Devil's Advocate

[Reuben Azari]

This was the fourth life Reuben had been leading after being born to white collar parents on a core world, raised by farmers, being a Jedi and finally residing on the farming planet of Dantooine and getting mostly manual work where he could. It was far from a glamorous life but it was humble and the best he could ask for, given the circumstances, especially since Ash had put up with him for far longer than she ever needed to, even accepting him into her family and having her kids come to acknowledge him as their uncle.

As much as he wanted to distance himself from the Jedi, it was difficult to do so when he spent a majority of his time with his former master since the purge that almost wiped out the order, leaving him with no other home and no option to return to his family on Corellia which had been wavering under Mandalorian control. In the years since Arda's fall, he had accomplished nothing, all of his purpose had been placed in the order and all the hope he used to be so full of for the Jedi had gone, leaving him aimless and alone.

In recent years Reuben had grown distasteful of the Jedi, especially with Ash training her children in the ways of the force which he believed would only get them killed in the end. If the order was more prominent and if he had any spark of hope left then he wouldn't have been so adverse to the matter, there would be safety in numbers but at the numbers the Jedi were at now, they were at risk of being wiped out for good, all efforts to persist in rebuilding the order seemed futile.

Dantooine didn't provide many career opportunities since the main export was food supplies so Reuben was at the port in the nearest town trying to find anyone that could offer him the chance to get off Dantooine, particularly trying to target Corellians since they seemed the most likely to accept him as they tended to be drawn towards their own people. He had spent far too long being inactive, which was the very reason he had become so irked with the Jedi in the first place, it was time for a change.

Ash would be far from happy if he left without warning but he thought maybe it would be better this way, before he began to resent her too. As he approached two men standing outside a ship, clearly Corellian by their distinguished accent, he sensed an undeniable change which stopped him in his tracks. Another force sensitive, light-side affiliated at that. Reuben whipped around and his eyes scanned the people in town who were going about their daily business, no one stood among the crowds out until he turned back around and saw Kyi out of the corner of his eye.



@AfroBandit20

 

[Kyi Wavestrider]

Kyi was on Dantooine for a reconnaissance mission - why Dantooine specifically? Ever since the fall of Jedha and the death of... Arda... as well as the beginning of the Great Purge, the Jedi Order was forced to go into hiding once more and engage the enemy from the shadows - which forced them to move around from time to time. Kyi was sent here to scope out if it were at all possible to establish a new cell here for the time being and maybe, hopefully, recruit more Force-sensitive individuals. The freckled Knight, equipped with a cloak, his lightsaber and his most trusted companion - Exdee, began exploring Dantooine in hopes of succeeding in his mission.

Despite being here with his own assignment, Kyi couldn't help but have his thoughts shift to his children and if they were okay. The twins; Mael and Kora were nineteen now and were well on their way to achieving Knighthood, and they were old enough to begin going off on their own missions without the supervision of their father... although Kyi knew the Force was with them, always, and would guide their actions, he was still their father and had the inherent paternal instincts of worrying for their safety, even over the smallest of things. As Kyi entered a local Dantooine town, he shook his head to return his focus to the mission at hand.

Exploring the local town, Kyi questioned its locals on any potential locations on the outskirts - ones that may provide a good area to establish a new cell... though, the bearded Knight neglected to reveal that specific information to the locals. Strangely enough, while there, the ageing Jedi sensed a very familiar presence... the presence of another Force-sensitive, like himself, but one he hadn't felt in years... decades maybe. After sensing the familiar presence, Kyi would briefly put his mission on hold to find out what or who this was, calmly passing through the crowded area as he did so.

Finally coming toward the end of the crowd, he noticed him, the familiar presence. It was Reuben. Reuben Azari... he hadn't seen Reuben in what, over twenty years? Not since they were trained together when they were teenagers - strangely, Reuben seemed weaker? Maybe weaker wasn't the word but, he definitely wasn't as strong in the Force as he had expected him to be at this point in their lives, which piqued the Jedi's curiosity as to why that was. "Beep-deep?" Exdee asked, clearly noticing the recognition on his master's face, without even looking back at the XD-unit he responded with "He's someone I used to know."

Kyi then began making his way toward his old Jedi alumni, with anticipated questions and the hopes of catching up with him. Getting closer, Kyi could sense the resentment and sadness that emanated from Reuben and as he stopped just a few feet away from him. Kyi would open his mouth to greet him "Hey Reuben, long time no see."

