The Talk

[GABA]

He was stripped of all his belongings and left with just his clothing and placed in the coldest cell on Ziost. He would be kept in check by a cell lined with sensors and a holocam to monitor his activity. The door was the only way in and out, reinforced with a ray shield. After the mess Jaleer had caused, the Inquisitor and the Imperials were to make sure he couldn't cause such a mess in another round. The Inquisitor had laid into the Imperial after Velmor, it was an intense meeting, and it was certain some where not returning to the field and were now finding desk jobs within the worst of departments.

With her hair pulled back in a tight bun and her weapons left behind, Ebberla's boots tapped along the steel floor of the detention wing. Her black robes fluttered behind her as she turned corners. She pressed her hand against her chest, feeling the engagement ring from Thaed, nestled safely behind her thick dark robes. Ebberla was feeling good overall, but the idea to confront a Jedi who would probably tell her how much he was disappointed in her was not on the top of list. Though perhaps it would be an easy talk, she did let him just sit for a week.

Two troopers had flanked behind her, standing guard at the Jedi's cell just in case anything would happen. Ebb lifted the lock to allow herself in, but once she entered the cell, it would lock behind her.

"Good evening, Jaleer." Ebb spoke softly.

@Benvenu7

 

[Richie B.]

What does one feel, when he has nothing, how does one react to those that steal and lie and hurt those they ones care about, these questions and much more swirled within his head. The sage had since learning of the truth of Ebberla wondered why was she doing this, it didn't make sense nor was there any real justification for any of her actions, long did he wish to be just disappointed in her like a child forgiving his parent for getting mad, but this has gone to far. Ebberla had lost all chance of being brought back, once she attacked Anara, in Jaleer's mind she needed to be destroyed to learn what it feels like to be at the end of a once comrades blade and than stabbed with it.

Jaleer long wanted to get revenge, at Ebberla but these emotions had calmed down, being a week in a single cell with nothing to do but think allows for one to be calm in a way not possible before, since there was nothing else he could do. Keeping his senses sharp the sage just meditated trying to think of a way to explain Ebberla's actions, yet none ever revealed itself to the young man.

And on a day like any other the feeling of a powerful presence licked at his senses, opening his eyes the sage stood up and extended his senses feeling his master coming, an with it the dark emotions, revenge, hate, anger and more. Yet Jaleer calmed himself to the best of his abilities knowing any attempt at fighting his old master would result in nothing but more hatred. Keeping to his Jedi teachings and his mothers words, the only thing the Imperium didn't take from him, he sat back down and closed his eyes facing away from the door not willing to face the monster that he once looked up to, no matter how much he wanted just to attack her.

When she spoke, Jaleer only responded with a sigh, which would have been him yelling for her corpse, if he didn't have some control of his emotions, unsure what to do, he decided the best course of action was just to ask her.

"Why?" Was all Jaleer said but with that one word question held thousands of questions, which it was up to Ebberla to answer or not.

@GABA

 

[GABA]

Ebberla folded her arms and leaned against the wall, getting comfortable. She could sense his confusion and disgust, she knew he didn't understand, not many did, not many knew. The former Grand Master was certain that the Jedi have labelled her as lost, and most likely a dangerous individual and should be approached with caution. She would hope that Jaleer would know better, she thought in their time together, she had taught him well, as well as for the entire order, but it seems their own fear has blinded them to the truths that were tearing apart the galaxy.

"You fear me." Ebberla replied, "You sit in hate and anger because you fear me and fear for what I have done. Well, Jaleer, I fear you, after what I saw on Velmor, I fear the Order has lead you astray, you distorted the values to fit the needs of the now, and not worry about the consequences that will soon follow." Ebberla replied.

"Why is such a vague question and I know you full of questions, so turn around and ask them."

