The Mandalorian and the Princess [Kaleb, Reine, and Ava] (Closed)

[rythmicjea]

Reine — 05/27/2021
As soon as she could, Reine turned and practically sprinted to her room. She threw her coin purse, her handwoven, hand embroidered, lovingly made by her mother coin purse with a frustrated screech before wedging herself between the wall and her bed. Something she would do when she was little when she wasn't allowed to act out. It was comforting in a way. She was small, contained, protected, in her little nook. She didn't notice the Mandalorian on the other side of the room. Or she just didn't care.

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
Kaleb had been sitting in quiet meditation. It was something he had been taught from a young age. Away to center one's self especially before what could be a difficult task. He couldn't help but Reine as she came in, unlike the Jedi he wasn't able to put himself in such a deep meditation that nothing bothered him. "What's wrong?" he asked her.

Reine — 05/27/2021
Reine snorted very unladylike. "Do you really want to know?" Her thick outlander accent filled with incredulity. No one really cared about what anyone else thought. It was all games of politeness. Why was she running away again? Had it only been a day? One day. That was all it took to turn her very comfortable life upside down.

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"I wouldn't have asked, if I didn't want to know." he told her. Kaleb wasn't wearing the helmet or the bracers and gloves. Even with the controlled environment in the room, wearing that thing was hot.

Reine — 05/27/2021
Reine took a breath and it felt like all of the air left her lungs as her shoulders slumped and a silent tear threatened to fall "I don't know what I am doing here."

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"I thought it was because you wanted to be able to have the ability to choose, instead of having things chosen for you." he said. At least that was the general gist of how he understood what she had told him on the Shadow.

Reine — 05/27/2021
She smirked. She opened up freely to a stranger. And now she was playing mind games acting like she wanted to be left alone when really she just wanted to spill every dark secret. No matter how harsh or offensive it may be. "'But at what cost? I treated like dirt. Called a slave, an animal. Porquoi? Because of how I speak? And now I am about to steal a baby?! Is this what freedom costs?" She slapped her hand against the wall. The thud was satisfying. She peered over the bed at him. She saw the sweat dripping down his temple. Why did he torture himself so?

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"We aren't stealing a baby, we're rescuing him." Kaleb told her. At least that what it sounded like to him. But with Nova you never knew what was going on.

Reine — 05/27/2021
She inwardly sighed. Boys. That wasn't her point. "I do not know how you are treated everywhere you go. But I am treated like an outsider. Even in my own tribe. I do not look like them. I am an outsider to them. But because they raised me and I follow their language and their tradition and because of that I am an outsider to the people I am from. And then I have to deal with Ava." The disgust rang in her voice at the name. How on earth did this girl survive for the forty years she was alive? How has she just been handed everything and learned* nothing ?

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"Yes I know how you feel. Among my people, at least the ones were I come from, I don't exist to them." he told her. All because if father and grandfather were more honorable than the rest of the clan. But now he was wondering if he had a chance to change that in the here and now.

Reine — 05/27/2021
"Why do you not exist to them?" Classic deflection.

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"My grandfather and father did something that the rest of the clan didn't agree with. When they wouldn't submit, they and the immediate family were banished." he told her. He had never seen Mandalore, though he was aware of it's condition in both realities. But to make matters worse he had never seen the clan's ancestral home of Krownest.

Reine — 05/27/2021
"You were banished? But were you not just a child?"

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"I wasn't even born when it happened." he told her. There was pain and anger in his voice as he told her that fact.

Reine — 05/27/2021
There were a thousand questions running through her mind. Most notably why he decided to follow a path from a planet he had never been to. But... she didn't. At least she wouldn't yet. "I am sorry. To not know your ancestral home must be very painful."

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"Yeah well, that's part of being a Mandalorian. Enduring pain is part of the way." he told her.

Reine — 05/27/2021
The warriors of her tribe had something similar. Rights of passage and endurance trials. They all came out changed in one form or another. And none spoke of what they were given. No one ever knew if it was the same or different. "And the pain? You like it?"

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"No. You get used to it, and push yourself beyond it in order to get the job done." he told her. Thousands of hours of training in the martial traditions of the Mandalorian people. Traditions that have been forgotten by many of his people where he was from.

Reine — 05/27/2021
"How do you do it?"

Kaleb Wren — 05/27/2021
"Do what?" he asked not sure exactly what she was talking about.

Reine — 05/27/2021
"Make it not hurt?" Reine picked at a cuticle. A terrible habit her mother tried to break her of. Reine assured herself that it was okay because she wasn't biting it.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
Kaleb looked at her. "It's not about making it not hurt." he told her. "It's about being to take whatever is thrown at you and you keep pushing forward."

