Tea for Two.... Er Three (Alaari, Jedi)

[Mal]

Mal sat in the center of his living room, on his coffee table. His windows were all covered, there was no noise in his apartment at all. His hands sat on his knees, his eyes were closed and he was completely motionless. The casual observer would think that he was dead and simply stuck in rigor mortise, his breathing was so subtle. He'd been sitting like this for well over an hour now, his mind clear and at peace. This had become a part of his day the last week, he made it a point to sit down and meditate for an hour or more a day. But today just felt different, he could feel something today. It took him a few seconds to realize what that faint warm feeling was. It was the Force, he could feel it even if he didn't know how to draw on it to use it yet. It was warm, bright and full of life. He tried to hold it, understand it, but his joy at feeling it at all caused him to get distracted and lose his focus.

Mal opened his eyes and took a few deep breaths, that was the first time he had really felt the Force since he'd been learning. Calming himself again, he sat straighter and closed his eyes again, reaching deep within himself and finding that same feeling of warmth as before. This time he focused and controlled his emotions and let himself stay in the center of that feeling, trying to gain an idea of how to guide it. It was all for naught however, as he spent another hour trying to gain the understanding and failed. Opening his eyes again he sighed and stood up, the lights turning on with his movements. It only took him moments to decide he needed air, he'd had a long day at the senate with Ina, and he'd spent the last two hours in meditation. Outside sounded good.

It didn't take Mal long to pull his boots on and grab his blaster belt, pulling it on and tying the holster around his leg as he walked out the door. He was halfway down the street before he decided he'd go to a small cafe and get a cup of tea, it sounded relaxing after today. And it was still early evening, it would be another hour and a half, maybe even two hours before the sun went down. Though, on Coruscant there would be no lack of light to see by. There were some nights that he missed being on Corulag, his parents home had been on the edge of the city surrounded by bamboo. It was always fun to play hide and seek as a kid in those bamboo forests, getting lost for hours at a time and causing his parents to worry. His childhood had been fun.

Mal turned down the street and continued on his way to the outdoor cafe he was partial of. He enjoyed this one specifically because they grew their own tea plants, dried them, and brewed their tea all in the same building. He wasn't exactly a big fan of tea, but even he had to admit that this tea was delicious. The waitress recognized him and waved, before stepping up to the window and placing his order for him. Maybe he stopped by here too often, they had gotten to know him too well. Smiling and waving, Mal sat down at a table with four chairs and pulled a datapad out of his pocket and started reading the news. And by news, he was checking his mail, reading updates on his squad from a few of his friends. He replied as he finished each message, not wanting them to think he had forgotten them. Besides, he knew that any mail while you were in the field is good mail.

A few moments later and his tea was delivered, along with a complimentary piece of cake. Smiling Mal made the mental note to leave a good tip for the people, they treated him well here. Sipping his tea he put the datapad down and looked out at the garden next to the cafe. Watching the fountain in the center and letting his mind wander over everything. If someone had told him a year ago that he'd be a bodyguard for a senator, he'd have laughed them all the way to the Outer Rim and back. Now however, he was glad he'd made the change, he enjoyed working for Ina. Even if he nearly constantly argued with Ofi. He would put up with the droid for Ina's sake, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

[Danee]

Alaari stretched her legs and yawned, looking around the library she noted that the amount of people in it had decreased somewhat a lot. She looked at her bag and pouted slightly before opening it. Yup, as she had expected, she had forgotten to brew a thermos with tea and now she was getting thirsty. Looking around she sighed, none of her friends were around, probably on a mission or with their masters.

Standing up she closed down the page about armored warfare, how she had gotten into that subject, she didn't remember. Yawning again she stretched her arms and grabbed her bag. She had to get some tea, but didn't have the will to go back to her room and brew some. No, today she was going to buy some she decided and checked how much credits she had on her. Enough for her to be able to enjoy some tea and still have enough for food.

