Public Come What May [Open]

[Cedric Grayson]

Far be it from Cedric to normally play the judge, The empyrean remained more or less calm as the man told his story, so the exile decided he wasn't lying. The particulars of the murder weren't particularly important aside from the intent, and as far as Cedric could tell it was a crime of passion rather than something wholly intentional.

Perhaps it might do to send the man back to his would be captors. Perhaps that would be justice, but then probable servitude and possibly death awaited him. It was a waste of life, and Cedric sympathized with his position to a certain degree. The bottle only served to further the exile's sense of pity; he knew its dangers all too well.

"Normally a trial would be demanded, yes," the Essonian explained, "A Jedi's duty is to keep the peace, and letting you go without penalty does not do justice to the man you killed." Cedric's arms folded over his chest, "That being said, I understand your position, and it sounds like you've suffered well enough as it is. No, a service will do fine."

Technically the man could just ignore him. Cedric had no authority in this enclave beyond those he brought with him, but he could certainly act like he did. "I will teach you the ways of the Jedi so that you may bring about positive change in penance for your actions. Your service will be your redemption." His tone brooked no argument. "Alternatively I can report you to the proper authorities. Either way your crimes are paid for and justice is served."

It might have seemed cold, especially coming from a Jedi, but Cedric's intentions were benevolent at their core. He recognized the signs of alcoholism immediately in Khan Morren . Even if the training failed, that habit could be dealt with given the proper care. To let Khan go off on his own now would only permit the poison, and Cedric couldn't allow that.

 

[Kaiah Nihl]

Kaiah Nihl
Location: Svivren | Jedi Enclave | Hangar
Weapons: None
Status: Sitting down with Tiland Kortun and Aayla Shan
Nearby: Cedric Grayson | Khan Morren

Aayla sat down at the table and Kaiah took a moment to wonder at such a simple action. How could hopefuls and other Jedi gain audience with a Grandmaster so easily? Scheduling a meeting with a powerful Ren had been a nearly impossible ordeal, and the meeting itself was far from pleasant. But Tiland seemed to have endless patience, showing no reservations as Kaiah approached. Calm and in control, he exuded an aura of peace. Is this what some Jedi were truly like? She spent so much time avoiding them and thinking of them as the enemy, she’d never stopped to consider what they were like outside of conflict.

‘Answers! Finally!’ she thought as the man spoke. She listened carefully, clinging to the words like a drowning person clings to air. After months of pursuing rumors and exploring abandoned temples, she finally had something tangible. ‘Could a sorcerer have cursed me?’ she thought. There weren’t any such force users on Nagi, as far as she knew. The Nightsisters perhaps? She knew almost nothing about them, except for their name. There was talk of Sith spirits as well, which seemed like a bad omen. It threatened to bring up horrific memories from the monster she had encountered at The Spire.

She near jumped as Tiland ‘spoke’ his final line to her. Did the man speak aloud? He only whispered, yet she heard what he said with perfect clarity. She really ought to have taken this as a warning sign; quit while she was ahead and leave the enclave. But she was buoyed and excited at the progress she was making.

“I know someone” Kaiah said out loud. “Who claims to have such a curse”. She was risking exposing herself by talking in circles like this. Lies were obvious, but bending the truth was nearly as damming. “Is there a cure for such an affliction?” Small wisps of smoke curled from her mouth as she spoke - a bad sign. It was likely that her orange eyes were flaring brightly. “And where would one seek it?”

The hunger, the desire, had fully awakened in her now. She felt some of her carefully placed barriers slip away. A small part of her watched in alarm, but the rest of her pulsed with anticipation. She would deal with the consequences later; the truth was so close. She was certain this man would know, he would have the solution.

Once she was rid of the demon then she could start her life anew.

 

[Khan Morren]

The tension didn't break, but a layer of dread to the coming moments was relinquished as Cedric Grayson revealed that he would be taking Khan as a pupil. By the time he had finished both his story and confession, he was almost certain that he would be arrested and transported back to Bakura to face trial. Seems like he would be leaving his pirate comrades behind, but it was for the better. Khan had never been a pirate, not in his heart anyway.

His alcoholism fueled a rage that seemed to compound with his parent's untimely deaths, and as he felt the remnants of its presence on his tongue, he knew he would have to give that up as well. He didn't know much about the jedi, but one thing was for sure, there wasn't any room for addiction in their order. That much he could guess. The only reason he had that swig was that he thought he was about to be arrested and he wanted one last sip before he was taken away in custody.

Nevertheless, it all seemed too easy and that gave thought to this being some type of ruse though the chance given was quickly relinquished as there was no point. Khan, in response to what was said, bowed his head forward, his green orbs venturing towards the base of where the man stood.

