A Grim Success

[GM Craig]

The three beautiful Kothe women disrobe and join Trax in the tub. They are skilled, and willing, and Trax feels the stress of the past few days - hell, the past few years  - melt away.

[OOC: They are there to serve you in whatever capacity you wish. I'll leave it to you to tastefully fill in the blanks. ]

In the next room, the bath is wonderful. While she was in it, her clothes seem to have vanished, having been replaced by a lcream-coloured light linen gown. No sooner is she finished dressing than there is a quiet knock at the door. Opening it, Mariah sees the same woman standing there. She gives a very shallow bow.

"If you are ready, my would like to speak to you."

Back with Trax, he finds his clothing is missing, having been replaced with an off-white linen pants and shirt that are a perfect fit. They are fussing over your outfit when Were enters the room again.

She raises an eyebrow at them, and the three servants gather their clothes and scamper from the room, giggling the whole time.

Wera gives you a bow, arms at her side.

"If you are ready, my Uncle is ready to see you."

[Trax]

[OOC: And I'll fill the blanks with speculation and leave it up to everyone's imagination  ]

Trax gave a slight bow to Wera.

"I am more than ready."

Trax followed her with mind and body refreshed.  Well, mind more than body anyway.  That was a bath he would not soon forget.  He was struck by how easily his burdens were lightened.  Never had he felt so at peace and at ease.  Not even as a child.  For the first time in his life he had actually let down his guard, physically and mentally.  If he had been attacked he would have been caught utterly by surprise.  Trax smiled.  At least he would have died happy.

[Keshani]

Mariah nodded. "Thank you."

She was still feeling a bit sullen but felt a momentary pang of guilt for taking it out on Cali's family. She had almost opened her mouth to apologize when she closed it again.

"I'm ready." she finally finished while thinking to herself - as ready as you can ever be when dealing with Cali....

[GM Craig]

You both step into the hall, Mariah a moment before Trax. Wera smiles at Mariah, and you make your way through empy corridors to a large set of double doors. Wera opens the doors, and steps inside.

You see Cali sitting on an impressive pile of cusions, his jowels shaking as he speaks in an animated fashion with the male Kothe Khaliss. Despite the apparent vigor of the conversation, you can't hear even a faint whisper of what is said.

After a few moments, Khaliss nods, and Cali turns to Wera. "Wera, my niece. What have you brought me?"

Were bows low, arms spread wide. "My undying devotion, dear uncle. And I bring Mariah and Trax."

Cali's face breaks into a wide grin.

"Come, Mariah and Trax, and share some refreshment with me."

Wera bows and withdraws, closing the doors behind her.

Cali sits on a raised platform under a canopy in the centre of a room. The room is square and quite large, with a doorway in each wall. Elevatedf paths lead from each door to the central platform. Most of the room is shrouded in shadow, but the central platform and the area before each doorway is brightly lit.

When you arrive, Cali waves at some cushions. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. Trax, I hope you have enjoyed what meagre hospitality my humble home could provide."

Around the cushions are platters of chilled fruits and drinks of various kinds, cheeses and bread and other baked goods. No meat is visible.

[Trax]

Trax bowed deeply to both Cali and Khaliss.  Following that he found a place on the cushions and made himself comfortable.

"Cali, if this is what you describe as meager and humble then we do not speak the same language.  I would describe it more as luxurious and plentiful.  And even that would be an understatement."

Trax waited until Mariah sat and Cali began helping himself before reaching for any of the refreshments or food.

[Keshani]

Mariah bowed to Cali and Khaliss before setting herself upon a cushion. She sat a bit stiffly, but not so much that her posture would be taken as hostile or rude.

"Thank you, Cali." she said softly, but not meeting his eyes.

She picked a piece of fruit off of a nearby platter after waiting for Cali to eat first but otherwise remained quiet.

[GM Craig]

Cali reaches out and takes a small piece of fruit, and pours a small cup of water and takes a sip.

"You humble me, Trax. In my greatfather's time, the meagre hospitality I am able to offer would be considered nothing short of an insult. But I thank you for the compliment."

He glances at Mariah, then back to Trax.

"Tell me, both of you, how are you? Wera informs me that you both appeared unharmed."

[Keshani]

She was not in the mood for pleasantries, nor was she in the mood for being polite. She still felt a very strong urge to hit something. But she tried her best to push her feelings aside.

"We are fine, Cali. I hope that you are well, too?"

[Trax]

Trax raised an eyebrow at Mariah's response.  Perhaps inadvertently, she had answered for the both of them.  He was content to let it happen though, and simply nodded in agreement.

[GM Craig]

Cali's eyes twinkle.

"I am well, Mariah. It is kind of you to ask." Turning back to Trax, Cali continues. "I notice with some concern that my cousin was not with you when you returned. Please tell me what happened."

[Trax]

"With Mariah's assistance I was able to locate him, but upon our exit we were separated by the blast from a grenade and overwhelmed by resistance.  Unable to physically reach him again, I followed the instructions I had been given.  He was not to be allowed to be used against you.  I insured that he could not, and fought my way out."

Trax's voice was calm, and inferred no emotion or regret in his decision or actions.  He did what he had to do.

[GM Craig]

Cali's face takes on a clouded expression. Cali is about to speak when Khaliss interrupts him. Khaliss likewise looks somewhat stricken, and a little stunned.

"Uncle, those were my instructions to Trax. He was following my orders. If any dishonour is to come of his deeds, let it fall to me."

Cali, obviously not used to being interrupted, turns his attention to Khaliss.

"My nephew. I see now why you wished to speak to Trax before he came to me."

Khaliss bows his head.

Cali turns back to Trax. "My boy, what is done is done. There is a stain in the honour of my house, however, and that must be cleansed."

[Trax]

Addressing both Khaliss and Cali Trax began,

"The final decision and action was mine and mine alone, as is any responsibility, dishonor, and consequence that comes with."

Turning to Cali directly he continued, "You have my services Cali.  However, I feel my next immediate task lies with the rebels.  They won't be happy with the recent absence of Mariah and myself, but they'll need all the help they can get in order to accomplish their next goal."

[OOC: Does Trax get the impression that the stain in question is due to his killing Cali's cousin, or due to the fact he was captured in the first place and unable to be freed, or something else entirely?]

[GM Craig]

[OOC: You don't really know enough about the Kothe culture to draw conclusions. Given that both Cali and Khaliss made it fairly clear that you should eliminate Cali's cousin if you couldn't rescue him, their responses seem odd.]

[Keshani]

Mariah sat quietly, looking back and forth between the other three occupants of the room, trying to figure out what was going on. She got the feeling that Khaliss had gone over Cali's head in dealing with Trax, but she wasn't sure - wasn't sure about anything. She shrugged. It wasn't her concern anyway, was it? Isn't that what Trax had been spending the last, who knows how long telling her? - That her part in all of this was over and she no longer owed anyone anything?

She sighed, the familiar feelings of frustration welling up inside of her yet again. She hated being left out.....