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_ "Against the cold backdrop of conflict, danger and darkness, it is comforting to know there are still sparks of light in the universe to draw warmth from." _

~ Jedi Master Dahl

It had been a week since the assassination attempt on Kajex and the battle between the Gold Rush pack and Bast's hand-picked enforcers. Though Syrra's sister, Alisya, had recovered and was at full health by the following morning (largely in part due to the Padawan's exceptional healing skills augmented by her Healing Crystal of Fire), the lead assassin had not left with the other 8. Part of the delay had much to do with Syrra wanting to catch up with her sibling in a way that demonstrated she was not angry with her; though more pressing was that she was just as interested to learn as much as she could about her blood-mother's Force sensitivity, and if any of her other siblings possessed it. Alisya's response was that she had no reason to believe that they were; but that she could also not discount the idea easily, either. This only made Syrra more concerned than comforted.

Hearing that her blood-mother had been Force-sensitive had been a shock to Syrra, one that still made her head buzz the more she thought about it. Bast had attempted to groom her, mold her to follow in her own footsteps as a politician of noble birth. No expense had been spared in trying to get her to follow that path, with thousands of credits spent towards political lessons that Syrra had largely ignored out of boredom; personal trainers to teach her proper etiquette and a better grasp in speaking, reading and writing Basic; as well as all manner of clothing and jewelry, all of which had been left behind when the Padawan had pursued her primary dream of becoming a Trianii Ranger, then completely abandoned when she sold most of her belongings, saved the credits, and begged her mother to study the ways of the Jedi. When Bast had granted her this request on the condition that she return to Ekibo once she was knighted, Syrra believed it had been out of political pragmatism- a way for the Trianii to connect with the New Republic.

Yet now Syrra felt alarm for how things had progressed for so long. The fact that Bast had been able to use the Force was in itself was one thing; but why she had not bothered to train Syrra in it, much less admit her abilities when it had been Syrra's deepest desire, had been confusing- until Alisya provided a possible explanation. She suggested that Bast had viewed her as too weak to endure the training Alisya had undergone, the older sister having started when she was 14 years of age. It made sense, as Syrra considered her to be the model of a Trianii woman, with a form and build that were standard for her kind, as tall as Kajex with a competing musculature- whereas Syrra remained the runt of the family. But when she had revealed that she'd been secretly training with her aunt Atuarre for nearly a decade, Bast's opinions had started to change; when Syrra had successfully joined the Trianii Rangers, the Matriarch started to take her seriously. Had Syrra stayed on Ekibo any longer, Bast would likely have started training her as well.

The thought terrified her- not least because now Syrra had to wonder about the true nature of her family. Iaora had told her once that her father had accepted Bast's hand in union out of political pragmatism; yet now Syrra shuddered at the possibility that her own father might have been controlled through the Force. With Alisya showing possible reception to words other than the Bast's, the Padawan feared that her blood-mother might well be powerful enough to hold mental sway over others, whether consciously or unconsciously. Master Skywalker had told them once that his sister, Leia Organa, was adamant against finding out who their mother was after learning their father had been a Sith Lord, and now Syrra had a pretty good idea why- the idea of one parent forcing another into a relationship was frightening.

The extent of Bast's ability to use Force, however, was unknown to them. Alisya could not provide a clear measure of how powerful Bast was, beyond stating that she was at least a capable duelist, was adept enough at telekinesis, and was capable of drawing slim amounts of knowledge from those around her. This alarmed both Syrra and Kajex, who were certain that this might be used against them or Alisya. So after having talked it over with both of them, Kajex had recommended an idea to ensure that Bast would be none the wiser as to the discussion that had taken place after the battle. Once again, the Sentinel and his twin had set towards educating others- only this time, they had one temporary student extra.

There was only one thing they needed before she was ready to leave.

The week had ended, and now the older Trianii sister was knelt in the middle of the training mat, her eyes glancing towards Kajex. Even after a week of training, it was apparent to the wolf that there was very limited amount of trust on her end, which only persisted due to Syrra's insistence. Though he had yet to say it aloud, he hoped that what was going to happen next would not demolish that trust. To his right was Locke, his arms crossed as he maintained a silent vigil near the cockpit hall; to his left, Keris, watching Master Moarn as he stood behind the knelt Trianii, a worried look on his face as his eyes fell on the younger Trianii in front of Alisya.

Syrra had insisted she monitor the final test, and had appealed directly to Master Moarn for him to administer it. Everyone, even Alisya, had agreed to Kajex's assessment that the situation was potentially dangerous. With no way to know how skilled Bast was in the ways of the Force, it would fall upon them to ensure that the discussion they had shared the night of the assassination attempt would remain as much a secret as possible. To that end, they had all staged an act for the rest of the injured assassins, stating they would spare their lives, replacing their limbs with cybernetics shortly before releasing them; but they'd also stated they would be interrogating their leader. And while they had not committed any cruelty to Alisya, they would need to shroud certain things the Trianii assassin had learned from Syrra and the rest of the pack.

"You are certain that this is what you wish me to do, Padawan?"

Syrra looked up and smiled. "It's alright, Master Moarn. We wouldn't be asking this from you if we didn't trust you." She paused, looking back at her sibling. "This is my sister- regardless of any quarrel we have, I wouldn't wish any harm on her. I trust you won't hurt her. I know you won't."

Alisya shuddered. "Will this be painful in any degree?"

Moarn sighed, looking hesitant. "Jedi are discouraged from causing any undue pain, and probing into the minds of others is only ever done if the need is great. I am well-trained in the practice, enough that I will not cause you any pain- but the invasiveness may be perceived as... uncomfortable."

"Then let us hope your... fiancee... has done his best to train me," Alisya remarked, peering at the Kanj'Isha through narrowed eyes. Despite the look of suspicion, Kajex managed to smile back.

"You did well enough during the mental exercises- you caught on as quickly as Syrra and my brother did. The trick here is to apply the process while looking as natural as possible. Just keep your breathing normal and your mind focused on the forged memories we developed, and you'll be fine."

"I confess I still don't understand how this will work," the Trianii muttered.

"Think of it as a conduit of energy, or a river- it'll flow in one direction naturally or artificially, but you can still alter the course of its flow, bypassing sections or even redirecting it wherever you need it to go," Kajex explained. "That's why we spent part of the week acting as if we were questioning you, so you can use that as a focusing point that the Matriarch will read, rather than what actually happened."

"You are asking me to betray my mother's trust by lying to her," she said coldly.

"We're asking you to help keep everyone safe," Kajex countered gently. "There's no way to hide the fact that Syrra and I are engaged anymore, but it'd be easier if we could just smooth things over with her. I can deal with her sending hunters in my direction for the rest of my life if I have to, but what if next time she doesn't send you? What if she sends someone adept at killing Jedi, like the Crimson Nova or a reactivated Jedi assassin droid? It could end up being someone who doesn't care if Syrra is hurt or not, if she happens to get in the way."

"Mother would never do that," she hissed, looking angered by the idea.

"You nearly lost control to the dark side and tried to kill me," Syrra responded softly, the words seeming to cow her older sister in shame as she looked away. "You came back, thank the Force, but by now you should be well-aware that I will fight by my mate's side, and die for him if necessary- regardless of what Bast wants. He would do the same for me. We need to let her know that- but I also want to keep you safe from her for having lost control."

Alisya said nothing for a few moments, her paws clenched in her lap as she seemed to mull over these words. Kajex used the pause to follow up. "Also bear in mind that Bast doesn't know about Rexxis and his pack, and I'd like for it to be kept that way. Your team attempted to rig my ship with explosives, and I'm sure you wouldn't have done that if you'd known there were innocent people onboard. I can't take the chance that the next person to put me in their crosshairs might not do the same- they very well might. By doing this, you might very well help in keeping the only active members of Locke's and my species safe. They shouldn't have to be in the line of fire just because Syrra and I fell in love."

"I suppose you'll also want to conceal my sister's attraction to the same sex as well," Alisya added dully.

Kajex nodded, smirking at his fiancee as she blushed furiously (though made no attempt to hide her shy smile). "The rest of your assassins might've heard Keris calling your sister her girlfriend, but any means of twisting it around so that it seems innocuous instead would definitely help. Hopefully you agree that what we staged earlier was a facet of how we'd really treat you, and that it might go some way towards smoothing things over with Bast. I'm hoping she can at least be a reasonable person- there doesn't need to be any bloodshed."

Alisya sighed and nodded. "On that, we agree. Very well, then. I will put my trust in your teachings. I'm not particularly comfortable with the deception, but I admit I see the wisdom in it." The Trianii paused, took a deep breath and let it out. "I am ready- you may begin when you'd like."