"I'll accept the training and serve the jedi and their people. Thank you for the opportunity," Khan spoke gratefully. He hesitated for a moment, but he reached into the interior pocket of his attire where the bottle rested and removed it. His eyes moved about until he found a disposal canister where he'd discard the bottle. He let out a sigh as he peered back up towards his newly acquired master.

"What now then, Master Grayson?" He wasn't sure if it was the surname or the first name that he was supposed to use, but he assumed that he should call him master from this point on. The thoughts on the man's name reminded him that he was still probably going by his fake name. He struggled with the immediate embarrassment of having to reveal his actual name.

"I am Khan by the way..Khan Morren," his eyes diverted for a moment for obvious reasons as he bowed his head once more apologetically.

 

[Cedric Grayson]

A very good question.

Were they anywhere else, Cedric would have absconded back to his refuge on Ruusan. The enclave on Svivren was safe though, and more importantly just as saturated with the Ashla's presence. "I had a feeling you might have been lying about the name," Cedric mumbled, a hint of amusement lacing his words. "Good to meet you Khan."

Whether Khan Morren had what it took to actually become a Jedi remained to be seen, but it was important to begin on the path as soon as possible if they were going to find out. Cedric nodded approvingly as the bottle was tossed aside. There would be no tolerance for any kind of intoxicants so long as the exile had a say.

"Now we begin your first lesson," he added plainly. There weren't as many people in this part of the enclave. It wasn't exactly private, but if one could not learn to meditate in a Jedi Enclave, where could they?

"You will need to learn to commune with the Force." He began, "As my teachers taught me, interaction with the Force is all about the imagination. What you manifest in your mind will become reality to an ever greater degree as you become more in tune with the Force. Right now, you are an empty vessel, an unfilled glass. You can naturally sense the Force if you reach out to it, like straining your ears to hear a far off sound. Once you've taken full notice of the Force, envision its energies as water, and then fill the glass as much as you can."

 

[Khan Morren]

Khan forced a smirk to accommodate the tone of his master's voice as he commented on the revelation of his real name, and perhaps in the future, he would find the real comedic value in it once he better understood what the force granted someone who has attuned to its vibrations. That lack of knowledge and experience also transferred when the entire subject of the force was brought up, as his question was answered by Cedric Grayson .

"You make it sound easy," Khan remarked in observation as his master told him to reach out toward the intangible as though it was a sound. Perhaps it was true that it was easy as that, and at times, Khan realized it had manifested in many ways throughout his life..much like it had when he encountered the Rhodian bounty hunters. It's safe to say without the force's intervention with Khan's existence, he would be long gone and dead. One could maybe even argue that if it wasn't for the force, Khan's life would be much more simple and he wouldn't have been in that position in the first place. That was a stretch though.

"So you want me to...concentrate and try to "feel the force"?" Khan's question framed the objective in his own words, trying to define it in a manner which he could better understand. He felt a little silly doing so, his hand reached out where its digits clasped around the railing and he made a pivot toward it. He closed his eyes before they descended toward the plant life that was just beyond the railing--a sort of garden which exuded an ambiance of tranquility and peace. He tried to focus as his master had tasked him.

What was he looking for? How would he know when he found it? Was it as easy as simply trying for the first time that he would find some sort of connection to something he had not really believe existed for his entire life? Khan's thoughts clouded the state of serenity that would ultimately be required in order to accomplish the goal he had been set to endeavor toward. Nevertheless, he was making an attempt. For someone as troubled as he was, "serenity" wasn't something that was so easily found.

He was quiet after he asked the question, as he knew the answer or perhaps understood that whatever the force was he would find in due time. He wasn't sure if it was expected that he would immediately do though, and perhaps a tinge of worry surfaced to manipulate his aura came to be as he wondered what would happen if he was not able to live up to expectations. Would he be sent to Bakura? He tried to strike thoughts away and just focus on the task.

 

[Cedric Grayson]

The exile snorted. "Yes I suppose I have a tendency to oversimplify things." Understatement of the century. He watched in observative silence as Khan descended into the garden. Cedric's eyes drifted shut as he began to let hi mind drift too, freeing itself of the mortal prison that was his flesh in favor of something intangible, and yet far greater.

He envisioned himself walking upon the surface of the great ocean. The waters were clear and deep blue as they often were when calmed. Dozens of islands dotted the horizon, each small landmass representing a consciousness within the enclave. Khan appeared as an island as well, but where the others were home to forest and ecosystems all their own, his was a barren place of sand and nothingness.

There was great potential there.

"I do," he spoke aloud, "But to do so you must empty your thoughts. Our relationship with the Ashla is one of give and take. If you give it your full attention, and empty your mind of all distractions, it will come to you. If you fail to maintain your focus, you will be ignored," he instructed. "You must cast aside the worries you carry. They will do nothing than drag you down if you truly intend to walk the path. Let go, give everything unto the Force, and you will be free."

