Ask Thyferra Hard Truths

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc knew exactly why a Jedi wanted to meet with them. Jaikus did too. But that didn’t make it any less unpleasant or shocking. He was struggling with this far more than he expected, and he spent several days going harder than ever at the gym or meditating. He had a war to fight, and this bothered him more than any of that. Emryc had long since suspected his son of being Force sensitive. He had hoped he would be like Jayna, who didn’t inherit an affinity for the Force. It was something he hoped to brush under the rug even though he knew full well how near impossible that was.

The half Sephi would have to feign surprise. The Jedi didn’t know Emryc was one of the, if not the most, powerful Force users in the galaxy. He had to sit there and pretend to be absolutely floored that his son could have those abilities as well.

Zathria At’arel was invited into the Thorne mansion on Thyferra. It was one of several locations the family resided in. Upon arrival, she would be led through a massive set of double doors and towards an elegant dining hall. Jaikus, of course, insisted on being gracious hosts despite Emryc reminding him that Jedi were poor and would be thrilled just to have a roof over their head for a meeting.

The hall was ornate and decorated with paintings from some of the finest artists in the galaxy, along with furniture and decor from far away sectors. Upon arrival, Zathria would be led to her seat at the dining table meant to host many. She would be greeted by the sight of the ISC President sitting directly across from her. He was a massive figure, his shoulders broad and his muscles visible even through his modest attire. His piercing gaze fell on her, studying her like a hawk and giving her the sudden feeling of being stabbed by a laser.

It wasn’t till Jaikus subtly nudged him that Emryc finally moved, getting up from his seat to walk over to shake her hand, “Master At’arel,” He said as he towered over her, “I hope you had a comfortable journey. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Emryc said before he gestured to Jaikus, “My husband and First Gentleman Jaikus Thorne,” He said before he stepped back to take a seat.

Zathria would notice right away that despite all her training in being a Justicar, Emryc was virtually impossible to read. Unnaturally so.

@Phoenix @Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

There was a part of Jaikus that had always known this day would come. While his husband could often be distant, the Axxilan was exceptionally close with his children, and could easily pick up whenever something was off. For years, he had suspected that Ezra was Force Sensitive - recalling all the little incidents that caught his attention, combined with the simple likelihood of it, given their parentage. He brushed it away and dismissed it every time - largely for his own peace of mind - and hoped that it wouldn't manifest into reality.

Until that reality came to slap him right in the face.

For days, Jaikus had struggled to digest the news - and it manifested in his behavior during that time. He spent more time than ever delving into his archeological collection and research, hysterical ranting to his husband or playing his violin for long stretches of time - something he often did only when happy or under stress. In this case, it wasn’t difficult to determine which. It was all too easy to see how the situation tore Jaikus apart.

All the ways they should’ve better prepared or predicted this moment.

He knew why the Jedi was coming, and the request that would be made. He knew the implications and risks - and didn’t like any of it whatsoever. It was tantamount to throwing his baby boy into war as just another soldier. His previous life meant that Jaikus knew perfectly well the realities of being Sith or Jedi, and he already feared for his children with the war in its current stage. Without them being active participants in it.

Gracious hosts or not, absolutely none of it sat well with him.

Whatever his internal struggles, Jaikus didn’t allow any of it to bubble to the surface when their guest arrived. The Axxilan was seated just beside his husband at the grand table - adorned in a pair of dress pants and a tailored button-down. A golden chain bracelet and custom chrono glinted at his wrist, alongside the two rings on his fingers.

Though he said nothing initially, Jaikus’ emerald gaze flicked towards the new arrival - landing upon Zathria to study the Jedi. Whether during his time as an ISB agent or since beginning a more public life, he’d entertained little interaction with the Order. His fingers reached below the table to brush against Emryc’s hand, giving the digits a comforting squeeze before reminding his husband to greet the woman.

As introductions turned to himself, Jaikus rose from his seat - walking over to extend a hand to Zathria, “Master At’arel, what a distinct pleasure,” He began smoothly and with a smile, his voice ever-so-slightly twinged by the accent he’d never lost. “Welcome to Thyferra and our home.” He gestured a hand back to the table, “Please, have a seat,” Jaikus glanced towards one of the multitudes of protocol droids, which quickly moved to bring refreshments for the trio.

“I understand this matter is rather important,” He added after a moment, a hint of curiosity shining through his polite smile. His tone was nothing but diplomatic - though Emryc alone would likely be able to tell that was only surface level.

