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Fun with a broken mind 1/23/2022
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
During one of their breaks. Astra finally got the chance to speak to Durro. " Master, I was wondering if you would be willing to help me speak with and try to calm Ashinti down. I am still angry by was happen girly but I don't watch anyone to get hurt. I know you said to let go of the emotion and I am trying master. I just need some more time if that make any sense" she said.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
Still chewing, Durro holds out his tin with what little is left of the Priloc seeds.
"Seeds?" He asks after he swallows. "I need to have Handyman analyze what's left; I want to make more. Good snack to peck at."
He takes another pinch of seeds.
"Of course I'll help you speak with her."
@Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Astra smiles " no tank you master im fine," she said shaking her head. She looks released when he agrees to speak to Ashanti with her. " thank you, master. Ashanti and I usually fight whe we do speak. Talking to her is difficult." She said
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
"Well, I'll do my best to meditate."
Durro puts the tin back in his robes and holds out his hands.
"Shall we?"
@Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
she nodded and hesitates for a moment before taking Durros hands. She is a bit anxious. It takes her a moment to settle down and reach out throw the force to make the connection with Durro.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
Durro projects a sense of calm serenity, so that connecting is like approaching a tranquil pool in a meditation room. That is in fact, where they find themselves; in a vast room make of stone with ornate carvings. The air is calm but humid, every surface covered with greenery and the soft sounds of gently running water fill the space.
Durro is sitting on a stone bench next to the room's central fountain.
"Welcome to the Room of A Thousand Fountains." He says softly. "This was one of my favorite places to meditate at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant."
@Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Astra is silent as she looks around. This place was beautiful and she looked around with a sense of wonder. Eventually, she focused on Durro. " Wow just wow this place is amazing I can see why you would like it here." She said. Distracted from the task at hand as she approached him. " This is another of your memorys," he asked wondering if she could show places like this.
" Oh right were here to talk to Ashinti. Should we see if we can call her here or try going to her" Astra asked.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
Durro smiles at her wonder, pleased to share this space once again.
"Yes, this space is constructed from my memories. With practice, you'll be able to show places like this with equal clarity."
"I intended to call Ashanti here. A calm and meditative setting may be to our advantage."
@Princess Astra Korraay
@TheTraveler
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
" really," she said with ought thought. Then shook her head. " Right Ashanti can we talk to you please" she called.
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
There was a whisp of wind followed by loud sarcastic groan from Ashanti, "really! This place!"
A second voice came in to being, "this one is most impressed." Both Saba and Ashanti stepped in to being within the great Room of a Thousand Fountains.
"Master Thel-Tanis," Saba said stepping closer. "It looks as majestic as it does in the holo's. I long to walk among these Fountains one day."
Ashanti rolled her eyes, "seriously Saba. This isn't a the reason why they summoned me here."
Saba turned to Ashanti, "you desired to walk among the tomes of the Ancient Sith Lords. Would you deny me my dream?"
Ashanti groaned in frustration as she turned to Durro, "why do you want to talked to me Jedi." Disdain dripping from the last word from her mouth.
Saba smiled, "we believed thst Ashanti might require a friend for this meeting." Saba walked over and set next to Durro, "this volunteered to be that friend."
Ashanti growled, "I told you I don't need anyone!"
@Princess Astra Korraay @Durro Thel-Tanis
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
" I see you are tempered as ever, and I understand why. I'm not taking that medication anymore, you can ask my master if you don't believe me. Anyway we know you angry about what happened earlier. Your not the only one. But Master understands now and can help make our case to the professor. You. Want to live listening to us is your. Best chance" She said.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
"Yes, I owe you an apology, Ashanti."
Durro says, amplifying the serenity of their environment.
"I was so sure I knew what you are that I wasn't open to the possibility that you're exactly what you claim to be."
"As you can sense, I'm here now. I can feel you, all of you, distinct in the Force. I intend to speak to the Professor and make him understand, as best I can. All I need is knowledge. I'm here, listening; so tell me. All I ask is that you let go of your anger towards the Professor. He made a mistake, as did I. Forgive us, and I'll do my best to understand and to help."
