Zwischenzug

[Connor Harrison]

Zwischenzug;
An "in-between" game move played before an expected reply. In general, this involves responding to a threat by posing an even bigger threat to the opponent, forcing him to respond to the threat first.

Silver Jedi Temple
Voss, Voss System​

It wasn’t a long ride back across the systems to Voss and the home of the Silver Jedi, but it was long enough for Connor to have a very quiet, desolate journey. Space was dark, cold and quiet dangerous to navigate through alone. So much was happening across the stars at one time that it bewildered the mind just how much was taking place that would define the future of the galaxy. One person could topple a system on side of the galaxy, where a new faction could rise on the other.

Coming down into the atmosphere and across the grassy plains, the temple was there atop the cliff face surrounded by majestic waterfalls, canyons and expansive training grounds. Circling twice, with muted activity below, Connor brought his E-wing down with clearance into the outside landing bad next to the large hangar where countless other ships and Ranger transports were housed.

With his stomach lurching, he pulled open the cockpit and got out, sliding down onto the ground. Armour bearing the signs of battle and face bearing signs of the stresses of the days gone by, Connor kept his fists closed to hide his evidence of embracing a more dangerous side to the Force.

Looking up at the Temple, he slowly started a very casual walk around to make his way inside to find who knew what.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

​

After the events that took place at the funeral of Master Sochi Ru, Coci had assumed command of the Silver Shadows, until such time as a replacement for Connor Harrison could be confirmed. It had not been happy times for the Silvers of late, lossing more in such a short time had left a heavy weight on her heart. He had simply up and left without so much as an explaination to them, if not to the Silver then at least to Thurion and herself.

Coci was in the head quarters of the Silver Shadows, reviewing the lastest missions and results, checking security of the Voss-ka, the Temple and Voss Academy when the message came through from the security orbital stations over Voss. They had informed her that Master Harrison's ship had entered the system and making it's way to ground. They had request orders to permit his clearance or engage. Immediately Coci instructed them to permit his landing.

She proceeded to above ground, and made her way to through the Silver Temple. On her way to the main area Coci instructed a Padawan to go and inform Thurion of the situation. Breaking the threshold of the vast double doors that graced the entrance to the main hall, Coci found the light of day, she also found the distance figure of a man walking toward the steps leading up to the Temple platform. She knew the figure well enough and simply waited Connor's arrival.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Looking up at a passing ship that roared overhead, Connor came down to the stairwell leading up to the Temple and felt eyes on him. Not really a surprise to find the Master of the Order being the one waiting with the Grandmaster not far behind. He stopped for a second and looked up at Coci, and suddenly felt the wall build back up, which was…strange, when it came to the closest person he had to family was concerned.

With steady, slow steps up the stone stairs, Connor flushed away the feeling of a gentle pat on the back and a group hug. If anything he had learnt that the Order came first, now an Order overseen by the Heavenshields.

Nodding gently at a passing Padawan on the stairs, who he didn’t even know, he brought his face up to Coci as he was a few stairs below, the frame of the large doors and lobby behind her; her kingdom.

He stopped.

”I’m a little late, but congratulations on your new arrival, Master Heavenshield. You look very well, considering.”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Baalagor]

If [member="Connor Harrison"] had expected her to not only disregard his absence but also the impact he'd had on her both as a teacher and a friend, then he was entirely wrong in his presumption not only of how she functioned as an individual, but how she thought as a whole. It was difficult to forget a man that had agreed to take her on as his student after a spur of the moment decision, one who had no qualms with training her and had reminded her again and again of the potential she had as a Jedi. If he thought that she was just going to brush that aside and pretend as if he'd never existed in the first place, well, he had never been more wrong in his life. Syala had hardly forgotten him. She decided then she never wanted to.

