The Assembly Convenes: Kay Arenais' Consideration

[WolfMortum]

Veiere Arenais had remained back just in front of the entrance to the Assembly Chambers whilst [member="Kay Arenais"] stood before his peers and explained her case, her perspective of things. Veiere hadn't brought his wife there to discuss the state of politics between the Order of the Silver Jedi and the United Clans of Mandalore. Veiere had brought her to Kashyyyk in the hope of clearing her own name, not those of whom she associated with, for there simply was no undoing the damage the Mandalorian's had done, nor the blood they had spilled.

Thurion's approach to the discussion was however more akin to his own attitude where these things were regarded. It was without any doubt, the weight of the subjects being discussed between them all, yet the approach and presentation of such things mattered greatly when representing the leading Council on the Order, as well as Kay herself for she stood without any other to speak for her. Veiere himself had informed her that he would bring no influence to the discussions due to his relationship with Kay, their marriage and family life together.

Eshan was brought up in their conversation, a battle for which Veiere was thankfully not present for, though it had been difficult to ignore the holonews reports around the incident. Josh soon presenting a recording of Azure, depicting the Force Storm summoned fourth by Darth Prazutis and a particularly nasty situation that Veiere and [member="Lucera Maive"] had scarcely escaped with their lives from; their recovery hadn't been easy, to say the least...-The recording forced Veiere's gaze to divert elsewhere in the discomfort his memories brought.

Frankly, it was irrelevant whether or not the leaders of the Mandalorian Clans took responsibility for their actions. Kay was supposed to be here voicing her own story surrounding her release from purgatory, a break-out that was orchestrated by mercenaries, something she hadn't asked for. To clear her name for crimes committed not by the Clans, but by herself. The time she had served and the environment that she had served it within. Where the Silver Jedi stood with the Mandalorians was no different from where they would stand with any whom defied the laws and rights of galactic society.

The look of frustration that he wore, likely reflected the emotion he was being met with during the on-going talks.

​

[member="John Locke"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Josh Dragonsflame"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] | [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] | [member="Aida Aquila"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Well at least [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] had a good head on his shoulders. He at least spoke with some sense. It wasn't as though she had come in accusing them of this, that and whatever. But of course she knew it would go this way...

The video of events that happened on Azure was brought into view. Unknown to most of them was the fact that Kay was there, yet some distance away on a floating platform overseeing a practice of a new aquatic vessel for the Zakuulan navy. Only [member="Veiere Arenais"] knew of her presence, yet she had cloaked herself and managed to escape with some of the civilians. She never saw what had happened elsewhere on the planet. Until now...

[member="Josh Dragonsflame"] approached her then, his gaze cutting into her as he stared her down. It took a lot of effort for her to keep her eyes locked onto his, but she did so. Her hands clenched and unclenched as he spoke. With each sentence uttered, she answered with "No..." Every single one of them. And to his final question, where he called her by her maiden name, she responded with, "You don't even try to understand. You just don't want to."

Kay wanted to step back away from him, yet she held her ground. There wasn't going to be any safe distance to be in here. Not for her.

[member="Yuroic Xeraic"] spoke up next. He put the blame on Yasha and Kaine, something that Kay clearly understood and would probably have done herself if she was in their position. But knowing what she knew and had witnessed when it came to her niece, she just couldn't agree with that. "Yasha was unable to give out orders or anything for this. I know because I was with her." There were times when she couldn't even leave Yasha's side. And it was heartbreaking to be so torn between family and politics. "The Sith alliance is what prevented the Clans from supporting Zakuul as well. Moreso because the Sith want me dead." Kay stood in the way of Carnifex's plans. Why else would he tell Yasha that she needed to die and that he saw some vision about it? "I may be a part of a Clan, but I am not within the United Clans of Mandalore itself. I have no power within them, anymore than my husband would, or our children. But I will pass on your demands. What will become of them isn't up to me."

Her attention turned to [member="Aida Aquila"] next as the woman spoke up. At least she was keeping level-headed too. However she was unfamiliar with Mandalorian culture. "The Alors govern their own Clans, much like each of your planets here govern themselves. It is not up to them to tell another Clan what to do or to punish them. That is the job of the Mand'alor. But as I had said earlier, Yasha was unable to do so." And more than likely her niece would never have such a responsibility ever again. In a way that was a blessing, although the future of the Clans was now uncertain.

