Convocation on Tatooine

[Insoulent]

Arkantos saw the steps of the mysterious Jedi as he paced his own way out, it caught him off as strange. Arkantos could see the Jedi, one similar to his own Master, graceful and very much a Jedi, but he simply could not feel the light as he did in his Master. The Light that he felt in most Jedi, and that kept him weary. He stopped a bit, turning back to the other Jedi as he made his way into the convocation. He ignored it, and continued to his speeder.

As he made his way outside, the scorching Suns suddenly hit him again, the air as dry as his mother's old wampa roast. He sighed, "He couldn't have this meeting on Manaan or something? Next to a beach, with some cold drinks and attractive models? Maybe then I would of joined him..." he joked outloud to himself, as he walked to his speeder. He heard Larik's voice, as he turned around to see him. He smiled as it had seemed Larik too had taken his leave. "A drink would be great right now, but there is just something wrong..." he said, looking at the Temple. He felt the Force call out to him. It was his "gut" feeling, his Master was still in there, a long with a lot of other Jedi, yet something in his gut was telling him to go back. He looked at Larik, and turned to the door. "I felt that too, good thing I wasn't the only one."

He paced back quickly, catching the Cathar speak. He liked this Jedi, his words were much like his own, ones he could relate to, but he was not the reason he came back. He stayed silent, looking around the room, he himself staying at the foot of the door, as if he was guarding the exit. The Jedi who spoke after him, also had words Arkantos agreed with, though as he spoke, Arkantos' finally found the hooded figure, keeping his eyes on him as the Jedi revealed the figure to be an Anzati. Arkantos knew very well of the species, as his adoptive mother often told tales of Anzati that killed Jedi, as a bedtime story back in his childhood as a Mandalorian. It struck him odd, but Arkantos would not do anything yet, this meeting would be one of peace, and one that Char had held to show his distrust in the Order. He had a point, but Arkantos simply felt he went about it the wrong way, could they not simply work within the ranks and such of the Order? This point was made clear as a strange figure appeared, one he hadn't seen, even in all his looking. Her lightning, her red lightsaber, her initial deception, all signs pointed to Sith. Her words echoed with an Imperial accent, and her words of "fear" echoed the silent room.

He turned his gaze to the other Jedi, the one he named in his head as "revealer", as he had exposed the Anzat, and stayed calmly looking at the dark cloaked woman. He crept his hand closer to his Lightsaber hilt under his cloak, keeping his palm on it, while not actually igniting it. If there was a peaceful alternative to actually fighting a Sith, then he'd go about it, but her saber was out, and when a Sith had their saber out, they were usually pretty adamant on their decision to fight, but still, Arkantos had to respect the meeting, and it's host, Char, who had grown tired of the bickering. He kept his gaze on the two Sith figures. Master, and Apprentice? No, they wouldn't be as stupid as that, to believe they'd both escape unharmed now in a room full of Jedi. Arkantos had no intentions of fighting today, especially with the calming reassurance he had in Char, but a Sith having the bravado to appear infront of them, he simply couldn't let it go and he quickly spoke up. "How about we take this outside, trade ideologies and you be on your way, or if you'd prefer... I'll show just how fearful the Jedi can be, m'lady." he said with a serious look on his face, and an even more stern look on his face.

 

[Stacker01]

Thur'hars had been bothered by this discussion as it continued to derail. Only Char and one who was apparently a Knight had even recognize he and the Togruta Jedi had spoken. Even then the very purpose was not recognized. Negative speech against another is to throw about accusations and become offensive or insulting while Thur'hars was merely trying to remind the people in the room who and what they really were as Jedi.

But he was unnerved when it was pointed out that the...creature standing beside the meditating Padawan was an Anzati Assassin, a creature that, apparently, murdered for food. It was unsettling but the Padawan remained in his conviction to simply sit there. He did not actually feel danger after all. As a survivalist it was his instinct to put distance between himself and the Anzat, as the situation could change faster than the weather on Empress Teta. But then of course he heard a lightsaber ignite and some strange, electric crackling. Opening his eyes to look around he saw someone with a crimson saber and electricity firing off her hand. Though the room was pretty well smothered and he had a hard time making out anyone specifically he did feel a kind of darkness that emanated every-so-slightly in his perception from the woman.

