--Content Warning--
--The content of this story is of a not nice nature, and if you get easily offended or put off by bad stuff, don't read this--
--Content Warning--
Characters: Shaak Ti, Cedric Skywalker, Sev'rance Tann
Reasoning:Exploring why Cedric is so emotionally invested in Tann.
Timeline: 38:3:34
Cedric followed Master Shaak Ti through the busy streets of Boma Actica, capital city of the planet Berma Pleaix. It was located in the Outer Rim and there were some minor disturbances, but that wasn't why they were there. They were there to negotiate a renewal to a longstanding trade agreement. Normally the Republic diplomat who was already stationed here would've been able to make the deal, but negotiations had broken down to the point that the Chancellor had asked for Jedi aid in mediating the differences. Cedric was looking forward to the talks; they would prove to be most interesting. He was excited that the Council had chosen them to go, since they didn't go out quite as much as some other teams, with Master Ti being on the Council. They quickly arrived at the Republic's offices on planet where the negotiations were taking place. There they were met by Domi Acur, the Twi'lek ambassador for the Republic.
"I'm sorry, Master Jedi. When I informed the delegates that your Padawan would be joining the proceedings, they threatened to end the negotiations immediately. I'm afraid that he'll have to wait outside of the proceeding," he said, sounding truly sympathetic to their dilemma.
"My Padawan needs to be where I am, Ambassador. How else is he supposed to learn?" Shaak Ti said. Cedric was glad that she stuck up for him, but somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that it would be futile. He looked up at his Master, though with the growth spurt he'd recently gone through, it wasn't nearly as far as it used to be. It had become clear recently that he was going to be a weed like his father.
"Master, these negotiations are far too important to fight hard for my right to be by your side. I can watch them on the security camera," Cedric said. He knew by Shaak Ti's expression on her lovely face that she didn't expect that out of anyone his age. He knew he continually surprised her.
"There are times, my Padawan that I doubt you are Anakin Skywalker's offspring," Shaak Ti said.
"Master, how does one rebel against a rebel?" Cedric responded with a smirk. They had had this exchange before. Both of them enjoyed the shared joke between them. Cedric knew his Father's reputation well. He loved and respected him; he also thought that in many ways he felt that he was also more mature than his Father. It was an arrogant thought and unbecoming of a Jedi, but he couldn't help himself for thinking it.
"Unfortunately Padawan Skywalker, the proceedings are not being monitored at all, at the request of the other delegation," Acur said.
Cedric was incensed at that. He felt sorry for historians yet born who would not have a visual record of these proceedings. Shaak Ti said. "Very well, he'll have to read the minutes of each day's session."
Cedric didn't like that, there was so much nuance missed in just reading what everyone said. He liked to see people's faces, even without the aid of the Force he was pretty good at knowing when people were lying or hiding something. The look on Acur's face at that moment spoke volumes to Cedric.
"They aren't keeping minutes either, are they Ambassador?" Cedric said, trying not to sound dejected.
"No, I'm afraid not. I am sorry, Padawan Skywalker," Acur said.
"I will share my memories of the session with you, my Padawan," Shaak Ti said.
"That will have to do Master, but I learn more when I'm with you, looking through my own eyes," Cedric said. It was rare for this to happen, but it did from time to time, although most times, not to this extreme.
"You have a very intelligent Padawan, Master Ti," Acur said.
"Thank you, Ambassador, but I cannot take too much credit for Cedric Skywalker, he has done much on his own," Shaak Ti said. She never gave out praise lightly so it was always meaningful to Cedric to hear it.
"Master, with your permission, I would like to explore the city. I wish to get a feel of how the population in general feels about the trade agreement. Such knowledge might help you bridge the differences between the two parties," Cedric said.
"Very well, my Padawan. Stay safe," Shaak Ti said.
"Yes, Master," Cedric said, and left.
Sev'rance Tann watched the Jedi as they spoke to the Ambassador. She sighed, she didn't need their interference here; they might uncover what her Master planned to do too early. They didn't have enough systems yet for the war that she was planning at her master's bidding, and this was a key system in her master's plans. She watched as the boy took off without his Master. Good, she thought, the spies in the Senate have done me and my Master some good. She thought carefully about what to do at this point though. Her initial thought was to kill the boy outright. It would serve Skywalker right to lose his son after maiming her Master in their last fight. The reality that Anakin had only severed her Master's Achilles tendon didn't even enter her mind. Her master was still recovering, and that had been six months ago. The more she thought about it, the more decided she became that she should do something more subtle, something that might pay dividends later on at a crucial moment. A small smile spread on her lips, oh, yes, to have one that young was a delicious thought. He would never come to her willingly, he was much too powerful for her persuasion to be effective, and she sensed that he was too well trained to let mere lust rule his mind. That meant it would be violent, but that just would make the conquest that much sweeter.
Cedric walked through the city, using his age to an advantage. People were less careful around him, speaking more freely than they would Master Ti or the Ambassador. He used his age, coupled with a small shroud of the Force, and no one really noticed him. He heard many things, however, and most of it was not good for their mission here. Grumbles of how the Republic was gouging this world were everywhere. To Cedric it sounded and felt like heartfelt belief, however the numbers just didn't add up to most of the accusations. Indeed, Cedric knew that the next best offer the planet had was about 85 of what the Republic's initial offer, and he knew that with the difficulties the offer by the Republic had gone up some. He also knew that the Republic was offering more than raw price, there were things like grants for infrastructure upgrades, education, and even aid to the poor in the package that the Republic came with initially. That stuff had been there before, in previous contracts, but there were some generous increases to some of the programs, while others only got enough to offset inflation, but all of it was getting boosted in an effort to ensure that the contract went through. Cedric knew why the people were grumbling; it was far easier to believe a lie predicting disaster than the truth showing prosperity. Master Ti would need this information, he was sure of it. He started back to their quarters, when his danger sense flared. His hand went to his Lightsaber but as he touched it he felt a small prick on the side of his neck, then he knew only darkness.
