Jedi Council Forums - Friends No More [Jag and Shawnkyr] - COMPLETE

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Author	Topic: Friends No More [Jag and Shawnkyr] - COMPLETE - Replies, 2/13/05!!!
Inara Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 10/18/05 7:43pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!! - Date Edited: 10/18/05 10:14pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Inara
	WynssaStarflare: There truly is no good solution to their problem. I guess they'll have to find one... JediTristan: Ah, the things I do for love. I you too! And yeah, this pairing takes a lot of getting used to for many people. Lola64: If his feelings for her changes him so much then she's not the one for him. Sorry. You're on to something here...so close!!! But I don't think Jag has changed so much as acting abnormally. Inside, he's still Jag, but he's a confused and pissed off Jag. And given that he tries to act like a Chiss and pretend like he doesn't have human feelings...well, it was bound to backfire one day. And just wait till Jaina shows up... BigFatty: Thank god, no. I think Jag is just really upset here. Jaina is a joiner, and he's getting awfully confused with feelings of friendship. And Shawnkyr isn't really helping... -----signature----- "The Sun Crusher was originally conceived as a humane alternative to Kyle Katarn." http://www.thedarknest.com Dark!Horny!Jacen 1 6177 86515
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jags_gurl Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 10/18/05 8:56pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!! - Date Edited: 10/18/05 8:58pm (1 edits total) Edited By: jags_gurl
	He looked fell and furious Lol, I bet he looked Fel…lovely play on words there! Around the junction, Athan and the five remaining Chiss were finishing off any of the insects that so much as twitched. In the act of slicing through the tough chitin of a Killik, Athan paused to watch the brief encounter between Shawnkyr and Jag. He noted the downtrodden expression on her face and the closed one on Jag’s. Jag had slain that Killik with almost uncalled for brutality. He wondered if Shawnkyr had recognized the emotion that had driven Jag to such a fury. He hoped not. For Athan had seen that Jag had attacked that insect with all the passion and vehemence of a man intent on defending his mate from harm. Hmm…things were tricky before and even more tricky now…. “You lost me the day I learned to desire you,” Jag said. Awww….awww …. That was beautifully depressing! “When will you stop offering what you cannot give?” he snarled, his eyes glittering with barely restrained violence. “The only help I want is beyond your ability to give unless you have suddenly developed a yearning for this!” Shawnkyr gasped in shock when Jag’s mouth descended upon hers. Unthinkingly, she grabbed at the other’s wrist, for her first instinct was to protect herself and do to him as she would do to any attacker. But Jag broke away as suddenly as he had closed the distance between them, his eyes wide with realization. Guilt, dismay, and grief mingled in their blue depths. “What have I done?” he whispered. Jag’s misery is so….GAHHHHH….I can’t even describe it! You’re bringing me down, too…this is sooooo depressing…. green depths, green depths! Now, is Shawnkyr fearing him because of what he’s finally started, or because of who he is becoming? (I know you told us this in the following passage…) Is she fearing him because she loves him (come on, let that be it!) or because he broke her trust and her friendship (I know, that’s it…but I can dream on!) In the words of Meredith Gray…. “Denial, it’s not just a river in Egypt anymore. It’s a freakin’ ocean.” Her lips ached as they had never done before Oh, c’mon Shawnie, you liked it as much as I would have! For a human, Jag was immensely powerful. She looked warily at Jag and felt as if a stranger stood before her. She did not know this man, did not see in him the friend with whom she had flown with; did not remember the brother in whom she had confided all her thoughts on Athan. She could not even glimpse the comrade-in-arms at whose side she had fought many a battle or faced danger with. !!!!! “Forgive me,” he whispered. And he turned and fled. sheer anguish! First side note : I just happened to be listening to Howie Day's "Collide" and while that's a bit happier than this, I thought for the most part it could be fitting...good song.... hehe As another side note, this is SO hitting home with me. Despite my wanting Jag to get Shawnkyr, I had pretty much the same thing happen to me 2 years ago with my former best (and male) friend, where I didn't see him that way and he did, and forced an unwanted kiss and absolutely shattered the relationship. We've never been the same, and we never will be. I can't even look at him anymore, let alone talk to him. So I'll know exactly where Kyr is coming from, should this be how those two end up, because I've been on the same recieving end... relives a wash of miserable memories There weren't any fan fics out there with which I can actually relate to (and not just my fantasy mushy dreams). Seriously, hats off to you for creating the first one, Inara. I'm really impressed. You're inspiring me to take up writing again. I have to hit the sack, I'm beat and now I'm exhausted from all this emotional drama! -----signature----- limiting my time on the boards to focus on the school year sooooo....lurkerextrodanaire i am.... =====@[-------------------------------- O< Squishy of TKL's Lomin Ale Wraiths >O chi omega
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danish_head Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 10/18/05 9:15pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	drama! tension! awkwardness! wow, what a wonderfully wrentching post. nothing good ever comes from unwanted kisses. i bet Cem is going to be faced with a very, very unhappy Jag in the very near future. . . -----signature----- holding her is dangerous. . .
