"Where you came from, what you're doing, whether you're knowingly working with Excrucians, that sort of thing. Nobles are... a mixed bag. I prefer Hell and the Dark's Nobles, they're more likely to compromise, but we're most likely to be looking at a Light Noble who's all about human survival, given the Estate in question. They could compromise to avoid bloodshed or they could see us as an unacceptable risk, there's no way to tell which."

    "Is there anything in particular that I could point to as evidence that you aren't a threat, ma'am?"

"It has been three years two months since I last used the Hand on anything and I'm living in peace managing my condition with others like me who need to. You could mention that we're a Chancery chapter, that might mean something to them - it's the name of the unofficial organization of retired Strategists. But the truth of it is - we all were grave threats to Creation, and we stopped by choice, not because our power was broken. So our winning strategy is 'don't make us start shit, we would both regret it.' Does that make sense?"

"Yes ma'am." DZ glances at Deskyl, who shrugs, then signs briefly. "If they aren't comfortable with the situation, and I have a chance to suggest something to avoid a fight, is there anything that it would be useful to suggest?"

"Nothing comes to mind. All we can really do is hope the Power of Robots is either lazy or reasonable."

"Yes ma'am. Thank you."

She sits down in a nearby chair at the kitchen table. "While I have you - are you two doing alright?"

    "Yes ma'am. Thank you for your hospitality."

"Glad to hear it. You aren't safe here but you're lost like us and that makes you ours, worth defending. Ask any of us and you'll get the same reply. So try not to worry. It'll be alright."

Deskyl's 'saber is out and she's standing, at 'ours', and DZ is retreating.

"Not ours like property, you brilliant traumatized idiot. You're free to leave whenever you want to. It might be a bad idea to do so but you are allowed to have bad ideas. I mean that we are here to defend you, we're in this together, and thus we're something a little like family. Comrades, maybe. So put that thing away before you hurt something."

Deskyl narrows her eyes in response, and doesn't back down.

She sighs. "What I get for trying, I suppose. I'm not going to throw you out, but I'm not interested in continuing this conversation. It seems likely to end up with me dead again."

Deskyl holds her stance for a long moment, but then nods and stands down, not putting her 'saber away but not holding it threateningly, either.

"Thank you." 

She waits for Deskyl to move and doesn't make any sudden movements herself.

She gives Clematis another beat to say anything else, then turns and goes, signing once to DZ as she passes her in the doorway.

DZ stays, though she doesn't move back into the room right away. "Are you all right, ma'am?"

"Frustrated, but fine. I would let her put the plasma thing through me before I'd raise the Hand to her."

"Yes ma'am. It might help in the future if I can explain to her more of what you're thinking?"

"Mostly I wish she'd accept my help and experience, but... That's something she's got to come to on her own."

"Yes ma'am."

"It might help you to know that Sith are very cautious about family and other bonds of that type? They're seen as a vulnerability, because of the risk of betrayal and of outsiders attacking from an otherwise secure direction. It's not surprising that she isn't open to that."

"I see. I'll keep my feelings to myself on that, I can take a hint. Thank you."

"Yes ma'am. And - Sith are extremely protective of their lightsabers, the swords they carry. A Sith will only allow their lightsaber to be touched in conditions of absolute defeat, and most would rather fight to the death than allow it. Ordering a Sith to holster their lightsaber is essentially never done; it's not just a mortal threat but an extremely degrading one, under most circumstances."

"Oh," she says. "Well that was stupid of me."

"Master Deskyl seems to have understood that that wasn't your intention, but that could have gone very badly, yes ma'am. Did you have any other questions for me?"