Right there and then Lyla could feel how this discussion was getting under her skin. She wanted to support both sides of the conflict, but it was so much easier to relate to the case from MA's point of view. Had she not exalted herself, she'd be just a normal person probably holding a bigger grudge towards those who took their powers for granted and did not want to share. She sighs to her thoughts.

"You should listen to Sayeed," She notes when his notice goes to deaf ears.

"Yes, saving his skin is beneficial to the Last Refuge. Yes, he deserves to live. That's kinda my job you know. Saving people. Because this is all we have, and frankly we have bigger problems than killing off each other," Lyla replies.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Tue 04 Feb 2020.

"Good, glad to know." Atas turns away from her and starts heading for the door, "You know- one last little tidbit.  There is a bit of a prophecy in Djinn circles.  She and I are going to fight, Sayeed, and I'm going to die."  She opens Sayeed's door, "Happy at least to know that it'll help the Last Refuge somehow."

She storms out.

"... Well.  Wish I'd known that little bit, but the Djinn are usually pretty tight-lipped about their customs... she could be lying, though, just to make you feel bad.  Are you okay Lyla?"

Lyla just looks after Atas, her expression changing from her usual non-chalant one to a one filled with bafflement after her exit.

"I'm...alright I think. Mostly baffled. It was a bit much to chew, and it all just raised more questions," she sips down the remnants of her wine."I do hope she was lying, or that there is more to it. It's hard for me to see a reason as to why I would end up killing her. Unless forced. Do they have a high rate of these prophecies actually turning out accurate?"

She does seem a bit grim at the idea of ending up in such a situation that'd result in her killing Sayeeds friend.

"I'm so fucked with this MA case. Should probably just abandon ship now," she mumbles mostly to herself with a smirk.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Mon 10 Feb 2020.

"Atas is many things but she's not a liar."  He responds grimly, "How much of prophecy is real or false depends- prophecy can be set as stone for some, but for Exalts, I imagine that you can certainly buck the trend.  It's kind of your job description."

He rubs his temples with his hand.

"I wouldn't say you're fucked.  But it won't be a pleasant thing.  I think there are two real problems here:  the first that he was duped into working for an enemy and the second that my people can be bloodily traditionalist at the wrong moments.  Somehow, though, I think Swan Dragon knows about this and is banking on... something happening, but I can't suss it out."

"...But I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to run away to a conservatory ship with me."

"Well, there is no point wallowing in it. The only way to find out what Swan Dragon is thinking or planning would be to ask him directly," Lyla shrugs, a defeated tone in her voice."I'd love to be able to affect this situation more but I really can't do it, unless I talk to Swan or MA. Doubt I can sway the publics opinion on the case otherwise."

She looks at her folded clothes.

"I possibly couldnt rob you of your duties in your community," she chuckles.

Since it was just the two if them again, Lyla gets up and tugs her towel off inorder to dry her hair with it. Not that there was much to dry.

"On the brightside Im not tired anymore. So clothes for me or other sort of duty?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:19, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

"Yes, that pretty much is it; I personally think that he's a genius or he's mad as a hatter, and there's only one way to find out.  He's spent a long time in enemy territory, I can't tell you what he's thinking."

He sighs.

"Well, if you're not tired anymore, I think we'd best spend a nice afternoon with each other, not caring about anything more than some rest and relaxation.  I think as tired as you were that if you try exerting yourself again you'll just want to rest.  Shopping, maybe, and then perhaps we can settle down and watch something together?  I don't think we've ever just... relaxed with each other before."

"You are starting to sound like you'll need a vacation for yourself after my visit," she notes with a smirk, leaving her towel behind and walking to him.

"I'd love to just relax, and pretend there is no need to go anywhere. I dont do much of that anyway so no wonder we've not done it together either," she wraps her arms around him."I do have to send some messages though just to check up on my agents and the sorts."

"Don't we all need vacations?" He practically sweeps her up by the waist as she wraps her arms around him, spinning her half a circle with no effort, hot hands warming her skin.  "I promise to be patient while you send off those messages.  But only a little.  You can't keep me waiting too long while you text."

He lets her down but doesn't take his hands from her naked frame.  There's a slight increase in the temperature of the room.

"Then we'll sit down, enjoy a movie perhaps, lounge together on my divan..."

Lyla lets a small sigh escape her when his hot hands collide with her skin.

"That's a promise then. I in return promise not to dally for too long," she strokes his arm, reluctantly letting go of him. "Though I must admit that as much as I like this adam and eve play, I'd love to put something on to enjoy the movie..otherwise you'll just be too distracted."

When he hopefully lets go of her, she heads for her phone and sends a few messages to Ombra Agency, just to note them that she is alive and back in-action and if there is anything urgent, they should contact her immediately.

Then of course...she sends a message to 5DD:Hows u? Sry for not much contact. Was stuck in Sanctuary. I'm alright. Would love to come visit later, if its alright.

She does wait for his response, but as she promised she won't make Sayeed wait for too long.

He laughs a bit and lets her go, letting her have her privacy...