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
Ashanti growled, "you tell Kenobi......"
Saba interrupted, "maybe we should agree to some ground rules." She turned to Ashanti, "you did promise, if we released you."
Ashanti laughed, "fine but remember, you all agreed because you knew the longer you held me, the harder it became."
Saba simply nodded then turned to Durro. "We should understand who Ashanti is. We don't have to agree with her or her motivations. But we need to understand this is who she is."
@Durro Thel-Tanis @Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
" That I can agree on as you told me earlier to lision to Professor Kanobi" She said nodding to durro. " Ashanti, Wii know your angry but you can't kill my uncal please just talk to us" Astra said.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
"Agreed." Durro adds. "Murder must be off the table. Beyond that, I'm willing to keep an open mind."
"Though as your own separate person, you are capable of change, of being better." Durro adds, speaking directly to Ashanti. "I have faith in you, just as I have and had faith in Astra. No one is beyond saving unless they choose to be."
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
Ashanti growled once more, "is self defense on the table...."
Once more Saba interrupted with a soft kind touch to Ashanti's leg, "please sit with us Ashanti."
She then turned to Durro, "we know that things are very confused right now. Mistakes were made," Saba turned to Ashanti who was sitting next to her now, "by both sides."
Ashanti gritted her teeth then finally nodded, "I suppose some unspoken rule was broken."
Saba turned back to Astra, "this one will admit that these new discussions are an opportunity for stronger relations among us."
@Durro Thel-Tanis @Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
" Agreed im not taking the medication Ashinti there is no need for self-defense. And the professor can not make me do sumthing I don't want to do" she added.
She closed her eyes for a few moments. " Ahinti why did you not try to protect Hadaza" She asked.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
Here it is, the reason they are here. Durro focuses on projecting a sense of calm and maintaining the room. He will simply observe, unless asked to mediate.
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
The sound of Ashanti gritting her teeth was well heard. It took a reassuring nod from Saba to get her to start speaking.
"Fine," he grumbled. "The Has Been is useless. She didn't even sense the attack coming. The emotions in her attacker were clearly personally. I saw images of wife, and children, graves. This was something personal in nature."
She turned to Durro, "my mission was to get information and watch the Professor's back. My responsibility to the Has Been ended there. Was I supposed to risk Astra's well being over some vendetta?"
It was clear that Ashanti was getting angry, and taking the cue, Saba calmly stepped in to the conversation. "For as long as This One can remember, Ashanti has always been our protector. The one who held the line."
Not to be silence, Ashanti spoke, "Even Aodh has his uses." Her voice filled with a mocking tone as she continued, "poor terrified creature acts like an early warning system."
She turned to Astra, "he warned us about the trouble you were facing in the ship." Her lips then turned to a deep frown, "I just don't remember what happened. "I bet that little creatin knows," she growled.
Saba smiled, "such conversations are not for this moment Ashanti." She once more rested a calming hand on the young Sith's leg, "we are here to help protect Astra."
Ashanti turned and gave a reluctant nod of her head. She then turned back to Astra, "I wasn't about to put you in risk over something that had nothing to do with you, me, or our mission."
She shrugged her shoulders, "so I allowed the Force to decide her fate."
@Princess Astra Korraay @Durro Thel-Tanis
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Astra was silent stunned. She looked at Durro wondering what he made of this new information. She was just trying to process the information for the moment.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
"Yet the Professor ended up injured," Durro says. "and anyone with information is dead. Making your mission a failure."
"Kenobi said he is approaching this as a soldier, and we are his unit. The first thing you learn as a soldier is that your unit is one entity. Any one of your mates will give their life for yours, knowing you would give yours for them. It's this trust that makes these groups so effective. As you saw, when that mutual trust isn't there, the whole unit falls apart."
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Astra nodded " I would have risked my life to protect Hadaza's. Why would you not do the same?" she asked fuinaly? She looked to Durro and gave him a slight nodd in thanks.
