Ossus, Jedi Temple

Vestara sat silently in a small confined room, set up as an interrogation room, Ben had convinced the Jedi that a detention cell wasn't necessary, but they still placed her in a set of stun-cuffs nonetheless. Not that she could blame them.
Her and Ben arrived together and met with Luke immediately upon arrival. Luke was his regular cordial self, but Ben's cousin, Jaina, was less so.
Her and her mother weren't completely convinced that Vestara's assassination attempt on Allana was a ruse, and even if they were, Vestara DID expose Allana as being the prophecised 'Force Queen' that the Sith sought. So their contempt and disquiet regarding her wasn't out of line.
Vestara conveyed her desire to try once again to become a Jedi, and while Luke was willing, his sister and niece were still quite weary of her.
But because of Luke's partial retirement from Jedi matters, the decision of whether she could return wasn't his to make, it now lay with the acting Grand Master Saba Sebatyne.
At Master Sebatyne's order Vestara was escorted to the Council chamber within the temple, where all 12 members were gathered to appraise her.
As Skywalker had made the unilateral decision to bring Vestara into the order before, with fellow council members simply complying with his choice, and Vestara's less than stellar subsequent conduct, the acting Grand Master felt that the matter should fall in the hands of the council as a whole.

Vestara stood in the center of the room glancing at the surrounding seats, taking in each Jedi Master. From the far left was a woman adorned in ornate yellow sleeveless robes, wearing multiple beaded necklaces, but her most distinct features were her slightly pale skin, her silvery white hair, and pearly white eyes with barely distinguishable pupils even though she didn't seem to be elderly, nor blind.
Vestara would come to know her as Tionne Solusar, seated next to her was her husband, Kam Solusar. Kan had stern face that gave off a war torn expression. He kept his hair in a simple flat top buzz cut, he wore standard robes, but they did little to hide the muscular frame of a man who was no stranger to combat. After him was another who gave off an air of one who had seen many battles, Kyle Katarn. Katarn too wore standard Jedi robes, his hair was short and brown, but showing streaks of grey along the sides, with a goatee that was also going grey down the middle, and while he held a stern gaze like Kam, his face held a touch if inquisitiveness.
Next was Octa Ramis, a woman who, while not quite looking middle aged, wasn't quite in her prime anymore. She had dark mid-length bob cut hair, and a little beauty mark under her left eye, Vestara also noticed she kept her hood up, but still had a visibly welcoming expression.
After her was Kyp Durron, a man with an almost haunted face, with dark clothes and a robe that resembled a duster coat, what stood out the most was his almost indifferent expression, not that he was dismissive, but that he'd already made up his mind about her, a fact she wasn't sure what to make of.
In the two center seats was the acting and official Grand Masters, Saba and Luke.
Vestara had little interaction with Barabels in general, but they always looked particularly menacing. Saba herself seemed calm, and something resembling patience could be gleamed behind her eyes, but she still had a ferocious air about her, as if to suggest that while she was calm, she was not one whom you wanted to get on the bad side of.
Past Saba and Luke was Leia and her daughter Jaina, and to Jaina's left was Cilghal, a female Mon Calamari with brown skin bearing a pattern of darker brown rings. Next was Barratk'l, a master of a race Vestara was unfamiliar with, the Yuzzem. The large almost canide figure seemed to be around 8 ft tall, with a small pale streak of fur on her throat from an injury that led to her vocal cords being thinned, ironically making her normally guttural voice easier to understand.
And finally Corran Horn, a fair skinned man, seeming to be Luke's approximate age, he had mid length greying brown hair tied into a topknot, a goatee, and was adorned in green robes.

Having gazed around and seen the full gathering of people that would decide her fate, Vestara's attention turned back to Sebatyne. The Grand Masters piercing eyes focused on Vestara herself.
"This one has heard of your deedsss, some terrible, some not, and some, we are told, are not what they seem. A lesson one learnsss studying the force, is that not all is as it seems. The truth is often hidden. Inconsistency and uncertainty go hand in hand, making the pursuit, the hunt, of ones ideals more treacherous" Saba left a toothy grin creep through her stoicism. "And interesting." Her grin recedes as she straightens her posture. "Words can be empty, actions can be deceiving, but through the force, ones very being, ones soul, if you will, is laid bare. To thisss end, we would have you open yourself to all present, as I understand you once did for Master Skywalker. We are not onesss to turn away one who genuenlly wishes to join our order, and follow the path of the Light ssside if the Force. But, your actions have left your sssincerity in question."