Soon she walked out of the temple library and stretched again as the setting sun cast its light upon her. "Wow, I was in there longer than expected..." she thought to herself and looked up at the sky. Nevertheless she walked towards one of her favorite cafes, usually she'd be allowed to buy their home made tea but that wasn't the plan this time. Besides, she had recently refilled her stock of teas and now she only wanted a cup.

On her way she was greeted by random citizens of Coruscant and occasionally visitors as well. Smiling at them as they waved and then continued on towards the cafe.

Tilting her head as she came closer and saw Mal sitting at a table with a datapad in his hands which he put down when his tea arrived. Mal was an interesting person, Alaari wouldn't have taken him for a tea drinker, even less so from this place. Taking a detour past a fountain she cupped her hand slightly and caught some water before walking up behind him and poured the little water left in her hands on top of his head. "Ooops, didn't see you." Alaari said with a cheery and warm voice before walking up to the window and placing her order.

Putting down her bag next to a chair she sat down at Mal's table, smiling innocently at him. "Good to see you again, Mal."

[jedi334]

[*]Translated from Ryloth

The soft chime rang out as the lecture hall emptied, Doreas Chen said farewell to the last youngling as he looked and saw his former padawan Chias Nero switching off the viewing screen and gathering their notes, he smiled as he watched her.

“A good class today yes?” He said smiling

She looked up and bit her lower lip timidly as she tucked the notes under her arm “Yes Master, they are progressing well." she said "A little unruly though.”

Chen smirked a little as he spoke. “You were quietly fidgety yourself at their age.” Chias looked a tad surprised “Me?” she squeaked “I do not think so Master, I was ten times more shy then I am now, not to mention I was usually the one telling everyone to be quiet so I could pay attention.”

He just shook his head knowing better then to argue with her. “Do you have plans for the evening?”

She shook her head as she went over and lowered the lights of the class “Oh no." she said "I am just going over next week’s lesson plans and planning my trip to Naboo, the peace summit is drawing many important dignitaries from around the sector so I need to make I have enough space and proper equipment.”

He nodded slowly “So off to your garden then?” he asked as she smiled shyly “Of course.” She said as he walked over and put a proverbial hand on her small shoulder.

“While I know you enjoy the quiet, you should really spend some time outside the Temple every now and again.” he said

Her smile faded slightly “Master you know I do not do well in vast crowds.” She said “the noise and activity can be overwhelming for me.”

He thought for a second. “Then go somewhere small.” He said “There is a tea house just outside the Temple, they do s caramel mint tea and that could easily rival yours.”

She gave a small smile knowing exactly what he was doing “Is that so?” she said quirking a white eyebrow “Well, maybe I should and go investigate this claim, in a completely official capacity of course.”

He chuckled and patted her shoulder as he spoke. “Well May Force be with you in such a quest my young friend.”

Her own smile remained she bowed her head as she spoke. “Thank you Master.” She then left the lecture and made her way back to her quarters to retrieve her Bantha leather foot wrappings.

She secured them tightly on each foot and then left the Temple through the main entrance, typing the the tea house name in her data pad and walking the path highled on the map.

She entered the busy tea house various races standing or sitting, the fragrances of varying tea flavors in the air she stood in line until she stood in front of the the pretty Twi’lek waitress, her skin tone a soft pastel yellow with specks of green as she smiled warmly at the young Echani

“Welcome Master Jedi.” She said warmly speaking Basic “How may I serve you this evening?”

She gave a respectful nod and responded to her own native language. “Good os ar dan veo gu.” She said “Do ohk see ko dan nie a caramel sarsa senhan.” [“Good evening to you as well. I was wondering if you make a caramel mint blend.”]

The waitress looked genuinely surprised to hear her own language as she smiled “Yes gan nie.” She said “Gan huhsi received a shipment bo nladi sarsa cea y tohssihnaba vil sil Do jiykan ro a clirwis bo leth lae tihsawa cea cahsinark vonk'enarsan ji caa talcank.” [“Yes we do. We just received a shipment of fresh mint this afternoon and may I recommend a slice of red berry pie that will compliment the tea perfectly.”]

