Ask Naboo A Time for Everything

Talak Rand

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And it was back to Naboo. The Arcanist had quickly learned that what happened in one region of the galaxy didn't seem to make the news in another. For this reason, apart from the man he was here to see and perhaps the few Sector Rangers that were actually on world, no one was likely to recognize the mask that had become so famous in Hutt Space.

That worked just fine for the Arcanist.

Tracking down Jedi Master Oren Zapan hadn't been quite as difficult as the Arcanist might have thought. This was in large part because, unlike the Sith Eternal, the Jedi weren't really in hiding.

Master Zapan, like everyone else, needed to eat food, and that was where the Arcanist found him. For obvious reasons, he had suppressed his Force presence so as not to blatantly signal that someone was nearby, but he had no intention of hurting the Jedi Master. At least, assuming he wasn't attacked first. Still, one never could be too sure with Jedi (he'd had some rather frustrating and mixed interactions with Jed up until now) and his lightsabers were tucked away but easily accessible in the satchel hanging at his side.

He spotted the man he was after, and the first thing he noticed was that Lilith really had done a number on him. He cringed a bit behind his mask - bearing many similar scars on his own torso from that particular Force ability - but didn't slow his pace. He slid smoothly into a chair across from the Jedi Master and started speaking at once.

I assume you know who I am, and my intentions aren't to attack you, he said. His tone wasn't one of confrontation, and for the moment his hands were on the table, though he knew he could use them as a weapon or access his saber as quickly as Zapan if things went sideways. He said nothing for a moment and simply watched. He watched the Jedi Master's movements, his face, the way he felt in the Force, and how he would react to this... surprise guest.
 

Oren Zapan

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It had been nearly three years since the incident, and it seemed that old news died off and the crime that happened here was slowly forgotten over the years. But, for the Jedi Master the emotion and connection through the force was strong here, it radiated with sadness and hope. He often found himself wondering how she was doing, they had connected while he was in prison, and he challenged her position once more.

She told him not to pursue her, and so he wouldn't, but he had a feeling that it wouldn't be their last time seeing each other. And so he sat in the booth of the same cafe she was in the night their paths crossed. Thinking on the changes to his life and everything that could possibly come. It seemed the force was pushing him, guiding him along, yet he was unsure of why or where.

He could hear someone coming as he sat alone at the table, his eye opening to see the masked face of the Arcanist. A small smile would form on his face as he radiated a sense of calmness and tranquility. Even the almighty focuses on the stories of our flesh..Interesting. He would bow his head slightly, his saber was hidden away in his jacket, yet the Master had no intention on drawing it.

"If you wanted to attack me, you would have done it already," he'd say with a smile, "Please sit, and if you could..take off your mask," he'd say, not because he wanted to identify the man, but it would bring them both strange looks. "Your secret is safe with me, I assure you." His words were sincere, but he couldn't nor would he force the man to do so.

His hand would push a small spoon through his cafe, "And what are your intentions exactly?"

 

Talak Rand

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The Arcanist already found this Jedi to be more interesting than the last ones that he had met. He seemed more contemplative than the others, though that had also been what had gotten him in trouble with Lilith in the first place. Perhaps he was too open-minded. Time would tell.

Still, he was perceptive enough to pick up on the fact that the Arcanist hadn't attacked, which indicated he wasn't here for a fight. When Oren asked him to take off his mask, the Arcanist was actually shocked by the guts it took to ask that. He didn't just wear this mask for fun, and there wasn't a galaxy in which he was going to freely show off his face to someone who was as likely as not to avow the Arcanist a mortal enemy because the S word came before the word Eternal.

You haven't even bought me dinner yet, he quipped in response. Someone like him wasn't likely supposed to make quips or jokes, but this wasn't being broadcast to the Syndicates. His persona was to strike fear into the hearts of the Syndicates.

Call it knowing your enemy... or your ally, he said. He would allow the statement to be taken as it would be, but the Arcanist was nothing if not a complex man. Either his goals or his methods were disapproved of by nearly everyone, but he could find common ground in one area with nearly everyone.

