The Family Tree

[Anastasia Rade]

Ossus

Anastasia was interested in learning more when it came to the Jedi. She had always been interested but never had gone to check them out after all she was with the witches. She wanted to get a handle on herself first before asking questions.

Meeting her half brother only peaked the young woman's interest in the Jedi and as such he told her she came from a long line of Jedi Guardians. It couldn't hurt to check the temple out at the very least. Perhaps even talk to one of the Masters or Knights about the order.

As she opened to doors to the temple she saw Jedi bustling about the hallways. Ana didn't want to bother anyone so she decided to just look at beautiful architecture and statutes. She was sure someone would question her presence here at some point.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Having been caught out by the recent influx of new Padawans, Corvus had made a mental note of all the new faces at the Academy. She knew most by name - but all by sight.

Which was why it was a surprise to see someone unfamiliar looking around. Visitors tended to be accompanied. And the Sith that seemed to treat this like a second home were typically more sneaky in their approach. And Corvus was sure this wasn't a Padawan sh'd not heard of, so her interest was piqued.

Grasping the nettle - as so many other Jedi seemed to just pass this young woman by - Corvus walked up to her. But what to say?

Corvus cleared her throat and when the woman turned to face her she bowed and spoke. "Jedi Corvus Raaf. Is there...any way I can help you?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"Yes," she turned from the picture she had been looking at to the Jedi now standing in front of her. Ana was here looking for help, not looking to steal any archives this time. Luckily the Jedi Master had let her off and not even thought twice about it. I was interested in learning about the Jedi Order. My brother told me that if I came here someone could help me."

Graxin had promised to train her when/if he ever got back. She wished to learn to at least use the lightsaber that he had given her. The family she had the young woman didn't want to leave if she chose to be a Jedi. It was why she was here, to gather more information.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

"Is your brother someone I should know?" Corvus smiled. It was a throwaway comment, with no intention in her tone to pursue the matter. "But regardless I am always happy to answer any questions you have. All I say by way of a warning is that I only tell the truth, so please only ask questions if you are happy to hear the answer for."

Corvus inclined her head. "That probably sounded pompous, but what I mean is, I'm no good at sugar-coating answers. Some find my honesty refreshing, others are shocked at my frankness. But no question is off-limits and I would take it personally if you felt you had not been given the opportunity to ask quite literally every question you had."

"But let's walk. The gardens are lovely at this time of year and we can be as open as we like without others walking past and showing an interest. And some of the young Padawans will take a special interest in you. Even Jedi boys have hormones - trust me." She laughed lightly - but not lightly enough. This was clearly a topic that she felt a little uncomfortable about.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"Good, I would rather straight up answers than dancing around and getting fluff answers. I'm not sure you would know Graxin as I think he is a loner but he's a Jedi. He gave me my mother's lightsaber as a present." Ana stopped there as she didn't want to get all sentimental or really talk about her past. There was no need for any of that and she didn't want to get in it.

"I'm used to being hit on by everything that moves so I have learned to ignore it. I try not to allow it to drive me crazy." Ana's looking were a pain to her as she was happy in her relationship and was in no way looking for something different. If she was a crueler person perhaps she would use such to her advantage but she didn't.

"I don't know much about the Jedi Order but it's in my blood. I want to know more about it at the very least. Anything after that I don't know." She stated as she followed her out to the beautiful gardens.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened. The name Graxin sounded familiar but wasn't one talked about in the circles she frequented. But no doubt 99% of Jedi fell into that category.

"I have to admit I don't know your brother personally, but at present I spend most of my time here, teaching Younglings and Padawans." She was acutely aware she was slipping into jargon. "Younglings are what we call those sensitive to the Force when they first join us - as young as four years old. I was a Youngling back on Corellia. They tend to receive all of the basic training needed to become a Jedi. Our history, our Code and such like. As well as starting to access the Force."

"Once of an age - usually about 14 - they are apprenticed to a Knight or Master and more intensive training begins. These we call Padawans. Knights are simply those that have reached a certain level of ability and understanding and that have typically passed a series of trials. And Masters are those that have attained an even greater level of understanding and that have exemplified what it means to be a Jedi. I hope I'm not going too fast?"

"But Padawans come in all ages and sizes. Our oldest was almost seventy - but he's just been made a Knight. And it is quite typical for people to come to us in their late teens or early twenties with no experience. It's a steeper learning curve but by no means unachievable."

Corvus smiled. "But I could go on for hours. Are there specific topics I can cover for you? Training, the Code, the life of a Jedi?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"I'm actual a witch at the moment. I know a few spells and have been able to stabilize my abilities enough for the time being. It's a long story how I got there so I won't bore you. I already know the basics of using the Force."

"Is there a certain way Jedi must live? What's this code?" She could have explained why such information was of interest to her but chose not to for the time being. Leaving her brother when he needed her the most was not something she could do nor was she even certain of her choices.

"I have heard that the Jedi are the guardians of the galaxy."


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

"Ah, the Code." A wrinkle formed on Corvus brow. "But the second part is easier, so I'll cover that first. A famous Jedi from history once referred to the Jedi as the guardians of peace and justice for the Republic. We live to serve, never to rule. Our allegiance is to the Galactic Republic and we serve it as peace-keepers primarily. Ours is not to decide which battle to fight or which cause is just. We trust the Republic to make those decisions and we act accordingly."