Chias nodded and ordered her tea and small slice of pie, making her way nimbly through the crowd to find a small table in the corner by the entrance, setting her things down as she situated herself.

Once she was settled, her blue eyes took in the crowd as she took a small first sip of tea, it was not bad but she noted that the mint slightly dominated caramel making it just a tad bitter, perhaps she would make a suggestion to the young Twi’lek before she left. As she began to eat her pie, she saw a familiar face the Togruta padawan Alaari Sen.

She had met the young one a few night ago in the Archive and had quite a nice discussion with her, finding that she had much in common with the young girl. She also offered to let her accompany her to the peace conference on Naboo but had not heard back from her.

She was about to go over and say hello and then she saw a young human male sitting with her, the Echani bit her lower lip and then resettled back in her seat “I do not wish to be rude and interrupt their conversation.” She thought. “Perhaps she will see me on her way out.”

[Mal]

Mal was so focused on the fountain and lost in his thoughts, that he didn't notice anyone around him at the moment. Any other planet and he would have considered that a death sentence, but on Coruscant, and this close to people that liked him, he felt safe. Besides that he was confident enough in the Force to trust it to worn him if danger struck. So when he felt water dripping on his head needless to say he was surprised, he jumped up out of his seat and looked around until he saw the Togruta Jedi standing near him. "Yeah, you didn't see me. Just like water isn't wet!" He called after her as she walked away, laughing and sitting back down to enjoy his tea. He started to look out over at the fountain, then Alaari sat down again.

Mal sipped his tea and looked over at Alaari smiling, "It's good to see you too. How're you?" He asked, leaning back in his chair slightly and relaxing more. What Alaari didn't know, was that he was already planning on getting his revenge on her. Granted he had started it by sprinkling water on he the last time he had seen her. But hey, that didn't mean he couldn't plot and get back at her for this one. If he'd already had an idea, he'd have smiled evilly. Unfortunately for him he didn't have any ideas just yet, he'd come up with something though. And then Alaari would have to look out, cause he'd strike when she least expected it.

Mal leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and grinning at his Jedi friend. "So I was doing some meditation exercises that a Jedi friend gave me. I did it Alaari, I touched the Force, even now I can still feel it just on the edges of my consciousness. It's... warm bright, it reminds me of life." He was clearly excited, this was the first step for him, now all he needed to do was figure out how to guide the Force. He'd need to have a word with Clerix, unless Alaari gave him some pointers.... well he wouldn't ask. He didn't want to pry and possibly get her in trouble. He knew that the Jedi weren't supposed to train non-Jedi, and he knew that Clerix was risking a lot just teaching him what little he was, so not getting the Togruta in trouble was high on his priority list.

Off course all of this was interrupted slightly when he noticed a woman watching them, she was pale and had white hair. And was wearing Jedi robes. So this woman was a Jedi, that much was obvious from her clothes. But... Well it wouldn't hurt to try. Mal focused, and tried reaching out with his mind. Almost immediately he felt someone strong in the Force, Alaari, she was sitting very close after all. He continued pushing out with his mind, trying to find the woman sitting on the other side of the cafe. He could sense other people, but not as well as he could sense Alaari. He didn't know if that was because she was stronger in the Force, or closer, or a mix of the two. But what he did know was that he couldn't push his mind out farther than a couple of tables.

After a second his senses rushed back to his mind and he let out a small sigh. "Well.. that was interesting.." Looking over at Alaari he couldn't help but smile and shake his head. "Sorry, I was trying to stretch out and sense that Jedi over there." Mal stated, motioning subtly with his hand over at the white haired young woman. Leaning back in his chair again he sighed again and smiled. "I think I could only get a couple tables away... but it's all so new that I'm not positive. I don't even know how I did it I just... Did."

[Danee]

Alaari smiled at him as he smiled at her, he was a friendly human and Alaari did consider him a friend to some degree. When he asked how she was Alaari shrugged slightly. "Meh, been better, a bit tired, stressed out because of my upcoming trials, the usual." She replied with a warm smile.