And then here come the Jedi offenders, ready to fight right from the start. In another moment he saw the Mandalorian Jedi return, his hand ready to pull out his lightsaber. It sounded like he was trying to start this one out with diplomacy, but no diplomacy can go through with a threat put in at the end. "No matter what kind of diplomatic suggestions you give, you play her game by inviting a fight." Standing to his feet, Thur'hars decided to push through the others until he was beside Char, looking at the woman with her saber.

"If you wouldn't mind putting your lightsaber away it would be appreciated. I don't think either of us is actually willing to cause a physical confrontation right now, despite my jumpy friends behind me." Thur'hars looked at Char now, taking a leap of faith that was rather uncharacteristic of him. "With the way our little meeting has gone I don't think anyone here will honestly be able to clear their minds with an Anzat and a Sith around, so it may be better to allow her to speak her mind." Thur'hars looked at the woman again, knowing that what she had said was just a more aggressive and offensive version of what he and Asalla had said. "Provided of course we can all keep our hands off our weapons."

Thur'hars glanced around, thinking for a moment. His stoicism was strong, but enough was being let through to make it clear he was sincere. Then again, he knew that if things went bad he'd likely be the first to die. But he took that chance anyways, standing between aggressive Jedi, a supposed Anzat, a Sith, and a grumpy Jensaarii who he decided to look at again."But if wisdom says to stop for a moment and allow everyone to think and clear their minds then I suggest she and the Anzat not be guarded. Besides, the view of our enemy on us may benefit all. That and I might also want to speak with this Sith should we decide to put things on pause." With no malice in his voice, even at the term "Sith", Thur'hars was sure his point was going to get across. He looked at the Sith, the weapon in her hand and the lightning crackling from her fingers. He thought her either brave or brash for stepping into a room full of the current assortment of people. Either way her view of them could go a very long way.

 

[Master Maverick]

The whole thing was a complete mess. Ashara couldn't believe the words being flung around so freely without thought or consideration for the other's thoughts. It was truly sad, but she could at least be content in the knowledge that some of the younger demographic had a good head on their shoulders. The Togruta had nothing to add and would remain silent. Even if she did it would have only added to the noise, completely worthless for this group. She knew when to keep her mouth shut, and while her body fought against it, her mind prevailed and she stepped out of the... whatever this was.

Larik's points were heard echoing through the chambers upon Ashara's leave. She was quite impressed with his words. She felt much the same and would have only said the same thing were she so inclined.

On her way back to the surface, something shifted. Tiny, hardly noticeable. She swore it was something, but attributed it to nerves and kept on her way.

Once to the surface, she ran the width of the desert back to Mos Eisley. The sun beat down on her, but her speed did not diminish, nor her muscles tired. She was far too consumed with indecision, regret and sadness to dwell on such things. The control of her own body, which she thought for the shortest of moments she'd like to be able to control others in a similar fashion, allowed her temperature to stay relatively regulated, not getting too hot in the beating suns. While it was nearing dusk, the Suns far past their zenith, it was still deathly hot upon the exposed sands.

She found passage on a civilian shuttle back to the Core. Empress Teta would be her destination, upon which she would seek out the Grand Master. At the very least to set up a meeting with him. In the mean time she meditated in the Sage Halls, contemplating and reflecting on what had happened in the days(?) since the convocation...

_______

Tuwan stayed in the back, keeping to the shadows much like the newcomers. The brash Sith was foolhardy at best, but she kept her distance. The squabbling of Jedi was pathetic, but she had nothing to add. It wasn't worth her time, these children hardly knew anything and they spouted ignorance with every sound.