Kay took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She hoped that they would stop blaming her for what some of the Mandalorians had done. And given that she had done what was asked of her by some of the Alors, she had hoped that the tensions would ease.

"I didn't leave Zakuul to side with the Mandalorians and join their cause. My reasons were personal, not political. It had nothing to do with any government, nor any war or battle. I have my own war to prepare for when I get back to Zakuul and I have little doubt that that I'll be facing it alone." Political alliances, of which Zakuul had none, prevented anyone from aiding Zakuul to maintain it's sovereignty from the First Order, the Eternal Empire of Nelvaan, and the Sith Empire. None were able to help prevent the threatened genocide of it's people. So the Zakuulans would do their best to hold their own. Kay wasn't sure that she'd be able to survive the war. It could very well be her final stand. Nothing had been the same since she was arrested on Commenor and it never would be again. At least the twins had Veiere to look out for them. It was better to have one parent than none.

"I cannot linger here for too long. Please keep that in mind while you continue this..." Kay wanted to say trial, but she just left the sentence open. Let them fill in the gaps in the manner of which they saw it.

[member="John Locke"] [member="Jessica Med-Beq"]

 

[John Locke]

The others all seemed to be cautioning patience, suggesting calm thoughts and a even mind, which was only right, they were the Jedi afterall, that was their way. Only, John wasn't a Jedi, not even close. He was supposed to be here speaking for the non force users who worked with the order, none of whom were overly happy about any form of treatise with the Mandos or their representative. Or a least the woman who claimed to represent some of the clans.

"I understand that, that you're eager to get back to your people...your adopted people that is. Except, one thing that planet you're so eager to get back to, you're still using the ships provided by Mandalarms aren't you? The company run by the very man you just condemned? That seems a little like you're just saying what you think we want to hear. But more than that, one on one hand you insist that the Sith alliance prevents the clans from protecting Zakuul, on the other you insist that Yasha Cadera was unable have a say in the workings of the individual clans. Which is it? Do they speak with one voice, or do they speak with many"

The man leaned forward in his chair, both hands entwining with one another on the table as he held his dark-eyed gaze on the woman. "I understand that you were under the Sith influence when you killed the Commenori Elders Your Majesty, but when they broke you out of jail, you chose to leave. You knew you were guilty of the crime, but you chose to run, to take up a throne rather than face your time, the result of your actions and the rewards you ran. And now you seek to run back to them. Maybe your people there need you, but they didn't know you back then. You choose not to be punished for a crime you had comitted, a crime you are still guilty of in the eyes of your people and you left for another planet."

The man's eyes were cold now, "You worry about the First Order, about the Sith Empire, about the Eternal Empire, how many of those threats would exist if you hadn't raised the flag of the Eternal Empire of Zakuul? And now you stand before us, a emissary for the clans, for some of the clans, who is not a part of the Mandalorians, an Empress who is a murderer and I still don't know. What do you want? do you want to protect your people? Do you want to protect yourself? Do you want to do what is right? This is perhaps the central question that we still don't understand. Why are you here you majesty?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay turned to [member="John Locke"] as he spoke up. It was difficult to withold her frown, given what he was saying. Although it wasn't as though any of them were inside her mind. There was the chance that she just wasn't speaking clearly enough.

"Those contracts were made beforehand. I'm not going to punish his workers and their familes for something that he had done after the fact. They are innocent. Before your wars with the Clans had started, I had tried to get an alliance or trade agreement with them but couldn't do so because of the Sith. Just as they had done with Commenor, as a whole they could not support us. But individually, they could. The Mandalorians speak with many and with one. I know that it can be frustrating and confusing, but that's just the way that it is."

Her weight shifted on her feet as he brought up the Commenori Elders. It wasn't something that she had been proud of, and it was a secret that she had held for nearly two decades. And now she was being reminded of it and of the prison she was sent to. It wasn't as though she was put up in sone hotel. There were fights all the time and she was certain that the Warden hated her. Her only saving grace from all the darkness there was visits by [member="Veiere Arenais"] and by the protection and companionship of [member="Ambrose Cadera"] , disguised as a woman cell mate. Kay's voice was quiet as she spoke. "The Scions orchestrated my escape with the help of Baron Morcus, a Commenori Lord. The Mandalorians just happened to have pick the same day....I had spent four months in Purgatory and only a fool would try to stay during the riots that broke out. So yes, I ran and took refuge with Morcus and accepted the offer that he gave me..."

