Code of Sandwich

[Jsc]

Cafe' Sabor
A fine dining establishment in the Senate District Coruscant

I could describe the accoutrements, had the whole hour to do so. Suffice it to say, it was a fine restaurant where the waiter's wore ties and the light filtered into the room through crystalline stones rather than windows. Immensely modern with a flair of the silver spoon. To all but the wealthy it was a foreign sphere. To anyone but Sam, it might have not felt a little like home.

Sam Jhovna, Jedi Padawan and business woman extraordinaire, sat at a fine large booth near the center of the restaurant. She had requested a lunch-in with Jedi Knight [member="Gherron Vael"] . Her napkin sat squarely the lap of her fine summer dress and she rested her long blond hair about her white leather riding jacket. Her shoes were exotic brown boots with more straps than a Gungan's social blunders. She sat effortlessly and provocatively, alone. ...If only for the moment.

The menu was rather fetching and she took her time until her company arrived. The music was surprisingly lively today and it suited her tastes just fine.

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

At first, Gherron had laughed at the concept. Another Jedi, older than him, actually seeking advice and insight? Padawan or not, he found the request almost unbelievable. As a padawan learner himself, he was one of the most impatient ever to enter the temple, or so he heard from his master. He was much more wise and patient now, of course, but he still had much to learn. 'Just don't make a complete idiot of yourself', his conscience chastised him. His luck with women wasn't too swift, but hopefully the meeting would go smoothly enough. Currently, he was in his traditional dark robes, ditching his songsteel armor, instead wearing a basic undershirt. Making his way to the restraint took almost no time at all, as he had passed the place countless times before. Once he arrived, he searched for his party, eventually finding her and siting across the other end of the table, nodding and smiling. "Padawan Jhovna. Very pleased to make your acquaintance. I hear you are looking for insight on philosophy?"

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

She perked up and gave a brilliant smile,

"Why hello! And yes! I'm Samantha, you can call me Sam. Welcome Knight Vael. ...Do you mind if I call you Mr Vael? I'm horrible with titles. Hehe."

The pretty blond was bubbly to a fault but her eyes remained as focused as a Jaguar. There was a confidence to her voice that was surpassed only in her large volume. She was a social butterfly, well acquainted with wealthy men and expensive business, and it showed.

"Indeed. I asked you here for two reasons. One, to discuss a few of the Jedi practicalities amongst our Order. Namely philosophy. And also? ...Because I have always wanted to dine her.e Hehe. ...I'm afraid it's all very new for me. Sorry."

She shrugged and touched the menu. There we're no prices.

"Naturally, you are my guest and I would be handsome to foot the bill for lunch. Do order whatever you like." *wink* "...My treat."

[member="Gherron Vael"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron was taken aback by the sudden bubbly attitude of the padawan, much different from his own closed in self. As she stumbled upon his knight title, he chuckled lightly and waited for her to finish. When she offered to pay, and followed the comment with a wink, he blushed a little, and tried his best to cover it up. "Umm, call me Gherron, I insist. Between you and me... I'm not a big fan of the title thing. I enjoy helping and doing my duty, but it makes me uncomfortable when I'm put in such high esteem."

He then pondered the rest of what Sam said. "Now, why you chose me of all people is beyond me, but I could give you a little of what I think if you really want." He peeked through his menu a little as he talked. "I mean, by no means am I a very influential Jedi. Wasn't a very good padawan..." He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. "So... Anything in particular you wanna know?"

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

She pursed her lips and played with the menu,

"Sure. Let's start with lifestyles. ...What you do for fun? The Jedi Code is very broad about peace and understanding but says nothing about entertainment? So. How does a Jedi like [member="Gherron Vael"] get his kicks?"

She leaned back and gave a devious smile. This was obviously not going to be your usual Philosophy class, at all.

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Wow. Somehow, the padawan had managed to surprise Gherron twice in the last few minutes. It was hard enough to surprise him once most of the time, but she continued to perk his curiosity. Thinking for a moment on her question, he tried to think of a clever way to say it. "Well, one of my favorite pastimes is tinkering. My mind's always working, so I carry a bunch of metal scraps with me most of the time. By the time the day is over, they're all likely to be crafted into something different entirely." To demonstrate, he pulled out a few of the said scraps and began making something. While he worked, he continued to talk.

