Ask All You Wanted by Michelle Branch

[Kaisa Vanloa]

Kaisa had always been sort of a nomad when it came to the general duties of being a Jedi. She went where the force ushered her to go, helped those she found and then always ended up moving on after awhile. Being stationary was never really her thing. Dusty temple halls and crotchety Jedi teachers were always her least favorite part of the Order, ever since she was a kid.

Of course, it wasn't easy to ignore a summons specifically from the Grand Master. Kaisa had gotten the message in her email a couple days ago, something about a private meeting with Alex. The details were light but something seemed off about the tone of the message. It's simple request betrayed its underlying sense of urgency. So Kaisa had hopped the closest space bus to Brighthome, her mind quiet despite the questions she had.

Kaisa hadn't been to Brighthome in many years but as with many things regarding the Jedi, change was slow. It was like she remembered it and as she ran her fingers down along the walls as she walked, Kaisa did her best to keep nostalgia from clouding her her thoughts.

Arriving at Alex's personal quarters, Kaisa knocked on the door twice before entering, not waiting for verbal approval. Alex had summoned her, so it's not like Kaisa's presence was going to be unexpected.

Dragging me all the way out here I'm expecting you to take me out to lunch too, ya know. Kaisa said with a smirk as she entered the room and gave Alex a nod of hello. So what's so pressing that this couldn't have been an email? Her tone was obviously light hearted, though it did contain a hint of truth.

Jedi had a bad habit of calling meetings that could be covered with a quick text. Hopefully this wasn't one of those times.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Brighthome was a strange place. A Temple in the sky unanchored to any world. A strange isolation rang in the Force all around them. It was peaceful…in a way. A peace that Alex needed. Chaos was forming in the galaxy. Crix’s death had been a shock to her system. One she frankly never expected. Fynn’s ill-advised assault had put the entire Order in danger. His demeanor had concerned her from the start. She foolishly thought it was well placed vigor. Stupid. She should have trusted her instincts. Zak was proving a capable Councilor but still they were stretched too thin. She needed Jedi she could trust…she could count on.

And so, she summoned Kaisa.

Alex waited in Council chambers in the upper reaches of the Temple. The viewport looking out into the vastness of space. She sensed Kaisa before the doors slid open. Her face breaking into a small smile. “I thought you might enjoy the view.” She turned to gestured out at space. Sadly, the levity was short lived. There was a reason Alex had dragged Kaisa into the distant reaches of the Order. “Fynn is dead.” Her face betrayed nothing. “The reports are already circulating. He took Resistance forces to Mustafar without warning, forfeiting his life and others.” Alex took a deep breath. Resisting the urge to ball her fists in frustration.

“I am not meant to be everything to everyone. The Grand Master was never intended to rule the Order.” It was not even what she wanted. “Yet here we are. The people I trust down to single digits. The Order having too few examples to follow.” A sick smile curved at her lips. “Melodramatic I know.” That was all she felt these days. “An email is too easy to say no to…and you can’t say no.” Alex stepped forward. “Congratulation Councilor Vanloa.”

@Logan

 

[Kaisa Vanloa]

For all she knew of Alex, Kaisa was quite unsurprised that the Grand Master would cut straight to the chase. She leveled the fact that Fynn had died so evenly, so matter-of-fact - though, Kaisa could feel the frustration that whirled inside of Alex.

It was understandable. The Jedi as a whole seemed to have been cursed eternally with nothing but bad luck.

A grave miscalculation on his part, Kaisa remarked when Alex mentioned Mustafar. The Order suffers from his loss.. She paused for a moment, eyes narrowing and lips pursing slightly in annoyance. And more for his stupidity. Kaisa finished tersely.

Alex's next words left Kaisa quiet, unsure of where the Grand Master was heading with all of this. She could never have predicted what came out last, a declaration that did not particularly sound like request.

Grand Master, I.. Kaisa said with just a tinge of trepidation, her voice a little quiet. Normally she'd have made some kind of little quip or joke, but it really just didn't seem like the time. A huff of air escaped her nose, Kaisa unable to help herself from raising an eyebrow and giving Alex one of those "..you can't be serious" looks.

Could she argue? It didn't seem like it. Kaisa also trusted Alex's opinion as much as she trusted the force. So what else could she say other than,

It has a nice ring to it, I'll give you that. Kaisa replied, a smirk find its way into the corners of her mouth. I won't let you down, Alex.

Kaisa's eyes drifted to the viewport behind the Grand Master, taking in the view that really was quite nice to look at. After a few moments, she'd pull her tawny eyes back to Alex.