Kay swallowed a lump in her throat as he continued, picking at almost every aspect of her. Had she ever just stuck to one people and one thing? No. Even when she was a Senator for the Galactic Republic, she had spent a lot of her time rescuing slaves from the Hutt Cartel. And now she was a whole number of things, none of which were sounding good in this room.

She clasped her hands in front of her in the hopes that it could keep her grounded. "I came here because my husband asked me to, in the hopes that I could explain myself and could possibly be seen in a better light." Kay slowly shook her head as she felt the very idea of it was futile. Commenor was under their jurisdiction now. "But it's okay if I'm not. I'm not perfect and I know that."

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

"If we could somehow bring them to justice, however, we must ensure that their should be judged as fairly as is feasible under the circumstances. Personally I feel that, given the crimes they are accused of, it's more difficult than for lower-profile crimes. And yet, before we could even attempt to bring them to justice, attempting to capture them would likely result in more bloodshed that many of us has no desire for"

Oh, so Zakuul couldn't get Mando aid despite [member="Kay Arenais"]' wishes, and it sounds like getting Silvers' aid would also be getting Zakuul into a sticky situation. Powerless to the hands of someone else. Now, she's been as confused by Lady Kay's wording, saying essentially one thing and its reverse, as has [member="John Locke"]. Or perhaps [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]. But she knew enough about the strategic considerations of even attempting to capture the Mando leaders responsible for the crimes [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] referred to. As much as the Sith could be obstacles in their own way in any attempt to capture Yasha or Kaine, as much as the remaining clans whose inaction made them guilty - albeit not guilty of the same crimes as the main culprits. Yes, it's true that Kay seemed to mostly stay out of the web of entanglements that was Mando clan politics. But the video [member="Josh Dragonsflame"] played was horrific, and she needed no reminder of what the Sith are willing to do in battle, of how shock value seemed to trump any real tactical consideration to them. Of their tendency to tunnel vision when battle is joined. Of what she would be wary of if capturing these Mando leaders in question really was the way to go.

"Nevertheless, it seems that beyond a chance to explain yourself, I'm confused by whether you're even requesting something else beyond that. Do you even have a request for Zakuul towards us? Or do you ask for something more personal in nature?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay just held her tongue as [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] spoke of capturing Kaine and Yasha. Of course she'd have no part in that. Just as Yasha and Kaine would never turn her in. To do so would be a betrayal that she couldn't recover from.

To the questions of her having any requests for the Silvers, for either Zakuul or herself, Kay just shook her head. "I have no requests." It isn't as though any would be fulfilled anyways. She gave up on those a while ago. And given the very atmosphere of this meeting, there was little chance of any success in that regard.

No. She was just an escaped convict, a runaway murderous Queen. And that was all that she ever would be in the eyes of many.

Unable to keep from fidgeting, Kay began turning her wedding rings on her finger, over and over again. [member="Veiere Arenais"] seperated from her after his attack on Deneba, just so that he wouldn't hurt her reputation. Maybe now it was her turn to do the same, so that his reputation wouldn't be tarnished in the eyes of his peers and his allies because of her.

[member="John Locke"] [member="Aida Aquila"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] [member="Josh Dragonsflame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi Master let out a resigned sigh as things continued. His expression softened, becoming more like the Josh she knew. He knew he couldn’t hold that stony expression long, not with Kay. His next words came in almost a whisper.

“I want to understand” He spoke softly. “We don't know what you want. We want to know why you have come, and what you seek to accomplish. If it is peace with your clan... The terrorist organization known as UCM does not control all clans. Only those that choose to follow them. You and your clan included. And like it or not, a majority of what encompasses UCM has done these things, Kay. That cannot be ignored.”

He bit his lip. “Honestly, if not for my Padawan, I would not be here at all.”

If nothing else would work to make Kay understand what he was asking here, and why he was questioning her, then he would go with the practical route. The footage couldn't be denied, nor the fact that Josh would most likely be dead if circumstances had not worked out in his favor. Because of the same people that Kay worked with.

“Help us understand why you and your clan chose this. I know how the clans work, if they didn't want to be involved in this nonsense, they wouldn't be. What I want to understand is, if you want peace between us and yourself and your clan… How do you think that can happen when you are still under the thumb of people who do things like this? And why is that so? I want to understand why it is you continue to be in this company."