I'd love a little philosophical debate about my methods, if I'm honest, he said. I think you can tell a lot more about someone by what they believe in than anything else, he said. He had a general idea of the views spewed by Jedi - at least at a 10,000 foot view - but he wanted to know the actual mind of a Jedi and find out if there was as much common ground as he thought. He had been told before that he sounded like a Jedi... ironic considering a Jedi had told him there was no way he was one... an outcast in every group, and quickly becoming comfortable with it. @TWD26
 

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The Jedi would tilt his head slightly at the joke, a small smirk forming on his own face. So he had a sense of humor, that was interesting. But, he had heard the stories about the charisma that such characters could have and the footage they had on the man was still alarming. But, Oren wasn't going to strike the man or chastise him, he hadn't attacked him, nor was he going to strike the man.

"I'm more of a one night kind of guy," he'd chuckle softly, the markings on his face pulsing slightly red. Though it seemed the joking would slowly come to an end as the man cut to the chase. Friend or enemy, was he hoping that the Master would provide some sort of judgement on the man? He had his assumptions, yes, but he could only imagine what the galaxy thought of him. In due time, maybe he would have a greater understanding of who he was.

"Do you want me to judge you by your appearance..are you judging me by mine?"
He'd ask with a curious tone, it was a dangerous game, one that could get you killed. But, the man had sought him out specifically, and for some reason wanted his opinion on the subject of his actions, his own philosophy.

Oren himself was a rather eccentric Jedi, one that could be considered foolish by some, naive even, though he often kept his opinions to himself. Why make a decision for someone, when you could provide them the opportunity to grow and learn to do the right thing? He would drum his fingers against the table, his lone brown eye focusing on the eyelids of the mas, "I accept your proposition." He'd hold out his mechanical hand for the man to shake.

tag: @Phoenix

 

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The Arcanist didn't care much for apperances. They didn't tell you anything about who someone really was. Sure, there was something to be gained by evaluating how someone decided to put themselves together, but that only got you so far... skin deep, as it were. He was far more interested on what was below the surface.

Judging by appearance is a bit basic, don't you think? he asked, tilting his head to the side. He was already getting used to the idea that when wearing a mask he had to alter his body language to convey a point.

The Jedi decided to take him up on his offer, and for a moment the Arcanist just looked at the extended hand. After a moment's pause where it was unclear if he would actually take it, he decided to shake, ever wary of how precisely it could be used against him. He was naturally a skeptical person... or at least he had had skepticism beaten into him.

It was really only logical that they sit here because both had something to gain by understanding the other one. It was just like a high stakes game of 20 questions. Except that at any given time someone might kill the other. Unlikely, though.

I've run across several Jedi who take issue with what I do, he said. It was honest, and it was one of the things he'd come here to reconcile.

Why are Jedi more interested in stopping the person illegally freeing slaves or destroying criminal assets than going after the criminals themselves? There weren't any softball questions in the Arcanist's business. The Jedi were a complex sequence of contradictions and borderline hypocrisies. He was curious if they had simply lost their path as the Sith Eternal had or if they were, at their core, truly a problem. @TWD26
 

Oren Zapan

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The Jedi would narrow his eye watching as the man peered towards the hand, as if it was some sort of trap. "I assure you, it's a certified cybernetic." He'd smile softly as the masked figure took his hand. He would bring it back, letting it rest on his lap. A philosophical debate seemed interesting enough, it was like the class room on Ajan Kloss, but this figure was supposed to be his adversary.

It seemed the man wasted no time into jumping into things. Ah the idea of his actions, he hadn't known many Jedi that had encountered the man, though judging by the footage he understood why. A small smirk would form on the Master's face, "Let's be fair here," he'd say resting his hands on the table, "What you're doing isn't as simple as freeing slaves or destroying criminal assets...that's a portion."

He'd drum his fingers against the table, "It's how you're doing it, the way you're doing it, that causes concern.I agree that the Hutts are a cause of deep pain and sadness in this world.I should know I was a slave," he'd let the words hang in the air for a few moments, "The way see things is that the force connects, you and I, everything around us. Our actions causes ripples, a changing of the thread in our galaxy. Your decisive actions cause a finite solution, but it has been made clear to me that you simply leave, what if someone worse takes their place?" He'd raise a brow, "Nar Shaddaa is home to thousands of men just like Durr, is it not? Our actions have consequences, I saved a girl from dying and was given two years in prison, I changed the lives of her own, the man whose legs I split in half and my own.."