Saba went silent, giving Vestara a moment to deliver a rebuttal, Vestara however accepts their decision and simply sits down assuming a meditative position. As she had done a year or so prior with Luke, Vestara bore herself completely within the Force, leaving her, for want of a better term, exposed and vulnerable. What she chose to show was her thoughts and feelings rather than the actions themselves, although they too could be perceived to some degree.
Vestara thought back to her youth, to when her father Gavar took her to a festival where she won an Uvak she named Tikk. She remembered the purity and innocence of that moment, she may have been a part of a Tribe of Sith, but that day, she was just a little girl spending time with her father.
She remembered looking up to the masters of her tribe, wanting to be like them, wanting to surpass them, wanting to be more. She remembered how this desire drew Ship to her, and how special she felt that a Sith meditation sphere has chosen her to speak to, how important she felt. The current irony was palpable.
She thought back to when she and her father first met the Skywalkers, and the disdain she felt for them. They were Jedi, she was Sith. Regardless, she felt mutual confusion and comfort in their behavior towards her, while they weren't completely warm and welcoming, they weren't full of disdain as she was. Though theirs was an alliance of convenience, she didn't feel unsafe with them.
Her mind trialed to Abeloth, and the absolute terror she instilled in Vestara. A creature Vestara, for all she knew, could only describe as a monster.
She remembered how her heart broke when her father told her that her Mother, Lahka, was dead, and that she and her mother were replaceable , she recalled the pins and needles she felt in her chest as he rose his blade to her, and the emptiness she felt when she struck him down.
She remembered the warmth of Luke welcoming the young girl, who now had no family left, and the passion of her and Ben admitting what the growing attraction between them was becoming. She didn't want to think of her and Ben's kiss as she felt it embarrassing, but her mind trailed there nonetheless, as it was a memory that gave her comfort.
She recalled how she did as she was now before Master Skywalker, and how he saw she had welcomed the light within herself. And for a moment, for a time, she knew joy.
This joy didn't last, as the day of Ben, Vestara, and Natua's were led into a trap, and she left Natua to die to save the man she loved. Great shame and self-hatred ebbed through her as this memory passed, and she gave into despair to the notion that she could never have the life she wanted due to her Sith roots, and since that day, all the joy and warmth, all the peace she felt, crumbled away. To her, it was fates cruel jest, to show her that which she wanted, but deny her.
This only worsened the day she was cornered by the Sith during their invasion or Coruscant, and in fear for her life Vestara revealed Allana as the prophecized Force Queen the Sith sought to destroy.
Although Vestara tried to avoid harming Allana the event nearly led to her grandfather Han Solo's death, and exposed her to the Sith. So while her actions were born of fear and not explicit treachery, the damage was done. And all Vestara felt was self-loathing as she onlt seemed to prove her own fears.
Her mind wandered to her and Ben being drug across the galaxy inside Ship by Abeloth for 3 days with neither food, water, nor adequate rest. Though both would rather give their lives than join in her machinations, they both so desperately wanted to live.
She recalled the absolute terror of Abeloth pouncing onto her at the font of power and trying to consume her, as she had done so many others. A strange sense of completion felt as she and Ben fought the beast, with the knowledge that somebody was coming to save them, only for that comfort, and near hope to diminish as Jaina came, not interested in words or explanations, not that Vestara's actions left her any alternative.
The final numbing emptiness as she defended herself from Jaina, realizing that in doing so, whatever life she might have had was gone. Jaina was family to the few people that cared about her, she thought, if it came down to one or the other, they would choose Jaina. With Ships words echoing hin her mind, declaring her Sith Lady, Vestara felt it time to simply accept her fate, no matter how much she loathed it.
She remembered helping the Qrepths as a mercenary, she held them no love, nor any affection for any of her employers, but, she needed to get by and she was alone.
She recalled how her work with the Qrepths brought her back into conflict with the Skywalkers, and all the emotions that resurfaced.
When Vestara and Mirta left the Qrepth's behind Vestara's mind was now tumultuous, she hated how things ended then, she hated how they ended before. Once again fate seemed to rub in her face that she couldn't have what she wanted.
When Mirta left her by herself to recover, she had nothing to distract herself with. No Sith, no mercenary work. Just her, in a small room, alone with her thoughts. Precisely where she didn't want to be.
She recalled the curious dream she had of herself at a Jedi temple, before her mind inadvertently wandered to the dream of her and Ben's tryst.
Vestara realizing what she had just thought about, and the fact that the entire Jedi council might have seen it, quickly closed her mind off, pulled her hood over her face and slightly lowered her head in embarrassment.