His eyes scrunched up a bit when it hit him what he was about to say next. It was the first time he was about to even remotely address the whole Sith business to her face. And it was going to be rough to get through, he knew. As he spoke those next words, his voice, his eyes, they all betrayed those feelings of pain and heartbreak that he had suppressed since the day Kay had revealed to the world who she was.

Because I don’t know if the Kay-Lar who was my best friend for years and years before this whole Sith business is real or not. But she would have never allowed herself to even slightly be even associated with people like that. Those atrocities were once the thing she fought to the bitter end, and I had all the respect in the world for that Kay-Lar. If that Kay-Lar still exists… Please help me, help us, understand.”

He did give a nod to Yuroic to acknowledge his request to sit back down, and gave a "give me a second" sort of sign with his hands before turning back to Kay.

"And if you have a purpose for your visit here... Make it clear. Help us understand. We will do what we can, but we need to be able to understand what's going through your head right now. If you wish to make the most of the limited time you indicated you have... Help us make it so."

 

[WolfMortum]

"The purpose for her visit here today, is to clear her name, and her name alone" Veiere spoke up, no longer feeling so willing to stand quiet whilst his Wife did nothing to speak up for herself and her case before the Silver Assembly. "It was by my suggestion that Kay agreed to come and speak to you all, with the knowledge that I would not be a deciding factor due to our marriage" Veiere explained to the Members of the Assembly in order to dismiss some of the uncertainties and misunderstandings prevalent in the room; "A suggestion that I made not out of consideration for the Clans but for Kay herself and our Children".

Veiere stepped away from the entrance now, moving to instead take to the side of his wife, [member="Kay Arenais"], his hands falling in-front of him to lace his fingers in a calm and transparent posture. "As the former King of Commenor, and her Husband, I can provide context to the events on Commenor that led to Kay's incarceration in Purgatory, as well as my personal testimony over the standards and conditions for which she was held" Veiere first addressed the subject of the Elder's demise, speaking up-front and not wishing to muddy the purpose of the Assembly's gathering any more than it had already been. "For the record, my words are to be considered a third party testimony, baring no weight nor authority of my place within the Order" he added, ensuring that his wife also understand the position that he was taking. Speaking as her Husband and not of an Assembly member nor to bare any direct influence upon their ruling.

"Originally, Kay's appointment of leadership over Commenor was an elected presidency voted for by the people" Veiere informed them. "She was however abducted by the Sith Lord Darth Prazutis, and during this time I sought out the Silver Jedi Order for council, meeting with Master [member="Coci Heavenshield"], as Kay's abductor wasn't yet discovered in this time", It had been Veiere's first personal experience on Voss, and his first impressions of the Order back then had done the words Théodred had once expressed to him, great justice. He had been welcomed as a guest, and Coci had proven to be a great friend ever since.

"[member="Darth Prazutis"] tortured my Wife and forced her into submission, he has taken every opportunity to shame me in our encounters since. The most recent being over Taanab" he continued; "Through the Sith, Kay was turned to the Dark Side, her mind warped and any recollection of those closest to her were lost. It took over a year of slow, gradual work for me to gain her trust before I could begin to repair the damage that had been caused. It strengthened our relationship, but the things that she had done under Prazutis manipulation and will changed her".

"On the outside, she handled herself well" Veiere added, "Though I watched as her guilt ate away at her in the privacy of our home". Kay had not known that her Husband had come to piece together the truth, yet Veiere had been there every step of the way and sooner or later, he had come to the conclusion that she had killed the three elders whom had once educated and guided her advocacy of Commenor. "My wife remembers the actions that were committed, but they were done so under the manipulation of the second most influential Practitioner within the Sith Empire. She committed the act, but the blame isn't hers to bare".

Veiere turned to look to his wife and reminded her, "That is why she is here".

[member="John Locke"] | [member="Aida Aquila"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] | [member="Josh Dragonsflame"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] ​

 

[Kay-Larr]

"I didn't choose that, Josh." She let go of the rings on her finger and pointed to the spot where [member="Josh Dragonsflame"] had played the video. Her hands then returned to her sides. "I am not under their thumb. I can go where I please, take part in whatever conflicts that I please. I just...was needed personally, for a family situation. It had nothing to do with war, or Jedi or Sith or politics at all." Her Mandalorian family wanted to keep her safe from Carnifex as well, believing that the Sith wouldn't touch her if she was within Mandalorian territory. Kay believed that too.

