I don't have a title for it yet so maybe someone could suggest one as I post more. I would also appreciate any CC. I'm thick skinned (a necessary attribute I would imagine for SD.net) so feel free to tell me it sucks balls I should never attempt to write anything again (a reason why would be appreciated of course.) One thing I could use help on is making my work less dialogue heavy. I have a really hard time with describing things (and a terrible fear of infodumps) so my writing features a lot more talking then it probably should.
Since I edit as I go and I'm always revising I'll probably be updating frequently so I'll list version numbers with each chapter.
Chapter One (1.1) - What Can You Know?
Coruscant - Early 3963 BBY
All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason
- Immanuel Kant
"A Jedi seeks knowledge, because only through knowledge, can a Jedi make an informed and dispassionate decision, a rational decision. It is because of this that I say, all ignorance is evil." Master Dorak paced in front of the holodisplay, making occasional gestures towards the information displayed on the screen. "Just over three decades ago, one of the most promising of our number fell to the Dark Side because of his ignorance and when he fell, he nearly dragged the galaxy with him." A high-resolution image of a tall man with dark hair kept into a ponytail appeared on the display. Exar Kun, late Dark Lord of the Sith and fallen Jedi. "Exar Kun was ignorant of the dark side's corruption, ignorant of the damage it would cause. He believed he could create a golden age of power and prosperity." Master Dorak shook his head sadly. "In his ignorance, he became evil; in his ignorance, he killed millions."
Master Dorak opened his mouth to continue speaking, but just then, a robed figure stepped out of the darkness of the classroom and stepped partially in the way of the holodisplay. Silhouetted by the light behind him, the robed figure turned to Master Dorak and bowed slightly in respect for the higher-ranking Jedi.
"Master Dorak, if you do not mind, I have a question to pose." The voice was smooth and monotone. The speaker kept the pitch and volume of his voice under constant control.
"Of course Knight Kaviss, your contributions to these discussions are always welcome." There was a shadow of irritation through the Force, which suggested something contrary. The younger Jedi grinned at that.
"Thank you Master Dorak." The Jedi Knight turned towards the class of assembled padawans, still little more than a silhouette to their eyes. The padawans could sense him though, a beacon in the Force. "Master Dorak claims that it is Exar Kun's ignorance that perpetuated his fall and I agree with Master Dorak." Kaviss paused, letting his statement sink in, deliberately letting the padawans form conclusions about what he was going to say. "However, my question is not about Exar Kun's ignorance so much as I am curious as to its source. Why was Exar Kun ignorant? Would he not have been educated on the dangers of the dark side, like any Jedi? He would have been warned repeatedly that the dark side is dangerous and to be avoided. In light of this, I have to ask, how was Exar Kun ignorant? Perhaps Master Dorak has the answer?"
"I would suggest that it was Exar Kun's own disregard for the tutorship of his Jedi Masters that made him ignorant. One cannot learn unless they are willing to." Master Dorak replied.
"You propose it to be a defect in character then? A valid point; you could argue that ethical behavior comes only from a virtuous character. If Exar Kun was not virtuous in nature, then he would be more susceptible to the lure of the dark side; however." Kaviss trailed off, feeling the rising questions in the assembled padawans. He decided let them stew for a few moments. He could feel their curiosity, floating about the room and against his senses in the Force. They were impatient.
"However?" Master Dorak probed. Apparently, he was impatient for an answer as well.
"However, to claim that Exar Kun had a deficiency of character is an assumption. It demands an explanation for this supposed deficiency and for that matter, where it came from. Was it a natural facet of Exar Kun's own persona? Or was it in the environment he grew up in?" It was the ages old nature versus nurture question. "Master Dorak has yet to clarify which of these factors are to be the culprits, or perhaps maybe, it is both?"
"Obviously, I do not know with any certainty; it was only a suggestion in any case. No one can accurately explain why Exar Kun was so ignorant of the dark side's corruption." There was just a hint of irritation in Dorak's voice.
