Previously on The Tragic Adventures of Mata Tahiri….
One day the galaxy will learn that no one plays a long game like the Fel Family…
And that Tahiri isn't just emotionally - but now legally - a Fel...
Season 5
Episode 5
Take me down, 6 underground
The ground beneath your feet
Laid out low, nothing to go
Nowhere a way to meet
I've got a head full of drought
Down here
So far off of losing out
Round here
Overground, watch this space
I'm open to falling from grace
Calm me down, bring it round
Too way high off your street
I can see, like nothing else
In me you're better than I wannabe
Don't think 'cos I understand
I care
Don't think 'cos I'm talking
We're friends
Overground, watch this space
I'm open to falling from grace
Talk me down,
Safe and sound
Too strung up to sleep
Wear me out
Scream and shout
Swear my time's never cheap
I fake my life like I've lived
Too much,
I take whatever you're given, not enough
Overground, watch this space, I'm open
I fake my life like I've lived
Too much,
I take whatever you're given, not enough
Overground, watch this space, I'm open
To falling from grace.
6 Underground/Comer, Coverdale, Pickering, Barry
Tarkin Estate, Phelarion
41 ABY
Eleven Years After The Yuuzhan Vong War
Gigi scanned the comm feeds she was receiving from the Hapan agents in Elga City and growled in frustration.
The information itself wasn't surprising; just more of what she'd been getting since she'd arrived on Phelarion. The demonstrations were picking up steam, the crowds of protesters were growing larger, and Tarkin's enforcers were becoming steadily more brutal in their attempts to suppress the gatherings. At least three dead and dozens wounded in this one.
Tahiri was not going to be happy.
The news was being censored - none of it making its way to the holonet, on or off Phelarion. Gigi knew that the GA was as aware of the situation on the ground as the Hapan government were though; because she and Tahiri were feeding the same information to both Galactic Alliance Intel and Hapan Royal Intel.
The Prince had sent a message to Gigi a few days ago; he was getting nervous and thought maybe it was time for her and Tahiri to get out. Tahiri had dismissed the idea immediately though. She was as determined to find any links between Ta'a Chume and Lady Tarkin and the growing unrest occurring on Phelarion as she was to catch Tarkin. Gigi was starting to feel that nothing short of the collapse of Tarkin's government would get Tahiri to leave before they'd gotten the evidence she wanted. She wasn't just relentless, she was obsessed.
And may have lost the thread.
Tahiri had insisted, when she and the Royal couple were preparing to leave Csilla after Noya Parck's funeral, that Gigi meet them there first. She'd been adamant that they needed to discuss - in detail - what Gigi would be getting herself into by agreeing to act as Tahiri's handmaiden. She wanted to give Gigi a chance, an informed chance, to back out. And, finally, to participate in the family's continued plotting. It had been Gigi afterall, Tahiri had reasoned, who had built the hidden comm center in the Queen's closet; they'd need her input on designing the one Tahiri wanted to build behind her own closet on Phelarion.
Gigi had realized almost instantly after joining the group that a lot of the things Tahiri was sharing about Trakin's behavior and what life could - would - be like on Phelarion, were coming as a shock to the family. At one point Ambassador Fel had exploded in fury and frustration, demanding that they call the operation off; demanding that Tahiri stay on Csilla under the protection of their parents. Evidently Tahiri giving up the investigation was a fight she and Jag had had numerous times over the years that Tahiri had been working undercover.
Syndic and Mrs. Fel hadn't been present during that particular exchange, though the Royal couple had. But they hadn't had a chance to weigh in before Tahiri had matched Jag's anger; demanding to know how he could ask her to give up now, with 'Cemmie and Teeka and the kids' at risk. The Ambassador had sunk back into his seat in defeat, then clung to Tahiri as she pulled his head to her chest while she pleaded with him not to ask that of her.
A large part of the group's discussions during those tense days involved the 'studio' Tahiri would ask Tarkin to allow her to build. Tahiri was certain she'd get her way, though no one bothered to ask her why she was so certain… by that point in the planning and plotting it was clear to all exactly what lengths Tahiri was willing to go to get what she wanted, and none of them wanted to discuss her methods any more than she did.
Using the proposed studio as a cover, claiming that she needed the exact same equipment that she had on Wyloff, since she wanted to copy her recording setup precisely, Tahiri had arranged to have multiple containers of goods sent to her. She'd been certain Tarkin wouldn't resist the arrangement given the cost of the goods. Along with his other faults - Tahiri had explained - he was a stingy bastard; allowing Tahiri to have Junger pay for the goods and shipping out of her own accounts would appeal to his frugality. Of course, spread out amongst the multiple containers coming from Wyloff, mixed in with the sound boards, musical instruments, microphones, soundproofing materials, and spools of wire, had been what Gigi needed to build this room.