As he brought up her past and questioned her on it, she lowered her head a little. "I'm sorry...but she died over a hundred times over in Prazutis' dungeon. Hope was lost for me then. And ever since, for whatever part remained, it's always been about...survival." Not that it really mattered anymore. Her days were numbered and she was looking for a way to make peace with that.

Veiere approached then as he spoke up for the first time since she had stepped into the Assembly Chambers. Kay glanced over at him, but only briefly, her eyes instead focusing on nothing in particular as he relayed her the beginning of her downfall. Her brows furrowed as he revealed the fact that in the privacy of their home, he had discovered what she had tried to hide. How often was he watching her? And for how long? It was her burden to bare, not his. Yet it didn't surprise her that Prazutis would taunt him so much. She had seen him do it.

Kay wasn't so sure that Veiere's words would do anything to detract from their perception of her. Manipulated and broken by Prazutis or not, she chose to obey him. But one could only handle torture and death so many times before doing whatever possible to avoid it happening again.

[member="Veiere Arenais"] [member="John Locke"] [member="Aida Aquila"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] [member="Jessica Med-Beq"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"Josh, everyone," Thurion finally spoke up, having sat back and read the situation during the discussion, and his hologram pushed off the armrests to take the floor. "As I understand it, Lady Kay is here not to represent the Clans, but herself as a person. No one person can be held accountable for the terrorist acts committed on Eshan, or anywhere else. By being part of their organisation, yes, she should be considered complicit in their deeds. And yet she is the only one to come all this way to stand before us in person; subject herself to these hearings without any reassurance that we would show restraint in meting out justice. Even though this is not a trial," he felt the need to remind the Assembly.

"I will not believe not one of us present here today is without guilt for some heinous action committed, directly or indirectly. The fact that she was subjected to excruciating torture at the hands of the Zambranos only reinforces my belief that she was left without a choice but to partake, be it through some cruel manipulation or a sheer need to survive. We all know the Sith hold powerful influence over the Clans, and they would no doubt encourage actions such as those committed at Eshan. The brutal efficiency and malevolent intent with which Mandalorians laid waste to an entire Jedi temple screams of the Emperor's methods." It always comes back to Kaine, it seemed.

"My friends, I may be an old man compared to most of you. Most of us do not get the chance to see as many years as I have, these days. Last time we spoke I had had my first grandchild. Today I have two. And I do not know what authority my name still hold in the Order, if any. But I believe in the Lady's earnest wish to repent for her complicity. Forgiveness and mercy should be at the forefront of any Jedi teachings, and I believe we should demonstrate it here today. We can debate endlessly on whether she is deserving of receiving either, but it doesn't change the fact that we must come to a decision before we can move forward." Thurion turned to [member="Veiere Arenais"] and [member="Kay Arenais"].

"If we do not offer her the chance for redemption, then this entire meeting serves no purpose other than to waste everyone's time."

[member="Josh Dragonsflame"] | [member="John Locke"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] | [member="Aida Aquila"] | [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]​

 

[Aida Aquila]

People were tense, especially in such troubling times, the war crimes of the Mandalorians. It was understandable, it was palpable. Aida remained in thoughtful silence, listening as Veiere Arenais stepped up alongside his wife. She was thankful for his words, and the clarity that followed. Aida closed her eyes for a moment, continuing to listen as Kay continued to address the Assembly. She couldn't help but wonder, why had the former Queen not made her case from the start?

Aida studied the woman once more, her glacial gaze settling on Kay. The woman had her reasons – be it too painful to relive and retell, perhaps. Master Heavenshield's words were not lost on Aida, indeed he was a wise man.

“Thank you, Master,” Aida said, glancing to the blue image of Thurion. “A most important reminder of our purpose here today – we are not present to pass judgment.”

It was not their place, so far as Aida was concerned. Needless to say, the people of Commenor may still have soured towards Kay. Their world was within Silver Space now, but the will of the Assembly was not imposed upon them – their views were their own. Still, if the Assembly could offer the woman solace in this difficult time, perhaps they should.