Reine — 05/28/2021
Reine did not like that mentality. Even her tribe's greatest warriors didn't live baby that creed. It sounded unnecessarily painful and tedious. "I do not like that." She said simply. @Kaleb Wren

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"That's why The Way isn't for everyone." he told her. @Reine

Reine — 05/28/2021
"You speak funny words." He sounded like the elders of her tribe. Using funny phrases that were supposed to be insightful and wise that the younger generation didn't understand and wouldn't until later in life.

Manipulation was a good skill to have. But it wasn't Reine's proudest. See how easy it was to shift the attention off of her and onto the young Mando?

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
He took a deep breath. "So what you have to decide is if the reasons you left your family is worth the pain your feeling now." he told her. "You need to decide, if the pain you will go through in the future as you learn new truths will be worth it or not. Like I'm learning right now."

Reine — 05/28/2021
"You know what it is like to be a stranger among your people, and a stranger to everyone else. Today..." The events from the past few hours were still fresh. The camps, the racism from not only the security guards but by the other girls. Nova was the only one who seemed to support her. But how long would that last? Her relationship was stronger with Ava than someone she had just met. Rightfully so! She sighed.

"I have always been safe in my tribe. At school I was ridiculed and insulted simply because of my tribal association. It was naive of me to think that I would be treated any differently.

"My people... They are caged. They are forced into filth and squalor simply because of our ancestry." Reine snorted disdainfully with a smirk. "No one, Not Ava, Nova, or Tesara, asked me about the political landscape of this place. They expected me to pretend to be a slave of my own volition! They did not think for one moment that I may be uncomfortable with that. That there is a world that exists outside of them! But no. I am called names and belittled for being forced to even pretend to adhere to these raciste pictograms!" *She was on a roll now. The floodgates were open and it would be hard to close them.

Reine struggled a bit, her wide shoulders and muscular thighs making it a little hard to get out of her space. When she was free, she popped out like a little wind up doll. "And do you know that Ava tried to strike me? Nova stopped her. Because it was wrong. Even if that disgusting taxi driver said he was fine with it. But do you know why Ava swiped at me?" *Reine's blue eyes blazed with anger but the tears she had been keeping at bay were starting to fill them. "Because she thinks I am that slave! She thinks she has the right to do it!"

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
Kaleb didn't say anything at first. He took in what she was telling him. He wished he had some answers, but he didn't. He didn't know much about the pasts of the others, mainly because he had kept a distance from them as he observed them.  Ava from what he could tell had been educated at one of the Imperial Academies. And he as seen how easily she seems to fit in with the elites of this reality.

Nova, like himself, kept to herself a lot. From what he was able to observe the only person she was really close to was Ava. But the fact that she had threatened Lysire, and so easily made friends with Reine made him wonder about her intentions.

Then there was Tesara, she was probably the most innocent of the women on the ship, the most naive. He knew she had a good heart. But to him it seemed as if there were times she waited for answers from others. Yes a person needed all the information possible, but they also needed the will to act. Kaleb wondered if the Jedi teachings were keeping her from ascerting herself more.

"You're right. What the Republic did here was wrong? What the elite are doing here is wrong. What do you think should be done about the problems here?" he asked her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"They need to leave my people alone!" She spat before realizing that he was siding with her. It was a completely new feeling. She leaned against the wall, her head resting back. "Why is it so hard for people to respect others? Why must we be put in little boxes and shunned and ridiculed when we aren't until we do? To Ava and the people here, my education means nothing. My life experience? Nullement. Pourquoi? Because I am not like them. But those of my ancestors, who look like them with the darkened skin and narrow eyes? Even if they grow up here they are still seen as... Animals." *Her voice grew dark at that word remembering how the security officer leered at her and her tribal sister.

"Why is it so hard for people to simply respect each other? But why is it on me and my people to be the example in the face of adversity that is not going to change?"

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
Kaleb seemed to stare off to nowhere. "My grandfather once told me. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." he told her. "I always wondered what he meant about that. I think I'm finally beginning to understand."

