#jaric kaedan

[miraluking-respectfully]

more Blobs <3

[ospreyeamon]

jaric kaedan: designated jerk

Jaric Kaedan is the designated jerk of the cold war era Jedi Council. When there is a mean or aggressive thing the writers want a member of the Council to say, Master Kaedan is nearly always the one to say it. However, I would argue that a lot of the mean things Kaedan says are mean things which needed to be said by someone.

For example, his questioning of Kira Carsen’s loyalty after it is revealed she is a Child of the Emperor is pertinent given the context. That someone who was accepted into the Order as an adult after attempting to steal the hyperdrive of a ship which just happened to belong to a member of the Jedi Council, whose position as that Council Member’s Padawan granted her close access to the Council, has been concealing her origins as a Sith acolyte is suspicious. During Act One the Jedi uncover a Sith sleeper agent, Tarnis, embedded deeply in Republic military research. In Consular Act Three, the potential infiltration of the Jedi Order by the Children of the Emperor is proven to be something Kaedan was absolutely correct to be concerned about. The Council would be remiss in its duty of protection towards the other members of the Order if they didn’t investigate the possibility of Kira being a plant. Arguably, they’d also be failing Kira by not consolidating the evidence proving her innocence because Kira might need that evidence if her status as a Child of the Emperor leaks again in the future.

Kaedan’s cynicism about the prospects of Tol Braga’s plan bring peace with the Empire is entirely reasonable. The risks of undertaking the mission go beyond the risk to the members of the strike team. If the Jedi abduct or assassinate the Sith Emperor it will trigger a second great galactic war – a war the republic military has been preparing for but may not be ready to begin. Even if Tol Braga succeeds in turning the Emperor to the Light, the wider Empire would be unlikely accept the commands of a Jedi Emperor, either dismissing the “redemption” as lies or mind control, or denouncing the ruler they are already becoming disillusioned with as a traitor.

His concerns about Jomar Chul’s vision are also valid. Even if the Hero of Tython is unwaveringly loyal to the Order and would never willingly draw on the Dark-Side of the Force, the Jedi Council should be aware that Jedi can be forced into falling under torture. The vision is an ill omen at the outset of an already poorly considered mission.

This gives me the impression that Jaric Kaedan’s role as the designated jerk is something which exists in-universe – that he has fallen into a dynamic with the rest of the Jedi Council where he feels he must voice the cynical and callous opinions because most of the time nobody else is willing to. If the points aren’t raised the quality of the Council’s discussions will suffer, the quality of the Council’s decisions will suffer. None of them particularly want to tell Bela Kiwiiks she might have welcomed a mole into the Order or tell Tol Braga his pet emperor redemption project is stupid. So long as Jaric Kaedan is always willing to be the bad cop then then the other members of the Council are free to play the good cop, or the mediator, or the supplier of wise proverbs.

Which is, moving further into headcanon, part of the reason why Kaedan is such a grumpy jerk. He knows he’s slipped into this trap and resents it. He shouldn’t have to always be the one bringing these things up. He shouldn’t have to worry that nobody else will if he’s not there. And the habit of imagining and voicing cynical takes, once established, is difficult to break.

[spilled-croissants]

Jaric Kaedan is a bitch if you know you know

[reconstructionlegacy]

Ngani Zho Coerced Custody Of Theron

[Zho] had told the Jedi Council and the leaders of the Republic military that he had sent Satele on a vital mission— something he could not speak of for fear of endangering her life. Given Master Zho’s impeccable reputation, none had questioned him. Now, however, the mission was over. It was time for her to return; the Republic had fought too long without their champion. The Sith Empire’s relentless advance had gone too far. She could no longer ignore the Republic’s need. [...] “You promised you would take him,” Satele said softly, gazing down into the child’s wide, wondering eyes. “I will,” Ngani assured her. “If that’s still what you want.” “What I want has nothing to do with it,” she muttered as she reluctantly handed the child back to her Master. [...] As he took the child from her arms, the moment of greatest joy she would ever know ended.

