revivalproject | A Jedi Comes Calling [Closed]

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A Jedi Comes Calling [Closed]

WHO: Obi-Wan and Jon
WHERE: The Library
WHAT: A conversation
WHEN: Early July
WARNINGS: Likely disturbing topics of discussion.

Every time that Obi-Wan talked to Jon, more and more disturbing things tended to get mentioned. About his life, his world, his everything. It left the Jedi very concerned for the man. He seemed like a nice enough fellow, even if the things he felt coming from him were a bit repulsive to his light sided nature. However, the last time they spoke, Obi-Wan felt like Jon needed a friend. And while he wouldn't admit it, Obi-Wan needed one himself, and felt like perhaps they could relate to each other in some ways. It's not that Jon was alone necessarily, as he had Tony and such, but the Jedi still felt like the fellow needed something a bit more.

So with a simple message being sent to Jon that he was coming, Obi-Wan made his way to the Library. It wasn't far, so he didn't bother riding Boga. But he did bring a few things with him, namely to make some tea with. It took him a few minutes to get there by foot, but eventually he was walking into the building.

"Jon? Are you here?" The Jedi calling out for the man he had come to see. He could feel his presence, but the library was a big place so who knows where he was exactly.

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Having been sent that message in advance has given Jon enough of a chance to keep the mothcats distracted enough to not immediately pile onto the Jedi Master upon his entry. And yet a pair of curious felines still comes fluttering up to the man before Jon emerges from further back in the library to pluck one of the winged creatures out of mid-air to spare the Jedi being covered in fur and feathers right away.

"Hello, Obi-Wan." He answers the greeting with the squirming mothcat in his arms. "I recall you wanted to talk."

He hadn't really gotten up close to any of the mothcats before, and the Jedi actually looks amused at the fluttering felines. Offering his hand to one while sending soothing feelings through the Force to the animals. He was a friend.

When the current tenant of the library emerged though, Obi-Wan turned his attention towards him. "Hello Jon, it's good to see you. And yes, you remember correctly." He smiles pleasantly and holds up a small bag. "And I've brought tea."

"Oh! Lovely!" Jon exclaims while the mothcat quite happily rubs its head against the offered hand, giving its sibling enough incentive to squirm free and fly up out of reach to approach the stranger from a different angle.

The Archivist gives an apologetic wince. "I'm sorry about them. We can go outside, if that's fine with you. I have a spot set up at the back of the building. Just a decent corner to sit that isn't a place between tall and empty shelves." He wouldn't call it a garden, but it certainly is a spot that offers enough distractions to also keep the mothcats entertained.

Obi-Wan is happy to give both mothcats a petting as he looks at Jon. "No need to apologize, I'm quite fond of animals. They're at least not a two ton reptiavian." If Boga was as excitable as the mothcats he would have been crushed by now.

"Lead the way my good man." It sounded like a nice place to sit and he had no qualms with wherever Jon decided to go. Thus he would follow him outdoors.

Jon can't help but react with a smile at the affection the man has for his winged feline companions. He turns to his right and gestures for the Jedi to come along.

"I still feel like the most inconsiderate pet owner even though they are no real pets." Jon explains as he steps out of a large door at the back of the building and out onto what once clearly has been a terrace. The setup of a table with some mismatched chairs and a bench is hard to miss and around the entire place more mothcats are lounging about or plain napping their time away.

"And of course thank you for the tea. I'm looking forward to try it."

“It seems to me they disagree. You’re far too down on yourself, Jon.” Which was part of why he was here. He was deeply concerned for the man.

Following Jon out onto the once-terrace, the Jedi placed his satchel on the table and began removing things from it. Such as a thermos holding hot water, a pair of cups, a small canister of tea along with sweeteners.

“It’s called Tarine tea. Very common in my galaxy and quite good. I hope you like it.”

"I suppose they appreciate the safety of the place." Jon offers, but can't exactly withhold that fondness for his feline housemates from entering his voice. "I won't complain. They... They helped me. After I returned from my own Earth."

He takes a seat and allows Obi-Wan to handle the tea and nodding at the information. "I may have tried it on Coruscant. But I tried several beverages." A new planet simply comes with all these new flavors...

Jon nods a thanks as he accepts some tea for himself. "I was surprised to also encounter something we know on my world as coffee. Pleasantly surprised, I will add."

"Animals have simple needs, and the need to feel safe is a high priority even with us." But he suspected there was more to it than that. They genuinely seemed to like Jon's company, which spoke well of his character. They would not be drawn to him if there wasn't something good in him. Animals had a sense about those sorts of things.