"A real Jedi is concerned with saving the poor, helping the sick and attempt to save the most lives possible there and now. I've been on missions, I've freed slaves, helped the poor, stopped criminals. Our objectives are no different, at least yours and mine aren't. We simply approach things differently."
He'd sigh, "That was long winded, but I believe the reason they are going after you is because of your approach. Consider one, less lethal and you'd hear a more favorable outcome, it keeps your humanity in place, and could possibly help end the cycle of hatred and violence that has engulfed our galaxy for eras--though I often question the validity of such a statement."

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Talak Rand

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The Arcanist took note of the man's history as a slave. That was interesting and unexpected, and he wondered if that offered the Jedi Master a different perspective on the issue than others. Perhaps, but he wouldn't make any assumptions.

On the other hand, as Oren got to his comments about the widespread impact of the Arcanist's actions and the way that they "rippled" and there were "others" who might rise, the Jedi would be able to see from his body language that he was completely disengaged from that argument.

Yes, certainly. Let's do nothing for fear that someone worse might come up. The age old argument for apathy, he said, barely hiding the disgust in his voice at that. It was an excuse that people used to try to avoid doing something that was difficult. Perhaps someone else would come to power, but that was no excuse to let a current piece of scum stay in power. He could guarantee the current situation was bad so what would be done about it?

He was still frowning behind his mask but didn't interrupt again as the Jedi spoke. At least they seemed to have some sort of common ground even if it was... a very narrow strip of land.

That all sounds great in an ivory tower or a Jedi temple, but it doesn't address the issue of murderers, slavers, spice dealers, and other heinous people running around out there because people are afraid of how they might be perceived, he said. He was certainly more fired up already, and clearly felt quite strongly. He intentionally forced himself to calm down as he shook his head.

I watched those Hutts on Nar Shaddaa shoving slaves to their death for cheers and betting. I killed the people doing it, and I'm the one who's condemned? he asked, cocking his head to the side. Pardon me, but if the galaxy we live in says that's acceptable, then someone needs to come along and change things, he said. His greatest issue that he took with the Jedi was how passive they were. The Force had given them incredible power to change things and they didn't because of perception and fear.

I thought Jedi weren't supposed to embrace fear, but I hear a lot of it in your philosophy: fear about what your actions will cause, fear that someone worse will rise, fear of how the galaxy will perceive you... he said, leaning back and shrugging.

How selfish or hypocritical does someone have to be to value their own comfort and being liked over someone else's life? he asked. In contrast to some of his previous comments this wasn't said with as much of an accusatory tone. It was his honest self-reflection. Being hated wasn't easy, but if he had to choose between being hated and watching what had happened to the girls on Gamorr, he knew what he would choose. Of course, that attack wasn't publicly associated with the Arcanist, but Talak knew. @TWD26
 
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Oren Zapan

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The Jedi would raise a brow slightly, towards the man's initial comments. He could feel the disgust with each passing breath as he felt judgement cast upon him. Though Oren didn't flinch nor cower, maybe he misunderstood or maybe the Master hadn't made his words as clear as they could have "Apathy..is death," he'd let the words linger on his lips for a few moments as he took a drink, "I never said not to take action, only that we should be mindful of the type of action we do take." He'd say with a sharp tone.

He'd point towards his face, his mechanical right hand clearly visible as he did so, "Do I look like I sit in an Ivory tower of my temple?" His hand would move the sleeve of his jacket to reveal a prison tattoo that covered his left forearm. "The reason I have this ink is because of my action. I severed a man's legs, to save a girl. I could have used the force, but I chose a more violent method." He'd nod, "A Sector Ranger arrested me and I served two years for trying to do the right thing. You could argue I did do the right thing, that I saved a young girl from being tortured or killed, but I took the law into my own hands and could have possibly gotten someone killed. What I do know is that I'd do it again, maybe not use my saber, instead I'd use the force or something with less dire circumstances."

He'd lean in slightly closer to the man, as his lone working eye would narrow, not out of malice, but curiosity. There were plenty of people that were most likely unable to be redeemed, that he knew. Sometimes death was necessary, he would know--he had only killed one person in his life, and that was to save another. "I don't believe I'm better than you, I've killed a man before, to save the life of another. I've destabilized economies by freeing slaves, and I've put behind bars. I've done and said things to hurt people, just like I know you've hurt your apprentice on Endor..."

