Chapter 13: Dantooine Part 5
Dawn appeared in a flash of green beside Bastila and Sarryn who stood staring at Willow.
"Get Willow out of here," Bastila ordered.
Dawn turned and looked at Willow and her eyes widened. She grabbed the redhead and they disappeared in a flash of green and reappeared inside their quarters in the enclave. She waited and watched for the transfixed Willow to return to normal. "Will? Are you alright?"
"I killed him, didn't I?" said Willow as she looked toward Dawn. For a moment she was unsure where they even were. Then she began to recognize their quarters.
"That's what it looked like when I returned," said Dawn reluctantly. "What happened?"
"That place overpowered my abilities," Willow answered.
"Are you going to be alright tonight?" asked Dawn. "I have to get Mission, but I am willing to disobey Bastila if you need me instead."
Willow looked at Dawn for a long moment and then slowly nodded. "I will be fine. But just in case, keep a commlink on you."
Dawn nodded as she disappeared in a flash of green and reappeared next to Bastila and Sarryn. "She said she was overpowered by this cave."
"I know," said Bastila. "Sarryn and I could feel it. I knew Willow was powerful to begin with. But tapping into the Force though this chamber. I think it was too much, it allowed for a brief moment, I think, for the dark side to take hold. I want you to have a commlink on you tonight. I will stay with Willow. If something happens, I will need you to come immediately."
"Willow already asked me to have one on me," said Dawn as she held up the commlink she had grabbed.
"Good," said Bastila. "Before you left earlier did you get your crystal?"
"I forgot," admitted Dawn.
"Then pick whatever crystal you want for your lightsaber. Also pick one for Willow. I don't want her returning to this cave. Once you do that then head back to the enclave and fetch Mission to serve your sentence."
Dawn nodded.
Sarryn watched as Dawn walked off and then turned back toward Bastila. "Do you think Willow will be all right?" he asked.
"I don't know," answered Bastila. "I am going to have to take a more hands on approach to her training, so she can learn control. Which means you and Dawn will be less hands on for the foreseeable future."
"Given what we just saw. I think that might be a good idea," said Sarryn. "Not that I want to have you cut back on my training. But with Willow like Dawn she will need extra guidance not to completely fall."
"Agreed."
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Mission was curled up on her bed in the small room she shared with Zaalbar, stifling yawn after yawn. With her back leaning against the wall she watched her Wookie friend, who was already lost in deep sleep in the bed opposite of hers. Sleep threatened to overwhelm her too, but she was forced to wait for Dawn to come pick her up, so they could perform Bastila's punishment: sleeping outside under the chilly Dantooine sky. A small smile tugged at her lips, she didn't consider spending the night with Dawn, who genuinely cared for her much of a punishment.
Her life at the moment was pretty good, but doubts were making her head a mess. Dawn had been promoted to padawan that afternoon, which meant she, Willow, Sarryn and Miss Bastila would leave on their super important mission soon. The Twi'lek didn't know the details, but it was something about stopping Malak and the Sith from messing up the galaxy even further. And that led to the core of her problem: you don't stop the Sith by staying on Dantooine.
The end of Dawn's training no doubt meant she'd leave the enclave together with her master to aid in the war. And that scared the living daylight out of Mission, because who was to say she'd be invited to tag along? Dawn would want to take her without a doubt, but what about the other Jedi? She knew Sarryn and Willow wouldn't mind if she tagged alone. But Miss Bastila surely wouldn't be happy with the little brat coming along and she was convinced the Council wouldn't want someone as young as her in the way of their precious mission.
She wasn't sure if Dawn would be able to persuade them. So, she would be abandoned once again.
Her parents had abandoned her. Her brother had abandoned her. Zaerdra had abandoned her.
The only ones who hadn't abandoned her were Zaalbar and Dawn. Big Z would never willingly leave her, but thanks to his life debt he was forced to follow Dawn, even if it meant being separated from his best friend.
Of course, Dawn would want to bring her along, the human adored her. The girl was about her age, but Dawn's care and affection for Mission were almost limitless and she fulfilled very deep desires, desires Mission never really knew she had.