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Uriden Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 10/18/05 10:33pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	While a few of the statements of unbridled love and the denile of such were kind of wretch-inducing (though don't listen to me, I'm just an immature boy!) the whole plot took a nice leap forward. Again, I love the way you portray the two of them - and Jag going Bruce Willis on that Killik was a nice touch. As always, I eagerly await the next post! -----signature----- My pen wouldn't write on the screen shrug
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Jade_Max Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 10/18/05 10:55pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	Excellent Post! Wow The tension in here was incredible, Inara, the reactions, the description of Jag losing it and Cem's interventio in sick bak... Wow. And Shawnkyr being afraid of Jag now that she no longer knows what to expect from him? Very powerful, and what I'd expect after an assault like that. Especially to a memeber of a race that's so Xenophobic and un-emotional. Wonderful stuff, you've got a gift! -----signature----- You'll Like me when I'm Dead - V/P Dark Drama - http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/29236355 Don't think, write. And have faith that your subconscious mind is smarter than you.- lazy RIP my babies; Nibbler, Boo & Mister Magoo
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JediTristan Registered: Nov '04	Date Posted: 10/18/05 10:56pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	Mmmkay. Now I'm ready. Again, I love the little details (the Kentness of Cem's speech, for example) and the details of CHISS CULTURE! Though I still can't quite believe they are quite as utopian as you say. Great job making jag the animal. It's nice to see him out of control, I feel like the contrast just makes his anguish all that more obvious. Mmm, yay for real sexual dynamics as well. I would be frightened of Jag too! In all, I can't say j/s is a ship for me, but you do a great job exploring sexual frustration and the gray area that is friendship. Can't wait for more! -----signature----- The Empire, she is beautiful, no? I wonder that Skywalkers always come back to despotism. It seems the only way for them to stay in control, to make sure the galaxy is run right. Everything I tell you is a lie.
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JadeSolo Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 10/19/05 6:25am Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	Oh Jaggy. Understatement! I really felt bad for Shawnkyr, though. She's rationally analysing their feelings like any Chiss would, but she has no idea what Jag is truly going through because her entire society has never experienced them. So she has nothing to go on except her interactions with the few humans she knows really well. No wonder she's scared. -----signature----- "If you expect a kick in the balls and you get a slap in the face, it's a victory." "May God bless you and keep you always...I mean that in a civic deist way." -Prof. Siegel "No guaranteed money, but all guaranteed fun!"