With the threat of violence, the ancient Neti focused the Force around herself, keeping an eye on the 'invisible' one while keeping her senses on the schutta. It was a subtle manipulation, but not impossible to pick out. Of course, to feel it over the 'noise' of all the children would be quite difficult. Not impossible, though, for those well immersed in the energies.

 

[Radiwalker]

The meeting had gone into chaos... something far from what Asalla had expected. She realized that staying there and continuing any sort of argument would be a waste of time. It would accomplish nothing and might even lead to a fight, a fight between people who ought to be working together. The girl wanted no part in that, she had tried to speak reason, but didn't see much effect from her words.

She noticed Ashara leaving and sped after he aunt, but no before providing polite nods to those who had organized the meeting, she wanted them to see her leave, to know that she stood firm in her beliefs. She threw one look to Tuwan, but didn't expect anything in return. She looked for Teynara's eyes and after a few moments a smile came upon her face, as she noticed the blonde jedi. One final nod and she took her leave.

Ashara had quite the lead, but Asalla didn't want to catch up. Much had transpired and the girl needed some time on her own, to think things over. She was heading towards the nearest spaceport and then off to Tython, where she would meditate and consider the future.

 

[Solaris]

"They came in peace," Char said stoutly, thankful to have someone agreeing with him on the subject. Many unkind things had been said about his character - and this situation would have been stressful even with a friendly audience. "I ain't sayin' for us t' be stupid, but t' my mind the Jedi got no where for to be turnin' 'way anyone what's got their say." He looked from the Jedi to the 'Sith' to the Anzati. "They come all this way an' went t' all this trouble t' have their say. Couldn't hurt to let 'em have it."

As to how this supposed Sith got there. . . well, that was an interesting question for him to be asking later.

---

Nasiri slipped away as the confrontation started and Asalla left. She caught up with the Togruta before she got out of the ancient ruin, glad to get out of the room with all the abundance of conflicting emotions and discordant argument. "You slipped out so quickly," she said with a smile, "I almost missed you." Nasiri brushed an errant lock out of her brow and pursed her lips thoughtfully. "You were right, you know, and I think Char agrees with you more than he's letting on. Char's just. . . well, he's got a lot of talents, but this sort of thing really isn't it." She quirked a crooked smile. Nasiri supposed she could be more tolerant of Char's faults than others, given her relationship with him. At least that gave her an edge when it came to understanding what he was trying to say - and she could tell explaining it to her had really helped him out in there.

She shuddered to think of how badly it could have gone without her coaching.

"It's not that he wants to abandon anything, it's that - like you said - he's concerned about fighting the Sith the way they want to fight, rather than the way Jedi should fight. Your idea about the evacuations is a good one, but there's a lot of logistical problems to it. Refugees don't have a means of support, and you'll be drawing on yourself - but the Sith won't be obligated to over-extend themselves, and leaving fewer people behind for them to pacify means they can cover quite a bit of the galaxy - the Core, at least. I wish more people would offer something, rather than, y'know, attacking Char, but I guess fighting really is the only option they can see."

Nasiri's smiled turned cold at that thought. She could see where the Immortals got their ideas from... and from what she knew, this Convocation was much more important than the Jedi realized. "I'm not a Jedi, you know. Not a very good one, anyways. I had to get out of there before I started saying things they would regret."

 

[Radiwalker]

Asalla was surprised by the sudden voice. She had felt the approaching presence, but she didn't expect that. The more she listened to the words of her female counterpart, the more she liked them. "The problem isn't only logistical. We certainly won't have enough ships to evacuate everyone and even if we do manage, those ships won't be able to transport all the people and return for the evac of the next planet before the sith redirect their efforts. And even if we somehow pull that off, we still won't have a place to put all those people, the few plants we'll have left will be flooded and life would be less than miserable."

