The House That Rabban Unbuilt [Morning 1]

[Ambrose Pantazis]

Ambrose was putoff by the lady's attitude. Passive but aggressive, noted. Not that he couldn't empathze to a degree. He was aware of Atreides hand in the damages to Lankiveil and its livelihood, which is to say less damage than their own House Rabban. It was the cold calculus of war, casualties in the name of victory. Then again, their loyalties weren't known to the locals, so the cold shoulder was standard. Harkonnen rule certainly stamped out any sense of hospitality.

Perhaps if they lowered themselves from their pedestal and took up arms against injustice, he would be willing to spare more sympathy.

He gave a thankful nod to Kiran as they stepped forward to appease the local and waited until she was out of earshot before speaking, "Well then, that was a warm welcome."

[Efren Lanville]

Efren followed along, willing to work and prove that they indeed are different from the Harkonnen.

[Kova]

Kova offered to take Efren and Kiran's bags, showing Ambrose where they should go within the ruined Eyrie. He would set them out of the way and help Ambrose set up a small area for them. He understood they wanted to interact, but they would also need some level of privacy for discussing things they don't want to talk about openly. Kova doesn't seem perturped by Leida's response, as he does intend to help with the tunnel clearing. He simply has other chores and tasks to handle first. As he's helping set the Atreides camp area, he says to Ambrose. "Should we join them after we're done here? Or would you prefer me to introduce you to Sadhu Trygve?"

[Ambrose Pantazis]

"And Sadhu Trygve is the leader here you said? They aren't willing to engage in violence against the Harkonnens or aide others to do so correct? And the same could be said about interfering with our mission? What do we have to gain by speaking with them then or to lose by not?

I don't mean to be crass, but we are on the clock and I would rather pursue activities that work towards our mission or improve the outcome. After, if we have the leeway and the permission to, I am more than willing to lend a hand to the people here in whatever capacity I am able.

My immediate concern is the area south of here. We have some assets there I need to check on."

[Efren Lanville]

"If you want to make friends... you gotta do the things that friends do. People are much more willing to listen to you if you take a moment to help them with their shit. It's just like the lady says... Harkonnens only take."

He shakes his head, "That's not us. It's not me at least. We can meet with the big-wig once he sees we're not everything he already hates. If you guys want to check on those assets while we work on making some friends here... That could work."

[Kannon]

Chatting in the open during the day did indeed carry non-zero risks. There was no thopter in the skies, but maybe there was a satellite.

[Kova]

Kova shrugs at Ambrose, not seeming bothered by anyone's position really. "We can check your assets. I'm just following the lead of your own people. I don't have a plan, I'm just here to help you with yours. Your people volunteered to help Leida, so I'm just acting on what I've seen and learned in a few hours together. There's only so much that I can do. I'm one man. I'm an extra pair of eyes watching your back. I'm a person with local information, you can ask me what you want. I know the area and how to navigate, I can show you where you need to go. But at the end of the day, I'm still only one man, who wants to take care of his people. I know what you're here for and I want to help, but I don't know your team or your plan. So I'm going along with it and doing what I can."

He's clearly not as prickly or worried about these things, but he also clearly doesn't have the same intensity about the mission as Ambrose does, probably because she doesn't understand the details or the scope completely. All he can do is work with the information he has.

[Kannon]

[/exit Kiran and Leida, Efren remains as he has stayed in the conversation.]

[Ambrose Pantazis]

Ambrose looked around at the ruins, the aftermath of a Harkonnen's fickle entertainment. Before turning to address Efren, "You're very right. We should always strive to act according to our tenets."

He shifted to face Kova, "I apologize, I can get hyperfocused at times and lose sight of other priorities. We can speak with Sadhu Trygve and see what we can offer."

[Kannon]

Trygve would not be difficult to find. He was not exactly a person to sleep; instead, he meditated himself into stillness to seek acintya and therefore emergence into dharmakaya. Which in effect meant it took him more time than the rest to restore physical condition that allowed participating in mundane affairs.

So he likely still was in his shallow cave, regaining body heat.

[Efren Lanville]

Efren would follow along to the master as Kova led them to his cave.

[Bernard Martikova]

The woman reminded him of his own mother back home. Very calm, but could easily lay on the guilt and manipulation to make you feel bad just enough to get you to do what she wanted. Still, at least one of them was interested in doing back-breaking labor, leaving the rest of them to figure out how to get to their next destination.

Bernard watched in mostly silence, looking along the village and its people. He was trying to formulate some sort of angle he could approach them with. Kova's description of these people left little they could offer them with what they had.

It would be the equivalent of pillow talk with a one night stand, and mostly for the same reason. Once they both got what they wanted out of each other, they'd probably never see each other again. Hardly the groundwork to do something meaningful.

"I suppose lead on to your, well, leader, Kova."

[Kova]

Kova does so, showing the way to the Sadhu's cave. "He is a wise man. Hopefully something useful can come from the conversation." When they get to the opening of the cave, Kova let's him know, calling out, "Sadhu Trygve. There are a few folks here that would like to share a few words."

[Kannon]

Trygve walked out of the cave, apparently having finished the restorative process already. He glanced at all the men beside Kova with very little emotion apart from kind tranquillity. His fingers formed a mudra as he bowed.

"Heilagr Jinendra. On matters spiritual or mundane, Kova?"

[Kova]

"I would say mundane, but what conversation isn't a spiritual exchange of perspective?" he says with something of a supportive tone.

[Kannon]

The Sadhu nodded and gave a cursory look at the newcomers without any judgement attached to it. It would be too much to say that he waited for them to speak. He just existed in patience before them.

[Ambrose Pantazis]

Ambrose cleared his throat awkwardly. He was not exactly used to being politic in a formal setting like this. Deterrence to authority he could manage, but deferring to someone outside House Atreides felt like a betrayal, so awkwardness it was.

"Sadhu Trygve, thank for you having us here... During our time here, if there is anything within our power to assist, please feel free to ask it of us. It would be our honor."

[Kannon]

Trygve nodded solemnly.

"I see. And how do you plan on assisting yourselves?"

[Ambrose Pantazis]

Taken aback by the question, Ambrose tried to figure out if the man was questioning their intentions, their resolve, or their logistics. It was difficult to tell from Trygve's impassive delivery and in either case, Ambrose felt his Atreides pride impugned upon.

"We are quite capable in those regards." Whichever regards Trygve might be alluding to. He then remembered and felt honor bound to acknowledge the aide they were receiving, "Kova of course, is providing his services as a guide."

[Kannon]

"It is not hard to see your capacity to kill. Kova is a killer too. But is it not the same capacity that dooms your path?" Trygve was genuinely thoughtful about the conundrum.