselves, from every wielder of themselves, and from the Triat itself. By leveraging all of these points in the Force at once they are able to maneuver the Triat as a whole towards a particular point, the closest point like this, along the history-line of Atarangi Rewara.

Zero forces himself to concentrate. This is more of the Force than he's ever been able to view all at one time before... it's like seeing in every direction at once. Freyja remains serenely available for the Force's direction, although she's available for her triat companions as well, should they need her. Fhazil watches intently.

This point is odd, because another line -- dim, hard to see, nearly forgotten, worn and faded -- leads away and quickly becomes invisible. That's the last really clear thing before the Triat finds itself standing in a place it has never been before. Freyja quietly puts a mental finger on the almost forgotten path, as a potential source of learning... then watches in quiet sorrow the unfolding but already resolved little tragedy they watch.

It is the dead of night, the time when nothing wants to be awake, yet they know something is -- and it is stalking them. They fear it, yet know they cannot escape it and must destroy it. They have a saber, they have skill, they are young and strong. No one better is able to do this, so they must.

The Triat soon realizes this is a Force-using wielder of another saber, one they know not. The distant memory of that saber whispers, Bravery, to them, as if that is all of its name, of itself, it can now muster. The wielder, a young Wookiee in the prime of life with dark fur and strong limbs, stalks his home forests, looking to destroy an invading evil before it destroys him and everything he knows.

Stalking and hiding in the darkness, the unnamed Wookiee has no trouble realizing he's been found... how, he does not know, but he has been found. The red flicker of too-steady saber-light and the hiss of dying rain on the superheated energy of the blade makes that all too clear. There is no more hiding to do -- only to fight and see who can win.

The world swings around the dark-furred Wookiee as the tree he is hiding in is sliced through. He leaps and lands on the ground away from the felled giant, facing the invader. The strange, horrible alien is bare-skinned and so very small. Such a small thing, to wield such a terrible weapon. Grinning with strangely white, flat teeth, the little invader watches the Wookiee land. Saying nothing, the Wookiee simply lights up his blade, which glows greenly in the night.

The interloper's smile is a dead thing, flat and emotionless, conveying only hate and a vicious hunger... the smile of a shark or a katarn. The rain beats down on the strange blade with a rhythmic snap-hiss, as each raindrop explodes into steam when it touches the blazing crimson blade. The little creature advances, so unhurried, its small dark eyes luminous with the reflected glow of the Devil in its hand. It raises the blade, suddenly picking up speed, and in the rhythmic popping of rain on the blade the Shadow Devil seems to whisper a response to the name of Bravery, the malediction of its own name, Nothing! Nothing! Nothing!

The Wookiee stands his ground and faces the new nightmare from beyond the sky. He bares his teeth and swings to meet the blade with his own -- green on red, a flash of power, and the urgent humming of the power pack on the Wookiee's back. Resisting the onslaught of the other blade, the power pack begins to heat up, the rain doing little to cool it. Not even cries of Nothing! will stop this hero, for he stands and meets the Shadow with his Light. Working with heavy intensity, he tries to push the intruder away and back to the monstrous machine which brought it here.

The smaller creature stands its ground for the moment, its face lit ghoulishly by the Shadow Devil's blaze as it leans into the saber lock... its trench-dweller's smile jacks itself up a notch or two as the stink of hot metal and searing cloth and flesh cloys the wet jungle air... but for all its perseverance it is seemingly no match for the raw power of a Wookiee warrior in the prime of his strength.

The little interloper is hurled back bodily as the Wookiee achieves leverage and hurls it free. It lands on its back with a dull, hissing thud as the overheated power unit skims through shallow puddles... in the darkness of the trees it seems to lie alone, a solitary shaft of red on the forest floor. The warrior shouts his challenge, his demand for the interloper to leave or to die... and this seems to rouse the enemy -- for in response, his eyes snap open and glow with the lambent reflection of Shadow Devil, floating there with it in the dark.

The Wookiee charges, his blade swinging low and thrumming with power, more than the cells in the casing can explain -- only the power of the Force and the will and strength of its wielder could cause this. At nearly the last moment the stunned interloper swings his blade hard and dashes the green blade out of the path of danger, Atarangi Rewara sliding up the back of it towards the Wookiee's now unprotected fur.

The Wookiee screams in frustration and leaps, up and over the prone invader, landing facing him two full paces away, saber out and dropping into a defensive stance. His sword is Bravery and no normal sword will stand against it! He knows this, and he draws great courage from it, holding his position and watching the Other, letting it return the attack.

