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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2015 10:21:03 GMT -8
Ayodele shakes her head when, after Franz has, after a fashion, explained how it is that he came to possess his mannered way of conducting himself, he muses that had he not he might not be here or in her company now, smiling warmly as she agrees with him, "Most likely not, that is true. Courtesy is undervalued by some, but I find it essential, and so it seems we must be thankful that Anobis did not successfully rob you of it." It crosses her mind, briefly, to ask him of Anobis, but the pattern he has established of answering questions without truly answering them suggests to her that his reticence where speaking of himself is possibly habitual, a tendency so long held that it has become instinctual rather than calculated. As it is a tendency she shares, though she expresses it differently and more subtly than he so that it is less likely to be noted, Ayodele pursues the subject no further. Time may lead them to share more freely of themselves with one another, and as time is something Ayodele has in abundance she seldom, if ever, feels compelled to hurry in any aspect of her life.
Laughing merrily when Franz asks if she finds it surprising that he has some friends that are not striking females, Ayodele says, "I suppose it should not. Looking from Franz while listening to him explain who the two men that will also be at the gathering he has invited her to, Ayodele, having walked through the park enough to know where they are within it from the curving of the footpath and the positions of the trees that can be, now dimly and then more clearly as the wind blows, seen through the ever present mists, recognizes where they are and steps closer to Franz to gently nudge him onto a branching of the footpath that will take them eastward. "I suppose you have a point, Ayodele concedes with a smile that makes it clear she is neither concerned by the prospect of being the lone outsider among a group of close friends, nor disappointed that Franz has not chosen to make her aware of any qualities possessed by his friends individually or collectively that she might benefit from being forewarned of. Adjusting her pace just enough that she is now guiding them to where she wishes to take them, Ayodele looks over at Franz with an amused smile as she jokes, I do not believe for a moment, however, that I will not be a topic of any conversations you might have with them before the party, so have a care you do not enable them to cheat either."
Stepping off the footpath when they reach the point she has wanted to see, deciding to let Franz steer their conversation for a change, Ayodele becomes silent as she leads them through a small field and then through a small copse of trees situated on a gently rising hillock. The tress at the top of the hillock are spaced out so that the view around it is clear, and it is the view that Ayodele led them here to see. The mists settle more densely on the ground below, thinning out at higher heights, so that their position on top of the hillock is almost like standing upon a rock rising from a sea of mist, the currents of the wind driving the mist to swirl here, or glide this way and that there, clearing some areas briefly for time while obscuring others entirely. Despite the fact they are now quite isolated, alone in a place where she has seldom seen others venture, Ayodele evidences no traces of apprehension or fear as others might when finding themselves suddenly alone with a relative stranger. Long has it been since she has known fear, and she has never been apprehensive. An enigmatic, melancholy smile briefly graces Ayodele's lips as she thinks of how, once, long ago, she would have lured Franz, or someone like him, to such a place for a vastly different purpose than to simply admire the view, but she sets the thought aside, her smile becoming relaxed as she crosses her arms over her chest and walks to view the park stretching out below them from another angle.
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Franz Delgrave
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Post by Franz Delgrave on Jan 26, 2015 11:40:51 GMT -8
Ayodele did have a point right then and there, and he supposed that yes, maybe at some point he'd be tugged aside and be asked about her. He had a solution for that, it actually just made him smile as he looked at her briefly. "I'll just tell them what attracted me about you to begin with." Franz said sincerely before shrugging slightly. "So it'll be more about me, and not so much about you so to speak." Franz followed her willingly to where she was currently steering them, and he had to admit that he had been here for a while and he had never come to this spot before. Definitely the first time for him and to think that she had been here for five months, she probably knew more than him.
For a moment he had been silent and he had been looking in a distance, although something came to mind, just like that and out of the blue, it caused him to briefly chuckle and shake his head. It seemed like it had been eons ago when he had first met Elika for the first time and he had been her touring guide so to speak around the old EO Temple on this planet. Those were great memories to him, especially that their moment spent together earned him a nickname. Shaking his head with an amused grin once more, he probably should be more focused on the woman he was with, or at least just be there since she was still in his company like he was in hers.
"You know, this is the first time I have come to this place." Franz admitted to her with a faint smile before tilting his head slightly on the side as he continued to look at her. She seemed relaxed and peaceful, he supposed that maybe she enjoyed the simple things in life, perhaps? But what did he really know, he wouldn't know at all unless he did ask. "How did you come about to working there at TaSpa!, that is if you don't mind me asking?" Franz said thoughtfully with a faint grin, from Polus to Umgul, some might have said that it was unlikely a trade but she must have had her reasons to come to this place to begin with maybe. Reasons he did not know that was a fact, but he guessed that he really did want to get to know her and know what she enjoyed doing in her spare time.
Following her but keeping a distance still to let her enjoy the view without him being too much in the way he supposed, and also that way they could keep on talking with shouting really, Franz looked back at the distance and grinned slightly. "The first time I got here on this planet, I remember always clearing the mist away from my peripheral view, but now that I got used to it, I find it to be soothing and just great to look at." Franz said making a small talk, and maybe it sounded ridiculous, actually now that he thought about it, it really did sound ridiculous. "Thank you for showing me this place..."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2015 13:47:41 GMT -8
"A pity I will not be there to hear that conversation, Franz, Ayodele jests with an amused twinkling in her dark eyes when he says that he will speak only of her in terms of what he found attractive about her. I am glad to have shown you this place then, she says with a smile when Franz notes that he has not previously been to the spot she has taken him to, adding, There are others, here in the park and elsewhere to, as unique and beautiful, but I think it is this one that I like best."
