Private A Return to the Temple | Among the Order

[Ilaria Morvayne]

Opening Post – "Among the Order"

Chapter One - A Return to the Temple
Shan Pavond

---

Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Main Halls

The grand halls of the Jedi Temple were just as she remembered them—immense, pristine, echoing with purpose—yet as Ilaria Morvayne walked its corridors, she felt a quiet sense of distance.

This was home, or at least, it was meant to be.

She had grown up within the Order, trained as a Padawan since she was a child. But for years, she had been stationed at a remote Jedi Enclave, a place of solitude, discipline, and controlled study. The years spent in meditation, in honing her mind and technique under the careful tutelage of a handful of Masters, had shaped her into what she was—a Jedi, measured, disciplined, precise.

And yet…

She had never truly been a part of this.

The hushed whispers of Jedi conversing in passing, the presence of Padawans laughing in small groups, the sight of Knights striding with purpose toward their missions—it was all so full of life, so fast, so different.

At the Enclave, life had been structured, isolated, without distractions. Here, it was fluid, interconnected, and filled with countless perspectives.

She kept her steps measured, composed, as she moved through the halls, her emerald eyes scanning her surroundings—not out of wariness, but curiosity. She needed to understand this new environment.

The hum of the Temple around her was constant—some Jedi meditated on the steps near a statue, others engaged in quiet conversation, while training droids drifted through the halls. She could hear the faint sound of a distant lightsaber igniting in a dueling chamber, the rhythmic clatter of wooden staffs in a youngling training session.

It was overwhelming in a way she had not expected.

But she would adapt. She always did.

---

She paused near a large viewing window, looking out at Coruscant's skyline.

From here, she could see the endless sprawl of the city-world—air traffic flowing in orderly streams, distant towers gleaming under the midday sun. She had read countless texts about Coruscant, studied its political structure, understood its function in the greater Alliance.

And yet, standing here, watching it unfold before her, it felt... different.

More alive, more unpredictable, more untamed than she had ever imagined.

A shift. A new phase in her journey.

For years, she had studied the principles of Jedi diplomacy, discipline, and restraint, believing fully in their necessity. But now she would experience the greater galaxy firsthand. The place where words and ideals met reality.

She did not feel uncertainty. Only purpose.

And so, she turned from the window, stepping further into the Temple's depths, her mind already focused on understanding this new world around her.

​

 

[Shan Pavond]

Location: Coruscant Jedi Temple Halls
Tags: Ilaria Morvayne

A wretched hive of villainy and scum. That was what Shan saw when he looked out of the windows of the Temple to the streets of Coruscant. A hive that Shan had worked day and night as a padawan to try and help. Those days had slowly started to be left behind however. He had realised how pointless it was for one man to try and fix an entire planet. It had also been why he had tried to move towards education. If he taught people how to protect the worlds, then they'd be able to make more of a useful impact than him alone.

Coruscant reminded him too much of his old home. How hard he'd work as a boy and how many beatings he'd come back home with. It brought a smile to his face as the Mirialan shook his head. It was strange to think how much of his old self was gone now. The wide-eyed padawan who wanted to help the entire Galaxy to heal. Now it took nearly everything he had to try and make sure the Galaxy didn't get worse. He didn't know if it was working or if the Galaxy was plummeting further into chaos. Sometimes Shan wondered if things would have been so much easier if he hadn't gotten the Force in the first place. But then he wouldn't have been able to be a Doctor and would be stuck on Nar Shaddaa, or even dead.

None of that was important though. There was no time to be thinking of what ifs and possibilities. This was the fate the Force had in store for him. It was what everything he had done in his life had led him to. Was he a perfect Jedi? No. Far from it. He wasn't a perfect anything. But unlike his Padawan days, that was fine with Shan. Rarely was anyone perfect in what they did. There were some people who stood out, yes but that wasn't him. He was a face in the crowd of Jedi that surrounded him. He wasn't special. And for Shan? That was fine by him.

Though his thoughts were interrupted at the sight of a stranger. Of course that was no surprise. The Coruscant Temple had plenty of new arrivals that he'd have never seen before. New Jedi coming to visit for the first time, people wanting to learn more about the Jedi or even new Padawans. What stood out as strange to him was how purposeful the way she moved through the Temple. She was a stranger yet seemed so sure of her place here. It was nice to see. Shan hurried off after her, raising his hand up in greeting for a moment.