The waitress came over with Alaari's tea and put it down in front of her, smiling back at the waitress and thanking for her help before sipping her tea and listening to Mal. So a Jedi had given him help with the Force, eh? If Alaari wasn't mistaken that was a violation of the rules and the Jedi could get punished for it, but then again, there are many who claim to be Jedi. But nevertheless, she smiled at him. "The Force is a living thing and that's probably why you are reminded of life because of it." Alaari raised a brow however as he focused on someone behind her, she did feel the presence of another force user.

So she waited for Mal to finish whatever he was doing before she was going to ask what he was doing. However, she didn't have to ask as he explained what he had been doing and when he said Jedi and motioned behind her she raised a brow and looked around, not caring about being subtle at all.

A wide smile crept up on her face as she saw that the Jedi he talked about was her friend Chias. Waving at her and motioning for her to come and join them before turning around again back to Mal. "Well, the fact that you could reach out like that without any training at all, at the temple I mean, is quite good. And the Jedi you tried to reach is a friend of mine, I hope you don't mind her joining us, do you?" Alaari said with a smile and pulled out a chair next to her.

[jedi334]

Chias blinked as she saw Alaari smile and motion her to join them, bitting her lower lip as she quickly gathering her things and maneuvering her way to them not before bumping into a rather large male Cathar which made her squeak a bit in nervous surprise. “My apologies.” She said timidly and finally slid silently into the chair next to the young one.

“Padawan Sen.” She said with a smile “I was hoping we would meet again soon and the Force has rewarded for such patience, wonderful to see you.”

Her eyes then drifted to the young man that sat with her, he was around her own age and quite attractive as humans went, seemingly having a laid back facade but also having the professionalism of a trained solider but she could also sense a slight ripple of the Force emanating off his aura, it was not bright and steady like a Knight or Master but flickering like an ember in a fire…but it was there nonetheless.

Chias extended her hands, her pearl grey polished nails glinting slightly in the lights as she smiled shyly to him.

“I am Jedi Knight & Historian Chias Nero.” She said “It is a pleasure to meet you Mr.?”

[Mal]

Mal shrugged, "Sure, I don't mind if she joins us." He stated, leaning back and taking a sip of his tea. His eyes moved to the echani as she walked over to the table to sit down, well she was... He was around Jedi, he should probably clear his mind. She looked like she was around his age, her body language indicated nothing but shyness mixed with kindness in the extreme. Still she carried herself in a way that Mal had come to compare with Jedi, must have been the lightsaber training. There was always a certain grace to the movements a Jedi performed- and this thought was interrupted by the Jedi walking into a cathar. Mal had to suppress a smile, he found it rather endearing. A few seconds later she sat down at their table, well she was attractive. And he could feel the Force coming off of her just like he could Alaari. Anyone sensing this table would probably think that Mal was a child in comparison.

Smiling Mal set his tea down before he addressed the new arrival, "The pleasure is mine Master Nero, I'm Mal Denton. Please, just call me Mal." He looked between the two women for a moment, then thought about what Alaari said about the Force being a living thing... He realized how little he knew about it all, he was a neophyte in every sense of the word when it came to trying to use the Force, but he should have realized it was alive. He could feel it all around them, and he had received warnings from it his entire life. If he hadn't realized this basic thing on his own what else was he most likely missing from the whole picture. He needed to know more, but the Jedi couldn't teach him how to use it without getting in trouble..

Mal looked back up and smiled at Chias for a second, "OK, so I have a question then.. First off Master Nero, I am an untrained Force sensitive, barely learned how to touch the Force today." He figured he'd explain that now so that he wouldn't have to worry about seeming odd for asking about the Force. "What else am I missing? That I can be told without getting anyone in trouble. I know some basic meditation exercises, but that's not what I mean. What else am I missing about the Force? I hadn't realized on my own that it was a living thing, but I should have, it was obvious now that I stop and think about it." He knew going in that it wasn't going to be easy to learn how to use the Force, but he had no doubt in himself that he'd be able to figure it out. Now though... he still didn't really doubt himself, but he was realizing just how hard it was going to be.