It wasn't difficult to immediately sense his arrival. Something like this would hardly go unnoticed. If not by her, then the ethereal. It was a simple prodding at her subconscious as she meditated, a near-silent nudge accompanied by an aura just as familiar as her own. It's him. Whereas most would have gone to locate the man of the hour right away she took her time, collecting herself and her thoughts before she so much as stepped out of the room. Pulling at the sleeve of her robes she began her slow, steady walk to where she could feel him. There was another, a signature she recognized as [member="Coci Heavenshield"], and only then did she consider that she may be interrupting something. But he was her Master. This was necessary.

Her steps slowed further once his familiar figure came into sight, and she forced herself to keep the same pace as she neared the pair. There was something different about him, a sense that one would describe as a subtle foreboding. Details that may have escaped another's notice found hers, and quickly. There was an edge to his presence that hadn't been there previously, something that bore explaining later on down the line. The more physical signs came in the way of his clenched fists, how he seemed to refuse to open them. There was something he wanted none of them to know, she was certain of it. It was only a matter of finding out what, whether through the Force or her own means. There weren't many things he was able to hide from her.

Passing through the doors with a more subdued presence than the Master that had preceded her, she took a few steps down until she was nearly directly in front of him, bridging the distance that separated the two senior Jedi. For all intents and purposes her expression was neutral, though he would be able to detect her thoughts through her grey-blue eyes. That same aura that had been called unnerving by a few still followed her, though she reserved a small smile for him and him only. Things may not have been the same, but she would do her best to repair the divide, or at least ignore it for the time being. A single word passed her lips, spoken quietly and with a sense of quiet curiosity. "Master."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

​

For a long time Coci remained still and just regarding the man. She had sensed the approach of Padawan Daivik, which gave her a needed moment to calm her thoughts. Coci had only recently come from a lesson with her Padawan on the Jedi Code, in which they talked about emotions and peace of clarity. Many many emotions bubbled within her, all at conflict and she took in a deep breath.

"Welcome home", she finally said but with a voice stoic and cool. She meant her words and the feelings behind them, but this was not the place to confront him. So much had happened to her over the last few months. Most of experiences good only to be replaced with bad and some very personal. An event that they shared had effected Coci more than she would admit and that experience she had yet to speak to Thurion about, simply because there had not been the opportunity, but it was eating at her.

She would wait until Connor had greeted his Padawan, before talking to him once more. Yes, they needed to talk.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Blue eyes moved across to see the figure of his Padawan, Sy, walking down behind Coci towards him. A genuine smile crossed his lips, tinged with a sense of sadness however and regret. An surge of emotion swelled inside him as she came down, and he could feel her gently trying to probe his aura with that inimitable empathy and caring she had shown.

Hearing Coci’s expected icy welcome, devoid of anything genuine, Connor turned his back to her and put his arm around his Padawan, leaning in to talk to her as they looked out towards the grounds before them and the planet’s beauty, a lone moon high in the atmosphere above.

”Do not question me, just listen Sy. Whatever happens today you must promise me, promise me, that you will not let your emotion get in the way of your duty as a Jedi. I will find you when I am finished. I’m sorry.”

He gently shook her and brought his hands down, closing them, and turned back to face Coci. He looked side ways to his Padawan, the one he had let down more than anyone else as she was the one he had sworn to protect from everything that could possibly hurt her and restrain her from progressing though the Order. Protection against everything but him.

”I love you Sy. Don’t let me down.”

If Coci had been a sister more his own age, Sy was like how he imagined it must be like to have a young sister, to try your best to guide her through life when she had no-one else. Taking the remaining steps up to the Master of the Order, he smiled.

”Shall we?”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Baalagor]

There most definitely was something wrong. Syala couldn't explain how she inherently knew this. It wasn't easily explained away as another precognition through the Force, or anything quite so simple. This ran deeper, to the very core of both of their beings, something that brought them together no matter the circumstances. And now that had been shaken, uprooted and threatened with something she wasn't entirely sure of to begin with. Whatever had happened, it had changed him, and so her as well. There was a feeling in the pit of her stomach, something hollow and yet full of emotion, twisting and turning until she wasn't sure what to think, do or say. This was wrong, in more ways than one, just simply wrong.

