Well, I'm sorry for the late update, a bad combination of writer's block and freezing program. To anyone who starts writing, Microsoft office has a word limit if it gets to the size of four hundred kb, start a new document before the program freezes.
Wedding?
Shaak Ti
"Excuse me what makes you think I'm going to marry him?" I asked everyone but everyone looked back with a smirk on their face. "Come on Shaak, everyone knows you love him. It's only a matter of time before he does ask you to marry him." My mother says. "If your worry about the cost of the wedding, don't worry, this bill is on us," Arvot says. "And if you're worried about the Republic finding out, we will feign ignorance," Shivan says. I started "The Jedi code I follow..." "Forbids any romantic attachments and is not allow to love, marry or have children." Everyone finished.
"See Shaak Ti, we heard this all before. That code became your defense mechanism. So I'm going to tell you this once if you quote the Jedi code again, Jedi or no Jedi you will be punished, do I make myself clear." Mother says with a seriousness I haven't heard in a long time. "Yes, Mother." "Now then, here the thing, you love him, he loves you. From what I can tell he knows how to be professional about his relationship with you and can sense your hesitation. You do remember what I told you before about letting go right. If he ever does pop the question, just say yes, you'll both be better for it." Mother says. I knew I wasn't going to win this argument, once she sets her mind on something she harder to deal with than an Akul.
But maybe she right, maybe I should go through with it, we both seem happier together. I looked around to see most have walked off, probably to make preparations. I decided I need to go home and check on Devin soon. Before I left the butcher gave me the Akul teeth from Devin kill, he had already extracted and cleaned them, and made them into a necklace. I'll have to let Devin decide to add either stones or jewelry to it later. For now, I took it and made my way home.
Devin Smith
When I came home I looked around to see what I could use to keep the egg warm, until I decided to use one of the extra rooms. I wrapped the egg with some blankets and sure it was in a stable upright position. Now I'm am just standing at the doorway and wondering what the heck am I going to do with a pet Akul. "Good idea, using the bed and blankets to keep it warm." Shaak Ti says from behind me. "Thanks, I not so sure what to do with an Akul, much less an Akul egg," I told her. "No one does, we will have to figure it out step by step." She responded. "Right and the first step would be to figure out what it eats once it hatches," I stated. "Finding that out should easy, we just need to observe the other Akul. Speaking of which, here." Shaak says as she handed me a necklace with what looks like teeth attached to them. "What this?" I asked as I took the necklace.
"Teeth of the Akul you killed, its customary to people who singlehandedly killed an Akul to wear it as a necklace or a headdress." She explained. Now that she mentioned it, it is similar to the pieces on her head, I always thought it was biological, but it's a way of showing off an achievement. I put the Akul necklace on and it seems to line up perfectly with my Togorian necklace. "Thanks," I said to her. "Of course…Devin, could you perhaps tell me about your marriage?" She asked. I was kind of out of the blue the way she asked.
"Why do you want to know?" I asked her. "I kept hearing bits and pieces about it on the ship. You as the Margrave was married to Celene, but she wasn't the queen. But Kanira holds the title of Queen of Togoria and yet she not married to you. I was wondering if you could explain." She says. I can understand where the confusion might come from so I will tell her.
"Ok, Kanira told me that there can only be one queen at a time though there can be a line of succession. If Kanira was to die, then the mantle of queen would be passed down to Celene. I could have twenty wives and it would be the same, the first wife would get it, then the second, and so on. But only a Margrave can nominate a future Margrave if he were to die. If the current Margrave died without a noted heir, the nobles of the planet decide who could carry that mantle next." I explained.
"Interesting. So from what I can tell, Kotkin is the next margrave if by chance you die, and Kanira the Queen with no one to carry the mantel should she die." She said. "That's correct," I said. "You had plenty of chances and choices to have multiple lovers, but you stayed loyal to Celene and the queen. I am actually impressed." She says. "I didn't like the part of marrying someone I didn't trust, love or see myself within the long term. Besides, it would become more political if I married someone who isn't Togorian."
I explained as I started to walk out. "I see, thanks for explaining." She says. I went to my room to change out of my clothes and take a shower. I wonder why Shaak Ti would ask about this now. I understand that Togorian custom is…odd at best, but still. Something is obviously on her mind but she won't let me in, she hides he thoughts well.