Walking closer to Franz, unfolding her arms to rest a hand on his bicep after he appends a question of whether she minds the question he has asked, Ayodele smiles warmly as she says pointedly, "I do not mind your questions, Franz, squeezing his bicep gently before refolding her arms over her chest as she answers the question in an unhurried tone and pace, I came here without having the foresight to have given much thought to what I might do for income. I had some savings, of course, enough to live on for a while, so long as the living was not one involving any unnecessary extravagance. The way Ayodele speaks of the subject suggests that wealth and extravagance are of little importance to her, and indeed, while once such things were of importance her, they are not any longer of consequence to her. While I am sure that I could have found employment as a surveyor here, I found I had little desire to resume the occupation I had on Polus, and even less an idea of what I might do in its stead. Smiling, lifting one hand to gesture languidly, Ayodele continues, Some things come to us without the need to seek them out, however, and so when I met another tenant in my building, one that worked as a waitress at TaSpa!, and she made me aware of an opening for a waitress in their restaurant, I applied for the position. Laughing merrily, Ayodele confesses, I was an abysmal waitress though. Cosimo says it is because I do not have it in me to rush as waitresses must often do, and he is almost certainly right. He also said I had an air of serenity about that me that would serve a masseuse well, and as I had no training, offered to keep me on as a waitress, terrible though I was, while taking the classes necessary to obtain my license so that he might then hire me as a massage therapist. Smiling as she shrugs to indicate the tale is now complete, Ayodele says, And so I accepted, and you now know how it is I came to be at TaSpa! so that I might be there when you were dragged, kicking and screaming I am sure, there by your striking female friends."
Turning to look at Franz, a playfully wary expression on her face, Ayodele asks, "If I were to ask you how it was you came to be a . . . teacher, would you answer? Or, her expression becomes more serious as she knows not whether the subject is one that might not be a happy one for Franz, is that a story you would prefer not to tell, or to tell another time?"
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Franz Delgrave
The Mist Order
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Post by Franz Delgrave on Jan 26, 2015 17:11:14 GMT -8
"You know you only have to ask for those reasons..." Franz replied with a faint grin, even if her statement had been made in jest, she really only had to ask. Often times, he wasn't that much aware of giving limited replies, although sometimes yes he had been doing it on purpose because he felt compelled to do so, but around her, not so much he supposed. Earlier it was quite different, considering that they were relatively in a public place, he needed to be discreet about some aspects of his life. Now they were alone and he was just looking at a great view and he certainly was in even greater company. "I hope you can show me some time." He just left it at that, but considering that she had shown him the best one she preferred first and foremost, he wasn't going to be demanding about seeing the other views.
Noticing from the corner of his eyes that Ayodele was walking closer to him, Franz moved his head slightly in her direction and he looked downwards soon enough when he felt her hand on his bicep. Unable to help himself, he gently placed his hand on top of hers and he looked at her with a faint smile before he removed his hand to let it hang on the side of his body while he listened attentively to what she was saying to him. Listening to her speak, and how she led her life, he guessed that he was correct earlier back at the store when the saleslady asked him what type of person Ayodele was. He had a knowing smile on the corner of his lips and him looking at her indicated that he was in fact listening with undivided attention to how she came about. Now he understood perfectly he guessed why she knew about this place considering what she had been doing back on Polus but that was one big change, no doubt. Franz turned his body so that he was facing her as she continued with her story. From being a waitress to becoming a therapist.
By the end of her tale, Franz had an amused expression on his features, before he lifted his index finger and laughed genuinely. "Ah, if only it were only the kicking and the screaming." Actually it wasn't those things at all that he had done, and he made a face remembering how he had been called because he had been doing what he used to do and picked up again after spending a while on his own like a hermit so to speak. But that was a story for another time, instead he leaned slightly in her direction as if confiding a big secret, and he even lowered his voice. "There was whining in between." Standing up straight once more, Franz just smiled and rolled his eyes playfully, obviously mostly at himself because yes, sometimes he could be that dramatic, it was just for fun as always.
He should have known that question would come sooner or later, it wasn't that he was apprehending it at all, it was just a not so happy moment he supposed, one he got over thanks to several reasons. "How did I become a Jedi?" Franz asked rhetorically now that they were really alone with no one around, he guessed that he could put a name now to his calling. "I didn't even know, what Force users were to begin with when I started to exhibit some mild telekinesis when I was young." Franz started to say with a faint grin. "My parents weren't and considering where I was brought up, I had to hide it as per their instructions." He explained with a faint grin before looking into her eyes. "You see, I was, or should I say, I am from the lowest parts of Coruscant, and I suppose that in a way, I owe it to some of my cousins, if not all of them if I were found there, and brought up in the Temple." It's not that he was ashamed to tell this story, it was just that often he refrained from telling people because he wasn't looking for pity at all, he also did not want people to look at him differently.
Smiling faintly, Franz continued to look at her as he said sincerely. "Cosimo is right, you do have an air of serenity and very reflective eyes." He left it at that at least for the time being, he was glad to have opened up a little, not entirely sure but at least that was a start for him. "Thank you." He said softly, for reasons that maybe she wouldn't understand at least for now but he just wanted to thank her for not trying to push him to answer and just giving him a choice to either answer or not. A while ago, he thought that it might have been the last time, but now he really was lowering his guard again, at least gradually only because right now he found her presence comforting...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2015 20:29:34 GMT -8
Umgul City - Mysty Acres Apartments
Neassa's holonet search will, as predicted, not yield any specific information about TaSpa!'s building plans beyond what the accompanying images reveal - the most obvious entrance and exit points being the main front entrance and that leading into the restaurant - other than a complete listing of the various massage and spa treatments or packages available. TaSpa! is located in the city center, amid many various shops, shopping centers, restaurants, and theatres. Street maps, on the other hand, are readily available, and detailed enough that learning to navigate the city is relatively easily with a minimal amount of effort. Her observations of the city itself will show that the city center is, as would be expected, slightly more upscale than others; where the apartment building she is operating from being in a more working class area. Traffic patterns are nothing unusual, heavier in the mornings and at the end of the work day, and the availability of mass transportation such as mag-lev trains ensuring that congestion is never overwhelming.