But this is no normal sword, and never was. This is the bearer of a curse older than suns; Hate cased in living metal and thirsting, cutting energy. It writhes, humming, and for a moment it seems to be not a blade but a ribbon, as its red-white glare hums across the gap between them with profound speed, tracing a path in a strange, alien style unknown to the Wookiee. For a moment, he thinks, it looks like the unfurling of a flower...

Speed, agility, and years of training are all that save the Wookiee's life. Despite the unknown pattern, the rain, and the muck at his feet, he manages to deflect the attack, fending off strange, curving attack after strange, spinning motion. The lightsaber almost looks bent -- it is moving so fast, and at such unusual angles -- but the Wookiee blocks it all. He makes no forward progress, though, and for the first time since he managed to light his blade he begins truly to fear.

The interloper presses his attack; the flower opens, and from it explodes a ribbon of unraveling light that traces out a sign of unmaking -- his passing spells out an evil magic. It is only in hindsight the Wookiee realizes he is not the prey. The shadow comes to claim its own -- with a shriek of tortured metal it spears through the green blade's hilt, shattering its focusing crystal and spraying his arm with searing shards. He stumbles; a jolt knocks him aside, the interloper simply gesturing as if swatting away a Kashyyyk insect.

The ruined blade gutters and spills sickly green light in strange arcs into the jungle night, destroyed. Perhaps the shock of that simple fact is a mercy; it keeps one from focusing so intensely on the reality of the power pack that sears through his flesh as the Devil's bearer pulls it slowly, slowly closer.

The cable the interloper holds, all that remains of Bravery, finally snaps at the power-pack side. The pulling stops and the Wookiee tries to scramble away, too stunned even to try and get the overheated, now burning power cells off himself. As he tries to escape, trailing a dark column of acrid and unwholesome smoke, the emotionless grin of the interloper is seen one more time before the red light of Atarangi Rewara snaps off.

The rain is deafening now in its intensity, as if trying to wash out the stain of battle... but two harsh syllables cut through the forest. "Broken," rasps the voice from the lips of a Human, "and gone. Run now..."

The view onto the ages-ended match fades all the way to blackness -- the scents of the forest and the sound of rain on leaves, burning electronics, and dying Wookiee fade away, washed clean in the smooth and unending Force again. The blades let the Triat drift slowly away from the tangled skein of destruction that is Atarangi Rewara, and back to their resting point.

Freyja's consciousness is troubled, and a bit confused. True, now they know to expect the Shadow Devil to attempt first to destroy other iconic blades, and it's a good bet the wyrdling child-wielder will attack the Dark mantle first. Still... how to find Atarangi Rewara from this Force memory? Is the almost forgotten trail she'd marked earlier the key to this?

The Kourakani-essence shares: it doesn't think the Force-path is the way to find the Devil this time; it protects itself too well. Only through its wielder can it be approached, and he will be its undoing -- if it is to be undone at all.

Then what is this road less taken, Kourakani? Kourakani conveys much sadness and loss, for that dim memory was all that remained of an Icon of Bravery. Freyja grieves quietly for the loss... and gently encourages the Force to will such an Icon into being again someday. True Bravery should be neither forgotten nor cast aside.

Kawatuara sends quiet energy along the paths of the Triat, suggesting that only with the unison of the Three can the Devil be defeated. Freyja smiles in quiet rue -- that they already know, from the ancient iconic saber-forger. Korotatinea's power of change and destruction can end the Devil's long run of chaos, and it feels now is the time this must happen. All the Triat feels this, and the saber's confidence in this.

Kourakani's suggestion is to create a time to let this happen. The Devil can hide very well, so it must be tempted to come out to fight. Make it come to you, hide in plain sight, don't go somewhere it cannot follow.

Freyja nods. So far this is pretty much what they've planned -- if their loose thoughts on the matter could be considered true planning. The issue now is how to hide in plain sight. Perhaps convincing a Templar manus on Dantooine to surrender or return to Coruscant? That'd certainly embarrass the Order, unfortunately... but also infuriate all Calefactors. Zero's facet of the triat reflects a distant sense of recognition... of faint confusion.

The peaceful and all-surrounding view of the Force fades; the last things sensed are flickers of dim Force-power from random wavelets of the unmastered Force ocean. Those resolve into the gold-toned chrome and glassite structures of the giant chandelier overhead, and the firm feel of industrial carpeting below. Freyja has the additional view of a very concerned-looking Khar Velosi.

Freyja blinks, refocusing, then smiles tiredly up at Vakkal, "Heiyo, lover. Something up, or were we just a very long time here?"