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer couldn't believe what he was hearing right now, Ebberla the once grandmaster of the Jedi, turned traitor and worked with the Sith to attack her once allies/friends, terrorize innocent people and help continue to work with a Imperium that basically worships a monster with the blood of trillions on her hands and she is calling him out on his anger? Does she not see what she has become, the values she once stood for were now things she is helping to destroy, things like democracy, peace and things the Jedi have been trying to make into reality with this war are things she is now trying to destroy.

"Is it not wise to fear someone who would turn against her allies, her closest friends and try to stab them in the back? Master, do you honestly fear a knight who would fight soldiers, who was simply duty that forced us to attempt to end the others live. Than how can I even stand in a room with you, who would terrorize the weak, punish those that once looked up to you, with betray for no fault of their own, and now works with a group that has the blood of trillions on there hands and that is just in the recent years, whose leader mind you, once tortured you and killed a kiffing planet. Damn it Ebberla, what are you even doing with the Sith, why would you join themw when they go against the very things that you tried to teach me?" Jaleer had gotten up looking Ebberla in the eye, his own full of fear, anger, pain, betrayal, and sadness.

A look she would get from every Jedi that knows her for the rest of her live now.

Now Jaleer waits hoping, dreaming, praying and wishing for a logical explanation for all the monstrous things that Ebberla has caused, and even if Jaleer knew already there was no justification. It ate at him, pushing him, demanding him, to find a reason, and answer to everything he has seen his late master did. He will ask his questions a few at a time hoping to get as many full answers as possible from his old master.

@GABA

 

[GABA]

"I fear the path you have chosen. You look at me as though there lies no hope for myself, that I cannot make my own choices, what happened to the love and compassion the Jedi once stood for? I no longer see it, all I see is fear, all I see is the victory of the dark side already in your ranks, Jaleer." Ebberla shook her head slowly and sighed.

"Do you know who is responsible for this war, Jaleer? Who is ultimately responsible for the trillion of deaths, the other trillions who no longer have a home? At least the Sith have something correct, the Jedi did start this war you were born into Jaleer. There is no black and white, there is not ultimate good and evil. I tried to explain that to the Order, I tried to lead them down a different path and what happened? It didn't go over so well, now did it." Ebb spoke, she rubbed her palm against her chest, feeling her ring rub against her skin. Her tone was unusually calm and Jaleer would not be able to detect any hate or anger from the woman.

"So Jaleer, in short, the Jedi went against everything I tried to teach, and the Sith, well, they do too, but I am welcomed in their ranks and they seem to know a thing or two about forgiveness. Though," Ebb paused, "though, I do want to hear the stories about me, what monstrous things have I done out there in the galaxy, and I can tell you if its true or not." the Corellian grinned.

 

[Richie B.]

(OOC: Sorry for all the imaginary yelling but I really am curious as for Ebberla's reasoning behind everything.)

Jaleer watch Ebberla, as she tries to deflect the blame off herself, as if she could not be held accountable for the crimes she is now apart of and what herself has done to her old friends and people that once looked to her for comfort, support and protection. The sage wanted to laugh, it was like a bad dream the wisdom and kindness the ex-grandmaster once had disappeared and now the galaxy was forced to have this new and just down right evil Ebberla, who wishes to blame everything on the Jedi, and not on herself or the 'Sith' who were so forgiving in this war.

"So, lets put this into a more simple explanation for this war, the Sith caused a coup in the Galactic Empire killing the Emperor and exiling the Imperial knights, were is where the war starts as our ally was attacked. Than they blow up our flagship, so please oh please explain to me wise one how the Jedi started this war? Than once the Alliance fell what did they do, please tell me they didn't actually watch the Empress kill trillions and even if they did they most have apologize or killed the evil witch for ending the lives of innocents since the Sith is so noble in your opinion yes? Since we Jedi did not force the Siths hands on that did we?" Jaleer said stating the facts on the war and how it was almost impossible to see how the Imperium were the good ones in all of this, it pained the sage to see how twisted his old master has become to the point she doesn't even knew the truth, his voice full of sarcasm and held back rage at what he was hearing from his old master.

