[Day 3 - MM] The Grerat Taco About it Debate - Byron

[Byron Mik]

Byron was gonna debate like he never debated before.

[Jaric Kaedan]

And his debate-partner was to be... (drumroll)

Master Jaric!

The experienced warrior stepped inside the room with no fanfare and quietly took a seat opposite of Byron. "You did well in the written test," he acknowledged first, "you seem to have much time to study a good range of topics during your training, Byron."

[Byron Mik]

“Thank you, Master,” Byron replied. “I figured if I can’t be the best duelist like Ares, I might as well be decent at reading.”

[Jaric Kaedan]

"It is a good thing for a jedi to be well-read and knowledgeable. One of the duties of a Jedi is to act as mediators between different factions."

He eyed Byron calmly for a moment. "But would you say that is the most important duty of a Jedi?"

[Byron Mik]

“It would depend on the role the Jedi takes on in the order we are all called to be selfless and support the ideals of the Republic and the Jedi Code, but I would not expect a Jedi Librarian to hold the ideal of combat in defense of others as paramount over the aquisiton and protection of knowledge, unless those two motives coincide,” Byron replied.

“For me the most important virtue of a Jedi is to do what they can to alleviate the most suffering and misery in the world. It may require that we go to war, or support a shelter for refugees but we should strive to help those that cannot help themselves or perhaps they can but lack the means or resources to accomplish that goal.”

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Hm," he inhaled sharply as he thought about Byron's lengthy response. "But should you place that important virtue on par or above supporting the ideals of the Republic? Or should serving the Republic be your purpose first and foremost?"

[Byron Mik]

Byron responded, "It depends on what the Republic is doing, if the Republic is engaged in action to aid the common man yes, if the Republic is engaged in acts I find unconscionable then I will not support them. Ultimately I serve the Jedi Code and the people, regardless of their affiliation if they support compassion and aiding others."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"So if it is something that you find unconscionable, but the Order decides to stand with the Republic regardless, where does that lead you?" he inquired with interest.

[Byron Mik]

“I have faith that the Jedi will never put me in such a situation but if such was to happen then I would choose my feelings as I have been taught. If the Jedi lose their way I will do my best to help them get back to the proper path. The Jedi is the only life I have known for some time,” he said honestly.

“It would not be the first time the Jedi Order has lost their way, but the strength of the Jedi Code means that the values that make us who we are endure and return stronger than before. If Revan can find redemption for himself and the Jedi, then nothing is beyond reach.”

[Jaric Kaedan]

Jaric breathed deeply but it was hard to tell if he was disagreeing with Byron or merely thoughtful about the young man's words.

"Then you would claim that your opinion of the Jedi's way is greater than, say, the masters or the Council? Or would you have faith in them even if they make decisions you disagree with? Despite his redemption, Revan did rend the Order apart with his actions and his belief that he was right when the rest of the Order was wrong."

[Byron Mik]

“Yeah,” he said thoughtfully, “he nearly destroyed the Order with his recklessness. I don’t think I have the wisdom of the Masters but I do have a sense of what is right and what is wrong, and I trust my feelings as I was taught.”

“I believe in Grand Master Thun, just as I believe in the Jedi order. I would follow any of them into the darkest danger for the Republic but if I feel they are taking steps that could be perilous I will speak up and if not listened then walk the path I deem best but I will always be Jedi until I return to the Force, assuming I pass my training.”

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Assuming you pass your training," Jaric echoed with a neutral tone, before continuing. "Well, I must say I agree with you, Byron. It's vital for a Jedi to have a clear sense of right and wrong themselves, and not merely relying on those around them, their masters, or simply waiting around for something to tell them what is right and wrong. While we may join with the Force in the end, we only have a limited time granted to us to make the best use of."

There was a brief hint of a smile on his face "Neither the Republic or the Order are infallible, but I would personally choose the Order over the Republic, if I was ever forced to make that decision." He waited to hear if Byron had objections or agreements to that sentiment.

[Byron Mik]

“I think I can agree with that, the Republic is… an ideal a grand one but it is also based on greed and other facets that are less than the ideal. I don’t know all the flaws, but I do know one can simply look around Coruscant and see that there is still much work to be done to live up to the grand ideal,” he said thoughtfully.

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Some would be concerned about the Jedi Order's presence on Coruscant, that it puts us too close to the politics of the Republic and the pitfalls that bring. While believing that our Order is better served by more remote places... like when we were on Dantooine... or on Ossus." He paused, seeming to think about those lost places for a moment himself before continuing. "What do you think?"

[Byron Mik]

“I think we need to be here, this is the Heart of the Republic but maybe we can do both. I heard… well I am not sure if it is true but Tython is kind of out of the way right, and it used to be important to the Jedi from what I heard of it. Or I guess Dantooine would be good too… despite all the bloody history,” he responded thoughtfully.

[Jaric Kaedan]

"I'm not sure if Dantooine can be what it was again," he sighed. "But yes, Tython has hope for us. If it all works out. Some of the other masters hope that we can move more of the training for the students there, as there will be less distractions."

[Byron Mik]

"I am not much familiar with it but the name but I guess it is way out of the way, which is probably good. Like you said less distractions for us students," he agreed.

"Coruscant has... all of the distractions."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Very much so."

Jaric fell silent for a few moments. "I suppose I have gotten a good look at your character, Byron. In some ways you remind me of myself when I was your age." He offered a weak smile. "Do you have any worries about the trials ahead?"

[Byron Mik]

“Only that I present a good example for my peers, success or failure. I think I am the eldest and that means that I have a responsibility to be a model for them… maybe it is self imposed but that is how I see it. I just hope I can be there to aid them when they need me most,” he said after a moment of thought.

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Age often does not matter that much to the Jedi," he chuckled dryly. "Master Murah and master Chriala may both be my seniors, but they refer to me when it comes to matters I know better than them. I do the same for Knight Corvin and Knight Farissa too."

Jaric straightened up in his seat. "While it's good to try and set a good example for others, remember that you cannot carry them all the way, Byron. In the end, that isn't doing anyone any favors."