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Realms: These Shattered Stars Logs

Chapter Eleven, Part Five

The Jedi are just leaving from their meeting to discuss how to handle this new Coucil of the Red, when Freyja's comm feeps. It likely has to do with the events that unfolded live on the HoloNet regarding Haus Dosen's demand of their innocence. Freyja discreetly murmurs into the comm, "This is Freyja," when she has a moment between leave-taking courtesies.

Freyja's mother is on the comm, "Freyja, I have just gotten off the comm with your Father, and we have decided it would be very positive to go visit Baron Dosen as soon as possible. Fafnir and Forsetti have already spoken to him, but a visit from us at their home would be an excellent thing. Your sister will be coming. Can you join us?"

Freyja blinks, "Errr... when were we thinking of going, Mother?" Dryly she suspects her mother has already checked with her secretary, and the time given will be unsurprisingly quite open -- since neither secretary nor mother know yet of her intended plan to depart Balmorra that very evening. She ponders a moment while awaiting her mother's answer... then mentally shakes her head. They can't leave just yet -- her family obviously has need of her. Who knows? The Jedi may also, at this rate. She murmurs over the link to her Master, It appears there may be neh need to ask you to deliver the letter to Master Sarn, Master Roakkana. May I collect it from you at some point? She makes a mental note to herself to do the same from the droid.

Erde replies, "I'd like to be there as soon as possible. We'll all three need to dress appropriately. We'll need a couple of hours for that, and then we can get in the air for Dosen's."

Freyja blinks again, then says a bit dubiously, "Right... now? Isn't that a bit, um... precipitous, Mother? Or... did the Baron specifically invite us?" She adds a bit puzzledly, "Who's us?"

Erde replies, "Well, it'll be two... or three, more realistically... hours before we're ready to leave, and then it will take another hour to get to Dosen's familial lands. Your Father said he's -- quite understandably -- very unhappy but also resolute about finishing this task. I am worried, and your father agreed, that it might be best if the poor baron were not alone in a suddenly-depleted household. The social niceties of meeting others will give him something else to think about. By the time we get there he should have had a chance to do the worst of his tasks -- as he's closer to the Council than we are and so will have had more time. He did invite us previously for "any time" so I simply thought it best to take him up on that. If Forsetti and Fafnir make it back before we are ready to leave, the five of us will go. Otherwise we'll just go with yourself, Sif, and I."

Freyja nods, "Ah, that I completely understand. One moment, please." She glances around, makes her courtesies to the Jedi still present who are staying here for the nonce, and excuses herself. As she trots swiftly up the stairs, Vakkal loping easily along with her at her mental request for a bit of help, she murmurs to her mother, "I'll hustle. Give me a half hour departure window and I'll be there."

Her mother replies, "Don't sprain yourself. It'll be a couple of hours for Syf and I, at least. I'll send staff up to help you and Vakkal dress. I presume Vakkal will be going with us as your hauskarl."

Freyja adds over the link to Vakkal, Would you be kind enough to alert my aides as to my need for some dressing help, please? And tell Mother hai for me, please? She's thinking at him mostly because she's already pulling off whatever Jedi clothing she can as she half-trots, half-runs down the hallway -- and at that moment her face was covered by her overcloak.

Vakkal replies over the comm, "Yes, ma'am, that will be fine." He asks Freyja, mentally, I need help dressing? What does that mean?

Freyja yanks open one of the huge entrance doors to her suite, "Uhh... not sure, sweetheart. Guess it's a good brushing and more formality than usual?" She grins over her shoulder as she dashes through to her inner rooms, "It's a gesture of respect to Dosen for us all to be all shined up and our hooves polished, y'know?" She giggles, pausing only long enough once she reaches her closets to yank off the remaining clothing. Her tone is absent, "Now where are... ah!" She sounds relieved as two waiting folk come hastening in, "Heiyo! So, are we doing matched outfits, mourning, or what, please?"

Vakkal finds out what "help dressing" means -- it means "Full Formal House Guard" attire, which he has only seen Magnussen wear so far. It also means a thorough brushing and lots of very small buttons and clasps which he almost certainly can't do all on his own -- so two house staff members make this possible. Freyja's outfit is also complex, and much more laden with jewelry and pomp than Vakkal's. Fhazil's comment -- which earns him a glare and, You'll pay for that later! -- is only an innocent-sounding, "Gosh, Vakkal, I had no idea lace was so you."

Freyja looks rather complacently at the well brushed Khar Velosi, and purrs, "I rather like it..." She addds a bit wistfully, pushing back one of the wreathes of flowers entwined in her hair, "Although I wish I got to wear more lace and less jewelry myself as well."

As the household staff is putting the final touches on, Freyja's comm - now a fancily jeweled dress comm - feeps and Syf says, "Freyja? Have you got a moment? I could use some help here, I think. Maybe Vakkal could come too."

Freyja says, "Uhh..." she looks around at the aides, and the more relaxed and matronly one nods and smiles. Freyja looks relieved to hear they're done being made up, and happily heads out -- not quite trotting in her eagerness to get away from all the primping -- as she says, "Hai, Syffie, we're on our way over! What's up? Is Alleine worried about something, or somesuch?"

Vakkal too has been dressed -- and is not at all unhappy to leave the last of the claw-scraping and polishing behind. As they walk he tries to keep in mind that Freyja liked it, and not to itch too much. Freyja leans to gently brush one hand along Vakkal's cheek, affectionately straightening his fur as much as sharing scent with him. She deeply appreciates his patience with all the strange (to him) new culture's rituals and demands.

Syf replies, "Yes, Alleine is upset and I don't know what to do about it." She adds after a moment, "I don't think he's dangerous or anything, just confused and unhappy."

Freyja says, "Huh. All right, we'll hustle; moment." She takes a few little-known shortcuts from her arm of the mansion to Syffie's, pacing into Syffie's much more elaborately decorated, scented, and staffed rooms a moment later with a smile and a cheery, "So, almost ready? How're things progressing here?" She also takes advantage of the need to gently deflect one of Syf's more fluttery servants, "Neneh, I like the flowers back that way in my hair, thank you -- truly. Hai. Thank you," as she (a bit warily) sizes up the situation.

The rooms are overflowing with decoration and bric-a-brac, much of it gifts from adoring people from every world. Syf is in her dressing room with two attendants trying to fix the last of some complicated ribbons and lace in to her dress and hair, while Alleine paces back and forth in front of the door. His body language shows that clearly that he is tense and worried; his shoulders are tight and fists clenched, and he walks with a brisk, almost jerky step. He whirls to look at Freyja, staring at her with wide eyes. He says nothing, however.

Freyja says gently, "Heiyo, Alleine. Would you like to step outside with me for a moment? I believe there's some tea in the next room." She waves a graceful hand in that direction, quite sure Syffie's servants will have tea there in instants if there isn't some there already -- she knows Syf likes tea and the graceful, peacefully mindful ceremonies which surround it. She also knows she can shoo servants out more easily there than around her sister.

Syf says brightly, "Yes, that would be very nice." and looks over at Alleine. He remains saying nothing for a moment, and then says, "You can't let her go." He says it with concern and conviction, almost pleading. Freyja steps backwards into the room, clearly inviting him in. Casually Vakkal shoos a few servants out of the room -- he knows Freyja well, and he's already there.

Alleine watches. He moves closer, so he can see in to the room, but also keeps an eye on Syf. He finally comes all the way in to the room, still very tense. He says, "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"

Freyja smiles reassuringly at her somewhat worried looking sister, then closes the door so there are only the three of them now present in the room -- Vakkal, herself, and Alleine. Calmly she says, "Syf is not leaving here without Mother and myself, so until I'm called we have time. Now... would you like to serve some tea, please, Alleine, and tell me what is worrying you so?" She settles down on a cushion near the tea utensils and looks up expectantly at the tense Massassi. She doesn't know anyone who isn't calmed at least a bit by performing whatever tea ceremony they were taught as children. Perhaps this process will help poor Alleine as well.

Alleine does. It does calm him, a little, but he is obviously still quite upset. He serves Freyja, then Vakkal, and finally himself. The ritual takes a few moments, and Syf is smart enough to let the closed door stay that way. Alleine finally settles on a cushion, staring in to the hot tea in his cup, "You're going to see Baron Dosen." It is not a question or a threat -- merely a statement.

Freyja has taken the time to appreciate the short tea ceremony properly, and kept her mouth shut and her movements slow and calm so Alleine can try and gather himself together. At his question she glances at him over the rim of her small tea cup and murmurs softly, "Hai." She waits to see what else he has to say.

Alleine nods. After a long moment he asks, "Have you seen the vid from this afternoon? What do you think of that?"

Freyja nods again, then answers gently, "I think he made a difficult but honorable decision according to Balmorran culture. Is this what so disturbs you, honored Alleine?"

Alleine replies, "I don't understand. That's what Syf said. She cried for the man, and said how brave it was of him. I see what happened, and I see a madman encouraged in public. I see people approving of this. This does not make any sense."

Freyja ahs softly, understanding now. She considers a moment, then murmurs over the link, Master Roakkana, did Alleine receive any cultural training when he arrived here, or was he mostly just kept near you, please? It seems he considers poor Baron Dosen a madman, and now fears for Syffie's safety. Aloud she says thoughtfully, "The Sith lords... they believe the universe is there for their own use, hai? And they each individually believe this, hai?" She shifts the teacup into one hand, and waves the other golden hand in a gracefully encompassing gesture, "Their people are there for them to use like a good resource, as I understand, and neh more... and they keep their word as it suits them to further their own ends?"

Alleine says, "Yes. How else can one attain what one wants if the world is not there for you to use?" He looks up and says, "It does not worry me that you or Vakkal wish to go see this man. You can defend yourselves. But Syf isn't a fighter! How can she be willing to go there? How can you let her?"

The Wookiee replies, No, he hasn't had that kind of training yet. Are you suggesting that more of this kind of training sooner would be positive? He has been mostly near me or around Syf, who seems to like him and do well with him. I can understand how he could be concerned for her safety.

Freyja smiles and says gently, "But we do not so see the universe, honored Alleine. Hai, as aristoi we are cared for greatly by the kurasai, and that is as it should be -- for it is our duty to care for and protect them. If we used the world without regard, it should soon strenuously protest our doing so, and we would find ourselves without any world or loyalty at all."

Freyja adds equally gently, "Furthermore the lady Syf, like my mother, is not incapable. We would not be Rigg were we not able to at least delay or incapacitate potential kidnappers or assassins -- it is a necessary part of life, as much as having huskarls. Haasik, her Gran, is devoted to her, as I'm sure you know, and he is a capable huskarl as well. Even if that were not enough to calm your fears, I assure you the Baron's aggression is not directed at our haus -- it is directed within his own, against those who have betrayed his honor and his people."

Freyja murmurs softly, I am thinking we should get a group together to teach of this culture not only to poor, worried Alleine, but also for the refugee Khar Velosi. She's including Vakkal on the conversation as she adds, It's my guess some of them at least would be fearful due to this afternoon's events, hai, Vakiza? Freyja adds a little sternly, "And if you truly think I am of so pacifistic a demeanor as to allow harm against my family, you do not yet know me well, Alleine."

Alleine says, "He cut off his own son's head! How can that inspire loyalty! You claim you do not rule by fear, but he is killing in public -- shedding blood to get his way! I do not understand."

Vakkal sends to Freyja, May I say something to Alleine? then replies to her question, Some it might have disturbed, and all it would have confused. For a leader to kill a subordinate is bizarre. For them to fight to see who is superior might make sense, but to simply kill the other... no, that makes no sense.

Freyja tilts her head consideringly, then nods mentally, Hai, but be careful you don't frighten him more, please? To Alleine she says quietly, "You misunderstand. He did not get his way. He did what was right because he had to by his own sworn word... though it gave him personally only great pain." She adds gently to Alleine, "The Baron Dosen demonstrated, through his own personal pain, his dedication to never betray his people." She murmurs thoughtfully to Vakkal, If your brother had attempted to secretly usurp your father, then publicly scorned him, would your father not have attacked him?

Alleine looks at Freyja, as if he is going to say something, but stops. He looks at her for a long time, and says, "I do not understand."

Vakkal says, "I'm sure Lady Syf and Lady Freyja will be happy to explain more. In the meantime, consider that Freyja and I are both skilled fighters, and there are two more Jedi already there. In addition there will be at least two more senior huskarls present, fully armed and prepared for anything. I suspect that Syf is not without some resources of her own. You have nothing to worry about. If anyone raises a finger to harm Syf -- or any of the Rigg party -- they will be stopped, and they will regret it." Alleine asks, "You mean that?" Vakkal says, "Were Baron Dosen to draw his sword at Syf, I'll throw him across the room if someone doesn't beat me to it." This seems to appease some of Alleine's concern.

Freyja says firmly, "The Baron would never finish drawing the sword, Alleine, were he acting aggressively towards my family." She does not bother explaining her response would be a relaxed Friendship rather than anything horrifically physical. She sees no reason to brag or worry Alleine further.

Vakkal replies to Freyja, Father might have challenged him, or outcast him, but he would never have simply killed him without a fight. That would be a dishonor.

Freyja thinks a bit, then holds up one slender golden finger, "Let me try a, ah... rather blunt explanation, if I may?"

Alleine says, "You won't let anything happen?" He looks at Vakkal, who is staring intently at him, and at Freyja's equally sure look.

Freyja sips her quietly steaming tea and smiles relaxedly at Alleine, "Do you really think I'd go if I truly thought there was any danger whatsoever... to my mother, let alone my sister and myself? Now... let me try putting this into Balmorran context, please?"

Alleine says very quietly, "I don't know what to think."

Freyja takes another reflective sip of tea, then says, "All right. Baron Dosen is a very proud man, and his pride and honor are based on his belief in how good an aristoi he is. He is dedicated to his reputation and his business, and his people know him as gruff but fair. He would gladly lay down his life for his family or the Republic. His son is -- was -- someone far more concerned with power and making creds than with honor, and this disturbed his father, who chose not to see it. However, as is the nature of such things... people knew. That's why, when the traitors looked for someone to build their droids to smuggle out to the Oath of Fire, in defiance of honor or trust by those who depended on them, either family or Republic... they turned to the son, not the father." Her ice blue eyes regard the disturbed Massassi calmly over her tea cup, "Does this make sense so far?"

Alleine says, "More or less. Go on." He finally has a sip of his own tea. His near-crushing grip on the cup has relaxed.