Khan Morren

 

[Millie]

Millie smirked even wider at the response the man gave. In her experience, interrupting Jedi-y people was a one-way ticket to stern looks and quiet whispers about your behaviour. So it was a special surprise to meet one that let out a friendly chuckle. Maybe, out here, the Jedi were less uptight than they could be on Coruscant. Though, Jax was plenty loose in a whole other different way...

"What, down there? Meditating?" she asked, cocking her head to the side. "I dunno, I'm not all that good at it." She slid off the wall, a little speck of dust twirling up off the stones as she landed. Languidly, she moved towards him, taking a careful look around the place. Seemed to be some activity around too, distant voices off to the sides. A much more natural environment, with the echoing sounds of life around them, than the sterile and artificial halls in the Temple she knew.

She sat beside him, cross-legged and facing him. A fair bit smaller in stature, but she made up for it in movement. Big eyes looking over him, trying to 'make' him. Millie prided herself on being a fantastic judge of character... when it came to working out who was a good rube, target, whatever.

"You're not like the other Jedi I know," she told him, with a giggle. "You don't seem all that fussy." With that judgement, she tossed the saber hilt in her hands again and again. "I saw the details about this place in the temple network. Seemed pretty interesting. Plenty more space than anywhere I've been." A shrug, as she tossed the hilt towards him.

"So, Mr. Jedi, what can you tell me about this?" she asked, leaning back. "Oh. And I'm Millie. Nice to meet ya."

Caedyn Arenais

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Caedyn Arenais smiled at Millie as she decided to accept his invitation and seat herself nearby, facing him with inquisitive eyes. He didn't expect the young girl to practice with him, merely to converse so that he could sate his own interest in knowing what brought her to the Enclave of Svivren.

"I was never good at it myself when I first started out" Caedyn replied, chuckling quietly in response to her apprehension; "You know what they say, practice makes perfect and whatnot" he added with a wary grin, suddenly feeling his age as quickly as the words had left his mouth.

It was curious to hear Millie's remark that he wasn't alike other Jedi she had met or known; "You've met a few of us have you?" he asked curiously, "It hasn't taken you more than a few minutes to decide I'm not like others" he pointed out with that same grin, giving a wink in playful jest.

"I know a certain Zeltron who would disagree with you" Caedyn concluded, thinking about Kyra Perl and what she might have made of Millie's assessment of him.

The Jedi Knight glanced to the Lightsaber as the young girl began to casually play with it, lightly tossing it between her hands before deciding that she'd offer it to Caedyn seemingly on a whim. As the weapon was guided across to him, his right hand raised up, fingers outstretching and calling the Lightsaber into his palm, naturally keeping the blade inactive.

"Clearly there's something worth noticing..." Caedyn remarked, given that she had offered it over with the expectation that he might catch something unnatural about it. Closing his eyes, Caedyn focused upon the Lightsaber and shutting out all else around him, save for Millie herself.

"How did you come to possess such a thing?" he asked lightly, no amount of suspicion nor grievance in his voice despite sensing that it wasn't attuned to Millie herself. Or at the very least, it hadn't originally been so.

 

[Millie]

"I've met a few of you," Millie admitted, rolling her eyes a little bit. "I dunno. There's just something about Jedi. It's like, they're all split between either we must meditate with the Force for a day before speaking, child and hush girl, I have a hundred Sith to slaughter. Neither of them appeal much, gonna be honest."

"I didn't steal it," Millie lied instantly, "I just wanna make that a hundred percent clear."

Unfortunately for her, she was easier to read than a holobook. Her eyes moved away from him then, blinking quickly as she found anywhere else to look. As if he'd be able to drag the lie straight out of her eyes.

"Okay so... I may have found it, somewhere," she explained, biting her lip as she wondered how to fudge it. "Just somewhere it shouldn't have been. I mean, it's a Jedi thing, right? It's a lightsaber, so it didn't belong in that lockbox, so technically I wasn't in the wrong there." She shrugged because in her head, it made perfect sense. Maybe. Possibly.

"So yeah. I can use it, but it's not mine. And according to the people on Coruscant, that's like a bad thing. Something about the crystal that makes the thing work. I haven't told them exactly where I took it from," she reeled off, speaking as quickly as she could. Charging through it like an out of control spaceship wouldn't give him a chance to ask awkward questions, after all.

"I didn't wanna ask too many questions on Coruscant because... I don't wanna get a reputation as the thief girl. More than I already have, I mean." Another shrug, trying to make it seem like she didn't care as much as she did. "And maybe it was a good chance to meet some other Jedi. See if there's a bunch beyond the Core."
Caedyn Arenais

 

[Tiland Kortun]

Kaiah Nihl Millie Caedyn Arenais Cedric Grayson Khan Morren Aayla Shan

Smoke, glowing eyes, and the shifting sensation of her mood. Those were not good signs. And he could understand her reluctance. Curses, whatever they really were, not something that many people liked to claim. Indeed, there were those who saw people who thought themselves cursed to be delusional or some other form of non-functioning.

