Private An Honest Discussion [Ala Quin]

[Balun Dashiell]

AN HONEST DISCUSSION
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary
WEARING: Ornate Jedi Robes
TAGS: Ala Quin

​

The recent battle over Thyferra and the loss of the Bacta manufacturing facility there had been bothering Jedi Knight Balun Dashiell in his off-duty hours, particularly the Artifact he hadn't had clearance to know about before it activated aboard the High Republic Capital Ship. Given the sudden and invasive nature of his connection to the Force being ripped out from underneath him, leaving him desperately falling into a retreat mid-fight with the advanced and sophisticated battle-droid Helix, he had spent more than a few sleepless nights wondering how the Jedi Council had responded with the knowledge of such a crippling weapon at the disposal of the Senate.

What did that mean for Jedi-Senate relations, and would this technology be deployed again when so many of the Order's upper echelon were active on the warfront?

There was only one person that Balun imagined he had the best chance of learning more about the subject, not because of her status as Grandmaster of the Jedi Order but, more importantly, her role as his late mentor, a position of which he would always perceive Ala Quin to hold, regardless of his rank and stature in the Order today.

Balun stood in the corridor outside of the Council Chambers of Shiraya's Sanctuary, surrounded by the splendid views of Naboo's vibrant paradise, the hallway lined with vast, thick windows made of transparisteel, high-density yet crystal clear, for all to be reminded of the beautiful world the Order called home.

The young Jedi Knight hadn't requested or taken part in an audience via the Council Chambers since his Knighting and pairing with his Apprentice, Cerys Dyn -- yet he wished for a place of quiet and privacy for the duration of this one-on-one with his Master, allowing them both to speak freely without concern of those who would strictly adhere to rank and form. Ala Quin knew Balun better than any Jedi, and she would no doubt understand his concerns about the artifacts disturbing potential.

Moving toward the window directly opposite the entrance to the formal chambers, he crossed his arms and looked out, his mind questioning how best to proceed. Balun knew what he wanted out of the meeting, but he wasn't one to plan ahead when it came to discourse with his Master. It had always been his nature to speak his mind in the moment, possibly regret it later, but nonetheless give those in his company his most authentic self. Ala above all others deserved that from him.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Ala Quin]

Apparently it was casual day in the Jedi temple, for the Grandmaster had decided not to wear shoes. Loose flowing dark sea-foam green pants cinched at her ankles, long sleeve loose fitting cream blouse hung precariously on to her left shoulder, the whole casual outfit was tied together by a faded burnt orange sash around her waist.

And for some reason, entirely Ala, she did not walk without a little happy skip every few steps. She liked Balun. Probably loved him, in a certain way, and any time she got to see him, no matter how dire the circumstances...it was a good day.

The door slid open automatically, but Ala seemed to have brushed it a side with an elaborate swish of her hands. Like a diva arriving on stage, the Grandmaster had arrived.

"Balun! Dahling," she said in a fake voice that was low and huskey. Entirely unseemly for such a serious conversation that was about to happen.

The sound of bare feet slapping against the cold floor filled the chamber as she scampered across the room, and came to a screaching halt just before plunging head long into an unasked for hug.

Be. HAVE. Ala.

Instead, she punched his arm.

"Hey there, soldier."

| Balun Dashiell |​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

AN HONEST DISCUSSION
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary
WEARING: Ornate Jedi Robes
TAGS: Ala Quin

​

As the entrance to the Council Chambers swept open, Balun turned to greet his Master, who stepped in with light, gentle steps and a carefree air. He smiled fondly at her greeting, knowing her position in the Order was anything but carefree, yet seeing her in good spirits was always a welcome sight.

"Master", he replied with a grin, knowing well she had encouraged him to call her by name in private and when the situation called for it, "It's always good to see you so light on your feet", he added, referring to her outwardly positive demeanour.