"I have an idea, if you do not mind hearing it." Kaviss said.
"By all means, go ahead." Dorak replied.
"Thank you, Master Dorak." Kaviss said with a nod. Turning back to the padawans he addressed them. "I have a question for all of you; it's a yes or no question, so all you need to do is raise your hand. How many of you have broken a bone, any bone?" There was a group of raised hands among the padawans, about half the class. "Very good, now, I want someone that has never broken a bone to explain to me what it feels like." Naturally, this caused a number of confused mutters from the class. How could someone that had never broken a bone explain what it felt like?
"Knight Kaviss? I do not understand." One of the front row padawans said.
"Of course you don't, because you are asking yourself how someone can explain something they had never experienced. Intellectually, you are aware that breaking a bone is a negative experience. You do not need to experience it to come to conclusion that it would be painful. You can draw a conclusion based on already established facts. However, you cannot explain how it feels, because you do not know it from first hand experience. True knowledge begins with direct experience."
"Knight Kaviss, are you saying that Exar Kun was ignorant of the Dark Side because he never had direct experience with it?" That was a padawan in the second to front row. A pale skinned girl maybe in her early teens. Kaviss grinned again, even though no one could see it.
"I could be saying that, but I won't be sure until I receive an answer from Master Dorak." Kaviss turned towards the Master. "When you said that Exar Kun was ignorant of the Dark side, in which way were you defining knowledge?"
"Am I correct in assuming that you are referring to the difference between empirical knowledge and rationalism?"
"Correct enough for the purposes this discussion."
"Very well." Dorak cleared his throat. "I would say that Exar Kun was ignorant on both an empirical and rational level. He had never directly experienced the Dark Side, and he rejected the warnings of his masters. He refused to listen and learn. He represents the danger in rejecting the corruption of the Dark Side as a threat."
"How could Exar Kun feel threatened by the Dark Side if he never truly experienced it? Understanding that a broken bone is harmful is not the same as having a healthy fear of the Dark Side. The Dark Side is intangible, mysterious. We speak of its dangers, and rightly so but I would argue that the Dark Side is not something that can be truly feared and understood unless one experiences it directly." That produced a flurry of shocked faces in the dim light of the holoprojector. Kaviss wanted to laugh as he imagined the thoughts scurrying about the minds of the padawans.
"That is a very interesting point you make Knight Kaviss; however, if you don't mind I do have a lecture to finish and while this discussion is certainly... provoking, I do not feel it is appropriate at this time." Dorak sounded completely in control, but Kaviss could feel the disgruntlement. Now the Master would be busy the rest of the day firmly assuring his young pupils that Kaviss had not been suggesting that the Dark Side be directly experienced.
Kaviss was chuckling as he left.
***
"Was that necessary?" Master Dorak was not bothering to hide his frustration as he walked with Kaviss, the two of them strolled through the thousand fountains. Their boots echoing on the stone pathways, barely audible next to the constant noise of the waterfalls. A myriad of flora and fauna, taken from various worlds across the galaxy covered the organic inspired landscape of the Jedi Temple's most famous meditation hall. The goal was to imitate a natural environment on the city world of Coruscant, no small task."Of course it was. Didn't you see their faces? They were thinking." Kaviss replied. "The discussion forced your pupils to think and apply critical faculties which aren't emphasized nearly enough during one of the most important developmental periods for the average humanoid. Come now Master, you shouldn't be surprised." Master Dorak sighed and stopped walking.
"The disappointing thing is the simple fact that I am not surprised. You are unorthodox and you challenge the decisions of the Council at every turn. Don't get me wrong, you were once a pupil of mine and I respect your reasons for believing the way you do, but those padawans were not prepared to hear what you had to say."
"All I did was challenge your statement regarding ignorance. Any indirect conclusions drawn from the discussion would be just that, indirect conclusions." Kaviss moved and stood in front of Dorak, holding out his arms in a gesture of apology. "If I overstepped my bounds, I apologize, but surely Jedi teachings are strong enough to hold up to my earnest and dare I say, necessary cultivation of young minds."