Reine — 05/28/2021
"Your grandfather is wise." Softly she moved to her bed and sat down across from him in a similar fashion. Without the makeup and adornments Reine looked very much her age. Big ideas and dreams threatening to burst out of her but not knowing how to let it. While she loved her tribal makeup and accoutrements there was something freeing about being at her base. "I do not know how to get through to them. I don't think I will ever be able to make Ava understand. But maybe Nova and Tesara. Tesara is like... She likes information.. She takes all she can have. But when it is time to act upon it? Poof!" She waved her hands in the air like a soft explosion. Her eyes followed her fingers as they landed in her lap. "My family has found me, and I cannot go back." Her voice was soft and low. Timid. Unlike her curious self in the cockpit. There was a fear Reine was trying to keep restrained.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
Kaleb nodded in understanding. "All they know right now is that you are some where in this city. It was probably when your chain code was reactivated." he surmised.  "You should be safe for a little while. Hopefully we'll be out of here before they become an issue for you." he told her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"It wasn't reactivated. They disabled it. They are trying to trap me here." Or the Republic is... but unless they did a full sweep of all Premiers it would be impossible for them to know she was there.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"I thought all of you went to the admin office to get all that taken care of?" he asked her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
Reine chuckled angrily. "That is where I officially became Ava's slave." She sneered the the last word. Again proving that she had no say in what happened nor was it requested.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"So something must have happened with your id." Kaleb said as he stood up and paced a bit as he tried to think about what could have happened. He had seen this before, the Empire would track people through their chain codes. Use it to send ISB agents after them, or if none were close enough bounty hunters. "Your family probably flagged your chain code. When the attempt was made to reactivate it, they received an alert telling them you were in this city. At least that's my guess." he told her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"No one tried to reactivate it." She said plainly. It was easy to want to think the best of your friends, but facts didn't lie.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"Are you sure? It's the only thing that makes sense, unless they have another way of tracking you." he said. "Quick check your things!"

OOC: I think we're going to need rolls to see if we find anything. @TheTraveler do you want some rolls, if so what type?

Reine — 05/28/2021
"I am sure. We went to the temple they swiped my chain code and saw that it was invalid. Then we went to the big building and told Ava to fill out some forms and that was it. There was no discussion about how I would feel or who I would like to be."

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"What did you have with you at the temple, and then again this morning?" he asked her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
Reine looked at him confused. "Just my coin purse..." She pointed to it where it had landed when she threw it on the bed.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"Check it, take it apart if you have to and see if there is anything in it that doesn't belong." he told her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
Reine opened the claw clasp and opened the drawstring before dumping out the contents of the bag.
( @TheTraveler Do I need to roll to see what's inside?)

TheTraveler — 05/28/2021
@Reine@Kaleb Wren
Both of you make a search check please

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
@TheTraveler should we do that here or from our characters?

TheTraveler — 05/28/2021
Here is fine



TheTraveler — 05/28/2021
Both good rolls. Too bad though, neither of you find anything out of the ordinary
@Reine @Kaleb Wren  carry on

Reine — 05/28/2021
In Reine's purse are several high denomination credits, a few cosmetics, some scraps of paper, and what look like bobbles to someone outside of her tribe.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"Alright everything looks normal." He said as he looked at the items. "It means that whatever you decide to do with your future, you aren't going to want to stick around this city for to long. If you are going to this dinner and helping us, it may be best if you leave with us. Then once we meet the ones we're supposed to take the baby to you'll have a chance to go elsewhere if you want." he said giving her the option to do whatever she wanted to do.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"There is only one problem."

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"What's that?" he asked her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"Without help, I cannot leave. I either have to go back with my family or... I am trapped here on the run and unable to carve out a life for myself. This is what Ava did. And she does not care." She smiled sadly. The idiocy and the selfishness was at a level that Reine never thought she would experience.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"That's something we can take care of later after we rescue the child." he told her. "I can only solve one problem at a time and that's the more immediate one. "Didn't you secure passage off world from Ava?" he asked her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"I doubt it is as secure as it might have been before."

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"I haven't seen Ava ever renig on a job she accepted." he told Reine. "Is there a reason you think that may not happen?" he asked her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"A reason why she would not take me on passage?" She raised an eyebrow.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
He nodded in the affirmative. "Have you paid for the passage already?" he asked her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"I haven't paid anyone! I have tried!" She held out some credits, unsure of how much to offer. "S'il vous plait!"

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"Well that's something you will need to resolve. I recommend you do that at your earliest convenience." he told her. "Do you really want to involve yourself with us? As you know, we're not exactly on the Republic's favorite citizen's list." he told her.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"Well, who do I pay for the trip here?"

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"Well, we'll consider that a special circumstance since it was an emergency and you got here on the Shadow." he told her.
"Plus you're helping to rescue a little boy before he can be killed. I think that earns you some credit on your trip." he added with a smile

Reine — 05/28/2021
"I suppose..." Reine started to put the items back in her sac. She lingered on the little bobbles. One being a tiny yarn doll said to ward off evil spirits. So much good that had done her so far.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"I've seen something like that before. We were told that they ward off evil spirits." he said as he watched her looking at the doll.