A secretary of her agency responds with some of the latest bits of information gleaned- the fleet is likely to move again, and several foraging parties are out collecting material for the next jump.  Some ship is being investigated for a possible infection, and another two have weirdly shut down.  Despite this, it's pretty quiet.

Her text from 5DD, on the other hand, is much more interesting.

Tired.  Looking forward to seeing you.  Seems we're going to be moving soon.
 Enterprise might be on the forefront.  May not get that much more time for a few months.

Lyla nods to herself while reading the report. The case with the ships is interesting, but not alarming and nothing points to her needing to put effort in it, so she just keeps the information in mind.

5DD's answer is on the other hand something that captivates her attention immediately. As if it wouldn't have done that regardless of what the message itself contained.

I better visit you quickly and a lot then as to not miss my window of opportunity. Wish I could tag along with you if you go on the front. I'd be glad to escape this political play that I partially accidentally shoved myself into when deciding to help a stupid teenager. Nothing that I could really effect, but that's exactly why its so enraging...

She taps and sends, before deciding to add more.

Got to say, its not about how much time we get to spend together..but the quality of it.

Then while waiting to see if he should answer, Lyla fishes out a towel once again.

"I assume you have a hidden shower here as well...Or is it only bathing that you do?"She targets to Sayeed, with an amused tone.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:24, Tue 10 Mar 2020.

Wish you could tag along too.
There's plenty you could help with here.
Good excuse, huh?
Worried about Abyssal fleet redirection.
Could always use a good interceptor...
Quality always better than quantity.  Apologies that I desire both.

Sayeed grins back at her, "I'm not a barbarian- yes I do have a shower,"  He gestures towards his inner sanctum, a well-bedecked room with similar middle-eastern decorations.  There's a small bathroom with a standing shower there.

"Feel free."

Lyla tries to contain a grin and the abrupt blush flushing her cheeks when responding.

Really though..who is to say no to me if I choose to tag along. Its a perfect excuse that I'll be certain to take advantage of...
No need for apologies, I wholeheartedly agree. Talk to u more face to face.

A small sigh escapes her as she rests away her phone, but its quickly replaced with a chuckle to Sayeed.

"Given how you are in certain situations I could swear you are a some sort of a barbarian...or animal...anyway, I'll take a shower and then im ready to chill," she declares partially ready for the ceiling to fall or something to interrupt her attempt.

I don't think anyone could say no to you.

That's his last text before she puts away her phone.

"Certain situations, perhaps- but a truly civilized person knows when best to throw off the cloak of civility,"  He replies to her.

The ceiling doesn't fall.  The Last Refuge doesn't shake apart.  There's nothing but her, the predictably hot shower, and a quietly murmuring TV in the pool room.  Like a lot of people he must have a flat panel recessed in the wall.

She can also hear him placing a call.  By the sounds of it, it seems political business.  She knows his Politics Voice when she hears it, even if she can't hear the exact words; the man is clearly talking to someone he doesn't trust.

She does hear him say "Then file the motion in the Senate, why are you calling my personal number for this?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:49, Wed 25 Mar 2020.

Lyla does continue her shower in all peace, BUT being how she is, she really can't avoid from listening in on Sayeeds call. She gives him the space and patiently washes, enjoying the casualness of the moment.

She dries herself off mostly lost in thought, before tugging her dress back on and returning from the shower, drying her hair. She gives him a questioning look, not wanting to interrupt the call, should it be still going.

The call has ended by the time she's finished her shower.  Sayeed looks a combination annoyed, tired, and just plain over it.  She knows the expression well.  She's seen it on her own face when dealing with an annoying Ombra employee.

He gives her a little wave, playing with a remote as he sets up his TV, "Dealing with your junior coworkers can be a lot like having children.  Every single one of them thinks that their current problem is everyone's problem.  You haven't lived until you gotten phone calls at 3 in the morning asking you what you think about the latest zoning commission meeting minutes."

Lyla nods in understanding and flops down on the couch or whatever is placed opposite of the tv, giving a small pat to the seat next to her.

"I can totally understand what you mean. I still have some cases to solve within Ombra concerning about their behaviour and code of conduct that is not mentioned in the papers, but should be considered common decency. Then again I do employ some scum of the earth unlike you. Now...you wanna share and rant like I did? Or silence the phone and just fucking ignore them?" she grins a bit.

The divan is a bit firmer than most people would like; he sits down and reclines next to her, providing her with something to rest against.

"I mean, would be nice to rant a bit,"  He mutters, "But I think I'd just bore the hell out of you with it.  Suffice to say, your brother keeps kicking up hornet's nests just by existing, and someone's pushing for a measure to... push for a measure... OK, maybe TV then."  He just shakes his head, "We could switch, I could smack around some of your coworkers, you can smack around some of mine.  I scratch your back, you scratch mine?"

He starts pulling up the TV.  Possibly to her surprise he starts looking up bollywood movies, possibly by reflex.

She ruffles her hair a bit, before settling next to him, taking whole advantage of his qualities as a pillow to lean on.