Tahiri and Gigi had spent weeks tearing out walls, installing foam, and wiring up the carefully placed equipment. Tahiri even invited Tarkin in to 'help'. He had no interest in 'helping' but made it very clear that he didn't mind 'watching' the women.
Creep.
Tahiri pretended to not notice, or be bothered by the way Tarkin eyed them as they worked, even going so far as to explain everything she and Gigi were doing; telling him about the various components and what their purpose was, assuming, she told him, that he'd care about how she did what she did.
Gigi had sat stunned as she'd tried to pretend that she wasn't eavesdropping on their conversations, averting her eyes from their amorous displays. There hadn't been a single lie in the lines Tahiri had fed Tarkin while they'd been in the studio… and yet the context was as far from the truth as could be.
She'd been impressed. Though she'd been nothing but impressed by Tahiri during their time together; and had been continually amazed, as well as disturbed, at the other woman's ability to spin endless webs of intricate bantha fodder, seemingly effortlessly; she could teach a masterclass in acting. No wonder she and Mrs. Fel - who had been, as Wynssa Starflare, the most famous and gifted performer of the Imperial Era - had bonded the way they had when the Prince's brother had first taken Tahiri to Csilla. Gigi often wondered if it was because of Mrs. Fel's influence that Tahiri was so good, or if it was Tahiri's natural talent that had prompted Mrs. Fel to devote the time and energy she had into guiding Tahiri.
And that was before the Fel matriarch had found out about the investigation.
With the amount of visible space 'lost' to all the padding added to the walls of the two former guest rooms Tahiri and Gigi had co-opted in order to create a soundproof environment suitable for recording music, and Tarkin's stunning lack of curiosity about anything Tahiri did - that wasn't him - he'd been oblivious to the women's true goal; the creation of a hidden a room between the studio and Tahiri's dressing room, that Gigi had then outfitted with the rest of the electronics that Junger had unwittingly sent. Electronics similar to what she had installed behind the Queen's dressing room at the Fountain Palace.
The entrance from the studio to the comms room was obscured by the padding and thick area rugs hung on the walls to 'help with the sound' Tahiri wanted to get from certain instruments; the entrance from the dressing room obscured by racks of clothing and shoes. Their final touch had been to install electronic locks on the doors into the studio - so no one could accidentally enter while Tahiri was recording - and between the dressing room and the rest of the suite she shared with Tarkin.
That one had been a little tricky to pull off. Eventually, under the guise of 'finally moving in with Tarkin' Tahiri had had a massive amount of her clothing, shoes, and jewelry shipped to Phelarion, as well as a couple of very valuable paintings that she simply had to have hanging in the dressing room, 'because they make me happy'. She'd then informed Tarkin that the insurance premiums on the paintings would be less expensive if the locks were added.
As usual, Tahiri had been right about Tarkin's response - anything the man could do to hold on to credits...
The first time Tarkin had tried to enter the dressing room after the work had been finished, Tahiri had taken off her dress as she told him, through a wall communicator, to 'please give us a minute. Gigi's not as excited about the prospect of being naked in front of you as I am...' which bought the women time to get back into the dressing room and replace the racks. They'd already staged clothing, shoes, and other fashion items around the dressing room, making it look like Tahiri and Gigi had been using each other as dress up dolls. The ruse had worked so well that the staging became part of their routine, and Tahiri had taken to spending most of her time in their little sanctuary in nothing but a bra and underwear. The sight of her furiously scanning intel reports, from both the GA and Hapes, on datapads that never left the room, nearly naked, might have been humorous if it didn't make Gigi so kriffing sad.
Gigi heard a succession of beeps coming from the locking mechanism on the door between her and Tahiri's closet and looked up as the other woman entered the com room, followed, as always, by Fiver.
"Hey."
"Hey," Gigi returned, then looked at Fiver. "Hello little man. How are you this evening?"
Tahiri patted Fiver's head affectionately as she translated for him; "He returns the greeting and appreciates your inquiry."
Gigi smiled.