— Star Wars: The Old Republic: Annihilation

BACKGROUND

Ngani Zho trained, according to Lost Suns (admittedly according to Zho the manipulator), Satele Shan, Syo Bakarn, Jaric Kaedan, and Bela Kiwiiks. Obviously, that is not possible for full Padawans, and Satele was under Kao Cen Darach's mentorship in the first trailer (and then he died), so my theory here is that Zho stepped in to "foster" mentor at least some of these promising young Jedi (and gain influence with them).

WHAT HAPPENED

Zho was somehow trusted by the Council (maybe because he partially trained a third of them). Satele became pregnant, went to Zho for advice, and rather than saying "let's talk to the Council, the normal Jedi support structure, which trusts me," he said "I will cover this up. For you." Like a favour.

He said to the Council that she was on a mission, which put a time limit on the 'plan' ("Always with the plan, aren't you?" Zho asks Theron in Lost Suns). By lying to the Council on her behalf, he made it impossible to go to them for support, or at the least heavily implied to Satele that her pregnancy was somehow wrong or shameful.

By isolating Satele from everyone but himself, and putting a time limit on her seclusion, he arranged for her to have no real choice but to give him custody of Theron. (The scion of a powerful bloodline... and possibly even blackmail material against the future Grand Master.)

Then, having secured the custody of Theron, he proceeded to isolate him as he had isolated Satele, and thoroughly abuse him. This is detailed in Lost Suns, and I will not detail it here; suffice to say it began at the earliest when Theron was five, and Theron's life was endangered by Zho, who abandoned Theron upon realizing he was not Force-sensitive.

(SOME OF) THE AFTERMATH

Years later, when Theron is an SIS officer, under convoluted plot circumstances (that is: the plot of Lost Suns), he reencounters Zho. Zho takes another young person, Teff'ith, under his wing, which Theron is unhappy about. (Teff'ith asks Theron, who has used the term 'childhood trauma' about Zho by this point, and will later elaborate with horrific detail that I, once more, decline to repeat, "Scared of him?". Theron says 'no' - you know, like a liar. Anyway -)

(My theory is that Zho was Star Cabal, Revanite, or both, and wanted complete control of the training of the Blood Of Revan... but fuck knows why he did any of this. Your guess is as good as mine.)

I do think, in the text, Zho's treatment of Theron is framed as abhorrent, especially given the cited and open trauma and abuse. There is also a line in Annihilation about him glaring at Satele in a way that reminds me of Theron's textual panic attack when Satele mentions Zho to him elsewhere in the book. Given this, I think it is an entirely reasonable conclusion, even ignoring the fact that he is baby-stealing Jedi georg, the only Jedi known to have actually stolen a baby, that he mistreated Satele, too.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

At any rate - Ngani Zho coerced Satele into giving him custody of Theron. Theron does not know this, and assumes Satele chose freely to gave him up.

We can't know what her decision would have been, because she didn't truly get to make one. She may have chosen to give Theron up. She may not have. But as it was, as it happened, she did not have a genuine choice.

TL;DR: Tie-in material makes it quite clear that Ngani Zho, the "Master Zho" in one of Theron's combat lines, coerced Satele into giving the infant Theron into his custody. This was terrible for everyone involved, except Zho.

[shadowsofdread]

i want so very badly to write the fic that exists in my brain about k'tasi witnessing jaric kaedan's death and having a reaction to it that many jedi - especially friends and colleagues of kaedan's i.e. the council - would likely find ... disappointing, to say the least, as in being frozen in fear and letting the guy who killed him (the emperor's wrath. by the way.) walk away unharmed. but the problem i'm running into is that again i'm not satisfied with k'tasi's design and wanna change it. babygirl you've been three designs now can you chill and make up your mind.

anyway. relatedly. kira is k'tasi's new master after kaedan, not hyroh. hyroh's a bit preoccupied dicking about having a quarter life crisis and trying to figure out who the hell he is again after extreme levels of torture and being constantly dissociated. like, for chapter 3, kira becomes the new protagonist of the JK campaign - because i think it's fucking cool of her and i care her, okay.

[swtorpadawan]

My problem is that the canon depictions of this (Legends and Disney) tend to be hugely inconsistent.