"Hello there. I haven't seen you around the temple before. I'm Shan, Shan Pavond. Jedi Knight."

Normally he'd have mentioned that it wasn't important if he had his titles used...but the recent conversation with Iris had made him realise that he should take pride in those titles. He had worked hard to get his doctorate. His knighthood. So that was something he should use, not keep it hidden.

 

[Ilaria Morvayne]

Post #2 – "Among the Order"

Chapter One - A Return to the Temple
Shan Pavond

---

Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Main Halls

The voice interrupted her thoughts—not jarring, but unexpected.

Ilaria turned, her posture remaining as poised as ever, her emerald gaze settling on the Mirialan before her. Shan Pavond. Jedi Knight.

A face in the crowd, perhaps, but not unremarkable. He carried himself with confidence, yet with a certain weight behind his words. His introduction was precise, his stance relaxed but not careless. A Jedi who had found his place.

For Ilaria, that was still to be determined.

She inclined her head respectfully, her hands clasping lightly in front of her robes. Jedi etiquette dictated acknowledgment but not unnecessary familiarity.

"Knight Pavond," she said smoothly, her tone measured but not unkind. "Ilaria Morvayne, Padawan. Recently returned to the Temple from a remote Enclave."

A pause, brief but deliberate.

"I must admit, it is… different than I remember."

She allowed her gaze to drift, taking in the movement around them—the steady rhythm of Jedi passing through the hall, the echoes of distant conversation and training sessions bleeding through the stone corridors.

"There is a… vibrancy here that I had almost forgotten. A sense of motion. Of change."

Her gaze returned to his, evaluating. "You are familiar with this place. Perhaps you might offer insight?"

It was not a request, not in the traditional sense. Ilaria was not lost—no, she would never allow herself to be perceived as uncertain. But she understood the value of knowledge, and if this Jedi Knight could provide it, she would not ignore the opportunity.

A wretched hive of villainy and scum. That was what he had seen when he looked upon Coruscant's streets. But Ilaria saw something different.

She saw possibility.

And she intended to understand it fully.

​

 

[Shan Pavond]

Location: Coruscant Jedi Temple Halls
Tags: Ilaria Morvayne

Huh. A remote enclave. Interesting. The Mirialan just lowered his head to Ilaria to give her a small sense of acknowledgement, even if he had already been talking to her.

"You're right. When I originally arrived at the Temple, it was far different compared to what I had expected. It's not necessarily bad. Just...unexpected to say the least."

He folded his arms along his front as Shan took in the sight of the other Jedi moving around them. It was rare for him to take moments like this. He'd always be working on something. So it was nice to actually be able to take things in for once. Though he raised an eyebrow at the suggestion of him offering insight as the Mirialan let out a small chuckle.

"Hm. My insight might not mean much, but if it's what you request."

Shan let his eyes travel around the Hall, letting silence fill the air for a moment as he debated in his head what he wanted to say. There was plenty of information that could be useful if he thought about it...

"Friends are highly valued here. Bonds, and connections to each other. I know there are perhaps some Jedi in the Galaxy who think those kind of connections hold us back from being a Jedi, that they'll cause potential errors in judgement. I'm not one of them."

Of course, loyalty was one of Shan's biggest issues. He was rarely willing to fight for himself but when it came to the people he cared for, the Mirialan would fight against any odds just for them. It was what gave him strength in a way.

"A singular Jedi might be strong, but a pair of Jedi can be unbeatable. Especially if it's someone you share an incredible trust with. That you'll know they'll always have your back. It doesn't necessarily have to be another Padawan. It can be your master for example. I have various Jedi I'd be able to trust with my life."

Those people were the exact reason Shan was still here. They had helped convince him that the path he was on was the one that was made for him. That was set for him. He was always grateful for those connections.

"These connections won't just help you out in the field. They can help ease your doubts. Your fears. Even your concerns. There are Jedi out there that think you should never be afraid. That you should always have belief in yourself. I think that's easier said than done. There's nothing wrong with feeling unsure or scared. As long as you don't keep it in."

That was at least one bit of advice. Shan glanced over towards Ilaria for a moment, to see how she took his opinion. She seemed confident enough in herself that she might not necessarily need someone to help her find that belief. That was good.

