A view on philosophy...and other assorted things(Ashaiya)

[Jacob Murano]

Sitting in his quarters which were sound proof to other prying ears, the Templar sipped on a glass of Corellian whiskey. Taking the cup he swirled it around in his hand waiting on his student, Ashaiya to appear. Today they'd go over the philosophy of the Dark Jedi. The code, the history of the Dark Jedi from Rannon and now to Ruusan. Plus, they'd go over protocol on politics here. Also on the list of things to talk about where what Ashaiya would do in the eyes of the public here. Knowing they hadn't spoken much about it, Jacob wanted to know if she'd be a 'noble' or something else. Either way what the public knew and what happened elsewhere in secret were something they needed to discuss.

As he sat there he then let his aura wash over the room and stretching out into the hallway. Riding the storm of emotions the Templar figured he'd give his student the chance to seek him out with his aura rather then try to find his room. Knowing that she had aquired her new amulet the other day and then tapped into it, he then took another sip of his drink. Jacob remembered a time where he did nothing but nearly drink himself to death. That was a low point in his life. Now he knew when to stop and cut himself off. No longer did he drink himself into a drunken stupor like he did before.

Closing his eyes he then took a bigger sip of it then set it down. Breathing in the Force he felt the dark waves course through his being. Then letting the tranquility of his inner soul wash over him also he then felt peaceful. At least in that moment. He wondered what his son was up to. How he missed Junior and Renee greatly.

[Ashaiya]

It was easy enough for Ashaiya to sense her Master's presence and the blue haired teenager was soon on her way towards his quarters. She slipped past the nobles she encountered with a grace that surprised even her. The Acolyte was beginning to get used to the secrecy of the Penumbra and she was now able to walk and act casually without looking suspicious or awkward. She was starting to find her feet as a Dark Jedi and her confidence grew by the day, all ready she felt more comfortable than she had ever as a Sith.

She had spent the majority of her time since the last time they had met either practising her abilities or exploring her new home. The former Sith was also carrying a scar or two from a lively spar she had with one of the Templar's a day or so before. Ashaiya had held her own though and her combat skills were recovering well with the rustiness fading away. All in all, everything was going well and she felt more at her home on Ruusan then she ever had anywhere else.

Once she reached Jacob's door, Ashaiya politely knocked and waited. Not wanting to give the wrong impression to those who walked past her by just barging in.

[Jacob Murano]

Jacob heard her knock then with a smile he then spoke, "Enter."

Once she did, Jacob gave her a warm smile offering her a seat. Taking his cup he then lifted it to his lips taking another sip before resting it along with his arm on the arm rest. Now that she had arrived it was time to go over the Dark Jedi code, their philosophy, and most of all the history of the Dark Jedi up till this point. It might take a while and the discussion was welcome. Wasn't like Jacob was wanting a one sided conversation. He wanted to hear Ashaiya's thoughts and feelings on the subjects they would discuss.

"So, Ashaiya, have you thought of what you would like to do in the eyes of the public?" Jacob then put up a hand knowing that she might think this room wasn't soundproof, "Don't worry, we can speak freely here. The prying eyes and ears won't hear a word."

[Ashaiya]

Sliding in to the chair, Ashaiya spent a moment looking around the room before turning her gaze to Jacob. In truth, she had not thought much at all about what she would do publicly. She had been so focused on her retraining and adapting to her new life that it slipped her mind for the most part. The question took her by surprise a bit and it took a few moments before she responded, her tone of voice was uncertain but she gave her Master an honest answer.

"I have not thought much about it if I am honest but I am unsure of what role I can play here. My background was very poor and I have no idea about how to mingle with nobility. It was certainly not something that the Sith taught me either."

[Jacob Murano]

He then pondered her answer, and, knowing that their were quite a few orphans who were around Ruusan and came to the church needing guidance and a good meal and a bed. The Templar then figured she could help there. Maybe as the head mother of the orphanage that was about to be added on to the church. That seemed a good fit. Plus, being a teenager herself she could relate to them and their struggles.

