The
Prodigal Son Returns
Okay. Continuing .
It was three weeks ago…three weeks ago Master Kenobi, Master Unduli, and myself were sent to rescue Padme and Jar-Jar, as well as save the people of Rodia from a hostile takeover by the Trade Federation. A takeover orchestrated by Viceroy Nute Gunray – an extremist who is in the pocket of Count Dooku.
Senator Lott Dod, and his two cronies – Canay and Tuuk – agreed to represent the Viceroy and made him plead guilty to the charges of treason, kidnapping, and numerous other claims. Dod claimed the Trade Federation – in spirit – has always been neutral, but sided with the separatists due to the Viceroy's…eagerness.
Slick and I, suspicious of the actions taken, were surreptitiously asked to investigate. After the Viceroy was escorted to a holding cell, General Grievous and an army of droids appeared. Slick and I managed to record the plot concocted between the Neimoidians and Grievous. And when I blocked their exit into the catacombs, I was dragged into a bout against Grievous – which I lost.
The end results – Gunray got away, Grievous reinjured my not completely healed ribs, Dod and his goon squad got away with murder. IN THE MOST LITERAL SENSE POSSIBLE! And to top of the end to a horrible day…to-top-it-off…that…maniacal…worthless…pathetic…COWARD!
After Master Kenobi, Master Unduli, and I returned to the ship, I watched as Jar-Jar and Padme were wheeled back to the infirmary. I was happy to know they were going to be alright. They did not deserve to be harmed any further. As I was being wheeled to the medical bay to be examined, Dogma ran to me…frantic and panicking. He told me over and over, "I'M SORRY! IT JUST HAPPENED! I DIDN'T THINK…" I asked him to calm down and explain. He said, "It's Kashjeen! You need to see!"
At that point I forgot about my injuries. I rolled from the stretcher and dropped to my feet. My ribs blazed in white hot pain, the welt on my head from Grievous stepping on me began to pulsate- I did not care. I ran at top speed, gusting past every trooper I came by. Dogma, Master Kenobi and Unduli followed after me, worried I might collapsed due to severe injuries.
When we arrived to the prison bay, I was confused to find Chopper, Jesse, and Tup surrounding Kashjeen's cell. I brushed past them, asking them to move. My heart stopped. My mind went blank. All sounds and voice muffled. The world around my ceased to move.
Sitting against the wall, a residue from a laser bolt through the mouth, a smeared stream of blood deriving from spatter on the wall, was the murderer of my parents…and the bane of my existence. My uncle…Kashjeen Amatooli…was dead. Next to him…carved into the table via metal from his suit, was a note. They'll never stop…
The screams, the torturous wails of pain, the tormenting howls of mercy, the cries of my parents as they were brutally and mercilessly murdered by the very monster who dared to call himself my family. Until time stops, until winter comes in summer, until the sun rises in the west and sets in the east…the shrieks of agony and the pools of blood will never go away. Not so long as my heart continues to beat.
Kashjeen escaped these torments by taking his own life. That…BASTARD…ESCAPED OUR SHARED ENTERNAL TORMENT! Even worse he did not die by my hand! The three times…chances I had to kill him… seized forever by his own cowardice! He died by his own hand! But even death will not save him from me!
For a brief moment, my eyes contorted into their grey slits. Grey slits which signify my severance of all emotions…all morals. I ignited my saber. With a demonic smile, and a malicious chuckle in the back of my throat, I swung the saber. The beam melted thought the wall and severed Kashjeen's head from his shoulders.
On my planet, the severing of a head prevented a soul from reaching Nirvana. The land of peace. Or, if they are criminals, they do not get to burn in Hell either. They forever remain in limbo. Their spirits forced to remain in an eternal stasis and watch each and every moment of the living go by at a tenth of the normal speed. A slow, prolonged agony. The one superstition of my planet I bother to believe in, because it is the only one I can relish in. It is the only one where I can smile knowing Kashjeen will watch me continue to leave my life…a constant reminder of his failure.
Tanya's mind drifted aimlessly to the deepest recesses of her subconscious. Her back lying against a cold surface, Tanya gazed dazedly to a white ceiling, allowing her thoughts to linger…and wander. A constant repeating cycle of the bloodied corpse of her dead uncle forever engraved into her mind. Tanya was so distracted she barely noticed her body sitting up right.