“If it is simply a second chance that she wishes,” Aida started, her eyes on Kay. “That is quite an easy request.” Her normally piercing glance had softened slightly. “You are not the enemy, I apologize for forgetting myself.” Aida placed a hand over her heart and bowed her head slightly. As she looked up, she glanced to the rest of the members present – of course, she did not wish to speak for all of them.

“The past is written,” she continued. “We cannot simply wipe the slate clean, but... we can move forward, the future is – as ever – ours to make.” Her eyes flickered from Veiere, then back to Kay.

“Let us make the best of it.”

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"], [member="Kay Arenais"], [member="Veiere Arenais"], [member="Josh Dragonsflame"], [member="John Locke"], [member="Jessica Med-Beq"]

 

[WelshPsych]

It seemed that things were going off track, a focus on the Clans and their crimes, not on Kay and her actions. She supported the Clans so there was always going to be issues with the Assembly, especially during very trying times. Yuroic paused in his seat, letting the others talk, most in the room, if not all were smarter and wiser people than he was. Yuroic was always surprised that he was on the council when he was not the best Jedi. He wasn't the strongest, fastest, smartest and such. Crossing his arms, Yuroic nodded his head to Master Heavenshield, he was offering sound advice to return to the matter at hand. Kay Arenais. Yuroic studied Kay, he was the mindset that her ties to the Clans, formerly the Sith and her actions on Commenor showed that she was as good as he had assumed the wife of Veiere would be.

However, Yuroic was far from pure himself, he was more Grey than Jedi. His path had pitfalls and he slipped in the past so he understood that they couldn't hold her accountable of past actions. If they did then they needed to do the same to him, however, she had to prove that she was changed from the woman who murdered Elders of Commenor, worked with the Sith. "We know that things aren't simple, moving on from the UCM connections and discussion. Kay, your husband Veiere brought you here to explain your actions. However, you aren't looking for us to forgive those crimes since we weren't the ones who were harmed. You did attempt to pay for your crime but then you were broken out of jail, isn't your desire to return so you can finish your punishment since you want to return to Zakuul. Did you want us to help your new empire? Or are you just looking to redeem your name for the Order?"

Yuroic wasn't sure what they could do since there was seemingly nothing that Kay wanted from them. His eyes gazed over Kay as he waited for her answer on the matter.

[member="Kay Arenais"] [member="Veiere Arenais"] [member="Aida Aquila"] [member="Josh Dragonsflame"] [member="John Locke"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Much of the Assembly, including Kay's husband had weighed in. Josh listened as Veiere explained the conditions of her circumstances when it came to killing the Elders and becoming a member of the Sith. He knew about her memory loss - he had been there. But this whole thing about killing the Elders and still being a Sith or something like that even after her memory had returned? It was a lot to wrap his head around, apparently it involved torture or something. Torture by the same bastard who was the reason he was like this.

"Guess I owe Darth one for you, and one for me, then" He muttered. While Kay didn't seem to understand that he was asking why she was presently associating with clans that were part of a terrorist unit, it seemed her intention was just to absolve herself of any wrongdoing in the Assembly's eyes. Or, that was what it sounded like anyway. But Yuroic did bring up a good point, and Josh was content to let him continue that point. Why hadn't Kay simply returned to carry out the sentence she brought on herself, if she was serious about atoning? The Assembly had not been given reason to do anything to Kay -- she had decided on her punishment herself and had carried it out, as half-heartedly as it had ended up being.

As it was, he had little to add until things were more clear. So he took the opportunity to acquiesce to Yuroic's prior request and return to his seat. But as he began to hobble back to his chair, he did stop for a moment.

"One more thing, Kay-Lar" He spoke up, turning back to face her.

"... She only died because you let her. And only stays dead while you and you alone keep her that way. Something to think about" He spoke curtly. "The Sith might have been the agent of the original change and dictated your past... But they do not dictate your future. That future... Is up to you to decide what you want to do with it... And who you want to be when that future comes to pass."

With that, he returned to his seat, slumping back once he did as fatigue began to settle in.

He felt old. Way too old.

[member="Kay Arenais"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay looked to the holo of [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] as he spoke. It was true of course, not everyone was innocent of crimes, whether they were done on purpose or not. But for some reason it seemed that she was being judged by others under standards that were harsher than most. Yet she didn't want to be on some pedistal above all others. [member="Veiere Arenais"] wouldn't of accepted such a thing for himself either.