Mal picked up his tea again and took a sip, glancing down at his still uneaten cake. Chias had a piece of pie, Alaari only appeared to have tea. He picked up a napkin and used the fork from his cake to cut the cake in half and put one half on the napkin. With that done, he put the fork on the plate and pushed the plate to Alaari. He was raised to be polite, and with Alaari being the only one without the option of a snack, he thought he'd give her that option. Besides, the cake was a free-be, he was happy to share what was given to him like this. Mal leaned back and sipped his tea again, looking between the two Jedi.

[Danee]

Alaari smiled as she saw Chias sit down next to her. Looking as friendly as she had when they met in the library a couple of days earlier. "Jedi Nero." She replied and bowed her head and nodded as Chias said she had been hoping that they would meet once more. The fact was that Alaari had been busy with her Master and thus being unable of contacting Chias.

As Mal began to talk to her she listened carefully to what he said, generally interested in it. However as he called Chias a Master she chuckled slightly and when he seemed to have finished speaking to her about how he had touched the force she leaned back slightly and sipped her tea, enjoying the warm sensation of the liquid as it spread throughout her and put down her cup.

However as she saw him split his cake and slide the plate over to her with the fork she blushed slightly, although on her already natural red skin it would be fairly hard to notice. "Oh.. thanks, Mal, but I'll have to decline." She said and slid it back towards him. "I'm not that hungry and tea is fine for me, but I appreciate the gesture." she said and smiled at him, taking another sip from her tea.

Looking over at Chias. "That reminds me, Chias, I've talked to my Master about accompanying you to Naboo and she couldn't see why I wouldn't go, so let me know when we'll be leaving." she said with a smile, taking yet another sip of her tea and looked over at Mal, tilting her head slightly as she tried to understand him.

Mal was an interesting person, always surprising her with random gestures of kindness. Had he been Jedi she didn't doubt he'd make a great one.

[jedi334]

Chias smiled brightly when Alaari told her the news. “How wonderful!” she said “Tell your Master thank you and you will be well looked after.” She said “I have some last minute details to work out but it should not take more then a day or so. I shall inform the necessary people that you will be accompanying me.”

She tried her best to hide her joy, trying not to act like a giddy adolescent but it was exciting for her, usually her duties as a Historian were done alone or with a planetary official who said very little, but now she had someone from the Temple who was her own age and who shared interests similar to her own.

Further more there was the prospect of a friendship developing besides Tesok and Jifo and Rekio who she only knew casually from their rescue mission of the Junior Senator she had very few friends…things were looking up for her.

She felt her pale skin turn slightly pink when she heard Mal call her “Master” unable to hide the small giggle “While I am flattered Mr. Denton I am afraid I must correct you.” She said “I am a Knight who serves within the Temple Archives and teaches our incoming younglings the very basics of Jedi history and philosophy.”

She frowned slightly when she heard of a Jedi teaching this uninstructed human techniques from the Order; it was clearly against the teachings that a Knight or Master teach those uninitiated into the Jedi.

She considered briefly of bring this to her Master’s attention but then thought against it, there were many who had a connection to the Force who were neither Jedi or Sith but who claimed to be so.  Perhaps this human had been mislead, still the presence of Force was on him and from what her training was telling her that was no ambition in his voice…just someone wanting to learn.

“I am no teacher in mediation or Force based manipulation so I fear my advice would prove unreliable.” She said “I would suggest attending lectures we offer to the public sometimes…you can learn the varying opinions and what the Force is and how it used.”

She took a small bite of her pie and washed it down with a long sip of tea wiping her mouth gently “I hope that can help at least.” She said giving an apologetic smile.

[Mal]

Mal listened to the two speak for a while, letting them hash everything out. Alaari didn't respond to his inquiry, he wasn't surprised. He did state he wasn't trying to get anyone in trouble. Then Chias corrected him, he almost said that she was a Master compared to him, but refrained. It would be impolite if it came out wrong, and he didn't want to offend the young woman. Then she went over the lecture's that the Jedi give on the Force... He didn't have the heart to tell her that it was all on the nature of the Force, he had a holo-recording of one that he would watch later. Plus he wasn't going to ask Ina for time off from being her bodyguard for this. No, not when he was supposed to be making sure she didn't get harmed or kidnapped again. Alaari refused the cake, which he didn't touch to bring back to his plate. He simply shrugged at it, and smiled at her.

