An Unexpected Journey

[Jaxom Ursae]

He finished his drink and got another. Looking around, he wondered about everyone's story. At the bar, he was good at guessing the basics, those fleeing trouble, those seeking trouble,, those looking for fun, those looking to forget.

Those just waiting for whatever happened next.

[Lassa Tenro]

She nodded softly at the weathered man’s summation. She let the words linger for a moment as he scanned the room with his eyes.

“They do say you know... that the night is darkest before the dawn.” She offered with a gentle tenor to her voice.

“I’ve not seen any place without any hope before.”

[J-Richo Toboga]

"Find out why even though we had over 1000 droids for every clone, we still couldn't complete our objectives. With the numbers we had even at the first battle of Geonosis, there should have been a complete victory. Only 1 out of every 5 droids were deployed that day, almost makes you think they weren't trying to win."

''Yeah. That's a good question. Though leadership certainly be to blame''

[Jaxom Ursae]

She nodded softly at the weathered man’s summation. She let the words linger for a moment as he scanned the room with his eyes.

“They do say you know... that the night is darkest before the dawn.” She offered with a gentle tenor to her voice.

“I’ve not seen any place without any hope before.”

He nodded in agreement. "Over the past year, I've learned that hope does endure. Even when it seems like it's been extinguished, the faintest ember can spark something new."

[The SCaT Droid]

"Yes, but were they incompetent or malicious. Were the words Count Dooku used on Raxus Prime genuine or a scam?"

[J-Richo Toboga]

''I honestly don't recall what he said...nor do I care particularly anymore.'' he looked away, briefly

''If finding out brings you peace...then so be it but don't put everything in that basket.''

[The SCaT Droid]

"I understand that sentiment, but knowing the answer to this question opens up the answer to another question. Were the Clone Wars truly fought to expand rights to those not on the core worlds, or to create the conditions that led to the extermination of the Jedi Order?"

[Zimrzala Skalirz]

She nodded softly at the weathered man’s summation. She let the words linger for a moment as he scanned the room with his eyes.

“They do say you know... that the night is darkest before the dawn.” She offered with a gentle tenor to her voice.

“I’ve not seen any place without any hope before.”

He nodded in agreement. "Over the past year, I've learned that hope does endure. Even when it seems like it's been extinguished, the faintest ember can spark something new."

Hearing those words as she got a cheap aromatic bitter and took a sip, she turned her attention towards the pair again.

So... a hopeless world, with a dead - or almost dead - separatist movement. But apparently, hope still endured.

"I understand that sentiment, but knowing the answer to this question opens up the answer to another question. Were the Clone Wars truly fought to expand rights to those not on the core worlds, or to create the conditions that led to the extermination of the Jedi Order?"

She turned the corner of her eyes to the odd droid as she heard those words. She'd never been particularly knowledgeable about the politics of the Clone Wars and what had actually happened that led to the Jedi being branded traitorous, having been but a kid at the time - although she knew how she felt herself about it.

For now, though, she took her drink with her and walked a bit closer to the Pantoran and the human - after scanning around for any who might also have taken undue interest in the talk.

"Excuse my intrusion...", she says in a quiet, soft voice. "I've overheard you mentioning hope", she says, nodding slightly at Jaxom. "Might I ask what sort of hope that would be?"

[Jaxom Ursae]

"Slim." he admitted. "But, it seems like there are more people looking for hope than I thought. I left Bellionas thinking it was lost. I arrived on Kamda, to find it in a similar state. But, recently, some of what they lost was recovered. Things are still far from alright there, but Kamda hasn't given up. I've been told that Bellionas hasn't either."

"I want to see that for myself." he took a drink. "And, see what I can do."

[J-Richo Toboga]

"I understand that sentiment, but knowing the answer to this question opens up the answer to another question. Were the Clone Wars truly fought to expand rights to those not on the core worlds, or to create the conditions that led to the extermination of the Jedi Order?"

''That sounds far-fetched. At any rate there is no true way to prove anything now''

[The SCaT Droid]

"That is uncertain at the moment. However, even if it weren't possible to prove, wouldn't trying to find those dots and connect them bring justice for the victims?"

[J-Richo Toboga]

''Don't know, 'ight be you want to find a scapegoat''

[The SCaT Droid]

"Scapegoat for what exactly?"

[J-Richo Toboga]

''For the war''

[The SCaT Droid]

"As in the weapons should have been pointed at a different target, our objectives should have been changed, or that a different strategy should have been used?"

[Zimrzala Skalirz]

"Slim." he admitted. "But, it seems like there are more people looking for hope than I thought. I left Bellionas thinking it was lost. I arrived on Kamda, to find it in a similar state. But, recently, some of what they lost was recovered. Things are still far from alright there, but Kamda hasn't given up. I've been told that Bellionas hasn't either."

"I want to see that for myself." he took a drink. "And, see what I can do."

She nods. She had heard... some stories about Kamda. Hadn't been anywhere near it when it all happened, of course, but... word spread.

"Well... if people are looking for hope, and others are willing to show them some hope, there may indeed be some flickers of light to be found."

She nods again, extends her hand, bowing slightly.

"Zimrzala... seeker of balance. Always a pleasure to meet others who value hope."

[Jaxom Ursae]

"Jaxom Ursae, former cantina manager." he accepted her hand. "Nice to meet you."

[J-Richo Toboga]

"As in the weapons should have been pointed at a different target, our objectives should have been changed, or that a different strategy should have been used?"

''The war is in the past, Scat, can't change it. That's my view of it...there is much to do already.''

[Zimrzala Skalirz]

After the handshake, she fell quiet again for some time, taking some more sips of her bitter.

He didn't seem too eager to discuss much - and, especially given the circumstances, she didn't want to press.

But... maybe she could spur the conversation to go on a little longer?

"Heard that you've been gone for quite a while, but... maybe you'd have hints for a first-time visitor?"

[Jaxom Ursae]

"Sure. Are you looking for anything in particular?"