Reine — 05/28/2021
Reine nodded "Ma Mamie made it for me when I was a little girl. I have carried it everywhere with me. It is like she is here...'  She discretely wiped a tear away.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"Then perhaps it has been doing it's job." he told her. "Maybe that's why we crossed paths, to make sure you were saved." he suggested. Though in truth he wasn't sure about that. Hell he wasn't sure about the whole force thing. But he had seen to much lately to disregard it.

Reine — 05/28/2021
"Perhaps. But I am not so sure how safe I am." Reine looked up at him with an unreadable expression.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
"Well as long as you're with us, I'll keep you as safe as I can." he promised.

Ava Forma — 05/28/2021
Ava walks up and knocks on their door "Reine, can I speak to you please." She spoke as nice as possible
@Kaleb Wren @Reine

Reine — 05/28/2021
Reine swallowed thickly. His chocolate eyes were like dark pools of light. She held his gaze until the knock from Ava broke the tension. Quickly wiping her cheeks, and softly clearing her throat, she quickly put the rest of her items back into her coin purse.

Kaleb Wren — 05/28/2021
Kaleb waited and watched as Reine wiped her cheeks and all in all did her best to get herself together. When he was sure she was ready he walked over to the door and opened it for Ava. He stepped to the side in order to let her into the room.

[rythmicjea]

Ava Forma — 05/28/2021
"Reine" Ava spoke trying to keep her words soft. "I wanted to speak with you cause you are so important to our mission." As she softly spoke.

"Can we speak?" She looked at Kaleb "you can stay, I don't mind"

Reine — 05/28/2021
Reine stood and moved closer to the window, keeping distance between her and Ava. But, she nodded at Kaleb indicating that it was okay for her to come in. "Oui?"

Ava Forma — 05/28/2021
Ava nodded with a smile, "you know we are not too different. We were both born into wonderful and strong households." She is trying to be friendly. "Did you know my father was a great war hero. He even met the Emperor." She looked down, "its kind of hard growing up in that shadow and that isn't even speaking about my mother."

She looked up to Reine, "I know you didn't care how I felt when you called me incompetent. But it hurt and no its not the truth." She moved slightly to be more comfortable. "And what I have said was wrong too. But we need to work together if we are to save this little boy. I can't do this without you. And we all have our parts to play. Tesara, Nova, even me. Tonight you will hear me say things and act in ways that are not me. Like you saw at the mall, this isn't who I really am." Hoping Reine would understand.

Reine — 05/28/2021
Reine held her head high and held her hands together in front of her. She was poised and picturesque, even in the terrible garb they had put her in. Though she did not have Ava's height, the distance allowed them to look one another in the eye. Ava was right about the little boy. A child should not have to suffer - not at anyone's expense. Ava was right, she didn't care that her insult had hurt her. It was the truth for as far as she could see and the actions of that day only solidified this belief. She let Ava say her piece without interruption and mulled over her words. She let the silence linger almost too long. "You say that I do not know you. But you have not showed me the person you believe yourself to be. From the moment that we met you have seen me as competition. I do not know why. I could have been anyone."

Her speech was more direct, aristocratic. It was practiced and even and her words were well thought out. She took great care in what she said. "You say that we are not so dissimilar. But, you have taken my incomprehension of a local colloquialism as an opportunity to treat me as a child who knows nothing of the world that she lives. You are upset that I called you incompetent. If I were in your shoes, I would be as well and rightfully so. But I would also take it as an opportunity to understand why someone would hurl such insults. What were my actions to cause such vitriol against me? You ask for my repentance but offer none for yourself. I can only imagine it is because you do not know what you have done that would require you to offer such a sacrifice. And that is where the problem between us lies."

The sun shifted behind her from midday to afternoon haloing her blonde hair. "You make such claims about your family. With that I can empathize. However, you mention an Emperor? I know of no Emperor. Your name carries weight but it is within circles that I am unfamiliar and you seem to have appeared out of thin air. These are all things that must be discussed if we are to find common ground. But, you are correct, there is a little boy that needs our help. I have offered myself to aid you in this task and I am not one to... how you say? Reneg on a commitment. So I will help you.

"But I wish to make one thing very clear. I never intended to bring you any harm until it seemed like it was my only recourse. I only had the utmost respect for one of the women who aided in trying to save my life, until she did her best to show me that it was not warranted. I do not say these things to cause you pain. But you are not innocent. And it is only when you accept this truth that we can work on mending the bridge between us." Her voice held no malice or anger, it did not rise with the emotions welling within her, and her misty eyes had gone dry with a practiced strength. It would be easy to pretend that the events of the day had happened weeks or months ago instead of hours. But the damage that had been done would need to be mended before any healing could occur and it would need to be a conscientious effort on all parties involved to salvage the destruction.