The head-canon depictions are inevitably formed from personal prejudices. (Yes, that includes me.)

I will say that in SWTOR, on a general level, the Jedi repeatedly show compassion to those who were the victims of brainwashing, as well as people who were raised in "hostile" environments. (i.e. the Sith Empire)

There are - obviously - many exceptions. (F*ck Jaric Kaedan)

i care so much about fictional morality and ethics but not in a lame ass "is this character/ship problematic" way. i'm cringe for other reasons.

[whitepadi]

I’m pretty sure the Sith is the least we need to worry about, Master Jaric.

This bug is pretty hilarious actually because it seems in-character of him and the fact that many people expereinced this bug too. 

Btw, I made Jaric as Kresna’s second master in Chapter 2 before he met Nat and after Orgus death (he became Knight in the end of class story) and let just say Jaric still dislike his former padawan.

Thanks @.badsithnocookie for the screenshoot lmao. Also please ignore the typo.

[swtorpadawan]

The Council Chamber at the Galactic Senate is larger than the one on Tython

I mean... its huge. These are supposed to be offices for Senators. Why are they in there?

[pawsimses]

Know what? Here's some random HCs from one of my Legacy verses because I feel like it

Kira and Lana are sisters, Lana being the older of the two. It isn't a well known fact and the two don't fully reconcile with their relation until after EoO. Prior they had a typical sibling rivalry as children and a tense strained relationship as adult upon reuniting years after Kira ran away.

"Kira Carsen" isn't Kira's birth name. Haven't decided her birth name yet but since she's Lana's sister she's a Beniko. Kira Carsen was the name she gave herself upon fleeing the Empire as a means of a fresh start, amongst fear of being found out as a runaway Sith acolyte.

Jaren Beniko is a high ranking Sith Lord in this (Kelsa was not). A stern but oddly soft man with his daughters and a no-nonsense strict officer in the field, he had a way of getting around situations through negotiations rather than drawing his saber, though he wasnt afraid to get his hands dirty if provoked (a trait he passed to his eldest daughter Lana). Was actually a Dark Council member in his early years prior to Kira's disappearance. Loved his daughters dearly. Because of his nature and odd habit of less ruthless approaches for a Sith, there was a rumor he was once a fallen Jedi. Still working on him but may roll a SW class for him.

(YES I'm playing here w the Benikos are Kenobi ancestors theory)

Ancient Sith Purebloods were dragons. Subsequently modern Sith, even humans, can become big lizard puppies if they tried. This is due in part to virtually most Sith sharing bloodlines w ancient Sith. Types of dragons varied/vary from fiery breathers to acid spitters to poisonous nibblers.

On the dragons note, though they CAN most Sith DON'T unlock the dragon form (it's a pain/not well known knowledge/assumed to only be from select bloodlines (which is bs)). The only known participant is Vowrawn. Because course he would. It surprised nobody as Vowrawn is from a very rich and old Sith family, almost considered nobility (Almost...😏).

On that note, Krovos and Shaar are Vowrawn's daughters through a past arranged marriage (now dissolved). Though he commited to the union only to appease family (neither spouse were in love), he does love his daughters and is proud of them and actively retains good relations with them presently. His ex and him are on good terms (they aren't Sith).

Mako is Force Sensitive in my verse (as is my BH). She was, obviously, never found by the Jedi; as a clone, and therefore part of a secret project, her name and identity were not held on Republic records (SIS files only). On top of that, her abilities are not as visibly apparently compared to other FS and she doesn't use them openly much (like Raina). She learns a few techniques from my BH, an ex-Jedi Initiate himself, and the two form a close sibling bond.

Post LotS Kira and Nadia are a married couple. They met before briefly during vanilla but only got to really connect upon joining the Alliance. Kira was the first to realize and have very much Bi Panic bc oh no. Knight Grell is cute. Very cute. She's so pretty when she laughs. She's got beautiful eyes halp-

Nadia however, was the one to make the first move, through various sputtering and flustered words, so nervous much pinning. Kira could only keep kissing her after that. Nadia will admit first she cried from happiness.