Part of Mission – a part she kept safely hidden away from everyone else – desperately wished that it was Dawn Summers who had been her mother, not the sad excuse for a woman that abandoned her and Griff. She knew that thought was very childish, and she'd never share it with anyone. But the fact remained Dawn cared very much for her, and Mission would do anything to stay with the human.
A sharp knock on the door brought her back to the real world. She rushed towards it to open it and nervously glanced around the edge, finding a positively beaming Dawn on the other side. "What's up, Blue?" she asked brightly. "Ready for a cozy night in the open?"
"Nope," she answered and managed a mischievous smile. "Want to bail?"
Dawn laughed. "I wish I could. I have a commlink on me. Something happened when we went looking for crystals. Bastila wants me to have a commlink in case I am needed to help Willow."
Mission looked at Dawn with worry, she knew how Dawn felt about Willow. "Is she all right?"
"I hope so," said Dawn. "But that's why I have a commlink on me. So, if we're not where we're supposed to be. Bastila is likely to know."
Mission left the room and followed Dawn into the hallway. "Dawn," she said as she followed the older girl through the enclave. "Can I ask why you called me your child earlier? We're almost the same age."
"I got the feeling, despite being almost the same age, that you preferred having someone who could be your mother," admitted Dawn.
"I do," admitted Mission. "But what happens once things get difficult? You'll be going against the Sith, right?"
"Yes," said Dawn. "But if we agree to this new dynamic, I will not be leaving you behind. I promise, Mission. That also will mean when everything is done that I have to do; you will have a very difficult decision to make."
"That would be?" asked Mission as they reached a large tree in the courtyard with a patch of soft grass around it.
Dawn lay down on her back in the grass and patted the spot next to her, indicating the girl to lay down. Mission curled up against the human, laying her head on Dawn's shoulder and snuggling close to get warm. It was pretty cold out here.
"Well?" Mission prodded.
"It's a long conversation," said Dawn. "And one I promised to tell you back when we were still on Taris. I'm sorry I forgot that promise, Mission. You see I am not from your universe, but a parallel universe. I crossed the dimensional breach between our two universes knowing that I had a destiny here. In my native universe the Force is known by another name, magic."
Dawn went on to tell Mission her whole life story from start to finish. As Mission listened her eyes bugged out of her head as she heard one fantastical thing after another. She now understood why Dawn said she would have a difficult decision to make. If she accepted Dawn as her mother, then Dawn would not want to leave her behind which meant going to a world that knew nothing about aliens and had never seen one.
Dawn began to gently stroke Mission's lek. The feeling took Mission completely by surprise. It felt incredibly good, Twi'lek's head tails were very sensitive and the way Dawn was caressing hers was nothing short of divine. It sent shivers through her entire body and made every single muscle relax completely.
The feeling was also completely alien to her, as no one had been ever close enough to do something so incredibly intimate to her. She wondered if Dawn knew stroking a Twi'lek's lek was something only done by lovers, very close friends or family. Her mind told her Dawn knew, because it gave her the incredible feeling of being loved and cared for. She snuggled a bit closer to the strong body of the older girl, craving for the attention she was getting, and let out a content sigh.
The tender, loving caresses continued for a long time, but didn't manage to stop the flood of bad thoughts from creeping up in her mind. It actually strengthened her fear of being abandoned by her new guardian. Dawn had come closer to her than anyone before, even Zaalbar. Being separated from her now would be hell, plain and simple. The time for timidity was over, now she had to be bold to secure her future.
"Dawn?" she asked tentatively. Dawn grumbled something in response, indicating that she was listening. "Your real mission starts tomorrow, right?"
"Tomorrow 800 hours sharp," came the muffled response.
"That means you'll be leaving Dantooine pretty quickly, right?"
Dawn stirred a bit, trying to get comfortable. "They say Revan and Malak travelled the galaxy for a while, searching for some stuff that's supposed to be the reason the Sith are kicking the Republic's asses. I knew when I came here, I had something to do and I think helping Sarryn and Bastila with their mission is that reason. Which means we'll be travelling the galaxy as well, yes."
The young Twi'lek shifted nervously, preparing for the question that had been bothering for months now. "Can I come with you?" she asked in an incredibly tiny voice.
Dawn smiled as she looked over at the Twi'lek. "Do you think I would leave my daughter behind? My own mother taught me better than that. So did my sister."
