Private Clarifying Things Post-Burden

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Shirayan Temple
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Kito

Having left the conclave meeting, Lily wasn't sure how things would go with the council and the other Jedi. Several had demonstrated their strong thoughts and feelings, which was understandable but Lily also knew that things were going to improve overnight. Time was needed but time was also not with them. Sith were only getting stronger and spreading out wider. However, something that had been brought up during the meeting was something Kito whispered to Lily, something that led Lily to believe that Kito might have some information that some in the Order might either be too eager to take advantage of. Or be aggressive in their disapproval of Kito. Lily first did not wish to jump to conclusions, while she had thoughts on what could have been hinted at, there was no evidence to suggest they were accurate.

Could be a completely different reason for the question.

But, Lily needed to walk away from the meeting to make sure that they discussed things. That Kito got a chance to speak in private and without fear of reprimand or judgement. Lily was still very new to being a mentor, a master to someone. However, she remembered how she always felt safe to discuss things with her own Master and there was no judgement from Briana to Lily. So it was important that Lily did the same for Kito. It was important for Kito to feel that she could say whatever was on her mind and there would be no judgement or punishment from Lily. The Jedi Knight might express her concerns or state the potential consequences but Kito was her own person and Lily could only ensure she was safe and knew what would be coming her way.

Arriving at her current dorms at the temple, it was sparse, larger than the rooms for Padawans but with little presence of Lily's style or belongings. Lily generally stayed at her very large, luxury apartment in the city but having the dorm space at the temple was good to host meetings and she intended to allow Kito to use it as a place to get alone time, to rest and recuperate. Since Lily rarely used it but remembered when she was a Padawan how important having personal space away from others was for her. She figured that this would be a good spot for Kito as well.

"Hopefully you didn't feel too crowded during the meeting. Also, hopeful that you didn't think too poorly of how it was going." Lily mentioned with a touch of humour to her voice as she looked around for where they could sit. "Sorry, rarely use this room personally so haven't figured out where everything is." Lily mentioned honestly to Kito before grabbing two desk chairs and offering one to Kito.

Lily then sat, looking over to the tall Padawan, "so, you mentioned during the meeting that you were confused why people found the Blackwall troublesome. Do you mind me asking why you were confused by that possibility?" Lily wanted to make sure she understood what was the confusing element for Kito before given her explanation on why people find it difficult to pierce through the Blackwall.

 

[Kito]

//: Lily Decoria //:

Lily breathed in deeply and leaned in close, whispering to Kito, "let's discuss this in private."

The expression on her Master's face was unexpected. Kito didn't know if she should worry or be upset. Remembering her first master, times like this were meant for worry because she had said something that was off. Those days were filled with trying to understand society and how the hidden enclave functioned.

As time passed, she realized they weren't following the plan laid out by Ashla, instead bastardizing it to the point where it was Ashla's will. Sighing softly, Kito had felt the doubts of her earlier lessons, but they had shaped her, and she still found some value in them.

She followed her Master, a step behind the woman. Kito had only started calling Naboo home fairly recently, after seeing she needed to have others around her. Though she did miss her nomadic lifestyle, she enjoyed the freedoms she had. Particularly when seeing a certain individual.

They entered the room, and Kito took in the simplicity of it. Unlike the padawans, it seemed her Master didn't have to share a room with anyone. That was a nice change and something to look forward to. Her mind was already making plans for what she would do with the small bit of freedom.

Lily began to speak, and Kito's attention fell back onto her Master. The woman was a far cry from her first… a welcome change. Lily felt like someone who could understand the young Shaper. Still, Kito found herself struggling to fully trust the Echani.

There were too many what-ifs.

What if Lily didn't like Kito's personality?

What if she didn't like the penance Kito swore?

What if she viewed the Fire Shaping as the dark side?

What if she were against the one who held Kito's heart?

What if Valaine was right?

Her mind wandered, focusing on the questions, and then Lily's own question came forward. Kito blinked, surprised by the directness of her Master. The last Echani she had met seemingly enjoyed talking in circles, never truly getting to the point of the conversation.

Lily's directness was a welcome, even if jarring, change.

"The Blackwall…" Kito started, remembering it being the first issue she had to deal with when seeing Valaine. Luckily for them, the girl ended up being taken in by a Master with easy access.

"It's the boundary that encompasses all of the Sith Order's empire and territory, correct?" She was buying herself time…

She needed to word this correctly; if she didn't, Lily could grow suspicious of her in the wrong way. But how did someone explain they only had access because of an illicit affair?

Kito shifted where she stood, her eyes wandering away from her Master for a brief moment.

"I just, I just go through the gates. They scan my paperwork, and I pass through security no issues…"

It wasn't the full truth, only half. Kito did just walk through the gate, but what her Master didn't know was that she was considered on a short list — one that read as the Apprentice of a Dark Councilor.

"So you can see my confusion, Master."

