Day 2 | Evening | Fate Games

[Cuyler Gray]

"I am." she nodded. "Caladan reminds me of it, a bit. The people, not the jungle."

[Kannon]

"And how are our people similar then?" He asked curiously.

[Cuyler Gray]

"The character of a house can be seen in its people. Those I've met on Caladan are kind, welcoming, hard working, and generous. I had the pleasure of cooking for them at their festival. The Mutelli are similar." she replied.

[Kannon]

"Since they are, it makes me glad my lord father's actions in the Landsraad have helped in bringing our Houses closer."

Where's all her sand! His thoughts raced.

"So, now House Mutelli has a foothold on Arrakis. I suspect the Harkonnens won't give you much peace there."

[Cuyler Gray]

"I didn't get the impression that they cared much for peace." she sighed. "To be honest, the politics or Arrakis are a bit beyond me. My participation in the CHOAM audit was largely due to my expertise in melange. My experience on Arrakis was... intense."

[Kannon]

"Complex politics aside, I'd like to hear more of your experience on Arrakis. And your expertise in melange."

Have I seen her on Arrakis? Maybe it was a vision of what was, not what would be?

"You are a very interesting woman, Ms Gray." If it sounded flirtatious, he might not have meant it. He was what, fifteen?

In her peripheral view, Cuyler noticed that Sinsei was glaring at them talking. Her cheeks were a little flushed.

[Cuyler Gray]

She glanced at Sinsei and offered a warm smile.

"During my training as a chef, I discovered that I had a sense for melange." she said to Paul. "From its scent, I could determine its quality and potency. I could detect how well it was infused in cuisine and liquor and which servings could offer the best experiences. Beyond being a sommelier, i developed infusions of my own. Those were the skills that led to my selection for the audit, to ensure the Harkonnen were refining it properly."

"Arrakis was a difficult place." she continued. "Dangerous. But, there was a beauty to it. Even the worms, as terrifying as they appeared, were an inspiring sight. I am glad my time there was relatively short, but I do wish I had gotten to see more the planet, beyond what the Harkonnen lord over."

[Kannon]

"My lord father discourages spice dependence for reasons economic and otherwise. It has seemed a wise choice lately, with the prices skyrocketing after Imperial surtax. I assume House Mutelli has a different approach given the very existence of your profession. With your spice sensitivity, Ms Gray, have you suffered from exposure to it on Arrakis?"

Arrakis being beautiful, it's something the girl from dreams would say... But this woman wouldn't be awed or inspired by stories of Caladan's oceans, having travelled so much. I am a country bumpkin in comparison to her, not counting that one time we went on a heighliner spree with Bronso. I wish mother was still with us to help me unpack this...

"Perhaps you will return there to explore more. Worms, I heard of them. How big can they get?"

The Harkonnen only control a fraction of Arrakis? That's not exactly public. It bodes checking.

[Cuyler Gray]

"Addiction can be terrible indeed." she agreed. "Arrakis was the first time I had ever been directly exposed, the first time I had experienced its affects myself. Like thr planet, it was exhilarating and concerning. I could see how tempting it's use could be."

[Kannon]

"They say it expands consciousness. I wonder how that works. It can be tempting to, well, know things."

[Cuyler Gray]

"I'm still not certain of what I experienced." She said. "What it suggested was beyond imagination, but felt real and true."

[Kannon]

Just like my dreams... of you.

"Did it feel... prophetic?"

[Cuyler Gray]

"No..." she shook her head. "Quite the opposite. It was a memory. One of the distant past."

[Kannon]

"I thought only Bene Gesserit can do that, to look into their past lives. Maybe they can do it thanks to melange?"

He looked at Cuyler in new light.

"Anyway, Ms Vim, I wonder if you have some useful resources at your research station."

"A small portable lab and stacks of ridulian crystal, most filled out. It's not like the Muadh have given me much space."

"So you live with the Muadh?"

"Yes, they have been quite hospitable to my father and me. It's a delicate situation though. We'll have overstayed our welcome soon."

"I see. Maps?"

"Partial. But I can draw an integrated one, base on my personal explorations."

"Please do, it may prove very useful in our rescue planning."

"If I can help I will, my lord."

[Cuyler Gray]

"Everyone will help." Cuyler nodded. "Unity is strength."

[Kannon]

Paul nodded.

"And in diversity. Any path that leads to singularity leads precisely nowhere. Too much unity and smart people get stupid."

He then realised he had missed her intention.

"I am happy to have your help in this dire situation, Ms Gray. I will remember it for a time you will need mine."

"And yours, Ms Vim!' He added quickly, getting more emarrassed.

"But of course, lord Paul Atreides." Sinsei replied somewhat flatly, with a pout.

[Cuyler Gray]

"I appreciate that. But, I had already promised to help rescue Dr. Vim, regardless." she said, glancing at Sinsei.

[Lydia Storm]

There was an eyeroll from the guide leading them back to camp, but she said nothing as she guided them.

[Kannon]

Sinsei seemed... rattled. From the emotional nadirs she'd been earlier that day, she'd been elevated by her sudden change of fortunes thanks to Cuyler, and then Paul. But her behaviour there by the thopter, her taciturn side she could hardly have been accused of otherwise, had been weird, and with some observation this weirdness was taking shape and form in Cuyler's mind. The flush, the pout, the stare, the feigned indifference. She was older than him, just like Cuyler, but apparently for all her intellectual prowess she couldn't talk herself into considering the case to be closed for this reason alone. It didn't seem to be helping that Paul had been giving Cuyler almost all the attention for reasons that weren't clear for either of the women. Was it a game on his part? It did introduce come unhealthy dynamics between both women, at least on Sinsei's side, no matter how hard she fought the feeling that might have awakened in her recently. Or earlier?

[Cuyler Gray]

Cuyler was quiet. She wasn't oblivious to how those around her were acting towards her. She seemed unconcerned for the most part. She did seem to be paying the most attention to Sinsei, however.