Blood In My Veins

[Preliat Mantis]

Silver Rest, Silver Jedi Temple​

Lecture Hall​

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Perhaps it was the lack of understanding that caused conflict and strife. Preliat hadn't understood the Jedi, yet he stood on the opposite of what they stood for. The Mandalorians did as well. So, while he was here as a guest of the Silver Jedi- he decided to do something worthwhile. The Silver Jedi were remarkable people from what he gathered, inclined to less of the barbarism and war-mongering of the Jedi he knew from the Republic and Alliance. They were more in line of what he had heard the Jedi were to be like. Peaceful, understanding, empathetic.

A breath of fresh air from a man who had known only suffering and pain in his life.

He stood at the podium, the planet Mandalore suspended holographically in the center off to his right. He had borrowed a more functional outfit, not dressing in the attire of a Mandalorian. There were several images behind him, placed on the walls of his armor, and examples of older Mandalorian armor. He waited until more students began to shuffle in, before tapping the microphone. His accent was distinct, but not indistinguishable. It was refined, like his pattern of speech. Preliat, although having no formal schooling, was a scholar when he could, and the interest of being a guest lecturer invited feelings of belonging and knowledge that he had long been unable to sate.

"For those of you that do not know who I am, my name is Preliat Mantis. On my planet, I am known as Te Rekr Be Manda'yaim- the Wolf of Mandalore. For those of you who know who Ashin Varanin is, she gave me the name when I was a young man." He leaned forward on the podium, gripping the post tightly before continuing.

"I am here to answer questions, and to give a few brief lessons on the history of the Mandalorians. Before I begin, are there any pertinent, burning questions that I can answer for you before I begin?"

He looked to the gathered crowd, tapping his fingers along the wooden edge of the podium. He waited patiently, amber eyes searching the crowd for a raised hand, and listening intently for a raised voice posing a question, either of which he would happily welcome. Preliat didn't smile- he couldn't. The damage to his facial muscles was to the extent that he could only raise the left half of his lip in joy, or in any sort of reaction. It made him seem more stoic than he was.

He was nervous being in a room full of Jedi- they could sense him. Sith fed off of the darkness he created, but Jedi were usually repulsed by it. He was glad of the short distance between him and the gathered crowd. Maybe it would stem the Bogan aura (he had recently learned the actual term for it in the archives here) from being picked up, for the most part at least. The force moved darkly around those who had killed, or were ready to kill. Preliat was practically an abyss in the force, then.

He leaned on the podium, putting such thoughts aside. He focused on the task at hand, like he always did.

"Any question is on the table."

 

[Malok]

Darth Metus - known to his own as Isley Verd - had come to Silver Rest for a relatively benign purpose. His Apprentice [member="Srina Talon"] had gone before him: a semi-regular trip in order to strengthen relations between the Confederacy and the Silver Jedi. When that time had come to an end, her Master made the trip to Kashyykk in order to see her home.

And on the eve of their journey back to Geonosis, an oddity graced Silver Rest with his presence.

[member="Preliat Mantis"] was putting on a presentation? Preliat? Mantis? This Metus had to see.

Thus, amidst a crowd of bustling Jedi, the Sith sat towards the rear. Flanked by his Apprentice and her favorite Padawan, [member="Stephanie Swail"] did he watch the commencement of the lecture.

His hand shot into the air when the floor was opened.

"Why do Mandalorians hate the Force so much?"

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

Jessica was trying to show [member="Preliat Mantis"] that she forgave him for what happened between them on Kashyyyk - and [member="Darth Metus"], too. Especially since she served on the Senate of the [Third] Confederacy, and Metus was at the head of the [Fourth] Confederacy, but also that she did not wish to unduly jeopardize the Silvers' relationship to the Confederacy. She recognized Metus' Force-signature, and the answer to Metus' question would likely prove interesting, given Preliat's rationale for even being in Silver Rest in the first place, while she was returning from a third attempt to accomplish a mission on Trandosha that forced her to sleep another two nights in its only luxury hotel. I will question him in due time about mental healthcare, and why did Mandos pay lip service at best to that, despite the clan welfare clause in the Mando code, the Resol'nare as they call it, whose scope seems to be pretty narrow to my eyes, until proven otherwise, she thought, while her two encounters with that Mando therapist were refreshing, to say the least. That, however uneven she actually was as a therapist, she was still somehow good enough for Geonosians to trust her.

