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Pakka had never seen a more eye-catching shade of blue.

Different pelt patterns and tones were not uncommon among Trianii, though often limited to stripes, rosettes, spots, or solid pelts of greyscale or earthy tones. Yet now, the colonized worlds of the felinoid species could not be compared to the varied alien species surrounding him and his Trianii Rangers. Fascinating colors and tones were only to be expected from a well-traveled commander like himself, moreso given his time investigating the Corporate Sector region- from the striking orange and gold stone of Ekibo's coastal canyons, to the lush and brilliant green jungles of Trian, Pakka was no stranger to the incredible variety of color.

Yet in the moment that Sentinel Kajex Surnahm had introduced him to one of his fellow Jedi, an agile-looking avian male with a deep blue feathers, a handsome medium-length crest, sharp violet eyes, and a smiling golden beak, the Trianii Sinth found himself unable to speak for a few moments.

"I... I'm sorry?" he said, mentally shaking his head clear and pushing a few strands of his blonde hair out of the way.

"Tay-Ir Naull," the avian repeated for him pleasantly, holding a taloned hand to the commander. "I'm commander of our ship's designated fighter group, Lode Squadron, and one of this vessel's Jedi Knight instructors- I also lead night-shift patrols on the ship."

The half-second of hesitation Pakka felt might as well have been an hour of him staring at the avian Jedi, having never seen anything quite like him in his life. All the same it was merely a momentary pause before the sandy-furred, lightly brown-striped commander reacted, clearing his throat and carefully shaking the Jedi's claw. "1st Sinth Pakka- it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Tay is probably the best pilot I've ever seen in the Jedi Order," Kajex went on, giving the avian a friendly thump on the back. "I'd put him on par with any Jedi Ace during the Clone Wars for sure, so if our operations end up involving space combat you can definitely count on his assistance."

"Or on the ground, if needs be," Tay chuckled quietly. "Should you ever need a lightsaber at your side just let me know, 1st Sinth."

It had been three days since their mission on Kunik, when he, his rangers, and their Jedi allies had unsealed and explored a former Imperial weapons lab; an adventure which had culminated in one of his own men turning traitor, nearly murdering the Jedi leader and calling in marshland criminals to finish off the rest. It was by far the most interesting and sobering operation Pakka had ever been a part of, such that he was still feeling the guilt of having lost some of his men. Yet it had not seemed to dampen the Jedi Sentinel's spirits as it had his own.

Still, Kajex had eagerly insisted on introducing him and his newly selected Ranger team to the crew of the Inspired. Perhaps believing that it would be as easy to open up the commander as it had been when he'd gotten Syrra to open up, he'd wasted little time in pulling Tay aside after the pilot had brought his team in from flight practice. Far from brushing the wolf off, the avian seemed more than interested in meeting the group, as they caught up to them with equipment bags over their shoulders.

"So if I remember right, you were the one assigned to help Sentinel Surnahm on-planet- how'd the operation go?" Tay asked.

"Lost a couple of our own, I'm afraid," Pakka informed him solidly. "But they fought and died bravely. Nearly lost Kajex here, too."

"Yep- slug to the midsection," Kajex told him. "If Syrra hadn't done such a great job teaching me Jedi healing arts, I would've bought it down there. Master Katarn's down there mopping up what's left. That's actually why I called you down here Tay, I'm gonna need a little help."

"Anything to help out, Sentinel," the Nediji pilot assured him stoutly.

"I've already sent my report to Master Skywalker, but he and I agreed that we should speak more in-depth on the operation, and my pack will need to be there to corroborate what happened. Syrra and I_should_ be the ones giving Pakka and his Rangers a tour of the ship, but..." Kajex smiled sheepishly.

"I'll say 'yes' if you switch this week's card night to Nar Shaddaa Hold'em," Tay grinned, before turning to address Pakka. "Seriously though, I'd be happy to help you and your Rangers get acquainted with the space. Follow me, and I'll show you around," he said, gesturing to the Rangers and leading them to the hatch.

"You guys play nice, and I'll catch up with you later." Kajex told them before jogging away.

"Don't worry," Tay called back, beaming up at the Trianii as he led the group towards the nearest hangar hatch. "I have a feeling we'll become fast friends. Just follow me and we can get you to your quarters to drop off your gear." He took a brief moment to address his men. "Lode Squadron, get your ships on lockdown and file your astromech's flight data, while I show our guests around. Next flight practice is tomorrow morning, you have the rest of the day to yourselves- dismissed."

"Yes sir," they responded.

He gestured to the Trianii group with a smile and led them through the hatch, deeper into the vessel, and gestured at the first set of barracks they passed, opposite the hangar. "In here is where my squadron and I stay in between missions and flight training, for rapid fighter deployment if it's ever needed. If you have any questions and need to access the hangar for anything, just let us know." He gestured ahead towards a larger open area where several ship inhabitants were eating, a female Barabel chef hard at work at the grill, though she took a moment to look up from her work and waved to the new guests. "Mess hall is here, and a bit ahead is the recreation room; you guys are free to lounge there if you'd like."

He stopped and gestured towards the bow of the Dreadnaught. "Up ahead towards the fore section are where the students typically stay, five to ten per section. Just be mindful when you're walking down that area, sections 10 through 15, as some students use them to meditate and it's always courteous to keep quiet. If you need to reach a knight, they're sections 17 through 20; and Master Moarn can be found in the Captain's Quarters, on the bridge, or in one of the study halls."

"What is section 16, then?" one of the Trianii Rangers asked.

"Ah... that's the Black Tomb pack's room," Tay chuckled nervously. "Try to avoid that room if you're able; or at least knock, if you need to get in."

"Are they... inhospitable?" another Trianii asked, wary.

"Oh no, it's not that!" Tay said, shaking his head. "No, they're the sweetest group of guys you'll ever meet! You've met Kajex and Locke already, right?" Tay asked, the Rangers nodding in response. "They're Kanj'Isha, like Sentinel and Guardian Surnahm, and currently studying under them, Syrra and Keris as their Padawans. It's just they're culturally... er... 'open', when it comes to recreational intimacy, if you know what I mean; so we like to give them that privacy, as we never know what they're doing at any given moment."

"Sounds like a strange lot," remarked one of the Trianii, a black-pelted male with a suspicious frown.

"Perhaps," a second Ranger replied, red-furred and white-haired. She looked curious and thoughtful as she peered down the corridor. "Then again, they're not Trianii- it's natural they should have cultural differences from us. Doesn't mean that can't also be good people."

"If they are anything like Kajex and Locke, then I'm sure this Black Tomb pack is composed of good people at heart," Pakka said firmly. "Doubly so if they're training under Gold Rush knights, including my cousin. Regardless of if their ways seem strange, they are still Jedi- they, like us, are here to help."

Tay cleared his throat, gesturing for them to follow as he led them in the opposite direction. "Anyway, this is one of our empty barracks in the aft sections, where the civilian workers, Antarian Rangers and others stay. It's normally empty, so I'm hazarding a guess Master Moarn would have assigned it to you. The bunks are comfy, there's a communal shower, and a private officer's room with its own shower in case your commander wants to make use of it for privacy."

"Oh, uh, that's alright," Pakka said, clearing his throat and standing straight. "I'm more than comfortable bunking with--"

"Go on and take it, sir," one of the grinning female Rangers encouraged as she stepped in. "After there last couple of days a little extra comfort isn't going to hurt you."