"Now, when I'm not goofing off or tinkering, I'm usually training. Yes, I train for fun. Always trying to make myself better. It doesn't matter where I am, I always find a place. Deserted alley, closed-in complexes, places I can be alone." As his finished the small sculpture, he handed it to her, a tiny coffee cup. "Careful, it's fragile. Oh, and did I mention I also like to draw?"

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam placed the sculpture aside and waved the waiter over. She listened with bright eyes and perfect posture,

"Fascinating. Since I am new to the Order, I still find it amazing how talented our members truly are. Impressive."

A dark-haired male approached with a notepad and smiled. Sam pointed to the menu and began to order.

"Hello. I'll have a chicken walnut salad and a turkey avocado Panini. Just water for now. Thanks."

She looked back at [member="Gherron Vael"] and gestured for him to order,

"So what about your work ethic? How do you find your job as a Jedi Knight to be affected by your religion and beliefs? How do you make the two work together?"

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

"I'll have the same, but with an iced tea please." Gherron figured it best for him to have something healthy anyways, as he wanted to start building his shape up more. Waiting for the next round of questions, he just smiled and hook his was softly. "I figure believing in the Jedi and their teachings is enough for me. I never had much of a decent life when I was younger, so when I found them I bought whole-heartedly into their whole Jedi code thing. I needed something to believe in, something to fight for, and I got it."

His drink had arrived by then, an he took a sip, relishing the coldness running down his throat. Setting the glass back down, he looked at [member="Sam Jhovna"] again.

 

[Jsc]

"Exactly."

She picked up her fork and waved it through the air.

"That is exactly what I'm looking for. ...So when you say, something to believe in? What do you mean? ...What is being a Jedi Knight really mean to you?"

[member="Gherron Vael"] had hit the nail on the head without even thinking about it. Now it was time to open up that belief and explore it for what it was. The core of a man's heart.

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

(OOC: Sorry lol I meant 'to fight' instead of 'tonight' stupid autocorrect -.-)

Gherron had learned by now to simply roll with the punches, and would dish out answers as fast as [member="Sam Jhovna"] gave him questions. Now, she wanted to know just why drove him. In essence, why a Jedi?

"I fought for my life almost every day of my childhood. I learned ways to survive that I probably shouldn't be telling you, so I won't go that far into detail. But, when I found the temple, I was greeted with open arms. I was able to use what I knew to protect others instead of myself. It's more than just doing for me when I go out in the name of the Jedi. It's for everyone else I meet. I feel it's my obligation now to protect others from harm."

He stroked the fine hairs of the beard he was finally allowing to let grow in, and thought it over again. "I guess you could say... I'm protecting others from having a life like mine."

 

[Jsc]

"Interesting."

She contemplated his thoughts completely. Perhaps a Jedi is more than just a product of their environment after all? Indeed, need they be moved at all.

"And that duty that you have found? This, protection you afford to others? Does this make you happy? ...I mean. Is this what you want to do for the rest of your life? Nothing wavering."

The Jedi Code said nothing of protection. [member="Gherron Vael"] was improvising. But he was also right to do so. Perhaps there were greater wisdoms that the universe had to offer the Jedi. Maybe the Jedi Code was just the starting point. Maybe it wasn't the Code that made the Jedi; maybe it was the adventure?

Well. At least that is how the mind of a Padawan would work.

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron nodded immediately to answer the question. "Well, of course. Call me a softie if you will, but I don't like seeing anyone hurt. I read in a book once about heroes' faults, things that stick as part of their personality and can sometimes be used against them. This is mine. I will go to any length to protect an innocent." He looked [member="Sam Jhovna"] directly into her eyes to emphasize his point. "Any length. I'm also hard-pressed to give up. Hell, my master could attest to that." He gave a light chuckle as he thought of master DragonsFlame, and the first sparring session they had together.

