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Private Sheathe your swords!(THR - Following "The Sword Returns")

Major Faction

Connel Vanagor

Walking warning label, and mild HR violation
Connel Vanagor
Character Bio
VVVDHjr.png
Careful with that blade!
Jedi Temple - Landing Pads
Naboo


Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations
  • Michael, Gabriel, Raguel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel
    [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]

  • Rides
    "Enterprise" Station Ship
    Vigilant Reaper
    Null Vector
    Speederbike
    Iron Psalm
    Gear/Armor
    Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI included)
    Lightblaster
    Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
    5 Throwing Lightknives
    3 Force Blinding Flashbangs
    RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
    SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
    Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
    Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
    Muscle enhancements.
    Hemo enhancements for blood flow
    Hawkeye implants for eyes
    Advanced Medical Implant
    Scentzy
    Injected Nanotech upgrades


  • Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

pHjD5Dp.png

This is a follow-up to "The Sword Returns", while I made it "private" anyone who wants in is welcome
Through his life, Connel has been many things, and he has been called many more. One aspect of him that has remained constant is his dedication to protecting others and doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. Today has been no different. Connel has always been a man of action, rarely of social interaction, more so he’s been a man of conviction. The conviction has cost Connel many things, but he has never lost sight of who he is or what he stands for.

That is why he was walking away from the gathering called by "The Sword". Sure, his intentions were noble, they were not entirely thought out as while he may not have wanted others to fall down the rabbit hole, many of them were jumping in freely. It was not his place to stop them, nor was it his place to judge them, but he could not be a part of it.

There was a time when Connel would have been the first to jump into the fray, to fight for what he believed in, but he had learned that sometimes the best way to protect others was to step back and let them make their own choices. It was a hard lesson, but one that he had learned well, and one that he would carry with him for the rest of his days. What was the point of fighting for freedom if you lost yourself in the process? He had seen too many good people lose themselves in a cause, coated in the honey of “a righteous crusade” or “doing this so no one else has to”.

They’re following the path he is scratching and clawing to get out of.

 
Last edited:
Major Faction

Corazona von Ascania

Figlia d' 'a Tempesta
Corazona von Ascania
Character Bio

wjujCZT.png
“Connel!”

Cora didn’t shout - she didn’t raise her voice. But she did call after Knight Vanagor as she departed from the meeting to follow him.

She waited until he paused, until the sound of her own boots faded from the corridor and they were standing face to face.

Connel had been there through nearly every recent engagement with the Sith. She recalled how much his aid had made a difference during their raid of Tython and evacuation of the Prosperity. Now, plans were being made to formalize a force of Jedi that would hopefully curb the growing Sith influence.

Cora reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. Not as a Jedi Knight, but as a friend.

“What’s troubling you?”

Connel Vanagor Connel Vanagor
Dc6pDtW.png
 
Major Faction

Connel Vanagor

Walking warning label, and mild HR violation
Connel Vanagor
Character Bio
VVVDHjr.png
Careful with that blade!
Jedi Temple - Landing Pads
Naboo


Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

pHjD5Dp.png


Cora was coming closer.

He did not need to hear her running, he could feel her presence in the Force getting stronger. It was a trick he learned on his own during his time as a Shadow. Heh “Shadow”, wannabe maybe. He was not a Shadow, he was a Guardian pretending to be one, and maybe that was okay the more he thought about it. Maybe he needed to be like that for a while. Right now it did not matter as right now there was only one thing on his mind, and it was not the next mission, it was not the next fight, it was not even the next drink(he doesn’t drink anyway). It was Cora.

When she came running up, he slowed his pace to a stop. She deserved that. Eventually they were face to face, and she put her hand on his shoulder. That told him everything he needed to know about what she was about to say. He could feel the worry in her touch, regardless of her choice of words. He didn’t appreciate it.

So he decided to keep his mask on. The ritual that he goes through when putting it on would stay in place. His mind would remain compartmentalized so his emotions would not get in the way, because he did not want his response to be misconstrued. He did not doubt her intentions at all, they were friends, in fact he looked at her like he would a little sister. However when she asked what was troubling him, he simply pointed back at the gathering.

