Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Baesal's truck zoomed along quietly along the forest edge until the tiny pathway that led to Thy's camp could be seen and she finished the rest on foot.

She wore her normal robes but also carried a small covered wicker basket

"Greetings, Baesal," she said. "I am glad you came, I wished to speak with you."

''Of course Thy, You are going to head the negotiations with the crown...quite a hard task.''

"Yes, that and just wanted to know how you are feeling?" she asked.

''Well enough, why?''

"I heard you said some odd things about Jedi Katarzyna and Jedi Zane, it seemed kind of an odd thing to say or joke about," she responded.

''During the meeting you mean?'' she tiled her head ''I said one thing about Knight Ulgo and the joke about Knight Rist's infatuation was a non sequitur''

"I am not sure they took it that way, and in the end it bothered them both. I understand if you were trying to bring levity but it seemed an odd way to do it. Actions even small ones have ripple effects that affect others in unintended ways, as a Jedi you know that. But we also can forget that, I know I have," she said honestly.

"It might do you some good to reflect on some of the decisions made and how it affected others, actions taken, words spoken; and grow from that."

''I am aware Master Yulani...but reciprocity is also important.'' she point out ''It is hypocritical to ask for something without giving it in return. I was well aware of what I was saying or how they would be interpreted the moment I said it. I do not regret speaking thus either''

Baesal adjusted her robe and sat down underneath the shade of a tree

''Curious as to know why?''

"You reasoning would help but admitting you don't regret it, it troubles me that you are not considering how your fellow Jedi, or anyone, feel about your words or actions. Compassion is a core value of what we do and what we say," she said with concern.

"We are keepers of the peace."

''True peace, not a false one'' she replied ''Do you not think Knight Ulgo and Knight Rist were just as much problematic in our scenario? Perhaps a little more?''

"I am not pointing fingers I simply want you to recognize that actions have consequences, intentional or not. I am not punishing you, you are not a child but reflection is important and recognizing our role in things is crucial to our role. You are quick to resort to attacking when you feel pushed when all I am asking is simple empathy. Not everyone is against you, when people are concerned they act. This is concern, whether you see it that way or not," she said kindly.

"You can be a great Jedi, with proper reflection and some humility. Something even I have to work on, I speak from a position of empathy, Baesal."

''I am not accusing you of anything Thy. I have known you long enough to know that you mean well and my question was not an attack. Rather it was a tool to frame my argument.''

She pushed a lekku back

''That said. I asked you that question because I have quite another perspective on the events of the reunion. From the beginning people were being on edge because of the communication hack...understandable but not needed. As I tried to explain I had purged my own systems of any worm and I could have done it to the rest of the group's comms thus we were not in an immediate danger. The hack was in fact good for it revealed a flaw in our defenses...we just had to patch it up. The hiccups were already happening then. ''

She paused

''Then we began sharing information, well some of us did at least, and thing began to escalate before my 'concering words'...during all of this time Knight Ulgo was fairly condescending to those involved...heck, even Tethys began to condescend to Breela. Meanwhile Knight Rist just...stocked the stove, so to speak.

We were beginning to talk about a plan when he went off the rails and accused Knight Ulgo and I to 'bicker' then proceeded to enflame the situation. Had had been fairly reasonable until then but he was bent on an offensive. I used a non-sequitur then to shift the thread of the conversation. Then Knight Ulgo moved to defend Knight Rist and I levied my own opinion of her.''

She crossed her arms

''Standing your ground is not attacking, Thy. They were both instigators in their own way...one by being sanctimonious to her fellow knight without valuing their opinion, the other by just going on the attack for no reason aside from needing to attack. I grew very old very fast and I am passed the age of petty high school bullshit. If either of them were really concerned with my behavior they could have come to see me so we can discuss the matter but instead here we are. I am being talked down to, again. You think I do not grasp the situation? I do.''

She stood nearby with a basket full of gathered herbs, roots, and... judging by the smell, fish wrapped in some kind of leaf. "Forgive me," she bows, "I returned at an inopportune time it seems." She gently sets the supplies down. "Early in the morning is the best time to catch fish. They're drawn to torch light as if it were the sun you see." She snaps a few branches and kindles the waning fire. "Might I lend some of my own wisdom?"

''Oh! Good morning Breela'' she put her own basket before her ''I brought cookies myself''

Thy raised a hand and said, "I have said what has needed to be said, if you do not feel the need to mend bridges and simply point fingers then that is your right. I know you can be better than that, and being an adult sometimes means swallowing one's pride and just smoothing things over for the good community. If you feel otherwise then I won't continue."

"We have to come to that conclusion in our own time, whatever choice we follow." She turned and found a place to meditate on a moss covered rock and checked out.

/exit via deep meditation.

Baesal frowned

''Bridges goes both ways I am ready to do the work but they must be willing to to the same. Peace is not the status quo, peace is not a performance.''

Breela sighs and continues to quietly feed and tend the fire. "It's not like we don't all struggle with pride Baesal. I'm as guilty as the rest." She blows and the fire sparks to life. "Come here, observe the fire with me for a spell." She pats the mossy space beside her. "Then tell me what you see."

Baesal raised an eyebrow then moved closer to see where Breela was going with this

''I see...the chemical reaction emanating from the combustion of wood and oxygen...the release of carbon and heat....and the aesthetically pleasing movement and colors they produce''

Breela smiles softly, "I see hunger myself. A hunger for knowledge, for understanding. I see the consumption of food... fuel. But above all I see a delicate balance. Within these stone walls - the fire is contained. But should it escape it might very well consume the forest." She turns to Baesal. "My own master once said: 'Mastery of fire, is to understand when to feed and when to digest.' Now... if you'll further indulge me will you close your eyes and picture the gentle surface of a lake?"