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"I must've hit pretty close to the mark to get her all riled up like that, huh, kid?"

~ Han Solo

Syrra found it difficult to restrain her satisfaction, such that she had bounce to her step as she headed back to the hangar. Hearing Master Skywalker's opinion and support had put new spirit in her, new hope into her own thoughts on her relationship with Kajex. To hear him express understanding for her mistake and offer counsel was something she hadn't expected, though she was pleased that he had shared it all the same. Knowing Kajex would be glad to hear that Luke had encouraged their relationship, she hurried towards the hangar bays.

It seemed strange, when she thought on it at length- when she first arrived, she hadn't really thought much of Master Skywalker, barely considering him a Jedi because of his unorthodox views. With all she had learned, however, she wondered if the old Order would really have been the one she'd have favored in the end. Perhaps her discussions with Kajex had tempered the fantasy she had been told of with the reality of their rigidness- if it came down to it, she would easily give up that fantasy to continue being with the wolf.

Anxious to meet back up with him and learn if he had secured some form of employment with the hangar staff, she had nearly forgotten she had another individual to meet with- it wasn't until she neared the_Roulette_ that she felt a chill in her, stopping short of the vessel and turning slowly. Shivers of worry ran through her as Master Moarn approached, the glare in his eyes remaining as cold as they'd been when she had left.

She cleared her throat, standing at attention. Before she had left, she had regarded Moarn with respect, and despite her experiences that had not yet changed. But despite having been gone nearly a month without seeing a hint of change in the Praxeum, it felt like his demeanor had undergone something considerable. While she had eventually accepted that Moarn was distant with both her and Garrett, she had never seen him regard either of them with any sort of animosity, relying instead on blunt criticism- uncomfortable, but bearable. Yet now as he stared at her, she felt vulnerable; as if in the presence of someone who wished nothing but ill on her.

She greeted him with a low bow. "I've returned, Master Moarn."

"So you have, Padawan," the Trandoshan replied coldly. "No doubt Master Skywalker has offered praise for your accomplishments on your mission."

Syrra hesitated. "He did. It was his opinion that I did well."

"I see. And how do _you_feel you did, Padawan?" he asked flatly.

"I, well... I see room for improvement," she admitted, ears flattening slightly. "I... would value your opinion, Master Moarn."

"In a word? ... Disgraceful."

He had said it quietly, almost completely devoid of emotion, but there was no mistaking the disdain in his eyes. It was enough that the Trianii felt she had been slammed in the gut. "Why is that?" she asked, feeling weak.

"I've read your report. I decided not to discuss my opinion of the matter with Master Skywalker. It is I alone who oversees your training so thoroughly, and thus I alone who can gauge your performance with any degree of accuracy. And 'disgraceful' covers about every aspect of your performance."

Doubt started to settle in. "What did I do wrong?" she asked more to herself that her Master.

"You accepted help from a mercenary and utilized his techniques and methods to progress through your investigation. I would have expected you to refuse his aid and set towards your task alone, utilizing your affinity with the Force to advance. Did I not warn you that his kind are not to be trusted?"

Syrra frowned. "His techniques and methods worked, Master. We were able to tra--"

"You will remain silent," he hissed, glaring at her. "You may claim that they worked, but at the cost of your training- you will learn_nothing_ if you do not utilize your own skill and develop them through constant use, rather than relying on such basic, civilian skills."

She started to speak again. "The Force doesn't offer any shortcuts to slicing and security bypa--"

"Silence!" he snarled- it was a tone Syrra had never heard from the Trandoshan before, and the harshness of it made her flinch- the sound had drawn a few eyes from the hangar populace as a result. "I warn you, I will not tolerate your backtalk, Padawan- you will speak only to answer my questions. You seem to think you had no other options. Why did you not interrogate any of the miscreants who attacked you on Fibuli? I'm told you left several alive, it would have been an easy matter of tearing the information from their minds."

She breathed in, trying to remain calm. "We already possessed the information we needed to advance our investigation. Captain Surnahm had it covered, but he was also injured, and we were in a situation that could have ended badly, had more criminals showed up. We left them behind so we could escape and treat our wounds."

"If that's all you did," the Trandoshan sneered. The words made Syrra flinch again, and she wondered at how much he had guessed at. "What would have prevented you from capturing one of the thugs, to later probe their mind and gain information?"

"Having to support an injured Captain to his ship, for one," Syrra bit back, a growl building in her voice. "Lack of experience, for another- it's not something I have trained myself to do. And lastly I'm not comfortable doing it- I don't like the idea of violating another person's mind to gain information. "

"Clearly a shortcoming on my part- as I'm able to do so quite easily and with no reservations," he hissed, looking over the Trianii with disgust. "And what of this Sith Knight? I read that you didn't bother to engage him in battle, instead backing down and ceasing fire to negotiate a release."

Confusion mixed with her growing irritation- she could not understand how this could conceivably be considered a problem to anybody. "I had 19 Trianii civilians behind me, with only 12 of them armed, facing a fully-trained Sith Knight with 30 guns on his side. Nobody would have been served through a total slaughter, not when I had sustained an injury to my leg and chest. I wasn't looking for a battle, Master- I avoided it in favor of a more peaceful option, the way a Jedi should." Her eyes flicked to either side. Almost the entire hangar had stopped to watch the argument unfold- out of the corner of her eye she saw Garrett approach cautiously. "And why would you care, given that the terms involved a mercenary you claim to not care about?"