Mission noticed a tear escape Dawn's eye and realized that Dawn's mother was dead.
"I will not be leaving you behind," Dawn continued. "The Jedi be damned if they think I will leave someone I consider to be my daughter behind.
Mission felt ashamed and childish. "I—I didn't know you'd want me to come. I mean, what use can I be to you? I'm always just tagging along, relying on you for guidance and protection. I try to act strong, but Bastila's right. I'm still just a child."
"Technically speaking, so am I," said Dawn. "There is only about three or four years separating us, remember?" She looked over at Mission for a long moment. And she wondered if she had been wrong. What if what she had come here for was not what she had originally thought but for Mission? But if that was the case, she wouldn't be sharing visions with Sarryn. Then she had a thought, what if she was half right. Mission was part of her destiny, but not the main part. What she had to do was help Sarryn, but that didn't mean she couldn't help others along the way.
Dawn pulled Mission even closer, until Mission was fully embraced by her. There was no mistaking it; those arms were possessive. Dawn was claiming Mission as hers, and Mission had never felt so… right before.
"Dawn, Can I call you mom?" asked Mission.
"I'd like that, Mission," said Dawn.
"Good because when you are done, I am going with you," said Mission.
Dawn smiled as she wrapped both arms around the girl and pulled her on top of her, hugging her tight. "Have you any idea what you mean to me?" she whispered softly in Mission's ear. She continued stroking on of the Twi'lek's head tails. "For as long as you want you will be with me. Be it ten years, twenty years, or your whole life if you'd give me that honor. I'll be there for you. And if you ever want to come back, I will open the breach so you can come back. But till then I promise I won't abandon you. Ever."
The last sentence was spoken with so much emotion, with so much care, that Mission simply believed it every word. For the first time in her life she felt safe and secure, like she had finally found a home. It was such a powerful emotion that her entire heart ached with joy. "Thank you, mom," she muttered, and then burst out in uncontrollable tears. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, Mission," Dawn answered warmly, while continue rubbing the sobbing girl's lek affectionately and sheltering her from the outside world with her arms. "So, stop worrying needlessly, you little idiot," she chuckled warmly. "You're mine. And I take good care of those who are mine."
It was too much; Mission simply couldn't believe she deserved this. Never before had anyone taken such care of her like Dawn had. The care and affection this girl gave her was simply incredible, and she couldn't describe the joy she felt while lying in the strong arms of her guardian. Was this what having a mother felt like? It didn't matter, because after fourteen years of aimless wandering she had finally found the anchor she was looking for.
She was home.
Basking in the strong presence of her guardian her tears slowly ebbed away and she drifted off in a deep, content sleep. A sleep that was free from nagging doubt and desperation for the first time in her life.
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Bastila sat in Dawn and Willow's quarters watching Willow sleep. The night had passed with no problems. But she knew that she would have to train Willow harder from here on out, so that Willow would not be overpowered again.
She left the room, made her way through the enclave and eventually entered the courtyard. She went straight to the tree that she knew Dawn liked to spend time under. What she saw when she arrived made her smile.
Dawn was lying on her back in the grass, with Mission draped all over her. The Twi'lek had buried her forehead in Dawn's neck and her arms wrapped around Dawn's shoulders. Dawn had her arms and legs wrapped possessively around the smaller girl, with one of her hands placed between Mission's head tails. They were both smiling contently, like they were completely at peace. It was a downright adorable sight.
Bastila used her boot to poke Dawn in the side. "Wake up," she said.
Dawn slowly stirred, wrapping Mission in her arms even closer. Then she popped a single eye open, giving Bastila a puzzled look. Her eyes drifted to the girl in her arms and slowly she remembered where she was. A warm smile spread on her entire face as she saw the girl cuddled up to her and she gently caressed the blue head for a moment, after which she yawned widely and stretched underneath Mission's body. When she was properly awake, she gave Bastila a smile.
"Morning, Bastila," Dawn muttered.
"We have a meeting with the Council in half an hour," the knight told her. "Better hurry up if you want to catch a shower and breakfast beforehand."
"I need to speak with you first," said Dawn. "About Mission." She shook Mission gently awake. "Wake up, sweetie. Bastila says it's time."