 

[Ilaria Morvayne]

Post #3 – "Among the Order"

Chapter One - A Return to the Temple
Shan Pavond

---

Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Main Halls

Ilaria listened, her expression unreadable as Shan spoke of connection, of trust, of bonds that strengthened rather than weakened.

She did not interrupt.

The silence between his words was as important as the words themselves.

She had studied Jedi philosophy exhaustively, debated the nature of attachment and detachment with Masters who spoke in measured certainties. But Shan's perspective was not doctrine, not structured theory—it was lived experience.

She turned her gaze back to the hall, watching how Padawans clustered in small, easy circles—sharing stories, laughter, something unspoken yet understood. There was a familiarity among them, a natural comfort she had never been encouraged to seek.

"I see." Her voice was even, contemplative, as if processing something complex.

She let the thought settle before continuing.

"At the Enclave, attachment was regarded as a distraction. Bonds, as a potential for weakness. We were taught that the only thing we must trust is the Force itself."

A pause. Her posture remained poised, but there was a flicker of something else—calculation, consideration.

"Yet, I cannot deny the logic in what you say."

She met his gaze, searching—not for answers, but for the foundation of his conviction. He spoke with certainty, with belief, but not blind adherence to doctrine.

"Doubt. Fear. Uncertainty. You believe these things should not be hidden, yet at the Enclave, we were taught to master them. To eliminate them." She studied him for a moment. "Perhaps that is the difference. You say that strength comes from trust in others. I was trained to believe that true strength is mastery over oneself. That there is no greater ally than control."

She turned her gaze back toward the hall, watching the interplay of motion and connection—Padawans speaking in low voices, Knights passing with quiet confidence, the sense of familiarity binding them all together.

Had she misunderstood what it meant to be a Jedi?

No.

She had simply been taught one way, and now she was standing in the presence of another.

"It would seem I have much to learn about the New Jedi Order as it exists outside the Enclave." Her words were neither concession nor defiance—simply an acknowledgment of truth.

Her gaze flickered back to him, something measuring in her expression.

"Tell me, Knight Pavond—", she chose her words carefully, "was there ever a time when you questioned this? When you doubted the Order's approach?"

Because if there was one thing she understood, it was that belief, when untested, was not true conviction.

And she intended to test everything.

​

 

[Shan Pavond]

Location: Coruscant Jedi Temple Halls
Tags: Ilaria Morvayne

It was a different experience to talk to a Padawan that was so calm. Most of the ones Shan had spoken to recently had boundless amounts of energy. They reminded him of how he used to be like, whereas Ilaria was the opposite. It made for a nice change of pace as he listened to her speak, giving her a short nod every so often.

"At the Enclave, attachment was regarded as a distraction. Bonds, as a potential for weakness. We were taught that the only thing we must trust is the Force itself."

"And that is not necessarily wrong. I do not believe there is any one "right" way to be a Jedi. Personally, I believe a Jedi who isolates themselves from feeling the emotions of the Galaxy would do a poor job at protecting those who live in the Galaxy. But that is a personal belief."

Shan had learned quite early that opinions and beliefs were varied in the Order. He didn't agree with every belief but at the same time, people were free to believe in what they wanted to. Shan was not going to look down on someone for the way they thought or acted, as long as it didn't bring harm to those he was to protect.

"Doubt. Fear. Uncertainty. You believe these things should not be hidden, yet at the Enclave, we were taught to master them. To eliminate them." She studied him for a moment. "Perhaps that is the difference. You say that strength comes from trust in others. I was trained to believe that true strength is mastery over oneself. That there is no greater ally than control."

"Oh no. I do agree partly with your statement. I just believe that we can sometimes be our own harshest critic. We can occasionally find faults that aren't there. It's why having people to ensure you aren't making those mistakes is vital in my eyes. In the same way that emotions are vital. All living things have some form of emotions. To eliminate your emotions is to eliminate the connection you have to other beings of the Galaxy."

He raised an eyebrow at the next question however. Had he ever had doubts in the Order? The Mirialan frowned to himself. This was an important question so he wanted to give it plenty of thought, cupping his chin between his index finger and thumb as he stared off to the side.