"Well, if you wanna drop your stuff in here now, I can give you the rest of the tour," Tay offered.

"You seem a bit eager to help," Pakka chuckled. "Not that it isn't appreciated."

"I like it when things go smoothly," the avian said, beaming up at him. "And like I said, I'm sure we'll get to be fast friends."

When Tay said it, it elicited feelings of hopefulness in Pakka, which meshed well with the measured feeling of confidence that his _pyorn_could successfully extend the hand of diplomacy to an order of peace-seeking mystics, rather than to a militaristic order bent on forcing an alliance. Sure enough, the Jedi and Antarian Rangers were nothing short of helpful and courteous. Even the youngest of their students were careful to be respectful to him and his hand-selected team of Rangers as they became acquainted with the Order's goals and methods.

He had never seen Jedi utilize the mysterious "Force" that they so frequently spoke of until his cousin and her "pack" had arrived on Kunik. Even then, they had limited their use of the Force to humble cantrips; a fact that quickly became apparent during their mission, when he had watched them fight and unleash the fullness of their abilities against thugs intent on taking their lives. It was difficult for him to believe at first- and now he and his team were surrounded on all sides by such powerful mystics, beings capable of using abilities that could no doubt tear every one of his mean apart.

Yet it quickly became apparent that this was not even a remote concern. Decades of caution by his superiors, the warnings of dangerous outsiders, became easier to ignore with every day that went by. They were Jedi- but within the first day Pakka came to realize they were still people all the same, with little to no difference to the Trianii he had sworn to protect. And as predicted, it did not take long before he found himself befriended.

"This seat taken?" a voice asked Pakka as he set his tray down. The feline's eyes flicked up and found themselves locked on the crystal-blue eyes of Tay-Ir Naull, carrying a tray of his own. When they first met he was dressed in a sleeveless, gold-toned flightsuit- now the avian was clothed in cool-colored, comfortable-looking Jedi robes, his lightsaber hanging from a belt at his side. "I feel like it'd be a bit impolite to simply let you eat alone without asking if you'd like some company- you're a guest on this ship, after all."

The Trianii cocked his head, offering a half-smile. "You seem fairly out-going, considering we only met a few days ago."

Tay smiled nervously. "It's not off-putting, is it? If you'd rather eat alone, I totally get that--"

"No, not at all," he quickly replied, shaking his head and gesturing to the seat in front of him, which the avian immediately took with an expression of relief. "And I don't mind the extroverted approach, it's actually very refreshing. Are most Jedi like you?"

"Not all of us," Tay admitted, "but we're encouraged to be; keeping up positive appearances helps diplomatically when dealing with new cultures- and it looks like it's working." He gestured to the commander's men, all of whom were engaged in attentive discussion with some of the ship's denizens. "I figured you'd be with them."

Pakka chuckled. "I have to step aside and let them mingle on their own. They're all adults, I can't be looking over their shoulder all the time," he reasoned. "Besides, they're from the same trisector I work in. I've spent enough time with them in the past enough to know most of them are good folks. I've known a few of them for several cycles, even."

"Yeah? Syrra tells me she joined the Rangers when she was in her mid-teens," he remarked around a beakful of sliced meat, leaning forward in interest. "How about you? Is it normal for young people to join that kind of service, or are most recruits older?"

"Anyone that passes the training requirements can join the Trianii Rangers, but Syrra wanted to since she was a cub; and most cubs that choose to be Rangers join up in their fourteenth cycle- or year, to use your term. That's the age we hit adulthood," Pakka told him, before taking a moment to swallow his food. "At that age we're allowed to own land, choose mates and be a part of political matters- though most don't, of course. I prefer the men and women under my command to have experience, but it's easier to 'mold' younger recruits with good practices. I look for balance when I select squads." He took a moment to dig into his food some more, regarding the Jedi curiously. "How about you? I used to be told Jedi were taken in infancy to be trained, but Syrra got in just fine."

Tay chuckled. "It used to be that way before the Jedi Purge, but as it's one of the reasons for anti-Jedi sentiment, it's a policy the Master Skywalker hasn't adopted. I actually joined five years ago- I became a knight two years prior, during the Battle of Korriban."

"Really? And you're...?"

"I'm twenty-four," Tay replied with a cheerful expression. "I started traveling the galaxy when I was sixteen, though, and when I learned about the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4 a few years later, I sold my rickety snub-fighter and got in touch with the New Republic. I was already seeing new places and meeting new species, so I figured why not learn more about the ways of the Force and do that for a living? Turned out better than I could've expected- wasn't long before I was allowed to fly an X-wing as part of the Jedi's growing fleet."

"Must have seen a lot of combat in that time," Pakka guessed.

"Plenty enough," Tay agreed. "Both in space and on surfaces. I'm not proud of the fact that I've had to end a few lives in the process, but when I'm called to do it I do what I can."

"Well, I can certainly respect a fellow peace-keeper," the Trianii chuckled, impressed. "The galaxy could use a little less death and a little more compassion, I think."

"How about you?" Tay asked. "How long have you been a Trianii Ranger?"

"About twelve years, starting from when I was fourteen," Pakka responded. "With equal time on the surfaces of our planets and time in space as a flotilla captain. I actually like it a bit better when flying on patrol- I fight better on solid ground, but it feels more liberating in when we're in the vacuum."

"What made you wanna join?" Tay pressed, looking eager for more information.

"Partially my family, I guess," Pakka admitted. "My father was a Ranger before my mother- she wanted to use her natural beauty to be a dancer or actress, but after they married, she ended up joining." He chuckled. "And now she spends her time whipping new recruits into shape. She trained both me and Syrra, in fact."

"Was that the only reason, though?"

Pakka considered the question, his brow furrowed. "Well... after some of the things I'd gone through as a cub, I made it a point to train and join up so I could protect people- make sure they wouldn't go through what I went through. And I guess a part of me felt that not all outsiders were untrustworthy. So while I wanted to be out there to keep my home safe, I also wanted to meet new people- something that didn't really pan out until recently," he admitted with a half-smile.

"Least you got what you wanted, right?" the avian encouraged.

"It's more... what I want for others," Pakka replied. "Though if the rest of the galaxy is as chipper as you are, I expect it might be easier than I thought."

"Should I take that as a compliment?" the bird asked with a grin wide enough to cause Pakka to smile back.

"In the best way possible." The Trianii paused, looking him over. "Stop me if this seems abrupt, but are you busy after this?"

Tay cocked his head. "I don't have a student of my own, so no- why do you ask?"

"Well, you said you've got experience on the ground, and I'm sure that means you're a steady hand with a blade." He gestured to his men. "We're trained to use heat-brands, vibroblades, even spears in our line of work, so I've sparred with most of these cadets dozens of times. And now I wonder how well I'd size up against a Jedi. Would you be willing to put me to the test?" the commander asked with a smile.

The avian blinked at the request, before chuckling. "I think I can oblige, yeah."

An hour of food and talking later, Pakka found himself being led by Knight Tay into one of the Jedi training rooms. The various weights and cushions used as training implements had been set to the sides as a large circle of sitting students watched the current duel in progress. The Trianii commander had been been prepared to see an impressive display of Jedi combat prowess; though he had not expected this prowess to be displayed by his cousin.

