Secret Gardens [Evening 1]

[Sister Shinah]

Cordana leaned against the wall to bring her spine a bit of a relief, her face toward the garden.

"Not as extinct as you may think, Sister. Between the Ptolemaii and the Atreides, there has been a bit of a cultural revival of those ancient tropes here in the Delta Pavonis. Part spontaneous, part nurtured by us, especially here. They have a yearly staging of Aeschylus' 'Agamemnon' on Caladan, you see. We cannot tell how Pankratos might have acquired the access to or fondness for such ancient references. My question is why."

"I see." Shinah replied simply. "Doubtless he will reveal his reasons why in time, Reverend Mother. I will keep watch for it."

[Kannon]

"This is not good enough, Sister." Cordana gently chastised. "Our enemy has a plan. By waiting for the truth of it to fall into our lap we won't subvert it. Try to answer the 'why' question. By this you may learn where the strings lead."

[Kannon]

"I could make a formal request for you to be our guide." Cuyler suggested. "We will need one, regardless."

Salomea smiled faintly at the exchange between Nirilli and Cuyler.

"For the sake of throwing off the enemy mastermind, I suppose I should step away and let you take actions you both see fit. Or you three?" She glanced at the approaching Xard, who had apparently satisfied his initial garden curiosity and got a bit wary of the intense exchange between women.

[Nirilli]

Nirilli bowed to the approaching planetologist. She had not actually met him yet.

"It must be fascinating to study planets! To learn about them. Does the garden tell you a story about this planet?"

It would be nice to have more chance to talk to a scholar of planets. She had the names of several planets - or places on planets - from the song that she hoped to learn more about.

[Kannon]

"It is, and it does." Xard was slightly bemused, not sure about the person and the context of the questions, glancing between Salomea, anxiously, and Cuyjer, seeking explanation and reassurance.

[Cuyler Gray]

"Our wounds have been tended to. Hopefully, Nirilli can be out guide when we go to visit the Zensunni." Cuyler said. "There are some concerns regarding the incident with the lions. Whether someone had a hand in causing it and who that might be. It may be useful to learn more about the racers."

[Kannon]

It was a bit lost on Xard why it would be useful to learn more about the racers but he didn't protest, trusting Cuyler's political acumen. If not for that, he would have argued for going to the lion reserves first. But then, the spice trail, to his current understanding, was neither here nor there, so it could well be anywhere. So in the end, he just nodded.

"That's tomorrow morning?"

[Nirilli]

It had been a slight introduction at best. Perhaps she could offer more context?

"I am Nirilli. I serve the Archon and she has given me permission to assist Lady Salomea with garden matters, as my time allows. I will ask her permission to accompany you, as Lady Gray suggested. I am sorry if my curiosity about your study and the garden troubled you. There is no need to answer. I should have remembered my place and held my tongue."

Ah, she was sorry he did not want to talk. But she would remember the names from the song. She repeated them to herself, so she would not forget. Bela Tegeuse. The jungles of Rossak. Poritrin. Bela Tegeuse. The jungles of Rossak. Poritrin. Bela Tegeuse. The jungles of Rossak. Poritrin.

[Kannon]

"I am Xard Vim, Imperial Planetologist. Your curiosity is no bother, really. It's just a bit of an odd time? Perhaps when you travel with us?" Xard seemed to be reluctant to spill any of his beans in this particular setting.

[Nirilli]

"A pleasure to meet you."

She nodded at his words. "We all need time to recover from these terrible events." I understand. Later.

[Cuyler Gray]

"We should all get some rest." Cuyler suggested. "Tomorrow, we can seek answers to our questions and concerns."

[Kannon]

"Quarters for you both will be arranged shortly." Salomea smiled, taking note of Xard's unease but apparently not troubled by it. He must have rightfully concluded that she was the real custodian of planetological testing on Harmothep, an issue the Sisterhood apparently had a stake and interest in for reasons that might not be in synch with his mandate. It was to his credit that this man at least knew how to walk in his own domain, even if not much further. "I am glad you have enjoyed the garden, dr Vim." A small nod.

[Cuyler Gray]

"Perhaps you can show me what you've found doctor." Cuyler suggested.

[Kannon]

"Like... now? Yes, of course." Xard stepped away, keeping Salomea in the corner of his vision.

[Nirilli]

As Lady Gray and Xard stepped away, Nirilli found herself standing alone.

She glanced at Lady Salomea, and at the conversation between the Reverend Mother and the Sister.

"Can I be of further service, Lady Salomea? Or should I retire?" Which would mean checking in on the Archon.

[Cuyler Gray]

"I know how worried you are Xard." She said quietly. "We'll find a way to help her. I haven't forgotten."

[Sister Shinah]

"This is not good enough, Sister." Cordana gently chastised. "Our enemy has a plan. By waiting for the truth of it to fall into our lap we won't subvert it. Try to answer the 'why' question. By this you may learn where the strings lead."

Holding her composure, Shinah inclined her head towards the Reverend Mother in reference to her admonishment.

"Yes, of course. I will do so."

Turning to look at the others about the garden, Shinah continued as her veiled gaze settled on Nirilli.

"I believe I have a way."

[Nirilli]

Holding her composure, Shinah inclined her head towards the Reverend Mother in reference to her admonishment.

"Yes, of course. I will do so."

Turning to look at the others about the garden, Shinah continued as her veiled gaze settled on Nirilli.

"I believe I have a way."

Nirilli watched as the Sister turned toward her.

She gave a reverent bow and then a welcoming smile.

[Kannon]

"Be on your way then." Cordana replied coyly.

[Kannon]

"I know how worried you are Xard." She said quietly. "We'll find a way to help her. I haven't forgotten."

"Thank you." Xard nodded, but sigh of relief didn't follow. "This garden... is an arsenal rather than an incubator. At least this small part." He added quietly. "There are many plants with little to no terraforming value but are medicinal, psychoactive, or viciously poisonous, though I don't know their exact botanical designations or the worlds they come from. I wonder what dr Yueh could do if he had access to it. Maybe melange is not necessary, and there are alternative treatments available..." He glanced at Salomea.