Faction The First Step is Always the Hardest [Lightsworn & New Jedi Order]

[Alexandra Feanor]

Alexandra was still tending to the damage on her being, focusing the force through her core as she waved her hand through the flow of the force. She had in part separated herself from her own body, implementing the practice of Mind Walking in order to better commune with the Force itself. This allowed her to truly target the darkness attacking her very being rather than simply healing a physical wound. It did not leave her deaf to the others though, instead she continued to listen and continued to categorize the words that were spoken near her.

Henna Ashina 's words following Corazona von Ascania 's still caused Alexandra to be uncertain. There is a great deal of hubris in believing that the Jedi would be able to rule over all the planets they oversaw without the issues that would most certainly come from it. Jedi are not individuals that the overwhelming majority of the galaxy can understand, most people seeing no difference between Jedi and Sith even now.

After all, plenty of Jedi have been involved with acts that they themselves condemned the Sith for. She knew well that the pain from a Saber was not a happy experience, and when they left their enemies alive, that pain could be considered inhumane given the choice of weapon.

She herself though did not believe Jedi should ever rule as conquerors. It only invited issues but she knew that it was a decision the Lightsworn had made at the end of the day.

It was when Aether of the Iron Order echo'd a few points that truly made Alexandra frown while she sat there, her being pulled back into her form properly. She did not speak yet, letting her counterparts get out their own thoughts and her eyes moving once more now as they shifted to Ko Vuto who had their own thoughts on the matters discussed so far. He did not bring forward any great concerns like the others but the lack of concern only reinforced that Alex did have a fear what the Jedi might do going forward.

Lastly came Jand Talo and Kylass Starhaven , the latter of which who her eyes settled on like Henna prior. It spoke ill and with the tone of defeatism for the people of the Galactic Alliance. While Kylass spoke of the Jedi forming one army, spoke of bolstering the Galactic Alliance, she would find simple and honest doubt about what was being said. The words were ambitious, too ambitious for Alex's tastes. She had no issue with the Jedi serving as protectors and defenders, standing at the front of armies and on battlefields. She had done it for decades under the banner of many like the Silver Jedi or the Galactic Republic.

But, talk of partitions, talk of the Jedi turning on the Alliance and its people, giving the protection and defense of those regions over while not a single member of the Senate stood here. It could only be considered one thing, an insurrection that would turn all favor for the Jedi sour. If anyone from the Anti-Jedi factions heard this, it would be tantamount to their very people being threatened to be forced under the rule and beliefs of a group they did not elect and did not stand behind.

It would breed anger, hatred, resentment, and eventually only allow the Sith to hide right under the noses of the Jedi as the very people they want to protect turned on them for the freedoms being stripped from them all in the name of a Force that the vast majority of the Galaxy could not feel or see.

She cleared her throat, and this time rather than softness, there was sadness in her tone. She spoke with a whisper still, relying on the force to carry her voice considering how rough it sounded already, her eyes moving from Henna, to Aether, and lastly to Kylass.

"We speak of ruling over worlds, yet no one from those worlds stand with us. We instead make these plans and plots in the shadows, rather than speaking with the representatives of the very people we wish to liberate. It is ambitious, though good hearted, to believe we can know what is right for trillions of people on thousands of worlds, but we lack the mandate of the people we seek to protect in doing this with the mindset of conquest behind our choices. Tython is a small thing, something that I see no reason our two Orders cannot cooperate on." She paused, breathing slowly and keeping herself as steady as she could before finishing.