Coward…She hissed mentally. Pathetic…Her brow furrowed hostilely, imagining Kashjeen taking the blaster to his head. Coward…Her lip sneered, revealing her teeth in a snarling growl, wishing it was she who had pulled the trigger. Pathetic coward…
"You're going to feel a slight pinch."
Tanya's ears flared upright. "Huh?" Her upper body was bent back sharply. CRRRAAACKK? "GAAAAHHHH!" She howled at the top of her lungs. "JXAK, PHIZ-ED!" Ahsoka, Milan, and Mothalia, standing off to the side plugged a single finger in their ears.
"Hold on." The medical clone Phiz-Ed urged her.
Tanya's torso was twisted sharply to one side. CRACK! "SON OF A RAKSX!" Papanoida and Windu shook their heads.
"Once more." He pleaded.
Tanya was wrenched sharply to the next side. CRACK-CRACK-CRACK! "GOD TUMMAK!"
"At least she's censoring her language." Luminara remarked with a smug smirk.
"To say the least." Obi-Wan commented, stroking his beard.
"All good." Phiz pat her back. "Just rub the ointment and the pain should subside."
"Oh my god, Phiz…" Tanya panted. She slid from the bed. A light vibration in her torso gave her a brief moment of lightheadedness as she fought to stay on her feet. "I think you might have actually broken my ribs."
"Nonsense." Luminara scoffed. "This is therapeutic. It's meant to aid you." She snickered. "Besides if your ribs haven't broken by now, I sincerely doubt they will do so now."
"I think you're enjoying this, Master Unduli."
"I'd never enjoy pain not deserved."
"Hey! I was suckered!" Luminara and Obi-Wan chuckled smugly. "HMPH!" Tanya puffed her cheeks. Luminara waved in farewell and excused themselves from the medical bay. "Iccrevoc!" She mumbled under her breath.
"Language, young lady." Milan reprimanded.
Tanya groaned under her breath, scratching the back of her head with flushed cheeks. "Sorry, My Lady."
"Three weeks of this." Ahsoka grimaced as Tanya cracked her neck. "I almost feel sorry for you."
"Why almost?" Windu asked.
"Yeah! OW!" Tanya roared. Phiz cracked on more bone. "Why almost?" Phiz-Ed pushed in. Crack! "SON OF A CRAP!"
Ahsoka scowled in a reprimanding manner, placed her hands to her hips and leaned in, "Because you knew your ribs were still injured and you still tried to fight!" She got in Tanya's face. "GENERAL GRIEVOUS, NO LESS!"
"Hey! He was a droid! No one told me Count Hook Nose trained him personally to wield sabers!"
"Yes I did!" Ahsoka grabbed her by the ears and yanked hard. "YOUR PRIDE JUST FORBADE YOU FROM LISTENING!"
"Commander Tano, Please!" Phiz begged.
"COME ON, SOKA! THAT HURTS!" Tanya pleaded.
"Then perhaps this pain will teach you something." Papanoida spoke up.
Ahsoka released her ear, grunting gruffly. Tanya whimpered, glaring to the Togruta as she massaged her sore ears. "What's that? How to bruise the ribs twice in two weeks?" Papanoida plowed a fist into her head. "OW!" Windu and Obi-Wan chuckled under their breath.
"Restraint!" Papanoida snapped. "You've always lacked it."
"How would you know?" Tanya snapped challengingly. "We've been separated for six years, remember?"
"It does not mean I did not keep track of your actions!" Papanoida scorned her. "I happen to know you still get antsy when forced to wait for a certain duration of time."
"I am inclined to agree." Milan stepped forward. "Since you were a child you've had problems with remaining stationary."
"That long, huh?" Mothalia remarked. "And here I believed Miss Tanya was the flower and animal type." Mothalia caressed the back of her palm over Tanya's cheek. "I like people who are rough." Chills ran down Tanya's spine.
"Okay!" Tanya jumped form the bed, backing away from Mothalia. "Moving on." She stretched her arms over her head, grunting happily. "Just a couple more days and I can get back on the battlefield."