@Phoenix @Sreeya

 

[Zathria]

Zathria was nervous. Nervous in the same way as when she'd made her address to the donors that funded the Mercy Ships. Maybe it was just that rich people scared her. That didn't really make sense, but it seemed to be a theme or maybe it was more just the judgment that may be dropped on her head. Well, she'd learned to deal with judgmental people a long time ago, so she tried to put it all out of her head, and just... do what needed doing one minute at a time.

She'd arrived at the mansion in her go-to fancy outfit that she wore to pretty much every formal event, and her hair was done up in a series of ornate braids that had taken an excessively long amount of time that she was not going to admit to. She was led into an ornate dining room, and she was sure that her eyes were wider than normal as she took it in with a hint of suppressed awe.

That only lasted for so long, however, as she pulled herself together and focused her attention on the two men she'd come here to meet. Her eyes settled, of course first, onto Emryc. She had nearly met him once before and had had a girlish crush on him for many years at this point, though this was not at all the way that she'd imagined meeting him. His gaze was intense and almost cutting, and she couldn't decide if it was disdain or just intensity. It occurred to her that she couldn't tell if it was disdain or intensity. Her Justicar training had taught her to discern the emotions of others just based on their passive impressions in the Force, without actively delving into their minds, but from him she sensed nothing. Maybe it was just years of being a successful politician or maybe he was a successful politician because of it.

Her eyes swept over to Jaikus a moment later. Yes, half the galaxy definitely wasn't jealous of him. She knew less about him, but by all accounts he was still his own highly successful professional and historical expert. An impressive man in his own right, she could sense a bit more from him. Although she would hardly say he was one to broadcast his emotions, she sensed a vague emotion of unease or displeasure. Perhaps he simply didn't like Jedi - a common enough sentiment in the ISC - and if that was the case, she'd have her work cut out for her.

Still, they were both polite, at least after the moment's staring she received.

It's an absolute pleasure to meet you both, she said, taking the offered hands with a warm and genuine smile.

I appreciate you having me in your home. My journey was smooth all the way, she said, taking the seat that was offered to her.

Yes, the matter is important. I know that both of your are probably very busy, and so I won't waste your time, she said, jumping right to being direct because it was pretty much the only way she knew to handle these things.

I wanted to talk to you about Ezra. I recently met him on Kashyyyk while he was... on an expedition... she began, not really sure what else to call it ...and he displayed certain skills there that are... she paused, trying to find the words. Oh, she was hopeless at this.

To put it directly, I believe Ezra is Force-sensitive, and I would like to train him as a Jedi, she finally said, deciding to dispense with any of the fancy words that weren't working for her.

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

After that moment of pleasantries, Jaikus settled back into the seat to Emryc’s right. His hands knitted together neatly on the table between them, while his posture straightened and became rigid at once. A lifetime of diplomatic etiquette and training had clearly left its mark on the Axxilan, reflected in the unflinching smile that he wore, all in spite of his personal feelings towards the Jedi. Even as Zathria attempted to find the words to explain the situation. A situation that Emryc and he, regardless of whatever reaction they needed to project, were perfectly aware of by now. There was a sharp intake of air when Zathria muttered the words ‘Force Sensitive’, and Jaikus’ emerald eyes immediately widened at the ‘revelation’. He glanced between Zathria and Emryc, muttering a quiet “Force Sensitive..?” Under his breath to the half-Sephi.

There was no hysterical reaction or outburst, but it was difficult to discredit the look of shock that was plastered on the Axxilan’s face. Through the Force, Zathria would be able to feel the faint emotions that radiated off of Jaikus - stress and clear discomfort with the situation - but otherwise would decipher little.

There was a long moment of pause as Jaikus processed the information, his fingers squeezing together until his knuckles shifted towards white. He knew long before Zathria uttered the words, but it was a slap of reality - a confirmation - that he didn’t particularly want to hear. He drummed them along the table, staring off into space for a moment before fixing his gaze back onto Zathria. The smile had since faded from his expression, replaced by an entirely serious - and not entirety pleased - countenance. “I am going to be direct, Master At’arel, in my misgivings.” He said after a moment, opting to speak before Emryc on the matter.

“You say that you wish to train my son as a Jedi - but I can’t help but wonder to what end? What exactly is your motivation for wanting to recruit my son into your Order - trained personally by you?” He arched a brow. “Because I cannot fathom how any of this would be in my son’s best interest - rather than serving the Jedi’s own need to recruit another prospect.”

“Ezra is a student of a prestigious academy on Coruscant, with the potential to delve into any career or path he could want. What exactly do the Jedi have to offer him - educationally and through future prospects - that is worth giving up all of that? Or have you simply offered answers to alleviate the fears and anxieties of something he doesn’t understand yet?” The Axxilan didn’t think that Zathria was being malicious, but couldn’t help but wonder how much of his son’s own desire to join the Jedi was motivated out of fear of his abilities.