[rythmicjea]

Ava Forma — 05/29/2021
Ava listened carefully as if for her this had shifted from a petty squabble to a military solution. She remembered the teachings of her mother. A foremost leader in Imperial tactics and military doctrines, but more importantly, prize pupil of Grand Moff Tarkin himself. She let out a soft mental sigh as she as there once more hidden in the shadows of her parents.

"You speak of mending bridges," Ava spoke using her best military officer voice. Her slight accent slipping. An accent she had done her best to hide over the years. Fore it spoke too much of who her parents were than who she really was. "I agree that this must happen. But first we must be honest with each other. You speak of not desiring harm, yet our first actual conversation you inflicted harm and took joy in it.” her lips bent down slightly as she spoke. “You claimed my actions are at cause for this harm," Ava said with a slight nod. And here it was, the moment she needed to help this girl understand how their first encounter shaped everything that happened afterward.

"I tried to be friendly. I put my neck out for you with Kaleb’s ship and crew. I tried to explain to you my schooling and my weakness in piloting. And for this you claim my actions are at heart of your petty incompetent comment.” Ava frowned as she spoke, “I did my best to not allow this to affect me, but in that, I did fail. I am glad you understand that I was rightfully angry. What started as a mere misunderstanding in explanations via a conversation. You exploded into this petty rivalry between us."

"I will not go event by event any further," She spoke with an authority that even surprised herself. She sounded more like her mother than the woman she wanted to be. "I will however disarm this rivalry once and for all. I am not going to hold any actions prior to this moment against you. You speak of repentance, though you misunderstand me, again. I do not seek your regret nor remorse. But you are right, I offer none myself. I only show you how your actions has led us here." she allowed the words to linger between them just long enough.

“This is where we are now,” Ava said as a matter of fact. “The rivalry is over. I hold nothing more against you at this point. You were never competition to me,” Ava made a point to ensure that was known for all those around her. Her voice was stern but soft trying to remind friendly as possible. “Rather you wish to accept that, or not is not my problem,” with that the last of Ava’s points were made.

“I spoke of roles we have to play. Your role is before you. It is not a role I choose for you. It is a role that was the only one you could fill. Rather you like it or not, that is where you are. Your world is torn between factions. You were clearly born to one but raised by another. Outcast by both.” Ava explained. “Anyone can see that. Which is why, I took you in. Cause I know the world you were fleeing, but more importantly, I know the world you were running headlong in to.”

“Reine, you will never be accepted in some of the circles we, I, must operate in. And we must operate in those circles if we are to save your world,” Ava spoke with a sense of forbiddingness.

And there it was, Ava felt. The point of no return. Her eyes shifted to Kaleb and she knew it. Ava knew that she had to take a side in this war. This was not her Empire, nor were these the Jedi of her father’s journals. It was her birthright to help save these people. And she would, if for nothing else, then to bring honor to her Empire and her Emperor. She gave him a slight nod, and her eyes told the story. She was committed to this war if he would have her. Her eyes returned to Reine.

“You have a choice Reine, you can join me,” she said plainly and as a matter of a fact. “Or you can run from your world and your people.” Ava gave Reine a soft nod, “if you choose the latter, you have my word, I will provide you transportation off this world and to the next closest world.” She held up a finger, “After you help us rescue this baby.”

Lowring her hand, “if you choose to join us, join me, then you have my word as well, we begin a new from this moment forward.”

Her eyes narrowed at the smaller, younger female, “But you must choose.” Ava paused a moment. Then summoned all the authority she could muster to demand that answer, “you must choose now. "

[rythmicjea]

Reine — 05/29/2021
Reine watched and listened to Ava's diatribe closely. Far closer than Ava had listened to hers. It went from petulant to rude to ignorant and finally disastrous in a matter of minutes. It was absolutely apparent that Ava was a spoiled child who was used to getting her way no matter how much she said she "lived in the shadow". She was a walking ball of hypocrisy to put it plainly. It was if she had forgotten the words she spoke as soon as she spoke them and changed her tune when challenged even slightly.

When Ava looked at Kaleb, her eyes darted to him as well. The Mandalorian pensive and stoic as always to everyone else. But to Reine he was warm and not as confident as he liked people to believe. But he was well informed and did not make grand sweeping gestures that he demanded that people follow. At least, not that she had seen. She would never ask him to choose a side. He had his own war going on with him and it was far more important than this "squabble" that Ava believes it to be.