With a smile, the Templar spoke finally, "You could run the orphanage. I'm adding it onto the church so that any and all orphans have a place to stay. No child should be left in the cold in these troubled times. All children need guidance and since your a young one yourself you can relate to them. Be the Head Mother of said orphanage. That way you have something you can do in the eyes of the public and do a good deed in the process."

[Ashaiya]

Ashaiya was even more surprised when Jacob spoke of his idea, it was not something she would of thought of but there was a part of her which jumped at the idea. The idea of helping those who had come from a background like hers appealed to her on an emotional level and the blue haired teenager had to smile inside. It was a worthy cause and although she had never taken on such responsibility before, she could prove her worth to the Dark Jedi and undo some of the damage she had done as a Sith too. She could begin to make amends for her time in the Empire.

A smile crept on her face as she answered, sounding quite eager.

"I will gladly run the orphanage and help the young people who need it the most. Thank you for the opportunity, I will not let you down."

It was only then that she realised what she would be in for but that did not douse her interest or her willingness. It would be a new challenge for her, one she would relish.

[Jacob Murano]

Jacob smiled, "I thought you might like that idea. That's why I brought it up."

He then took the glass and brought it to his lips again taking a sip as the burning taste went down his throat. Swallowing it the Templar set it back down again before he offered some to Ashaiya. Though to him she didn't seem like much of a drinker. But, the man still would offer in case she did want some. Not like he wanted to halt her in any means. They were free to do as they wished in his quarters. Nothing they spoke of or did would leave the room.

"Now, can you tell me what the Sith Code is? I know...it's sort of a dumb question. But, I want you to tell it to me because you know it. They itched it into your brain. Don't get me wrong, I know it too. They tried that with me. Just never settled in." Jacob said with a warm grin, "We as the Penumbra have our own Code. It's not like the Sith. But, it's also different from the Jedi as well."

[Ashaiya]

When Jacob offered her a drink, Ashaiya smiled but shook her head. She was not a drinker at all and had never even tasted alcohol before. The blue haired teen had been addicted to something far stronger during her time as a Sith, the Dark Side itself. Thankfully, that was no longer the case, she had found her balance, thanks to what she had learned so far from the Templar about the Dark Jedi. She had not been tested yet but the Acolyte was confident in herself.

When Jacob asked about the Sith Code, she paused for a moment and then recited the Code.

"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me."

Before adding after some further thought, a frown crossing her face for a moment.

"It is such a selfish credo. I cannot believe that I was even willing to believe that at one time."

[Jacob Murano]

Jacob nodded, "I know. I almost believed it myself. But you are correct. It seems like a selfish credo. Tis the way of the Sith. Which we are not. Not anymore."

He then nodded as she denied the offer of a drink. Well, like he thought earlier if she wanted it she could have it. If not, that was her own thing. Jacob wouldn't force her to do anything she didn't wish to do. That was why he was a Dark Jedi now. They allowed him to be who he was. Not what someone or other wished him to be. Like the Jedi and the Sith.

It was then Jacob said, "Now, I said there was a Dark Jedi code. I will recite it to you and you can decipher what it means, line by line. Don't worry, there are no wrong answers here. Just what you think each part means."

He then cleared his throat and began.

"Through Struggle We Gain Experience...
Through Experience We Gain Knowledge...
Through Knowledge We Gain Cunning...
Through Cunning We Gain Strength...
Through Strength We Create Order...
Through Order We Purge All Weakness"

With that Jacob was finished. He then looked over at Ashaiya and smiled. Now it was her turn to decipher what it meant. Like he stated before there were no wrong or right answers. The Templar would value her opinions and thoughts on the matter at hand. After that they would go over some of the Dark Jedi history. From what he was told himself by Invictus anyways. That and some from Nathaniel.

[Ashaiya]

As she listened to Jacob recite the code of the Dark Jedi, a look of confusion spread across Ashaiya's face. It seemed to be a combination of the Jedi and Sith codes and the blue haired Acolyte had to admit that it did not make complete sense to her, at least after first hearing it. Some of the lines did not seem to fit the image of the Penumbra, in her eyes anyway. She was puzzled but by going through each line, she reckoned that it would help her to understand.