Moarn stepped forward, growling. "Mind your tone, Padawan."

She stepped towards him defiantly. "My name is Syrra, Master," she hissed back, glaring.

The Trandoshan continued as if he had not heard her. "You let the station escape. It was a prime opportunity to destroy a Sith Knight, his apprentice, and a portion of the Imperial Remnant- and yet you ordered the Lightscreen to lower its interdiction fields, allowing it to escape!" he snapped. "What wisdom do you have to excuse this, Padawan!?"

"The base's destruction wasn't my priority!" she snarled back defiantly- anger filled her, but she controlled it enough that it only manifested in her voice and expression, her fangs bared and her neck fur standing on end. "I had injured on my ship that needed immediate medical attention- one of them nearly died_in transit to Ekibo! Had I not told the _Lightscreen_to stand down, he and a few others might have died from their injuries! My _wisdom, master, was to prioritize safeguarding the lives of the innocent over the destruction of the guilty!" A few of the heads watching nodded in agreement.

"And who was it that was in such danger, that they faced death?!" he challenged. "Was it not the mercenary?! What wisdom was there in rushing to aid on behalf of a mere hired gun? Or were you thinking with your loins when you decided to let the enemy escape!?"

There were no words to convey the shock she felt from this statement. She felt numb, cold and distant- in the back of her head, she realized the invasive feeling from earlier had been from him- it had been his intrusion into her memories.

She nearly swayed on the spot. "What... did you say...?" she said quietly, as feeling started to return, rage starting to build in her, making her tremble visibly.

"You think me a fool, Padawan?" he said in a self-satisfied tone. "It didn't require me seeing you kiss the captain to know you had given yourself to him like a whore--"

"YOU HAD NO RIGHT!!!" she snarled, moving to approach Moarn only to be held back by Garrett, who had rushed in quickly the moment she had started lunging. "How dare_you invade my mind, you _bastard!!!"

Garrett held her arms back as she struggled to move any further. "Syrra, no! It ain't worth it, just let it go!"

"He looked--"

"I know, but he isn't worth it- you need to calm down!"

Moarn sneered as her as she closed her eyes, trying her hardest to center herself, ceasing her struggling and stepping back, hatred burning in her mind as she glared. "I had expected better from you than this, Padawan. I was clearly mistaken about you. You wanted my opinion, and I'll give it to you- Jedi Knighthood will always be far out of reach from a slut like y--"

"That's enough of that," a voice growled.

Heads turned to locate the source of the voice, all eyes on an approaching figure that several people stepped out of the way for. Kajex approached the three of them, glaring daggers at the Jedi Master- behind him was Lynch, who also gazed at the Jedi master with distinct dislike. "So this is your Master, Syrra? You didn't tell me he was a massive asshole," he remarked angrily.

"I didn't think he was," she replied as she glared at the Trandoshan, "not until just now."

Moarn regarded the captain coldly. "The mercenary. How fitting one of the ravenous wolves of the galaxy actually is a wolf in appearance."

The wolf smirked. "Life's got a sense of humor, doesn't it. It has to, if the Jedi Order has started allowing sentient douchebags into their ranks."

"Your words do little to provoke me, whelp. This does not concern you- leave us."

Kajex seemed to consider. "How about instead of that, I tell you to go fuck yourself and suggest you leave Syrra alone? Because where it concerns my friends, and especially the woman I'm in love with, I don't back down- not from a Trandoshan, not even from a Jedi Master."

The reptilian Jedi Master turned to face him fully. "I am lecturing my student. You will get no further warning."

The mercenary stood his ground, folding his arms. "After this, I doubt like hell you'd even have a student. I don't think Syrra and her buddy here like the idea of having you teach them." He jerked his head to the watching crowd. "Not to mention word will get around of you breaching somebody's mind, just because you're jealous that she's getting some when you aren't--"

Whatever else he would have followed up with was cut off as he stopped in mid-sentence, expression changing from anger to bewilderment, his paws going to his throat. He staggered back, his breathing becoming ragged and strained as if an invisible vice had closed around his throat and was choking the life out of him. Syrra watched with dawning comprehension and horror as the captain was lifted from the ground, Master Moarn's claw outstretched as he forced the wolf into the air telekinetically.

She charged at him with a snarl, Garrett following closely- before they were even within arms length, they were hit with a wave of kinetic Force energy, both of them thrown back more than 15 feet away. The crowd that surrounded them backed away hurriedly as they watched the attack. Before either of them could get up, the snap-hiss of 3 lightsabers echoed in the hangar.

Everyone present turned to see 3 Jedi masters stride forward- at the forefront, a tall bearded human whom Syrra recognized as Battlemaster Kyle Katarn. "That's enough, Moarn. Put the captain down and come with us."

The wolf managed to grin defiantly at the Trandoshan. "Busted...fuckface," he managed to choke out, moments before Moarn sneered back and dropped him. Kajex collapsed to his knees, gasping for air as Syrra rushed to his side, glaring at Moarn.

"You disappoint me, Padawan," he spat at her.

"That doesn't mean much, Moarn," she answered calmly, focusing her attention back to Kajex and checking on him. "I refuse to be any sort of Jedi that must meet _your_standards."