"I have questioned the Order's approach in plenty of decisions. But I also recognise that I am perhaps more...unorthodox than most Jedi. I prefer to be far more pacifistic than most Jedi. Even when the best case scenario might be to strike before more injuries are caused, I still would rather talk. I want to welcome people in open arms. I also disagree with the Order's approach to being so closely connected to the Senate, but that's just because I'm not a fan of politics."

Waving a dismissive hand at that, Shan debated to himself. Was there anything else he needed to say that was important right now? Hm...

"...In one of my first missions as a Padawan, I had to fight against a...Jedi who didn't believe in the Order. It's a long story, but I had helped bring back a Sithspawn, to try and help redeem them. The Jedi I fought against didn't believe the Spawn could be redeemed and that it was better to destroy them, and all of the work that had went into redeeming Sithspawn. That is one of the reasons why I believe in the Order. Because they believe in second chances."

 

[Ilaria Morvayne]

Post #4 – "Among the Order"

Chapter One - A Return to the Temple
Shan Pavond

---

Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Main Halls

Ilaria remained poised, her emerald gaze sharp and calculating as she listened to Shan speak.

No single "right" way to be a Jedi.

The words settled in her mind, a concept that directly opposed the teachings of the Enclave. She had been trained with certainty, with structure—the idea that the Jedi Code was not a collection of loose interpretations but a doctrine of mastery. A Jedi who strayed from that structure was simply a Jedi who had lost their way.

And yet, here stood a Jedi Knight, one who had dedicated years to the Order, claiming that the Code was fluid, that there was room for doubt, for personal belief.

Strength through trust in others.

She did not scoff at the idea—that would be undisciplined—but she did not accept it either.

"To eliminate your emotions is to eliminate your connection to other beings of the Galaxy."

Ilaria let a slow breath pass through her lips, considering that statement.

"Emotions are unpredictable. They distort perception, cloud judgment, make fools of even the strongest minds. To control them is not to destroy connection—it is to ensure that connection does not control you."

She tilted her head slightly, her voice smooth, measured.

"At the Enclave, we were taught that true mastery is not in feeling nothing, but in ensuring that what we feel does not dictate our actions. Compassion without control is indulgence. Mercy without wisdom is weakness. Strength is the ability to act with clarity, not be ruled by sentiment."

Her words were not spoken as an argument, merely as a statement of belief, delivered with certainty.

And yet…

His story gave her pause.

"A Jedi who did not believe in the Order."

Her fingers clasped lightly behind her back, absorbing the weight of that thought. A Jedi who had rejected the teachings.Who had chosen their own path rather than the one the Code had set for them.

For all her discipline, for all her training, Ilaria had never seen such a thing firsthand.

Shan, however, had.

His frown, the way his words slowed as he recalled the experience, suggested that the confrontation had left an impact on him.

"And yet, even in questioning the Order, you remain loyal to it."

A statement, not a question.

"You fought against a Jedi who turned away from their teachings. You have doubted, you have disagreed, and yet you still believe. Why?"

She took a single step closer, her emerald gaze searching his.

"What makes you certain that this Order is worthy of your loyalty?"

There was no accusation in her voice, no direct challenge, only the unmistakable weight of genuine curiosity.

For the first time since arriving on Coruscant, she found herself with an uncertainty of her own.

She had never questioned the Jedi Order before. But she had also never had reason to.

Perhaps Shan's answer would give her one.

​

 

[Shan Pavond]

Location: Coruscant Jedi Temple Halls
Tags: Ilaria Morvayne

Shan raised an eyebrow as Ilaria spoke. It sounded like some kind of rigid doctrine that she had been told dozens upon dozens of times. But he wondered if that was what she actually believed, or what she was taught to believe. There was no point in attempting to test that theory however. Poking and proding at someone else's opinion was a good way for them to decide you aren't worth listening to. So instead he just stored that in his mind for now.

"Emotions are unpredictable. They distort perception, cloud judgment, make fools of even the strongest minds. To control them is not to destroy connection—it is to ensure that connection does not control you."

"Life is meant to be unpredictable. To try and find logic in the illogical can send plenty people insane. I believe it is always best to be prepared for the unexpected. You might be able to control your emotions in this current moment, but what if something in the future was to shake that control? You should always have a back up. Don't just rely on yourself. You can rely on yourself, but you should also rely on those around you."