The extra slug to his arm made him chuckle softly, as though Ala Quin had tried to compensate with a boisterous greeting better suited to her former Padawan's nature. Perhaps once he would have resisted her embrace, but she was as much family to him now as his own flesh and blood. Calling him a soldier, though he knew she didn't mean it literally, made him tilt his head slightly to the right and eye her with momentary curiosity. "Perhaps in the past, but hopefully that's no longer how others perceive me", he added, a touch of wariness in his words.

In his youth, the battlefield had forged him, a place he now felt was unsuited to a Jedi's typical upbringing, no matter how much they fancied themselves defenders of the peace. "Though perhaps the old skills came in plus on Thyferra after the effects of the artifact were released", he added, bringing himself back to the purpose of this visit.

"On that note, I fear this isn't a social call for old times' sake. As you might imagine, I have plenty of questions on that very subject," he explained while gesturing with a hand towards the Council entrance suggestively.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Ala Quin]

"Light on my feet?" Ala repeated, looking down at her bare toes before performing a little pirouette, one arm extended for balance. "Well, I should hope so. I've been practising."

His mention of Thyferra brought her spinning to a halt, although the smile remained firmly in place. She gave a small, understanding nod before sweeping an arm towards the Council seating.

"Of course, of course. Come along, then. I did put out a rather lengthy statement about that wretched Artifact, but I rather suspect you have questions that weren't answered there."

She guide him towards the middle of the room, her feet padding across the polished floor, before abruptly stopping beside an enormous chair.

"Oh! You should sit here!" She gestured enthusiastically towards Master Vodet's seat, which had been constructed to accommodate the considerable proportions of its enormous, turtle-like occupant. "It's very comfortable, apparently."

The prospect of Balun looking positively miniature in the monstrous furniture was already threatening to delightful. She pressed her lips together, cheeks puffing slightly as she suppressed a laugh.

"Sorry, sorry," she managed, waving a hand apologetically before hopping into her own chair and folding her legs beneath her.

Her expression softened as she regarded him.

"I meant what I wrote, Balun. Every word. But you know me well enough to know that writing something down doesn't mean I stop thinking about it." She tilted her head affectionately. "So, tell me what's troubling you."

| Balun Dashiell |​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

AN HONEST DISCUSSION
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary
WEARING: Ornate Jedi Robes
TAGS: Ala Quin

​

"A public statement of the Council's disposition to the Republic's possession of the Artifact, yes, I saw it", Balun replied as he followed his Master forward into the Council Chambers. "Welcome to hear, but offering little in the way of details. Not unexpected, of course, but between the two of us I figured you might be willing to divulge specifics," he added as Ala Quin sought the comfort of her seat, leaving Balun to turn at the motion of her hand and look to the rather large chair of another Council member.

At this point, what had been an all-business attitude quickly shifted to surprise and uncertainty. Disregarding the fact that Balun would look incredibly silly sitting in a chair far too large for his weight and height, taking a Council Member's seat, even in the privacy of their one-on-one meeting, felt inappropriate.

Unable to keep a quiet chuckle from escaping, he turned to glance back at his Master, his look a blend of scepticism and amusement. "No offence, but I think I'll stand if it's all the same to you, Master". The former boy who clung to the notion of being a Rogue Force-User outside the Jedi Order's jurisdiction had become a stickler for hierarchy.

Instead, Balun moved to the centre of the room to face both Ala Quin and the far window behind her, so he could watch Naboo while they talked, his hands falling behind his back as he stood at ease and thought back on the official statement she had released. "Were it not for our presence in the Republic, the artifact would be an incredible asset on the battlefield", Balun suggested, taking a moment to consider the matter from the perspective of those not sensitive to the Force. Unfortunately, it stood to rival any relationship the Order and the Senate had fostered in his mind, with the potential to undo any confidence they might have had in the Republic's leadership. "How exactly they acquired it, the nature and origin of the artifact, would be my first questions. Not to mention the implications for our future assistance in the war against the Sith".

"Plainly speaking, we cannot confidently fight alongside them knowing there is a weapon capable of crippling our ability in the field like that", he added, turning back to gauge his Mentor's response, knowing that she agreed. "Has there been any response from the Senate to the statement you put out?"

