Post by Bobbi on Sept 17, 2018 6:47:00 GMT -5
Sol and Ava discuss Sadhric. This does not go well.
Sol:
Some short time later, the rain having stopped briefly only to renew itself, Ava would find herself looking at a two story building with duraglass windows adorned with flowers and plants of all types, the house surrounded by trees to the rear and flower beds to the front. In the dreary weather their colors were all muted and water logged, the plants seeming to droop under the weight of the good wash they were getting. Aside of the house, just as Solomon had described, was a landing area with a familiar small frighter, the Justicar, space for another private vessel and a landspeeder. Sol had just arrived himself and pulled on a jacket made of waterproof material before having stepped out of his ship to hurry across the soggy grounds, following a laid stone walkway to the front door.
Ava:
The Reckless Gambit was as far from an upgrade as they came. It was no Lucid Dreamer, the polished ship that underwent upgrades during the course of the war. In sharp contrast, the Gambit looked like a rust bucket. It was the kind of ship that most wouldn't give a second glance due to its outward appearance. However, Ava knew her ship to be true and trusted it even as the sound of rattling echoed within the cockpit as she landed as instructed by Solomon.
The ramp lowered.
She looked out at the rain in all its gloomy glory. Took a small moment to breathe in the smell of water, muddy soil, and cool wind.
Then she was off, the hood of her robe up with her head tilted towards the walkway towards the house.
Tilted down, footsteps clipping across the walkway as she headed towards the house.***
Sol:
The door was left open as Solomon slipped inside, brought the lights on, and began peeling off his soaked outer layer. Rain had gotten into his hair, causing the backward spikes to stick together in some spots. The room Ava would be entering into was a large common area with a conform-u-couch and other comfortable pieces of furniture. There were toys scattered about on the floor and across a low sitting wooden table which was positioned in the center of the seating arrangement. Pushed against the walls, where they could be, some crates were still waiting to be unpacked.
Ava:
Wordlessly Ava took stock of the room. Of the scattered toys among the comfortable pieces of furniture. The crates that patiently waited to be unpacked. She pulled the hood from her now wet clothes, hair and body intact from the rains assault.
"This looks lovely." She complimented while nimble fingers began unbuttoning the wet garment.
Sol:
"Thank you," Solomon's wet jacket was held out so it wouldn't soak his clothing. He waited for Ava to finish with her robe before holding his free hand out for it, "Can I get you anything? Water?"
Ava:
"Nah. I think I've had enough water for the day." She smiled lightly as the wet robe was passed to him.
Beneath the garment was the rest of her jedi ensemble; a clean color that'd been cleaned and pressed.
"So," she breathed while looking around. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"
Sol:
Taking the robe, Sol moved off to drape the wet garments where they could dry for a bit, his voice rose so she could hear him as he moved away, "You remember the Banak'tu (proper spelling) were the ones to give me my scars?"
Ava:
"I do." Her eyes continued to shift around before finding a seat.
Sol:
The house was just as big as it looked on the outside, a dining room separate from the common room she was standing in, and beyond that was a kitchen. It didn't take too long for Sol to return, "And did anyone ever tell you what happened to them because of what they did? Because of how they hurt me?" His tone had lowered now that he was back in earshot, Sol heading for one of the arm chairs.
Ava:
"I don't know much about what happened at all." She said while shifting to get comfortable in her chair. "You've only talked about it once and that was just to say where you received those scars."
Sol:
"It's not an easy thing for me to talk about," Sol sank back into the chair he'd sat down in, "But I think talking about it now may give some context to what Sadhric is dealing with right now." He paused to roll his bottom lip between his teeth gently and lifting his hands from his lap he placed them at the ends of the arms rests, flexing his fingers against the fabric of the chair, "You knew I was married once before, I think I remember telling you that. She had been Banak'tu, chosen for me as my mate. They wanted me to rekindle my father's bloodline within their people because I looked more like him than my brother. I was subjected to many different forms of abuse, all the while being pushed into a relationship with my late ex-wife, Camille. Sadhric and Darien did what they could to help dig me out, but somewhere along the way I thought I had developed feelings for Camille," he felt ill even just talking about it, " Only she had been spared at the end of it all. They told Sadhric that I was one of them, that there was no where I could go where I wouldn't be with them. He threatened them to get me free. They called his bluff, and he backed his threat up. He brought the Witchdoctor in and made them hear him. He made them fear what he could do. Through that, they set me free, and very few of them survived."
Ava:
"And what exactly did he do?" The words were spoken carefully.
Sol:
"That," he shook his head, "I don't know. All I can tell you is that he backed up his threat well enough for them to release me. I was kept sheltered, away from anything that could have let me close enough to Sadhric or my brother. I caught bits and pieces though. Suddenly there was a whole chunk of the population missing from their collective awareness. They were just gone."
Ava:
"You never asked him?"