"Also, while I know about the need to provide for, and defend, oneself, one's family and one's clan, as well as contributing to the clan's welfare, exactly what is the scope of the clan's welfare, under the Resol'nare? From what I observed, even though mental health can and sometimes will affect a person's ability to defend oneself, one's family and one's clan, mental healthcare often seem to take a backseat among Mandalorians" Jessica asked, while wondering whether either Preliat or Metus knew that Mando therapist that the question seemed to evoke.

 

[Rianna Organa]

Rianna sat quietly near the back she too when she heard that [member="Preliat Mantis"] would be teaching a class had to come see. She had a long association with the Silver Jedi but was not often seen among their ranks so her presence here would be quite interesting.

She heard the question from [member="Darth Metus"] and yes what was the answer to that? She like so many others had lived among the Vod as Mandalorians adhering to the laws now suddenly cast away. So yes she would like to hear this answer from The Wolf.

Then there was another question about mental health and mandalorians. Where was [member="Briika Tor-Munin"] now to hear this. She sighed heavily and waited to hear the answer to that as well. But did she have any questions.

Not yet, for now she was content to be an observer and listen from Professor Preliat Mantis..........

[member="Jessica Med-Beq"]

 

[Audren Sykes]

Mandalorians. That situation was...complicated. From what little he understood, they were originally a species that over time evolved into a culture accepting of any species who accepted their lifestyle. They, like so many others in the galaxy, seemed to have a cyclical lifespan. They rose to prominence, collapsed into relative obscurity, then rose to prominence again. The Sephi was aware that the Mandalorians had recently resurfaced as a major power in the galaxy. In the time that he'd been a part of the larger galaxy, he'd seen them run through the cycle at least twice.

They were tremendous fighters, and even during periods of quietude examples could be found fighting for hire throughout the galaxy. He'd fought against them personally once and knew that their armor - the traditional beskar kind - was highly resistant to lightsabers. Besides their skill - maybe even love - of fighting and their armor though, his knowledge was incredibly lacking. No doubt there were holodocs in the Archives teaching about the Mandalorians. This time though they had a live one, a supposedly friendly one ready and willing to share. Willing to put on a presentation even.

The Master was not surprised to see that he was not the only one attending. There were of course members of the Silver Order present, but also others from outside. Word had gotten out...it always did seem to. And while he personally was willing to wait and listen before tossing out any questions that might occur, the instant he asked for questions two were tossed out. One for mental health, the other about why the Mandalorians hated the Force. Odd questions that honestly wouldn't have occurred to him. He wondered if this Mantis person would have answers ready.

[member="Preliat Mantis"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] | [member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"]​

 

[Preliat Mantis]

He rubbed his eye and looked to the gathered people before him, before answering two of the more vocal questions. Of course everyone had questions- everyone who sat and listened to someone talk had questions that were either answered, or lingered. Firstly, [member="Darth Metus"] posed a question. Preliat, would have once shot him on sight. He simply stared at him passively- the same way someone would stare at a bug. Nonetheless, he answered the man's question.

"That is an unfair bias to say that the entirety of the Mandalorians despises the Force. It is not the Force, or Force Users, such as Jedi or Sith- it is the force-wielding Mandalorians that the Death Watch, the currently rulers of Mandalore, sought to remove from Mandalorian society. Mia Monroe, Jasper Ordo-" An empath, or even someone remotely intelligent could read the twinge of pain and guilt on Preliat's well-weary face. "Ijaat Ordo, the list goes on and on of Mandalorians who have hurt the planet, or the Mandalorian society greatly. Thus, the Death Watch decreed that if you wanted to be in the Mandalorian society, you had to be cured of your force connection, or be outcasted. Of course, this declaration upset many of the greater clans, and they pledged loyalty to make sure the Death watch did not take hold. The most recent Civil War was brutal, short, and costly. Ultimately, the Death Watch won."

He looked over at [member="Jessica Med-Beq"]. "I don't know how to answer your question in full. But Mandalorian clans are societies in their own right. Each one approaches a magnitude in different ways. I imagine mental health is one of those case-by-case basis. My clan handles things much differently than the Fetts, or the Ordos, for example."

Preliat drummed his fingers along the podium.

