The Witch and the Demon

[Dmitri]

Rouge contemplated on this information. "I've heard stories that your species can do that, but I did not know it was true." Even if she was the Knight-Commander, an equal in ability to the Jedi's Grandmaster, she like all living beings was always learning. And through knowledge came power, not of strength necessarily, but of understanding. Only through understanding could the Light Side of the Force be realized.

"Did Matsu Ike not defend your case? I find it foolish the Jedi would have a hearing and allow this Master Teline Deloi to testify against you, but not allow yourself or someone else to defend you."

 

[Fusion]

Evidently, she was not given a chance. Deloi seemingly went straight to the Grandmaster with his accusations, and he called me in. I had only myself to rely upon as I defended my actions. And yet in the end, it was all for naught.

Lamia sighed. She did miss the Jedi, if only a little.

I can only hope that when the Sith begin to destroy the Jedi Order, Lecchaememnon will realize how big of a mistake he has made.

 

[Dmitri]

"Possibly," said Rouge. "Whereas the Sith decrease their ranks with betrayals and killing each other, the Jedi lose members through estranging, as they strive to create a mold of an ideal Jedi, and those who do not fit are looked down upon, which may be why they're so easily tempted to the dark side."

 

[Fusion]

When the previous Grandmaster and Battlemaster have fallen to the Dark Side while I, a Sith Pureblood birthed into darkness, have not, something is clearly wrong.

Lamia had tried to point out this analogy to some of the more bigoted Jedi, but none of them even seemed to pay attention. Ignorance...

 

[Dmitri]

"'There is no good or evil, but thinking makes it so,'" quoted Rouge. "People seem to think that by defining evil, limiting it to their definitions, that they are exempt, immune, to the darkness. Such false sense of security only leaves the darkness a door to enter. By claiming you as dark, they feel that they are light, and as such, right."

 

[Fusion]

And yet the Imperial Knights view the Dark Side as evil as well, And as one naturally Dark-Sided, you still let me join... It confused me a bit.

Lamia was curious on that matter. She was dark, yet the Knights eliminate the Dark Side.

 

[Dmitri]

"We fight the Dark Side of the Force, Bogan, as it seeks to oppress the people of the Empire. The Imperial Knights swore an oath to protect the Empire from these forces, especially the Sith. Unfortunately, we failed. The Sith have absorbed the Empire into their new Sith Imperium. The Jedi seek balance, the sovereignty of the Light Side just because they are Jedi. We have a purpose, a reason, behind our war against the Sith."

 

[Fusion]

So even if I am Dark-Sided, as long as I protect the Empire from being corrupted as it has become, I am still an Imperial Knight?

The codes of the Imperial Knights were even more complicated then those of the Jedi.

 

[Dmitri]

"Everyone has the potential to be dark or light. It's our actions and our wills that determine the path we take. The Imperial Knights are the defenders of the Empire, not the Light Side of the Force as the Jedi. We protect our people. If one is of darkness and an Imperial Knight, that person shall be worked with to be returned to the light. Though, as I mentioned before, light and dark are perceptional, so it would be to what the Imperial Knights consider light, which for us is Ashla, otherwise dubbed the Light Side of the Force by the Jedi."

 

[Fusion]

In that case, what would you perceive me as?

Lamia was curious as to how the Knight-Commander viewed her.

 

[Dmitri]

"Like I said before, an enigma," said Rouge. "Your species is unknown to us, albeit stories by the Jedi, and we both know how they perceive others. Thus, I cannot make such quick judgements towards you, especially when I barely know you. Even when I make such judgements, whether you are good or evil will still be of my own perceptions, and not ontological truths. It is perceptions that guide our actions, and I hope that your actions show one that illuminates a perception of a follower of the light, as Matsu Ike has described you as."

Rouge placed her wine glass down. "Lamia Kressh, if you want, when I go to meet with the Jedi soon, I can speak on your behalf about how they wrongly accused you of using the Dark Side. They may still not let you back into their order, but it would clear the misunderstanding hopefully."

 

[Fusion]

If you could at least make them realize the wrong they have done, I would appreciate it.

Lamia had found a place where she could trust people. It felt... reassuring.

 

[Dmitri]

"It would be my pleasure," replied Rouge. "The galaxy is filled with misunderstandings and tensions, and the less there are, the better is can run."

 

[Fusion]

So true...

Lamia waited to see if Rouge had any more questions.

 

[Dmitri]

Two waiters brought in food.

"Let us not waste this food by spending further time talking. I have no further questions for now, so let us eat. Do you have any further questions?"

 

[Fusion]

Not at the moment. So let's eat...

Lamia began to eat the food laid out for her. It was quite delicious, and if one knew how to read a Sith's emotions through their cheek tendrils, they would plainly see she was enjoying it.