Windu, Papanoida, and Milan all exchanged glances, knowing she would say something like that. "I'm afraid not." Phiz-Ed rained on her parade. Tanya raised a brow to the clone. "Your ribs are healed to where you can move freely, but not so freely as to where you can do battle and or any type of fighting."
"Phiz, you said I'd be good this week!" She stressed.
"For safety I recommend another week before returning to battle."
"UGH!" Tanya slapped her hands to her face. "It's been three weeks! I can't wait another!"
"Well you're going to have to." Windu stated darkly. "Until next week you're still confined to Coruscant."
"FOR THE LOVE OF…" Tanya did not bother to finish the rant. Phiz-Ed quickly excused himself, not wanting to acquire the wrath of the fuming Padawan. "This…is…crap!" She snarled through gritted teeth. She scratched her head violently, peeling the skin. "I can't stay on planet for another month!"
"Is it really so horrible?" Mothalia asked, scoffing derisively. "You get a vacation from the mayhem. A chance to relax."
"I hate relaxing!" Tanya snarled. She twisted a finger in her cat ear. "I'm more at peace hearing gunfire piercing a person's flesh than I am listening to birds sing!" Milan touched a hand to her mouth, stifling the gasp of shock. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Tanya's life had been warped so severely.
"We understand." Papanoida touched a hand to her shoulder. "But you must remember what Jango taught you." Tanya's shoulders tensed for a brief moment. "An alert Bounty Hunter is more of a hindrance than a calm one."
"I know! I know!" Tanya shook the hand off. "Don't lecture me!" She rasped. "And don't bring up Jango!"
"I meant no disrespect." Papanoida explained calmly.
Tanya's eyes flared to grey for a second, but quickly returned to purple. "I don't care!" Tanya hissed. "Don't bring him up!" Papanoida staggered back. Ahsoka and Mothalia took a step back. Windu placed a hand to their backs. The two stopped and looked up to him. Windu was glaring to Tanya. He saw it. She was slipping.
"Tanya…" Milan stepped forward. Tanya glared daggers to the Queen. Milan glared back. "There's no call for your tone!" She hollered. "Chairman Papanoida only wished to help! Do not bite the hand wishing to aid you!"
Tanya fumed through her nostrils. Steam was seen smoking from her ears. Tanya returned her attention to Papanoida. She was in dismay by the hurt in his eyes. Despite raising her voice when flustered, Tanya has never raised her tone so hatefully…to anyone she knew through Jango. Tanya lowered her gaze. The brightness dimmed lifelessly. "I'm sorry, Notlu…" She grumbled.
"It is alright." He reassured her.
Ahsoka, Mothalia, and Windu were surprised to find Tanya calming down, despite them sensing her rising anger. Milan, on the other hand, wondered why Tanya still seemed so rattled. Regardless of being kept in one place, Milan doubted Tanya would be snapping at people the way she is.
"I've gotta go." Tanya spat, meandering for the door.
"Go where?" Windu asked out of curiosity.
"Fresh air!" She growled without looking at him. "I'm being suffocated!"
"Tanya, wait!" Milan pleaded. Tanya steadied to a halt, but did not look back to Milan. "Tanya…" She rasped. "Your anxiety…it always increased when you were sad." She elucidated reminiscently. "When your father had you get rid of the injured bird you tended, you became so rattled you literally searched for reasons to be angry at everyone. You kicked a senator for telling you not to frown." Oddly enough, Windu, Ahsoka, Milan, and Papanoida were not surprised by that.
"I am going to assume…" Tanya trailed off, bringing her hardened gaze to Milan, "There's a point in my childhood history." She assumed impatiently.
"Does your behavior have anything to do with Kashjeen?" Tanya's fingers curled in sharply. Ahsoka and Windu sensed her rage flare so suddenly they flinched. Mothalia backed up, not liking the hatred blazing in Tanya's face. Papanoida stroked his chin, intrigued by the question.
"Why do you ask?" Tanya asked in monotone.
"He stole so much from you." She pressed, treading carefully. "Your parents…your life…for the rest of your life you will be tormented."
"THE POINT, MILAN!"
"For him to end his torment in such a cowardly way…after you had three times to take his life…"
Tanya sniggered scathingly. "You think that bastard's suicide is bothering me?"
"Something is."