Leaning back in his chair he waved the matter off, "I've got a holo-recording I've been meaning to watch. I'm a bodyguard for a senator, I'm not about to ask for time off." With that he was done with the subject of his Force sensitivity for the time being, he was disappointed, but he wasn't discouraged. That just confirmed his belief that he would have to figure it all out on his own. Mal sipped at his tea for a few moments before noticing his cup was nearly empty. "Excuse me for a moment.." He stated getting up and walking back to the window and having his tea refilled, with that he took a few breaths and cleared his mind. Washing all thoughts of disappointment to the side, focusing more on his drive to learn. Yes.. That calm, that's what he needed. He needed to remain there.

Mal returned to the table and smiled, sitting down and looking over at Chias. "So you're a historian? I have to admit, I've always wondered how the Jedi Order started... If a non-Jedi is allowed to know." He added the last part almost in a rush, he hadn't thought of this part. "Seriously, I don't wanna get anyone in trouble." Even learning from Clerix had been troublesome for him, if it hadn't been for the assurance that what he had been learning were nothing but basics and he wouldn't get into any trouble for it, he wouldn't have learned it. He wouldn't have the Jedi Council come down on anyone because of him, he'd feel guilty for the rest of his life.

Mal started eating his cake again, reflexively starting the calming exercises his mother had taught him as a child. He wasn't upset anymore, but it helped keep his head clear so he could thing. He'd already figured out how to stretch his mind out... Well, what happened if he pulled that focus inward, turn it to his body. Could he potentially perform the jumps that he'd heard of Jedi performing? Or make his body less tired while he was active? He started to get excited thinking about the possibilities of what he could potentially do. Not excited like someone wanting more power, but excited like a kid at learning something new. He simply wanted to live up to his potential, that was all.

[Danee]

Alaari smiled at Chias. "Great! I'll get to packing my things as soon as I get back to my room." Alaari replied with a warm smile and sipped her tea afterwards and listened to Mal and the Knight exchange words about the force. Alaari knew about the public lectures that the temple offered but that forgotten about them when she had talked to Mal earlier.

Then Mal began to inquire about the Jedi order, something Alaari as well had read about but never gotten her head around quite fully, she understood the order and it's structure quite well but its history was quite odd and interesting she thought. "Well, Mal, about the Jedi order, if I'm not mistaken completely, it has fallen and been wiped out several times in the past, only to get started again, I've read about it but never found the origins of the absolute first Jedi order." She explained briefly and looked at Chias. "Unless you know when it was founded the first time, as you've probably spent more time than I in the library."

[jedi334]

Chias took a small bite of pie and along sip of her tea before she answered his question “I can give you the basic overview of the first Jedi Order.” She said “I just hope I do not bore or confused I tend to get into every little detail when discussing our history”

She called the waitress over and ordered another tea for herself as she sat Indian style in he in the chair as she cleared her throat. “Many ancient and semi-legendary organizations have been proposed to be the forerunners of the Jedi Order, including the Order of Dai Bendu, the Followers of Palawa, and the Chatos Academy. Of all of the ancient Force traditions, though, the true origin of the Order was found on the lush planet Tython in the Core system.” She said “The galaxy's best philosophers, priests, scientists, and warriors were brought to Tython circa 36,453 BBY by mysterious, pyramidal ships called Tho Yor to discuss their discoveries involving the enigmatic and mystical energy known as the Force. These people, known as Tythans, eventually came to identify as the Je'daii Order, a group of Force-sensitives determined to keep an internal balance between the light side, or Ashla and the dark side, called Bogan.”


She looked to both of them as hoping not to see the bored or confused looks she got from some of her student but thank fully saw neither, the waitress returned and Chias took her tea, blowing on it as she continued.