The apartment building is twelve stories, with Cerise's unit located on the tenth floor along with three other units. The apartment has one bedroom, a kitchen, a living area, and a deck located off of the living room. Storage spaces are abundant, with the least obvious being an outdoor closet located on the deck. Other options are available, naturally, including areas behind the heating unit, and overhead in a small laundry room. Tenants of the building are primarily laboring class, many with children. As Cerise is not sociable, none pay much attention to her - or Neassa playing her - comings and goings. The speeder Neassa has use of if a standard civilian speeder, seating two, and is well maintained.
The Enchanted Florist
After Viho returns, the Vilhjalmssons send an encrypted message to Helaine - which will look like nothing more than a notification that a new catalog will coming out soon to any that do not have the correct decryption key - informing her that the bounty hunter has arrived on schedule and will be able to make the meeting pre-scheduled at TaSpa!, and that the changeling she wished to hire has been located and will be arriving within the week.
The Vilhjalmssons have also made progress with the request from Arezou, having secured the service of two local mercenaries - a male Trandoshan formerly with the UDF, and a human male who also has previous military experience from another world - that are available immediately, with the Force sensitive mercenaries located offworld to arrive in the next few days.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2015 22:14:11 GMT -8
"Is that so? Ayodele asks with an amused smile when Franz says the reasons he initially found her attractive are hers should she choose to ask for them, her tone indicative of the fact that such flattery is not a thing she wants or needs, and then nods when he says he hopes that she might show him other places like the one she has brought him to now, Perhaps I shall, and perhaps you too, in time, will share any such places of yours with me. It is nice to have another to share such places with, is it not?"
Her hand, when Franz places his over it, is colder even than it had been before as Ayodele has not been, as she had in the coffee shop, holding onto anything that could have warmed it slightly as the spiced caf had warmed it then, and colder even than the weather might explain. When Franz removes his hand, Ayodele rubs her hands together briefly as though to work the chill from them before crossing her arms over her chest once more. Laughing in delight when Franz playfully confides that his kicking and screaming were accompanied by whining, Ayodele gives him a skeptical frown when her laughter has ended, saying in a lilting teasing tone, "I am not sure I should believe your protests were so great, Franz. Watching his eyes as he tells her, in what she has come to think of as his rather loose and vague fashion, of how it is that he came to be a Jedi, Ayodele nods when he has finished speaking, nothing in her expression or body language suggesting that what he has revealed of his humble station at birth has altered her opinion of him in any way, for it truly has not. We are not defined by our births, Ayodele says in a reflective tone with a hint of pensive hopefulness evident in the way she speaks that suggests she is giving voice to something she desires to believe is, or can be true of herself as well, unless we allow ourselves to be. Smiling, the brief introspective look in her dark eyes fading, Ayodele laughs when Franz says that Cosimo had the right of it when describing the air she has about her, nodding as she jokes, Well, if you and Cosimo both agree, then I suppose I must accept that it is so. Shaking her head when Franz thanks her, for what she cannot tell as he does not clarify, Ayodele smiles warmly and says simply, You are welcome," in such a way that her own enjoyment of their time together is evident.
Silence not something that has ever troubled her, Ayodele says nothing more, content for the moment to enjoy the place they are in and Franz's company. Trusting that he will follow without her needing to invite him to do so, Ayodele turns after a moment to lead the way back into the park, taking a different branch of the footpath than that which would lead them back towards the park entrance. Stepping off the path when they reach a playground, Ayodele looks over her shoulder with a smile to urge Franz to follow her as she makes her way to the swings and sits on one, nodding her head towards the one beside it. She does not actually swing, only sitting as she looks out into the mist with a calm, serene expression for a moment before, once more giving Franz the opportunity to steer their conversation where he would have it lead, turning towards him with an amused smile to ask, "So?"
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Franz Delgrave
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Post by Franz Delgrave on Jan 27, 2015 3:04:08 GMT -8
Franz nodded, in agreement about sharing places for them to see, but his own places that he had found in the mountainous areas of the planet weren't as captivating as the one she had shown him. Although there was some appeal to those, especially when he knew that often times people didn't really wander around that area. It worked for him as back then he wanted and needed to find some solitude and also train more than ever after he had completely felt somewhat dejected. Not that he ever said a thing about it really, but that had mainly been the reasons why he left momentarily a while back from civilization. "If you are up for a trek and some climbing, I may take you there some time." Franz said with a warm smile which definitely said that he was perfectly in agreement to her suggestion and trade he supposed.
Now that he thought about it, Franz wondered if she was cold, at least her hand felt cooler than he first remembered, although this had only been the second time that he really did touch her hand with his own after the handshake in TaSpa!, really he was starting to be a little concerned there, it was also getting late and they had been for a little while now outside. The temperature was dropping he guessed, but for the time being, he did not get into that as he listened to what she was telling him. He could tell from the way she looked at him or just the way she kept just being her like he had first met her, that her opinion about him had not changed and he did not denote any sense of pity or whatever. He was quite thankful for that. "Hmmm, although sometimes it's makes a person wonder of the what could have been but it's also a reminder for a person of where he or she doesn't want to go back to." Franz did have a faint strained smile as he looked back right in front of him. It wasn't long ago that he left Umgul at least temporarily when he heard some news, only when getting there to be rejected and be treated like nothing at all. He really felt unwelcomed there. But that was a memory he preferred to completely forget although he knew that it wasn't possible at all.