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Shirayan Temple
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Kito

Kito initially started with an explanation that demonstrated that she knew what it was and that this wasn't an issue of being unaware of the situation or the technology being used by the Sith Order. Which was both a fortunate and unfortunate matter, since it meant that Lily didn't have to go in a long explanation of what the Blackwall was, but it also meant that Kito held some very dangerous and very powerful secrets. Secrets that others within the Jedi Order and the High Republic would not be thrilled to know were being kept from them for any length of time. Lily was hoping that there would be a good explanation or something that clarified things. Like Kito gained some Sith technology or communications that ensured she gained the leaked codes to move in and out of the space.

But she feared there was a darker explanation for it.

"No. I do not see the confusion Kito because your explanation on why you can pass through the security raises more concerns for me." Lily stated firmly, she looked over to Kito. "Access is forbidden to all outsiders." Her arms crossed under her chest as she stepped closer to Kito. "To have access, you have to be Sith, in service to the Sith or very tightly bound to them as far as I am aware. As far as anyone outside of the Sith Order is aware." Lily pointed out. "So, either you are a Sith and spying on us. Working with the Sith to spy on us. Or you have ties to one who has given you a very powerful gift."

Lily was not being gentle or playing around. She needed to know where Kito stood and how this came about since Lily had large concerns that her Padawan was not someone that could be considered trustworthy with the current information that Lily had. Half truths and limited information meant that Lily had to fear about what the worst case scenarios could be and while she prayed and wanted to believe that Kito was not a Sith. It did not look good for Kito to be admitting that she could just dip in and out of the Blackwall with a simple flash of identification.

"So, you need to explain this very clearly and give me the full truth Kito. I can only protect you and help you when I know the full truth and the whole situation. Otherwise I have to assume the worse and that would not be good for yourself, for me and the council will not be as patient or as understanding." Lily stated, she did fear that if this was presented to the council they would be demanding the identification used, that they would try to use it themselves to organise strikes, attacks and burn the method that Kito was currently using in order to launch their attacks.

 

[Kito]

//: Lily Decoria //:

Kito froze where she stood. Her own Master was accusing her of being a spy. She didn't interrupt, letting Lily finish, giving herself time to steady her thoughts. A familiar fear crept in despite her efforts to suppress it. Was this going to happen again? Would she be abandoned, exiled into another penance? Her brow creased, confused at her Master's accusations.

"I'm not a spy," Kito said firmly, her jaw tightening at her Master's words.

The hand resting near her blade closed around the hilt; she needed to feel in control somehow. Her other hand lifted to the charm at her neck, thumb brushing over the small fanged tooth. It was unremarkable to anyone else, carried no trace of the Force — but it meant something to her.

It was all she needed.

Her breathing steadied as a hand adjusted the collar of her tunic. Kito wanted to keep the necklace hidden, along with the faint healing marks at her neck. She was already being questioned; she didn't need to give anyone another reason to look closer.

"If I were a spy, why would I make a remark about the Blackwall?" she asked, taking a measured step back from her Master. The logic felt simple in her mind — if she had been planted to gather information, exposing knowledge would be the last thing she wanted to do.

"I didn't know it was forbidden to outsiders. I've always found it easy to slip in and out… even before."

The truth sat there between them. The Ronin had learned to move through the cracks near Terminus and Echnos. They were public ports, yet still heavily guarded. Trade flowed through them, legal and otherwise, and she had taken advantage of that long before Valaine had ever come into her Master's orbit.

But that was as much as she would say.

Not now. Not like this.

"I'm not working for anyone either. If I were, I'd probably already be dead," Kito added, a quiet exhale slipping past her lips as she tried to hold herself together — to keep from being labeled a traitor again.

"Can we forget I said anything? I told you what you needed to know. I'm not a spy, and I'm not working for a Sith."

Kito remained still, her body held tight, feeling like a trapped animal. Still, she was ready for the moment things might turn. Her mind flickered back to the last time — to the hands that had grabbed her, the Masters who had tried to force her into judgment.

Never again.

"It's the truth."

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Shirayan Temple
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Kito

Taking a moment, seeing the honesty in Kito's eyes. Lily nodded her head, she wasn't sure what was fully going on but she knew that jumping the gun on calling out the worst case scenario was probably aggressive on her part. "I am sorry, yes, it doesn't make a lot of sense to be a spy and admit to such things. But you could also just be not a very good spy, not everyone can be the best at that." Lily gave a soft chuckle to show that she was attempting to lighten things with a joke. Shifting around to the kitchen, Lily poured herself a glass of water and poured one for Kito as well. Resting against the counter as her thoughts lingered around the situation.

"The truth is that you are not a spy and you aren't going to betray the Order. I believe that and I want you to know that I am just concerned on worse case scenarios here. I had to eliminate them because while our time together has been short for now, I want to trust you Kito. I want you to be a great Jedi." Looking over to Kito, she handed the glass of water to her Padawan and gave a weak smile as she knew this was not going to be easy to navigate and that Lily might not be the best at approach the topic delicately or cautiously as others might.