Freyja nods quietly, "Well then. Perhaps now you can see the tragic train of events starting to unfold here. Unhappily, the father must on some level have realized his son was a liar, a coward, and an honorless traitor to everyone who loved, trusted, or depended on him. This is probably part of why he initially refused to speak with Jedi. He did not want to see this failing in his own beloved arving heir, however, and his own honor forced him eventually to clearly demonstrate his innocence." She waves a hand, conjuring the sad scene once again, "There he is in the middle of Council -- he shall vindicate himself and his haus! His son could not do this terrible thing -- the baron cannot believe it! -- and so he swears a mighty oath, for he is sure his haus is as innocent as he himself."

Freyja sighs quietly, continuing, "Unfortunately, swearing for someone else's innocence is a tricky business indeed, and more often based on wishful thinking than fact... and thus it was this time also. He has honorably and courageously sworn death on any in his family, himself included, should they actually be traitors to their people, their world, and the Republic -- and then his son publicly mocks him, making light of his trust and honor, and jeering at all he holds sacred. And the son too is guilty of wishful thinking... for instead of understanding the pride of place which honor holds in his blunt and truthful father, he can only see what he is himself -- deceitful, conniving, dishonorable... he would never have the courage to boldly slay another, and so he can recognize it in his father neh more than his father can recognize deceit in his son.

Freyja finishes quietly, "And so unwittingly they both push each other into the position neither ever wanted to be in... and the one may have stolen the power from his father, but has lost his life in the process... while the other may have his shining honor intact, but has lost his pride and certainty." She takes a sip of her tea again, then concludes, "And so we go to visit... because the Baron Dosen is in a tragic state, and it is in such times a devastated man may clean his haus of the taint of dishonor -- then finish the job by finishing himself off as well. We cannot allow this in good conscience, so we go to visit and be sure he remembers his people depend on him. Though he be in great pain, he cannot desert them in their hour of need. Further, pain shared is lessened... or so I hope. I would have spared him this if I knew how."

Alleine does seem reassured. He takes another sip from his tea, thinking

then says, "That is not what I would expect. It would be very different where I have come from."

Freyja nods calmly, "I imagine so."

Alleine says, "So, not only will Syf be protected, I have misunderstood greatly." He smiles wryly and adds, "I don't know why I didn't realize this would be the case in the first place, but I did not." He says, "I hope you can forgive my upset and fear, Lady Freyja. In addition to making a nuisance of myself, I have made you all later than you wanted to be."

Freyja grins wryly, "Ah, that is easy to forgive. You should have seen me at my first disturbing cultural miscommunication. Thank goodness Master Roakkana was there, or I'd have indignantly challenged someone to a duel, and doubtless been taken for a murderer." She has a sip of tea, still smiling ruefully, then adds, "I think if you are willing I would like to ask your help in preparing some sort of cultural explanation or introduction for the coming Khar Velosi." She has another thoughtful sip, then grins, "And believe me, it will be another hour or so before Syffie and my mother are finished dressing! It is not only a gesture of respect to Haus Dosen -- it also makes the kurasai proud when we show off their mastery of their abilities." Dryly she adds, "I fear in some ways I am a disappointment to them, with my insistence on dressing myself and using a minimum of makeup, flowers, and jewelry."

Alleine blinks, "I see. I thought Lady Syf was almost ready." Vakkal smiles toothily, "I'm sure you have other things to recommend you, my lady."

Freyja gives a small snort of laughter, her eyes dancing at Vakkal. Then she grins at Alleine, gently touching his hand, "Better now? If so, you might let Syffie know. She worries about you." She cheerfully adds, at Alleine's comment, "Ready? Valhalls, neh! She's only just started -- hair and clothing first, then makeup, jewelry, and flowers as the crowning touch!"

Alleine looks a trifle embarrassed at that, "She does? I wonder why. I'm not one of the fancy men who all seem to intent on getting closer to her." He does, however, stand and say, "I'll let her know." He adds, "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me... it is appreciated."

Freyja rises herself, gracefully re-arranging an errant lock of fiery gold hair, and murmurs, "Perhaps that's part of it, neh? -that you are not a fancy man, and you know only her -- not her glorified vid image." She smiles over her shoulder at him as she turns towards the door, "You're quite welcome, and please feel free to ask any time you are unsure, honored Alleine. It's neh trouble."

Alleine opens the door and Syf calls, "Everything okay in there?" from across the room. Alleine steps through the door, then stops, stunned and staring.

Freyja murmurs mischievously over the link to Vakkal, Well now, you should know! She grins, stepping around Alleine to murmur, "Hai, and of course, dear sister. Did you really think I'd let you down?" She grins and winks lazily at her sister, then casually heads for the door, "Gracious me, I think I forgot my, um... *mumble* necklace... couldn't dream of going without it..."

Syf is standing at the far corner of her dressing room. Three mirrors frame her and a dozen extremely bright spotlights are on her. They light her up and make her literally sparkle with every breath. Her make-up flows elegantly over her face into her hair, and blends with the beading on her dress. A man is standing by her, working with what appears to be an airbrush. He steps back and says, "Yes, I'm done." and she beams at him, "Thank you, Marucel." She steps out of the bright light, no longer sparkling so intensely, and comes over to Alleine -- who is still staring and stunned. Syf says worriedly, "Please tell me you're feeling better and that this is because of the dress -- not that you're still unhappy."

Freyja covers another small snort of laughter, well used to her sister having this effect on humanoid men... and some women. Alleine says slowly, "I

thought you were beautiful before. This is amazing. Uh, and I am much more comfortable with the situation now."

Freyja murmurs with soft amusement to Vakkal, as she quietly opens the door, I think that's our exit line... definitely.

Syf grins, light catching in the crystal flecks in her eyelashes, then nearly carols, "Your turn, Frey! Marucel has something new that he wanted to use for me, and I told him it would be so much better on you! Come on!" Freyja flinches, and tries darting hastily out the door! ...with at least a little dignity still intact. Syf says, "Oh, foo, come on!" and tries to catch her fleeing sister. "He's saved gold-glitter-glow for you."

Freyja mumbles, "Saved what?! Hela save me..." Brightly she adds, "Oh, dear -- is that Mother on the comm? Must be time to go!"

Syf says, "Sister of mine, I do not understand you. You could be beautiful, but you run and hide from it." She sighs, folding her arms, "I'll let you go this time if you'll promise not to try and hide for the formal ball at the gymkhana!"

Freyja comes up short, salvation suddenly offered, and turns to face her sister, eyes gleaming, "Wait... does this mean if I put up with this now, I can actually avoid it at the gymkhana?!"

Marucel says, "It would be best to apply part of this makeup before the Lady Freyja had dressed. It works better that way."

Freyja adds cheerfully, "Hah, gotcha there!" since she knows the answer full well, then grins, "'Sides, Syffie, I've been told I'm already beautiful -- and so have you! We don't need to sparkle to be beautiful." With dry amusement she realizes -- she's starting to sound like her mother!

Syf says to Marucel, "Really? That's different." He replies, "The conductor layer works better that way." Syf grins to Freyja and says, "No, not really. If you like, we'll let you debut this then. You'll be the most beautiful woman on Balmorra that night." Marucel smiles and adds, "I have a picture I can show you, m'lady."

Freyja chuckles quietly, then says politely to Marucel, "I thank you, honored Marucel, but truly I can see evidence of your skill on my sister already."

Marucel says, "Thank you, my lady, but you've never seen makeup like this before. It's brand new; we've just developed it. Your sister suggested it would be so much more flattering on you than her -- and seeing your colors, I must agree." He rummages in his bag and offers a datapad.

Freyja sighs internally, wondering why people keep trying to cover her in weird decorations, but smiles dutifully and accepts the datapad, regarding it for a moment. The datpad makes it clear that the makeup company is owned by Cyteller and that Syf not only adores it, she is happily helping make their product seem more glamorous and important. Further, the pictures of the glow-gold are... impressive. An attractive (if on the thin side) model has been painted with deep gold marks clearly visible on her skin and in her hair. This set has been painted over all of her that is visible like tiger's stripes. Considering the white, furry bikini she is wearing along with a lot of gold jewelry, it is impressive. It would be more so if she didn't look bored out of her mind -- or perhaps even slightly drugged. As Freyja watches the pad, the woman walks about, the gold flashing in the light. The "glow" comes when the light is darkened, and the gold make-up actually shines with a dim golden light, outlining the model and highlighting her movements. Marucel comments, "The new battery packs will last almost five hours."

Freyja blinks, then heroically answers in a bright tone of voice as she hands back the datapad, "How... astonishing! Gracious, I bet Syffie can't wait for the gymkhana now!" Mentally wincing at the shocking nudity of the model -- please don't let Mother see that or Syffie's plans will suffer a severe setback! -- she curiously asks Vakkal, What does it smell like? Anything?

Vakkal's ears twitch in quiet amusement as he replies, Vaguely chemical, like paint. And Syf, of course -- who as far as I can tell adores the attention. He looks slightly pained when Marucel comments, "Pity the Hauskarl uniforms are so covering, or we could do lovely things with all that fur." Syf chuckles and says, "I think we're done, Mau. Thank you so much." He bows and begins to pack his bag. Syf smiles, "I gather from the rigid tone of voice, that you find the glow-glitter a little much."

Freyja smiles a bit ruefully, "Well... I should probably point out for your peace of mind that Mother would have an absolute fit if she found out one of our products was being promoted on Balmorra by, um..." she coughs delicately, not wanting to use a rude but accurate word, then concludes with, "er... someone in quite so great a state of undress?"

Syf says, "Ah. Well, that's not promotional material for Balmorra. It's actually probably going to be used for another world. It was also testing to see how well it held up in certain circumstances. The Balmorran promotion will probably be me, or perhaps you. Whichever of us wears it first." She adds, smiling, "That will be in a full gown. Much more appropriate, hai?"

Freyja murmurs in relief -- at the news this is not an ad for Balmorra, "Oh, good." She nods amusedly, "Hai, Mother would far prefer that, I'm sure."

Syf says, "I just need a few minutes to finish with the flowers, and we'll be ready." She asks, "Do you need jewelry, or were you just trying to escape the airbrush? I'm sure we can take care of you...?"

Freyja grins, "I'm fine, Syffie, truly." She tilts her head slightly to indicate the quietly enthralled Alleine, adding, "Just giving you time to, ah... finish up, you know?"

Alleine has started breathing again, though he's still looking at Syf with some awe. She smiles, "All right. I'll be at the door and ready to go in twenty minutes." She looks at Alleine, and suddenly seems a mite surprised at his attention.

Freyja smiles, slipping quietly out with Vakkal. Strolling down the hallway a moment later, she smiles and tucks an arm through his, leaning slightly and companionably against him. "Isn't it nice to see folks who care about each other? I hope the Dosen has a paramour."

Vakkal lets the mental image of the cat-striped-glowing woman he caught on the datapad go over the link to Fhazil and Zero. Fhazil sends to Freyja and the group, Sweetie-lover, while I think you're wonderful and beautiful now, I would never object to seeing you in tiger-stripes. Or that white thing.

Freyja laughs, then cheerfully sends back, I'm crushed! Here I thought you preferred seeing me with nothing at all on! She adds equally cheerfully, If it really makes folks happy, I'd wear it. I just usually assume Syffie prefers to be the star, you know? Vakkal comments, "I hope the Baron's paramours are not guilty of the crimes he is checking for, or his day will be even harder."

Freyja winces slightly, then looks worried, "Oh, dear... I didn't think of that. I hope not too."

Fhazil replies, Variety is the spice of life! Vakkal sends to him, Freyja would be even more beautiful if she were furry, true. I don't know about stripy, though.

Freyja snickers quietly, then with gently companionable affection reminds Vakkal of his lovely dream of her -- a vibrantly fiery-gold Khar Velosi. She'd gladly look like that if she knew how, for him.

Fhazil's reply, You have strange tastes, brother. Vakkal shrugs, and sends, You were the one who wanted her stripy. Freyja laughs again, reaching to teasingly tug one of Vakkal's ears -- then cheerfully darting off to slide down the bannisters before anyone can come out and disapprove! Vakkal smiles at the thought, and sends, just to Freyja, I'm sure you would, but you don't have to. I think you're beautiful just the way you are. I'm sure Fhazil does too, even if he is silly sometimes. He follows more sedately.

Freyja whooshes gracefully down the bannisters, gleefully bouncing off at the foot of the stairs and taking a moment to rearrange her clothing a bit. She needs to look demure and proper when her mother turns up!

It isn't too much longer before Erde and Magnussen arrive. Erde is dressed up as nicely as Freyja, and looks happier to be so. She asks quietly, "Did our crisis get averted with Alleine?"

Freyja smiles, "Neh crisis, Mother! You look lovely. Ready to go?"

Erde nods, "I'm ready. All we need is Syf." She sighs, as this is not an unusual thing to be missing. She adds, "Your father and Fafnir have gone to see the head of one of the smaller Hauses. Apparently the haus reached out to them immediately after the Council meeting and wished urgently to speak to them. It will just be the three of us going to the Dosen's."

Freyja nods, "That's fine." She pauses, then adds carefully, "Ah, Mother... does the Dosen have any paramours that you know of?"

Erde replies, "Three, if I recall correctly. The four of them are two pairs, all Trandoshan. Do you need their names?"

Freyja draws a slow breath. "Neh, just asking. Well... let's hope none of them were in on this."

Erde nods, "That would be even harder than this has already been on the poor man."

Freyja says, "Hai, so were we thinking also, Mother." She gravely straightens a blossom, then adds with courteous cheer, "Ah, there's Syffie! Shall we?"

Eventually -- actually, almost exactly the twenty minutes she said she needed -- Syf appears. She glitters in the light and trails the scent of flowers. Her Hauskarl follows as she says, "All right, let us be off and comfort this poor man."

Freyja grins quietly up at Syf as she makes her gracious descent down the stairs... then smiles reassuringly as she notices Alleine peeking around the corner of the hallway, much further away but still watching the lovely girl himself as well. "Hai... let's."

The trip is mostly uneventful. Erde does mention, "Syf, dear, do you always have to dress quite so... flashily?" Syf's reply is a bright smile, "Yes, mother!" Erde looks resigned to this. Freyja covers a grin! She also makes a mental note -- she should probably say neh to the offer to make her the pyrotechnic one at the gymkhana, considering her mother's reaction.

The trip takes nearly an hour. It has been almost four hours since the Baron left the Council meeting, and he has had three hours to be interviewing his staff. The rather horrible sight of a stack of bodies outside the severely formal fronting of the Dosen mansion brings this in to sharp focus and reminder. None of them have heads. Syf says, "Eeew," and looks horrified. Erde adds, "The poor man."