"It is, at least for my case, I do agree with him, after I cannot speak for the others you might have come to meet before we crossed paths." Smiling warmly, his smile grew wider when she welcomed him, he just left it at that at least for now, maybe one day or the next day he'd come to tell her, but right now he was just content in her company, so much that he did not think twice about following her without saying so much of a word, and when they found themselves by some swings, Franz had a playful smile as he just sat on one of those next to hers. He did actually start to swing at least briefly and in that brief moment, he really had a carefree expression on his features until he put his feet down on the ground to stop himself from swinging. Turning to look at her with an amused and sheepish grin for his recent display, he soon furrowed his eyebrows though as he remembered something he wanted to bring up earlier, it got him to pat his jacket's pockets and when he found his gloves, he looked back at her dubiously. "I couldn't help but to notice earlier that your hand seemed cold, would you like to wear these, or we could certainly go back indoors if you'd prefer?" He offered with a faint smile, it really was her choice and he'd bow to whichever suggestion she'd prefer to do right now.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2015 13:53:34 GMT -8
Ayodele smiles merrily when Franz says he has places of his own he would have her see should she be up to the tasks of trekking and climbing, teasing playfully, "Our first engagement is not yet done, and already you have proposed at least two others. Though it has been a while for us both, I imagine such proposals being made and welcomed still portend only good things, don't you? Looking from Franz after he has suggested that one's past can invite speculation about the infinite if only this or thats dwelling on it can give rise to, as well as serve as a caution against places one might wish not to revisit, Ayodele leans her head back, looking up into the sky as she thinks on what he has said for a moment in silence before, returning her gaze to his, replying, Time moves in only one direction, Franz, so I see little worth in devoting thought to what may have been had we been born of others, or had we done this rather than that. What was will always be no matter how many it could have beens we might try to imagine. Nodding her head, Ayodele says, But, a reminder of what or where we wish not to return to, yes, that I can agree is a purpose our births and pasts may serve, should we let them."
Smiling as she watches Franz indulge in a brief abandonment to play, Ayodele shakes her head when, after he has ceased swinging, he offers her his gloves, "Thank you, but I need them not, and am content here outside. Ayodele stands from the swing then, putting her hands into the pockets of her coat as she asks, What of you, Franz? Would you like to walk some more, or go somewhere inside? Or shall we call it a night, she asks with an amused twinkling in her dark eyes, so that we are left wanting more as, if I recall correctly, common wisdom advises be done?"
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Franz Delgrave
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Post by Franz Delgrave on Jan 28, 2015 3:35:37 GMT -8
Franz had looked at her with uncertainty for a moment when Ayodele stated, with truth, that their first engagement wasn't done at all and he had already suggested two others. The pool thing and the trek. Well then... Those things just came out naturally he guessed and he really did not have any apprehension in asking her for other meet ups. "I do believe that it is so, indeed." Franz smiled knowingly at the thought. Putting those thoughts to rest, at least for now, Franz listened attentively to what she was saying. She really sounded calm cool and collected, perhaps beyond her years, and he was welcoming her point of view and what she thought and how she expressed it. Deep inside of him, it moved him in a way, sure it was somewhat a philosophical talk but it really was a nice change, and it allowed him to get to know her more, and the more he seemed to find out more about her, the more he really was looking forward to potentially spend more time with her.
Looking up at her when she stood up from her swing, Franz chuckled and inclined his head before pocketing his gloves once more and he stood up from his own swing at the same time thinking about what they could do but her last statement, he knew that she was right about that, and he solely settled for inclining his head with a knowing smile. "Yes, we should probably call it a night." Although there was a certain reluctance in his voice, he knew that it was probably for the best, but then he slightly inclined his head on the side while he kept looking at her with a warm smile. "Would it be okay if I walked or drove you home?" Franz asked genuinely, any extra moments he could get this evening, he would certainly appreciate it plus, it would allow him to know where she actually lived, so he could pick her up at that location tomorrow for the said time she had provided him earlier.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 20:27:20 GMT -8
Nodding her head with a warm smile when Franz says that they should call an end to the evening, Ayodele says, "I have some errands yet to run, she leans in closely to confide, Swimming is not a pastime many engage in on Polus, and laughs before, gesturing towards the entrance to the park, saying in a light and teasing tone, But I will see that you reach your vehicle safely, Franz."
Once they arrive back in the city proper and to where Franz's vehicle is located, Ayodele says, "Tomorrow then," smiling before resting a hand on his shoulder and leaning forward to kiss first his left cheek and then his right, a somewhat formal farewell, but no less warm despite the fact that her lips, when brushing his cheeks, prove to be just as chilly as her hands. Waving as Franz departs, Ayodele turns when he has gone, joining with the ebb and flow of beings that still walk the city streets.
After her shopping is done, Ayodele returns to her apartment, an older and small, yet comfortably furnished dwelling. Having left nearly all that she had possessed when living on Polus behind her like the shed and discarded exoskeleton of an insect, Ayodele has yet to add any personal touches to what, as she knows that she may choose to move to a larger home when circumstances allow her to do so, may be only a temporary dwelling. Setting her purchases on a table beside the door, Ayodele pauses as she walks towards the small deck off of her equally small living room, stretching an arm out in front of her and examining her skin critically. Her normal skin tone is pale gray in hue, the darker tone it has now the product of a skin treatment she has used since her time on Polus began. While Ayodele is of a species with higher regenerative capabilities than most, her skin cells shed just as those of any other species do, and so the treatment must be reapplied regularly for her skin to maintain its present color. Letting her arm fall to her side, having judged that she has a few days more before she must treat her skin, Ayodele walks out onto her deck, looking out into the mist with a reflective expression. The need for subterfuge has always been a facet of her existence, and may always be even though the reasons for its necessity have changed, as she has changed, over the years stretching out behind her. That need for subterfuge has often led her to maintain a certain distance between herself and others, at least recently, as she measures time, as her views have evolved where others around her are concerned. Ayodele has already let Franz in further past her defenses than any other in quite some time, and she wonders if doing so is wise, or if she has allowed the lessons learned from her past to grow so faint that she risks repeating past mistakes. Turning from the view of the mist enshrouded city, resolving to advance cautiously and be on her guard for any signs that the past might repeat itself, Ayodele walks from the deck and into her apartment.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 12:13:32 GMT -8
The holonews the morning after the Jedi pay her and Lyov their little visit, succeeding only in so very kindly warning them of their suspicions, is full of the story that broke when the lawyer representing the survivors of the attack on Sike's estate made his entertaining little statement accusing Andros Vyridian of being the culprit. Clips of the various speeches that had been made are replayed and analysed endlessly, each time with some so-called expert in one field or another. Legal experts hold forth on the subject, prophesying what will happen if charges are made in the event the Vice Governor is stripped of his immunity. Alleged experts in the field of Force powers, none of whom possess such powers themselves Helaine notes with amusement, come forth to explain how the theory Andros used a doppleganger or Force phantom would work, or why it could not. Most amusing of all to Helaine is when one such expert suggests that the Vice Governor could have subconsciously created a doppleganger to act out his darker impulses without even being aware that he had done so. The flurry of speculation should keep the public occupied for days to come, and the accusations and conspiracy theories should linger even longer before dying down. Not that she and Lyov will let them die, of course. They will fan and feed the flames now and then as they pursue their agenda, waiting until the time is right to set the final phase of the plan in motion. For it is their plan now, the Jedi having made it difficult, for now, for Helaine to act against her Master. It is just as well, she thinks as she dresses for her day at the spa, let Lyov live to see his plan come to fruition so that he can die at her hand, or a hand directed by her, before being able to enjoy his victory long.
