Location: The Nexus, Tython
Attire: Standard
Tags: Keiran Varn, Open
Traden stood there in the midst of the others who were gathered, a look on his face that expressed an edge of frustration as well as sadness. He never felt like he had been fully accepted in the New Jedi Order, ever since he had taken on a more unorthodox approach. He would have surely been considered a Jedi master by now if he had remained in the fold and followed in the accepted culture and traditions of their heritage, but Traden had chosen a different path… One that had fully hardened his own father against him, as well as many of the New Jedi Order. However, even though he was unorthodox, it was undeniable that he walked in the Spirit of the Jedi ways and values. Many supported him and even saw the value in what he stood for, but he had accepted his fate long ago... knowing that he would always be somewhat of an outsider, and likely never be invited onto the circle.
And now the divide almost seemed to grow with every passing moment with this new separation and expectation that was being forced upon every member of the New Jedi Order… The expectation for every Jedi to choose between the order, or their roles within the Alliance. With Traden having led the GADF
War Hogs for almost a decade now, he viewed it as another way for him to be further judged and devalued. It was a common feeling he had grown accustomed to, but he felt like this might prove to be the final straw that might excommunicate him from the New Jedi Order, as he had no intention of relinquishing his role within the GADF.
And at the same time, he had no intention of willingly stepping down from the New Jedi Order… a true paradox that he would leave for his fellow comrades to decide as he refused to draw a line in the sand himself. If they would demand his resignation from the order, then he would oblige. It was a politically poignant and humanistic problem in Tradens mind, a problem that was created by mistrust, fear, and agendas. And it was exactly what the Sith had desired to accomplish… to divide the Alliance and the Jedi.
And they had succeeded. It would be to the Jedi's own shame that they looked so narrowly at the problem in light of the broader picture that seemed to evade many within the order.
Traden bit his tongue. While there were many words to be said, none of them that would come from his mouth would change anything. None of them would truly be heard, or respected, or affect anything, really...
It didn't matter.
And so he kept his silence for the moment... it almost seemed to be a common feeling that weighed upon many Jedi in the shared moment around the tree…
He felt the heaviest weight for his own Padawan,
Keiran Varn, who had such high hopes of growing and thriving within the New Jedi Order. For him to be forced to wrestle with such decisions and issues right now was a true burden. Traden truly wanted what was best for him… and he realized solemnly that it might be best for the Padawan to distance himself from Traden in the midst of this whole bloody mess. If Keiran's highest value was to become a Jedi Knight within the New Jedi Order, then Traden would likely be a stumbling block for the Padawan. However, if he desired to grow in the force and become strong in his gifting and connection to it, then Traden had a lot to offer.
But again… politics and human agendas had a way of making a mess of something that could have been much, much simpler. Traden did not look at
Keiran Varn, instead he simply stared forward at the majestic tree in front of them. The man would need to determine his own path, Traden could not choose it for him. It was an unfortunate crossroads... but it was reality.