She turned to look around the desert. It was calm, in a sense. But she knew of the storm that was coming. "My suggestion didn't really have much meaning other than serving as an example, I wanted to have people begin thinking in a different way, but instead they prefer to act more like savages than jedi. I saw no reason to keep my presence here, when I can retreat to Tython and meditate on what has happened, one mind working on solving the correct problem is still better than none and I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one thinking this." she smiled at the one called Nasiri. "I understand Char and his concern and in time I might even consider going into exile myself, provided I'm not killed by then." Asalla reached into her robes and pulled out a small token, then handed it over to Nasiri. "Here take this. If the worst should happen, perhaps we would come across one another. If that happens just show me the token and I'll know you mean well." The token was one of her clan, her father had made it with his own hands and given it to Asalla during her departure to the jedi temple.

Asalla would wait for a moment to see if Nasiri had anything else to say to continue the conversation... if not, she would leave, heading towards Tython.

 

[Green Ranger]

"As an invited guest, my opinion was asked for by my presence being requested here, honey," Aro said, smirking at the copper haired lady, "Whereas our host today called together...well essentially invoked something of a conclave without actually being a part of the Jedi, or - judging by the lack of their presence - even notifying the Council of his intent. A coup is a coup, and radical thinkers need strong responses."

So fierily she leapt to the head speaker's defence, Aro noted. It was almost as if... He quirked his head slightly as he looked at the woman, frowning before muttering, "Oh, that'd explain it," and turning to ignore her entirely, shaking his head and chuckling to himself. He didn't even bother to note the stirring tension surrounding the Anzat, nor the Dark Jedi...Sith...whatever, the schutta with the red lightsaber. Crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, he continued to watch what was to transpire.

The Force had thrown him a curveball. Though he was a Gray Jedi...well, he was still at least fifty percent Jedi, and that was enough for him to stay around and ensure everyone got home safely.

 

[Solaris]

"I notified the Council, same as th' rest a' th' Jedi," Char said with forced patience to the kid who'd called after the now-gone Nasiri. The kid's 'rebuttal' was simply more distraction without substance; he'd failed to address Nasiri's accusation of hypocrisy with his half-assed explanation. Char had met precious few grown men who acted like rebellious teenagers or petulant children, and did not find it endearing. Nasiri may not have been his wife, but he was light-years from being appreciative of someone talking at her like that.

"Matter a' fact, how d'ya think some yokel on Tatooine got word out to the bulk a' the Jedi Order without cooperation from 'em? Any Jedi can call a Convocation, but whether or not the others decide to respond is up to them." Char shrugged. "Might be's they got things they think're more important t' worry 'bout than this."

---

Nasiri nodded her agreement. "That's the problem with scorched-earth warfare on the defensive, hon. Well, defensive wars in general - whatever you do, you lose men and material, while he's just losing military power. Whichever way the Alliance fights this war for the Core, they lose in the long run." Her thoughts were on her recent enlistment with the Chiss, and she was torn between the foreign feeling of belonging among the Jedi and her own goals that her joining with the Ascendancy in their foreign legion served. Even though she had left the Order officially and was all but fomenting rebellion, none of the Jedi there had denounced her for a traitor. That... that meant a lot to her, now that she thought about it.

Nasiri accepted the token with a small, genuine smile rather different than the holo star smile she was flashing around in the room with the Jedi. In another life, she might have scoffed at the notion of such trust. Here and now, though. . . If she didn't get out of here soon, she might not ever leave. "Don't take this the wrong way, hon, but I hope we don't meet again for a long time." Her eyes studied the token, though it - like everything else she saw, felt, or heard - was already etched indelibly and flawlessly in her memory. Nasiri didn't look up at Asalla as she spoke, instead turning it over in her slender fingers. "Stay- stay in the Galactic south, and out of the Core. The Sith're probably going to expend themselves in the Core, but they shouldn't be able to take the Outer Rim. Not completely. Please. I know what it sounds like coming from an Immortal, but the Galaxy needs good people... needs them more than it needs heroes. Heroes will only get people killed."

 

[GABA]

Ebberla remained quiet, holding her tongue while the other Jedi and non-Jedi spoke how they felt on the topic. She studied each face, reading each wave in the Force, every feeling, every sense. Her focus drew her to the Anzati, his presence was off in the room full of majority lightsiders, not saying her own was off also, but she recognized his, it was familiar. Tensions were high another appeared, an Imperial with a lightsaber. Ebberla felt her Corellian Impulsivity peek through and she rolled her eyes, many Jedi were beginning to leave, Ebberla was feeling her time to leave was soon coming also.