"In theory, but the Order is... fragile right now, you know that. There are all these factions vying for a voice, demanding a change to the rules." Dorak shook his head. "The Council is still fairly new and they feel threatened by the lack of cohesion. People like you, radical voices that challenge the wave of conservative thinking. That bothers them."
"Because of Exar Kun, because of fear." Kaviss did not attempt to hide the contempt in his voice.
"Of course it is because of fear! Since you seem so confident of your grasp of epistemology perhaps you would like to explain to me how it is that you knowi that there is no reason for fear. After all you never 'directly' experienced the horrors of Exar Kun and you never 'directly' saw what he did so clearly you are in a better position to judge what the Council should feel as a result of Sith War." Dorak spit the words like acid and that was something indeed. Kaviss had never met a Jedi more difficult to upset then Master Dorak." My own words, spat back at me and rightfully so.
Kaviss opened his mouth, but then stopped. He had deserved that, but he would not take back what he had said. Fear and hesitation, however justified, were not mindsets conducive to success. Moreover, what was success? Success is the retaking of Republic territory and the destruction of the Mandalorian Clans as a threat.
"You make a point Master Dorak, a clever point; however, your point does not change the situation. It does it make fear and indecision any more valid than before. It only makes them more understandable."
"Yes, I thought you might see it that way." Master Dorak turned and glanced up at a nearby waterfall, seemingly watching as the water slid down a carved slope designed to imitate a true geological feature. "I did study the reports you know, from the front lines."
"Oh?" Kaviss asked, surprised at the sudden change in subject.
"Three invasion corridors attacked overnight." Dorak sighed and shook his head sadly. "And for what? A misguided warrior ethos that brings only destruction with it."
"They are violent savages; what does the Council expect will happen? That they will be defeated by the Republic alone?" Kaviss shook his head. "The Mandalorians are warriors, to the core they are professional soldiers."
"The Republic is not without its defenses."
"Inadequate defenses, if the disaster of the False War is to be any indicator. Mandalore made fools of some of the brightest minds in the Republic Navy."
"Maybe he will make fools of us all." Dorak muttered. Kaviss looked at him in surprise and received a blank stare in response. "Maybe, he will even make a fool of you." Kaviss could barely hear those last words. "But I digress. I am tired. I will speak with you later." Dorak gave Kaviss a nod and left him standing there alone on the walkway.
***
"Something must be done about this Mandalorian menace!" Senator Akarius Vallin shouted towards the thousands of senators assembled for the session. "They have raced down three invasion corridors in what seems like overnight. They must be stopped and only by declaring a true state of emergency can the proper resources be allocated to stem the barbarians."Kaviss, listened with distracted interest as the Galactic Defense Party, argued granting greater authority to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the cobbled together coalition of Republic Command. It was a haphazard merging of local fleets with the regular Republic Army and Navy. The command structure was an absolute mess. Planetary militias would be integrated into standing army units, often at random, based on what planets sent forces to the war effort and when. Command consisted of desk Admirals more attuned to politics than war, while field generals were forced to coordinate, often poorly, with the Rear Admirals along the front lines.
In contrast, the Mandalorians were unified behind one man and a highly professional and organized system. The irony was that the Republic forces outnumbered them by several magnitudes. Incompetence and a lack of proper organization was killing the war.
"The situation does not warrant such centralized control!" That was Senator Keida Eris from the powerful Mid Rim system of Antara . Racist against aliens and fiercely independent, the Antaran Confederation no doubt disliked the idea of their precious fleets falling under the direct control of the Joint Chiefs. Senator Eris did not seem to suffer too badly from her world's xenophobic overtones, which Kaviss could appreciate, among other things about the beautiful Senator. The Mandalorians ravage the Outer Rim and yet these Senators bicker over irrelevant power plays. It was really a pity that Senator Eris had to be on the wrong side of the political spectrum. That didn't stop her from inviting you out to dinner. "Something that worries me." Kaviss muttered to himself. He turned back to his gaze of the Senate Chamber as one of the floating senatorial pods drifted outward so that a new voice could address the issue.