His eyes widened as he watched Syrra engage her human opponent with a series of rapid strikes, pressuring the opponent with aggressive footwork. Every attempt to shift to the side, she countered with a spin and a slash to keep him in place; every attempt to press the attack and turn the tide with his own pushing, she circumvented with acrobatic maneuvers that kept his feet unsteady while allowing her to continue her assault. He had seen her fight before, of course, but only against filthy thugs and war droids; to see her pour her concentration and skill against another student of the Force was nothing short of amazing.

She darted in with a swift cut, scoring a hit along the human's wrist and causing him to drop his weapon with a yelp. For a horrified second, Pakka thought she had sliced his hand off, just as it had happened to her. When he realized that the human only bore a red burn across the top of his hand, he let out a sigh of relief. The circle around them applauded the display of swordsmanship, with the defeated opponent holding his stinging arm and uttering "Solah," to the Trianii.

"Accepted," Syrra said, performing a saluting flourish with her sapphire blade and bowing low, before smiling kindly and helping him back to his feet. "You did better this round, Padawan. Go put some kolto on that burn."

"Don't worry," Tay assured him quietly with a smile, having noticed the Trianii commander's reaction. "Jedi lightsabers typically have a non-lethal setting for sparring and practice." He nodded to Syrra as she stood at the center and addressed the students.

"Ataru's_primary strengths in a duel revolve around combative pressure, the utilization of space, and the application of speed and kinetic strikes to quickly subdue enemies," Syrra informed them, walking the inside of the circle. "Those who are proficient in acrobatics are likely to use this form as I have. But as impressive and kinetic as it may look, it has it weaknesses; it requires a considerable amount of space to make full use of its maneuvers, a tremendous amount of naturally-trained balance, it's not well-suited for engaging multiple enemies, and it needs a great deal of energy expenditure. A primary way of countering _Ataru is to use a defensive style like Soresu, defending yourself until the duelist wears themselves out. The form can be supplemented with the use of the Force, augmenting your endurance and speed; but it's always better to use that energy to disengage and retreat than to use up that energy and die tired."

"As Jedi, aren't we expected to be brave?" one of the students asked.

"Brave, yes; foolish, no," she replied, generating some chuckles. "Some Jedi do make sacrifices when they have no choice, but living to fight another day also means living to help those in need. So if you intend to make a deep study of Ataru, I strongly recommend you supplement it with a defensive style as well. Heroism encourages us to be adaptable, so that we're able to survive and continue our work." She paused, finally noticing Tay and Pakka. "And on that note, I'd like to introduce you all to a heroic and adaptable warrior; my cousin, Pakka," she said, gesturing to him to step forward.

Having only expected to sit in and watch, the Trianii commander found himself unprepared for the class to wave and applaud his appearance. It took Tay pushing him gently forward for him to react, stepping into the circle and managing to smile at his Jedi cousin, speaking to her in their language. "<I'll get you back for this, runt,>" he joked with a chuckle.

"<Shut up and gimme a hand with this, punk,>" she purred back with a grin. "Pakka is a 1st Sinth, or squad commander, in the Trianii Rangers, and is the leader of our Trianii guests. His mother was our juvenile trainer, so he has an exceptional amount of combat experience- which I suppose is why Knight Tay brought him here."

"Well, he did ask me to spar with him," the Jedi Ace admitted with a grin. "I hope I didn't interrupt."

"Not at all," Syrra insisted. "In fact, I think this would be a good opportunity to teach the students something important about not underestimating your opponent simply because they're not trained to use the Force. Would you might helping us out, Pakka, by demonstrating your abilities in a duel?"

The commander nodded. "Not at all, I'd be glad to."

"Great! Weapon of choice?"

"A shortstaff, or an approximation to a short spear, if you have one," he suggested.

"Kentoh, could you grab a security pike from the rack, please?" Syrra asked, nodding to one of the wolfish Kanj'Isha. Pakka blinked, noticing he looked remarkably like Sentinel Kajex as he stood and nodded. Before he could ask, Syrra intercepted the question. "It's a long story, cousin, but yes, he's related. Thank you, Kentoh," she added, as the younger wolf handed Pakka the weapon, before returning to his seat between a pair of wolf twins.

Taking a moment to clear her throat, Syrra continued. "Trianii Rangers are trained in all manner of weapons. Because they tend to be low-grade compared to other martial forces, this forces us to be creative with our combat styles, and tenacious in combat. You need to bear in mind that even without the Force, a trained soldier in any armed service must be approached with caution and respect." She gestured to Knight Tay, who stepped forward. "These two will offer a demonstration- hopefully the message will become clear. Knight Tay, please set your blade to non-lethal."

The avian knight nodded, drawing his Jedi weapon and igniting it. A violet shaft of light erupted from the end of the hilt, humming dangerously as the avian carefully fiddled with a tiny knob at the bottom. A click sounded and the hum became duller and deeper, the blade flickering slightly as it seemed to thicken ever so slightly. Taking extra care to keep the blade angled away, the avian Jedi pressed the tip of the blade against the floor; loud crackling erupted from the tip, but the durasteel deck suffered little more than an ash-grey scorch. Satisfied, Tay brought the weapon back up, tapping it lightly against his wrist and nodding as it failed to cut through.

"We're good," he informed Syrra. "Don't worry about my weapon, Commander; the training setting isn't too painful."

"I'm not worried," Pakka replied with a smile as he held the staff up. "Pain only becomes an issue if your opponent can hit you."

A few murmurs of interest rumbled through the students, some muffled chuckles hidden behind sleeves as the Nediji Jedi blinked, then grinned back. "Alright, I was gonna go easy on you, but now I want to see what you've got."

"Pull your punches," Syrra advised them, "but give it your best all the same. If I tell you to cease, you stop. Your goal is to make marks of contact with the blade-ends of your weapons, or hand-to-hand strikes. After each fight, I'll point out the highlights for everyone. Prepare yourselves," Syrra said, holding her songsteel paw up and stepping back, as both Trianii and Nediji settled into combat stances.

With a brief glance at both combatants, she slashed her paw vertically. "Begin!"

Pakka was no longer a stranger to the cadences of Jedi combat, having watched from the sidelines in interest since arriving, and so was not surprised when Tay did not deviate from the usual, tense first seconds; the two circled each other for several moments, analyzing each other's stances and distances, waiting for the first attack. Though the Trianii commander knew it was merely a sparring match, his heart raced at the idea of facing a potentially formidable opponent. With a lunge, he started the dance.

The head of his weapon crackled with low-voltage electricity, buzzing through the air as he jabbed at the avian's legs. Tay intercepted each blow, backstepping several feet before twisting and slashing at the commander's chest; the Trianii guarded against the blow, angling it away with the shaft. A step into the avian's range and Pakka spun, whipping the shortstaff around at the avian's head with blurring speed and forcing him to duck the blow before it could connect.

The cadence ceased and both opponents stepped back, circling each other again. Tay's beak was turned upward into an impressed smile, clearly not expecting the commander to have reacted so quickly. The expression caused Pakka to pause for a moment, leaving him nearly unprepared when the Nediji lunged in to start the fight again. His bladework was tight and controlled as he forced his way into Pakka's range, a staccato of swift strikes that the Trianii blocked with exceptional reflexes and skill; their weapons clashed loudly with each blow, yet the Trianii did not yield to the assault. He raised his weapon with one paw to intercept an overhead blow, his other snaking out in a palm thrust that caught Tay square in the chest; with the avian staggering back, the feline drew his spear inward and jabbed, scoring a jolting mark against Tay's shoulder and causing him to squawk in surprise.