So what now?

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The smile on her face grew wider. Oh, she was serious and yes…you can’t say no. The path was set. The only thing left was to walk it. “I know you won’t. That’s why you’re here.” Alex almost sighed. It had been so long since she felt the comfort of a truly right decision. She turned to let her eyes flick across the vastness stretching out before them. The Morellian Jedi took a deep breath. What now?

“I honestly don’t know.” She couldn’t help but laugh. “The way forward has never been less clear.” Alex turned to meet Kaisa’s eyes. “The Killik are growing more dangerous, the Free World’s remain a disaster, and the Empire still looms.” She grunted in frustration. “He was stupid and now we will pay for that stupidity. The Sith will retaliate. I know it.” Alex stepped away from the viewport. Her heels clicking on the durasteel.

“Our foundation is weak. The Order has grown beyond my dreams, but that growth has left too many Padawans and Knights without the proper instruction.” A hand pushed through her hair. “Each day I hear more reports of pupils flirting with the Darkside or falling to its lure.” Now she rubbed her eyes. “The Shadows have been undisciplined…a failing of mine.” She was meant to watch over them. To shield the Order from the dark deeds that needed doing. “The dam is leaking, Kaisa, and there are so many holes to patch.” The Grandmaster shrugged and smile. “Welcome to the Council.” That small smile returned to her face.

“I am open to any and all suggestions. We need to do something.” Anything was better than the path they were on.

@Logan

 

[Kaisa Vanloa]

The general failings of the Shadows do not fall entirely on you, Alex They have their leader. Where are they? What have they done? Kaisa said simply before peering around the chambers for a liquor cabinet and coming up empty.

I'll find it hard to believe you don't have anything to drink stashed away somewhere in here, She said with a grin. I think we could both use a drink.

While she waited for Alex to procure something to drink, Kaisa would take a seat on a nearby chair. Running her fingers through her hair, she silently cursed the fact that she'd given up smoking years ago. It was times like these where a cigarette sounded like the perfect remedy to combat the stress crawling up her spine.

We cannot build an Order that will last if our foundation crumbles beneath our feet, She said, her firm gaze falling onto Alex. Part of me thinks we need to turn our focus inward. We cannot help the galaxy at large if we are just a house of cards waiting to be toppled over.

The idea went against her first instincts, but Kaisa was no fool. The Jedi were spread so thin. They couldn't do it all. At some point, even the Order needed to know when to cut bait. A harsh truth, but still a truth at the end of the day.

But the Killiks present a clear and present danger to everyone, that much is certain. It should be our first priority. Do we have any leads? Where do we stand?

Kaisa was aware of the victories the galaxy had over the Killiks, however pyrrhic they might have been. But she was sure there were details she was missing, details Alex probably had.

It's amazing every single hair on your head isn't gray from stress, Alex. Kaisa said jokingly. The Jedi are lucky to have you.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

She frowned slightly at the mention of the Shadows. She knew the responsibilities was not hers alone…but it was impossible to change how she felt. Alex held up a finger when Kaisa asked for a stronger solution to their problems. “Ah, like all good Jedi Masters I keep a few secrets for myself.” She listened while she worked. Walking swiftly to one of the ancillary Council chairs. A little trick discovered while Brighthome was being repaired. She pressed a button on the side and small bar slid out. Alex smiled, taking two small glasses, and pouring a good measure of surprisingly well stocked Corellian brandy. Where had the money for that come from? Best not to think on it.

She casually handed Kaisa her glass and sat opposite the Councilor. “I share the same thought but fight my own nature to abandon pieces of the galaxy.” The Grandmaster took a sip of her drink. The dark liquid warming her chest. “The Killik can be broken. I am certain of it.” Her brow furrowed in concentration. “The Republic found a hive-mind world. When Zak was on Corellia he experienced how the Killik wield the Force. A memory he shared with me.” Among other terrifying things. “I am nearly certain we can break them by breaking the hive-mind…but conventional tools will not work. It will be a powerful and dangerous working of the Force.” Alex shrugged and smiled. “Which means I am convinced I must do it.” She took another sip of her drink and leaned back.

“See…” She ran a hand through her hair. “It’s really all an elaborate Force illusion.” The Morellian Jedi quirked one eyebrow. “There have to be some perks to this job. Otherwise you’d have to be mad to do it for this long.” Sooner rather than later she would surpass even Oota’s time as Grandmaster. A truly harrowing thought.

@Logan