[D4 ME] Cooling Off

[Alysele Cortess]

"Everyone has their own approach, I agree. And then we make war over it, do we not?" She let out a chuckle. It was funny because it was true. "You are a practicing philosopher as well, Zeno?"

[Zeno Deathwright]

"I'm absolutely not," he says with a smile. "I simply practice being. When it comes to philosophy of the force, my most profound understanding is that the stronger your connection to it, the more easily you are able to navigate your world with it's aid. It gives me the freedom to be who I wish to be. And the Sith code doesn't stand in the way of that, but encourages me to simply be an individual. So that's what I do: I feel, I live, I choose. There are no rules that stop me from being the man I want to be. If I wanted to run orphanages and heal the sick I could. If I wanted to craft technological marvels I could. I want to fly starfighters so I do. And I want to challenge myself in combat so I do." He smiles at her.

[Alysele Cortess]

"I simply practice being." Aly smiled at that. It was even sincere! "That is certainly an approach to life. Choosing though, require wisdom and experience. If we choose incorrectly, due to our affinity, our failures will lead to failures with others." She leaned back, her tone gentle and philosophical.

[Zeno Deathwright]

"I don't believe in choosing incorrectly," Zeno replies with a chuckle. "Those are just learning opportunities. Wisdom and experience come from our choices, not the other way around. But that's also part of my curiosity and why I asked what I did. Tranquility and shutting out feelings... such an idea seems counter intuitive to truly experiencing anything. We're not machines and feeling fully is part of that experience. If you close yourself off to those things, sadness over loss, anger at betrayal, hope for success, and surprise at something new, how can the order truly understand the people they claim to want to help when they don't allow themselves to experience things in the same way? It seems being open to the experiences and feelings that everyone else goes through is the best way to identify with others."

[Alysele Cortess]

"I don't believe in choosing incorrectly," Zeno replies with a chuckle. "Those are just learning opportunities. Wisdom and experience come from our choices, not the other way around. But that's also part of my curiosity and why I asked what I did. Tranquility and shutting out feelings... such an idea seems counter intuitive to truly experiencing anything. We're not machines and feeling fully is part of that experience. If you close yourself off to those things, sadness over loss, anger at betrayal, hope for success, and surprise at something new, how can the order truly understand the people they claim to want to help when they don't allow themselves to experience things in the same way? It seems being open to the experiences and feelings that everyone else goes through is the best way to identify with others."

"Oh? You don't believe in mistakes then?" She was genuinely curious this time around. "Can we experience everything if we give in to our emotions though? We're only experiencing life through a narrow view, if we do so. A Jedi is open to experiences, the code does not shut us off from that." She leaned back, and took a sip.

"Is it true that only the Sith can be true leaders in the Empire?" She switched the topic around.

[Zeno Deathwright]

"The Sith are not required to feel passionately all the time. We are perfectly capable of experiencing things dispassionately. The point is that we are open to doing whatever it is that our heart desires. Love, hate, cold calculation, compassion, masochism, joy, and despair are all experiences that we open ourselves to. And all of them encouraged and acceptable by our Sith way of life. It is an expression of true freedom and anything that would narrow one's view of a situation is detrimental. We are individuals seeking to be our most powerful and capable selves," he replies with a smile.

"And it's not true that the Sith are the only true leaders in the Empire. They are the most powerful, but the Empire cannot be run by the Sith alone. We have noble houses and government organizations that are operated by those without the gift of the Force. But those blessed with that gift... why should they not have the opportunity to use that gift to lead those who are without? There are many that overcome lacking a sense and become capable individuals in their own right, the blind, the deaf, the mute... but it's more difficult for them. It's much the same with the force. It's more difficult to truly see the galaxy how it truly is without it. To deny the guidance and leadership that can be provided to the people the benefit of that understanding... it's just cruel."

