The Taming of the Shrew

[Brandon Rhea]

Profile of Saint Ussej Padric Bac

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*The Onderon breeze was coarse and hot, not to mention that the sand blowing around Iziz was never his favorite part of the day. Ussej Padric Bac sat in a training chamber on Onderon, homeworld of some of the galaxy’s most feared women such as Adena Qel-Droma, Shara Qel-Droma and Kyra Maans.

The sand blew through the window, forcing him to turn his face. He was never fond of sand. It was hot, rough irritating...and it got everywhere. Not like Alderaan, his homeworld. It had been some time since he had last visited the luscious planet. How he missed it’s cool, gentle breeze. There was only one feeling greater...the touch of his new apprentice.

It was then that he remembered why he was even in this room. He awaited the arrival of his new Apprentice, Laili Rendar, who was also the woman he secretly loved. Though, he was becoming increasingly agitated. She was late...he hated it when people were late. It was then that he smelled the scent of alcohol in the hallway. He turned his head to see Laili standing in the doorway.*

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

Profile of Saint Laili Jeyna Rendar

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She entered the room rubbing her temples with her brows furrowed as the bright light of the morning caused her head to pound harder and harder. Ever since facing her brother on Corellia and almost falling into his grip, things weren't the same for her. Not knowing what to expect, she hoped the day wasn't long so she could lie down again.

"Sorry about the delay. I'm here so let's get started."

 

[Brandon Rhea]

*A quizzicle look furrowed his brow as he turned to her, cocking an eyebrow. Her smartass routine would have no place in Jedi Training...not this training at least...not when the teacher is Ussej Padric Bac.*

"You're late, Miss Rendar...."

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

Her blue, bloodshot eyes moved to look at him for a minute giving him a keep your voice down look.

"A little formal today aren't we? The important thing is that I'm here is it not? Asking a smuggler to meet you so early in the morning is never a good idea. My day never starts before 11am."

She rubs her temples again and sits down in the middle of the floor.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

"You're day will begin when I say it begins, Laili. You are no longer a smuggler. You have accepted the path of a Jedi and I swear on my life that you will be a Jedi."

*He turned to face her, sitting in a meditation stance.*

"Close your eyes and picture yourself in a quiet place...a place that makes you feel calm, at peace...passive."

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

"Ussej, I'm not a child. Don't speak to me as one. I'm here because you said you could help me save Kit."

She sits down on the floor and closes her eyes. He wasn't being the same ol' Ussej that she had met back on Coruscant and back on Corellia. Yet, her frustration at him was so that it was hard to concentrate. She wasn't used to just sitting down and being still once awake. As soon as her eyes opened, it was time to check the ship and cargo and then be on her way. Life here with the Jedi was too slow. Only her nights drinking in the cantina brought back any of the old habits.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

"Laili, this is not a time to argue. This is a time to listen. Please, close your eyes and do what I asked of you."

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

"They're closed, Ussej."

She said nothing else as she took a deep breath and tried to picture the dawning of the Corellian morn. She always loved staying up through the night to make sure she could catch it when she was younger. Slightly, smiling, she began to relax as the headache's pounding seemed to lessen.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

"Do you see anything else other than darkness? If not, you will in time. Always remember, the eyes are the tools of deception that conjure the illusion of death. Look! See! There is no death, Laili, except that which exists in the mind shrouded by the Dark Side of the Force.

Remember: death lurks around every corner, and it cannot be bargained with. Knowing this, if you are wise, you will put aside all quarrels.

Life is precious to all beings. All beings fear death. Knowing this, my young apprentice, and caring for others as you care for yourself, do not be eager to deal out death.

You cannot escape death, Laili. Death, not just of the corporeal body, but of all manifestations of the mind, it is inevitable. It is the way of all things...the way of the Force.

When someone is dying of thirst it is too late to dig a well. If you wait until you are upon your deathbed to practice the Way it will be too late. Death will not wait a moment longer than it is ready. Do not be lazy, Laili, be steadfast as a serious, deeply committed Jedi is steadfast.

Life is impermanence. All things are subject to change, and nothing can last forever. Look at your hand, young one, and ask yourself, "Whose hand is this?" Can your hand correctly be called yours? Or is it the hand of your mother...the hand of your father...the hand of your brother. Reflect on the impermanent nature of your, the hand that you once sucked in your mothers womb.