That. Putting his hand down, he kept her gaze. The intentions may be noble, I don’t doubt that, but the execution is beyond flawed. It is notable that the Jedi Council has not fully commented on this. I say this because it may not be meant to be anything more than proactive, but the looks, the tones, and the mannerisms of many there are no different than Acolytes trying to prove their worth to a Sith Lord.

 
Major Faction

Corazona von Ascania

Figlia d' 'a Tempesta
Corazona von Ascania
Character Bio

wjujCZT.png
Cora slowed her brisk pace until she stood before Connel. She didn't follow the motion of his finger as he pointed to the gathering behind them.

The distant chatter of a dozen conversing voices lingered here, even in the hall.

"I see," Cora said, expression softening. Connel had said as much before he'd departed, but Cora knew better than to draw assumptions.

"It's not the sort of rhetoric I'm comfortable with, either. I'm thankful that they managed to clarify their stance on redemption, at least."

Briefly, her mind went back to the conversations she'd had with the Lightsworn in the wake of the NJO's winnowing. They'd demanded that the fragmented Order cease their redemption of dark siders as the price for their help.

"I don't think it's entirely fair to compare them to Acolytes," she said, letting that thread hang. “They’re just frustrated. We all are.”

Cora's hand fell away from Connel's shoulder, but the warmth didn't leave. She cocked her head to the side, just a bit, and posed a good-natured hypothetical.

"If you could change how that meeting went, what would you do?"

Connel Vanagor Connel Vanagor
Dc6pDtW.png
 
Major Faction

Connel Vanagor

Walking warning label, and mild HR violation
Connel Vanagor
Character Bio
VVVDHjr.png
Careful with that blade!
Jedi Temple - Landing Pads
Naboo


Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

pHjD5Dp.png


Unfortunately she appeared to agree with them. That was a shame, but she was entitled to her opinion. It would not change his mind though, and that was okay. At least for him it was, she was trying to help him but he knew what he was doing. He was not going back down that path again. He had come too far to let anyone or anything affect that. He had to keep moving forward, no matter what.

I’m not naive. He said calmly.. Clarifying a “No” is just pouring honey onto it. His tone was firm but not unkind. She was probably right to take offense to his assertion, but he had to be clear. He didn’t want to give her any false pretenses.

Of course we’re not going to convert everyone, but it is still necessary, and worth it to make the attempt. If we don’t try to then we fail ourselves. We fail the people who need us the most. We fail those of our past, and our future. You don’t know how many times I have wanted to just fight, but I cannot. I have to be better than that. We all do. “Irredeemable” or not.

Pointing again. I get it that you see what I said as “unfair”, and perhaps it was extreme, but I have seen this before. I have seen someone try to take a proactive approach and the audience turn it into a potential staging ground for violence. I don’t want to be a part of that.

Throwing caution to the wind and pulling his mask off, he could feel the air on his face and the surge of emotions being suppressed coming back. I am not being hateful, but I am being realistic. You’re not the only one of us who is married now. I can’t sacrifice my family for this and if I stay in that environment, I will.

 
Major Faction

Corazona von Ascania

Figlia d' 'a Tempesta
Corazona von Ascania
Character Bio

wjujCZT.png
Connel Vanagor said:
I have seen someone try to take a proactive approach and the audience turn it into a potential staging ground for violence. I don’t want to be a part of that.
Click to expand...

Cora sighed. It wasn't a sound of frustration - rather, a muted concession.

"I can't disagree there. I've seen it too, and frankly I'm worried that this Vanguard might not get anywhere, or it'll end up flaming out before it can make enough of an impact."

Their concerns weren't so different, after all. Cora had spoken out at the last Jedi conclave. To Lorn’s call, she'd spoken little, entrenched in her own exhaustion and the inherent chaos of so many strong opinions fighting to be heard.

"If redemption was completely off the table, instead of being strategically applied, then I would've refused the call." A certain grim thread lingered in her eyes, one that connected her to the darkness of Lysander. "The Order hasn't acted against the Sith in any meaningful way, and now they dominate the core. I don't agree with the Vanguard's approach entirely, but it promises action. Action that we'll have to hold ourselves accountable to."

Would they lose themselves in the mission, becoming what they'd sought to defeat? Neither of them had stuck around the meeting long enough to see things escalate.

Cora inhaled slowly through her nose. There was a steady, somber air about the Jedi as she spoke.