"Cease!" Syrra called out, as the students applauded. She approached Tay, looking him over as he panted and held his arm. "As Pakka demonstrated, the use of natural limbs is a reasonable way to force a foe back without the risk of a killing blow. Remember that your fists and feet are just as useful in a fight as your lightsaber. That was good work, Tay. Are you good to keep going?"

"Sorry if the blow was a bit sharp," Pakka apologized. "Ranger practice involves us striking to disarm."

"I'm fine," Tay insisted with a grin, breathing in and shaking his head. "I can keep going."

"Alright then," Syrra replied with a nod, stepping back out of range. "Ready... begin!"

Once again, Tay initiated the fight, darting in while striking fast and hard at Pakka's defenses; but while he was exceptional in his speed, the Trianii matched his footwork with swift sidesteps and twisting dodges. When Tay pressed the attack, the Trianii would jab at his legs or attempt a leg sweep to force the avian back and disrupt his balance. Nevertheless, Pakka could not find an opening to exploit; Tay possessed what was clearly incredible natural speed, and was talented enough with a blade that his strikes left little room for counter, forcing the Trianii to twist his body and shaft around to hold out against the Nediji's bladework.

He ducked a head-level slash and spun as he descended to his knees, swinging his shortstaff at the avian's legs; only for them to fly into the air before it could connect. Pakka had only enough time to see Tay's tailfeathers above him, before feeling the heat and sting of the Jedi's low-intensity blade score a shallow hit against his arm, generating a yelp. He whirled around in place just as Tay gracefully landed from his flip, settling back into a fighting stance.

"Cease!" Syrra barked again, rushing forward. "If you all caught that, Tay showed an excellent demonstration of sai shiim, leaping and scoring a blow on a limb. Also notice he didn't waste time or risk loss of balance this time; in some fights, it's better to abandon momentum spins in favor of direct bladework. Pakka, on the other hand, used shun-like maneuvers for defense, which is good for blocking while utilizing footwork." She approached her cousin as he got back up to his feet, looking at the minor burn. "Hurting any?"

"Barely any worse than an Ekiboan sting-beetle," the commander chuckled as he faced Tay again with his weapon at the ready. "I'm fine, I can go again."

Syrra smiled back and nodded, returning to her position. "Very well then. Ready... begin!"

It was Tay who initiated the first strike yet again with a low, wide sweep; but this time Pakka was ready, jamming his weapon into the floor and vaulting over the blade with a kick that the avian barely ducked. With the bird on the back foot, Pakka pressed his advantage with a series of jabs and swings, heart racing as he noticed the pressure getting to Tay. The avian lunged and stabbed, but missed his mark as Pakka blocked yet again and caught him off balance- with Tay bent over, the feline leaned in, rolled expertly over the avian's back to keep him in place long enough for aim a kick.

It never landed. Tay interrupted the attempt with the wave of his wing, blasting Pakka away with a burst of telekinetic energy. Having never once been on the receiving end of a mystical power like the Force, the Trianii commander yelped as he was propelled through the air, his shortstaff flying away. With a grunt and a twist, he managed to use his natural balance and agility to transition into a backflip, landing hard but solidly on his feet; for a moment, Pakka had to stagger back to shake off his disorientation.

Tay blinked, having not expected Pakka to have recovered so quickly from the improvisation, but quickly decided on not giving the Trianii more time. He darted in swiftly, intent getting a hit while the feline was still disarmed and aiming a stab for the chest. With only half a moment to react, Pakka grunted with a twist, leaning back and avoiding the stab by mere inches; open and within arm's reach, the Trianii grabbed Tay's wrist with one paw and disarmed in by slamming his forearm into the crook of the avian's elbow, causing his lightsaber to clatter away.

So close to the Jedi, Pakka almost didn't see Tay wind his off-hand up until it was almost too late; but even as he took another kinetic blow throughout his body, he managed to grab the lapels of the Jedi's robes. When Pakka was flung through the air, Tay found himself being pulled along with him, both combatant shouting in surprise as they sailed several meters away and hit the floor, sliding to a stop.

Dizzy from the shock of the blow and trying to shake his head from the disorientation, Pakka found himself nose-to-beak with Tay, the avian's eyes staring into his own as the two panted from the exertion. A strange feeling of awkwardness overcame Pakka as he realized that the avian was blushing. It was only a moment later that his own cheeks started to burn as he realized Tay was straddling him with his talons on the Trianii's strong, bare arms.

A few seconds passed before Tay shook himself out of it and tried to sit back up, only for things to become more awkward. The avian nearly let out a chirp as he slid against Pakka's leg, prompting the Trianii to sit up suddenly in concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked, heart hammering.

Tay nodded swallowing. "Ah, yeah, I'm fine," he said, still looking flush as he got back up to his feet. Without a moment of hesitation he held his talon out for the commander, giving him a nervous smile as he helped Pakka upright, just as applause broke out around them from the exciting fight.

"Excellent demonstration," Syrra said, looking pleased. "I hope everyone here noticed the level of skill my cousin possesses. If it's not clear already, Pakka is not a Force-sensitive, but that doesn't mean he isn't capable of standing up to a Jedi or Sith with his skill and tenacity. Check the archives in any conflict involved Force-sensitives, and you will find examples of non-sensitives defeating some of the most powerful wielders of the Force through guile, grit, and the application of intense training." She gestured to her cousin. "Remember to treat our non-sensitive allies with respect; and our non-sensitive foes with caution."

Tay beamed up at Pakka. "You were pretty damn amazing," he complimented the Trianii, holding out his talon. "If you need a sparring partner to train with, I'd be glad to oblige."

Something about the bird's smile caused Pakka's cheeks to burn, a pleasant warmth blooming in his chest. "Consider me interested- you're a hell of a fighter, yourself," he purred.

What few and trivial reservations the Trianii commander had for this assignment (one that he had chosen out of loyalty to his own kin and his desire to meet new people beyond the system) were gone only days later. Work and training were never the topics of discussion between them- they left that to when all of them (Trianii and Antarian Rangers, and Jedi) were engaged in training, which included sharing fighting techniques, teaching their allies the Trianii language and customs, and sparring. The later hours of the ship, however, were mostly devoted towards Jedi student study, giving the two plenty of time to talk without being bothered (as Tay possessed no student of his own, and was free to spend his time as he saw fit).

These pleasant discussions had occurred for over two weeks now, and Pakka quickly found himself happy for the Nediji's companionship. He proved interesting to talk to, ready to share stories about his time as a Jedi Knight and listening intently when Pakka shared tales of his own. Eventually the topic had settled to a human smuggler the Trianii had once known as a cub- someone whose name was now known throughout the galaxy.

"So after capturing the walker, he used its communications to pose as an Imperial officer and tricked the bastards into thinking reinforcements were needed to route the rest of the strike force- they ended up being surrounded by a dozen Rebel soldiers and about a hundred tribalistic natives." Tay chuckled. "An entire legion of the Empire's best troops, completely undone by a tribe of stuffed animals and a quick-thinking smuggler."

