Long Time, No See

[Teran Atrix]

It had been a long time since Teran had seen Keira, but they had all seen her movements in the United Protectorate and the nominations for the Chancellor position. It had been an exciting time even if fears of war always seemed to lurk on the horizon.

That wasn't entirely what had prompted Teran to reach out to Keira again after all this time, though, it was the attack. Despite their budding friendship, he had always suspected she thought he was a lousy bodyguard, but clearly her security had fallen by the wayside since he'd left. It was concern that prompted him to reach out yet again and hope she hadn't forgotten about him amidst all the other people she'd met over the years.

So, with the thought that she might want a friend to talk to, he'd reached out to the Senator to see about a lunch date. Of course the Senator of Tirahnn didn't slum around in seedy bars, so the two had a reservation at a beautiful restaurant that Teran felt uncomfortable in within 8 seconds of walking in the front door. Although he wasn't dressed poorly, he somehow felt out of place amidst groups of people that he could assume were all much wealthier and more influential than he was.

He ordered himself a drink and awaited her arrival, wondering how this meeting would unfold, and wondering if they would actually be stuck in this restaurant the entire time.

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira was more than surprised to hear from Teran after so long. She hadn’t missed the declaration Leandros made recently, and she knew he and his order were in a terrible situation. It bothered her to see them in such a state, and she hadn’t had a chance to connect with old friends in a very long time. She was ecstatic to see him reach out, and she set out to see him at once.

She was in an elegant blue dress, her hair curled and neatly on one side. Since becoming acting Chancellor, she always had the attention on her. Even now, she caught many people glancing her way. She was a nobody before this, but people were taking note now after seeing her on Holonet.

The waiters and hosts abruptly came out to find her the best seat in the house or comp her meal, and she waved it all off, mentioning that she was meeting someone. Keira peeled herself away from the situation, spotting Teran at a table in the corner.

She walked over to him and offered a warm smile, “Long time no see,” She said, reaching over to give him a half hug before taking a seat across from him, “You look good,” She noted. He was a fresh new Jedi back when they met, but he looked more seasoned now. She ordered herself some drinks before looking back at him, "Have you been caught up in battle? I think I see a few scuff marks on you."

 

[Teran Atrix]

Teran smiled when he saw Keira. Not only was it nice to see an old friend it was also a relief to actually see someone in this restaurant that he was a bit more comfortable around. That he could relax around. Although now that he thought about it, he probably should have been nervous around her too. When they'd last seen one another she had been a junior Senator, now she was the leading contender for the new Chancellor of the Republic. He was proud of her. She deserved it because unlike most politicians, Teran knew she had a good heart and actually meant what she said.

He stood up when she approached with a smile, returning her hug before taking his own seat again.

It's good to see you again. It's been too long, he said as he pulled his chair back in. Thanks, a side effect of training, I guess he said with a smile, glancing down at himself. You look great, too. That dress is beautiful, he said, noting how everyone else in the restaurant was glancing as well. It wasn't just because she was the acting Chancellor.

A few... scuffles, but I'm alive, he said. Not for lack of other people trying, he said. Was it bragging if he said that he beat a Sith Lord in combat? He was pretty proud of it, but Jedi weren't supposed to be proud so he proverbially bit his tongue.

How does it feel to have everyone's eyes on you? he asked. It wasn't just a reference to the dress she wore now, but the fact that she had become one of the most prominent figures in the galaxy almost overnight. I saw you on the holonet... you're doing awesome work, he said, thinking back to the notorious vote that had begun to change the shape of the galaxy.

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira smiled when he complimented her, though she did quirk an eyebrow when he brushed off the scuff remark. If she had to guess, he had gone toe to toe against a Sith, and he was probably one of the very few Jedi to do so. When he asked about eyes on her, she had to groan.

“I don’t like it at all,” She admitted, “I miss doing my own thing in my own space and staying out of anyone’s radar. Now I feel like I have to look over my shoulder,” Keira sighed, “A lot of Mandos or Sith aren’t thrilled about the Republic, so I have to see if they get trigger happy and try to kill me.”