“For millennia the Je'daii Order flourished on Tython, erecting great temples and monuments to the Force and remaining ever vigilant to the lures of both the light and the dark. Ultimately around 25,793 BBY, several hundred years before the founding of the Galactic Republic a conflict arose between the followers of Ashla, or light side of the Force, and the followers of Bogan.” She could see that were both listening to her intently which meant she was doing a good job. "Known as the Force Wars, the conflict was waged over the course of a decade and took a terrible toll on the planet, sending Tython out of balance and destroying the ecosystem. In the end, the followers of Bogan were defeated.”

She took a long sip of tea before speaking “The Je'daii enamored by the light side of the Force, or Ashla professed that it was stronger than the Bogan and the more virtuous path to walk. Abandoning the Je'daii teachings of balance, this splinter group began calling themselves Jedi and formed a Jedi Council consisting of the founding members; Jedi Masters Rajivari, Garon Jard, Cala Brin and Ters Sendon.” She said “Believing that they were given command over the Force in order to assist those in need, the Jedi wished to defeat those who used the dark side and vanquish all evil doers. During the Jedi's earliest days one of its founders, Master Rajivari, broke away and encouraged his followers to abandon the light and look to Bogan for guidance and power. Rajivari's followers were attacked by the Jedi Order. When the True Dark Sons were scattered and leaderless, the victorious Jedi Order decided to abandon Tython, taking with them all surviving text and scriptures they could find.”

She took another long sip of her “That is the origins of how we Jedi began, of course there are historical records, holo recordings and journals but I fear access to those materials by the wrong people could lead to much unpleasantness.” Her look was apologetic “I am sorry Mr. Denton.”

[Mal]

Mal listened to the two women and absorbed all the knowledge they were imparting to him. His tea and cake lay forgotten as he listened, his hand reaching up and stroking the scar on his cheek out of pure habit. He didn't even notice that he was doing it anymore honestly, he'd seen a few soldiers who kept their scars do the same thing. Now that he had the facial scars, he understood the habit a lot better and was less prone to question it. The information was interesting, and it was useful as well, at least it helped him understand some of the roots of the Order. He could understand much of it, other parts bothered him. He figured he could sit there and question every little thing that was said, or he could accept it and digest it before he started questioning. He thought that was the better path, but at the same time he couldn't let one thing go...

"But... The Je'daii had a balance thing going, that's something I don't quite understand, wouldn't balance be better in the long run? I understand the Dark Side is corrupting and evil, I'm not questioning that and believe me I identify better with the Jedi. But to fight something you should understand it right? That's what I've always tried to do, look at things from my enemies perspective. In doing so, understanding them, you come to accept them more. I'll still fight against the Sith with everything I have, but I can understand some of what they want. The foot soldiers anyway, the Lords I won't even begin to attempt to understand.. I guess my question is, why abandon the balance? To understand one, you must know the other. Happiness would be pointless without sadness really, we would understand the meaningfulness of happiness with sorrow."

Mal chuckled, "Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble.. And I understand that the information can't be accessed by just anyone. Information is power darlin'." He spoke without fully thinking, his mind was still focused on everything that had been said. His grey eyes looking at the table, but they were unfocused, glazed slightly as he thought about it all. It was a lot to grasp, and he knew he was probably missing context that he either wasn't allowed to know, or had been lost to the ages. Still, he knew more now than he did before. The mysteries associated with the Force had been studied for more millennia than he had thought. Though he really shouldn't have been surprised, the Jedi had been a part of the Republic since it's very foundation.

[Danee]

Alaari listened quietly to the Jedi Knight as she spoke about how the Jedi order had been founded and explained the force wars. Alaari knew most of this but she had either simply forgotten about it or just not paid enough attention the first time she had read about the Je'daii. Then Mal began to speak and she shifted her attention towards him, he made a decent point when he said that to have happiness you needed sadness or sorrow. Which was true, but in Alaari's eyes the Sith were different from what Mal thought. She saw them as a force who wanted to control everything and destroy anyone who opposed them, or at least that was what she had read.

