Star Wars : Chapter 63: Nemesis II

The next day, Dooku set out for the New Temple. His daughter remained in her room at the palace, reading through volumes of legislation on her new datapad and making notes as she did. It was impressive to see her focused so heavily on a task, especially at such a young age.

Thinking about it, Dooku thought he had been similar when it came to mastering the lightsaber.

When he arrived at Indinor, Dooku immediately went to the head office to speak to Narec about the specialized classes for Tan'ya.

Before he could, the man met Dooku at the loading ramp to speak with him about another matter.

"When do you think Asajj will be ready to become a knight?"

Narec's question gave Dooku pause. Her skills were suitable for the role, and she'd learnt enough about how to conduct herself as a Jedi to properly represent the New Temple without embarrassment. If anything, Dooku supposed she was practically ready now. The only reason he hesitated was because as the first Knight to graduate from the New Temple, he wanted her to be faultless to all criticism. But that was impossible. The orthodox Jedi of the Grand Temple could never accept her, and would always criticize or downplay her achievements.

Even knowing that, Dooku was still worried.

Of his three previous padawans, Komari Vosa had fallen to the Dark Side and died shamefully, having to be put down like a rabid dog, and Rael Aveross disliked Dooku immensely, all but calling him a fallen Jedi the last time they spoke. Only Jinn stood upright as a proud member of the Order, though his reputation as a maverick was almost as great as Dooku's own.

Dooku worried what it meant for Asajj that he had such mixed success in his prior padawans.

"Let me consider it some. I'll have an answer for you today."

Narec nodded in acceptance. "We need more knights. Not to say you should rush her through her training, but I just don't want to see her being held back."

"I understand." Dooku reassured him. "Now, I'm here to talk to this Green Jedi."

"Sturn?" Narec said, "He's been wanting to talk to you for a while now as well."

Was that the Correllian's name? When they met in his office, Dooku thought it matched the man quite poorly. He was on the shorter side of average with a receding hairline and worry lines wrinkling his brow. Like many Jedi Masters he moved with a serene grace, though his soulful brown eyes seemed to hold a lingering sadness. Even in his resplendent green and gold formal robes, he seemed like less of a 'Sturn' and more of a Brittle.

"It's good to finally meet, Master Dooku." He spoke softly, and indicated a chair. "May I take a seat?"

Wordlessly, Dooku indicated that he should. Watching the man gently lower himself into the chair, Dooku found himself feeling more and more unimpressed. A feeling that was cemented as Sturn took out a tabac cigarra. "May I?" He asked.

Dooku's nose wrinkled slightly, but he nodded. Good habits made good Jedi in his view, but then he supposed Rael Aveross was also a smoker and a drinker, and he was a fine Jedi.

Sturn lit his cigarra and took a puff, easing back into his chair. He obviously believed this was going to be a long conversation, so Dooku took out three fine glasses, and opened the fridge under his desk to take out the sealed bottle of wine he kept there for diplomatic meetings.

"Oh, yes please." Sturn smiled, but Narec held up his hand.

"I have to get back to the faculty office. I've too much work to do."

Dooku put one glass away as Narec left, and kept Sturn in the corner of his eye as he watched the Correlian take a sip of wine with open relish. At least he had good taste. It was a very fine bottle, aged to perfection from the most renowned vineyards on Serenno, with that less sugary, richer, more bitter flavor that Dooku had personally grown to appreciate.

They sat in silence for a moment, Dooku tasting his own wine and fixing his gaze on the other man who merely smiled.

"This is very good." Sturn said. "I'll have to get a copy of the label so I can buy some for myself."

"You can afford it?"

Sturn laughed softly, and shook his head. "Probably not. You're a very wealthy man, Count. Does your family enjoy such luxury? My students chatter that your son lives in a Palace."

Dooku's nose twitched in annoyance like that. Of course Kenth would be isolated for being well off. "Children are like that, even among Jedi."

"Oh, no. Kenth is very popular." Sturn smiled, fondly. "He's always in the thick of things, playing with the other boys. He has your confidence, but not your, uh…" He glanced at Dooku's face, then continued. "Well, he's just not as impressive as you are. You may want to consider arranging a playdate for him, I'm sure you can accommodate the other Younglings in his creche at your Palace."

From there conversation naturally flowed to Kenth's classes, and what Sturn and the other Masters were teaching him. By all accounts, Dooku's son was an energetic, perhaps too boisterous young boy who fearlessly approached any task, and quickly became bored with any amount of book learning or sitting around. These traits matched with what Dooku had heard of from his wife, but hadn't had a chance to experience much of himself, a thought that left him strangely wistful.

When had he last made time for any of his children?

"I think he's a lot like you." Sturn said. "Or at least I get that impression from this short meeting. I happen to be rather good at reading people."

Yes, but any force sensitive could claim the same.

"What are your plans for Tan'ya?" Dooku asked.

It turned out he had quite a few. Correllian Jedi had their own ways of training younglings, though the aims of the lessons seemed much the same from what Dooku remembered on Coruscant. As they chatted, Dooku found himself getting drawn into the subject more and more, offering suggestions to the man from his own time as a youngling.

They talked for hours, and as they did Dooku found himself getting more comfortable with him being his daughter's teacher. He seemed normal, if not particularly brilliant, and friendly without being overly familiar.

"Actually, that was something I've wanted to ask you about." Sturn continued. "My other student who I wanted to put into the advanced class with Tan'ya-"

"The Mandalorian child?"

"Yes, little Via." He shook his head sadly. "Poor girl. But Via wanted me to ask you about the New Temple's views on marriage?"

Dooku paused at that. He could hardly forbid it when he was in wedlock himself, now could he? Though he was concerned about permitting relationships between Jedi. The last thing he wanted was for it to interfere with their duties. He certainly couldn't imagine calmly sending his own wife to conduct the dangerous duties of a Jedi. "I would allow it, as long as it's not between two Jedi."

Sturn smirked, looking down into his wine glass.

"Something amusing?"

"Uh, nothing just… Making a relationship like that forbidden will only make it more appealing to some."

Dooku watched the wistful look Sturn was giving his own reflection, seeming lost for a moment. "Do you have experience in such matters?"

"...I'm a widower." He said at last, looking up at Dooku. "The life of a Jedi is a very dangerous one."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

He nodded in thanks. "It was my son who recommended I look into your temple, actually."

They talked for a little while longer, before Sturn finished one last glass of wine and left to go get ready for his afternoon classes.

Dooku considered the man after he was gone, and found himself vaguely liking him. It seemed a cruel fate to lose a beloved partner, but when he thought about it Dooku realized that was most likely his own wife's destiny. Athemeene might well outlive him by half a century!

Perhaps she would be happy to escape her ancient husband who neglected his children.

With a sigh, Dooku resealed the wine and put it away, before taking out his holocom. With a few flicks of his fingers he pulled up an old contact and dialed it. It rang for a long time, Dooku slowly losing his patience as it did. After a minute had passed he hung up and put the device away.

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Don't forget to throw some power stones ;)

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