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Rebel-at-Heart Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 10/19/05 8:02am Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	I hadn't read this before, and I caught up. You are a powerful writer. You have more than one fic going now, right? How can you keep them all straight? I prefer a J/J ship, but your writing has made this interesting. I like how you've tied in the DN. This is a more realistic picture of what five years apart would do to a couple. Do you pm update notices? If so, please add me to the list. -----signature----- "Bugs!" Han groaned and shook his head. "Why did it have to be bugs?" from TJK She hands him a can of Raid and says, "I'll watch your back" That's how to deal with bugs Mr. Denning! Proud Padawan to oldjedinurse
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Chimpo_the_Sith Title: FanForce CR FF Poland Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 10/19/05 8:06am Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	Oh man Jag is in bad shape. He is really depressed Mr. Denning -----signature----- You can read this? Good you don't need glasses
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Inara Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 10/20/05 10:40am Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	jags_gurl: lovely play on words there! Now, is Shawnkyr fearing him because of what he’s finally started, or because of who he is becoming? (I know you told us this in the following passage…) Is she fearing him because she loves him (come on, let that be it!) or because he broke her trust and her friendship (I know, that’s it…but I can dream on!) In the words of Meredith Gray…. “Denial, it’s not just a river in Egypt anymore. It’s a freakin’ ocean.” Shawnkyr is fearing this side of Jag that's she has never been exposed to before. After all, the side he displays to the Chiss is the cold, emotionless, and efficient persona. His passion, his anger - this is something that I'm sure only Jaina might have seen. As for their friendship, they can't go back anymore. Before, when itwas only his feelings in question, they might have found a way to continue being friends, even awkwardly. But now Shawnkyr has no choice now but to do something about this. I watch Gray's Anatomy too!! Love that show!! relives a wash of miserable memories* I'm sorry if I've made you too depressed - I guess this subject really does hit home with a lot of people (including me). That's why I wrote it, I guess. You're inspiring me to take up writing again. I knew at least something good could come out of Jag torture!!! danish_head: nothing good ever comes from unwanted kisses. i bet Cem is going to be faced with a very, very unhappy Jag in the very near future. . . Unwanted kisses are scary - depending though, if they are really unwanted. Anc Cem's going to have to watch himself the next few days. Uriden: I'm just an immature boy!) Yes, you are! But a cool, motorcycling one the whole plot took a nice leap forward. Now it's time for decisions... Again, I love the way you portray the two of them - and Jag going Bruce Willis on that Killik was a nice touch. As always, I eagerly await the next post! Thanks! That means a lot to me. And yeah, I just got really tired of Jag not doing anything, so I wanted him in action. Jade_Max: The tension in here was incredible, Inara, the reactions, the description of Jag losing it and Cem's interventio in sick bak... Thank you! I wanted every detail to be as realistic as possible. And Shawnkyr being afraid of Jag now that she no longer knows what to expect from him? Very powerful, and what I'd expect after an assault like that. Especially to a memeber of a race that's so Xenophobic and un-emotional. It's now going to be a true test of friendship for Shawnkyr. She's been exposed to his Chiss side all her life - can she also take his human side? JediTristan: Welcome, Tris! Again, I love the little details (the Kentness of Cem's speech, for example) and the details of CHISS CULTURE! Though I still can't quite believe they are quite as utopian as you say. Details are my spe-ci-al-ity (hmm, tried to pull an Obi-wan, not sure if it worked...) And I think next chapter, I'm going to post my notes on the Chiss culture and the speech thing. I'm sure a lot of people are wondering about it but too confused to say anything... It's nice to see him out of control, I feel like the contrast just makes his anguish all that more obvious. No Captain Cardboard allowed in my stories! In all, I can't say j/s is a ship for me, but you do a great job exploring sexual frustration and the gray area that is friendship. Can't wait for more! Thanks! It's great when there are people who read this despite their strong preferences to another pairing...and as for that said pairing, I never did say it was over, did I? JadeSolo: She's rationally analysing their feelings like any Chiss would, but she has no idea what Jag is truly going through because her entire society has never experienced them. So she has nothing to go on except her interactions with the few humans she knows really well. No wonder she's scared. Like I said earlier, this is going to be a true test in their friendship. The Fels don't