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1Bank Teller: "And how much security do you want?"
2
3Kador Ouryon reclines back in the booth eyes shifting to the apex of the concourse. 
4
5"I don't want anything audacious... a simple lock box in a nondescript number range. That said I don't want just anyone being able to open the thing...  anonymity will be my security. Can you do that?" 
6
7||The tower of cloth holds still in a position that might suggest rather rude and blatant staring.
8
9 "... Yes. Why wouldn't you simply store it in your house if that's the case?" ||
10
11Kador Ouryon: "I considered that... however if I believed that it would be safe would I have  come all the way here to talk to you?"
12
13|| This satisfies the woman. She reaches under the booth and pulls out a pen and clipboard, which already has some paperwork on it.
14
15 "Fill this out and get it back to me, dearie." ||
16
17Kador Ouryon accepts the clip board from the teller. Kador's vacant gaze lingers on the forms, his fingers brush over the heavy fabric wrapped around her hand as he takes a digi-pen, then flicks up towards Triss. 
18
19"It's really happening isn't it." 
20
21It’s a statement rather than a question.
22
23Tressith Sefira puts her hand on his arm and gently tugs him. 
24
25"Y'can't do that in here! Youre holding up the line."
26
27Kador Ouryon: "I'm sorry... I was somewhere else. Do you suppose they would mind if I filled it in while we wander over towards those tapestries?"
28
29Tressith Sefira: “I don't think they would!”
30
31Kador Ouryon sidles out of the booth offering the next patron an apologetic look as well as a slight nod of his head. Concentrating half-heartedly on the circumventing the winding masses of humanity, both native Voxam resident and ethnic Gallente (whatever that meant) alike, they make their way over to one of the massive, hanging tapestries. Vague as to whether leading or being led.
32
33Kador finally looks up as  he comes to rest in front of the tapestry. The hands holding the documents drop to his waist as he regards it intently. 
34
35"Do you like them?"
36
37Tressith Sefira withdraws her hand. She blinks up at them, unused to being dwarfed by anything. 
38
39“Course. They're what makes Voxam Voxam. Wouldn't be the same place without them." 
40
41She points up at a stylised representation of a large round table meeting among those peoples of varied colours.
42
43 "This is when the Federation extended its first invitation to Voxam like a hundred years ago. They made a big mistake here. We were gentle space travellers at the time, an' we had a real similar culture to our sister planet in the Esmes system, so the Federation extended a single invitation to us and thought that we were the same government. It was a bit of a clanger."
44
45Kador Ouryon traces the line of his jaw with his left hand several times. 
46
47"That makes sense, the offer must have caused no small amount of tension between the Federation and Voxam's sister culture in Esmes. How did the Federation manage to make amends...? Seems like the invitation would have been a black spot in Voxam's history particularly if the two indigenous cultures were close."
48
49Tressith Sefira chuckles quietly. 
50
51"Aetree IV laughed it off. The Federation drafted a second invitation to Esmes III within the year. Embarrassing, but pretty benign as far as Federal mistakes go."
52
53Kador Ouryon: "What an interesting response."
54
55Tressith Sefira: “I mean, it was a pretty understandable mistake considering. Two insular cultures, native race follows the same genotype, same language with different dialects. We had a lotta cross pollination.”
56
57Kador Ouryon nods.
58
59 "So  was it was it simply a matter of two peoples living in similar geographic regions? Or was Voxam active in exporting its culture through trade or colonisation?"
60
61Tressith Sefira: “That's a good question and the honest truth of it is that I don't know.”
62
63“You know... They treat secrets like currency. The only things I know for sure are from the Federation side of things.”
64
65Kador Ouryon: "That only serves to make it all the more interesting, don't you think."
66
67Tressith Sefira: “That's what I've always said!”
68
69Tressith Sefira flashes him a conspiratorial grin.
70
71“Do ye happen to have the time?”
72
73Kador Ouryon: "You did." 
74
75The tension in Kador's face seems to slacken. A smile creeps across his features followed by quiet laughter.
76
77 "Sure. I've got time." 
78
79
80Tressith Sefira: “I mean, d'ye have the time? What time is it?”
