A Trip Through Legend

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Emilia Marean"]

"That's for Emilia to decide, I'm going to walk around for a bit," Taeli replied, smiling brightly as she nearly dashed off to examine a statue of one Jedi that had been taken by the thought bomb. She would look at the Sith statues . . . but she really didn't care about Kaan or his Brotherhood of Darkness. There was a reason Bane tricked Kaan into their own destruction, and why Bane switched to using cunning and patience in his plans. She might not consider herself a Sith much anymore . . . but that didn't mean she didn't appreciate being clever or patient.

Her sister's line of inquiry about Connor, and her own admission, also had her mind racing. He was truly an interesting individual and one she really wanted to see again, especially after their last meeting at the tomb on Panatha. His passion for what he did, while still teetering towards darkness, was admirable, but she knew that darkness still lurked. From someone who had been on the other side of changing, going from dark to light, she knew how slippery the slope could be. If they met again, she would remove the last of that Sith Magic, she swore to herself. One more action to atone for any crimes she might have committed.

The light rain was starting to fizzle out as she down in front of Hoth's statue and just examined it. Her mind wouldn't shut up though as she observed how the Jedi Lord was portrayed in this pose and how it certainly made him seem more heroic than what she had read about. There had been nothing heroic about that Battle of Ruusan, noble yes, but it was more pragmatic. He was still a hero for other things, including dealing with the thought bomb, but Ruusan had a way of shifting the image of something to reveal the real being.

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Darth Arcanix"] [member="Corvus Raaf"]

She smiled as she listened to the woman and then heard Taeli go to stare at a statue, her eyes following her and closing she returned to the usage of force sight over that of her physical eyes. She used it so much it felt weird to look at someone with their physical properties and simply decided to look at them for their connection to the force and the way the flows worked with them. She stared at the change in Taeli for a few moments before turning her head back to Corvus and opening her eyes too smile at the woman now, the short burst of force sight pushed to be kept hidden and make it look like she was simply resting her eyes for a few seconds.

"Sorry, ive been tired lately. As for the Zorren, we erased ourselves from all records back during the imperial period in which the Republic fell. It is kinda hard to know about a species that shouldn't exist by all accounts of the records. I could always tell you about it if you want but that is up to you when and if such a thing occurs. As for going somewhere nicer, that would be appreciated. As much as i love the rain and had lived out in the middle of a forest for half of my life i would rather go and stay dry today. Do you have somewhere in mind?"

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “The Academy is having something of a refit. It’s been neglected of late and it makes sense to have two to use. So if you don’t mind the decorators, it’s warm, has a canteen and I also have a room there if you’d prefer something a little more quiet.” She avoided the use of the word private as it sounded too secretive.

Corvus was not about to divulge anything of what she’d heard but neither did she want her guest to feel she didn’t want to be seen in public with her.

‘We’re heading indoors,’ she shared with Taeli. ‘You can pretend to stare at those later – and we’ll have plenty of time to explore too.’

“So we’re unlikely to see more than one or two people in there – we have few lessons planned at the moment – but due to the refurbishment, the catering staff are at full strength. What is it with builders and their mugs of tea?”

“So, as we walk, are there any questions you have of me?”

[member="Emilia Marean"] | [member="Darth Arcanix"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Emilia Marean"]

'I'm not pretending to stare, I'm observing and appreciating good art,' Taeli sent back to her sister, a little cheekily. 'But, I'm coming as long as we do get the time to explore and check the Valley out more closely.'

"That's because many people like tea, myself included," she said aloud to her sister's comment about the catering company as she rejoined the other two woman. She was feeling much better and decided maybe she would just drop the shell for now. It wasn't like anyone here was a member of the Sith, so Taeli allowed the dark shell she was keeping herself concealed with drop to reveal the now much lighter aura of hers.

"If we're going, we should go then," she said, shifting uneasily on her feet. She still wasn't used to actually acknowledging the change in her, and she was still suspicious that Emilia had known for awhile now. "But I do have a question, why is there hardly anyone here?"