Sol:
Solomon made a thoughtful noise before shaking his head again, "That falls into the realm of 'Sadhric business'. We don't discuss 'Sadhric business'. Not that I haven't tried to find out, I have. It's just a topic of tension." There he paused just for a moment before saying, "And I don't expect you to ask either, Ava. I'm not telling you this as an invitation to figure it out. I want you to understand how possessive he can be, and what lengths he can go to if he feels the need. Right now, he is dealing with the Mandals. He has their attention, but is looking to free himself up so he can work on other things. At this very moment, he has the Chiss poised and ready to move in should they need to. He has Hapes invested, as well as other nations, in being a presence to keep the Mando'ade in line. What you told him back at the palace was that he already knew what he should do. The most efficient answer to this is to let those occupying forces, and the Chiss, have their way. It's the quickest, and cleanest way for Sadhric to rid himself of the situation. His hands would be untied with the Mandals fighting a war they won't be able to win. He'd be able to go do whatever else he wants, but with a body count rising behind him. I don't think he wants that -- I can't imagine that anyone would want that."
Ava:
"So." She spoke after a moment of thought; processing what it was he told her. "What is it you think that he wants?"
Sol:
"He wants out of being Manda'lore, according to Darien. He has no interest in keeping the title, but doesn't know how to go about cleanly getting away from it without ruining lives."
Ava:
"I wonder if it's more than that." She spoke after a long moment of silence.
Sol:
"What do you mean?" His hands and arms relaxed, Sol getting more comfortable where he sat.
Ava:
"The Mechanic doesn't strike me as the type of person who can't get himself out of a situation." She began, her voice quiet against the stillness of the room. "And, if there was anything learned from the Buffton's War, it's that there is always another option beside mass murder. I don't think he needs us reminding him that."
She sighed softly. "The issue, I think, is that he keeps finding himself in this exact situation."
Sol:
"I won't argue against that point," Sol said, "As a Jedi, what would you suggest he do?"
Ava:
"For which situation?"
Sol:
"One is related to the other, and rather closely, so both. I think I know what the answer is, at least for keeping him out of situations like this, but I have a tendency to think selfishly. That isn't going to help here."
Ava:
"I don't think there's a suggestion that I could offer that he hasn't already thought of." Ava replied. "Besides, we've ready done that, remember?"
Sol:
He waved that away, "Have we? What have we offered him, Ava? This isn't a situation I can get close to easily without feeling like I'm compromising my word to him. I've given him advice shadowed by that. The radical in me says to let him destroy them, to tell him 'it's okay to do' even when he and I both know that it's not. What I offered was a long term solution, but that won't help with the here and now. What you offered was what the radical in me thinks he should do. It's not very helpful when he wants to keep both the peace and a low body count."
Ava:
Ava blinked. "Let them morph into something beyond what they're known for? I don't see how that isn't an option for peace and a low body count."
Sol:
"That's -long term-. Even if they do decide to, it won't happen overnight, and change can't be forced. It could take even months for the foundation of a new organizing to their government. That could be too long for Sadhric. Hell, it could be too long for any of the occupying forces. For as good of a thing that this occupation is, how sustainable is it? Hapes is still recovering from our little war, as are The Daimon and many of the other militias that have come to help Hapes out. The only forces that are fit to dig their heels in for the long haul are The Chiss. They've been waiting for a moment like this for decades."
Ava:
“I don’t think there is short term solution to this; beyond him washing his hands and walking away.” She replied. “There’s no easy answer to solving his Mandalorian problem; nothing that isn’t going to come with its own string of consequences.”
Sol:
Growing visibly thoughtful, Sol tapped a finger idly against the left arm rest of the chair he occupied, "The answer doesn't have to be easy. And anyway, you said it yourself: 'there is always another option', mass murder excluded." His hand dropped flat, and he huffed out a breath, "I just wish I knew what the hells it was."
Ava:
“I don’t think that’s the issue at hand – not really.” She replied. “It’s not for us to figure out what to do for the Mandalorians. The Mechanic is more than capable of figuring that out.”
Sol:
"Then, why pressure him to tell what was wrong? Why attempt to offer any advice at all?"
Ava:
"Because that's what we were talking about at the time." She replied. "He said there were two problems; one little and one small. We were discussing the small one."
Sol:
"Only after he had been pushed into it. If the problem isn't the issue here, then what is? Him continually finding himself in these situations is directly linked, so you can't quote it as being different. The two are so similar that they are practically one in the same."
Ava:
"Why do you think that?"
Sol:
"Think what?"
Ava:
"Why do you think they're directly linked?"
Sol:
He laughed in earnestness and leaned forward slightly, "Because they are! How could they not be? Its a pattern of behavior for him."
Ava:
“Well, you know him much better than I do.” She replied.
“So, in both cases, he’s laid claim to you when someone’s hurt you. In both cases, you’ve been sheltered on the sidelines while he’s handled the situation – including its consequences. So maybe that’s the root issue to it all.”
Sol:
Again, Sol asked, "What do you mean?" This time, however, he added, "The root issue?"
Ava:
“Well.” She spoke. “He keeps coming to your rescue and gets saddled with the consequences.”
"While you sit off on the sidelines sheltered."
Sol:
Solomon found himself staring at the Jedi he was talking to. Just staring, and trying to comprehend what she had just said. 'Saddled with the consequences', 'sit off on the sidelines sheltered'. "Do you realize how absolutely offensive you are sounding right now, Ava?"
Ava:
“I do.” She nodded. “But I mean no offence by it. Try to look at it from an outsider’s point of view… isn’t it correct?”