81
82Tressith Sefira checks over her shoulder at the queues. They've doubled in size since they arrived.
83
84Kador Ouryon blinks slowly processing the words turning his head so it is in profile and covers one ear with hand. 
85
86"My mistake. I guess it's a couple of minutes past midday..." 
87
88He follows her gaze and blanches at the size of the growing lines.
89
90Tressith Sefira: “We're gonna real nonchalantly turn around to face the crowd. And you're gonna look real good at the crowd, all casual like. And you're gonna tell me what you see. Y'hear?”
91
92Kador Ouryon: "I can do that..." He replies, a tinge of confusion colouring his tone. 
93
94Tressith Sefira side steps. She slowly pivots to look at the crowd of people. Her thumbs hook into her pockets.
95
96Kador Ouryon rubs at the nape of his neck as he continues to try and make observations.  
97
98"I suppose I'm starting to notice the differences in the castes... like you said the fabrics help identify the groups. I helps that they stick close to one another."
99
100Tressith Sefira gently elbows him in the side. 
101
102"Anything in particular you notice about this crowd? Take a look at their behaviour. Get a feeling for their feelings for me."
103
104Kador Ouryon turns his eyes back on the crowd, those electric darts sharp and searching, his gaze is unreserved. He stands silently for a few considerate moments. He exhales slowly leaving a singular finger to rhythmically tap the barrel of his pen.
105
106"Some of them, most of them, seem anxious to me. I suppose I didn't really notice until I took the time to look... what gave it away was the how they sway in place, lean out around the lines to check the progress, or shift their weight from foot to foot.
107
108It's also in their hand gestures too. Occasionally I noticed one or two of them would contort their hands or reach up and press against their face...”
109
110Kador suddenly brightens, a wide smile form across his features.
111
112"... it’s like they were smoothing down their hair even though it's covered.... it wouldn't be exact but maybe that's potentially another way you've been able ID the gender of your suspects here in Voxam!
113
114Anyway I just can't be sure why that's the case. My first theory was that it could just be the bank y'know. Because secrets are usually abstract things they aren't difficult to keep on your person at any given time... but to deposit them in a lock box or transfer them you need a medium like paper, data, or recording. Which led me to think that some of these people will have physical evidence of their secrets on them and why they might be nervous. This led me to a second theory, that they might be agitated by the sudden  influx of customers into the bank... as you said they believe there is a finite number of possible secrets in addition to those secrets having a meaningful trade value. If you consider it like that I think it is reasonable to surmise those patrons here before the rush might feel concern that the value of their secrets is diminishing... after they can't be sure they are the only ones in possession of that information."
115
116Kador sighs deeply and rubs at his jaw again.
117
118"A few seem curious about us... could be they are just staring at you... but every now and then I'll spot one staring and catch them as they suddenly turn their heads to looks at something else. Who knows... maybe they're just curious about why a non-native like me is lingering about. The rest just seem to be ignoring us.
119
120Despite all that I can see what you mean about the insular culture here and the way castes play into it. It's in how the gravitate into tight groups within their caste. Each one orienting themselves within these circles so that they are shoulder to shoulder or with their backs to outsiders. See the lines they form? Most of them aren't even straight... they don't even wind organically. There also isn't any doubt as to who is first in the line because the groups don't seem to communicate with one another more than they have to."
121
122Finally the Udorian-Amarr shrugs and turns back to Triss. His expression is neutral saving for a series of rapid blinks and the compression of his lips. 
123
124"I just can't figure out what causes new groups in different lines to form. Perhaps it's something to do with why the teller asked me if I was  Fannan? Just who are they? "
125
126Tressith Sefira: “Right on all counts.”
127
128Tressith Sefira cants her head towards him. 
129
130 "Folk who participate in the same cults, live in the same neighborhoods, an' attended the same schools tend ta group together. They share and protect the same secrets, so they'll be more comfortable around each other. The folk you see who seem a bit... Better dressed? Their secrets are rarer, so they're more standoffish to protect them.
131
132“The Fannan... They create original ideas. Original content. They're artists, writers, designers, singers, dancers. Y'can't often tell 'em apart from the immigrant population. 'Cept... There.
133
134“The guy who just walked in, who's going down the steps. Y'see him?”