They are adorkable I love them ❤️

Jaric Kaedan and Syo Bakarn were quietly involved together prior to the First Son incident. It fell apart after Syo was arrested and brought before the Council for trial. Only then could he watch as his now former lover now looked at him with disgust. The heartbreak was something that plagued Syo just as bad as the guilt over the First Son's actions for years to come after. He truly loved Jaric.

Though not extreme nobility anymore, the Bakarn family is still very much elite and one of the more famous families on Corellia. These days they run a successful distillery business, which keeps them up in the ranks as one of the more prosperous names. Syo holds a share of the family's company.

Syo has two younger siblings. His brother (middle child) is an immature spoiled person who latched onto their family's title and status, preferring to drink at the cantinas around Corellia and flirt with potential lovers (ur 42 Jack stop). Syo doesnt get along with him at all. Syo's sister (youngest) is a gentle kind soul with a heart for helping those around her, though she has issues with temper and differing opinions. Syo adores her and she acts as his confident when he's home complaining about their brother lol

Jaric was born and raised on Tatooine. It was not a happy childhood and he strongly refuses to discuss it (AKA me brain can't decide on what to do there lol). Doesn't like sand. Satele is, for all intensive purposes, his adopted sister. She fills the hole in his heart left by the loss of his younger sister and he often sees her through Satele. Zho was a suggorate father in place of his bio one, whom Jaric has negative opinions about. He quietly regrets never reconciling with Zho.

May make an AU out of it but for a short time, Saresh almost became Theron's stepmother (she and Jace were seriously dating). Theron wants to vomit every time he remembers.

Jace has dated other people outside Saresh post Satele. But it doesnt last. His heart only belongs to one.

Marr did love Satele in his own way posthumously. It's not exactly full romance but...he cared deeply for her.

And that's all for now lol

[theshijlegacy]

Deynaria gets the details on The Worst Plan Ever

[fancyfade]

[image: a screencap of Master Jaric Kaedan, a white middleaged human man wearing a jedi robe, saying “Yuon seems convinced. But trusting blindly in the Force isn’t the Jedi way. Good judgment and discipline must temper that trust.” end image]

posting this cuz

a) just jedi stuff

b) harin-so really appreciates jaric’s philosophy here, mostly because zie cna’t connect with the idea of just blindly trusting a higher power. zie was trying to do that so badly during zir mystic trials and training, but never received a vision, so zie’s like “fucking finally, a way to move forward that isn’t dependent on something i can’t control”

[algaeabomination]

oh no

[ospreyeamon]

playing politics

It’s been said before, but there is a clear disparity in the way the Jedi Consular and Jedi Knight are treated when it comes to their promotion prospects. While both are knighted at the end of their prologues, the Consular is given the rank of Master at the start of Act 2 while the Knight is only maybe promoted again at the close of Act 3.

The Consular’s promotion to Master is political. They are being given the rank because the Jedi Council thinks it will be necessary for the Rift Alliance to take them seriously, not because of anything the Consular has achieved up to this point Hence why they are given the rank upon being given a mission rather than completing one. Which makes sense as the Consular’s achievements during Act 1 are pretty variable.

A Consular who has LS-choiced their way through Act 1’s achievements are very impressive, even if the stint on Alderaan is their only prior diplomatic experience that we know of. A Consular who – despite being asked to shield the afflicted Jedi – chooses to kill them at varying points before accidentally (or “accidentally”) causing the deaths of hundreds more Jedi offscreen by killing Lord Vivicar, I think, probably wouldn’t have been trusted with a sensitive diplomatic post if the Council thought they had a better option. Unfortunately, in this scenario, the better options were probably numbered among the now dead Jedi Masters.

Conversely, the Jedi Knight definitely succeeded in their overall mission in Act 1. They might have been a jerk, they might have passed up opportunities to save or spare people, they might have delayed rescuing Nasan Godera for a loot acquisition detour, but they still did (eventually) retrieve Dr Godera, stop the power-guard project, save Master Kiwiiks and Tatooine, help destroy the death-mark laser, and prevent Darth Angral from torching Tython. The Knight also helps (or “helps”) guide Kira Carsen to Knighthood; successfully training a Padawan is traditionally one of the main gauges the Council uses to determine who is ready to become a Master.

