Down in the Dark (Esla)

[Farissa Kho]

"Of course. You don't need to ask permission to ask us questions, Esla," she gently chided the younger woman. "We're here to help and guide you kids, after all."

[Esla Tor]

She brought her gloved hands together, wringing them slightly as she struggled where to begin. "Uhm...How much should a Jedi forgive?"

The question wasn't quite directed to her, more of the Sith in her Vergence that was still fresh in her mind.

[Farissa Kho]

"Ooh... now that is a difficult question, hmmm..." Farissa gave pause to that, stopping her movements as she thought it over carefully. "In my experience, it depends a lot on the Jedi - I would say master Murah is far more forgiving than master Jaric is, but - what I was taught is that if you can sense a glimmer of hope in them, you should forgive them."

She gave a wry smile. "Of course, it's not a black and white answer. We have to consider the circumstances, and the severity. Like, would I forgive the Sith Emperor himself, a man that's supposedly thousands of years old and has had more than enough chance in those years to say; maybe I shouldn't be such a big jerk? Kriff no."

[Esla Tor]

Esla gave Farissa a slow nod, perhaps internally glad that she brought up a Sith, albeit THE Sith lord. "If not the Sith Emperor. Would you forgive someone who has killed someone you know, if they wanted to turn a new leaf? Would it be very Jedi to not forgive them or not trust them? Or maybe it's something worse, the fear that they can't be trusted?"

[Farissa Kho]

"Not going to deny that it would be a hard thing for me to do. Though... I personally would probably need a lot of time to process such a thing and reach forgiveness; even if the person in question was showing sincerity in wanting to make amends."

She gently kicked away a small pebble with the tip of her boot. "Though, if it was something involving one of us, such decisions would most often be handled together. With the council. We speak of being at peace with our emotions, but we don't deny that some emotions are more difficult to cope with than others. It is natural to grieve or feel anger. As long as it does not cloud your decisions."

[Esla Tor]

She gave a slow nod at that, recalling the weight of her decision that had compounded on top of the weight on her shoulders. It wasn't an answer whether or not she was right but it did give her some relief that she would never be able to make a rash or bad decision on her own.

"I thought it was an easy thing to do...but I guess I was unprepared for the result. It makes me glad at least that we won't end up doing something without careful consideration." She nodded soundly as she looked down at her feet, feeling some of the loose pebbles and sand on the ground. "I would have never thought that I knew everything."

[Farissa Kho]

Farissa chuckled warmly and placed a comforting hand on Esla's shoulder. "Don't worry. We never know everything. Not even the grand master of the council, or someone like Orgus or Chriala. We're all learning every day - even when you get old, you're still learning."

[Esla Tor]

She smiled warmly back at Farissa when she comforted her touch. However, there was another question that appeared in her thought. "You mentioned that the Jedi do everything together and support each other...but what of the times you have to act on your own?"

[Farissa Kho]

"Then remember that the others are with you, even if they aren't there. Assess the situation, and do what you think is best." The Pantoran knight suggested with a wide smile.

[Esla Tor]

"Of course, Knight Farissa," she bobbed her head a few times with some growing confidence. "...I do hope to be ready when I get into such a situation and find guidance in the Force."

[Farissa Kho]

She gave her a friendly nudge with her elbow. "I'm sure you will, Esla. You got a good head on your shoulder."

[Esla Tor]

Esla couldn't help but beam at the nudge that was given to her, feeling almost invisible at the kinds words of encouragement.

"Uhm...so, do we just head back now? How will the Masters know? Do I report anything?"

[Farissa Kho]

"Sure, we can head back now. As for reporting, don't worry about it, I got it covered. Take some time to rest and reflect on what you experienced..." The Pantora made sure to set her pace to the shorter woman as she began to walk.

[Esla Tor]

Content with their talk, Esla said nothing more and began following Farissa back to the camp. There was indeed much to reflect on and in time, perhaps even more questions to ask but that was for another time.

[Faily]

And the two walked in pleasant silence back to the Jedi temple.

/scene