If she is concerned that she and Lyov have been placed under some form of surveillance, Helaine does not show it, for she is not concerned at all. If she will have to act as puppeteer now rather than partaking in the action, so be it, and there are many ways to make her puppets dance to her tune without anyone being the wiser. Taking one of their air-speeders into the city, making no effort to spot or lose any tail even though she knows ways to do such things, Helaine appears utterly carefree as she indulges in some clothes shopping, browses an art gallery, and then goes to TaSpa! at noon for a scheduled massage and other treatments. The bounty hunter should arrive shortly after her, neither immediately afterwards, nor so long after Helaine that they will not meet in the steam room as planned.
After her massage, Helaine reclines on a bench in the sauna that will allow her to see the bounty hunter before being seen, which will give her the time necessary to use the Force to alter her image to that of the Vice Governor. The power is not one requiring that she draw on the Dark side of the Force, minimizing if not entirely eliminating the chances that using it might somehow be detected, nor will she be using it long if all goes as planned. As she waits for the bounty hunter to arrive, naturally, Helaine focuses on keeping her Force presence buried, and on preparing herself mentally for altering her image when the time comes. There was nothing in the information about the bounty hunter that the twins at the floral shop had been able to provide to suggest that the bounty hunter is Force sensitive, but Helaine will need to be prepared to match her telepathic skills against those of the Mandalorian in the event that she might possess the means to try and see through her disguise.
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Lyov, too, will appear unphased by the previous day's meeting with the Jedi to any that might be watching. Like his apprentice, the prospect of being observed is no hindrance to him. Having acted so long only from behind the scenes, and having chosen a highly public role where he is often being scrutinized one way or another, the present circumstances represent, in the end, little change in the normal state of affairs. The invitation from Commissioner Niyol to play a round of greenputt was a surprise, and somewhat suspicious when Lyov would have guessed the Jedi woul have run to the UPD with their utterly unfounded suspicions and accusations, but to decline would be out of character, and so he takes an air-speeder to the greenputt course to meet the Kel Dor to see what he can learn from him. Arriving early, Lyov waits for the Commissioner in the course's club.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 20:31:45 GMT -8
Misty Valley Greenputt Course - Clubhouse
Lyov Entin may be a friend, but the fact that the Grandmaster of the Mist Order was obviously lying to him when saying that Lyov and Helaine were no longer of interest to the investigation did not sit well with Niyol, and so he decided to invite Lyov to a round of greenputt to see if he cannot get a better idea of what could have given rise to the Grandmaster's suspicions. Having spent most of the evening going over the information available about Lyov's past has given Niyol a few ideas about possible lines of inquiry he might explore to see if there could be something to the Grandmaster's suspicions, and since he is a cautious being Niyol also takes the precaution of making sure that there are plenty of beings that know where he'll be.
Setting his bag of clubs down outside the clubhouse, Niyol walks over to where Lyov is sitting, resting a clawed hand on his shoulder as he asks, Ready to take another beating? As they walk out to get their clubs, their custom being to walk the course rather than take a hovercart, Niyol, as blunt and unsubtle as Andros Vyridian in his own way, gets down to business rather than beat around the bush, asking, I understand you and Miss Orlov had a visit from the Mist Order yesterday? Lifting his bag onto a shoulder, Niyol watches Lyov from behind his goggles, interested in seeing the Epicanthix's reaction to the first question.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2015 6:09:46 GMT -8
Umgul City - Spaceport
Removing my helmet after setting my fighter down and powering its systems down, I stand and climb down the boarding ladder, groaning when I see my other me standing at the foot of the ladder, having thought that her absence from the cockpit after my landing meant I was free from her for at least a while.
"Oh dear. There's a bit more security here than when we, or I guess I should say you, were last here," my illusory twin observes, and I look around, seeing what she means; more armed UPD or customs officials are present than when last I was here, and their heightened vigilance is evident; no doubt a change inspired by recent events.
I remember not to reply out loud, sharing my thoughts with my other me only in my head. I hand my helmet to my other me, rolling my eyes when it falls through hands that, if she is only in my head once again rather than a true dopplegänger, possibly aren't even there to clatter on the floor.
"Sorry, my other me says with an apologetic shrug of her shoulders, You still need to work on coordinating your telekinesis with my actions I see. Practice and you'll get it yet. You'll have it down pat in no time I bet."
