Open to All TLV style post

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Network; Video]

[A young man with violet-blue eyes, blue-black hair tucked away in a bun, dressed in green tabards with orange embroidery in somewhat organic patterns, over indigo tunics appears on the network. He solemnly tucks his hands into his sleeves, and bows toward the screen.]

Hello, Barge. My name is Ezra Bridger, and I recently arrived, as a warden. [A tiny pause, and only the momentary effort to put up a smooth, diplomatic front keeps him to wrinkling his nose a little, but one might perceive the hint of trepidation in his tone.] I haven't accepted a deal. At least not yet.

[He shakes his head slightly] Because I know there might be some here who at least know stories, I guess I should say that I am a Jedi Knight. Born at the same time as the rise of the Empire, on a planet named Lothal. I'm happy to answer any question anyone may have about that.[Some of the formality and calm even to his tone begins to fade.] But I haven't been in my home galaxy since I was 18, over three years ago, for me now.

I've traveled through several - I've taken to calling them nexuses? Experienced things rather like the floods and breaches, here, among other...well the last place I was called them Trials.

[His expression suddenly blossoms into a full, bright smile, as something occurs to him.] Oh! Are there any people here who do Jewish observances? I grew up Reform, in a life; I like to keep up with holidays when I can.

[A little more soberly-] And how well is the infirmary staffed? I have some medical training. Including mental health topics.
***
[Action]

DECK - Anyone who knows anything about the Jedi won't be surprised to find him folded into crossed legged sitting on the floor of the deck, hands in green cloth gloves on his knees but palm up, and eyes closed, in meditation. Any psychic, or the like, may notice that his mind is open, yet attentive, letting everything he senses flow around and through him.

Although - If someone's attention lingers on him for long, or he picks up a sense of urgency, he murmurs, without opening his eyes, yet, "Can I help you?"

OR

ENCLOSURE - Of course there's also lightsaber practice in the Enclosure, in varying landscapes, on different days, with his green blade. Anyone who knows much about Jedi lightsaber forms might notice Ezra's personal style is a core of Form III, with some Form IV, and Form I - in other words, a mostly defensive style. Anyone very familiar with the styles of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, or Ahsoka Tano might spot some specific influences.

Comments

[ezra_of_lothal]

I'd admit, I don't have a great definition. There's probably several stripes.

I don't think you embraced the Empire for purely personal self-aggrandizement. Although, that type isn't what I'd call a true believer.

There's those that fall for the Emperor's cult of personality.

I guess what I mean in a belief that Empire is *just*. Or at least the best way to rule a huge swath of the galaxy, or truly necessary, out of the alternatives. Maybe again, to return to that word, inevitable?

And I would define the Empire, loosely, as concentrating power into the hands of a few, through a rigid hierarchy that is ever increasingly focused on military power, using that power to both expand outwardly and terrorize its own people to maintain control.

[artistinexile]

Perhaps this is where a portion of personal and galactic history intertwine.

I did not believe the Empire was ever a force for justice. But I know that there are worse threats, even now encroaching on parts of our galaxy, that either the Old or the New Republic had no hope of defeating.

When faced with two evils, one significantly worse than the other, I chose to ally myself with the lesser evil. At the very least, the Empire is far quicker when dealing with threats and its heavy-handed methods, while overkill, certainly get the point across.

And understand that I had no intention of joining the Empire when I first arrived. Being told I was to be made a Lieutenant was not in my plan when entering Imperial space.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Ezra puzzles over that response for a while. Worse threats than the Empire, that held trillions upon trillions in its grasp?

On the other hand, if there's one thing his travels have taught him, it's that there's always a bigger fish somewhere. But then, none the bigger fish he's ever come across would truly be best addressed by military might.]

I guess I'll have to provisionally try to accept this mysterious bigger threat, for at least the sake of the conversation. Although I'm really not convinced supporting the Empire as the best option follows, even with that in mind.

What *was* your plan, then?

[artistinexile]

To remain on my exiled planet until I could seek an audience with the Emperor, then leverage my previous friendship with Anakin Skywalker to convince him it was in his best interests to let me study Republic and Imperial weaponry, and return to my corner of the galaxy. We would have let each other alone, with my species providing buffer space between the Empire's planets and the enemy I have mentioned, but with significant technological advantage.

I was meant to stay perhaps a year, no longer.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Ok, so far makes sense to me. Gather allies, exchange knowledge.

