Private Voices In The Atrium [Colette]

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette .

​

It was midday on Naboo, and for many of the younger Jedi students, it was their break for lunch between lessons. Those who attended scheduled classes, the Padawan Learners and Initiates who were well on their way towards attaining a Master and setting forth into their advanced training. For Balun Dashiell, this was a pleasant time in the day where the atrium was often busied with others gathering their lunch and seating themselves at the long tables set up for larger groups to encourage socialising and camaraderie among the Order. The constant chatter, the lightened moods at a time when the stressors of practice were temporarily set aside, and the young could simply focus on being themselves. The sight of them often brought a smile to his face, greeting those who acknowledged him yet otherwise seeking not to interrupt the students' leisure time.

The young Jedi Knight had just concluded his first scheduled class teaching meditation to a few of the next generation of Jedi, something that had been rather intimidating at first, yet he had quelled such feelings to instead focus on his desire to give back to the Order and offer something beneficial to the Padawans. While he had given them his full attention, the urge to critique himself was never far away and often much harsher than was fair on himself. In the public light, it was easier to keep such feelings at bay, yet in the quiet of the evenings, where he would reflect on the days passing, more often than not, did he question himself. He had only been among the roster of Jedi Knights for a short time, and as his Master had pointed out to him, the pressure he placed on himself to perfect his role was perhaps more of a hindrance when it masked the individual that he was.

The lesson had gone well, Balun taking Ala Quin's advice to heart and simply allowing himself to be his more casual, grounded self with the students, something the Padawans who had attended seemed encouraged by. He had planned to sit and write up his lesson report, losing himself in his datapad while he ate and sipped a wonderful cup of stim-caf. That was until he noticed a familiar face in the far corner of the room, a member of the Jedi Council who had been present at Cerys' hearing. Balun's alarming step into Knighthood, impromptu as it felt.

"Hello, Master Noble" Balun dipped his head in greeting, not a full bow as formal etiquette required, but with a tray of food and his drink in both hands, anything more would risk spilling it all across her table; "It would appear I'm not alone in the art of working through one's lunch break" he grinned, glancing between Colette and the datapad in front of her. "Would you care for some company, or would that be intruding on your downtime?" It was still rather awkward, knowing how to act around the Mentor body of the Order now that he had become one of them, yet, given her position in the Jedi Council, there would be no mistaking his cautionary manner, as he did not wish to be an inconvenience to her.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell
The rays of the sun bathed this table in a warm glow. It was probably silly, but Colette treasured that when it came to working with electronics. Well-lit background, never stare at it for too long before doing something else, always keeping a mind out for headaches.

She ran her thumb up and down along the latest reports to vigorously check between the different costs of keeping the Order up and running. So far things were looking pretty good, but a feeling in her gut told her that it was just a matter until that changed. War was brewing on the horizon. And from what Colette had gathered so far it would seem that few things were as capable of tearing whole Orders apart as war was.

It would begin with a need to shift priorities that put dents into the chain of logistics. Continued pressure would turn those dents into cracks and before long there was no chain anymore. So far Colette hadn't managed to find any dents, but they were coming — of that she was certain.

"Hello, Master Noble." An unfamiliar voice tore Colette from her work.

"Balun." She bowed her head in greeting once she remembered the name to the face. "No, I was going over a report I've already gone over several times before."

The councilor-knight pulled up her satchel to stow the pad away. A well-worn canvas bag that had seen years of abuse by now and yet never discarded. A bit like Colette herself, she supposed. She extended her hand towards the seat opposite hers.

"You seem to be taking to your promotion well from what I've seen and heard."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

"Thank you kindly, Master", Balun replied gently, joining her on the other side of the table and placing his tray before him. His dish held a healthy portion of salad and a fine cut of beef, a simple yet delectable meal; "It's certainly an adjustment, and I am grateful that my Master had such confidence in me".

Before his meeting with Ala Quin and joining the Order of the High Republic, Balun had acted as an independent Force User for the majority of his teenage years. He had the education of one raised in the New Jedi Order, the Temple on Coruscant at the time, yet after a period of wandering and choosing his own path, returning to the Jedi Order had also required some adjustment. Now that he was a Jedi Knight, a role that always seemed so distant from achieving, it felt as though he were living a different life in a way. For so long, his focus had been on himself, his progress and his actions, yet now he had turned his focus on giving back to the Order, serving not just in the field but specifically within the Temple and getting to know his peers, relationships that he had not had the privilege to build upon over his journey from Initiation to the completion of an Apprenticeship.

