“Alright.
Now, once more.
What came over you?” Sitting on the edge of the bed and buttoning my shirt, I interrogated this devil woman.
“It’s that time, what’s not to understand,” Vessira muttered from under the blanket, terribly embarrassed.
So much so that goosebumps ran down my spine.
“Our species has a period when hormones override reason, and it lasts about half a Takedu.
And I already liked you, and you admitted yourself that you enjoy my company, and you’ve been teasing me for a long time, and… and… so I couldn’t hold back.” “Mmm…” “You could say it’s a species trait.” “Wow, some trait.
At this rate, you could just…” Kha!
I don’t finish the sentence before a light elbow thumps into my stomach, and from under the blanket peeks a red-faced but simultaneously angry Ves.
“That’s not true at all.
We become very strongly attached to our life partners.
When one spouse dies, the other doesn’t seek to build new relationships.” “What?!” “Geez, you’re smart, one of the best in the class, but sometimes you’re so dense,” she fumed.
“Is it really that hard to understand all those hints?
We, by the way, have high moral values.
That’s why I was watching you at first, and what I saw… I fell in love with.
Then I played games.
And you’re also something else, constantly giving me compliments and showing attention.
By the way, in case you haven’t noticed, you’re the only one who gives compliments like that at all.
At first I thought that since you also give them to other girls in our group, you must be with one of them, but still, most of your attention goes to me.
So I decided to try my luck.
And by the way, in our culture, licking your partner means acknowledging them as an equal.
It’s also an indicator that the one who licked is showing you care and love.” And then she became very quiet.
“And if a young Cathar makes this gesture toward another, it’s a direct proposition for… intimacy.” “Sorry, I didn’t know.” I spread my hands.
At least now I understand why some of the older guys started smirking and even winking sometimes.
“Uh-huh.
Though… we have a small problem in this regard.” “Hm?” “I don’t need much… to get pleasure.
Unlike a male.
So… sometimes Cathar females take multiple girls.
And I was really afraid that I wouldn’t be able to satisfy you.
As a woman.
And considering that you give compliments to other girls, well, I thought…” She got completely flustered and wrapped herself in the blanket.
“Mmm.” So that’s where the fear came from.
And here I was thinking… “What’s wrong with that?
Is telling a girl she’s beautiful a bad thing?” “Normally, you say that to your own (!) girlfriend,” a face peeked out from the blanket.
“No one does that except you.
Absolutely no one.
The girls and I even talked about it once.
But we agreed that it’s just your behavior style.” “So you were jealous of me?” “That too, but I can understand it, because like I said before, we don’t need much, and we’re quick… well, that… you get it.
So I could understand if you were looking at someone else.
But judging by your face, you didn’t know…” I didn’t answer, just looked at her in a “how was I supposed to know that?!” manner.
“Um… did I manage?” “Hm?” “Well… to satisfy you.” And her gaze was as if she faced a universal problem.
No, if you looked at it from another angle, it was indeed a big problem, but… “You did,” I smile, recalling how I’d worn her out fairly quickly, and then simply took pity and didn’t continue.
Well… Ves held out for one round, yes, but she didn’t have the stamina for a second.
But that shortcoming was amply compensated by her appearance and cuteness, the kind that makes you just sit there and melt.
“Really?” She gave me a suspicious look.
“Yep.” “For sure?” She didn’t believe me.
“For sure.” “For sure for sure?” “Ves…” Her gaze became even more intense.
“Ves, relax, everything’s fine.
And honestly, for a first time, it was great.” “Mm-hmm.” “But just so you know, I have absolutely no idea how to handle girls!” “I’ve already figured that out,” she nodded seriously.
“I barely know how to make small talk, just straight to the point.” “I know that too,” she nods.
“And I’m always disappearing somewhere.” “You’re telling me this?” She looked up at me.
“Ahem.
Basically, yes.
And that’s not even mentioning my manners.
Which aren’t exactly abundant.” Turning to the Cathar, I lean down.
“Tell me about it.
I still remember our first meeting, when you called me beautiful in front of everyone.
And Cathar are far from considered a beauty standard.