Master Moarn nodded. "Brace yourself, ma'am- this will feel unusual."

A day later, Alisya had prepared to leave the _Gold Rush_and Baarok Manor, promising to Syrra that she would convey what they'd agreed upon to Matriarch Bast. There had been a warmth between them that Kajex could feel, a kind of mutual understanding between the two sisters that had only gotten stronger as the older sibling studied alongside her younger sibling. A part of Kajex felt it would have been beneficial for Alisya to stay, to see if she would also be receptive to the same Jedi teachings Syrra had learned.

Yet in addition to the fact that Alisya's presence on Ekibo was necessary, if only to Bast, the trust between them was also not strong enough; though it was also fair to say that her opinion of Kajex had improved. When the time came for her to leave, she had offered her thanks to the Sentinel for his instruction, which had been more than enough to prevent Master Moarn from breaching her mental defenses. They had parted with a handshake, with the assassin looking him straight in the eye and issuing a warning- "safeguard my sister's life, and do not violate my trust to keep her protected; or my mother will be the least of your worries." The threat did nothing to elicit a sense of fear or animosity between them, however, given that the both of them had been smiling at the time- though the wolf was certain the warning was not idle, it was clear that she had, in some measure, come around to the idea of her younger sister being with him.

Perhaps more importantly, however, was when she had addressed Ra'Tasum when the time had come for them to leave. Sensing the conversation was meant to be private, Kajex had stepped back and allowed them to speak without him eavesdropping. The youngest male sibling of their family had seemed shaken in the beginning, but as the unheard discussion wore on he seemed to brighten at the older sister's words. It ended with the two embracing close, a warmth radiating between them that the Sentinel was fully aware of- one that both Syrra and Iaora shared in moments later. It was strange to Kajex, in a sad sort of way; this was the first time he'd seen Syrra acting as a member of a family, with more than one person at a time. He had wondered, at that moment, if there had ever been a moment in her life where the entirety of her family had shared in such a closeness.

Alisya could not stay, unfortunately- the union ceremony between Markus and Calya was to take place in 2 days, and everyone agreed that Alisya had been gone too long to merit her staying as a guest, particularly as she had not been invited. Though Miles had kept close tabs on everyone in the estate and had not picked up on any unannounced visitors, that was likely to change soon. So it was that Alisya left, minutes before a Corellian Corvette appeared upon the horizon and approached the manor swiftly. Twice as large as the Gold Rush, christened with the name _Ekibo's Light_in aurabesh lettering, it was still able to fit on the tremendous landing pad and settle a few dozen meters away from the XS stock light freighter. The ship brought a smile to Kajex's face- even on the other side of the galaxy, Corellian ships had found their way to the Wild Space Regions.

Aarn had noticed the grin, leaning in next to the Sentinel. "Like my newest purchases?"

"You can't go wrong with the CEC," the wolf replied with a barking laugh.

"Well, I figured my employees could use some vessels with a little more_teeth_," the physician reasoned, also laughing.

They were not the only ones waiting on the landing pad- both the Gold Rush and Black Tomb packs, as well as practically everyone not setting up within the manor (which had mostly been prepared the day before), had gathered to greet the visitors; mainly due to the fact that many of Aarn's retainers had family aboard the vessel. Delighted cries and shouting rang out as multiple hatches opened, the ship's crew climbing or walking out and rushing the estate's employees, catching them in embraces and chattering in the Trianii language. Yet Kajex's eyes tracked 4 figures in particular- a black-furred, green-eyed Trianii female; her aged, gray-furred father; a powerfully-built, tall female, her orange pelt marked with black stripes; and a muscular Besalisk, who had one of his 4 arms wrapped around the ebony-pelted Trianii.

It was at this point Kajex and Syrra stepped forward, rushing to meet the new visitors. Markus laughed loud as the Trianii Padawan took one of his free hands and allowed herself to be pulled into a hug. "Syrra, it's been a hell of a long time!" he chuckled, the Trianii purring happily as she embraced back.

"Only too true," she answered, drawing away from the Besalisk with a wide smile. "I'm sorry it's been so long, I've just been so busy studying to become a Jedi Knight." She gestured to Kajex. "You remember the captain, of course- the sly dog revealed that he was a Jedi too, a couple months ago."

Markus grinned and shook his paw. "Never got the chance to speak to you, but Calya told me about how you tried to give yourself up to save her and her kin- just for that, you're as good as family as far as I'm concerned."

"Glad to meet you too," Kajex replied.

"So, the Force was with you all along?" Jurah asked, smiling and shaking the Sentinel's paw as well.

"I had my reasons for hiding, but I made a recent decision to reveal myself," Kajex briefly explained. "I have to be honest with my fiancee, after all," he added, nuzzling Syrra.

"We were wondering what had become of your relationship," Olrah rumbled kindly. "So you two have decided to wed as well? You have our congratulations- that is a good union, especially if you have been teaching her the ways of the Jedi." She paused, her eyes staring over his shoulder. "Though it seems you are not the only one with surprises," she added warily, as Kajex turned and saw the former Sith Knight, Locke, standing behind him.

The chill of worry fell over Kajex in an instant. "This, ah..." He hesitated as he turned to begin introducing Locke and Keris, only to realize how awkward it might be. "There's no sense in hiding the fact that, yes- this _is_the former Sith Knight, Locke. You obviously remember him."

Jurah stepped forward, a look of kindness on his aged features. "I remember that he was our captor, yes. I remember that he lacked the cruelty of our former kidnappers, had treated us with respect. And I remember that he was willing to let me and my people go in exchange for seeking answers about himself."

Locke bowed low, as did Keris. "I offer you nothing less than my deepest apologies for your capture and your losses, in addition to offering any means of recompense to make up for what I had done. I can offer no excuse for my part in it, beyond being under the unfortunate control of Sith Inquisitors."

"He's my brother," Kajex said quickly. "A clone, like me, but he's the closest I have to kin. I saved him a few months back and he's been training as a Jedi ever since- he _is_a Jedi," he amended himself resolutely.

Jurah waved his paw dismissively, addressing Locke. "I have lived long enough to have witnessed the horrors of the CSA enslaving the Trianii, and I recall the faces of those who were forced to be slaves. When my eyes fell upon you, lad, I saw in your face that you were also a slave- a slave of the Sith, and of your personal failures. And although I may not be blessed with a connection to the Force like you and Kajex, anyone could see the light of hope in your eyes when they laid upon your sibling. Perhaps that was the beginning of your change- to make things right. So, while I appreciate your desire to earn our trust... it's not necessary." He held out his paw. "You have it. Thank you for what kindness you could offer, Jedi."

Locke took his paw and shook it, bowing again and looking grateful for his words. "Thank you for _your_kindness, sir."

As the introductions were made and the visitors and inhabitants of the estate began to roam around, Kajex could not help but notice how subdued Locke was. Grateful though he seemed to be, the bond between brothers clued Kajex in on the fact that he was more confused than anything. Nevertheless, there was no sense in broaching the topic while there were many people to meet and stories to tell, particularly as the crew of _Ekibo's Light_had announced an hour later that they had made plans to get Markus and Calya to a tavern, as well as anyone interested in joining, to engage in a proper Trianii bachelor celebration. As it was due to Syrra and Kajex that the soon-to-be-wed couple had been reunited, this was not an offer that neither the Padawan nor Knight could turn down (not that either of them were so inclined).

Kentoh, Rexxis and the Rah twins had agreed to come along, much to the pleasure of their Trianii hosts; Locke and Keris had also joined after Jurah insisted that he buy a pint for Locke; Iaora and Aarn stayed at the manor to oversee arrangements, with Master Moarn, Miles, Liam, Rook and Talrik aiding them, along with everyone else who had opted out. The trip to the establishment was not far enough to merit using either ship to travel there, though the snowy surroundings meant several speeders (normally used for transporting medical cargo) had to be used to make the journey comfortable. It was here Kajex and his packmates got to know some of the healers a bit better, particularly the few faces all of them recognized from the rescue at AS-303. Each of them spoke highly of Syrra and Kajex, and though many of them did recognize Locke, none of them treated him with anything less than genuine pleasantness- which Kajex could sense was still unsettling his albino twin.