"Aether, and Jedi Starhaven. The Jedi do not rule the Galactic Alliance, and it cannot decide for the Galactic Alliance what things are acceptable for the Senate to see as allies. I agree with your wishes, do not get me wrong. The Dark is corruptive and sickening, but instead of us showing and teaching why they are that way, we risk taking a path that will only make it harder for those who cannot feel the Force to understand the difference. And, in regards to your statements Jedi Starhaven..." She paused, solely focusing on her now. "... If the words you spoke now left these halls, reached the ears of those who already seek to paint the Jedi as a threat and danger to the democracy that they hold dear, the Jedi as a whole will find themselves painted as insurgents and enemies to the people. You speak of partitioning without the Alliance's Military or Senate involve, you speak of commanding worlds that hold no love for the Jedi. I cannot speak for all of my colleagues, but there are those who do see the Jedi for what they are, but speaking of the Alliance being carved up in this manner can only be viewed in one manner."

With that she stood, slowly and her body shaking. She had hoped that she would heal a bit more before leaving, but even now her coughing began again as she turned. She was to leave this place, to not be a observer for such words. She would leave one thing though, one note as she smiled sadly at those in the room.

"I hope that you will take my words to heart, and that my fellow members of the New Jedi Order understand why I can no longer be a part of this congregation given my own duties within the Alliance's Senate. Please... contact me if you wish to meet with and find those very supporters I speak of, and I will remain faithful in that the Alliance will welcome the Jedi in once more. But what you speak of isnt just an act that will make you an enemy of the Sith... you will become an enemy of the very people you wish to protect." With that, Alexandra turned. She knew Kyric or the others would be able to contact her if that path was taken, if they truly wished to serve beside the Alliance and protect the people at threat of genocide and harm. Even as she stepped through the wall itself, using the force to Phase her form through the solid wall and to leave things be so that she could return to her ship, her coughing becoming far worse now.

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

Tags: Everyone <3

Katarine remained silent through all of the negotiations, but she was starting to feel ill at ease. She knew they had to respond to the war, and that there were times to be aggressive, but a war council was a dangerous concept that could easily get out of hand. Then again things got out of hand when the Jedi were too passive. It was a fine line that had to be walked to keep everything in balance.

One thing she knew about herself was that she was not as militant as the rest of the Jedi tended to be. Her skills were smaller, more intimate, more undercover than leading armies and commanding troops. In fact she would go as far as to say she had a weakness in these areas. If this was the direction that The New Jedi Order was headed she might be of little use to them, though she would always consider herself an ally to any Jedi that needed her. With the recent state of the Senate she doubted she'd be allowed to continue under cover assignments with the intelligence organization or the police force, at least not without surrendering her identity as a Jedi which wasn't easy to do.

She would need to figure out what her path forward looked like. She didn't want to abandon The Galactic Alliance but she also had to be true to her own strengths.

It was just another fine line that had to be walked.

 

[Aether of the Iron Order]

AX-01 Vanguard Mark I
Jedi Securitron Model Parts
[Aether's Build]

Weapons : Training lightsaber x 6 | Hot 'n' Heavy Compensator War Maul

TAGS: Alexandra Feanor Kyric

As Alexandra moved to blur into phase, seeking to slip away, she found her will struck headlong by something older, vaster, and utterly unyielding.

The Force bent and thickened, pressing in like the weight of continents. It was not the hand of a single knight, nor even of the present era, but the unveiled gravity of presence from across many millennia, a will honed through countless rises and falls of Orders, a shard that had endured where empires rotted to dust.

Aether hadn't shift his heavy frame from where it stood. Blue photoreceptors burned steady,

"Halt. Be still. You will not phase into shadow while the fate of the Jedi is decided in the light. You will remain until this council concludes or the host dismisses you. If the Jedi cannot even hold their own council together, then we are already broken."

The stasis shimmered, holding her fast.

"It is plain you carry a conflict of interests. You speak as a Senator, not as Jedi. You name already stands in reputation as vying for the Chancellor's seat, a position of political power. Allegiance divided is allegiance betrayed.

I for one do not think it wise you represent the Order, or be given privileged knowledge of our dealings that pertain to the Order, when your loyalty bends first to the Senate's leash. To hurl accusations here, and then carry whispers to the Senate floor? No. That will not stand."

