Faction Track a snowflake in a blizzard on Hoth

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine @Jedi welcome

Avalonis was a beautiful island shrouded in the mists of Peridea. The Children of the Jedi making it their home once upon a time and with the silver jedi they have managed to create a stronger foothold. The exploration of the shattered city on the world.. the exploration of the world went further as they explored the system and eventually were sending ships out into the galaxy itself. There was always more and with the newest forece hyperdrives they were able to make the travel from galaxy to galaxy much faster. Beacons and a pathway designed thanks to the colonization vessels that had been sent out. THe jedi master was there and she was checking the large citadel tower... high on the island and going far down into it. Thalls covered with blocks that jutted out and were inscribed with names... bloodlines, families and relations that saw jedi geneology down through the tens of thousands of years. SHe could trace it as the blocks wound around the room, cultivation of bloodlines... families and information coming in as there was always room for more to be added when information came.

The skies above were clear enough and she moved, allowing the force to guide her movements while she worked withe younger padawans. "Through your fingers, pink grains are forming, haphazard, random, a disorganized stream of silicone that seems pregnant with the possibility of every conceivable shape… But this is an illusion. Things have their shape in time, not space alone. THe building blocks of the universe have statues within them, embedded in their future." She said it and was showing them the art of the small. SHe was holding her hand out and over some fo the sand while teaching them how to focus and structure it. To form the matter into shapes that they could manipulate with their hands. THeir fingers shaping it from a distance. "Allow yourself to focus and relax your mind. Like this you are able to manipulate and form what you will." THe jedi master remained there as some of them were getting tired and sat down with water to rest. The sun above casting more shadows.

 

[Mara Palpatine]

Mara had come at the expresss invitation of Matsu Ike to learn deeper mysteries pf the For ce and hiw The Universe ticked. She had carved out some time from her Master, and got passage to Perdeia with some other Padawans wanting to receive some training outside the purview of GA.

The Palpatine was at table manipulating the space dust silcon with her hands, she tried to reach put and make it conform to her will, when she realized that was why it was not working. Ahs let go for a moment and tried to concentrate and let herself become one with the sand, ahe saw herself in light, the particles of pink all around her, penetrating her and swirling till they took shape into a tree. Openinf her eyes from this vision, the magenta grains had become a bonsai tree. They sparkled and seemed to be moving like water. Mara reached to touch it and smiled, it was so beautiful. Her finger felt it as the liquid like clay hardened and became living and solid. Woth a great smile she turned to Matsu and said,

“It’s alive! It really is alive!”

The giddness in her tone was complimented with her joyful countenance. She was naturally bubbling with an innocence and wonder that waa quite at odda with the blood coursing theough her veins. Most had a difficult time believing she was a Palpatine, mist thought the claim of her progeny was doubtful at best. Even her Master suspected it was a a tall tale. However, if one looked carefully at her smile, and eyes, and compared them to the holo images of Rey Palpatine Skywalker, they would see many similarities.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

THe jedi master gave her a look and nod. "It is and can be, the art is one of the strongest a jedi can learn... and most will never even learn it beyond the fundamental applications." She said it and knew a few jedi who had used the skill.. for the most basic even more who just liked to talk about it. ONe of the biggest things she had done when it came to training her students within the silver jedi was to make sure they didn't just have the skills of a jedi but the essential techniques to survive. Avalonis was a testiment to the resolve of the jedi and all around the various jedi children were living and working or training. THeir homes built into the rock and mountains as they had paths carved and wide open training areas filled with sand that could be used. SHe moved her hands and shifted the sands into glass and then some inside of it into water while she took a sip and it was chilled.

 

[Mara Palpatine]

Mara watched as Matsu Ike made a cup and drank from it. The applications of this use of The Force could be boundless. She contemplated what else she could conjure, and so asked The Master,
“Could one form a bridge or even larger things?”

