Majestic, that was the first word that popped into Angel's head as they touched down on Alderaan. Between the lush forests and stately mountains even Alderann's scenery reeked of grandeur. She didn't visit very often, but when she'd gotten a mysterious message from Ji she found herself rushing to the stately planet.

Need you to come to Alderaan soon.

Yours, Ji

The cryptic comm made her heart pound with worry, wondering if her Mando friend was in trouble. So she'd had Asme and Yen set course for Alderaan, telling them that the Order was asking her to check on a diplomatic situation. The whole journey she kept re-reading the comm, noticing that her eyes always focused on the words 'Need you' and 'Yours'.

"You've got the look again," Asme stated while he docked Serendipity and she glanced up in surprise.

"What look?"

"That one you get after taking those long, private comms in your quarters." Yen joined in with a laugh. "The one I'm sure I get around Roxy... or Asme gets around Svet."

"Hey!" protested the Cathar pilot. "I am not infatuated with my speeder."

"Could've fooled me. The way you whisper sweet nothings while you polish her," Angel teased.

"Oh no, don't try changing the subject," Asme countered. "We're talking about you and the starry-eyed look you're currently sporting. Why are we on Alderaan?"

"I told you," Angel sighed. "The Order has me on a..."

"Diplomatic mission," finished the three together, before they all started chuckling.

"She's sticking to her story," Asme said to Yen as he rolled his eyes, but the towering blonde just gave Angel a sympathetic smile.

"Then we should respect it."

"Thank you." With Serendipity finally settled Angel got up and gave the slicer a hug. "I know you guys mean well."

"Of course we do, you're our friend." Yen waited until Angel released her, then gave the Jedi a pat on the shoulder. "Should we stay here while you go handle the 'mission'?"

"No." Angel laughed. "House Organa is allies with the Republic. I'm sure if you tell them you're accompanying a Jedi they should take care of you."

"I hope 'take care' means 'food and entertainment', not 'throw them in the dungeon'," Asme grumbled and Yen shot him an exasperated look.

"We'll keep our comms handy in case you need us." Patting Angel's shoulder again Yen looked meaningfully at her friend. "You will comm, right?"

"If it comes to that," Angel assured her.

The three grabbed their gear and speeders then, after a quick round of hugs, Asme and Yen took off towards House Organa. Angel waited until they were out of sight before heading to a discrete shuttle-pad. Ji had sent coordinates for where he wanted to meet her and when she gave them to the droid she discovered they were for another shuttle-pad deep in the Juran Mountains. Whatever you've gotten into Ji, I'm coming, she thought.

Apprehension built in her the whole ride, making it difficult for her to appreciate the scenery. She kept wondering if something was wrong; what could have him calling a Jedi when he had his clan to help him? Her stomach filled with dread and she barely waited until the shuttle landed before leaping out.

She walked to a mailbox, trying to look casual even though she felt flutters of apprehension in her chest. Where is he? she wondered, her gaze darting from the nearby vendors back up to the shuttle-pad. Pulling out her comm unit, she contemplated trying the frequency she had for him when two strong arms wrapped around her waist.

"Gotcha!"

A male voice laughed in her ear a split second before her training and instincts took over and she spun in the firm grasp. Her hands thrust out as she Force-pushed her assailant and sent him careening backwards. Tripping over his boots he landed hard, arms and legs sprawling and his nerf-hide coat fanning out behind him. The broad-brimmed hat he wore fell off, revealing a shock of shaggy dark-brown hair and bright - if not rather stunned – blue eyes.

"Jicoln," she groaned and shook her head.

"Ain't you gonna help me up?"

"Just let me pull my skin back on," she retorted dryly. "Seems someone felt the urge to scare me out of it."

He let out a peal of hearty laughter and she started to chuckle herself as she reached down for him. He was upright in an instant and moved towards her like he was going to give her a hug, then paused.

"I'm going to hug you now." He raised his hands while his eyes twinkled at her. "Figured if I give you fair warning this time you might not knock me on my ass."

"Get over here," she giggled before he swept her into his arms and she heard him sigh deeply as he buried his face into her shoulder.

They had been comm'ing regularly but hadn't seen each other in awhile. She wasn't sure why but he seemed... bigger? It was hard to put her finger on it, but his shoulders felt broader and his arms stronger. Must be her imagination, she thought and leaned against him. He rocked with her for another moment, then stepped back and she could sense his reluctance to let go.

"Can't believe you're here Missy." He raised one hand close to her cheek but stopped just short of touching, and dropped it to her shoulder. "Bu'nas'a, it's good to see you."

"Good to see you too." She grinned up at him. "And good to see you're not in danger."