Sol:
"It might, but that view of it is out of context. It discounts -months- of struggle and consequences, on both his part and my own. It discounts the details, and abolishes agreements made between him and myself. It may be true, but only in one-eighth ratio in respect to everything else. Yes, him being there is a result of what they had done to me, and my family, but it is also a result of what they had done to the galaxy -- what Ker'dan brought them to do to the galaxy. The Banak'tu -- similar situation. I was in trouble, but so too were others. He came because I needed him, is that not what friends do? When you called, I was there for you. He knows where my weaknesses lie, and asked me to honor them. -That- is why I am refraining from getting my hands dirty with this."
Ava:
"So..." She spoke slowly. "What did you do to help save Trinity before you called The Mechanic?"
Sol:
"I was tracking her down, working on verifying a message that she had sent me while in the care of the Mando'ade. I wasn't idle, Ava. I didn't tell Sadhric so I could unload the problem into his hands. I was looking for her, and I had people --trusted people -- looking for her."
Ava:
"So, what did you do after the situation was brought to his attention?"
Sol:
"I continued to look for answers -- who had found her, how had they found her -- and then you called. Your problem with the water purifier was a good distraction, and once that was over I went back to my search. It was as close as I could bring myself to getting involved without getting in Sadhric's way."
Ava:
"So, you didn't stay on the sidelines as you told me you would?"
Sol:
"I -was- on the sidelines. I -am- on the sidelines. Being out of the middle of it doesn't mean inactivity, it means not being directly involved. I didn't a breathe a word of interaction to any Mandal, I didn't let my contacts have any contact with any Mandals. My information hunt was as far removed from what Sadhric was doing as possible. I knew where my boundaries were, and I didn't cross them."
Ava:
"You and I have very different versions to the meaning of the word 'sidelined'. So, you stayed involved even after you were instructed not to." She nodded. "And what happened once Trinity was found?"
Sol
"Yes, I was involved. I was involved because I cared for them, Ava. I worried for them, and instead of sitting somewhere and wringing my hands in fret over what happened, I was looking for answers. There was no way I could be fully uninvolved, by what your definition apparently is. That would imply a lack of caring on my part." He took a breath, " When Trinity was found, her release was secured. She was brought here to Hapes, and I was called. I came as quickly as I could."
Ava:
"And the Mandals; what happened with them?"
Sol:
"You know the situation with them." He stated guardedly, "Sadhric took the title Mand’alor enacting sanctions meant as deterrents and punishment for their involvement in that Little War, Hapes and several other factions are occupying their world, and the Chiss are waiting for the word."
Ava:
She nodded. "So, did he already know about Trinity's imprisonment when he holoed you? Was that the reason for his call?"
Sol:
There, Solomon laughed again but this time it was a dry short sound and came with a shake of his head, "If he had known, it wouldn't have been a comm call. He'd have told me something like that face to face if it were possible."
"And why does that matter?"
Ava:
"So you told him?" She asked before pausing. "I'm not ignoring your question and I promise to answer it. I just need a very clear picture of what happened, please."
Sol:
"Yes, I told him. I don't see where you are going with this, Ava. You already knew that I told him."
Ava:
"I'm just making sure." She replied. For a moment, she was quiet before. "So, you had trouble with the Mandals, very personal troubles" Which was putting it mildly "... and you told the Mechanic... he's resolved the issue that now leaves him titled as Mand'alor and you now living here on Hapes with your wife and son, right?"
Sol:
"In essence," He hissed out. That tightly wound coil she had known him to be was there, sitting in his shoulders and how he held his arms against the chair. It was in the way he was making himself relax back against it, the way his breathing carried through his lungs. His jaw was tight, preventing him from saying much more than that.
Ava:
"I promise I am not here to insult you or offend you, Solomon. Please know that i am looking at this from an outsider's point of view with no involvement to the situation."
"You were in trouble and he swooped into help. Now, the result of that is he's now stuck in a place that he doesn't want to be in while you are living here - rebuilding your life away from all the consequences of what happened. And I'm not saying that's your fault. The Mechanic made that so - but of course he would. He's protecting you. He's been protecting you since the start."
Sol:
"I am very aware of what he is doing, and how long he's been doing it. But do not think for a single moment, as someone on the outside, that I am living free and happy because he's there instead of me, as your words insinuate. I don't want him there any more than he would want me there. "
Ava:
"I'm not saying that you have been or that you do not feel responsible or guilty for where he's at. What I'm saying is...
The root of all of it, the larger problem he now faces might be: you run into some very real, very life threatening and harmful trouble and The Mechanic dives into save you. I watched him attempt this when you were imprisoned on Hapes and you've confirmed two other cases; the Banak'tu and the Mandalore."
"The result in both those cases was him suffering the consequences with the Banak'tu and murder, and with him presiding over the Mandalore."
"He keeps finding himself in these situations all because he is trying to protect you. Because it maybe the only way he knows how to be a friend to you. Save you to the point where no one would dare harm you - for a time. And then it happens again. So now he has to react."
"But its exhausting and its wearing him thin. So, he might be finding himself wondering how can he keep doing this? How does he help you, because in his mind it's only a matter of time before it happens again, without mass murdering or enduring the headache he's now experiencing?"
Sol:
Her first few words brought a renewal of the tension within him, his right shoulder shifting tight and painfully straight back against the chair. "What is your solution, then? What would you tell him to do?"
Ava:
"I don't know if there is a solution. And if there is one, it's not mine to be found." She replied.