 

[Jsc]

Sam nodded and rubbed her chin thoughtfully,

"Well then. Let's say that you magically became the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. Just, poof. Right now. ...How would you train others to behave. What is the most important thing you would have all Jedi learn?"

[member="Gherron Vael"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

"Patience. Patience and respect." Gherron took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly.

"I was no easy padawan. I was stubborn, impatient, and all I could think about was being a Knight. Master DragonsFlame taught me that to get anywhere in life, you have to be patient, and willing to accept that you can and will fall at almost every corner until you are willing to learn. If I could pass anything on as a Grandmaster, that would be it. Though... I know I still have a lot to learn. I'm nowhere ready to even be a master yet."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

"Patience I can understand. Every Jedi needs a little ability to wait it out. But respect is fancifully new? What do you mean by respect amongst Jedi? Is this something the Order is lacking or is it perhaps something the galaxy could use some more of? ...Well. Pardon the question. In fact, I'm interesting in finding out why you feel that your greatest personal weaknesses are the most potent lessons to offer our Order as Grandmaster."

Sam was having trouble differentiating from Gherron's personal beliefs and the core Jedi philosophies. She would stray only so far before coming back around to the Jedi Code again. However, for now; she was interesting in seeing where this path lead her.

[member="Gherron Vael"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron held a finger up at the padawan's first new question. "Okay, let me rephrase that first of all. When I say respect, I mean respect among peers. Among elders. For instance, I wouldn't want to see a Jedi mistreating a fellow student or master. Same goes even for the masters themselves. I am aware that in quite a few Jedi, arrogance and lack of respect and humility is a problem." When [member="Sam Jhovna"] finished, he thought about it. "I think my greatest weakness is my heart. I can't see anyone hurt. If I could somehow mold that into a lesson, I would try to teach others to put people before themselves. Save lives at the cost of your own. Sure, it may seem a bit overbearing. But isn't that what we're here for? There's a reason the Jedi are known as the peacekeepers and guardians of the galaxy."

 

[Jsc]

This guy was gold. He hit every nail upon the head and could transition between subjects like a novelist inspired. It was truly heartwarming to hear.

"Actually you make a good point. And not just about respect and good form either. ...As a Padawan my interests in philosophy stem greatly from a misconception about the function of the Jedi Order itself. That being the 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. Peacekeepers as in history, I can comprehend. But some goals go far beyond mere tradition. ...What I mean is, I want to know why every Jedi considers it there sworn duty to protect the galaxy? Especially since I myself feel no such obligation. Neither in writing nor in inspiration. Who gave us this duty and why?"

Truthfully she thought the Jedi was just another religion. Just another, opinion. A whisper that faded amid the shouting clashes of an endless living universe. Sam wanted to know just why the Jedi thought they were so damn important.

[member="Gherron Vael"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

"Maybe it's not just that", Gherron mused aloud.

"Maybe... it's just the nature of those who choose to be Jedi. In much older times, they were taken as babies to be trained. But now, you see more and more coming to join of their own free will, no particular age required. Maybe all of us that become Jedi think we have something to prove. Something, or someone, to protect. I don't think it's obligation, as much as it's opportunity to do something greater."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

"Maybe. I'm not so certain."

Perhaps to the Gherron the Jedi were infallible, their goals universal, and their history pristine. Sam was not so easily slighted. Kidnapping children, political coups, the trials of so-called Darksiders. The rumors persisted. It was theocratic extremism and a hurried one at that. Truthfully, it was down-right worrying. Though, even good people can make mistakes.

"With power comes a responsibility. I don't doubt it. But were does a Jedi find his conscience? ...Where do you Knight Vael ,seek for your wisdoms?"

[member="Gherron Vael"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

That question took Gherron by shock. He had to admit, now that they were past the surface, this particular Jedi was digging as deep into the core as she could. And now, he was honestly stumped. "I... I don't know. I meditate daily, but I know that's not the answer you're looking for. You want something both plausible and explainable. I don't have the answer to that." Nodding slightly, he let loose a small smile. "You're very interesting, miss Jhovna. With your constant barrage of questions, i'm confident you could put even some masters on edge."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]