[Alysele Cortess]

"The Sith are not required to feel passionately all the time. We are perfectly capable of experiencing things dispassionately. The point is that we are open to doing whatever it is that our heart desires. Love, hate, cold calculation, compassion, masochism, joy, and despair are all experiences that we open ourselves to. And all of them encouraged and acceptable by our Sith way of life. It is an expression of true freedom and anything that would narrow one's view of a situation is detrimental. We are individuals seeking to be our most powerful and capable selves," he replies with a smile.

"And it's not true that the Sith are the only true leaders in the Empire. They are the most powerful, but the Empire cannot be run by the Sith alone. We have noble houses and government organizations that are operated by those without the gift of the Force. But those blessed with that gift... why should they not have the opportunity to use that gift to lead those who are without? There are many that overcome lacking a sense and become capable individuals in their own right, the blind, the deaf, the mute... but it's more difficult for them. It's much the same with the force. It's more difficult to truly see the galaxy how it truly is without it. To deny the guidance and leadership that can be provided to the people the benefit of that understanding... it's just cruel."

"The Sith I met have certainly been free with their emotions." She gave a nod. "Perhaps not Sith Torsin."

A piece of her mind was agreeing... she did think that the Force allowed her to be a better fighter and a better leader. Yet this didn't seem to be a popular view among the Jedi. "They are admirable for their dedication then. Your Empire rewards that dedication?" She took another sip. This was feeling awkward. And... good? Or awkward?

"Are you a leader then Zeno?"

[Zeno Deathwright]

Zeno listened to her and smiled. "You could say that. One moment."

He writes a few words on a napkin before heading up to the stage and setting a tip and the napkin on the piano before heading back. As he walked a new song started with the pianist also apparently being a singer.

When he reached the table he held out a hand and offered it, still smiling. "Would you care for a dance?"

OOC: -50 credits

[Alysele Cortess]

What is it with everyone and dancing here?

Alysele slowly stood up, and extended a hand. "Only if you are prepared for a disappointment Zeno."

[Zeno Deathwright]

He leads her over to the area by the stage, explaining while he talks. "Don't worry about a thing. I've taken some lessons since being under my master. She enjoys a nice party. Step when you hear the beat, following me."

He pulls her into the right position. "Keep your center where it is now, connected to me. Imagine us in a duel and this is the advantageous position for you."

He looks over at her and smiles before beginning slowly to make it easy to follow along, dancing at half time to the music.

[Alysele Cortess]

Aly followed his lead, though she was still distant. Jedi and Sith, after all.

"Oh? Dueling with feet are we now?" She smiled, and followed him.

[Zeno Deathwright]

"I promise, it's much easier if you are closer," he says with a smirk, his hand pulling gently at her waist to bring her in, but not strong enough to force her to if she doesn't want. "And it's just a dance, your not going to catch the dark side from me."

"And about earlier, the Empire doesn't reward. The people of it earn what is theirs. Nothing is simply given away. Sometimes things are taken from you if you lack the will to maintain your hold. But you are never expected to just roll over and accept something being taken from you if it is rightfully yours. Not like the Jedi, that take and expect you to serve without complaint in accordance with their rules. No rule is hard and fast in the Empire because absolutes are silly and pointless. No one person is so wise to have all of the answers."

[Alysele Cortess]

"Mhm... well I'm not too worried about that. It all depends on Strength of Will, not the action of others, after all." She moved in slightly closer.

"If no one is perfect, what does that make the Emperor? The imperfect yet strongest being in the Empire?" Sh asked curiously. "The Jedi not only take, but give. They give you training and discipline, yet if I were a Sith, I would need to take with my own hands, wouldn't I? Knowledge and teachings."

[Zeno Deathwright]

He continues the dance, taking it easy since he only has a bit of experience from the past few months, and not wanting to push Alysele too hard and end up tripping over her.

