felldenlogs | Court Gossip (Stars Only)

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Court Gossip (Stars Only)

WHO: Open to all members of the Court of Stars
WHAT: STAR FACTION MINGLE LOG! After the audience, it's time to compare notes! ~~and probably complain about the lack of straight forward answers, or something~~
WHERE: The castle, possibly the throne room, maybe in town? Play it as you like!
WHEN: Right after the Audience!
WARNINGS: S…wearing? Will update as needed?

"Magic."

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Book lingers as the attendants and members of the Court filter away one by one, and although the Throne Room is going to close, he tries to catch as many eyes as he can. What he has to say is for as many ears as he can get. Luckily, the edginess of the locals is working in their favor. Undoubtedly, the courtiers are going off to gossip about the Otherworlders just as the new arrivals are going to gossip about what they've just learned.

"Although I just walked out of that meeting with everything I could have hoped for? I would still urge everyone to remain skeptical."

His hands clasp one another. "Where I came from, there was a war, on a grand scale, likely grander than any that you have experienced. In retrospect, they called it the Unification War. One powerful ruling force, the Alliance, they fought to draw in all of the independent colonies and lands under one rule. No matter how hard they fought, or damaged a colony when they attacked them? As soon," punctuated with a snap of his fingers, "as that colony came under the Alliance? Whether through agreement, or conquest?"

"The Alliance was never more generous than in that moment. After war, or after a colony struggling on their own for so long? Suddenly there was food aplenty. Medicine, doctors, and hospitals. New buildings being built. Even if the Alliance was the one to tear them down. They spared no expense in that moment to make sure everyone knew. The Alliance was the way."

Book holds up one hand, a finger in the air. "The Court's generosity is wonderful. But remember that it serves a purpose." His hands spread out to the sides. "By all means, take what they are offering. There is no reason not to. And if you feel right about this war, then you do what you will. But keep your eyes open."

The most eloquent way Book could come up with to remind everyone that they are being bought off.

"Sounds like Separatist propaganda to me."

Anakin steps forward, arms crossed and a frown on his face. He had come to hear more, but now that he heard what appeared to be a Separatist encouraging skeptism he's immediately more inclined to believing the Emperor.

"They want us to help, of course they're going to do what they can for us. You'll also notice none of us have to stay here if we don't want to."

The boy that approaches is exactly the sort of person that Book had expected to see more of; young, strong, and probably eager for a fight. Exactly the kind of person who Book fears for most.

"Not here, in their castle, no. But, on this planet? Yes. They have not the power to send us home."

"If you believe their cause is worth taking up with no further convincing needed, then, by all means. But wars break out by inches. And what they will ask of us will grow, in time. There are lines that all of us hold our morals to, and war is precisely the thing that will chip away at those lines, if you don't keep your eyes open." He is speaking, still, not just to the boy, but to any who are listening.

The frown turns into a scowl as it doesn't escape his notice that the man isn't so much addressing him, but using this to preach his view to everyone else.

"Inaction can be just as bad. Are you going to just stand there and watch these people get slaughtered then?"

Anakin has the Jedi Code to follow so he disregards the warning. Maybe there was someone who might have benefited from the old man's words, but Anakin doesn't like that the man is automatically taking the moral high ground and seemingly looking down on everyone else.

Book’s eyebrows raise, then wrinkle in sympathy. The boy jumps immediately to extremes, so maybe this is the person he needs to convince. “There is a long way between those ideas. Defend the helpless, shelter the weak, tend to the sick. But if taken too far? That idea can turn slowly into an attack. To lash out at those someone fears would cause a slaughter,” a gesture to the boy, using his words, “when they haven’t harmed anyone.”

“We have been told there is a war. But we have also been told that there have been no active battles for a long time. No acts of aggression. This is a moment where fighting could turn worse. Or where the tide might be turned towards peace. Us, we who haven’t been wounded by this declared enemy? We may find a way where other hearts have been hardened by war.”

"We can hope that they'll see reason, but you can't rely on it. Both sides now have a fresh influx of potential soldiers. We have to be prepared for things to start up again."

He can see where the old man is coming from, and he's limited too by the Jedi Code, but everyone else isn't and he wishes they can do what might be necessary to end this if it came to it.

"The Separatists built a droid army while the Senate tried to reason with them. If we had an army from the beginning, they might have thought twice before starting a war."

Arcade waits his turn, a silent yet unmistakable observer as Book and Anakin engage each other not far away. He's not the only ear Book has caught with his sermon-like account of his world's history, but where many content themselves with listening -- a nod here, a disagreeing posture there -- Arcade can't possibly stand idly by. Not after hearing all that.

"Sounds as if the war you're talking about isn't just a chapter of ancient history. Well, that or the patterns never really change regardless of where we all came from."

Not now that he suddenly knows: he isn't alone here. In this. His skepticism; his ambivalence.

"Julius Caesar and Sun Tzu spoke of the home front too."

Book's eyebrows raise in surprise at the man's words. Those names are more than familiar. "Those are ancient history. But I've read The Art Of War. Sun Tzu also warned of treating soldiers too harshly on their first meeting. Treat them at first with humanity, but follow with iron discipline. That second half is on its way."

He nods in confirmation of Arcade's earlier assumption. "Unification Day, the official end to the war, was only 7 years in the past. Even young children still know what it's like to be at war."

He raises one hand, gesturing at Arcade. "But I believe you are correct, that the patterns of war never do really change. Otherwise, we wouldn't still be reading Sun Tzu, would we?" A small smile. "That is why his words stay so true."

"It works that way with many things. If there is no buy-in, then people are more likely to consider open rebellion." This comes from a young elven woman who stands nearby, chin settled in her hand as she considers. "And considering the state of the war here, they need all of our help and assistance, no matter what we can offer, even if none of us were to be soldiers." There will always be a need for healers, for workers, for people to serve as advisors and diplomats.

Even if it seems like all communications have been breaking down.

She regards him calmly. "I'm glad you were able to speak to the Emperor and gain some peace of mind. Your advice is sound, sir." And something she had already been doing. Doubling down wouldn't hurt. "But we won't be able to wait forever before we need to make a decision, one way or another, especially if it's true that everyone's worlds are in danger."

Book turns to the woman, and he hesitates before he speaks. Just that sudden startle of seeing something quite unexpected. He turns his head a little, making sure she is in focus, and he is seeing correctly. The woman's ears come to a sharp point, it is no costume or trick, and there is no sign of augmentation? Curious.

"You.. are correct," he is quick to pick his steam back up, though. "And know that I have made my own intentions plain. I will serve, I am grateful to be here, but I have lines that I will not cross."

"We must each make one decision, yes. But then another, and another. The choices of war come in fits and starts. It is never straightforward." A pause, and Book brings his hands together. "And once a decision has been made, another decision can be made to change one's course. If you find that you are straying from the path that you truly wish to walk."

If she realizes he's quiet a moment because he's observing her and her ears, then she certainly doesn't show it. The cant of her head has more to do with what he says, a thoughtful lean as she considers his words. "There is freedom in being honest with your intentions and goals, and to know where you shall not tread. My hope is only that the Emperor has no need to ask you to cross such a line." And where war is concerned, she doubts he will be spared from at least a request from the Emperor when the time comes, whatever that line may be.

But there is a strange amount of comfort in what he says next. Neria is silent and it is all too clear that the gears are turning over and over in her head.

"...Do you truly think people can change their lives around? Make one decision to put themselves back on the proper path?"

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Court Gossip (Stars Only)

Shepherd Book - Near The Throne Room

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threadhop, hope it's all good!

of course!

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