When he put his arm around her it was almost as if they were back to normal, going through another lesson by the lake, talking and learning together through simple conversation. The words he spoke derailed that, and for a long moment she was silent, chewing the inside of her cheek for want of words. What was there to say, really? Time and time again she had spoken words of encouragement, reassuring him times over that he was more than suited to mentor not only her, but any member of the Order should they request it. When he no longer trusted himself she had been there, and she knew that now more than ever that fact had to remain the same. For better or worse she trusted him, with everything.

"I don't want you to apologize. You don't have anything to be sorry for. You know that I trust you regardless. The Force wouldn't have brought us together without a very good reason, and it's that I trust in more than anything. It's that you should trust in as well, along with yourself. If not for yourself, then me." She didn't know many things in her young years, other than what the Force told her, but that was more than enough. It wasn't as easy for others, that she understood perfectly, but she knew that he was perfectly capable of doing so if only he would trust himself as much as he appeared to trust her and the others of the Order. It was that she was attempting to help grow through their time together, regardless of its relative success. He deserved that much, and far more than she was capable of offering.

Turning to watch him she remained where she was, exhaling slowly. "I love you too, Connor. And more than anything, I believe in you." It wasn't as easy as he made it seem, suppressing her emotions and acting as a Jedi first rather than his apprentice and friend. Once more she reached out across the space that separated him not within the physical realm, but the metaphysical. Slowly, gently she attempted to extend the calm the Force granted her to him, knowing all the while that he both needed and deserved it more than she, especially during such a difficult time. The trials that had recently overtaken the Order hit him closer to home more than her, that she was perfectly aware of. He needed time to think, and simply be. Time that wasn't easy to allot, these days.

"You're going to be fine. I know you will."

[member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"Shall we?"

"Yes, let's." The Grandmaster appeared at Coci's bidding, arms crossed over his chest in a non-threatening fashion. Despite the ongoing turmoil inside Connor, Thurion could not fake being unhappy to see him. He showed no signs of anger towards him, because there was none. It was obvious that his wife had more difficulty in stowing her emotions. She was the fiery one of the pair, and he loved her for it. He gestured for them - all of them - to walk with him. Where to did not really matter.

When no-one said anything, he calmly broke the silence. "Go on, then: Have it out. Now's your chance."

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Connor Harrison"]​

​

She wondered what example this situation was setting for Syala, considering only recently she and Coci had spoke about what was required to become a Silver Shadow. Before the young girl stood her master, and the dangers associated in this "field". The dangers of the darkside and how those that dwell within the shadow are to face it and fight it.

As Thurion directed them all to walk Coci followed, in silence for the most part, her mind not on Connor or his events of late but had retreated. Coci retreated into her self. Her defensive method of protection aganist her own demons and she had one festering inside her. It is not darkness but a dark thought.

Coci had considered all that she wanted to say to Connor on his return, the feeling of betrayal she had felt the moment he had walked away from them once again. She knew him well enough now to know his mind and his ideas that the Silver Jedi, all Jedi are failing, and in a way he is right but he has failed equally. Time and again he had assured her, his sister, that he would be there for her, for them all, but when the time would come he simply walked away. Regardless of training, regardless of codes and the like, they are all still just feable beings of mind and body and will fail, themselves and those they deem to love and call family. Coci struggled to be able to trust his words now, from the point of view of a Jedi and friend.

However, she is pleased that he is well and back but in what capacity she knew not. She had been angry, wanting to yell at him for hurting them all, letting them down, but she would not, and certainly not in front of an apprentice. Thurion broke the silence. "Go on, then: Have it out. Now's your chance."

Coci waited until Connor and his apprentice had finished their greetings.