She turned to [member="Aida Aquila"] as the woman spoke, seeming to echo Thurion's statements. Kay bowed her head to her. "Thank you...but an apology isn't necessary." Not that she really deserved one anyways.

Kay looked to [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] as he was the next to speak up. At his apparent suggestion that she return to Purgatory, she slowly shook her head. Why would she want to go back there for the rest of her life? It was absurd. No one would ever volunteer to do that. It wasn't exactlylike staying in some hotel. There were riots, plenty of fights, gangs and many deaths. Purgatory was a for-profit prison under no jurisdiction but their own. That made it dangerous to those trapped inside. Especially good people. "I made up for my crimes by giving up a private life and serving Commenor for nearly two decades. Some of that was as a hostage when it was under Sith occupation. And then there was Purgatory on top of that. I didn't go there on my own, my broadcast was under duress, same as it was when the Sith siezed Commenor. I won't be going back there. I'm just looking to clear my name."

Just as she was about to respond further, [member="Josh Dragonsflame"] addressed her. Kay frowned at his words. She took in a deep breath and held it for a moment in a bid to not let her emptions get away from her. 'Let her die' indeed. He had no idea what he was talking about. He didn't go through what she did. There was no way that he could understand.

"They want me dead, Josh. So of course I'm going to do what I can to avoid that. I'm just a reminder that they can fail...."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"You misunderstand me."

Josh managed to straighten himself up. Honestly, he wasn't sure how he hadn't been clear. But it had ended up that way regardless. Speaking of how things ended up... How did she go straight from what happened on Commenor, to ending up Empress on another planet by the next Tuesday? Well, not literally, but... One gets the idea. One would think that a ruler who, her fault her not, failed her people, would be the last person to be chosen to lead another nation. Especially so soon. But politics were a strange thing. Regardless, he did have a clarification to make.

"The Sith want us all dead, Kay. All of us are a threat to them. But one thing we've remained... Is ourselves. By our own choice, even when things get bad. It's true, the Sith have colored your past, changed who you are during the time they had a hold over you... And they will continue to be a problem in the future, just as they are to us. But the big difference here is... Their hold over you is gone. The decision as to what your future is... Lies on your shoulders, not theirs. And who you want to be... Is your decision to make.

If you want to be the Kay of old... Just... Do it. If you wish to develop into something new, something who you are happy about when you look at yourself in the mirror? Do that. I can't make that choice for you. But neither can anyone else. Only you. Because even if you retain battle scars... They do not dictate who you are forever. That's what I meant by letting her die, and that only you keep her at bay... Because right now, only Kay Arenais can decide who and what Kay Arenais is.

She was a slave and puppet no more. Yet the woman in front of him came off as almost not even realizing it. For an Empress... She really did not seem like the one in control even of herself. And he would break her out of this mindset if he could.

[member="Kay Arenais"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay couldn't help but fidget now. She scratched at an imaginary itch on the back of her neck. Of course what Josh was saying now made sense. She could see his point of view now. But...reputation was what shaped her in the eyes of others. Here at this trial or meeting, they already had judgements on her, both for what she had done and what she hadn't. Neither of which were her representative of her old self. Politics held her in it's grip far more than any side of the Force ever could. And of course she always strived to do her best for people. But it just didn't always work as planned.

People trusted her enough to lead, to not be a tyrant like so many others. But right now it didn't really matter. She had made too many enemies. Maybe now politics would lose it's grip and she could fade away from it and everyone forever.

She slipped her hands behind her back and removed her wedding rings, paliming them in her right hand. [member="Veiere Arenais"] would probably notice the weakening of their connection, but given that they were standing near to eachother, the change wouldn't be that significant.

"I'm not who you all want me to be. I get that. But at least it's hopefully been established that I'm not going to raise arms against you. Now unless there's anything else, I should be on my way." It wasn't as though she wanted to take up anymore of their time. They had much more important things to deal with and so did she. It was a long journey from Kashyyyk to Zakuul. Who knows how things had either improved or gotten worse since she had been gone. The sooner that she could go, the better.

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John Lockehttp://starwarsrp.net/user/16674-john-locke/ | Thurion Heavenshield | Josh Dragonsflame | Jessica Med-Beq | Yuroic Xeraic | Aida Aquila​