"Now we have to deal with the fact that our once grandmaster, a person we trusted and cared for decided to attack A DAMN VILLAGE, you lured us there to try and kill your old friends, tell me how that wasn't completely against what you stood for. ONE OF MY FRIENDS ALMOST DIED BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT THE SITH THERE!" Jaleer said revealing some of his reasons of anger and while also explaining to Ebberla how far she has fallen.

The fact that Ebberla was grinning was making the sage really angry, like the idea that all of this was a joke or a game to Ebberla just wasn't alright to Jaleer not by a long run. The sage just couldn't understand why anyone would just not understand how much pain it causes there friends when a person completely backstabs them.

"PLEASE ACTUALLY TELL ME WHAT WE DID, BECAUSE I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS, HOW DID WE GO AGAINST WHAT YOU WANTED US TO DO, PLEASE ACTUALLY GIVE SOME REASON NOT JUST A VAGUE KIFFING ANSWER." Jaleer was pissed the anger resurfacing as he continued to see how truly lost Ebberla was, since she still wasn't giving him answers that he clearly needed.

@GABA

 

[GABA]

"Calm yourself Jaleer, or else I will find someone to give you a sedative and then you will have no answers." Ebb had waited for the Knight to stop his ranting, "Lets keep this civil, and if you want to understand, then you are going to have widen your perspective. Yes, the Sith have done some terrible things, why are the Jedi feeding into it." Ebb started and raised her finger to keep Jaleer silent so she could explain further.

"We had the choice to chose, none of this was thrust onto the Jedi at the time. There were so many more alternatives than to go to war. The Alliance and the Jedi had not seen war in almost a millennia, we would have no idea on what to do, and sure enough, the incompetence showed. We were not prepared and the Sith knew this and we had fed right into it. As Jedi we were supposed to prevent war, not declare it. We fed into the Sith's game and we lost and if the Jedi continue the war path, they will ultimately destroy themselves." Ebb explained.

"The Jedi are not meant to fight wars, at least not for very long, so I saw an opportunity to lead the Jedi, to show them a path that one would have seemed almost impossible to follow, but I knew we could do it, and I knew if we followed, we could overcome the Sith. We would split up, go from world to world to gain our allies again, teach them fight with us, so we could move on to other worlds to show them how to fight. To spread the flames of hope that this battle against darkness without us leading a war, without falling to the same level of the Sith of killing one another in senseless battles." the former Jedi explained, her voice sharp.

"I went to Lamaredd to test you, and it was as I feared that where ever the Sith went the Jedi would follow. Lamaredd was a failure. But I'm not sure why I should be surprised, Endor proved to me the Jedi were not ready to change, stuck in their narrow-minded ideals." Ebb's gaze fell off of Jaleer, her voice softened, "When we spill blood, we are no different than the Sith," she snapped her eyes back to Jaleer, she furrowed her brow, "Then it doesn't matter what side I am on, its perspective, evil is subjective, if one doesn't believe they are doing anything wrong, why should they change? Why do they need to apologize. The Sith don't see that they're doing anything wrong, and now the Jedi don't see their wrongs...."

Ebb pushed herself off the wall and paced slowly in the cell, catching Jaleer eyes, "But, I fear the path you have taken Jaleer, you do not see as I see."

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer was stuck, unable to fight or reason with Ebberla even if he pleaded with her, there was little he would be able to do, but when she told him about perspective, young Jedi realized he needed to learn more, if he was going to get through his old master. Hanging his head the young sage let out a deep sigh, before steeling his nerves and looking up at Ebberla his emotions in check now.

"Than teach me master, show me what you wish to do, let me learn what it is your looking for. If what you seek is truly good than... Let me help you, I only ever wanted was to help but if you can prove to me that the Sith is the only true way of helping this galaxy... I will be willing to learn from you once more." It hurt him, more so than Ebberla leaving that the sage was actually saying this, though he was willing to throw his pride away, it didn't mean he wanted to cause more pain for the Jedi.