Freyja winces slightly, and an unwitting, "Oh, dear..." slips past her usual reserve. She sighs, then shifts slightly to block her younger sister's view -- unless Syf obviously doesn't want this. She murmurs softly and a little worriedly, "Mother, didn't anyone announce our impending arrival?" She knows this is emphatically not how one usually greets guests.

Syf doesn't want that, saying firmly, "It's all right, Freyja. I'm okay." She looks past the bodies at the house, saying, "Let's go see how the Dosen is." Even before Erde can reply, though, the main doors open -- Baron Dosen himself emerges. He strides down the length of the perfectly-manicured yard and directly to the waiting ship, standing at attention outside it and waiting for the doors to open and his guests to emerge.

Freyja glances at Magnussen and Haasik, checking to be sure they also are aware this is a bit... odd, and they'll be on extreme alert. Then she sighs, straightening, "All right. Let's see if there's anything we can do, then." She quietly murmurs to Vakkal, So, you want to lean a bit more towards my mother or Syf? I'll cover the other one, all right, until we're sure the Dosen is stable?

Vakkal replies, I promised Alleine we'd cover Syf, so I'll watch him. Your Mother's got Magnussen, too. You cover her. And yourself! If you get yourself killed, I'll be very unhappy with you!

Freyja nods mentally, her usual humor a bit blunted by the tragic piles of dead, and is right on her mother's heels as the Baroness gracefully descends from the ship. Her jewelry-bedecked hands are extended in courteous greeting, and there's a smile on her face for the Baron... and her eldest daughter is gravely polite as well -- and very close behind her.

The doors open, the ramp descends, and the Baron says formally, "Welcome to Haus Dosen, ladies of Haus Rigg. Your visit honors us and brings us great pleasure on this otherwise unpleasant day." The Baron looks tired, almost wan; his age is showing. He still wears formal clothes, though different ones from Council -- and his sword is at his side. The Baron takes Erde's hand and bows over it, saying, "Please forgive this unseemly addition to our yard. Hopefully we will have it resolved soon."

Freyja is faintly relieved -- so far, so good. She does a quick, cautious glance around while the Baron bows, checking to see if there are any servants about, and what their demeanor seems to be. She really hopes they can help calm things down here a bit. Erde says smoothly, "I am sure you will, Baron. Your Haus may be confused today, but your honor and word are proven beyond any question." She smiles and adds, "If there is anything we or our Haus can do for you in this difficult time, please let us know." Freyja sighs quietly internally... Mother is so very good at this kind of thing. Thank goodness.

The Baron sighs, and says, "Confused is a good word, yes. Two of the people in that pile of carrion over there were responsible for running a great many things around here, and it will be days before we have it all straightened out." He says, "I am, however, certain that we are able to welcome our guests properly. If you will join me in the main parlor, we have tea and cake

and some pleasant conversation would be a very welcome diversion."

Freyja's smile is more sincere this time -- it looks like Mother was once again right, and turning up immediately was the best thing to do for the Dosen. Almost admiringly she takes mental notes, watching her Mother adroitly calm everyone down and turn a horrible scene into a gracious greeting. Someday Freyja herself hopes to be this astonishingly effective.

The Baron escorts them in to a fine parlor before more goes on, removing from sight the horrible proof of the Baron's absolute truety to his word. The whole house is somewhat severely decorated -- as in, almost not decorated at all. Rather than being over decorated, it is instead built of the finest materials. Plain beams and walls reveal beautiful hardwoods, and floors of various kinds of incredibly attractive stone. Unexpectedly, the stone floors are warm to the touch, lending the whole building a sort of warm and almost cozy feeling that is unexpected in a place that looks almost austere. The furniture too is somewhat minimal, but beautiful in its simplicity and comfortable. The parlor has a strange sculpture made of different lovely kinds of woods hanging on one wall -- a series of interlocking wheels and gears that move slowly, occasionally emitting a hearty wooden tick!

Freyja smiles as she looks around, appreciating the excellent taste of someone in the Dosen's haus. She settles gracefully cross-legged onto her sitting cushion after the Baroness and their hosting Baron do, and is somewhat more relaxed now. She grins internally at Vakkal's rather pleased/surprised mental exclamation about the floors, then checks to make sure the rest of her party are all within at least lunging reach.

The Baron makes polite conversation, asking Erde to introduce him again to her daughters, one whom he has often seen on the vid, and the other a mysterious figure of her own. Erde smiles and does so. Syf smiles and nods at her mother's greeting. Freyja smiles also at the Baron's description of her, murmuring a polite greeting at her mother's introduction, then a gently amused, "Surely not so much mysterious... as simply frequently absent?"

The Baron makes polite small talk for a while, asking Freyja about her travels, Syf about her latest adventures among the elite, and Erde about how certain portions of business goes. He asking nothing rude and nothing contentious, merely making polite chatter and going through the ritual of visiting with guests. He does seem to relax some as he talks to them. Freyja returns the courtesy quietly, pleased they can be of some assistance. She hopes the Dosen has finished going through his household, and doesn't have to return to his grim work after they've left... and she also hopes there are neh terrified servants lurking in wait. Freyja wonders how poor Colburth and Diath are doing too. She'll have to make sure to give them both some time. It couldn't have been easy to be the ones (in effect) condemning people to death -- even if unwittingly.

After some time of polite conversation the Baron himself brings up the topic, and says, "I am sure you are aware of today's events in Council." Erde says, "We are, and you have both our greatest respect for being so true to your word and to your people

and our sorrow for the actions of your son -- particularly his behavior today." The Baron smiles stiffly, "I returned home from Council today and went through the entire household. There are two staff members who we can find no trace of, and two who we knew were away and who have assured me they will return on schedule. The rest have been asked and cleared of knowledge of the traitorous actions of the others."

Freyja murmurs quietly, "We're glad to hear this is concluded for you, honorable Dosen."

The Baron says, "The two Jedi were invited to stay here as long as they liked, but both expressed an interest in getting back to the Jedi chapter house. One of them - Colburth, I believe - was looking a mite green around the edges." He sighs, "I cannot thank them enough for their work today, although I suspect both found it as horrible as I did."

Freyja nods quietly, "I will gladly transmit your thanks to them, Baron. It had been my thought to visit them as well."

The Baron nods, "If you would, Lady Freyja, that would be appreciated. I, of course, have already thanked them and have sent the local monastery a donation to show my appreciation of their hard work

but something more personal is always welcome." The Trandoshan adds, "I understand you are a Jedi, Lady Freyja?"

Freyja nods, "I have the honor of serving as Padawan to Jedi Master Roakkana of Kashyyyk, hai."

The Trandoshan says, "Ah. And can you do the same checking for truthfulness that Jedi Colburth and Jedi Diath were doing?"

Freyja thinks a moment, then says cautiously, "Hai, and it comfort thee, Baron. How may I aid you?"

The Baron smiles tiredly, "A ship is coming in soon. My daughter was away at University... and she has not yet been tested. Both Jedi Colburth and Jedi Diath told me not to hesitate to call them again, but if it would be not too much trouble I would be grateful if I could let them be. I could do this if you would be willing to perform this test for me."

Freyja's face is completely calm, but she winces inside. His daughter... now Freyja understands even more keenly how poor Colburth and Diath must have felt. Steadily she says, "If I have the permission of my family and my Master, honored Baron, I will aid you however I may." Over the link she murmurs with quiet worry, Master Roakkana... and hastily explains the situation to him in order to ask his permission.

Roakkana replies, Are you up to it, Freyja? If you are then I am certainly comfortable with your doing so. You definitely have the needed skill, and I suspect you have the internal reserves to answer the question regardless of how hard that answer might be.

Freyja sighs quietly to the Wookiee, I guess... what really bothers me is I wish there were a way to be sure his daughter were innocent, so he doesn't have to kill any more. She arches an inquiring eyebrow at her mother as well.

The Wookie's reply is, There is no way to be sure of that. He must have been willing to take the risk or he would not have done what he has done. If you hid this from him, even by hiding her altogether, would you really be helping him or his Haus in the long run?

Neh, of course not, Master Roakkana. I just wish there were a way to get it over with quickly. I suspect there will be fear and pain and worry on both ends... I wish I knew how to let him know right away, you know?

Erde says, "Baron Dosen, Freyja is still considered an apprentice Jedi... would you not be happier with a more experienced person?" The Baron replies, "She says she has the skill -- and why should I not believe her?" Erde says, "As long as you are comfortable with this, and will not hold the reply against our Haus, I certainly have no desire to prolong this terrible situation for you."

Freyja grins dryly, "That's 'Padawan,' Mother, not apprentice."

The Baron smiles, "I feel confident that you will be more than capable of this. My daughter was out hunting with some friends of hers. We have picked her up and they are bringing her directly here. Two simple questions and this will be over." He adds to Erde, "Of course I would hold nothing against your Haus. The only Haus with any blame in this is my own, and it is to find and resolve those issues that we are doing this."

Freyja says quietly, "Then I am at your service, Baron. When do you expect your daughter to return?" She remembers their previous worries concerning Sith infiltrators, and politely asks, "Also, may I inquire as to the two missing individuals?"

Vakkal sends to Freyja, Would you like me to try and help? I don't know if that needs to be public to the Baron, though.

Freyja murmurs softly over the link, Help how, sweetheart? I doubt the girl would even turn up if she were guilty, to be honest, so I doubt there'll be any conflict when she arrives?

The Baron says, "Oh. One is the aide to the lead chef in the kitchens. He said the fellow had great potential as a chef too, more's the pity. Did wonders with spices. He's cleared right out and we don't know where. The other was an aide to my son who had been working very closely with him on a number of projects. Also gone. Apparently both of them cleared out between the time I made my speech in Council, and the time I got Security on the line and had them seal the perimeter."

Vakkal replies, I just thought a second opinion on the words of the daughter might be useful. Either way, it would let you be more sure of what you said -- or it might let us both know we should ask and check again.

Freyja sits up abruptly straighter, "Ah, your pardon, please, did you say with the spices?!" She's reminded of the tendency towards poison displayed by many Sith, "Umm... perhaps your chef might want to... ah..." She looks at the food, internally distraught, "Oh, dear. Let me think." She pauses a moment, then says carefully, "Honored Baron, I do not wish to worry you, but may I strongly suggest your chef clear out all your foodstuffs and collect new and fresh? If this disappeared person was a Sith sympathizer or infiltrator, there is the possibility of poison as revenge... and I'm sure you do not wish to cause a panic." Carefully she adds, "If you like, I would be happy to test any and all individuals here now?" She nods internally to Vakkal, Hai, you use scent more, don't you? That would be good, in case there's any confusion.

Vakkal replies with a mental grin, That too. And in the Force, silly.

Baron Dosen looks at Freyja and mutters some things quietly under his breath. "Sith infiltrator?" He looks horrified -- then asks, "Test? Test how?"

Freyja pulls out her medkit and holds it out for him to see. Reassuringly she adds, "I can negate poison, Baron, and if the Bright Lady smiles on us then all my worries are for naught."

The Baron looks like he's been kicked in the gut. He does say into his comm (cunningly disguised as a part of his formal attire), "Lead chef to the main parlor, immediately." Only then does he say, "Please, Lady Freyja, anything you can do to keep what is left of my staff safe, I want to know about. I lost nine people today. I don't know if I can afford to lose many more."

Freyja says gently, "Honorable Baron, we will do our best to ensure neh more are lost." As she speaks, she's swiftly and carefully testing the cakes and tea in her medkit. Fortunately they are fine.

The chef arrives a moment later -- a tall, overweight Trandoshan wearing a long white apron with the signs of kitchen on it, "You called, Baron, sir?"

Freyja says reassuringly, "Your fare is without flaw, Baron." She glances at the baron, unsure if he wants her to explain or not.

The Baron tells him, "Let Lady Freyja at the kitchens. Give her any aid needed. She searches for treachery by the departed Kurkkt." The Chef hisses in displeasure and says, "Of course, Baron!" He adds, "Please, Lady Freyja, this way," and leads the way. Freyja smiles, thanks the chef, and follows. After she explains the issue, she, the chef, and his assistants spend some time going over the various stored foodstuffs.

Freyja spends some time searching the kitchens. She finds a vial of something her medkit recognizes as a poison, but nothing in any food or preparation materials. Vakkal goes with her, watching and sniffing on his own. Freyja holds up the vial thoughtfully, then asks the chef curiously if this is something of his? The chef assures her it is not, and asks, "Is it dangerous?"

It is -- quite deadly, in fact. Freyja says, "It does seem to be quite poisonous. May I keep it, please? Also, was it someplace you might have inadvertently used it?"

The chef is all too happy to let Freyja have it. He assures her, "No, ma'am, it was not somewhere I would have used it. Eventually I would have wondered what it is, and probably smelled and tasted it." He adds, "I suspect you've saved, at the very least, my life. Thank you!"

Freyja smiles up at the big Trandoshan, "I am very happy I was able to be of use, honored kurasai, and thank you for allowing me to keep this." She tucks it neatly away, then asks, "Tell me, was there anything the other vanished individual did aside from work with the deceased arving lord?"

The Chef says, "I believe he was his administrative assistant only, Lady Freyja. Security or the Baron might know more."

Freyja nods, "All right. Thank you very much for your assistance," she grins, "and now I'll hie me out of your kitchen!" She heads back, following the dispatched servant to return to the little group having tea, and greets them with a cheerful, "Heiyo! All clear, thank you!"

The Baron sighs and says, "So, there was nothing to worry about there?"

Freyja settles gracefully back in place, "Well, not quite. We did find one vial of, ah, rather virulent poison, which your lead chef was kind enough to remand to my care." She then adds, "By the way, did the other vanished individual do anything aside from work closely with the deceased?"

Baron Dosen asks, "Does this mean that our chef's assistant was a Sith? Or just that he was a poisoner?" He adds, "I ask so I know how much reward to ask for his skin."

Freyja smiles ruefully, "I fear I cannot answer that question accurately for you, honored Baron. My guess would be he had some Sith training, but until I can give this poison to others more skilled than myself I will not know for sure... and I may not even then. That he was a poisoner is most probable. That he was Sith is quite possible. Past that... who can say, with only the data we have to hand?"

The Baron says, "Please ask those you know who are more skilled. They will have my gratitude." He adds, "You were asking about the deceased's aide... and I don't believe he had any other particular tasks. This does not mean he could not have gotten into things, particularly if he had my fool son's access code. Considering that many aides like that wind up with those kind of codes, it would not surprise me. We have had all codes changed, though, and are bringing in independent auditors to check our Security systems."

Freyja nods, "Probably an excellent idea, Baron. Your pardon for my bringing such gloomy possibilities into your haus... I hope it is made up for by the continued safety of you and your people." She pauses, taking a moment to visually check her mother and sister are still comfortable, then adds, "Might I ask when you expect your daughter to return?"