"No", she began offering a weak smile. "I am pleased you are well Connor", which was true enough, he still is her brother and always will be. "Thurion? I .. I have something I need to do. I must go away for some time and ... reflect on an event that happened on mission with Connor and Serena". She shot a look toward Connor, he would know. "I have not had the chance to speak to you about it, but I must do this. If I am to remain a Jedi, I must".

The ramifications of recent events had not only effected Connor but had a far reaching impact on her as well. But she needed to speak with Thurion more privately, she would go without explanation.

 

[Connor Harrison]

With a bow of the head Connor crested the stairs and followed the Grandmaster and the Master of the Order - his wife - slowly back into the lobby. He didn't look back to see if Sy was following, but in his heart of hearts felt she would be out of sheer curiosity.

Before Connor spoke, Coci got there before him and said something he didn't expect to hear. The mission was Velusia, and Connor hadn't forgotten a Sith world that housed clones...and a clone of Coci herself.

”Reflect? There's nothing to reflect on, what do you mean? Velusia? That was so long ago - you've been sitting on this all that time and you never told us? You didn't even talk to me?”

He looked at Thurion, and then back to Coci, turning to her side on.

”Do you want me to help you?”


[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"]​

​

"I have", was all she could say at this point. "Stubborn I guess".

She had initially put the events all down to duty, the killing of the clone of herself justified but as time had passed and with the images of that face entering her dreams, Coci realised the event had effected her more. This time she could not simply block it or store it in the back of her mind. Several years ago she would have, could have without any problems, but now she had changed. Softened and more open since she had met Thurion, this had developed Coci for the better by a long way, but opened her up to allow emotions to influence her where as once she would have been cold and indifferent.

Since the coming of Mysa into their lives, and her background, this had brought the events to the forefront of her mind once more and questions had surfaced about whether Coci had been correct in killing the clone. Could the clone have been redeemed? Althought completely Sith right down to the markings, but was that Coci individual to her? Even though the clone had been created without Coci's knowledge, had that given her the right to take the clones life? But the dangers of allowing the clone to have lived all to real as well. There had been others there as well and with the facility all but put out of business, the threat had been removed.

This is the preplexities of the Jedi Shadow, the living on the edge in more ways than one and if it had been another clone not of her likeness would that have made a difference to her now? Yes.

"I will travel to Monastary and stay there for a while and I will travel alone".

 

[Connor Harrison]

Recoiling in slight disgust and more puzzlement at now not even giving a reason why she had been bottling this up, or even WHAT she was bottling up, Coci had made up her mind. And they thought he had issues.

”That's a little close to Sith space isn't it? You're not going to stray in some self-exploration of...”

He stopped himself before he said too much, mostly before her now husband and Grandmaster, but also not knowing what he knew. He shook his head, never more feeling left out of something.

”Thurion are you going to say anything? She shouldn't be going out there in her state."


[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Baalagor]

This was a conversation Syala knew she had no place intervening in, for better or worse. She had no idea of the scenario they were conversing in snippets about, nor was she aware of exactly what bond connected the three. And normally she would have remained silent, content to observe them and eventually determine just what all the fuss was about. However, even she could see when it was the right time to cross certain boundaries, and something told her that it was unwise for Connor to continue pressing the issue. At least, not in such a public environment when it was the four of them rather than just the pair. Time and place was always a key element, one that seemed to have been forgotten.

For the longest time she was quiet, walking next to her Master as if nothing had changed while knowing in her heart that everything had. The corners of her mouth tightened mere seconds after Connor spoke, and she considered her words and her place before speaking measuredly, only as loud as she had to be in order to be heard. "I don't believe this is the time or the place to discuss such a sensitive topic. There are more pressing matters at hand, I think, Masters." And, well, she had a feeling that, regardless of any objections, Coci would resolve to travel as she wished regardless. There was a tenacity in her words, a sense of not being stopped for anything. If her mind was going to be changed, this wasn't the method.