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Darth Arcanix"] [member="Corvus Raaf"]

Emilia nodded as she listened and thought about what she was hearing, her eyes running over the area and her mind leaving itself for a time as she just listened until the question came. Did she have questions? That was such an... odd thing for her to hear, why was simply because the last time she had been like this. Alone, a weakling. Granted she wasn't weak but had to pretend to be such. Her point was that it was different and wrong. She didn't know what it was that was going through her mind nor did she knew what it was that she was thinking. What could be questions that she would have and the first thing that came to mind was the thing she had been granted before, back long ago when she was an orphaned girl in the depths of a bunker.

"I do have a question... clothing and living, what are they like in the Jedi..." It was a curious mindset, she hadn't come out and asked to join. The question was a clear picture though of her curiosity and her yearning to join. It was something that was even true to Emilia as she had been curious for years to see what a Jedi's life was like in comparison to a Sith's. She knew their codes and she knew their beliefs from an academic standpoint. But they had never been a people that she had been able to truly learn from and understand. It would be interesting to see it but first she had to get around to posing the question that came to fruition in her own mind.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled at the banter with her sister. ‘Not pretending, appreciating. Understood and they’ve been there long enough for me to be sure they’ll be there when we get back. And as soon as your friend has everything she needs, we’ll be back here – don’t you worry.’

“Iced tea I like – but not on a day like today, but camomile? That works for me.”

As they made their way to the Academy, Corvus listened and answered the questions the best she could. “Clothing is entirely optional not the wearing of it, you understand, but the choice of what to wear. I wear robes because…well because I do really. It’s traditional, I’m traditional and so…well you get the idea. But people are free to wear whatever they want. Jumpsuits, armour, dresses, you name it and they’re probably worn. In terms of living, if it does not contradict the Code, then its allowable. And it can contradict the Code under the right circumstances. Many Masters have more than one Padawan. Some marry and have children. These are not seen as significant breaches of the Code and are entirely permissible.”

“Essentially, the Republic pays for it all. Robes, ships, fuel, food, pretty much everything. Some people think we live like monks. If that’s what you want, that’s how you can choose to live. Others live a far more modern lifestyle. It’s the Code that’s consistent, not the Jedi. Does that answer your question?”

[member="Emilia Marean"] | [member="Darth Arcanix"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Emilia Marean"]

'Speaking of dresses, have you worn any of those again, or am I going to have to bop you over the head once?' Taeli sent through the bond, teasing her sister in one part and scolding her in another. 'And we better come back here, there is sooo much I want to look at and we need to talk some more.'

"Corvy has a point here, she's trained plenty of Padawans," Taeli said aloud. "I guess it all depends on how one interprets the Jedi Code, which isn't really all that restricting by itself. Just can't have too many rules on top of it or then it gets . . . controlling, like how it was in the Old Republic."

She wasn't going to say aloud that maybe Taeli could help the Jedi with the whole the Republic pays for everything, she had to guess that caused some resentment in certain areas of the Senate when a Jedi facility was allocated resources when a war was being fought and lost currently. She did have a few projects in mind after all, and she was still running their company and looking to . . . move it out from under the Sith's thumb.

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Darth Arcanix"]

"Just about..." She said as her hand reached up and scratched at the space between Daeda's ears as he was now sitting on her shoulder while they walked. She took a moment to look around the statues as she realized she had as few questions as the statues had about their existence. She instead stayed silent for a bit and rather just listened. She wasn't sure what to say, it was like wanting to know everything but not knowing where to start or how to start.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus responded to her sister. ‘I wore one to a barbecue once – but not for long – there was an assassination attempt. Long story, less exciting than it probably sounds. And…I had a ship malfunction and wore one because my robes were damaged. Does that count? And yes, I can’t wait to explore either.’