The Baron says, "They picked her up just as you arrived; it was why I was a moment late in greeting you, in fact. She should be along any time."

Freyja says, "Ah." She pauses a moment, looking at her own family... then says cautiously, "Would you prefer we meet her in another room, perhaps?"

Syf says, "I am not afraid." Erde adds, "We are happy to move to another room if it would make you more comfortable, Baron." He shakes his head no, "Neh, please stay. If you would, I would have you witness that I keep my word."

Freyja nods quietly, "All right." She settles and sips some tea, calming herself, but adds over the link, Vakiza, it is my hope the daughter is as honest as her father... but if not, let us remember our earlier arrangement. You cover Syffie, I'll cover Mother, hai?

Vakkal replies, Aye. You don't think he'd execute here in here? He'll need new carpeting.

Freyja murmurs quietly as she sips the tea, What is carpeting, compared to prolonging the personal agony of he and his daughter?

The Baron manfully makes a few more minutes of idle conversation. He is apparently a fan of Syf's and has seen all her movies and is prepared to discuss that topic at length, it seems. Even as it begins to get dark, though, a ship is heard outside coming in for a landing. Freyja smiles quietly, faintly surprised to discover her sister's vids have a good side. She'll have to tell Alleine -- she knows she's quite pleased they're helping keep the poor baron calm.

The Baron's calm breaks a bit at the sound of the incoming ship. A couple of moments later footsteps are heard approaching -- several pairs. Four, informs Vakkal. A slightly built female Trandoshan -- at least for that species -- bursts in to the room followed by three large, strong, armed and armored security staff, all wearing Dosen house insignia. The young lady demands, "Father! What is the meaning of this! Your goons descend on me and my friends out of nowhere, bundle me up in the ship, and refuse to talk to me! Just what is going on here!?"

Freyja remains quiet, letting the Force swirl powerfully through her as she watches the young lady Trandoshan. In the Force her eyes brighten into icy silver blue, and she nods politely when looked at. The Baron says, in a commanding voice, "Sarekk! We have guests." He gestures to the three Ladies of Haus Rigg. The girl glances to them and looks startled. She bows, "Please forgive me, ladies. I did not know." She adds, "Please allow me a moment to make myself more presentable. We were out rattatosk hunting and I have only just now returned." Her manner is suddenly much courtlier, even if her dress is days-old-wilderness. She is even more surprised when her father says simply, "No."

Freyja smiles quietly at the (if innocent) unwitting new Arving Lady of Dosen. She quietly gets another cup of tea to offer to the girl, in the hopes Sarekk is indeed innocent. She suspects the baron won't -- can't -- wait much longer to ask. Indeed, her Father says gravely, "I need you to do something, Sarekk. Do not fail me in this. Please tell me you have had no dealings with the Sith and you know of no such dealings from our Haus."

Sarekk says, "What?! Why would-" and is interrupted by her Father saying sternly, "Say it!" She blinks, then says, "I have had no dealings with the Sith, and I know of no such dealings from our Haus." Then she adds, "Why are you asking me this? What is going on here?!"

Freyja brightens noticeably -- the girl is telling the truth! -- and smiles at the Baron, "Perhaps your daughter would like a moment to clean up before you tell her all she needs to know, honored baron?" Vakkal, also watching, confirms Freyja's feelings, I sense she tells the truth. It is the Force that tells me that. Her scent tells me that she was camping. With a paramour, but I suspect that's irrelevant.

The Baron says, "Her statement is true?"

Freyja grins mentally at Vakkal, Her father will probably be pleased to hear that, and that she's settling down! She smiles at the Baron, "Very clearly so, hai."

Sarekk says, "Of course I am telling the-" and is interrupted by her Father giving her a large and unseemly hug. The fact that she's muddy and smells of wilderness matters not at all. He is also crying as he murmurs, "I was so afraid I'd lose my only daughter today!" Freyja smiles at her mother, deeply relieved as she tilts her head to suggest perhaps they could leave now so the Dosens can start the slow process of recovery?

Lady Sarekk says, "Father, you worry too much. You know we were out rattatosk hunting, which is mostly an excuse for hiking and not studying." He shakes his head and says to her, "You are now the Arving Lady of Haus Dosen. I couldn't bear to lose that." She says, "Wh... what?! What about my brothers?"

The Baron says, "Today has been a terrible, eventful day, my daughter. Why don't you go get cleaned up. When you come back I will tell you all about it." She steps back and says again, "What about my brothers? Where are Riouus and Treel?"

The Baron says quietly and painfully, "They are gone, Sarekk. They were found to be traitors to this Haus. I have removed them, as I had sworn to do. They sold to the Sith -- against our own people in the war! They could not be allowed to continue." Her response is, "Oh, no!" and to stare wide-eyed, whispering in quiet horror, "How could they, Father?" His reply is another embrace, and to murmur, "I don't know, Sarekk

I don't know."

Freyja quietly sets a fresh cup of steaming tea out for both Dosens, and wishes there were more she could do. Erde finally takes action on Freyja's suggestion, saying quietly, "Perhaps we should leave you to your family and duties, Baron Dosen. This is obviously a difficult time for you."

Sarekk steps back, shakes her head, and says, "No, please stay. Give me a moment to make myself presentable, and I will join you. We are thankful that you have come to see us in this dark time for our Haus, and would hate for you to think we were ungrateful." Long training makes it clear to the daughter that this is the only thing that can be done at this time, and so she does it.

Freyja sighs in quiet relief. Odd how useful previously despised formal training can be, in times of shock or horror. The Baron returns to the cushions, and says, "Forgive us for that interruption. I can now say that everyone in the immediate family has been cleared of this wrongdoing, and it is a great relief to me."

Freyja smiles quietly but says nothing... just gently nudges the tea cup towards the baron to give him a moment to collect himself and wipe his eyes. Erde smiles, "No apology is needed, Baron. We were confident of your devotion to your word, and are pleased to see it fulfilled."

It is just a few minutes before the new Arving Lady arrives. She is less formally dressed than the guests, but no longer smells of mud. She joins them and says, "Please excuse my rather abrupt arrival. I was unaware of the situation. Security has informed me of the events of the day, and we are quite grateful for your support at this time." Someone probably showed her the important clip of video from the Council and explained what the day had been while she was getting dressed.

Freyja eyes the young woman with a bit of concern, hoping it was broken to her more gently than her father had it broken to him. She murmurs softly, "We are glad to have been of service, Arving lady Dosen." Someone also told the new Arving lady who the guests were, because she introduces herself properly to each of them, telling Erde that she's read a number of her papers on interfamilial commerce, Syf that she's seen just all her vids, and Freyja that she is so pleased to meet both a Jedi-in-training and the hus-bonda of Fafnir Jotunsen, whom she knew at university. Freyja watches the young Trandoshan handle herself well and is reassured. This one will do fine by her people, Freyja thinks. At mention of her hus-bond she smiles -- another friend of Leif's? Excellent; perhaps he'd like to see her again as well! She glances at Syffie, then invites the new Arving lady Dosen to attend the gymkhana her sister is arranging in a few months.

Syf corrects, "A little over one month, now!" and is happy to invite the Arving Lady, her father, and their guests.

Freyja grins, "Your pardon, time flies apace."

Conversation picks up slowly again. The Baron seems content to talk to Syf about vids, while his daughter wants to talk economics with Erde. She says at one point, "I've always been interested in economics - it's my major at university - and have always planned to be involved in the operation of the Haus." She pats her Father's hand and says, "We'll do fine, won't we, Father?" and smiles at him. For the first time since any of the guests arrive the Baron smiles a smile that might actually be real -- not just artifice and politeness.

Freyja sighs in quiet internal relief, There we go... I think she's right, Vakiza. They'll do fine. She's been relaxing and watching a bit on the side, since her mother and sister are helping out conversationally this time. She adds thoughtfully, Master Roakkana, is there anyone on Balmorra currently who's any good with Sith poisons? I have some excellent research possibilities on Garqi, but if there's someone here that'd probably be easiest, hai?

Rokkana replies, Poisons? Well I believe Shorryyr used to be quite the expert, although she may be doing other things lately. Wookiees tend to do that.

Freyja laughs over the link, You're fun, Master Roakkana! All right, I have some possibly Sith poison here which we found in the Baron Dosen's kitchens. If you think she wouldn't mind, I'll ask Master Shorryyr to take a glance at it later, hai?

Roakkana replies, I don't know how much experience she has with Sith poisons, but I doubt she'll mind. Have you asked Vakkal and Fhazil? Or perhaps Alleine?

Freyja blinks, Hey, neh, I didn't think of Alleine. But I know Vakkal and Fhazil don't know poisons. That's why I took the time to learn the Force ability to negate poisons, in fact -- for just in case with the Oathers. Cheerfully she adds, I'll ask Alleine later, thank you!

Conversation continues for a bit, nice and light and pleasantly not related to the horrors of the day. Most of it is handled by Erde and Syf because they have topics the hosts are more interested in, but Sarekk is quite good at involving Freyja as well. One of those is thought-provoking -- a revelation about Fafnir, "I was in a class with him," Sarekk mentions, "and he was doing terribly. I helped him out - he'd rescued me in a history class, and I was all too happy to be able to return the favor - and he was very grateful. He kept having my favorite fruits shipped in fresh for me, which was delightful. We were pretty good friends; I missed him when he left. I hope he's doing well now."

Freyja smiles, "I'm glad to hear that, Arving Lady. I fear it's far too easy to lose one's friends in the pressure of politics." Impulsively she adds, "Why don't you come visit tomorrow? Your rattatosk hunting was interrupted, but would you like to go slaypneer riding on our main estate for a bit? Bring your paramour, and we could have a picnic -- maybe I could even talk Mother into taking a bit of a break!"

Sarekk smiles, and says, "Thank you for the very kind offer, Lady Freyja. I would very much enjoy that, but I suspect that I will be busy for a day or two. If we could postpone it for two or three days, I would be very interested in joining you for such a trip. It would be nice to get out, and nice to see Fafnir again." She smiles and adds, "At one point he asked if I was interested in being paramours with him. I told him no. I'm not sure that wasn't a mistake, but I told him no." She smiles a little sadly and says, "I hope he is very happy where he is now."

Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully, "Well, we could ask him." She smiles, adding in explanation, "Your pardon. Jedi training inclines me to a bluntness my mother occasionally despairs of, I fear." She grins slightly mischievously at her quietly amused mother, then adds to Sarekk, "But three days from now would be lovely, hai."

Erde is, indeed, looking mildly horrified but says nothing because her daughter beats her to it. Syf sits and grins cheerfully at Sarekk and sparkles quietly. Sarekk smiles at Erde and says, "No harm done, Lady Rigg. I assure you, the thought had crossed my mind." She also smiles to Freyja and says, "Then I will see you in three days, and we will have a good time of it." She adds, "I do hope to see you join us, Lady Erde -- and you too, Lady Syf."

Freyja smiles, quietly pleased. Closer relations with Haus Dosen are a good thing, she thinks, especially considering some of the shouting matches her father and the Dosen used to get into in the Council. But having them all meet as friends will hopefully alleviate some of that... and Freyja's always happy to find and bring in Leif's old friends. It worries her a little that he never seems to take time off for fun except occasionally when she's there. Freyja also mentions in passing to the Baron the results of the farseeing on the distraction droids. His Human engineer, Deel Malclom or Malclom Deel, is currently camping on Haus Louveisen land -- the Baron might want to have him brought in either for safe-keeping and questioning, or to see if the man was an aware participant in the Sith plotting?

The Baron's response is unhappy sounding but sure, "We will bring him in and we will make sure this matter is addressed. An attack on the Council is never acceptable; he will be punished if he was involved. He will be punished severely if he was having anything to do with the Sith." The old Trandoshan sounds weary but resolute. He clearly wants no more stain or tarnish on his household.

Conversation drifts along a little farther, and Erde gets a feeling that the good in having visitors arrive has been done, and now it is merely keeping the Baron and his daughter from other important things. She gracefully disentangles them from conversation and the three women from Haus Rigg make their exit. Freyja is quietly very happy on the flight home, and cheerfully congratulates her mother on her diplomacy. She also grins and congratulates Syf on her sparklies! Erde smiles, and says, "You did fine too. That invitation out to ride was well thought. I hope Fafnir can make it and still gets along with Lady Sarekk. I suspect she could use a friend about now." Syf laughs brightly and replies, "You could be sparkly too, sister. So could Mother. All you have to do is ask."

Freyja nods, smiling to her mother, "Thank you; I thought it might be just the thing." Then she snorts amusedly at her sister, "Gracious, girl, we'd blind the neighbors if we all lit up like that!"

Erde says, "That's right -- one sparkly daughter is plenty." She does add, "Your father keeps urging me to try it, though." She smiles mischievously, "I think he might like that a lot. Maybe it would be fun."

Freyja laughs! then concedes, "All right, Mother, if you think it's acceptable for the ball after the gymkhana, I'll let Syffie have her fun and polish me up." She grins teasingly at her little sister, then adds, "But only if it comes off as easily as it goes on!"

Syf grins, "Who says it's easy to put on?"

Freyja rolls her eyes in amusement, "Dooooomed... I'm doomed!"

Syf grins, "No, it's not that bad." She turns and says, "How'd you like to be sparkly too, Vakkal? They supposedly look really nice in fur..." Vakkal's look of horror is words enough. Freyja laughs aloud! The trip back to the mansion is uneventful, even if Syf teases Vakkal about not wanting glow-in-the-dark fur. Other than Vakkal's comment, Your sister is scary, Freyja. they land without incident. Freyja giggles delightedly, teasing him with, Glow in the dark fur... iiiiiinteresting...! but doesn't push at all.

After some thought, Freyja asks her mother to borrow the skiff to drop her off at the Jedi monastery, so she can check up on Jedi Colburth and Diath. The two knights have probably had a hard time of it -- and while Jedi Diath has been in serious battle, poor Jedi Colburth has not, to Freyja's knowledge. Also, it was he who was reported as being somewhat greenish after the Dosen purge. Freyja also quietly calls home and has a message passed on to the former manus, letting them know their friend Colburth's probable condition. She suspects she can comfort Colburth just fine, but it's her experience one never has too many friends in times of pain or grief -- and she's willing to bet there isn't anyone who can stay upset with the irrepressible Murn around!