And honestly, where has it ever been seen — saying such words so freely to essentially a stranger… a being?!” Vessira seemed both indignant and admiring.
“Exactly, that’s what I’m saying.
Do you really need this?” “I do!” she answers confidently at once, and grabbing me by the neck, pulls me to the bed, kissing me.
“Mmm… you’re a fast learner.” “What interests me more is where YOU learned?” And her look was as if I was being interrogated.
“Well… there was… some experience.
In the past,” I carefully avoid answering.
“Doesn’t matter.
Not anymore.” “Really?” “Absolutely.
And what now?” “Nothing.” She lies down on my stomach, undoes a couple of buttons, and runs her clawed finger along the pigment contours on my chest.
And Ves’s claws are very sharp, mind you — she deliberately files them, and on top of that, they can extend.
My back felt that perfectly, but thank the Force.
“I just couldn’t contain myself.
Didn’t want to, either.
After all, I really liked you.
If you were with us more often, you’d know how much I’ve worn the girls out talking about you.” “Hmm.
And they both kept quiet.” “They weren’t keeping quiet; you just weren’t listening.” She poked an accusatory finger into me.
“Mmm, I won’t argue.” I nod, remembering how a couple of times I was practically carried out of training.
At moments like that, I only had one wish — for someone to just finish me off.
“You’d better not argue.” A quiet snort came from my chest.
“Ves.” “M?” Eyes with huge, huge pupils looked up at me.
There’s another one of her quirks — copying Shrek’s Cat.
Literally.
“Oh.” Unable to resist, I scratch behind her ear, the little darling.
“Mrrrr…” “And still, you acted very rashly.” “Why?” Blink-blink.
And then it hit me.
“Oh, you…
sly minx, you planned it all out!
You figured me out and prepared yourself too.” In response, she gave a sly smile.
“So what does that make you?” “Your kitty, mrrr-r-r,” she replied playfully, licking my lips and purring.
“One who simply decided to take matters into her own paws.” “Hm, agreed.
Completely agreed.
But!
That still isn’t fair.
Pushing so boldly and head-on…
even I don’t do that.
When I’m supposed to!” “Would you have made the first move?” “Given my schedule, more likely no than yes.” I weigh the option in my mind.
And then I got scared.
Trade training for girls at my age?
Something is definitely wrong with me.
Where’s the nearest psychologist?
“Exactly.
And where are your hormones when they’re actually needed?
I tried this way and that — with my tail, with my ears, even learned to walk swaying my hips — and you just wouldn’t budge!
Didn’t catch a single hint.
So what does that make you?” “A very busy Togruta half-breed.” I snort, lightly flicking her nose and putting my hand back on her head to scratch.
Blisss.
“So busy that I’m just glad to crawl to bed, never mind thinking about girls.” “Yeeees, Shade, you can’t push yourself like this.” “I have to, Ves.
I just have to.” I say it to her, but I’m comforting myself.
Way to go, Shade.
Look what you’ve come to.
“Why?!” “I won’t yield anything I rightfully consider mine to anyone.” I hug the little minx tighter.
“But to have that ability, I need to possess power.
And I definitely don’t consider myself that…” “Uh-huh, uh-huh, tell that to me,” the Cathar snorted.
“You haven’t seen my mother.
Between us, there’s a simply colossal gap that I dream of at least narrowing.
You know, like an obsessive goal that appeared in my head and won’t leave.” “You’re a fool.
Yes, yes, and you don’t deny it,” she waved dismissively.
“What a cheeky one.” “Well, what can I say?
Boldness is a virtue.” “For you — the first virtue.” “Mmm, you’d know best.” “Exactly!” Just then, a bell rang.
“Looks like it’s time for lessons.” “And that’s coming from the most brazen rule-breaker in the temple.” “What rules?!” I was genuinely surprised.
“Well, back in Padawan Kesh…
ah, right, you stood out there too, spitting on the rules and staying on home schooling.” She smiled.
“So, everywhere in the temples there’s a code of conduct on how, when, and what to do, and what not to do.
And even though you’re considered the most brazen violator, it’s only because no truly serious transgressions have been noted on your record.
You just act differently from others.