His voice lowered, but its resonance pressed on,

"Not to offend anyone's sensibilities, but brevity serves us better than indulgence. Not all here find gratification in long speeches.

This must be settled now. I ask this council for a decision.

A Jedi cannot serve two masters, Order and Senate both, nor walk in traditions that excuse or exalt the dark. Power corrupts, and ambition without restraint is the Sith's path, not ours. Decide here, together, whether she stands among us as Jedi… or stands apart.

A jedi's allegiance must be to the Order, or to the Senate. One cannot dutifully serve both. We are here to put our own house in order, the Jedi Order, not to chase political agendas, trade accusations, or indulge in theater. Our foundation must be sound, or nothing we build upon it will endure.

We cannot hope to aid others if our own foundation is fractured. I will not indulge narratives spun from ambition or suspicion. This council is for the Order's survival, not the Senate's comfort."

 

[Ichika Masudo]

Her head turned, trailing the departure of the red-haired woman. Peering through her energies and feeling as she went, unwilling to stop her from leaving. Until the ancient shard prevented it, that is, causing Ichika to rise from her seat and turn, saya tunking against her seat with the motion.

She gave Alexandra a long, steady look, as if to peer into her soul while the Ancient asked for judgement, perceiving what the Shard could not. What she saw... a breath resolved in the firm closing of her mouth, pushing a sigh out her nostrils as her brow creased, sadness bringing the faintest of curves to her lips.

Lighting the sheen of compassion in her eyes.

"There is no need, Aether," she spoke, breaking her silence, "her spirit is so frayed, already. Let her go."

———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–

Aether of the Iron Order ✿ Alexandra Feanor ✿ Ariana du Couteau ✿ Arlow Vex ✿ Corazona von Ascania
Henna Ashina ✿ Jand Talo ✿ Katarine Ryiah ✿ Kito ✿ Kylass Starhaven
Kyric ✿ Mykel Dawson ✿ Sienna ✿ Starlin Rand ✿ Zark San Tekka​

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

Alexandra sighed, feeling the intrusion upon her body, her form being held in place and her disappointment clear on her features. She spared only one glance at Corazona von Ascania , the only woman who was actually a member of the Jedi Council, and the only one who she would bow her knee to in regards to an order given. The Lightsworn were not her superiors, and neither was this Iron Knight who sought to accuse her of ambition when the intent for the Jedi to rule over the masses was what had been proposed here tonight. She had hoped, that by leaving, she could distance herself, relieve herself of the worry and had left the door open and a hint that if they were to approach the Galactic Alliance, Alexandra would see to it that the Jedi were given their audience.

But now, she found herself being seized by a man who she had met once only, in the defense of Tython and who had not been there at Coruscant. The shard simply finding her gaze turning to them next, wondering if they truly looked at her, looked at the soul that had been sundered in two and only half remained before them, that was fighting desperately against the dark for every waking moment after having struggled to hold back the dark nexus beneath the temple during the fall of Coruscant.

It saddened her, to see this man take her words, and see them as loyalty only to the Senate, and corruption in her beliefs.

To state she would bring whispers to the senate, when she had expressly stated that it was good none from the Senate who viewed the Jedi as an enemy heard that. She had given decades to the order, and the silvers before that, and the Jedi Order of the Republic, and in the last weeks she had lost her two sons to the dark, her dearly beloved had been murdered all while she had defended Coruscant and returned to find her life upended along with this pain that bore deep into her very being.

"The only Council Member for the New Jedi Order sits there." She stated, simply and looking towards Corazona as she said this.