Her mind ran wild with the possibilities, she could see if one was talented enough and had honed this power with training they could perhaps create a whole world. It was beyond anything that she knew was possible with The Force. Most used what non-Jedi called tricks, little gestures of power and almost always in combat. This was an act of creation which made The Palpatine positively giddy. We’re they not Demi-creators? Life creates The Force, and if you manipulated life you were in effect shaping The Force.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

"With enough time and practice yes, you are manipulaating the matter in the air, the ground and the universe itself. Changing it, shifting it... you could use it is ways to alter everything. From forming doors in a wall to making a solid object along a path." She said it and there was a lot to it... more so then some thought. "Manipulating the building blocks of the universe has other effects as well. SHaping it to what you could want or what it could be... it will take a lot out of you and many others have tried different methods to manipulate on this scale. With other abilities but given enough time anyone with enough knowledge and experience could use this to heal, to build, to improve."

 

[Mara Palpatine]

Mara listen to Master Matsu Ike , the explanation that she could in effect summon doors and manipulate matter made her pose the next query,

“Is this why Nightsisters can teleport? That they have tapped into these building blocks that allows them to open tunnels and travel as if they themselves became these particles?”

The Palpatine felt she was perhaps understanding, “taking her first steps into s larger world.” A larger world than she had ever imagined. This changed everything! It made traditional use of the Force look primitive, and like children playing with fire, while this was harnessing fire to forge things in the furnace of life itself.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

"In a way perhaps, the nightsisters have learned skills that many others in the galaxy do not know. THeir spells use the force but they like the Fallenassi or the Discipoles of twilight, shapers and weavers have learned how to use it in a different way.. to touch upon those different aspects." SHe said it while she had met and trained.. studied with them. There were a dozen and more traditions across the galaxy. "There are many groups, all with their own aspects of the force... a jedi even if they do not use something should know how it works... should understand what it means to others. It is also a good way to learn which can improve your skills. The Matukai practice self improvement to the point one can rarely ever run out of stamina, the Fallenassi can see while the Baren Do can hear."

 

[Mara Palpatine]

Hearing about so many different traditions and ways to tap into The Force, another question formed in her mind that scared her and so she had to utter it to cut off its power,

“Does that mean one should study the dark side as well? Since it would fall under another tradition.”

She hoped Master Matsu Ike would comfort her with some form of Jedi dogma, that the dark side is “a corruption of the Force.” She was afraid of what resides in her blood, that black spotted drops that called to her, saying “give in.” She had managed to fight this ‘pull’ with Severance, but the fear of becoming another Sheev at some point had to be confronted. She could not carry on as she had forever, at some point she had to face the dark and vanquish its voice. That was something she longed for, hoped for, and yet it seemed the day would never come, that she was still wrestling in an eternal struggle within her self everyday.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

Her eyebrow raised up. "ONe should always know the dangers, a jedi studies how bad and dangerous the darkside can be. It is smarter to know the dangers then just being told don't do something. That will usually make another person want to do it more. To rebel... or in the case of some padawans I have seen it makes them believe they will be that special one who can unite the force.... while not realize that the darkside is corruptive. SMall acts, small uses can become larger and larger as it is easier to use and is quick to join you in situations." She said it and looked at the other padawans who were there learning. "THat doesn't mean it is something to use, the strength of a jedi is not the force, it is not a lightsaber it is the power of your convictions, the strength of your mind and heart. Many will give into their emotions, into their feelings and these are important. THey will make you human but to be ruled by them is to be ruled by any other vice. Moderation and control is important and the lesson. It is why you are able to manipulate and focus on things that others of your yeard and training will not be able to."

 

[Mara Palpatine]

The Palpatine was relieved when Master Matsu Ike spoke of the corruptive influence of the dark side, how it was a consuming arrangement, seift to give aid but the cost was one’s very soul.

When Master Ike mentioned that a Jedi’s strength was their convictions, this made her please. For she believed it was a choice, every day you decided to be a Jedi or not. Many blamed The Force, claiming they were seduced by the dark side, but ultimately despite such terms of temptation, the individual made the choice to give in.