"Well, you're kind of right there, Mal. Though there's a difference between the Sith and your regular evil criminal. The Sith absorb, they conquer worlds and at times have wiped out races, they are not quite the opposite of the Jedi. The Jedi order will do what it takes to maintain both peace and balance in the universe, some might consider us evil some might greet us as heroes. The Sith on the other hand are quite different, they wreck havoc wherever they go. If you stand up against them you will be cut down, the past has shown this." She said and looked at Mal with some seriousness in her eyes.

"A sith will not hesitate to cut someone down if it's for personal gain, a jedi should not hesitate either but only if it's to maintain a balance. Which is why some consider us Evil and some consider us heroes. Now, these are just my opinions and if you ask me, there is no more neutral group in the universe."

[jedi334]

Chias listened quietly to the two as they talked, smiling to herself as she sipped her tea. A teacher job was to always educate but also create a discussion. While older male human and the female Togruta was not her usual stable of learners it gladdened her that they were taking an interest in the subject.

She nodded as listened to the padawan of the Sith. “Yes, Sith whether they be Marauders, Assassins, Sorcerers or Juggernauts are vicious and must never be taken lightly.”

She sat her cup down on the saucer “But do not forget they themselves were not always such, they were Jedi once just you or I.” she said “they simply lost their way or turned their backs on Light Side teachings for the quicker and easier path of darkness.”

She looked to Mal, her bare toes curling into the top of the other foot she sat in the chair. “When it comes to balance that is something that both Jedi and Sith are vital, though neither Order shall admit it each side needs the other.” She said “If Light was the prevailing Force in the universe, malaise and hubris would fester thus leaving us weak and inept when a true horror would emerge.”

She quickly took pie before continuing “If the Dark Side reigned for all time, nothing would progress or stop…endless war would be in every system with no side being right or wrong.” She said looking down a bit as she saw the image briefly in her mind, taking a slow breath as she remembered her training as it faded.  “So neither the Light nor Dark Side of the Force is stronger or weaker, they simply are balanced in proportion to one another so the Universe can function.”

She bit her lower lip slightly as her shyness took over, her voice quieting “At least that is my thoughts.” she said “I have never fought a Sith though so this is all opinion and theory...”

[Mal]

Mal couldn't help but give a slightly dark chuckle, "Oh believe me, I know that the Sith can't be taken lightly." He absentmindedly stroked one of the scars on his cheek for a moment before catching himself and grabbing his tea cup again. It was a habit he had fallen into after the scar had healed, most of the time he hadn't even noticed that he did it. Still he didn't need to sit here and do it right now, now he was sitting here thinking about everything that was said. He looked between the two thinking about balance. "I once heard a story. That each of us have two kath hound in us they fight with each other, one is white, and one is black. The one that wins is the one we feed the most."

Mal closed his eyes and considered everything that had been said, he considered it all and then came to his conclusion. It sounded like balance was a dangerous road to walk. If the Dark Side was as addictive and corruptible as it seemed than his first instinct was right, whatever he did he had to be more careful. He had to keep his emotions under control, that in and of itself was nothing new to him, he never let his emotions control him. But he was starting to understand the gravity of it now, understand the true importance of keeping himself under control. Mal looked at the two Jedi sitting before him and felt a deeper respect for them form, it must have been a hard life. Not that he would broach the subject with them, it was a conversation meant for more private settings than this. And probably a very personal one.

Mal sipped at his tea for another few moments, "I have to ask.. I'm going to keep trying to learn about the Force, and I know that I need to be careful. So.. I just need to know is there anything, other than what we've discussed so far, that I need to worry about? I'm not going to be careless, but I need to learn more. There's nothing else to it I need to do this." He couldn't put it to words properly, but if he didn't he knew that he would feel as if something was missing from his life. And he knew that he didn't want to feel like that at all. The Force was a part of him, and it was calling to him, telling him to learn what he could. Or maybe that was just his imagination, in any case the choice had been made.