Private The Little Things Give You Away

[Colette]

Hand tensed up and then released. And then they tensed up again, and then released again. The cycle repeated a few times over and over again as Colette prepared herself to speak. Shame burned under her skin like a poison. It had escaped her for so long that the others might not have been aware of what she needed to say, but it had been known to the NJO leadership and for some reason she had assumed the same of this leadership too.

But this wasn't the NJO, and from the sound of it not everyone might have been aware. She looked at the gathered councilors and let out a slow exhale.

"Thank you for taking the time to be here," she began. "As the invite mentioned, I need to talk about the queen of Eshan, Quinn Varanin."

Where would she begin with this? Her eyes jittered for a moment, the memories carried a weight to them she hadn't expected.

"She's a Sith Lord." Colette ripped the bandaid off. "I know there has been speculation on this, but it's true. Quinn Varanin is a Sith Lord of immense power who played a big part in the battle of Woostri and most likely many other Sith battles after it too."

"She is a master at terror, and equally dangerous with storms. The Sith clearly had some kind of intention for her presence on the planet. Every chance she got, she tried her best to stay out of reach and make sure that the storms around us raged on and empowered her friends."

"It was me and Ko Vuto. We faced off against her and two other combatants that I don't know the names of." Deep breath. "Ultimately however, I failed. Ko was down, and I was stabbed by Quinn to the point where, if my medevac arrived just a few seconds later… I wouldn't be here today."

Eyes closed, deep breath.

"More recently I met Quinn at an event for the Republic where I found out that she either knowingly denies that she is aware of who I am, or she has genuinely forgot. Either way she made it known that she's close with my former padawan, Reina Daival. I don't know to what extent, but I can give it a good guess. Worst case they're lovers, and best case — if there is such a thing — they're just friends."

"I'll try to answer any questions you might have, but I can't promise the answers will make things clear. The memories are… Hazy."

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Shirayan Temple
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Colette | Ala Quin | Sela Basran | Lorn Reingard | Zark San Tekka | Romi Jade | Vodet | Vizion Trozky

Lily listened as Colette stated things that the Echani already knew, from previous conversations with Colette over Quinn as well as things she had observed herself over the years. Lily was not sure if there was going to be much that came from this conversation in her mind, Quinn was now queen of Eshan and Warden within the Mandalorian Empire. Given the relationship between the High Republic and the Mandalorian Empire, there wasn't much that Lily thought that they could do. There was also the fact that Quinn was also, or at least in Lily's mind, assumed to be heir to the Empress. Given the very close relationship Quinn was known to have with the current Empress.

"I am not sure what there is that we can do with this information." Lily stated plainly.

Looking over to Colette, "Quinn is queen to Eshan, a warden within the Mandalorian Empire, that provides her with enough levels of protection that we cannot go simply arrest or remove her titles." There was some sympathy in Lily's eyes since she knew that Colette had once been very close with Reina so hearing things had turned so poorly, it was not going to be easy. "I also believe that she is a good ruler for Eshan as well, it might be strange to say this given the context that she is a Sith Lord. But Quinn prioritises the needs of the Echani over any Sith ties. I do believe her rule there is for the best."

Lily had told herself that she would defend Quinn's rule so long as her family was safe, so long as Eshan had no Sith influence. It was important to have a leader that she could trust for her home and while others might believe her foolish or idiotic for trusting that to Quinn. Currently they held no evidence that Lily was making a bad decision.

"I am sorry to hear about Reina, losing a Padawan is not easy. But you must remember that Reina made her decisions, you cannot place all the guilt and regret on what Reina is doing, or who she is associated with. It might also be for the best to shift focus away from Quinn Varanin as well. As difficult as that might sound, there are new priorities you have and there are other dangers we need to focus on." Lily said, hoping she could offer some comfort to her friend in the moment. Though she feared that Colette might not be so easily swayed from this path.

It had been tense the last time that Lily mentioned dropping the hunt for Quinn.

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Colette | Lily Decoria​

Lorn shifted in his seat. Every word Colette spoke about her lost Padawan felt like a physical strike against his chest. He could still feel the phantom ache of Acier's fall to the darkness, a wound that refused to scar over. He had been distant lately, drifting through Council business like a ghost, but the mention of a master losing a student snapped his focus back to the present.

He watched Colette's tensed hands and the shame written across her face. He knew that look too well. It was the expression of someone who felt they had failed the Force itself. He looked toward Lily, noting the pragmatism in her voice, then back to the woman who had nearly died at the Sith Queen's hand.

"I am of the same mind as Knight Decoria," Lorn finally spoke. His voice was raspy. "It is good to know who and what we are up against. Understanding the threat is the first step toward eliminating it."