Sol:
Carefully, and slowly, he moved his right hand to lay against his right leg, fingers flexing inward in a twitching motion which left his wrist jumping with each twitch. "Do you think, as an outsider, that I am to blame for him being where he is?" Change of perspective, change of angle, and change of position -- Sol shifted slightly against the chair, drawing his right hand back toward him, up his thigh where he let it rest as it continued it slight twitching motions.
Ava:
"I don't think it's about blame because ultimately, he's in charge of his own choices. But it does keep happening and the core reasons are all the same."
Sol:
He sat quietly and still after that, all but for the minor twitching of his right hand and arm which he was attempting to quell wordlessly. Ava held his attention outwardly. The silence was broken by him asking "If you were me, how would you rectify the situation?"
Ava:
"I don't know, Solomon." She said quietly. "I don't know if it's something you can fix right now. Maybe the only thing you can do is, moving forward, be aware of what this does to him. That, ultimately, it's him that will face the consequences should he get involved."
"I do..." she added after a moment. "Think it is something worth discussing with him."
Sol:
"You say that like I've been completely ignorant, and have been doing this to him on purpose." No venom was present in that. It was all observation, a statement of what he had been hearing.
Ava:
"I don't think you're ignorant." She replied. "But this keeps happening. I know of three confirmed times where he has rushed in to your defense. How many others are there that I don't know about? How many times have you turned to him or allowed him to take the lead in situations like this?" She shifted to get comfortable in her chair. "I think, because it's happened so many times, that you have become desensitized by it."
Sol:
"He's my friend, Ava. Isn't that what you do when you need a hand? You go to your friends?"
Ava:
"I'm not suggesting you shouldn't turn to your friends when you're in need." She replied. "But I will ask you to consider if most of this hasn't been one sided between the two of you."
Sol:
"Do you honestly believe I haven't?" He asked that while shifting again, pressing his right arm against the armrest of the chair, muscles drawing tight up into his jaw as he looked at her.
Ava:
"It's not about what I think or believe." She spoke. "It's about looking at similar past circumstances and comparing them to now. And those comparisons show The Mechanic taking the brunt of the aftermath consequences."
Sol:
"You really like that word, don't you? 'Consequences'. You say it like he's the only one struggling, like he's the only one facing the danger. How about these consequences, Ava? The safety of my family -depends- on me keeping my distance from the Mandals. The consequences of me getting involved would leave them exposed, and -both- Sadhric and I in the very dangerous position of the Mandals getting something they want -- which is me. Face to face and up close. What would happen with me in hand, hm? Sadhric would either lose all his bargaining power, or he'd have no choice but to get violent. Because I'd be in the way of what he is trying to do. Me staying out of it is -smart-, because -my past- proves all on its own that -I am not fit- to handle situations like the Banak'tu, or more currently the Mandals." Unseen due to angle, his right hand tightened down as he spoke, his right shoulder shifting against the back of the chair in a tiny jerk, " No matter how I may wish it otherwise, I am not the specialist he needs right now. Or maybe ever, but who the hell am I to judge that for him?"
Ava:
"No one is talking about judgments." There was a pause as she looked at his surroundings.
"Look at where you are now, here safe with your family and compare that to where he is now. Does the suffering you face, filled with your guilt and desire to help but unable to, compare to where he is right now? Do you think they are equivalent?"
Sol:
"I think you need to let this go," he told her steadily, bit tightly.
Ava:
"If it would help," she offered. "use the training you've acquired as a Jedi. Look past the emotions you're feeling to see this from a different perspective."
Sol:
"Ohhhh, trust me, I have." He stated bitterly, "Revisiting that in your presence is not something I wish to do. So, leave it alone."
Ava:
“Have you truly?” She asked carefully. “Because even without the use of the Force, I can see how tightly wound you are by talking about this.”
Sol:
"Well, let's think about why, shall we? You don't say it outright, but every word you've said regarding the topic -implies- that I'm doing this on purpose. That I get myself into trouble, and then fall back on him intentionally when I can't get out of it. That I'm not aware of the fodder he has to pull himself through, and I couldn't ever possibly be truly aware of it because of where I am living right now and who I am living with. That I'm also too dense to think about these things going forward. Yeah. I'm wound tight, but damn I think I have a right to be. Give me a solution right now," he poked hard at the arm rest to his left from the top with a finger from that side's hand, "for what he is dealing with. One that doesn't include me going off and sacrificing myself, and in turn compromising everything he's done so far. Go on. Do it. But I know you can't because you've already said so. So leave it. My relationship with him isn't for -you- to dissect. Its for you to -respect-, and if you can't do that then leave. The door is right where it was when you entered."
Ava:
Ava began rising from her seat. "I should go." She spoke.
Sol:
The words were said, and Sol was up, heading out of the room with his right arm tight and paralyzed against his body. Seconds later he'd be back, handing her cloak over.
Ava:
She took her cloak and began putting the wet garment back on.
“I truly meant not to offend you.” She spoke. “We were discussing what could be the problem – perhaps this might be it.”
Ava began heading towards the door she came through.
“I hope when your anger and guilt have had a chance to settle, you’ll give thought to what we’ve discussed.”
Sol:
His one word answer to that came as Solomon was settling uneasily back down into the armchair, "Go." It was a cold little word that came without him looking her way as she headed for the door.