“Secondly, as I am quite sure you are aware, the Consortium is already fighting with the Sith - in a war that has put my family and my children at risk on a daily basis.” It was no secret that Jaikus took the threat to his family exceptionally seriously. Both of the children were allocated significantly more security than normal, and Jaikus monitored the situation closely - prepared to pull the plug and have them both moved to a safe location at a moments notice.

“And you wish to.. What? Place an even larger target on my son’s back by training him as a Jedi?” He tilted his head ever-so-slightly. “All while increasing the danger he is in, by making him an active combatant stationed somewhere across the Galaxy - removed from every resource and protection that we, as parents, have coordinated for his safety.”

"What kind of father do you suppose I would be, blindly supporting that notion?"

Jaikus exhaled - pausing for a long moment. He didn’t realize when he had reached over to grip Emryc’s wrist, nor how his fingernails dug firmly into the half-Sephi during the course of his harsh words. The Axxilan took a moment or two to collect his thoughts before continuing.

“You will pardon my skepticism, Master Jedi - but I am hardly sold on this idea of my son abandoning everything he currently has, to be turned into another soldier for the Order.” If Zathria wanted Jaikus’ support, she’d have to convince the Axxilan of why any of this was good for Ezra. Good for his son.

@Sreeya @Phoenix

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc knew his husband would react far more than he would. He remained silent when the bomb was dropped, though the flare of his nostrils and the tightening of his jaw was entirely genuine. He had accepted Ezra was a Force user, but to hear the words spoken aloud struck him far worse than he expected. Emryc was not an emotional man and his face remained externally calm, but the icy river of his mind that was normally placid had the faintest ripples. Emryc grasped Jaikus’ hand while the other man grilled the Jedi, asking pointed and valid questions.

“Has Ezra expressed a desire to join the Order?” Emryc asked simply after a moment of silence. He quietly looked at Zathria, his face remaining devoid of emotion.

@Phoenix @Altaris

 

[Zathria]

Zathria couldn't say she was shocked by the somewhat brusque reaction. Not everyone was eager to have their child join the Jedi. The ISC was built on a suspicion of Force-users.

She opted not to take offense at his statements about preying on his fears as if she were some predator stalking him. That was really how he saw her, though, wasn't it? Not that she really had an opportunity to get a word in as he went on to the next point and the next. Finally, he stopped though Zathria was pretty sure it was only to catch his breath.

I'm not going to force him or you to do anything, she stated first and foremost. As to what end, the answer to that is so that he will be trained. The reality is that not understanding how to use the Force can be dangerous. He has a gift even if many people don't see it that way, and I want to teach him to make the most of it, she said. The reality was that no matter how prestigious the university or the career, there was always someone else who could do that. He had an opportunity to walk a path that was outright denied to nearly everyone in the galaxy.

As you've already stated: you are already at war with the Sith. Whatever anyone's view of Force-users, the one thing that no one can deny is that they are far more capable of protecting themselves than anyone else is, she said. The holofootage was out there. A Jedi Master or a Sith Lord were worth an entire division of soldiers.

Emryc's question caught her somewhat more off guard. It was simple and to the point.

He has expressed interest, she confirmed. I also told him what I'll tell you: if he hates it, then he can leave. We're not holding hostages, she said with a shrug. But I'm not going to train him without your agreement. He is still a minor, after all, she said.

She glanced down at the table for a moment in thought before looking back up at them again.

I understand your concerns. I was a couple of years younger than Ezra when I joined the Jedi, but I don't regret it. I still have a good relationship with my family, and... she didn't even know what to say. How could she explain what it was like to touch the Force to someone who had never experienced it?

It did change my life, but it changed it for the better. If he doesn't pursue this and understand it, he will always feel like a piece of himself is missing, she said.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc couldn’t help the look of surprise that registered when Zathria mentioned Ezra could simply leave the Jedi if he didn’t like it. He quickly exchanged glances with Jaikus, knowing this was a surprising concept to both of them. Jaikus and Emryc had both been raised Sith and the prospect of leaving was always near impossible. He had been able to do it possibly only because he could utterly annihilate anyone that would even try to stop him.

He wasn’t surprised Ezra expressed interest, and he wondered if that sudden desire in following his fitness routine had something to do with it. Emryc slowly turned to look at his husband, silently wondering if Jaikus knew more than he let on. This was big enough for Ezra to speak to Jaikus about in advance even if Emryc wasn’t in the loop.

Politically this would hurt Emryc quite a bit. The tabloids would go nuts when it came out that his very own son went Jedi. However, the strides the ISC was making against the Sith would hopefully overshadow it. The half Sephi remained silent for a few seconds as their meals were brought over by service droids.

