Ask Catching Up With A Jedi Pal

[Drow Venn]

Drow Venn sighed as he collapsed into his chair on the secret Jedi Temple at Ifrane. Was it from exhaustion at today's events? They certainly hadn't helped. He'd just come back from investigating a Sith project on Rodia that ultimate ended up being a dead end that had required him shooting his way through a trash compactor.

But that didn't mean his day was over and part of his apprehension was in what was coming next. He had scheduled a call with Grandmaster Voran - a monumental feat for both of their busy schedules. Alex was an old friend and Drow, of course, relished the chances he got to see her and catch up. Chances that, unfortunately, grew ever more fleeting these days. Still, this was the first time he did not relish talking with her. He had a lot to cover and one thing in particular was a rather big ask.

"Grandmaster. You're looking suitably grand." Drow said, mockingly over formal to greet his friend once he made contact with her on Yavin via holocall.


@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

She could almost feel Ifrane. The hidden home of the Shadows was an eerily familiar presence. The Darkside pressing in around the sides with the exception of a pocket of light in which the Shadows resided. A terrible place by all accounts but one which served there purposes perfectly. She sat in her office with every encryption thinkable running while the holo connected. Drow’s connection to the Order remained a heavily guarded secret and the activities of the Shadows were hidden from all but her. The connection clicked and her old friend was suddenly cast in blue before her.

“I’m afraid I’m a bit worse for the wear these days.” She smiled halfheartedly. The weights of the galaxy pressing on her shoulders.

@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"Aren't we all? I'm trying to decide who's more annoying to fight - Killiks or the Sith?"Drow said, leaning more into his chair as he got comfortable talking to his old friend. For once, he didn't feel like First Shadow. He just felt like a Jedi Padawan again, catching up with a friend in the gardens of Yavin IV.

"And I know those bugs are taking up a lot of your own time, so I appreciate you taking this call. Especially since I'm going to ask you for two rather big favors"

"Firstly, I was hoping I might be able to come home. I don't want to sound like I'm shirking my duties but this role...it takes a toll on me. Perhaps it's the nature of being First Shadow or maybe I'm just not as strong as others but the weeks spent undercover, the scheming, the fighting - it all makes for a lot of lonely days."

"But sacrifice is what it means to be a Jedi and I still want to be First Shadow. But I miss Yavin - I miss instructing the younglings, I miss sparring with you or with Crix and I miss just being around other people. And I understand that my exile was my punishment but it's been years sicne Eiattu and with the Killik threat, perhaps the Sith aren't really prioritizing finding the man who worked with Cursed Hand. Even if I'm only allowed a visit or two a year or I have to stay disguised or change my name, I just want to feel like a Jedi again."

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex sighed and rubbed her eyes. She had a feeling this was where the conversation might go. The truth was, Kaisa was to be made First Shadow. She knew the weight it was taking on Drow and the Shadows needed a closer eye. One Alex did not have time to give. “This is not easy.” She hummed in thought. “There are too many Shadows we have lost. Disappeared or worse. I know what I have asked of you.” She shook her head slowly. “I know the toll this takes. We have changed access codes, passwords, security. All in an effort to keep fallen Jedi from our doors. I don’t want you to end up one of those.” A terrible truth. Padawans, Knights, Shadows. The allure of the Darkside seemed to grow each day. There were few precautions they did not take. She held up a hand. “I know you won’t.” She sighed again.

“We fight a public relations war with as much vigor as any battle. Help me find a way to bring you home without holonet blasting my face as a hypocrite and it is done.” She needed her friends home. Too many were gone. More than she cared to count.

@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

A knot in his stomach that Drow hadn't realized was there all these years suddenly felt much looser. He didn't dare to hope that he might one day be tending the orchards on Yavin that he'd helped curate or teaching a youngling the art of saber combat or even just to be able to sit and share a drink with his friends. Those of his friends who were still alive, that was...

"I'll be honest, the thought of returning back to Yavin has been sustaining me for longer than I care to admit. But the Order comes before me so I won't grate your ears with flowery talk and lies just to get me back home. And if you don't like what I'm saying, I'm still your man and I'll still serve however you need me to. "
Drow told Alex, wanting to keep things real between them

"But the harsh truth of the matter is that it's been years since I sprung Eiattu's princess with the Cursed Hand and, as mad as they were about it, the heat's died down. I've been spying on the Sith all these years and, as far as I can tell, the Sith still blame them for the incident and not me and certainly not the Order. Plus, they seem a bit more preoccupied with the Killiks now more than anything else."

"That said, if it ever came out, if it ever put you in a situation where you had to choose sheltering me over protecting the Order, I'd turn myself in." Drow promised.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex took a deep breath. There were days she utterly loathed the mantel of power. It grated on her soul. “I’ve chosen Kaisa Vanloa to join the Council.” The death of Fynn had put them all in an extremely awkward position. “I’m going to ask her to assume leadership of the Shadows.” A lump formed in her throat. “Too many have gone missing…too many lost to us.” Her meaning quite clear. Too many in the dark. “There is no easy path back. There just isn’t.” Alex took a deep breath.

“I don’t know what to do Drow. You disobeyed an edict of the Council…willfully.” The sting of that betrayal still hurt. “What do I do with that?” Her holographic eyes met his. “I want you to come home. It’s time for you to come home but how can I just forget that?” It was hard even saying the words.

@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"This exile, this appointment was supposed to be my penance, to make up for what I'd done. Are you replacing me now because you feel I've redeemed myself or because you no longer have a need for me?".Drow asked.

"If it's the former, then shouldn't that be enough to be allowed in? As a Padawan, I remember learning how even the wisest of us make mistakes. I'm nothing if not a teachable moment for future generations."Drow said, a small smile finished his sentence. His little joke helped alleviate the seriousness of this conversation somewhat.

"But if it's the latter, I'd rather you tell me now. I can accept exile and we can part as friends. But I'm not sure I can handle exile with the hope of returning any longer." Drow finished somberly.

@Valen Pelota

 

[Alexandria Voran]

“My life is full of mistakes, Drow.” Alex wanted to laugh. To smile. But the weight of her choices sat heavily on her shoulders. “You more than anyone know this.” She took another deep breath. “I try to atone…to be better but war is not one with pleasantries.” The Morellian Jedi looked down at her hands. Almost suprirsed to see they were not covered in blood. “I don’t regret what I have done and yet I understand my path may someday take me from the Order.” Another deep breath. “The Force has shaped me for this war, and I fear what I may do if we ever find peace.” That woman she was had been lost long ago.

“We are not the Sith. I will not pass judgment while I sit on a throne.” Alex turned her eyes to meet Drow’s again. “I believe you have atoned. That the work you have done in service to the Order proves your heart beats for the Order, but I cannot decide alone.” Her voice was firm. “The Council will decide your fate. You must present your case to all of us. I will inform them of what I have asked of you these past years and I will fight on your behalf…as I always have.” A small smile did bloom on her face.

“It will be good to have you home.” They needed more Jedi…not less. Drow was far from perfect, but he remained one of the best men she knew. They were all guilty of dark deeds. She had to accept that within herself.

@Fantasy Liver