The Jedi monastery is reasonably quiet at this hour. Shorryyr on hand and takes Freyja to see the two tired Jedi. Freyja's conclusions are not far off. Both Colburth and Diath are worn out from having to sense Truth all day, and both men felt the strain of revealing the actions of the Baron's staff. Both men greet Freyja warmly, however, and Diath comments, "Good evening, Padawan Freyja. You're looking very beautiful tonight. Please tell me you did not get dressed up in such elaborateness to come here and see us." As to the events at the Dosen's, Colburth comments, "I thought his son on the Council floor would be the worst... I was wrong. He had to kill both his sons."

Freyja smiles, although it's not a very happy one -- she really feels for both men. She gives them both quiet, comforting, long hugs, one after the other, and doesn't say anything. She suspects even this small sign of shared grief may be a bit more than Colburth is ready for, and if he starts weeping with pain or exhaustion, blathering isn't what he needs. Colburth is holding together reasonably well, and is mostly worn out and tired with a good dose of heartsick thrown in. The five Jedi staying at Haus Rigg do turn up in reasonably short order. Their solid presence there, even not as an active Manus, seems to make every threat seem more distant, and makes the Force a palpable feeling of rightness in the room. No one is as flippant as they often are, and even Murn is well-behaved. No one has to shut her up at all.

Freyja sighs in quiet relief once things are a bit more emotionally balanced. She answers Diath's kind compliment and question, explaining the ladies of her Haus called on Baron Dosen both as a sign of solidarity and to make sure he was all right. A bit ruefully she also relates her role in identifying Dosen's daughter Sarekk as not being part of the conspiracy. She also quietly gives her sincerest condolences to the two heartsick Jedi for what they went through. A while later, secure in knowing that Colburth and Diath are well-supported, Freyja heads back home.

Once at the mansion Freyja quietly invites herself up to Syffie's suite so she can speak to Alleine. As she notes to Syf, she'd like to reassure him regarding his previous worries and ask him a quick question. Syf doesn't object a bit, happy to have company and people she can trust around. She's relaxed a bit, taking off some of the flowers and jewelry but leaving the clothes and sparkles -- she likes those. Alleine also turns up shortly after everyone arrives, and is welcomed happily by Syf. He says, "Uh... I was going to ask about some of the preparations for the gymkana..." and Syf giggles, "You don't need an excuse to come see me, silly!" She beams at him -- literally, considering the sparkles.

Freyja grins, watching that familiar slightly stunned look on Alleine's face. Cheerfully she comments to Vakkal, You know what's amazing? It's how sapients with relatively immobile faces still get that same zonked look when Syffie wows 'em!

Vakkal replies, I think it's chemical. Freyja laughs aloud again, although softly this time.

Alleine comes in and finds a cushion to sit. Syf asks him, "Are you feeling better? We're all home safe and sound, and I think Mother was right - it was a good idea to go. The Dosens needed something that wasn't horrible to think about for a while."

Freyja smiles at Alleine, adding gently, "The poor Baron has had a terribly difficult day. We were very happy to reassure him his remaining child, his daughter Sarekk, was innocent. He was so relieved he hugged her and wept."

Alleine says, "That is good. She must have not been looking forward to coming home."

Freyja says, "She did not know." She adds quietly, "However, two people managed to escape. One was the assistant of the former Arving Lord, and the other was the apprentice cook." She pulls out the vial, adding, "We found this when we searched the kitchen. Do you know aught of poisons, honored Alleine?"

Alleine looks a little surprised at the question, "I..." He looks at Syf, then back to Freyja, "I do, actually, know something about poison." He seems afraid to look at Syf after having done so.

Freyja is completely relaxed, and knows Syf probably is also, "Oh, good. Can you tell us anything about this one? Mostly I think it might be wise for us to have an antidote for it. I fear for the innocents in other hausen who aren't yet aware of possible enemies working in their midst, and I'd like to get enough antidote created and stored with the Jedi for just-in-case."

Syf is indeed completely relaxed. When Alleine finally glances over she's not upset or unhappy, merely curious. He says, "Uh. Perhaps. If I can have a sample... I'll need some tools to analyze it as well. Is there such a thing around, or will we have to get them?"

Freyja adds with quiet amusement, "And once you've taken a look at it, I suspect it'll be fine to look at Syffie again, hai?" She grins and offers her medkit.

Syf giggles, "Why would you want me to distract him?" She sparkles at him. It looks deliberate. Alleine does look at her, then says, "I... was afraid you'd be unhappy. I mean, I just admitted I know how to poison people."

Freyja grins, "Uh, Alleine... see that medkit? So can I. But Syffie knows neither of us would. So... case closed! So... any ideas on that poison?"

Syf dimples as she says, "I know you carried a sword and know how to kill people with that. Heck, I know how to kill people with a sword, a blaster, a garrote, and a slaypneer." She points and says, "What she said: why would I think you'd do that?"

Alleine blinks, "I... I didn't think of that." He looks back at Freyja a bit numbly and picks up the medkit, "I'll need some time. Perhaps several hours if this is complicated. Is there a better place... a well-ventilated place, actually... that I can work?"

Freyja adds with an amused roll of the eyes, "And let me tell you, killing someone with a slaypneer is not easy! They hate trompling on people!" She grins at Vakkal, remembering the abortive kidnapping attempt on Fafnir, "I should know." She grins and cheerfully waves goodnight to Syf, then shows the still somewhat startled Alleine to a suitable location in her wing of the manse. "Anything else you need?"

Alleine says, "No. This I can do. There are many things I can think about, but this I can do."

Freyja nods... then pauses and checks, "Alleine... is everything all right? You seemed a bit distraught earlier this evening. Is there anything else I can help with?"

Alleine sets the medkit and the poison down very carefully, then says, "I don't understand many things. I'm not sure how I feel about that, or about them." He sighs and adds, "Particularly, I don't understand Syf."

Freyja nods, settling relaxedly on a cushion, "Maybe I can help. What don't you understand?"

Alleine said, "I don't know how to tell what she thinks of me. I'm not entirely sure how to tell how I think of her -- but that I think I can work out. The other is harder." He looks up and adds, "Syf has been very kind to me. She has found things I can do to help her despite my not knowing anything of Balmorra. She has never once treated me badly for being who I am

and she apparently knew that from very early on." Freyja smiles and nods, remaining silent and listening. She's getting the feeling there's something building up here, and she'd like to be able to help Alleine get it out. He continues, "Everyone seems to adore her or be afraid of her or both. I don't think I adore her, at least not in the same way. Nor am I afraid of her. I like her very much

and I don't know if that's a good idea."

Freyja says, "Why not?"

Alleine says, "I keep expecting everyone to be horrified at the very idea. An escaped Sith spending time around the Diamond of Balmorra." He smiles, "I have figured out what that means," then continues, "Yet nobody seems to mind. You don't. She doesn't. Your staff doesn't. I keep waiting to get in trouble for liking her. I also don't know what to do when she seems to like me back. I don't expect that from beautiful aristoi women."

Freyja says, "Why would we be horrified at her finding someone who really cares about her, Alleine? Not someone who wants to bask in her reflected glory or use her or grovel to her -- but who just genuinely likes her?" She sounds puzzled, "I mean, I know the Sith lords are quite finicky about those they mate with having Force abilities, but aside from that I thought species didn't matter, right? Just ability with the Force?"

Alleine says, "Among some of them. The higher Lords, mostly. A lot of others aren't so picky

or don't particularly want abominations in the family."

Freyja blinks, "Your pardon? What do you mean regarding abominations?"

Alleine says, "Abominations are relatively common when widely disparate species are forced to produce offspring the way some Sith Lords will. The ones with enough Force potential and enough wits get to live."

Freyja gets a rather taken-aback look, "I... am not sure I understand; your pardon. Are you saying the Sith lords force themselves on individuals of other species?! And... and that sometimes the offspring are... what are they, that they're called abomination? I thought half-breeds were accepted in the Empire -- even the non-Force aware ones. Was I incorrectly informed?"

Alleine says, "It's worse than that."

Freyja's eyes widen a bit... then she takes a deep breath and says calmly, "Perhaps you'd better tell me more, please?"

He says, "A lot of the Sith Lords -- particularly the older lines -- have fertility problems. If their Ladies want children then they find fathers where they can. The particular desire that father might have in this union is irrelevant."

Freyja looks shocked in spite of herself for a moment -- this is anathema to everything she's ever been taught as an aristoi -- but then she pulls herself together again and simply nods, "Go on, please?"

Alleine says, "So they search for Force-sensitive males. They'd probably love to get their hands on some Jedi. The Force will be strong in them. They impregnate themselves with them and hope for the best. They'll use the Force -- or various kinds of alchemy -- to try and get a pureblood Sith out of the union. If it works, great. If not, it might be quantifiable as a half-breed. Often it's just... unpleasant. Mercifully, many of those are still-born."

Freyja murmurs faintly, "Oh, my..." She's silent for a moment, thinking

then says slowly, "Let me guess... usually the alchemy just makes things worse, doesn't it. I can tell it's not fertility related... the poor infants..." She sighs quietly, considering. Female Jedi should be safe enough for the simple reason they cannot be coerced for the length of a pregnancy without endangering any potential offspring. Males, though... she murmurs softly, "I should let Master Roakkana know this... perhaps we should be more cautious concerning which male Jedi, if any, we send to talk within the Empire." She sighs quietly, adding a bit unhappily, "If we ever get a chance to re-engage in peace negotiations, that is." She adds, "How often are the offspring... abominations? From what you're saying I'm guessing it's an unfortunately very high percentage?"

Alleine says, "Um," and looks very unhappy, "Given the chance, they'll lobotomize the 'donor' parent to keep them docile. They're alive enough to produce a baby... but not to do much else. Luckily they don't do that often because the offspring isn't really part of the family line and so the secret had better never get out. They'll do that for both genders." He adds, "The alchemy is sometimes needed to get the pregnancy started at all. It's supposed to make it better and more likely to be Sith-like. It's actually a controlled dose of poison." He nods and adds, "50 to 60%

and 90% of those are stillborn or self-aborted."

Freyja looks aghast, "Oh, my goddess!"

Alleine says quietly, "I told you there were things I really wasn't happy about knowing, didn't I? One of my masters was an alchemist who did this. Often." He adds, "Please, don't think all Sith are like this! It's only the big, old, powerful families! Most of the rest can't afford it. They probably would like to, but only because it's what they think is desirable."

Freyja blinks, suddenly acutely aware of what she might represent to the Sith -- who knows what a healer who can heal the impossible blight might do for embryos? She sighs a bit wearily, "Lady bless, I wish I knew a way to heal the entire culture."

Alleine smiles weakly, "If it helps any, I wish you did too. A lot of Sith don't know exactly how bad it is in the top echelon, but it's there."

Freyja thinks for a moment, frowning, then says slowly, "A moment, please... are you suggesting this is all a huge secret kept by the upper echelon standardbred Sith?!"

Alleine says, "A secret? I wouldn't describe it that way. It is, however, Not Talked About. It would be impossibly rude to mention. It is nearly completely taboo." He adds, "I can't think of another person I've ever told."

Freyja bites her lip thoughtfully, then says slowly, "Secrets are bad, or so I've been taught... would this cause the people of the Empire to have second thoughts if they knew about the breeding issues the standardbred Sith are having? Or is this more a case of the species starting to die out but they don't want anyone to realize it?"

Alleine says, "I don't know what the people in general would think. Many people hate their Lord, so it wouldn't change much. Many of the Lords are horrible to the people. They treat them worse than you'd treat a heard of meat-animals. I think it's much more a case of the race starting to die out and trying not to let this happen or let it get out. They've reduced their numbers quite far, and have inbred with each other for tens of thousands of years. I can't imagine there being much genetic diversity left."

Freyja murmurs, "Oh, my goddess... the poor things..." After a moment, though, her usual optimism starts to come forth again, "Well... maybe we could make this a good thing? If we only helped out the nice Sith lords with their fertility issues, maybe we could encourage them to treat their people better!"

Alleine says, "It's a lovely hope, but I wouldn't count on it. Most of them are... even to my thinking... astonishingly selfish and greedy. To the point that other people almost do not exist for them."

Freyja smiles, "It only takes a few beautiful, healthy children to make people take notice, or so I've seen in the Republic. And I bet it won't take long for successful families to outbreed the unkind and vicious ones." She considers a moment, twirling a fiery-gold lock of hair around one finger, then adds cheerfully, "We just have to find one to start with, right? Hm... wonder if Lord Ghang's found a lady yet..."

Alleine says, "I wouldn't know. I've rarely seen beautiful, healthy children." He remains silent on Lord Ghang's ability to meet women.

Freyja blinks, then says softly, "Truly? How terribly sad. Surely you've seen some of the kurasai children around Syffie? They adore her when she visits."

Alleine says, "I have yet to have that opportunity."

Freyja grins, "Ah, then you're in for a treat during the gymkhana!" She pauses, then grins and apologizes, "Your pardon, I went wandering off on a tangent. I was trying to find out what was bothering you so I could help, not get you to instruct me in Sith mating patterns!"

He says, "Ah. Syf has told me that about several dubious-sounding things."

Freyja giggles, then nods, smiling, "Hai, she certainly enjoys a great many things I tend to try avoiding, to be honest. But more seriously... is there anything about Syffie I can help with or explain?"

Alleine says, "As to what is bothering me... I suppose I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I do not want to like Syf too much and cause trouble. I am unable to tell what too much would be. And I do not know that a Dark-Force-using former Sith is a good person to have around her."

Freyja asks puzzledly, "What other shoe, please? Why would liking Syf cause trouble? It's not like you want to marry her in the Sith fashion, after all, right?"

Alleine says, "No, but I'm not sure what it is like. Nor have I gotten a concrete explanation of how things like that are done on Balmorra. It is very confusing."

Freyja says, "Er... you're not sure what what is like, please?"

Alleine says, "I'm not sure what comes after 'liking' someone here. I already like Syf. She seems to like me. Do I have that right?"

Freyja grins, adding, "If something on Balmorra is confusing, maybe you should make a note of it and we'll add it to the list of things which need to be explained to the Khar Velosi. That'd be tremendously helpful, since it's always hard to see what looks odd to someone else in your own native culture?" Then she looks confused again, "Your pardon, you lost me there. What right are you wanting?"

Alleine asks, "Do you think Syf likes me?"

Freyja says, "Hai." She grins, folding her arms, "Obviously."

Alleine says, "I think so too. That's a good thing. Er

obviously? Why?"

Freyja grins again, "Obviously she likes you because she's spending a great deal of time with you, she seems happy when you're around, she -- oh, this is silly! Here..." She turns her wrist over and speaks into the comm bracelet, activating it just to reach her sister, "Hey, Syffie? This is Freyja. Do you like Alleine?"