"Yeah. I'm stuck on Coruscant!" Milan furrowed her brow, not believing the excuse. "But at least I can smile knowing he will never find peace. I can rest knowing I can torment him even though he is beyond the grave!" Tanya looked between the other stunned faces, wondering who else wished to lecture her. No one else wished to speak. Tanya stormed out the door. It was an automatic door, but Milan and Mothalia swore they heard it slam.
Ahsoka glanced to Windu, needing confirmation. "Did she…"
"She did." He answered.
"She did what?" Mothalia asked.
"Tanya lied." Papanoida answered. "She is bothered."
"To be more accurate," Milan interjected, "Tanya is furious she could not kill Kashjeen." She tucked a strand of hair behind the top third ear. "Quite frankly so am I. But I'm not as angry as Tanya."
"No one can be as angry as she is." Ahsoka defended. "At every turn in her life, Tanya has things taken from her." Windu inadvertently felt guilt stab him in the heart. "This is the second time her revenge was taken."
"And it is the one she's wanted for." Papanoida finished. "I just hope she can remember what Jango taught her."
Tanya sauntered listlessly down the temple corridors, hands hugging her elbows as she tried to restrain the still fuming anger. Her lifeless purple eyes stared dismally to the floor. Each stitch in the carpeting was like a reel of film. Each stitch played a scene of her nightmares, replaying the horror of her parent's death – reliving each stab her parents received. Bastard…She clenched her fingers into a tight fist. Within that darkness she could see Kashjeen's face. Pathetic bastard…The force and trickles of lightning snaked through the fingers. Tanya could see him smiling crazily, his eyes blazing bright red as he cackled while he killed Myra and Rolen. He then smiled to Tanya…a blaster in his hand went to his mouth, "They'll never stop." and it fired.
"GRAAAAHHHH!" Tanya powered her fist into the wall. A massive pulse of force and lightning erupted in a rippling wave over the wall. The tapestries wafted, and the dust puffed. Static charges surged over the wall, dissipating into nothing. Tanya panted heavily, her adrenaline buzzing throughout every fiber of her body.
Touching her forehead to the wall, Tanya continued to breathe hard. Sweat beaded down her brow. Her teeth nibbled on her lower lip, piercing the skin. Blood dripped from her chin. She hissed through her gritted teeth. She pounded her fist against the wall. "Bastard…" She pounded even harder, "You bastard…" She pounded three more times, "I should have killed you." She flared her eyes open. Lightning sparked within them as well. "But I had to be righteous and allow him to live…" She trailed off and glared to the large window, "All because you told me it would make me feel better in the end!" Windu was standing behind her, hands folded behind his back. Tanya faced her master, glowering a thundering glare to him. "WELL HERE I AM, MACE!" She kept a hand to the wall, using it as an anchor to not lash out at him. "DO I LOOK BETTER TO YOU?" She frothed at the mouth. From the briefing room, Anakin and Master Yoda emerged. "BECAUSE…" Tanya ran a hand down her face, quelling her voice, "Because…from where I'm standing…" Air filled her lungs. She couldn't hold it in, "THIS IS WORSE THAN WHEN I BROKE MY LEG IN SIX PLACES!"
Ahsoka and Papanoida rounded the corner coming from the medical bay. Milan and Mothalia slipped out the back. "Only because someone who is supposed to love you killed himself." Windu remarked calmly.
Tanya nails grazed the wall as she wrenched her hand from it. "WHAT THE HELL DOES LOVE HAVE TO DO WITH IT?"
"Kashjeen was your uncle. He was supposed to love you." Windu explained, keeping his composure. "Yet he could not put his hatred aside and killed himself."
"I didn't want his love!" Tanya snarled. "I haven't needed love in two years! Or have you forgotten? People that love me always seem to die horrible deaths."
"Is that your means of saying everyone around you will die?"
"Wouldn't surprise me." She shrugged.
"Would it please you?" Windu challenged.
"At least I wouldn't have a reason to play nice." Ahsoka and Anakin were bewildered by the remark. Milan felt a sensation of dark dread coming over her. The atmosphere in the air had become wrought with…hatred. Papanoida, Yoda, and Windu on the other hand were fully able to comprehend what she meant.