Thanking my other me silently, I bend down to retrieve my helmet and stand as two customs officials arrive. After my identification has been checked, I observe that my other me has gone, at least for now and sigh in relief. Telling Melanippe to handle the post flight procedures and then secure my fighter, I walk around to the rear storage compartment, lifting my life support box over my head so I can store it, my flak vest, and my helmet. Tchun, my left lekku, swings behind my back to curl its tip around my left hip as Tchin, my right, lifts onto my right shoulder and then curls over around the front of my neck so that its tip hangs over my left shoulder as I remove my flight bag from the storage compartment, and then walk to a restroom to change from my flight suit into my normal attire. After I have changed into the khaki pants and white undertunic with mandarin style collar, worn beneath a beige outer tunic with tabbards and sash, I pull on my dark brown leather belt over the sash, then my reddish brown leather boots. Pulling on my dark brown, ankle length, hooded outer robe with its sleeves tailored to be shorter than those of my tunic, I then put on my brown headband, braiding its leather strips around my lekku before hanging Eirene, my lightsaber, from my belt on my left hip, and then Foteini, my shoto, on a second clip above and to the right of my left hip. My robes hang off me slightly more loosely than usual, as I have yet to regain all the weight I lost while on Bimmisaarai, but at least I don't look anywhere near as frail or sickly as I had when Ael found me.
Checking that my comlink is in its pouch on my belt, I head back to my fighter to store my flight suit while debating whether to comm Atlantis now or simply show up at the academy unannounced. With all that has been happening on the holonews, I imagine that his day has been a stressful one, and wouldn't want to disturb him if, as I suspect, he has surrounded himself with his friends for the evening.
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Atlantis Vyridian
The Mist Order
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Affiliation: The Mist Order
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Post by Atlantis Vyridian on Jan 31, 2015 12:39:53 GMT -8
Spaceport
Atlantis had just left his brother's office without second thought at all and he knew that he pretty much had cut that conversation with Madieke. He also knew that she did not believe her, but in the end that did not matter at all. He had been faced with the fact before and several times already that people, outsiders, hardly believed him but fact remained, it wasn't going to alter his thoughts on the matter, and if all failed in the end, that would have been on him and people could tell him that he was wrong.
Simple.
Getting to the spaceport was easy enough especially with the mist covering him constantly, Atlantis found himself into the heavily armed spaceport with high security. Usually Atlantis wore his red leather duster but not today, and certainly not this instant, instead he had chosen to outfit himself with entirely black clothing and he was still missing a lightsaber, but that did not matter considering that Elika needed the Kasha crystal more than him, he knew that the fact had blown all over him but it no longer mattered, he had played his game and got burned in the process, but he will never stop at all.
Now he was finding him right in front of fighter with two custom officers still inspecting the transport and even still holding on the person's identification. "Enough," Atlantis said as he lifted his hand and asked for the person's IDs, Atlantis looked at he custom officer and inclined his head before leaning over to whisper something to the person before both have saluted and took their leave. Turning to face the newly arrival, Atlantis saw her for the first time, it seemed like this had been the first time he had seen her again and even heard from her again. She looked different.
"Serrin..." Atlantis said softly out of relief, out of happiness, he was just glad, happy to see that she was fine, and that the rumors of her death were unfounded because she was here, on the planet he had sworn to protect although now, who really was protecting him from its people and more importantly who was going to protect Andros from the so called crimes he had committed, which were ridiculous because Andros has not used the Force in a while now. Despite everything occurring on the planet, Atlantis smiled genuinely, it was the first time that very evening. Atlantis was torn between staying his ground right now and hugging her, but he said what the heck, he just moved in her direction and crouched a bit to hug her affectionately, or at least if he was successful he hugged her affectionately and just released her entirely before looking at her with a noticeable relieved smile.
"Sorry about that. But when I heard what happened to you, just whispers really, I did not believe it. I was even asked to revoke your immediate landing clearance but I did not, which is a good thing considering that you are here, alive." Atlantis had an amused grin on the corner of his lips, he knew that they had a lot to talk about and he wouldn't even be surprised that she knew what had been happening here but whatever, she was alive and he was glad for that.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2015 14:53:59 GMT -8
All Neassa had been given was the time of her appointment at the spa, and the information that whoever she will be working for will meet her after her massage in the steam room, making it impossible to do any advance scouting of the actual meeting place as Neassa prefers. The steam room is, on the other hand, exceedingly unlikely to be monitored in any fashion, all but eliminating the threat of the meeting being monitored. The trade off isn't a bad one, not that Neassa has much of a choice in the matter. Things should be more clear once she meets with her mysterious employer.
Pulling her damp, waist length brown hair up into a bun after the massage and shower that follows it, Neassa puts on the robe she was provided for wearing in the steam room and steps out of the shower room to be taken to the steam room. The steam billowing around the room when she steps inside makes it difficult at first to see whether she has arrived first, so Neassa starts making her way for a bench facing the doors while scanning the other benches in the room casually to see if any are occupied.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2015 16:27:44 GMT -8
Umgul City - Spaceport
Returning the hug that Atlantis gives me, I pat his back gently and smile warmly up at him when he stands back up after releasing me from the hug. Arching the thin ridge of muscle over my left eye after he says that he had not believed the rumors I am sure abounded after I had disappeared, going so far as to maintain the clearance codes he might otherwise have revoked, I say in an amused tone to make light of the whole affair to avoid it becoming a focal point for now, "It's fortunate for me that you don't believe everything you hear then, isn't it? I pause, considering whether to broach the reasons I have come or to leave it for another time. I am touched that Atlantis seems relieved to learn that I am, as he suspected despite rumors to the contrary, alive, and even with the troubling events that have brought me here find that I am glad to see him again, and especially glad to see that, aside from a hint of tiredness in his eyes, he seems to holding up well enough. I've seen the news, I say, letting him know that I am aware of what is happening while letting him decide whether or not he wants to go into the matter now or at another time. Tchin, my right lekku, uncurls from around the front of my neck and slides from my shoulder to drape behind my back as I stand on tiptoe to clasp his forearm supportively and say, Whatever you or your brother need," to let him know that I have come to lend whatever aid he may need. With the Mist Order being implicated in the absurd accusations being made, an outside investigator's perspective could help undo any damage that the accusations may have on the reputations of the Mist Order and Andros; provided I can help uncover the true culprit or culprits.
