Saleairy slept until mid afternoon. She opened her eyes and found the room empty. She yawned and stretched. She'd woken because it was cold. Carth left a while ago, hours passed and she somehow misplaced her blankets.
She went to the bathroom and showered. Carth called it a fresher but she couldn't remember ever referring to it as such. She liked being able to shower when she felt like it. She didn't drag herself into a cold shower because a krayt dragon had caused her to sweat in the desert. She chuckled. That was the worst hang over ever.
"Hello beautiful." Saleairy started to see Dustil sitting where Carth should be at the dining table.
"Hello Dustil." She didn't know if everyone should be calling her beautiful and Dustil didn't seem to mean it in any companionable way. "What brings you here?"
"It's a beautiful place." Dustil got up and opened the blinds, turning her towards it by seizing her upper arm with a grip like a vice. "Isn't it?" He hissed in her ear. He was standing very close behind her and his arm wrapped around her stomach. She squirmed in an attempt to free herself and Dustil stopped all movement in her. "Answer me."
"It's always beautiful." He chuckled and growled.
"How cute. I don't like what you're thinking. You want to get me away from you." He nuzzled her neck and she made a move to dislodge him. He held her and his fingers caused bruises. He nipped her neck and his teeth stayed brushing against her skin.
"Dustil, why are you here?" He bit her and she cried out in surprise. She pushed him away as he laughed.
"You still think I'm Dustil?" He said.
"You're a Shifter, I know. Why are you here?" She bled and wondered where her lightsaber was.
"I'll tell you when I come back beautiful." She pinned him to the wall.
"You aren't leaving until you tell me why." He smiled.
"Shifters leave when they want to." He disappeared and Saleairy collapsed on the bed. His teeth could become as sharp as vibroblades and they'd done a decent job injuring her. She called out for Bastila through their bond and Bastila came running.
"What's wrong?" She shut the door and sat next to Saleairy, touching her arm. "What happened?"
"A Shifter came in here as Carth's son, Dustil and he bit me."
"Why?"
"He didn't say. It hurt like hell." Saleairy said.
"It will heal." Bastila said.
"He said he would be back."
"Be wary." Bastila said. She could be just as protective as Carth.
"I didn't sense any danger from him. I think he was baiting me. His motivations aren't clear but they don't seem sinister." Bastila scoffed.
"He drew blood with his teeth like an animal. That seems sinister."
"Don't tell Carth." Saleairy said.
"Why not?" Bastila asked.
"Would Carth react well to anyone getting bitten in the neck after being hit on?"
"Good point. You look tired." Bastila said.
"I'm all right. Thank you for earlier, I can't let anything else slide. I'm going to catch hell for what I have let pass during our mission." Saleairy said.
"You're still a strong Jedi." Saleairy sighed.
"What are they going to say about Carth?" Saleairy asked.
"There are isolated incidents of Jedi having spouses or significant others and you are not like any other Jedi. You were able to walk the path of a true Jedi because of your companions support and Carth's ever hesitant love."
"Is that a hint of sarcasm?" She smiled at Bastila.
"Yes. Carth had better treat you very well or he will be at the business end of my lightsaber." Carth rubbed his neck as he stood in the doorway.
"It's all right Carth. You haven't done anything bad yet. Have you seen my lightsabers? I really needed them about five minutes ago. I don't remember where I put them." Saleairy smiled at Bastila and Carth scoffed.
"Between you and Bastila I'm surprised you don't keep extras. I put them on the bed side table when you handed me them last night."
"Thanks babe. I shouldn't hand you things when you're tired."
"Something's wrong." Carth said.
"We'll talk. Bastila, thank you for coming so quickly when I needed you. We need to talk." Bastila nodded and left.
"What's wrong?" Carth snuggled next to her.
"A Shifter was in here, he was using your son's form. He has a message for me, but he didn't deliver it. He bit me." Carth touched the bite mark and winced.
"How do you draw blood with your teeth?" Carth asked.
"You try hard. I don't know why he know about Dustil or what message he would have. He's coming back at some point or another."
"You'll be ready for him." Carth laughed. "Do you want my vibro double blade?"
"It's Yucranis' brand or something isn't it? You're the one who ogled at Tattooine."
"You bought it for me for eight thousand credits. It's behind the bed. It lends a little more life to threats when you can poke someone without amputating something."
"You're taking this well." Saleairy said.
"I've learned not to be overly protective if you don't see it as a threat. I'll just stay close by and make sure you have access to anything sharp the next time he comes around."