More skillfully, if you will?” “Ah, so Mom explained the basics and boundaries of what’s allowed to me back then.” “Well, that explains it.
By the way, what you and I did is forbidden and won’t become allowed until we become Wanderers.” She thoughtfully calculated something.
“So, in about a few takeds.” “Hmm.
I’ll have to read up on it in my free time.” “Pfft-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…” She burst into hysterical laughter.
“Ves?” “Ha-ha-ha…” “Ves!” “Oof…
I’m fine.
It’s just that the guys in the group were wondering: did you set out on purpose to break the entire rulebook?
And it turns out you never even remembered it.” “But I feel alive and free.” I spread my arms.
“No, I understand — ignorance of the rules doesn’t exempt you from responsibility, but I know the general boundaries.” “Heh.” “Alright, let’s go.
Though yes, it’s definitely worth reading up on.” She rises to her knees, finally finishing off my confusion about her.
She looks like a Cathar, but she’s a half-breed.
Soft, short, silky fur covered almost her entire body, and it was so short and soft that if you didn’t look closely, you couldn’t tell it from skin.
The only thing that gave it away was the colored pigments adding her coat pattern.
And what a figure she had, mmm…
a delicate waist, tender little palms that practically melt you, and that “mrrr-r-r” of hers — ugh!
Unable to resist, I place my hands on the waist of this sly minx, and she doesn’t mind; on the contrary, she catches my hand and lifts it higher.
And the playful look of her vertical pupils revealed her intentions without any empathy needed.
“And doesn’t this happen to be Ramira’s room too?” “I have an arrangement.” She whispers, leaning toward me and pressing her chest close.
“And full carte blanche.” “Oh, I see.” “Well, what?
It’s hard enough to catch you in your own room, and it’s much easier to come to an agreement with Ramira than with Gris…” the sly little face protested sincerely.
“Female solidarity and insight, that’s how it is.” “And where is Rami herself?” In response, she just looked at me like…
well, you know who.
“Ah, right.
Question withdrawn.” “Shhh.
Let’s be late?” She batted her eyes, pulling herself up to my face.
“Hm…
Well, I don’t know, there’s a class coming up with…
mmm…” Mmm!
Hmm!” * * * We did get a reprimand for skipping and were sent to meditate for six hours straight.
For fun, we agreed to try to make contact.
Imagine our surprise when it actually worked!
So there I am, meditating, thinking about Ves, when I start hearing her voice.
To my surprise, it wasn’t a common language, but most likely her native one.
And the most amazing thing was, I understood it.
Roughly the same thing happened on my end, except…
“Shade, I don’t get it.
I clearly hear Togruta, but coarser words keep slipping into it.
And strangely enough, I perceive those words much more heavily.
What language is that?” Well, well.
That’s a twist.
So what, my consciousness can’t decide which language is native for me?
Interesting…
“It’s the language of one people.
It’s dead, because no one here speaks it.
No one at all.” “Then how do you know it?” “That’s the catch — I have no idea.
Logically, I shouldn’t know it, but…
it’s with me.” “Strange…
very strange.” “Tell me about it.
The Force must be playing a joke.
Listen, am I correct that you’re speaking Cathar?” “Yes.
I’ve read about this method of communication.
In it, each speaker only uses their native language.
But the strange thing is, you’re speaking two different languages at once, which shouldn’t happen.” “Let’s…
drop this topic?” “Alright.
What do you want to ask?” “Why does it have to be asking?” “Shade, I know you too well.
Also, I can steadily sense your emotions.” I froze.
“Oh, I didn’t know you hid your feelings so much.” The surging emotions and thoughts broke my concentration, and I came out of my trance.
Turning to Ves, who was sitting three meters away, I raised an eyebrow questioningly.
“Now I know I wasn’t mistaken.” And then something clicked inside me.
“You…
wait a second.
You deliberately set up our lateness so we’d be sent to meditate.
Right?” She smiled.
“Where do you get so much cunning?!” “Well, I’m a kiiity.
And cats are cuuunning,” she drawled with a shameless smile.
“Let’s say.
But how do you have telepathy?
Even I can’t do that, and Mom tried to teach me.” “Dad taught me.” She shrugged.