Alleine blanches and looks horrified -- but does not protest. In fact, he strains to listen. Over the comm Syf laughs and says, "What an odd question. Of course I like Alleine."

Freyja says, "All right, thank you! I think it was worrying him, so I thought I'd just ask you for him. He heard, so neh worries -- he knows now." She looks up, smiling, then blinks, "Gracious, you look so pale! Are you all right?"

Syf says over the comm, "Aww, poor fellow. It must be so different where he comes from." She signs off. Alleine looks at Freyja and says, "Yes. I'm all right."

Freyja quietly agrees with her sister, even as she's giving Alleine a faintly perplexed look. Once her sister has logged off she says to the Massassi, "Would you like some nice hot soup or something?"

Alleine's color returns quickly and he shakes his head no, "No, thank you. I'm fine, really. You shocked me with that question, and then I was busy worrying she might say 'no.' Apparently I had nothing to worry about. All is well."

Freyja smiles a bit bemusedly at Alleine, "Well of course you had nothing to worry about. I wouldn't have asked her if I'd not already known the answer, silly." She pats his hand lightly and reassuringly, then adds, "So... what is this about other shoes dropping, please?"

Alleine says, "I've already tried to explain. I keep expecting bad things to happen because I'm here. Or for Syf to suddenly marry and move to another continent or something. Something to come along and ruin this good time and place."

Freyja puzzles over this for a bit... then brightens, "Oh, I get it! Were you a bad luck avatar or something in the Empire?"

Alleine says, "Uh... no. I keep expecting people to react badly to me here, though. I am, after all, a member of the awful and hated Sith. I haven't seen that hate yet, though."

Freyja frowns puzzledly, absently twirling her Padawan's braid around one slender golden finger. "Hm... well, all right, I guess. If it helps any, bad things do happen here sometimes, but so do good ones. That's just life, you know? And if Syffie married, so what? You could still be her paramour if you both wanted, and go with her. Um..." she looks a little uncertain, "Does that help any?"

Alleine says, "Her... paramour. No one has explained that either. Things are very confusing here."

Freyja grins, "You know, I keep telling Vakkal and Fhazil that about the Empire!" She cheerfully explains, "Marriage is for business here -- families pick who they want to unite with, then have their suitable offspring marry to symbolize that new union. It's usually just a firstborn thing, though, so unless Syf says she wants to strengthen the family that way, or my parents have a sudden need for her to do so, I don't see her marrying in the Balmorran fashion. However, as we all know love transcends species, gender, class, and age -- which means it's easier to let people love whom they wish. Thus: paramours!"

Alleine ahs quietly, then thinks about that. "So there would be no social stigma for Syf to be a paramour with an outsider like me, were that what she wanted?"

Freyja says indignantly, "Of course not! And I'll smack anyone who says otherwise!" She hmfs, her arms folded, then adds fiercely, "I should jolly well say not! All my paramours are outsiders, and I won't have anyone speak ill of them!"

Alleine says, "Ah... I didn't think of that, did I?" He adds, "I'd be the last to speak ill of any of you." Then he grins, "You kicked my ass and then let me live and gave me the chance for a new life. Why would I say bad things?"

Freyja laughs! Her eyes are dancing as she adds, "I certainly hope you think it was a good thing!" She leans forward, still smiling, and gently takes one of his broad hands, adding, "Seriously, though, Alleine... if people do not hate my Sith lovers, why would they hate Syf's formerly Sith friend?"

Alleine pauses for a long time

then finally says, "I don't know. I hadn't thought of it that way."

Freyja smiles, "Well, maybe you should, hm? And let Syf decide who she wants to hang around with -- she can handle herself quite adroitly, believe me. Don't worry about what other people think so much." She sits back, adding quietly, "And thank you for informing me about the oddities of standardbred Sith breeding patterns -- that's something to warn Jedi about, definitely. May I count on you to help with the preparation of the cultural updating for the Khar Velosi sometime later this week?"

Alleine says, "Of course. I can certainly contribute by mentioning all the things I don't know or found confusing. It's a good idea."

Freyja says, "Excellent! And now I should leave you to concentrate on the poison, hai? And please, Alleine... if anything is confusing you, do please feel free to ask, all right?"

Alleine says, "Both of those are a good idea. Thank you, Lady Freyja."

Freyja smiles, "You are quite welcome." She rises gracefully, bows herself out, and quietly heads back towards her rooms. As she goes she murmurs quietly into her bracelet, "Syffie? Just a thought... if you get a chance sometime you might want to take Alleine with you to see the kurasai kids? Apparently he's never really seen happy, healthy children." She pauses, listening, then nods amusedly, "Hai, I found it hard to believe too. Empire must be a really odd place."

After Freyja is finished speaking with Alleine, Vakkal mentions, "Your mother sent you a message while you were talking to Alleine. She'd like to see you in her office as soon as you have a few minutes to talk."

Freyja mms thoughtfully as they pace down the hallway together, murmuring, "Any idea what's up? Neh more emergencies, I hope?"

Vakkal says, "She didn't say. She did say not to interrupt you if you were busy and that she'd like a few minutes, so I suspect it's something important but not critical."

Freyja nods, then sighs a bit quietly, "All right, Mother before getting all this costumery off me, then." She heads that way, politely knocking before she slips into her mother's office and settles neatly onto a sitting cushion, "Mother? Everything all right?"

Her mother, who has taken the time to remove the more baroque of the jewelry and fancy dress, is seated comfortably at a cushion of her own, reading from a data pad and considering several things. She looks up at Freyja's entrance and greets her daughter, answers Freyja's question by saying, "I don't know, Freyja. I suppose I could ask you the same thing. Perhaps you can shed some light on this letter I got from one of the household droids when we returned from Baron Dosen's?" She presents Freyja with the letter explaining Freyja's departure.

Freyja blinks, then rolls her eyes in rueful amusement, "Well, wolf feathers. I forgot to collect those in the press of taking care of folks." She sighs and smiles, "I'm sorry you -- oh!" She leaps to her feet, already heading for the door as she gabbles, "MustgettheonemeantforLeifyourpardonberightback!"

Erde says, "Wait, Freyja! Are you talking about this letter?" She has the letter to Leif, along with the shirt.

Freyja pauses, almost on one foot as she stops and pivots in a swirl of scarlet hair and flare of royal maroon overcoat -- then she blinks again, returning to her more usual stance, "Hai, that's it! How did you end up with it?" Her tone is chagrinned as she asks, "Oh, dear -- did poor Leif bring it to you? I hope he wasn't hurt by it...?" She adds puzzledly, looking around, "Wait... did he and Father return already? Huh... I hadn't heard any chatter about that over the comm...?" She taps her bracelet lightly, looking worried, then reassured as it clicks indignantly at her.

Erde says, "No, Leif has not seen it. I did not read it, presuming it was much the same as mine. When the droid delivered mine I stopped it and asked it if it had any more of these letters. It did. My override code is the highest in the household -- even over your Father's -- so cancelling the order was not a problem. I figured that I would talk to you first."

Freyja raises an eyebrow -- then laughs softly, returning to her cushion. "I suppose it's neh surprise your code overrides Father's." She smiles, settling herself comfortably, and says simply, "I made a mistake in comprehension, Mother. I have now realized better."

Erde raises an eyebrow, "A

mistake in comprehension." She studies the note for a few moments, then murmurs, "I trust you've gotten over it, seeing as you are still here?"

Freyja blushes, "Hai, Mother. I apologize for inadvertently worrying you."

Erde mms quietly, studying her daughter silently for a few more moments

then says with gentle implacability, "I'm glad to hear it. I would like your promise, however: if this much upset occurs in you again please come to either myself or your nice Master Roakkana before you do anything quite so

precipitous?" Freyja blushes even more and sheepishly promises.


Over the next few days Freyja sets in motion the organization of a group of trained and talented individuals who will help the arriving Khar Velosi settle in comfortably, mesh well with the Rigg engineers, and become updated on the new culture they're part of. Alleine, Vakkal, Zero, and Fhazil are often tapped to find out what they find perplexing about Balmorran culture -- or if something in particular helps clarify cultural confusions well.

Once that's in motion Freyja lets herself relax into her usual type of schedule -- intensive training and meditation with Master Roakkana and her partners; plenty of time out in the sunshine and wind either hiking with friends or out with her beloved slaypneer and frehkee; and, when family so insists, performing the requisite courtesies of an Arving Lady. She's amused to discover her normal schedule has made her unexpected presence at any society event on Balmorra quite the spectacular coup for the planners!

It is four days later and planning for the now imminent Khar Velosi is going well. Also, the vid has almost gotten used to having Freyja at events! Freyja receives a message from Erde that she needs her daughter's assistance with a delicate matter. Freyja finds Erde and Leif in Erde's office, both of them smiling happily. Freyja raises a curious eyebrow, smiling, "What's up?"

Leif says, "You know what happened with Haus Dosen, and the Baron's terrible revelation a few days ago. We've been talking to Haus Thullalkhazan for weeks, and apparently they'd like to avoid having a similar incident occur."

Freyja looks momentarily worried, settling comfortably on her cushion, then tilts her head curiously, "I take it we have a good solution, then, by your pleased demeanors? Er... for that matter, how could such happen in Thullalkhazan anyway? The Count's fled, and was probably the main guilty party as it is?"

Erde says, "They would like to be able to go through their Haus privately and in a trusted way to ensure they know what they'll find when they invite the Jedi in to look. They want no horrid surprises. Leif mentioned to them that we had Jedi in the family who might be willing to come in and assist them with interviewing their staff. They can then find anything they need to find in a more private way." Leif adds, "Apparently, the distrust of the Jedi has got them worrying that if they ask any Jedi in general, they'll tell the Council regardless. A member of our Haus they would trust. We told them how silly this was, but they're not thinking quite straight. I might even go as far as 'paranoid' -- but only among people I trust not to let it out that I said that." Erde nods quietly.

Freyja says startledly, "What?!" A bit indignantly she adds, "How could they possibly distrust the Jedi after all the Jedi have done for Dosen and Balmorra in particular, and the Republic in general?!" She hmfs, folding her arms, "That's just... insulting to Jedi!" At her mother's amused raised eyebrow Freyja rolls her eyes in amusement, "Oh, hai, I'll do it! Better to have the traitors rooted out than to sit around huffing about their rudeness." She grins.

Leif says, "True. However, that is how their family leaders are feeling. We suspect someone has been at them to convince them that this is the case and the Jedi cannot be trusted. That would be an interesting thing to find out, would it not? Apparently the self-proclaimed Arving Lady Tase Thullalkhazan disagrees, but they're not letting her speak officially. They're apparently hardly letting her speak to anyone at all."

Freyja rolls her eyes amusedly, "Neh surprise there -- the girl's what, barely 16 or 17 years? She's not even old enough to betroth to anyone yet!" She sighs, shaking her head at the silliness of some people, then simply smiles and says, "Well, when do we do this?"

Leif says, "True. However, she could be involved in many things, and certainly could be presented more publicly. The problem I see is that they've wound up with a family council of elders running the Haus, and this group seems very good at doing things without pinning any responsibility on any of the members. It's not a good form of leadership and we don't need it on Balmorra. From what I could tell the Lady would be a better choice despite her lack of experience."

Freyja nods, "Hai. Better yet once the haus is united with some wiser and more trusted hausa too."

Both Leif and Erde agree. Erde adds, "They have become experts at dissembling and circumlocution, as well, unfortunatley."

Leif says, "They'd like a few afternoons of your time. The Thullalkhazan Family Council will see you and will respect your abilities to detect the truth, although they will not be greeting you as a Jedi. Given your feedback they'll be able to make internal changes and then have the Jedi come publicly give them a clean bill of health. So, you will do this?"

Freyja says, "Hai, of course. Who will be going with me, and I assume a different Jedi will be doing the clean bill of health thing, hai? Otherwise I cannot vouch that the family has actually made the changes my suggestions would imply they need." A moment later she thoughtfully muses aloud, "Wonder what haus the Council will want to unite them with."

Leif says, "They wanted no one to go with you, and we squashed that idea. Yourself, a hauskarl, and either myself, Erde, and our guards, if you like." Erde says, "Yes, another Jedi will be testing them when they are finished. The issue of who they will be combined with is still a hot issue in Council. Naturally, Thullalkhazan's conclave demands that they not be removed but I believe they'll be ignored."

Leif adds, "Much of the Jedi-worry has come from their Haus, apparently. Forsetti tells me he wasn't keeping track, but we checked the records -- and many of the discussions have started with them."

Freyja looks suddenly quite interested as she listens, "Well, now! It sounds like, from what you're saying, the Sith sympathizer may well still be present within the family! Is there any way to be sure everyone will be there and none may escape, as happened with poor Baron Dosen?" She adds thoughtfully, "That also means if that person or persons is cornered, they may well be quite dangerous. Umm... actually, may I ask you both to allow me to go without you, but rather simply with Vakkal and... hm... would my paramours be suitable for the guards? Or would that be unseemly? If so, we can have a proper number of security accompany me, definitely." She hopefully adds, "Any news from Haus Louveisen about wanting the same done for them? Oh, and has Baron Dosen mentioned anything about the engineer? The one that programmed the Council droids, I mean?"

Leif says, "I don't know about making sure no one escapes." Erde replies re the guards, "I see no reason you shouldn't pick your own guards. Vakkal is definitely part of our Haus and we assumed he would be going with you. Presuming Fhazil and Zero are willing, they would be fine guards." She adds, "Considering what we know about those two I would be happier that you have them than half a dozen of our regular staff."

Freyja grins at her mother cheerfully, "Excellent!" then turns to Leif, "If we can figure out how to do that our gains will increase commensurately, I believe."

Leif says, "No word from Louviesen yet, at least that we have. I haven't had a chance to speak privately with Baron Dosen, though. I will make an effort to do so."

Freyja nods, "All right. Let me know when you want this done -- I can do it today if you think the element of surprise will help -- and also, please let me know if we've been able to figure out how to make sure everyone in the haus is there. If we can do that we can perhaps catch the person who fears the Jedi -- but I want to be ready for a desperate attack then, also."

Leif says, "Surprise would be bad. Tomorrow or the next day, and probably the day after." He adds, "An attack is not what I expect. I expect quiet flight, as happened at the Dosen's. I'll discuss that possibility with our contacts there. If they really want their name cleared they'll address it. I suspect they will."

Freyja smiles ruefully at Leif, "That's rather my point -- if quiet flight is prevented, desperation may well ensue, and I want to be prepared if that's what we expect."

Leif says, "Ah... isn't that why we're sending Vakkal, Zero, and Fhazil? Should we send heavier armor?"