"The Taung, and the races they conquered, were the first to be called Mando'ade- the children of Mandalore in basic. The Taung were cast from Coruscant, and then settled onto Mandalore, the first series in events in wiping out Mythosaurs. Eventually, once the threat of Mythosaurs faded, the symbol of Mythosaurs was cast as the symbol of the Mandalorians. Through many years, the Mandalorians refined their strategy in war, and especially the technology they used. War droids, nuclear bombardments- historians often note the brutality in which Mandalorians conduct, and conducted warfare."

An image of an ancient Mandalorian dreadnought hitting a planet with nuclear salvos showed on the hologram. Preliat looked at it passively for a moment, before continuing. An image of a Taung warrior popped up, holding an early model of what would later turn into the iconic Beskar'gam helmet.

"Then, several hundred years later, the Mandalorian Crusades began. These attacks on the Inner Rim devastated the planets in which they came into contact with- along with the first real enemy that the Mandalorians faced."

Came the image of the mural in Sundari. A victorious Mandalorian over a Jedi.

"The Jedi."

He pulled an image of Exar Kun.

"One of the more important, and defining moments in Mandalorian history, came with the days of the Old Republic....and the legends that came from that time."

He looked around, waiting to see if any hands came up.

[member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"] l [member="Audren Sykes"]

 

[Srina Talon]

The wintry apprentice of [member="Darth Metus"] walked at her Master’s side as she always did. The Silver Rest had slowly become familiar. She did not yet know it better than she knew the streets of Geonosis or the nightlands of Ryloth but she had a good grasp of the locale and its inhabitants. The Jedi on Kashyyyk, for the most part, seemed easy going and rather accepting of her presence among them. It was nothing at all like being evaluated and often found lacking, by the higher-ups within the Galactic Alliance. Her friendship with one-third of their triumvirate notwithstanding it was a relief not to suffer constant scrutiny.

She was still rather surprised that someone in the GA hadn’t sought reparations for her rather one-sided sparring session. Or, accusing her of trying to kill their Commander. Either way, the Silver Rest was exactly what it was phrased to be. Rest.

Srina did not wear armor here, not usually, and only kept her lightsaber sheathed at her hip. There were two small silver rings on her fingers but otherwise, the young Echani was clothed only in an unadorned dress made of pale blue shimmersilk. It wrapped elegantly around her swan-like neck and cinched neatly about her waist, made modest, only by the length.

Her arm was looped casually of that with of [member="Stephanie Swail"] as they walked the halls, chatting about this and that, really, just catching up. The Sith Apprentice had intended on spending a little more time in all of the greenery that the planet had to offer before they returned home but it seemed that her Master had other plans.

She could feel something broiling within her Master. What it was exactly, she could not say, but it made her want to keep an eye on him. “He can be so willful…”, she murmured softly to her friend. Stephanie may not understand the fond commentary completely but it would be easy to see that the white-haired beauty was unbothered by it. She had simply been stating a fact.

‘Master…’, she let her voice linger in the mind of Darth Metus, watching him join in the lecture, with a certain degree of curiosity. Mentally, she willed him patience. There was little doubt in her mind that he aimed to misbehave as only a Sith surrounded by a cloud of Jedi could.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie had heard that a Mandalorian was now in their midst. She knew all about their kind from her studies over the years and how they saw themselves and how they saw others. She understood them to be the most loyal, let most un-loyal, of people when it suited their "clans" and leaders. Of course, she was totally ignorant to the reality of it all and only basing her assumptions from texts and video.

She did know about the new Mandalorian Empire North of their territory, and was still unsure if they were friends or foes. Only time would tell.

Now, familiar faces were back on Kashyyyk, drawn to see this Mando guest. [member="Darth Metus"] being one and the silver-haired apprentice [member="Srina Talon"] who had come unexpectedly. Stephanie, as per, was pleased to see them both and glad they were well and safe after recent accounts of battles toucing upon the Confederacy worlds.

There was much to talk about, but Srina at least was here, and that made the Jedi happy.

"I'm sure he has the best intentions at heart," she replied with a pat of the hand.

Always looking at the positive in people. But, from what she knew of Lord Metus, he wasn't all bad. Or grumpy. Or stubborn. It brought a smile to her face.

As they joined the lecture, she saw faces of her allies and also that of [member="Preliat Mantis"] at the front. He was an older man, but somewhat as she expected. He reminded her of their Antarian Ranger Commanders - older, war-weary but holding themselves with a radiating confidence and knowledge that could fill many books with stories and information. She was intrigued to listen to this man.

"Just be sure not to make him more grumpy than he seems. Can't have him looking silly in front of a Mandalorian can we," she whispered.