She took a sip from her drink, realizing the line of conversation was rather dark. A few months ago, she never would have talked like this. Nowadays, the war was in full effect, and it was a reality for many that they could face collateral damage or get caught in the middle.

Nonetheless, she smiled when he complimented her again. It felt nice to have some positive feedback. There had been many senators that criticized her methods, and many that questioned her qualifications. Keira paused for a moment as she looked at him before speaking.

“Teran,” She began quietly, guessing at why he wanted to meet, “I saw the war declaration. I’m so sorry to see you all in that position,” Keira sighed, “I know what you must think, but I’ve met the Mand’alor before. He simply wouldn’t make a declaration like that for no reason,” She knew she may have made him angry with her words, “Something happened...something made him snap. I don’t believe he is entirely unreasonable and impossible to talk with.”

 

[Teran Atrix]

Her comment about Sith and Mandalorians coming after her prompted him to think about the attack once again. He was worried for her knowing situations like that could be more than a little traumatic even if she had survived. There was always the risk for another attack or paranoia that could sprout up as a result.

Have you been okay? I heard about the attack. If there's anything I can do... he said as his face grew serious. There was genuine concern written all over it, and he began to wonder if there was something he could do to help. Part of him wanted to go back to being her bodyguard, but as a Jedi he also knew that might paint an even worse target on her back.

Then there was the Jedi. He listened to what Keira said about Leandros, and what she said made sense. Teran still didn't believe that Leandros was corrupted by the Dark Side either. He took a deep breath and nodded as he thought about what she said.

I hope you're right, he said, chewing his lip and looking down at the table cloth. That's why I want to meet with him, he said. It wasn't a direct request that she set up a meeting, but she would be able to read into it. She was used to dealing with politicians, and Teran's implication was exponentially less subtle than most politicians were. But it still gave deniability if she didn't feel comfortable with the idea. Teran wanted to save the Jedi, but he also didn't want to open a war between the Republic and Mandalore. It was a dangerous diplomatic game he was playing, and one he was woefully unprepared for.

All is as the Force wills it, he reminded himself, taking another deep breath and clenching his fist below the table, trying to calm the nerves that were raging through him. Jedi shouldn't have been fearful or anxious, but the reality was that Teran was close to approaching terrified.

If we're wrong then I probably won't be here next year anyway, he said. It was grim truth and completely accurate. Regardless of a meeting with Leandros he likely wouldn't be here next year if the Mandalorians and the Jedi went to war. They'd nearly wiped the Jedi to extinction once before and they would likely do it again.

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira smiled at him as he began to talk about doing something. She cut him off before he could finish, “You have enough on your plate. And no offense, but having a Jedi help me now sounds like more trouble,” She smiled warmly at him to make it clear it was lighthearted in nature. He knew what kind of position the Jedi were in, and he knew the risks of associating with him.

She was in the middle of taking a sip of her drink when he casually mentioned meeting Leandros. Keira unceremoniously spat some of her drink out, eyes wide in embarrassment. She quickly dabbed her face with a napkin, staring at him incredulously, “Meet the Mand’alor? Right after he vowed to kill Jedi?” She looked around before leaning in close, “Are you out of your god damned mind?”

What was he thinking? Worse, she knew he’d go through it with or without her help. Leandros was reasonable when she had met him, but that was also before he lost his home and his wife. Who knew what kind of headspace he was in right now?

Keira drummed her fingers for a while, thinking over it, “I don’t even know what you’d say to him. I don’t know what meeting he had, but he said it ‘didn’t go well’ on the broadcast. Whoever met with him managed to piss him off, so I can’t imagine what you can say to him to make him back off such a big declaration.”

 

[Teran Atrix]

When she mentioned that having a Jedi help her would be more trouble he stopped and nodded. Touché, he said, his mouth twisting up a bit. He wasn't offended by the comment, it was just easy to forget how much of a pariah he had become. At least before now he was only hunted by the Empire while the remainder of Mandalorian space was at least somewhat open to the Jedi. Now there wasn't anywhere for him to go.

What he was even more unprepared for was for her to begin choking on her drink. He almost asked himself if his idea was that bad, but he knew his idea was that bad. He didn't need to ask himself.