"I am inclined to agree with Antara's position. The Mandalorians can be defeated with the forces already deployed in the field. A State of Emergency would only propagate unrest and fear among the masses." It was the Senator from Corellia, typical of the fiercely nationalist system to side with other fiercely nationalist systems, common good be damned.
"How can you stand there for hours and not get bored to death?" The question and voice belonged to Kaviss' best friend and fellow Jedi Knight, Alek Squinquargesimus. A giant of a man with a giant last name, Kaviss felt that Alek's size was fitting. He was as cumbersome as his impossible to pronounce home village. Alek tended to tower over most people and indeed, he gave the appearance of towering over Kaviss, although the two were closer in height that most people realized. Alek just had this way of looking like a giant
"Its politics Alek; you have no idea how entertaining it is to read the faces of these senators, to listen to the brief whispers of thought that float through the air." Kaviss grinned. He loved these games, loved the challenge of navigating through the word maze these senators spun. No other group in the galaxy was adept at spewing verbal banthashit as these people.
"If you say so." Alek muttered, doubtfully. Alek had never displayed any interest in politics, which suited Kaviss fine. Alek was not suited for reading people. Not that this was so much about reading people as more about shifting through all the garbage the senators were spewing and trying to find the rare gems if truth beneath.
"The session should be over soon and then we can―"
"―when are you going to take an apprentice?"
"What kind of random question is that?" Kaviss demanded. "And how does that relate at all with what we were just talking about?"
"It's a valid question I've been meaning to ask and I figured now would be good a time as any." Alek replied, shrugging as if it was a small issue. "You have been a Knight for five years now and yet in none of those five years have you decided to take an apprentice."
"Your point being?"
"When are you going to take a Padawan?"
"I don't know Alek, when I find the right one I guess. My standards are high."
"You mean strange. Your standards are strange, not high."
"Whatever you say Alek." Kaviss paused and leaned back towards the window, watching as the senators began to file out of the massive chamber. The last of the Senators had given their closing arguments for the day and nothing more would happen until the senate reconvened to vote. Normally the voting would have taken place now, but the arguments had dragged on too long.
"You know they have a nickname for you now?"
"Oh, what is it?" Kaviss never watched the holonet. The media was too full of biased nonsense.
"The Revanchist, of all things, due to your aggressive policy of retaking captured systems from the Mandalorians."
"Well, I suppose that at least leaves little doubt at where I stand." Kaviss murmured in response. Labels could be useful, if properly applied.
"The Council is going to have a fit you know." Alek warned, but Kaviss waved his hand dismissively.
"Let the old bastards stew; their opinion is becoming increasingly meaningless to me anyways. They tell me we need to asses the situation, as if there was anything to asses!" Kaviss shook his head. "They are paralyzed by indecision, chained by the past."
"Exar Kun." Alek offered.
"He put the fear of the light into them and even now it still holds them in a vice grip."
"I heard about your stunt with Master Dorak's class." Alek chuckled. "Figures you would be the one to ruin his class."
"I didn't ruin anything; I encouraged his students to think for themselves. The Order could use some independent thinking." Kaviss turned away from the window and stared towards the hallway that circled around the rotunda. "Padawans need to come to their own conclusions about the galaxy and the Force. Getting dogma spoon fed to them helps no one." It was getting darker out, with Coruscant's dwarf sun casting dim shadows across the sparkling cityscape.
"That's dangerous thinking." Alek muttered, following behind.
"Dangerous thinking is the best kind of thinking." Kaviss replied. Raising up his wrist he checked his chrono. It was getting late. "I have to go."
"Why? What's happening tonight?" Alek asked.
"I'm having dinner with Senator Keida Eris of Antara."