That is the finitude of life, young one. Do not forget it."

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

Her eyes flash open as she turns her head to look at him. Pain was within the depths of her eyes as she glared at him and then looked away. Her jaw clenched and tears threatened to fall down her face.

"As committed as Kit to the Jedi only to turn to the darkside? Is that what you're saying?"

Not only had he gone so low as to bring up her brother's fall into the darkness in this first lesson, but he brought up her mother...the mother she never knew who died in a tragic accident..the day she had lost her family and lost Kit forever. Turning her face from him, she got to her feet and turned around to walk to the end of the room. Her face turned as her voice was pained as it spoke.

"Kit won't face death. I don't believe he's completely evil. There's good in him still..I know it! You yourself once said no one is beyond redemption."

 

[Brandon Rhea]

"I also said redemption was a choice, a choice only he can make. It is up to Kit Rendar to destroy Darth Ravinos, but you have seen first hand that he is thoroughly enjoying himself. Redmption comes from the release of self, not the exaltation of self. It comes through compassion, not greed. One lone candle is enough to fight the darkness. But love...love is more than a candle. Love is the answer to the darkness. Love can ignite the stars."

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

"He has to make that choice! I won't let him continue down this path. He'll see in time. I can make him see in time. Yet, you're so quick to write him off. Why?"

She moved toward him until she stood before him meeting his gaze and searching his eyes. Her anger toward him sending a flush of red to her cheeks. "I'd rather die than see him lost forever. I promised my my parents on their grave I would save him and I will. Now teach me what I need to do to bring him back to us?"

 

[Brandon Rhea]

"I am not here to teach you how to bring him back. I am here to teach you how to survive. Only you can learn the power to bring him back....through compassion. Compassion and selflesses lead to redemption, not cheap cheap parlor tricks. Before he makes a choice, you must make a choice. Are you to sit here and learn what you need to survive, all while teaching yourself compassion? Or, will you choose the quick and easy path, as Ravinos did, and become an agent of evil?"

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

"You promised me when we were last on Coruscant that you would help me bring him back. Were you lying just to get me in your bed or did you mean it? Because the man I see before me now isn't the same man I met that day outside the Temple."

The remark was meant to sting as much as his own words stung her. Part of it was frustration and the lingering hangover as the rest was how he seemed to completely disregard that day back on Coruscant. She had to know the truth.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

*He whirrled around, facing her in almost anger.*

"I grew up, Laili. I saw the truth! My becoming a Jedi Knight as well as seeing Darth Ravinos face-to-face changed my opinion on a few things. Now, you're ignorance is not help the situation. You're being blinded by a promise. You're parents would not want to see you in this situation, Laili. Now that I can promise you!"

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

Tears blinded her vision as she dropped her voice and spoke softly, slowly and vehemously.

"Don't you dare presume to know what my parents want or don't want! You know nothing about my family!"

 

[Brandon Rhea]

"It's amazing, really. I usually have good eyesight. Strange, considering I could not see that the most beautiful woman could be the most stubborn, self-centered, idealistic whore that would sleep with a man simply to get him to rush into some damned fool's idealistic crusade. I was a fool to sleep with you..."

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

She brought her hand up and slapped him as hard as she could for his remark. All of it had been a lie on Coruscant. His seeming to care...the fire between them. She finally saw it and she dispised him for it.

"You bastard!!"

She brought her hand up again to slap him again or pummel his chest for.

"You selfish, inconsiderate bastard!"

Tears of anger and hurt poured from her eyes as she just wailed on him for his comment.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

*He was angry, something unusual for him. It coarsed through his body and, for a moment, he felt empowered. She continued beating him, but he threw her to the ground like a rag doll.*

"Do you see what this is doing to you? This fool's journey will destroy you if you don't follow my lead."

*He smiled, hoping to lighten this tense situation.*

"This concludes today's lesson on anger management. Shall we move on or are you just going to hit the bar again?"

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

Her hands braced herself upright on the floor as she sat there and looked at him with disgust. Her mind was reeling at his turn in moods.

"Maybe I should have gone with Kit back on Corellia. At least he wouldn't humilate me and lie to me as you have done. You know Coruscant meant something! Admit it! There was something there that you can't deny. No matter how hard you try, it's still there."