“He’s a Ranger, the head of security for the colony I’m from.
And you hide your feelings very well, Shade.
Deep in your heart.
Whether they’re good or bad.
If I touched something I shouldn’t, please forgive me.
I just wanted to see them.
You even hid them in bed…” she whispered quietly.
“But you read mine like a book.” “Heh.
And what did you see?” “Kindness.
Care.
A desire to embrace.
To protect.” She blushed and looked away.
“And also, you’re not afraid of death.
Not at all.
Like someone condemned to death who’s already made peace with it.” Her gaze turned thoughtful, as if she was seeing me from a new angle.
“And there’s quite a lot of anger and resentment in you.
But I couldn’t figure out what it’s directed at.” She tilted her head, as if asking.
Taking a deep breath, I answer on the exhale.
“Death…
I have a special relationship with it, let’s say.
Trust me, dying isn’t scary — living is.
I…
know what I’m talking about.” I darken slightly, looking at the floor.
“Sorry.” “It’s nothing.
You did the right thing by trying to see what I’m hiding.
You’re allowed and need to see what’s going on in my soul.” “Anger?” A nod.
“I’m angry at the world, Ves.” “Mmm?” “It knows no mercy.
The weak become food for the strong, or they get stronger themselves.
But often it doesn’t give them that chance.
That feeling when you want to live, when you want to be free, when you want to see the look in your child’s eyes.
But you understand you won’t have that.
You only have a few takeds left, and you’ll die.
The death throes torment you, you no longer await the day of death as an end, but as a release from pain.
Moreover, you know the saying: ‘You can’t catch your breath before death’?” She shook her head negatively.
“Well, now you know.
Its meaning is that in a short span of time, you’ll try to do everything at once, but in the end nothing will work out.
But you’ll try anyway.
In my case…
you’ll try to give someone joy, a moment in which they’ll be truly happy.
Then they’ll understand that life has bright colors, they’ll understand that there’s good in the world…
even if there’s only a little…” I catch myself and look into Ves’s tense eyes.
“You…
you’re dying?!” Vessira whispered in horror.
“What?
No!
Not at all.” I shake myself sharply, looking into her genuinely worried green eyes.
“It’s just…
I know that feeling.
Very well.
I had an experience…
and, more than that, I seemed to have lived that person’s life.
Saw the world through his eyes in those last moments of his life.
And I’ll probably never be able to get rid of it.
But I’m fine.
Honestly.
I just understood and reassessed a lot, that’s all.” “Are you really fine?” “Yes, Ves.
It’s…
my little secret, that even Mom doesn’t know.” “I understand,” Vessira nodded seriously.
“And everything else is fine.” She sized me up with a look but eventually believed me.
After sitting for a bit, turning thoughts over in her head while blazing with various emotions, she got up, came over, and sat down beside me, then wrapped her arm around mine.
“Listen, Shade…
sorry for all the scheming.
I was just a little scared.
Few people decide to tie their fate to a Cathar, and you…
you addressed me so many times as…
something precious, as if I was already yours.
You showed me attention, albeit strange, but still attention.
And every time so casually!” She raised her voice at the last words, and I actually felt a little ashamed.
Just a tiny bit.
“Shade, you really won’t leave me, will you?” “What do you mean?” I didn’t understand, switching gears abruptly.
The gears in my head slammed to a halt trying to form the chain.
“In two takeds, we leave the temple.
For two years, we’ll be in the field with personal masters.
I’ve already found someone I want to share my life with, and I’ve even seen his feelings, but…
I’m still worried whether he wants it.
I know…
how stupid this sounds.
And looks.
But I can’t help it.
I just…
it’s hard to believe.” “Don’t worry.” With my free hand, I brush the bangs from her eyes.
A pair of green eyes fixed their gaze directly into mine.
“Now…” I leaned in and licked her lips.
“We’ll always be in touch,” I whisper in her ear, allowing myself to scratch behind that very ear.
She smiled, and after a moment’s thought, I added: “So I’ll always know who to call to satisfy my carnal desires.” “SMACK!!!” “IDIOT!!!” Ves exploded, landing one solid blow on my side, then unleashing a whole flurry on my shoulder.