The Mirialan wasn't talking down to Ilaria. He might have, when he was a Padawan but he had learned since then. All opinions in a way were valid. It was clear to him that Ilaria deeply believed in this, similar to how he believed in his own philosphy. This wasn't some attempt for him to change her mind and he was sure that she wasn't trying to change his mind. She wanted to learn and there was nothing wrong with that. Though then she said something that gave him pause. Stopping for a moment to glance over towards Ilaria.

"Mercy without wisdom is weakness"

"Then I am weak. I believe all things should be shown some form of mercy or compassion. Something in their life, or in this Galaxy put them on the path they are on. Sometimes they might have felt like they had no choice, or they might have been pushed onto that path. I am always willing to be the hand that pulls them off the path. If that is weakness, then I will happily accept that."

This was the most stern he had been in a long time. Compassion and mercy was a key part of his life. His belief. He took others pain, to make sure they would be able to live happier lives. Suffering could close hearts and minds, could cause people to turn against their own neighbours and so Shan was always willing to take that suffering, the potential risk of pain to help others. He had suffered plenty himself, but his heart was large enough that it would be a struggle to close off.

"A Jedi who did not believe in the Order."

"No. They believed in themselves. That the Order around them was wrong as a whole. That forgiveness was something that those corrupted by the Dark Side do not deserve. And that those willing to help those corrupted are nearly as bad as them. It is an extreme view, though I can not fault them for thinking that way. People are free to think however they wish. Perhaps they are right, and I am wrong. Or perhaps neither view is correct. I can admit I have been wrong before. I used to hate the Mandalorians. Their culture of war and violence was something I could not wrap my head around. But I was judging the whole for the actions of the few."

He folded his arms along his front at that. It was strange to admit that he had been wrong but it was true. He had to take in a deep breath for a moment to make sure that he didn't start to run out of steam in the middle of it all.

"There are good Mandalorians and bad Mandalorians in this Galaxy. Same as there are good and bad Sith. Good and bad Jedi. In the exact same vein that there are good and bad people. Because that's what we all are. People."

There were far too many people he could think of that would have laughed at him for that belief. He still believed in it however. Everyone in the Galaxy nearly had at least one common factor. They were alive. Of course, there would be some exceptions to that but there were exceptions to nearly every rule.

"You fought against a Jedi who turned away from their teachings. You have doubted, you have disagreed, and yet you still believe. Why?"

She took a single step closer, her emerald gaze searching his.

"What makes you certain that this Order is worthy of your loyalty?"

"I didn't always believe. I left for an extended period of time in the past. I had failed this planet and my Padawan. People tell me I didn't fail my padawan but I still find it hard to believe. I left, to become a Doctor. I wanted to be able heal with more than just the Force. But even then, I realised I was only one man. I could only do so much. And...I missed the people here. So I returned. Not only to do my duties as a Jedi, but also to teach. To give back to the people who gave me their time. They accepted me, and my own beliefs, even if they disagreed."

There were countless names of people he cared about. People he had missed and came back for. Though he still hadn't met up with them again. He shook his head, letting out a long sigh.

"Nothing is perfect in this Galaxy, Ilaria. There is always a fault in something. Perhaps this Order isn't worth my loyalty. Perhaps I'm not worth the Order however. But I believe because a Jedi can only do so much alone. Yes, the Order has made mistakes and will make mistakes in the future. But perhaps if I stay here, I can help prevent some of those mistakes. How could I live with myself if I didn't make an attempt to educate?"

 

[Ilaria Morvayne]

Post #5 – "Among the Order"

Chapter One - A Return to the Temple
Shan Pavond

---

Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Main Halls

Shan was not easily shaken.

Ilaria had observed that from the moment their conversation began. His words were spoken with calm conviction, his beliefs were tested, refined, lived. He was not simply reciting doctrine—he had questioned, doubted, and still chosen to remain.

That was what made his philosophy interesting.

That was what made him useful to understand.

She regarded him in silence for a moment after he finished, letting the hum of the Temple's grand halls settle around them. There was no urgency in her reply. No need to rush.

Then, she spoke.

"You believe in mercy, even when it is not deserved. You believe in redemption, even for those who have chosen darkness. And yet, you do not force these beliefs upon others—you simply… exist within them."

She tilted her head slightly, studying him.

"That is rare."