"My family is why I'm doing this - to protect them."

Then, she shrugged. "Your choice is your own, as is mine. If anything, it sounds like you know your own limits better than most of us."

Connel Vanagor Connel Vanagor
Dc6pDtW.png
 
Major Faction

Connel Vanagor

Walking warning label, and mild HR violation
Connel Vanagor
Character Bio
VVVDHjr.png
Careful with that blade!
Jedi Temple - Landing Pads
Naboo


Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

pHjD5Dp.png


Listening to Cora speak about the impending Vanguard and proactive approach to fighting the Sith, against the Empire, it made him sick to his stomach. Not that she seemed to understand the gravity of the situation, but that she seemed to be open to interpreting it in a way that seemed to subside her concerns. Was he really being that closed minded about this? Was she right?

I am sorry. He said calmly… ... but I don’t see “Redemption” as a “strategy” to be applied. You are either offering it to everyone or you offer it to no one… and they are not going to offer it to everyone so why bother beating around the bush and offer it to no one? He was not going to let himself be overcome with any emotions, but he couldn’t help but feel the weight of the conversation pressing down on him. He knew that Cora was trying to be optimistic and hopeful about the situation, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being naive in this.

I am not going to pretend to know why the Order has not acted. Perhaps it is because they are attending too many galas like those of the New Jedi Order were accused of or are restricted by the Republic, I do not know. However I do not see that as an excuse.

Pointing again. I won’t judge you if you are wishing to go back there. I won’t be a part of it though. I was raised and trained to be able to look myself in the mirror at the end of the day.

Looking back at what looked to be Ala Quin Ala Quin walking away in disgust. If I go back there, like it is right now, I fear I’ll never recognize who I see in the mirror ever again.

 
Major Faction

Corazona von Ascania

Figlia d' 'a Tempesta
Corazona von Ascania
Character Bio

wjujCZT.png
"I disagree," she said evenly. "Redemption isn't something you offer. It's something that a Dark-sider needs to reach for themselves. We can plant the seed, but they have to want it."

Perhaps she was being naive, but Cora had made her way back from her own dark path well enough to understand how intense that journey could be. No matter how much help you had along the way, a large part of it was personal.

"Maybe there is no perfect solution."

They both fell quiet for a moment, watching the semi-distant figure of Ala Quin as she too departed the meeting. To see the Grandmaster leaving upset was not a sign of good things to come.

"What do you think would happen if you went back in there?" she asked quietly.

Connel Vanagor Connel Vanagor
Dc6pDtW.png
 
Last edited:
Major Faction

Connel Vanagor

Walking warning label, and mild HR violation
Connel Vanagor
Character Bio
VVVDHjr.png
Careful with that blade!
Jedi Temple - Landing Pads
Naboo


Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

pHjD5Dp.png


When Cora said that Redemption was not something you offer, Connel wanted to argue. When she clarified that it was something that a Dark-Sider needed to reach for, he agreed, that was the point that he was trying to make to begin with. She went a bit further, so he let it play out and needed to see where she was going with it.

That’s the point, Cora. He said calmly… My mother would not be my mother if my father did not offer her a chance. She told me herself, thought she was “too far gone”, committed too many atrocities to feel she was worthy of it. It was his confidence that helped her. He would use her words, but we’re not going to examine why he did not.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, yes, being able to do so takes discipline many need help with. Even if it’s just one step.

Looking down. Never a perfect solution, never will be. This situation did not come about overnight. We can’t solve it with an overnight answer.

Finally a question he could answer. If I embrace what many of them are looking to do… I’ll be worse than what many of them are wanting to be right now. They may want to feel like they are doing the right thing. They may believe that they are, but the discipline of a Jedi is what separates us from the Sith… “Strategically applied Redemption” does not separate us.

 
Major Faction

Corazona von Ascania

Figlia d' 'a Tempesta
Corazona von Ascania
Character Bio

wjujCZT.png
Cora listened, quiet, the even set of her expression softening as Connel spoke of his mother. She hadn't known about her circumstance, how Caltin had reached to her with an open hand.

The explanation added some more color into Connel's views. It was personal to him - just as personal as this was to her.

Cora averted her gaze to the size, unfocusing along the far wall of the corridor. "I watched Lysander kill Jedi during Propserity’s evacuation," she said quietly. A slow, heavy inhale was taken through her nose before she looked back up to Connel.