“Most people self-govern,” Corvus said by way of a response to her sister’s words. “Some like the Old Republic approach; some are more New Jedi Order. The Code is the thing and in many places it’s open to interpretation.”

As they reached the steps of the Academy, Corvus led them through a whole host of workers who were decorating or repairing or doing those things that builders do. Finally they reached the restaurant. It was clean, functional but was clearly one of the rooms that had not yet been overhauled. Corvus walked up to the counter, a range of hot and cold foods on display. “A camomile tea please, nothing added, and some ryshcate too, thanks.” Then she looked at her companions to see what they might wish to order.

[member="Emilia Marean"] | [member="Darth Arcanix"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Emilia Marean"]

'That's it, I'm taking you clothing shopping next chance we get and getting you a wider wardrobe,' she thought with finality. Her sister might be apprehensive about it, but she felt it would be a good time. Something other than stuffy robes to wear. Still, following her sister through the academy to the cafeteria as she would call it, she felt a touch uneasy and nervous being around so many workers and possible Jedi. She could appreciate what was being done to the place though, it would be truly beautiful and peaceful once done.

"Um . . . some Bastion Black tea if you have it, unsweetened, and some ryshcate as well," she mumbled, still feeling a bit awkward in this environment. She would get used to it though.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus mentally giggled. 'And I still haven't bought any shoes. I wear my Jedi boots when I wear the dresses. But I did get myself a small handbag - big enough to fit a saber in though.'

Corvus waited for the woman to serve them all and then grabbed a table - she was spoiled for choice as there was no-one seated presently. "In a few weeks it is likely to be full - but for now, almost all of the training happens on Ossus. We plan to have this site replicate Ossus, rather than make either one specialise. Ossus will have the bigger library but with our new remote access facility, we can view Holocrons from anywhere in the galaxy."

"So, Emilia, do you plan to study here, or maybe Ossus?"

[member="Darth Arcanix"] | [member="Emilia Marean"]

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Darth Arcanix"]

Alexandra heard the words and looked up before looking back at the spot infront of her before ddebating what she wanted. It was odd, being the student again but as a student questions past a name was never asked to her. Her first master had told her exactly what she was suppose to do and she followed his words to a T. Never once had she questioned them and then the sith came along and changed that once before where she was with them for so long she had to fake her death twice. "I guess Ossus. Has it recovered since the fires wh-" She stopped in her tracks blinking as she looked at the one that was grabbing drinks. "Uh can i just have some water." She almost tripped up and mentioned the invasion of Ossus so long ago and more so being there.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Emilia Marean"]

Mentally sighing, she thought, 'Corvus . . . I told you you could order shoes off your datapad . . . but at least you got yourself a nice handbag. A girl always needs a nice bag for things.'

Taeli's lips twitched as she caught . . . Emilia's slip of the tongue. She was going to find this a lot harder to do than she probably thought, and Taeli almost wanted to go with her to Ossus right now, just to see how she adapted to life there. But not yet, she had some work to do first before she left the Sith.

"Making a girl jealous, knowing what you've set up for your archives," Taeli mumbled, taking a sip of her tea. "Remote access to holocrons sounds like a dream come true."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled at Emilia. “Ossus it is then. It’s a lot prettier than here, although it lacks some of the historical sites. There are daily classes in most subjects and the simpler Abilities are covered in those sorts of lessons. Force Sense, Telekinesis, Push, Pull, the First Form, Jump, Speed. We also encourage group lessons – it makes sense to train a few at once. And then, along with your Master, you can decide what individual training you need.”

“We’re also part of the Jedi Academy Network. With your Master’s permission, you can learn from Masters from other Orders. And the reason I say that is because some of the students there have had less than orthodox views of the Code. So it’s best a Knight or Master vouches for the teacher before you embark on any formal training. We’ve also given them access to our Holocrons, so all of the Jedi can learn from them – not just those of our Order. They are for all Jedi that follow the Code after all.”

She turned to Taeli. ‘I’ve been…busy. Honestly. But I’ll order some – after we’ve explored a little, right?’