Her hands remained loosely clasped behind her back, the movement deliberate—contained, poised, controlled.

"At the Enclave, we were taught that mercy is not inherently good, just as judgment is not inherently cruel. That to wield either properly, one must first understand when they are deserved."

Her emerald gaze flickered, sharp yet thoughtful.

"You say you are willing to be weak, if mercy is weakness."

A pause.

"I do not believe that you are weak, Shan. You would not still be standing here if you were."

She let that settle before shifting, her posture shifting just slightly, ever so slightly more open.

"But mercy alone does not heal a broken galaxy."

She had been raised on discipline, on the idea that peace was something to be maintained, not something that would last on its own. And yet, he spoke as if acceptance alone was enough to guide people back toward the light.

It was a noble thought.

A flawed one.

"You say that all people have the capacity for both good and ill. That the Order, like any structure, is imperfect. That you remain not because it is flawless, but because you believe it is worth shaping into something greater."

A slow inhale.

"Perhaps that is why you and I see the same things, yet view them so differently."

She met his gaze then, unwavering, her voice steady, smooth, and certain.

"You see mistakes, and seek to prevent them."

Another pause.

"I see weaknesses, and wonder what causes them to persist."

And there it was again—that same word, that same thought, slipping so easily from her lips.

"Corruption."

She had not even intended to say it. It had simply arrived, like a natural conclusion.

Her head tilted slightly, her voice lower, yet not any less measured.

"Not the corruption of war. Not the crude grasping of power or the overt manipulations of the Dark Side. Something more… insidious. Something that lingers. That takes root in systems, in ideologies, in people, and is never fully removed."

A moment of stillness.

"Perhaps that is what I seek to understand."

She exhaled slowly, as if considering the weight of her own words.

"What truly allows corruption to thrive? And why is it never truly erased?"

It was not a question she expected him to answer.

But it was one she knew she would carry with her, long after this conversation had ended.

​

 

[Shan Pavond]

Location: Coruscant Jedi Temple Halls
Tags: Ilaria Morvayne

Once again, he listened to Ilaria. Folding his arms along his front as he took in her words. Though in a way, they weren't her words. Like she said, this was what she was taught. Not necessarily what she had learned. These were the words of whoever had taught her. Shan honestly didn't like them. It was the opposite of what wanted to teach people. He wanted to teach people to be connected to the Galaxy, to care and to nurture. To be warm and loving. Whereas this teaching seemed to be the opposite.

Though he shook his head when she said he wasn't weak. That if he was, he wouldn't be standing still. That was a point the Mirialan couldn't agree with under any circumstance as he sighed to himself, turning his attention towards the streets of Courscant once again.

"I'm not weak, because I'm still standing? Does that mean everyone who has fallen is weak? No. I am weak. I have a soft heart. The idea of harming any living being is a thought that I detest. I am still standing because that is the Will of the Force. I have nearly crumpled many times. My first mission with my Master, I nearly removed my own hand when I was infected with a disease. My master stopped me. When I was kidnapped by the Sith alongside one of my fellow Jedi, my fellow Jedi helped me get through it. Because I am weak. Any one person alone is. It is only in numbers that strength truly come out."

To deny his weakness was a blindspot. To refuse to accept that he was naive was foolish. Shan knew he had weaknesses. Plenty of them if he was being honest. But it was also linked to him saying how people could be their own worst critics. He was always harsh on himself. Perhaps more than most but that's because he expected more out of himself. He might have saw himself as just a regular face in the crowd but that didn't mean he didn't expect greatness from himself.

"But mercy alone does not heal a broken galaxy."

"Nor can a singular person. Rot can not be treated by one dose. Sickness and disease can not be treated by a singular dose of medicine. You believe mercy is not inherently good nor is judgement inherently cruel. But what gives us the right to judge people? Because we were blessed with the Force? Because we were lucky? Judging someone is inherently flawed. Because no-one's situation is the exact same. It is never as clear cut as people might make out."

Shan once again sighed to himself. This was an interesting conversation. It was not one he commonly had with Padawans. He liked it if he was honest to himself. Perhaps this was what the texts he had read meant when they said how Padawans with opposing views to your own could be a learning experience.

Though he stopped mid step at the mention of that word. Corruption. A frown slowly crawling onto his face as his eyes grew darker for a moment. Corruption was a hard thing to have an opinion of. It happened in most living things. Be it through the Dark Side, through war, through greed. It was almost like it was a part of life...and so that's what he said.

