Hypatea Hype [Morning 1]

[Kannon]

By then, Xanthe's senses had confirmed the conversation had to change indeed. To gravitate toward conclusion.

"Hence I am assigning Emcas to you to ensure that you end up in the right places. This will naturally help you discover how you can collaborate with me, and demonstrate commitment to the pairing you speak of."

She nodded to her Zensunni companion to confirm that they were his now. Then she turned toward the inevitable.

[Laila Bridger]

Handed off to the muscle.

Noted.

[Kannon]

"Busying herself." Cordana said with the slightest tinge of humour. "We are supposed to become involved then."

The Reverend Mother turned the corner. Before she said anything, her eyes stopped briefly on Laila. Not that cognitively needed to; it was more a signal of recognition and attention. Their piercing quality gave the Ecazi a sense of Cordana as a nurse experienced in applying life-saving vaccines.

"Reverend Mother." Xanthe greeted her officially, stiffened.

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian shrugged. "I'm grateful for the hospitality. Though I'll warn you, sir Emcas, I'm far more boring than the good lady might otherwise suggest."

With the arrival of the Gesserits Hadrian found himself unsure of what to do for the first time today. Does one bow to them? Clear their thoughts? Feign attraction? Or should he instead stand at attention bored?

Ultimately he chose to back up next to Laila, who he gave a reassuring smile.

[Cuyler Gray]

Noting the shift in conversation partners, Cuyler slowed her steps, curious as to whether anything notable was happening.

[Laila Bridger]

Ultimately he chose to back up next to Laila, who he gave a reassuring smile.

And she needed it, like a dying man in the desert needed water.

Because now...

No way out.

[Kannon]

"Good morning, Xanthe. I see you are busy. Is it not the right time?" Cortana's voice was pleasant, gentle.

"My father has taught me that authority exercised from afar sheds its own legitimacy. It is a busy time, Reverend Mother. But I am mostly finished here." The young heiress had some control that covered her discomfort well enough.

"Are you? From up close, do you have a better look at those who you seek to govern?" Cortana was looking on no-one in partucular, but Laila sensed an inflection, likely because of her paranoia.

"Better than otherwise."

"Perhaps. There is a grand race today. Quite a display of Ptolemaii cultural authority. Are we invited?"

"Of course, Reverend Mother."

"And the visitors from Caladan?"

A skipped beat.

"I was about to."

"Excellent. This is Sister Shinah. Would you mind if she remained by your side for now? She could glean some lessons from your ways to exercise authority. Perhaps even offer some."

"Would you not be needing her assistance?"

"Oh, child, I am not as senile as some ambitious sisters wish me to be." Cordana chuckled, and the sound was warm, comforting. " I hope you and Shinah can build rapport."

"...Very well, though I have some confidential duties as well."

"Of course. We won't impose on those."

[Cuyler Gray]

Cuyler stepped towards the conversation.

"My apologies for interrupting." She dipped her head and addressed Xanthe. "You suggested earlier that I sample the tastes of Hypatea to begin my culinary research. After our travels, I think we would like to follow that advice, if you could offer some recommendations."

She glanced at the Bene Gesserits. "Of course, we would welcome the company of any other travelers seeking sustenance."

[Emcas]

''As you command Lady Xanthe'' the servant replied with a bow as the Reverend Mother and her entourage came close. He bowed respectfully, making a few steps back. He did not want to leave Xanthe but he had a duty.

He turned to the wine merchant and the bodyguard

''We will begin with a cursory visual inspection of your ship's cargo then I will lead you to where you can find suitable accomodations''

He now had his back mostly turned to the Bene Gesserit but he still eyed them from the corner of his vision. Luckily, there was a ship to inspect which was a good reason as any to leave their immediate presence.

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian grinned at the spectacle. Watching Xanthe struggle to maintain control of the situation reminded him of some of his own struggles. Though empathy alone wasn't the driving calculus behind his silence. Sure he could make a spectacle, escape into the protection of the Gesserits. But at what cost? Laila? All the hooks those witches are famous for employing? No. Xanthe wasn't the safer bet by any means. But he guessed that her motivations were truly grounded in the protection of her home from outsiders. In that they share a common bond, he wagered.

At Emcas' directive he cocked an eyebrow. "Delightful! I'd be glad to show you." He turned back towards the cloister and bowed. One more glance towards Xanthe, wishing her a silent good luck, and then to the cargo hold.