I exited the shower and put on some fresh clothes, there was still light out so we might be doing something else. I went downstairs a laid on the couch thinking how long I been on here training with master Ti, it should be about four months since I came here to train with her. So I wonder what would be next until Shaak came down to join.
"In light of recent events, I deemed there is nothing more I can teach you." She says. "What you mean, I haven't even been on this planet that long, its more like a vacation that training!" I shouted. I was really confused if this is all that being a Jedi is then there shouldn't be a point in a war between them and the Sith.
"I say I have nothing to teach you because you naturally walk the path of the light side of the force. You showed a capacity to study, observe and learn so your actions are not wasted. You reacted quickly when there was a present danger, but you still showed compassion and didn't needlessly killed the Akul. What's more, you made a special bond with them that gives you respect to both the civilians and the Akul the likes of which has never been seen. Plus my training would have ended the moment you successfully hunted how an Akul on your own." She explained.
Leave it to me to still be overdoing something when I'm just trying to do the right thing. Well whatever, if she can't teach me anything, then I wonder if we are going to head back. "So what now?" I asked. "Well, technically I have to take you back to the temple, where you have to spend twenty-four hours meditating before being knighted." She says. "Ok, but…" I said noticing a pause in her words. "Officially I am supposed to train you for another month, two at the max if the training is required." She says.
"Well, sounds like we got a nice bit of time to ourselves," I said as I reach a hand to her. She walked forward and grabbed my hand. "I suppose we do, though I not sure what to do exactly in the time we have." She admitted. "How about we just relax, and enjoy each other company?" I asked as I pulled her onto my lap. She smiled as we stared into each other eyes. "I would like that." She says as she leans down to kiss me, I returned the kiss while wrapped I my arms around her. "I love you." She says into my mind. "I love you too," I told her as I firmly grabbed her ass surprising her.
Coruscant
Mace Windu
I was seeking council with master Yoda about something that been on my thoughts. "Something on your mind, there is," Yoda says to me. "It's Devin, we know his intent and reason for changing side, but I have a concern that he will remain loyal to us," I confessed. "Many concerns you may have, a strange path we have taken. Guide him we must, or stray away he will." He says to me. "Even if we were to guide him, he will never answer to the republic," I stated to him. "But to us, he does. Enemies in the republic, he sees. Fault him we cannot, bad history they have. A chance we have, to convince him otherwise, not many we get from former Sith Lord." He says. "But even so, what do we know besides his combat skills and the fact he descends from Revan, and from what I heard, the togorian don't know much about his origin either," I told him. "Not our place, it is, to dive into the past of others. Upon his return, guidance, we will give. Patience, we must have."
Devin Smith
Two weeks later
I was just standing there in the doorway of the room I had the egg in. I knew it was going to be interesting to have an Akul child with me. I should have figured since the eggs were larger than my head, but I did not expect it to be as big as a Great Dane. I thought as it stood in front of me with a smile on its face. I was also told that Akul grew up to full size in a little as a couple months and could live as long as two hundred years old, go figure. It rested its paws against my chest and smiled at me. Its teeth are not as long or as sharp as the others but it is still very much dangerous. At least it recognizes me as the owner, otherwise, I would be in trouble. Even more of a relief it eats vegetables as well as meat. I won't have to worry about its diet much. Shaak Ti walked up behind me too and see the Akul hatchling. "I see it has hatched already." She says as it ran over to her.
It sniffed her before it rubbed itself against her legs. I can't decide if it's like a dog or a cat. "Yea, and it seems to like you," I said to her. She just smiled as she rubbed her hands on its chin. "What should we call him?" Shaak asked. I looked at it as it smiled at me. "Something tells me it's going to be strong when it grows up…so how about Viribus. It means Strength (In Latin)." I suggested. "An Excellent name, what do you think, Viribus?" She asked the Akul. It pounced on me and knocked me to the floor and licked my face. "I guess it likes the name," I said to Shaak.
She laughed at me as I sat the Akul to the side so I could stand up. "By the way, what's going with everyone in town, it's like they are preparing for a festival or something," I asked. She immediately stopped laughing and became flustered. "I'm…not quite sure myself, I have asked a couple of them and they wouldn't give me any straight answers." She says as her face flushed. I couldn't help but feel that she was hiding something, but for now, I left it.
