fandomhigh | Galactic Field Trips, Monday

Today, class had been alerted to dress for warm, rainy weather, and informed to visit the bank and trade some dollars for Imperial credits if they were so inclined. Lana met them at the portal wearing armor again, but this time in grey and black.

"Today we'll be visiting Kaas City, on the planet Dromund Kaas," she explained. "It's the capital of the Sith Empire, and the city I was born in. It's probably best today if we stick together for the most part, and definitely be as polite as you can. Sith can be temperamental, and it's easy to get lost."

She led them through and into a plaza that was, as promised, warm and with rain drizzling down. "Dromund Kaas is largely jungle, and extensive long-term experimenting with the Force by some very powerful Sith have contributed to an almost continuous high-level lightning storm." She nodded at the sky. "Kaas City is almost entirely powered by lightning captured by giant spires throughout the area."

She led them toward a vehicle as she continued. "We'll be taking a shuttle tour of the city to view it from the air in a drier environment. Our guides will be able to point out the architecture and tell you something of the history. Then we'll sit in on a public audience with Empress Acina, after which we'll be taking the shuttle to the spaceport and heading into space to visit Vaiken Spacedock." Because she'd listened. "Vaiken is where most trade with non-Imperial merchants is done, and it also boasts a rather nice cantina. Today there will be a fashion show from both Imperial and off-world merchants, and you'll get to see some of how Sith tend to dress." Look, there was a reason she kept a file of the things on her datapad, and it wasn't for inspiration. Sometimes you just needed to remind yourself it really had been that bad.

"You should be able to wander Vaikan without issue, so long as you stay on the main level. If you get lost, simply head for the center." She nodded to the shuttle pilot and waved them all in.

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You'll be in a shuttle with ceiling to floor windows, flying over and around giant skyscrapers and periodic plazas. It's all clean lines and mostly grey or green, depending. Then there's the huge red-lit complex to one side, which is the citadel with sections for Imperial Intelligence and the Mandalorians, and the center and most impressive for the Sith government and the Empress's throne.

This was impressive, to be sure. But everything was so clean and shiny and impressive that it left Steph feeling kind of... itchy? That was the best way she could describe it, just a vague under-the-skin discomfort that had her thinking wistfully of the Rockies towering over Haven Springs and the scent of pine and fir. Hell -- even the Preserve back in Fandom.

All right, this was- this was (obviously) even higher up than the Eye had taken them in London, and so Watts was experiencing no small amount of vertigo as he looked out at the city.

"Are you all right?" Steven asked, quietly.

“We are- very high up,” Watts murmured, reaching for Steven’s arm to pull him closer.

Steven was more than all right with being closer if Llewellyn needed. "Can I help? Do you need to take a breath?"

“As always, you are already helping,” Watts said with a genuine- if tight- smile. “Perhaps- yes. A breath.”

He’d been excited for the concept of a spaceship, but the reality was something else, and they hadn’t even left the planet’s atmosphere yet.

"I'll do it with you," Steven said. "Nice slow in and out, all right?"

Watts nodded, breathing in and out as Steven directed.

Steven did two rounds of a slow inhale and exhale, then asked, "How's that? Any better?"

“Much,” Watts admitted. “My thanks.”

"Helps to breathe through feeling trapped and afraid," Steven said. He smiled. "Marc taught me that."

“It’s such a long way down,” Watts muttered.

Steven thought about it. "I mean - worst case scenario Marc can fly?"

Granted they'd only ever done that back on Earth so it was possible that wouldn't work here. But the point was more about offering comfort than it was suggestions of ways to test the limits of Khonshu's powers.

“You’ll pardon me if I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Watts said.

"I know." Steven sighed. "I was trying to chase off worry if I could."

“It was a valiant attempt,” Watts said, now feeling guilty for reacting as he had, when as he’d said, Steven had been trying to help.

"Sometimes it can help knowing the worst case scenario isn't so bad," Steven said, to explain why he'd tried that route. "But it's all right. We can try other things. What's making you most nervous?"

Re: Kaas City tour

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"Oh..." Nell had been uncertain at first about the height, but soon was just caught up in trying to see everything.

"Why is that section all red?" she wondered to herself.

"Because Sith are nothing if not dramatic," Lana answered wryly.

Nell laughed. "Should've figured it was something like that."

Lana grinned. "As a group, I believe they'd be called 'drama queens'. I should see if I can find any Dark Council meetings on holo."

Nell laughed. "I could make popcorn."

Lana grinned. "Perfect. Especially if I can find one where Vowrawn and Mortis went after each other. And Nox enabled them both."

"Oh, that sounds like a good one!" Nell said with a laugh.