Tann looked at the boy. The capture went perfectly, no one on the street noticed a thing and she had the beautiful boy chained to the wall. She had striped him down to his breeches. She wanted to play a while, to see if she might get him to want her, as she had gotten so many men to. His youth was the only thing that really gave her hope. He was right in the middle of becoming a man. That meant that his hormones might just overcome his Jedi training. She was dress in one of her more…fun dresses. It left little to the imagination, and indeed it wouldn't even be necessary to remove if she chose to rush things a little. The tranquilizer was just about to wear off; she could feel his consciousness stirring through the Force. She positioned herself where she would be the very first thing he saw when he awoke. She took pains that he wouldn't see anything intimate, yet. He moaned as he came to, and she grew excited at the thought of other moans he would make for her before she cast his lifeless body in front of his Master. She had doubts that he would survive what she had planned for him. His survival would be preferable to his death, but if his heart couldn't take it, that was no fault of hers. He came to full consciousness then.
"Hello, young Skywalker. You will soon sire my child for me," she said.
"Excuse me?" the boy said. He looked around, ignoring her completely. How DARE he not look at her!
"I have looked for a proper sire for my child, my boy. You are he. Think about it. You will get to experience me, no strings, no pesky marriage. Just lust and passion," she said, sound perky, like a teenage girl.
"There is no passion, there is serenity," the boy said. Damn him for quoting the hated Jedi Code to her.
"Then explain your existence," she said.
"Simple, Jedi make no decision solely based on passions of the heart, or especially the body. My parents considered many things before they entered into union. Father was punished for taking the step into marriage too early; as for me and my siblings, each of us was well planned," the boy said. She was getting angry at the boy; he was too calm, too in control. She went over to him and kissed him full on the lips sending the Force into his mind to drive his passion wild.
Cedric was fighting a losing battle. His body responded to her touch in ways he didn't want it to respond to her; she was manipulating his hormones in some way. The kiss lingered on for an eternity, he fought hard not to return it; every time he felt his control start to waver he pulled up more determination. He didn't know why, but he just KNEW he couldn't succumb to this woman's desires, and, though he hated to admit it, his own. He knew if this continued he would eventually give her what she wanted, so he gathered up all of his control and threw it at her, pushing her away.
"You brat!" she screamed at him. "So you want to play this boy's game rough? I like it rough."
"This won't work, I won't give you what you want," Cedric said, sounding calmer and more in control than he felt. She started loosening her clothes and exposing her more intimate parts to him, he could also feel her using the Force to augment the affect seeing her body was having on him. Cedric desperately wanted to send a message to Shaak Ti through the bond, but he didn't think it would be safe to do at this moment. Any distraction could give her what she wanted, and Cedric was determined to deny it to her. Then he realized that he didn't have to send anything, he just needed to open it up, there was a risk that the blue woman would take advantage of it and if she did that…well he hoped she wouldn't notice. He opened up the bond as wide as he could and hoped Shaak Ti would be able to find him quickly.
She came over and kissed him again, this time it felt violent to Cedric, he could feel her trying to push his mind and body into something he did and didn't want. He was really fighting her and his own body, and it was not easy. He pushed back against her attack, and then his mind slipped into hers; he didn't know how or why, but he saw ALL of her memories. All of her pain and loss came rushing through the bond that had formed between them suddenly. He saw her as a little girl playing, doing things most kids do. Then he saw the death of her uncle and the loss of status her family endured, and it dropped until she was forced to leave; then he saw the man who she thought would save her only to leave her abandoned and destitute. He saw the pain she felt, alone. Then he saw Maul, he saw Maul hurt her more, and then he saw her fall into darkness. He also saw the darkness wasn't living up to her expectations. He saw she really wasn't happy at all. He felt sorry for her, because he knew what she could be. Then the bond broke as Shaak Ti pulled her away from him; she seemed to come to and realized that she was in trouble.
Tann kicked out at Shaak Ti, giving her enough leverage to twist out of the Jedi's grip. Then she jumped up to the skylight, and shouted down, "I will come again for you, my love!" Then she was gone.
Shaak Ti unbound Cedric. Tears were in his eyes. "You're safe now Cedric," Shaak Ti said and hugged him, trying to offer comfort to him.
"No, Master, none of us are safe anymore, especially not me," he said as he softly wept.
"Why is that, Padawan?" Shaak Ti asked.
"Because, Master. I love her," Cedric said and then was over taken by grief: all of her experiences only made him feel more sympathetic toward her. Cedric wanted to hate the dark part of her, but he couldn't. Everyone has a dark side. It all just comes down to choices. Tann made the wrong ones. He just hoped he would find a way to let her see another way.
Sev'rance Tann wept as she watched Cedric Skywalker leave the place she had held him with his Master. The smallest part of her hated herself for what she had tried to do to the boy. The rest of her didn't care about what she had done to him, and the only thing both parts agreed on now was that they were soul mates and would be together. Whether that would be in the Light or the Dark was a point of disagreement. So far the small part was holding its own, buoyed by Cedric's love for her.