"Corruption is like sickness. No matter how hard you try to deal with it, it'll always come back. You might be able to cure one aspect of corruption, such as taking away greed or taking away the corruption of the Dark Side, but there is always another disease, another aspect of corruption ready to sink its teeth back in."

Ilaria might not have expected an answer, and in a way, she wasn't getting one. She was getting an opinion. A belief. There was no such thing as cold hard fact when it came to this.

"It can not be erased. In the same way greed can not be erased. Pain can't be. Suffering can not be. Even in organisations such as the Order, there will be some manner of corruption. You can try to eradicate it, but then you are more likely to be caught by surprise when it slips through the cracks. Instead I believe it is best to prepare for it. To keep your eyes open for signs of it. If you are willing to acknowledge it, you are far more likely to be able catch it, instead of it catching you."

He turned his attention over towards Ilaria for a moment. Frowning in thought as he mused over his own words. In the past, Shan would have thought himself incorruptible. He was too pure. But he knew that wasn't the truth. He knew that his own strength could be turned against him. His caring aspects twisted and manipulated.

"...It is in all of us. Whether we like it or not, there is some source of corruption in the heart of all living things. It might not be the Dark Side, but it can be something else. Greed. Lust. Pride. But at the same time, they are a part of life. It is similar to your teachings, I suppose. Greed, lust, pride. They are all...reasonable to have. It is not reasonable to let them control you however. Take pride for example, I used to believe that no-one had to use my titles, that I didn't need to be called a Knight or a Doctor. But I worked hard for those titles. They're a reminder of how far I've progressed. So to an extent, it is fine to take pride in yourself."

 

[Ilaria Morvayne]

Post #6 – "Among the Order"

Chapter One - A Return to the Temple
Shan Pavond

---

Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Main Halls

For the first time, Ilaria found herself at an impasse.

It was not a lack of words—her mind was as sharp and fluid as ever, ready to dissect, to question, to counter. But Shan had given her something she had not yet decided how to answer.

"Corruption is like sickness. No matter how hard you try to deal with it, it'll always come back."

She had not expected him to say that.

Most Jedi would have claimed that corruption could be eradicated. That the light was enough to burn it away forever.

But he had not.

"It cannot be erased."

His words lingered, heavy in the air between them.

She had always believed that order was the cure to chaos. That discipline was the shield against weakness. But if corruption was not a sickness to be purged, not a mistake to be corrected, but instead… a fundamental part of existence?

That was something she had not considered before.

Ilaria's gaze drifted toward the skyline of Coruscant, the distant city lights blinking like stars that had fallen from their proper place. She had read about the planet's past—how it had been ruled, how it had been broken, how it had rebuilt itself again and again.

If corruption was an inevitability, then was order simply a temporary illusion?

She did not like that thought.

"You believe it is better to prepare for corruption than to attempt to eradicate it."

Her voice was smooth, deliberate, but there was an edge of something new beneath it—something contemplative.

"To accept its existence rather than deny it."

She let the words settle between them.

Then, she turned her gaze back to him, emerald eyes measured, yet somehow less distant than before.

"You have given me much to consider, Shan Pavond."

It was not flattery. Not pleasantry. It was simply true.

She could argue with him further—press, probe, dissect his every word. But to what end? There were times when conversation was a duel, an exchange of strikes and parries. But there were also times when a warrior stepped back, not in defeat, but in understanding that the battle was not yet meant to be won.

"I think this is a conversation best continued at another time."

Her posture shifted—not rigid, not dismissive, but composed.

"It would seem that the Jedi of Coruscant think differently than those of the Enclave."

She did not say it with disapproval, nor with surprise. Simply acknowledgment. A fact.

The Enclave had taught her certainty.
Coruscant had given her questions.

And though she would never admit it aloud—not yet, not to him—she found that she preferred the latter.

Questions could be answered.

"Perhaps I will seek you out again when I have more of my own."

And with that, she inclined her head, a subtle but graceful departure.

Then, without another word, she turned and stepped away.

She did not need to look back to know that Shan Pavond was still watching her, still trying to decide what to make of her.

That was fine.

Because she, too, was still deciding what to make of herself.

-END-​