A DS!Knight proves considerably more effective in Act 1 than a DS!Consular, but the Consular is still the one promoted. The promotion isn’t given in recognition of their skills or as reward for their achievements. It isn’t withheld because of any action or shift in alignment. The Consular is promoted at the start of Act 2 because their new mission is to make nice with the politicians; the Knight isn’t because they are assisting other Jedi. If the Consular’s promotion truly was a matter of merit the Knight would have been promoted too.

The end of Act 3 has incredibly stark differences in how a Dark-aligned Consular and Knight are treated by the Jedi Council. Neither of them receives the promotion they would have if they had been Light-aligned, but of the behaviour of the Council towards them is markedly different. The Consular is publicly rewarded. The Knight is publicly snubbed.

“Your relentless pursuit of the First Son merits a unique position. We would like to make you our special military advisor. You will rank alongside us, but work with the Republic, to capture the remaining Children and prepare for any future threat from the Sith.” Jaric Kaedan “Rank alongside? So I would not be a member of the Jedi Council.” Jedi Consular, Option 3 “We would prefer you to focus on assisting the Republic, rather than on Council duties. But this is only a small reward beside the great service you have done, for all of us.” Jaric Kaedan

The post of the Jedi Council’s special military advisor is a promotion, even if it might not be the promotion the Consular wanted. Jaric Kaedan doesn’t say anything to suggest that a Council Seat could have been on the table under other circumstances; the idea is only brought up if the Consular brings it up.

The Consular has experienced a meteoric rise through the ranks; their class story takes place over about three years and they go from Padawan to Knight to Master to senior Master advising the Jedi Council. Going from Padawan to Master in the span of two years is (I think) the fastest turn around we are shown for any Jedi, and most members of the Order never sit on the High Council. Being promoted to Master without having trained a Padawan in any capacity is also highly unusual. The Consular has nothing to complain about.

Even if they do complain, Jaric’s justification is that they don’t want the Consular’s attention split between their work with the Republic and the duties of a Council Member. He is quick to praise the Consular again. No mention of their turn to the Dark Side is made.

“And then there is you. How do we even begin to account for the turns your life has taken since you first arrived on Tython? The dark side has cast its shadow over you. I sense your anger and ambition growing. I can no longer ignore it. I wanted so much for you to become a Jedi Master, but you are not ready.” Satele Shan “What have I done to deserve being passed over? I've saved trillions of people.” Jedi Knight, Option 1 “Your battles on Corellia cost us Master Kiwiiks and dozens of brave Jedi. Your leadership there was questionable, at best. You struck a great blow against the Sith, but the war goes on. There will be other opportunities for you to prove yourself worthy.” or “How much have you sacrificed on your path to victory? What emotions drove these decisions? These are the questions we must answer. You struck a great blow against the Sith, but the war goes on. There will be other opportunities for you to prove yourself worthy.” Satele Shan “Master Satele, this Jedi is one of the greatest war heroes I’ve ever met. He/she deserves recognition for his/her victories. By the authority of the Supreme Chancellor, I hereby grant you the honorary rank of Republic general.” Admiral Dabrin

In contrast, in a Dark-aligned Knight’s class story ending Satele Shan tells them that they are wrathful, power-hungry, under the influence of the Dark-Side of the Force, and not being promoted to Jedi Master. It’s a public humiliation at a ceremony intended to honour the Knight’s achievements. Small wonder Admiral Dabrin tries to patch things over by naming the Knight an honorary general.

Satele Shan did not have to manage the situation with the Knight this way. She could have quietly led the Knight off into a side room before the ceremony and asked them if they knew they were clouded by the Dark Side. She could have had the kind of talk with them that Orgus Din does on Rishi. Making a public spectacle was taking the nuclear option.

Satele can claim that the Knight isn’t being promoted because of their poor leadership on Corellia, but Satele was the one to put the Knight in charge of the Jedi forces on Corellia, possibly over the Knight’s objections. Besides, we the audience know it isn’t the truth. The Jedi Council’s refusal to grant them the rank of Master isn’t tied to any decision they could have taken on Corellia – it is solely determined by their alignment.