Tanya, clinically, is a diagnosed case of a person with Multiple Personalities. During the last seven and a half months of her stay with the Jedi, a small number of people have witnessed two personalities. The Berserker – a rabid beast sleeping deep within Tanya. An animal which attacks and rips anyone and everyone apart as she pleases. Then there's just…Tanya. A young, spirited, hot-headed, impassive, fun loving, belligerent, semi-cheerful, and sarcastic child who enjoys being with others for a certain time, and does not care what others think. Then…there is…the part of Tanya she prays no one she loves will ever see. A part of her where her emotions, her morals, her values of life are all nullified…and she turns into a shell with a thirst for blood. The Assassin.
"I should have killed him in the holding cells!" Tanya roared. "But I had to…what was it?" She tapped her chin with the most scathing musing. "Abide by the laws of the Jedi. We don't kill prisoners! They just get to kill themselves!"
"Keep screaming, Tanya." Windu encouraged sincerely. "You've been keeping this in for three weeks."
"KEEPING WHAT IN? HUH?" Ahsoka flinched cowering behind Papanoida. Anakin was surprised to see Tanya so out of sorts. Master Yoda on the other hand was not too surprised. "HOW MUCH I WANTED TO MAKE THAT BASTARD SUFFER…AND BEG AS I CUT EVERY NERVE AND MAKE HIM BLEED?" In that instant, Tanya's eyes turned grey. Windu placed a hand to his saber. Yoda and Anakin backed away, prompting Ahsoka to edge Papanoida and Milan back. "YER DAMN RIGHT I'M GOING TO SCREAM!"
"GOOD GRIEF!" A deep, wiry. Weequay accent boomed. "Such a high pitch screech!" Tanya's eyes returned to purple as she glanced down the hall. "I don't think I've ever seen such drama!" Anakin, Yoda, Ahsoka, and Milan eyed the odd man meandering down the hall with his hands behind his back. "Or heard such atrocities." He wriggled a finger in his ear.
"Hondo?" Tanya chirped confusedly.
"Hondo?" Windu repeated, finding the name familiar.
"And you Tanya," He pointed damningly to Tanya, "Screaming like that?" The Weequay tsked, wagging a finger. "You'll lose your voice and give yourself wrinkles." Windu watched the man cautiously, wondering why it was Tanya seemed absolutely submissive to the barrage of insults. "And here I thought you would be celebrating!" He plastered a hand to her hair, ruffling the locks, "I know I am."
Confirmed that it was indeed the man she knew, Tanya's ears shot up and she smiled like a child being blessed with a new gift. "HONDO!" She cheered. She leapt and wrapped her arms around the Weequay. He spun her around. Both laughed. "I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" The crowd watching them was completely flabbergasted. "I'm so happy to see you!"
"Little Tanya," He stroked a hand down her long black hair, "It is wonderful to see you again!" He cheered. He parted from the hug a small ways. "My how you've grown!" He released her and looked her over. "And how lovely you've become." He raised her arm above her head and twirled her around. He purred hungrily. "Purple is a nice color on you." Papanoida scoffed amusedly, shaking his head with a smirk. "Plus it is functional."
"Excuse me!" Milan stepped in furiously. She wrenched Tanya away, and glared to the taller man. Tanya blinked in bewilderment. "Who are you exactly? And why are you observing her like a slab of meat?" Tanya's brow arched sharply. Meat?
"A slab of meat?! PAH!" Hondo spat, waving her simile off with disgust. "Tanya is much more than…" He crinkled his face, wrangling his hands like he was grappling a wriggling fish, "Piece of cheap, dead carcass you find on the road! NO! She's family!"
"What family?" Milan challenged.
"The bounty hunting one." Papanoida answered with a smile. "This man was designated as Tanya's Godfather long ago."
"Notluwiski!" Hondo meandered around Milan to Papanoida. "Good to see you again." The two shook firm hands.
"You as well."
"DUH!" Tanya face palmed herself, cursing herself. "I forgot." She smiled. "None of you have formally met." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Everyone, this is Hondo Onaka from Florum. He's an old friend of Jango's and my uncle." She announced proudly. "Hondo meet Ahsoka Tano, my best friend." Ahsoka bowed her head. "Milan Acuura – Queen of Aquatis." Milan bowed. "Masters Yoda and Anakin Skywalker." Anakin waved. Yoda bowed. "And this is my master, Mace Windu."
