Logged by Kastanje  
Date: 05/06/02
Title: Planting Ideas 
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Participants: 
Kastanje 
Rruka
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Summary: Kastanje, unwilling to let anything else happen to her friends 
after hearing about Tai, goes to talk to Rruka about going after 
Ashton. Rruka offers some explanation about the situation, and Kas 
presses him to do something about the wayward Knight.
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Courtyard -- Jedi Praxeum Coruscant

        This vast courtyard is where much of the daily life of the Jedi can be 
observed. A park-like area near the bridge is often used as a study area, 
and the open areas in that park are teaming with life as students and 
teachers alike take part in sports and athletic activities, honing the body. 
At each corner of the square compound is a tower that is easily 200 stories 
high. Paths criss-cross the entire compound and run the perimeter, from 
tower to tower. At the north end of the compound is a large hill constructed 
of many different types and sizes of boulders.
        In the center of the courtyard is the largest tower, rising another 100 
stories above the other towers in the complex. The double-wide, ornate 
doors to this tower are always open. Unlike the other towers, this one has 
a wide section near the top that removes the tapered look the other towers 
have. Above this bulge is where the Jedi Council Chamber is located.

Kastanje enters the Praxeum courtyard with as little attention drawn 
to herself as possible. No shiny uniform either, must not be on official 
business. She looks around the courtyard, notices Rruka, and immediately 
heads for the Padawan. "Rruka," she says, to get his attention.

Rruka sits by himself at the base of the tree where Tai usually sits. He 
appears to be deep in concentration, whiskers twitching slightly as he 
holds his lightsaber before him. Ears turn to listen to Kastanje but he 
doesn't open his eyes just yet. In fact he doesn't respond further for 
almost a minute and finally the padawan opens his large golden eyes to 
regard Kastanje, 

"Greetings....what brings you this way again...." Cheerful ol' Rruka 
is back.

"Look, what happened with Ashton yesterday," Kastanje says, jumping right 
to her purpose in a lowered voice. "That can't have been good. So I talked 
to the navy folks, and had the fleet trace Ashton's hyperjump route." She's 
crouched down now next to the padawan, regarding him intently as she 
offers this information. Her mouth quirks into a grin, "Handy being one of the 
higher-ups sometimes. I know where he's headed."

Rruka's expression is of obvious interest. "What happened... I will trade 
tales, if you can inform me of where he is heading then I will do what I 
must in order to make the understanding of POSSIBLY what occurred 
understandable... deal? I will admit first that There is a good chance my 
information won't be of much use to you." Rruka says, "I'm only a padawan 
remember."

"Yes, but 'only a padawan' still knows more about all these strange 
Force-things than I do," Kastanje points out. "And something that could 
make mild-mannered Ashton get hot headed like that could use an explanation. 
Now, Ashton's heading to the Taboon moon from what I've found out. Tell me 
what you know about this situation, and let's try and plan what we can do about 
it." The Major sits down, crouching for an extended period of time not sounding 
too appealing.

Rruka's whiskers twitch nervously, "Oh no....not there...." He frowns and then 
nods, "Ashton wants to avenge Tai's and some other Jedi's deaths.....Such 
emotions are considered dark side energies....Too much emotion clouds the mind. 
It appears he faced the council and then left before they could stop him."

Kastanje wrinkles her nose a bit in annoyance, most of that was quite obvious, 
even to her. "So that was it, he just got too emotional?" The Major's voice is 
a bit incredulous. Of course she's used to deaths and emotion affecting her, 
but somehow, the Jedi had all seemed so good at keeping that under control. 
There had to be more. "But those knights that walked by said something about 
specially sanctioned training and crossing over, did you understand that part?" 
Kas waves a hand dismissively immediately after that. "It's likely not my 
business. Jedi secrets or something." She sighs, and looks up at Rruka again. 
"You should realize if it was Ashton's emotions getting the better of him, 
passively pleading like that wasn't bound to be very successful. What's-his-name 
pulling out his lightsaber did more than your little speech."