[member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"]

 

[Malok]

"I respectfully disagree."

At this point, the Sith Lord no longer settled for posing his questions whilst being seated. Rising, his sulfuric gaze settled upon the Old Wolf. There was a fire burning inside the belly of Darth Metus, one that his tongue was eager to expel. Months of frustration and years of well-earned angst were a tide inside him, held back only by his lips. It was the gentle chime of his Apprentice's voice that helped quell the flame, albeit slightly. He chewed over his thoughts for a moment before responding.

"I refer not to recent history. It is well known the radical stance the Death Watch has regarding the Force. What I refer to is the deeper, quiet bias that has defined us since the Rebuilder led our return from the Darkness."

"When I was young, it was drilled into my skull - and I'm sure you've heard this phrase over the years - the Force is a Tool. Mandalorians do not worship it, for we are not Jedi or Sith. But, despite this being the mantra that I was taught, our society never reflected this."

"For example. In a Blood Duel, we are permitted any weapons we want. Beskar'gam, besk'ad, whatever we choose. But, Kad forbid one lifts a stone with his mind...that one would be laughed out of the Duel and his Honor would be marred."

"It is realities like that example that shape my opinion that there is underlying hatred of the Force within Mandalorian society. To the point that, instead of embracing our Sensitives and doing something constructive with them - such as global education, training, or anything really - they are left to learn alone. They are left to be taunted by others that there is dishonor in using a natural gift. And when there is no guidance and no global acceptance of who you are from home...well, this is how you get Mandalorians who become Sith."

"So I ask again, why do Mandalorians hate the Force so much?"

[member="Preliat Mantis"], [member="Srina Talon"], [member="Stephanie Swail"]

 

[Preliat Mantis]

"The most suffering and turmoil the Mandalorians have faced have come from the fault of, or following the events caused by the Jedi, Sith, or other force-sensitive individuals. I think it would be only natural that a distrust and underlying hatred of the Force would develop. My wife was killed by a force sensitive. My daughter was taken into the Netherworld for the formulating years of her life. On a personal note, for many years I distrusted the Jedi as much as I hated the Sith for what they did. As I said before, it comes from a lack of undersatnding and a painful shared memory of past events."

He stared blanky at Isley Verd.

"Mandalorians who became Sith, such as yourself."

He stared at him a little longer before looking back around the room, ready to move on with the discussion.

[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

Up to this point, Jyoti had sat quietly in the front row of the auditorium with her apprentice, but by now she was frowning as she saw this lecture beginning to go off rails. This was certainly not how she had envisioned the event going, becoming a pointless slugfest. If the Jedi Shadow could sit in the same room with a Sith Lord without immediately coming to blows, then surely the Mandalorians in the room could remain somewhat cordial.

The Echani stood up and turned to face the attendees, then spoke, her voice carried to each of their ears by a Force-enhanced projection as if she was standing right beside them.

"Originally, when the Silver Assembly had requested this lecture, it was supposed to remain a closed session between the Silver Jedi and Mr. Mantis, though I see we have some guests today."

Her silver eyes rested on Metus for a few moments, and then Rianna, expression serene all the while.

"And to you all I say: welcome. I am pleased to see that you are all here to hopefully engage in constructive dialogue with one of our northerly neighbors."

She turned back to Mr. Mantis, offering a small bow.

"Apologizes for any interruptions. Now I believe you had left off at Exar Kun?"

With nothing more to say, Jyoti took her seat once more to just listen.

[member="Preliat Mantis"] [member="Darth Metus"] [member="Stephanie Swail"] [member="Srina Talon"] [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Charlie"]

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

After hearing about [member="Preliat Mantis"] saying that the scope of clan welfare varied from a clan to another and, with it, mental health was a thing that was on a case-by-case basis, she summoned what recollections of Mando healthcare she could. And when that Mando therapist still operated as such, Clan Lok operated the majority of the mental health infrastructure on pre-volanic Mandalore. And that, if what she knew about that therapist was correct, she even tried to get [member="Darth Metus"] to forge her a beskar'gam, and learned Force-healing from [member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"]. In fact, she realized just how much suffering Mandos although most of that suffering occurred in the earliest Mando crusades, but for some reason this hatred of Force-users was not as intense outside of Mando space. And also so much suffering due to FUs on both sides, rather than just one side (Mirial, Directive 12). Plus Preliat would probably wish to go to Ryloth if that could help him alleviate the pain and better understand where his guilt came from. This just confirmed what I knew about Mando Jedi and Sith: I knew they lacked structure because each clan had its own policy regarding FUs, but any attempt at structuring FU training among Mandos would be shot down because of historical biases, if attempts are made to implement a given structure outside of its home clan, she thought. Meanwhile, she recognized a few more of her fellow Jedi: [member="Stephanie Swail"] and [member="Audren Sykes"], while the remaining non-Jedi, [member="Srina Talon"], probably had something to do with Metus. As for the brutality of the Mando doctrines, she knew about that first-hand on Kashyyyk.