@Sunfrog

 

[Reuben Azari]

Immediately after making eye contact with Kyi, Reuben regretted not removing himself from the area as soon as he felt a force presence nearby. Although, it might not have been any help anyway if Kyi had subsequently searched for him since after all, finding another light-affiliated force user was something of a rarity around here, if not in the whole galaxy. But there was no way to escape the situation now without being extremely rude or suspicious, neither of which were an ideal option, he could only hope it would be over soon but no doubt the other knight would have many questions - as did Reuben.

Despite knowing each other since their teens, the pair never had much of a chance of striking up a friendship since they soon became padawans and were thrown into unpredictable lives, acting with servitude to the order above all else. Reuben distinctly remembered seeing parallels between himself and Kyi the first time they had met, Kyi was everything he believed a Jedi should be and probably still was, though he couldn't say the same for himself. He respected Kyi for that despite their varying views in the present and for the seemingly unwavering loyalty to the Jedi he displayed, however misplaced Reuben believed that loyalty to be.

Reuben smiled at Kyi as he approached, preparing himself for what would most likely be a very fake conversation from his end. Frankly, he didn't want to talk to any Jedi at all but for the sake of politeness he would entertain his old comrade for the meanwhile. "Hi Kyi, how are you doing?" He asked. As much as he didn't care for talk of the Jedi, it was comforting to see that someone else had managed to avoid the purge and had built a life for himself instead of living a life of pure servitude to the Jedi. Unfortunately, in Reuben's experience, a Jedi living a long, happy and fulfilling life seemed to be the exception rather than the rule.


@AfroBandit20

 

[Kyi Wavestrider]

For a man in his forties, Reuben still looked good... well, better than Kyi at least. After all, the freckled Knight had spent the better part of twenty years fighting Mandalorians (the reasoning for his red cybernetic eye), Sith remnants and raising Force-sensitive twins - with the latter being the most challenging part of it all.

At this point in his life and having had twenty years of developing it, Kyi was able to finally master his natural Force empathy ability and being in closer range to Reuben that's when he sensed it; Kyi picked up on his fellow Jedi alumni's feelings towards him... or technically, feelings towards the Jedi. He was resentful of the Order, as well as his lack of motivation to talk with him. The bearded Jedi was curious - why would he feel this way? He was a Jedi right? Kyi had had points in his life where he felt bitter about the Order before, but this was different... he actually sensed intense aversion from Reuben.

Kyi then began to stroke his beard as he prepared to respond to the small talk "I'm fine, thank you, and yourself?" the Jedi was curious at what it was that was the cause of his intense negative emotions... however, he would have to be discreet about it - although, he was sure Reuben would figure out what Kyi was up to eventually "I haven't seen you since we were Padawans-" he chuckled "What have you been up to? What are you doing on Dantooine?"

The freckled Jedi then proceeded to remove his fingers from his beard and crossed his arms waiting for an answer, as he waited, his attention turned toward two men standing outside a ship - Corellian, it seemed like, judging by their accents alone - before turning his gaze back to Reuben. Putting two and two together, Kyi came to the conclusion that these men were potentially pilots and that Reuben was possibly planning on leaving Dantooine too. Although, he couldn't jump to conclusions just yet, for now he'd just have to wait for whatever Reuben would reveal to him.

@Sunfrog

 

[Reuben Azari]

There was nothing Reuben could do to conceal his true feelings from Kyi, he knew that, that was why he was so keen to leave, before Kyi got too curious or even figured it out for himself but escaping the conversation that would probably follow would be an unlikely outcome and if he had to face it eventually then he'd rather it be with Kyi. Out of respect, he could not bring himself to lie to his former ally, after all, he would've wanted the sentiment returned.

"I've been better." He replied with a shrug, brushing the question aside. It wasn't a major issue, just his own personal problems he had to work through, but he had been avoiding doing so for many years up until now. "Yeah." He smiled thoughtfully, looking back on the time they had shared together when they were younger before the memory became too painful. "Oh you know, this and that. Just anything to keep myself alive... Oh and Ash, yeah I stayed my former master after the purge because I couldn't go back to Corellia, well I could but... I mean-" He paused and sighed. "It's complicated." He finished, hoping Kyi wouldn't press on the issue but it was definitely a suspicious answer to give so he would've been justified in doing so.