Sol:
Some short time later, the rain having stopped briefly only to renew itself, Ava would find herself looking at a two story building with duraglass windows adorned with flowers and plants of all types, the house surrounded by trees to the rear and flower beds to the front. In the dreary weather their colors were all muted and water logged, the plants seeming to droop under the weight of the good wash they were getting. Aside of the house, just as Solomon had described, was a landing area with a familiar small frighter, the Justicar, space for another private vessel and a landspeeder. Sol had just arrived himself and pulled on a jacket made of waterproof material before having stepped out of his ship to hurry across the soggy grounds, following a laid stone walkway to the front door.
Ava:
The Reckless Gambit was as far from an upgrade as they came. It was no Lucid Dreamer, the polished ship that underwent upgrades during the course of the war. In sharp contrast, the Gambit looked like a rust bucket. It was the kind of ship that most wouldn't give a second glance due to its outward appearance. However, Ava knew her ship to be true and trusted it even as the sound of rattling echoed within the cockpit as she landed as instructed by Solomon.
The ramp lowered.
She looked out at the rain in all its gloomy glory. Took a small moment to breathe in the smell of water, muddy soil, and cool wind.
Then she was off, the hood of her robe up with her head tilted towards the walkway towards the house.
Tilted down, footsteps clipping across the walkway as she headed towards the house.***
Sol:
The door was left open as Solomon slipped inside, brought the lights on, and began peeling off his soaked outer layer. Rain had gotten into his hair, causing the backward spikes to stick together in some spots. The room Ava would be entering into was a large common area with a conform-u-couch and other comfortable pieces of furniture. There were toys scattered about on the floor and across a low sitting wooden table which was positioned in the center of the seating arrangement. Pushed against the walls, where they could be, some crates were still waiting to be unpacked.
Ava:
Wordlessly Ava took stock of the room. Of the scattered toys among the comfortable pieces of furniture. The crates that patiently waited to be unpacked. She pulled the hood from her now wet clothes, hair and body intact from the rains assault.
"This looks lovely." She complimented while nimble fingers began unbuttoning the wet garment.
Sol:
"Thank you," Solomon's wet jacket was held out so it wouldn't soak his clothing. He waited for Ava to finish with her robe before holding his free hand out for it, "Can I get you anything? Water?"
Ava:
"Nah. I think I've had enough water for the day." She smiled lightly as the wet robe was passed to him.
Beneath the garment was the rest of her jedi ensemble; a clean color that'd been cleaned and pressed.
"So," she breathed while looking around. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"
Sol:
Taking the robe, Sol moved off to drape the wet garments where they could dry for a bit, his voice rose so she could hear him as he moved away, "You remember the Banak'tu (proper spelling) were the ones to give me my scars?"
Ava:
"I do." Her eyes continued to shift around before finding a seat.
Sol:
The house was just as big as it looked on the outside, a dining room separate from the common room she was standing in, and beyond that was a kitchen. It didn't take too long for Sol to return, "And did anyone ever tell you what happened to them because of what they did? Because of how they hurt me?" His tone had lowered now that he was back in earshot, Sol heading for one of the arm chairs.
Ava:
"I don't know much about what happened at all." She said while shifting to get comfortable in her chair. "You've only talked about it once and that was just to say where you received those scars."
Sol:
"It's not an easy thing for me to talk about," Sol sank back into the chair he'd sat down in, "But I think talking about it now may give some context to what Sadhric is dealing with right now." He paused to roll his bottom lip between his teeth gently and lifting his hands from his lap he placed them at the ends of the arms rests, flexing his fingers against the fabric of the chair, "You knew I was married once before, I think I remember telling you that. She had been Banak'tu, chosen for me as my mate. They wanted me to rekindle my father's bloodline within their people because I looked more like him than my brother. I was subjected to many different forms of abuse, all the while being pushed into a relationship with my late ex-wife, Camille. Sadhric and Darien did what they could to help dig me out, but somewhere along the way I thought I had developed feelings for Camille," he felt ill even just talking about it, " Only she had been spared at the end of it all. They told Sadhric that I was one of them, that there was no where I could go where I wouldn't be with them. He threatened them to get me free. They called his bluff, and he backed his threat up. He brought the Witchdoctor in and made them hear him. He made them fear what he could do. Through that, they set me free, and very few of them survived."
Ava:
"And what exactly did he do?" The words were spoken carefully.
Sol:
"That," he shook his head, "I don't know. All I can tell you is that he backed up his threat well enough for them to release me. I was kept sheltered, away from anything that could have let me close enough to Sadhric or my brother. I caught bits and pieces though. Suddenly there was a whole chunk of the population missing from their collective awareness. They were just gone."
Ava:
"You never asked him?"