Reine wanted to scream. To throw things across the room both physically and with her gifts. She wanted to burn this city to the ground and Ava with it. It took everything she had to not move a single muscle while the girl spoke. She bit her tongue until it almost bled to keep from looking like a caught fish. At last, she wanted to laugh. She could see herself snickering and then giggling until it turned into a full belly guffaw with all the theatrics of bending over at the waist and wiping a tear from her eye. But she did none of it. Instead, she inhaled deeply, resetting herself, after the barrage of words that came at her with no actual substance behind them. And took the few steps to the desk next to her and sat demurely.

It was a power move. She kept her distance from Ava, as they stood, for protection but also to keep them on equal footing. Sitting, unlike kneeling, was not a submissive play. She was making herself comfortable but not terribly so while Ava stood erect in her military pose. Even if Ava would sit on the bed it would take a great amount of effort to match Reine's energy; and, if she tried it would look as if she did not care about the exchange. She might be sitting erect on the edge of the bed but it would not look comfortable and Reine's ease would shine through. If she tried to approach Reine it would be seen as aggressive and threatening. Again, defeating the purpose of this Parlay. Politics, as Reine knew and it was becoming very apparent that Ava did not, was a game of Dejarik. You must always think many moves ahead, even if all of the pieces are still left on the board.

Reine picked up a stylist and tapped it on the desk, thinking of her opening statement. "I want to thank you." She smiled assuredly. And whatever ease Ava might have felt briefly would be taken away swiftly. "For proving my point." She said slowly. There was no evil smirk or mischievous eyes. Just a direct honesty that Ava had failed to show herself. "You... reek of privilege. Privilege that you have not earned but that was freely given to you and it shows. You passively ask for repentance; and, when it is not given, change your story so that you have egg on your face. Which shows that you are not a sincere person. What is most troubling is that you think that this is about some petty squabble. You say that I took joy in inflicting you harm. I took no joy in that. Do I enjoy a healthy debate, but of course! I enjoy the exchange of ideas and theories and discovering the best way that they can be defended. But last night was not that. And, for me, it was over the moment Tesara finished mediating the situation.

Whether I agree with it or not, is of no consequence because it is not a world that I have lived in.

"I apologize, sincerely, if you thought that I took some sick pleasure from watching you squirm. That was never my intent. However, that is not the issue at hand. And the fact that you cannot see it, or refuse to, is the problem between us. And you say that this 'rivalry' is over because you say it is. That is not how negotiations work. That is how a petulant child tries to resolve things. And by you admitting that you 'will not go event by event' just proves that you are willfully ignorant to your surroundings and the situations you involve yourself in. You have chosen to fixate on a small issue instead of the larger one that you have been involved with.

"While it may be true that only you can be effective in the circles of the colonizers did you ever stop to think of why that may be? Your food comes prepackaged with out a care or knowledge of how it was obtained. You shop for clothing without a second thought of the people that made it and the conditions that they live or the environment that it effects. Everything is handed to you on a silver platter, and you do not care why. You have a fancy title that was given to you by your family without regard for what it means. I am a chieftain’s daughter and, by your society’s standards, I am a princess. So, I out rank you. But you cannot handle that someone may be more important than you. So, you took a garment that was hand woven, hand embroidered, hand beaded over countless hours by people you will never know as a symbol of a threat to your way of life. And in your jealousy you had it destroyed. Gleefully so. This morning when we were at the temple and my chain code did not work, you did not once think to yourself ‘Why does this citizen not have a working chain code? How can I help her?’ Instead you, without a single thought for anyone but yourself, labeled me your ‘servant’. You did not once stop to ask me, a citizen of Baklid, how best to proceed with anything. You, instead, thought that you were the arbiter of how things should be and proceeded with your plan. And when we were at the Republic Center, not only did you show that you do not know how to wield that fancy title of yours but you showed you had no regard for anyone of this planet!

“YOU MADE ME A SLAVE!" Reine pounded the table so forcefully that fearing it might break would not be a foreign thought to those in the room. She closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath. She splayed her palm along the wood feeling the smooth grain and slick varnish. Once she had regained her composure she looked at Ava again. Her voice was rough with emotion. “Do you think I like the way I speak? Do you think that I like looking like the colonizers when I am quiet but the moment that I open my mouth and this thick accent comes out anything that I have worked towards has been destroyed? You do not know what it is like to be a foreigner to your own people and to the world around you.” She thought of the kids in school who made fun of her until she couldn’t answer a teacher’s question without a panic attack occurring. Or when she was older and the boys telling her that she was so pretty and her accent was so “exotic” only to find out that it was a prank? “It is the fact that I have to lay this out so plainly for you that is the problem. You only care for others when you do not deem them a risk to your ‘command’.” She used her fingers to indicate a quote on the last word. “That is why you had to proclaim that you do not see me as competition. It was not for my benefit. It was you reassuring yourself. Your privilege has blinded you to the plight of anyone that is not your tribe. It has blinded you to the notion that there are other worlds and cultures outside of your own that should be respected and protected.