"You are not a Council Member, nor do the Lightsworn hold command over me. Only Corazona, who knows what I have given in service to this Order, may command of me to forsake any attachment to the Order. As for your comment as to two masters, you are mistaken on both fronts. I serve only one thing, the Living Force and those defenseless against powers they cannot stand against. We are protectors, defenders of those who have their rights torn from them by individuals who have no respect for their own autonomy and rights to choose their path in life. My left arm is immobile, for all intents and purposes dead to even the Force because I tried to stop the Sith from releasing the Nexus beneath the temple, and I lost the one I love because I choose to defend the Temple and save those I could rather than be home to protect her. The Order exists only to protect those who cannot protect themselves, to push back the Dark and to stand as champions of the Light... but if I must bow to the Order rather than support those people I swore to protect, then the Order has forsaken its purpose." This time she spoke clearly, no softness, no quiet whisper aided by the Force, clear and deeply pained as she responded to Aether of the Iron Order .

That was all she could say, the coughing coming hard as she made no attempt to quiet her voice this time. Dark crimson blood falling from her lips, unable to stop it as she would normally due to the stasis and with that she was too tired to put up with this. She had spent decades refining her ability to twist and direct the flow of the force, to let it run through her and to seek its aid and guidance. And in this manner she did so again, her being reached out, touched the flow and weaved those threads through her very body, through every inch of her form until she breathed out and pushed back against the Stasis.

She made no attempt to leave this time, instead, continuing to allow the Force to cycle through her, to look over towards Corazona von Ascania and to speak simply to her. Alexandra's features pale and her only on her feet as she constantly worked to repair the damage the corruption was trying to do to her, as it tore at her insides. Even now her breathing was harsh, labored as she worked to stitch back the damage from pushing herself like that.

"The decision is yours, as the last member of the Council. Do you share the views of that one." She waited, letting Corazona make her decision, letting Corazona be the one to tell her that her efforts are no longer welcome. She never got the chance to truly speak to Corazona, nor to offer her own wishes and plans from her place within the Senate and what good she could do now with her body in this state that it was in, a fact that only saddened her further.

She did spare one quick look towards Ichika Masudo , but rather then any look of disappointment or annoyance, she simply gave the young woman a smile and a shake of her head. There was no need for Ichika to worry or intercede. Alexandra was simply too far from her other half for too long, and had used far too much strength in that last bit of speech.

 

[Henna Ashina]

As the conversation veered to objectives they could perhaps agree on, Henna found herself, for the most part, in line with Ko and Aether. Though lordship was still a difficult topic, it did not need to be settled to march to war. In time, they would witness the act as it was and make their final judgments. The idea to host their young at the same temple, however, was ingenious. Bonds forged in the lightness of youth could prevent the next generation from facing the same strife as they did today.

That hope flickered momentarily when Jand stood, apparently done with the topic at hand, with little progress made but an offer to end outright hostilities. Kylass spoke next, voicing the other end of the spectrum, total cooperation in the name of effective military power. The bravery of the words brought a sad smile to Henna's face. They came from the right place, but the trust necessary for such an operation was not yet there, nor did the New Jedi possess the force to control such a large region of space without the support of the Alliance behind them.

"I hope that you will take my words to heart, and that my fellow members of the New Jedi Order understand why I can no longer be a part of this congregation given my own duties within the Alliance's Senate.

As the senator made her voice known, Henna's face settled into a hard grimace. So she was the very thing Henna had warned about when the subject of lordship was broached. The seer now disregarded further protests from the redhead, though the guard's swift action of detainment was a wise one. Though Alexandra looked to Cora for judgment, Aether had spoken to them all. Finally, Henna rose from her seat, legs screeching against the stone floor.

"Do as you will with your own. I do, however, advise you to consider the damage done to the Jedi and the populations of the core by the body she serves in your judgment. No part of me believes a politician places the light above their own ends."

