A Path Forward (OPEN LOG)

[out_of_order]

WHO: Cal Kestis and you!
WHERE: Around Temba
WHAT: Exploring, reflection and maybe get to know who all else is around...ish
WHEN: Post-initial storm-event things and maybe into early next month
WARNINGS: None..? Will edit if needs be


It had been days, weeks, even, since he'd attempted to brave the storm. He wasn't sure if anyone else who'd gone out there had learned anything, but it was clear at the very least that it was completely different from anything he'd ever seen or experienced. Part of him still felt like he was recovering from it, but Cal was pretty sure that it probably just compiled with everything else he'd mentally pushed aside. Seeing familiar figures in the storm hadn't helped at all.

His connection to the Force had restored itself, much to his relief. He wasn't even sure what to make of that, save that the storm had something to do with it. That was also unsettling to think about, and it put the potential danger of these storms in a new light. If it could do something like that, what else could it do?

There were too many questions and little enough answers. With the need to keep busy somehow, Cal and BD-1 wandered the ruined city, building off what had been supplied as a map, trying to make sense of whatever the Agrii had tried to clarify for them. One might come across them poking around some place or another. The best way to find out what was what was to have a look for themselves, after all. Or they might be around the greenhouse, trying to get a better understanding of how agriculture works. It was a definite step up from gathering interesting seeds for Greez's terrarium.

Perhaps it would be considered unheard of for a Jedi to seek out a Sith lord, but Altair had been reasonable, and Cal felt he had to talk to someone about what had happened in the midst of the storm. Granted it took some finding, but eventually he and BD-1 would make their way to the hospital as well.

Comments

[out_of_order]

"Well, I'm no expert in the ways of the Sith either. It's still strange trying to digest that there's such a huge span of time differing between when you're from and when I am." From a time when there were just as many Sith as there were Jedi, and even the Jedi were more numerous than they were during the Clone Wars.

Even brushing upon that thought prompted a pang as too easily the memory of those events that had changed everything he'd ever known threatened to push its way to the forefront. He still didn't know the why's, but he doubted that it would change anything. It certainly wouldn't bring back his master, or the Council or the Republic.

"I'm sure I've heard similar said by one of the masters." If they hadn't all been conscripted to fight for the Republic, perhaps his training might have been a whole lot different. Still, he'd been learning a lot along his journey to regain what he'd lost, and in trying to retrace Eno Cordova's footsteps.

[kallig]

"Technically speaking, Jedi shouldn't be."

There was a slightly sarcastic tone to his voice, not mocking, more amused. After all, all the Jedi he'd ever met, or at least most of them, wanted him and his fellows dead and his Empire burned to the ground, their secrets and knowledge wiped off the face of the galaxy.

Altair did not like Jedi generally. But some were alright. Of course, he felt much the same about his fellow Sith, hating those who didn't realize or wouldn't accept that they needed change. Malgus had once had a good idea, though he wanted unity through warfare, not peace- and that Altair could not allow, even if Malgus hadn't been anti-alien.

"Am I sounding like a Jedi then? Maybe I should start talking about murder and mayhem instead to affirm that I am Sith."

More amusement, a little bit of teasing. He couldn't help it.

[out_of_order]

Sign of still having a sense of humor about things was good, right? Cal snorted lightly, a crooked smile twitching at his lips. "Fair point."

He was pretty sure he couldn't base all Sith off of Altair, even if the man was the only one he'd met who claimed the title. The closest he'd ever encountered who were obvious users of the Dark side were the Inquisitors, and they were specifically trained to go after any surviving Jedi. But then he knew where the Inquisitors came from, what they used to be.

Between the Second Sister and Altair, Cal decided talking with the latter was much more favorable, and not only because Altair wasn't bent on killing him. Although that wasn't to say it didn't make up at least some small part of it.

"Not that it's a bad thing. Both the Jedi and the Sith study the Force, right? So it shouldn't be so strange that both would acknowledge how difficult it would be to try understanding everything about it." It was more in the application where the two sides parted.

[kallig]

"You shouldn't be an expert in the ways of the Sith... But I am glad that you're able to set the fact that we should be natural enemies aside. If only all Sith and all Jedi in my time could put aside their differences and choose peace and prosperity over warmongering and one side trying to eradicate the other. Imagine all we could have gotten done."

Altair enjoyed being Sith. He enjoyed the freedom, the knowledge, and the power. But power alone was not capable of corrupting him and he had his own way of seeing the world and a path forward for the Sith and the Sith Empire. One of sanity and rationality, rather than flying off the handle at the slightest offense.

He wanted to use his power to ensure his people's prosperity, not to torch the world behind him as he went. It was what was typical of his Order, but had the Force wanted a typical Sith, perhaps the Force should have made sure he was born human or pureblood instead.

"And that is a similarity, yes. Our goals may be different, but the Force is a constant- for Jedi, for Sith, and those who aren't either. It does flow through all living things, after all. It's natural that we want to know more."