A few scattered chuckles could be heard before Master Katarn spoke up. "I think we can strike that last part from the record. Continue miss."
Vestara stood still for a moment longer, before resuming. Throughout her colorful misadventures with Mirta she constantly felt out of place. Mandalorians were private about their personal affairs and never let anyone forget it. So when Vestara was drug along to repay her financial debt to Mirta she knew she was never welcome. Vestara tried hard not to think of Mirta as a friend, even if she truly had become so, as she feared she would inevitably find herself on opposite sides of her. Mirta was not shy about her disdain of Sith in general, but she owed Vestara for revealing the Qrepth's conning her, so she overlooked that one detail, provided it never caused them problems. Which it unfortunately did when Ship tried to kill them.
Although, Vestara managed to destroy Ship, with Ben's help, she knew whatever good standing she had with Mirta was fractured, her past, again, rearing its ugly head.
And with it, a familiar sense of self-loathing.
On Mandalore, while in the company of Tallisibeth, for the first time she felt almost at ease, even in those chaotic settings. Tallisibeth had been kind to her, they spoke often, and while she was hardly a teacher towards Vestara, she helped her learn much about herself. Her peculiar dream of Anakin, Padme, Luke and Leia's lives, as well as Tallisibeths own account of these events helped shatter many negative perceptions of herself.
Several among the council were surprised of the glimpses they saw of her dream, with some staring back at Luke and Leia.
Vestara herself thought on how she allowed herself to care about others again on Mandalore, how she was willing to threaten Sintas Vel of the safety of Tallisibeths family, how she bloodied herself fighting Rohlan Orar over a conflict that wasn't her own, and how happy she was when she saw Mirta finally able to come home.
Though she continued to refuse any gratuity she was offered for her part in those events she could say she was pleased with the results.
as her mind drifted back towards her and Ben's recent meeting she closed herself off again, it was a personal moment, and while many of the sentiments Ben spoke of were likely known to others, it didn't feel right to share that memory.

When she was done cycling through the thoughts and memories that had been on the surface of her mond lately. Believing she had shown enough she looked up to meet Master Sabatynes gaze. Saba's expression was calm yet focused, almost like a predator waiting to pounce its prey.
"We shall deliberate."
A few moments later, a pair of Jedi came and escorted Vestara out of the chamber and back to the room she had been waiting in before, where she remained waiting to hear their decision.
After a prolonged period of time the door opened, revealing Luke, holding a small projector.
Silently placing it on the table she sat at he turned it on, showing a projection of the council chamber.
For a moment the Council members were silent, before Kyp Durron leaned forward. "Someone may as well say what everyone else is thinking. Yeah, she's a mess. But at some point or another all of us were. Fact of the matter is, if everyone here had a happy peaceful life, a lot of us probably wouldn't be here." He leaned back and turned his head to the Solusar's, Katarn, the Skywalkers. While he said nothing, he made his point clear.
Master Cilghal chimed in next. "She is wounded, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The question of whether she truly desires this life or simply seeks shelter from her hardships must be presented, as I doubt she knows the answer herself."
Barratk'l spoke up next, her growling voice momentarily catching Vestara off guard. "Then there is that matter of her loyalty. Is her desire to truly follow the Jedi way, or is it something much more personal she seeks?"
Horn chimed in next. "Her attachment to another seems to play into both her current, and previous desires to join the order. And she seems aware of this. The final blow that led her to forsake her life as a Sith was a personal tragedy. Who is to say another, should it ever happen, wouldn't push her right back? "
Master Ramis spoke up to this. "Pain is a part of life. In some form or another we face it. As Kyp has already said, none of us have had perfect lives. Some of us more so than others. Some lose their way, others don't. What helps, what can keep us grounded is solidarity. She is asking for help, is it not who we are to help?"
After some scattered nods Tionne spoke up next. "Certain scars never truly heal. She may be wounded, but as Octa and Kyp said, many of us have been. But are we all truly healed from these experiences, or do we still bleed? We have lost parents, siblings, lovers, children. Did any of those wounds truly heal, or did we learn to live in spite of them?"
Seemingly concurring with his wife Kam spoke next. "The point is, she has been willing to learn before, she was willing to learn how to settle her debt's. We won't know how she will turn out until we try."
Kyp spoke up again. "She came here of her own volition, and last I checked, she didn't have the blood of billions upon billions of lives on her hands. Unlike me. The way I see it, the people in this room have had to deal with much, MUCH worse than her."