“You…
you…
ill-mannered, rude, shameless, insolent…” “Pfft-he-he-he-he-he.” I grab her by the waist and roll on top.
“Alright, alright, can’t even joke around anymore.” “You can’t!” Oh, and look how ruffled she is…
and angry.
The sheer adorableness radiating from her makes me break into a goofy grin.
“I should joke like this more often — you look so funny…
and besides, maybe I really should get another pussycat?” Wrong, wrong move — I’m poking the tiger, but I can’t help myself.
“Oh, really?
Well, I’ll show you…!” * * * Meanwhile, behind the door “…
So you’re saying they want to give him to Master Irbis?” “Yes.
What do you think?” “I don’t understand why it has to be him?
He follows the Codex like a law,” the Togruta shook her head.
“Moreover, he’s not even a militant.
My son will be a hunter, like me — what will Irbis teach him?
How to talk the jaw off a victim before cutting its head off?” “You’re exaggerating.
I don’t think it’s such a bad idea.” “Why?” “Shade is very hot-headed.
And Irbis — on the contrary, he’s calm as a monk.
I think he can cool his ardor a bit.” “Maybe you’re right,” the Togruta mused.
Meanwhile, the two old friends stopped in front of the entrance to one of the meditation rooms.
From behind the door came loud noise, furniture banging, girlish shrieks, and someone’s laughter.
“What in the…” At that moment, the door opened, and a disheveled male Togruta half-breed flew out.
His gaze was blazing, his hair was tousled, his shirt was rumpled…
“Mom?!” he exclaimed in surprise, seeing the woman before him.
But then, as if sensing something, he sharply sidestepped, pulling both the Togrutka and her friend along with him.
No sooner had he done so than a special meditation chair came flying out of the door.
“Hello, Master!” he rattled off quickly, then in the same breath: “Mom, you asked, so I’m introducing you.
This is Vessira, my girlfriend.
That’s it, I gotta go, talk later!” The last words the guy was already shouting on the run.
Then a female Cathar half-breed appeared from the doorway.
All ruffled and very, very angry.
Paying no attention at all to the Temple Master and her guest, the girl raced after the laughing guy.
“I’LL KILL YOU!” she screamed down the entire corridor.
When the teenagers disappeared around the corner, the temple mistress was the first to come to her senses.
“So, any more questions regarding why Irbis specifically?” the Sith asked her friend.
The Togruta herself was standing there smiling.
“Aala?” “Well, well.
And here I was thinking it was all ‘the Force this, the Force that’ I even started worrying about him.
I was thinking of intervening, finding someone…
but no, it wasn’t necessary,” the Togruta spoke and turned to the Sith.
“What were you saying?” “Saying you owe me one now.” “No-o-o-o.
Let’s say I’ve written off one of the two debts I had from you.” “And your conscience still hasn’t awakened,” Master Tsikuna sighed.
“What do I have to do to get you to write off the second one?” “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely think of something,” the Togruta assured her friend.
“Well, will you introduce me to your invisible man?
From what I know, he regularly complains to you about Shade.” “If only it were just him…
and anyway, who should be complaining to whom!
They’ve been playing a game with your son since enrollment: who finds whom, and then they analyze each other’s mistakes together.
You have no idea how annoying it is when you’re walking down a corridor and a blurry shadow pops out of nowhere right under your nose and disappears just as fast.
I’m amazed at how they’ve learned to divert someone’s gaze or hide themselves in the Force.
Good thing they can’t actually turn invisible!” “Ahem, ahem…
pfft-ha-ha-ha…” “You laugh, but I get regular complaints.” “So why not rein them in?
You’re the Temple Master!” “Yeah, you try finding them first,” Tsikuna grumbled.
“And even if you find them, you can scold yours all you want — it doesn’t matter.
Let Buga keep learning; he hasn’t met any worthy opponents within these walls yet, or he’ll get too relaxed.
Besides, he’ll be teaching others later, so let him.
Besides, I haven’t seen him like this in a long time.” “And what about the other instructors?” “Eh…
let’s go.
We’ll discuss it over a cup of soy.
Hopefully they’ll have cooled down by then.”
It all helps promote the story.