Bondmates and Soulmates

Chapter 4: Parties

It's a brave man who, when things are at their darkest, can kick back and party!

Dennis Quaid, "Inner Space"

The dining hall was a hideous display of extravagance, Tahiri had decided. Elaborately carved tables were draped with claret silk and tipa chiffon, upon them sat plates of polished Hapan gemstones, garna platinum flatware, and cloud crystal glasses. All items were from the system itself, a not so subtle display of the fact that the Hapes Cluster had no need of the New Republic.

She was biding her time until Tenel arrived. The insufferable man that the Queen Mother had opted to make her consort was incessantly chattering in Tahiri's ear. She'd long since tuned him out. Especially after the first disparaging remark that he had made about Force users in general. Oh, he hadn't thought that she'd caught it, not with the way he so carefully hidden it within praise and many other pretty words, but she had picked up on it. One slip up and he'd have the whole lot of them imprisoned, including the Queen Mother, for treason.

The doors cracked open and Tahiri sighed in relief. Tenel strode through dressed in a simple but elegant emerald green dress. That struck Tahiri as odd but then the Dathomiri had to change many things when she'd become the ruler of the Hapes Cluster. Though it took her a minute to figure it out, Tahiri also noticed the slight flush that was in the monarch's cheeks. That caused her to guide the repugnant man at her side to a position that he couldn't really see the Queen until she was properly seated at the table where the light didn't really allow for the observation of Tenel's other than normal state.

"…And so we now know where the fear of the Jedi came from here." Vecsu finished rather lamely while seating Tahiri expertly to the Queen's left at the high table. He then proceeded to take his seat to her right. Zekk and Trenio had taken up seats next to Tahiri. The governors and other officials that decided to join the group were sitting in the remaining seats at the high table.

Tahiri finished the perusal of the room and was able to give Zekk that 'we need to talk' look before Tenel tapped her glass for everyone's attention. "Ladies and Lords of the Consortium," the Queen Mother began, "thank you all for attending. I know that many of you here support the thought of sending the children that have ability to be trained. For many of you I know that the decision comes after much tough deliberation and self-searching. It is for this great new beginning that we hold this great banquet and to welcome our guests of honor, Jedi Knight Tahiri Veila, Jedi Knight Zekk, and Knight Apprentice Trenio Cetada."

There was a brief round of glass tapping. This itself was pretty subdued and subsided the instant that the first of the servants entered with food. It made Tahiri wonder exactly how many of these people present were actually in favor of the Queen Mother's plans.

Coruscant

Jaina set her shoes on the coffee table of her apartment. She had taken them off on the ride back so she could curl up next to Jag more comfortably. Even now, as she sat down on her sofa, she was still a bit giddy. Though she might blame some of the dizzy sensation on the champagne she had, more of it came from the fact that the man who had her heart had finally proposed to her. That and the fact that he was able to keep it secret from her.

She smiled over at him as he came in the door. "You are the most wonderful man in the galaxy Jagged Fel." She remarked as she stood. They met each other halfway across the room.

They hugged for a scant moment. Jag's hands caressed up the sides of her body to rest at her cheeks. He stared into her brandy colored eyes. Then he lowered his lips to hers.

It began tenderly. A mere brushing of his lips against hers that she could do nothing about with his hands framing her face. He followed her cheekbone from the corner of her mouth. Making a full circle around her lovely face. It made her tremble with anticipation.

All of the sudden, she realized that her arms were still circled around his waist. So she began to untuck his shirt and run her hands along his smooth back. At her touch he shuddered and brought his lips back to hers.

"Chirrup…chirrup…" The sound of the comm-suite signaling an incoming message would have went unnoticed if it weren't for the urgent light blinking as well.

"I'll get that." Jag offered. He winked and left a disheveled Jaina to catch her breath. He hadn't waved her over so she figured it was something that he could handle. Besides she wouldn't want to be facing anyone right now with as disheveled as she assumed she looked. She wandered into the kitchen to make some caf.

He came in minutes later a mixed look on his handsome face. One that told her that he'd like to finish what they started and at the same time that he was sorry that he couldn't. "That was Cilla. They need me to come home. There is trouble brewing on the borders of the Unknown Regions."

She tried to think of something to say, but everything she had was inappropriate. Except for one. "Don't hesitate to call for assistance should the need arise."