"I've always thought that no matter how far he took things, that he could be redeemed. But after seeing it…"

Her words died, small and soft and curling in on themselves almost as if she were ashamed of voicing them. How had things gotten this far, with her sweet little brother participating in the slaughter?

"I want to believe that redemption is possible. Problem is, I…I can't."

Connel Vanagor Connel Vanagor
Dc6pDtW.png
 
Major Faction

Connel Vanagor

Walking warning label, and mild HR violation
Connel Vanagor
Character Bio
VVVDHjr.png
Careful with that blade!
Jedi Temple - Landing Pads
Naboo


Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations
  • Michael, Gabriel, Raguel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel
    [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]

  • Rides
    "Enterprise" Station Ship
    Vigilant Reaper
    Null Vector
    Speederbike
    Iron Psalm
    Gear/Armor
    Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI included)
    Lightblaster
    Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
    5 Throwing Lightknives
    3 Force Blinding Flashbangs
    RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
    SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
    Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
    Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
    Muscle enhancements.
    Hemo enhancements for blood flow
    Hawkeye implants for eyes
    Advanced Medical Implant
    Scentzy
    Injected Nanotech upgrades


  • Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

pHjD5Dp.png


When Cora had brought up The Prosperity, Connel had known exactly how this conversation would be going. He was there too. He had seen what she had seen, had experienced the same things, and he understood where she was coming from.

I was there… He said calmly… I saw… He would not use her words of logic against her.

I also saw that you gave him a chance to strike you down, and he didn’t. He had the chance, and he didn’t.

Looking down for a moment and then back up. Tell me that doesn’t mean something… go ahead.

Finally putting the mask under one arm. I’m not saying he shouldn’t answer for his crimes, but I have seen siblings strike down their own. I have seen Jedi resort to horrible things because others “could not be redeemed” without giving them the chance to prove wrong or right.. He sighed, as if feeling almost defeated. I meant it when I said I would not judge anyone who made their choice…

Taking a deep breath and looking down and then back up at her. ... but since the day you and I met when I got you out of that bar’s backroom up to now… I have lived what many of those gathered want to do, and I have lived with the consequences. I have seen the good that comes from it, but I have also lived with the pain that it cost.

A sharp exhale and a head shake. The difference is, I made the choice to live with everything… so no one else would have to. Points back at the now empty spot. He made the decision to pull people down that Shaak hole… noble intentions or not. He didn’t give them a choice, just a guilt trip dripping in honey covered words and self-righteousness.

Connel may have said otherwise, but he held no ill will against anyone there. He was just surprised that none of them truly seemed to understand the weight of what they were about to do. Did Cora?

 
Major Faction

Corazona von Ascania

Figlia d' 'a Tempesta
Corazona von Ascania
Character Bio

wjujCZT.png
"It means that he won't hurt his family, but he'll hurt everyone else instead."

The answer came easily enough, but it still felt like fighting through instinct to get the words out.

"I used to think similarly to you until I saw that."

It was one thing to witness it from the outside as he had. But to live it, as she did? To watch your own flesh and blood turn into something monstrous and cruel was a special kind of hurt. Deep and intimate, she didn’t even know how to begin to heal.

"How can you say that?" she whispered in near-disbelief. "You've been through a lot, Connel. But so has everyone else in that room. You're not the only one whose experience informed their decision to stay or to walk away."

Connel Vanagor Connel Vanagor
Dc6pDtW.png
 
Major Faction

Connel Vanagor

Walking warning label, and mild HR violation
Connel Vanagor
Character Bio
VVVDHjr.png
Careful with that blade!
Jedi Temple - Landing Pads
Naboo


Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations
  • Michael, Gabriel, Raguel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel
    [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]

  • Rides
    "Enterprise" Station Ship
    Vigilant Reaper
    Null Vector
    Speederbike
    Iron Psalm
    Gear/Armor
    Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI included)
    Lightblaster
    Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
    5 Throwing Lightknives
    3 Force Blinding Flashbangs
    RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
    SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
    Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
    Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
    Muscle enhancements.
    Hemo enhancements for blood flow
    Hawkeye implants for eyes
    Advanced Medical Implant
    Scentzy
    Injected Nanotech upgrades


  • Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

pHjD5Dp.png



Then why didn’t he kill you? He asked plainly… Why did he clearly and cleanly slaughter Jedi whom he did not know, but when it came to you? Maybe someone else he knows on Naboo? He let the question trail.

