Nar Shaddaa

Sylvain walked near the spaceport that afternoon and found an open area with statues of tree-like figures meant to resemble a garden. He pulled out his holopad and was composing a text to Kristal. He wrote it and rewrote it several times, never fully being able to get the words just right. He closed his eyes and began to breathe slowly to think about exactly what he needed to say. Her kiss to him the day before had sent a healthy dose of hope through his heart... keeping his emotions in check and harnessing them at the right moment would be difficult.

Master Mersl stood among the 'trees' with a smile on her face. "You seem troubled. I would ask why, if you would allow me."

He looked up and chuckled at the woman, "Master Mersl, what a pleasant surprise. I'm afraid I've already eaten... but we could have a normal conversation if you so desired."

She muffled a laugh in her sleeve. "That is funny." The Jedi then took a more serious posture, though her smile still remained on her lips. "What do you define as 'normal,' Mister Torsin?"

He smiled, "Well... usually one person speaks, and then the other... they discuss something in particular, or just converse about topics as they emerge... Hopefully it doesn't end up in violence or death; optimally there's little drugging either."

He chuckled, "What's a normal conversation to you Master Jedi?"

"That sounds like a normal conversation to me," she replied with a nod. "You appear to still have a grievance over the herbs. What can I do to ease your mind on the matter?"

He chuckled, "No lingering grievances on my part. I found the exchange entertaining in the end. At first I was surprised of course, because it seemed like something that a Sith might do... but in the end I am not so sure we are all that different. And you took enough heat from your own subordinates for me not to have to worry about holding a grudge."

He smiled, "You say you had access to our minds as it was happening? What'd you think of my mind?"

Master Mersl bowed her head. "One could say I faced more opposition outside of the Sith than from the Sith themselves.' A pause, her smile evaporated. "How is the pureblooded Sith woman? Shaisha Vreysk? Her journey must have been difficult for her."

On the next matter, the Jedi shook her head. "Barely. I did not have a full view of your mind. Instead, I had an idea of your feelings, Mister Torsin, and I believe you navigated the situations spectacularly. It is, as you say, that we may not be so different after all."

He smiled, "Shaisha is fine. She has dealt with far worse. She frequently has visions, so I am sure she's fine. We went out for drinks later in the night."

He then added, "I suppose that's true. I do not tend to be one who is afraid to utilize the power that is held within either side of the force."

"Good. She was the one I had most concern over."

Lyshea's smile grew wider. "Ah. You are different from the typical Sith. But I am curious now, Mister Torsin. Do you see the Light as another tool for your disposal or do you wish to enact its tenets?"

"Are those two things separate? If one wishes to access its power, mustn't they follow the rules to get there?"

"One does not need to follow any doctrine to use the Light. To embrace it is an entirely different matter." A pause. "The unalligned attendees at my luncheon. Their natural inclination is unknowingly towards the Light.

Sylvain tilted his head, "I do not refer to allegiance to an organization like the Jedi or the Sith, I refer to allegiance to a set of principles. One can not lash out in anger and passion and utilize the tools that the Light has available to it, just as one cannot maintain a serene mind and draw from the Dark. In my appraisal there are times and circumstances in which the Light will bring about the desired result in the most efficient way possible, and there are times when the Dark would be best suited."

"Ah. I see, Mister Torsin. But what if I told you that you can, in a sense, utilize that Dark in a serene state of mind?" She paused. "If you pierce the apparent discord in your mind, you will find that the Light is ever present. In essence, the usage of the Dark Side becomes unnecessary."

"Explain the method." He replied.

"The method lies in the journey you undertook. Whatever your reservations are regarding the luncheon, I believe it helped you, Mister Torsin."

Sylvain tilted his head. "It was not entirely unpleasant. You are saying I should ponder on my dreams to reveal the secret of your method?"

"Indeed. How did you traverse through the journey successfully? I have my own ideas but I wish for you to come to your own conclusions."

"When confronted with the problems in the visions I merely sought to find the most efficacious path. I weighed the risks and rewards and came to my conclusions..."

Lyshea smiled at him in silence, clearly in her own thoughts. "An interesting observation. That is not my interpretation but I believe you know yourself better." She muffled a laugh in her sleeve. "You have a keen ability for introspection."

"That almost sounds like an insult when you laugh like that..." he replied with a cool tone.

Lyshea bowed her head. "That is not my intention. I simply find it more polite to refrain from open laughter."

He narrowed his eyes, "And what was it I said was so humorous?"

"It was not something you said in particular," she corrected gently, "I was amused by our minute differences in interpretation."

"Forgive me for not knowing what your interpretation is..." He said.