show their Chiss hosts this side to their behavior, which is probably why the Chiss accepted them the way they did (I don't see the Ascendancy ever opening its doors for the Solos...but that's just a thought. It's also one of the reasons why EoTH offered Mara a job, not Luke). So Shawnkyr is going to have to confront the Jag inside, the place where he keeps his humanity in check (and with Jag, I'm pretty sure he's ashamed of it), and she'll have to decide if she should cut her loses or step into unknown territory. Rebel-at-Heart: Welcome! I new readers. You are a powerful writer. You have more than one fic going now, right? How can you keep them all straight? Thanks! And I am writing something else - a fic which is way more massive and complex than this one (basically a rewrite of TUQ). Plus I have a few other fics that I'm dabbling in but haven't posted. It's a little complicated to keep straight because this fic is TUQ canon, but my other fic, AHP, is not, though it is very similar (that was written based on TUQ spoilers). So I'm always double-checking to make sure I have my facts right. It can be a headache on so many levels... I prefer a J/J ship, but your writing has made this interesting. I like how you've tied in the DN. This is a more realistic picture of what five years apart would do to a couple. I said this to Tris earlier, but I'll repeat. It's the height of flattery for me when I see readers testing out a pairing that a lot of people feel uncomfortable with. It is an interspecies pairing, one that is generally disfavored. Plus, for most people, Jag seems to be better with Jaina, Tahiri, Danni, etc. It was the case for me, as well, but once I started writing it, I decided that if Jag and Shawnkyr would be a possibility, it had to be realistic and take in their xenophobia. Which is why this story is depressing on so many levels. Do you pm update notices? If so, please add me to the list. I would be happy to update you to the list You can expect one in a few days. Chimpo_the_Sith: Oh man Jag is in bad shape. He is really depressed Wouldn't you be if your ex-girlfriend was a bug, and your current romantic interest wasn't interested in humans? Mr. Denning Hopefully he has a solution to all the messes in TSW!!! -----signature----- "The Sun Crusher was originally conceived as a humane alternative to Kyle Katarn." http://www.thedarknest.com Dark!Horny!Jacen 1 6177 86515
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Chimpo_the_Sith Title: FanForce CR FF Poland Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 10/20/05 11:19am Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	Inara posted: Wouldn't you be if your ex-girlfriend was a bug, and your current romantic interest wasn't interested in humans? I would probably be sitting and having some drink and one more, and more... Yes I would -----signature----- You can read this? Good you don't need glasses
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FelsGoddess Registered: Sep '04	Date Posted: 10/20/05 1:26pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	Poor Jag! He has had such a rough time. -----signature----- Knighted by Tahi
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Inara Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 10/23/05 9:31pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/18!!
	Chimpo_the_Sith: I think Jag will need some more alcohol. FelsGoddess: Maybe he'll get lucky, and things will look for him. -----signature----- "The Sun Crusher was originally conceived as a humane alternative to Kyle Katarn." http://www.thedarknest.com Dark!Horny!Jacen 1 6177 86515
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Inara Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 10/23/05 10:37pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/24!! - Date Edited: 10/23/05 11:41pm (4 edits total) Edited By: Inara
	~ Shawnkyr tries to decide ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is a time to think, and there is a time to act. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Cselarn For the next few days, the two friends had avoided each other studiously. As Jag threw himself into his work and attempted to erase the incident in the medical center from his mind, Shawnkyr kept on thinking on it, as she painfully pondered what she could possibly say to Jag when their paths would cross – and it undoubtedly would, for the Cselarn was not that big. Jag’s duties kept him on the bridge, and he no longer frequented the gym or the mess hall when Shawnkyr did. Somehow, he had Carnen arrange their schedules so that her duty cycle and his sleep cycle coincided. And it was Carnen who came down to the hanger bay and debriefed her after flying missions. Part of her was angry with Jag for their current situation. He had no right to treat her like a human. She was not a human, and even if she wanted it, she could never be a human for him. She was Chiss, and Chiss did not engage in such relationships. She had once explained to him that Chiss did feel passion and love – sexual relations were necessary and enjoyable, and love was natural for one's family. However, unlike humans, the Chiss indulged carefully because there might come a time when a Chiss would have to turn upon a lover or