[Day 8 - EE] 12 Angry Tribes

[Neela Takee]

"I have never considered myself morally superior," she said calmly.

"I am a Jedi, defending others and service to others is what defines us, if that is what you feel is just then that is agreeable."

[Qareme Torth]

Qareme looked towards Master Hin to see how he felt about it, before looking back to Sinnya. Letting Neela and the elders answer if that was acceptable.

[Oraka Hin]

Oraka seems calm and pleased at the direction of the proceedings, as if this was expected.

[Ru'ni Wayne]

The trial was a places of heated emotions on the side of his people, and calm reflection from the Jedi, for the most part; as Ru'ni suspected. But as the one most personally invested in this, except for possibly Neels, he stepped forward again. Laying the large sack in the middle of the gathering he rested one foot upon it as he spoke.

"I must confess to my own wrongdoing in this as well." He intoned solemnly. "I was captured by our enemy, then offered the freedom of our people if I would lure this woman to the Enclave, so that both our people and theirs could have revenge for her betrayal. At the time it seemed an offer to tempting to refuse, my blood burned hot, and my fear for the people was great."

"When she-who-was Sister Tirali betrayed us, she faced Aznuri justice, for we were the wronged party. I have wronged this woman, and her friends just as she has wronged us and ours." Ru'ni looks to the heavens as the rain washes across his face, hiding the tears that start to flow.

"My betrayal was less bloody, thank the spirits, but no more forgivable." Giving the sack a shove he reveals the recently deceased form of General Hrugos. "But my bloodthirst has been sated, and I don't know if they're truly at peace, but the spirits of our people haunt me no longer with the righteous death of this one, one of the commanders of the Imperial forces that attacked our Enclave. The Brute of Rygor."

"This one called Neela had the opportunity to flee our judgment, but did not. She had the opportunity to fight for her freedom, but did not. She instead chose to fight against those who we all would call a common enemy. She has proven herself willing to change, and a living ally will serve our people more than another corpse."

Ru'ni walks over to Neela and attempts to clasp her hands in his, pressing his forehead to their joined hands if she will let him. "I am sorry, I was wrong."

[Neela Takee]

Neela followed the ritual and said with a tear forming, "I did what I should always done instead I committed horror."

"I am not worthy of these words but if the Aznuri will have me then I will serve their interests as a Jedi is allowed, and learn to be better."

[Xanna Teevou]

Xanna had held her tongue, content to leave the debate to her fellow Knight. Qareme had much to do with Neela's redemption and it was only fitting that she be the one to make her case.

The twists and turns were numerous. She could not help but feel empathy for all concerned. It seemed the force was guiding events toward justice rather than vengeance. Ru'ni's words rang true and she wondered if the elders would agree with the course that seemed to have been set.

[Qareme Torth]

There was a nod from Qareme as Ru'ni had approached and said his piece. Now it was up to the elders.

[Dapper Dog]

Mother Yugab gave a ululation and guided her swoopwing forward. She said sternly, “The Jedi have spoke, the Exiles have spoken and we see a path forward that will give our people healing and closure. I cast shame on the murderer, I cast shame on the traitor, and I pray that the river carries the souls to the Calm.”

“We have one enemy, it is this Empire, worse than sky-devils… I am Mother Yugba of the Hbanu, and I have seen these laowai sacrifice much for our people. I say that justice has been served, and hold them to their new bonds and oaths.”

“What say you?” she asked.

The elders confer and then after some time they nod in agreement. Mother Yugba said, “It is so, the Jedi Neela will live as the people, she will learn. Brother Ru’ni, you are a traitor but one who acted for the people, you are to carry that burden and as such you must be her teacher, consider that your punishment.”

“Do this and the shadows over your soul will be forgiven, Brother.”

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"I abide by the decision of the Elders, I will serve as my people need." Ru'ni kneels and presses his head to the damp forest floor, renewing his dedication to the Sky Tree Sea and its people.

[Sacha Ordo]

Sacha frowned under her helmet, her arms crossed. She nodded as she listened. It would do.

[Sinnya]

"Wise as usual, grandmother." Sinnya's lekku were limp with relief, and she suddenly felt exhausted--but also as if she could finally draw a full breath at last, for the first time in a while.

Taking the few steps over toward Ru'ni felt like walking through syrup. She dropped down beside him and touched his arm. "Are you really okay?"

[Ru'ni Wayne]

Looking up at the familiar voice Ru'ni smiles through the streaked paint.

"I am still of the people, I am not cast from the ranks. This is all I could have hoped for and more than I deserve."

[Sinnya]

"You were trying do do what was right. It's not that easy to figure out." Sinnya gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "Everything was out of balance. I felt it too."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"I guess you're right, figuring right from wrong is harder than the simple life I've led here. It seems I'll have some help in figuring out how to walk that path though."

He lifts himself up from the ground and smiles. "I need to learn that way, for myself, my love and our future."

"And our child." He adds in a whisper for Sinnya alone.

[Sinnya]

Sinnya's violet eyes widened hugely. "What? Really? What?" She bounced on her toes and, on impulse, flung her arms around Ru'ni. "Oh! Congratulations! Don't do any more crazy stuff, okay?" Now I'm really glad I didn't have to shoot you today...

The unexpected news, combined with Sinnya's relief that none of her worst anxieties about the Neela situation had come to pass, made her feel more than a bit untethered herself. "And by the time the little one is big enough to make trouble, you'll already have lots of practice keeping your temper..." she whispered giddily, with a glance at the former inquisitor.

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"That was an option?" He asked, a little shocked after Astin had told him where his loyalties would've fallen. But he quickly dismisses the thought that way lied the darkness he was trying to avoid.

"Then maybe Aunt Sinn-Sinn's isn't the safest place for a toddler to play, what with all this talk of shooting people." Ru'ni jokes as he returns the hug.

"It's only early yet, we're not a hundred percent sure, but it seems like it."

[Sinnya]

"Aunt Sinn-Sinn's place... I guess I'd need to have a place, for that." She giggled. "I am so glad for both of you. Something new... it doesn't balance all the loss, but it's--something, something bright and good."