The denunciation being so public makes me feel that its motivation was either highly political or deeply personal. Did Satele feel betrayed by the Knight? Did the rest of the Jedi Council even know she was planning on going off script in front of the Republic brass? Was she convinced the Knight’s Dark-alignment was evidence they had done terrible things she would never be able to find proof of?

Was the decision to try to crack down hard on the Knight made because the Consular had also turned but couldn’t be reprimanded without insulting the Rift Alliance? Were Council concerned that members of the Order like Unaw Aharo were admiring a Dark Jedi? Was Satele under pressure to make a statement against Jedi drawing on the Dark-Side while fighting in the war?

But if a DS-choicing Knight got Jedi unnecessarily killed, then a DS-choicing Consular got more Jedi killed; hundreds compared to dozens. If it’s dangerous to have impressionable Jedi looking up to a Dark-aligned Hero of Tython, then it’s no less dangerous to have them admiring a Dark-aligned Barsen’thor. If a Dark Jedi shouldn’t be permitted to become a Master, then a Dark Consular should be demoted rather than set to advise the Council.

There is an incredible double-standard in how the Consular is treated in comparison to the Knight – and a double-standard in how the Consular is treated compared to the norms of the Order. This is surely something people in-universe have opinions about.

[lindlingandschmetterwurm]

⮱ SH*T JEDI SAY | STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC

They almost treat us like children. Pretty far past ‘almost’, don’t you think?

[anchanted-one]

Book of Storms: Legend of Vajra

Chapter 8: Trials

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43208574/chapters/108977704

The Jedi Temple, Several weeks later

Satele Shan, Grand Master of the Jedi Order, studied the Padawan as he entered the Meeting Chamber.

“Vajra! Please, come on in. We were most relieved to hear when you started to recover. We feared we were going to lose you.”

“That was a daring act you pulled off,” Kaedan sighed. “The Council commends your valor.”

“Thank you, Masters.”

“We would also like to apologize for saddling you with such a monumental task alone,” Bela said. “You were all but alone for a time.”

“The growing darkness has you worried, I understand.”

Satele snorted. “Strange, is it not, how a threat almost literally on our doorstep is not the massive threat we’ve been Sensing? It’s like the heart of our power is irrelevant.”

“Well, Tython is out of the way,” Vajra replied. “Remote. Things that happen here only affect the Galaxy if it can wipe us out. Which it can’t. Even a few Knights are sufficient to keep the Khrayii at bay. But you always knew that, didn’t you, Masters? The Force flows so… calmly here despite all the turmoil. To it, this conflict is… irrelevant.” His eyes widened and he clammed up, as if realizing he had said too much.

“Indeed,” Satele said. “I’m glad you see things so clearly.”

“I apologize, Masters.”

“You really shouldn’t,” Master Syo Bakarn said kindly. “Your insight proves a point we’ve all discussed several times in this Council. You are ready to start taking your trials.” Behind Bela, the holo of her Padawan stirred but said nothing.

“What?” Vajra was taken aback. “But Masters, I have so much to learn, still! I can’t even Control my breath yet; you saw what a few cannisters of poison did to me!”

“Indeed, there are still a few things you need to learn. Fortunately, your trials will take time to complete. You still have some time to learn.”

“I see. I am honored by the Council’s confidence in me.”

“You have earned it,” Kaedan said gruffly. “Your dedication and tenacity have been noticed, as has your adherence to the Code. Know that we do not make this decision lightly.”

“Yes, Masters.”

“You have already passed a more grueling Trial of the Flesh than anything we could have set up,” Tol said. “The same Trial proved your valour. We also believe you have passed any Trials of Skill, but…”

“I disagree, Master Braga. While I agree my combat skills are good, the poisoning incident proved to me that I have a lot left to learn. I am also not very confident in using the Force in subtle or peaceful ways. I have a lot to learn, and I would like the time to learn them properly.”

“Agreed,” Master Orgus said. “As I mentioned earlier, there is much I would like to teach him before letting him make his own way out there.”