[member="Darth Arcanix"] | [member="Emilia Marean"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Emilia Marean"]

'Of course! I really can't wait to explore everything we possibly can!' she thought, ehr excitement bleeding into the message she sent to her sister. She had enjoyed their little excursion on Tython before the Sith had attacked. She had gone to Tython during the invasion and . . . she hadn't done anything beyond deal with a rabbit. She just couldn't bring herself to actually actively poison the world into a new Ziost, Dromund Kaas, or Korriban.

"It's much more different than things in the Sith," Taeli replied quietly. "It's sink or swim, live or die for acolytes hoping to catch the eye of a master. Group training is rare, and then you have the issue of people hoarding knowledge and not wanting to teach others much if they can avoid it."

She was interested by the system the Jedi were employing since it meant connections and bonds between the various Jedi Orders. Maybe they would reform into one order eventually, but maybe not. The future was always uncertain.

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Corvus Raaf"] [member="Darth Arcanix"]

She listened and smiled very slightly, her eyes though drifted off with a glance to the side as she thought to herself and over what she was getting into. She really for once could not muster the curiosity that she normally was filled with. What made it worse was she yearned for her abilities to be recognized and knew how hard this was going to be. With her smile remaining she brush herself off and stood slowly. "Im going to go for a walk quick, if that is ok with you two."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. "Feel free. There's a lot to see, so take your time. If we're not here when you get back, we'll no doubt be in the ruins."

When Emilia left, Corvus turned to her sister. "Now, tell me you haven't been doing loads of research. So, based on that, where would you like to head?" In the back of her mind Corvus wondered how long it could be before they could take these trips in a clandestine manner - how long before her sister was in a position to declare her true allegiance. But she said nothing, not wishing to put any pressure on her sibling.

[member="Emilia Marean"] | [member="Darth Arcanix"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Of course I've been doing research!" Taeli said excitedly, earning a look from a few other people in the room for her outburst. "Sorry, that came out louder than I thought. I really want to explore more of the Valley, see the old site of the thought bomb, everything in fact. To think that we get to walk on ground that Bane and Hoth walked on, see how Kaan's madness consumed him and his Brotherhood. It really puts one in mind of everything our forerunners did."

Finishing her tea and the rich cake, still not as good as what they had shared on Corellia, she got to her feet and was almost bouncing with excitement. Okay, she was definitely reverting to how she had been before she had joined the Sith. She might have gotten excited for some things, but you couldn't let that show around other Sith. Here though . . . her she could be herself.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus laughed. “It’s like having a new Padawan,” she laughed. “Their youthful exuberance is infectious – believe me. The look in their eyes when you call them your Padawan.”

Which of course set Corvus off thinking. Her recent meeting with the Prime Minister had gone very well and any Sith that wished to join the Jedi would not have to answer for any crimes committed. They would not be pardoned immediately – but if placed with a creditable Jedi, they could be quickly integrated into the Order and serve the Republic too.

But she was getting ahead of herself. “Let’s head to the Valley then – you can lead the way and take us wherever you wish. Tython was fun – but this is going to be awesome.”

[member="Darth Arcanix"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Well, I suppose so," Taeli laughed as she took her sister's hand and almost literally dashed out of the room and towards the Academy doors. Had she memorized the path from when they arrived? Yep, she couldn't help it, her brain never did stop moving and analyzing her surroundings. "Some Sith apprentices get the same look . . . well, maybe not the same look. They get this more hungry expression than anything else, it can be a touch unnerving to be perfectly honest."

"Speaking of Tython, have you finished getting the Forge all set up on Ossus?" she asked, breathing in the air of Ruusan for a moment. It also let her mind wander to something her sister had said about Padawans. She was certainly going to join her sister . . . once she handled some leftover business in the Sith that needed doing first, but would maybe . . . her sister . . . might teach her? It would be an interesting time and they could bond more . . .