So it was that barely two hours after the arrival of Ekibo's Light, Kajex found himself sitting opposite Locke in a dimly-light but warm and welcoming tavern on the outskirts of the farmlands, a mug of a strong but rich Trianii mead set in front of both of them. It was much like any tavern one Ekibo that Kajex had frequented, with male and female erotic dancers in the corners; several hookahs within the center; rustic card tables with droid dealers; and well-trained musicians that provided ambient sound befitting the lures of seduction and physical attraction. It was far from the seediest tavern Kajex had been in, and in fact was relatively well-kept and clean with marble flooring and architecture, suggesting it had been around since even before the Trianii were capable of space flight. Before long they were watching Markus engage in multiple arm-wrestling contests with 4 Trianii, defeating 3 males quickly but meeting stiff resistance with the equally strong Olrah. Yet as amusing as he found the friendly competition between the two, he still felt the twinge of confusion in his brother.

"What's got you bothered, Locke?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the scene.

The white wolf sighed. "I guess my attempts to shield my mind still need work," he remarked.

"It wouldn't stop me from getting a good idea of how you're feeling- and I wouldn't want to give up that connection for nearly anything in the universe," the Sentinel added seriously. "I love our bond together, and I know you do too. So if you need to talk..."

"I just find it difficult to believe how easily they accepted me," Locke said softly. "I was once their captor, someone who kept them imprisoned for the sole purpose of furthering the goals of the Inquisitorious, yet they still look at me without derision and treat me as someone who is to be treated like an equal. That goes for Aarn, Iaora and their staff- they've been nothing but kind to me. I understand you having a positive opinion of me, and Syrra as well- but to others...?"

"You're looking at the universe in terms of black and white, with people that'll look at you one way or the other- and I get why," the Sentinel said, finally turning his gaze to his sibling. "You had to rely on yourself for the first few years of your life, before spending most of it being trained by a scumbag Sith fuck that abused you for any shortcomings you claimed to have. The only source of comfort and admiration came from your student. Then you met me and Syrra, and Talrik, and you started getting treated with respect and compassion. You naturally assumed that it's because we're Jedi, and we're supposed to be that way." He paused, smiling and reaching over to hold Locke's paw.

"But that's not why. It's like I said, we _know_you're a decent person who has had to put up with a lot of darkness in your life. Interaction with people who treat you decently must be a new thing, as is interaction with people who are willing to forgive you for evils you never really committed. The world's made up of more than just abusive Sith and compassionate Jedi, Locke- non-sensitive people can accept you too."

Locke nodded, staring at his drink. "It's just this warmth... it's not something I expected, I suppose. I just want to know that it's genuine, and that I'm truly deserving of it."

"Are you sure that 'warmth' isn't just the mead?" Kajex asked with a chuckle. "But you're deserving of it, believe me- Keris wouldn't have accepted you when you asked to be her mate if you weren't." He reached out for his mug, his paw halfway there when a thought occurred to him, prompting him to look around in confusion. "Actually... while we're on the topic- where is she? And where's Syrra, for that matter?"

Locke scanned the crowd. "I'm not sure. I can sense they're nearby, though- perhaps they're just out of sight. They're fine though," the white wolf assured him. There was a pause, then a warm smile as he finally took his drink. "Thanks, Kajex."

"Anytime, bro," the Sentinel answered. "Now c'mon, we're here to celebrate a guy getting' hitched- what d'ya wanna toast to?"

Locke chuckled. "How about happy futures and Jedi victories?"

"I'll gladly drink to that," Kajex laughed as they tapped mugs together.

While Kajex would have said he was better-connected with the world than Locke had been, he could not honestly say he'd been able to attend a bachelor party; though he was certainly familiar with the concept of males getting together to have a wild evening. Yet based on what he knew of the culture, Kajex had fully expected the presence of females would not take away from the mood in any way- and he was not disappointed. If anything, their presence made the scene a bit wilder, with some couples beginning to get clingy and affectionate as the evening wore on. It wasn't long before Kajex was reminded of Aarn's willingness to hire homosexual employees, as a few had abandoned caution and kissed in full view of the tavern's visitors. While this did earn a few scornful glares from some of the establishment's more aged regulars, they said nothing- and Kajex was pleased to see that the tavern's owner, a copper-furred female with black hair, seemed to be smiling in approval.

"She and her family have owned this establishment for a long time," a voice informed him, breaking him out of his distraction as he turned to see Olrah seating herself next to him and Locke. The powerful Trianii female grinned, rubbing her upper arm. "Seeing same-sex couples being close is not new to her, nor does she find it offensive- she serves anyone as long as they have the credits, which is good, as I may need a bit of mead to work out this cramp Markus inflicted. That man is exceptionally strong, it was a good challenge."

Locke chuckled. "I can help with that, if you'd allow me," he offered, holding out his paw. With a look of slight hesitation, the Trianii nodded and leaned over, allowing him to press his paw against her thick bicep. Kajex watched, an imperceptible aura of energy flowing through the white wolf and into Olrah's arm, a look of relief on her features as she flexed her fingers. Locke arched an eyebrow, smiling. "I regret that I know so little about the Trianii, but I'm compelled to ask if many are as tall and physically robust as yourself- your form is both impressive and attractive, if I may say so."

Olrah blinked at the comment, but smiled back, a light blush on her cheeks. "Thank you, Jedi Locke. To answer your question, not all females meet my height and build, though perhaps a third of females do. I obtained this," she said, flexing her bicep, "from my time as a Trianii Ranger." She took a moment to stretch the limb out, eyebrows raised with interest. "I might've become more powerful had a Jedi like you been there to heal such muscle fatigue, however. You have my thanks for your healing touch."

"It was my pleasure," Locke assured her. "You were saying something about the tavern owner?"

She nodded, eyes flicking to the currently-busy female. "Her family was known in these parts for their entire lineage owning and running this tavern, long before extra-system invasions. In the time she has grown up here, she has seen much in the way of relationships between others. She is more... _progressive_than others."

"It's nice to see a little bit of that from Ekibo's population," Kajex replied. "My adoptive father, Kane, could've used a bit of that in his time."

"Yes, Aarn did mention to us your unfortunate encounter with his sister-in-law," Olrah rumbled in a low voice. "Do not let whatever she said get to you- our people are, in many ways, ignorant; and it takes time for that ignorance to be displaced. In time, others will acknowledge that we mean no harm, and in the meantime..." she trailed off for a moment, looking back at the tavern owner. At the same moment, the owner looked up directly at Olrah, a look of complete adoration for the taller female on her features as she waved at her. "... In the meantime, we will take solace from those who already understand," she finished, smiling warmly.

Kajex grinned, deciding remain silent on this observation. "I'll take that advice to heart, especially given how our species is." He gestured towards the center of the tavern, where the Rah twins were holding each other close, kissing deeply- the sight nearly made him chuckle, though he managed to stifle it. "It'll take a while before their kind of love gets accepted too, but at least they'll have others to support them."

"Your future mate said as much," Olrah said, smiling knowingly. "She informed me that teaching her the ways of the Force was not the only instruction she received from you- and that other, alternative 'lessons' were given by her closest friends."

"What else did she say?" Kajex asked with a chuckle, glancing to the side as he spotted Kentoh and Rexxis approaching them.

"That she was amazed at her personal discoveries concerning her sexuality, and that she mostly had you to 'blame' for it," she chuffed in amusement. "Though I'm certain by that, she meant to thank you- and will, actually," she added, checking her timepiece, "in few moments. Both of you, in fact."

Kajex blinked, glancing at Locke; his albino twin shared a similar expression of confusion. "Wait, thank me? How?"

If Olrah had any intention of answering the Sentinel at that moment, she didn't show it- as it was, any opportunity to do so was cut off as the already dim interior lighting lowered and cast the entire tavern into darkness. Kajex was well-aware that this lack of lighting was not detrimental to the Trianii in the slightest, the felinoid species being very well-adapted to night conditions; in that respect, the Kanj'Isha were similar. So when his eyes were drawn towards the only light source remaining in the tavern the stage, it was not difficult to make out the shapes beyond, causing him to suck in air sharply.

The music had stopped briefly and its players had repositioned themselves so that their sultry tunes were directed towards the central stage, where the lights had only brightened just as 3 figures walked across the main performance stage- though Kajex privately felt that it would be more accurate to say they weren't walking so much as sashaying. It was not difficult for him to recognize the silhouette of his and his brother's fiancees- the true shock came when they stepped under the gold-shaded lights, revealing Syrra, Keris and the soon-to-be-wed Calya, all three of whom were wearing nothing but colored sashes around their hips; fingerless arm-length gloves and thigh-length stockings of white lace; and excited, wild smiles on their muzzles.

