[Day 2 - EE] Back to Basics (open) [Library]

[Petrus Karath]

"Mmmm." Petrus said. "But maybe there are others out there who feel similarly." But he didn't press; no sense in giving himself away, after all.

He gave her a gentle smile. "Mind if I ask where home is?"

[Elaranu]

She looked up from where she'd been looking; Her forehead had stopped bleeding, though the spot still looked scuffed and raw, "I do, actually. I do not like talking about my past, because I am trying to leave it behind. Do you think that is wrong of me?"

[Petrus Karath]

The look Petrus gave her was almost sad. "It is not wrong to try. But I know how hard it is to succeed."

He gave her a slow nod. "If your past is something that needs to be left behind, I wish you the best. And I won't ask about it anymore, I promise."

[Elaranu]

That got a wan smile, "You are right; It is hard to succeed. It is also hard to tell if I am right for wanting to do so. I keep wanting to bring things back, yet forget them at the same time; Share my people and culture with the galaxy at large, yet blend in and be just another face amongst the masses of the Imperium."

She stood up straight again, tucking the tissue into a pocket, "Still, I seem to have underestimated what I am getting my self into, whatever way I look at it."

[Petrus Karath]

Petrus smiled. "Life's full of contradictions. Resolving them is possible, but requires a clear mind, and careful thought." He tilted his head regarding her. "I just met you, so I don't know about clear mind, but it sounds like you've got the careful thought part down, anyway."

He scratched his head. "Uh, what are you getting yourself into? Living here? Sorry, I don't quite follow."

[Elaranu]

She waved a hand with her palm down, "All of this; Leaving Ascendency space, that is. I came to seek adventure and stufy starship designs. But the galaxy is a much more complex place than I bargained for. Let us just say the Imperials that come to our planets present a very orderly, unified face. I... think that is why the Ascendency work with them when they refused the advances of the Republic's envoys."

[Petrus Karath]

"Hmmm." Petrus crossed his arms over his chest. "Order's very important to you, huh?"

He chewed on his lip a moment. "How about balance?"

[Elaranu]

"I... am unsure. You must understand that where I come from, things are very different. All this business with factions and criminal organizations and light and dark sides... They do not exist. At least, they were nothing that was part of our lives. So I find myself unsure what really is important anymore."

[Petrus Karath]

"You know, I actually sorta get that." Petrus said. After all, he grew up in a Jedi temple.

After a moment, he shrugged. "Well, things out here can be pretty simple, too. Soldiers of the Empire just attacked part of the city, and did their best to kill the cultural group living in it. That's pretty important to me."

[Elaranu]

Pausing thoughtfully, she nodded, "Of course. If this question is too personal or painful, you do not need to answer, but... Do you know why they did that?"

[Petrus Karath]

Petrus paused for a few moments, then sighed. "I don't. Not exactly, anyway. They might have a few reasons. But I think that what it comes down to is that they wanted to kill people and spread fear." He shrugged. "Whatever else, I think it comes down to that."

[Elaranu]

"Intimidation tactics... I see."

Ela mulled that over for a bit before reaching up to check her forehead; It wasn't bleeding anymore certainly, just a bit of redness marking the scrape.

"Well, I did not find what I came here to find. But I found something else entirely. You have certainly given me much to think about. ...I wish I could show you Chiss space, away from all this."

She looked up at the ceiling, a small sigh escaping her lips.

[Petrus Karath]

"Yeah?" Petrus smiled. He crossed his arms over his chest, but relaxed, without tension. "You wanna tell me a little about it? That's not the same as your past, that's just how someplace is." From a certain point of view, anyway.

[Elaranu]

A small smile, "That is true. Honestly... I suppose it is not for everyone. Very regimented, but very mobile. People are assigned life-duties based on their aptitudes. Sky-walkers are taken to the fleet, strong young men are conscripted to serve in the Expansionary Defense Force, those with good grades at the academies are assigned jobs in companies... Outsiders and layabouts and dissidents are not tolerated, but it is because everyone works for the good of the Ascendency, not because terror or violence. All of the worlds I have been to in the Ascendency are peaceful and clean and orderly... so different than how this Empire seems to have things."

She reminisced thoughtfully; Ela knew there was a bit of nostalgia in there.

"Still, like I said, it is not for everyone. After all, I myself left to seek inspiration and accomplishment beyond what I would have been assigned back home."

[Petrus Karath]

"Huh. I can see how some people would like that." Petrus nodded. He was silent for a few moments, considering Ela's story.

"I spend a lot of time in a place kinda like that." He said. "It's... I don't know. Comfortable. There's a lot that you don't have to think about, because it just is. And sometimes, that's not so bad, because you can think about other things instead."

With a sigh, Petrus' crossed arms tightened. "But... maybe if... people had been thinking more certain things, it wouldn't have gotten so bad here. Maybe the Empire wouldn't be how it is." He sighed. "I don't know."

[Elaranu]

That got another nod, "Perhaps it is inevitable when so many peoples from so many places get together. Needing to think hard about certain things, that is. After all, the larger the ship, the more complex certain systems need to be. I suppose the trick is finding out which systems need fixing and which ones are fine, and how to fix the ones that are broken correctly so you do not start the whole thing on fire."

There seemed to be a flash of inspiration and Ela put a finger up to her chin, "Like... some sort of political engineer profession. Hmmm..."

[Petrus Karath]

That got a curious raised eyebrow from Petrus. "Seems like there's a lot to fix. I mean, look at what just happened. Where would you even start, and how?"

[Elaranu]

"See, this is why I stick to fixing spaceships, no? I know where to start and when to stop. Usually. I do not envy politicians and figuring these things out."

[Petrus Karath]

Petrus' lips quirked. "Maybe. I don't know that you need to be a politician. Maybe you just need to find a different way."

He shrugged. "But yeah, I don't mean to push or anything. It's just something to think about."

[Elaranu]

"And think about it I will, yes. You will take care of yourself? You have been through a lot, should take extra special care."

[Petrus Karath]

Petrus rubbed a hand over his face. Maybe he was being a little too open, if this person he just met could see... something about what he'd been through. Still... "Thanks." Petrus said, managing a smile. "I'll try."

He brushed his hand back through his hair. "That goes for you too, huh? I hope you find what you're looking for."

[Elaranu]

A head tilt, "Over all, or what I was looking for in the library here. Because I came in looking for a language studies text... I do not think I will to be careful about that. I hope."