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
Ashanti gritted her teeth, "you speak of trust. Yet, you left us to die on Raxus Prime . The Professor even to this day insists on a course of action that would kill those who has done him no wrong."
Saba once more rested her hand on Ashanti's leg as she tried to calm the young Sith down.
She then turned her eyes to Durro, "Master Thel-Tanis, Astra asked a direct question. Ashanti, answered that question. Is it the wisest course of action to pick apart that answer."
Taking a long breath she turned her reptilian eyes to Astra, "if you were in control over Durro's body and he had no knowledge of what you were doing, would you have so willingly taken a course of action that could lead to his injury or even death?"
@Durro Thel-Tanis @Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Astra turned her head sideways thinking for a moment. Would she have. Yes if he were in control of her own body she would have but if she was in control of some one else's and it was not her life she was wrisking. She shook her head. " You correct if I were in Master Thel-Tanis' body I would not have done that. It would not be right to risk his life with out his knowledge of what was going on." She said finally after a long silence.
" However the professor he believes I watched what was happening and did nothing to stop it. His anger was just as much directed at me as it was at Ashinti" She said quietly.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
"Fair point, my apologies." Durro says to Saba.
"To be clear, I didn't abandon Astra on Raxus Prime. I was doing what I could and was actually on my way to see her when I was denied entry due to the escape. Had I been given the chance, I'd have come to your aid."
"The way I see it, Raxus demonstrates a lack of trust in me, rather than me being untrustworthy."
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Aastra drops her head and shuts her eyes trying not to think about Raxus.
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
jerking her leg away from Saba, "that is not how it appeared to us on Raxus." She jabbed a finger at Durro, "you calm that we should have trust in you as if you are some how trustworthy. Yet, you stood by and said nothing and did nothing when that murderer forced poison down Astra's throat."
Saba moved to confront Ashanti, "please this doesn't help anyone."
"NO," the young Sith snapped as she turned to Saba. "I'm tired of Astra always being accused of being wrong. Having choices made for her instead of her own wishes honored."
She then turned back to Durro, "you sit here now in this place," her voice dripping with anger. "This Jedi place, as you pretend to be something you are not."
She jabbed a finger at him as if stabbing him. "Tesara, who pledge her life to Astra's, stood there and said nothing. Hadaza who danced around calling her Princess, did nothing. The man claiming to her help her ignored her wishes and her words as he shoved pills down her throat."
She then turned to Astra giving a strong look, before turning to Saba, "I told all of you that they weren't trustworthy. One moment, and we are all judged and condemned to die!"
She turned to Durro with rage in her eyes. But the trained Jedi Master saw something else. He saw pain in the young Sith's eyes. Despite the venom of her words, the young Sith was in pain. "It was never if you would betray us, but when. And truthfully, it was a hell of a lot sooner than even I gave you all credit for."
Saba stood next to Ashanti, "please, Ashanti, calm down," she said softly with tenderness in her voice. The young Sith turned and both Durro and Astra could see the connection between the two.
@Princess Astra Korraay @Durro Thel-Tanis
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Astra was silent she looked up from Ashinti to Durro. She was brought back to Raxus. How she felt after she had been locked in jail with little to now word from her master. She did feal abandoned. " I did feal abandons on Raxus. I thought no help would come and I would die and never see Roza or any of you again. But I do believe you when you say you were trying to help me and I was not patent. " She said quietly.
She listened again to Ashinti. Once again the young sith spoke fealing she was currently struggling with. She had felt betrayed by Tesara and Durro as they said nothing to stop the Professor. She felt her words wishes and views did not matter that she was being forced into another cage she wanted nothing to do with. But for now she chose not to speak those feelings. She continued to watch Ashinti and Saba. Finally there connection becoming clear to her. The pair balanced each other out. If Saba we're not here She had no doubt that Ashinti would have attacked Durro at least.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
The Temple shifts and The Room of a Thousand Fountains vanishes. In its place, the military base of Raxus Prime. One of Durro's memories, since the entire scene plays out from his perspective, his own thoughts and feelings playing out in the minds of those observing.