Turning, I hope, to more pleasant topics, I ask, "How are Crystal, and your other friends? Lifting a hand and gesturing with a smile towards the exit from the landing berth I had been assigned, I suggest, Why don't we find a place to sit? Have a caf or tea perhaps? Frowning, realizing my unannounced arrival may in fact be keeping Atlantis from more important matters or other engagements, I ask, Or is not not a convenient moment for catching up? I was hoping to take you up on the invitation to stay at your academy while I am here, so, assuming that invitation still stands, we could meet there tomorrow instead perhaps?"
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Atlantis Vyridian
The Mist Order
Posts: 702
Affiliation: The Mist Order
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Post by Atlantis Vyridian on Jan 31, 2015 17:11:36 GMT -8
Spaceport
"What can I say? I often follow my guts." Atlantis said softly, he truly was relieved to see her here, although it made him wonder what she had gone through really that whole time she was uncounted for. She really did seem good all things considering and he probably looked like crap right about now. It was undeniable that the events had taken a toll on him, because those accusations were clearly ridiculous, it all came down to Andros being framed for something he did not do, and now Atlantis was being accused of trying to cover that up. And so she knew...
Atlantis wasn't surprised by that, it was transmitted high and low everywhere in Umgul anyways, and anyone approaching the planet could hear those frequencies on how Andros and Atlantis Vyridian were accused of murder for one and covering it up for the other. Really perfect, and also he still had that problem with people not believing him at all, at least those that he is supposed to work with. But in the need and want to just move along, Atlantis looked at Serrin and nodded, he'd actually take her up on that offer of hers. Any help now was really something that he was going to need, to think that earlier he had been thinking of contacting some Academies around the galaxy for some extra help since there was nothing he could do now, how he had found immediately who might have been the real culprit was out.
"I'll actually take you up on that offer." Atlantis said with a faint smile although he felt a little guilty for that fact, she had just arrived and already she was offering her assistance, maybe she was exhausted and maybe she had traveled to this place from a far away planet, Atlantis did not know but all he knew right now was that he felt guilty and she had just arrived and she perhaps should probably rest first before diving straight onto that matter.
Atlantis briefly rubbed the root of his nose and looked up momentarily before sighing softly. "Wait," Atlantis started to say as he looked at her guiltily. "You have just arrived and I am happy, that goes without saying, but you must be exhausted too." He looked at her thoughtfully, Atlantis did not know what she had been through, though he was curious to find out, he did not want to actually pressure her. "Crystal and the others are great, would you like to come with me and see them?" He offered genuinely as they started to make their way out of the spaceport but on his way out, he gestured for an officer to come closer and requested to have an airspeeder driven by someone or not, Atlantis did not care, he'd adapt to the situation.
"Of course the invitation still stands, just like your landing clearance does, why would I even revoke such things?" He asked her in an attempt of a joke, but he felt that it just went through the drain right now, so he looked at her for a moment waiting to see what she wanted to do to begin with, if she was going to come with him to see Crystal, or he could just let Crystal know that he was held up and he would explain as soon as possible. "By the way..." Atlantis started to say before he closed his eyes momentarily as he reached out to the Force and just lock onto Serrin exclusively, so he could address her privately through the Force. Crystal knows how to heal now and even manages to conceal her presence from time to time, and she does fine with the core powers. Atlantis smiled, after all it was Serrin that had started to teach Crystal back then and he just looked at the Twi'lek Master Jedi with a knowing and grateful smile. Atlantis focused his attention onto the airspeeder brought for him, and he decided on the spot that he would be piloting to wherever Serrin wished really.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2015 19:39:31 GMT -8
Umgul City - Spaceport
I smile with a nod when Atlantis says that he often follows his intuition, considering briefly advising him gently that one needs to balance what their guts tell intuitively them with what their heads might perceive from a more logical vantage point, but quickly discard the notion; having fallen prey to heeding my gut before my head, and paid the price, I believe I am in no position to advise others on the perils of following their intuition rather than logic, especially when other guts may not be as flawed in their intuitions as mine proved to be. "Good, I tell Atlantis when he says that he accepts my offer, frowning playfully up at him and jesting, It would have been rather embarrassing to have come all this way only to find that my help was not wanted or needed after all."
Nodding when Atlantis asks me to wait, I then shake my head when he indirectly asks if I am so tired from my journey here that I need to rest immediately, smiling warmly as I reassure him, "Not too tired to visit with friends I've not seen in far too long. One of the advantages of having an astromech that has been left socketed in a fighter long enough that it may as well be a part of the ship is that the bond between droid and ship is so strong and complete that Melanippe can handle the piloting while we're only in hyperspace, allowing me to doze off now and then without any great concern. So long as you don't feel it would be an intrusion, it would be nice to Crystal and the others, yes."
Laughing when he asks rhetorically why he would have revoked either his invitation or the clearance codes he had given me, I shrug my shoulders as we begin making our way to the speeder Atlantis had requested be provided for his use, saying, "I suppose it was an unnecessary question, true. Forgive me. Nodding after Atlantis has telepathically informed me of Crystal's progress since I had seen her last, I smile and maintain the connection he had forged between our minds so I can convey to him that I am glad to hear of her advancements in her abilities to work with and through Ashla, and to hear that she and the others are all well, the current situation notwithstanding. Assuming that Atlantis will want to handle the piloting, I sit in the passenger seat as I ask aloud, Tell me, aside from the obvious, what other news have I missed since last I was here?" There will be time to discuss the events in the holonews, and to plan how me might go about dealing with them, and so I hope that focusing on potentially more pleasant subjects will provide some relief, however temporary, for Atlantis as well as me, my own concerns something I welcome the chance to set aside for a time.