With a slight frown she once again glanced to Connor's hands, noting that they still remained close. There were mannerisms she knew others had, habits that were hard to change and even harder to let go of. But if he had had any similar ones beforehand she hadn't witnessed them, and this had every cause to raise her suspicions. Whatever he was hiding, it was obvious he hadn't counted on her careful scrutinization of his every move once he returned. Maybe there was a better time to ask, and maybe she should have brought it to the attention of the other two present first, but her first instinct was to act as his friend first and apprentice and Jedi second. At the very least when it came to personal situations such as this one.

Not bothering with an explanation she reached out to gently take one of Connor's hands in her own, attempting to open it gently, careful not to force any movement on his part. However curious she was, she wanted it to be a voluntary decision and action of his own to reveal this to her. It didn't mean she wouldn't find some way of figuring things out later, but for the moment she would let him take his own time with things, moving at his own pace and making his own judgments as her mentor and friend both. He deserved that much at the very least, and much more than that in her eyes. This time her voice was quieter, intended only for him. "Did something happen?"

[member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion came to a halt at the mention of Coci leaving to go to Monastery. He eyed her and Connor both, brows furrowed. "What's this about Monastery?" he asked. "What did you two do to warrant such secrecy, hm?" When Connor addressed him, his eyes snapped to him. "You don't get to show concern over this, Connor. You've taken off on your own more times than I can count, and I've never stopped you from leaving even once."

Then came Syala's suggestion. "Listen to your apprentice, Master Jedi. Right now her wisdom outshines yours by lightyears." He managed to compose himself throughout the undeniably frustrating ordeal. His wife and best friend both kept secrets from him, and he was not happy about it. Nevertheless, he turned to Coci and offered her a nod. "Go then. Do what you must. We'll talk later." Only when he turned to [member="Syala Daivik"] did he manage a faint smile. "Thank you for seeing clearly when your elders do not. I wish you luck in your training."

With that he simply left them there. Force knows he had more important things to do than act babysitter for two adults with trust issues. Right now he needed time to cool off.

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Connor Harrison"]​

​

Pulling in an audible long breath, Coci could only watch as Thurion walked away. He had a right to be angry with them not knowing what had occured in that underground lab. She raised her hand to her forehead and rubbed it trying to think on it all. Yes they would talk later and she hoped he would understand her need to go. She was doing this for him as much as herself and Théo. She had meant to tell him, all of it but with all the events of the past it had been pushed back with other things more important to their duty.

She said not a word to Syala and Connor, nothing she could say would fix the situation or make them understand, so she too simply bowed her farewell to them both, giving Syala a nod of respect.

She would allow Thurion to cool off before going to him to say her goodbye. She would not be gone long, it would be impossible for her to remain away longer than a week regardless of the outcome of her meditation. She needed to be with Thurion and Théo as much as breathing.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Feeling Sy take his hand, he didn’t stop her but he kept his fist closed.

Rolling his tongue over his teeth in his mouth as he watched the cracks appear in the otherwise unshakable figure of their Grandmaster, Connor didn’t avert his eyes at the scolding. He had left the Temple before, yes, but not once had he made a big deal of it. Now, man and wife were at loggerheads about secrets. And they were overseeing the Order?

Looking from Thurion as he walked away to Coci, she too was disturbed but not by anything else except disappointing her husband. From that convincing tone in her voice on his arrival, to now saying nothing and slinking away, Connor shook his head and watched her as he sighed loudly and turned back to Sy.

”Pathetic. I only hope her son doesn’t suffer because of it, because he will one day. I guarantee it.”

Leading her up the stairs of the temple so they were stood beyond the great doors, Connor turned his palms upwards to show his Padawan. The palms would be slightly bruised, and the fingers slightly blistered and crimson. The healing of the Force Lightning was going well, but the effects of wielding a power he had not controlled was evident. Connor looked at her face the whole time.

”I embraced a power direct from the Force, Sy. It came from my emotion and was unbelievable. I took down a Sith with it, and I can do it again. There’s no point me trying to be ashamed of what I can do. I’ve bottled it up for so long.”