The young Twi'lek stirred and buried her face even deeper in Dawn's neck. "Not my problem, mom." Her weak mutter was barely audible.
"Mom?" said Bastila.
"Part of the discussion I need to talk to you about," answered Dawn. She then shook Mission once more, a little harder this time. "I have to, honey, really. So please, get up or you'll get me in trouble."
"Fine," Mission huffed. She slowly sat up until she was straddling Dawn at the waist. The young Twi'lek made a great show of rubbing the sleep from her eyes and yawning and stretching extensively. When she was done, she gave Dawn a wide smile. "Good morning, mom!" she greeted brightly.
"Good morning, my pum'kin belly," Dawn greeted affectionately, before gently stroking the girl's cheek and head tail.
"Pum'kin belly?" asked Mission confused.
"My mom called me that when I was little," said Dawn. "Felt right that I should hand the nickname down to my daughter. Sleep well?"
"Better than ever, mom!" She looked around to Bastila and her face fell ever so slightly. "Hullo Miss Bastila."
"Yes, good morning," Bastila answered. "Please get up so your mom can prepare for her important meeting."
Dawn sat upright, holding Mission in her arms to prevent her from falling back, and placed a kiss on Mission's cheek. "I will see you later, sweetie."
Mission gave Dawn a grateful nod and got to her feet, escaping into the enclave.
"Now what is this mother business?" asked Bastila.
"She needs a mother, Bastila. And if you remember you made her my responsibility," Dawn answered. "She and I talked last night and we agreed to this dynamic. For all intents and purposes, she is now my daughter. Which means when we leave Dantooine, she will be coming with us."
"I don't think the Council will agree with that," said Bastila.
"I'm not giving them a choice," answered Dawn. "This is something Mission needs. Just as I needed the same thing from my sister after my mom died. Mission needs a stable, loving home."
"And what happens when you go back to your universe?" asked Bastila concerned that if Dawn did this that she would wind up another person to effectively abandon the Twi'lek.
"I told Mission the truth, all of it," explained Dawn. "I gave her the decision. She thought about it and came to her own conclusion. When I go home, she said she wants to go with me. Besides I've been learning control of the Key. So, if she chooses and wants to return, I will open a portal so she can come back at any time. Now if you will excuse me. I do have to take that shower before the meeting." She stood and disappeared in a flash of green.
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After a hot shower and a good breakfast with strong, black coffee, Dawn entered the Council chambers together with Sarryn, Willow and Bastila.
As expected, the four Councilors were present in the large circular hall, but to their surprise there were two more Jedi standing before the Masters. Dawn instantly recognized one of them was Juhani. The other she didn't immediately recognize but realized that she was of the same species as Juhani, a Cathar.
The second Cathar turned and looked toward the newcomers, she watched Dawn with intrigue. Belaya had said there was a young woman that she might be interested in as a potential mate. When she had learned of this meeting from Juhani she had asked Juhani to ask the Council to allow her attendance so she could meet her. Now that she saw the young woman, she could sense her own pheromones rising at the thought of herself and the human together.
Juhani glanced at the other Cathar as she could smell the pheromones that she was putting off. She smiled at her friend.
The second Cathar's yellow eyes never left Dawn when the quartet walked up to the six waiting Jedi.
Only when Master Vandar spoke did the second Cathar's eyes leave Dawn. "Bastila, Sarryn, Dawn, Willow, good morning. As you can see, young Knight Juhani and Knight Mirin have joined us this morning. They too will play a role in the investigation of the Star Forge. Their expertise with the lightsabers, as well as their training as Jedi Guardians, might prove invaluable during the dangerous mission you are about to undertake."
Dawn looked at Mirin and could see that Belaya had been right. She could see that Mirin was a beautiful example of the Cathar.
"We have just informed them about the visions shared between Padawans Baill and Summers and Knight Shan," the small master continued. "They are aware of the importance of this mission and the secrecy surrounding it. They are also willing to bind themselves to your command, Bastila."
Mirin's gaze finally left Dawn and shifted to Bastila. She and Juhani gave the other knight a bow.
"It's an honor to serve under such an experienced knight as you, Knight Shan," said Juhani.
"I am in agreement, Knight Shan," added Mirin.