A rumble coursed through the tavern as musicians deep, heavy drums put out a tense rhythm. Though the sight had brought the entire establishment into a brief silence, it could not have been more apparent from the looks on everyone's faces that this was out of respect and awe for the three bold women who were striding onto the front of the stage, nearly bare-bodied with seductive expressions. The moment their hips started to sway, their paws raised in the air as they seemed to clasp their paws together in a silent prayer, Kajex felt the air starting to leave his lungs as if he'd taken a blow to the solar plexus. He'd seen the motions before on a holovid, one on his own ship's servers. They moved with a grace inherent in the Trianii species, but with movements emphasizing the curves of their bare bodies, their paws sliding through their fur and drawing attention to their full breasts and pleasantly round backsides. The sight was erotic enough that it was easy to forget that one of the dancers possessed a cybernetic limb.

"... Kaj? Isn't she... doing that one erotic Trianii dance in your porn stash?" Kentoh murmured softly, his eyes wide as he stared at the three dancers.

The Sentinel swallowed, trying to let out an affirmative, only to find it difficult enough to say anything that he could only nod. While he had been momentarily stunned to the point of lacing coherent thoughts, a rush of emotions overwhelmed him as he realized he was watching his fiancee dancing- in front of at least 2 dozen other men. Jealousy and his anger that they were staring at Syrra's bare body were mixed with awe and pride at her boldness, in addition to the confusion and worry he felt as he tried to rationalize why she was doing this at all.

"Don't you remember how the dance ends?" she asked, her mind echoing in his at the precise moment that their eyes met.

Kajex nodded absently, but in truth he couldn't remember. He had seen the dance in its entirety at least a thousand times in the past before he'd met Syrra; yet now as he tried to recall it he found himself unable to recollect how the dance concluded. Every memory of the dance seemed to have displaced by his student- to him... she was the only Trianii in his life that mattered to him on such a deep level. He could only watch as she went through the motions, easily copied by Calya and even accurately mimicked by Keris, who Kajex nod noticed had winked at both him and Locke.

"... It appears that my student has been taking lessons from your_student," Locke muttered softly, a light red flush on his face as he watched. "She's danced for me before, and she's incredible at it, but... she's never danced like _this. I wasn't aware Syrra was capable at it, either."

"If that's the only thing that's shocking you right now, Locke," Rexxis intoned quietly with a small smile on his face, "then you aren't looking in the right places."

"Most eyes would be focused on their chests and loins," Kajex said abruptly, a surge of jealousy returning to him before he took in a deep breath and calmed himself.

"Indeed so," Olrah said, making Kajex jump- he'd forgotten she was there, staring at the two wolves with a grin. "But I believe your kin is referring to the ornaments in your Amaran friend's hair."

Kajex blinked, turning back to look at Keris more closely. As she spun in tandem with the two Trianii, he could see the glint of beads sparkling in the lighting. The corners of his muzzle tugged upwards as he saw the colors- emerald green, silver-blue, and white. It seemed that Syrra had not only shared with her best friend the erotic female dance of her species- she had also shared a facet of Trianii relationship culture, one for Keris to adopt to express her devotion to Locke. And as Kajex glanced at his albino twin, it could not have been more obvious from the warm smile on Locke's face and the sparkle in his silver-blue eyes that he fully understood what his fiancee was conveying.

But as pleasant as it was to see the unspoken understanding between them, Kajex only had eyes for his own. Another spike of jealousy and anger rushed through him as he saw a few Trianii males even reach up to grab at her. The wolf was well-aware of the culture, that a Trianii that performed a dance of this nature to an audience was open to physical contact unless she was spoken for- though how they could miss the devotion beads braided in her left bangs was beyond him. The sight of others reaching to caress her fur nearly caused him to leap up.

The moment he flinched, however, her sapphire eyes caught his and he stopped short, his heart racing. The crowd settled back down, drawn away from her by an unspoken command, one Kajex could feel flowing through her. Shame filled him as he settled back down, his ears flattening against his hair as he recognized the tinge of disappointment and understanding in her eyes- of _course_she would ensure that she would keep herself to him and him alone at a time like this. And while the crowd still marveled and cheered for the three, they made no further attempts to touch her. Though the sting of shame held for a few moments, it ebbed away as her eyes softened and her smile widened. A subtle nod was all she needed to give him to let him know she understood what had happened.

The dance was not short in the slightest, but nor was it an erotic artform meant to last so long as to convince patrons to slide credits along the stage in return for a more passionate show- not least because all three women demonstrated that passion quite clearly. Before long the pace of the music quickened, matching the speed of their movements as they neared the apex of the performance, twirling and holding their arms out as if to receive their respective lovers in an embrace, beckoning them repeatedly as the tune rose to a crescendo.

Silence.

One by one, they sank to their knees, bringing their paws in to their chests as they hung their heads. Each woman looked up, peering into the dim tavern interior with wide smiles, before raising their paws and pointing into the cheering crowd. It was easy to see where each finger was directed. Calya had her finger pointed out towards Markus, who was standing at the forefront of the audience, looking both impressed and joyful as she blushed furiously, sliding off the stage and into his arms; Keris, of course, had her sight set on Locke- it took little more than a few polite Trianii to help her down from the stage before she began sprinting towards the white wolf, with every other eye catching the delightful bounce of her bare breasts.

But it was Kajex who rose from his seat and started staggering towards Syrra, the golden-furred Trianii hopping down from the stage and absently thanking some of the impressed patrons as they applauded- her eyes, however, were on him and him alone. There was a distance less than 20 meters between himself and the performance stage, yet the short walk from his seat to the approaching Trianii Padawan seemed to stretch on into hours as neared her, his heart hammering.

They stopped only 2 feet apart, Syrra looking shy but hopeful. "So... do you remember how the dance is supposed to end?"

Kajex said nothing, staring at her for a moment- then, without warning, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, the act making her purr as she nearly melted in his embrace.

"Yeah," he told her telepathically. "I remember now."

If there was one thing Kajex regretted most about the Gold Rush, it was that he spent so much time locked up in the ship that he would occasionally forget about what was outside of it. Ekibo during the day was peaceful- but boring. Yet now he found himself wondering how he could have so easily forgotten the vast expanse of space above him, the starfield spread across the sky from one horizon to the other. At the edge of the county's farmlands, there was no light pollution to speak of, to obstruct it all- and he found himself grateful for that, despite the slight chill in the air. Gazing into a sea of silent specks of light brought a calm in him he'd nearly forgotten, as he leaned back in the lounge chair's plush cushioning and waited.

He sensed her before he heard her, sensing her presence several seconds prior to the creak of the roof patio's only door. He started to get to his feet, only to stop short as Syrra cleared her throat.

"Hold it there, hon. You're fine where you are," she assured him as she approached with a pair of mugs. She had not redressed, still nude in most respects- although she did wear a long and thick woven robe that she had not closed, allowing her breasts to remain in clear view.

Kajex nodded, ears flattening in shame as he shifted to one side of the lounge chair. "You... said you wanted to talk here."

The Trianii Padawan nodded and seated herself next to him, sighing as she set the mugs on a short table between them. "We need to talk, I think."

The wolf nodded, looking away. He thought he knew what this was about.

"You felt something while I was on that stage, didn't you?" she asked. He did not need to look at her to know she was frowning slightly. Rather than feign ignorance (knowing she would know either way) he nodded in acknowledge, waiting for her to continue. "What did you feel?"

The wolf flinched. A week ago, he'd told Rexxis it was important for him to convey his words to the Sentinel clearly so that that he could come to terms with what he felt before trying to figure out why, and how to fix it. It was not hard to figure out that Syrra had asked this question for the same reason. It took him a few moments, but he eventually found the nerve to speak.

"I felt... surprise and elation, for one. Pride for how bold and brave you were for dancing in front of everyone like that, for another. But... I was also scared... a little angry that people I didn't know and trust were looking at you... even a little jealous," he admitted quietly, clenching his paw in anxiety, his fist trembling as he tried to channel those negative thoughts out through the exertion. They did not relax until he felt her warm, songsteel paw slide against his wrist. He looked back up, finding she had shed her frown and was now regarding him kindly.

"Do you know what dance Keris, Calya and I performed just now?"

"The Break of Winter, a dance reserved for unions that occur during the coldest apex of Trian's winter season," Kajex replied softly. "It's why your paws roamed your bodies, in an effort to 'keep warm', then beckoning a male into embracing her to share in that warmth. If I remember right, it's meant to convey the desire to try for children, so that they'll be born during warm summer days." He was no stranger to the culture of the Trianii, not least its dancing.

Syrra nodded, still smiling warmly. "You're right- though you're missing a key point to the dance."

He cocked his head, confused.