He'd sigh as he leaned back, "The Hutts are cowards who resort to fear to control their rule, you haven't killed innocent people, thus I believe that there is good inside of you, unlike what the media or fellow Jedi have made you out to be." His eye would narrow, "But, I should warn you that killing in the name of justice is a dark path that could lead to losing your humanity completely. Eventually you start to see people as objects and beings, ones to be used and manipulated for your own gain, and at that moment, all the freedom and peace you've fought for, would be lost."

The man asked him about the Jedi and their fear of him and the others like his apprentice. Oren didn't fear them, but was concerned about the implications of their actions and their possible descent into tyranny. It would be in that moment that any hope for the man would be lost, and thus he would have to take a stand. "You'd be correct in believing that the Jedi fear you, especially the young children, or those who seek to live their lives in peace. The order has been destroyed and reborn countless times throughout the generations...and I would be ignorant if I didn't believe it wouldn't happen again. Each person is different, many have read the code, but many break when it comes to actually living the teachings that we are taught. "

He knew what the man had said with his closing statement, "You're right, it's hypocritical, but many people are, including you and I...It's only though realizing this that we can accept ourselves." He'd shake his head, "If the Order knew what I had done, to spare your Apprentice's life, that I was talking to you now instead of bringing you in...they would throw me out, strip me of my title of master." He'd tilt his head, "But, I don't care, because being a Jedi is a personal path that one leads through the light, not a title or an organization. It's about a few core beliefs that I carry."

He'd gulp, "Feed the hungry, heal the sick, help the poor, teach the young, to stand in the defense of the helpless even if it means my death, and lastly, the hardest of them all, to give a second chance to those who are open to it." He'd pause, understand that it was difficult and murky, "This is a hotbed of an idea, one that makes me a maverick, but I believe it's the true tenant of what it means to be a Jedi. Everyone deserves a second chance at learning from their mistakes and their actions, to prove that they are capable of growing and changing."

He'd sigh, "This is the greatest strength and greatest flaw in my own personal philosophy, one that could possibly put others at risk again. But, the things is philosophy means little in the face of action. It comes down to decisions as we mentioned earlier. Killing, not killing, and dealing with whatever comes after." He'd sigh, "I don't hate you, even if you hurt your apprentice and have tortured her mind. I believe you both are looking to help the galaxy."

He knew this next part was risky, but he believed in the betterment of society for all, "Why don't we work together? I have a contact in the Sector Rangers, I have to work with her as part of my rehabilitation into the greater galaxy. She and I have worked to take down a bio-terrorist organization for the Hutts. We did it without killing, and she showed me that there were ways without using my saber to resolve every action.." He'd hope that the man would take his offer, "Would you consider it?"

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Talak Rand

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The Arcanist didn't say anything as the Jedi Master said his piece. It was clear he had had a great deal of time to consider this as well... two years in prison could get you a lot of thought, he imagined. The reality that he would spend every last moment of his own life behind bars if he were ever caught was an unpleasant thought that nagged at the back of his mind.

This Jedi certainly didn't seem to fit the mold of his Order all that well. Perhaps the Arcanist had found a Jedi version of himself: someone who didn't really fit into his own Order because his views deviated too far from the normal.

He bristled slightly at the mention of Endor. He didn't know what Lilith had told him, but that topic was uncomfortable enough on its own let alone sharing it with this Jedi. It was something that Talak felt more shame about than almost anything else he had done.

But at the end of the day, the truth was that the Arcanist could get behind most of the things that Oren endorsed. He wasn't sure it was all the right path for him, but that didn't mean there weren't parts of it he could walk.

As he reached his "proposal" the Arcanist was legitimately surprised and caught off guard. He assumed it was a trap, but the proposal alone had him curious. If it were a true invitation it was putting his reputation on the line again. It hadn't worked out so well for him last time, and the Arcanist didn't say anything for a moment.