even a spouse. Sentiment clouded judgment, and the Chiss sought clear-headedness above all. The Ascendancy always came first. It was this hardheaded approach to life that allowed the Chiss to survive the horrors of the Unknown Regions while still maintaining their non-aggression policy. The Ascendancy had stood for thousands of years with no help from outside governments. Only in recent years did the Ascendancy allow for political dialogue with the Empire – and only because of Thrawn’s Empire of the Hand. Even the Ascendancy’s relations with the GFFA were stilted and could be broken off without any repercussions to the Chiss. As she stood in front of the turbolifts, she wondered again if she should tell him firmly that nothing could come of this, that they should go back to being friends. But was that even possible? Too many raw feelings lay between them now. Desire, betrayal, trust, and duty had mangled their beautiful friendship into something horrendous. Had the situation been different, had Jag approached her out of political necessity, as Athan had, perhaps she might have been more inclined. But Shawnkyr was uncomfortable with the idea of sentiment fueling Jag’s desires – neither could she understand it, nor could she trust it. Jag did not just merely desire her – his feelings were entangled in as well. And she was honest enough to admit that this situation was partly her fault as well. She was angry with Jag because he had not treated her like a Chiss, but she was guilty of not treating him as a human. She knew that in matters of the heart, Jag was still fundamentally human, had human wants and human responses. Cem had not wanted to tell her, but he had confessed in light of her persistence. He had asked her to be gentle with Jag, but she had confronted him without any delicacy. And when Jag had asked her to drop the subject, she had continued asking him about it. She had expected him to act as any Chiss, to sit there and rationalize his feelings, to compartmentalize his emotions and put them away. Instead, his anger had festered at her tactless approach until he had no choice but to explode. The turbolift doors opened, and she was so caught up in her thoughts that she entered without paying attention to its occupants. As the turbolift started moving upwards, she looked up to see Cem and Jag. They were dressed in black t-shirts and shorts – they must be on their way to the gym. They were two other officers beside the three of them in the spacious lift, but it suddenly seemed very crowded. Hiding behind formality, she said, “Commander Fel, Lieutenant Fel.” “Commander,” said Jag curtly. Cem refused to play their game. “Hello, Shawnkyr.” At the mention of her name, Jag flushed and looked away. That something was hurting him was readily apparent to any who would take the time to observe him. It was fortunate that the other Chiss lacked the interest in indulging in such matters, which thus spared him the humiliation of coming under such scrutiny. Instead, he began speaking with the two officers from the science staff, pointedly ignoring her. While Jag’s attention was diverted, Cem moved closer to her. “What did you say to him?” His hissed words filled Shawnkyr with guilt. “I should never have told you. You promised you would not hurt him!” “I tried to help,” she whispered back helplessly, “in the only way I knew how. I am sorry.” Though she was truly miserable, Cem only blew out an angry breath. “It would have been better if for you not to help than to make him so distracted now, at such a critical time.” To this, Shawnkyr could offer no reply. When the two Chiss science officers got off at the next stop, the three of them were alone in the lifts. But Jag’s remoteness and Cem’s coolness discouraged her from attempting to converse with them. When they exited at the recreation deck, she continued on towards her quarters. Dispiritedly, she whiled away the rest of her free time in her quarters as she mulled over her dilemma. A part of her was depressed because she might have lost not just one friend but two. Cem had barely spoken to her in the past few days, and Shawnkyr could not blame him. He had taken the risk of confiding his brother’s secret to her, trusting that she would help Jag. Instead, she had just made the problem worse. In need of counsel and comfort, Shawnkyr commed her father. Her people saw Thevan as a stern and undemonstrative man. Yet he was also her father and was most helpful in giving her good advice. And though part of her was reluctant in telling him the details of her personal life, she had no one else to turn to. Her mother was useless when it came to such matters, and her only two close friends were too involved in the matter. Going to Athan was an idea she had rejected immediately – he might be her intended, but he was not her friend and could not be trusted with what was not only her secret but also Jag’s. After a few minutes, his face appeared on the holodisplay. “Shawnkyr,” he said with a nod. “Father, I know you are busy, but I was wondering if you might spare a few moments of your time?” she asked. Thevan nodded. It did not take him long to discern the distress in his daughter’s eyes. “What troubles you, Shawnkyr?” he queried as he pitched his voice