"The dance is _only_performed when one has already selected their mate. The holovid on your ship showed the dance being executed by a renowned Trianii dancer; she performed it and had it recorded a week after she was engaged. We don't point at the end of the performance to convey who we wish to share in our warmth, our intimacy- we do it because we have already chosen, and we wish to let others know who we've chosen to take care of us." Still smiling, she leaned into him and nuzzled beneath his chin. "Remember that ours is a matriarchal society- it's the female that leads. But getting to our knees is a sign of _our_submission to our mates, our way of saying 'we need you- and you alone'."

The words seemed to wash away his worry slowly, prompting him to smile back. "We're different, though- aren't we?"

She giggled, holding out her paw and summoning the two covered mugs to them. "True enough," she replied, as she grabbing one of the floating containers. "Keris and I trust in our pack to provide that warmth, to depend on them. Yet more than anything, I trust you to be the one to hold me during cold nights, over any other lover."

"I'll do my best," he said, breathing in deep and sighing as he took the other floating mug. "I'm sorry, Syrra. I shouldn't have worried so much- I _should_have known that things would not have gotten out of hand. Can you forgive me?"

She shook her head, smiling. "There's nothing to forgive, love. I know you trust me, and I know that you can worry occasionally- I don't think it'd be love if we _didn't_feel that way from time to time. That's kinda why I wanted you to wait up here."

"So I'd have time to cool off and think?" Kajex guessed.

She laughed. "No. It's because the tavern-keeper mentioned it would take a bit of time to heat up these drinks. You always told me these drinks would make a sour moment sweeter, and I still haven't forgotten it. I made sure that she added mint creamer- your favorite."

Kajex sat in silence, staring at the mug fondly. "You caught on quick, kitten. Have I told you I love you? I think I haven't said it enough."

Syrra purred and nuzzled him, tapping her mug against his. "It doesn't hurt to keep saying it, love."

Minutes passed as they sat in silence, leaning against each other as they consumed the sweet confectionery drink. Every sip seemed to wash more of his worries away, reinforcing his personal reassurances that he would be better in the future. A chuckle passed through him as he recalled the first time they shared in the drink.

"You remember when I first introduced you to this, kitten?"

She smiled and nodded. "It was on Fibuli, after we met Markus- I was upset because I nearly turned my old lightsaber on him. I remember how soaked we were, it was raining so hard back then..."

He nodded. "I remember that too. But not as clearly as I remember looking into your eyes once we got back to the Gol-_the _Rushin' Roulette," he amended himself. "You looked so miserable, I wanted to do something nice for a change- especially after that hug you gave me."

"That's when you started hinting at your past, how old you were, injecting me with a bit of self-confidence and promising to help me out. You really followed through," she added with a sigh. "And that was only about a year ago.... by the Force, it feels like three. Just so much has happened, so fast- meeting Locke, Keris and Miles, bringing Talrik onboard, fighting alongside our former Sith friends..."

"... Taking them in, then finding more of my species, hiring a cute bounty hunter to be my bodyguard, killing undead infections..." Kajex followed up as Syrra drank.

"And losing my paw, getting a new one- all the way back to... here," she finished, setting her empty mug down. "I've really changed since then, haven't I?"

The wolf smiled and pulled her in closer. "In the best ways possible, yeah. Sharing your own knowledge- and culture too. How did you convince Keris to take up devotion beads and performance?"

The Trianii Padawan leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "She got around to asking me what the beads meant, though she more or less guessed correctly what they meant. Being engaged compelled her to finally ask, so she could know for sure- then she wondered if it would be racially insensitive for her to adopt that aspect of Trianii culture."

"Is it?" Kajex asked.

"If it was, I wouldn't have shared it with you- though then again, I still might have just because you were Kane's son, and as far as I'm concerned his love makes you as Trianii as I am. But no, it's not- most Trianii appreciate it because it helps them identify the family members of non-Trianii. Only a handful of the more xenophobic Trianii feel strongly against it," she finished with a subdued voice. He did not need to ask her anything, sensing that her thoughts were straying briefly towards Matriarch Bast.

"And the dancing?" Kajex asked, aiming to move the topic away from her estranged birth-mother.

"Well, Keris worked as an erotic dancer, and obviously she saw the recording on the ship's servers and got curious. Before she and I started fooling around, she asked if I'd ever considered dancing for you. After we became closer, we started teaching each other when we had a few private moments together, and she picked up well on it. So when Calya mentioned she'd been practicing the same performance and asked if I knew it... well, I mentioned Keris knew it well enough too, and decided to make it a three-person performance," she finished, blushing hard.

"Where did you learn it?" he asked. When she did not immediately answer, he nuzzled her gently. "Syrra?"

"... My mother," she admitted with a pause.

"Iaora does seem like the type to be a dancer," Kajex started to say.

"No, not-- I mean--" The Trianii Padawan sighed, shifting around to face the wolf. "My birth mother. Bast. She was the one who taught me." There was another pause as she swallowed. "It was one of the few moments we had where I felt some kind of connection to her. You recall that much of Trianii dancing is religious or spiritual nature, yeah? Well... my mother felt I wasn't doing enough to express my devotion to our religious ways, for a long while. When she caught on to the fact that I was at least agile for one of my kind, she insisted upon teaching me our culture's music and dance as a way of getting me to connect with our people and our beliefs."

"I didn't even suspect..."

"I know," she interjected, looking away. "I don't speak of her fondly, and it's still true that I'm not as close to her as I am with all my other siblings- assuming she has ever been close to anyone. But then again... I keep wondering if Alisya was right and Bast only meant the best for me. That doesn't excuse the lengths she's going to in order to bring me around, like trying to have you killed- yet at the same time... love is capable of making us do unreasonable things."

Kajex nodded. "I think the both of us have learned that better than most. I think it's a little too optimistic to think that way where Bast is concerned, kitten... but at the same time, I also think you just want things to be at peace."

She nodded. "I... don't love my birth-mother very deeply, Kajex... but as true a mother as Iaora is, Bast is still my blood," the Padawan said quietly. "Just as I'd do anything to protect Alisya and my siblings from harm... I'd do anything to protect Bast from harm too. Even if Rook is right and she _is_being a cunt about all of this," she sighed. "I know that it might sound stupid, or naive- but it's how I feel. Is it... wrong?"

The wolf shook his head, treating her to a smile and feeling pride for the feline in his arms. "Not at all. If anything, I think it's a positive that you feel that way- just another facet of your compassion."

She nodded, hugging him tight. "I'm sorry... I feel like I'm spoiling the tone bringing her up. I was kinda hoping... maybe that performance had put you in the mood..."

"Here?" the wolf asked, arching an eyebrow. "I mean, the fact that you're baring your body so confidently shouldn't be so surprising to me, but if you mean to say that you're feeling a little 'anxious' after all that..."

"Why shouldn't I be?" the Padawa purred, licking his chin. "I didn't perform that dance just because Calya asked me. Like I said... 'I need you- and you alone.'"

"Well... I can't very well say no to that," the wolf teased her as he leaned back in the lounge chair and pulled her on top. "You did choose me, after all."

A kiss passed between them, similar to the one they'd shared earlier while they were still within the tavern- albeit this one was laced with the sweet flavor of chocolate on their lips and tongues. Whatever chill the winter evening of Ekibo might have possessed, it was not enough to penetrate the growing warmth between them, concealed beneath the wolf's longcoat and the feline's borrowed robe. Nevertheless, neither article of clothing did anything to protect them from each other's groping paws, the wolf tracing his along the curves of her attractive rump, while the Trianii kept one paw planted firmly on his chest to keep him in place, her other unbuckling his belt and tugging his trousers down.

Though he kept his primary focus on his lover, his thoughts strayed briefly to the other attendees downstairs. Through the strong sibling connection he'd forged with Locke, he was aware his albino twin was already engaged in coitus with his own fiancee, locked away in a borrowed room as Keris mewled for his affection. Across from that room and in another, he could sense a foursome taking place between Rexxis, Kentoh and So'Rah, with an eager Sa'Rah happily in the middle of it all. The feel and sight of both intimate gatherings caused him to smile, though once he drew himself out of the temporary vision it was to the sight of Syrra smirking.

"Hey- eyes on me, you silly pup," she demanded playfully.

"Always," the wolf replied warmly, returning to their kiss.

It was not necessary for him to spy on the others to garner any particular stimulation needed to get to full mast; Kajex's ebony prick had already been straining within the confines of his own pants before it was finally freed. It was not merely the fact that Syrra was grinding against his upper leg, chirruping softly- but being reminded of her performance, the sway of her hips and the motion of her paws caressing her own body, generated a thrill in him reminiscent to the first time he'd ever laid eyes on the recording. Yet perhaps an even greater thrill came from the fact that at any moment, anyone could walk through the door and see what they were about to do.