With that small piece, Henna laid a holoprojector upon the table, awaiting Cora's verdict so they could get back to the task at hand and find some agreement on next actions before departure.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"At our inception, we were but a ghost of what we are now. A few dozen Jedi, a few dozen allies and friends thereof. Every one of our leaders came from this council or the Ashlan Crusade. We were all seasoned and experienced, but not in the way our manpower required of us. Command with numbers and resources required to defeat an Empire is a drastically different thing from the rogue organization we were. We struck too harshly, too quickly. A battle at Dromuund Kaas decimated our numbers." The seer's gaze flickered momentarily to Kyric, then back to the young woman. "We needed time to not only recoup our losses, but to build upon the foundation we had found. Amass funding. Allies. Weapons to put in their hands, and ships to carry them. Learn how to lead with what we have, and learn to use those assets to the best of our abilities."

Cora remained quiet as Henna spoke. She felt not only her explanation, but the subtle way that her words shifted in the Force. Somber but sincere. The healer's visage softened in empathy.

"May Ashla's Light guide you and yours in the trials to come," she rasped.

"The decision is yours, as the last member of the Council. Do you share the views of that one."

Cora drummed her fingertips on the armrest of her chair as she idly wondered how it had come to this.

"To be both a senator and a Jedi demands much of us. In many ways, those demands often compete with one another.

"The Jedi Order and the Senate have worked together, but they remain separate entities to prevent the consolidation of power. Chancellor Denko-Durren gave up her position within the Order to lead the Alliance. Chancellor Organa, while Force sensitive, fought on the battlefield as much as he did in the senate chambers to serve those under Alliance protection."

Cora paused, allowing something kinder into her expression as she looked to Alex.

"As I understand it, you are relatively new to this Order, but no one can question your service on Coruscant and Arkania. Given the turmoil and your genuine desire to bolster this Alliance, your ignorance of our structure is not to be blamed.

"In this war and more to come, we will need competent Jedi as much as we will need competent politicians."

Cora exhaled slowly, steadying the cadence of her breathing lest it become too ragged. Perhaps she'd spoken more than was necessary.

"I cannot make that choice for you, Master Feanor, but I ask you to dedicate yourself to the path you find the most in need of your compassion and talents."

Then, leaning in, she added in a whisper that lingered just between the two:

"And I beg you…please, do not stretch yourself so thin. You are wounded, as am I. We will help no one if we succumb to exhaustion, be it as a Jedi or a Senator."

 

[Jand Talo]

As the discussion continued, Jand stepped from the chair and slowly moved to be nearer Alexandra. He kept his arms casually in front of him, hands overlapped, but otherwise remained near her while others spoke opinions. Jand found himself between the Jedi Droid and the Jedi Master in question, his manner calm, his gray eyes focused.

When Corazona began to speak, Jand was grateful that she had joined them; she had always had a way with words, she understood people and how to convey things. Jand wasn't able to do that. He was too blunt, too honest, and missed social cues that others found surprising; though he believed it also stemmed from his life as a secluded Nagai, isolated from much of the galaxy, up until his later teenage years before joining the New Jedi Order.

I have developed socially, somewhat.

Still, it took a calm presence and a compassionate empathy to do what Corazona did, and that was not Jand. He was unending battle and bloodied robes... but he was fine with that. Everyone had a place, everyone had a purpose, and it was pleasing when differences intersected and worked.

Corazona concluded.

"And so the verdict is made," Jand said, as he glanced over to Alexandra. She might have noticed he kept his body facing the Jedi Droid, standing between the pair. "I ask that you keep us informed of your decision. Go in peace, Master Feanor, may the Force be with you."

Jand remained facing the assembly, hands at his front, as he waited for the other to leave without issue or threat.

His eyes remained on the Jedi Droid.

"Lady Ashina, when can we expect an answer to the alliance offer? Time is not on our side, as several have mentioned. I am content to continue, if you so choose."