"And I'm glad to hear they've helped you in return. Companionship is a valuable thing." He would know. Despite his own difficulties, Obi-Wan has felt more at peace here surrounded by others than his so far brief solitude on Tatooine.

Once Jon took his cup, Obi-Wan made himself comfortable with his own. A soft laugh coming from him at the mention of coffee. "Caf? Yes, it seems that there are some things that transcend worlds. I hope you brought yourself back a supply of it."

"The basement of this place is vast." The Archivist says, but not without a telling little chuckle. Of course he brought back supplies. Of the edible as well as the non-edible sort.

"I'm glad... That I returned here. After everything this place feels more like a home than the planet I grew up on." Which feels weird to phrase that way. Leaving one's home country behind is something that happens on Earth, but leaving an entire planet? That's science fiction territory.

Well that answers his question and he can’t say he’s surprised. So he mirrors that chuckle with a knowing look of his own. Obi-Wan brought back plenty of things himself.

“I can understand that feeling,” Obi-Wan says softly before he took a sip of tea. This place to him felt more at home than Tatooine. Though moving between planets was perfectly normal for him.

“You must have had a difficult ordeal when you went back.”

Jon falls silent in response, expression pensively grim. When he speaks up again, it isn't without a sigh. "Actually it felt rather as if I were on a lengthy hiking trip across the UK with my boyfriend, taking in the dreadful sights like morbid tourists." He looks over to Obi-Wan, seeking the Jedi's eyes. "I killed my world and got rewarded for it. Everyone not trapped in their own personal hell treated me like some sort of celebrity. I even had the power to decide who lives and who implodes where they stand."

In many ways Jon would have found it more appropriate if he had to suffer like everyone else. But of course that hadn't been the case. Because Jon would have been perfectly willing to accept his own suffering.

Jon would find his gaze and Obi-Wan held it unflinchingly. His expression largely impassive with a touch of compassion. There was no judgement as Obi-Wan listened. Having somewhat come to terms with what Jon was and what his world was like. It was all dreadful, but it was clear that much of what happened he had no choice in. Though it also tweaked some of those false memories of his. He knew the UK now, as Ben had grown up there.

"Why did you kill your world," Obi-Wan asked before taking another sip of tea. "Did you use that power?" He can't imagine having such ability and he wouldn't want it. Having such power and control over people's lives. It was something only a dark sider would crave.

"I had to." Jon answers, fingers tapping lightly against his mug. "I- I had no choice. It's difficult to describe, but- I- The Archivist... The moment I start to read something, I can't stop. Not knowing how a statement ends is... It's physically painful. The Eye needs to know. This was used against me." He pauses there, brows pulled together before admitting further: "Unfortunately it felt right. It felt terrible, but right. I was the avatar the Eye wanted, and it made that preference very clear."

"And yes. I used that power. I used it to get revenge on those that hurt me and my friends, the ones that played their games with me and the ones that had plans to intervene. I- Tried to use them to help someone once. Change his reality from being a victim to being a watcher. But ultimately, I didn't much improve the man's situation. He knew I was the one responsible for... Well. Everything."

Obi-Wan continues to listen patiently. Jon seems to be a little agitated, but could he blame him? The things he was saying was disturbing, upsetting. Yet the Jedi managed to stay even keeled even as he took it all in.

"I admit, there are times when terrible things must be done to make things right." Not often, but those moments did occur. But was destroying an entire planet ever right? He couldn't see it, but he wasn't in Jon's shoes either. He was trying to understand.

"Why do you think The Eye wanted you though? It preferred you, but what was it about you that appealed to it?"

"Because I didn't want it. I didn't... Enjoy these powers. You might say I... I was fun to watch." He drops his shoulders helplessly. "My old boss, the man turning me into this ritual, he wanted those powers. He relished being the pupil of the Eye and watching all the suffering transpire in that nightmare of a world. And... He couldn't even handle the power. It left him a rambling mess." Until Jon plunged a knife into his chest.

"It's still watching, you know? Even here. Even after the powers were cast out into the multiverse. I... I can still focus its gaze. I still know. I see less, though. Which is fine by me. I... I have seen more than I ever wanted to already."

That actually surprises Obi-Wan a little bit. The only reason that entity wanted him was because he didn't want its power? If it wasn't such a dark perverted thing he might see it. A selfless being who didn't want power seemed more deserving of it. But this wasn't that at all.