He leaned forward, his eyes searching Colette's. "But what are you proposing? That we petition the Mandalorian Empire for the extradition of this Warden? We have to be realistic about the political landscape. Knowing the Mand'alor and his people, I don't believe they will hold the same thoughts on this Sith Lord that we might."

He glanced at Lily, acknowledging the messy reality of her homeworld's leadership. To the Jedi, Quinn was a monster; to Eshan, she was a protector. It was a friction that didn't have an easy solution.

Lorn let out a quiet sigh. "If she is as powerful as you say, and as well-protected as Lily suggests, a direct confrontation isn't just difficult. It might be impossible without starting a war we aren't ready to fight."

 

[Sela Basran]

SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY
MASTER BASRAN'S QUARTERS
​

Sela's mind cast back to a conversation she had had with her former apprentice Delphis Argoli earlier that year. It had been about the nature of politics, and how, in his view, Jedi ought to eschew them. Sela had refuted the idea on the basic principle that everything was politics, because politics was about how people interacted day to day.

How naive she had been -- and how wise was her former apprentice -- before she had been invited to sit on this Council.

"I am uneasy with the notion that connections and influence ought to shield one from the consequences of their actions," Sela said in her typical, almost-quiet, almost-conversational tone. "With that being said, my closest, most literal reading of the Shirayan Code does not obligate us one way or another, but it commands that we stand in defense of life, as sword and shield. The Sith are nothing if not dealers in death. That would seem to require us to take some action, if only as a shield, when this woman is in our jurisdiction."

What that would look like was anyone's guess. A Jedi babysitter following Quinn around so as to prevent her from harming anyone seemed ridiculous in the extreme, and it did not solve the root of the problem. If there was to be no accountability for Quinn because of the people she knew and was connected to, it made no difference whether she was minding her own business walking the charming artisan markets of Theed or butchering a school bus full of younglings. If she was untouchable, she was untouchable.

Sela regarded Knight Decoria curiously. Her suggestion that a Sith Lord was not something to be endured but was 'for the best' alarmed the Jedi Master. "Troubling," she murmured, apropos of nothing. "Most troubling. And if this Varanin woman is at Republic events, where she might cross paths with other Jedi, who is to say what influence she might have over your... less experienced members." She frowned thoughtfully, tapping the edge of her ubiquitous lens -- the one that looked like a monocle -- against her chin.

"Quartermaster," she said suddenly, eyes snapping to the younger Jedi intently. "Do we know how much of this the High Republic is aware? Political realities being what they are, we may be unable to intercede directly. But if the Republic knows of her... predilictions, shall we say ...it would be illuminating to see just who continues to interact with her -- and how -- when they are in possession of the full set of facts." Just as illuminating as it was for the Jedi Council to see where its members stood on the topic.

Colette | Lorn Reingard | Lily Decoria​

 

[Romi Jade]

---​

She had been mostly still through most of the exchange, gaze lowered slightly toward the floor, but not unfocused, but distant in that particular way that suggested she was assembling something mentally rather than reacting to it. Colette's account, Lily's response, Lorn's caution, Sela's unease, they all settled into place...as variables.

She shared some of Sela's perspective too, at best it made no sense for her to be about freely. And she found Lily's advocacy slightly unusual.

When she finally looked up, her expression hadn't changed. "Before we move further," she said, voice even, "I'd just like to clarify the timeline a bit more if we can."

Her gaze shifted briefly, from Colette, then to Lily, then the rest of the chamber. "When did Quinn Varanin first give the impression of being a Sith, or otherwise raise that level of concern, and who was aware of it at the time?"

The question was placed, but not pressed.

"Given Colette's account, which I have no reason but to consider highly credible, what elements have we been able to independently confirm, and where are we still relying on inference?"

She wanted to separate certainty levels so they didn't run the risk of making sloppy decisions.

A small pause.

"Because how we define the problem will determine what options are available to us."

"There's been an assumption that any meaningful response would require direct confrontation… or escalation into conflict with the Mandalorian Empire." Her eyes lifted again. "I'm not sure that's an entirely complete assessment. If Quinn Varanin is operating within Republic space, attending public functions, maintaining proximity to Jedi personnel, and those within the senate.... then the question isn't only whether we can act against her directly."

A beat.

"It's whether we're accounting for her presence at all. And if we don't....well that's not neutrality. That's negligence. And how would that make us look? Sure we can't arrest her… so there's nothing else at all that can be done?

"To Master Sela's point, even further, surely we can come up with some measures to put in place to monitor her interactions, or to limit potential influence."

Romi leaned back slightly, crossing her leg over the other, not disengaging, but settling.