I'm glad I have your support, he said after she asked if he was out of his mind, trying to brush his own nerves off with humor: a classic defense mechanism. He tried not to show how terrified he really was.

She sat back and it was clear she began thinking, which he decided was a good thing. She was the politician, and if she had any suggestions he would gladly hear them out.

I don't know that I can say anything to fix this, but maybe I can do something, he said. What were the odds that he just ended up getting himself killed? He really needed to stop thinking that. All is as the Force wills it. How many times a day do I tell myself that? he wondered.

I have to do whatever I can to stop this war, he finally said resignedly. Somehow he had talked an entire Order into relying on his nonexistent negotiation skills. But he couldn't make the situation much worse, he figured.

If he were some... evil, psychotic person like the Sith, he would have just murdered the last Jedi he met with. He didn't. It doesn't fit, he said. It seemed logical to him, but he also knew that he may have been grasping at straws.

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira felt a pang of guilt when he sarcastically commented on her faith. She bit her lip, though she didn’t have anything to offer. The truth was that she did have little faith in this, and she worried for Teran. Keira took another sip from her drink, pondering quietly as she stared off out the window for a long moment. Even despite everything that had happened, could a man truly change that much? Was Leandros truly beyond reason?

“It shouldn’t rest on just your shoulders,” Keira said while still not meeting his gaze, “When I was elected Chancellor, there was a Jedi among your ranks - Alysanne I believe her name was - that rushed in to offer the Jedi’s support. She spoke eagerly as if wanting to get involved in our efforts,” She looked back at him, “And now you are stepping up on behalf of the Jedi Order. I have to ask...where is your leader?” Keira asked quietly, “I don’t mean that to undermine you or your efforts, but there is an absence of presence there that is driving a lot of the lack of faith and confidence others have in the Jedi.”

Keira sighed and shook her head, “Whatever this leader said to Leandros is what sparked the flames. I don’t think an entirely different Jedi coming to clean up that mess is going to resolve things. What can you do to prove that you speak for the Jedi? What can you tell him to ensure that things will change? Do you speak for your leader? Then why isn’t the leader fixing this?”

There were a lot of questions, and there was a reason she was the politician. She knew what required a delicate touch and what required more firmness, “If I were him, my first question to you would be who the hell are you and why should I listen,” Keira gave him a sad smile.

 

[Teran Atrix]

Teran knew Keira well enough to know that she didn't say all of this because she was malicious or looking to tear him down. She was asking the hard questions because she cared, but that only made it minutely easier on the young Jedi Knight who felt unbelievably out of his depth as it was.

He didn't say anything at first, and he knew that much of what she said was right. He shouldn't have been the one here, but the rest of the Jedi Order had strayed. They were far too ready to charge into war, and a war that they couldn't win. It was suicide, and somehow he was one of only a few people who could see that. Arda had become consumed by a fear of what might be, and that was a dangerous path. He didn't want to speak out against his former master, but he couldn't sit by and let the entirety of the Order be destroyed.

No, it shouldn't fall on me, but it does, he said. I can't just sit back while my people are butchered and innocents are caught in the crossfire, he said frustration clear in his voice. It wasn't directed at Keira, not really, and he knew it wasn't fair to take it out on her. He knew she would have done the same in his shoes because in a way she had done just that. Calling together the Republic despite the danger it put her in. The two of them weren't so different, and that was part of why they had gotten along.

He sighed and shook his head, sitting back in the chair. I'm sorry, he said. It wasn't her fault, and the tension was getting to him. He knew he needed to relax. He needed to focus and center himself, pushing back the crushing, nagging feeling at the back of his mind that told him that millions were going to die and it was going to be his fault.

You're probably right. It's a long shot that he'll listen to me at all, he finally admitted. It was the hard reality that he already knew, but he couldn't turn back now.

I can only hope that if one meeting can shatter a near-alliance, then maybe it's not beyond saving. Maybe he won't listen to another Jedi at all, but if I can get enough Jedi to actually act and back me up, then we have a fighting chance to avoid extinction. I like to think there are others that would act with me. Actions are louder than words, right? he said. It was all a long shot, every part of it. There were those in the Jedi who were willing to act. He may not have been a leader of the Jedi, but that didn't mean he couldn't start a movement. A movement? Was he going to cause some sort of schism in the Jedi? Kriff, he hoped not. That wasn't what he wanted. He hadn't wanted any of this.