"Isn't that the beautiful blond lady that always shouts at the Senators of the Galactic Defense Party?" Kaviss grinned at Alek's description.
"The one and only. I'm going to convince her to switch sides and throw Antares support behind the GDP."
"And you will do this how?" Alek asked.
"I haven't a clue. She picked this very expensive restaurant, ridiculously expensive." Kaviss frowned as he considered how many credits this was likely to cost him. It was not as if Jedi just carried around credits to throw away like trash, well most Jedi did not. Some of the richer dynasties were sufficiently wealthy. Kaviss should know; he had borrowed money from one of those richer dynasties.
"Do you even know this woman aside from her reputation?" Kaviss responded to a question like that with the expression it deserved, a flat frown.
"Stupid question." Alek muttered
"We've met, spoken to each other at several senatorial functions, at length. You could say we are friends of a sort, star-crossed politically hostile friends. Due to my 'hardline' position on security, I have become something of a known political force. Why else would they be giving me nicknames?"
"Going out to dinner still seems rather personal."
"I suppose it is. It was not my idea mind you. She was the one who asked me if I was available and I could hardly refuse no could I?"
"No, you really couldn't." Alek replied.
"Exactly, I suspect she noticed that I am beginning to gain considerable political support in high circles. I wonder if she expects to sway me to her side."
"The Independence Party?" Alek asked.
"That's the one she's part of; its lead by Corellia of course, naturally. With both Corellia and Antara having rebellious streaks in them, it makes sense for the two to be political bedfellows."
"And your goal is to convince her that it is in Antares' best interests to support the Galactic Defense Party?"
"Precisely."
***
Kaviss felt out of place. It was his dark brown robes. They very plain and the high-class restaurant that he was in was most decidedly the opposite of plain. It was extravagance and luxury personified into a building. From where he sat, Kaviss could see the vast expanse of Coruscant below; an endless city of glittering lights that shined against the dark sky. It was such a strong contrast from where he had come from. Here in Coruscant, everything that was worth seeing shined or glittered. In a way it was ironic, because Coruscant was a barren rock beneath all that glitter. The ecosystem of this world had been devastated long ago, so now it was all artificial. The very air he breathed and enjoyed was processed. It was a wonder that it did not glitter as well.Kaviss also felt out of place when he considered the company he was keeping as she sat across from him. Keida apparently had some desire to make Kaviss feel more awkward then he already did. Her black dress, a luxurious item of nanosilk and glittering sparkles, had apparently been designed by someone who's sense of modesty was a quite bit different from anything Kaviss was aware of.
"Master Kaviss, I am so glad you could meet me like this." Keida said, smiling. She had done her hair up in elaborate pile of golden curls that still allowed blond ringlets to fall just short of her bare shoulders. Kaviss could have sworn she had spent hours arranging that hair.
"I'm not a Master, just a Knight." Kaviss corrected her and not for the first time. He thought she might have done it on purpose.
"My apologies Knight Kaviss." She smiled again, lighting up her face. Keida was one of those women that would look pretty doing anything. Smiling, scowling, frowning, glaring, shouting, crying, grinning. Name the expression and she would still look good.
"No, no, there is no need to apologize. It's a common mistake." Kaviss tugged at his menu―a small flexible datapad―with the Force and snatched it to his hands. Keida's eyes flashed briefly at the stunt and Kaviss could feel a slight blip of unease flowing from her presence in the Force. "Many people have a number of misconceptions about Jedi." That unease wavered, moving back and forth between curiosity and suspicion. That was just fine with Kaviss. The idea was to keep her guessing. About what?
"I would recommend the Corellian Special, its one of the best platters this establishment serves." The Senator offered.
"Corellian you say? I wouldn't know, I've never been to a place this expensive in my life."
"It wasn't a burden to pay for was it?" It was almost quaint. The Senator sounded concerned. She looked concerned. The Force told Kaviss that she was not.
"No; we Jedi are a big happy, sharing family." That was a load of banthashit. Begging the Draay Estate for money had been one of the most embarrassing moments of Kaviss' life.