Dropping them by his side, Connor looked to the Temple.

”The Silver Jedi is falling apart Sy. They’re so wrapped up in each other and their family, that nothing is clear to them anymore except what benefits them. I should have become Grandmaster, not him. He’s only here because of Coci.”

A heavy sigh came from him, and he looked over the floor for a moment, eyes unsure where to go as thoughts raced through his mind. The other Silvers. Corvus. The Sith. Taeli. Finally he looked at his Padawan.

”You’re the last shred of good here Sy. I can make you really stand tall and become something great. I can teach you what I’ve found and more, and when I know what path I must take, I will take you with me.”

Nodding to himself and looking out to Voss, he spoke softly.

”There may be little else here for me now. The family I thought I had have got their own real family now to focus on.”


[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Baalagor]

A thoughtful frown found her lips, and for once there wasn't anything to say that would even temporarily smooth this over. It demanded attention right this moment, of what type Syala was at a loss for. Gently her fingers played over the bruises and blisters on the undersides of his hands, trying to implement her own sort of healing aura that would ease his pain both physical and mental. There was no way to explain away his actions, no excuse to give that would mend all the lines crossed and fix everything neatly. This was a difficult decision to make, one she hadn't anticipated, let alone been prepared for in the first place. Slowly she looked up into his eyes, searching for some indication that he was still the man he had been.

Words still didn't come, and she pushed away those idle thoughts in order to open herself up to the Force and a higher plane of guidance. "This is a path I believe you're capable of taking, but it requires a careful caution along the way. You need to be careful, and remind yourself just who and what you're fighting for. This isn't a decision to be made on a whim due to what ability you were able to access at one point in time. The Force, as with the future, is constantly changing. You can't rush into things and expect them to work. This is something you need to think about, no matter how much you have been previously. I know this. You know this. Listen to what you're saying." For the moment she was speaking to him as nothing more than a fellow Jedi, as one she would impart wisdom on in order to help him.

Her gaze remained steadily on him, emotions clashing within. This wasn't easy, for either of them. But it had to be done. "Stop. Don't say another word." Her mouth was set, her countenance unwavering. "This isn't you. You aren't like this." In contrast to her former firm tone, these few words were spoken quietly, as if she didn't want anyone nearby to hear. "The Connor I know wouldn't resent one of his best friends simply because the other man found a love and had a child. He wouldn't then condemn his friend for achieving a title that takes not only determination, but qualities that only the best Jedi have. He wouldn't dismiss the Order he pledged his life to as nothing, and most of all, he wouldn't disregard those who have been there for him since the beginning as less worthy individuals. He would respect them, help them in return. That's the Connor I know."

Finally she let his hands fall, her own returning to her sides. It was hard to say these things, but at the same time she felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. "I'm not saying that you aren't deserving of the title of Grandmaster. More than anything I believe you to be worthy of such an honor. But now isn't the time. You'll get your chance, that much is certain, but not just yet." Abruptly she fell silent. "The Force has shown me things that I don't want to witness coming to pass. Things about you, Connor. And I know that somewhere in your heart of hearts you don't want to commit those acts either. So show me. Show me that you're still the man, the Jedi, I once knew."

Hands that she wasn't aware had clenched into fists relaxed, and she sighed quietly. "I don't want to see you leave and abandon us. I don't want you to stray from a path you were all but born to walk. There's a great future here for you, if you'll only give things time. But if you truly believe that you'll thrive elsewhere, then I won't keep you from where both your heart and the Force are prompting you to go. That isn't my place, as neither your apprentice nor your friend. Just know that I'll always be here for you, no matter what. The Force will be with you, and so will I."

[member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

All Connor could do was listen, and let her take his hands and hold them as she see fit. He didn't get chance to speak, so simply stood still, his chin resting slightly on his chest as he did so. His attention was totally on Sy; his Padawan. The youth who had accompanied him to near hell and back across many planets and still pushed her self physically in combat training. She was the future of the Silver Jedi. She just didn't know it yet.