135
136Tressith Sefira gestures vaguely in the direction of the stairs. There's a darker skinned man, wearing plain Mannar garb, with hair dyed so many neon colours it's impossible to tell what his natural hue is. 
137
138"They're the top echelon. They're so rich in secrets they don't have to hide every single one possible. Watch this.”
139
140|| The queues part in front of the man. He holds up a silvered flute. Those he passes by appear to glance up at him, but only for a moment or two at a time. The man enters a booth and the person previously inside shuffles out and back into the queue. All this happens without a single spoken word. ||
141
142Kador Ouryon looks confused. 
143
144"Why did they do that?"
145
146Tressith Sefira: “Respect, tradition. Don't folk do the same kinda things for Holders?”
147
148Kador Ouryon glowers and offers her an affirmative grunt in reply. 
149
150Tressith Sefira turns her attention back to Ka. 
151
152"Don't like Holders then?"
153
154Kador Ouryon’s hand tightens into a fist and his breathing deepens.
155
156 "It's not that... they just..."
157
158He takes a step away from Triss, glower deepening, then seems to think better of it returns to his original position angling himself slightly toward her. 
159
160 "... I've just been let down before." 
161
162Tressith Sefira: “ 'M listening. We have a little time.”
163
164Kador Ouryon sighs and slips his hands into his pockets. 
165
166"I ever tell you I was engaged once?"
167
168Tressith Sefira shakes her head.
169
170Kador Ouryon: "Didn't work out for us... we just weren't quite equals. It's damn hard to work your way up socially in the Empire if you aren't half cut with noble blood or in one's good favour. Tried my best.... but they guard all the door and hold all the keys."
171
172He sighs wistfully. 
173
174"Commoners work, struggle, and die for them every day. You'd think they would be.... more.... consider their position as a service rather than a privilege... and hold to real principles."
175
176Tressith Sefira: “She wasn't common?”
177
178Kador Ouryon: "No. As it was.... the differences in the family circumstances between could have been measured in magnitudes. Before I was born we were some nobody household you couldn't find lower scrapping the bottom of the barrel for Wealthy Commoners. Which was its own problem... neither being commoners nor nobles. We lived on incurred debts and promises... until a few years before I were born when my father took over the family affairs.
179
180The betrothal was his idea and I had no say in the matter. He does some noble a service and whenever he decides to marry his first born son is promised to their second or third born daughter."
181
182Tressith Sefira: “An' they wouldn' even let you marry a second or third born?”
183
184Kador's brows lower, holding there. His chin tucks slightly, frown forming. 
185
186 "No... that was my fault."
187
188Tressith Sefira: “Mmm?”
189
190Kador Ouryon: "Well we were playmates from a young age y'know. So the idea wasn't exactly disagreeable.... but neither of us wanted to marry with such a big disparity in our standing. So typical of the way kids get those romantic ideas in their heads and just go with them... there was only one real choice for me to work my way up. The military. That's where I started to hate them... and their lies.
191
192The idea that a commoner can rise through society if they serve is an idea that is fed to the lower castes all the time. Serve now, make your family proud, and become respected. So being a child I naturally let myself be swept up in her urging and signed on..."
193
194Tressith Sefira: “An' it's more exploitative than opportunistic.”
195
196Kador Ouryon nods sullenly.
197
198 "You could say that. Officer is where everyone sets their sights... line work gets you nothing but a pat on the back and some citation from the Ministry of Internal Order. However the Officer's school has a limited number of placements... most, if not all, of which go to scions of the noble houses looking to make their parents proud. The rest like me were folded into line companies and left at the mercy of halfwits barely qualified to tighten their own boot straps."
199
200Kador Ouryon looks up at Triss. 
201
202"You have to know the type, some superior officer on the force who delegates everything to his subordinates?"
203
204Tressith Sefira: “I definitely know the type.”
205
206Kador Ouryon: "That's them alright except then they were playing around with peoples’ lives. You asked if I understood competitions between siblings and cousins... or close acquaintances... these were the same ones we played at when we were kids.
207
208Anyway... soldier didn't quite cut it for her family. An uncertain future at best especially since I could have taken work with her family and cemented the betrothal. Our immaturity was the end of it all.