"And I'm glad to have you both aboard, Knight Juhani, Knight Mirin," Bastila replied with a tiny smile. "Do you mind if we skip the honorifics and stay on a first name basis, considering the three of us are of the same rank?"
"As you wish," Mirin and Juhani answered with a slight bow of their heads.
"Excellent," Master Vandar said with a faint smile. "The mission you are about to undertake is a dangerous one, so it is critical the six of you work together in perfect unison. I stress that you take the time to get well acquainted to each other and that you maintain a healthy working relationship."
The last comment seemed to be aimed at Sarryn. "Just give us the mission details instead of micromanaging our 'working relationship'," he snarled using air quotes and received a disdainful look from Bastila and Vrook.
"It would be wise to heed the advice from your superior," Vrook told Sarryn.
Sarryn pointed a finger at Vrook, planning to tell him to mind his own business, but Bastila cut him off. "Sarryn, silence. Right now."
"Thank you," Vandar said with an amused twinkle behind his eyes. "Your training is now complete, young padawans." Here he looked directly at Dawn and Sarryn. "The time has come to deal with the matter of the dream the two of you and Bastila shared."
"Do you have any idea where we might start our investigation?" Bastila inquired, while shooting Sarryn a warning glance to keep his mouth shut.
"When we heard of the ruins in your dreams, Master Dorak recognized it as one of a series of ancient structures here on Dantooine. This one in particular lies to the east of this enclave. We sent a Jedi to investigate... but he has not returned." For a moment the Master shook his warty head. "Perhaps sending him in the first place was a mistake."
"Badmouthing your own student, Master Jedi?" Sarryn remarked with a cocked eyebrow. "Practicing what you preach not your style?"
Bastila rolled her eyes and the Cathar watched him like they weren't sure if he really just had the nerve to lecture the wisest of Council Masters. Vandar chuckled though. "You are right, and I must apologize, as I have spoken out of turn. No matter, the Force is guiding the two of you through your visions. Like we discussed at the beginning of your training, it may be that exploring the ruins is a task tied to your destinies. That is why the Council has decided you four should investigate this, with the aid of Juhani and Mirin."
Sarryn clacked his tongue. "Destiny again, huh? Is that why Dawn and I have the ability to crawl into Revan's head?"
"We have no reason to believe either of you possess such an ability," Vandar answered evenly. "As far as we know, the Force is giving the two of you brief glimpses in either Revan's or Malak's life, guiding you on your way. In this case to the ruins here on Dantooine. The secrets to stopping Malak may be hidden within those ruins. You must investigate them and find what Revan and Malak were looking for."
"Once again your ability to address a topic without addressing it astounds me," Sarryn dryly remarked.
"Sarryn Baill, that is enough!" Bastila's words were harsh and as steely as her eyes. "You will show your superiors the proper respect."
Sarryn grimaced, but found himself unable to disobey.
She turned back to the Councilors with a neutral face, "I apologize for my apprentice's behavior, he is under a lot of stress lately."
"I understand," Master Vandar said in his sickening fatherly tone. "I suggest increased meditation to help ease his mind."
"Yes, Master, I shall do so after our investigation. We will return with our findings."
Dawn, Willow, Sarryn, Mirin, Juhani and Bastila exited the council chambers together.
"Bastila, I would like to have a word with Padawan Summers, if you'd allow me," Mirin said.
"If it doesn't take too long," Bastila answered tentatively.
"It won't," the Cathar assured. After an affirmative nod from Bastila she led Dawn to a nearby crevice in the wall, which gave them some privacy. "Is it true you are interested in a relationship with me?" she asked.
"And if I am," answered Dawn.
Mirin smiled and leaned over and kissed Dawn. "We will have to see how things go of course, Dawn. But I would not object to see what the future holds. May I ask is Bastila and Padawan Baill in a relationship?"
"I think Sarryn would like it if they were," answered Dawn. "Why?"
"Her feelings for him go far beyond simple attraction. She's expelling more pheromones than a classroom full of sixteen-year-old Twi'leks," she said. "And so is he."
As Mirin walked away from Dawn, she could smell pheromones coming straight from Dawn that were aimed directly at her. She wondered if the Goddesses had intended for her and Dawn to meet and become mates. Why else would they steer Dawn toward Juhani and Belaya, who could introduce Dawn to her.