"I see we have forgotten that the Jedi are not so innocent in this war, it was a Jedi who initiated this war with the Sith Imperium as well as the Chiss. We act with the information available to us at the time and now we must accept the consequences of our actions; to cry about what we should have done or could have done is a fine way down the path of the dark side. If anyone should be angry or threaten to cut ties, is the Alliance; we're keepers of the peace and we had already had failed when war was declared, to turn our backs on the Alliance now, to even think such actions do not deserve to hold the title of Jedi." She looked back onto those who remained within the Convocation. It was what the Sith wanted, Ebberla knew, war with the Alliance, the catalysts of chaos, natural conflict, war was their game. This convocation, to break from the Alliance, divide and conquer, for Ebb it whispered darkness.

"The choices are of your own. Those who think its a good idea to isolate yourselves, think of those who look up to you, think of what you do for the Order, what you do for the citizens of the Alliance; if you run and hide now, who will fill that task for you? Those who looked to you for guidance and help, who will they turn to now? Not everyone's purpose is to run to the front lines to fight, but it should not be to run and hide either. Listen to the Force, let it be your guide, do not wallow in your doubts or the doubts of others."

Ebberla's eyes rested one more time on those who were still in the convocation. Turning on her heel, she threw back up her hood and left, returning back into Tatooine's suns. Her calling was with the Jedi, she would not hide as some had felt, the light was being threatened, darkness was falling and she would help to see the flame burns through.

 

[Solaris]

"Aye," Char said dourly. It appeared that Ebberla Daw had not listened to more than a few words he had said, and she had certainly not sought understanding. He was not advocating war or abandoning the people of the Alliance - he was advocating the exact opposite. It was a sad day when a Jedi Master was demanding Jedi fight as soldiers and a Gray Jedi was asking they not cause more death and destruction in an increasingly senseless war. "Let th' Force guide you. Listen to it, not th' generals an' senators what want you for t' be fightin' for 'em. Listen t' the sufferin' our fighting is causing. Listen to the sufferin' that th' Jedi's bein' quick t' act an' slow to think has caused.

"I ain't sayin' for ya to be abandoning anyone. I'm sayin' that your place as Jedi ain't on the front lines, that abandonin' th' Jedi Code for these newer, easier tenets ain't what's right for Jedi, an' that serving' th' Alliance to the exclusion a' all else is not the will of the Force but rather the will of a small, elite cadre what seen fit for t' be makin' decisions f'r the Force."

 

[Stacker01]

Thur'hars turned to Master Daw, though he only knew her as one he had directly spoken to when reciting the Codes and challenging them with where their failures of the Codes lay. He felt a kind of chill run down his back as he realized that she was both right and wrong. He listened for a second as Char addressed those remaining with his response to that Master, all the while he felt the need to follow and address her more directly once again. If she walked away she would at least do it knowing that she had failed the very foundations of the Jedi Order. He glanced at Char as if to say he'd return momentarily and walked out after the Master.

"Master," he called after her as he ran out the entrance to catch up. "I apologize for this, Master, but I feel the need to be straight-forward with you." He paused, though it was not to wait for her to respond in anyway. He gathered his thoughts then looked to her face. "When I recited the Code and pointed out where Jedi in that room had their flaws I spoke of you. It is worse to abandon the Code because you feel a sense of duty as a Jedi to fight a war we never should have been involved in than to adhere to the Code and stop fighting. There are different ways to win this war, but when a Jedi gives up the Code to fight, for any reason, that person is less Jedi than the Jensaari advocating for a change of strategy, advocating for the Code. When a Jedi gives up the Code he or she is nothing but the darkness that envelopes all those who leave the Light behind."

He then turned back towards the enclave, looking over his shoulder at the Master. "Consider that, no matter what you are doing or where you are going." He then left the Master and went back to the remaining conclave.