Leia glanced over at Kyp. "Your success doesn't ensure hers. Or anyone's, for that matter. Everyone is different."
"But the fact that you can say I succeeded shows I wasn't too far gone. Can you say she truly crossed a line I didn't?"
Vestara didn't know what he was referring to, but had a little difficulty comprehending that a Jedi Council member could possibly have been worse than a born and raised Sith.
Her ponderance was interrupted when Katarn spoke up next. "It seems everyone is in agreement that she wants to be here, but given her own uncertainty and indecisiveness are uncertain as to why, and this is giving pause. And while these concerns are valid, Kyp's own personal recollection has a point as well. I personally am reminded of Mara." Vestara didn't know the Mara he spoke of, but recalled hearing the name before. She noticed at the sound of this name everyone seemed to get silent, and now focused completely on Katarn. "During this orders tenure, we have welcomed all manner into our midst. Many who simply sought to follow the path of the Jedi. Some who sought reconciliation. Some who sought penance. And along the way, several have strayed and fallen to darkness. But perhaps the on;y one I can think of that is most comparable to Vestara's own circumstance was Mara. Both were raised by Sith, and spent much of their lives following the darkside. Both came here after their respective lives were shattered, and both left. Both found a comfortable alternative. Mara found an interesting life working with Karrde and Vestara seems to have become something of an honored guest on Mandalore. But they both still chose to return." While Vestara couldn't see it, Katarns eyes glanced over at Luke. "And love played a part in both of their return." For a moment there was a pause before Katarn spoke again. "I am by no means saying they are the same person. I am by no means saying because one did it, the other can. But, I am saying, that we have seen that one in similar circumstances can succeed. Mara was raised on a belief system diametrically opposed to our own, she wasn't sure what she sought when she came here, but she found what she wanted, she found herself. Many of us owe her our lives, and I know many miss her being in this chamber with us."
Katarn gave everyone a moment, but before he could speak again, Saba spoke up. "A few good pointsss have been made. Several are not opposed, so much as convinced she is not ready. But, when is anybody? But in the end, I must concur with Master Katarn. Several have lost their way and never returned. So rare is it for one to seek absolution. Some here needed help, help they did not accept in the moment, but were thankful for later on. Young Kai asksss for help. This one has decided, she shall receive it. Do any object."
Several gave concerned looks, but as Saba had said they didn't seem opposed to the idea, so much as concerned she wasn't ready, or in the right state of mind. After a long period, everyone in the chamber gave Saba an accepting nod, and a moment later it hit Vestara, she had been accepted. A smile crept along her face, which didn't go unnoticed by Luke.
"I wanted you to see this, because I wanted there to be transparency. Their hesitation was not born of hate nor distrust, but concern. Even my sister and niece, whom you are not their favorite person, did not object. I wanted you to understand that they are all giving you a chance. Now." Luke gestured back to the recording before Vestara could respond as Saba began speaking again.
"Now there is the matter of who should train young Kai?"
Luke glanced over at Saba. "I take it there is some objection to me continuing to teach her?"
"Young Kai holdsss you in high regard. And you seem to be...accepting, of her bond with your son. This one feelsss she will prosper under another who she does not have an extended relationship with. Asss Mara did." Glancing over at Katarn. "This one thinks the young Kai should have a teacher who will pay close attention to her. Both out of duty and scrutiny. One who will see when she falters and thusss help her. One who will pay enough attention to she when she needsss help. But can put their personal emotionsss aside. This one feels perhapsss it is time Master Sol Fel, finally had an apprentice of her own."
Jaina shot Saba a confused expression, looking as if she intended to object, but was met with a stern, unyielding gaze. Vestara herself gave the projection of Saba a befuddled look, not seeing the Aunt of the child she endangered as a good idea for a teacher. But Jaina eventually composed herself and stared calmly at Saba. "Are you sure assigning someone wo hasn't taken a padowan such a task is wise."
"As I said, this one feels you will keep a close eye on your student. Should she prove treacherous, you will see. Should she prove loyal, you will see. As Blade of the Jedi, you have shown you can put your emotionsss aside. Even when you don't want to. This one thinksss this shall be a learning experience for the both of you. Do you object, Master Solo Fel?"
A long silence permeated as Jaina stared blankly at Saba for a while before finally answering. "No, I accept this task."
As Luke reached over and turned of the small projector, Vestara began to give him a concerned look as the door opened behind him, and her new Jedi Master, Jaina Solo Fel, entered, staring intently at her new Padowan.

A/N and finally I begin the sequel to Choices, Piercing the Darkness. I had intended to get to this years ago.