209
210Most of my misfortune comes from Holders breaking their promises.... safe to say I don't much like or trust them."
211
212Tressith Sefira sounds ambivalent. 
213
214“It does seem sometimes like the Empire's built to support those kinda abuses.”
215
216Kador Ouryon sighs deeply once again.
217
218 "Maybe... but it's not all bad. People there are honest to a fault, hard working, not so zealous as their nobles. If you ever make it out to Tash-Murkon you'd see... life isn't so rigid there."
219
220Tressith Sefira: “Course. In the Federation they say the working class is the most virtuous.
221
222It's federation virtues though so sometimes it's hard to tell whether that's a good thing or not.”
223
224Kador Ouryon turns back to watch the Faanan  move through the line. 
225
226"So they've got something pretty good to deposit right? Or is that not what they do? Do they share their art?"
227
228Tressith Sefira: “Depends.They're rich in their own works, but that don't necessarily mean that they're rich in other people's secrets. Though that's often true too. Sometimes they'll do this tricky thing where they say they've made a masterpiece.
229
230But, y'know, they're incentivised not to share it. So they’ll play mind games.
231
232They'll announce that they've created a masterpiece. Might share it with one person. Let the word spread around that they've made it. And then they'll never release it. But they'll do things to make folk think the masterpiece exists.
233
234Like...”
235
236Tressith Sefira points at the booth the fannan had disappeared into.
237
238 "Visit the bank.
239
240Folk will go into a frenzy over it. Spill their secrets to him hoping to hear it. But... it only works it folk believe it's a true and secret masterpiece.”
241
242Tressith Sefira taps her skull. 
243
244"Mindgames. Beyond me."
245
246Kador Ouryon’s mouth twists slowly into a smile as he considers the rules of the game.
247
248Tressith Sefira: ”Sometimes I think that once they get the title of fannan they never make another masterpiece. They just manoeuvre to make folk think they have been.
249
250But then there's the rare ones who actually make something beautiful and outright release it to everyone.
251
252S’not a great way to make money and fame. It's much tougher prolly than the psychological warfare, 'cause everyone can judge the quality of your work directly.
253  
254But if you swing it... Yer a rockstar. Sometimes literally.”
255
256Kador Ouryon: "Sounds like the people are placing a great amount of trust in the Fannan... surely even the ones who play the game must have to produce something every now and again.... or at least give the impression they  do."
257
258Tressith Sefira nods.
259
260 "It's like gambling. Cards. Y'can only go all in for so long afore someone calls your bluff.
261
262An' if someone calls yer bluff and you pony up, you're gold, and they're in disgrace for proposing a false truth.”
263
264Kador Ouryon:"But should someone calls them out and proves they haven't got a thing to show for all their bluster then their credibility is ruined."
265
266Tressith Sefira: “Mhm. They drop to the bottom rungs.
267
268And the fella who called him out gets elevated just below fannan.”
269
270Kador Ouryon: "Interesting... am I right in assuming that even non-natives aren't exempt from this cultural tenet."
271
272Tressith Sefira: “Yes. Mosta immigrants who haven't assimilated are considered poor.
273
274And devoid of any respectability.”
275
276Kador Ouryon sighs.
277
278 "Makes sense..."
279
280Tressith Sefira: “We had a case of an immigrant coming in and accidentally becoming a fannan... Caused riots 'cause she didn't know what she was doin'.
281
282You 'n me, Ka, and the resta the force are considered little better than nuisances. We steal secrets with our interrogations. An' not through socially acceptable means.”
283
284Kador Ouryon rubs at his brow melodramatically, however is nursing a faintly amused grin. 
285
286"Great.... swampy marsh... uncooperative locals... with a universal love of keeping secrets. Police work here must be a breeze."
287
288Tressith Sefira giggles. No, really. An actual girlish giggle.
289
290 "Can you imagine how boring it'd be otherwise?"
291
292Tressith Sefira squints at the newest group wandering down the stairs. They're draped in dark brown cotton, which is sprinkled with orange. 
293
294"Y'see that?"
295
296Kador Ouryon: "I see them. They a group from another caste?"