He paused then, thought, before speaking; "Though should any other Sith from my time show, I suggest being cautious. I might have chosen reason, but most Sith are not so... Balanced."

Most of them were scum. But of course he didn't say that.

[out_of_order]

"It helps that you were willing to talk and not fight. I don't think I'd be ready to do battle with a Sith either way."

Altair had already seen that he was without a weapon, so Cal didn't feel the need to explain anything more.

"And after getting more of an idea of the situation here, the least sort of thing I'd want to have to deal with on top of everything else is someone after my head just because I'm a Jedi." He paused, reminded of a certain recent network address. "...although it seems like not everyone can set aside any existing grudges with people they consider their enemies, even here."

The Sith's advice was sensible, not to mention it confirmed Cal's own hunches. Altair was a different cut. So what were unbalanced Sith like? He wasn't sure he wanted to find out. "I...figured as much, but yeah. Thanks for the warning."

[kallig]

"I've done more than my share of fighting Jedi... But that doesn't mean I prefer it. When I was a child, I often wished that the Jedi could take me in. It seemed... Better. But the Sith ended up being the ones pulling me out of the slave pens and shipping me off to the Sith Academy instead."

He shook his head. It had been a long time since he was a child. His dreams had changed over the years as well- Jedi, shop owner, artist, starting his own family. Eventually Sith had come to feel right. He enjoyed the freedom that came with getting to choose his own path.

"And I agree- our focus should be unity. Working together not so much for the Agrii's sake, but at least for each other's sake. Fighting each other would be quite the waste of time. Like you said though, not everyone seems to have an actual brain."

It was said in the most deadpan way- he'd seen that network address as well and was extremely annoyed by it.

"You are most welcome. With any luck though, no more Sith will arrive. Much as I miss some of the people from home."

Darth Marr, at least. Vowrawn would be fun to have around. He missed his murderous apprentice, too, despite their personalities differing extremely.

Still, he wouldn't want to pull anyone else away from the fires at home that needed to be put out.

[out_of_order]

Talk of being found by the Sith over the Jedi caused a dip in Cal's own emotions as he remembered the task he had accepted, the responsibility of finding what Eno Cordova had secreted away on Bogano.

The Second Sister had been a step ahead of them, and just when he'd thought they'd be getting close to catching up... Well, he knew he couldn't blame the Agrii for his own failure, but this new predicament wasn't doing him any favors. Letting the Inquisitors and the Empire get their hands on the locations of Force-sensitive children was something Cal wasn't about to allow.

He lifted his head as he heard the familiar, concerned beeping of BD-1 and looked down by his foot where the droid had come over.

"I don't think anyone needs to be here, at least not the way the Agrii have decided," he said as he glanced back towards Altair. Maybe if he'd been brought before he'd been found by Cere and Greez, then he wouldn't have been too concerned as he wouldn't have much to get back to. But then he wouldn't have met BD-1 either, and the droid had become a friend he was sure he wouldn't have gotten as far as he had now, without.

He leaned down to extend his arm, offering it as a bridge which the little droid eagerly scuttled up and back to his usual place at his back. Slowly Cal got back to his feet, feeling at the very least, a little better. Food and being able to talk some had helped. He supposed he should address the rest shortly.

"I'm going to take your earlier suggestion and find somewhere to meditate," he informed the Sith, smiling weakly. And then maybe after that, he'd be able to finally get some actual rest. He could hope, anyway. "...thanks for your time, Altair. And for the food."

[kallig]

He sensed the dip and thought about asking- before deciding against it.

Had it been something Cal was willing to talk about, ask for advice about, he would have. Opening up was difficult- after all, Altair was not at all interested in speaking about what had happened to him before his arrival, the source of the occasional dip into a terror deep enough to drown in. Not with anyone besides the one person who already knew.

"No. Definitely not. We don't need to be here and we shouldn't be- not in the way we are. But we can only get through this by relying on each other."

Much as he hated the thought of relying on those he still considered strangers. He'd made friends, but. He couldn't only rely on them- though he welcomed them relying on him as heavily as they wanted. After all, the distraction was welcome.

"A fine idea. Should you need me, you know how to get a hold of me. If I'm not here, you could always send me a message, as well."

Or reach out with the Force to locate him. There was that, too.

[out_of_order]

Maybe some day. Cal was still working on trusting people, and while it was a little easier to do so with having a shared predicament, much of what he offered about himself he figured was on a need-to-know basis. There also seemed little point in burdening others with concerns he himself could do nothing about while he was here.

"Makes better sense than trying to stick it out alone." Thus far most of those he'd spoken to had similar feelings regarding the Agrii, but weren't above looking out for each other. It would only be right to do his own part to help out.

"I'll do that." Nodding at Altair, Cal turned to retrace his steps out. At least there didn't seem any shortage of solitary places to meditate. He imagined that would be the easy part.