Private Sharp Stones, Made Smooth

[Corazona von Ascania]

Hirata Estate, Atrisia
After the Midnight Council

The midnight council had stretched into the early hours. Many of the gathered Jedi dispersed before first light, tasks in hand, each determined to do their part to stem the Galactic Empire's war machine.

"I wish that we could've met under lighter circumstances, Master Sal Soren."

In the small room afforded to them by the Lightsworn council, two women sat at a low, curved-legged table. Cora offered Briana a tired smile, one that seemed as though it was trying to reach her eyes. One hand fumbled into the deep pocket of her trousers, and retrieved a small device which was passed to the Shirayan.

"I've been meaning to give this to you. It's a library card that will allow those of your order to remotely access the Jedi holocrons buried in the vaults on Tython."

Fortunately, she'd managed to re-seal the vaults before the Alliance had been chased from the core. Cora reached for the cup in front of her, steam still curling lazily from the tea. She caught her own image, distorted and positively haggard, reflected in its amber surface.

"I am…glad that we are working on this task together. The New Jedi Order has fractured; those who survived went to Ilum, but some have retreated beyond Alliance borders. Some remain scattered to the stars, still. It seems we’ll all have to reach beyond our own spheres of influence to muster support for this war effort.”

Briana Sal-Soren

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

"You and me both," Briana answered, her lips pulling up at the corner with a slight tick, doing her best to not let her own fatigue show, physical or otherwise.

It was the least she could offer in terms of consolation to the woman who sat across from her now, one of the lucky survivors who'd managed to escape the Core when the Empire moved in. There was a familiar tightness in her throat that came up whenever she let her thoughts drift to what'd happened there, when the news of Coruscant finally made its way to the Midrim, when news finally reached her that the Temples were burning.

Before she'd lost faith in the Galactic Alliance and the New Jedi Order, it'd been her home. How many Jedi that she'd fought and bled beside before, had been shot down or executed? How many younglings? The thoughts did nothing short of plague her.

"I've been meaning to give this to you. It's a library card that will allow those of your order to remotely access the Jedi holocrons buried in the vaults on Tython."

Her brow raised as she reached to accept the card, absently rolling the small device between her fingers before slipping it in her pocket. "Thank you..." She said slowly, as if trying to determine whether or not any stipulations might be attached to the offer. "Access to these archives will be... invaluable," So much of her early time leaving the Core had been spent chasing down whatever scraps she could find to flesh out the Sanctuaries libraries. Most of what she'd managed to acquire for their students came from what Romi Jade had already compiled during her own long tenure, and given them access to. "We'll make very good use of this."

"I am…glad that we are working on this task together. The New Jedi Order has fractured; those who survived went to Ilum, but some have retreated beyond Alliance borders. Some remain scattered to the stars, still. It seems we’ll all have to reach beyond our own spheres of influence to muster support for this war effort."

It was telling, damning even, of what kind of state the New Jedi Order was in, when it was Cora, and not their Grand Master, speaking for the Order in a critical moment such as this. She nodded slowly. "If this is to be fought properly, and we want any hope of success, yes. I just...can't believe it's all come down to this." She pulled her own mug towards her to wrap her fingers around it, soaking in the warmth before taking a sip. Peppermint and... licorice, and...hrmm. Some other herb or spice she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Too many had believed the Dark Empire defeated after that narrow victory on Tython, too few had understood that it'd only been their overture, a lead in to something worse. The Maw, the Dark Empire, neither had ever been defeated... only changed shape.

She set her mug back down with a gentle 'thunk'. "I plan to reach out to those I can as soon as I return to Naboo, starting with our High Chancellor. I've known Kalantha since before her tenure as Queen, and I believe in her willingness to put aside any differences in favor of securing the safety of the High Republic and her citizens. If I can get her to see the threat of Operation Stardust, and agree to a meeting with whomever you're able to pull, I don't doubt that other members of the Assembly will inevitably follow suit."

TAG: Corazona von Ascania | EQUIPMENT: Ligthsaber, Echo Stone, Astor's Dagger

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[Corazona von Ascania]

"We'll make very good use of this."

"If rumors of your integrity are any indication, then I'm certain that you will."

The smile that she wore was fatigued, but no less genuine. "Before the war, I used to teach the younglings. Information like this shouldn't be barred to only a select few."

Cora lifted the cup to her lips for a cursory sip. She wasn't in the mood to savor the particular aroma or taste of this blend, exhausted as she was. It went down smoothly, all the same.

"Differences in ideology aside, we are all Jedi."

The fingers of her flesh hand remained wrapped around the body of the mug, even as it was lowered to the table. Briana's words were welcomed in thoughtful silence.

"It's just as well that I've known Alicio Organa before he was elected Chancellor of the Alliance. He's a good man who prioritizes the well-being of those under his care over ego." She paused to give her cup just the slightest swirl, watching the deep amber liquid shift with the gesture. "And I'm not particularly fond of men in power, so I suppose that does say something."

Her note of humor faded, giving way to another quiet moment.

"I'm aware that the Galactic Alliance, and the New Jedi Order, by extension, do not have…the most favorable reputation. But those of us who've remained are doing our best. It won't be enough, not on our own - and that's why I've come here. If this meeting between our leaders goes well, what say you to an introduction between the New Jedi and the Shirayans?"

Briana Sal-Soren