"I often hear about how the ties of blood were not the only ones that count to Mandos, and, for those not born into Mandalorian culture, how one's history prior to joining any specific clan is seemingly ignored by the new clan once inducted into the clan. By that logic, and the Resol'nare's logic, it can be, in fact, doable for a Force-using spy to be planted to spy on Mandos, so long as they wear the beskar'gam, spoke Mando'a, and otherwise abide by the Resol'nare. How much truth is there to Mandalorian clans being open to take in new clan members, to the extent the new clansmen would abide by the Resol'nare?"

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stephanie felt that feeling again. The tell-tale sign that had served her on Mirial and Anzat. The pit in her stomach opening, the sense of worry and dread looming from her surroundings.

She glanced at them all, from the Sith [member="Darth Metus"] to the Master Jedi [member="Jyoti Nooran"] and the fleeter [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] and the Mando [member="Preliat Mantis"] all engaged in a rather tense debate.

The Padawan didn't like it. While the Mando was here at the Rest, he was under the care, the protection and the respect of the Silver Jedi Order.

"Please," she echoed a little quietly, "continue, Mister Mantis."

So much could turn on the hinges of debates like this, and she had seen them blossom from debates to all out wars. She didn't want the war to come to Kashyyyk and her Order.

With a nod and smile, she looked at him, and squeezed the arm of [member="Srina Talon"] for some self reassurance it was going to be ok.

 

[Charlie Nooran]

[SIZE=10pt]Charlie had been good and left all sources of snacks back on her Master’s ship. She remembered last time the fiasco she had caused when all she wanted was a twinkie. Remembering the disappearing act the treats had done along with her pack, she wondered where they had disappeared to and if it was a trick Jyoti would ever teach her. They had been seated in the front row, which meant that the handheld gaming device in Charlie’s pocket would not come out and she was forced to pay attention. Sitting she listened to the back and forth of the Master’s a frown remained displayed as she soon discovered that the man who was talking the most ([member="Darth Metus"]) was a Sith. The deeply rooted hate she had for the dark side of the Force festered inside as she stared hard with a frown. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]The young K’paur would have remained with that sour face if her Master had not stood up to intervene. Attention was drawn back to Jyoti as the woman expressed that this was going to be an intellectual meeting, not a place to throw slander or attack the Mandalorian verbally. When Jyoti returned to her seat, Charlie smiled softly. It was a small lesson on how to conduct one’s self. She was in a room with a Sith Lord and yet, she remained composed. Taking this lesson, Charlie stopped staring at the Sith and kept her attention on the man speaking. She didn’t know much about the Mandalorians and the lesson was intriguing. She would need to do her own research in the meantime. Leaning closer to her Master, she questioned softly, “Can we go to Mandalore one day?” Looking hopeful she also rummaged through her robes and offered Jyoti a piece of gum. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]To help curb her constant cravings especially in settings where she couldn’t just eat snacks, Charlie had begun chewing gum. Though, it was a struggle to not blow bubbles since she had learned that if she puckered her lips with the gum residing in the opening of her mouth then lightly blew - she could create a massive bubble that popped. Knowing where she was and doing her best not to embarrass her Master, she fought all urges. [/SIZE]

[member="Stephanie Swail"] [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] [member="Preliat Mantis"] [member="Srina Talon"] [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"] [member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Rianna Organa]

For a moment she was lost when she heard Jasper [member="Ordo"] she closed her eyes and remembered for a moment how she had met him on Coruscant and then how the Silvers took her in when the tides of the Republic also began to turn against the mandalorians. It was a long history. She lived with the memories and that was a small comfort.

Now she knew Preliat's daughter the one from the Netherworld, and she knew the mother. She had done her best to help them. But that too was history.

She would be inclined to agree that those that do not know the force could easily be swayed to see it as an evil. It was known that people fear what they do not understand.

