seaoflight | Drift Fleet Inbox

Master Thon had me seek other teachers. Master Arca Jeth died fighting the Mandalorians, while Master Odan-Urr and Master Vodo-Bass were murdered by Exar Kun.

[Others have made it amply clear that she and Vima have had an active role in the future of the Order, and she's glad of it.

The block and counterstroke were unsurprising. He seemed bold, confident, and this is exactly her expectation. She disengages quickly, a hop-skip backwards and out of his sword's reach before lunging forward to drive the point of her blade at him.]

It was common practice to have multiple masters, in my time.

[Such casual conversation for a swordfight.]

[ In the Force, there is a shuddering announcement of his shock. Multiple masters, seeking other Masters? Having not one, but three of them dying? He wonders about that too openly perhaps but he's never been good at hiding what he feels. He quickly moves to make up for time wasted from his shock, makes a disgruntled noise and launch himself in a low flip, a hand braced on the floor for a second before he is back on his feet again. ]

I'm sorry. To hear that. I can't imagine what would happen... [ He doesn't need to imagine. ] I know what it is like to have your master die.

[ He's reminded of Jabiim again; 42 days of rain, mud and death. ]

A lot of my friends had their masters killed in the battlefield. I was one of the lucky ones.

War changes things. Never for the better.

[She darts in again, not letting up now that he's back on his feet. She moves like quicksilver, rapid thrusts of her weapon's point coming in quickly. He's good at this, clearly. That was impressive.]

But all things die, and if it was their time, it was their time. They were all ancient beings, and they've continued to guide the Jedi with their teachings.

[Odan-Urr had been rumored to be over two thousand...]

I know the war with the Mandalorians was devastating. To both sides.

[ His Djem So is supposed to be infinitely slower than her modified Makashi. But Anakin pulls the Force around him easily, allowing it to adjust his movement from a Djem So stance to a firm Soresu parry and back without missing a beat.

War changes things; war has make him better, in a sense. And worst in another.

All things die.

His jaw noticeably sets and there's a slow roll of mild unease from him. ]

I don't think a lot of the old Masters' teachings were taught to us when I was a Padawan. Sometimes, I wonder how much have been lost or hidden away by the Order.

The Mandalorians aided Exar Kun, attacked Coruscant, and aided in gathering materials for an Dark Side spell that destroyed a star cluster. I don't know if anything the Republic did to them could even compare.

[The sense of his emotions skipping, the line of his jaw...draws Nomi up short. She skips back a few yards, a Force-empowered hop to put some distance between the two of them. He'll have to come at her again, her blade set in an angled defensive posture. It's as much for the sake of getting clear and giving him space as it is for the spar.]

By the sounds of it, they were not. To me it sounds like the Jedi Philosophy has changed quite a great deal in four thousand years.

[She starts circling, her eyes a bit sad.]

I can't say I know all the details, or even more than a cursory few, so I cannot begin to question their reasoning.

[ He's eager to jump into what the teachings ancient Jedi has to offer but the Force tells him to wait, so he waits. He spins the saber in his hand to get rid of that excess energy while he mimics her movements. ]

I didn't realize just how different things must be for you. To me, the Jedi are always so stagnant. Change isn't often a topic of conversation - tradition is. How we do things in the past, how we will do things then. Unquestionably.

[ He catches the look in her eyes then stops his circling. ]

I'm sure you can tell I have a reason for asking you to meet me. And it's not for a sparring partner.

[Nomi twirls her sword once, lowering it and relaxing her stance. This seems to be over, but if he comes at her again, she'll be ready.]

I've got a few guesses. Sparring is definitely not my first one, given my relative lack of talent in that regard and the fact that you're spoiled for choice.

[She takes a breath, looks him squarely in the eye.]

You want to learn more of the Force, lost knowledge, I think would be my first guess. My second guess would be that you want my advice on how to deal with your Sith Lord?

[ He smirks and lifts a shoulder, half heartedly shrugs. ]

Don't sell yourself short, Master Sunrider. It's not every day that I get to spar with a legend, straight from the history books.

[ Anakin straightens at her questioning statement. His expression falls to something more somber ]

You would be correct. On both guesses.

And you know how to flatter an old woman.

[Nomi, you're barely thirty shut up.

All joking aside, she nods and takes a seat on the mat, in a meditative posture.]

I can teach you some things. I'm a fair hand at it. But whether or not you have the aptitude remains to be seen. The potential, yes, but as I'm sure you've discovered not everything comes easily.

[And then there's a pause. A long, quiet one.]

Do you know this Sith Lord?

[ He mimics her posture and calm himself, draw strength in the Force around them.

It's always the same words; potential, potential but no faith. No idea of the iron will set in his blood. But he refuses to believe that Nomi is the same. Four thousand years is a long time. He'll take the chance.

Talking about Palpatine is another matter. He struggles for a moment to be as honest as he can. ]

I do. I... He came into my life when I was young. I se- saw him as a family. [ A beat ] He knows me well. I told him ...things that I didn't tell my Master.

[Her eyes widen fractionally, worry creasing her brow. So it wasn't just some Sith Lord, it was someone he knew. Not some shadowy threat...but someone...he respected and cared for. That was a hurt she knew well. Uliq for one. Oss, Tot, and others too. Even Exar Kun had been a part of her Jedi family.]

I'm...sorry to hear that, Anakin. [It's a platitude, but it's heartfelt, and she swallows audibly.]

I know how badly that hurts. But I believe you are resolved to do the right thing. Or you wouldn't have come to me.

Edited 2016-03-12 03:37 (UTC)

[ He can't even think about Palpatine in that light right now. He regrets being the fool and hates, more than anything, the hurt and betrayal that he feels from it. All he wants to do is the right thing. But the right thing never seems right. All he knows, his years at wars has only taught him to do the necessary thing.