 

[GABA]

The Warden felt a presence linger closely behind her. She paused in her journey and turned around to the approaching padawan, she could feel he still had something on his mind as he called out to her. She rested her thumbs on the buckle of her belt, throwing her weight to one leg, he was surely going to speak his mind to her. However, the Corellian listened, there was a sense of ignorance to his words, he didn’t know her very well. Though she let him finish, she wouldn’t let him go back to the conclave, not just yet.

“Stop padawan.” She called out, “You obviously do not know me very well.” She stated, folding her arms, “You don’t know the Jedi very well either. The code is our purpose padawan, nowhere in that code does it say I cannot fight for what I believe is right. Nowhere in that code does it say we are entirely perfect. Nowhere does it say, don’t listen to the Force when it calls you or me to the battlefield.

"As keepers of the peace, you did not hear me when I said we have foremost failed by preventing war by advising the Senate we should go to war. It isn’t the Alliance’s fault that we are losing this battle against the Sith. Tanaab. Saleucami. Sarka. Ossus. All Jedi Knights, Masters, and padawans who went up against our Sith adversaries; they did it because it was where the Force needed them to be, not where the Alliance told them to go.”

Ebb took a step forward, “So Padawan, I ask you, where and when did I abandon the code when I went to Saleucami, where I fought against the Sith with soldiers and Jedi alike as the darkness tore apart the cities and murdered children in the streets; only to be betrayed by our own as they retreated? When did I abandon the code when I defended against darkness on Ossus? When did I abandoned the code and the Jedi when I refused the Empress’ offer to join amongst the ranks of the Sith?”

She paused, observing the young Jedi for a moment before continuing, “Fighting as I did, did not mean I gave up the code, its not a black and white adhere to dogma. Falling to absolutes is the way of a Sith and in turn that is your own suffering you create for yourself, as you do now as you sit in there and point fingers at the Galactic Alliance for other people’s failings. If the Force calls you back to the core, then so be it, listen to it, it is when you go against the Force’s will that you create disharmony. However, do not stand in there and blame others for why the galaxy is falling into its darkest days. Not everyone is meant to pick up a lightsaber to fight, there are other ways, I believe that; but I also believe withdrawing from the Alliance and hiding in the outer rim in fear of another purge and to save their own skins is not the answer either.

"As is.” She stated the two simple words, “Be mindful of your thoughts and feelings. Now you have heard my story, and you've heard the Jensaari, it is your decision now. Grand Master Luke Skywalker once taught, there was this way or that way, but always another way. I find that another way is always the better option.”

 

[Stacker01]

Thur'hars heard the call and turned, clasping both sets of hands behind his back respectfully. He listened as the Master spoke, taking in her story. He made mental notes, listing in his mind responses to different points. He didn't see where the Alliance was being blamed for anything, however, except in the responses of the Master. While he agreed with many things she said he could not help but feel annoyed that she made an illegitimate argument out of a fallacy.

"Nobody has blamed the Alliance for anything, Master," He said calmly. We are not saying the Alliance is wrong. Every person involved here, including you, puts blame on the Order. You put blame the Jedi for not trying to prevent it. That man in there, and those who agree, also call the Order to their responsibility in how this war is being waged and what it is doing to the Jedi involved. I may not know all the battles, or even war, but I know that when we are betrayed by our own because they just want to fight and kill the opponents it is not because the Alliance is at fault. It is because of the failings of our Order, and the failure of the individual Jedi in their adherence to the Code. You may not see it as black and white, but failure to live out what the Jedi stands for is a path to destruction as the way of the Jedi is peace. It is our job to prevent people from going down that path as much as we can, and when we fail we should be redeeming them and bringing them back to harmony when ever possible. We can't do that if we are set on always fighting."