"Danger?" He seemed confused. "No, I'm not in..." Then like the sun emerging from behind a cloud, understanding dawned across his face. "Is that what you thought? And you were rushin' here to rescue me?"

Slinging an arm around her shoulders he pulled her towards a nearby speeder with a chuckle. "No danger, Missy, just thought you like to see..." His mouth snapped shut and he winked at her. "Well, that part's the surprise. But it's nice to know you'd drop everything to save me."

"I wouldn't try testing that theory after what you just pulled," she teased.

"Even if I bribed you?"

He pulled his arm from her and fished around in a pouch at his belt, retrieving a small packet. Before she even opened she knew what it was, the rich fragrance was a dead giveaway. "Uj cake!" she exclaimed, then bumped him with her shoulder. "Ooh Ji, you know me so well."

"I can only hope," he said as he pressed the packet into her hands. His fingers lingered on hers and she thought she saw a wistful gleam in his eyes before his usual grin returned. "And there's more where that came from. Now let's get goin', you're not gonna wanna miss this."

"Miss what?" she asked around the bite she'd popped in her mouth as he tugged her to his speeder.

"All in good time," he replied as he helped her onto it, then settled into the seat in front of her.

He took off like a flash making her wrap her arms tightly around him. She suspected that was his intention, and every time he rounded a curve or sped up she squeezed a little harder, feeling a surge of happiness rush from him. It resonated through her as high-pitched and trilling as a bird's song and she nestled into him enjoying the sensation.

It was easy to lose track of how far they'd gone, passing through woods and up winding mountain paths. The view was exquisite, and it didn't escape her how she appreciated it more now that she knew Ji was safe. After another turn up an almost-hidden path, they came to a clearing with a field-stone house on one side and what looked like a barn on the other. Ji slowed to a stop, then climbed off the speeder with a stretch and happy sigh.

"We're here," he stated as he helped her up.

"And where is here?"

"Ta'hyapr, 'The Sanctuary'," he said.

"Sanctuary for what?" she asked and he grinned at her.

"Watch."

He let out a piercing whistle, then called out "B'ami'r! Olar, olar!" His wild shout echoed through the clearing and it wasn't long before several warbling hoots answered it. "You might wanna stay close," he warned, pulling her near as loud rustling came from behind the barn and two long reptavians appeared.

"Are those varactyls?" she gasped in shock. She'd seen a few of the beasts before but never this close... and never heading straight at her. Unsure of what to do she edged closer to Ji and heard him chuckle as his arm curved around her waist.

"Don't worry Missy, they're sweet as sugar. Just a bit pushy is all."

For some reason his warm breath in her ear made her shiver, but she tried ignoring it, focusing instead on the large feathered reptiles walking to her and Ji. Both were beautiful creatures, one smoky-blue with a feathered frill in shades of violet and indigo, the other deep lavender, its purple feathers tipped with vermilion. They were smaller than the ones she'd seen before, they only came up to her chest as opposed to rising above her shoulder.

They looked at her intently, swiveling their heads, then pushed their way to Ji vying for his attention. "Crita, down girl, we have company," he scolded laughingly as the blue one licked him. "Manners Cti'nida," he said as the lavender one bumped Angel with her head, nudging the Jedi aside until she had insinuated herself between the couple.

All Angel could do was stand back and giggle as the creatures fawned over Ji like a couple of puppies greeting their master, and slurped him with their agile tongues. "Dagina," he said as he gently pushed on their beaks. "Dagina," he repeated when he lifted his hands. They stayed put, and he winked at Angel.

"You wanna make friends? Offer 'em some of that uj'alayi."

Curious, she pulled it out and the scent of syrup cake filled the air. The varactyls' heads whipped around as she broke off two chunks, tentatively holding them out. The next thing she knew they were lapping the bits of cake from her fingers, then snuffling her, searching for more.

"Alright you beggars, pabida." Their feathered frills flattened as they both turned to Ji, looking dejected. "Go on now," he said firmly and they slunk back to the stable.

Ji smiled proudly at Angel, his eyes searching her face. "So what do ya think?

"I think they're wonderful," she replied honestly and he let out a relieved sigh.

"I was hoping you would. Cti'nida gets kinda' bossy, but Crita is a doll. All in all most of the preen is pretty easy-goin'. Been raising them by hand for some time now and..." Suddenly he pressed his lips together, blushing as he bit back the rush of words, then he took a deep breath. "I'm glad you like 'em Angel."

"So is that why you brought me here, to show off your babies?" She smiled brightly and he seemed temporarily dazed, but he grinned back when he recovered.

"Exactly."