That wrinkle returned to Corvus' brow. "Training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge and if you succeed, it's a hard life. Again not my words. The Code by which we live our lives is both simple and complicated at the same time. In its simplest form it is a code of conduct intended to help establish, regulate and maintain our behaviour. It informs us what to do in any given situation."

"And yet here is where it becomes confusing. Over time the Code has undergone, subtle changes. I would say that its fundamental context and meaning have remained unaltered. That our life is still about self-discipline, tolerance, compassion, harmony and peaceful exploration. Yet so many drawn to the Order are unable or unwilling to follow this path. They are selective in the aspects of the Code they follow. They live a life that suggests the end justifies the means - which is not the Jedi way. They use Dark-side powers when it suits them - again this is forbidden. They fool themselves they are in control - they are the only ones in history able to walk both sides of the path. Yet history has taught us one thing. Only the weak fall to the Dark side. And that weakness will get them in the end."

"I am most likely not painting a good picture of iife as a Jedi. I did warn you." She smiled warmly. "Yet for so many who are truly Light-sided, there is no better life. None."

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"It's alright, I have always lead a quite interesting life. Hardships and the like are not uncommon for me. I know I could do it but I belong somewhere else with my family. My other brother needs me more now than ever and I support him. I think that would be my only thing."

Ana couldn't go to the Republic, she was a Mando and would stay one. That really was the only hiccup in the whole thing. It may be better to stay her course. The knowledge here was still good to know. "The Jedi seem like noble warriors. The code I could see would be hard and we all make mistakes. Doesn't make us evil, right?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened to the young woman - she may not be a Jedi, but she seemed to have a measure of them already.

"One of my flaws is to appear judgemental or opinionated. Yet as a Jedi, I merely ask questions and seek the truth. It is never for me to judge. So to answer your question, being a Jedi in name does not stop you being evil. And not being a Jedi certainly doesn't make you evil."

"For a start, evil is a perspective. What I consider evil, another might consider good. We are both right as it is simply about how we see things, not necessarily how they are."

"Sometimes I speak to Jedi and it is clear they are not in tune with the Code and so the Order is not for them. That does not make them bad and me good. What is bad is to pretend to be a Jedi when your heart lies elsewhere. The Order shan't change because an individual thinks we're wrong and should change to their way of thinking. But again, that does not make them evil or wrong. Just someone better suited to a different group who study the Force."

"Your honesty and insight is admirable. I would love for you to join our Order and would trust that we could make you the best Jedi you could be. But if you know it is not the place for you, it is sensible for you to make a decision that is best for you. It is your path and only you can decide the route you shall take. You could join and evaluate your position over time - but this would only work if you gave it 100% from day one. But you seem someone who is capable of making tough decisions."

"But I can't stop talking can I! Sorry. What else would you like to know?

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"You'll have to excuse me, I'm used to my world being black and white. I'm only now realizing that there are shades of gray. It's kind of confusing actually and I'm a little lost. I am a witch but I found this," she stated as she pulled the lightsaber from her belt to show Corvus. "It was my mother's and apparently Jedi blood runs in my veins. It kind of make me rethink everything." Ana hoped she was making sense as even she wasn't sure what she was exactly trying to say.

"There is a part of me who wants the peaceful way of the Jedi. It calls to me in a way but the family I have made for myself I couldn't leave him. I know Az needs me more than ever now and he was there when I needed him. I couldn't leave but is there a way to have both? Dive into the teachings of the Jedi and still be loyal to my family?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus paused for a few seconds before answering. She'd promised to be honest.

"It is possible to learn Jedi abilities and not be a Jedi." She paused again. "But not from our Order. You see we train those who wish to serve the Republic. I am a Jedi first and foremost. Nothing comes before being a Jedi for me. Not family, not love, nothing. We are permitted no external loyalties."

"I am not saying others won't teach you as well as we can - I am sure others are able to. But my caution is that the rue path is a narrow one. To undertake training without a strong teacher means you could easily fall to the Dark-side. The galaxy is littered with those that believe they are the exception to the rule. And the truth is, they are not."

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

Her thoughts immediately went to Cryax. She couldn't put the order before him. Ana loved him and she wished to learn to use the Force to better protect those whom she loved. The Republic obviously wasn't for her but that was good to know.

"I understand, thank you. My other brother fell to the darkside but I am more or less between the two. I just want to save the galaxy." She sighed a little with a smile. Ana felt bad for wasting her time with her silly questions. It was all the same of what her brother told her.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Covus smiled. "That is a noble cause and if I can give one piece of advice it would be this. Follow your heart and it will be much easier to keep to the true path. Listen to your head and that journey becomes much more challenging."

"Every day I ask myself if my heart is true to the Force. Every day I can answer truthfully yes then I can sleep easily. You strike me as a strong woman and that is a great position to start from. Only the weak fall to the Dark-side. And when I say weak, I mean those without the strength to follow their heart."

"If you ever need any help or advice, do not hesitate to ask. In fact, I would be offended if you felt you could not. We have the same goals - just a slightly different approach to achieving them."

[member="Anastasia Rade"]