She'd heard stories about Anakin Solo and appreciated his gift for programming, still so evident in the little 'mech even after all these years. They didn't really need Fiver the way Tahiri had relied on him before, but Gigi figured using him as backup couldn't hurt - one can never be too paranoid after all. Plus, having Fiver close seemed to help Tahiri. Gigi had scolded herself the first time that thought had entered her mind; it seemed so 'romantic'. But she couldn't fight the sense that Tahiri's dependence on the droid was in part because his presence allowed her to believe that in some way Anakin was still looking after her.
She watched Tahiri strip off her shirt and pants, then sit on the chaise in the corner and light a nic-stick.
Gigi held her hand up for the pack, and caught it when Tahiri tossed it to her.
"So Geeg… what fresh hell do you have for me tonight?"
Gigi winced, then blew out a plume of smoke as she cranked up the fan in the room to filter the stale air and leaned back in her chair. "Three known dead in Elga City," she finally reported, "probably another hundred wounded. Another few hundred detained."
"Krifffff…" Tahiri sighed out as she dropped her head, then looked back up. "Agents?"
"All Hapans accounted for. They hung back; as instructed."
"Thank the Force. What else? I can feel how tense you are."
"Cheater."
Tahiri snorted. "Cheater… Force-user…"
"I got into Kozy's calendar."
Tahiri immediately shot off the chaise and lurched across the room, throwing her arms around Gigi's neck, causing her to laugh a little.
"Don't get too excited. It's only her social schedule."
"But it's still something," Tahiri praised as she pulled back and kissed Gigi's cheek before returning to the chaise. "You've made more progress in the last three months than I made in four years. Stop beating yourself up for not having gotten farther faster. I know you'll crack the rest of it soon."
"Let's hope."
"As happy as I am at that news… stop dodging. That isn't why you're tense."
"Cheater."
"Established."
"I spoke to Cem a couple hours ago. He'd like to see you. He's... concerned."
"Tattling on me, Geeg?"
Gigi looked down, feeling a little guilty.
"And does the Prince of Always Getting His Way have any suggestions on how we're supposed to pull that off? My leaving would look suspicious after claiming the family doesn't want me travelling."
"The surprise party for Captain Solo."
Tahiri's gaze immediately dropped, then she stubbed out her nic-stick and called the pack from Gigi's desk to her hand and lit another.
"He suggested," Gigi continued, "that you tell Tarkin that the parentals want to see you; and since your parents are going to the party, and you've, naturally, been invited as well, that they are insisting that they swing by Phelarion on their way to Coruscant to pick you up, maybe even spend a day pretending to be ok with you being with Tarkin."
"I know Mommy can pull that off… she is an Obie winner after all."
"Wow, it's almost like you two were raised together. That was his rationale."
Tahiri snorted. "And what was Cemmie's suggestion on how we prevent Poppa from losing his shit and strangling Tarkin between touching down and lifting off again?"
"That while he may not have an Obie of his own..."
"He's engaged in plenty of subterfuge with assholes he's hated and managed to keep his temper in check and stay alive as long as Mommy has?"
"Basically. And Cem figured that with the groundwork you've already laid, about the family wanting you to stay put for your own safety, and how long it's been since you've seen each other… Tarkin probably wouldn't question your parents being desperate to see you and that they'd only be ok with you travelling if you were under not only their protection but the Hapan Royal Guard."
"Kriff. Cem's such a know-it-all bastard sometimes. But he's right; if anything was going to help me sell this to Tarkin it'd be that. I don't want Jag here though. I will not ask him to be in the same room as Tarkin."
"Again - your brother's words almost exactly."
Tahiri blew out a breath. "Force… it would be amazing to get out of here for a few days."
"It would be. And I think you need it."
Tahiri looked at her suspiciously. "Don't you mean we need it?"
"I should…"
"Abso-kriffingly-lutely not!" Tahiri growled. "You're insane, and nowhere near as smart as I'd thought if you think I'm leaving you here alone with Tarkin."
"He said that's what your reaction would be. And for the record, he agrees with you on that as well."
"Good. I don't have the energy to fight with you over it."
Tahiri leaned back, staring at the ceiling as she took deep inhales from her nic-stick and blew them out while Gigi waited.
"It would be good to see Han and Leia," Tahiri finally said. "Though I'll have to see other members of the family as well."
Gigi knew Tahiri was referring to the Skywalkers, but she couldn't help but feel that they weren't the only ones she wasn't looking forward to seeing. She'd been dying to ask why Master Solo hadn't been on the list of people Tahiri had actually comm'd since she'd arrived on Phelarion, but Dex Wessiri hadn't been on that list either, and Gigi knew how close they were. So far, other than the family and Junger, she'd only spoken to Valin Horn.
"Going would also make your parents happy…" Gigi said.
