First Reply Murder On Bespin

[Katarine Ryiah]

Tags: Asher Hodesh

"My Father had the local authorities in his pocket. If anything they would inhibit our investigation, and even cover up tracks if he asks them."

Katarine had been afraid of that. It looked like it was down to the three of them to solve this, but she liked their odds. Three Jedi could accomplish wonders if they worked together. Before she could dwell more on this thought they were interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Hodesh. Katarine was glad he had finally arrived on the scene. He seemed genuinely curious about what had happened here. Was he the masked man and perhaps just a great actor? She studied his interaction with Asher as the two spoke.

"Yes.. well I doubt The Jedi would have allowed you to come. They are your family now.. arn't they."

Katarine's tiny hand slipped around the shaking fist Asher had made, a subtle warning to her maybe future padawan to control he feelings she knew had to be rising inside him. She could tell his father and him had a volatile relationship and that always made things difficult when it came to matters like these.

"Mr. Hodesh the Jedi have changed a great deal since the old days. Many Jedi today have families of their own and The Council would never deny Asher his own family, the chance to say goodbye to his mother, nor the chance to meet his... older... brother."

She watched the mans back as she let this statement sit. Katarine was no stranger to a little good cop bad cop and right now Asher was too emotionally involved to be the bad cop. She'd let him and Narr keep the peace and she'd poke the bear. She stood there at five foot two inches (1.574 meters) one hundred ten pounds (49.89 kg) calmly. Katarine didn't look very intimidating at all but her deep green eyes were raised slightly as she watched the fathers back to see how he would react. Perhaps upsetting him slightly would throw him off his game and get him to mess up when they questioned him. It would also give Asher a chance to keep the peace and show he was on his fathers side, at least in appearance.

 

[Asher Hodesh]

Mr. Hodesh stopping in his tracks as the Jedi Lady addressed him, attempting to inform him of the reforms that had taken place in the Order.
Turning, and meeting her eyes with his own he said,
"So then my Son simply chose not to come.. that is not much better."
He looking at Ash,
"Then again, what do I expect, you have always run away from things."
Asher felt the hand of Master Katarine Ryiah trying to steady him and he said with a soft voice,
"Where is she buried?"
The Father turning said,
"After Dinner I will show you. Come.. as promised we shall dine and you can ask your questions."

There was a brief moment for Ash to blow off some steam, he bowed his head and let out a breath.
"Forgive me Master, my Father knows how to.. how do they say? Press my emotional buttons."

Knight Narr drew closer,
"I can see why you left. He seems rather bitter."
Ash piped up,
"He was no always so.. when I was a child, he loved my Mother and I.. then when the Gas Business took off, he seemed to change.."
Looking at Master Ryiah,
"If it is alright with you, I will let you take the lead in questioning him. I will give you some signals wither what he says is untruth."
Knight Narr nodded,
"I think that is wise Young One. I will help make queries."

They began to make their way to the Dining Room where a long mahogany table stretched out, with chairs of gilded wood. Already sitting at the head was Mr. Hodesh, drinking another glass, beside him was Kadim, and Lucinda. Ash took his place somewhere in the middle, Narr sat across from him. Ash hoped Master Ryiah might sit beside him, her presence was soothing and calming to him, though he was afraid he was becoming a burden to her, that he was on this mission ruining his chances of becoming a Padawan. He needed somehow to take a step, to show that he could move past this emotional compromised state, and truly help solve this investigation with her, and Narr. Locking eyes with his Father, who seemed to look upon all three of them with a mild neglect most of the time.

Lucinda gave a smile and said, "dinner is served!" Some servers came out in blue uniforms with white collars, putting dishes of rice, noodles, and assorted meats out on the table. Mr. Hodesh looking at the Jedi was curious if they would eat much, they tended to look skin and bone, though as the Master had said, they were reformed.
"Now.. how is your investigation coming along Jedi?"
He broke the silence, his tone was rather abrupt, and yet effective at garnering attention. It was unclear if the victuals had made him thus or he always was this way, only Ash would know and he at the moment was concentrating on trying master his feelings and be useful.

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

Tags: Asher Hodesh

Katarine was surprised that Mr. Hodesh could be so cruel towards his son. Asher would have had no way of knowing his mother died if nobody had told him. That wasn't the Jedi's fault and it certainly wasn't Ashers. It almost sounded like the father was feeling guilty and taking it out on other people.

"If it is alright with you, I will let you take the lead in questioning him. I will give you some signals wither what he says is untruth."

"Of course. Just remain calm. Remember if he has something to hide he will likely try to get under your skin to distract you."

They all took a seat at dinner and Kat sat next to Asher, wanting to be there in case all this emotional turmoil became too much. The father asked how the investigation was going as food was being served.

"It is in it's early stages. Though we do have some questions."

 

[Asher Hodesh]

Mr. Hodesh taking a sip from his clear crystal glass, eyeing the Jedi Guests said,
"Ask your questions. I am afraid this is all the free time I have for a while."

Asher was allowing himself to breath, and concentrate, Master Katarine Ryiah warning him that His Father would no doubt use his emotionally compromised state of obfuscate. The Young Intiate had to bury his feelings deep down, and focus on catching this murderer who had marked him and taking a shot, well slice rather.
"Yes Master, I shall not let him play my emotions as he is want to do."

Knight Narr was focused on Kadim who kept looking at him with a devious smirk. This Brother who had an aura of darkness would seem a prime candadite, but the Attacker that assailed Asher did so while Narr and Master Ryiah were speaking to him and his Mother. How could he be in two places at once? Unless.. he had learned.. Similifuturus, an advanced power of making a short lived duplication of oneself. If that was the case, then they were not dealing with a mere acolyte of darkness, rather a Lord. However, evidence was not forthcoming, one could not prosecute if there was not way to identify him as the Attacker. Besides Mr. Hodesh was a suspect, he was absent when this strike on his Son took place. This paired with disdain in which he treated Asher made him a major suspect, and the powers that Ash had said he possessed to impend their investigation, and the people in which he did business made Narr think Mr. Hodesh could quite possibly be the Murderer. There was also the way he seemed to dismiss the death of his First Wife, he had not with satisfaction explained what happened to her, well he had not given any explanation. His hope is Ash would upon visiting the final resting place of his Mother, would glean that information.

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

Tags: Asher Hodesh

"Ask your questions. I am afraid this is all the free time I have for a while."

"Well let's start with the basics. The man who was killed, did you know him? Did he work for you? What do you believe happened to him?"

She sat back slightly in her chair, her deep green eyes surveying Mr. Hodesh. She could feel Asher trying to breath himself into calmness beside her and that was good. She imagined Asher had his own questions for his father and if he wanted to jump in and ask them Katarine would allow it. She wanted to know when exactly his mother had died and how, and she also wanted to know when he had met Lucinda. Mr. Hodesh had not denied that his other son was older and that worried her. Maybe his affair had been known. All of these things were personal though and she had to focus on the investigation for now.