Not that it would have stopped him- or her, for that matter.

The moment her lips left his was the moment he grabbed her hips and pulled her up to her feet. Though he had missed the key point of the meaning of her dance, he understand the bulk of it- that it was his duty to ensure that she was taken care of, to be kept warm. To that end, he coaxed her already quivering tunnel towards his muzzle, running his tongue against his lips and teeth in anticipation as his larger paws cupped her round backside and slid her further into place. A quiet sigh escaped him as he gave her netherlips a deep kiss, the erotic action generating a genuine moan from her. It was not soft, but a moderate whine of pleasure, one she seemed to have no intention of stifling.

Not content to merely lap at the feline's outer folds, and more than happy to hear her "sing", the wolf began the enjoyable task of tasting her depths. His moderately long and wide tongue drilled into the orifice easily, the flavor of her snatch spreading through his muzzle as she continued to voice her satisfaction. Before long she had placed her paws on top of his head, partially to keep standing, and partially to encourage his efforts with affectionate ear rubs. The wolf's lips pinched gently at her clit and she chirped loud, a sound that caused Kajex's cheeks to burn and his heart (and unoccupied cock) to swell. Eager to hear more, his paws slid from her hips and up her waist, trailing his thumbs against her trained abs until they grazed against her unprotected vestigial nipples. The effect was immediate- within seconds of massaging the sensitive, chocolate-colored teats, she had arched her back and moaned his name with enough volume to make his own ears ring. It was too much to hope for that her moaning wouldn't attract any attention to anybody close enough to the door- but as he continued his assault, his paws now cupping and squeezing her beautiful breasts, he was not about to stop her.

"W-wait! Oh gods," she mewled, shuddering as she tried moving away from him. With a self-satisfied smile he released her tits and returned his paws to her her waist. For a few moments of silence he cleaned his muzzle, allowing her to step back and bend forward, breathing heavily. "I... didn't want to finish early," she panted as she lower herself onto his lap, purring as his still-hard prick slid against her belly.

"Well, we wouldn't want that," he agreed as he shrugged his coat off and removed his shirt, shivering and fluffing up slightly in the cool ambient air.

"You're gonna get sick, stripping off like that in the cold," the Trianii warned him with mock admonishment, nuzzling into his chest.

"Not a chance, I've got you to keep me warm, right?" he countered with a playful growl, nuzzling her forehead.

"True- though the fire could use a little stoking," she purred back as her songsteel paw wrapped around his dick and squeezed the base with enough pressure to make the wolf groan and thrust into her metal paw. Warmth enveloped his turgid flesh as she slid back and bent over, her soft lips wrapping around his girth and sliding down the length of his pole. Jolts of gentle pleasure flew from his loins and up his abs as more than half his length disappeared into her muzzle, and yet she did not stop. The moment her lips met his sheath he flinched, reflexively grabbing the edges of the lounge chair and growling loudly as he strained against his will to thrust into her face. It became all the more difficult as she finally saw fit to add her tongue to the effort, caressing the pleasantly textured flat of her appendage against the thick, yet subtle cum vein running along his cock's underside.

Her lips remained there a few moments as he tongue lashed the base, her eyes clear and alert. With her nose against this pubic fur, she took a moment to pause and breathe in deep- her eyes fluttered open again and the sapphire orbs took on a cloudy, hazy looked, now half-lidded and peering up at her lover. A brief glance into her mind told him she was intoxicated by the male's scent, as she drew her lips slowly back up his length. They reached the apex of his prick, planting a gentle kiss at the tip before repeating the erotic feat once more, sealed tight around the throbbing wolfhood and squeezing at key sensitive points around his girth. Every firm bit of pressure succeeded in coaxing more precum against her tongue, prompting her to slather it along the surface of his shaft. By the 5th time she had done this, her lips popping off the head of his cock, there was a thick layer of sexual lubricant coating the entire organ.

Satisfied that his cock was now prepared, she drew her muzzle away from it and slid back up the wolf's nude body, vibrant purr trembling through her as her lips sought his. Neither of them shared a word- it was enough for their lips to meet to be a sufficient message while the Trianii got into position, the tip of his length catching the crevice between her netherlips neatly. With little more than a slight readjustment, it took nothing more than her to slide her hips back, the wolf's throbbing length sheathing into the searing depths of her vaginal cleft, wrapped in velvety heat that squeezed and trembled against his flesh. A strained sigh of satisfaction exited her lips as she drew back and stared down at her fiancee with an expression of deep adoration.

"<I feel your warmth within me,>" she murmured gently in her native language, her paws grabbing his shoulders for support as she ground against his hips.

<"I feel your warmth around me,>" he replied in the same tongue, groaning and shifting around a bit as his paws reached up and cupped her breasts again, his thumbs circling the sensitive nipples on each. Once again she moaned loudly, and the thrill of being caught filled the wolf once more. A part of him_wanted_ to be caught, to let others know the woman riding his cock was the one who had chosen him to be his mate; to let them know that he would not hide who he was or who he loved; and to let them know that what they were sharing would be shared between them alone. So when she lifted her body up and descended once more, he made sure to counter-thrust with enough force to coax more of her voice out.

The soft yet subdued melody of the tavern music downstairs was immediately drowned out by the din of her moaning, his grunting, and the echo of their bodies meeting in unison. Lewd noises that made the Trianii's face burn red with both shame and exhilaration emanated from her loins, as she rode the wolf's 10-inch prick with vigor, each roll of her hips punctuated with a thick swat as she landed in his lap. For his part, he met her hips every time she descended, making sure she could feel his heavy, aching balls slap against her backside each time, as if to remind her that their contents would soon drain into her belly. Every few moments he would squeeze her breasts, ensuring the idea of being swollen with offspring never left her head; it wasn't long until her paws were grabbing his wrists and ensuring he kept them there, palming her tits as if a pair of twins were secured to her. Through it all, the warmth never left them- whether building up between their bodies and trapped beneath their fur, or further encapsulated by the robes the Trianii continued to wear, the heat remained with them as they made love.

The only thing that could make the sensation of her quim bearing down around his maleness, was the view he experienced as he looked up and watched her ride his cock. The paleness of the moonlight seemed to give her an aura around her golden fur, marred only by the dark spots of her nipples as her chest heaved up and down. Fire and life danced in her half-lidded sapphire eyes as they regarded the wolf with pure love. All of it was framed against the black void and glimmering starlight above them, such that, despite a lack in any religious belief, he could almost imagine that she had become a goddess or a spirit, having chosen him and come to share in deep intimacy. The sight was humbling, knowing what he knew of her; possessed of healing abilities, compassion, and forgiveness for his own shortcomings.

The wolf's knot had swelled to full size, the burning sensation of the Trianii's netherlips splitting wide for the bulb and chewing around the growth bringing him back to reality. She had abandoned her moans for hisses and muffled whimpers as she grabbed at his shoulders and ground into his loins, her eyes and body begging for his knot. While he would have otherwise attempted to tease his fiancee by denying her until the last possible moment, he possessed very little endurance as it was. All it took was him releasing his hold on her breasts, his larger paws sliding down her trained body until they reached her hips. A brief moment passed where their eyes met, an unspoken agreement having been met in that space of time, punctuated with a subtle nod.

She cried out, her voice echoing into the night as she descended a final time, just as Kajex pulled her down and bucked up into her folds with a snarl- the pressure around his bulb intensified as it buried itself into her cleft, though nowhere near as intense as the incredible ache in his balls as they finally began to unload. The Trianii's moan stopped short with a gasp, reducing them both to silence- neither spoke as their Jedi sense allowed them to _hear_the churning sound of white hot seed pumping into the feline's womb. Every throb of his member stretched her inner walls, distending the now not-so-subtle cumvein running along the base of his cock as it delivered torrents of Kanj'Isha seed into her belly. Seconds of silence passed before the deluge ceased, a healthy portion of it having trickled out from around the wolf's prick and onto the inside of his coat.

After a few moments she leaned forward, purring heavily and draping her robe over his bare body. "<It's so warm...>"

Kajex panted softly, nuzzling into her hair. "<Have I fulfilled my obligation?>" he teased, running a paw over the curve of her rump.

"<For tonight- spring isn't here yet,>" she answered with a giggle, nuzzling back.