[Laila Bridger]

It was a great deal like watching a midsized trout among minnows running afoul of a shark.

Laila felt a momentary pang of sympathy for Xanthe. Tangled, all of them, snarled in the same snares, most of them set before they were born.

There is no escape — we pay for the violence of our ancestors.

DAMMIT where had that come from?!

But she had her cover to maintain, and that definitely meant not leaving Hadrian alone with the minder's muscle.

So she offered a brief bow, turned on her heel, and followed into the ship.

[Kannon]

Cuyler stepped towards the conversation.

"My apologies for interrupting." She dipped her head and addressed Xanthe. "You suggested earlier that I sample the tastes of Hypatea to begin my culinary research. After our travels, I think we would like to follow that advice, if you could offer some recommendations."

She glanced at the Bene Gesserits. "Of course, we would welcome the company of any other travelers seeking sustenance."

"There are many fine restaurants at levels below us." Xanthe took the opportunity a little bit too eagerly.

"...but we shall save the stomachs for the excitement of the race for now." Cordana said. "However, there must be original buffet options at Nikeion as well. Perhaps we could share the spectacle with the visitors from Caladan out of the same balcony?"

Cordana didn't exactly react to the exit... stage left on the part of the newly acquainted trio.

Xanthe realised there was an undercurrent to all this she yet had no grasp of. What was the connection between the Martikova's crew and the Bene Gesserit?

"Would you not like to accompany the Archon, Reverend Mother?"

"To spoil her splendour with my miserable form and parochial looks? Besides, she could hardly enjoy her Pankratos with me breathing down her neck." There was a jovial, amused tone.

To that, Xanthe straightened, and slowly relaxed. Maybe some message had been passed.

"I'll arrange the fare to the designated balcony, Ms Gray, if this is amenable." The doe-eyed Ptolemaios finally said.

Somewhere in the background, Xard Vim sank into himself in resignation.

[Emcas]

Emcas followed then in the cargo hold, carved on his face was the cold and stern expression only seen in customs officers and dreaded by all travelers. That was kept for a while until a they were out of hear shot from the people outside.

He then relaxed into his usual casual stern expression. Still stern but a better stern by all accounts.

''We should be out of hearing range by now. I trust you did not bug your own ship?''

[Laila Bridger]

"Just because we didn't doesn't mean someone else hasn't."

[Emcas]

That brought a grin to his face

''Indeed, I'll assume henceforth that you are the smart one'' he replied before continuing ''At any rate I doubt anyone on Harmonthep did so. I will take the risk of anyone on your side of the equation doing so as they are not my immediate concern.''

A frown return

''Let us be frank and direct: what can you tell me of your purpose here? Official or otherwise.''

[Hadrian Martikova]

"To make money." Hadrian said flatly. Any of the previous flare he had worn as armor left at the entrance. "But then... what does one from Caladan ever do when given the opportunity? It's in our songs, our blood, our sweat."

He busied himself documenting the state of the crates as well as their contents.

"Good... everything still looks secure."

[Emcas]

That answer did not seem to please Emcas. He turned his eyes towards the wine merchant's guard, wondering if she'd have more sense.

[Laila Bridger]

Laila arched an eyebrow.

"If my employer has any ulterior motive for his presence on Harmonthep, his record- which your lady seemed apprised of- should beg a question of you. Do you think any such purpose would be one he had permission to articulate? Are you at liberty to discuss your lady's purpose in such direct interest in a small party?"

[Emcas]

''If you employer had ever any sense, he showed it by hiring you.'' Emcas replied with a nod. He was not pleased either by the reply but respected it.

''My lady has graced me with trust to act on her behalf for affairs she cannot handle herself. Let me thus make something clear: she has taken a risk for both of you and that should not readily be dismissed. Our systems has Mister Martikova flagged as a smuggler...had anyone else but my lady came here instead, you would have spend your first nights in a holding cell and your ship thoroughly searched.''

He crossed his arms

''Would that have been a better fate?''

[Cuyler Gray]

"I'll arrange the fare to the designated balcony, Ms Gray, if this is amenable." The doe-eyed Ptolemaios finally said.

Somewhere in the background, Xard Vim sank into himself in resignation.

"I look forward to it." She nodded and offered Xanthe a sympathetic glance. "Until then."

Excusing herself, she walked away with Dr. VIm. The result of her interjection was not ideal, but hopefully the distraction had been helpful to Xanthe.