"Nice. Thanks for that guilt."
"I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, but given that I monitor all of your comm traffic, I know very well how hard this has been for them."
A series of beeps came from the wall unit, cutting off any further conversation. Tahiri let out another deep sigh, then stood up and snubbed out her nic-stick.
"Showtime."
Gigi watched Tahiri take a deep breath and shake herself slightly, then fall, seemingly effortlessly, into character before finally breathing into the comm, "Hello Darling. Give us a minute? You know how shy Gigi is."
Gigi flipped a series of switches on the boards in front of her, putting her equipment into standby mode, then followed Tahiri as she made her way out of the comms room, helping her close the passage door and sliding the wardrobe racks back into place with practiced ease. Once everything looked right, they nodded to each other and Tahiri triggered the lock on the outer door, allowing Tarkin to enter as Gigi pretended to be pulling her top into place - as though Tahiri had delayed opening the door to give her time to dress.
"Thank you, Gigi," Tahiri said absently. "It's lucky we're the same size and coloring. It really does help to imagine how I'll look on stage in some of these outfits when I can see them on you."
"Anything I can do to help, Mi'lady."
"That will be all for now. I'll summon you when I need you again."
Tipping her head slightly to Tahiri she murmured, "Of course, Mi'lady," then smiled shyly at Tarkin and turned to leave the room.
Gigi hadn't cleared the doorway when she heard Tarkin's voice, dripping with desire.
"You know love, seeing you both naked would be amazing."
"Are you suggesting a threesome with my handmaiden, Governor?"
"It would be like having two of you."
"If you need two of me then clearly I'm not doing my job very well… I'll have to redouble my efforts."
Gigi's heart sank as the door to the dressing room closed behind her, sank further as she realized, knew, what Tahiri must be doing.
The following morning...
Gigi made her way to the studio earlier than usual. She hadn't been able to sleep after what she'd witnessed the night before. Tossing and turning and feeling sorry for Tahiri hadn't been productive though so she decided to work.
When she entered she found Tahiri sitting at the piano, a cloud of smoke thick in the air of the room. A large tray, overflowing with spent nic-sticks, sat on the edge of the piano, one burning on the edge as Tahiri played a mournful tune.
Gigi flipped the switches on the wall to turn the air purifying fans on, then sat on the bench next to Tahiri as she continued to play, not bothering to acknowledge her arrival. Finally, with tears running down her face, Tahiri's playing grew slower.
Gigi wrapped an arm over her shoulders and pulled her close as Tahiri gave up playing and sank into her, her sobs growing deeper as Gigi stroked her head.
"If you think it will help, I'm willing to…"
Tahiri pulled back instantly. "No," she whispered harshly, shaking her head. "No… Out of the question. I will not allow him to touch you. I will never allow him to touch you. I'd like one of us to still have some dignity and self respect left when this is over."
She was torn between gratitude for Tahiri's desire to protect her and her own desire to do something, anything, to ease the other woman's burden. Thinking of nothing to say, she simply pulled Tahiri back into her, holding her close and stroking her head as the other woman cried.
When Tahiri had finally begun to calm Gigi asked, "Did you sleep at all, Ri?"
She shook her head against Gigi's shoulder in answer.
"C'mon. You can nap while I work. I'll hold your comm. If Tarkin tries to find you I'll tell him that you're meditating. Or that you went for an early run and haven't gotten back yet. That will buy us time for me to wake you up and get you into the shower before you have to deal with him again."
Tahiri sighed heavily. "And then he'll want to join me in the shower…"
"We'll deal with that if it becomes an issue. But right now, you need to rest. Either an actual nap or real meditation. Whatever you need to separate yourself from all of this for a bit."
Tahiri nodded, then allowed Gigi to lead her through the passage and into the com room.
She guided Tahiri to the chaise and pushed her onto it. After covering her with the throw blanket draped over it, Gigi stroked Tahiri's head.
Tahiri's eyes were closed, and Gigi thought she'd fallen asleep but then she whispered, "Tell Cem to let Mommy and Poppa know they're clear to come pick us up for the party. If they arrive late in the afternoon, and we plan to leave early the following morning, they'll only have a few hours to actually interact with Tarkin. I just need the dates."
"You don't want to tell them yourself?"
"No… I don't want to talk to anyone today."
"Alright. I'll send word to Cem."
When she was sure Tahiri was asleep she made her way back to her desk and went to work, determined to find anything she could to get them all out of this.
Next time on Fear and Love…
Interlude time…
Jaina and Jacen talk...