But they had not studied the weirdness of the galaxy. The paradox of the Force. The strangeness of the Aang-Tii. The mirrored perspectives of the Sith and the Jedi. The fact that the Night-Sisters could reanimated corpses. The monstrosities that alchemists were capable of creating with Sith alchemy.

The galaxy was a strange, bizarre place and he would not discount things. But this was a more pressing issue than why she wanted to hide. It was what she was trying to hide. He considered his words carefully.

"There are solutions, yes, that can be found in a variety of places at this point." His words were measured, and calm, as he watched her, making eye contact. "If it is Dark Side based, then Force Light may be possible to eliminate it." He paused and then shrugged. "But there are countless forms of curses and Dark Side magic, so without the details of the curse and its symptoms, I don't know for certain. There may be healing herbs or crystals that can remove it or forms of Light side magic that can undo spells that are not inherently Dark Side. If it's Force Light, any Jedi Master with sufficient skill can likely do it, although I suspect the experience will be unpleasant. Otherwise, I would have to consult archives across the galaxy and speak with a few specialists. Jedi Master Matsu Ike is perhaps the foremost archaeologist and scholar in obscure Force traditions in recent history, so Matsu may know some. Jedi Master Romi Jade on Jakku is also an accomplished healer, from my understanding. My own specialty is herbalism and Force healing, so if it is medical, I can likely address it or use Force Light if necessary."

He waited and poured a cup of tea-- minty and fresh-- before sliding it across the table to Kaiah and clasping his hands on the table. "Ultimately, the choice is up to you."

 

[Aayla Shan]

There was much to learn there, and learn she did. This Master had no doubt a well of knowledge that dwarfed her own, though she didn't take that to heart. It was, what it was, as far as she was concerned. On the bright side, he was an ally. As far as the other went, Aayla had become undoubtedly suspicious of her. A late hopeful, with questionable documents, and an even more questionable line of inquiries. Aayla would not speak her mind on that, and instead let her eyes trail to the tea. A light wisp of steam rose from the cup, and she would press her fingers against it to gauge the temperature. Still listening as they spoke, she rose the cup and sipped lightly; pursing her lips and smirking as the warm liquid trickled into her system.

Essentially, her thoughts were simple. She had a feeling the other was talking about themselves, but knew that the Master to her right was far from being considered an idiot; as such, it only made sense that he also suspected just what she did, and was being cordial. What did it suit her to break that cordiality when the Master wouldn't? In any case, she would not hide that emotion from him, or the other; refraining from looking at the woman, and focusing her intent on the tea in front of her. Feeling a slight bit foolish for overlooking all of the oddities surrounding the woman's appearance there. She felt like the other had made a fool of her, but was doing quite a job at letting those feelings not show on her face.

Master June-To appeared at her left, and would lean over asking Aayla a question, to which she would look up, gray hues seeming to shine with joy.

"Right away..."

She said, turning back to them and taking a final sip from that teacup. With that, she would allow Master Tiland Kortun to finish what he would say, taking a single glance at the leaving Togruta Master in turn, then speaking.

"Excuse me Master Kortun."

A curt nod given, head visibly dipped in a show of respect. Then, she turned to the other;

"Hopeful... I hope to see you soon"

With that, she would dress herself back, and move to a standing position, taking a step back away from the table, and turning away to go see to what the Master Jedi had asked her to do.

Kaiah Nihl

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Caedyn couldn't help but smirk as he listened to Millie trying to explain and justify herself. He wasn't one to encourage theft in any shape or form, however from what he could sense in the Hilt itself, the act had been committed sometime before now; what was done, was done.

"There are all kinds of Jedi out there, some more different than others if you take the time to get to know them..." he replied gently, offering his experience and trying to word it in a way that didn't come off as a lecture at all.

Caedyn was somewhat casual and down-to-earth when it came to his interactions with students one on one. Only in public and formal settings, did he expect Padawan to show the discipline and behaviour expected within a Temple environment, but here as they were now, he was far more lenient and relaxed.

"As far as the Crystal is concerned, it is a part of the Lightsaber that Jedi often refer to as the heart of the blade. They're sensitive to the Force and as part of a Padawan's progress in their training further on in the later stages, they are expected to meditate with their crystals, and to fill it with their presence in the Force in order to create a strengthened bond and make the weapon truly their own" he explained in little detail, though enough to give clarification behind what was likely meant by those Jedi back on Coruscant.

"Where exactly did you find it?" He inquired further, studying the girl closely for any sign of dishonesty in her response; "Do you think that someone might have come back to look for it? The Lightsaber is, after all, very important to a Jedi".