---

Colette | Sela Basran | Lorn Reingard | Lily Decoria​

 

[Colette]

Romi Jade Sela Basran Lorn Reingard Lily Decoria

Colette offered Lily a gentle smile once she voiced her worry that Colette should let go of Quinn. In reality she had, but the council still needed to be aware and discuss this. It wasn't meant to be a conversation on how to take her down — at least not yet — as much as it was meant to put everyone on equal grounds and awareness.

But intent and reality were not always the same. She was about to explain herself to Lorn but gently shook her head to answer his question once others started to interject. Each question piled kept her quiet as she listened to the others. They were all very valid questions.

"I agree with Lorn that the political aspect of it makes action a minefield." Colette looked at the man with a nod before she turned towards Master Basran. "And I believe the Republic is aware to some extent. I know that the chancellor has interacted with Quinn for a fact. She was there moments after I confronted Quinn at their fundraising gala. Although, it was mostly just pleasantries from what I could tell. Nothing solid to go on there."

"And no, I have no idea for how long Quinn has been a Sith in public. The real question is if we can monitor her. There's no getting around that she's a foreign, diplomatic entity from the Mandalorian Empire, and that beyond that the Republic has religious freedom."

"As long as Quinn, or any Sith for that matter, is acting within the laws of the Republic — there's little we as Jedi can do. And overstepping that line because we think we're right isn't an option."

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Colette Romi Jade Lorn Reingard Lily Decoria Sela Basran

"This is a grave matter."

Master San Tekka's voice sounded robotic emerging from the Temple Guard mask he wore. Eye lenses glowed like burning embers when the old man ceased his meditations. Blank cortosis betrayed nothing of his thoughts.

"Diplomatic immunity for a powerful Sith Lord troubles me and yet provoking the mandalorians would be unwise. I fought costly territorial wars against their predecessors. If she is clever, then Varanin is counting on that protection."

His hand clenched into a fist. Zark knew he could not let emotion cloud his judgment, so with some effort he relaxed. Memories of too many old battles threatened to upset the Jedi's focus.

"She will move against us," he sounded confident, "It is in their nature. If a trained Sith gains political favor with the Senate then the damage she can wreak might outweigh the cost of confronting her now."

Some of the Jedi on this Council he knew. Others who trained far from the Core Worlds only by reputation. His own history was a long record of both remarkable victories and costly failures. Master Zark's war against the darkside would never end.

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Colette | Lily Decoria | Romi Jade | Sela Basran | Zark San Tekka​

Lorn shifted again, his gaze dropping to the floor for a heartbeat before he looked back at the gathered Council. The room was heavy with talk of surveillance, political fallout, and inevitable war. He felt the familiar weight of dread, but it was tempered by a stubborn spark of hope he hadn't yet managed to kill. He had seen the best of people turn, and he had spent years wondering if the reverse was possible.

"Have we tried speaking with her?" Lorn interjected. He felt the weight of several stares, but he didn't shrink away. "I know many here have a history with her that isn't easy to look past. But we all have history we might not be proud of. We cannot simply assume the worst path is the only one left."

He straightened his posture, trying to find a solid footing in the conversation. "It is unrealistic to monitor her every move or track everyone she speaks to in Republic space. That kind of oversight is a drain we can't afford, and it invites the very conflict we're trying to avoid... I have seen her in the presence of my own Padawan. At the time, I had no idea who she was. I never sensed any malicious intent from her at those Republic events."

Lorn cleared his throat, his voice steady despite the skepticism he felt radiating from the others. He thought of Acier Moonbound and the darkness that had swallowed him. If there was even a fraction of a chance to pull someone back, wasn't that their duty?

"She has sought shelter away from the Sith, first under the Black Sun and now as a Warden. What if we simply talk to her? Not all who have felt the embrace of the dark are lost forever." He looked at Colette, then Sela. "At least, I have to believe that's still true. If we treat her like an enemy before she acts like one, we might just be making the choice for her."

 

[Vodet]

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to play nice, or that he was a contrarian, but as Waybinder, Vodet focused his efforts to the wayseekers and outlying enclaves that feed into, and pull from the Jedi Order. That meant that his opinions were going to differ from someone like Zark, and that was fine. Eventually the Council would always come to a conclusion that worked for all, and the Will of the Force. Galactic politics tended to not always include the Wayseekers, but here, Vodet was different.

He liked to know what was going on, and paid attention as Colette spoke. A Sith Lord on the throne of Eshan. Not always the best idea. Vodet was not a Starchaser and didn’t hold to crusade the Sith merely for their presence, he and his herd understood that there were shades to this all. As the others were saying, that was a lot of protection.

“And she may even have witches, which is a tide we don’t tend to conflict with.” Vodet knew his history. Mandos and the Dathomiri tended to be on friendly or ‘enemy of my enemy’ terms with one another. And a strike against her would be fruitless. But they had other means.

“We can declare our stance, and hope the Senate follows suit?”

The large terrapin looked up at the gathered.