"To be honest, the completion of my training has only forced me to look deeper within myself. There is still a lot I have to learn, and I mean to do better as a Jedi Knight than I did as a Padawan," he offered a small smile to Colette, polite, and seeking to keep the conversation easy coming despite the truth of his words.

Reaching for his cup of stimcaf, Balun raised the drink to his lips and took a small cautious sip, testing the temperature. It wasn't quite as hot now that he had taken the time to find a seat in the Atrium, and the caffeine was well needed after teaching a lesson to the students of the Temple. As he set the drink down, he glanced back across to Colette thoughtfully, the report she had mentioned naturally piquing his curiosity, though he knew better than to ask. Prying into the affairs of the Council would've been inappropriate and way above his station, after all. "I hope your day hasn't been too stifling?" he enquired instead, a genuine sentiment given he only imagined how busy the members of the Jedi Council were on a day-to-day basis.

"If there's any way I can be of use, don't hesitate to put me to work", he added with a self-deprecating chuckle. If it meant assisting his fellow Jedi, Balun didn't mind sacrificing his time to make another's day easier. Especially a member of the Council, for whom set his field assignments in place.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

An uncomfortable grimace spread on Colette's lips at being called 'master.'

"Not too stifling, no." She admitted and took a sip from her glass of water. "There's always work to be done, but that's also what I have the Service Corp for. 'Though, I appreciate you asking."

Her chopsticks poked at the rice bowl for a moment before she leaned her arm against the edge of the table and continued to eat for a little bit. There was a question she wanted to ask, but she needed to find a good way to phrase it. Balun was a Dashiell, and the Dashiells were a known name. Dashiell was, in fact, also a name she had personal experience with in recent memory. Enough so that the weight of said encounter still left a bad taste in her mouth.

Colette swallowed her food and cleared her throat.

"Actually, Balun, I've been meaning to ask…" Colette leaned even further over the table, almost conspiratorially so. A sharp inhale punctuated the impending question. "Do you know a Persephone Dashiell?"

"Young, Hapan heritage, has a robot that likes to follow her around digsites."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

"Persie?"

Balun blinked, a little taken aback by the mention of his cousin. Why on Naboo would a member of the Jedi Council be asking about Persephone Dashiell ? They were a well-known family, that was true. Balun was arguably less so than the others, though he still had his hand in the corporate sector with his smaller business, while Persephone was more interested in fashion than in technology, salvage, and mining. In the Jedi Knight's experience, he could only imagine this to be a bad thing, her name coming up.

"Yeah, she's my cousin...Why do you ask?" he queried, speaking a little apprehensively now, for he wasn't certain he entirely wished to know the answer. Had she gotten herself mixed up in some sort of trouble? If so, then Balun would certainly go the distance to clean up whatever mess had been made, prepared to clear her name, but he didn't exactly appear too encouraged in the moment.

He and Persie didn't spend much time together outside of family events, though not for any lack of love on Balun's part. Truthfully, it was more likely that his cousin was embarrassed about his preference to wear Jedi apparel, which she often balked at. She considered herself an expert on finery in the clothing department, whereas Balun didn't care so much about how he presented himself as opposed to representing the Jedi Order and all that it symbolised.

"Has something happened that I need to know about?" he reluctantly added. A further question, but also a statement to the fact that if his family was involved in anything concerning, he wanted to know.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

"Oh no, no." Colette waved the man's concerns off and leaned away from the table. "I had the…" Mis- "Fortune of getting to know her a while ago, running errands for one of our more demanding sponsors."

"Still, I guess cousins would explain it. You don't really remind me of her that much." Colette put her glass to her lips again and took a sip. "What made you embrace the Jedi rather than outright shun them?"

"I don't recall a lot of Dashiell Jedi as much as Dashiell businesspeople."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

Balun sighed afterwards, knowing that Persephone didn't exactly have a filter when it came to expressing her opinions. "She wasn't rude at all, was she? Honestly, the family as a whole has a sense of distrust towards the Jedi, though I would have thought Persie would have been the least likely to be problematic. She's young and impulsive, but as I said, the biggest issue she's voiced to me is our fashion sense," he expressed, offering a reluctant chuckle at the notion of the prospect of Jedi and fashion.

Robes and tunics were symbolic for their simplicity, the Jedi being happy to forgo the luxuries others might have while living a life of service to the Galaxy, though Balun didn't exactly fit the bill in that sense. He certainly could go without the bells and whistles, but he had abundant credits and knew where to invest them, thanks to his father Judah's guidance.