to a more soothing tone. “I need your advice.” Shawnkyr sank into a chair and sighed. “I have a problem of a personal nature,” she quietly replied. “And I do not know how to deal with it.” Thevan’s eyes widened then narrowed ominously. “You deal with your problems well enough,” he pointed out. “Why should there be any difficulty now?” Shawnkyr raised bright eyes to her father, confusion and hurt in their depths. “’Because someone is suffering on my account,” she said tightly. She hesitated and then took a deep breath before saying, “It is Jag.” Quickly and with a great deal of embarrassment, she relayed her problem. Thevan’s reaction was essentially the same as his daughter’s had been. His mouth dropped open, and he was rendered speechless for a moment. When he finally found his tongue, he could only exclaim, “Jag? Our Jag?” Shawnkyr nodded. Thevan stared long at her, nonplussed. “How can that be?” he questioned. “He has never shown more than friendly feelings for you. Granted, your closeness is greater than any I have ever known, yet I would swear he never displayed any inappropriate feelings for you.” “I do not know how it happened,” Shawnkyr admitted. “I only know that he is hurting.” She rose from her seat and began to pace aimlessly around her room. “He kept it a secret from me. It was Cem who finally revealed it, and it was only at my insistence.” She stopped in front of her desk and tapped it distractedly. “Jag did not want to lose our friendship. He chose to keep silent for that reason, even when it was tearing him apart inside.” Shawnkyr suddenly turned her head and looked beseechingly at her father. “Why must I be the cause of such pain, Father?” she implored. “Why should Jag turn to me? I do not understand!” She shuddered with the effort to calm herself. “I want to help him. I cannot bear to see him suffering because of me.” Thevan’s anger had started to build, but at the sight of his daughter’s unhappiness, it subsided. After all, it was Jag they were talking about. Jag, who along with his brother, were almost like sons to Thevan despite all the mischief and mayhem they had wreaked on his household. Besides, the boys had been reared in the Chiss way and had always acted as befitting their upbringing. They had never put a foot wrong. Thevan could hardly judge Jag when what had held him back was not social sanction but his fear of ending a treasured friendship. He made himself regard Shawnkyr not as his daughter but as another person might. Though the Chiss were not a demonstrative race, they appreciated beauty in both art and people. There was no denying the beauty of Shawnkyr’s countenance. She had her father’s lighter coloring and tensile strength and her mother’s comely features and slender build. Thevan shook his head. Jag’s desire was totally unlooked for. He knew the Fel children dallied often enough with their own kind, and they had always been such hot-blooded pursuers of humans to suggest that either could feel anything more than mere lust for the Chiss. Yet here was Jag languishing from want of Shawnkyr. It simply seemed impossible. He stopped at the thought. Unless the Chiss was Shawnkyr and Shawnkyr alone? Love and desire did not follow predictable patterns. All unbidden turns could appear and often did, to the frustration and bewilderment of many people. “It is not your fault, Shawnkyr,” he said at length. “Do not blame yourself for what you are.” “And what am I?” Shawnkyr asked bitterly. “You are gifted with great beauty even by the measure of our people. Beauty always draws admiration and desire.” He released his daughter from his gaze. Shawnkyr let her breath out. “But why should that affect him now? We have always been close friends and siblings to each other, nothing more.” “Perhaps it is that very closeness that has brought this to pass.” The general paused as he put his thoughts in order. “I imagine he has always appreciated your beauty even from the start of your acquaintance. Certainly, his regard for you has always been more profound than most, but I doubt he thought his feelings were anything more than the natural affection of one friend for another.” Thevan looked back at his now attentive child. “But affection is not unchangeable. It can evolve, alter in depth or nature. Maybe Jag’s desire for you should not surprise us. In hindsight, it seems inevitable.” At his daughter’s perplexed reaction, he pointed out: “The Fels’ appreciation for beauty has always been keener than what we deem usual with humans, and they often express that appreciation through physical means. His considerable reputation in bed-play does not come by accident.” Shawnkyr felt her cheeks burn with discomfort. It was strange to hear her father speaking so frankly about something the Chiss never discussed. But what Thevan was saying was very enlightening because of the ring of truth in his words. But it did not solve the problem at hand. She glanced thoughtfully at her father, wondering at the general’s relative lack of unease. “You do not seem as disturbed by this,” Shawnkyr observed. Thevan smiled faintly. “Because it is Jag we speak of,” he conceded. “I can trust him as I would not trust another man.” “Trust?” “Not to take advantage of your closeness for his own ends. He