Chapter 15: Dantooine Part 7
When they left the temple, Dawn had regained consciousness. Now the landscape sped by as they returned to the enclave. Dawn was quietly sitting in the passenger's seat of the landspeeder, with Mirin driving and Willow in the backseat.
Willow had noticed that Dawn had not taken her eyes of Mirin and nodded seeing her friend was falling for the Cathar.
"Mirin?" said Dawn. "What do you sense from me?"
"Just like with Bastila, you are expelling more pheromones than a classroom full of sixteen-year-old Twi'leks," admitted Mirin. "And they are aimed directly at me. Does that surprise you, Dawn?"
"A little," said Dawn.
"It surprises me as well," admitted Mirin.
"Why?" asked Willow.
"Because Dawn and I have known each other for less than a day. I believe we were destined by the Goddesses," answered Mirin.
"Again, why?" said Willow.
"I do not believe in coincidences. I believe that everything happens for a reason," explained Mirin. "I believe the reason the Masters sent Dawn to fight Juhani instead of Padawan Baill or yourself, Willow, was so that it would lead Dawn to Juhani and Belaya and in turn they would lead her to me. I believe the Goddesses want us mated for a reason that has yet to be revealed." She glanced over at Dawn. "We should consider … what do you humans call it? … a date to confirm what we feel. Just because I can smell pheromones aimed at myself does not mean either of us wants to be mated, despite what the Goddesses plan for us might be."
"That might be a good idea," agreed Dawn.
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Their report to the Council was short. Bastila methodically described the ruin's defenses and how they dealt with them. The four Councilors were disturbed by the attempt to lure them to the dark side, but also felt the everyone was unaffected. None of them had heard of the Builders or their Infinite Empire, not even the Chronicler Dorak. He'd investigate the matter if he had the time, but at the moment there were more pressing matters to tend to.
The navigation chart they retrieved from the ruins had been sent to the experts for analysis. At first glance it seemed incomplete and Master Vandar feared it was a single part of many. The other parts might be spread all over the galaxy, which would explain why Revan had taken such a long time traveling the Outer Rim.
Until the results came back there was nothing they could do, so the the six of them were dismissed.
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Dawn returned to hers and Willow's quarters alone. In the span of one day she had found herself falling for Mirin. And despite her agreeing to a first date with Mirin, she already knew where her heart belonged. Sadly, that was the problem, she had already given both Zaalbar and Mission their difficult decisions and both of them had said they would go with her wherever she went. The question was could she do that to Mirin as well?
"Dawn?" said Willow as she stepped into their quarters.
"I already gave Zaalbar the difficult choice, because of his life-debt. I also already gave Mission the same choice, since I basically adopted her," said Dawn. "They both know our story; they know what our world is like and they know that they would likely not be able to leave the house. At least not during the day. I look at Mirin and I know how I feel despite agreeing to the date, but can I do the same to her?"
"That's what love is, Dawnie," said Willow. "They have to make those decisions. Let Mirin have the choice just as Zaalbar and Mission had to have the choice. Till then do what your heart tells you."
"And if it says I am falling in love with a Cathar?" asked Dawn.
"Then listen to it," said Willow.
Dawn nodded as she thought about it. All she wanted to do was give in to Mirin. Revel in the affection Mirin gave her and return it. She exited hers and Willow's quarters and found Mirin in her own.
"If we do this, Mirin, I need to tell you some things. Then you have a difficult choice to make before we even think about that first date or any other dates or becoming mates or anything," said Dawn. She went on to tell Mirin everything, starting with her creation and ending with her traversing the breach into this universe from her own.
Mirin listened; she now understood the difficult choice that Dawn had mentioned she would have to make. "Cathar mate for life, Dawn. If we do this, I will follow you back to your universe by any and all means at my disposal. For I would be unable to live without you. The choice in reality is yours, not mine, for mine was made the moment we met."
Dawn nodded as her body and mind ached to be close to Mirin. "Then let's do this," she said.