Reuben took a moment to try and search Kyi's feelings, trying to find any hostility or ulterior motives, having become very wary of many of his former allies. He doubted that he would ever join the Order again but he at least hoped to make peace with that part of his life and go home to make peace with his family too - it just seemed so far from reach.

He watched as Kyi's gaze moved from him to the pilots before returning back to him and knew he would likely be expecting some sort of explanation, not that Reuben was doing anything wrong or illicit, it was just an unsavoury truth. "I need to get off Dantooine, I shouldn't stay with Ash any more." He paused for a moment, pondering on what to say before continuing. "I left the Order last year but she hasn't and is raising her children as Jedi so we disagree on quite a few key issues... It's for the best." He said, trying not to think about it too much lest Kyi should infer anything from his emotions.

@AfroBandit20

 

[Kyi Wavestrider]

Kyi raised an eyebrow, not out of confusion, but out of mere interest - the freckled Knight knew that Ash, his fellow Star Squadron wingmate, was Reuben's Jedi master in the past but had no idea that he was living with her currently, hell, he had no clue she was living on Dantooine currently either... goes to show how current events had pretty much separated everyone from each other. Although, he was pleased that her children were also being trained to become Jedi and hoped her and her family were happy... it would ease the fact that Reuben was definitely unhappy.

Kyi's facial expression softened significantly after hearing Reuben's explanation, hearing that he had decided to leave the Jedi Order. He didn't need the Force to realise that there was a lot going on with him and he didn't want to add to those troubles... however, the now-bearded Jedi Knight did want to help - suffice to say, he hadn't outgrown that particular character trait he'd had since his youth; the inherent drive to help others in need. Kyi empathised deeply with Reuben - he too had thoughts of leaving the Jedi once.

Sighing, Kyi placed a comforting hand on Reuben's shoulder and stared him directly in the eyes with, organic and cybernetic eyes focusing on the former Jedi's blue ones. "Reuben... I-" he sighed again "I know how you feel. The day my son and daughter were born, I was so close to turning my back on the Order... I just... I want to let you know you're not alone and that I'm here for you and I'm sure Ash and Tycho are too." he said, hopefully with a successful reassuring tone and hopefully conveying to the former Jedi that he should discuss his feelings.

The Jedi Knight then removed his hand from Reuben's shoulder as he did not want to make the troubled man uncomfortable. Turning his head toward the Corellian spacers once more, he glanced at them for a moments before returning to Reuben - "I hope I'm not prying but... where do you plan on going? In fact... what are your general plans?" he asked softly, not wanting to press him too much. He really did want to help, but he knew a good way to help someone is not to overwhelm them, so he'd try his best in doing the opposite.

@Sunfrog

 

[Reuben Azari]

From the time he had joined the Jedi as a teenager to now, he had done a full circle, having been doubtful of the Jedi when he had first joined and sharing those doubts with Avan to becoming very devoted and fanatical once Avan had left the Order and then back to being doubtful, even adverse to the Jedi. He never really knew where he stood on the matter, the issue seemed to fluctuate, only now he was convinced that he would never return to the Jedi, there were no doubts.

Reuben's eyes lifted to meet Kyi's when the knight put a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him, which he appreciated so he offered Kyi a small smile. He appreciated that Kyi meant well but he doubted the other man could truly empathise with him. "Thank you, I appreciate it, truly." He knew Kyi wanted more information, likely in an attempt to offer more help but Reuben was weary of what he said. "Only, I don't have anyone to protect. I have nothing more to lose, almost everything I lost, I lost because of the Jedi." He said bitterly, showing outward emotion towards the Jedi for the first time though he was more hurt than angry.

The extent to which his words were true was debatable, very much depending on the perspective of the receiver and Reuben doubted they would be received well but this was his truth... or at least the one he chose to believe. Although he had lost before the Jedi, he never came to terms with those losses as he never knew either of his parents but it was after joining the Jedi that he experienced his first true loss and he felt responsible for it but had never been able to forgive himself and so directed his frustration towards everyone else.

"I want to go back to Corellia but I don't know how feasible that is." He replied. It would be dangerous but it didn't have to be a fatal error. Corellia was under Mandalorian control so it was likely that any Jedi would be killed on sight and it didn't seem like ex-Jedi would be spared from such a fate when it appeared as though the Mandalorians' battle was with force sensitives. "I want to see if my aunt and uncle, the people who raised me, are still alive. They don't know I'm alive and they don't know what happened to Avan." He spoke very uneasily. "I need to ask for their forgiveness."

@AfroBandit20