The sage reason that if he could stick with his master long enough, maybe he could either get a higher wisdom that seems to be guiding Ebberla, or learn that she is truly lost, which it would fall onto him to save her. His true motives would be hidden from Ebberla, by his need to learn more, an in the end Jaleer knew that if he did join her than he has a chance of saving the Jedi, if he doesn't find the answer in the Sith.

@GABA

 

[GABA]

Ebb slowly approached him, she cracked a grin and then finally gave a snort and laughed.

"Oh, Jaleer! Didn't you listen to anything I just said?" she laughed, pausing to catch her breath, "Just like everyone else, you hear me speak but you don't listen. See? What's the point anymore? Why would I take you back under my wing if you can't even listen to me now?" she questioned him.

"Besides, what makes you think I'm going to let you out of this cell? How do I trust that this isn't a ploy to free yourself, so you can run back to the Order and tell them all about how evil I have become and how they could be in danger. This isn't my first rodeo." Ebb patted Jaleer's cheek, "I really wish everyone will stop treating me as ignorant as they want me to be."

 

[Richie B.]

(OOC: I am so sorry for taking so long, but I finally posted, hopefully you like it. I worked very hard on this one, and for once took my time, like jeez making me think and stuff, but hopefully we can keep this going I like where this is going.)

Jaleer had a pained look pathetic but the sage couldn't hide his emotions that well, the idea Ebberla had thrown out was something the young man didn't want to hear, in truth was it a good idea, sure. Was it one the sage might have used if he felt the Jedi were truly unable to bring peace, without a doubt, yet the problem arises that, if the Jedi were to raise a army, how where they different than the Sith. By bringing others involved, it bringing the issue so many as expressed to Jaleer over his travels, that the people of this galaxy truly were stuck between the Jedi and Sith's fights, the reason that the sage believed the jedi needed to go to war was because they should be the one just aiming for the sith. Defeating their ancient enemies without bringing the people into the fight, and this evil machine of war would be destroyed from within.

Jaleer tried his best to understand the idea of bringing more into the fight, there was a reason the rebellion were here to help spread the flames of hope from world to world. While the Jedi were the ones to strike at the Sith and destroy the dark side so that once they were gone, the Jedi can help the Rebellion in making a new republic. It became clear the issue was just simple how the Jedi spread the hope, by teaching or fighting, an that was when it hit him, though the sage still believed that the Jedi order should be fighting the Sith, they also needed to be more than just warriors of the light.

Ashamed the sage face only turned to that of embarrassment, for such a thing did Ebberla truly leave the order, to try and test them, even if it meant losing more Jedi lives? Does she not see how far this has gone, to the point of ridiculousness, to risk the lives of innocent and Jedi alike, the sage could no longer look up at his teacher, even if she was correct, what she has done has taken away the righteousness of her path. Ebberla would sense a change in Jaleer's mood from one of pain to embarrassment and shame as he feels the weight has what has transpired.

"M-master I-I apologize, I-- the Jedi have just been lost, with the lost of our temple, the creation of the dark nexus on Coruscant, we Jedi most have lost more than just a home. We have lost friends, family, teachers and most importantly a place for us to remember what we stand for." Jaleer spoke with no joy in his voice, but it was clear he was not finish with his speech.

"The Jedi have lost their way when they decided the first thing we should do is fight instead of teach, in that everything we stand for has been forgotten. Please I hope you know that we Jedi, still have good in us, and I see now that you are not ignorant of your actions, yet I ask why now turn to the sith? Because they wont judge you, because they accepted you when you felt your family has shunned you? Master I know you have no reason to continue this discuss with one that has also been at fault with shunning you from what was once your family, but now I most know why join the Sith, why do you think attacking Lamaredd would have been a good way of teaching the Jedi still, when though we should not fight, we most always defend those who are innocent. I am not saying you would kill the innocent but by bringing the Sith to there, you most understand that the Jedi were not going to fight but defend, something that is very much our duty and responsibilities, for if we don't defend them, how can we truly serve the light." Jaleer said hoping to learn more about Ebberla and her way.