Pakka laughed. "Yeah... that sounds like the kind of crazy genius I remember Solo for- all except for the 'General' part. I wonder if my mother ever knew."

The two sat in silence for a few moments, propped against the hangar's far wall opposite the mag-field, staring out into the infinite reaches of space as they ate, though it wasn't long before Tay broke the silence. "So, how did you know General Solo?" he asked, putting down a ration wafer.

"He saved my family a long time ago," Pakka replied softly. "I was only a cub back then, but I remember most of what happened. It was during the 'annexation' of the Corporate Sector Authority. We were on Fibuli when an invasion force showed up and started its attack on the planet. The safest place I could be was with my family, under the care of other Rangers, but... my father and I ended up being captured and 'interrogated.'"

Tay frowned. "That's awful."

"Wasn't the worst of it," Pakka sighed. "I'll spare you the details of their torture, it's enough to say that I didn't feel like talking after it happened, and it took a while to recover. But my mother found me soon enough and rescued me. Next step was finding my father, and to do that we ended up putting our trust in a kind old human named Rekkon- he'd lost contact with kin too, captured by the CSA. The poor man died before he could see his nephew again, but at that point we had hired an exceptionally skilled smuggler to help us." He grinned. "Much as Captain Solo would probably deny it, I think he did give a damn about what was happening- deep inside, he wouldn't tolerate kidnapping and torture, especially when a friend's life is at stake. He's a madman in the best possible way; he managed to save nearly everybody from the CSA prison, Stars' End, and blew apart the whole facility in the process."

"So that holoflick about his early days wasn't completely lying then?" Tay asked.

"No, it's tru-- wait, they made a holoflick of it?" Pakka asked looking completely bewildered.

The avian laughed, waving his taloned hand. "No, not really- but in one of the more action-packed holos they mentioned he blew up a place called Stars' End, I guess that's where they got it from. It's a little strange, meeting someone that's actually met one of my heroes, but hasn't kept up with his life after that point."

"Well, we Trianii being as isolationist as we are..." Pakka sighed, trailing off. "I know my mom thinks highly him- I distinctly remember her threatening to leave my father behind on Stars' End if he didn't come back with the captain," he added with a chuckle. "But I never saw him after that, though I heard he'd returned to the Outer Rim. All it takes is a little xenophobia and insulation- and you lose that connection to everything else out there. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss him just a little, although I wonder if he'd even recognize me." He paused, ears drooping slightly. "When I think about those days... sometimes I wonder to myself, 'how much do I not know? What am I missing out on?' And then I look around myself, surrounded by other Trianii, and I wonder if I'm the only one who feels that way."

Tay cocked his head. "Do the Trianii have no interest in the world's beyond their own?"

"Syrra did," the commander pointed out. "And I wouldn't be here if I didn't. But most Trianii? No, I don't really think so."

Tay stared him, smiling. "Have you ever stared at the stars on your planet?"

Pakka blinked, confused. "I don't follow."

"C'mon," the Jedi said abruptly, getting to his feet and offering his hand to the Trianii. "I wanna show you something." Curious, Pakka allowed him to help him up- a moment later he found himself awkwardly keeping in step behind the avian, guided by the paw towards the mag-field that separated the pair from the vacuum beyond. They stopped about a foot away, the vastness of space before them.

It was a curious sensation, as Tay squeezed his paw- Pakka suspected that the avian wasn't even aware of it. Yet something about the action seemed so honest, perhaps aided by the sincere, positive smile on his beak, that Pakka did nothing to break the bird's hold; it was an expression that bordered on shy, yet glad. With his other talon, he pointed out into the the void.

"Right there- you see that five-point cluster of stars right there?" he asked.

The Trianii peered into the blackness of space, eyes narrowed- he spotted it soon enough. "I think so."

"Now, a couple degrees up- you see the orange pinpoint out in the distance?"

Pakka nodded. "I see it, but... what about it?"

Tay grinned. "As a Jedi, one of my specialties is using the Force to spot spatial anomalies in hyperspace, to the degree that if the hyperdrive on my X-wing were still functional, but my nav-computer wasn't, I could instinctively navigate to any planet I can 'feel'- which is usually any planet I've been to before." He jabbed at the dot, lightyears away from them. "That is Felucia, one of the hottest and yet most beautiful planets I've ever visited. It's untamed, loaded with rancors, giant glowing fungal structures, and the oldest and largest Sarlacc pit in the galaxy- the Ancient Abyss."

"Sounds like a deathtrap," Pakka chuckled nervously.

"It's a planet lush with life," Tay insisted. "Even an untrained Jedi can feel life from orbit; and I've always believed that even non-sensitives can feel life as well, in their culture and in the day-to-day lives they lead. But sometimes we forget that life isn't limited to the worlds we live on- there's plenty of it to be found in the universe. And a lot of it's worth it to seek it out." He stared back out into the void, pointing to another section of space. "Over there is the desert world of Tattooine, orbiting its twin suns; often dismissed as desolate, but teeming with life of its own." Another pinpoint. "Ruusan, the site of once-lost Valley of the Jedi, swirling with Force energy emanating from its vergence."

"And you 'see' all of this?" Pakka asked.

"I've been all over ever since I left home- I've met a lot of people both before and after my training as a Jedi," Tay explained. "I'm told most sentient species don't see the world as I do. My eyes can sense the infrared and ultraviolet, and can naturally spot things farther away than most. But when I 'see' things far away, it's less about my eyes, and more about the feeling, the pull of life. It leaves a distinct tone in my memory, something I draw on when I reflect on those planets."

"I confess I don't know what it has to do with watching stars, though," Pakka admitted, scratching his head.

"When I say that, I mean to ask if you've ever stared at the stars and imagined what worlds orbit them? Have you felt the pull of the unknown, compelling you to reach out for them and see what's there, on the chance that there's something there worth finding? And when you think about that, how much do you think you know about them?" Tay asked softly. "Do you ever wonder if... maybe there's something special out there waiting for you to find it? A place in the galaxy meant for you, if only you look for it?"

Silence remained between them as they stared out into the void. But the words lingered all the same in Pakka's head, adding to the cascade of new, strange feelings he'd never experienced. From somewhere among the uncountable number of stars in the void ahead, a Corellian pilot had been born and raised; had traveled among those stars and become a scoundrel, then a hero; had affected the Trianii's life in a way he would forever be grateful for; and yet, had also disappeared into that vastness when he could have been followed. Almost at once, the overwhelming reality of unknown possibilities seemed to flood his mind. Creatures he'd never known or seen; heroes he'd never met or heard about; worlds he'd never visited or even considered, all seemed coalesce into a truth that was both uncomfortable and liberating.

"... I don't know... I feel like I know so very little," Pakka admitted quietly. "I guess I regret just being on the border, but... never stepping over the line."

"You don't always have to feel that way," Tay responded kindly, squeezing his paw. "All of it is still out there, waiting to be explored- whenever you're ready, whenever you want." He paused, then chuckled nervously. "I mean, unless you already have what you want, where you are. I gotta imagine a guy like you has a girl back home, right?"

Something about the Jedi's tone seemed forced, yet Pakka said nothing about it, shaking his head in response. "No, actually. I mean, there have been a couple of nice women in my life, but... nothing that ever really 'clicked'." He chuckled. "Maybe my problem is that I never did what Syrra did- maybe if I took that step, I'd find whatever it is I'm looking for."