“Noted. Your trials will happen slowly, young one. And, I agree that your soft skills are just as important as your blade work. We will think up a suitable Trial of Skill as well.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“You may leave, Vajra.”

The young Apprentice bowed and left.

“He sounds… different,” Satele remarked.

“His lessons in Basic have been progressing well,” Orgus replied. “He’s also gotten better and more confident in debating.”

“Clearly. What have you been teaching him?”

“Whatever I can. But in this case, it’s Jasme we have to thank. And his own interest, of course.”

“It’s poise and thoughtfulness worthy of a Jedi,” Tol remarked. “I’m amazed how far he’s come in the few months since his arrival.”

“But is it right to add to his burdens?” Bela spoke up. “He’s still just a child! And we’ve put too much on his plate already! I’ll never forget the torment on his face when he lamented having killed two thousand Flesh Raiders.”

“And his state when I returned to find him in the infirmary,” Orgus added.

“That was then,” Braga argued. “As we saw, he’s growing. Fast. And we need all the Knights we can field.”

“Then we should look elsewhere,” Bela said stubbornly. “We’ll start raiding cribs next!”

“I agree,” Orgus said pleadingly. “Let me have a few years with him. I want to do a proper job with him.”

���I’m afraid we don’t have that luxury. Any lessons you can squeeze into the next month or two is all he’ll be afforded. The darkness continues to grow, and we still don’t know what it is. Or where.”

“I’m certain it’s here on Coruscant,” Bela said.

“A world with over trillion people. A world that has enough surface area to match a thousand ordinary worlds, thanks to the many levels of construction. That’s a lot of ground to cover.”

“I’ll find it,” Bela insisted.

“Kira,” Satele interjected. “I’m sure you were listening?”

“Indeed I was, Master Satele. If it’s my opinion you’re asking for, Vajra is already a splendid Jedi. But he’s also young. I’d rather preserve that a little longer if I could. Heck, if this Council was willing to trust me, I’d shoulder the burden myself so he wouldn’t have to.”

“Noble,” Kaedan growled. “Is this a sign you want to be made Knight before him?”

“No, though I understand why it appears that way. I don’t care about my seniority. He’s my friend, and I want to protect him.”

“Well said,” Bela nodded. “He has the potential. But I fear we will squander it if we rush the process.”

“The trials will start, that much has already been decided,” Satele sighed. “But I agree that we can pace it so as to give him more time.”

“Time is something he needs,” Kira insisted. “Please, Masters.”

“Your opinion has been noted, Padawan,” Syo said in his usual, kindly manner.

“It feels like we’re going around in circles on an already decided subject,” Kaedan said. “I think we should move on to the next topic.”

“Agreed. Master Kiwiiks, tell us about your progress on Coruscant please.”

Satele listened with half an ear to her colleague’s report, but the back of her mind continued to work on the subject of Vajra’s Knighthood. All objections she kept hearing were, in her opinion, very valid. But there was little she could do. These past months, Vajra had done the work of a small force of full Knights. While in hindsight, it had been a terrible mistake giving him so much responsibility, the result was unmistakable. And most of her fellow Councillors—even the ones who were rarely able to attend anymore—wanted to give him his spurs.

*

Satele sat in her chambers later that day, brushing her daughter’s hair as she animatedly chatted away as usual. She was talking about the Kalikori this time.

“They’re having a festival tonight,” she was saying. “I’ve been looking into their customs after the poisoning incident—that ‘grand matriarch’ woman gave me really bad vibes—and I was thinking just how drab their culture was. Even the Khrayii have a more solid culture, and that’s saying something. The Kalikori… their festivals feel kinda thrown together. ‘Hey, it’s common to have a harvest festival, so let’s make one ourselves! And let’s make drinks from the first batch of crops because it seems so smart! What’s that, add our own flavor? Our own instruments, stories, beliefs? Why ever would we do that? This is good, this is smart!’”

Satele snorted. “Kolovish really got under your skin, didn’t she?”

“It’s more than that,” Jasme insisted. “She’s up to something.”

“Well, at least we know her ‘something’ doesn’t involve speaking to people off-world. We’ve detected no transmissions that weren’t our own.”

“She’s going to end up with her arms clapped in irons someday… mark my words,” Jasme said darkly.