After Viribus was properly put away, Shaak Ti and I head out to help around town. I decided to ask the people what was going on and saying it was a wonderful event that's about to happen, but they don't know with who, or how…supposedly. I had the same feeling that they were hiding something too. But they are all interested in how me and Miss. Ti is doing. So, I decided to do some snooping around. Though when I did, everyone was all tensed. Like that was trying to make sure I didn't overhear anything. Even if they don't see me, they were being careful of what they were saying. That was until I saw something that couldn't be anything else but a wedding cake. But who is getting married…oh? I see what's going on. I decide to head home to check on Viribus, then I'm going to confront Shaak.
When I returned home the Akul came to greet me by pushing me, but this time I was ready for it and didn't fall back. I have got to teach it how to approach me without the goal of knocking me down, otherwise, it will be a problem when it grows up. As a matter of fact, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I pet it and walked away to a good distance before calling him. He came charging and I held a hand up but he still had ever intentions of knocking me down.
Shaak Ti
I swear Devin is bound to notice with everything going on. Everyone swears he not going to find out, but I'm not quite convinced. Everyone told me with full confidence that he won't find out until its time. I arrived home to find Devin training the Akul, it was actually quite a nice site. Viribus spotted me and came charging to tackle me. "Viribus, stop!" He commanded, and the Akul stop in front of me. "Sit," Devin commanded and it did so. "Good job," Devin says as he pets him. I walked over to do the same. "Amazing, you got him trained so fast." I complimented. "Thanks, I have only been training him for about three hours. The Akul is smart and at this rate, he will be a first rate pet." He complimented it as he rubs its chin.
The Akul loved Devin, you could see it in its face. As soon as Devin stopped it walked away to do its thing. "Shaak, I need to ask you something." He says. "What is it?" I was truly curious about what he wants to ask about. "The people in town are planning a wedding for us aren't they?" He says to me. Mortified doesn't begin to describe how I felt. I figured that playing dumb won't get me out of this. "How you figure it out?" I asked him. "Well, I almost didn't, because it was like you said. None of them gave a straight answer until I found the wedding cake. After that, I put two and two together." He explained. "I see, I just want to tell you that it was between my parents and mayor's family doing," I explained.
"I see, I had a feeling they were the ones on it. Though they should know Jedi are forbidden from forming attachments, I should go and tell them to stop." He says. But just as he was walking by I grabbed his shirt. My mother was right, he I used that as an excuse for too long and now it is getting in the way. "Before you go, let me ask you this. If there was no Jedi code, would you want to? Marry me that is?" I asked him nervously. I wasn't sure of what he was going to say. I really wanted to marry him, I would forever be happy and content. We will always be there for each other, but the Jedi council are bound to find out about us. On the other hand, it would be understandable it doesn't want to, as he would sure to have lingering feelings for Celene.
"To be honest, I would, without a doubt. The only thing is that it would cause trouble for you and I don't want that." He says. "If I am with you, I know we can overcome anything that comes our way, and the people in town say that they would keep it a secret from everyone," I told him. "So you're saying that…" He started. "That I want to marry you," I said it. I haven't felt this nervous since the first time I was accepted into the Jedi council. He held placed a hand against my face and looked into my eyes. His gaze bore through me as if looking straight into my heart and soul. He smiled and said, "Alright, then let's go get married then." I was overjoyed, I never felt so light with happiness before.
I literally jumped into arms and gave him a deep kiss, one he happily returned, but my sudden jump caught him by surprise and fumbled backward after capturing me in mid-air. Though we both remained uninjured I didn't stop kissing him while sitting on top. When I finally stopped kissing, I laid on top of him with his arms wrapped around me. This feeling I have was one of pure bliss like I finally have someone to comfort me when I am tired from this war. "I not dreaming am I?" I asked in my head.
"If you are dreaming, it's the same dream I had for a long time," Devin responded. "Do you mind if we stay like this for a minute, I would like to enjoy this feeling," I asked. Devin laughed as he says, "Take all the time you need, there will be more to come in the near future." I was really happy knowing that.
Devin Smith
We went to the Mayor house to also see Shaak parents. I explained to them that I already know the truth, and decided to go through with it. To say was that everyone was excited was an overstatement. Shivan and Arvan, took me to one room while Tuvia and Si'ali dragged Shaak to another room. Arvot went to tell everyone in the city. I guess they were ready to go in a moments notice. They took me into a nice room where they had a suit ready for me. It looked like a casual outfit but has an air of extravagance to it, I'm not sure how to put it.