“I must confess I fear to study the darkness Master. And yet not doing so has made that fear mushroom, like this tree and I am now worried that the fear will mature which leads to anger.. I feel so exasperated by this cloud, this shadow that hangs over me as vibroaxe. I resign myself that it is my convictions not some dark destiny designed in DNA that holds seay, I decide if I rise or fall.”

Ahe said this with such confidence, and yet she could not hide the distress riddled in her face. She was a tender soul, and her natural disposition was kindness not cruelty, and yet she knew the path to Chaos (hell) was paved with good intentions…

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

"Then you are wise, you undersand the danger that study of such a thing could pose." She said it while standing there and looking at the others with a nod of her head. "This is for everyone, there is a difference between knowing and doing... AA jedi should know what the darkside is. BE able to recognize it from its blatent examples to the more subtle. Manipulations of the mind to twist others to ones will, stoking dangers and problems that will presist." She said it while walking. "As the children fo the jedi, those descended from bloodlines strong in the force, cultivated through bonds both emotional and for strengthening. This is more apparent, there will always be the darkside and the danger of it, if we go by some of the oldest texts it is a loop with no clear beginning or end. THe first jedi talked about it as something older and in the lowest depths of the netherworld, within the chaos from the beginning of the universe.. so like the force the dark and the light have always confronted each other in an eternal struggle." She said it and the precepts ideas and stories in the sacred jedi texts were unclear completely but they had learned more about older beings then some of the other force orders.

 

[Mara Palpatine]

Mara listened intently as Master Matsu Ike spoke of the dangerous of the dark side. She particularly interests in what she had to say about blood lines. To which ahe raised a hand,

“What if you come from a dark line Master? If you are from Sith bloodlines? How do you discern if total abstinence is the only option because to even know the darkness could potentially make one fall.”

She felt her heart rate accelerate over the discussion. Her mind had been overwhelmed with doubts, fears about her bloodline. Ahs clung to the hope of Rey, that she successfully resisted. However, she was bot sure how strong she was. Would her nature propensity for kindness and compassion be the tools with which The Shadow would seduce her into a path that would make her a Heir of Sheev? She wanted to believe her nature goodness and love for sentients was a sign Ashla was strong in her, that The Light had taken up residence in her heart. But the doubts persisted, how could they not? She tried to not worry, to cling to the belief that it was always choice, that she had bot yet, “resisted the dark side till shedding blood.” Her blood, a figurative speech that meant resisting temptation twll it maxe your very body and soul scream from agony, to not give in to the point it really hurt you.

She was sorry to monopolize the class, there were other Padawans and she did not want to marginlie their learning. Though the discussion might help not only her but them, anything to keep people from slipping into the shadow was worthy.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

"Sharing genetics doesn't mean that they passed the darkside down to you. You don't have to share their choices padawan." She said it and looked at her clasping hands behind her back as she stood there. "That is for everyone, yes a bloodline can be something to be proud of but if you use it as the metric of what will happen to you then you will fulfill your own fear with obsession." She said it while walking more now around the area. SOme of the students still practicing as they had water and were trying again. "Better, allow the force to guide your movements and it will show you just as much what it wants to be as what you want it to become."

 

[Mara Palpatine]

The Palpatiine hoped The Master Matsu Ike was right. She wondered to herself if part of the dark side’s power was entrapment, using terms like “destiny,” and “it is invitable,” to coerce the tempted to believe that choice was no longer a factor.
Mara decided to bring this up,

“Master Ike, is it true the tactics of the dark side is to make one believe there is no hope, that you are doomed to fall?”

The Padawan was earnest, she was using The Master’s words to reinforce her own beliefs, to help build scaffolding in her soul to help shield herself from the lies of the Sith.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

"The tactics of the darkside are to play on your insecurities, to make you doubt yourself and then offer the power to overcome. Whether that is with isolation or being thrown into the forefront of people is to the individual." She said it while looking at her. THe girl seemed to care about the topic which was good but hinging everything on such a thing like it did less and less. "There are plenty of individuals from jedi and sith bloodlines that have been good or bad or just walked away. Blood is legacy but it is not a predetermination. The jedi order has had ones descended from palpatine serve nobely in the jedi order just as it has had ones from skywalker join the sith. It was their choices and whether they were alone or together it had little to do with their DNA and all to do with their personal goals and experiences."