Even if I were to trust you, your Sector Ranger friend would have my head on a spike, he said. The fact that the Sector Rangers were more interested in bringing him down than the slavers he went after still struck him as ironic. Still, his own comments weren't a direct rejection even if they were filled with skepticism. @TWD26
 

Oren Zapan

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Oren could hear the skepticism in the man's voice, and he understood why. He was the most wanted man in the galaxy, by both his Jedi Brothers and Sisters, the Hutts, and the Rangers. He was practically alone in this galaxy, unless he had other friends within whatever he and his apprentice existed in. But, it seemed more likely than not that he was all alone in the galaxy.

Nothing Oren could say would make the man trust him, words meant little, it was only through action that one could begin to build such a relationship. He seemed reasonable though, for as much information had been conjectured about this illusive figure, many of it seemed to be exaggerated. He knew what he was capable of, he wasn't foolish, but even the Jedi Archives talked about the extreme powers that Vader and Kylo had, and they both were redeemed in the end.

He would drum his fingers against the pit of his chin as he contemplated, "You're right," he'd sigh, "If you came dressed like you are now, she would be over you in a heartbeat, but possibly a disguise...I could dress you like a Jedi?" He'd say with some musing, a soft chuckle escaping from his lips, "But, I don't know if you could pull that off." He wasn't sure what they could do, "You could pose as someone I knew in prison, someone that's looking to change his life, or you could take off your mask, give me a name, any name, and I can talk to her about setting something up. Regardless, this is going to require us to trust each other, if we can't we might as well fight now..But, for the sake of the galaxy, we need to work together."

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The more the Arcanist heard about this plan the more dubious he was about it. He lived in a world of lies and distrust where anything and everything that you ever said or did might be used to kill you at any moment. With a galaxy fully of people coming after him to kill him, a 10,000 credit bounty on Talak, a 5,000 credit bounty on each of his sabers, and probably eventually a bounty on the Arcanist, showing off his actual face... wasn't in the cards.

He didn't say anything for a moment. Sure, the man had put himself out there by saying what he did, but he could just as easily pull back his comments and pass them up as a means of entrapping the Arcanist if any real danger came of it. If Talak took off the mask, he was in genuine, mortal danger from people that numbered in the millions.

Sorry, you seem nice. But I'm not willing to bet my life on it, he said, tensing a bit. And if that means that we have to "fight now" then might I suggest we take it to somewhere more isolated, he said. He wasn't interested in making a mess of this fine establishment... or fighting for that matter. They were the Jedi's words, not the Arcanists, but he couldn't afford to assume they were anything less than completely serious. Until proven otherwise, he would assume they were.

Assuming they weren't going to start fighting, he would continue to speak.

Not to say that you and I couldn't ever be of use to one another, he said. He had every intention of swapping comlink frequencies with one another before this meeting was over. Having a Jedi Master he was in contact with could prove quite useful, and it might turn out that a rogue, vigilante Force-sensitive could be equally as useful to a Jedi. @TWD26
 

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A soft sigh would escape his lips as he felt the man reject his offer for the time being. He understood the challenge and immense pressure that he was under, he often felt it himself before his arrest. It caused you to stress out and to worry over every little thing, and eventually you'd get reckless and make mistakes. But, he couldn't force someone to accept an offer, not if they weren't truly ready.

"I don't want to fight you," he'd say with a soft smile, "If I was in your situation, I don't know if I'd be able to trust anyone," his eye would narrow, taking a good read of the mask, almost as if he was trying to put an image to the voice behind the mask. "In due time, when you are ready, we can talk again, and I can show you a different perspective on the Force." He'd say as he peered towards the crowd and then back to the man. "If there is one thing you walk away with, I hope it's that you will consider that death is the only solution."

The master would pull himself up from his seat, his comlink in his hand, "If you need to contact me, whether that's a place to sleep, recover, or simply talk..contact me." He'd peer towards the man.

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Talak Rand

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All things considered this could have gone worse. He seemed to have made some sort of impromptu ally here today, and he already knew at least one way they may pay off to one another later in time. Of course, such thoughts and plans were all dependent, and he didn't even dare think about them here.

Until next time, Master Zapan, he said with a nod. What an odd day this turned out to be. He took the com frequency from the comlink, but not the device itself, and headed off out the other door. He was careful in his trip, searching himself for trackers, and waiting to make sure he wasn't being followed. Truly, his paranoia knew no bounds even if he didn't think the Jedi meant him harm.

Back to the next step of the plan, then, he thought to himself. There were so many things to do, and so little time.

//Thread
 
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