As the minutes wore on, their pulses slowing and their senses coming down from post-orgasmic high, the couple could once again hear the music and commotion from below. It took little more than a brief trance for them to realize the night was still more or less young, and was not expected to stop until the sun rose. A chuckle passed through the wolf as a thought occurred to him, prompting the Trianii to sit up and cock her head.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

He grinned, tousling her hair. "It's... I mean, I've never attended a bachelor party- Bran and Kane never had one. But I think everyone's going to be pretty smashed tonight, so it'll probably be on you, me, and Locke to subdue their hangovers. Not exactly typical Jedi work, but..."

"I can help," she assured him, smiling back. "But we can worry about that tomorrow morning- we'll have lodging for tonight, there's more than enough space."

Before the wolf could answer, a click sounded and the door to the patio opened. Both Jedi sat up abruptly- their brief discussion had caused a lapse in their senses, allowing them to be caught quite literally with their pants off. But they settled a moment later as Kentoh stepped out, his hair disheveled and facial fur matted in several places, his coveralls zipped down to his chest. He stopped short as he saw the two nude lovers on the lounge chair, still tied together by the Sentinel's knot.

His eyes widened at the sight of Syrra's ample bosom in bare sight. "Hey Syr-... wow."

Kajex found himself laughing at the reaction as Syrra blushed hard and wrapped herself up, earning him a smarting cuff on the nose from his Padawan which made his eyes water, even as he struggled to stifle his chuffing. "K-Kentoh! Hello, pup, what- er- what brings you up here?!" she stammered nervously.

With a shake of his head as if to clear up the distracting view of the Trianii's knockers, he managed to give an answer. "Um... well, Locke came to knock on our door and told us you were up here. The Tavern keeper said she needed a few extra rooms opened up and since you guys didn't come to get your key, your room's gone now. Locke wanted me to tell you that his room is open for you, if you need it."

The two glanced at each other. It was a kind offer, but if Kajex had to be honest it was far too comfortable where they were. She nodded at him, appearing to think the same thing, and he turned to smile and shake his head. "Thanks pup, but I think as long as we get a blanket, the two of us should be fine up here."

"Alright," the younger clone replied, heading back in. "You guys wait here and I'll go get one."

As soon as they were sure he was out of earshot, Syrra hugged him tight. "You're mean, laughing like that."

"He likes you," Kajex replied with a grin. "It was his expression and your reaction, that's all. You should take it as a compliment, that he apparently shares the same tastes that I have."

She managed to smile back. "I guess..."

"Forgive me?" he asked, making fake puppy-dog eyes at her and prompting her to giggle.

"I will... if you go get us a couple more mugs of hot chocolate, this time," she answered, before kissing him sweetly.

The 7 spires of Baarok Manor was known to many in the region as an interesting sight, a natural formation that was nevertheless purported by the highly religious of the Trianii to have been placed there, as an example of the beautiful works of the gods of planetary creation, and a place of blessing. Whatever anyone believed of such a tale, few could downplay how well-maintained the central courtyard was. Indeed, in the few weeks that the _Gold Rush_and Black Tomb packs had arrived, both groups had taken the time to meditate in the peaceful enclosure, surrounded by potted and planted vegetation that gave any visitor a sense of calm- even in the cold of winter, these plants persisted.

Today was a cool morning, and within the massive enclosure stood nearly a hundred guests, watching as female officiator spoke in the Trianii language, reciting tales of the first marriage that united Trianii tribes, of souls that would persist and remain together even in death, of bonds that would survive the test of time and the damage of hardships. Before him stood Markus and Calya, each too focused on one another to properly hear the words of the priestess. Within the first row stood Aarn and Iaora, with Syrra and Kajex next to them- the latter two joining hands as they watched. Behind them, most of the rest of the two accompanying packs stood silent and attentive, though Syrra could feel the warmth of Locke and Keris to her right, likely lost in thoughts about their own engagement.

It took little more than a sidelong glance at her best friend for her to come out of her daydream, their eyes meeting in that moment. In the pause that followed, Syrra's eyes traced along the beads she'd started wearing, trailing down the left side of her face; two of a green that matched her eyes, two of a calm silver blue, and two white- Keris blushed, but smiled brightly, glancing at Locke. Curious, he followed the vixen's gaze back to the Trianii- now she could see the beads that wear strung along a lock of his silver hair- two of silver blue, two emerald, and two white. Though he said nothing either vocally or telepathically, he nevertheless conveyed a silent thanks to the feline Padawan with a broad smile, before the three returned their attention to the ceremony.

The priestess paused, looking between the groom and bride before switching to basic. "I've heard the hardships these two endured, when they were separated and required the intervention of not one, but two Jedi. The Force is not unknown to the Trianii, and though our understanding of it is limited, we should give thanks that it saw fit to reunite these two, that they may share in many more years of happiness. Make these days count, and overcome all trials together, so that it may endure until your spirits leave this plane of existence."

Syrra was not new to unions. As daughter of the region's matriarch, she was obligated to attend the unions of her mother's political rivals and allies. Even with her youth and limited understanding, there always seemed to be an air of coolness surrounding such affairs, a veneer of pleasantness that masked the lack of genuine love between the two partners. Yet this was not what she was witnessing now- rather, she could feel the aura of sincerity in everyone attending; watching as the priestess asked both bride and groom if they were ready to being their union; as Calya's veil was lifted, allowing the Besalisk to lean in and kiss the woman who was now his wife. Where before the crowds had been silent and stoic, offering only tepid applause and mutters of congratulations, the courtyard was filled with cheers and shouts of genuine felicitations- prompted mostly by So'Rah, Sa'Rah and Kentoh.

She and Kajex did neither, but only because Syrra was reticent to release the wolf's paw. Nevertheless, they did smile at the newlywed couple as they waved at the two. Her head leaning against the wolf's shoulder, she found herself wondering when it would be her standing where Calya was now.

A quiet but gentle voice filtered into her mind. "Perhaps much sooner than you might think, Padawan."

She blinked, then blushed hard, turning her head and smiling at the Trandoshan at the far end. Though he said nothing, he returned the smile and bowed.

Ekibo as a planet was lightly populated, devoting much of its land toward agriculture. Wide expanses of active farmland were interrupted only by the world's thick forests, it's generous seas and oceans, and the few deep canyons that gouged into parts of the southern and western continents. One such canyon had been gouged so wide and deep by millennia of steady water flow, that a settlement had been founded within the massive cave system along the rust orange rock walls, many centuries before the Trianii had learned to travel the stars. In that time, it had grown into a full-fledged city, one of the largest on the western continent- Nidma's Ravine.

Not simply an upper-class settlement with a view to rival that of Drohesh City, it was known as many as the _Yu'nar's_Den- a place that 6 of the continent's 10 Matriarch's called home, and from where many formal announcements were made. It was here that Alisya had grown up with her brothers and sisters, had learned her place as a proper defender of her family and their honor. And although her duties as Bast's captain of bodyguards ensured she was never in one place for very long, often traveling to other planets in the Trian system, there was seldom a time when would rather be anywhere else but here.

Things had changed.

The northern shore of the canyon house an outcrop of stone, itself a combination of a traditional weaving-house as well as a point of contact for her mother- an office of sorts lay above the heads of the seamstresses and spinners, living space for those rare occasions when Bast was not "busy" mingling with the socialites of the city, seeing to it the output of her employees below were put to good use adorning the bodies of the rich. Yet while Alisya might have enjoyed the moments where she could pass on her news of succession, this occasion had her mildly unsettled. Moreover, as she stared into the deep blue currents residing within the canyon, her thoughts kept returning to her sister. After over a year without seeing her, and much longer since the two had found a means to connect, the Trianii fighter found herself missing her sibling far more deeply than she expected.

As she stood at the balcony overlooking the deep blue river, she could feel the Matriarch approaching, and a fear started to growth within her. Had she not been thinking of her sister at the moment, she might have panicked. Before the madness could overtake her, a glint of light hit the sapphire river, and in the next moment she could hear Syrra's voice echo in her mind- words they had shared in private, shortly before they had parted.

"I believe in my strength- just as I believe in yours."

The fear was dispelled moments before the doors nearby clicked open. The bodyguard turned in place and watched as Bast approached, bowing to her mother respectfully and keeping her eyes cast downwards until she had crossed the office and stopped before the Trianii.

"Raise your head, daughter- I wish to look into your eyes."

She did as she was told, breathing in slightly and letting it out as she lifted her eyes to meet her mother's. "Late though I am... I have returned." She swallowed. "And... I have failed."