Moarn said nothing, turning to the 3 Jedi and holding his head high as two of them guided him out of the hangar. Neither she nor Garrett watched him leave, the Trianii instead putting her priority toward making sure the wolf was okay.

"He's got a bit of a temper, doesn't he," the wolf assessed in a raspy, strained voice that caused Syrra to wince. "Who the hell made him a Jedi master, anyway? That isn't exactly what one might consider reasonable tutelage."

"It isn't," a voice above them said- Master Katarn had lingered behind, kneeling next to the mercenary. "It's against Praxeum rules to lash out like that in anger- it's against the Jedi code. You alright, captain?" he asked, putting a hand on his shoulder as the wolf coughed and nodded, breathing hoarsely.

"What's going to happen to Master Moarn?" Syrra asked. As far as she was concerned, she would no longer be his student if he remained, but if only for her friends' sake she wanted to know; she did not want to be lax if the Trandoshan were around, ready to attack people she cared about.

Kyle didn't answer immediately, scrutinizing the wolf carefully. "It's hard to say, kid. Students have attacked, even killed other students in this academy by accident or on purpose. But a Jedi master doing this to a civilian? It's practically unheard of." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry though- we'll keep a close eye on him while he's still here. As for you, captain," he said, helping Kajex up, "I think you'd better come to the infirmary with me to have you looked over."

Syrra got to her feet. "I'll come with."

Kajex shook his head. "It's fine, Syrra, I'll be alright."

"You might want to find a console and shoot a report to security, Syrra," Kyle offered. "At least to write up your side on how this all got started. Granted, I was here when it started so I know what caused it, but you should still put it to paper in case you or your friend here want to present a case to Luke and the rest of the masters."

The last thing Syrra wanted to do was leave her lover's side, but Kajex touched her face reassuringly. "It's fine, kitten. We'll meet back here later, alright?"

His smile put her doubts to rest and she nodded. "Alright. I'll be here when you get back." She watched sadly as Master Katarn and Lynch guided the wolf deeper into the temple. Once they were out of sight and the crowd has dispersed to return to their duties, she turned her attention to Garrett, who seemed a little subdued and hesitant to speak. "Thanks for keeping me back, Garrett," she said, putting a paw on his shoulder.

He shrugged, smiling wanly. "You had every right to be angry for what he did. But I was more afraid of what he would have done to you if you'd attacked him." He shivered, grimacing slightly. "He's been really hard to deal with since you left- I mean, he was kind of a jerk even before then, but he really started tearing into me once you weren't around, and I don't even know why. I'm sorry he put a lot of pressure on you."

She sighed, running a paw through her hair. "It wasn't your fault. I know you had my back, and I appreciate that, I really do."

He nodded, looking hesitant. "I was going to see if you'd like to catch up after coming back, but... after what just happened--"

"Come inside," she said abruptly, turning to the _Roulette_and keying in the ramp codes.

Garrett brightened. "You sure? I mean, if you'd rather be alone..."

Despite the last few minutes, Syrra founded herself smiling. "Not a chance. I know you're itching to hear a story, and I've got a couple for you. Besides," she said, more to herself than to him, "the last thing I want right now is to be alone."

Despite grumpily protesting against having a blood test taken, Kajex had done his best to be as good a patient as possible, waiting patiently as he was observed. The last time he'd seen a physician had been a less-than-pleasant visit to a shady building on a backwater planet with an Ithorian "doctor" who lacked the usual wall-mounted degrees and qualifications- though given that the wolf had lacked credits at the time, it was the best he could afford. His current surroundings were far more appealing in comparison- clean, well-kept and comfortable... with a very attractive Mon Calamari female looking him over.

She frowned as she pressed a finned hand to his neck. "Stop that. I can sense that, you know."

Kajex grinned. "Sorry, doc-- er, ma'am. You're just... really pretty."

She stared at him with narrowed eyes as he continued to grin, before finally sighing and settling for a wry smile. "Thank you, I suppose." She turned to Master Katarn. "Aside from some muscle sprains in his neck, hips and back, he seems fine."

The human raised an eyebrow. "Hips and back?"

Kajex cleared his throat. "Injuries sustained during recent 'night missions', Master Katarn," he snarked.

Master Katarn rolled his eyes, though he chuckled. "Don't be a smart-ass, kid. And for future reference, it's just 'Kyle'. I'm not partial to titles, they make me uncomfortable." He returned his attention to the healer. "If that's everything, Cilghal...?"

She shook her head. "For us, yes, but for you," she said sternly, jabbing a finger into the wolf's chest as he tried to stand back up, "you're staying here until Master Skywalker arrives."

The wolf's ears flattened nervously, rubbing where she had poked him. "Wait, what? Why?"

"He says he requires a word with you, that is all. Please be so kind as to wait here." She and Kyle started to exit, before she stopped halfway abruptly and turned around, looking scandalized. "Stop that!" she cried out.

"I didn't do anything!" Kajex protested as Kyle snickered. "Stop reading my mind, lady!" He watched them walk off, groaning and sitting back, lounging in the comfortable chair. He had only just begun to doze off when the door slid back open, causing him to jump and sit back up, looking up to see the new visitor.

In walked a human clad in black robes, standing at about Kajex's height, with dark blonde hair and blue eyes, with an expression of serene interest. He regarded the wolf carefully before smiling, taking a seat opposite of him. At once, Kajex got the sense that this was not someone he could hide things from, and he swallowed.

