The Social

[Lyanna Vahlaar]

Lyanna listend to the brunette with a very thoughtfully expression at first. Then subtle astonishment crossed her features, and when he finished there was only the duration of a single blink filled with silence, before the young woman broke out in laughter. It was an honest laughter, originating from deep within her chest, and her voice carried a delicate melody while it annoucned her mood in this way. It wasn't quite clear if she for a fact thought he was joking or if she just wanted to made him believe so as to belittle him. Her aura however didn't give it away, neither did her face. Her laughter however had sounded like she truely hadn't heard something that hilarious in quite a while. She rose her hand in an apologetic way, yet she was still giggeling "Forgive me" she finally said "It's just you're so.." she paused as if she had to struggle to find the right term "adorable"
She nodded towards the drink he had offered, as the waitress had served them with empty glasses. She was curious if he would really be able to let the topic drop or if his pride would be offended by her reaction.

 

[Cuttlefish]

Thorvald sat very still. Lyanna and Fabian were creating a delicate tension, balancing precariously with a thin veil of social grace covering long histories of passions and beliefs. A wrong step could hurt a friend or even make an enemy. It was clear on every side that the Sith had caused a lot of pain and suffering. These negative emotions scarred the soul and created a fertile ground for more darkness. Thorvald saw the potential for darkness all around him, and he worried that within his own organization he might not succeed in bringing light to the world. "All the darkness imaginable cannot suppress a single candle. We must be light in the world above all else to keep the dark at bay. You cannot defeat the Sith with evil, as it only adds to their strength. Whatever paths we follow, we must not succumb to anger and suffering. I'm sure we can agree on that at least."

 

[Jinan B]

Braedon remained silent as the group with which he was seated began to argue about the methods of the Jedi's war. Fabian had never offered an answer to the Thrysian's question, but he found his way to the wish of peace too easily. Within the man Braedon could see the same train of thought that led to people allowing the Sith free reign in their space, which was of course exactly what the former Jedi seemed keen enough to do. On the other hand, though, the young women among them was far too happy to commit to murder and aggression. The very same actions that had led to the Thrysian's own... Deformity.

In the end, the man found himself agreeing with the one among the group that he knew previously. "Thorvold is right." The ginger bearded man was repeating a lesson that he had learned himself all to well, and so he could not simply hold his silence during such a time. "Lyanna look at me, and tell me where you think I got my scars... Did you assume that they were wounds I took because I was not ready for combat? I got these because I had your mindset, and I fell as a result." The man turned to Fabian. "But this is a war that needs to be fought Fabian. I remember the people who I've killed far too well, but I remember the people who suffered around me on Korriban more. The Sith do in the open what they could not possibly do in hiding, and it's our duty as Jedi to make sure that those are the only opportunities available to them. Once the war is over, once we can make sure people on all the world's are safe, even the world's in Sith Space, then the entire Order can put their efforts into fighting the criminal underworld." The Thrysian paused to take a breath, aware that to the people who he spoke to might have been surprised at his sudden outburst. He settled back into his chair, only then realizing that he had almost stood out of his seat.

It was only once he had finished speaking that he realized the implications of his words, as well as the words of another Jedi on Dantooine. "But I admit, perhaps I go too far. There was a conclave on Dantooine several months ago, and I found a piece of wisdom there that I had not expected to discover. Another Jedi spoke of how we do not share the same views or beliefs, and of course that much should be obvious to all of us. But she also said that it is best that we differ. The opinion that the entire Jedi Order holds only a single set of values to heart is what has led to Jedi leaving the order. In Shae's own words it was what led to the bombing of Tython itself. So long as each Jedi holds the good of the Galaxy in their minds then it is best for their ideals to be left standing. Forgive me, I did not mean to discredit your own opinions."

 

[Lyanna Vahlaar]

"How poetic" she answered young Thorvald. Maybe he would have been better off as an artist of sorts. If he would ever see a battle-field, he would be one one of the first ones to fall for sure. But it was the redheads companion who truely crossed the red line.
"I assure you, you know nothing of my mindset..." she said while her eyes met his and an intense stare was exchanged. Whatever he had fallen for, only one very owns weakness caused such failure. Lyanna worshipped the light inside people more than anything else. As ugly as an creature might have been, if it's light was pure and untainted it was just as holy as the values she believed in.
She let him finish, but when he mentioned the name of the traitor, all softness and hospitality abandoned the features of the Vahlaar. Her brows contracted and the way her blue orbs glimmed with a frosty glow predicted she would no longer participate in the carefully upholded politness.
She rose as she saw no way she could handle the attendence of this people anymore. Her hand found the young mans shoulder, that had spoken last "Look at my face. I suffered those scars while trying to save my little cousin." the memory alone was enough to make her feel sick, but it was the weakness and inappropriate compassion towards Sith and traitors that really turned her stomach "Her name was Bellahria Vahlaar, she was just a child. She was innocent. She was kind. She was good....And they murdered her...and she was not the only one my family and many others lost that day....don't you ever dare defending one of those traitors again or else-"
"Lyanna!" Lyannas hand slipped from the his shoulder when her eyes darted upwards. Some distance away her sister waved her hand and gave her to understand that her presence was wished on the family table. Lyanna nodded.
Whatever threat she was about to spit into his face, it would remain unclear. A last single glance met all of her unpleasant guests "Good evening..." she said, her voice as cool as a harsh winter day. With that she took her leave. She would remember that faces. She hoped though she would not encounter a single one of them ever again.

 

[Fabian Retarma]

As this, all happened. Fabian a felt a guilt wash over him, for he had started this discussion, so he felt responsible for its sour end and the conflict it had caused. fabian raised his hand as to call her back and apologise but put it back down as he considered it might be the best idea, as she was angry and best let cool down before approaching her again. he turns to other two with him "I think it best we leave as we have just angered the host granddaughter and it's the courtesy thing to do. so I'm resigning myself for the night and may the force be with you." fabian stands up from the table, bows and leaves the two to their own devices.

 

[Cuttlefish]

"This was enough excitement for me as well." Throvald bid farewell to Fabian before addressing Braedon under his breath, "We might want to keep an eye on Lyanna. I'm sure I don't have to explain to you that even though her anger is pointed at the Sith for a justifiable reason, it could destroy someone with such a connection to the force. I fear she might be on a dark path."

Thorvald stood and excused himself, "I'm headed to my quarters. I'll see you in the morning for our usual sparring."

 

[Jinan B]

Given the women's abrupt departure from the table, Braedon had no opportunity to react to what she had said to him. All he could do was nod to Thorvald as he spoke about her strongly Dark sided mindset. "She doesn't even realize how close she is. Just like..." Just like I didn't. In Lyanna's hate for the people who had killed the people who were close to her, the Thrysian saw far too much of a resemblance to himself over a decade ago.

He shook himself out of his own dark thoughts when he heard his friend continue to speak. "Of course Thorvald. I'll see you then." Even after the man had left, Braedon remained at the table, thinking over what had happened. His hand moved to his shoulder, where a mark of Ravana's final "lesson" reminded him of the Sith's final hours. The man's body had been as scarred as Braedon's own by the time that he had finally taken his last breath, but he had been successful all the same, hadn't he? It was that same hatred, the hatred that had caused the Thrysian to cause so much pain to his former Master, that he recognized in Lyanna. He could only hope that it wouldn't lead to the same result..

He spared one final glance over the rest of the party, before he too stood up and followed Thorvald's path to the exit.