"It wouldn't have to be another Trianii," Tay replied, shrugging. "I mean... you never know. I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd be attracted to a well-trained, good-lookin' guy like you, right?"

"Uh... thanks," Pakka replied, finding himself without anything more to say for a few moments- though Tay's words did make him smile. Before long, though, a query formed. "And where might I travel if I were to find someone like you?"

The bird chuckled, pointing out into the distance at a bright blue star. "For that, you'll want to look on the other side of the galaxy- Nedij. My homeworld."

His peering eyes locked onto the minute dot of light, though despite the focus he felt the bird's talon gently squeezing his palm. "What's it like?" he asked, curious.

"Tall, snow-capped mountains throughout the region, with rolling low-lands. The clouds there form into fluff, always cool and refreshing to fly through with gliders. It's a beautiful place, in my humble opinion, though not the only beautiful place in the galaxy." He smiled sadly. "Very few of my people understand that, I'm afraid."

The despondent tone caused Pakka to turn his gaze back to the avian, his brow creasing in concern. "Do they not travel beyond their world either?"

He shook his head. "They have little concern for anything that isn't a part of their world. At best, they trade with others. The only Nediji you'll ever see off-planet are those who have lost the favor of their own people, or those who found a higher calling in the stars beyond."

"That's good of you, to want to follow that calling to help others," Pakka said, admiration for the avian building.

"My reason for leaving my home had nothing to do with following a higher calling, I'm afraid," Tay sighed.

The admission confused Pakka. "Then what?" he coaxed softly. "You don't seem like the kind of person who would lose favor for any reason. You've been nothing but kind and polite to me and my Rangers since we got onboard."

Tay said nothing for a few moments, looking away; yet Pakka caught the pained expression on his face as the Jedi seemed to choose his words carefully. "... I'd hoped the one thing special in my life might be found on my own homeplanet. I was... wrong. In the process, I ended up being ostracized. I left partly to travel the stars because I loved doing it, but... I chose exile mostly so I could avoid living among people who couldn't stand me. And I also left because I hoped maybe I would find that special something out there, and a world that might accept me for it."

A curious feeling welled up in Pakka's chest; a feeling that prompted him to squeeze the avian's talon in return. "Did you find it?"

Tay flinched at the squeeze, looking between them with a surprised expression, as if he'd only just noticed he'd been holding Pakka's paw the entire time. He looked back up, a strange smile on his beak as his violet eyes softened and stared into Pakka's.

"I... hard to say right now, I guess. But if nothing else... I'd like to think I found a friend, yeah?"

Pakka grinned. "Without a doubt."

The evening hours fell, and after bidding the Jedi pilot goodnight he returned to the crew barracks, aiming on reminding his men that they had training the next morning. By the time he arrived, several had already climbed into their sealed bunks for the nights, while the rest were engaged in a game of sabacc.

"Good evening, sir," greeted one of the Trianii, the red-furred and white-haired female named Vesii. "What kept you out so late?"

"It's only 2200 hours," Pakka replied casually, removing his armored vest and hanging it over his shoulder. "Had a chat with Knight Tay after dinner, it took up some time. I want to remind everyone that the briefing for our three-day mission is tomorrow morning, 0700 hours, so lights out is in an hour, understood?"

"Yes sir," the players replied- save for one. Doma, the ash-pelted male cocked an eyebrow, regarding Pakka critically.

"Can't have spent so much time after dinner just for you to come back and remind us about training, Commander," he pointed out. "I noticed you getting fairly chummy with the Lode Squadron commander, sparring with him on the off-hours. What'd you two talk about?"

"Just war stories, Doma," Pakka said dismissively, a twinge of annoyance causing his brow to furrow as he made for the officer's quarters. "He's a respectable keeper of the peace and a good source for a Jedi perspective on things. I enjoy our conversations."

"It's what I figured," the soldier said, looking satisfied. "Though I feel I should remind you that our task here is meant to serve the Trianii, sir."

Pakka stopped short at those words, turning to the taller Trianii. "Would you mind elaborating, Cadet?"

Dome frowned. "Just making sure you to forget where your loyalty is. I understand wanting to get on well with the Jedi, seeing how your cousin is a member of their ranks. And I don't doubt that they're decent people. But they're still outsiders that follow a separate agenda, who are foreign to our culture and our ways."

Pakka folded his arms at that, his brow deepening. "I know where my loyalties lie, Cadet. Serving our people doesn't mean we can't befriend these outsiders, nor does it mean an understanding can't be reached."

"They aren't like us," Doma pointed out, folding both his playing hand and his arms as he reclined in his seat. "I doubt they truly understand us."

"My cousin settled among them fairly well," Pakka pointed out. "She was, and still is, as much a Trianii Ranger as the rest of us, and yet she's comfortable because she had someone to connect with and ease her in. You might do well to remember that understanding goes both ways- understanding them can help our people just as much."

"The commander's words feel true," Visii interjected. "I've had a chance to meet a few of the Black Tomb wolves, myself. They have strange habits, but they're certainly kind folks- playful as well, particularly those twins. Just give the crew here a chance, Doma."

The ashen Trianii glanced at her before returning a stare at Pakka, regarding him skeptically. "As you say, sir," he finally said. "Want to play a couple hands with us?"

"I'll pass," the commander sighed, the cadet's words having stirred him up more than he would have liked to admit. "I'm turning in for tonight. Lights out by 2300- consider that an order."

"Yes sir," Doma muttered, watching the commander disappear into the officer's quarters.

There was no perception of time or location in Pakka's mind as he slumbered, the reality of the universe falling away into the comfort of rest and unconsciousness. It was a vast nothing in which the commander was only vaguely aware of the presence of his own body, even if he could not see it. Most Trianii would have admitted to enjoying the sensation, perhaps a result of lingering evolutionary behavior where the species was most at peace. In his younger years he hated sleeping, as they would often lead to nightmares of his capture by the CSA. These would fade into dreamless slumber in a few short years and remain that way, until his teen years where strangely erotic dreams would flare up from time to time. These, too, also faded away in his adult years.

For the first time since his last dream, the images and sensations grew stronger; and it started with the feeling of his paw being squeezed, and his chest blooming with warmth.

The sensation might as well have been real for how genuine it felt and how much it affected him, yet he did not draw away, instinctively feeling that this strange contact was nevertheless benevolent. The nothingness around him unveiled slowly just as soft breathing caressed into his ear, an underlying anxiousness beneath its veneer of calm, and despite its relative silence Pakka could sense it was not at all like any female breathing he'd known. The sensation of weight on his midsection followed soon after, and it was here that the Trianii could sense that he was on his back and completely bare naked- just as most civilian Trianii preferred to sleep, absent of any stifling clothing. It did, however, clue him in that the figure he now realized was straddling him was also absent of garments, though try as he might he could not see who it was above him.

A pair of hands rested on his chest, and the weight shifted from his midsection. The blackness of his dream gave way to a space of the darkest abyssal blue, pinpricks of light appearing around him and casting illumination around him. When he had the sense to look back up, the outline of the figure could barely be seen, and although Pakka could not see who or what was pinning him down, there was enough visible for him to know the figure was leaning in to him. Compelled to speak, the words were in the middle of his muzzle when the figure intercepted them, pressing something smooth and firm against his lips as a soft moan left the figure.