Zero opens his eyes, slowly... then closes them again. "Nnnngh," he says articulately. The faux trots up and licks his face. "Yip," she says matter-of-factly.

Vakkal says, "Not long after you started, you all lie down like you are now. You haven't moved in hours. You've been breathing, you've had heartbeats, but you haven't done anything. I was going to get help if you hadn't moved by morning."

Freyja blinks again, realizing she's half-pillowed on Zero... and Fhazil's lying partly across her. "Uh." That... and she's ready to sleep for a year, it feels like! She wonders if the fleet's arrived and refurbished yet.

Zero sits up slowly. "Indeed," he says to the little faux, stroking her ears absently. "Yip indeed." He runs a hand through his long hair, wincing slightly. "I feel... mmmph. Like the Godhammer landed on me."

Fhazil says, "That was amazing. And hard." He tries to move off of Freyja, and mostly makes it. He winds up holding onto the floor and saying, "Oooh."

Zero nods, "Oooh. That too, yes." He leans up on one of his palms, rubbing his eyes. "But we saw it... we saw the path of the Shadow Devil. And we saw the last person who-" He opens his eyes, sucking in his breath with a hiss. "Gods below... now I remember! The killer of Bravery -- the Unfurling Blossom Style! I know that style!"

Freyja doesn't bother trying to move... just slides slowly off Zero as he sits up, barely preventing her head from thumping on the floor. She gives a tired laugh, "He's exhausted and Force-worn... and he's talking about fighting styles. Still, I should talk... I was just wondering if the Sith fleet's arrived and refueled yet." She grins wearily, closing her eyes and lying there in a spreading pool of scarlet-golden hair.

Vakkal says, "No, they haven't. It's the small hours of the morning, the night after the Luau. They're expected sometime in the next day or day and a half, depending their hyperspace-exit." Vakkal moves over and starts to idly stroke Freyja's hair, and adds, "Which means you all can get some sleep."

Zero shakes his head, "No, no, I mean... Freyja, I know it from home. It's a native style... the Shadow Devil's been on Sedrak."

Freyja sighs quietly, relaxing at the gentle stroking. All she can get out for Zero is an articulate, "Uh."

Fhazil says, "On Sedrak a long time ago, Zero. Who knows where that style was invented, where it came from, how it got there? Or maybe it was... that would be, what, twenty thousand years? It might have been everywhere by now."

Freyja mumbles, "Couldn't be on Sedrak... humans weren't there thousands of years ago. Colonists are recent..."

Zero runs a hand through his hair, murmuring, "...but it knows... how does it know how to do that?"

Freyja muffledly wonders, "Maybe style got 'nvented elsewhere 'n imported to S'drak?"

Fhazil says, "Native style, Freyja. How long have the natives been there? Could it have fallen into their hands somehow? Could they be stranded from a ship from far-agone? Who knows?" He makes the great effort and sits up. The room obligingly doesn't spin, and his head obligingly stays on.

Vakkal says, "C'mon. Let's put you to bed and worry about this tomorrow. Maybe Master Sarn knows -- he seems the wise type."

Zero sits up carefully all the way. "I think... I think I am going to try and find out, yes."

Freyja says, "Uh. Good point. Could be star-faring basis of all the humanoid races, too." She yawns hugely, starting to feel oddly comfortable.

Zero sighs and kneels to pick up the faux. "Very familiar," he murmurs, "...so close." The faux replies helpfully, "Yip." Zero sighs a little and smiles. "I suppose I cannot argue that."

Vakkal carefully helps Freyja sit, then stand. He's strong, warm, and furry, and has no problem at all having her lean on him as much as she likes. Freyja grumbles slightly, but is encouraged to do so. The carpeted floor is looking really attractive to her currently. Vakkal suggests, Your bed and your lovers will look better, and feel better yet. C'mon. He herds the sleepy trio upstairs. Freyja grins tiredly at Vakkal, trying not to fall asleep on him.

Zero follows along, gently stroking the faux, but still troubled. Nonetheless, Vakkal is undeniably right. Rest is calling for him, and he can do no thinking in this state. Bed and lovers seem a safer place to sleep than awash in unpleasant possibilities. He likes that about Vakkal, he thinks. So pragmatic.

Vakkal gets the three triat members in bed, letting them finish whatever drowsy conversation they have while he takes care of details with the hotel -- mostly giving the key to the ballrooms back and letting the staff know they're done. By the time he gets back the other three have fallen asleep, and he's happy to join them.

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Last modified: 2002-Jul-16 16:14:54

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