Rianna nodded, "I agree with [member="Preliat Mantis"] of where the hate comes from. Let's face it it is the conditioning of anyone to learn to hate that which leaves deep scars." She nodded she looked over at the others all presenting their questions.

"We have long memories and we never forget. Tell me Preliat aside from force using individuals and the history with mandalorians. What is your favorite moment from mando'ade history and why?" While she could be interested in all the things about why Fu were taboo, and why mandalorians feared across the galaxy.

This was to help others understand mando'ade history was rich and filled with honor, devotion, and attention to duty. Perhaps if others heard that they could understand them, and she was still of them now.

[member="Charlie"] | [member="Stephanie Swail"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] | [member="Jyoti Nooran"] | [member="Preliat Mantis"] | [member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Preliat Mantis]

Preliat was bombarded with questions, as he expected. He raised a hand, indicating that he would answer them in due time.

"Qel-Droma, defeated the Mandalore at the time, The Indomitable, and thus the Mandalorian-Sith Alliance was first formed. The Mandalorians saw this as a beneficial alliance, even if the reasons were not particularly honorable to some. However, the Sith won the duel- and thus commanded the Mandalorians and it's people. Along with the Krath allies, the Mandalorians attacked several key targets, nearly crippling the Republic war effort. Eventually, the Mandalorians were routed, and Mandalore the Indomitable was slain on Dxun- and a new Mandalore took his place."

He brought up an image, of Mandalore the Ultimate. He was tall, imposing, and at the time, stroke fear into the hearts of all of his enemies. Jedi included.

"For twenty years, the Mando'ade- the Mandalorians, began a series of efforts to rebuild and restore themselves. Troops, ships, supplies, and- recruiting. Many people, species, and cultures integrated into the Mandalorians at the time. Wookies, Twi'leks, Humanoids, Near-humans such as myself, flooded the ranks. The Mandalorians are often thought as humans, but in reality they make up a wide variety of species, and this idea came around this time. A new form of Crusader, and the subsequent armor redesign- the Neo Crusader armor."

Cassus Fett's tell-tale yellow armor popped up on the screen. Preliat wore something similar, more ancient in nature. Preliat's armor, however, retained the T-shape visor. He carried the armored hood, however. He tapped his foot, glancing between the gathered people. A new image popped up.

Revan.

"After a series of failures on the Republic's part, a singular Jedi and his apprentice began a campaign to stop the Mandalorian's rampage. His name was Revan."

Preliat turned to begin answering questions.

[member="Jessica Med-Beq"] asked a lot of questions. A lot of open-ended, specific questions. He stared at her for a while before answering. "It would be ignorant for someone to believe a spy would not be detected within the Mandalorians. The vetting process to become a Mandalorian- especially lately, is grueling. Rest assured, there have been attempts to infiltrate the Mandalorians. They usually end up the same. With a corpse, or failure. You aren't just waltzing into the Mandalorians- a clan member has to know you, or they approach you. If you approach them, they will dig into you as if you were soil. Do not think it is so simple, although we seem accepting, the reality is that the Mandalorians have become xenophobic because of the idea you just presented."

He turned to [member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"] and smiled, but it faded when he realized who she was. Pain and guilt spread across his face, and what could be moved of it- like wildfire. He spoke after a moment.

"We are coming to it, Master Jedi."

[member="Charlie"] l [member="Stephanie Swail"] l [member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Srina Talon]

Srina hated being forced to acknowledge that on occasion, she could be a little dim when it came to some of the inner-workings of her Master. The silvery woman remained quiet when Darth Metus responded to the Mandalorian speaker, gray eyes still and stagnant, filled with stone. She did not have the same sense of nostalgia, pain, and attachment that the Vicelord of the Confederacy had when it came to the Mandalorians. Yet, through their force bond, she did understand his frame of mind.

Stephanie was a sweet thing, a soft-spoken bird at her side throughout, and Srina could only find small remnants of hope for the state of the galaxy in her innocence. Unlike most of their allies, she was rather glad that the Padawan to the Grand Master seemed to stay far from their front lines. The young Echani enjoyed and appreciated the dark-haired Hapan as she was. Battle, blood, and the darkness that war brought did not seem to suit her. Srina did not want her harmed. “You are too generous, little dove.”