Even as she tried to understand and convey her feelings, her Force aura was strong and bristling with hope, fear, dedication and loyalty. Her heart was true and untainted, but it meant her view was limited and naïve. Not a fault on her part, not at all, but it was something that would have to change for her to fully appreciate the wider galaxy.

When she was done, he lowered his eyes for a moment, nodded and placed his arm around her and guided her back down the stairs for a slow walk down from the Temple.

”A close friend once told me to trust in the Force. That is what I'm trying to do Sy, and I promise you I will not betray it. I will trust in it, as you must.”

A fighter flew past overhead.

”I feel my time here is limited Sy, and it's clear that others feel the same. I will not stay here on the sake of friends or what family I tried to make, because people have moved on with their own destiny. I must do the same and not hold onto strings of the past. I don't resent anyone, or disregard anyone. I promise. I only see a side to people I failed to see before, and a side that I feel will seriously threaten the stability of the Silver Jedi. We have lost many brothers and sisters recently, and since those cracks have appeared I have seen them widen.”

He ran a hand over his stubbled jaw and squeezed her shoulder gently.

”I respect their choice, but I can't disrespect myself at the same time and try to keep up in an Order I believe is failing, which is why we are suffering great casualties. I can't fight the battle within these walls because you see the pain it brings others. I need to see if I can save those I said I would fight alongside without restraint...without the barriers that keep being built around me.”

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, feet touching the soft soil of Voss, Connor looked up at the Temple and then out to Voss.

”I have skirted the line between Light and Dark for years before I found the Silver Jedi, so trust me when I say I know what sort of person I am inside, but trust me also when I say I know my limits. I am not a monster. I will not become a monster, but I, unlike others, will cross that line in order to defeat the Sith and protect the ones they prey on. I know you may not agree, but I must try. I have nothing to lose and so can give more.”

Taking her hand in his, Connor let out a soft sigh and held it between his. Their Force bond bristled, and it took Connor's breath away for a moment.

”As for a future here?” He shook his head gently. ”That future belongs to you Sy. You're wiser, more headstrong and more confident in the Force than many Masters within those walls. You may be the one to pull the Silver Jedi together if that is your destiny.Listen to your heart and trust in the Force, because no matter what happens to me, I will always be here for you one way or the other. I promise.”

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Baalagor]

It was a lot to work through, this conversation, and it had to be taken apart piece by piece, carefully and precisely. This wasn't a small issue to work through, but she wouldn't have asked in the first place if she didn't want to at least try to help him in some way. "Death cracks even the strongest, that much is evident. But as you said, we must not show weakness. It's the intention of those enemies we have to exploit it in us, and we can't allow them that satisfaction. However much it pains us, we have to stay strong. And we'll all get there, eventually. These are things it takes time to recover from. There isn't any easy fix." It wasn't simple for her, either, no matter how she made it seem. But they all had to appear strong, if not for themselves, than those others around them that would depend on that outward strength.

Only nodding in response for a moment, she looked out over Voss as she thought. "I wish I could give you an easy answer, or say something that would make you feel more sure in all of this, but I can't." She glanced to him. "What I can do, however, is offer my support in whatever it is you choose. I have faith in you, Connor, and that won't ever change. Whichever choice you make, just know that you'll always have a home here, with me. I don't want you to forget that, or the bond we've formed. You might not think so, but this, us, will always be your first home. I can promise you that, no matter what may happen, I'll be here for you as well, as a friend and fellow Jedi. You'll always have my support, even if I might not entirely agree." She still wasn't sure how much sense she saw in his current decision, but it wasn't her place to deter him from this road.