Thur'hars thought for a moment, trying to come up with the words for what he wanted to say. "I am speaking to a Jedi Master who claims the Jedi are wrong for this war, yet in the same breath advocates waging it. At the same time you also claim to prefer the 'other' way, yet you will not hear anyone with a new idea. I am not going to pretend to know everything, but there is a problem when all that we do is more ammunition for the Sith to use against us and nobody is willing to do something to change that."

 

[GABA]

The padawan was only hearing what he wanted to hear, what he wanted to think and this bothered Ebberla. The Jedi Master strolled closer to the four armed boy.

"Your naivety shows, you wear it well and others will surely see it also. I pray that you find a way to overcome it, or your opponents will overcome you. All you did was listen to pick apart my words, you failed to hear, and therefore you have failed your duty as Jedi."

The Jedi Master readjusted her hood taking a step backwards from the boy before turning around, "Be ever mindful young one." Ebberla called out loud enough for him to hear with her back turned as she begun her walk through the desert sands, "If you wish to continue to serve the light, the convocation behind you is certainly not the path you want to take."

She then picked up her pace making her way back to the port city, her duty called her elsewhere.

 

[Solaris]

"For what it's worth," Nasiri said quietly after the Jedi Master flounced out, "I think you made an excellent point." She stepped out of the shadows, arms folded beneath her breasts. Her expression was thoughtful, with little of the artfully constructed persona she normally wore. She wasn't even sure why she was doing this, but she just couldn't walk away after the way Daw treated the kid.

Nasiri watched after where the Jedi Master had gone for a moment, then looked back to Thur'hars. She studied him intently, her too-bright-blue eyes glittering dangerously. She carefully studied his emotional emanations, particularly his serenity and calm - much greater than that of the so-called 'Master', or of Nasiri herself. Nasiri made a mental note about this Jedi. Whether he went or stayed, he was one of the good ones. She couldn't help a twinge of envy at his control - she doubted she could have handled Ebberla Daw so deftly and so coolly, not the way the woman had acted so petulantly in the Convocation and spoken so condescendingly to the Codru-Ji Padawan. Nasiri smiled, her expression softening. "Several, actually. I hope she comes to see that, someday. . . before it's too late. I think there'll be a schism coming from this, and I know it's the last thing Char was trying to do." It was, of course, her entire objective.

"The Jedi need people like you. People who haven't let age, arrogance, and 'experience' crowd out their wisdom and sense."

 

[Stacker01]

Thur'hars watched the Master turn away. So says the woman who accused the Jensaari of speaking things he never said, he thought to himself. The frustration was enough to make him want to outright punch her, but he didn't move. He just watched her, his face as set as a stone. His expression might as well have been a stone carving. He watched, having not bowed, even when the voice of a woman surprised him. He didn't move at all, except to breath. He was not only frustrated but also felt sorrow massing up behind that cold exterior he put on. If only she saw. Pushing it away he finally let out a deep sigh then looked at the pink lady from the corner of his eyes. He could tell from the vibrations from her heart that she too was frustrated, but he saw, and heard, that she was not as controlled as he.

The weird thing is that he didn't see a supporter. He did see someone who was compassionate, in her ways, but he did not see someone who truly supported what he was trying to do, simply supported the point. He studied her for a moment, trying not to be too rude. He wasn't looking at her in a base manner, but rather just examining the body language she likely didn't know she put off. "Thank you," he said courteously. At her more direct compliment. However, when she said the Jedi needed people like him his thoughts changes slightly. "Yes, and as such I will stay with the Jedi. Be an example in the midst of them."

He turned to more properly face the woman, smelling a familiar scent in the air. It struck him then that she was likely Zeltron and couldn't help but wonder if she had been manipulating emotions at some point. Either way his instincts told him she wasn't as trustworthy as the Jensaari. "Char. I respect him, even if I do not entirely agree with his methods. However, I have to wonder what it is you are seeking out of this. He spoke with softness. He did not want to become offensive or rude. He simply felt there was a question to be asked. If there was offense, it likely was because of his youth and lack of experience.