No one in the room knew [member="Darth Metus"] the way she did. Not in this time—Not in this frame of mind. Srina did not make the Sith Lord ‘grumpy’ as Stephanie so accurately put it. If anything, she was a tether and would keep him at their side versus bandying thinly veiled accusations at the intensely statured Preliat Mantis. He was more of a mountain than a man and oddly enough, Srina had felt his presence, long before entering the conference hall. She was not experienced enough in the Force to know why, but something about him left her senses raw. Tingling. Like a thousand bees moving all at once. For the time being she dismissed it. She held larger concerns, though generally speaking, she was rather proud of her Master for reigning in his temper so well.

What everyone in the room seemed to fail to realize, was that in very recent history, the Mandalorian Empire had turned against their collective allies on Dagobah after vowing to aid them. It had likely rubbed her Master the wrong way, like salt being pressed into an open wound, but now was not the time for aggression. It could be that this speaker was blameless in that event. It could very well be, that he had arrived to educate the Silver Jedi about their ways, and history. It was simply an oddity when looked at through a political lens.

Srina could feel the concerns of [member="Stephanie Swail"] as easily as she could feel her Master beside her. The feeling of her squeezing her arm only reaffirmed it. So soft, the young woman spoke, as if speaking any louder may break her. The ghostly apprentice reached out mentally to her friend, letting her mind brush delicately against her own, edged with perpetual calm and subtle reassurance. ‘Worry not…My Master will not intentionally bring the Silver Jedi misfortune. He has sworn not to. We both have.’

The silvery woman slowly released her Padawan and moved to stand beside her Master as [member="Preliat Mantis"] continued to answer a volley of questions in the hall. Small fingers wrapped around his, gentle as only she could be, and she spoke mentally what she could not say. Not only because it could have been taken the wrong way, but because it would have been rude, when others were talking. ‘Not here. Not today. Today, we learn, my Master. Have patience.’

Oh, how Darth Metus hated that word from her. Patience. Yet, it was necessary. To assume the worst would leave them in the same mindset as some of the less tolerant Jedi in the Galactic Alliance. If his concerns were true, then the Grandmaster would be the one to address, not anyone in this room. Srina led the much taller man to a seat, and once again reached for Stephanie, expecting her to claim the empty space beside her.

When there was a break in the discussion in the room, the apprentice rose an elegant hand, waiting as decorum demanded to pose her query. She curious behind a mask of sophisticated indifference. It was her one true fault. “I realize that we are merely guests…But I do have a question.”

“It isn’t as specific as some of the others, or perhaps not as pertinent, but my knowledge of your culture is rather restricted to the historical. It is incomplete. I understand that there is a Clan structure…But I wonder what life is like, currently, for the everyday Mandalorian? How would they spend a day?”

It may have seemed ignorant, perhaps, but many people had a tendency to forget how very similar they all were when bombarded with frightening images and stories of corpses, misfortune, and hate. It was a small thing, but, from her own studies prior she had been led to believe that there were shared aspects between the Echani and the Mandalorians. Combat was twined in her blood, in the way she saw the world, and viewed others. Fierceness and brutality also existed plainly on Eshan. It was simply better disguised.

​

[member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"] | [member="Charlie"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] | [member="Jyoti Nooran"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] |

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

It was perhaps doable, but I never said anything about the difficulty level of infiltrating Mandos under the guise of new clansmen. But I realize that I am in the reverse situation of Srina as far as my knowledge of Mando culture is concerned: I learned quite a bit about Mando history here; my knowledge of Mando culture come from those Mando Jedi that came to me over the years to learn mechu-deru and also Clan Meran, she thought, after hearing about [member="Preliat Mantis"] and then [member="Srina Talon"], [member="Darth Metus"]' apprentice. Meanwhile, [member="Jyoti Nooran"] and [member="Charlie"] were seated close to each other, with [member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"]'s question being up for debate. And [member="Audren Sykes"] quietly stayed in the lecture hall while Jessica was wondering whether he'd be getting the same reception on Bastion if he tried to deliver the same lecture to Sith. Yes, from a societal standpoint, she knew that the Mandos were usually rather decentralized, just that there was one thing that commonly came up in discussions of culture: dietary customs. Yet all that she ever knew about Mando cuisine could be summed up in one word: tihaar. And Janick being the one person associated with the Asobi 95% tihaar brand; without her, there would not be any Asobi 95% tihaar on the market.

"Other than tihaar, were there any real Mando culinary or dietary preferences?"