It took only moments for Pakka to realize he was being kissed. His reaction was automatic, almost without any thought; there was no fear of rejection, no apprehension on his part as he gave in and returned the kiss, his heart racing and aching from the experience. His paws reached up and found the sides of a light but athletic figure, his fingers sliding through strange, long, and almost silk-like strands of fur. The figure let out a quiet sigh, its tongue slipping into Pakka's muzzle and deepening the kiss, pushing it well into erotic limits. If there had been there any lingering confusion as to the its motives, the figure started to grind against the Trianii's loins, wordlessly confirming its intent.

He reacted immediately, paws sliding down the figure's body and cupping its curved ass, squeezing and pulling it into his lap as he growled and shifted his hips upwards, his thick, swollen sheath sliding up against a nearly featureless crotch. A shudder passed through both him and the erotic shape as the act generated all manner of emotions and lustful feelings, spurring him to continue grinding up against the dream-shape's slit as his soft-barbed cock began to slide from its furry confines. It had been years since Pakka had been intimate with anyone other than himself, and to have those passions inflamed, even if only in a dream, brought out a need in him he wasn't interested in ignoring; a hunger that could be satisfied in the unknown figure, which was slowly becoming clearer as the seconds wore on, just as the sexual grinding became more intense.

It took less than a minute for the Trianii's ebony cock to reach its full size, though this bespoke of the high level of arousal he felt instead of a limit in his size. He easily outstripped the average Trianii length of six inches, boasting a proud, ten inch member- a trait that Pakka felt was more of a curse than a boon. But if the shuddering and eagerness of his nearly featureless partner were any indication, the Trianii's impressive length was being regarded with excitement rather than fear, enough that the form was grinding harder against the prick, letting out aroused gasps and moans each time, until it leaned over against and placed its hands on Pakka's shoulders, looking down at him. At that point, the figure spoke.

"Please, Pakka... fuck me."

The voice was distant and warped, nearly impossible to identify, and yet the desire in those words was all the commander needed to hear in order to act. With a burst of energy Pakka lifted himself up and embraced the body, his muzzle instinctively guided to the figure's mouth as he shared a deep kiss with it once again. As their tongues fought against each other he lowered the figure down onto its back, its legs spread wide for him. The stars around them seemed to brighten, illuminating the figure such that when the Trianii broke the kiss he could make out the figure's curved hips and vulnerable slit, which strangely did not seem to possess a visible clit. Despite this he needed no further prompting, grabbing his cock, pressing the tapered tip against the figure's entrance, and swiftly burying his length deep into its tight crevice.

Even with his moderate sexual history, the sensation was unlike anything Pakka had ever felt, a sweltering warmth that enveloped his entire cock as it slid through the velvet interior, every pliable barb along his length scraping along the gripping interior. He hilted deep in the figure's body with a groan, sliding his strong body up the figure's athletic frame in a close embrace; but as he savored the tightness and warmth around his cock, the Trianii soon realized something was amiss. Every heartbeat caused his prick to throb, and yet a second source of throbbing could be felt underneath his member, a split-second after his own. Curious, Pakka drew away slightly to speak; only to stop short as he realized the figure bore no discernible breasts of any kind, instead possessing a very male-looking chest.

His heart skipped as he looked at the face. When he spoke, his voice sounded distant and displaced. "Who...?"

The glint in his eyes was not unknown to the Trianii, the kind of stare an interested woman would have given him. A laugh that matched that playful glint echoed in the space around them, just as a pair of brilliant violet eyes stared up at Pakka, now framed within an agile face with deep-blue feathers, a handsome, medium-length crest, and a smiling golden beak. And even now, the Trianii's thoughts were the same- he still had not seen a more beautiful shade of blue.

"What will you do?" Tay whispered.

For a few seconds, Pakka did not answer, his head swirling in confusion; but there was no fear present within, nor any shame. When his answer did arrive, it was in the form of an action rather than with any words; he grabbed the avian's hands, pinned them down, and began to fuck the Nediji Jedi passionately, causing Tay to cry out in bliss as the Trianii rolled his hips hard into his own. Regardless of everything that told him what he was doing was wrong, regardless of the alien feel of having his all ten inches of barbed Trianii cock sheathed in a male's body; whatever his mind was telling him, his body was speaking on its own.

And Pakka wasn't certain he wanted it to stop.

Whatever shock he felt at his own brazenness was swiftly displaced by the feel of his cock hammering into the bird's genital slit, plowing past the lips that concealed his own pulsating member. Flesh met flesh, Tay's hardness pressing against Pakka's as their bodies met, with Tay writhing and rolling his body up into the Trianii with shameless need, while the feline grunted and growled, grinding every throbbing black inch into the avian's burning cock-slit. His sheath kissed the slit-lips repeatedly, even as he leaned in and caught the bird's beak in yet another kiss, alternating his hips between sharp, pistoning thrusts, and long, slow and passionate thrusts that allowed the both of them to catch their breath. It was not enough to compare it to fucking a Trianii cat in season; to Pakka, the exotic feel of Tay's interior along with the sensation of their cocks frotting together was both alien and superior, at least in this dream.

"Do you want to wake up?" he asked, his voice teasing and his smile wide. The Trianii felt his heart burst with heat once more, yearning to respond.

But though he knew his own answer, he said nothing. Regardless of the fear and the lifetime of being told how wrong it was, he did not want to stop, and he conveyed that emotion by redoubling his efforts. Fingers intertwined as he pinned Tay's talon's down, rutting the bird with enough force to send jolts of hard bliss sparking through his aching balls and up his spine each time the heavy orbs slapped the Jedi's backside. Now Tay was letting out passionate chirps each time Pakka's cock pounded his hole, his legs closing around the feline's waist and gripping tight.

"P-Pakka... I'm gon-- ah!!!"

Robbed of the ability to speak, Tay chirpd once more and arched his back, letting out a very feminine-sounding moan as he did so. With the avian's legs still clinging around his waist, Pakka waited and watched; moments later he felt the Jedi cum hard, a torrent of hot spunk scalding the underside of his cock and splashing against his balls, causing Pakka to shudder and hiss from the pleasant sensation. Though the urge to continue fucking the Nediji's cum-slick hole nearly prompted Pakka to continue, he released his grip on Tay's hands and looked down at him. The avian shivered, his feathers fluffing up as he trembled violently, causing Pakka to chuckle.

"W... what is it?" Tay asked through his panting.

"You're... cute like that," Pakka replied honestly, surprising himself with his words.

They said nothing more between them, with Pakka lost in his thoughts- or rather, trying his best not to think. To do so would force him to realize that he'd just dreamed of committing a massive carnal sin in his people's beliefs. To keep the incident confined to his own mind, to say absolutely nothing, was the only way he felt he could continue. And as Tay's breathing slowed down, he channeled all his thoughts away from his inner moral conflict, focusing it on enjoying the dream as long as he could. He grabbed Tay by the arms and sat up on his knees, pulling the bird into his lap and cradling him in a close embrace, adamant on not waking up until he was satisfied.