“Of course, dear. I’ll trust your judgement. You’ve proven a good judge of character after all.”

“Awww, thanks Mom!”

“I’m glad to see you more yourself again.”

“Yeah, seeing Vajra so badly injured, thinking he might die… it really scared me.”

“You really like him, don’t you?”

Jasme turned her head slightly to beam. “Yes.”

“He’s impressed the Council too. Almost everyone wants him Knighted as soon as possible.”

“So, he told me,” Jasme beamed. “Right after you let him go, in fact. I’m glad they see his worth. He’s already seen as something of a guardian among the Kalikori. Hey, I just realized; there’s at least two places in the galaxy where people see him as some divine champion! The Raudra revere anyone whose third eye has gone white!”

Satele chuckled. “The legend of Vajra is off to a good start already then.”

“So now you’re foisting a Knighthood on him. I’m so proud of the little guy! But also, a little worried…”

“Because of his age?”

“And his maturity. His inner balance has improved loads lately, but I still worry about him.”

“But his judgement is above reproach. All reports agree that his approach has saved the most lives.”

“That is true. I still wish he’d tried to evacuate the Kalikori rather than save their food.”

“Remember, Jasme. We can’t share too much with them. We’re still bound by Republic law after all.”

Jasme waved dismissively. “Doesn’t mean organizations like the Peace Brigade won’t help them.”

“We can’t let them know where Tython is.”

“So many complications,” Jasme sighed.

“Speaking of complications,” Satele said. “Tomas…”

“I’ve not heard from him, but his doctor says he’s still alive.” Jasme sounded upset again. “I hope he chooses life, Mom. He’s a good man.”

“Yes, my dear.”

“I… I want to see him again. But he’s forbidden it. I’m… I’m trying to move on. It feels like a betrayal. But it’s what he wants.”

“What is it you want?”

“To say goodbye properly, at least. And, maybe, another sibling. A Sister this time. What do you say?”

Satele chuckled. “I’m sorry, Jasme. I can’t.”

“I know. I was just joking. Anyway, I want to be an archivist. And an historian. I want to study ancient cultures and cities.”

“Jasme… whatever happens, please don’t give up on love and family. You’re not a Jedi. You’re not destined—or perhaps I should say ‘doomed’—to follow our path. If there is one thing I’ve regretted bitterly, it’s not raising you and Theron like a real Mother would.”

“I already have a new crush,” Jasme said, but Satele knew she was just saying that. Tom’s fate would worry her for some years to come. She hoped someone—Vajra perhaps—could be a shoulder for Jasme to lean on until events were resolved.

“Oh really? Who is it this time?”

“General Jace Malcom!” she said, and Satele had to fight to not sputter.

“Why him? He’s even older than I am!”

“He just looks so gorgeous in his armor! I think I like muscular men in armor. Tom sported an armored set of robes too, remember?”

“Yes, he did,” Satele’s chuckle was awkward. Was her daughter teasing her? Had she guessed? She certainly hoped so! It was better than thinking her daughter had inadvertently developed a crush on her kriffing Father!

“So, what have you decided about Vajra?”

“The decision has already been made. In fact, his recent ordeal was already approved as trials of Valor and Flesh.”

“Oh, right! He mentioned that too! So, he’s already a quarter of the way there, isn’t he? Damn! This is happening too fast. It’s no wonder he looked so overwhelmed when we spoke.”

“Right.”

“Mom? Can you at least promise me you won’t toss him into the deep end?”

“I wish I could, Jasme. But my hands are tied right now. You’ve no idea how starved for Knights we are. But I’ll do what I can.”

“Please don’t waste his life,” Jasme said.

“I try not to waste anyone’s lives.”

“Well, be extra, extra careful with his. Please. You’ll thank me someday. And I’ll thank you every single day.”

“Of course.”

“Also… try not to overburden yourself either. I love you, Mom. I want to see you grow into a happy old woman. Not someone filled with regret.”

“That is even less of a certainty. But I’ll do what I can.”

*

[badsithnocookie]

master kaedan i know you’re upset at being ignored but thats a little extreme dont u think