“You haven’t answered what happens to his education,” Emryc stated curtly, “He is getting some of the best education in the galaxy right now. Am I to understand that he will promptly be leaving his semester incomplete to go learn how to float rocks?” This was where Emryc couldn’t relate. He was trained in the most prestigious officer academy in the galaxy as part of his Imperial training. The Jedi weren’t known to have such services as far as he knew, “There needs to be a compromise as our son’s academics are of paramount importance to us,” Both Emryc and Jaikus were well learned individuals and the thought of his son being a dropout disgusted him. No Thorne would ever be that.

@Altaris @Phoenix

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

There was a faint flaring of Jaikus’ nostrils when Zathria spoke, though he otherwise said nothing - processing the information that she provided. It was abundantly clear that the Axxilan wasn’t happy with the entire notion - and the majority of what the Jedi said did little to appease those fears. Whether his untrained status was dangerous or not, he simply struggled to get behind the idea of his son joining the Jedi and their war effort.

Even if the ISC was at war with the Sith, that was leagues different from his son being actively involved in the fighting. He’d have no ability to protect or safeguard his own flesh and blood as a Jedi, and that filled Jaikus with more worry and anxiety than he let bubble to the surface.

Nevertheless.. Jaikus knew there was some merit to what Zathria was saying about training his gift, especially as Ezra had expressed interest in the Jedi. The Axxilan had been indoctrinated into the Sith as a child, and his Force Sensitivity had been a key part of his life - even if he chose to keep it hidden now. Jaikus knew that ignoring such abilities simply wasn’t an option, and it would ultimately only drive Ezra to alternative teaching. Jaikus knew where that would take him - and the thought of it immediately made his stomach turn.

His eyes visibly widened when Zathria mentioned that Ezra could simply leave if allowed to do so. Jaikus immediately glanced over to Emryc, knowing full-well the same train of thought was going through both of their minds. It was an unfathomable idea for two former Sith - and it was only due to Jaikus’ largely covert work, and friendship with Renfry, that he’d left the Sith unscathed.

“The relationship with my son was never in question,” Jaikus said after a moment, tapping his fingers against the table. Regardless of what decision was made at that table, the Axxilan wouldn’t allow Ezra to be ostracized or isolated from his family. “Only what is in his best interest.”

Jaikus reclined ever-so-slightly in his seat. “Agreed,” He nodded towards Emryc. “If we are to even consider this, Ezra will finish his studies and degree in tandem with Jedi training. Surely the Order has the ability to arrange that,” Even if it meant remotely attending classes or completing credit at an extension of the Coruscant academy. “If he chooses to leave the Jedi, I will not have him set back years academically.”

The Axxilan arched a brow ever-so-slightly. “Secondly, where will Ezra be assigned - and what assurances can you provide us to his safety?” Jaikus eyed the Jedi, “No one can argue that trained Force Sensitives are capable of defending themselves - but Jedi temples have consistently developed into military targets throughout years. With a track-record of defense that leaves something to be desired, I would add.”

@Sreeya @Phoenix

 

[Zathria]

Zathria didn't miss the look of surprise from Emryc as she mentioned leaving the Jedi. People really had no idea what it was like to be a Jedi, did they? Well, considering so many people thought Jedi and Sith were basically the same, it was no surprise.

She listened to them both as they talked about his education, deciding to float a concept, though she doubted either of them would go for it. She was hardly going to press that topic, though.

The Jedi curriculum consists of more than just Jedi activities, she assured. Ezra could receive a full education there. I, myself, have a knowledge base and skills that could rival any doctor and even Secretary Carrick received his education from the Jedi and has done quite well. We value well-roundedness, she said, proceeding onward without missing a beat in order to cut off any objection.

That being said, if you have concerns about him from the perspective of him leaving the Order and being out of an education, I'm sure we can arrange something so that he can remain in his program. His situation is a bit unusual, but I'm sure we can make accommodations, she said. She hadn't actually asked anyone, but Zathria couldn't see a reason it couldn't work.

With regard to his location, I don't imagine he will be at any one specific place all the time. I don't spend much time around the temples as most of my spare time is taken up by the Mercy Ship operations and doing other work in the galaxy, she said. While she visited from time to time, it was hardly where she spent the majority of her time.

If he's remaining at one of the off-world academies, then it doesn't sound like I will have all the say in where he's at, she said. There were details to work out, but ultimately, there was no way she could account for or control where he would be at all times.

As for his safety, I have already watched over him once when we were in the bowels of the Shadowlands on Kashyyyk. I can assure you if he were my student, that certainly would not become any less, she said.