“And this ‘choose now’ proclamation? What guarantee do I have, besides your word which has not amounted to much at this point, that you will not back out of this agreement? What collateral do I have from you that you will keep your word? You have had a chain code created for me that asserts that I am less than. I am an ‘animal’.” She sneered at that last description. “You have no motivation to change it. It benefits you to keep it. You have branded me in a manner that you will never be able to fully comprehend.” The tension was so thick in the room that you could swim in it. Reine took a shaky breath through her nose before finishing softly, “and it is hard to believe that you even care.”

[rythmicjea]

Kaleb Wren — 05/29/2021
Kaleb had been watching and listening to everything from the moment Ava had entered the room. Ava was standing there in her stance. She was not acting emotional, almost as if she had been preparing herself for this possibility. He watched as it seemed that Reine let out years of frustrations of how she, and yes her people, had been treated. "Princess...." he said, not really aware that was how he addressed Reine. "I don't think that's what Ava is saying. In fact I didn't hear anything about her asking for forgiveness, nor did she ask you to ask for it." he told them. "I don't know what actually happened at the temple entrance or at the the Admin Center, or while all of you were shopping. I only know what I've been told. But that aside what I believe Ava was asking was that mistakes were made on both sides and that it is best to put what has happened aside and start over fresh." he told the proud woman that was sitting.

He then looked at Ava "From what I gather from what Reine has told me is that a lot of things happened while you guys were out. Things were happening and that you made some command decisions. Being the daughter of a leader she understands that some times that is necessary, but maybe you could have explained to her, at the first appropriate moment why you said what you said instead of just going on about the business of the day. " Kaleb said and then looked to both of them.

"I've known Ava for about a year now. And I know that when she gives her word about something she means it. And what I think she just said is that she is intending to try and find away to help free your world. Not just from the injustices that the Republic have brought here, but also from what the systemic injustices that have been happening for decades. And when she says something like that, she would give her life for it."

[rythmicjea]

Reine — 05/29/2021
Reine chuckled exhausted. "And those are the words of a colonizer. Do you all really think that you can swoop in and save the day without a thought for the people and culture you are effecting? With no consideration for the work and progress that has been made before you appeared? Or if your help is even wanted? Do you think that people have not tried to solve the issues of the past and that you may be exacerbating the problem? Are you willing to sacrifice your lives to live here until proper change is made? Which may be for more decades to come.

"It is not the fact that she made 'command decisions'. It is the very decisions that she made that is the problem. Kaleb, I thought that you, of all people, would understand that distinction. If Ava had the competency to understand the world around her, and the respect that is owed to a world that is not hers, then we would not be having this discussion in the first place!

"She never asked directly for forgiveness. And that is part of the problem. But for as much as you taunt me for not understanding your language, you seem to not understand it yourself. When someone says they are hurt by a comment it is a passive way of telling the person that they expect an apology. If you do not want an apology from me, I am more than happy to rescind it.

"This is not a situation where we can simply move on from it. If it was the argument last night, maybe. But the actions of this morning? Non. C'est ne pas.You cannot move on from prejudice. You cannot forget that ever existed. True repentance must be given and then it must be supported by future actions before anything can be mended."

"And I am glad that to you have always been confident with the oaths she brings but so far, I have no evidence of that. We have known each other for less than a day. While you have made what seems to be truthful statements, I do not know you more than I know anyone else on the path. Collateral would need to be presented for me to take your word at this point."

[rythmicjea]

Kaleb Wren — 05/29/2021
"Then take my word." Kaleb told her. They had talked often in this short amount of time. He knew that she knew what giving his word meant to her. "Ava will keep her word and will fulfill her promise to get you to safety if that's what you want. You have my word on that."

[rythmicjea]

Ava Forma — 05/29/2021
Ava watched the scene before her unfold. She was surprised that Kaleb decide to jump into the conversation. It was an unexpected move, one that told her a great deal about the bond the two of them were building. Still, Ava’s mind played over Reine’s actions carefully. Every move and even every word designed for effect. She smiled as her hand carefully moved her blond hair to the side. This girl had promise, if only she could learn to get over herself and out of her own ways.

“You speak of privilege, as if I should be ashamed of it. Why? Simply because I was born to a household of wealth,” Ava questioned as she let out a laugh. “Are you kidding me,” she mocked. “But Kaleb is right,” she added. “You do deserve explanations for the events of today.”