Sol:
Solomon made a thoughtful noise before shaking his head again, "That falls into the realm of 'Sadhric business'. We don't discuss 'Sadhric business'. Not that I haven't tried to find out, I have. It's just a topic of tension." There he paused just for a moment before saying, "And I don't expect you to ask either, Ava. I'm not telling you this as an invitation to figure it out. I want you to understand how possessive he can be, and what lengths he can go to if he feels the need. Right now, he is dealing with the Mandals. He has their attention, but is looking to free himself up so he can work on other things. At this very moment, he has the Chiss poised and ready to move in should they need to. He has Hapes invested, as well as other nations, in being a presence to keep the Mando'ade in line. What you told him back at the palace was that he already knew what he should do. The most efficient answer to this is to let those occupying forces, and the Chiss, have their way. It's the quickest, and cleanest way for Sadhric to rid himself of the situation. His hands would be untied with the Mandals fighting a war they won't be able to win. He'd be able to go do whatever else he wants, but with a body count rising behind him. I don't think he wants that -- I can't imagine that anyone would want that."
Ava:
"So." She spoke after a moment of thought; processing what it was he told her. "What is it you think that he wants?"
Sol:
"He wants out of being Manda'lore, according to Darien. He has no interest in keeping the title, but doesn't know how to go about cleanly getting away from it without ruining lives."
Ava:
"I wonder if it's more than that." She spoke after a long moment of silence.
Sol:
"What do you mean?" His hands and arms relaxed, Sol getting more comfortable where he sat.
Ava:
"The Mechanic doesn't strike me as the type of person who can't get himself out of a situation." She began, her voice quiet against the stillness of the room. "And, if there was anything learned from the Buffton's War, it's that there is always another option beside mass murder. I don't think he needs us reminding him that."
She sighed softly. "The issue, I think, is that he keeps finding himself in this exact situation."
Sol:
"I won't argue against that point," Sol said, "As a Jedi, what would you suggest he do?"
Ava:
"For which situation?"
Sol:
"One is related to the other, and rather closely, so both. I think I know what the answer is, at least for keeping him out of situations like this, but I have a tendency to think selfishly. That isn't going to help here."
Ava:
"I don't think there's a suggestion that I could offer that he hasn't already thought of." Ava replied. "Besides, we've ready done that, remember?"
Sol:
He waved that away, "Have we? What have we offered him, Ava? This isn't a situation I can get close to easily without feeling like I'm compromising my word to him. I've given him advice shadowed by that. The radical in me says to let him destroy them, to tell him 'it's okay to do' even when he and I both know that it's not. What I offered was a long term solution, but that won't help with the here and now. What you offered was what the radical in me thinks he should do. It's not very helpful when he wants to keep both the peace and a low body count."
Ava:
Ava blinked. "Let them morph into something beyond what they're known for? I don't see how that isn't an option for peace and a low body count."
Sol:
"That's -long term-. Even if they do decide to, it won't happen overnight, and change can't be forced. It could take even months for the foundation of a new organizing to their government. That could be too long for Sadhric. Hell, it could be too long for any of the occupying forces. For as good of a thing that this occupation is, how sustainable is it? Hapes is still recovering from our little war, as are The Daimon and many of the other militias that have come to help Hapes out. The only forces that are fit to dig their heels in for the long haul are The Chiss. They've been waiting for a moment like this for decades."
Ava:
“I don’t think there is short term solution to this; beyond him washing his hands and walking away.” She replied. “There’s no easy answer to solving his Mandalorian problem; nothing that isn’t going to come with its own string of consequences.”
Sol:
Growing visibly thoughtful, Sol tapped a finger idly against the left arm rest of the chair he occupied, "The answer doesn't have to be easy. And anyway, you said it yourself: 'there is always another option', mass murder excluded." His hand dropped flat, and he huffed out a breath, "I just wish I knew what the hells it was."
Ava:
“I don’t think that’s the issue at hand – not really.” She replied. “It’s not for us to figure out what to do for the Mandalorians. The Mechanic is more than capable of figuring that out.”
Sol:
"Then, why pressure him to tell what was wrong? Why attempt to offer any advice at all?"
Ava:
"Because that's what we were talking about at the time." She replied. "He said there were two problems; one little and one small. We were discussing the small one."
Sol:
"Only after he had been pushed into it. If the problem isn't the issue here, then what is? Him continually finding himself in these situations is directly linked, so you can't quote it as being different. The two are so similar that they are practically one in the same."
Ava:
"Why do you think that?"
Sol:
"Think what?"
Ava:
"Why do you think they're directly linked?"
Sol:
He laughed in earnestness and leaned forward slightly, "Because they are! How could they not be? Its a pattern of behavior for him."
Ava:
“Well, you know him much better than I do.” She replied.
“So, in both cases, he’s laid claim to you when someone’s hurt you. In both cases, you’ve been sheltered on the sidelines while he’s handled the situation – including its consequences. So maybe that’s the root issue to it all.”
Sol:
Again, Sol asked, "What do you mean?" This time, however, he added, "The root issue?"
Ava:
“Well.” She spoke. “He keeps coming to your rescue and gets saddled with the consequences.”
"While you sit off on the sidelines sheltered."
Sol:
Solomon found himself staring at the Jedi he was talking to. Just staring, and trying to comprehend what she had just said. 'Saddled with the consequences', 'sit off on the sidelines sheltered'. "Do you realize how absolutely offensive you are sounding right now, Ava?"
Ava:
“I do.” She nodded. “But I mean no offence by it. Try to look at it from an outsider’s point of view… isn’t it correct?”