"... Grand Master Skywalker."

Luke smiled. "It's just 'Master' Skywalker, Captain Kajex Surnahm."

"Right... I'll remember that." There was a pause as the former mercenary sized up the Jedi. "So, what did you want with me?"

Luke smiled peacefully. "The same thing you want- to have a discussion."

"So... how bad does it hurt when it happens?" Garrett asked, grimacing as he set a glass of Corellian ale down.

Syrra shuddered. "Imagine a red-hot spear being lodged in your lung, and then immediately afterward a red-hot brand slicing your thigh open. Because that's the absolute best I can describe it to prepare anybody, and it doesn't even begin to cover how bad it is." She paused, running a paw against her leg. "Hurts just remembering it, to be honest."

The human winced. "You know what, let's skip that topic. Tell me more about this captain."

She coughed, feeling a bit warm under the collar. "There's not really much to tell."

Garrett scoffed. "You leave for 3 weeks, save about 20 people, uncover a new Sith threat, come back with hooked up with a mercenary; and yet 'there's not really much to tell'? C'mon, something had to have happened," he said with an amused grin. "What little I know about you, you probably had a good reason to hook up with him, right?"

Syrra laughed softly. "Fine. It started out abrasive, actually. But I kept what you said in mind- where talking to people can lead to a better understanding with them. It didn't take long for me to realize I was wrong about him." She paused, staring down into her half-full glass. "It actually helped that he was... pretty sexually open," she admitted blushingly.

Garrett laughed. "Damn, do Trianii generally work as fast as you do?" He grinned as she looked away, red-faced. "Just a joke- but seriously, this guy must have struck a real note with you somehow. Wasn't just good looks, I hope? Not that I can tell, I've always been a spotty judge of attractiveness for males and females..."

She nodded. "He certainly was attractive, I won't lie. But his occupation and way of looking at things was appealing to me, too. He didn't look at me as inferior after a while, he treated me with respect, and as an equal- even though he has far more experience than I do. It's like..." She paused, struggling to put her thoughts about him into words. "It's like he was trying to do the work of a Jedi, helping people and being compassionate, but without being able to use the Force, obligated to using well-trained abilities to do his work- often at the cost of great personal risk, if not injury."

Garrett arched an eyebrow. "Sounds kinda like an Antarian Ranger, if you ask me." She furrowed her brow, having never heard the term before, and her fellow student explained. "The rangers were a paramilitary force that used to help out the Jedi Order. Best of the best- they had to be, in order to keep up with the Jedi. A lot of them were killed during the Purge, but many of them survived and even helped Jedi Masters go into hiding. If he's as good as you say he is, he'd probably fit right in with them- I hear Master Skywalker is trying to restore them."

"I wouldn't know," she responded. "He just told me he picked up his trade from both his adoptive fathers. He doesn't like to talk too much about them, says there are a lot of painful memories mixed in with the good ones- but he has told me they taught him slicing, piloting and the basics of combat. I'll have to ask him when he comes back." She sat up, frowning. "Speaking of which, it's getting dark- where is he?"

As if on cue, the sound of the ramp lowering echoed through the ship, followed by the sound of heavy bootsteps- sure enough, Kajex walked in, waving. "I'm ba-- oh. Didn't know we were having company," he said courteously, spotting her human friend. "If I had to guess, you're Garrett, right?" he asked, holding out a large paw.

Garrett stood and shook it warmly. "Glad to finally meet you- Syrra's been talking non-stop about how madly in love she is with you." A hot flush that had nothing to do with the ale they were drinking filled her cheeks and she started to stammer. Garrett grinned. "I'll, ah, leave you two to yourselves then and head back to my bunk."

"You don't have to leave just because I got back," Kajex reassured him. "If you wanted to stick around and talk some more, I mean."

"Nah, I gotta head out as it is- need to stop by the archives and pick up a bestiary for tomorrow. Just because Moarn isn't my master anymore doesn't mean I can't still do some studying. It was good meeting you, Captain, hope to talk you again," he said pleasantly. "See you tomorrow, Syrra."

She cleared her throat, still recovering from her embarrassment. "Yeah, have a good night." She watched as Garrett left, then turned to the wolf as he tossed his coat onto the table. "Is everything alright? That took pretty much all day," she remarked.

The wolf slumped exhaustedly into the booth opposite of her. "Yeah, I checked out okay. Just a minor neck sprain- and they noticed the muscles I pulled when we did that thing."

"What thing?"

"2 nights ago, when you snuck into the 'fresher shower while I was washing up, and we went at it and you did that one thing with your muzzle and your tail at the same time, and I got surprised halfway in and slipp-- what's so funny?" he asked indignantly as she started to giggle.

"I-it's nothing," she sputtered, hiding her face and convulsing as she fought back more giggles. Eventually her laughter subsided and she wiped her face, smiling. "Still, a brief checkup like that shouldn't have taken more than a couple of hours, max."

Kajex looked reticent to speak. "Well, a couple of Jedi Masters showed up and asked me a few questions about Moarn- what I had said or done, why I had stepped in to intervene. I told them he was insulting you and that he'd breached your privacy, and I wasn't about to stand for it. They asked if I wanted to present a case against them, and I told them no. So far every single Master I've come across has been pretty decent." He smiled. "I was wrong about this place- I think it's got the right idea and right approach. At no point did they treat me as inferior- nothing but compassion and care from them."