"The Jedi give you only what they find acceptable. They limit what you learn. And the empire does not require you to take only what you want. I learned in the academy, I learn from my master, and I also learn what I want and nobody tells me that I am not allowed to do so. You do what you can to learn the things you wish and apply those lessons on being the person you wish to be, without restraint. Do you think the Empire does not have healers and doctors? Do you believe that we have no people that have compassion for their fellow imperial citizens? Do you believe that we don't have people that simply wish to be good leaders or administrators and take care of the worlds and cities they grew up in?"

"The Sith chase power for any number of reasons. I myself do so in order to empower my family and strengthen them, because I care for them and am loyal to them. They are worth the effort because they have been loyal to me and I return that loyalty. It may be difficult for you to believe, but there is love there. The pain of loss, the joy of returning to see my mother and sister, the happiness of spending time with the other pilots in the house, partying and relaxing with them. The Jedi train you to serve without concern for those that mean most to you in your life. They would have you forget your true reason for existing and leave it in the past. The Empire accepts me taking care of mine because I have the power to do so."

[Alysele Cortess]

"You seem to know the Jedi well, Zeno. Perhaps you were undercover among us?" She danced, though frowned when she accidentally stepped on his feet.

"Sorry. So, returning to that... your master does not deny anything from you?" She arched an eyebrow. "Not even their position? I do know the Empire has their own professionals and paragons of compassion. Yet, is that truly what is best for those people? Fight for right, or languish?"

She twirled next. "Do you not think the Jedi have purpose? Drive? Ambition, a target that we are after?"

[Zeno Deathwright]

"I know what your code implies and what is common knowledge," he replies with a smile, the miss-step was easily fixed by Zeno and he supported her through it to make it easier. "My master gives me what she feels I need to better serve her, myself and the empire. Anything else I earn outside of that would be considered a good thing, as it shows initiative and capability. That is how the Sith teach a person to be free, give them little and teach them to earn the rest. That way you experience the world, gaining a deeper understanding of how one fits within it."

"Life is not a person hiding from attachment and bottling up their love, fear, hate, and joy. Life is experiencing the world and feeling as fully as you can. Being a part of what you would fight and die for is a powerful motivator. Perhaps you've been told that the Sith are the enemies of life... we're not. We wish to see it thrive vibrantly and be itself. Nature is a violent thing, but that violence creates strength and beauty that should be appreciated, not chained."

He is careful with his next steps, as he takes a stronger grip and dips her gently backward for a moment, pulling her up. "Do you not want to be part of the world, rather than cloistered in a temple?"

[Alysele Cortess]

"I know what your code implies and what is common knowledge," he replies with a smile, the miss-step was easily fixed by Zeno and he supported her through it to make it easier. "My master gives me what she feels I need to better serve her, myself and the empire. Anything else I earn outside of that would be considered a good thing, as it shows initiative and capability. That is how the Sith teach a person to be free, give them little and teach them to earn the rest. That way you experience the world, gaining a deeper understanding of how one fits within it."

"Life is not a person hiding from attachment and bottling up their love, fear, hate, and joy. Life is experiencing the world and feeling as fully as you can. Being a part of what you would fight and die for is a powerful motivator. Perhaps you've been told that the Sith are the enemies of life... we're not. We wish to see it thrive vibrantly and be itself. Nature is a violent thing, but that violence creates strength and beauty that should be appreciated, not chained."

He is careful with his next steps, as he takes a stronger grip and dips her gently backward for a moment, pulling her up. "Do you not want to be part of the world, rather than cloistered in a temple?"

The tip of her hair touched the ground as she was bent backwards, but she didn't object. "What makes you think I am cloistered in a temple? Hm?" As she was brought up her eyes were fixed on him, a small smile playing on her lips. "I do not think you are the enemies of life, but the Jedi are also not about making us into organic droids." She twirled again. "You may know of our code, but you don't know it." She emphasized the word.

"Violence can be beautiful, but what makes it that? It's the participants... and that leaves us with decisions. You would have us give in to nature, because that is how it should. Isn't that a way of giving up ourselves too? You say we can do anything we want, as long as we follow the natural impulses?"