has already proven his honor and valor in this. As you said, he endured in silence rather than spoil your friendship.” “Yet now he will end it,” Shawnkyr scowled. “What use do I have for an unspoiled friendship that exists only in memory?” Thevan sighed. “If it is the only way for him to find peace, I cannot blame him for taking this measure,” he said. They tried their best to make me forget, but how could they when they were not you? Her friend’s anguished words flashed through Shawnkyr’ mind. She felt great sorrow settle in her heart. Jag would indeed transfer to serve elsewhere. Their long friendship would end, and everything they had ever shared would be mere remembrance. The very thought of having no further contact with him made her desolate. No longer would she know Jag’s helpful counsel and gently-voiced praise, hear his soft laughter or see the veritable play of emotions in his blue eyes. Already her heart ached at the imminent loss of the gallant man who had so enthralled her from the start and made her feel whole. Shawnkyr rebelled at the thought. Her circle of close and trusted friends had always been small by choice. And he was the closest of all. She had been graced by the friendship of a man who offered his love and loyalty absolutely and unconditionally. Jag’s willingness to put aside his own happiness to prevent Shawnkyr from becoming entangled in his problem was a testament to that love. Shawnkyr knew she could not bear to lose him. “Do you think it will pass if he were to find release?” she softly asked her father. “I do not know,” Thevan replied. “Sometimes a thing that we want but cannot have grows in significance precisely because we cannot attain it.” He stopped and stared at Shawnkyr suspiciously. “Why do you ask that? What are you thinking of, Shawnkyr?” “Jag needs me,” she quietly replied. “If this is the only help I can offer him…” Thevan gasped at the implications of his daughter’s reply. “You cannot mean that! Jag would never allow you to make such a sacrifice!” “I do not intend to give him a choice and have him make an even greater sacrifice!” Shawnkyr replied somewhat heatedly. “He is dear to me. I will do what I feel is best for him; what will heal him.” “And how often do you think will you have to apply this – this cure?” Thevan said harshly. “As often as necessary,” Shawnkyr retorted. “I will not lose my friend. I will not!” Thevan halted on the verge of a scathing response. His daughter’s loyalty to Jag was touching, as was her willingness to take on so strange a burden. Thevan had no personal animosity toward Jag and even sympathized with him. But he was a father and possessed all the protectiveness of a parent towards its young. “If you do not truly desire such a coupling, he will know it,” he bluntly informed her. “Then you will cause him even more pain.” Shawnkyr was taken aback. Her father’s words effectively reminded her of the nature of the task she sought to undertake. A coupling. She recoiled mentally and emotionally from the images the term conjured. But that was what Jag needed from her. There was no going around it. "And what about Athan?" he asked. "What about him?" she returned coolly. "I have entered no formal agreement with him, and besides, this will not affect our relationship. Jag is more important to me than Athan - even he knows that and will understand." Surprised at his daughter's rare display of naiveté, he only looked more doubtful. “Do not rush into this, Shawnkyr,” Thevan pleaded with her. “You may only do grievous harm. I say this not only for your sake but for Jag’s as well. He is dear to me, too.” Shawnkyr nodded slowly. “I will give serious thought to this, Father. Thank you for your counsel.” The general watched his daughter’s face dissipated. He sighed, worry etched on his face. There was no knowing what Shawnkyr would do. Nor was there any stopping her when she did decide what to do. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Some more notes - and they are massive: Two readers have asked me some questions about this story, and I’m going to try to answer them here. 1. What sort of culture is the Chiss? Judging from literature (and I'm taking this from a variety of sources – The Thrawn Trilogy, Marvel comics, NJO, Survivor’s Quest, Red Sky, Blue Flame, Tatooine Ghost, and even the Outbound Flight Preview), I have made several assumptions on Chiss culture. They are an emotionally reserved culture, committed to their duty and quite adamant about not straying from it (which would explain why Shawnkyr did not understand Jag’s desire to remain behind on Borleias). They are also xenophobes, distrustful of those that are not Chiss, unless they are exceptionally gifted (the Fels, Pieta Aabe). To my knowledge, there have been no Chiss relations with humans or other alien races, though I am only speaking from what has been written in profic. Chiss politics are steeped in intrigue (Formbi alludes to this in SQ), but unlike other galactic governments, their intrigues stay within Chiss space and do not affect their overall government. Inter-house rivalries do occur, but again, their near fanatical adherence to duty has kept the Ascendancy operational as long as it has. I stated earlier that the Chiss do not have currency. I