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04 Network, Video;

[The video clicks on to a... Slightly older looking Altair, in clothes much finer than he wore before. He looks perhaps a bit more tired than ever, though not confused- so it's safe to assume he remembers his time on Agra 10.]

Back again, then. And... [He looks around, unfamiliar surroundings, but his memories are true- another trip off planet thanks to the Agrii then?] In the middle of some sort of event, it seems? A little hotter here than I would have preferred, but beggars can't be choosers.

[At least this time around, he'd been taken from a somewhat calmer situation. He'd been standing contemplating the Eternal Throne, and then he was here. He really can't complain. Given that he couldn't remember Agra 10 during his absence from it, he's sure the GEMINI Captains won't go rogue without him.] How long has it been since I was here?

It feels like forever, but...

[He's going to need to seek out some people regardless, he supposes.]

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I can't claim to know much about what Sith usually do in their free time.

[ And yet Jon certainly wants to know. Yet he.... Is trying not to press for it. It's difficult. ]

Though I... Guess I will have to accept your judgement.

Do I seem like the type of man who would refuse to answer a simple question about what Sith do in their free time?

[Does he seem that stubborn and closed off?]

Oh, I just thought that maybe it is something you are uncomfortable talking about, considering you have already made it clear you deem those pastimes uncivilized.

[ But you know, he sure can ask. ]

So what is it they do?

I deem them uncivilized, yes. But I still consider myself Sith, and I consider the Sith as being part of my people. That means I cannot turn a blind eye to what they do, even if I might disapprove of most of it.

[In his Eternal Alliance, things are different. But he is still Sith- or at least, still considers himself to be Sith, and the Sith Empire is his Alliance's closest ally. That's not something he wants to get into right now, but Sith hobbies?

That he doesn't mind talking about.] It does, of course, depend on the Sith in question... But the Sith Empire is a meritocracy. So even Sith hobbies tend to be hobbies that will add to a Sith's power- Fighting. Research into ancient secrets. Perfecting how they manipulate others, perfecting their lies.

Murder and mayhem is generally the name of the game.

Basically, if it doesn't add to their image of being powerful, a Sith won't find something worthwhile.

Huh. I see...

[ He falls silent for a short while, contemplating that information. The parallels he can see to the Cult of the Lightless Flame make him ponder, but he doesn't think there is any actual relation. ]

The culture of your people sounds... Brutal. To be quite honest I find it hard to imagine a society without any interest in actual lasting peace.

A Sith is the ultimate individual, and I am proud to be Sith... But if the strong cannot create stability and lasting peace and provide for those who are not, then we do not have much use at all. Of course, I am not as connected to the Sith Empire now as I was, and they seem to have changed at least a little.

[Less backstabbing, he supposes.] I do not agree with the Sith on matters of warfare, just so that's clear.

A society that cannot provide for its weakest, and that cannot uplift and encourage those with the potential to be great, is a failure.

...ultimate individual...

[ Yes, he's muttering this to himself. ]

You know, where... Where I'm from. Earth. We don't share such beliefs. We acknowledge our weaknesses. Our fears. We accept that no one is perfect. And we... We don't elect our... Call them leaders based on their physical strength, but on their ability to best represent our interests in a peaceful manner. It's a democracy. And at least in theory every person has the same rights.

[ He won't claim corruption doesn't exist. ]

It hasn't always been that way. By far not. And I won't bore you with the political history of my world, but Empires... Are not something we have come to associate with peace and stability and equal rights.

So you may understand my apprehension.

Physical strength means nothing for us either or I would have died long ago.

Being strong in the Force, being intelligent, cunning... There is much one must be to climb to the top in the Sith Empire. Strength in one area alone is not enough.

[Thinking that it is has been the end of many a Sith.]

What you're familiar with sounds a lot like the Republic. Of course, I am not entirely familiar with how they do things, given that I was a slave and then a Sith.

[The Republic 101 is not exactly taught in the Academy, beyond that the Republic and the Jedi are the enemy. Still, when he was still a Councilor, Altair had wanted peace, for them to be able to settle their differences. But time has made a fool of him.]

I would not find the political history of your world boring- I quite like politics, actually. But I don't need the details, either, to be able to understand your apprehension.

The Force? Is this the same Force Cal has been speaking of?

[ Just making sure. Cal spoke of it as something the Jedi use, though. Now it's these Sith as well? Unless these are two different things sharing nothing but a name. ]

Oh, you've met Cal? He's a good kid.

[Altair thinks so, anyway.] And yes, it's the same Force. The Jedi and the Sith just use it in very different ways.

I met him, yes.

[ And his droid. ]

He tried to explain it to me. A little. How are there different ways to use it?

It is difficult to explain, really. When you can use it, doing so is... Almost like breathing. You don't really think about it, it just is.

[At least that is his relationship with the Force, at any rate.] But in general, the Jedi use the light side of the Force, while the Sith use the dark side.

[...] Though the Force is certainly more than light or dark. If the years at home have taught me anything, it's that.

Yes, I... I think I can imagine. It just...

[ He gives a shrug along with a sigh. ]

It just happens. And you do your thing.