Rruka frowns, "Ashton learned a special focusing dance by a hunter tribe.....I 
guess it focused the darker emotions rather then the calming ones." At the 
commentary Rruka sighs, "Ashton is MUCH more powerful then I.....Another knight 
may be able to fight him...but what would that serve? He is adamant about his 
path. I have battled before and I am fairly good, but fighting does NOT solve 
anything. What if they had fought Kastanje? And what if either killed the other? 
Nothing would have been solved."

Kastanje nods simply at the comment about focusing dances, filing away the 
information for later. "Rruka... I wouldn't want you two to fight. There's 
enough bad things going on in this galaxy right now that I don't think I could 
deal with two of my friends truly fighting each other. But sometimes you just 
need to do something more *active* to get a person's attention when they're all 
worked up like that. Heck, when I'm lecturing recruits about ground battles, we 
actually tell them to tackle their buddies if they start getting battle crazed. 
Not shoot them, hardly, but it's better in the long run to prevent them from 
getting themselves killed."

Rruka says, "But Kastanje....if I HAD caught him....and if he IS in trouble with 
the council....I'm uncertain what could have happened to him..." Rruka says, "If 
your best friend was accused of a crime on another world that you are uncertain 
he committed and you saw him....would you drag him kicking and screaming to the 
police?"

Kastanje shakes her head, "No, but I would stop him and make sure he didn't get 
into worse trouble by running from the authorities." She sighs again, "You do have 
a point there, it may have been good that he got away from the Praxeum instead of 
being caught by those knights. But criminals are always given worse treatment for 
leaving, or following through on their threats. I'm in the military, I should know 
this. Don't you think the Council will be more upset with Ashton if he actually 
*succeeds* in killing someone, than if he had just run out upset but didn't actually 
leave in a ship?" The heel of her hand slams into the ground next to her. "Rruka, 
we can't let him get in more trouble, never mind the fact that running off alone 
and with his emotions taking over like this has got to be incredibly dangerous. 
We've got to stop him. I don't think he'd even ask for our help in this state if 
he needed it. We'll figure out what to do about the Council later, right?"

Rruka says, "I wanted to go with him.....to maybe talk some sense in him....but 
but I let indecision get the best of me....I would be willing to go off and 
help...but it would be hard for me to get out by myself or convince my master to 
leave with me."

"If you meant to do something before, and let that chance get away, then don't 
defeat yourself now before you've even tried," Kastanje says firmly, eyes bright 
with her own determination not to let herself abandon her friends anymore. "I'll 
find a way to get us to Taboon, but you do need to talk to someone at the Praxeum 
about this or you might be considered fugitive too." She slouches slightly, 
realizing how little she knows about protocol here. "I should try and find Moira 
to talk to... Rruka," she says, straightening again, "Do be prepared with a plan 
in case pleading isn't of any help this time. I've seen soldiers get a little... 
Crazed when they get too emotional, and trust me, you'll need to think of some 
way to get his attention." The Major looks pained for a moment, "And I sincerely 
hope it doesn't have to involve fighting."

Rruka half smirks, "Getting attention is something I am good at.....I know what 
will work. Don't worry about me...you get your half completely and I will at 
least approach Anya and Moira myself about the plan. I would speak to Phanton 
but he has forbid me from doing other things."

Kastanje returns the smirk with a suddenly conspiratorial grin, "Good thought. 
Talk to those most likely to facilitate this plan. I shouldn't need to pull many 
strings to get us to Taboon - The military has been keeping a stronger presence 
out and about. Keep me informed about this, alright Rruka?"

Rruka grins a bit, "You are going to get me in a lot of trouble you know....but if 
it saves Ashton and brings him back, it will be worth it. I will not lose more 
friends. Two knights have died while associated with me...I will not let a third."

"That's why you're getting permission first, so I don't get you in trouble..." 
Kastanje pauses in the friendly banter and blinks. "Two knights?"

Rruka nods, "Tai and another knight you don't know.....at different times."

Kastanje nods slowly, "Alright, I won't ask for details. Good luck Rruka - talking 
to your master I mean. I'm going to head back to the Tower, see what I can do 
about arranging us transport. Keep in touch with me, alright?"


***End Log***