Again Jaleer's head rose slightly this time though pain nor shame, but rather a forced but still a easy going smile that was stranded, though as he spoke his face turned more serious, though the pain had seem to leave him. Leaving him with a new calm, but with the new calm came the need to learn and take responsibility of those that are under his care.

"M-master I am still not your equal, in anyway in terms of strength, the best I could do is annoy you, which I seem to be able to do with ease, which I do apologize for, but even if I did get out, I would not run to the Jedi but rather to the padawan Anara, I-I need to make sure she is safe. Her sister had become my padawan and it is my fault that now she is in this mess, the best I can do for her now would be to ease her no doubt frantic mind." Jaleer spoke not purposefully using the pity method of trying to get out of the cell, but was completely serious in what he said, even if Ebberla read his mind, she would see that his intentions were pure and true in that he didn't wish to leave only help a padawan he is responsible for.

@GABA

 

[GABA]

"The Jedi and the Sith have been fighting the same war for 15,000 years now, why do the Jedi need to keep fighting the same fight the same way? They don't need to become more powerful, they needed to become smarter. They once more trapped themselves in their own suffering, they cannot accept something different, something that could help them. So why am I here?" Ebb sighed and leaned forward, her lips nearly touch his ear.

"Who am I Jaleer? Have you seen the bounty on my head? Do you know how hungry the wolves are when one drifts from the group?" she whispered, "My child will not lose her mother." Ebberla stood up straight regaining her stern and sith-like composure.

"As for your padawan, Anara is safe, she has not been harmed. She does not remember being interrogated. The only thing she will remember is being captured and waking up in a cell." Ebb took a step back from Jaleer, "There are strict orders no one is allowed to speak with her other than me."

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer listened to Ebberla as she described the issues with the Jedi and Sith war, though a bit unfair to say that the fighting was always the same. Yet in the end the result was the same, the Sith never went away and the Jedi was constantly having to fight a war with them. Though Luke skywalker's war with Darth Sidous was different in that it was ended not by force of power but rather by redeeming of a parent. Though that time was different this was not how the war was going, but it became apparent that it might just be if a few things can just go into place.

Yet for now what Ebberla said did have some truth in it, yet something overshadowed all of what she had said, hinted by her description of the Jedi in her mind, and what her fear was when she whispered it. This was the one thing that Jaleer was hoping for the one thing to hold on to and remind Ebberla of her humanity and hopefully with a little thinking he could think of a way to keep mother and daughter save. From both the Jedi yet also the Sith when time past, and they became the backstabbers they always were.

If Jaleer could just get Ebberla on his side than, the two of them can end the war, quickly at least speed it up an than Ebberla would be free from both the powerful Sith, and the desperate Jedi. As they can sometimes be hard to tell apart, as it has become clearer to the sage now, but it just requires Ebberla to just listen to reason and hopefully she sees the bigger picture.

"Master I don't see a potential number of credits, or the evil Sith lord that everyone, even the Sith wishes to see. But rather I see the woman who just wants to be left alone with her child and maybe her lover, not quiet sure how your doing with that man. An I am glad to hear that Anara is safe, you have my thanks for that I will have to do something to repay you." Though the sage said that as a bit of a joking manner, the young man wasn't joking the fact that Ebberla had taken care of Anara was something, the sage only hoped for and was pleased to see the force seemed to be taking care of her.