"I'm glad you think so," Syrra responded, feeling relieved. "Still, did they really keep you around for that long just to ask questions about what happened?"

He looked hesitant. "Well... no. You see... your, ah... your Grand Mas-- sorry, Master Skywalker showed up."

Syrra ears perked up in interest. "Wait, really? Why's that?"

Kajex cleared his throat, shifting a bit uncomfortably. "Well, he wanted to apologize for the attack, wanted to make sure that my perception of the Jedi Order wasn't tarnished because of one bad apple in the barrel, which is decent of him- I told him I don't hold it against anybody but that asshole, and asked him to tell his healer I said thanks. Then he moved on to you, told me you had told him a lot about me- he wanted me to know that he approves of our relationship together, and to just keep doing what I'm doing to help you out. And he, ah... wanted me to let you know he wants to speak with you tomorrow morning."

Confused, she cocked her head to the side. "Why's that?"

Kajex whined slightly. "You know I don't like keeping secrets from you, but..."

"He told you not to tell me?" she guessed.

His ears flattened in shame, and her heart filled with affection for him as he looked up at her guiltily- she found the look adorable. "Yeah... I mean, he's got his plate full having to deal with that asshole Master of yours, otherwise he'd have probably told you himself. But if I'd had my way I'd tell you what he has in store."

"Can you give me a hint?" she asked slyly.

He whined again. "Aww, c'mon... don't ask me that," he groaned as she got up and slid into the booth next to him, cringing slightly as she snuggled into him.

"I'm just teasing you, hon," she told him. "If it's that important, you don't need to go on- though I'm getting the sense that you _want_to tell me, like it's making you excited and happy."

He smiled. "Well, yeah. It's good news, I can tell you that. But that's all you're getting," he said, nuzzling her affectionately and giving her a squeeze around the midsection. "Now, no more prodding." He looked up and spotted the open bottle of Corellian alcohol, smirking. "Busted out the ale for our guest, I see."

She took a quick swig of her glass. "More for me than for Garrett, actually," she admitted. "After today, I needed something to soothe the nerves- I figured you wouldn't mind," she reasoned, watching him pick up and drink straight from the bottle.

"Not at all," he replied, setting down the bottle. "Kinda needed some for myself, to be honest."

"Need a little company tonight?" she purred.

He arched an eyebrow. "Are you drunk?" he asked carefully.

She paused, curious. "Why?"

"Because if you are, the answer is no," he said seriously. "I don't take drunken dalliances lightly. I... made the mistake of saying yes to an inebriated lover, once. And I don't want to hurt anybody like that," he said quietly.

She smiled, leaning in and kissing him softly for a few moments. "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked.

"For looking out for me- and being the kind of person to look out for everyone you care about. I'm not drunk- or at least, I don't think I am. But I appreciate you for being considerate," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

"If you're not drunk, then... yeah- I could use some company tonight," he growled softly into her ear.

"Almost ready?" Kajex asked as he kicked his trousers off, glancing at the closed 'fresher hatch.

"Almost- stop being impatient, Captain."

He snickered. "I wouldn't be if it wasn't you I was waiting for. I'm also a little curious what it is you're doing."

"Alright... I'm done."

The hatch opened and her silhouette appeared briefly before she turned the light off, paws behind her back as she strode to him completely nude. His ears perked up as he watched her move, unconsciously swaying her hips with each step, looking nervous and excited- and completely beautiful, as far as he was concerned. Once she drew in within a meter of him, she tossed her Jedi robes to the side, breathing in and smiling- a row of beads hung beside her left eye, her bang adorned with sapphire, gold and white spheres, 6 in all. He'd never known her to have any sort of jewelry on her person, but the effect was exotic- and he understood it must mean something.

"You look great," he intoned softly. "I've seen those kind of beads before, but I never knew what they meant. What are they for?"

"Devotion beads," she answered with a blush, getting onto the bed with him and sitting on her knees. "Each one signifies our color in Trianii culture," she explained as she traced a finger along them. "Two blues for my eyes, two golds for your eyes."

"And the whites?" he asked curiously.

She hesitated, looking away timidly. "... Placeholders."

He cocked his head. "For?"

"... Our offspring," she said quietly as the blush deepened. "I mean, not that I expect us to have any," she added quickly, looking embarrassed. "I'm certain we're not genetically compatible, and many Trianii couples don't even, you know, replace them, not everyone wants children anyway- if you want me to remov--"

It would have been difficult, if not impossible, to express how he felt in that moment with words, even if she hadn't started to stammer and try explain her embarrassment away. Their track record of conveying how they felt with kisses, hugs, nips, licks and nuzzles had been enough before, yet even when he leaned forward and caught her lips mid-sentence with hers, he still did not feel as if had said all he could, had expressed how happy he was feeling, in that one kiss- not even supplemented with his wagging tail.

He broke off, staring at his lover's red face and smiling, holding her around the waist. "I'm honored you actually consider me a potential candidate."

She cast her eyes away, looking pleased. "It's... just tradition. But I'd be lying if I said I don't want it to reach that point someday."

A warm wolf nose pressed against her cheek as he nuzzled her. "Does it make what we have more... 'real'?"