"My family history is complicated", he admitted openly; "My mother, Kristyl Arenais , left me with the New Jedi Order of the Galactic Alliance as an Infant. I didn't meet either of my parents until I was nearing seventeen years, and by that time I had well and truly shunned the Order as you say," he offered something of a wary and apologetic smile. "I spent years serving with the Tingel Arm Coalition before Judah Dashiell discovered me. I was an independent Force User, the only sensitive one in our family, thanks to Kristyl. It wasn't until I met the Grandmaster and became her Apprentice that I eventually fell back in with the Jedi".

Balun had given an extremely short version of his life story, trying to spare Colette the boring details. It hadn't been until the aftermath of Moorja that he had met his Mother, having spent years knowing his father by that stage, but the Councilwoman before him didn't need to know the ins and outs of his family drama.

"Compared to those of us who have grown up within the Temple environment, my experience is quite wide and varied, you might say".

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

Colette was someone who took words in stride. Under most circumstances they mattered very little to her, and when put up against the value of actions proved practically worthless. But something in the way that Persephone acted had brought the worst out of Colette. Given that it was Balun's cousin she would opt not to tell him just how badly Colette — the pacifist — wanted to smack 'Persie' over the head and call her out on her bullshit.

Thankfully she didn't have to tell him that. Balun told her about his past and in some ways it got a sympathetic frown out of her. She knew very well what that kind of abandonment could lead to. Colette was a product of such a thing herself after all.

"That's quite the story." She remarked and put her glass of water on the table. "I understand the emotions that something like that can cause, and I am glad to see you managed to channel it into something productive."

"My story isn't quite as grand. I was found by a wayfinder looking for an old archivist, Aeris Lashiec, who had settled down on my homeplanet due to how remote it was. With the structure of my culture, and some… Less colorful aspects of being an orphan, I was urged to come here."

"Managed to find my way to Valery, accidentally got her to adopt me when I asked to take her last name without knowing that was a big thing, and then…"

"Well, I'm here. Quartermaster, and somehow not doing a bad job at it."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

"Valery. She was a brilliant Jedi. I'm sorry to say that I was too young and too arrogant to appreciate the time I had with her enough to do her justice, but I did return years later after defending Coruscant against the Imperials, to seek her advice over my Son's future. She was kind enough to grant me an audience despite my abandoning the Order, even though her position was one of such high demand".

Balun offered a fond smile, having spoken of the former Grandmaster of the New Jedi Order, the first family he had ever had. They may not have been the ones he had chosen, but they had taken him in, raised him, given him a life, and dedicated everything to teaching him the ways of the Force and the Jedi Path. It was thanks to them that he had been set on the path to become the man he was today, and that was why, despite leaving them, even though he had been in contempt of the Jedi due to the life being forced upon him against his will, he had returned when the Order had been attacked by the Galactic Empire. It had never been their fault that his mother had abandoned him at their doorstep. He had simply been young, naive and hadn't had parents to take his anger out on at the time, so his instructors had taken the brunt of his frustrations instead.

"You're a member of the Jedi Council and the Quartermaster of the Jedi Order. By all accounts, I would say you're doing a pretty damn fine job of it, Master," Balun soon added, giving something of a quiet laugh before reaching once more for his stimcaf and taking another larger sip this time, having given it some time to cool down. Frankly, he couldn't imagine rising to such a position in the Order and had no aspirations to do so. Completing his training and reaching the rank of Jedi Knight was all that he had hoped to achieve. Attaining a Master had been difficult enough back when he was roaming the Galaxy as a rogue Force User, and at one stage, he believed he had found one in Julius Sedaire , yet the Will of the Force would see them part ways after a short time. Balun later came to the conclusion that Julius' generosity and time were more than enough, a stepping stone in life, leading him on his path.

"I'm sure that Grandmaster Noble would be proud of how you're representing House Noble, following in her footsteps, yet forging your own path. It's all any of us can hope to aspire to," he said before pausing, hearing how that sounded. "I'm not kissing your ass when I say that either", he added rather casually, speaking in his typically informal manner; "In the future, I would hope that my Son would do me so proud as to become the best version of a Jedi he is capable of, in his own way".

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

Was a brilliant Jedi? Colette chuckled. As far as she was concerned Valery still was a brilliant Jedi. But even so, she understood what he meant. And although Balun's compliments on Colette's own accomplishments were nice, she took them in stride.