"I'm glad to know that this caused no stress on your part." Was that smugness he felt? He wanted to roll his eyes at senators and their vast wealth, at Keida and her vast wealth. "To be fair, I have been interested in your arguments for quite some time now. Those relating to the Mandalorian threat have piqued my interest."
"Couldn't you have simply watched them on the holonet? I am a Jedi, not a politician. What I say in public is no different than what I say in private." That was another load of banthashit, but she had to know that.
"Perhaps that is so, but you intrigue me Knight Kaviss. Perhaps because you are always hiding under that hood; perhaps because you had never said on the holonet why you support the hardline approach. You only tell the public why it should be done. Even during our previous talks, you have always skirted around the issue. I know Jedi aren't the easiest people to make friends with, but you. I can pin down nothing about you."
"I spent the first five years of my life in some of the worst places imaginable. In places like that, the strong crush the weak on a daily basis. Perhaps this offends me; perhaps it upsets me when I see the Mandalorians moving unchecked through Republic space. Perhaps, I feel we should present a united front against such aggression."
"Your anger and drive is personal then." Keida noted, but Kaviss was already shaking his head, having heard the thought form in her head before she had spoken it.
"No, this isn't about me, this is about justice. This is about defending the Republic from one of the savage and violent cultures in the galaxy." Only careful control kept the anger from his voice. Unlike most Jedi, he did not suppress his negative emotions. He did not embrace them either―for obvious reasons―but he did not feel that holding them down would accomplish anything. He let them run their course, but did not let them control him. Denial of one's emotions helped no one.
"You have voiced your disapproval of my political stance before. Tell me again, but why?" Keida was eying him with an unreadable expression. However, through the Force, Kaviss could read her easily enough. She was still curious.
"I do not believe it is helpful." It was diplomatic as Kaviss would be on his opinion concerning her position.
"Have you considered that it is not my position so much as it is the position of my constituents? I am an elected official after all." She really did sound like she was trying to defend herself.
"Then I suggest you educate your constituents on the more violent aspects of this growing conflict." Kaviss said, in harsher tones then he intended. Keida cocked her head to the side, as if she was listening to something. It was the gesture people made when they had something to say, but were not sure how to say it. "The Mandalorians will not stop at the Outer Rim, or the Mid Rim, they will burn a path all the way to Coruscant if they can."
"You sound so certain." She paused and looked down at her own menu. "In any case, we can continue these discussions after we eat. I'm hungry." She looked at him and popped that smile again. "The Corellian special is a rather large serving." She looked up at him. "Would you like to share?" At her suggestion, Kaviss narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Share? If that's the case than you can pay for it and I can return the money I had to borrow."
"I thought the Jedi shared everything."
"I lied. I had to ask for credits from a friend in the Draay Family."
"The Jedi family dynasty here on Coruscant?"
"The one and only. Despite the Order's new focus on living simple lives free of possessions, such sentiments don't tend to stick when you are rich."She made a noise in response to that, an amused sound. Maybe she thought it was funny? Kaviss certainly did not.
Keida pulled a credit chip from… somewhere, and inserted it into her menu. Kaviss' eyes nearly boggled as he saw the number flash across the screen. That was ridiculous! He could have fed himself for a standard month, maybe longer, on such a sum.
"Next time you and I eat together, I will expect you to pay." There will be a next time? Kaviss hoped so; he could happily spend time with this woman.
"If I am going to be paying then I hope you like regular food, common food. The kinds of foods that poor bastards like me eat."
"You could save up the money the Order gives you." Keida replied.
"And starve just to please you?" Kaviss grinned. "I'm not that desperate, not yet anyways."
"You could at least show me your face, maybe try and look like you belong. I've been getting stares since I first sat down." In other words, she was telling him he stood out. Kaviss agreed with her.