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Upon their return from the first date Dawn and Mirin were alerted by a distressed cry as they stepped onto the circular patio. "Mom!" The cry was soon followed by Mission, accompanied by Zaalbar. The girl's face was scrunched up in anger as she stormed towards Dawn and Mirin. "You sneaked off to a mission without letting us know, mom!" she indignantly accused when she was standing in front of Dawn.
Dawn smiled at the pouting girl and patted her head. "Sorry, sweetie, this was one of those missions you couldn't tag along with. The stuff we've seen today was almost too much, even for a trained Jedi mind."
"You should've at least taken me." The large Wookiee tried to sound bold, but he was shifting nervously on his feet. "The life debt means I must protect you at all times."
Dawn shook her head. "I'm not risking your mental health, Zaalbar. I don't know how others treat their Wookiee friends, but to me you aren't expendable." If a Wookiee could blush, Zaalbar would've done so, looking to the ground almost coyly.
The exchange greatly surprised Mirin. "A Wookiee swore a life debt to you?" The words seemed so unbelievable to her that she had a hard time even verbalizing them.
Just then Mission became aware of the Cathar and her face darkened. She walked over to the feline and stood a foot in front of her, putting her hands on her sides and puffing her cheeks. "You're the one who hurt, mom!" She didn't seem scared of the fact that Mirin was a Cathar, a trained Jedi Knight and about two feet taller.
Mirin looked down at the girl curiously. "You're a brave little girl. What does Dawn mean to you that you're willing to risk your health for her?"
"She's my mom and she's saved our lives a bunch of times," Mission declared proudly. "She's earned our loyalty through her actions!"
"Mom?" said Mirin as she looked at quizzically.
"Adopted," answered Dawn as she looked toward her girlfriend. "We met on Taris before its destruction. Mission more or less listens to me, no real idea why. Anyways Bastila said since Mission listens to me that I should take responsibility for her. I won't get into too much right now but Mission and I agreed to this dynamic. I am technically her mother now." She looked toward her adopted daughter. "Mission, this is Mirin, not Juhani. Mirin is my girlfriend, show her some respect."
The Twi'lek regarded Mirin slowly and nodded. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. But if it you hurt my mom; you'll have to answer to me!"
The Cathar's eyes darted from the girl to the massive Wookiee, then to Dawn. "I think more is going on here than we know," she said. "Your adopted daughter shows true loyalty. And Wookiees don't swear their life debts casually." She looked at Mirin and patted the Twi'lek on the shoulder. "You are honorable, you can be proud of yourself."
Mission's chest swelled with pride and her face warmed up considerably as she watched the Cathar.
"So, are you going to marry mom?" Mission asked looking at the Cathar.
"We only started dating, Mission," answered Dawn. "That said keep that to yourself for now. The Jedi frown on such things."
Mission chuckled softly, giving Mirin a knowing wink before saying, "Hey, Miss Mirin, will you have dinner with us? It'll be fun, I promise!" She placed one hand on the Cathar's stomach and lightly pushed. "You're way too scrawny. All muscle, no fat; that's no good, you should eat well!"
Dawn snorted. "Mission giving nutritional advice, that's bound to end well."
Mirin looked down at the girl, feeling touched by her genuine care. "Thank you for your concern, but there's nothing wrong with my diet. My physical build is a racial trait." Two female Twi'lek Jedi passed by and the Cathar nodded at them. "Just like you'll have wide hips and large breasts when you're grown up."
Mission looked at Mirin with wide eyes and choked, cheeks turning a few shades deeper blue.
Dawn laughed out loud at the girl's expression. "You'd like that, don't'cha?"
"Shaddap, mom," said Mission. "I don't need juggernauts like yours obstructing my movement!"
"Juggernauts?" Dawn cupped her breasts and looked offended, nodding at the two Twi'leks that were just rounding a corner. "Compared to those dreadnoughts my modest B-cups are more like freighters. Firm, compact and versatile."
