Private Beneath the Temple's Silence (Kahlil Noble)

[Mak Manto]

Coruscant
Jedi Temple
Mak Manto's Quarters - Bottom of the Temple

The dimly lit quarters of Mak Manto had an unsettling chill to them, the cold seeping through the stone walls and wrapping around him like an unwelcome shroud. The haze from his pipe drifted lazily in the air, mixing with the sharp scent of Corellian scotch that lingered from his glass. Shadows flickered across the room, casting an ethereal gloom that accentuated the stark solitude of his surroundings.

Idly spinning his cane, he focused on the rhythmic motion that provided him a sliver of comfort in the cold, dark room, where the silence felt oppressive. Downing the glass, Mak raised his lower left hand and had the bottle pour more into the glass before it came back to the table.

He wasn't sure why he needed it, but he felt that meeting Kahlil Noble was going to be more daunting than he expected.

Since coming to the New Jedi Order, Mak's primary contact had been Valery. He had spent enough time with her, but virtually the rest of the Order remained unknown to him. Thousands of Jedi just right above him who he didn't know, and Mak was allowing himself to not get to know them.

So, he had decided to call the councilor to come to his quarters, not just to get to meet him, but to gauge him on a matter Mak had been dealing with.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

It was pretty rare to get high praise from Valery Noble , and Master Manto was one of those Jedi who had gotten as much. Kahlil kept a pretty calm expression as he moved through the recently remade lower levels of the temple, his eyes glancing around curiously. It was an underused part of the temple, that's was for certain. If the Order moved it's way back, this space would find use.

He knocked twice on the door before hitting the switch for it to slip open.

"Master Manto. I hope you've been well?"

Mak Manto

 

[Mak Manto]

"Ah, Councilor Noble," Mak Manto said, his voice deep and resonant as it filled up the empty room. "Please, come in. It's good to finally meet you." He gestured towards the chair that sat across from him, the shadows obscuring the details but framing the seat as a welcoming presence.

As Kahlil stepped into the dimly lit quarters, Mak scrutinized the man with a mix of curiosity and respect. There was a calm, collected aura about him —traits that had evidently earned him the Order's high regard. "I hope the journey down here wasn't too tedious," he added, his tone now lighter, a contrast to the heaviness in the air.

He poured a second glass of Corellian scotch, the amber liquid catching a glimmer of light as it filled the glass. Offering it to Kahlil, he continued, "I thought it might be nice to share a drink before we dive into the business that brought you here. After all, I find that conversations flow more freely when one is a little less... constrained."

His gaze held a hint of intent, as if weighing the atmosphere carefully before changing the subject. "Valery speaks about you and the both of your children often enough," he said, probing gently. "I felt I owed you the respect to finally show myself."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"I can't imagine why it would be tedious. Master Jonyna Si made sure this temple would be far more accessible than it had been, all while being safer. She is quite inventive in that regard." Kahlil let out a soft chuckle before he did take up the amber glass, taking a sip. It wouldn't truly affect him now, he wasn't one to actually get drunk in the temple. But he did enjoy the drink itself.

"She speaks highly of you in turn. It is good to know the face behind the name."

Mak Manto

 

[Mak Manto]

Mak took a deep gulp of his scotch, savoring the warmth that spread through him as he set the glass down with a harsh chuckle. "Ah, then we're both fortunate," he replied, a hint of mirth lining his voice. "It's always nice to have a face to put to the stories — even if I'm more of a curiosity than anything."

He leaned back in his chair, the aged wood creaking softly beneath his weight. "Not every Jedi has a reputation that proceeds them, but I've learned that the quieter ones are often the most enigmatic." As he spoke, his gaze drifted to the shadows that danced across the wall, pensive thoughts flickering behind his eyes.

"Valery has been... a guiding light in many ways for this order," he said, his tone shifting into a more serious one. "Her loyalty, her spirit — it's what keeps many here motivated, including myself. I find myself wondering how we navigate these times of uncertainty and whether our past will allow us a chance at a better future."

He took another sip, allowing the flavor to linger on his palate before continuing. "Tell me, Kahlil, what do you envision for the Jedi in this new era? What path do you see before us?" Bringing the pipe back to his lips, he took a deep inhale before a loud cloud of smoke escaped, causing him to slightly disappear in the haze and darkness.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"She is a guiding light for more than just this Order, though I suppose as her husband I sound beyond biased." He chuckled lightly, swirling his drink for a moment. Biased as he clearly was, it didn't mean it wasn't true. He'd seen even his own people, scattered and broken, look to Valery Noble just as much as they'd looked to him. At times, even more so in her direction. Another sip before he leaned back in his seat.

The future.

"There's far too much chaos to see a path forward more than the next few steps. Safeguarding each other, protecting the young from the Sith, keeping all ready as best as we can for the trials that are coming every day. I hear talk of the Foundation and the group on Naboo seeking to fight against the Alliance, which worries me greatly. There is no right way to be Jedi that is more right than another. But to turn a lightsaber against a fellow before even talking is.. Not the right answer. Visions of the Force or not."