 

[Amilthi]

It was hard not to think that this whole idea of listening to the Force had gotten a bit out of hand and that people were using it to justify whatever they felt like justifying. At the same time, Amilthi was positively appalled to find that thoughts like this about the Jedi Order came to mind so quickly. In recent times, her sense of belonging with it had gradually reduced. At the beginning, contact with other students who were there to learn and discover and develop had done her good, even if she had never been among the most social people. But as she realized in retrospect, the failure of her short apprenticeship had been the beginning of a process of alienation from the Order as a whole, and somehow it had also affected her relationship with its individual members. She hadn't been so eager to make friends anymore, and even drifted slowly away from Teynara, which she now regretted the most.

It was clear to her now that considerations of how best to contribute to the galaxy were not the only reasons for moving on. If she were to stay with the Order, it would soon become damaging to herself, and she wasn't going to allow that to happen. She wondered what the motivations of the young Padawan who had been arguing with Master Daw were for staying. It was potentially a huge sacrifice he was making, but given the way he spoke, it seemed like he had made a reasoned choice. Not that it was any of her business anyway.

"Please take care of yourself..." she whispered when she stood besides Teynara a moment later.

 

[Solaris]

"I was afraid of that," Nasiri said to Thur'hars. "I can't say I wouldn't do the same in your position," she said, thinking of Pax Sator. She knew he wouldn't understand - couldn't understand - the necessity of what she was doing. "Promise me they won't let you waste your life on some battlefield."

Nasiri smiled enigmatically in response to his question. The kid was perceptive - she'd have to be careful around him. She doubted many of the Jedi would share her long-viewed perception, much less the conclusions about the hard sacrifices that had to be made. "Peace," she replied. It was the truth, from a certain point of view. Nasiri did want peace - a just and lasting peace, where the people of the galaxy were free from tyranny and unwanted control.

 

[Stacker01]

Thur'hars was surprised by the level of care the woman seemed to have. He didn't know if it was towards him as an individual or as an asset and it worried him that the man in that sandy conclave was so aquainted with someone that set off some kind of wonder. She seemed like a mystery to him, holding her secrets. But he knew there were secrets and that was enough for him to wonder how far he should trust her, or even Char for that matter. But Char did seem level headed, if not stubborn. He would be what brought balance to whatever was going on through this group of 'seperatists'. "I don't know about them, but I won't let them waste my life on a battlefield. I may not know war..." He thought about his past, momentarily freezing as his mind gathered thoughts he didn't want. "But I know what fighting brings. Nobody comes out of it right."

Her response was far too simple when compared to the air of mystery he felt about her, that little idea that she wanted something more than just a simple peace. That meant she wanted a means that brought them to an end which could be as dangerous as Master Daw's fighting. His eyes narrowed somewhat as he further examined her mannerisms. He couldn't be sure his gut feeling was right here, not through observation. But he was alive because of a survivalism - trusting his gut. "Even that Master wants peace, ma'm. But we all want something different. What do you want out of this?" His voice was even and flat. He wasn't trying to pry anything out with more than simply words.

 

[Solaris]

"I'm glad," Nasiri said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she tilted her head and smiled. "I'm glad you know that. Live it. When you become a Knight, share it with your fellows. When you become a Master, if it takes the Sith that long to purge the Jedi, teach your Padawan that the Jedi are keepers of the peace, not soldiers. Whatever you do, never, ever forget that - no matter what the people want, no matter what the Jedi Order wants."

"Ebberla Daw does not want peace," Nasiri replied slowly. She took a deep breath, contemplating just how much she should tell him. Perhaps enough to whet his appetite... but not nearly all of it. Nasiri couldn't trust him to be far-sighted or intelligent enough to look past the pain of the present to see the full potential of the future. "I'm sure she thinks she does, and her self-assured arrogance blinds her. Ebberla Daw wants a victorious Alliance and Jedi triumphant over piles of dead Sith. There'll be the semblance of peace for a time, but the Force will remain imbalanced - and the Sith will return again for vengeance. The cycle will continue, and generations to come will pay for her short-sightedness. Her, and those like her. That, I think, should be enough for you to draw the appropriate conclusion."