Hondo narrowed his eyes to Windu. So he is the one. "So you are the ones who have been taking care of my niece?" Hondo clamped his hands to Windu's shoulders. Windu grunted in discomfort. He wasn't one to be touched. "You have my gratitude my friend! I cannot tell you how worried I've been! What with the fighting, the droids…and now I'm hearing you've bruised your ribs…" He flared two fingers, "TWICE!" Tanya's ears folded back, and her tail wrapped around her waist as she cringed. Hondo sighed, touching a disappointed, melodramatic hand to his eyes. "It was too much."
"You know about that?" Tanya smiled nervously.
"Tanya, you are lucky I convinced Scroop and Izumi not to come."
Sweat beaded down Tanya's face. She swallowed a nervous lump. Papanoida even shuddered in dread. "Who's Izumi?" Anakin asked.
"Pray you never find out!" Papanoida and Tanya shrieked. Anakin was surprised. Both were scared.
"Regardless." Hondo hugged Tanya tightly, rubbing his cheek into the back of her head. "I was so worried about you! Like you would not believe!" Tanya blushed madly. Anakin and Ahsoka laughed under their breath. Yoda and Windu found it refreshing that Tanya had such a concerned guardian. Milan certainly felt relief.
"Hondo," Tanya mumbled in irritation as Hondo rubbed his cheek against hers, "Not that I'm not overjoyed to see you," She smiled darkly. "Your sincerity is oozing ulterior motives."
"How can you say that?" He rested his head on her shoulder. "You know I love you as if you were my own niece."
"You rarely ever leave Florrum, let alone the Sertar System entirely."
Hondo loosened the hug, raising a question mark over his head. "Meaning?"
Tanya wriggled from the grasp, flipped her hair, and glowered at him doubtfully. "Why did you jump three systems to come to Coruscant?"
A deep chuckle escaped Hondo. He enjoyed her direct attitude. Hondo wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bringing her in close. He brought his mouth close to her ear. "The Gene Son has come." Tanya's eyes widened. Yoda and Windu furrowed their brows, sensing the spike. "He's waiting in here." He handed her a key card. Tanya eyed the card as if it had power. "You two have played distant long enough." Hondo patted her on the back. "Go see him."
"Right." Tanya sighed. She walked down the hall, meandering past Yoda, Windu, and Anakin. Windu and Yoda exchanged glances with one another, understanding they needed to let her walk alone for a moment.
Ahsoka and Milan moved to follow. Hondo stopped Milan, and Papanoida stopped Ahsoka. "She will be back." Hondo assured them. "Just give her a moment."
"Where is she going?" Ahsoka asked.
"To meet with someone she's been subconsciously avoiding for the last two years." Ahsoka raised a brow to the riddle. "Do not worry. She will return. Hopefully her eyes will not be as sad as they are."
"Hondo." Windu addressed him strongly. "May I have a word with you in private?"
"For you, Master Windu," He bowed with a sweep of his arm, "Anything." Glancing up, he smirked wolfishly. "Especially since I know what you wish to speak about."
Tanya leaned against one of the speeders in the temple garage. Her mind wandered off into the far corners, surrounded around the little hotel keycard. "Could he really be here?"
"Could who really be here?" Luminara asked, approaching Tanya casually.
Tanya jumped and tucked the card into her tunic skirt. "No one special." She lied. "Just…um…" She massaged her neck nervously, "Someone I haven't seen since Jango died. He's here on Coruscant."
"You must be excited." Luminara recanted her statement when Tanya seemed dismayed by the news. "Or is this news something to mourn."
"I'm not sure." Tanya sighed somberly. "But I won't know if I don't see him." She climbed into the speeder.
"Then I wish you the best of luck." Luminara smiled, bowing her head. She narrowed her eyes slyly. "I hope you both can clear the air." Tanya froze an inch from the ignition. She gawked at Luminara who had just begun to walk away. Has Tanya truly become so predictable to the Jedi? To Luminara of all people?
"Hmph." Tanya smiled. She turned on the airspeeder. The sound of the engine cleared her mind of the doubtful thoughts. Leaving the temple, Tanya felt the world around her slow down for a brief moment as she admired the key card in her hand. She gripped the card as if she were holding a precious treasure. Her arm tingled with anticipation, her fingers almost losing feeling.