A beat passed, and she allowed the calm, nearly weightless essence of the Force to encompass her for a moment. "You don't see yourself like I see you." The statement was made idly, as if they were discussing the weather rather than drastic philosophical decisions. "I see a man that walks the fine line that separates Light and Dark with a quiet knowledge that none other can say they possess. I see a man with a great wisdom that far surpasses his years, a man that knows who he is and what he stands for even while others doubt his motives and every word. A man that stands tall and courageous in the face of whatever danger might head his way, a man that fiercely protects those he loves and cares about without a second thought or a moment of hesitation. Most of all I see a man that trusts in the Force enough and has done so in the past to take on an apprentice that approached him seemingly on a whim. Who then supported his apprentice while instilling in her great wisdom and in turn listening to her advice. I see a man. I see a Jedi. I see a friend."

Unable to do nothing more than smile as the ethereal tether that connected the pair sparked, she let that energy field speak for her when words no longer sufficed, connecting their auras just as their hands, fulfilling that bond between master and apprentice. Theirs ran deeper than simply training and accompanying each other on missions, much deeper than the physical realm. It tied them together, for better or worse, and joined their lives in a way nothing else quite could. And with the formation of that bond neither of them had ever been the same, not that it had ever fazed either of the two. It was something she had embraced, something she had taught him to as well, and something they had forged through trial and tribulation over their time spent together. It was something eternal.

"I can accept such a thing if it comes to pass, but only then. Until that day comes I'll simply strive to be the best Jedi I can while standing at your side every step of the way. I may be wise, headstrong and confident, but those values weren't instilled in me simply at my birth. They were learned. And you were one of those individuals instrumental in those things being taught. Whether you'll grow to accept such a fact or not is up to you, but I can say with certainty that I wouldn't be where I am today if the two of us had never crossed paths. And I dare say you wouldn't have been the same either. In that bond you should see a future here, however unclear it may be. If you can't trust in the others, then at least trust in me."

[member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

If she had been anyone else, he could have easily shaken sense into her and called it that. But she wasn’t just anyone else. She was his Padawan, but more than that she was the only one out of all the Silvers who had connected with him in a way he was brave enough to even accept her as his Padawan. He knew from the start he wouldn’t be worthy to take another on, because he knew himself he was broken and could only train others so far.

But the Force works in mysterious ways, such is the beauty of the bind created by life itself, that Connor simply allowed Sy to wander into his little world and give him someone to focus on, to care for and guide in a way he wished he had been as a youth.

She probably would never understand, and that was acceptable in this current situation. All Connor could do was reassure her. He exhaled softly and shook his head with a grin.

”Syala Daivik, if there ever comes a time to document the ways of the Force and the mind of a Jedi, then YOU must be the one to do it. Stop being so wise – it’s embarrassing for me to hear how advanced you really are.”

His hand patted hers.

”Thank you for not abandoning me altogether. I will find a way – I will find a way to get out of this, but right now I don’t know where “this” is, because it’s falling apart around me, and you know I’m not the easiest person to tap into, so you understand it’s not easy for me to find answers here as it could be for one as pure and decent as you.”

And then, he remembered something he had on him. Something he had carried for a long time. Looking down at his belt, he unclipped a small pouch and pulled out a cloth. Unwrapping it, he pulled out a white and green sphere, big enough to comfortably sit in the palm of one’s hand. He held it up, and it glowed faintly in the low sun.

”Do you know what this is?” He looked at her, and continued. ”This is a Krayt Dragon pearl. Remember Master Corvus Raaf of the Republic? Well she and I took down a dragon on Tatooine a long time ago and this was our prize. She had one, I had one. You can sell them for thousands of credits, you can equip it in your lightsaber for a unique blade or you can fashion it into jewellery.”

Replacing the pearl in her palm, he closed her hand, turned it over and kissed the back of her hand.

”I want you to have it Sy as a sign of our bond and friendship. Use it as you wish, however it may help you – I don’t mind. Just know that it came from me to you, and if we are separated in the darkest time and facing fierce adversary’s, I will always be with you and hold you in my heart.”

With a small smile and raise of the eyes, he felt she truly deserved the best.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]