“First, I did my homework weeks ago. Chain Codes here are no different than they are for me back home,” Ava took on a more informative tone, as if she were giving a class. “There is only one way your Chain Code has been deactivated,” She spoke with a grin and her eyes locked on Reine’s. “You, my dear sweet girl, are dead. Or at least officially listed as such. Based on your most recent of actions, you have angered your patriarch and as such, they have reported your death. I have seen this happen to a young girl back at Richie Resort. It is a sad state for someone to be trapped in.”

“As much as you would like them to be, no one is looking for you. Which brings me to our second ‘Command Decision’, Being dead, means you have no rights. You are, for all intense and purpose, a non-person. But we need you on this mission. You are not known, and I can easily get you passed security as one of my Servants. So yes, I made that choice, because it was the most sensible at the time.” She frowned, “I suppose my only mistake was not telling you before hand of what was being planned. I had imagined that since you knew that you required access and would be helping in the mission, that the most logical step would be as one of the Servants.”

She held up three fingers, “and the third Command Decision was to save you from your own lack of self-control. That man you picked a verbal altercation with was Baklid Secret Police. I have heard Lady Loran speak of them. And surprisingly, she does not like them. They answer only to the Prime Minister, and do you know what happens to people like you who make them angry? They disappear. Do not think that I am out of my element here,” Ava said as she brought her tone back to normal. But still her slight accent showing through. “I know Secret Police when I see them, and I know how deadly they can be.”

She gave Reine a slight nod, “there is your explanations. As for your apology, I have none for you. Nor do I want yours. There is nothing to apologize for. As I have said, this squabble between us is over. And yes, it is that simple. I choose not to engage you any further on these matters which are behind us.”
She turned to Kaleb, “I am grateful for your words, but it is unnecessary.” She turned her gaze back to Reine, “you can accept me at my word or not. The choice is yours. I will waste no more of my time on this. I have a mission to plan. If you fail to help us with the rescue, then I will have my answer.”

Without a second thought, Ava turned in military fashion. She walked from the room and allowed the door to close automatically behind her.

[rythmicjea]

Reine — 05/29/2021
Did Ava think that by her simply leaving that meant the matter was done? The absolute incredulity was absolutely exhausting to navigate. She had every opportunity to retract any statement or behavior and instead she doubled down. She was blatantly told she was being racist and Ava effectively went "Nu-uh!" and doubled down on her stance. The fact that she wanted this to end meant that it was done with no regard for anyone else was the epitome of tone deaf.

Reine looked at Kaleb with a calm heart. "While I may take your word, I do not take hers. I am going to take a nap. Do not wake me when it is time to leave. I rescind my offer to help you with your mission."

Kaleb Wren — 05/29/2021
Kaleb nodded. God they were both stubborn. he thought to himself as he went over to his bed and looked at his gear. "After we leave, I doubt we'll be coming back here. That will especially be true if things go bad." he told her. "I don't think you should remain here. I don't want you mixed up in a mess that isn't yours." he told her.

[rythmicjea]

Reine — 05/29/2021
Reine was not going to chase after Ava begging for attention. It was absolutely clear that was what Ava was not only used to but expected. She stood and walked up to her roommate. "I understand. But I will not chase after a petulant child who decides to smash vases when they do not get what they want. Her condescension, ignorance, and absolute inability to see past the end of her nose is not something that I will entertain. Honestly, how do you? Why do you let her behave in such a manner? She wanted an outcome and there was a clear path forward that would satisfy everyone involved, and instead? She went the other way and then ran away from it completely." Reine pointed to the door as her example. "You may think I am stubborn and yes, I am, to an extent. But you, of all people, understand that when it comes to something like this, there is no compromise to be had."

Kaleb Wren — 05/29/2021
"Because I understand what she's going through more than you do. She is becoming open to something she didn't see before. Whether she realizes it or not. " Kaleb told her and then looked up at her. "She has to figure out her place in this new world just like we all do. Even you." he thought about what to say next. "I'm not a diplomat, I'm a warrior. Point me at a target and let me go. But here the target is so much bigger than any I've ever seen or even heard of. I don't know what should be done about it. I don't know how my actions will effect the people of your world." he told her. He wondered if that's what Durro and Tesara were going through, why they haven't acted.

"What I do know is what I can do and that something needs to be done. And I know it's more than just this world that's suffering and I'm tired of seeing that suffering. With the Shadow I can help. But even then, the Shadow isn't enough. The people need so much more than just open warfare. They need supplies, they need freedom to chose... more importantly they need... Hope. I don't know if I can give them that. I hope that I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I could. But if I can just be a small part of that. I'll give my life for it."