"He's here." She muttered to herself. "How long have you been on this planet?" She wondered. "More importantly," She touched the key to her chest, "Will you be here long enough for me to apologize?"
In Master Windu's room, Windu poured two cups of tea, spiking them with lemon. Hondo graciously accepted the drink, knowing Jedi didn't partake in alcoholic beverages like he did. Besides, he did not wish to be rude towards Windu's hospitality.
"Tanya has told me much about you, Hondo." Windu announced, attempting to break the stiff ice. "She has a great deal of respect for you."
"You as well, Master Windu." Hondo replied happily, taking the cup. "Tanya speaks of you as if she were talking about Jango."
"Meaning…" Windu trailed off, seating himself, "You know…"
"That you are the one who killed Jango? Indeed I do." Windu bobbed his head somberly. "I also know you are the one who quelled the rage burning in Tanya's heart." Hondo bowed his head. "For that I thank you." Windu's eyes widened in awe. "You have done exceptionally well in taking care of Tanya." Hondo commended, sipping some of the tea.
"I…" Windu cleared his throat, bashful from the praise, "I do not think I am doing that well."
"Why?" Hondo shrugged. "Because she is brazen, bold with her words, sadistic by nature?" Windu gaped in awe. He described Tanya in a nutshell. Which he shouldn't have been surprised about. He has known Tanya since she was six. "Or perhaps your doubts come from that punch she dealt to the wall?" When Windu glanced away, Hondo was sure of his suspicions. "That punch is not due to your failure as a master." Hondo assured him, swirling his cup around. "Quite frankly you are doing better than Jango did." He praised. "But how do you expect her to react when the murderer of her parents commits suicide?"
"So you know about that?"
"It is the reason why I suggested Tanya celebrate." Hondo circled his fingers along the ridge of the cup. "But I cannot say I am surprised." He drank the tea. "12 years she has been searching, wanting to make the killer of her parents pay for her suffering. Only to her vengeance," He clenched the air and yanked, "Ripped from her by death."
"Do you think I should have allowed her to kill him?"
"No!" Hondo blurted strongly. "Had you let her, Tanya would have succumbed to the inner demons you have no doubt witnessed." Windu nodded, feeling better in his judgment to keep Tanya from killing. "But you should know." Hondo added. "Tanya has no qualms killing others. No matter who sees her." He raised a smirking brow, "She's had plenty of chances, from what I've heard. Why not take them?"
"I don't know."
"Yes you do." Hondo chuckled. "It is not because she's going soft, or because you were around." He forewarned the perplexed Korun. "It is because Tanya wants what she has been denied. A life with her own family."
"A life Kashjeen denied her."
"Which is why I sent her to the hotel." Hondo stated, proud of himself. "You see," He leaned in, making Windu slightly uncomfortable, "As we speak, Tanya is on her way to visit someone who she has revered as a younger sibling. Otherwise known as the son of Jango Fett."
The words rang in Windu's ears. "The son…of Jango?" Disbelief swarmed his mind. "Tanya…has a brother?"
The door to a quant hotel room opened. An ominous breeze gusted from the room. Tanya stood firmly just an inch outside the doorway, allowing the wind to brush by. Narrowing her eyes she inspected the room from a safe point. The inside was dark, obscured from the light of the outside. It was easy to tell someone had been living there. They just weren't into cleaning. But someone was defiantly there.
"Hmm…" She smiled. Tanya stepped through the door. It closed with such a heavy force, Tanya felt as if she were caged with a wild animal. No…not an animal. She giggled mentally. A disturbed individual. Releasing a pleased sigh, Tanya closed her eyes. "If you intend to shoot me, I suggest you get to it." She addressed the cold barrel of a blaster touching her back. "Not that I would blame you. I would be outraged too if our roles were reversed." She laughed. "Though I will admit…" She turned around, eyeing her assailant impassively. It was a young boy with dark tanned skin. His hair was shaven with a thick pony-tail in the back. "It's great to see you again, Boba."
I'm going to end it here for now.
Next chapter coming soon.
Sorry if it lacked. I was suffering from writers block…and annoying, incessant interruptions.