To her, the work had only just begun. The role she had wasn't really all that challenging compared to someone like the battlemaster who had to represent the aspects of fighting to a whole order.

"She's proud, if a bit overbearing." Colette snickered. "Valery is a… Strongly family-oriented person. I don't think anything matters more to her than her family. Not even the Jedi."

"And… You are kind of kissing my ass, Balun," A smug grin set on the quartermaster's lips. "But I'll accept it."

"What version of the Jedi would you be proud to see yourself as? I mean, if you have plans for your son, what expectation would you set for yourself?"

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

"Okay, sure. Maybe I am kissing ass a little bit, but honestly, I don't know chit when it comes to Council business. That's above my pay grade," Balun grinned, offering a shrug as though he didn't really mind how he had sounded. Better to kiss ass than to tell a member of the Council that they were chit at their job, not that he would know. He was simply the friendly, optimistic type who liked to lift others up when given the opportunity, perhaps because it was so difficult to do so for himself, but it always felt good to see others' smiles as their pride grew in response to a heartfelt compliment.

"What version of the Jedi would you be proud to see yourself as? I mean, if you have plans for your son, what expectation would you set for yourself?"

"That's a good question," He uttered, as though the words might provide time to ponder the query; "When I left the New Jedi Order, I remember feeling resentful towards those who would attack the Sith without provocation, simply for being associated with their Order. I made it my purpose to be a Lightsider who acts defensively, does not judge others for their beliefs, and responds to their actions. To embrace every opportunity to celebrate times of peace, rather than go out of my way to seek out conflict. If I must fight, then let it come to me, and I will see the end of it".

There were turning points in his life, crucial moments such as his leaving the New Jedi Order, which had shaped him as an individual. He did not regret his decision, but he also held nothing but goodwill towards them today. His former frustrations were those of an adolescent, lacking the maturity of an adult's mind and comprehension of the Galaxy. "Of course, not all Jedi in the Alliance were like that, those like Valery Noble" Balun gestured to Colette with a warm smile, including her in that statement also; "But honestly, I can't be certain I can answer your question yet. I feel as though I am still only discovering myself as a Jedi Knight and what it means to now walk my own path absent of a mentor's direction and guidance. It is a different experience and at first felt a little hollow without Al-...Grandmaster Quin walking alongside me".

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

Huh, Balun rather much reminded Colette of herself for a moment. It had always been a bit ironic to her that one of the most well-known blademasters of the galaxy would take on a near-pacifist as her padawan and later 'daughter' but she supposed that was also part of why it was a perfect fit. It made it easy to understand that no matter what Colette was taught she would never misuse it unless pushed.

Or rather, that was the daughter-student's own justification once she had meditated on it for a while.

"You can call her Ala if you want, Balun." Colette's lips turned upwards. "I'd actually urge you to use people's names more. Makes them more of a person and less of an ideal."

"And speaking of, I'd be careful about setting up an ideal for your son before you know what your own ideal is. That way you can know for sure that you're not trying to make him become the person you think you can't become yourself."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

"Good advice Mas-" He paused, glancing to meet her gaze momentarily, as if seeking her approval; "Colette". It felt very unnatural to speak to her on a first-name basis given that they hadn't engaged in discourse prior to today, only passing each other by or attending mission briefings, never one-on-one. "Kellan will certainly grow into his own, trust me. He is...-A unique case", the Jedi Knight added, almost reluctantly, before turning his attention back to his Stim-Caf and taking a larger swig.

Setting his cup back to the table surface, Balun leaned his back to the chair and quietly sighed under his breath, his mind roaming to the Order itself and the High Republic, the recent Sith attack of New Cov, and the conflict over Thyferra where they had engaged a significant pirate fleet, unusual in its own right given the blended clans and gang insignia that made up their criminal armada.

"As a member of the High Council, do you often get out into the field these days?" He asked, turning his attention back to Colette once more. He was curious about her experiences of late, and whether she had felt the same weighing tension that had at times fallen atop his shoulders at random intervals during meditation, an unsettling feeling given the knowledge of tensions between the Republic and other Political Governments presently in play. "I'd be interested to hear your opinion on how things are proceeding with the Republic and by extension the Order itself?" he suggested with a peculiar smile, knowing politics wasn't everyone's cup of stim-caf and he certainly wasn't well versed in the language.

"Mind you, you're probably sick of talking about such things, eh? I guess it would be a regular discussion for the Council".