"It is torturing you. For its own amusement?"

That left no doubt about the sick and dark and twisted nature of the The Eye. There was nothing that could be good about it indeed.

"And you can't escape it. Not even here."

It sinks in and Obi-Wan can't even begin to fathom Jon's suffering. How he managed to keep his own sanity while someone else lost theirs is a complete mystery to him.

"I created a world in which everyone suffered, including myself. That's how it worked. That's how the Fears were constantly fed. On pain, on fear, on observed misery." And there was nothing pretty about it.

Jon offers a small shrug. "I have more control now than I had before. Still learning, still getting used to it, but I feel less that I'm drowning. The guilt, however.... That one remains the difficult part."

That world would be a nightmare to Obi-Wan. To anyone really, but for someone like him, it would be a hell beyond any other. To see and feel so much constant suffering. It would surely drive any Jedi mad.

The mention of guilt though draws a slow and understanding nod. "Guilt is difficult to reconcile. I can say it's not your fault. You were used and tormented and made to do things you would never wish to happen." And he believed that. Jon was a victim here, even if he made choices, and had certain feelings. It was clear to Obi-Wan that Jon was a good man, but was a puppet for a truly evil being.

"Yet no matter how many times I would say it, or anyone, the guilt would never leave. It doesn't change the fact that things happened and you were part of it. That at least some of the blame lies on you. Even if it might have been against your will."

It would be a literal nightmare for everyone, but that has been the point of causing an apocalypse.

The Jedi's words and gentle understanding are something Jon almost wants to argue against at first, but he finds himself land on a simple smile instead, accepting the kind words. "Thank you. For understanding. I don't want to pretend I'm innocent, or that I'm not potentially dangerous. I don't want to be, but I have lost control in the past, whether I like to admit it or not. I want to be better, of course. And I will do my best to not lose what control I have." No one wants that to happen, especially not Jon.

"Of course, and I believe that." He really did. Jon was a far cry from what he had seen from Anakin on Mustafar. Actual repentance and not just blind anger and rage. That was something he could understand. Despite the darkness he felt from Jon, he didn't sense that the man was lying. He seemed very sincere. A part of Obi-Wan wanted to share his own experiences with Jon, to let him know he wasn't alone in his feelings of guilt. But he knew better as Jon had warned him before about telling him things in person. Hopefully he had gotten the idea anyway.

"Though if the unthinkable did happen. Is there... anything that can be done to help you? Something that I should know?" The Jedi certainly hoped it would never come to that, but he felt it was good to have a plan just in case.

"To be quite honest..." Jon begins, then trails off into a moment of pensiveness. "I don't know. I would like to give you a suggestion, but at the same time I- Heh... I'm not brave enough to ask you to kill me." He has long come to accept the fact that he remains a coward that doesn't wish to die. Which may be selfish, but he has hopes that even should he turn entirely monstrous, that he will remain himself to some degree at least.

With a small shake of his head he eventually admits. "I will have to trust you, Tony, Billy... My friends. To make the right call."

There’s a moment of silence and maybe even the slightest of winces, though again Obi-Wan hides behind his cup as he pretends to calmly sip from it. It’s not like he hasn’t ever killed a friend before, or at least tried to. “Well, I would hope such a thing would be a last resort.”

But if it came down to whether it meant protecting everyone else, the Jedi might be willing to do it. Though it would pain him to do so.

“Should that time come, and I pray it doesn’t, we will do our best.”

Jon nods once, his voice soft. "Thank you."

Then he smiles, attempting to be reassuring. "I want to say I should be fine, though. I already am the Eye's pupil and- I got it under control when it shifted its focus on me and it seems... Content. With watching, learning, it-" Silence. And Jon shrugs.

"Your new temple, it- Is it coming along well?" Something different. Something less dark.

"Just try not to take too much on yourself, Jon," is all Obi-Wan has to say to that. The man going on about things he didn't really understand. "We're here for you to help you through, whatever may come." He knows the importance of having people to rely on. Even Obi-Wan had those here to help him when he was feeling weak.

The Jedi doesn't question the change in topic though. Letting the conversation move on naturally. The reason he came had been addressed, and they can talk about more pleasant things.

"It is, actually. There's still work to be done, but thus far I am pleased. It's proving to be a good home for us." And he felt like they needed that. A place for all the Jedi and their allies to come together. To feel like the family that they were. While also allowing everyone else to come and enjoy it.

