I Sense a Disturbance

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus shrugged. She was not afraid to admit her views changed over time. She was a scholar. New evidence was always brought into play to reform thinking. And she listened to people – and without judging, weighed it all up.

“The Dark-side is a specific use of the Force. To use it as a tool and to command it. To use emotions to channel it. Some Abilities are by their very nature Dark-sided. Others are neutral – but how a Jedi and Sith access them is simply different.”

“But that is possibly the wrong debate. As I say, what matters deep down is if you are doing good. The greater good. It is fair to ask if that, in order to achieve it, if I had to use the Dark-side would I? When to avoid using it would be bad? It’s a conundrum all right. Or if I had to let a child die to save a village? Or ten children? Or fifty?”

“So…are you a sinner to the Jedi? No. We should not judge anyone. You may be different but that does not make you right or wrong. Just you.”

“But to answer your last question? I am a Jedi. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. Happiness doesn’t come into it. At least not consciously. I do my duty.” She looked at the wine in front of her, still untouched. “We do what we must, eh?”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Indeed, she did what she must. And so she tipped the wine glass to rush the crimson liquid into her mouth. What was coping? She had never had to do that in the past--unless all her life; all her behavior was a coping mechanism. Was she really this sullen woman deep down? Did it matter? This was who she was now. Maybe it was even what she wanted to be. And yet Corvus told her she was happy where she was, whereas Geneviève could not truthfully claim that. It was like a misery, but one she desired.

"There will come a day when we are no longer wanted," the Prime Minister predicted. "It happens to everyone, especially in high positions such as ours. I'm sure you will have a more fluid future, considering the absence of direct politics in the Order. But mine will stop abruptly when the time comes." Her eyes dilated slightly, the wine beginning to infiltrate her system but no adverse effects arising yet. It had only been one glass. There was plenty of time and wine for more.

But could it have been the wine speaking now? It was unusual to give such things extra thought. But Gen was changing. For the better or for the worse, she was beginning to loosen. "Will you hold the door open for me on that day?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus sighed. She was a natural empath that did her best to avoid intruding. In part because to open herself to emotions would flood her senses. But she’d been taught to filter the flow and could — if she wanted — see inside the PM’s mind. But she chose not to.

But if ever temptation crossed her path, it was now.

“Our time is now, accept it, embrace it and make the most of it. I wasn’t Grand Master for more than a couple of days and I was asked what my legacy would be. Your tenure has been longer, so it’s fairer to ask that question of you. So tell me. How will you be remembered, and more importantly how would you like to be remembered?”

“But before you answer, I shall give you yours. The door has always been open for you. You only have to step in.”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

"I'm sure I'll be remembered as two different things, depending on who you ask," Gen replied, eyeing the wine bottle but resisting the urge to pour herself more. She needed to stay composed in front of her guest, as comfortable as she had become around the Jedi Master. The time she had cried on Corvus' shoulder had been quite enough. They could wait a few years before anything like that happened again. "I'll either be remembered as the steadfast defender or the 'Great Whore of the Republic', as I've already been called. I guess that means I've done something." She smiled soberly.

"As for what I'd like to be remembered as..." The Prime Minister paused and tried to read her friend. Might as well just say it. "Forgive my arrogance, but I want to be the greatest leader the Republic has ever had.

"Or I'd like to simply be remembered as your friend." Iron sharpens iron.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“Halo or horns,” Corvus mused out loud. “Nobody that did anything of note was remembered as vanilla. You were either the best or the worst Prime Minister we ever had. And of course, opinion will be divided as to which one.”

She smiled in a rueful way. “The greatest? Only history can call you that – and I don’t mean that as a sleight. History is written by the winners. I’m a scholar, I should know. So time will tell on that one.”

“But you’re my friend already. We don’t need to wait to test that one. I know your heart is in the right place. Others may look to twist your words or deeds but remember this. Even if I don’t agree with your decisions from a Jedi’s perspective, it doesn’t make them necessarily wrong. Nor does it change our friendship.”

She smiled before her face turned dead-pan. “But pull a Sidious on me, and I’ll come looking for you.” Her face remained impassive for a whole two seconds before she burst out laughing.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]