"V-versatile?" the girl sputtered, face turning possibly even darker. "How can a pair of breasts be versatile? I mean… what different uses can breasts have?"
Dawn chuckled and grabbed the girl around the shoulders. "That's a lesson best left for when you're older."
Mission pouted and gave Dawn a shove, trying to worm free but failing miserably so. "Mom, you're not much older than I am."
"She does have a point," agreed Mirin. "You said you just turned seventeen. And looking at Mission I would say she is what thirteen, fourteen?"
"I just turned fourteen," said Mission. "And, mom, stop treating me like a kid!"
Dawn smiled at her girlfriend and then turned to Mission and started tickling the girl's sides, holding her tightly locked to her body to prevent escape. "Just admit you love it when I do." Mission started twitching and giggling madly, increasing her efforts to get out of Dawn's tormenting grip.
In the meantime, Mirin was watching the struggling duo in bewilderment. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked Zaalbar, who was watching his friends passively.
The large Wookiee shrugged. "It's a human and Twi'lek thing. I think they reckon the size of their hips and breasts are related to their sexual prowess."
The Cathar blinked. "But that's wrong."
"Of course, but try convincing them." He nodded at the still quarreling duo.
Mission had climbed on Dawn's shoulders and was trying to force her to the ground, but Dawn had no trouble keeping her at bay. After a quick roll it was Mission who was lying on the ground, with Dawn pushing her blue wrists down – locking her effortlessly into place with one hand – and assaulting her sensitive side with fervor. Passing Jedi shot them disgusted glares, but knew better than to admonish Bastila's apprentice.
After a short but intense fight Mission surrendered. "Mom, m—mercy!" she managed between giggles, looking like she was having the time of her life. "P—please, mom, I s—surrender."
"Tell me I'm awesome," Dawn demanded with a feral grin, still holding the girl tightly down and hovering her hand over Mission's side as a silent threat.
"You're awesome! You're the awesomest, pawnsomest, handsomest Jedi ever!"
"Atta girl." With a smirk Dawn released Mission, getting to her feet and helping the Twi'lek get up as well. "You've learned well, my daughter."
"Thank you, mom," answered Mission.
Dawn chuckled and patted the girl's head. "Hey Mission, I'm going to make a quick visit to the tailor. Want to tag along?"
The girl's face immediately lit up. "Sure thing! Why do you need to go there?"
Dawn quickly glanced at the Cathar. "My beautiful girlfriend, like other Cathar, accentuates all her features in that sexy catsuit of hers. If she is going to tease me, I should be allowed to tease her, shouldn't I?"
"Yes, you should," agreed Mission.
Mirin looked Dawn over and then smiled. "That would be interesting, I will let you surprise me, Dawn."
Dawn smiled as she looked back at Mission. "Come on, pum'kin belly."
"Aye!" The girl turned to Zaalbar and Mirin and waved. "Bye Big-Z, bye Miss Mirin. See you at dinner!" Zaalbar waved the two off. They were already chatting happily as they went, no doubt discussing the events of that morning.
"You're not following them?" Juhani asked.
"Dawn doesn't need my protection while inside the enclave and they need to spend some time together. Besides, it's confusing and tiring to be around them. I can't follow their fast Galactic Basic very well and most of the time they don't even mean what they say. Dawn says it's called joking, but I don't understand. A joke is supposed to be funny, right?"
"Not everyone will find the same things funny," said Mirin. "Zaalbar, do you know why Dawn called Mission, pum'kin belly?"
"It is an affectionate nickname," Zaalbar answered. "From what Dawn has said her own mother gave that nickname to her. Since Dawn technically adopted Mission, she thinks it was a good idea to start a tradition and handed the nickname to Mission."
"Dawn truly loves the child, doesn't she?" asked Mirin.
"She does. She has even gone so far as to tell myself and Mission her story. She even told us that we had a difficult choice to make."
The Cathar nodded in understanding. "To return to Dawn's universe with her."