Letting out a sigh, "I need to know why you have the level of access that you have and why you go in and out of the Blackwall. This isn't about me prying information for the council, or the High Republic. This is me concerned for you, if something happened, if you were discovered there. I can't get to you and help you. I can't protect you when you pass that barrier. So, for my sanity, I need to know what is going on and that you are safe." There was a deep look of concern in Lily's eyes, she wasn't going to be dropping the matter but she was going to make sure that Kito knew there wasn't a level of suspicion or accusation anymore. The idea of a spy was gone from Lily's thinking. Protecting her Padawan was the main concern for Lily now.

"As for the council... I will not share this information. I am not looking to hurt you or break your trust in me. But there cannot be secrets between at all. I need to be able to completely trust you, and I will ensure that you can always completely trust me." It was not something that Lily was known for, bending the rules, keeping secrets but Kito needed this. Lily valued more their bonds as Master and Padawan than she feared the wrath of the council for keeping vital information from them. Those were consequences that Lily could hold her head up high and endure. Letting down someone that needed her, that needed to trust her.

That wasn't something Lily could disregard so easily.

 

[Kito]

//: Lily Decoria //:

Kito stared. Her Master was rather chatty. It confused her, mostly because her previous Master barely spoke to her. When he did, they were always proverbs or riddles for her to figure out the meaning of. Master Decoria… she seemed to want to be honest with the Shaper, explain things to her in a way there was nothing left to interpret.

The Padawan missed the deduction… but she appreciated the clarity.

Too often, Kito was punished for misunderstanding some of the simplest tasks. Still, Lily hadn't fully earned the Shaper's trust. The weight of her original Master's betrayal was still palatable.

Kito stepped back, creating distance between her and the Echani. A part of the Padawan wanted to explain the situation, to let her Master know that things were safe and that nothing terrible was going to happen to her.

But that opened up too many doors for possible questions. In the end, she'd have to reveal Valaine's involvement with her and how the girl had once been with the elusive Dark Court, then the Sith Order. Kito chewed on her lip as she thought over the scenarios in which this could play out. Her brows furrowed, trying to think of the words to say.

Nothing about this conversation would end positively, and Kito feared her Master would request that what they were doing end.

And Kito couldn't allow that.

"How do I have access…" Kito repeated as she mulled over the concept. It wasn't the brightest idea, but it was one that she could probably play off.

Having been what one would consider a Bokkan Jedi, Kito wandered several places in the galaxy. It would… it could make sense that she had just come across it — then upon discovering its use…?

Kito nodded, working up the courage to execute the plan she had quickly devised.

"I stole it." Another nod, her confidence building.

"I stole it from a special acolyte, I think. I saw her during my travels, and we had become um… friends?" The lie was building itself, writing it into the facade of truth.

"But I knew she was a Sith… so I killed her and took her pass."

It was a half-truth… half a lie. She didn't kill Valaine, nor did she want to, and she also didn't steal the access paperwork for the Blackwall.

So… more a lie than a truth. But Lily didn't need to know that.

"So it's not a big deal, right?"

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Shirayan Temple
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Kito

Lily listened to the explanation. While it did not seem that Kito was sharing the whole truth with her, nothing seemed like an outlandish lie, Lily wasn't going to call it out or demand further explanation. Lily had come out accusing Kito of the worst and while she was going to be completely honest with Kito, the trust was still building between the two of them. "Hopefully, in the future, you will tell me more of this special acolyte that you were sort of friends with for a time." It did not seem like Kito to have a Sith friend, or to have a friend and then kill them at a later point.

"How you obtained the pass? No, that isn't a big deal..." Lily paused and leaned against the counter, informal and showing that she wasn't trying to be a strict, overbearing mentor. "But you mentioned going in and out of the Blackwall, what are you doing there? Hunting Sith? While focus there with that pursuit when it is so dangerous?" There were enough Sith in the Core Worlds that Kito could tackle if she truly wished to continue hunting Sith, and there Lily could reach in an emergency if something went wrong.

Or if Kito ended up fighting a Sith beyond her abilities.

"If you don't feel comfortable in sharing, I understand. We are still figuring this dynamic out and I was accusatory from the jump." Lily sighed, disappointed in herself, she should have approached the topic with more sensitivity but she was concerned and thought blunt conversation would be something that Kito would appreciate. Honesty and nothing held back. But that wasn't what Lily was getting in return so she wondered if she had made an error in her assessment of how Kito wanted Lily to be as a mentor.

Maybe Lily was not cut out to be a teacher. There was a lot involved in this, and she wasn't sure how to navigate it all. The fears that she was failing Kito with her inexperience and the attempts to be less of a strict mentor with harsh disciplines, and more of an encouraging, positive guiding figure.