Sol:
"It might, but that view of it is out of context. It discounts -months- of struggle and consequences, on both his part and my own. It discounts the details, and abolishes agreements made between him and myself. It may be true, but only in one-eighth ratio in respect to everything else. Yes, him being there is a result of what they had done to me, and my family, but it is also a result of what they had done to the galaxy -- what Ker'dan brought them to do to the galaxy. The Banak'tu -- similar situation. I was in trouble, but so too were others. He came because I needed him, is that not what friends do? When you called, I was there for you. He knows where my weaknesses lie, and asked me to honor them. -That- is why I am refraining from getting my hands dirty with this."
Ava:
"So..." She spoke slowly. "What did you do to help save Trinity before you called The Mechanic?"
Sol:
"I was tracking her down, working on verifying a message that she had sent me while in the care of the Mando'ade. I wasn't idle, Ava. I didn't tell Sadhric so I could unload the problem into his hands. I was looking for her, and I had people --trusted people -- looking for her."
Ava:
"So, what did you do after the situation was brought to his attention?"
Sol:
"I continued to look for answers -- who had found her, how had they found her -- and then you called. Your problem with the water purifier was a good distraction, and once that was over I went back to my search. It was as close as I could bring myself to getting involved without getting in Sadhric's way."
Ava:
"So, you didn't stay on the sidelines as you told me you would?"
Sol:
"I -was- on the sidelines. I -am- on the sidelines. Being out of the middle of it doesn't mean inactivity, it means not being directly involved. I didn't a breathe a word of interaction to any Mandal, I didn't let my contacts have any contact with any Mandals. My information hunt was as far removed from what Sadhric was doing as possible. I knew where my boundaries were, and I didn't cross them."
Ava:
"You and I have very different versions to the meaning of the word 'sidelined'. So, you stayed involved even after you were instructed not to." She nodded. "And what happened once Trinity was found?"
Sol
"Yes, I was involved. I was involved because I cared for them, Ava. I worried for them, and instead of sitting somewhere and wringing my hands in fret over what happened, I was looking for answers. There was no way I could be fully uninvolved, by what your definition apparently is. That would imply a lack of caring on my part." He took a breath, " When Trinity was found, her release was secured. She was brought here to Hapes, and I was called. I came as quickly as I could."
Ava:
"And the Mandals; what happened with them?"
Sol:
"You know the situation with them." He stated guardedly, "Sadhric took the title Mand’alor enacting sanctions meant as deterrents and punishment for their involvement in that Little War, Hapes and several other factions are occupying their world, and the Chiss are waiting for the word."
Ava:
She nodded. "So, did he already know about Trinity's imprisonment when he holoed you? Was that the reason for his call?"
Sol:
There, Solomon laughed again but this time it was a dry short sound and came with a shake of his head, "If he had known, it wouldn't have been a comm call. He'd have told me something like that face to face if it were possible."
"And why does that matter?"
Ava:
"So you told him?" She asked before pausing. "I'm not ignoring your question and I promise to answer it. I just need a very clear picture of what happened, please."
Sol:
"Yes, I told him. I don't see where you are going with this, Ava. You already knew that I told him."
Ava:
"I'm just making sure." She replied. For a moment, she was quiet before. "So, you had trouble with the Mandals, very personal troubles" Which was putting it mildly "... and you told the Mechanic... he's resolved the issue that now leaves him titled as Mand'alor and you now living here on Hapes with your wife and son, right?"
Sol:
"In essence," He hissed out. That tightly wound coil she had known him to be was there, sitting in his shoulders and how he held his arms against the chair. It was in the way he was making himself relax back against it, the way his breathing carried through his lungs. His jaw was tight, preventing him from saying much more than that.
Ava:
"I promise I am not here to insult you or offend you, Solomon. Please know that i am looking at this from an outsider's point of view with no involvement to the situation."
"You were in trouble and he swooped into help. Now, the result of that is he's now stuck in a place that he doesn't want to be in while you are living here - rebuilding your life away from all the consequences of what happened. And I'm not saying that's your fault. The Mechanic made that so - but of course he would. He's protecting you. He's been protecting you since the start."
Sol:
"I am very aware of what he is doing, and how long he's been doing it. But do not think for a single moment, as someone on the outside, that I am living free and happy because he's there instead of me, as your words insinuate. I don't want him there any more than he would want me there. "
Ava:
"I'm not saying that you have been or that you do not feel responsible or guilty for where he's at. What I'm saying is...
The root of all of it, the larger problem he now faces might be: you run into some very real, very life threatening and harmful trouble and The Mechanic dives into save you. I watched him attempt this when you were imprisoned on Hapes and you've confirmed two other cases; the Banak'tu and the Mandalore."
"The result in both those cases was him suffering the consequences with the Banak'tu and murder, and with him presiding over the Mandalore."
"He keeps finding himself in these situations all because he is trying to protect you. Because it maybe the only way he knows how to be a friend to you. Save you to the point where no one would dare harm you - for a time. And then it happens again. So now he has to react."
"But its exhausting and its wearing him thin. So, he might be finding himself wondering how can he keep doing this? How does he help you, because in his mind it's only a matter of time before it happens again, without mass murdering or enduring the headache he's now experiencing?"
Sol:
Her first few words brought a renewal of the tension within him, his right shoulder shifting tight and painfully straight back against the chair. "What is your solution, then? What would you tell him to do?"
Ava:
"I don't know if there is a solution. And if there is one, it's not mine to be found." She replied.