But Anakin probably didn't want to even acknowledge that he knew you, and a lot of his flexibility and willingness to listen how gone out the window, am I right?

So why stay?

[artistinexile]

At what point should I have left? I came to the Emperor as a prisoner. He called me a gift.

[ezra_of_lothal]

I can't truly say, because I wasn't there. Plenty of Imperial officers left. Admittedly, you stand out. I was told by someone I trust that an Inquistor got away, about ten years into the Empire, but I don't know how long she survived after that.

I know I'm coming across as judgmental. I'm sorry. I'm not stupid enough to think that if the Empire had found me before Kanan did, that I wouldn't have either died, or adapted and become one of them. I was lucky.

[artistinexile]

Indeed. I could have left with my life, having nothing to show for it, and also left my team, my crew to fend for themselves. I found the idea abhorrent. Unlike plenty of Imperial officers, I took pains to know my subordinates, to cultivate and appreciate each of their unique talents.

And I had a larger reason to survive: I needed to bring a message back to my people without being found out and killed. Imperial transmissions were easily tracked, and finding a signal strong enough when I was already suspect for not being human was a challenge I had difficulty in conquering.

I began to realize I could start sending my own officers out to both Chiss and Rebel space. Doubtless a few of them are in your ranks now.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Huh.]

Interesting.

Well, now you're out. And if the Admiral usually lets up keep our memories of being here, I gather - not guaranteed, in other venues, by the way.

You have time. What will do with it?

[artistinexile]

I will plan.

Video

[fireincarnate]

[ There is so much that peaks her interest so quickly, and it's clear in her expression - rapt, intent, though still warm - but it's that very last bit that grips her the most. All of her other questions are immediately set aside as she leans forward across her desk, eyes bright with optimism. ]

Welcome to the Barge, Ezra, my name is Jean. I work in the therapy office, and I'd really love to hear about your training. We always need more people.

[ She looks the part, too, at the moment; most of her hair is drawn back into a bun, and she's wearing a crisp suit of pastel greens and blues. The biggest flourish is a golden lapel pin, flaming wings that encircle an X. ]

Re: Video

[ezra_of_lothal]

[First a big smile.] Hello, Jean.

[And therapy office. Oh thank the Force. On the other hand-]

Well- [He grimaces a little.] I may be underqualified. But everywhere I've been lately has been thin on the ground for more qualified. [He shrugs.]

I picked up some very basic physical healing with my, um, native abilities with qualified...master healers with medical training, a little over three years ago.

And then I was in place, where there was something in the physical environment that, ah. We called it corruption and it was complicated and not completely understood, but it changed people, right down to the physical. Being emotionally unbalanced or socially isolated made people particularly vulnerable. I spent some time working in clinics there, doing both some general medical assistance, and also helping people with corruption. I used my empathic abilities to soothe and such, when best I could. I started doing a lot of reading of what I could get my hands on, with the thought that general mental well being was a good preventative for corruption.

One of the clinics was run by someone who was a licensed therapist in her world, but unfortunately I didn't get to seriously study under her before she left. Just her notes and trying to carry on her work by giving people a space to even try to tackle issues, really.

And then the last place I was, for the last year, had formal schools, and I basically went through the first year of a medical degree with a focus on mental health.

I also teach meditation, in a range of styles. It's a big focus in general Jedi training, to help us gain control over our psychic abilities. But I've taught plenty of non-psychics. It's not a cure-all, I know, but any tool in the toolbox that works, right?

Re: Video

[fireincarnate]

[ By the time he finishes, Jean is outright beaming. ]

Speaking as a psychic myself? Yeah, it definitely does.

[ She shakes her head, a little bit mystified. ]

I - the same thing happened to me, in a way, here on the Barge. The first time I went back home I started studying psychology, but I...ended up back here before I finished my degree. [ She'll save the part where she died for later. ] But we finally had a trained counselor by then, and I learned a lot from him.

[ Her gaze turns distant, for a moment, warm and wistful. It's been such a long time, now. ]

When he left I was the only one who could inherit the position. The Barge can get chaotic, but I'm glad I learned on the job here and not - do you know what that world was called?

Re: Video

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Ezra perks into straighter posture, eyes a little wide when she says she's another psychic, and stay wide as she describes her own educational difficulties.]

It was ah - Earth. A Earth. Maybe splintered off from another timeline in events tied to the corruption- [He waves a gloved hand, vaguely.] Unclear.