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

"Not as much as I wish, no." Colette frowned and looked at her bag, expecting to find her datapad resting there. "Used to be a time when you found me anywhere but the temples, but these days I'm lucky if I get a good hike in."

It made her jittery, but that was what the meditation was for. As for the rest of the question…

"Don't worry about it, Balun." Colette said and straightened her back. Colette Noble disengaged, Councilor Colette took the reins.

"I believe that the Jedi are dependent on the Republic to a degree that nobody is willing to admit. I think people overestimate our ability to generate the resources needed to get by on our own, and I think that in spite of everything we're left with precious little choice but to play along for the time being."

"Not saying I like that, but that is where we're at. Until the Republic itself deems the Sith a problem they need to handle," Which they were talking about, but Colette let Balun read that one between the lines. "We'll either risk acting out of turn — causing the Jedi to lose its biggest sponsor — or we risk being so complacent that all the Sith have to open their mouths and devour us."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

Balun couldn't imagine giving up service in the field to instead remain within the Temple, though he understood that such a role of leadership required sacrifice for the greater whole of the Jedi Order, it was simply an intimidating prospect and one that the young Jedi Knight was relieved remained out of his reach at the present time. Perhaps, a decade or two down the line, should the Council desire it, but not in his current mind and perspective. Serving in the field allowed him to traverse the Galaxy, not only helping others but also sharing in so many different experiences, most of which were wondrous and joyful. Meeting new peoples, cultures and walking worlds he had not previously visited. "I'm sure there are few roles as important as a seat on the Council, though I will admit that I'm glad it's you and not me", he replied with a wary smirk, shaking his head as if to emphasise his avoidance of such a position.

When Colette spoke of the High Republic and of the Jedi Order, Balun leaned forward, his elbows against the tabletop as he cradled his nearly empty cup of stim-caf in both hands, listening intently. These were the sort of discussions he rather enjoyed, though rarely shared with others. Lately, his focus had been on providing for the students, but naturally, they were mostly inexperienced and still finding their feet, whereas Colette was well-versed and knew what she was talking about. "We do rely on the High Republic, I agree. The veins of the Galaxy flow with credits, and our altruistic nature doesn't cater well to placing profit ahead of expenditure," Balun concurred openly, honestly.

Even a family such as his, as wealthy and prominent, couldn't sustain the needs of the Jedi Order alone. Without the Republic, they would need to rely on whatever charity was available, and while Balun did have a hand in the manufacture of Jedi technology and Navy Vessels for the Republic, there was simply no arguing that their reach was dependent on the financial support provided to them. "With the support of the High Republic, we can extend our reach to a greater number of worlds, supporting far more than we could as an isolated congregation. The difficulty lies in drawing the line, retaining our autonomy and not being influenced by the Republic's motives, remaining subjective and free to choose where and how we serve".

"I believe the Sith will eventually force the Senate's hand. Between the Sith Order and the Sith Covenant, the High Republic's territory in proximity to their own. It's only a matter of time. Politics muddies the waters for the Senate, whereas the Jedi should continue to operate wherever there is need," he further remarked, speaking of the Sith and his belief that tensions were coming to a head. Though he did not say it outright, perhaps Colette would understand as well. She was, after all, far better informed than he was.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

That about summed it up. Altruism wasn't the thing that paid your bills, but it was the one that made you able to live with yourself.

"A lot of Jedi are used to having sway, politically, simply by being Jedi." Colette shrugged and took a sip from her glass. "One of the problems for the Alliance was that the Jedi was such a central group in a way we don't have here."

"And I think you're right," Colette continued. "The Sith are going to strike eventually. It's just a matter of when and where. The second they do, I can only hope our stockpiling will have been worth it."

"Either we will lose a lot of supplies or a lot of people, or both. I just hope we can afford that."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

"I'm not sure it's a matter of affording loss of life", Balun remarked with a bob of his head sideways, a gesture of indifference, "Though I know what you mean. We both understand it's a reality of war, but while it's most likely, it should never be something the Jedi accept". There was a hard line between accepting the likelihood and accepting the loss of life itself. "While people transcended unto the Force after death, when life is taken unnaturally, outside of the circle of nature -- Birth, life, death and repeat -- loss of life by sentient hand is a disturbance to the will of the Force and such is why we wind up with Force Nexus' in the extreme cases, or feel the hollow emptiness of where said life once was prior to their untimely end".