Freyja says gently, "Leif, prepared is always best. The bravest warrior can be defeated from ambush, remember?" She smiles, adding, "But neh matter. Let me know when I need to be leaving -- I'll need at least an hour or two to get dressed, I suspect, or Mother will glare disapprovingly at me."

Erde tries not to smile; she almost succeeds. Leif says, "I'll make sure you have more notice than that, I promise." He is good to his word. By dinner time that night he has an itinerary for Freyja, Vakkal, Zero and Fhazil. The day is scheduled to begin at a reasonable hour in the morning of the next day and run until late afternoon, with further questions the next day if needed. Freyja is quite pleased to be of assistance to both her family and Balmorra in this fashion. She alerts the others, makes sure they're all willing to go as well, and happily arranges for suitable garments for all who need them on the dawning of the morrow.

Freyja interestedly reads up on the current members of Haus Thullalkhazan that night, and the next day finds her cheerful and singing happily to herself in the shuttle on the way to the suspected haus. She's guessing this will not be a bloodbath like poor Dosen, and she's very pleased to be in action once again, even if it's a relatively quiet and staid role. Zero and Fhazil both decide to play down their "paramour" role. They dress conservatively in Haus Rigg colors and Balmorran traditional dress. Vakkal wears the full Haus Rigg formal Hauskarl uniform. All three of the men have lightsabers hidden about their persons, as well as the more common blasters. Freyja is touched at the meaning behind her paramours' choice in clothing, hugging them both exuberantly and delightedly thanking them for their kindness.

The trip is uneventful and they arrive at Haus Thullalkhazan exactly on time. They are met at the landing strip by security, some servants, and two members of the family conclave. One is a very old Neimoidian -- perhaps the oldest any of the Riggs have ever met. He walks slowly and with great care, obviously putting much thought into so simple a thing. He introduces himself in a soft and almost hoarse voice as, "Taz Thullalkhazan, cousin to the missing Count." The other is a middle-aged male who seems impatient and slightly unhappy at being there. He is polite and correct, introducing himself as, "Mile Thullalkhazan, another cousin to the Count."

Freyja is excruciatingly correct, waiting until she's been properly introduced to salute them both as is appropriate for their various ranks, then courteously offering her haus's condolences on their missing relative. She hides it under ritual, but can't deny to herself how unimpressed she is with any family member so in love with power as to wish it without responsibility, as this conclave of elders apparently has done.

Taz courteously accepts her concern, and leads Freyja to meet the very conclave she so dislikes. They are waiting in a large meeting room. There are four others besides Taz and Mile, all of whom take time to thank Freyja for her assistance in helping the Haus resolve this matter. In addition to Taz and Mile there are Yew, Ryd, Senn, and Tone, all older Neimoidian men. Three of them have assistants. One is Taz, whose assistant is a middle-aged female Neimoidian who is part assistant and part nurse. She wordlessly fusses over him, and checks to see if he needs oxygen. He waves her off but does sit down to catch his breath as fast as protocol will allow. Mile also has an assistant who is a young Neimoidian woman dressed to kill. The third assistant is with Tone -- a dark, quiet Human who watches carefully.

Freyja smiles pleasantly after they've all been introduced back and forth and had time to size her up. "Well now... how may Haus Rigg be of assistance to you all this fine day, honored aristoi?" She figures giving them all time to approach the issue round-aboutly will make them all more amenable to answering her questions. Unsurprisingly, it'll also give the Rigg group time to size up the conclave and figure out who's most likely to either fight or flee when discovered.

Taz says, "Honored Lady of Haus Rigg, as I am sure you are aware, our Haus has a problem..." He goes on to explain that the missing Count has caused all sorts of concern and worry by the members of the Council, and the Family did not know what to do about this sensitive issue that would not compromise their integrity until that "nice young man Forsetti" mentioned the Rigg Haus had someone who had the same ability to tell the truth as the Jedi do -- its Arving Lady. He concludes, "And if we can't trust Haus Rigg's Arving Lady, who could we trust in this whole world of ours?"

Fhazil comments mentally, What an odd turn of phrase. I wonder if he meant that for you, or for someone else in the room? Freyja has to conceal a small internal giggle at the idea of her father being considered a "nice young man," but simply nods gravely and listens intently. She didn't hear from Leif as to how or even if the haus would prevent escapees... so she and her partners will simply assume the worst, and hope they are over-prepared for attack. She smiles and nods politely at Taz' comment even as she wryly agrees with Fhazil's thought. "Aristoi cousin, I am honored at your faith in me. Please, allow me to place my abilities at your disposal."

Here Ryd takes over, "We have scheduled time today with every member of the household who has any dealings with our business interests. We have some questions prepared that we would like to have asked of them while you are checking for the truthfulness of their answers. You may, of course, feel free to ask questions we did not think of. All sessions will be recorded and we will take appropriate action based on what we find." He smiles, "While we do not propose anything as... dramatic... as Baron Dosen, we will make sure no one improper remains as part of our Haus."

Freyja, watching the cousins very closely, notices the slightest shift of Taz's eyes as he speaks about trust. He glances or almost-glances at Tone or his assistant, who are sitting near each other. Freyja quietly murmurs to her beloveds, Did you all catch that almost-glance at Tone and his Human assistant? I'm guessing the Sith infiltrator can't be Nemoidian, since there aren't any in the Empire, but the Human is definitely suspect, hai?

Zero replies, That would be too obvious, don't you think? and Fhazil adds, They do have a few Humans in the Empire. I'd suspect any Lord worth his salt would realize their use for infiltration and espionage. Vakkal merely replies, Hai, and leaves it at that.

Freyja smiles pleasantly and bows in agreement with Ryd, then politely suggests, "Perhaps it would be most effective and trust-inspiring to start with everyone here. Would that suit you all?"

Ryd says, "We have set up individual interview rooms. We are scheduled to go first, followed by other staff. This way we can do a little other work while you speak to the others." He adds, "We have closed our security systems and are allowing no one scheduled to speak with you off the premises. If they do leave we will assume them guilty and publicly disown them. Baron Rigg tells us that Baron Dosen had a couple of key staff members vanish; we hope to avoid that. We will all be here the entire day. Any vehicle taking off or landing will be stopped regardless of who is in it. We have hired external security for the day and have been quite clear on this."

Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully, regarding the older Nemoidian. Individual rooms... interesting. So whomever controls the security cameras will know the results -- but none other can be sure. Softly she says, "Would it perhaps help you all, at least as far as personal security and relief, to see the results of each other's questioning right now? I would suggest this for you all simply so there need be neh further worries between you all." She adds quietly, "Desperate sapients have been known to do wicked things to those who unwittingly trusted them. Wouldn't you rather all know as soon as possible that you can trust each other?"

There is resistance; Yew says, "That is not what we had discussed." Taz sighs, "Lady Freyja, while your idea makes perfect sense, we discussed it long and hard and it was met with repeated, adamant refusal. Can you proceed if we each speak separately or do you think we must change our plans?"

Freyja says pragmatically, "I speak to you now with the bluntness of a Jedi, honored aristoi cousin -- and what I have to say is I cannot assure the safety of all present if you individually do not know whom you can trust yet still choose to separate -- so a desperate man could pick you off one at a time. Please forgive my plain speech, but I very much do not want to have to report any deaths today."

This causes startlement and consternation. Five of the cousins begin talking but old Taz merely holds up a hand. After a moment the others stop and he says, "So, we have our trusted expert. She has made a good and valid suggestion in our best interest. Are we going to take her advice, or cling to our own plan made in thoughtless ignorance to satisfy the cowardly among us?" His quiet words leave the others stunned, and he looks irritatedly at each of them in turn. When after a moment none reply he looks to Freyja and says, "Is there anything more you need, Lady Freyja, or shall we begin?"

Freyja bows with more courtesy than she needs, impressed with this man's quiet courage, "The aristoi Ryd mentioned a list of questions. Once I have those we may begin as soon as you feel able, honored lord Taz."

Ryd says, "We have them for you, Lady Freyja." He also adds, "We do not have a recorder set up in this room. If you can give me a moment our technicians can correct that." He presses a button and gives the order. After having done so he passes a datapad to Freyja and says, "Here are the questions we wrote. They are general and revealing at the same time. Feel free to look them over while we get the recorder set up."

Freyja quietly makes sure her friends are casually scattered around the room so as to keep at least one of them between Taz, and Tone and his assistant, and near enough to those two to perhaps be able to block or deflect a potential attack. She nods to Ryd, accepting the datapad and glancing at it. She needs to be sure the questions are specific enough to detect both a willing dupe and a Sith infiltrator, and if possible to root out the former Count's probable location. She nods again -- these are excellent questions, and will fill their needs nicely.

Fhazil sends, If we get any hint any of these people are the Sith infiltrator, he does not mention the suspected Human even mentally, consider asking them a question in Sith such as 'Who is your Master?' Even if they say, 'I don't know what you're saying'... they'll be lying.

Freyja nods mentally to Fhazil, Excellent idea. She paces over to the extremely elderly Nemoidian and says gently, "May I have your permission to start with yourself, honored Taz, and your assistant, so the two of you need not suffer any further stress?"

Taz says, "I would be happy to go first, Lady Freyja, although I would just as happily go last. I will not be able to rest until this is resolved."

Freyja smiles, gently patting his veined, fragile hand, "Please, put your mind at rest." She asks him the questions slowly and clearly, then smiles again, turning to state to the others, "The honored lord Taz is free of any stain of complicity in this sad issue." By her behavior and movements and the movements of her friends she's quietly created a cleared area between the elderly Taz and the others. She turns to the middle-aged female assistant and questions her next.

Freyja nods, clearing the assistant next and gently urging her to stand near Taz. She steps forward to Ryd, smiling and complimenting him on the question choices before reviewing them with him. She realizes quickly Ryd is not being entirely truthful, and she politely asks him if he'd like to tell her anything? He confesses (truthfully) to being aware of some odd orders coming through -- what seemed an excessive number of blasters in one shipment, and equally anomalous situations with others. However, when he asked about them he was firmly encouraged not to inquire any further... and so he did not. This earns a look of unhappiness from the other cousins, but Ryd does not hide from the telling of these dark facts.

Freyja carefully verifies that is the extent of his dissembling, then simply nods. She does not speak her disapproval of someone who would shield such information when they knew their haus was under suspicion for dealings with the Sith. Instead she simply has him move over to stand on the side of the room Taz is in, then turns to Mile and his attractive assistant. She questions Mile first. Eventually she smiles, realizing Mile is more clueless than not -- and his assistant was chosen more for looks than brains... but she simply politely reveals their innocence and has them also move across the room. Next she turns to Tone and his assistant.

Freyja has casually positioned herself so the two have their backs to the 'innocent' side of the room, and her friends are in position also for possible attack. She sighs when she's finished with Tone. He's revealed as complicit -- he knows they did business with the Sith and it took a great deal of effort to get that out of him. He doesn't admit to it or to any wrongdoing, of course... but she catches him on the hai/neh questions. Freyja raises an eyebrow when the assistant refuses to talk to her whatsoever, and says amusedly in Sith, "Who is your Master?"

Tone's assistant glowers at Freyja and says nothing. Freyja chuckles quietly, then waves Vakkal over, "Vakkal, would you please check these two for weapons?" She's unsurprised to see the general emotional demeanor of the room changing... a subtle withdrawal from Tone's presence. She shifts her weight slightly, prepared for instantaneous movement in defense if necessary.

Vakkal does so, moving carefully and cautiously to search the two men. Tone is indignant, "Why are we letting this happen, cousins? Who is she to make such a statement?" He lets the imposing alien search him and remove his knife and blaster. Tone's assistant, however, says, "Don't touch me, dog," and glares at Vakkal.

Freyja's lightsaber is at the assistant's throat, and her gaze is icy as she clips out, "You will allow yourself to be searched for weapons... and you will never address my huskarl so again."

The assistant glares at Freyja, "Get that thing away from me or everyone in this room is dead."

Freyja raises an eyebrow, "Prepared ahead of time, eh? Perhaps you should enlighten us as to why we should follow your orders." Freyja is quietly pulling the triat link together, weaving strength within the Force as she speaks.

The Human takes his hand out from under the table. He's holding a canister a little larger than a marking pen in his fist. One end blinks quietly. He says, "This container is full of poison. If I let go of it, or my nervous system is interrupted, shocked, or stunned, it will spray this poison out as a gas. Its effect is nearly instant and always fatal. You will give me a land speeder and you will let me get to the spaceport and leave this planet."

Freyja smiles coldly and over the link murmurs to Fhazil, Can you use Move Object to hold the man's hand securely around the canister? You're the best at that ability. To the man she says calmly, "You are telling the truth as you know it... but unfortunately you do not have all the facts." She adds, "Even if we gave you a landspeeder you would be shot down by security. Hostages won't help. You heard what the orders were." She sighs quietly, then says calmly, "Now... we can do this the hard way or the easy way. Which do you prefer?"

The dark Human says, "What will the 'easy way' be, then? Wouldn't that be for me to let go of this and end this argument?"

Freyja smiles, "Only if you want to die and never know if your stratagem worked." She glances over at Yew and Senn, "Let's do this fast. Do either of you have anything you want to confess? Lords Taz, Mile, and Ryd, may I suggest you leave?"

The Human says, "Myself, I'd like to live. I don't think there's a chance of it if I'm caught here, though." He glares at Tone and says, "Hop to, old man. Get on the comm and get cracking."

Freyja murmurs over the link, Zero, Fhazil, be ready to respectively toss your greatcoat over the canister, and grab his hand to hold it closed. She grins at the man, then says, "You wound me with your underestimation of us. Why would you think you will die if you surrender peacefully to the Jedi?"

Taz stands laboriously and says, "Come, cousins." Yew and Senn look shocked, both claiming they had no knowledge. They appear to be telling the truth under this light question. Tone's assistant glares and snaps, "Hey! Everybody sit down and do as I say! I'm in charge here!" Taz says simply, "No, you're not -- or you'd have killed us all without a word." He turns his back on the Human, making his way to the door.

Freyja says amusedly to the Human in Sith, "Have you no curiosity, foolish man? How do you think I learned Sith, or gained a Khar Velosi Soulguard?" She adds over her shoulder, "Lords Yew and Senn, please wait just outside the room. Lord Taz, I deeply apologize for this occurrence and hope to have it resolved momentarily."

The trapped Human snarls, "Then die, old man!" and moves to throw the canister at the departing Neimoidian. He is rather shocked to discover he can't open his own hand as Fhazil concentrates quietly. Vakkal reaches over and grabs the man's hand, squeezing it around the canister. The Human screams, "No! You can't do this! No!" and struggles against Vakkal. Vakkal is far stronger than he; it is no contest.