She shook her head, the beads swaying gently. "No. It's just my way of telling others that I'm taken, and that I intend to commit myself to you."

"Did you want me to do the same?" he asked with a broad smile.

She blushed again. "You could, if you want. But you don't have to, if you don't want to."

"Would it make you happy?" he asked, stroking her face.

"I'd be ecstatic enough to pass out," she said weakly, beaming and leaning against him and purring softly. "Can we... try something new tonight?"

"What did you have in mind?" he asked curiously.

When she looked up, it was with an expression of apprehension. "My first sexual encounter wasn't with you, in a sense," she started slowly. "It actually happened while I was at the academy."

Kajex cocked his head in mild surprise, though he wasn't unhappy- the idea of her having a lover besides him wasn't particularly bothersome. "With Garrett?"

"No, not Garrett. I mean, granted, he's handsome in hi--" she stopped short and looked away as he grinned.

"Should I ask him to join?" he said slyly, nipping into her neck and making her purr louder. "Not that I wouldn't mind, it wouldn't be the first time I've shared."

"Don't you dare!" she cried out in embarrassment, though she smiled and nuzzled against him. "But no, it wasn't him," she started again. "I... had a meditation fiasco about a month before I met you. I was trying to sense life in the forests outside the ruins I'd been training in and perceived two Brush Canids."

Kajex smiled. "I think I see where his is going. Is that why you like my 'shape'?" he asked shrewdly. "Because it reminds you of your first experience?"

"I didn't lay with an animal," she said, blushing. "Not... really. I just... felt what the bitch felt, and it was... I had never..."

Her nervousness was incredibly cute to the wolf as she struggled to find words to describe it. "I think I know what you're looking for," he stated as he grabbed her by the waist and brought her down with him, letting her lay atop him as he kissed her. Relief showed through her face as he prevented her from having to explain the incident in full.

"What are we...?"

"Just a second," he said, guiding her into position so that he back was to him, his swollen prick already at full mast and throbbing. He swatted her backside playfully, making her chirp and purr. "Gonna need to prepare the both of us, kitten," he instructed her, grinning to himself as she raised her rump and flagged her tail high, backing up into his muzzle. Half a moment later he groaned as Syrra's lips pressed firmly around his ebony length, her slightly rough tongue circling around his flesh. A slight vibration radiated from her muzzle, adding a slight tingle of pleasure to his prick, almost enough to cause him to forget to pay her in kind for her efforts.

His thumbs slid over her slit smoothly as he pressed into them and spread the folds apart, exposing the bright pink interior of her snatch to the slightly cool air. Warmth emanated from her mound, as did her pleasant scent, an aroma he doubted he would ever get tired of. Doing his absolute best not to grow too intoxicated to the aroma, he pulled her hips down and brought his muzzle near her gash, breathing hot air against it gently- the effect caused her to shudder, her slit quivering as he kissed against it, dragging his tongue up against her clit and making her moan around his length.

She had learned from well from trial and error, he realized, as she slid as much of her muzzle around his cock as she could, tongue slowly swirling around the head when she drew up and around the base as she moved down. What she lacked in experience she easily made up for in creativity and enthusiasm- though he wondered if perhaps she was keying into his sensations through the Force, to try to determine if what she was doing was getting the effect he enjoyed.

She stopped abruptly to speak. "I'm... kind of doing that, yes," she admitted.

He chuckled. "It's working, kitten."

They returned to their foreplay, the wolf groaning each time she suckled or licked just right, while the Trianii whimpered and chirped each time he caressed her inner walls delicately. He could feel her maw getting sloppy with a mixture of saliva and a substantial amount of precum, could feel her swallowing the salty-sweet mixture every few moments while she slathered the surface of his length with the rest- every small gulp was followed by a burst of arousal from the feline, as if it triggered her cleft erotically, causing her to produce more of her sweet-tasting nectar. A firmer push into her cleft and he found her pushing back, backing her hips into his tongue as he continued to eat her out- he reciprocated by rolling his hips into her face, grunting as she took his length as deep as possible, her lips kissing against his sheath.

Creativity kicked in as she pulled away from his cock with a deliberately loud slurp, taking his length in her paw and squeezing it hard as she stroked it, ducking back down to kiss and lick his balls. With nothing but her (attractive) backside to look at, her nevertheless pictured the scene he was missing as her gentle yet slightly abrasive tongue slathered around each furry orb- he could certainly feel the sensation as he experience the doubled pleasure of having his tool jacked and his nuts teased. Eager to match her enthusiasm he gave her clit a few gentle pinches, smiling into her muff each time she squeaked and purred from the stimulation.

Before too long, and before he could allow himself to become completely aroused, he pushed her hips back up. "I think that'll be enough, kitten," he said, giving her backside another firm swat and making her chirp excitedly.

"Why do you keep doing that?" she asked her tail swishing pleasantly.

"Because I get the feeling you actually enjoy the sensation of being dominated," he growled playfully, attacking her neck with nips and licks, pushing her down to the bed and rolling her onto her stomach as she purred. She looked back hesitantly, and he could tell she was probably being reminded of her botched meditation session- he could only imagine the incident, where no part of what had happened to her had been within her control, even if she had enjoyed it. There was nothing but concern and love for her as he coaxed her backside up, getting her to present her rump to him. He slid in from behind, keeping his tapered tip lined up against her pussy and leaning over her shoulder, licking at her cheek gently.