 

[Mara Palpatine]

She was being played, that was the lesson, the dark side was trying to suffocating Mara, to convince her that her fall was inevitable. When Master Matsu Ike mentioned a Palpatine that did bot fall, she knew she meant her ancestor Rey,l. The message was clear, she had control of her destiny and would decide not some dark plan.

“Thank you Master Ike, your words are a balm to me.”

She looked at the room of Padawans and great calm came over her. There was hope, each of them with the potential to become a candle in the darkness as the ancient and wise Master Yoda had said, “become the dark or bec candle,” (Dark Rendezvous) indeed, she would choose to trim her wick and keep the flame crackling. Master Ike had driven hime the point that DNA was not the determinant, that you had to decide for yourself. ultimately it was not about joining a side and winning a cosmic game, as the sagely Qui-Gon Jinn had said, “I choose the Light because it is the Light.” (Master & Apprentice, Claudia Gray). As Jedi they were not to emulate The Sith and play conquest. The goal was not to efect some great bonfire in the blackness of the galaxy and legislate rigtheousness, rather it was to each be a lamp, giving hope in dark universe.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

She gave a nod of her head to that. "Good, I am glad that they will help because there is always much to do and while this world is removed from much of the galaxy. Investigations into the ancient kingdom of the Dathomiri are ongoing and we have been working to understand much more about what is here that attracts force beings." She said it looking up. "The Purgill found this place somehow.. the Zeffo, the Dathomiri... everything was attracted here for something and it is subtle but we have been able ot feel something." She said it with a small look though as the padawans who were working came aorund and Matsu started to walk. "Also helps that the children of the jedi are here.. they are naturally cautious and curious.. wanting to make sure there is nothing that would be a threat to them."

 

[Mara Palpatine]

The Palpatine listened and wondered why all was drawn to Perdeia. Was it a vergence in The Force? Was it a gateway to something that had been lost and pre-dated The Force religions? Mara felt her mind stir with these questions, and she raised her hand and asked,

“May I join the excavations Master?”

Curiosity was a major part of Mara’ personality. She wanted to know more, and Master Matsu Ike had wet her appetite to know what secrets Perdeia held. Though caution was warranted, if everyone was being drawn to this planet, then the power that lurked deep in this world could be very dangerous indeed.

 

[Matsu Ike]

Mara Palpatine

"Anyone is welcomed." She said it and wa smoving as several of the padawans gave way to knights and continued to work on their techniques... the various jedi showing more ornate robes and displaying maps both from drones and holograms as well as from handdrawn maps that they had made for records physically. It wasn't as detailed in some cases but they were showing doorways and areas of interest that a person would be drawn to over a computer. THe islands exterior mist filled jungles that were surrounded by more mists but the sun was coming down. Blue waters this far out were beautiful while she moved a hand and the air shifted to form a raft that could be used.... then the raft went from a raft to a bridge while she was able to walk with the others. THe waters remaining calm as the matter was shifting from behind as they walked towards the front. "THe island looks distant and far into the seas but it is actually between two larger landmasses on the planet. THeir tips extending and can be reached."

 

[Mara Palpatine]

Mara examined the drone footage as it gave a detailed mapping of the world. The jungles intrigued her, for on Yavin IV there was jungles and great secrets hidden within. The Young Padawan began to study as Matsu Ike showed her the way. Turning to the Jedi Master she asked,

“Is there a Speeder Bike I could use to take a closer look?”

Perdeia was a world full of wonders, the drones should a planet that was rich in ancient ruins. One drone showed a mountain carved into the shape of some sage with a bearc. Pointing to it she asked,

“What is that?”

The Palpatine was excited by discovery, it was one of the chief reasons she was here. There was something deep inside her that wanted to explore mysteries, to follow the womp rat hole to whatever end.