Tricks and Treats

[Connor Harrison]

Nodding, once...twice...five times, Connor teetered on not knowing what to say to that, and so let her commet go. But his mind was all over the place now. He started to give the vegetables his full attention, and also the bread beside his plate that looked rather inviting right about now.

”Techniques?”

The beat was enough for that smile to creep.

”Well, ok. Do you like Naboo more than Chandrila? And...what is the one thing you would change in your life if you had the chance.”

Poor question indeed. But his mind was racing among the stars.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Oh Naboo any day of the week," Taeli laughed, a piece of potato on the end of her fork. "As for something I wish I could change ... it would be the events that occurred in that alley on Lorrd. If I hadn't decided to use it as a shortcut, I never would have come to the attention of Darth Praelior and might have ended up with the Republic or even the Silvers much much much sooner."

She had always thought about that, and she knew those events on Lorrd had effected the lives of so many in a ripple effect.

"What about you?" she asked. "If there was one thing you could change from the past, what would it be?"

She was going to be very careful not to mention what one of the groups she hoped to visit taught. Flow-walking was dangerous at the best of times, and in his current state, Connor would be like Ben Skywalker. Curious if he could change his past in any way shape or form.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Finishing off the last couple of chunks of meat and potato, Connor gave her his full attention and washed it down with the water. He nodded at her outlook. The question was always one full of "what ifs", "ands" or "buts", yet it was nice to think what could have been.

"Mm. Interesting.”

He finished his second glass, dabbed his mouth and set his cutlery down with a satisfied sigh.

"Well,” he drummed his fingers either side of his plate, "it would have to be picking up the Taung hammer on Shri-tal.”

The place where it all started, and by trying to save a planet he ended up destroyed his life.

"Before then I made mistakes, but I over came them. When I siphoned that Taung on the moon taking the hammer when I knew it shouldn't have, that was the start of it all. The corruption, the weakness, the pain and the darkness.”

Shaking his head, he patted his hands on the table to try and end that nasty memory.

"Anything on the menu for dessert?”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Didn't anyone ever teach you to not pick up an artifact before a researcher or someone trained in handling them looks it over?" Taeli said, her tone teasing, but her eyes showed she understood what he meant and how it had affected his life. "If it does make you feel any better, I think you've gotten through that rough patch just fine. A bit dinged and roughed up, but you're still sitting here and trying to move on. That says something about you Connor."

"As for dessert," Taeli said, her eyes looking back towards the kitchen for a few moments. Out of the kitchen, a large blue milk cheesecake levitated over to them. "My sister got me addicted to this ryshcate, but I don't have any of that on board."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor held his arms out and smiled.

"I’m trying more than ever to get over that hill. I’m getting there slowly.”

With that, the turned his head to see the cheesecake and his eyes sparkled slightly, a nod showing his approval. He pointed to the desert now on the table.

"Keep your Corellian cakes, THIS is going to be good. Blue Milk Cheesecake I see? Yes to that.”

He stood, taking the cutlery to it to cut two wedges – not too big, just right. It was soft and crumbly in all the right places with the base just the right texture to compliment. Connor tried his best not to lick his lips so obviously as he carried the slice over to Taeli’s plate, and giving him the same helping if not a little bit more.

Sitting down he wasted no time in taking a section with his spoon and eating it.

"Mhm. That is…really good. Did you make this?”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I dabble," Taeli said in answer to the question if she made it. She wasn't the world's best cook, her adopted mother had been an amazing cook, but she had learned a few things and she liked to think she made some edible stuff. The fact he liked it though just made her cheeks flush a little as she dug into her own piece.

"Old Rae family recipe," she said, enjoying the taste and the memories it brought back of a six-year old black haired girl in the kitchen, stealing licks off the spoon while her mother made it.

 

[Connor Harrison]

His eyes flicked up on the next mouthful at her name – Rae. He swallowed, savouring the taste, but wondering whether she would mind him asking the next question. He would find out, but he wanted to know.

"Rae. It’s a nice name. Do you mind my asking, what happened for the change from Raaf to Rae? Did Corvus play any part in your childhood – seeing as how you both took very different paths?”

Connor was genuinely was interested, but didn’t want to touch upon old wounds. It all helped him piece the jigsaw puzzle that was Taeli Rae-Raaf, formerly Arcanix.

"You don’t have to tell me, I understand.”

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"No, it's okay," Taeli said, waving off his worry. She had come to grips with everything herself, so she didn't mind sharing the story. Fishing around in her dress, she pulled out a small holo-locket and opened it up to show her birth parents.