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Atlantis Vyridian
The Mist Order
Posts: 702
Affiliation: The Mist Order
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Post by Atlantis Vyridian on Feb 1, 2015 2:17:55 GMT -8
Spaceport
"Actually, your timing couldn't have been more perfect." Atlantis told her with a faint grin, her arrival and her offer for assistance was a welcoming one especially with what he had planned to do earlier. "Earlier I was thinking of contacting a few people from some academies, or conclaves. Mainly Honoghr and Felucia, since I know there are presences there of Jedi group, to seek some help." Atlantis knew it was a long shot to begin with but he was hoping that people would come to his aid in a way. "I am already too close to this case, and I am being labeled as someone wanting to cover up the crimes that my brother has not committed." He was probably explaining something she already knew but his point still stood one way or the other. "So I do need others with an external point of view, and I do not want to influence you already, so whatever I do know, forgive me, but I'd rather keep it for myself right now." Sure, Atlantis acted on instinct, impulsively perhaps, and it might have blown on his face, but whatever he thought and whatever he felt right now, he couldn't be more certain of those things.
Atlantis smiled warmly when she took him up on the offer to come with him to visit Crystal, he knew for a fact that his girlfriend would be happy to seeing Serrin, they did start on creating a certain bond from what Atlantis remembered, and they used to keep in touch from time to time back either through him, when he had gone to Corellia once and even to Roon, that seemed like a long time ago, but those moments were fun memories and not taxing moments at all, especially when he and Serrin had been accompanying the one who used to be the Vice Chancellor, Nidawi. "Crystal will be happy to see you, that much I can tell you." Atlantis said sincerely as he got into the speeder to actually pilot the craft, Serrin could take a break, since after all she had been piloting her fighter, from wherever.
Smirking playfully and then looking at her to let her know that apologies were unnecessary for this case, Atlantis nodded to convey that he got that loud and clear definitely as he started to fire up the airspeeder engines and lifting the transport up in the air, he kept it there momentarily in suspension. "Our Academy has obviously been completed, we more or less have fifty learners, although I would imagine that sooner or rather than later, that number is going to dwindle down." Atlantis explained, he did send during the weekends, the learners back home if they were local, not really something that most did but then again, he preferred to give them a certain liberty so to speak. "And I am sure you have noticed that security has increased around this place, also Andros has been working on a lot of things to make the people's lives easier." Atlantis explained before grabbing something from his pocket, since he remember taking that from the custom officer but did not return Serrin's identification earlier. "This is yours, sorry I did not mean to hold on to it." Atlantis told her sincerely, after all he had just one thought and one thought only earlier and that had been to hug her.
"Oh and no one knows about what you and I have just spoken about." Atlantis told Serrin as he pointed to his temple, he knew that she would understand that he was referring to Crystal and her abilities were still hidden up to this day except to some of course. "Closest friends know, of course, one of her brothers who is currently here, and us." He explained with a knowing smile before pausing a moment and looking briefly back at Serrin to ask if she wanted to know anything else, soon after that, Atlantis started to maneuver the airspeeder, avoiding all dense areas, in the direction of the lakehouse.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2015 5:54:57 GMT -8
Laughing at Niyol’s optimism concerning the outcome of their game, Lyov follows the Kel Dor outside to collect their clubs. Frowning as though more disturbed by the memory of the visit from the Jedi than he truly is, Lyov nods and says, “We did, unsurprised that the Commissioner has heard of the Jedi’s trip to his home, and mistakenly assuming that they have shared their suspicions with Niyol. Given that the Kel Dor all possess some degree of telepathy, even those that are not Force sensitive, they use to communicate with one another, neither Lyov nor Helaine have ever attempted to sway Niyol in any way, relying on their natural charm to gain his friendship. While it could be beneficial to try and read the Kel Dor’s mind now, Lyov prefers to leave little chance and feels the risks of Niyol detecting any attempt to do so outweigh the possible benefit, and so relies only on his observations to try and gauge whether the Jedi have succeeded in convincing the Commissioner of their suspicions. It was an unsettling visit, Lyov says, adopting a concerned expression, They seem to have come to the absurd conclusion that Helaine and I are somehow involved in that mess that is all over the holonews. Setting his bag down as they reach the first hole, Lyov takes a ball, a tee, and a driver from his bag as he says in a perplexed tone, I can’t imagine what led them to the idea,” leaving it at that for now since he feels protesting too much would arouse suspicion, and ideally inviting Niyol to reveal any additional information he might have about what led the Jedi to arrive at their suspicons.
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Neassa will not need to look long before determining that she is not alone in the steam room, and Helaine, having assumed the guise of Andros when hearing her approach, leaning forward to make her presence more easily known, scowls as she addresses the bounty hunter she recognizes from the description she had been provided, and using the alias the woman is operating under, in the brusque manner she feels suits the Vice Governor’s typical social skills, “Reyer is it? Not asking a question so much as letting the bounty hunter know that she has found who she is here to meet, Helaine gestures towards the bench opposite hers and takes a datacard from the pocket of her robe and tosses it towards Neassa as, forgoing any unnecessary civilities, she says, Three locations. Your first task will be to recon all of them. I want to know what kind of security is in place, how many guards, where they are usually stationed, how they’re armed. Everything. Details on your payments, and where and how to send your reports to me are on there as well.”
Pausing to see if the woman has questions, Helaine stands as though readying to leave once they have concluded their discussion. The woman does not seem to be a Force sensitive, Helaine observes while attempting to sense any presence Neassa has in the Force, though she knows it could be concealed. Helaine also watches for any signs of Neassa recognizing her current form, her plans not requiring that she knows who Andros, or his twin as the two might be confused by someone unfamiliar with them, is. If the bounty hunter is as skilled as her reputation suggests, there is little need to worry about her being captured, but she shares Lyov’s habits where planning for the unexpected is concerned, and would rather Neassa not know who she is actually working for just as she would not be displeased if the bounty hunter were captured when she would claim to have been hired by the Vice Governor, or possibly his twin, provided of course that the woman has watched the holonews at all since arriving on Umgul and would even recognize who Helaine is impersonating at all.
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