It's an advice Jon has received often, and hearing it again is met with an almost sheepish little smile. He will at least try.

"It's good to hear it is working out for you. I hope it is alright for me to pay the place a visit at some point. I find it... It's interesting to see what people make of this city. We have a bar, a diner, something like a gym? And now a temple." Also a somewhat working hospital, hotel and library, of course.

"Of course it is," Obi-Wan insists after he takes another long sip of his tea. Simply enjoying the taste and the feel of being outside with company. "Anyone is welcome so long as they don't cause any trouble." That's really all he asked. He wanted to be able to share his culture and their space with the rest of their little community.

"Ezra has been working on the garden, and Cal has been seeing to the electronic aspects of things. I've been trying to clean up and arrange the spaces. I still haven't decided what to do with it all just yet. And there are meditation sessions every day, which you're welcome to join if you feel so inclined."

Taking a long sip of his own tea along with a moment to savor the taste, the Archivist can't quite hide a tiny chuckle. "Right. Maybe I'll give it another try. At least I may be less likely to spook anyone around here."

He has tried meditating on Coruscant. The Jedi at the Temple had been quite willing to offer some guidance, yet no one, Jon included, could have expected the disruptions his powers would cause not only to surrounding electronic devices, but apparently also within the Force they were all quite attuned to.

“Oh, right.” He had practically forgot about that incident at the temple. That had been… something. But he didn’t think Jon should give up on it yet, so he’s glad to hear he’s open to trying it again.

“Well there’s only us, so I would hope it would go better the next time.”

He takes another sip of his tea then offers to pour some more for Jon. “I don’t suppose you know much about the museum complex I choose to use as our temple? There’s a reason I picked that location you know.”

Oh, Jon is definitely open to try again. Back on Coruscant he still- Well. It was before he has gone back home. Before the apocalypse. His powers aren't quite the same as back them either. So it's certainly worth a try.

"I have been there a few times, but didn't explore it as much as I probably could have." Jon admits in regards of the museum and moves his mug a little closer to accept the offered refill. "But I was mainly looking for any traits of a written language at that point. Something the Agrii don't appear to possess entirely. Which- I still find quite curious, to be honest. Have you found anything of interest there?"

Pouring the tea for Jon, Obi-Wan is mildly intrigued. “No formal written language? That’s not impossible but it is peculiar. I suppose that explains why they struggle with it when communicating with us.” Most species in his galaxy had some form of written language, but certainly not all of them.

“There’s artifacts of course, which I’ve gathered together and started sorting when I have the time. But beside that the place feels… different. Particularly the tall building in the courtyard that I’ve affectionately called ‘The Spire’. There’s an echo of pleasant memories there. As well as… it’s difficult to explain but… it’s not entirely unlike what is at the temple on Coruscant. It almost feels like a vergence. A well spring of energy that runs below the site.”

"...an echo of pleasant memories..." Jon repeats thoughtfully, tea between his hands. "Cal has spoken of those echoes before, but- He didn't mention ever come across any nice ones." Though it's a welcome surprise that not every trace of the past in this place is dreadful.

"Though I wonder what artifacts you were able to uncover?"

“Ah, you mean his experience in those caves,” Obi-Wan says solemnly. Cal had told him a bit about that. He hasn’t ventured into the caves himself as he didn’t wish that to happen to him too.

“Only pieces of things.” Which was unfortunate since it seemed the museum and its treasures were all either destroyed or taken away before they got there.

“Bones, pottery shards, and the like.”

"I see. So it was very much like the library. The shelves were empty and any data point shattered to pieces." They had tried to gather the bigger pieces and try to recreate at least one of these smaller data points, but it hadn't quite worked out, unfortunately.

Upon hearing Obi-Wan mention the caves, Jon grimaces a little. "The caves, yes." Jon nods and his expression darkens. "I went to them some time later myself, believing they wouldn't affect me, but-" He trails off, then shakes his head. "I was lucky I didn't go alone. Just as Cal was to have BD-1 with him."

It was lucky. In both cases.

"Something in there- It affects any... Powers we might have. Turns them up to eleven. It's not a place either of us should be going alone - Or at all."

"Any powers then," Obi-Wan said with a thoughtful frown. So then really only those without some sort of ability could go in there safely. He has to wonder what it could be.

"If that's the case, then yes I would agree." It sounded like it was too risky. If both Cal and Jon had an ordeal in those caves, that couldn't be a coincidence. The warning was well heeded.

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A Jedi Comes Calling [Closed]

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