"Our parents, meaning mine and Corvus's, were in college when they had me," Taeli started. "They weren't self-sufficient yet, and I wasn't planned. They gave me up for adoption right after I was born, but by the time they changed their minds about keeping me and tried to stop the adoption, everything had been finalized and I had been adopted by the Rae family on Lorrd. So I grew up there, and my parents sent this and a request to my birth parents that when I got old enough they would tell me everything and we might be able to meet."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Looking at the locket, it was like looking at Taeli in holo-form. He studied the birth parents while she explained her situation.

”I see, makes sense you being on Lorrd and all.”

He treaded carefully.

”Did…was it the incident on Lorrd if I remember rightly that had a part to play in what happened after? I take it Corvus had never met you until years later when you had taken a stand with the Sith?”

He silently took the final piece of his wedge, and polished it off without hesitating so he could enjoy that rich taste but also give her his full attention.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"The incident where I accidentally killed them because they disowned me and I lost control of emotions and powers?" Taeli said, tilting her head. Even now, that part was still quite painful. "That was when I found the locket in the wreckage. They never intended to tell me I was adopted, they had grown selfish ... but they loved me as their daughter and didn't want to split that attention so I understand why they didn't ... but yes, that's how I came into contact with Corvus and found out about my birth family."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Inside, his stomach collapsed and his flesh crawled with an icy cold. Stepping right into the answer he didn't want, he kicked himself as his ignorance had cost a painful memory to surface. Connor hung his head and flexed his fingers.

”I'm sorry...I remember you telling me that but also about an assault on you? I thought that was what happened before it all that changed your direction unintentionally.”

He exhaled and looked away, fingers drumming.

”Forgive me,” he returned to look at her and forced a tight smile. ”Look, maybe we should toast a hearty meal and get some sleep. I figure you've got more adventures ready for tomorrow...it's not even been a week yet and we have months of this you say?”

Lolling his head with a playful sigh, Connor chuckled.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"The assault is what catapulted me into the Sith because Darth Praelior found me then, I thought you were asking about what prompted me to finding my family," she said, putting the locket back underneath her dress. Yes, they were painful memories but they were a part of her and she had to love with them.

"No forgiveness needed, you never have to apologize to me, Connor," she said, smiling weakly at him. "But yes, it is getting late and we should turn in for the evening. We've got stuff to do tomorrow, both of us. I doubt your lessons with Mong are done just yet."

 

[Connor Harrison]

He stood and stepped away from the table, indicating to the plates of food...or what WAS food.

”Head to bed. I'll take care of this. I find washing up and cleaning away after a hard day gives me time to think and put things into place. It'll be my thanks for feeding me well.”

Connor smiled and held his hand out for her to stand and take if she wanted.

”Thank you for tonight. And today. I appreciate it."

He didn't need to say too much; there would be no need when the gratitude was evident in the honesty of his voice.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Anytime," Taeli said, getting up from her chair and coming over to give him a quick hug. "Have a good night and we will head back in the morning to the Baran Do. Still have more to learn and master."

With that, she pulled away and headed into her private quarters while he would attend to the dishes and cleaning. Changing, she thought about the fact they would be seeing a lot of each other for the next few months and just what that might do for them. Nestling into her bed, she was fast asleep within moments, the day had been exhausting after all.

 

[Connor Harrison]

He didn't do the cliched moment where one held onto the girl a little longer, or gaze after her leaving. He was still grieving; messed up; tortured; tired. Everything that had been said tonight would probably wash away with the water he used over the dishes.

Conner carried the crockery and plates and other bits to the kitchenette side and made a start, thinking about the days that had been and the days - months - that were to follow.

Once he had done, he turned to see the ship's AI on a few screens and readouts. Taeli was right - this ship was a home from home and could be a safe haven. The seed was planted, and maybe it was time for Connor to invest in that fresh start, starting with a new ship for a new man. Leaving the AI to power down the lights, Connor wiped his hands and headed to his quarters, down from where Taeli had gone.

Rubbing his hands though his damp hair, Connor set out his new casual gear on the floor; his new threads hanging up. Gauntlet and com on the side.

Withing minutes of looking to the dark ceiling and listening to the faint, comforting sound of the ship, he too was asleep.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

The following few days were filled with mostly learning from the Baran Do masters and teaching their students some of what she and Connor knew about the Force. Taeli felt she progressed to a sufficent level of control of the hassat-durr techniques, and Koon agreed with her. She wasn't entirely sure what Connor was learning, but it seemed to be helping him find himself.