"My offer for you to rant stands. No matter if it would be boring. I perhaps can't give such a good insight on things on political standpoint. Have you approached Kendall on behalf of that? Naturally there isn't much that he can do about himself existing, but if its something else I'm certain he'd appreciate the support," she ponders offering her two cents."Oh yeah, awesome, let me go teach some manners to some of your underlings. Just point me at them," she cracks her knuckles jokishly.

Her gesture is drowned under a small giggle that escapes her when he begins to look through Bollywood movies.

"Now -that- is a category I haven't got much input in. Not that I've been watching anything recently..."

"Well, the important part is there's always multiple song and dance numbers, one usually in the rain..."  Sayeed explains as he turns it on.

The movie's... not great, but not bad?  CGI has come a long way in the last ten years, and a movie about a shlubby Underdecks beacon of mediocrity winning over the most glamorous Exalt of the Upperdecks (With his combat-poker skills? What the hell is combat poker?  The movie's never clear...) is laughable.  The music's not bad at least, and the dancing was clearly choreographed by an upper-level talent.  Too bad the frankly unimpressive lead can't dance to save his life.  At least halfway through Sayeed starts feeding her candied dates.

But, as far as relaxation goes, it my actually have done the trick.  She can feel the stress evaporate off Sayeed like raindrops on a hot rock.

When the movie's finished, Sayeed gives her a little kiss and stands up.  "I think we need to get out of here for a bit and go check out stuff for that party,"  He says, "Maybe check up on a few of our sources."

She cuddles next to him, paying little mind to the movie in reality, mostly letting it just spin on the screen, her mind at rest. It does wonders for one to just -be- for that moment. Especially since the movie is quite a good as a distraction with it being amusing as hell. Halfway through she begins to sort and braid her hair in order to make it result in some curls when the movie finally draws to end.

Offering him a little smile after a kiss, she gives a nod to his suggestion with a joke in her tone of voice:"Sounds acceptable. Now that the destruction of the world in a fire tornado is no longer imminent."

It takes a small moment from her to get up as well, finish sorting her hair and straightening her dress. She finds her cropped hoodie on and pockets her phone.

The two are soon 'outside' walking the halls of his ward.  He's already putting in a ton of texts as he goes, simply business as usual as he chats.

Some things she quickly picks up, though:  the fire court is full of intricacies, yes, but there are a half dozen she should REALLY know:

• Atas, a Djinn from Iran- security chief on the job when Marc Antony stole the fire scroll.  Currently laboring under the prediction that she and Lyla will fight to the death.
• Swan Dragon, the Censor of the South- once a treasured mind, now likely gone a bit loony since his time with the Abyssals.  Currently serving as the judge in Marc Antony's trial.
• Cvilli, a Flame Duck from someplace Sayeed can only darkly call 'the real Chaldea'- likely to be the prosecutor in this little trial.  Also, oddly enough, one of Lyla's few fans, but she shouldn't expect any favorable treatment.
• Mannat the Broken, an unknown terrestrial type from western Europe- lost most of his limbs during one of the evacuations and is revered by most of the Fire Court as a result.  Currently one of the biggest rabble-rousers calling for Marc Antony's execution.
• Shareena, a dancing flame from Israel- currently serving as a forgemaster.  Part of the liberal faction, she advocates all of this as a waste of time.  This has not made her popular.
• Naveer, an Ifrit companion of Sayeed's, from Saudi Arabia.  Still has a hell of a crush on Sayeed that he probably doesn't realize (based on the stories he's telling Lyla).  Will be running the ball afterwards.

((Feel free to dig into any of this!))

The ball is in her mind, but in reality it was the easier part of all of this, and it'd do good to source more and look into the trial for MA.

"Cvilli will most likely be the prosecutor? I'd be curious to hear their points on this whole situation, if possible. Not to try and effect the outcome but rather just see with whom we'll be dealing with," she suggests to Sayeed, glancing her own phone while walking.

"That's the one, yes.  She's a traditionalist, through and through, and that's why she was selected.  Even if she's a big fan of you, you're not the one on trial here, only a witness.  I would expect her to say a lot of flattering things to you, and try to frame this as you being bamboozled by Antony,"  He tells her.  "It won't be like human court dramas, just to be clear.  There's a lot of ritual and tradition that's been carried over since the days of Hammurabi."

He grimaces at the thought.

"Stealing.  An eye for an eye, and all that.  He stole magical secrets from the Flame Court, but have none to give back in return, so his life has to suffice.  There's also how he stole it:  lying to an Ifrit.  We have trouble with lying.  Most of us have little conception HOW to lie.  So people who take advantage of us are dealt much more severely."

Grimaces in unison with Sayeed:"Sounds like something I was expecting to hear. Personally don't like the part of being painted as innocent idiot who was bamboozled by a teenager, but then again its either that or losing face in front of people I highly appreciate. Have you had a lot of court cases involving other than your kind after we took flight from Earth? I'm mainly pondering on how much of an even bigger shit show it would be if it should lead to his execution. Hm...so the easiest way to solving this earlier would have been from him to give back magical secrets of similar value..."