Kaviss kept his face hidden for several reasons. Mostly because he liked to be able to move around freely with his hood down and not get swarmed by holonet reporters. He supposed it would not hurt to show his face at this place. Not even the reporters could afford this exercise in decadence. With a flick of the Force, he knocked his hood back, revealing his face to Keida.
"Hmm, it's almost a pity." She murmured as she stared at him. She was tapping a glittery nail against the tip of her chin, looking over him like Kaviss would look at an expensive piece of merchandise that he wasn't sure he liked or not.
"What is?"
"You have the face and the hair of a holovid actor, complete with the most stunning green eyes I've ever seen, yet you hide it under a hood all day."
"The less people know what I look like, the easier it is to avoid holonet reporters."
"Wouldn't someone like you want to be noticed by the reporters? Considering your aggressive political tendencies." Kaviss was shaking his head again. She did not understand, but then, he had not expected her to.
"None of this is about me; it's about what is best for the Republic. Who I am, is not important; however, my message is important. The Mandalorians must be stopped. If people start to focus on me, then they would forget my message."
"Your message doesn't sound―ah here is the food." An actual, living waitress, dressed almost as absurdly as Keida, arrived with a large platter of salad, some meat that Kaviss couldn't identify, and various side dishes. As his nose picked up the spicy smell rising from the meat, his stomach rumbled in anticipation.
"What kind of meat is that?" He asked.
"Smoked nerf. The salad is made from greens imported all the way from Corellia." Keida replied.
"Because importing lettuce from a location thousands of light years away, makes it taste better." Kaviss shook his head. The money people would waste was beyond his ability to understand. He had been born on a miserable world in the Unknown Regions, and had never seen so much as a credit until Master Kreia had rescued him.
"It's a failing of the rich. We need to find ways to waste our vast mounts of wealth." Keida said with a grin. Kaviss did not share her amusement and he made sure she realized it, compressing his lips into a flat line. As she involuntarily winced, Kaviss idly wondered if he was a bad Jedi for expressing his displeasure in such a way. "I am sorry, that was uncalled of me." She said. "I forgot that you came from a―"
"―it is nothing." Kaviss said, waving a hand dismissively, stopping her before she could blunder a second time. Came from what? A broken world? Yes, I did. Don't bring it up.
"No, it isn't 'nothing.' I said something offensive and I shouldn't have." To Kaviss' surprise, the regret was genuine. Perhaps not all politicians were complete slime balls. Not that he would have ever categorized Keida as a slime ball. That term just did not fit her. A fine oil, scented of course. That was a more appropriate comparison.
"I thank you for your apology. In any case, I'm hungry, so unless you have any religious preferences you wish to observe before you eat, I'm going to dig in." Kaviss snatched up his fork and knife and was about to slice into the nerf when he felt it. Something was wrong. Quietly, he set his utensils down and instinctively glanced over towards a table across the floor.
There was a woman, looking like someone Kaviss would expect for a patron of this place. She had dark black hair, wore fancy red nanosilk dress if heavier than normal, and had huge brown eyes. Mentally, Kaviss filed her appearance away for future reference. Everything looked normal, except something was wrong. The Force was telling him that not all was right. She is alone. Now that was odd, although not a valid enough reason for Kaviss to bother her.
"Is something wrong?" Keida asked.
"There could be. I sense something." Kaviss' shoulders itched. He wanted to stand and glance around at the danger racing from behind him. Except there was nothing save for the woman at the other table. What was the problem then?
"You sense something? What does that mean?"
"It means that—" Kaviss stopped and closed his mouth. How could he possibly explain this to someone that had no knowledge of any kind of what the Force was? Another issue to where the definition of knowledge rears its head. If he wasn't sensing a disturbance in the Force, Kaviss might have chuckled. "It means that something is wrong or at least the Force is disturbed by something. It is nothing major, just like an itch on my shoulder. Something is out of place and to be honest it might not even be here at the restaurant." Kaviss sighed. "Forget about it."
"Very well." Keida replied. She was looking at him strangely, but then who could blame her?
