The Dark Academy on Korriban

“Redemption is possible for all, as is corruption. It’s like people can change their minds when they come to a pivotal moment in their lives, so it is the Force. Nothing is ever static. Does it bother you that this Master Hazzan turned away from the dark side?” Master Raji asks.

She frowned at the question, realising she was the only one who had not been bothered by it

''Not really, I don't worship the dark side like the other siths. I prefer to have a more rationnal approach to things.''

One thing she was proud of

''Limiting the study of the Force to either dark or light would be a disservice to any scholar.''

“Despite what you may have been told we study both sides. Jedi have always been scholars and value learning and the sciences. I am no scientist, my math is terrible but I do value philosophical debate. I live by a simple motto also; I can judge no village by a single man any more so than I can judge a single man by his village.”

He adds, “Probably a bit simplistic but it keeps me honest and my mind open to new ideas.”

''You do? That is surprising to say the least...you esplore your emotions as well or do you seek to root them out?''

That's how the jedi are portrayed at least

Then came the village analogy

"But by that logic we cannot admit that the Jedi aren't as dogmatic as the sith because you are different, no? Just like we can't say that the sith aren't all wearing dark eyeliner because I'm not''

“We trust our emotions but we are mindful of emotions that stem from selfish motivations or fear. A Jedi can love, but if that love becomes the focus for all other motivations it quickly can turn into something darker. A Jedi can know anger, but we know actions made in anger are often regretted. No one is perfect, we simply strive to be better than we were the day previous,” he says with nod.

“That is my point we cannot judge all Sith by one Sith any more than we can judge all Jedi by one Jedi. Actions in the past have brought this war upon us, decisions that not all Jedi agree with. I would suspect not all Sith agree with the War, but enough on both sides see it is as necessary that bloodshed continues.”

“Now I am rambling, my apologies,” he finishes.

''Meh, it happens'' she gave a shrug

''I got used to Lord Savas's so it okay'' She said, absentmindly stroking her lekku. She felt oddly at ease speaking to an enemy.

''Do you know about Rakatan force technology?'' she ventured

“I have seen Rakatan devices in my travels and done some research, usually when my life depended on it,” he said with a bit nostalgia.

“I am not sure anyone knows the technology, but I am aware of it and the despotic Infinite Empire that controlled the galaxy in the distant past. Is that an interest of yours?” he says warmly.

''Actually yes, it is: I seek do understand the force on a more...er...mechanical or scientific level and meld it with technology. The study of Rakatan tech could help me a lot.''

She scratches her head

''Its ambitious but already came up with a new lightsaber design so I think I'm up for the challenge''

“What did you develop?” he asks with curiosity.

“You would not be the first to seek that kind of understanding, many scholars at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant delve deep into that subject far more so than I could really explain.”

''This!'' She said with a mesure of pride, showing and igniting the Ionsaber

''I call it Ionsaber! the design involved time and explosions but I'm glad of the final result''

Master Raji chuckles and says, “And what does it do?”

She turns the blade off and puts it back on her belt

''Well, thats a secret you see...but you can take a guess based on the name''

“Of course, my apologies I will promise to be surprised when or if I ever see it in action,” he says.

“Feel well enough to travel?” he asks.

''Yes, I guess.'' she scratches her head with her good hand

''But its rare I get to talk to someone who is not about to kill me for a divergeance of opinion''

“We can stay a little longer, I have no ill intentions, Baesal.”

“Is this common in your world, having to watch what you say?” Master Raji asks.

''Yes, kinda. I already have one Sith Lord who wants me dead...the rest of the empire is also very strong in thought control''

She gave a sigh

''I'm somewhat glad I was old enough when they took me to know not to believe the propaganda''

“Freedom thought is the ultimate expression of the Force,” he says with a kind smile.

''Heh, not for the Sith it seems''

Stretched her legs

''Kinda hypocritical if you ask me...''

“Well what do you think, I am curious,” he asks.

''What do I think about what?'' she said, raising an eyebrow

“You just gave your thought about hypocrisy within the Sith you have a more complete view than myself. What do you see what have you experienced. I don’t think you fully agree with the Sith at large,” he says.

“But I don’t want to generalize.”

''Well...the thing is that the Empire is not made to last. It is fueled by the desire of revenge against the Republic but...it has nothing else to go on. If they would go on win the war the I doubt that it would last more then a couple of decades.''

She leans back, pondering

''They also suffer from cognitive dissonance. They claim that the Republic is weak but they forget that having their ass kicked by it is the very reason they want revenge. They claim it is corrupt and opressive but they have legions of slaves, a thought police and preferential treatment to nobles and a select elite.''

“For all that power the Empire fears the mind of the slave who has the will to fight back,” he says thoughtfully.

''Even the mouse can find the will to fight the cat...the cat prays that it does not happen to a hundred of them.''

She raised her head

''Err...no offense meant''

“None taken,” he says warmly.

“It is the collection of the many that makes any group strong. No single Jedi yearns for strength we seek community and stability in aiding in others and that is out strength. Personal power is nothing against the collective will of the many that choose to resist,” Raji says firmly.

“I am curious what these cat creatures are. I have seen vine cats and other cats but they don’t look like Cathar.”