Freyja turns off her lightsaber and tucks it away, waiting with folded arms for all the Nemoidians to leave. To the last ones she says, "We are going to set off the poison in this room. I would suggest you tell housekeeping to isolate the ventilation system accordingly." Once the room is empty of everyone but the triat, Vakkal, and the foolish Human, Freyja says tiredly, "All right, everyone to the door. We'll back out holding him, let him release the canister, and if we can we'll save him. If not..." she sighs a bit unhappily but concludes firmly, "he'll die alone." She carefully pats the man down while Vakkal is restraining him to make sure there are no other unpleasant surprises on him.

Vakkal says tells the man, "If you want to live you'll deactivate this. Or we'll let you in here alone for a few moments and set off a stun grenade. You don't have to die. You won't be tortured or killed." The captured man says, "I don't believe you! They showed me the pictures -- they told me what the Jedi do to those they capture! They'll do it to you too -- just you wait! She's using you! She'll skin you alive and wear you like a coat! Don't listen to her!" He is, horribly, telling what he believes to be the truth.

Freyja gives the man a revolted look, "Eew! That's disgusting! What are you, an Oather, to believe such nonsense?"

The Human thrashes fitfully against Vakkal, "Why would they lie to me? What you people do is horrible! You must be stopped!"

Freyja sighs, watching the man, then says to the others, Should I try a Friendship on him, do you think? We could perhaps persuade him to deactivate it and live then, and have more time and less pressure for him to learn otherwise about Jedi?

Fhazil replies, Moment. He says to the Human, "Wait a minute... You're talking about pictures like this?" He describes some truly ghastly tortures, a couple of them clearly pictures he's seen. His voice is low and he tries to keep this from as many of the people in the room as he can. The trapped Human says, "Yes! You've seen the pictures! They told you! And you're still here? Are you mad?" Fhazil sighs, "No. I'm not mad. They lied to you. Those aren't Jedi tortures. Those are Sith. Those are things your masters did -- to their own people and to captured people. They are horrible. But they aren't Jedi."

Freyja gives Fhazil a horrified look, aghast that her beloved had to see dreadful things like that, but keeps silent. She mentally crosses her fingers that Fhazil can prevail against this poor man's suicidal convictions. The captured man says, "Wh... why? What good... why would they do that?" Fhazil says, "So you'd be dedicated and true to them, of course. You've been lied to and used." He adds, "Can you disable this? We'll talk more about it. Nobody here wants to hurt you. We just want to talk to you."

The man looks hesitant. Fhazil sends, Friendship now, Freyja-love. Freyja puts her heart into it -- she very much does not want to see this foolish dupe die by his own hand. Then she sighs and smiles in relief, Oh, that was a good one, I think! Let's see how he reacts. She smiles hopefully at the man, saying gently, "Please disable the canister? You can keep it next to you if you wish, but what Fhazil says is true -- we just want to talk to you."

The man looks in horror at Fhazil, then looks to Freyja. The Force plays across her eyes and deep in his mind. He relaxes slowly, "I need my other hand. I'll disable the canister." Freyja nods to Vakkal, her demeanor relaxed. Vakkal lets the man loose a bit but keeps a hand on the hand with the canister. The trapped Human puts his free hand on the end of the poison canister and holds it there. He then turns one end a certain number of times and works at a control. It goes: eeep! and its lights go dark. Freyja sighs in internal relief, but simply gestures for the man to re-seat himself. Vakkal lets go and the man gingerly sets the canister on the table. Nothing happens. He does sit, and looks at Freyja questioningly.

Freyja says, "Now. You are worried the Jedi wish to harm you, but I assure you I am Jedi and if possible I will make sure you are not harmed. Is there anything we can do or say to convince you the Jedi are not the dreadful people you imagine them to be? Would it help any for you to know the Empire has very thoroughly and lethally disavowed the Oathers?"

The man says, "I don't know what you mean by 'Oather.'" He is telling the truth. He thinks for a long time, then finally says, "You're not going to hurt me? Then what can you do? Why keep me alive?"

Freyja smiles, glad the man isn't an Oather. She reassures him, "Neh, we have neh urge to hurt or kill you. What we'd like is to stop the people who would create such pictures. You can help us do that by not working as an infiltrator here and by letting us know what other Sith infiltrators you know of on Balmorra. There is a lot we can do for you if you will but help us."

The human says, "I'll think about it." He looks glumly at the canister and adds, "It's probably better than the alternative."

Freyja grins quietly, but simply nods, "All right, take your time -- we'd far rather you simply not work against us instead of killing yourself. For now we're going to ask the Thullalkhazan family for a safe place for you to stay in the manse while we continue the questioning. Once that's over and security knows to let people leave safely, we'll take you with us to the Jedi. They'll keep you safe. Are you comfortable with that, or would you rather stay with us? If you're in fear of your life I'm happy to keep you close during the day of questioning."

The man shakes his head, "No, I'll go. I'll be quiet." Haus security escorts him to a holding cell. While it isn't a first class stateroom it is secure and perfectly satisfactory. When he is searched no one tortures him at all. Freyja is relieved he's all right and safe. She takes a few moments to make sure the other family elder enclave members are all right also.

Taz is leaning against the wall, "You see, this is why I wanted to bring in the Jedi in the first place. Look at the difficulty we have had, and would have continued..." When he sees Freyja he says "Ah, Lady Freyja, are you ready for us again?"

Freyja smiles, bowing politely as the former assistant is led quietly away, "When you are ready, honored lord. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience. I fear I was more thinking of the potential of high explosives across several parts of the manse than a canister of poison gas in one room. I dearly hope there will be neh more interruptions of your day."

Senn has been mostly quiet; he looks a bit horrified at that, "My, you were expecting large problems." Taz counters with, "And you agreed with Tone when he swore there would be none at all. Where do you think he got that idea, hmm?" Tone looks uncomfortable at that. Freyja smiles, then simply asks Senn the first of the questions as he re-enters the room with them. It's her goal to let these people leave and rest as soon as possible. She has neh intention of scaring anyone with information about what she knows now about Sith attacks, after all. She checks Tone visually, though, curious as to whether he's realized just what a foolish course of action he was on previously.

Senn and Yew are both innocent of any issues, according to the deeper questioning. Senn did have some little guilt, but it turns out to be unrelated to the family business. He finally admits, "I was admiring one of the daughters of a competitor of ours! She and I talked and walked in the moonlight and it was lovely. But nothing happened!" The others all look mildly amused but not unhappy. Freyja covers a smile, her eyes sparkling, but manages to recover enough to solemnly clear both men of any complicity. As time goes by Tone is looking less and less happy. The idea that his loyal staff member had thoroughly duped the family and was going to kill them all sinks in slowly. He has to be wondering how much he himself was duped by that same staff member. Freyja gives Tone a long, gravely quiet look... then says nothing to him. He'll either figure out what a mistake he made -- or not.

Freyja concludes by reiterating the morning's discoveries: Ryd suspected but said nothing. Tone and his assistant, however, were deeply complicitous with the former Count. She then politely acknowledges the family should have disposition of their guilty members... but may she have the former assistant? As a Sith infiltrator there are things he might be able to help the Jedi with. Discussion on this matter is quick; they are happy to give the traitorous aide to the Jedi for questioning and safekeeping. Taz asks, "If you would, there are many staff members left to speak to, and we would like to see this matter completely cleared. Would you be able to speak with them today, or would you prefer to come another time?"

Freyja smiles, "I am at your disposal, honorable lord, for this entire afternoon. If I might ask for some tea for my staff before we start, then I think we will be fortified sufficiently to continue for some time." She wonders thoughtfully if the daughter was in on this also. She hopes not.

Taz smiles, "That will be our pleasure to provide." Tea is served, then staff members are brought in to be interviewed one at a time. Most of them are completely innocent, although a few wondered about how some things were. Many of those expressed their concerns to the person in charge of their organization -- Tone. Others did not, feeling they should not rock that boat. In total there are ten who had a clue something might have been going on; three did not say anything at all while the other seven spoke to Tone and left it at that. Freyja makes no judgements -- just lets the results be known for the family to decide on at their leisure. Once the servants are finished she looks curiously at the person organizing the scheduling, "What of the former Count's daughter? Is she next on the list?"

Taz said, "We wanted you to talk to her last in case you needed extra time and wanted to come back tomorrow." The day has stretched on quite a bit, but it is still early evening. He adds, "If you are ready now, we are happy to let you speak to her now."

Freyja smiles ruefully, "Let us talk with her now. The poor girl probably would just worry needlessly all night otherwise."

Taz arranges it. The girl is shown in by two of her own security who stay with her. Fhazil, Vakkal, and Zero watch all three of them closely. Freyja asks her questions and the girl answers truthfully to all of them. She knows nothing of the Count's disappearance, nothing of the Sith, and nothing of why the Jedi were not called sooner. She seems slightly indignant that her family is ignoring her so, and truly wants to do the best for them. Freyja smiles, pleased the girl is innocent and faintly amused at her indignation. Internally she sighs -- it's been a long day! She's going to have to do one final thing, though -- she needs to ask Tone if he knows where the former Count fled to.

All the cousins are still discussing things in conclave, although Freyja is aware they did stop for a long break in the middle of the day. The others worked via phone and vid, but the break was mostly so Taz could have a nap. All of the cousins want to be part of the discussion of the Count - and none of them have any idea where he went. Freyja nods quietly, a bit worried at how effectively the man vanished. However, she can only withdraw at this point, taking the former assistant with her so as to leave the family the time it needs to clean up for public view.

Fhazil suggests, Odd. Ask the assistant if he knows what became of the Count. If it was Sith-mandated, it's probably not good. Freyja agrees with Fhazil's suggestion but decides to ask it in the shuttle. If something ghastly has happened to the former Count, she's not sure how to break it to them. Hearing it blurted out, though, she knows would be bad. She will quietly ask the former assistant his name and if he knows where Miz fled to, while they're heading for the Jedi enclave.

The man says his name is Taozin and admits, "My masters wanted him to vanish, so we talked him into fleeing to a quiet spot for a while. They sent someone to cloud his mind and make him think it was his idea. He boarded a small ship and set off, thinking he was going to one of the family vacation houses for a few days to let something blow over."

Freyja bites her lip in worry, "Uh-oh... any idea where he ended up, or if that Force-using person is still on Balmorra?"

Taozin says, "The Master left shortly after he arrived, his mission completed. Or so I believe." He is telling the truth on that as far as he knows. He adds, "As to the Count... I'll have to calculate some navigation co-ordinates to see where he was headed, and if we can find him."

Freyja grins, asking again but in Aurabesh this time, "So who is -- or was, now, I guess -- your Master? And thank you for doing the calculations for us. We'd very much like to find Miz."

Taozin says, "Lord Fan was my master."

Freyja blinks... then says slowly and grimly, "That man is starting to really annoy me..."

Zero sits up at that and looks thoughtful. He sends over the link, You don't think Fan did this to keep us distracted, do you? Perhaps so he could strike at Ghang?

Taozin says, "I'll need a datapad and some information from Haus Thullalkhazan before I can calculate the co-ordinates for you. Once you get me that I'll take care of it."

Freyja mutters grimly, Wouldn't put it past him, the heartless outcast... She is quiet for the rest of the trip unless Taozin wants to talk. He's carefully handed over to Jedi Master Shorryyr with explanations and a request she share whatever information Taozin comes up with, please... and then the group heads back to the Rigg manse.

Freyja quietly and methodically runs through her checks, quite worried about this news about Fan -- first, has Alleine anything he can say about the poison? Second, has Dosen reported anything on the missing engineer? Thirdly, has the ship with Sarn and the Khar Velosi exited jumpspace yet? Fourth (since it takes a while for all this to be answered and dealt with), has Taozin any news to report? She'll also ask Alleine if he has a moment to check out the poison which Taozin had. She warns him to extreme caution, explaining why.

Alleine's news about the Dosen poison isn't good; it's a very concentrated form of a nasty poison that would have killed whoever ate it. There was enough there to kill half an army. He is happy to look at the other, though he first considers how to get it safely out of the canister, "I'll need a little help from maintenance, but I'm sure they're up to it." Dosen has not reported anything on the missing engineer. According to the Baron via Leif he's still missing but definitely being sought now. The ship with the Khar Velosi has not yet exited hyperspace.

Freyja nods, positive Alleine will deal carefully with things as necessary, and gives his report on the poison to the appropriate Jedi, and to Baron Dosen as a courtesy. She checks Colburth is doing better; Murn's cheerful excess of information on Colburth causes Freyja to grin, sure Colburth must be blushing furiously at all this.

Late that night Shorryyr calls and says, "Our guest Taozin has a message for you." She puts him on and he says, "I have co-ordinates for you." He sends them to her, adding, "If you follow them... be careful. They're designed to have the autopilot crash the ship."

Freyja nods quietly, "I understand and thank you, kuras Taozin. I take it the likelihood of our finding poor Miz alive is very slim?" She passes the coordinates silently to Fhazil, the Eclipse's navigator, so he can check where the ship was actually headed.

The man looks terribly guilty, "Considering how long he's been away, yes. There's little chance his life-support would have held out that long even if the ship weren't wrecked."

Freyja smiles a little sadly, "I understand, Taozin. Please, concentrate on the present and on making the future better, all right? Don't let guilt consume you -- learn from former mistakes and move on, hai?" Taozin promises he'll try, and signs off. Shorryyr promises to look after him.

Fhazil goes down to the ship and works with the nav computer for a while. He sends back to Freyja a few minutes later, This is a collision course for one of the moons on one of the gas giants. Very cunning trap. It's designed to look like honest data entry mistakes on a course to one of the Thullalkhazan family estates. Transpose a couple of digits here. Add an extra zero here. Drop a digit there. Sneaky bastard of a navigator designed this.

Freyja sends back, Poor Miz. All right, we'll send someone to check the area out. Thanks, lover. She passes that information on to the appropriate authorities and asks to be notified when they find Miz -- or, more likely, his remains. They say it will be a few days before they have a response for this as they're busy and it's all in-system flight rather than Hyperspace drive.

Freyja then quietly checks with her parents and Leif, updating them on everything that happened that day and checking to see if there's any news on Haus Louveisen finally possibly getting a clue as well. Erde and Leif take Freyja's news under consideration; Leif says, "No word of that yet, but they've been quiet lately. They may be doing internal reviews of their own. Don't know yet. We're still applying pressure to them. Once Haus Thullalkhazan goes public it will be easier." Freyja thanks them, then tiredly decides to call it a day.

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

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