You don't think I'm going to survive this meeting, do you? he asked after a moment. Saying it aloud sent shivers down his spine, and for the first time it became real to him. He was walking into a meeting that may evolve into a fight, and a fight he wasn't sure he could win.

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira didn’t react as he snapped lightly at her, knowing exactly where he was coming from. She remained calm and let him speak his peace. She had interacted with him often enough to know that he wasn’t frustrated at her, but more at the situation. In the end, he calmed down and she could tell he was more defeated than anything.

“You’ll survive the meeting,” Keira smiled at him, “Remember, your grand master pissed him off enough to declare war and she’s still around,” She hated to think what would have happened if there were a scuffle right there in the meeting chambers. Keira pondered for a long moment, thinking on how this could be arranged.

“I can probably request something to where you have an audience, but please don’t ask me to take any sides,” Keira despised how difficult of a situation this was. She wanted to be there for Teran, but she also knew it was very risky to get on the Mando’s bad side now, “The rest you will have to do on your own.”

Keira knew Leandros would at least entertain the request if for nothing than for pure entertainment. He didn’t take Jedi too seriously, but if one were to meet him on his terms, perhaps he would change his mind, “You will likely have to go to one of their planets,” Keira explained, though Teran probably already knew that.

“Teran,” She said quietly, after a long time, “Is...is Jedi the right way? Is what they’re doing and what they’ve done right? I hate saying this but...other than you and a few others….they have been so absent from the galaxy and the wars. Are the Mandalorians truly crazy for being suspicious?” Keira bit her lip, wondering if Teran would snap again or misread what she intended with her questions.

 

[Teran Atrix]

He nodded as she talked about where the meeting would take place and what had happened with the prior meeting with the Grandmaster. She was still around, and he had already considered the possibility of Leandros demanding that she step aside. If that happened, he would cross that bridge when they came to it. Sometimes he wondered what the Alliance was doing....

I understand, he nodded as she said that she couldn't take sides. He wanted her to - desperately so - but he also knew that he couldn't ask that. It was unreasonable and put the Republic in incredible danger, and its survival was more important than his own.

And I know what kind of a position this could put you in. I appreciate it, he said sincerely. He probably didn't fully understand the risks she was taking, but he knew they were there.

Then she asked if the Jedi was the right way. It was the deep question nagging at his mind for the last several weeks. The Jedi and the Alliance seemed like they were trying to sabotage themselves, and he was trying to dig them out of the holes they were making. He couldn't manage that by himself forever.

I... he started speaking before pausing and trying to pick the right words. He shouldn't express doubts about the Jedi, but he also knew there were so many problems. The Jedi... the principles of Jedi... I would die for, he said, but he wondered if those who made up the Order today were even staying to those principles. Maybe he could be a defender of the innocent separated from the rest of the Order or in the Republic.

Sometimes I wonder about other members of the Order, he said honestly before seeming to catch himself. He couldn't entertain this idea, could he? He couldn't say it.

Maybe if the Order gets ripped apart it's time to... disappear into law enforcement or the military, he said with a shake of his head. Is that a quitter's attitude? he asked. He wasn't asking the Chancellor or a member of the Republic. It was just his friend: someone who might offer him advice.

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira could see he was crestfallen from the turn of events. Being a Jedi was dangerous in this galaxy, and the Mandalorians made it difficult to step out of the crosshairs. She had to smile sadly as he pondered his options, shaking her head.

“Whatever happens, I know you’ll find a way,” Keira said at last, “You’ve always been resourceful and you’ve always stuck to your guns. I’ll help you wherever I can,” He was one of her oldest friends at this point, and she would go to great lengths for him.

“You were there for me when no one else was, so let me at least contact Leandros and help you get in front of him,” Keira said, “Just...don’t make excuses for the Grandmaster. I think if you admit where there was fault, it’ll get him to listen.”

"And um..." She paused, smiling sheepishly, "May the Force be with you."

/EndThread