Balun spoke as if speaking his thoughts aloud to himself. He knew that he didn't need to tell Colette such things, she who held a seat on the Council and was likely more experienced than Balun himself by a considerable amount. He didn't mean to come off as though he were lecturing her or telling her better; it was simply a long-held belief that he had, and having encountered death too often to admit, he felt that anything to discourage the Jedi from becoming complacent about such realities was worth doing.

"Sometimes I wonder if the Jedi didn't, historically, have a better chance of securing peace compared to nowadays. It's a difficult path we walk, war ever consistent in our Galaxy. I loathe to admit it, but I'm not certain we will ever see a time of peace for the High Republic. I realise how pessimistic that sounds, but there always seems to be some government or militant power rising to claim control and dominion over others," Balun sighed under his breath, having expressed his view on the larger Galaxy. Politics wasn't his thing, yet he understood the importance of good people holding those roles, doing whatever was possible to ensure civility and justice remained strong.

"It rather makes our position an endless necessity, and not something I would express to our students, but over so much time taking part in so much conflict, it's too easy to start to doubt the difference we make in the long run" How many people had fallen as a result of Balun's lightsaber, how many forcing him to defend himself and others at the expense of their mortality, and when did it end? Balun shook his head with a dry chuckle, as if trying to snap himself out of the train of thought; "Sorry. I don't mean to sound as if I've no lack of faith in the Jedi Council or the will of the Force. It can just be difficult to see the end-game sometimes".

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

"I don't see caution as a lack of faith, Balun." Colette sighed and put her glass on the table. "And while I'd like to comment on the 'illusion of peace' there are just too many eyes and ears around for me to do that. I have opinions, and I will leave it at that."

"I will say that your weariness — or those like you who are weary — isn't unnoticed, and that I recognize it too as someone who was once part of the New Jedi Order. A fighter can only take so many beatings before some part of the fight is taken out of them, and right now we have a lot of Jedi who are on fumes and a few others who are, pun intended, fuming."

Colette snickered at herself and shook her head.

"I'm doing what I can as quartermaster to see to both issues, but frankly I can only do so much about the stresses of war and trauma. I'm sure you can understand."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

VOICES IN THE ATRIUM
LOCATION: Shiraya's Sanctuary, Commons.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber.
TAGS: Colette

​

"Mm..." Balun murmured in agreement, soon speaking more clearly on the prospect of burnout for Jedi personnel, "It is a very real problem to see the effects of combat fatigue. Thankfully, I'm not at that point, though I've distanced myself from more egregious assignments in order to pace myself. I spent far too much time on the battlefront as a younger man". War was a nasty business, one that had hardened Balun, a previously immature teenager stepping into conflict, as he watched his brothers in arms fall to the Empire of the Lost and the Sith. He had witnessed a great deal, and it had ultimately taught him the value of quiet moments, embracing the calm and the often mundane duties.

"You'll have to forgive me, it's clearly a subject you'd rather not talk about" Balun offered a small, apologetic smile, raising his left hand in a dismissive wave as if to clear the air between them; "I've spent more time around students lately, and it's rare to get a chance to voice my open thoughts to those of similar or greater experience" he gently explained, soon leaning back into his seat once more to spare a glance to the other Jedi sharing the dining quarters of Shiraya's Sanctuary.

"I'm sure you have a great deal on your plate", he added with a sympathetic glance, offering a quiet chuckle; "Having seen Ala's workload, I can only imagine. Though I will say, should you require anything of me, I'm always on hand to assist. Council business aside, if I can help lighten the load, don't hesitate to shout out. I've told my Master the same thing". Balun still had a habit of referring to Ala Quin as his master, a habit he didn't necessarily see as a negative thing, given all that she had done for him. It was both out of respect and compassion for his mentor, and he hoped one day his Padawan might think so kindly of him. Though given the current goings, that was a long way off.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Colette]

Balun Dashiell

It was indeed not a topic Colette enjoyed talking about very much. The complex nature of the relationship between the Jedi and the Republic was something best left to those with the patience to figure it out. Colette was not one of those people and as such she would avoid it if she could.

"I appreciate that." Colette bowed her head at Balun. "There is nothing that would require your assistance right now, but there's always a fire or two in a given week."

The pad dinged and Colette's gaze fell upon it.

"Ah, speaking of." She grinned and picked the pad up to skim the new message. Her grin quickly faded, her head tilted to the surprise and she squinted. "That doesn't…"

Her eyes wandered back to Balun.

"Sorry, I need to go." She pushed out of her seat. "Urgent meeting with the clerks down at the inventory. Not something that I need help with."

Yet.

"Please, enjoy your lunch."