But I liked it and decided to try it on. "How does it feel?" Shivan asked. "A little loose but it feels good," I told them. "We can always adjust it to fit you better," Arvot says to me. "The materials we gathered are the finest we had, and I dare say the tailor outdid himself," Shivan says with pride. "You guys were really hoping me and Shaak would get together huh?" I said to them. "What makes you say that?" Arvan asked. "Well you had the dress, the wedding cake, everyone all of a sudden being busy, and yet couldn't tell me or Shaak.
It would be safe to say that Shaak knew about the whole time but didn't want to say anything about. Probably she was either embarrassed about it or didn't have much say in the matter. In fact, considering you all did this, you probably got the rings too." I said. "Your deductions are scary," Arvan says. "Truly." Shivan agrees. I laughed a little at their surprise. "So when should we have the actual wedding?" Shivan asked. That's a good question. "Hey Ti when should we have the wedding?" I asked Ti.
"You was asked that too huh, I just said in about two weeks. Gives everyone enough time to prepare for the wedding." She says. "Like they haven't prepared enough." I joked. "I guess maybe two weeks should be good, that way everyone can be ready to come at their best," I said to them as I took the suit off and hung it back up. "Alright, then make sure to be here at the time, wouldn't want to miss your own wedding," Shivan says with a tease as I walked out. I left and met Shaak at the front door. "They were more prepared than I thought." Shaak Ti says. "Indeed, they even prepared rings for us as well," I told her. "Your kidding…That's too prepared." Shaak says.
"Speaking of prepared, we need to get ready ourselves, I can sense a lot of people gathering outside," I said to her. "I noticed, we might as well get this over with and head home," Shaak says as we headed out. We were met with half the town coming to congratulate us. It was almost like we were married already. Even a couple of the people says it was about time. Like they were wanting us to hurry up and get married. But I guess it cant be helped, we were dancing around it for a long time.
As we left the crowd behind us, we both took a deep breath. "Your parents are something else," I commented. "You have no idea…" She replied. That honestly has me worried. "Anyway, how do you plan to train Viribus?" Shaak asked me. "While he is a pet, he will be subjected to a lot of dangers. So it would be best to train him how to Attack, capture, retrieve and rescue." I said. "I see, while I understand your intentions, wouldn't it be risky if he is attacking a force wielder," Shaak asked. "That's exactly what I'll be training him for. If I can nurture its understanding of force wielders, it can hold its' own, if not for a little while. Capture is probably going to be the hardest because he will have to attack and restrain without killing the target or endangering himself." I explained.
"You really thought this through haven't you?" She says with a surprised look on her face. "It's only natural, all life is precious. Including animals, even though its ones you never expected." I commented. "Your quite right." She agreed as we arrived home. I opened the door and called for Viribus. It rushed down to greet us but remember to stop in front of us instead of tackling us. This is a big improvement, at this rate, he will be more than ready when we finally return, it would need fine tune training of course, but it will be ready. First thing first is to housebreak it…cause yea…
Two weeks later.
It seems the days went by quickly as both me and Shaak were busy with the fittings and rehearsal, at different times of course. But today was the day, everyone decided to have the ceremony in the center of town near the water fountain and boy did they go overboard with the decorations. Everyone was already here and was getting settled in when I spotted Shaak coming around the corner being escorted by her father. The musician also noticed and started to play some wedding music. It was quite lovely as everyone stood up, but my main focus was Shaak and her amazing dress it was pure white, long lace sleeves, with a modest v neck.
The dress was long but was cut off just enough so it would drag on the dirt. As they walked up Arvan gave Shaak hand to me, but I still I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. "I see you like my outfit." Shaak teased. "That is a major understatement," I told her honestly. "Well try not to drool everywhere." She says. "I am beyond drooling, right now I'm trying to figure out how fast should I take you to bed." I teased. "Behave." She says. "I am on my best behavior, at least until we are alone." I teased. I could see her smile wider. They present us the rings, and if I'm not mistaken, those are force rings. It will allow the two wears to always know where the other is at, no matter the distance.