It was a drastic, far too intense answer to what should be a simple conversation. Kahlil mulled over his drink for a moment longer before downing what remained.

"I've hope, though. Not a path that we can walk but a destination I hope we can meet. Where our young, our children, can know a peace outside of the constant wars. That they can explore the galaxy as they want to, not because someone tells them they have to or that they can't ignore the suffering. I want them to be free to be who they are, not warriors of peace."

Mak Manto

 

[Mak Manto]

Mak nodded thoughtfully, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass as he processed Kahlil's words. The mention of chaos and division stirred memories deep within him — ghosts of a past that still resonated with painful clarity.

"I've seen the consequences of such discord firsthand," he began, his voice growing solemn. "Many years ago, I was involved in a conflict that tore apart the Jedi — a civil war, as many soon came to call it. It wasn't a battle against the Sith, but rather a rift among our own. Two factions stood tall in the Galaxy, both convinced they held the key to the Jedi's future — one advocating for a balanced engagement, while the other sought an aggressive stance against our enemies."

His beard sagged just a bit as his eyes became distant with the weight of old memories. "I fought alongside what I believed to be the righteous, not because I wanted to, but because I feared inaction would lead to the very destruction we sought to prevent. In the end, it only bred resentment among us. Jedi turned against Jedi, losing sight of our true purpose. The war left scars — not just on our bodies, but on our very souls."

He leaned forward, the shadows shifting across his face, revealing a burnt out old man. "If there's one thing that I learned too late, it's that the path of hatred leads nowhere but into darkness. We lost brothers and sisters who might have been saved, who might have fought for a better future if only we had listened to each other."

Mak took a moment, allowing the heaviness of his reflection to settle. "This time, I want to do better. I see echoes of that past in the unrest surrounding us now. As you said, Kahlil, if we do not safeguard our unity, we risk repeating the mistakes we've made before. It's vital that we learn to listen, to engage in dialogue even when tensions rise. The consequences of our choices ripple far beyond us; they reach our children, the next generation of Jedi."

Taking another inhale on his pipe, Mak studied the councilor again.

"Perhaps I could speak to this group on Naboo — the one you're concerned about. Dialogue isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity, especially when dissent brews among us. If I can lend my experience, if I can be a voice of reason, perhaps I can help steer both factions to a more cooperative path."

With a faint smirk, he added, "Besides, given my age, it seems fitting to engage in a bit of diplomacy for a change. What do you think? Would my presence on Naboo be of any benefit, or would it only stir the pot further?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

It sounded like the history where the Silvers had eventually emerged. Kahlil wasn't certain on it, but growing up in the Temple on Kashyyyk he'd felt it. Seen it. The New Jedi Order in it's fledgling days, the Silver Jedi, the other temples and organizations all unwilling to work together beyond the most extreme of situations. That was not a time he wanted to return to.

"In truth, I am not sure if it would or wouldn't stir the pot. They view the Alliance and what it stands for as wrong, and there are parts of it I cannot say they are wrong about. But to dismantle the Alliance would only put billions at risk. I trust your judgement, not blindly of course. Valery's opinion of you certainly lends credit. I truly doubt any Jedi want there to be a war against the others. Whatever pushed them to think they have no choice but this path, it would be good to understand."

Especially if it turned out to be a manipulation of the Dark.

Mak Manto

 

[Mak Manto]

Mak's expression shifted slightly, a calculating glint in his eye as he leaned forward, taking another deep inhale. The shadows deepened around him, wrapping in familiarity as he steered the conversation onto a more personal course.

"Then it seems we have a plan," he said, his voice measured and deliberate. "If we can find a way to engage with this group on Naboo, maybe we can weave a thread of understanding back into the fabric of the Jedi and those who feel estranged from us. But, as with all things, I believe there may be something that you could assist me with in return for my efforts."

He watched Kahlil closely, gauging his reaction and intent. "You see, I have spent much of my time in solitude, lost in the depths of my own contemplations, and while it grants a certain peace, I've come to realize that true understanding often arises from connection. I'm curious, Councilor — would you be willing to provide a fresh perspective on matters beyond just the current unrest? In return for my diplomatic efforts, I ask of you to help me connect with the Order, to help me gain insight into the state of our Jedi community today."

Mak continued, "Perhaps you could introduce me to some of your colleagues and share with me their thoughts, their strife, and their hopes for the future. While I am no stranger to the weight of authority, I respect deeply the voices of those within the ranks. I believe that understanding the pulse of this Order — the desires and worries of its members — is paramount as we navigate these tumultuous waters together."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

A plan indeed. Kahlil nodded his head, giving a brief if tired smile. It would be good to have the talks that should've been had long ago. In that, he'd failed. "There's a good number I can introduce you to. Shan is the first that comes to mind, but as he was my Padawan I suppose I'd be biased in that regard. Many of the other Knights have been away, though. You could also talk to the council, or sit in on one of the lessons for the Padawans. That's probably the most ideal route."

Mak Manto