Tay reacted to the change in position, leaning in to nuzzle the Trianii as he sank down on Pakka's cock and sheathed it once again. The thrill of staining his own throbbing maleness with another man's seed was strangely erotic, making Pakka moan as he rolled his hips up and resheathed his length back into Tay's male fuckhole. Every barb along his length tingled sharply as the Nediji's slit swallowed his cock, strands of milky-white spunk oozing down his shaft as Tay grabbed Pakka's shoulders and bounced in his lap, guided by the Trianii's strong paws. Before long Pakka was growling again, his cock throbbing painfully as he struggled to hold back his orgasm for as long as possible.

He felt Tay's hand on his face and found himself staring into the violet eyes again. His beak did not move, but the words were clear in his head all the same. "Don't hold back... claim me."

With a snarl, Pakka obliged. His balls clenched painfully and drew up as they reacted, channeling their contents up his throbbing barbed cock. A passionate cry rent the air as the Trainii pumped gouts of his feline cum into the avian's genital slit, flooding the cavity in seconds. The excess splattered and bubbled out from around Tay's netherlips, a long moan erupting from the Nediji's chest as he arched his back and clenched around Pakka's cock, milking the tool until the torrent ceased.

Exhaustion set in as the Trianii leaned back, seemingly falling through space. Blackness closed in around them, yet all Pakka felt was a sense of peace as Tay leaned in and embraced him. One by one, his senses faded away, until all there was left was a voice.

"I think... I found what I was looking for."

He awoke with a gasp.

For a few moments he wondered if the dream was still continuing, his eyes catching distant pinpricks of light as he sat up in bed. When he at last relaxed, it dawned on him that he was staring out the rooms port-side viewport, into distant galaxies that Tay had pointed out to him.

The thought of Tay made Pakka's chest tighten, the dream coming back to him in an instant. Barring the immense strangeness of the dream- from the setting in which it took place, the vividness of the dream, and the unusual, deceptive genital structure he'd somehow imagined from out of nowhere- what made his head swirl most was what he had dreamed in the first place.

"... I just dreamed myself fucking another man," he said softly, his eyes wide.

Minutes passed as he stared out the viewport, his mind overwhelmed with questions and his stomach starting to twist in fear. A twinge of shame coursed through him as he realized his climax had very much been real, his sheet stained with globs of still-warm spunk, some of it drying into his fur. In his dream there were no consequences, no ramifications for intimacy with someone of the same sex, but what truly troubled Pakka was that he could not say for sure whether his actions were his own. He couldn't begin to imagine what his men would say if they were to find out he'd been dreaming of such a thing, the idea of falling in love, not just with a non-Trianii, but a male.

His breath caught in his chest as soon as the thought occurred to him.

"I... I'm not really falling for him."

A pause.

"... Am I?"

For several minutes the Trianii remained silent, mulling on the idea. Another idea formed, and he turned the question around.

"He's not falling for me... is he?"

Pakka found himself wondering on that. There were signs of attraction... right? He couldn't tell- the Nediji was friendly, amicable, eager to talk to Pakka. He could chalk that up to it being a standing order among the entire crew of the Inspired reaching out and befriending the Trianii visitors... if they were anywhere _close_to being as eager to chat with him. And though there were a few who did speak with him when they had the time, fewer still sought him during their off-hours for any other reason. Tay did.

Sparring. It was something that had caused the both of them to spend more time together, sharing moves and techniques with one another and becoming stronger for it. There was nothing personal in sharing that information, nothing special in it; even Syrra and Guardian Locke had spent some time practicing with him. And yet it occurred to him that every moment he was in the training rooms, Knight Tay was there to watch or practice with him. For what reason?

Perhaps Tay was lonely. Pakka latched on to the idea swiftly, nodding to himself- despite being a Jedi Knight he had not taken on a Padawan of his own. He had confided in the Trianii that he left home hoping to find a place in the universe for him, where he'd be accepted for who he was. And in the context of he dream he just had, Pakka found himself wondering if his exile from his own planet was as a result of his homosexuality.

The moment he thought of it, however, he balked, feeling disgusted with himself.

"Who the fuck am I to suggest that?" he chided himself, sighing as he twisted and hung his legs out of bed, his head bowed in shame. It was both unfair and wrong to assume that the Nediji were gay simply because the Trianii had had a strangely compelling, highly erotic dream where the two had made love. Knight Tay was simply a kind soul, perhaps a lonesome one who wanted to find a friend and make a positive impression on their visitors. Even if Pakka were right, did that really matter? What was he going to do- stop talking to Tay?

The thought emboldened him. No, he would not stop his interactions with the Jedi over a damned dream (and a damn good one at that, Pakka was willing to admit). Tay was a good friend- probably the best friend he'd ever had just by virtue of his kindness and willingness to get to know more about him than even his own squadmates.

Doma's voice seemed to echo in his head. "They aren't like us. I doubt they truly understand us." And yet, Tay was proving Doma wrong by making every attempt to understand him.

Though his thoughts were still in a jumble, Pakka at least felt calmer. He glanced at a nearby wall-mounted chronometer, perking up as it flicked to 0530. The briefing would not be for another hour and a half, but with cum still staining his sheath and abs he would need some time to get a shower in.

And perhaps, he mused, he might run across Tay again before it started.

Half an hour and one quick cup of half-caf later, Pakka was striding down the length of the Inspired's main corridor, adorned in his officer's uniform with a datapad under his arm, eyes flicking to each hatch he passed. He'd been told the briefing would be near the main bridge, labeled C-1, where he'd be meeting his assigned Jedi liaison for the mission. Though he expressed interest in continuing to work with his cousin and the Gold Rush crew, the commander was forced to admit it would be beneficial to provide their talents to other Jedi who could supplement the mission at hand. As he reached the briefing room, he found himself silently hoping that their assigned Jedi would be easy to work with.

He nearly dropped his thermos in shock as he saw Tay sitting on one of the tables. It was with a friendly wave and a warm smile that the Jedi greeted him.

"'Morning, Pakka."

The Trianii found himself unable to speak for a moment. "Uh... hi, Tay," he managed to murmur, blinking. "Wait... are you--"

"Your assigned Jedi liaison?" Tay finished for him with a grin. "Well, Master Moarn noticed that you and I were sparring pretty extensively, and since he figured I don't have much to do beyond flying with Lode Squadron, I would have the time to help you out with your tasks. I told him I'd be glad to."

Pakka found himself at a loss for words.

The silence grew awkward, and a hesitant look appeared on the Jedi's features, an expression of worry- as if he'd overstepped his boundaries or done something wrong. "I mean... I figured it'd be alright, y'know? I mean, I know yesterday I might've spoken too quick and assumed that I'd made a friend, but I just..." He paused, swallowing. "I guess I believed that, and wanted to do what a friend would. But... if you'd rather run the mission with your cousin, I completely understand."

A pang of guilt ached in the Trianii's chest, and it prompted him to speak clearly and honestly. "No! I mean," he amended himself quickly, calming down. "That's... that's fine, I'm glad_you want to partner up with us." The smile came easily as he stepped into the briefing room. "I told you, you _did find a friend. And after sparring with you for a week, I'd feel much_better knowing I have a good swordsman at my back- _our backs," he amended himself again.

Tay brightened at that, and his smile returned- the same one that made Pakka's chest burn in the best way possible, every time he saw it. "Great! I won't let you down, I promise." He got off the table and stretched out. "So, what's with the half-caf?" he asked, head cocked to the side. "Rough night?"

Pakka chuckled nervously. "Actually... I feel like I slept pretty damn good."