"Yes, my choice was made the moment I swore a life debt to Dawn. I will go where Dawn does. And should she die, my life-debt would move from Dawn to her children," Zaalbar continued. "I believe Mission chose the same because Dawn gives her something that she sorely lacked, a home with someone who loves her."
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About an hour later Mission and Dawn left the tailor's shop. The lovely Twi'lek woman had taken all measurements and they had come up with a nice design, based on Bastila's robes but with some details that were meant to project authority. Dawn knew from Buffy that instilling that little bit of extra doubt on an enemy could make the difference. She had always surmised that was why Buffy liked to quip. Her new set of robes would be ready in two days, so for now she had to put up with her old ones.
Mission was almost ecstatic. "Saving the galaxy in style! You do know how to leave an impression."
"Sometimes you have to let the galaxy know who is in charge." Dawn was grinning madly; she was very pleased with her new gear. "And it might help me seduce Mirin."
"If she can still resist you wearing those robes, she must be secretly blind. You looked hella sexy!"
Dawn watched the girl with a lewd smirk. "Always knew you were a bit lesbian. You sure you don't want me to find you a little Twi'lek girlfriend? You'd look so cute holding hands and cuddling together."
A slight blush rose on Mission's cheeks as she huffed. "Oh shaddap, mom."
The two of them continued on their way, merrily chatting and joking as they crossed the enormous courtyard. Halfway across Mission suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, eyes growing big as she recognized a pretty Twi'lek woman with golden skin and an outrageously sexy outfit. "Lena?"
The other Twi'lek turned around and recognized the girl. "Mission? Y—you survived Taris?" Relief was clearly visible in her eyes and she rushed forward to embrace the girl, but Mission held up her arms to push her way. The woman called Lena was visibly surprised by the hostility. "Mission sweetie, what's wrong?"
"Don't call me that," Mission snarled, definitely sounding hostile right now. "Where's Griff?"
"I wanted to ask you that question. When Griff and I broke up he said he'd return to Taris to find you. Weren't you still with the Hidden Beks?"
"You're lying! He didn't come to the Beks. You stole him away from me, forced him to abandon me."
Lena now looked genuinely distressed. "Sweetie, what are you talking about? You could have come with us if you wanted to! It was your choice to stay behind!
For a moment Mission was taken aback. "Why would I have wanted to stay on Taris all alone when I could also be exploring the galaxy with you two? Griff told me you didn't want his little sister tagging along. That's why he had to leave me behind!"
"W—what? But that's a lie! I adored you, remember? I wanted you to come with us, Mission. I even offered to pay for your ticket! I mean, why not? I paid for everything else while I was with that freeloader. But he told me you didn't want to leave Taris. I said we shouldn't even go then, but he said we'd come back and get you after we struck it rich on Tatooine - just another one of his lies."
"Y—you were fond of me, but… but Griff said… Griff wouldn't... he wouldn't try to leave me behind!"
"Then why would he tell us two different stories? Griff is always looking to blame other people for his own problems, that's probably why he abandoned you. Perhaps he thought you were only holding him back. He did the same thing to me, as soon as I ran out of money. He started blaming me for all his problems. Like it's my fault his get-rich-quick schemes never work out!"
"Don't you start trashing my brother, you cantina rat! Take that back or I'll smack you so hard your lekku will pop off!"
Dawn saw tears forming in Lena's eyes and grabbed Mission's shoulder gently. "Blue, I know you revere your brother, but don't you see Lena's distress? It seems she genuinely cares for you, while your brother…"
"No!" Mission's voice was adamant as she cut through Sarryn's words. "I won't let her destroy us even more! I'm glad Griff broke up with you, he's better off without you anyway, you table-dancing, brother-stealing home wrecker!" She ripped her shoulder free and ran off to the enclave. Lena called after her, but Mission stormed off without even glancing back.
