STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Trials

Xavier walks forward hands behind his back calmly standing next to Friste looking out the viewpoint.

"If I am so predictable why the need to ask me what I am doing," Xavier says with no emotion. "And as much as you like to say you've changed you haven't. You still possess the same flaws now that you did then. Cause time doesn't change people I've found. No they lie to themselves pretending that time can change whoever they are, take away the bad things. That is false, the only thing Time does is reveal what was already there."

As Xavier says this he thinks back to his out burst on the other pirate ship.

"Hence why you are predictable," Friste says. "If time does not change a person for the better, then we are prime examples of how it instead cultivates our lesser qualities, encouraging them to come to the fore.

"I have always possessed a certain arrogance on my character, a prevalent knowledge that I was simply better than all of my peers, even some of my mentors. I tried to suppress it during my Jedi training, but to what effect? It held me back. As did the fear that is instilled in every Jedi. The fear of the Dark Side. How can you become truly masterful of the Force if you do not harness that which gives you greater power?"

Friste steps away from the window, arms folded in front of him, wandering towards his desk.

"So time has done me favors. All my hubris and all my fear has been unlocked, now. They are weapons at my disposal, just as my lightsaber and my pistol are."

He turns, looking for your expression.

"But I am being selfish. I am not the only Jedi full of arrogance. There are two sides to a rivalry, Xavier."

Xavier's face is expressionless, as he listens to Tem's words.

Xavier responds to last comment, "That is true Friste the very definition of rivalry entails that there must be another side."

Xavier then falls silent once more allowing Friste to dictate the conversation a little more.

"So you agree with me that you too are an arrogant bastard?"

"I think we could not be more different me and you, Friste Tem. I will not lie I find myself better than most of my peers, but where you see your perfection I see my imperfections. I have always governed my world by logic. There is no greater logical quest then to seek out those imperfections and try and make perfect those flaws.

I look at you and I find the same flaws that haunted you. I observe Master Yoda and I observe Master Windu and I know that path of enlightenment for me lies as a Jedi of the Order.

You allow your arrogance to blind yourself cause that os all the Dark Side has done, cover them up. I embrace mine and try to better them. Perhaps that is always why we crossed paths."

"I believe we crossed paths for a different reason."

Friste allows his mouth to slip into a slight grin for a moment.

"For you see, Xavier, try as you might to repair what you find broken in yourself, you will fail. Still do I see those imperfections within you, waiting for you to realize that the true path to perfection does not lie within the subdual of negative emotions... but the release of them.

"We're not so different as you think, you and I. But you are still blinded by the light of the Jedi Order. Your future with them is a pointless existence, aiding in the further corruption and decay of the Republic.

"Why not take a page out of my book?"

Xavier stands and listens to Friste's words. He may not agree with what is being spoken, as being of logic though he must everything to it's final conclusion.

"And which page is that Friste, becoming the personal lap dog of some Pirate?" Once again Xavier could care less about their personal relationship. He did this mostly to invoke responses and perhaps get some more of his own questions answered.

"It only begins there. I thought you would be bright enough to see that."

"I've had my assumptions but I've wantedto be sure about them. After all I know you as well as you know me. You never did much like taking orders from anyone."

"My Master was a old fool, thinking he could help the Republic end the corruption. Hah! Your Master has more wit than that."

"Your Master was so willing to give himself to the Republic he got shot, not kind of life you wanted did you."

"Master Cabas has a lot of wit yes, but you are fool if you think he does not wish the same as your Master once did."

"Tell me 'Frost' what exactly is going on here. I know you would rather die then be someone's lap dog for the rest of your life. What is your relationship with the Pirate Lord?"

"I am no lapdog," Friste says, coldly, "but that is not what you are here to discuss with me, Xavier. I have dropped my hints, but you have failed to pick them up. I don't think I could put it much plainer."

"I've picked up on it, and I felt you would already know the answer. Very well though let us discuss your offer."

"Join me, Xavier. Become a pupil in the ways of the Dark Side, with me as your mentor. I have far surpassed Master Cabas, whether I get the opportunity to prove it or not. You could learn much from my experience with the Force, such experiences that you have neglected in pursuit of specialization with your lightsaber..."

Xavier ponders Tem's words carefully thinking for the the most reasonable response.

"You would take me as your student, I've been your rival for a long time. We fought each other to a bloody mess before more than once. Why then are you asking me this now?"

"What good is a rival that is no match for myself?" Friste taunts you. "Besides, destruction and chaos are more easily caused by two powerful beings than one."

He does not say it, but you suspect he would find some sick pleasure in being your Master, ranked above you as the superior in the relationship.

"When we fought on that planet I didn't see you out matching myself, but I know you Friste. I have an inclination that this is more of your chance to finally prove yourself my better by my submission to you."

"Hmph. Then perhaps you will require the other method that can push you down that dark path and away from the Light."

"What is that?" Xavier asks without any worry in his voice.

"I will break your spirit into a thousand pieces," Friste announces, "and your body will contort with pain beyond anything you've known. And just as I bring you to the point where you can no longer tell the difference between life and death, you will know the embrace of the Dark Side. Driven by your rage and pain and fear, death will not take you and the ultimate power of the Force will be yours to learn."