Sol:
Carefully, and slowly, he moved his right hand to lay against his right leg, fingers flexing inward in a twitching motion which left his wrist jumping with each twitch. "Do you think, as an outsider, that I am to blame for him being where he is?" Change of perspective, change of angle, and change of position -- Sol shifted slightly against the chair, drawing his right hand back toward him, up his thigh where he let it rest as it continued it slight twitching motions.
Ava:
"I don't think it's about blame because ultimately, he's in charge of his own choices. But it does keep happening and the core reasons are all the same."
Sol:
He sat quietly and still after that, all but for the minor twitching of his right hand and arm which he was attempting to quell wordlessly. Ava held his attention outwardly. The silence was broken by him asking "If you were me, how would you rectify the situation?"
Ava:
"I don't know, Solomon." She said quietly. "I don't know if it's something you can fix right now. Maybe the only thing you can do is, moving forward, be aware of what this does to him. That, ultimately, it's him that will face the consequences should he get involved."
"I do..." she added after a moment. "Think it is something worth discussing with him."
Sol:
"You say that like I've been completely ignorant, and have been doing this to him on purpose." No venom was present in that. It was all observation, a statement of what he had been hearing.
Ava:
"I don't think you're ignorant." She replied. "But this keeps happening. I know of three confirmed times where he has rushed in to your defense. How many others are there that I don't know about? How many times have you turned to him or allowed him to take the lead in situations like this?" She shifted to get comfortable in her chair. "I think, because it's happened so many times, that you have become desensitized by it."
Sol:
"He's my friend, Ava. Isn't that what you do when you need a hand? You go to your friends?"
Ava:
"I'm not suggesting you shouldn't turn to your friends when you're in need." She replied. "But I will ask you to consider if most of this hasn't been one sided between the two of you."
Sol:
"Do you honestly believe I haven't?" He asked that while shifting again, pressing his right arm against the armrest of the chair, muscles drawing tight up into his jaw as he looked at her.
Ava:
"It's not about what I think or believe." She spoke. "It's about looking at similar past circumstances and comparing them to now. And those comparisons show The Mechanic taking the brunt of the aftermath consequences."
Sol:
"You really like that word, don't you? 'Consequences'. You say it like he's the only one struggling, like he's the only one facing the danger. How about these consequences, Ava? The safety of my family -depends- on me keeping my distance from the Mandals. The consequences of me getting involved would leave them exposed, and -both- Sadhric and I in the very dangerous position of the Mandals getting something they want -- which is me. Face to face and up close. What would happen with me in hand, hm? Sadhric would either lose all his bargaining power, or he'd have no choice but to get violent. Because I'd be in the way of what he is trying to do. Me staying out of it is -smart-, because -my past- proves all on its own that -I am not fit- to handle situations like the Banak'tu, or more currently the Mandals." Unseen due to angle, his right hand tightened down as he spoke, his right shoulder shifting against the back of the chair in a tiny jerk, " No matter how I may wish it otherwise, I am not the specialist he needs right now. Or maybe ever, but who the hell am I to judge that for him?"
Ava:
"No one is talking about judgments." There was a pause as she looked at his surroundings.
"Look at where you are now, here safe with your family and compare that to where he is now. Does the suffering you face, filled with your guilt and desire to help but unable to, compare to where he is right now? Do you think they are equivalent?"
Sol:
"I think you need to let this go," he told her steadily, bit tightly.
Ava:
"If it would help," she offered. "use the training you've acquired as a Jedi. Look past the emotions you're feeling to see this from a different perspective."
Sol:
"Ohhhh, trust me, I have." He stated bitterly, "Revisiting that in your presence is not something I wish to do. So, leave it alone."
Ava:
“Have you truly?” She asked carefully. “Because even without the use of the Force, I can see how tightly wound you are by talking about this.”
Sol:
"Well, let's think about why, shall we? You don't say it outright, but every word you've said regarding the topic -implies- that I'm doing this on purpose. That I get myself into trouble, and then fall back on him intentionally when I can't get out of it. That I'm not aware of the fodder he has to pull himself through, and I couldn't ever possibly be truly aware of it because of where I am living right now and who I am living with. That I'm also too dense to think about these things going forward. Yeah. I'm wound tight, but damn I think I have a right to be. Give me a solution right now," he poked hard at the arm rest to his left from the top with a finger from that side's hand, "for what he is dealing with. One that doesn't include me going off and sacrificing myself, and in turn compromising everything he's done so far. Go on. Do it. But I know you can't because you've already said so. So leave it. My relationship with him isn't for -you- to dissect. Its for you to -respect-, and if you can't do that then leave. The door is right where it was when you entered."
Ava:
Ava began rising from her seat. "I should go." She spoke.
Sol:
The words were said, and Sol was up, heading out of the room with his right arm tight and paralyzed against his body. Seconds later he'd be back, handing her cloak over.
Ava:
She took her cloak and began putting the wet garment back on.
“I truly meant not to offend you.” She spoke. “We were discussing what could be the problem – perhaps this might be it.”
Ava began heading towards the door she came through.
“I hope when your anger and guilt have had a chance to settle, you’ll give thought to what we’ve discussed.”
Sol:
His one word answer to that came as Solomon was settling uneasily back down into the armchair, "Go." It was a cold little word that came without him looking her way as she headed for the door.