"Oh, Griff you damn Hutt-spawn," Lena grumbled, as she wiped her eyes dry. She turned to Dawn. "I'm sorry, you seem close to Mission. I didn't mean to upset her. Her brother's lies must have poisoned her opinion of me, there was a time when she looked up to me like a bigger sister."
"Look, I don't know which side to pick right now, but it seems like Griff and I need to have a serious chat," said Dawn. "Any idea where I might find him?"
"Like I said, I thought he'd return to Taris to find Mission, but perhaps he ran out of money. I do remember him telling he had plans of making a fortune working the Czerka Corp mines on Tatooine, perhaps you'll find him there. But as far as I'm concerned, he's out of my life forever!"
"Judging from what I've gathered today that sounds sensible." Dawn nodded at the Twi'lek and started moving, but Lena grabbed her by the arm.
"Please, if you find Griff, and Mission sees him for the asshole he is, you must tell her I'm heading for Manaan. You know, so I can properly apologize for everything."
Dawn regarded her for a moment. "I'll tell her. But I don't think Mission will listen. She sees me as her mother despite the closeness in our ages and I see her as my daughter. I expect where I go, she will go."
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Mirin, Sarryn, Bastila, Dawn and Willow had been called into the Council Chambers and given their next assignment. They would leave in three days. After the meeting had adjourned Mirin had asked that Dawn come by her quarters later that night.
"You asked to see me, Mirin?" Dawn said when she stepped into Mirin's quarters.
"I want you to know exactly what you will be getting into if you mate with me," Mirin replied. She kissed Dawn deeply, and Dawn returned it just as deeply.
Dawn buried her tongue deeply in Mirin's mouth, where it met a much stronger tongue. For a moment they battled, but Mirin's tongue won out and delved deep into Dawn. A low moan escaped Dawn when the wet muscle filled her completely.
The feline released her and took a step back, making Dawn immediately miss the contact. "Undress." Mrin's order was spoken softly, but demanding. Dawn immediately complied.
"Stand straight, hands folded behind your back with your legs slightly apart," said Mirin as Dawn complied again.
Mirin's eyes studied Dawn's body appreciatively, darting all over her almost lazily. She could smell that the pheromones that Dawn produced were now heightened with arousal.
When the still fully clothed Cathar was satisfied she slowly walked around the waiting human, eyes never leaving her nude form and a single finger brushing over her sensitive flesh. She stood behind Dawn and pushed herself against Dawn, letting her hands trace the body with silk touch. The feeling of her naked skin rubbing against the warm fabric of Mirin's robes was fuel to her arousal. Goosebumps appeared everywhere the soft fingers crossed, on her belly, her chest, her breasts. She softly whimpered when Mirin squeezed her nipples between her fingers. In response the Cathar buried her lips in Dawn's neck, softly licking the delicate skin.
"Do you yet understand, Dawn," Mirin whispered into Dawn's ear. "What it means to be with a Cathar?"
"That your people are very sexual," answered Dawn. "That you have a strong hierarchy that is reflected in your mating rituals? That one of us must be dominant and the other must be submissive?"
"Excellent, Dawn," said Mirin. "Does that frighten you?"
"No, my love," answered Dawn. "Make me yours."
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Hours later Dawn and Mirin lay on the bed cuddled into one another.
"That was, like wow," said Dawn.
"I am glad you loved it, lover," said Mirin. "Who's are you?"
"Yours always, from here to eternity," answered Dawn. "So, what's next? I know the Jedi's stance. But …"
"As I said Cathar mate for life. Which means we are technically married," answered Mirin. "Since now you are effectively my mate and I will never take another for the rest of my life."
"I am glad, my wife," said Dawn. "You know I wish we could help Sarryn and Bastila. They need to feel this themselves."
"We can try and talk to them," suggested Mirin. "But from my first impressions, Bastila thinks the current explanation of the Code is infallible and won't be convinced otherwise."
"I know," said Dawn. "She didn't have what Sarryn or I did, a life outside the Jedi. She doesn't know that you can love someone and not fall."