But most we talked in terms of the region - Deer Country. Or the town we arrived in and most of stayed, because travel was so dangerous. Trench.

Re: Video

[fireincarnate]

[ Oof. Her grimace is troubled but not surprised. ] Earth has a lot of very bad offshoots. Maybe that's why the Admiral likes it so much, there's a lot to work with.

[ Then her expression lightens a bit, a rueful smile tugging at her lips. ] But I say that with love.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Ezra winces, in turn.]

Yeah, it's popular with the powers that be, I've noticed.

And like I kinda touched on, I do have memories of growing up there. Lower East Side, Manhattan, early 21st century on the Julian calendar. And they've become pretty important tome. Can I ask where you're from? [She sounds maybe American, but it can be hard to tell.]

[fireincarnate]

[ ...Yeah, she's grinning again, with a glint of amusement. The coincidences are really stacking up, but she can't say she minds. ]

I grew up in Red Hook, near the Hudson River. We're in the late nineties, right now. [ Probably-maybe. ] The school I work at is in North Salem.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[The corner of Ezra's mouth curls up in amusement, as well.] Oh, very cool. I didn't spend a ton of time outside the city aside from trips to family, or so my memories say, so I'm not personally familiar, but yeah, that gives me some idea.

Which is part of why I've tried to hold onto those memories; they're so useful.


Anyway. If you don't mind taking a newbie under your wing, I'm happy to continue on the job training in a hopefully slightly less dire setting.

[fireincarnate]

You'll definitely do well with breaches.

[ Oh, she's excited. It's nice for that to come without the usual element of life-threatening danger. ]

Have you seen the library yet? The amount of information can be pretty overwhelming, but I've still got my old book lists, and notes from Dr. Cambridge -

Did you ever meet anyone from Starfleet?

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Well, there was danger- the whole thing came from Billy Kaplan repressing trauma and it being triggered, and creating a world to be 'safe and normal'. The world started to unravel, as Billy's own true memories started to resurface, but honestly it barely registers for Ezra as worth explaining. Ezra got solid high school education, a wealth of Earth culture, and a brother out of it, he feels like it was a gift, danger or no.]

I have not had a chance to really explore the library, here, but there was an entity in Trench that collected something that strikes me as similar.

[Then he goes quiet, racking his brains. Starfleet.]

I don't think so, no. Sounds interesting?

[ezra_of_lothal]

An observation - I did a lot of that, when I first landed somewhere outside the galaxy. I won't say it was useless; I picked up a lot of skills and information.

I am not remotely doing now what I thought I would be doing, back then.

[artistinexile]

What would you have me do, Warden Bridger?

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Ezra isn't sure what to make of Thrawn going with Warden, when he specifically said his preferred title is Knight. But, Ezra supposes, he should get used to that title, too.]

Well, I don't think I'm telling you this *as* a warden - I'm not you're warden, after all - and I'm not sure how well this advice will land given you're a career soldier in a way I never was, and never wanted to be.

My suggestion is to try not to think of your tenure here as a military campaign? Or stay too focused on what you're going to do when you get out. I'm pretty sure we *all* could stand to learn from other perspectives and ways of life while we're here.

[fireincarnate]

It can be a maze in there, but it has books from - well, everywhere. Across time and space, across the multiverse.

[ Her expression warms even further, because - look, most futures haven't stoked her optimism. ]

It's from a universe where Earth gets it right, eventually. They reach the stars, they befriend other species, they build an alliance dedicated to peace and equality. There are mistakes and gaps, no one lives up to those ideals all the time, but - for the most part, a lot of good choices were made.

[ The mirrorverse certainly shows how differently it could have gone. ]

Starfleet is - what it sounds like, really, a fleet of ships made for deep space. Their main purpose was exploration and diplomacy, but defence was a part of it too. ...In some eras more than others.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[He listens smiling gently, but his smile getting warmer as well.]

Hearing about timelines where people tried so hard to get it right is always welcome.

The Jedi has something like that, at points in their history. Well, the diplomacy and peacekeeping was their main public function for the Republic almost all of the last thousand years before the Empire was established. [He makes a slight face, because the Clone War is just...complicated to talk about.]

But there were Corps, too, with other focuses. Including the Exploration Corps. Hyperspace mapping, first contact and re-establishing content with worlds that have fallen out of touch, and archeology.