The Matriarch said nothing for a few moments before nodding wearily and gesturing to the desk. "Be seated, Alisya. We must talk." The bodyguard nodded and complied, ensuring her movements were subdued and humble, clasping her paws in her lap as she waited for the Matriarch to speak. "I'm told there was a change in the orders I gave you- those you brought with you to fulfill your task informed me that you meant to end the lives of any who attempted to safeguard this 'Kajex's' life. I would hear an explanation for this."

Alisya winced, a pang of guilt rending through her heart. "I... confess that I was jealous of the latitude you had granted upon Syrra for the... for the mistakes I feel she may have made. It clouded my judgment, and she and I dueled during the operation."

Bast sighed. "'Greater than the sin of jealousy, is that siblings should draw blood from each other,' Alisya. You learned this holy lesson as a cub, just as you learned that your standing and position today is as it should be, destined by the gods. You have followed them devoutly, and so you are precisely where you are needed. As it is, you've told me that you enjoy your work."

"I do," Alisya acknowledged.

"Then there should not have been reason to raise your paw against your own sister if you are satisfied with your station. Syrra is... lost- but I have hope that she can return to us," Bast assured her, as she reached beneath her desk and withdrew a pair of glasses and a bottle of wine. "I'm glad, at least, that you came to your senses. Perhaps Syrra will come to hers."

"And... you think that ending the life of this captain is the key to it?" Alisya answered uncertainly, watching as her mother filled the first glass.

Bast's eyes narrowed, brow furrowed as she regarded the younger Trianii carefully. "His influence must be removed. If the gods be so kind to an outsider- and typically they are not- perhaps he will see wisdom first before his life is forfeit. I'm told, however, that such wisdom might well be within his grasp. Is it true that he is a Jedi?"

Alisya paused, then nodded. "He is. He has explained that he is what is known to the Jedi Order as a 'Sentinel', a keeper of peace that works closely with the local authorities. He has done so since his fathers brought him to Ekibo to aid the Trianii Rangers."

"Perhaps the lad is made of better stock than I initially took him for," the Matriarch replied doubtfully, filling the second glass. She held her paw out for a moment, the glass lifting into the air and floating gently before Alisya before settling on the table. "Be that as it may, any union between him and Syrra is unacceptable. Perhaps a constant reminder will cause him to think better of it."

"Perhaps," Alisya agreed quietly. "Yet Syrra has raised her lightsaber in his defense. I... fear for her life, that she might very well give it up to protect him. N-not that I believe their love is genuine, I do not know," she added quickly. "But if she is lost, as you say, then she might well make irrational decisions."

"Indeed," the Matriarch responded, taking a moment to sip from her glass. "And what of his allies?"

"A brother and his fiancee, two ex-Imperial soldiers, a CorpSec officer, a bounty hunter and a Jedi Master- and 7 others of his kind, as well. I'm told they are likely among the last of their species, and so the Sentinel means to protect them with his life."

"Noble," Bast replied with a subtle mocking tone. "I shall make the necessary updates to our files- they may be innocent, but if an example must be made to this 'Sentinel' to reconsider his plans for union, then so be it. The other assassins informed me that he raises his tail for other men, even his own kin- that alone makes him unsuitable to be my daughter's mate." She paused, her brow furrowing further. "In fact, they also told me one of their number, an Amaran female, referred to Syrra as a lover as well. What do you know of this?"

Alisya had been ready for it. The sensation of invisible pressure around her head took hold. It had been imperceptible in the past, something she had never noticed under the elderly Trandoshan Jedi Master had taught her the meaning of the sensation- that of one's mind attempting to probe her own. Now that she knew of it, she could recognize the breach for what it was. Alisya's breath caught for a fleeting moment before it relaxed and she eased the infiltrating presence toward another avenue of memory, smoothly answering the Matriarch.

"The Amaran bitch was inarticulate. The one you refer to, Keris, is merely Syrra's closest female friend. It was in this sense that she referred to Syrra as a 'girlfriend'." The bodyguard smiled. "You may rest easy, Mother- she does not lay with other women."

Bast stared at her for a few seconds, her expression unreadable, before smiling back and nodding. "Very well. That is good."

Alisya nodded and finally took a sip from her own glass. With her mind at ease, knowing the Matriarch had accepted the ruse, her thoughts turned back to Syrra- and her family. "If I may say so, Mother... I feel that Syrra has only the best intentions."

"Oh?"

"She... was very well trained, enough so that her skill allowed her to spare me and the others. It was through her wisdom that the other assassins were released, and Iaora's and Aarn's compassion that they were healed. If nothing else, this Sentinel has been an effective teacher for her, regardless of his intentions."

Bast nodded. "They told me as much. He will be difficult to deal with, no doubt, but to his credit he still has his limited uses- Syrra will no doubt come to see those limitations in time. And as for Iaora- my sister and I do not get on very well these days... but I will convey my thanks nevertheless. There's no sense in hiding the fact that I sent you, though she is politically pragmatic enough that she will keep it to herself- and I owe her some small apology for the inconvenience."

"Syrra... she told us that she wishes us all to be at peace," Alisya continued. "She knows you do not agree with her being engaged with Kajex, and she knows you will not give her your blessing. Nevertheless, she has told me the pain she feels at these circumstances."

"Bless the poor cub's heart, and her unfortunate naivety," Bast sighed, looking trouble. "Would that she would recognize that it was her decisions which led her to these circumstances. She has been blessed by the gods to have a connection to the Force, and yet wastes it fraternizing with this outsider. I admit my mistake in assuming she was too weak to reach toward something greater, and that I should have been there to tutor her as I instructed you- yet I expected better wisdom from her. The Jedi Order was the next best thing- and it seems that they are no longer as whole as they used to be, if they allow this Sentinel into their ranks. She may still come back, when she is ready- and then there will be no pain."

Alisya hesitated. "Can we not still love her, regardless of her losing her way?"

Bast stared at her. "... Like Ra'Tasum?"

"I love my brother," Alisya said abruptly. "Even if he really has made a mistake... should that not be how I feel?"

The Matriarch shook her head. "My child... your love must be tempered by your duty. Compassion alone will not help the boy."

There was silence as Alisya took another sip- though inwardly, she felt cold from the words. Far from not having her question answered, that Bast would not even refer to Ra'Ta as her son troubled Alisya greatly, such that she poured a little more effort into the Sentinel's lessons to mask her feelings. "I suppose things will pan out in time," Alisya said with a sigh. "What of me? What shall I do now?"

"I cannot afford to send you on further attempts, not if your training cannot match Syrra's. If what I have been told is true, then this Kajex will be a powerful individual to contend with. It will require a specialist to deal with him. In the meantime, I expect you to put more effort into your Force studies." She drained the remainder of her glass in one gulp, setting the glass back in place. "For now, you'll be assigned her to oversee the rest of the security force's training- and you'll need to select new trainees. Those who have lost their limbs in service have given what is necessary for my station- ensure they are settled into other occupations."

Alisya winced. "Some among them would rather remain as your servants."

"Perhaps- but the will of our gods overrides their desires. The crippled are exempt from service to the blessed," Bast replied, getting to her feet.

Inwardly glad that she did not reveal Syrra's recent injury, Alisya got to her feet as well. "Then there is nothing more to discuss, save one more thing."

Bast raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Alisya hesitated before reaching into her satchel. "Syrra is of the opinion that you attempt to send messages to her through your actions- that you sent a bounty hunter after the Sentinel as a message to her that time was running out, that you sent me to assure her you were serious. She wished for me to give you something of hers, as a message to you."

She pulled out a lock of blonde hair, braided tight and expertly, with a series of beads along the length- two of deep sapphire; two of brilliant gold; and two of immaculate white. The beads glinted for a moment in the sunlight as she set the braid on the Matriarch's desk. Bast said nothing, staring at it for what seemed to be minutes, an impassive expression on her face as her eyes seemed to haze over.

Nevertheless, her voice was curt and clear when she spoke. "Very well. You may go now, Alisya- may the sun warm your path."

"And yours, Mother," Alisya answered, bowing respectfully and turning. As she paced up the length of the long office to the door, she half expected the Matriarch to say something, to express some measure of anger or irritation. Yet silence followed the Trianii bodyguard until she reached the door. Before she shut it completely, Alisya glanced through the sliver of the doorway that remained open, peering within. Her heart leapt into her throat as she saw the Matriarch hold the lock of Syrra's hair in her paw, her face streaked with tears as she whispered to herself. Though Alisya did not possess the same measure of ability that Syrra had, she could hear each word clearly.

"Lost though you are, cub... I love you too..."

A pang of sadness welled up in Alisya. Now feeling isolated in the rift between her mother and her sister, Alisya sealed the door behind her, wiping her eyes as she, too, started to mourn.