Taeli had taken to teaching some of the Baran Do acolytes some of what she knew about the Force, mainly just philosophy lessons and how things were different with the Jedi. But a few acolytes had badgered her into teaching them a technique so she had settled on showing them cryokinesis. It had been difficult for them, but on the last day they were supposed to be on Dorin, a few had managed some ice on the glowrod.

The masters had been appreciative to her, and Connor whenever he was doing a lesson, as it let them get some rest or even attend the lessons themselves. Taeli felt the whole first experience was at least getting her and Connor back onto a more stable path and possibly heading towards more. She wasn't going to force that issue, but she had made it clear and they had talked every night about their experiences with their trainers and the past.

Sitting at a borrowed desk, she had just finished her final exercise before they were slated to depart. Taeli had received a message to return to Republic space as rumblings had begun of a battle coming at Contruum. She wasn't fully returning to her duties, but she wasn't going to sit idly by. Connor seemed preoccupied with something and he had seemed to grow attached to the idea of a better ship. Maybe he was working on that.

"Connor, I think it's about time for our departure," Taeli said into her comlink, stretching. She had already said her goodbyes to Koon and thanked him profusely for his tutelage. "Meet me at the entrance if you haven't finished up with Mong yet."

 

[Connor Harrison]

"I'll be there.....in a moment, Miss Raaf," he said through heavy breathing.

Conner threw his comlink down and turned, training saber ready to finish an flurry of seven hits, each one fluid and to the point. The sabers hit, and then they moved to hit again, and then moved to hit again - bam bam bam. Thinking one step ahead and acting as if they were powered machines with the Force as fuel.

Mong jumped backwards and pushed out with the Force to repel Connor, but he was ready, standing tall and pushing back out with his hand to counter the wall of Force energy with his own. The ripples met in the middle of the spa room, and it signalled both had matched the other.

"And that, as they say, is that."

The Baran Do killed his saber, and Connor did the same, walking to the Master.

"Thank you, Master Mong. Thank you," he said as heheld out his hand.

Mong nodded and took Connor's hand with his own; a firm and solid grip.

"This is not goodbye, Connor Harrison. My door is always open to you. And I know we will meet again. Remember what I told you; remember what you have learnt. It will make you a better man. Now. Go to her."

Connor smiled and handed over his saber, sweat beading on his face. The Jedi gave a bow, and backed away to take his overnight bag which contained a few spare clothes, and his com. Slinging it over his shoulder, Connor turned as he walked and pointed back to Mong.

"You're still the ugliest Baran Do I know!"

"And you, pasty human, have much work to do yourself!"

A grin and chuckle could be heard as the Silver Jedi left down the spiral stairs to find Taeli. He did so in a matter of minutes, ready to leave after what felt like weeks but had only been days.

"How was that, Tae. You feel good?"

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I always feel good after learning for a few days," she said, smiling at the sight of Connor and his words. "I will miss the Baran Do, but we have at least set some sort of example to them that the other Orders are not gone and are willing to learn and interact."

Taking his arm again, she led him out of the door and back to the hanger one final time for this leg of their journey.

"So I need to return to the Republic briefly," she said, quietly this time. "Sith forces are moving to attack Contruum and I need to help with the defense and the counter attack, but once I'm done with that, we will be continuing our journey across the stars. I would imagine you would want to go back to Voss for a bit?"

 

[Connor Harrison]

As they walked, Taeli wasn't her usual self, but it soon became clear why. And when she looked solemn and distant, he wanted to help but in his current state he'd only be a liability and a burden.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I could help you..."

He stood before her ship, stopping himself from following.

"I'll make my way to Voss from here. I've a few...ideas I want to see if I can form in the city. Not at the Temple. I'm not going back there yet."

There was a pang of uncertainty and worry, naturally, if the Sith were heading to invade then her life and others would be at risk. And what was Connor doing? Nothing.

"Please be careful."

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"Don't worry about me, I can deal with whatever and whoever the Sith send my way," Taeli said, giving Connor a soft smile. "This girl has a few tricks up her sleeves ... literally. Cortosis-weave robes will definitely help and my knowledge of the Force and my lightsaber skills and love of taunting my opponents should be able to keep me alive and relatively uninjured."

And then suddenly she was giving him a very strong hug.

"Be safe yourself, a test is coming I sense," she whispered. "I don't know what it is, but something is going to happen soon. Be careful and when we're both done with business, I'll send you the place where to rendezvous with me so we can continue our journey. Okay?"