He is resolved to see Astra, detained in the prison. At the forefront of his mind is a growing sense of despair; a fear that he failed his padawan. Regret for sending her to the West Side of the base, a desire to rewind the clock and go himself. A sense of disquiet, that he might already be too late. Chiding himself for daring to pretend to be able to train another; hadn't he learned his lesson when Tesara rejected him and his teachings?
"Quiet. Regret and 'what ifs' won't do Astra any good." he admonishes himself. "I need a plan..."
Durro has no idea what the prison area looks like, or how the cells are locked. A barred door? A solid door? Forcefields? Unsure. He does still have a plan, formulating as he walks rapidly towards the flight deck. Step 1: Ensure his ship is ready to leave. They will need to make a hasty escape. Step 2: Slip Astra his lightsaber and tell her to wait for his signal. Meet him at the shuttle when she escapes. Step 3: Create a distraction. Searching for her lightsaber would be an excellent distraction. Step 4: With Astra's effects, make his way to the shuttle, rendezvous with Astra, and leave Raxus Prime behind.
His heart sinks when he sees two guards outside the gate. He senses it's unusual. It sinks further when they stop him, inform him that he can't enter. He feels a pocket of anger bubbling up inside him when they refuse to let him past;
"What did you expect!?" he wants to snap at them; "You've isolated her and committed to executing her with naught but a show trial!"
Another failure; what is it about his teaching style that turns away students or, worse, gets them killed?
"No, self-depreciation is not helpful. Just go, the worse they'll do is attack; I can take them. Find Astra, stick to the plan. The modified plan."
The memory shifts, this time showing a scene from earlier that morning. Astra, maintaining eye contact, spitting out her pill and declaring she won't take it. The almost subconscious catching of the pill, while listening to Astra's angry outburst. The temptation to reply, but the decision to sit and listen instead. Ultimately throwing away the pill, and promising to help; to speak to Kenobi, but first, can she help him understand?
The memory fades, replaced once again by The Room of A Thousand Fountains. The calming sound of the water once again making a serene background noise.
He looks to each of the others, letting the memories speak for themselves.
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
Saba turned to Ashanti, "I know you are angry, and I know you feel hurt."
She motioned to Durro but beyond him, "they too feel hurt and betrayed. You should have tried to stop the attack on Hadaza."
She let a hiss slip from her lips, "how will they ever learn to trust us, if all we show them in your anger and hatred."
She gave a reassuring smile, "Ashanti, you have protected us for so long. Have been the strongest of all of us. But now, they need to see us in a different light."
Holding Ashanti by the shoulders in a friendly embrace, "this is how they will learn to see us. And accept us, Ashanti."
The young Sith shook her head, "no, no they won't. They will never accept us. They will kill us, or abandon Astra if she manages to defend us. We, I, have to put a stop to this threat before it gets worse."
@Durro Thel-Tanis @Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
As Saba speaks to Ashanti Astra turns to speak to Durro. Her eyes wide with shock. He had not gone into details of his plan. " You have not failed master, I am here and alive. I understand your side of that story now as well. I did not know and to be truthful after the incident on Raxis prime I have not fully trusted you. I'm sorry for that. I see now you were not going to abandon me and you probably never would" she said her attention was drawn away by Ashinti's stament.
The young Sith shook her head, "no, no they won't. They will never accept us. They will kill us, or abandon Astra if she manages to defend us. We, I, have to put a stop to this threat before it gets worse."
Astra turned back to Durro. " Master please you can help us, help me prove to the rest of our friends that there is more to them this then we relize. you can help save them. They wont lesson to me Iv been written off as broken and dangerous but they might lesson to you." she said.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
Durro smiles at Astra, then turns to Ashanti.
"I've said all I can say. There's nothing more I can do or show you to make you understand that I mean you no harm. That I'll fight for you, with the same resolve I'd fight for Astra. All that's left is for you to tell me: What exactly do you want? What would cool your rage, and assuage your anger at Astra's friends and squad mates?"
