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Library [24.09]

Karal was quietly thoughtful as he and Altra opened the library.

It continued throughout the day, and he eschewed studying in favour of quiet meditation. Altra was alert, however, and would rouse Karal should anyone need him.

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Jaina sighed, deciding to suck it up and say it. It was enough that she was going to have to tell Anakin, might as well put it out there. "My twin was there."

Karal sat forward a little. Sunlord, could you give her a chance to rest? Please? "I'm sorry, Jaina."

"Alternate universe," she said, like this wasn't a big deal. "I just wish I could have done something for him."

"You tried," he said, because he had no doubt she would have. "I'm sure of it. But that place, Jaina." He shook his head. "I'm not sure there was anything anyone could have done."

"I didn't get the chance. I ended up in the clinic," Jaina pointed out. "But I refuse to believe everyone was irredeemable. Or that everyone even needed to be."

"That sounds remarkably like my line," he said quietly. "And I agree. But I think that of those who were there, some were irredeemable, and others, others saw nothing for which they needed to be redeemed." He rubbed his temple. "It's the last that's the hardest to accept, that they refuse to see there is anything wrong with what they do, or worse, they revel in it. I'm not saying Jacen was like that!" he added quickly. "But I believe many were."

"Jacen set a trap for me. I'm sure you're right there," she said calmly. "I know it can't be the case for everyone, but writing them all off isn't exactly right. It's just much harder to see things in strict black and white anymore."

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Wouldn't it be simpler if we could?" he said, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "But no one can be redeemed who doesn't want it. You can't force it onto someone. I believe anyone who wants to can be redeemed. I believe there are some who will never want that, no matter what happens. I believe that, with our islands joined, there was a chance for anyone who wanted to to find another way. They could have sought asylum with us. Granted, there wasn't much time, but there was still a chance."

"They also might not have known any better," Jaina said. "For whatever reason, they thought of us as the enemies. Getting over that sort of thing takes time. Redemption on top of that takes longer. There really wasn't a chance with the way things had to go."

He'd been trying very hard not to think about that. "No," he agreed, slumping back in his chair. "There wasn't."

"I'm hoping it's something they can figure out on their own," she admitted. "At least some of them." And she hoped that Jacen's Jaina was still alive to knock some sense into him.

"And if they do, they might be able to find their way here," he said quietly. "They know we exist now, so they know there is place that might offer them sanctuary."

"We'll see," Jaina said. "I've been trying not to think too hard about it, really." Because otherwise she had to deal with the idea that this Jacen was going to have to be killed and that wasn't something she thought she could ever handle.

"This is a poor distraction," he said, apologetically. "And not at all what you came looking for."

"I haven't stormed off," she pointed out. "I'm not exactly telling everyone about it, either. Ben's still got his Jacen to deal with. It wouldn't be fair to him for my thing to be common knowledge."

"True," he replied. "And you know I won't say anything to anyone." He paused, then asked, "Is Ben all right? I met him shortly after he arrived, but I've not see him since."

"He seems all right. I think this place is a little weird for him, but he's handling it really well. Apparently he's another gym-dweller, so I should be seeing a lot of him."

"Perhaps I'll see him there as well," he said,making a mental note to check on Ben as soon as he had the chance. "Can I get you some tea, Jaina? I could use a cup myself."

"No, it's okay," she said. "I should actually be going. We'll figure out the training thing when it gets closer."

He nodded in understanding. "I'd like that," he said, "and Jaina? It was good to see you."

"You too," she said as she stood, and actually meant it even with that subject matter. "I'll see you later."

"Until then," he said, lifting a hand in farewell.

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Library [24.09]

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