"But it seems you are only focusing on the evil of the Jedi, if their evil bothers you so much why join the Sith? Does power over people truly make you feel good, or is it simply because you think they can provide more protection to your daughter? Master you do know their history even this incarnation of the Sith is evil, even more so than the Jedi that you seem to hate so much. So why Master what is the point in trust back stabbers and power hungry individuals, heck even the Empress will destroy a world just because, do you truly believe such people are trust worthy?" Jaleer knew this was going away from their original discussion but it was a important one to have either way, finding the reason why Ebberla didn't just leave the Jedi but joined the Sith, because she still hasn't explained that.

Though the power of the dark side was kind of creeping him out but there was nothing he could do about that, and had to focus on the image of what Ebberla once looked and felt like during the time he was with her.

@GABA

(Hopefully this post is also good >.<)

 

[GABA]

"No, Jaleer, you're placing labels, good, evil, its perspective. Ask a Sith if they think they're evil and who they believe are evil, same with the Jedi. And the truth is both sides have their faults. I wanted a different path, one to bring the Order on one that is more justifiable, but as I learned the hard way," Ebb paused, her voice lined with defeat from her own ideals, "...as I learned, it is a very lonely path, and the darkness quickly consumes those in isolation."

"The Sith, perhaps we're just an order of pain and hurt; consumed by our own darknesses, sometimes it just helps to look at the reality of individual decisions..." Ebb had found her gaze drift away from Jaleer, but quickly she snapped to focus. Her walls came down as she suddenly felt too exposed in front of the young Jedi. "But, really no point in drifting into ideals...I'm sure the Jedi Council had made up their mind ever since Lamaredd and if they wish to make me their enemy, then let them." she gave a shrug, her eyes lost their brightness and turned dull.

"I will see about a release, I really don't have any use for you...many of the other Lords are out on the front lines, so you may be spared in that front."

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer listened to his master as she again tried to say that the Sith wasn't inherently evil though for a moment it seems the once master of the Jedi order had a moment of weakness something the sage would have pressed on. If it wasn't done right the sage could end up dead. But when she said that he might be released the sage didn't know what to think but it seems a bit to good. Yet a internal debate happened in Jaleer wondering what this meant an how he should act now. If this wasn't a trap than the sage just got the luckiest break ever. So he choice to take a safe route.

"I-I cant thank you enough, I really need to find a way to repay you one day." Jaleer said with a biggest smile he could put on even after everything happened.

"Listen even after Lamaredd I am sure those on the Jedi council will be willing to let you back, but lets not talk about such things, your friends will always be here for you." Jaleer said unsure of what to do next considering he doesn't want to push his luck any more.

"Your not alone and you never will be." Jaleer said with a smile.

 

[GABA]

Ossus

Ebb stood in front of the cell that held Jaleer after landing the shuttle planetside. She lowered the ray shield and Jaleer would feel his cuffs deactivate.

"Go, you're free to leave." Ebb stated holding out her hand, directing him to the open hatch leading to the vast wilderness of Ossus. Jaleer would only have the clothes on his back, no weapons, or his belt. Ebb knew though he was resilient enough to figure out how to get off the planet and back to the Jedi.

"I require nothing else from you, I hoping this would be better than having to make another public appearance." she spoke, feeling her stomach starting to turn.

 

[Richie B.]

Jaleer felt completely vunerable but knew he wasn't completely defenseless, yet what bothered him the most isn't that Ebb had taken from him everything but his cloths or that he was free to go without anything to worry about. What made him sick to his stomach was what he felt and learned about, that Reland was dead and Ebb was the one to kill him. It was just unbelievable, Ebb would sense the growing uncertainty within the sage.

Within the sage he was conflicted he so wanted to give Ebb the benefit of the doubt but here she was killing not only her friend but someone who would have gladly bring her back into the Jedi or at least helped her hide away from this war. But now with his death so to did Ebb's chances of redemption died, now once the sage got off the ship, he ran as soon as possible not even looking back at the one woman he once called master.

Running into the wild, as soon as the ship was far enough away, he turned around and swear to himself that he will end her live no matter the cost, no matter what it takes the sage knew that he needed to end Ebb before she kills another Jedi.