"The first line seems to say that we should learn from our hardships instead of just forgetting them. That by remembering and learning from the darker parts of our lives and the difficult trials we face, we learn more about ourselves and become better prepared for future ones. We become hardened to them and because of that, we handle them better."

[Jacob Murano]

Jacob smirked although he could see the confusion on her face, "Thus we gain the experience to know what to do. Good insight on that."

He then took another sip of his glass before taking the bottle and filling it again. All the way to the top and once he did he set the bottle back where it was. Taking the ice cubes that were in a cooler the Templar placed a few inside the glass as they instantly cracked and began cooling down his drink.

"You seem confused, Ashaiya, why is that?" Jacob asked her with curiosity.

[Ashaiya]

"It is not the first line that confuses but the last. The idea of purging all weakness troubles me and sounds far more Sith like then I could imagine. Weakness should not be purged, it should be nurtured and strengthened so that it is no longer a weakness and becomes a strength. I can understand and appreciate the first four lines but the last two disturb me. I thought that the Dark Jedi sought influence and to do what is right for the greater good but the code sounds more like we want power as the Sith do"

Ashaiya did not mean to be difficult but she honestly did not understand. The code just did not seem to match up with the idea of balance and what was best for those they sought to help. It was rare that she had the chance to talk philosophy and she appreciated having the chance. As a Sith, she never had the chance to speak of such things.

[Jacob Murano]

"You bring up a good point, Ashaiya." Jacob said listening to her words, and, she was right on one standpoint, "Remember, those who founded the Penumbra were either Jedi or Sith. Like us. Sometimes things must stand atop other points of view to realize one goal."

He then chuckled out loud. Taking another sip he then placed it back down before he turned back towards the Acolyte. In all things she was making a good point. But, like he said sometimes you must take things from other points and realize the simple goal from them. True, the last two lines were kinda Sith like in a way. But, through the strength of the Penumbra and through the strength of all of them together would they create an order in the galaxy.

"Well, in my view through our strength, and, I mean through the strength of all of us together towards one goal do we seek to create an order." Jacob said with a nod, "Through that order we will purge all the weaknessess the galaxy has. That was my take on it. But, you bring up valid points. As I stated before...most of us were either Jedi or Sith at one time. Including Nathaniel, Lord Killian, and, Lady Callista. I've never met Callista but I've heard quite a good lot about her."

[Ashaiya]

Tilting her head she she listened, Ashaiya could understand Jacob's point of view although she did still feel that the code was more dark side then balanced. The thought that it was based on the faction as a whole though did help sooth some of her confusion though. She would need time to dwell it on more but she began to understand, it would just take time for her to adapt to. Although to be fair, there was far more to a faction that just a code. Her life as a Sith had taught her that much.

"So rather than purge weakness as in removing those who have it, we instead take out the root of the problem. If we were targeting a corrupt government for example, we would remove those who were the cause of it and put in someone who was uncorrupted instead. We bring order but do not use the blunt methods of the Sith in order to do it and through that we grow."

[Jacob Murano]

"Exactly. Or that's how I would see it anyways." Jacob said with a nod taking his glass again and sipping from it's contents.

After he did he set it back down gulping it down. Shaking his head he'd still never get totally used to the finer things. Then again he was never used to it himself till he got here. He then figured he would tell her what else she could do within the Penumbra. The Archbishop was the leader of an organization that scouted potential recruits. As Jacob was their leader mostly all of them weren't attuned to the Force. But, they were good at their job, nonetheless.

"Any other questions? I would like your input on these subjects." He asked, then added, "Have you figured out what you'll do within the Penumbra? I myself I'm the leader of the Inquisition. I know, weird though of a name to use. But, the Royal Inquisitor and my organization are different. Not sure what the Royal Inquisitor does...but...I help scout potential recruits. We have people everywhere and anywhere there could be potential Force users."