He gives a slow but determined nod and shoves the thought of Jabiim away. The difference between right and necessary can be argued later. ]

I am. I'm prepared to do all that I need to to bring peace and order.

[Nomi's mouth sets into a line at that. A thin, hard, expression. She was no warrior, she'd never pretend to be a strategist, but she was someone who'd fought hard against someone she cared for. And she'd been at war.]

Are you prepared to kill this man? Can you do that, if the Galaxy is at stake?

Edited 2016-03-13 04:46 (UTC)

[ The question was something he hasn't openly talked about, to anyone. He hesitates; he knows the answer, the answer is yes. It's an easy answer, or it should be. And he knows he can't stall any fraction longer. ]

Yes.

[ A simple word. Yet the sound of it ring in his ears. He thinks of Padme, Obi-Wan, everyone he ever loved living in a world where the Sith is in control, and finds his courage then. ]

I mean what I said. I am prepared to do everything.

[Nomi waits patiently, concern creasing her brow. She understands how hard it is to say that, and she doesn't like the necessity of his answer. A killing would be the last resort. But in the case of a Sith Lord it's difficult to advocate life, if they can't be dealt with or redeemed.]

Do you think there's a chance to turn him back?

[ There's a flash of anger and annoyance. Why is she asking him these things? Wasn't the point of the Sith that there's no way to come back? He bites down that anger that simmers just underneath the surface and draws a quick breath. ]

I don't think so. [ That anger threatens to burst and he scowls to ease it down. ] He is a Sith Lord. Doesn't matter if he can turn back? As far as we know, he has been manipulating the whole galaxy. Billions of lives have been lost because of him.

[ Unspoken: Why are you asking me this? He asks another question instead. ]

What would you do, if you were in my shoes?

[She ignores the anger, her eyes focused on him, unblinking. That anger, truly, could be his undoing.]

I have been in your shoes, Anakin. I killed Exar Kun, because there was no other way. But if there had been a way, then helping him would have been the right choice. I've known Jedi who fell into shadow, and who have come back to the light. It is possible.

[Kun too, had been responsible for billions, possibly trillions of deaths and the destruction of dozens of planets. But...everyone had the capacity for good. Even him.]

But I defer to you on this. I do not know him, or what he's done. If you think there's no going back for him, though, then that makes the choice clearer. Yes. He must be stopped. However possible.

[ He's quiet for a moment, an apology for his mistake in the air between them but he doesn't say it to cheapen it. Anakin frowns and stares off, thinking of the times that Palpatine had been there for him, the observable good that he had done for the galaxy prior to the start of the war. He's not sure if that kind, uncle figure had ever been there or if it was all a ruse to get him where he is.

That's the crux of it; he doesn't know. He doesn't know anything yet it seems to all surround in on him. Hesitantly: ]

We are taught that there is no turning back. Once you have taken the steps towards the dark, you will always return to that path. [ He thinks about Ventress for a moment. ] How would you know, if they can be turned back?

[Her breath comes slower, more tired. More of that tripe, truly, what philosophers came in her wake? Who was this...Yoda...and why did he feel this way? It was unsettling, and it made her wonder even more what else had changed.]

You'd feel a spark of goodness in them. It's something you can sense. Something you know. Exar Kun did not have that spark. I wish he had, because he could have been a great Jedi, but...no.

[Her lips purse.]

You aren't sure of this man, are you?

[ A spark of goodness?

He breathes in and out in quick succession, before he remembers himself, remembers Leia. And a thread of dread curls around his mind, whispers that maybe it was never Palpatine. Maybe it was always going to be him - Anakin Skwaylker - they need to fight against. He pushes hard on that dread to vanquish it. His fist clenched but he regains his steady breath. ]

No. I am not.

[ A beat. He approaches this topic slowly. ]

If it comes down to it, is it better to kill a Sith than to severe them from the Force?

[Nomi nods sternly, understanding his meaning, but his dread and confusion is...unsettling. Not at all expected.]

If you aren't sure, then the spark probably isn't there. It would be apparent.

[Her eyes shut then, her jaw setting as she takes a deep breath.]

It would be better to kill a Sith. Cutting them off from the Force is even more wrong. It's like removing the soul, and leaving them alive to suffer.

Edited 2016-03-17 04:11 (UTC)

[ He isn't sure about that. Can they just cut down the Chancellor? Can he, if it does fall on him?

He focused on Nomi's words and the firmness in it, how it grates to hear that it's better to kill when they are peacemakers, luminous beings that preserve life. He doesn't say it but his mouth press to a thin line at the words he doesn't say.

Then how could you do it?

Curtly: ]

I understand.

[She catches that curtness, and looks away. That was her greatest mistake, an error in judgement, and something she...really and truly regretted. Swallowing again, she's quiet for a long, long moment.]

You asked me before, about that. I told you it's something I can do. But it's not something I'd wish on anyone. And not something I'd want anyone to do to another. It's wrong. And I said before, and will say again, I made a mistake.

If you wanted me to teach you that technique, I am sorry, but I won't. I can...still train you in other abilities, but not that.

I never said I wanted to learn it.

[ He's defensive and sharp. He looks at her like she just insulted him. A push more and he'll cross that line from irritation to anger. He might have thought that, been eager to find another way out of it all, but he has never express that desire and he does not want that pinned to him. ]

But I appreciate whatever your knowledge can offer, Master Nomi.

[ He doesn't ]

[She nods then, bowing her head and offering a weak, tired smile.]

I understand.

[She'll still try.]

Have you ever erected a shield, Anakin?

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