 

[Audren Sykes]

Mantis offered answers to the preliminary questions before launching into the beginning of his presentation. As far as Audren could tell the answers were truthful, but what point was there to lie? It wasn't like the man was being asked for troop strength and disposition after all. That said, he wasn't really probing the man's answers with the Force. The...cloud, he supposed...that covered the Mandalorian would have made things difficult enough for a mentalist, and he was no mentalist. He'd accept information at face value for now.

Others were not so sanguine.

The man who'd inquired about Mandalorians hating the Force disagreed and offered his reasons. In so doing he revealed information about himself: also a Mandalorian. Force-sensitive, likely mocked as a child. And Sith. The Sephi had to wonder at this point why the man was here. As a Mandalorian he would surely have learned about his heritage and he no doubt had better avenues for seeking this information than traveling all the way to Silver space to interrogate another Mando. That he was a Sith didn't cause so much worry; he'd gotten this far without violence and there were plenty of Jedi present.

It was at this point that one of the other Jedi stood and addressed the assembly. Jyoti Nooran was not a woman he'd interacted with and he barely knew her name. Her words were forceful without being insulting, and anyone who cared to could read the meaning behind them. They were a diplomatic way of telling people to sit down and stop arguing. He approved. Jessica immediately came up with another question, one that Audren - and apparently Preliat - could only interpret as probing on how to implant spies in the armored ranks.

The session resumed without immediately answering questions. It was really more unexpected that he'd replied to the Sith, as the questions did not immediately relate to this point in the study. At the stopping point he addressed Jessica's question, essentially shooting it down. Another question brought an odd look to his face and a short answer, then others were offered. One seemed to almost be a setup, a stepping stone into later portions of the presentation: daily life for the Mandos. The other was about diet...not staples of their diet, but preferences. The two brought forward a question of Audren's own, more related to the daily life than the food.

"What are some common forms of relaxation or enjoyment for Mandalorians?"

Very few could call constant fighting enjoyment and relaxation, no matter how the holovids made things seem. Everyone would be different to be sure, and it would depend on availability and preference. Like food however, there would no doubt be trends that could be seen when one took a large enough step back.

[member="Preliat Mantis"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Jessica Med-Beq"] | [member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"] | [member="Srina Talon"] | [member="Stephanie Swail"] | [member="Jyoti Nooran"] | [member=Charlie]​

 

[Preliat Mantis]

Now, came the honest questions- the ones that were often overlooked by those outside a culture. How did a Jedi spend their day? Or a Sith. He tapped his fingers on the podium, thinking on his answer to [member="Srina Talon"]'s question.

He coughed before speaking.

"I suppose that's a fair question. Most Mandalorians spend their days just as you would, depending on their role. Some run businesses, some own companies- others are mercenaries. Most able-bodied people recently fought in the Civil War- so lately the tasks of the day have been set to rebuilding. I know for a fact that many cities on my homeworld are in great need of repair. But as far as day-to-day in normal time- Mandalorians are people. They wake up, shower, do their chores- much as many of you would. Many read. Many study. Many work out. I used to take care of my daughter when she was little. I used to do the chores around my house when my wife was working."

He shrugged and answered quietly.

"It is a more simple life than people think."

He looked over at [member="Jessica Med-Beq"]. He smiled.

"Lots of big grains and proteins. That's how we all can wear the armor- we like our protein. Steaks, things you can eat without utensils. Things that go well with beer, lots of sauce, lots of meat on a big plate. Meals are typically large to accommodate for the physical demands of the lifestyle."

He looked over at [member="Audren Sykes"], all the more happy to answer his question.

"Mandalorians enjoy sport. I used to be a fan of shock-boxing myself. Mandalorians like to drink and be around family- solitude is a rare thing for Mandalorians to enjoy. But Mandalorians, I suppose don't mind to crack a cold one and lay down. I used to read, before I was married and had a daughter. Mandalorians train hard, and play hard. Festivals and communal events are important to the welfare of the community. We recently had a nearly planet-wide one to celebrate the end of the Civil War. Mandalorians, to answer your question in a single sentence, enjoy each other's company more than they enjoy doing most other things."

Some other Mandalorian's would've said victory for the Death Watch- but Preliat didn't find a single victory in that terrible war. He only saw an end. He blinked and looked around the room.

"I assume most of the Jedi here have heard of Revan, and his accomplishments during the Mandalorian wars?"

[member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"] l [member="Charlie"] l [member="Valae Kitra"] l [member="Stephanie Swail"] l