Henna Ashina | Corazona von Ascania | Aether of the Iron Order | Alexandra Feanor​

 

[Aether of the Iron Order]

AX-01 Vanguard Mark I
Jedi Securitron Model Parts
[Aether's Build]

Weapons : Training lightsaber x 6 | Hot 'n' Heavy Compensator War Maul

Arrogance dressed as wisdom, delusion mistaken for vision, ambition cloaked by compassion... It was not Aether's place to pass judgment on the simpering woman; only to release her from his presence.​

Without another word, Aether let Alexandra Feanor 's presence fall away from his notice, the matter no longer of concern to him.

 

[Henna Ashina]

"I am obliged to agree with Knight Vuto's counsel and accept the terms Aether has put before us."

Talo's promise would have to be good enough, despite the disdain that had tainted his earlier speech. This would be no easy friendship - but a necessary means to an end. A map sprung forth from the holoprojector with a touch of her hand, key targets marked, as well as known Empire strongholds and patrol routes.

"Kuat would be my strategic pick for a strike. Empress Teta, for a message of hope. Though, I believe we are closing in on Operation Stardust's location, and it remains our top priority."

The warden's gaze flickered between the Jedi gathered for their voices.

 

[Ariana du Couteau]

Ariana du Couteau
Outfit

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Ariana kept her lips pursed, though she nearly gave in to her first thoughts and wanted to speak out against many of the comments being thrown around. Whatever tranquility had first appeared before them was now utterly shaken to its core. Truth was a curious word—everyone present had an idea of what it meant, each shaped by their own understanding.​

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For her part, Ariana wondered if there was any line left uncrossed. Mistakes were commonplace for those with sentient thought; it was simply the way of the galaxy. Even the living Force was forced to make do with what existed in the galaxy at any given time.​

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If someone with Anakin Skywalker’s history could be redeemed, then perhaps anything was possible.​

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Of course, the young du Couteau heiress wasn’t in a position to forgive the actions and errors committed, if any at all. Though Ariana attempted to keep up with the conversation, she grew more restless as the back-and-forth threatened to spill over into words best left unsaid. As difficult as that was, she couldn’t help but wonder if it had always been like this in the past. And if so, she dearly wished her father were here now. What did you see that made you believe in the Jedi? That you then agreed to allow me to become one?​

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Ariana listened tentatively, her ears sore from the heated words that grew into pointed daggers, though she could still detect the pain lying deep within them. So much had happened, and the greatest wounds had barely been bandaged, let alone begun to heal. If time truly healed all wounds, Ariana feared they were still decades away from being considered whole again.​

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“Empress Teta has always had problems with overgrown weeds in our gardens. We feared ripping them out root and stem, for any damage to the roses was never tolerated,” Ariana spoke up. ​

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“But because of it, I know Teta can be fickle with both the thorns of roses and weeds alike. Whispers and rumors travel quickly through the grapevine, and messages of hope can spread even faster. I know where to place targets on.”​

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“Eh, the nobility of Teta are difficult to adequately control, even under duress. This includes the people, as we often long to call upon a Tetan Empress or Emperor who carries the name Keto. Recent history though has shown support for such a figure has been strained. Now, with a tightly clenched steel fist, I am certain the Imperials threaten to break whatever goodwill they had when taking the planet without a full-scale war.” ​

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Ariana trailed off with the last sentence, silently worrying about how it had come across. Rumors said that whatever Alliance fleet had remained in the Tetan sector had already evacuated, even before the Imperials had hypered into the system proper.​

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“But of course, if there is any planet that understands strategic patience, it is Teta. Whichever course we choose to strike first, my family will support,” Ariana added. Her confidence, however, betrayed her inner doubt, for she was unsure how much influence she truly held even within her own family. She was just eager to push towards action.​

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|| Aether of the Iron Order | Henna Ashina | Jand Talo | Alexandra Feanor | Ichika Masudo | Corazona von Ascania | Kylass Starhaven | Katarine Ryiah | Arlow Vex | Starlin Rand | Kyric | Corin Kaze | Kito | Ko Vuto | Silya Thrast | Thelar Grayson | Mykel Dawson | Sienna | @Ba'yl Lazan ||​