He knew that she didn't mean that as an insult, so he choked down the inbred reply that he'd grown up with on Cilla. He also noted that she had left out a couple of words, meaning that she'd come herself if it was ruled that the Galactic Alliance should remain out of whatever trouble was brewing. He smiled warmly at her. "Don't do anything to get yourself in trouble, General."

"Who me?" she batted her eyelashes in innocent play but then turned deadly serious. "Just be careful Jag. Now get going before I lock the door and change the codes so you can't leave."

Hapes

Dinner was over and now was the time for the children to be ushered in. Jacen looked on from a shadowed balcony. Careful not to draw any attention to himself, he looked the potentials over. Trying to pick out his daughter.

Tenel had known that Jacen would not leave without a chance at glimpsing his child. That is why she'd had her servant take her for disguising. It was good enough that if Tenel hadn't seen the brief look a certain raven-haired child had given her, she would have never known herself. The only thing that remained the same was her startling blue eyes. They were Skywalker blue if ever she had to describe it. There were no other's known with quite that color of eyes.

She held her breath as she had the children introduced. When she reached Malia she breathed a small sigh of relief. "I am Malia Eterra, this is my daughter Aris. I wish for her to be trained."

Tahiri repeated herself for the fifth time. "That is all well and good Mistress Eterra, but does your daughter wish it?" She questioned staring long and hard at the girl. The others had all given some indication of being wary of the famous but disfigured Jedi. This young one didn't so much as blink at the intimidating stare.

Aris just squared her shoulders and returned the look before answering. "Yes I wish for you to train me."

Tahiri did not miss the slight stress on you that the little one had used. So you're whom I'm here for. She thought as she said aloud. "It is not up to me who trains you. That is for the council to decide." To the room she then stated, "These five have made their choice. You have been told the conditions of their tenure. Enjoy yourselves now, we will be leaving in the morning." With that she bid the ballroom good night and pretended to return to the ship. Zekk and Trenio would have to usher the new younglings there in a little while, she had a queen to talk to in private.

Tenel remained at the function for an acceptable amount of time after Tahiri had left. The woman had seemed so cold and near rude. But Tenel understood why, she had asked specifically for Tahiri to be the one to come here. She did not want another to train her daughter. Except for Jacen, but that was out of the question as Vecsu had already stated that he would personally see to his rivals destruction if he ever came near a member of his family.

She entered her chambers and closed the door behind her. She was all of two steps from the door when she heard a faint tap on the marble behind her. "Tahiri, how nice of you to announce yourself." She knew full well that this was probably the one Jedi that could get close enough to kill her. That was the main reason that she wished for Tahiri to train the princess. "Jacen wasn't as considerate."

"That explains it." The twenty-three year old whispered.

"Explains what?" The queen mother asked her visitor.

Tahiri rolled her eyes as she got out of her crouched position whispering, "The reason I've been so edgy. He's here. He's trying to find…"

"Yes," Tenel interrupted her voice slipping back into an almost court like stateliness, "He snuck in here and back out again. But that is not the reason you are here is it Little Sister."

Tahiri snapped strait to attention at that knick name. She hadn't been called that since the end of the war. Not since Jaina had packed her things and left the new temple for her post with the Defense Fleet. Only those close to her would call her that, so why did Tenel… Tahiri caught her meaning and switched the topic. "Your pardon Queen Mother, he shall be dealt with later. I wish to know, why me?"

"Mostly because of your unique make up Knight Veila. You proved that you are more than capable of sneaking past the guards without the aid of the Force. I wish you to teach her that as well as how to best use her power to keep from ending up like mother." A sad look passed through her eyes, but she quickly sobered. "I wish only the best of teachers for my daughter. You are one. Could you tell?"

The Jedi knew that the Queen Mother asked not of her skills but of which of the girls in the hall had been the Crown Princess. "Yes, Tenel. Her eyes hold her secret. It will take time for the others to realize it though. Just one question, why the disguise?"

"It is better that the galaxy believe that she is just another child of the Cluster. Vecsu and I decided this together." She wasn't going to say that it was the only way that she could get her dandy of a husband to agree to sending "his" child. "She is yours now. Take care of her." The young leader of the Hapes Cluster hugged her friend.

"I will." The choked up Jedi Knight managed around the lump in her throat.