[ That's how he would explain whatever it is he is doing. ]

But what does the dark and the light side constitute? I mean, how do you tell them apart? In a very stereotypical way one might assume good and evil, but-- I remember Cal mentioning the Jedi using their power to maintain peace in the galaxy. Going by your words about the Sith, they seem more... Focused on their own gain?

[ Look, he's trying. ]

Perhaps that is a decent way to tell them apart. Many Sith are, in fact, quite evil. They thrive on war and subjugation, and use the Force to help them do so.

But not everyone in the Sith Empire are Sith. And not all Sith are evil, even the ones who tap into the dark side, using their own fear and anger and that of others to fuel their own power. Many Sith are quite sane and rational, but are drowned out by those who let entitlement get to their heads.

[He sighs deeply. Obviously it's something he's thought about a lot, and tried to change.] I'm proud to be Sith- but I do see that the Sith need to change if they are to survive. Advancing yourself as a person means very little if the world that gave you the chance to do so is crumbling around you.

So one is a selfish approach, the other a selfless one... I see.

[ He considers this a moment, then frowns. ]

You could very well be a Jedi, couldn't you?

What.

[Sorry Jon, you may need to give him a moment to process that.]

I'm not-

[It's obvious he's working hard to try and figure out what to say.

Deep breaths.] No, I'm-

[...] I'm definitely not Jedi material. I couldn't be a Jedi at all. Jedi are... Different. I don't have it in me to be like them.

You mean you can't prioritize the well being of others over your own? Or aim to use your powers to achieve and maintain peace, freedom and stability?

[ Look he's not trying to compel him. It's purely rhetorical! ]

When was the last time you have acted purely in your own interest?

All I wish is to give everyone the chance to live in a time of peace, freedom, stability, and prosperity. To give them a chance to live out their dreams rather than worry about whether or not they have a roof over their heads or if they'll have food on their table...

[...] But I know I'm not Jedi material. I struggle with anger, for one.

Attachment, too. I might be a bit too into the idea of romantic love to be a good candidate for being a Jedi.

[Is he conveniently avoiding that question about the last time he acted purely in his own interest? Yes, yes he is.]

You didn't answer my question. Instead you are nitpicking for excuses, listing common emotions that set us apart from soulless beings.

[ No, he doesn't see how anger or attachments are that bad, really. ]

I am aware that in the end it is your decision and it may not be my place to judge. But I can't shake the feeling that I am looking at a mislabeled and misfiled case file.

Maybe I'm just opposed to giving my ancestor a reason to die a second time. He's already a ghost, probably best that he isn't double-dead.

[Deflection with humor it is.]

That's an even worse reason. Stick to the ones that reflect your own decisions.

[ Jon isn't really one for humor, sorry. ]

Perhaps.

[He gets that he shouldn't be living his life according to the wishes of a man who's been dead for two-thousand years.

Still.] I may be a mislabeled and misfiled case file... But the Sith gave me my freedom. I might have had to fight for my right to live, but... I met many people in the Empire that I still wish to protect.

Even as the Emperor of another place. Even as merely an ally of the Sith Empire now.

I do wish for lasting peace, but... I love the people of the Empire, as any leader should feel about the ones they are sworn to protect and defend.

I could not betray them by siding with their enemy.

It may not be rational or logical. I may be just a touch insane. But to turn my back on the people who believe in me, that would be something I could not forgive myself for.

[ A part of Jon wants to settle with a resigned sigh, but he silences that part and instead listens. There are... Stories buried here. Vaguely hinted at at best, but he can see them, clear as day. A predator spotting potential prey...

Not today, though. He sets that notion aside as well and in the end, he simply nods. ]

I already said, it's not my place to judge. Neither your decision not whether or not you fit in or if your loyalty to the Sith proves my assumption right and actually leaving them would be the one selfish act to prove you do belong where you are.

[ Here, he sighs. Yes, it's complicated, isn't it? ]

I should have taken notes. But even if I had... I am not certain I could truly make sense of all of this anytime soon.

Perhaps not. Still, I imagine we have more than enough time for you to understand, should there be stories you wish to hear.

[He offers a slight smile.] We won't make it through whatever is thrown our way without making friends, after all.

[They're all stronger, better off, together.]

Next time though, perhaps it's a conversation best had over a cup of tea. [Just a little bit more of that humor.]

[ Stories, yes. He might well be interested in those. At the mention of friends, however, the Archivist tenses up. He's never been one prone to making friends. And the people closest to him currently... They are all his coworkers. His assistants. He's technically their boss. And even those have begun to distance themselves. The rest of the Institute, everyone not involved with the Archives, has avoided him ever since he returned from his coma.

Which leaves him with three people. One doesn't trust him not to do something stupid. The next dragged him into the woods to execute him. But these days they can talk? And then there is Martin, tied up with the Lonely for whatever reasons. He still misses Martin and hopes he will be okay until Jon manages to get back.

But dwelling on all that now might only turn him even more grey than he already is. So he just sighs, sounding a little defeated. ]

Yes... Tea would be nice. I...

[ He will go and hunt some down later this day - And hopefully clear his head from the idea of actually going hunting. ]

Enjoy your time here, I guess? While it lasts...?

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