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Ala Quin]

Ala's lower lip protruded into an exaggerated pout as Balun declined the chair, and she regarded him with the sort of disappointment usually reserved for someone who had refused a perfectly good dessert. "Oh, you've become terribly respectable," she complained, shaking her head. "Whatever happened to that rebellious boy who thought the Jedi Order had no business telling him what to do? I rather liked him."

Her eyes darted towards Master Vodet's enormous chair again, and she pressed her lips together to suppress another giggle. The image of Balun sitting in it was simply too delightful to abandon entirely.

Nevertheless, she listened attentively as he explained his concerns, her expression growing more thoughtful while she tucked one foot beneath herself and left the other dangling over the edge of her seat.

"Well, first of all, there has been no response from the Senate. Not a peep," she admitted, spreading her hands in a helpless little gesture. "Which is rather disappointing, because I thought I was quite clear."

She wrinkled her nose.

"And you're quite right about its usefulness. I don't particularly object to ordinary people having ways to defend themselves against Sith. They ought to! But I do object to the manner in which it was employed, and the fact that those fighting alongside the Republic were not afforded the consideration of knowing what they might face."

Her fingers toyed absently with the hem of her robes.

"As for its origins, who authorised its deployment, and what safeguards might exist, those are precisely the questions that need answering. I haven't the answers to give you yet, Balun, and I won't pretend otherwise."

She offered him a reassuring smile.

"But I don't intend to let the matter disappear simply because the Senate has decided to be quiet about it."

Her gaze softened as she studied her former Padawan.

"The Chancellor and I are on good terms. Perhaps you would visit her with me?"

| Balun Dashiell |​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

AN HONEST DISCUSSION
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary
WEARING: Ornate Jedi Robes
TAGS: Ala Quin

​

"Looking back, it does seem strange, doesn't it?" Balun nodded in agreement with his Master's remark, referring to the first year or two of his apprenticeship under her. She had come into his life as his Master when he was nearing twenty years of age, and having spent the previous five years in the Tingel Arm Coalition, specifically the Aquilian Rangers Division, he had learned to live as an independent Force User influenced by his disgruntlement with the actions of the Order from his past. They were not the same Order he served today, yet it still took his Master time to wear him down and eventually admit the truth: he remained a Jedi in all but name. "But worry not, Master. I'm still prone to cutting corners and doing things my own way when it benefits the greater picture. If you care for it, I'm sure I could arrange a one-on-one with my Padawan, and she could inform you of all the areas I'm falling short of expectations" he shook his head with a quiet chuckle. Yes, Cerys could certainly fill Ala in on a lot of gossip regarding her former student; a remark made in humour, though ultimately laced with truth.

Hearing that the Jedi Council still hadn't learned the artifact's origins or exactly what the weapon was didn't surprise him. Republic Intelligence would naturally keep such a vital tool close to their chest, though Balun would have thought the Council would be in on such intel. "It's disconcerting that the Senate might hold the Artifact over our heads like some sort of deterrent..." he said aloud, a thought he knew was speculative and lacked evidence, yet it spoke to the risk of the Order being left out of such a crucial loop. Thyferra had been a difficult battle before the weapon had been activated. He didn't want to consider who among the Jedi had been lost in the confusion and chaos, negotiating a bloody fight and their sudden loss of connection to the Force.

When Ala Quin suggested they visit the Chancellor together, though, he glanced back at her in surprise. Meeting the Chancellor in a casual environment certainly held its appeal. Balun and, by extension, his family had often spoken of their political interests, floating the notion of greater influence and doing some good with it, yet Balun had seen this more as a dream than a real possibility. Being able to meet and talk without the formalities of duty on either side would certainly be as enjoyable as it would be enlightening. However, if the visit were based on his and Ala's current conversation, he doubted he had the clearance or the rest of the Council's confidence to participate.

"Is that really plausible?" He asked, clearly sceptical that they might learn more on the matter if he were present. "I don't imagine this would be a subject comfortable for the Chancellor, having a regular member of the Order around. Certainly there are more qualified Jedi that might encourage greater transparency on the matter."

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​