"Remember our rule, kitten?"

She nodded, looking more relaxed. "You stop when I say stop. I trust you."

Now assured that she would tell him if it was too uncomfortable, he mounted her swiftly, driving forward with a smooth motion and growling as the impact of his hips against her backside drew a pleasured moan from his Trianii lover. A half-second wait, then he pulled back, slamming it back in, grunting as he reburied his prick into her sweltering depths, a low growl rolling from his throat as he began to breed her.

"What was it like?" he whispered into her ear as he struck into her hole with a steady, well-measured pace, balls bouncing against her clit with every blow.

"Wh... what do you mean?" she whimpered, spreading her legs out and pushing back into his thrusts, her tail wrapping around his waist tightly The fur on her back raising as a shudder rattled through her spine.

"When it fucked you," he said bluntly, nipping at her neck as he pounded away at her snatch, wrapping his arms around her body as each strike sent shocks through her body, her ample breasts jiggling each time. She squeezed around his thickness, hissing slightly as he continued to pull out and thrust back in, the wolf savoring the velvety vice-grip of her vaginal walls. A smile spread across his face as he noticed her rolling her hips back harder, trying to snare his cock in her depths as she answered.

"It was... wild..." she breathed, "rough... so bestial."

He altered his pacing, his thrusts becoming more erratic and violent as he started growling into her ear- she tensed, mewling as she writhed under him, her claws digging into the sheets beneath her. Within moments he had changed the setting and feel as he slowly tried to replicate what she had been feeling. Using little more than her gasping and moaning, he tried to gauge what she wanted, pausing briefly to grind his hips into her slick, tight passage- her delicious interior did not let this happen idly, as it attempt to milk his dick while trying to keep it inside her.

The seconds wore on as he hammered into her, her newly added beads bouncing against the side of her face as they rocked into each other- he paws slid up her belly and breasts as he eyed the new ornamentation, his imagination wandering as he kept his eyes on the white beads, envisioning his lover impregnated with his offspring, a swollen belly on her otherwise agile body. Impossible though it seemed, the idea turned him on, and he bit into her scruff reflexively tugging her.

She hissed, arching her back. "Gods... harder!"

He obliged, sinking his fangs firmly into the fur and skin at the back of her neck, tugging up with a feral growl as he hilted into her deep. Rather than squirm beneath him she sighed, relaxing and shivering submissively as his throbbing maleness pulsed deep within her. His paws cupped each of her full breasts, squeezing each perfect tit firmly and eliciting another chirp from his lover- his fingers pinched at her pert nipples as he let go, bringing his muzzle to the side of her head as he forced her upright onto her knees, letting him sink down into his lap.

"Was it like this?" he growled lustfully into her ear, his voice drawing out a small moan as she counter-matched his motions, bouncing on his dick enthusiastically. For a moment it seemed to him like she had forgotten he was even there, so engrossed by the height of physical pleasure that she didn't answer immediately while she rode his cock. He leaned over her shoulder, bringing a paw to her face and turning her head to him as he continued to breed his lover- her eyes were glazed, but he knew she could see him.

"It was... exactly... please, breed me..." she whimpered.

He obliged easily, putting as much strength into every blow as he could, bucking into her cleft with bruising force- within moments she had orgasmed, clenching hard around his prick and preventing him from moving temporarily. Moaning low and long, she doubled over again, gripped at the pillow beneath her and tried to back into his lap, trembling as weakness overtook her. From here, Kajex picked up, redoubling his efforts as the base of his cock swelled, his thick knot mashing up against her netherlips. "Did it... give you the knot...?" he growled deeply as his balls ached for sweet release.

She mewled. "Y-yes..."

"Do you want your Alpha to give you his knot? To breed you like a bitch?" he snarled into her ear, making her chirp erotically as he ground his knot against her- it would be too easy to give it to her, too easy for him to drain his balls into her womb without a word, but not nearly as erotic as it could potentially be. He knew she could tell what he wanted her to say- and also knew she wanted to say it.

"P-please...!" she cried out.

"Say it, kitten."

"C-claim me... Alpha!"

He bit at her neck again, pinning her down dominantly and making her yowl in bliss while he simultaneously slammed into her mound hard, a hard shock of painful pleasure running through his cock and up his spine as he buried the knot into her cleft in a single, brutal thrust- she screamed as she experienced another mind-breaking orgasm, convulsing weakly as she squeezed unconsciously around his ebony cock. The intense sensation caused him to let go abruptly as he tossed his head back and snarled, losing himself in a wave of ecstasy and pouring his heavy balls into her womb, pumping her full of rich, potent seed- within moments the pressure became too much, the seal of his knot lodged in her muff becoming too much as hot, milky seed splashed against his balls and around his length, a string of seed trailing down the Trianii's inner-thigh as she gasped for breath. Every throb of his length was followed by him depositing more baby-batter into her fertile womb- it would do nothing to her, he knew, but there was some satisfaction in knowing his seed, and his alone, would swim in her depths.

She was shivering, and as Kajex came down from his climax he leaned over, worried for her. Despite her assurances that she would tell him, he wondered if he'd gone too far, turning her face and nuzzling her. "Kitten...?"

She smiled back at him, purring. "That... was intense," she breathed. He chuckled softly, holding her close and nuzzling her, then made to pull out. "No!" she chirped, grabbing his wrist. "Can you... stay in me tonight?" she asked.