... again… I’m not justifying. I’m not disagreeing with you… but…

When she completely missed the point of everything he had said about what he had been through, Connel wanted to slap his forehead and put his helmet back on, but he did not. Okay… I can say that because...

Sighs. I ask you how many Jedi have called in an airstrike on a bunker of Imperials? Just because they were there” He sighed. How many freely gave no quarter to those who asked for it? Simply because they were Imperial?

Taking another deep breath he had to fight his emotions back. There’s a reason why I wear the mask. How many of them have called in a bombardment on a legion of Diarchy?

He tilted his head. Blew up a base? Disabled a deep space listening post completely and left Sith there to die? Points back at the now empty spot. That’s how I can say that. I’m not discounting what anyone has gone through, but I know that not all of them have gone through that… I could go on…



 
Major Faction

Corazona von Ascania

Figlia d' 'a Tempesta
Corazona von Ascania
Character Bio

wjujCZT.png
Cora's brow crinkled. Had she missed something? "Because I'm his family," she reiterated.

Connel began to list his accomplishments, during which Cora frowned in thought. Just as he thought she'd missed her point, she imagined that he'd missed her own, too.

"That's exactly my point, Connel - how do you know that the people in that room haven't done similar things? How do you know what they have and haven't been through? You're judging yourself by your own experiences, and them only by their words - not for what might be behind them."

Connel Vanagor Connel Vanagor
Dc6pDtW.png
 
Major Faction

Connel Vanagor

Walking warning label, and mild HR violation
Connel Vanagor
Character Bio
VVVDHjr.png
Careful with that blade!
Jedi Temple - Landing Pads
Naboo


Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

pHjD5Dp.png



... and if he isn’t so far gone that he would slaughter his own family… he isn’t so far gone that he could stop… He held up his hands in the end. How do you know if he isn’t afforded the chance?

When she completely missed the point of everything he had said about what he had been through, again, Connel stood for a quiet moment. Again, how do you know who HAD gone through that?

Remaining calm, even if a little forced at this point. I don’t care if I reach one… or even any of them. He sighed. If I didn’t try, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.

Taking a step back, he exhaled. If you had a visitor, and a Nexu just jumped in your back yard just as they were about to walk to the back door… would you not tell them?

He tilted his head again. Forget using the Force, that’s not the point. Would you want them to know? Or would you let them walk outside and potentially get attacked? If I stayed… this has nothing to do with anyone there, but it would be the same as my analogy to me. You’re so worried about me judging people. It’s just the opposite.



 
Major Faction

Corazona von Ascania

Figlia d' 'a Tempesta
Corazona von Ascania
Character Bio

wjujCZT.png
"Because I've given him the chance. How many chances are you supposed to give someone while they continue to take lives?"

It might been a rhetorical question, but it seemed impossible for her to answer. Troubling, too.

"I don't know." She shook her head. "Neither of us do. Maybe a talk with Lorn would help clarify things - there were a lot of feelings in that room, and it can muddy the waters."

Something more private, perhaps. Away from the cacophony of a spacious chamber and competing ideologies.

Cora listened quietly through Connel's nexu analogy, giving his question the thought it deserved.

"I would tell them about the nexu. It's never wrong to voice your concern. But if you take the time to find out why the nexu came to your yard, you might be able to prevent it from coming back. Maybe my home is near its nest. Maybe it's hungry, or running from a predator.”

Point being - everyone had a reason for their actions, and assumptions could do more harm than good.

At this point, a dull ache began blooming behind her right eye socket, and days of fatigue suddenly caught up with her all at once. Cora realized that the coattails of an emotionally charged group meeting probably wasn't the best vector for this type of heavy conversation.

"I'm sorry, Connel. I just don't see things the same way that you do. I think it's best if I step away for now and think about everything that's happened today."

Cora tilted her head in a slow, controlled nod.

"Do give Lira my best."

With that, she stepped to the side, and continued down the corridor.

Connel Vanagor Connel Vanagor
Dc6pDtW.png
 
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