[Zeno Deathwright]

As they continued, the song ends and a new one begins. He shifts pace to keep with the new song.

"I not give over to it... accept it. There is emotion, and it should be enjoyed, not bottled up. We have a power that can be used to accomplish things for those important to us, but only if we stay connected to those important to us. I have the freedom to choose who I serve. I was raised by my family and I fight for my family."

"I perform my duties, but I live my life the way I want to. There are no limits placed on me on who I can be with or what I choose to do. I serve because I want to and I get to be me."

[Alysele Cortess]

She slowed down with the new song coming up.

"Have you met many Jedi? Do I seem like I am bottling it up now?" she asked lightly.

"I... that is something I doubt." She seemed uncertain. "That is chaos. If anyone can choose who they serve, what do they do, how does anything get done?"

[Zeno Deathwright]

"And how many Jedi do you know that do bottle it up? Are you going to tell me you aren't special?" he asks.

"It's not chaos. You don't change who you serve on a day to day basis. It's not like I've picked multiple masters. Me and my master got to know each other and it was a good fit, so I do what I can for her. I was born a Deathwright and am loyal to my family so I serve them as well. But all Imperials serve the Empire if you follow the chain of command to the top."

[Alysele Cortess]

"Oh, me?" She actually blushed, but played it off. "I'm not special." She replied half-sincerely. "Or not too special."

She took a step back and a step forward.

"And what if you don't? What if you feel you would be do better as an Emperor? If you work to replace your leader... don't tell me you're not special." She winked at him in return.

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Oh, I am special. I'm the Sith lord that gets to dance with you this evening. How could I not be special?" He smiles as she steps forward and does the same, coming in much closer, chest to chest. Though keeping her properly in an off center position so as to avoid toe stepping.

"Just because you think you'd do a better job doesn't mean you would. One does not simply replace an Emperor that rebuilt a society over more than a millenium. As long as my family has existed, we have served the Empire under the same Emperor. Kind of hard to compete with that," he says with a chuckle.

[Alysele Cortess]

"Are all sith such flatterers?" She laughed a bit but allowed him to lead for now.

"But that doesn't mean you are not trying. Which leads to misuse of resources, and dividing the people. Considering how much the sith follow their own passions and ambitions, wouldn't that lead to many such individuals trying to fit their agenda and vision of life onto others?"

[Zeno Deathwright]

"So, your argument is that political maneuvering is wasteful?" he asks. "The Sith are not the only people in this galaxy that chase ambitions. Politicians in your own Republic do much the same. Do they not misuse resources and divide their own people? There is no such thing as a perfect system, but the Sith system is one that trusts those that can feel the force to lead, rather than force them to follow the commands of those that don't understand it. Why do you wish to be beholden to the rules and laws of people that don't understand the galaxy in the same way you can?"

"The gifted following the blind," he shakes his head in disappointment. "Such a waste of potential that could better make the galaxy greater and stronger."

[Alysele Cortess]

"So, your argument is that political maneuvering is wasteful?" he asks. "The Sith are not the only people in this galaxy that chase ambitions. Politicians in your own Republic do much the same. Do they not misuse resources and divide their own people? There is no such thing as a perfect system, but the Sith system is one that trusts those that can feel the force to lead, rather than force them to follow the commands of those that don't understand it. Why do you wish to be beholden to the rules and laws of people that don't understand the galaxy in the same way you can?"

"The gifted following the blind," he shakes his head in disappointment. "Such a waste of potential that could better make the galaxy greater and stronger."

"We may not lead as obviously as the sith do..." She started taking lead, though it was obvious she didn't have the same skill as he had. "But we advise. We provide wisdom, and vision. In war and peace." Her braid was flowing in the air.

"We are not forced to follow. We choose this path.." She smiled. "We have options to step up, outtside the order even, if needed."