His response was to lay on his side, bringing her down with him while still tied with her, turning her head and kissing her deeply, a tired, satisfied growl rumbling in his chest. He tried to convey as much as he could in their meeting of muzzles, mainly his concern and love for her, his relief that she was alright. She seemed to understand, holding his arm as he spooned her.

"So... was I right?" he asked softly.

"What about?"

"About you enjoying the sensation of being dominated," he said, nipping into her neck affectionately.

She grinned back at him. "It's a little thrilling to feel helpless... 'Alpha'," she purred.

"I could teach you a lot of things, kitten," he offered. "But only when you want."

She swallowed, looking hesitant. "So... if I were to take you up on that offer on inviting Garrett...?" she squeaked.

There was a moment of silence as he looked at her, stunned- shattered when he started to laugh incredulously. "You don't think I'm being a bad influence on you, do you?"

She shook her head, beaming. "As long as it doesn't cut into my training, I feel like I'm open to just about anything," she admitted. "Speaking of which... I wanted to ask you something important."

"Anything."

"Well... two things, now. First... Master Skywalker offered to set me up with a sparring partner- would you be alright with that? I'd still train with you, but--"

"Syrra, I'm ashamed of you," he said in mock disapproval. "Taking on another sparring partner instead of me? It's like cheating on me, I say!" She giggled and he licked her face. "No, I don't mind at all. Who knows, he might set you up with someone you could really learn from. And I _want_you to excel," he added sincerely, smiling. "Now, what's this second thing?"

She hesitated. "You can say no to this, but... if I helped you to do it, then tomorrow morning would you allow me to... adorn your hair with beads?" she asked meekly.

It took all his willpower not to gush with affection at her offer, settling for nodding and nuzzling her. "I would be honored, Syrra," he replied as they pressed their noses together.

"You wear it well," she remarked softly with her head on his shoulder as he looked in the mirror, the right side of his face framed with a series of beads in the same sequences as her own.

"You think so?" he asked hopefully, tail wagging beneath his longcoat. "I actually like it, but I'd remove it if you thought it looked ridiculous on a non-Trianii."

She shook her head, smiling. "You look great- and what it signifies means more to me than just how it looks." She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, purring softly.

He looked back. "We better head out, Master Skywalker wants to see us both."

She cocked her head. "'Both?' I thought he wanted to see me."

"You'll see, trust me."

Confused but unperturbed, she followed him out of his quarters and through the ship, striding down the ramp. They had spent another couple of hours enjoying each other's company after waking up, another deposit of his spunk nestled deep in her womb, and so both had been in exceptionally good moods as she taught him how to apply the beads correctly. It was mid-morning when she had finished- shortly after she detected Master Skywalker approaching the hangar, giving them a few moments to prepare.

Sure enough they saw him at the other end of the busy hangar, looking serene as always as they approached each other. They met halfway, Syrra bowing to him respectfully as he repeated the gesture- Kajex mirrored the motion, much to her approval.

"Good morning, Master Skywalker."

"Good morning to you both," he responded. "No doubt Captain Surnahm told you last night I wanted to meet with you, and you wondered why."

She nodded, looking to him as he flicked his eyes away, trying to feign ignorance. "He was reticent to tell me why. Is there a problem?"

"There was- but not anymore. First there's the matter of your former Master, Moarn."

She stiffened, feeling a cold at the mention of his name. "What about him?" she said cautiously.

Luke sighed. "Unfortunately, he did not take well to my suggestion that he reconcile with you. He was very guarded, unwilling to tell me what prompted this negative change, which was very worrisome. I advised that he take leave from the Jedi Order to reflect on what he had done, and cautioned that I would not tolerate any further attacks on students or their family and friends. He left late last night."

She breathed out, feeling relieved. "Good..."

He put a hand on her shoulder. "What he did was wrong and unfair to you, Syrra- and nothing you said, Kajex, warranted his attack on you," he added. "But I would strongly suggest trying to find it in your heart to forgive him. That he was reticent to give a reason suggests it was something personal to him- there may well be some source of pain that prompted such a change."

Despite her anger at her former master, she sighed and nodded. "I'll... try to make an attempt to reconcile with him, should he ever return."

He smiled. "I'm glad. That, of course, brings us to our second issue we need to address. With Master Moarn having left, we need to assign a new teacher to you. I was able to assign Garrett to another Jedi Master, a former Nightsister who might better foster his talents for communing with nature. But she's insisted on only training one student at a time given her relatively young age. As it stands, assigning two students per Master still seems like the best balance, and every other Jedi master is taken."

Syrra's ears drooped slightly. "So... am I not able to continue my training?"

"Far from it," Skywalker assured her. "My initial idea was to invite you to remain at the academy to continue training as long as you would like by yourself, until another master could take you up. I doubt it would have taken all that long, either, but last night I came to a decision and decided to assign you to a different mentor."

Syrra blinked. "But... I thought you said no other Jedi Masters were available."

"Here it comes," muttered the wolf.

He nodded, smiling broadly. "And there aren't. So I would like to introduce you to your new mentor." He raised his hand to the wolf. "Kajex Surnahm."

She gaped, staring at Master Skywalker for a few moments, before turning slowly to Kajex.

He lifted a paw timidly, a sheepish grin on his face. "Surprise..."