This ring is very rare and very expensive, I don't even want to think about how they got it. "Do you, Devin Smith, take Shaak Ti to be your lawfully wedded wife, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" The priest asked me. "I do," I answered. "And do you Shaak, take Devin Smith to be your lawfully wedded husband, in good time and bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" He asked her. She looked straight at me and says, "Always and forever." She says.
"Then by the power invested in me, you may now kiss the bride." The priest said. I wrapped my hands around Shaak's waist and pulled her close to me, while she wrapped her arms around my neck. "You know, since they kind of pushed this wedding to happen, why don't we give them a little show," Shaak suggested. "You read my mind," I said with a smirk.
I learned in a gave her a long passionate kiss, we both made sure to let it last for as long as we can. To say we had mixed emotions is an understatement. We had some who were cheering, some whistling, and the others looking uncomfortable. I wanted to burst out and laugh but I had to swallow it. We both walked down the aisle to where everyone is at and talked to everyone. We were asked to take a lot of photos. However, Shivan wanted a statue to commemorate the event, and guess who he wants to make it, me.
I asked him how can he keep me a Ti relationship a secret if they're a huge statue outside. He apparently wanted one small enough to go the mayor's house, it didn't really help when everyone wanted to see me sculpt. So I agreed and I told them I need a picture they wanted of me and Shaak, as a reference. They had me wrap my arms around Shaak waist and me and her close. They also brought us one of our lightsabers. It was actually mine, but they want us to hold it together, so we did. They took four pictures; front, back, and the sides. I took those pictures and look them over carefully before I walked over to a clearing. I gathered a lot of dirt and condense it tightly as I can and use some of the water from the fountain to help make it more solid.
Then I started to shape it into the pictures they took but made sure it was small enough to fit through the door, even though they had a huge door, better not take any chances. Once I had the base design down, I fine tune the details as much as possible. Then I gathered a lot of rocks, as much as possible to cover it, to make it sure it stays stable, then redid the details. After it was done I set it on the ground. It was exhausting but I got it. "Amazing! This masterful work of art, it is so detailed." Shivan was clamoring as he walked all around it with everyone else. Everyone truly seems to like it. "You truly have a talent for this." Shaak complimented.
"How long have you been a sculpture." Tu'via asked me. "I'm not actually, this is only my second time doing any sculpting," I explained. "What!" Everyone seems to say in unison. "It looks like you been doing this for your entire life, how can it be only your second time," Arvot says. I just shrugged my shoulders. "Amazing." Arvot just says. "I will carry it inside later," I said to as I lifted it back up carried it back and carried it to the back to the manor with the mayor. He had a secret door that only he and his family knows about, the thing is that it wasn't a door at all, but a wall that had lots of paintings on it. There were statues of others of what I assumed to be notable figures.
"These people have all been of a huge impact to this place. The first mayor who founded this place. The lone warrior, once an outcast but saved everyone from an Akul attack. Another who first introduced us to the republic and the Jedi order. Now, a former Sith Lord, who is the Margrave of the Togorian people; married to the Jedi counselor, who is a representative of the Jedi order, and Shili's best warrior. A monumental statue to be sure. While they are people of great influence their existence was something they themselves wanted to keep hidden for whatever reason." Shivan says.
"Quite the history," I said as I placed it where he wanted it. "Now your part of it." He said with a smile. As we exited the room, Via was there to greet us. "What is it Via?" Shivan asked her. "I was hoping if I could talk to Devin…" She says nervously. "Why of course, ill be outside with the others," Shivan says happily as left us. "So what is it you wanted to talk about?" I asked her. She looked nervous like she wasn't sure of something. "When you return to the ship…can I come with you?" She asked. Well, that is unexpected. "Why would you ask to come with me?" I asked. I'm not against it but I want to know her reason for wanting me to take her with me. Plus it depends on two other things. One, that her father agrees; and two, if I can make the imperium safe enough. "Well…" She started.
Well there you go, Devin and Shaak are finally together, and they got a pet Akul named Viribus, but get ready. there a bit of a surprise waiting back on the Flagship Imperium. But until then, stay tuned. Also, the wedding dress I tried to describe, though probably failed miserably is, Deep V Neck Long Sleeves Champagne Lace Mermaid Wedding Dress Sheer Low V Back Removable Royal. It's long, but look it up. I probably could have picked a better dress, but I don't have a women in my life so I dont have a women's perspective.