did this for several reasons. Firstly, the Chiss are duty bound. They have been painted as the types to do their duty because they should, not because they have to (FH:1). Judging from the division of Chiss families, where each controls a specific area of the government, it didn’t seem like a reward system was in place. Rewards just don’t seem to be a Chiss thing. Secondly, there are twenty eight colonies in the Ascendancy, and most export materials and items they make as well as receive imports from other planets. The Chiss do not have economic relations with any groups outside of the Ascendancy, not even the GFFA or the Empire. A sort of co-op was in place, thanks to the Empire of the Hand, but it was spear-headed by the Nuruodo family and of a military nature. The Chiss don’t personalize the positions they attain. Again, in FH:1, Jag says that there are no names attached to a job, and to do so is offensive. A high-level bureaucrat, therefore, does not seem to receive any more special recognition than a low-level engineer. It was an indication to me that the Chiss are nearly a classless society. I think Zahn modeled the Chiss on an utopian society, at least that is what I perceived after reading SQ (and Zahn does have a habit of inflating his own creations, like Thrawn and Mara, and downplaying others…see the lit thread for this discussion), and also based on their non-aggression law, which even the Jedi do not follow. Whether the Chiss were utopian I have no idea, but that’s what I thought Zahn was doing, and so I wrote them as that – a culture trying to achieve perfection because that is what they are – perfectionists. Though I don’t think they’ve succeeded. 2. Why do the Chiss speak so formally in this story? Going back again, the Chiss are formal people. They even bow before they are about to say something disagreeable. From that, I made the assumption that the Chiss language, Cheunh, is very formal, so when they speak (like Shawnkyr and her father), their speech is more formal than when I write Han, for example. So why do Jag and Cem speak like that if they aren’t Chiss? Jag’s speech is slightly more relaxed in this story than his brother’s. That’s because part of his childhood was spent on Nirauan, when the Baron still served with the Empire of the Hand. There, he had access to other humans besides his family, and it gave him an opportunity to speak Basic, though it was Imperial Officer Basic, so it would still be more formal than Alliance Basic. Cem, on the other hand, spent most of his childhood on Csilla. He is a child of immigrant parents (as many of us are), and so, he learned Cheunh in school as well as Basic as a second language. His parents still spoke Basic at home, but like any true second-generation child, he probably found it easier to speak Cheunh with them, and his Basic was the same formal Basic taught to the Chiss in school. The Baron is the son of a farmer, and his speech should be like Han’s or Luke’s. But the Baron spent his entire life trying to rise above his origins, which resulted in being granted a Baronetcy. His language in SQ and in FH:2 indicate that he’s spent a great deal of energy cultivating his formality to fit in with the Chiss, and no doubt, he would encourage it in his family. This would explain why Jag, when he first appears in DT:O is more formal than later on in the NJO. Jag’s learned that formality isn’t needed to maintain respect among soldiers (thanks to Jaina). What about Wyn? Well, Wyn is a typical rebellious teenager who is very interested in leaving the Ascendancy and who watched her mother’s holodramas avidly. And even though she’s like that, she still has an instinctual cleverness that makes one wonder if she’s not adjusting her speech to flirt with Jacen… Additionally, the characters have so far spoken in Cheunh. Though when Jaina appears (and she will!), you’ll see how Jag’s speech will relax slightly as he adapts to her presence. These are all just extrapolations I made, and it is possible that some of the assumptions I made are in error. But unless the powerful people in Del Rey give us more insight into the Chiss (thank god for Outbound Flight), I’m afraid these guesses are all I can offer. And if anyone else wants to be added to the PM list for FNM updates, let me know. I love my readers! -----signature----- "The Sun Crusher was originally conceived as a humane alternative to Kyle Katarn." http://www.thedarknest.com Dark!Horny!Jacen 1 6177 86515
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Uriden Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 10/23/05 11:08pm Subject: RE: Friends No More (Jag and Shawnkyr) - Updated - 10/24!!
	I really, REALLY hope that if - godforbid - I ever have a daughter, that she never asks me a question like that. While your idea on the Chiss as a society might not be 100%, I agree with it, and I especially liked your characterization of her father. The Chiss do have feelings and affections for each other, it's just hidden under layers of formality and adherence to duty. Another fine post - I really liked how awkard everything felt in the turbolift - a nice touch. -----signature----- My pen wouldn't write on the screen shrug
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