He leans forward on the bench he'd been sitting on this whole time.
"I'm listening, with an open mind. What is it that you want?"
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
Saba looked to Ashanti, "please, Ashanti. As you have proven time and time again, we can't keep you under control for ever."
Ashanti let out a long and deep sigh of surrender. "fine, Saba. Speak with the Jedi in their language." She then turned to Durro, "I will promise you this, Master Thel-Tanis. If any harm comes to Astra, or my friends," her eyes turned to Saba as she added, "and family," her eyes then turned back to Durro. "I promise there will be no hiding from me. I will hunt all of you down and have my revenge."
Saba rested a hand on Ashanti's shoulder. "thank you, Ashanti." She turned her eyes, "Master Thel-Tanis," the most important thing Ashanti and the others want right now is a promise that the poisoning will stop."
She paused for a moment, "and I think the next thing is for us to find out what we are." She drew in a deep breath and motioned Ashanti to return to her seat. As Ashanti took her seat Saba followed next to her.
"I think a more important question is, what can we do to help you achieve these two goals," Saba concluded.
@Princess Astra Korraay @Durro Thel-Tanis
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Astra watches in silence for now. She dose not know how to convince the professor nor dose she know wat information Durro needs. She looks to her master wondering what he will say or do next.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
"The poisoning will stop." Durro says firmly. "Even if the Professor will not be swayed, I have my own ship. I'll not abandon Astra or any of you."
"As for what you are; that is going to take time. The greatest help you can be is to help Astra remember what happened at the pool. Clarify the memory so that she can show it to me, as clearly as this room is shown to you." He gestures around at the plants and the fountains, even the warm humid air is here, pulled from countless hours spent in the room. "The more information I have from the experience, the more targeted my search for answers can be. Though I'll do my best to find what I can in the meantime."
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
" I can try to recall the memory again master" She said.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
Ashanti set there listening as Durro, Astra and Saba talked. She made no further outbursts or actions. Instead she set and listened carefully.
Saba nodded, "This One, believes we can help her on this journey. However," Saba turned to Astra, "the journey will be long and you will have to face many demons of your past and present."
She gazed upon Astra with sad eyes, "somethings you might not be able to change. While others you might be able to." She motioned to Durro, "you will need to learn and master the wisdom that is before you."
@Princess Astra Korraay @Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/23/2022
Durro nods.
"I will do my best to serve."
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/23/2022
Astra nodes " You mean like visiting Adoh again" she shivered at the thought. That place was terrifying. She looked from Saba to Durro. " If it were easy then I would have figured this puzzle out a long time ago, but im ready though im not sure where to start" She said.
@Durro Thel-Tanis @TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 01/23/2022
Saba watched both Durro and Astra, as she took in the scene and allowed the moment between them be filled with a calming silence.
Ashanti on the other hand seemed to be annoyed at the silence.. To her unspoken promise to Saba she remained silent and only shifted to show her annoyance.
@Durro Thel-Tanis @Princess Astra Korraay
Durro Thel-Tanis — 01/24/2022
"All in good time." Durro says after a moment. "Right now, we have the sick and injured to attend to."
To Ashanti he says,
"Thank you for speaking with us. It was insightful."
He prepares to sever the connection.
@TheTraveler
@Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/24/2022
" yes we do have work to get back to" Astra said with a smile.
TheTraveler — 01/24/2022
Ashanti grumbles as she starts to stand. It was Saba who answered for her, "it was a pleasure to meet you Master Thel-Tanis." She smiled, "This One sees that Astra is in good hands under your guidance. May the Force be with Master."
Ashanti whirled around and started to leave. Saba gave Astra a respectful Bow and a reassuring smile, "we will help keep Ashanti calm during these difficult times."
(/end)
@Durro Thel-Tanis @Princess Astra Korraay
Princess Astra Korraay — 01/24/2022
" thank you Saba" Astra said befor they left and the connection was broken.
(End)
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