Chapter Two:
Music wafted through the barely contained din of conversation. Ambassadors and senators from many worlds all made a point of stopping to meet and greet Luke, even though he was sitting as far out of the way as possible.
Luke had planted himself a table at the farthest reaches of the room, after an hour of socializing with Han and Leia. He breathed out a sigh of relief when the seemingly endless stream of admirers finally died off, leaving him alone with only his thoughts.
Luke closed his eyes, holding onto his drink with one hand, and leaned his head into the crook of his elbow. He wanted nothing more than to leave, but Leia would kill him if he left now. She wanted him to stay and be a presence, and after he'd promised he would, she would hold him to it.
Even so, Luke wished he were back on Yavin 4, back among the serene and unimposing trees that didn't care about status or power. Back where he could feel a natural wind, hear wildlife, and disappear into the Force and feel at peace.
A few women had already asked Luke if he wanted to go a few rounds on the dance floor. Luke had politely refused them all, not because he didn't want to socialize, but because he knew that their affection was only skin deep.
"Is this seat taken?"
Luke looked up. A woman with dirty blonde hair and pale eyes stood there, dressed in an extravagant purple gown. He sighed to himself when she took the chair beside him, and leaned close.
"So, what's a gentleman like you doing all the way over here… and without a date?" She asked in silky voice.
Luke searched for a way to respond without upsetting her too much.
"I like my space." He finally said. "Gives me time to think."
She tugged at his sleeve.
"I think what you really need is to get on the dance floor…" She batted her eyes. "And I just happen to be available."
"Thank you, but no." Luke said firmly.
She pouted, sticking her lip out.
Luke's reply halted in his throat when he felt a subtle but definite shift in the emotions of the crowd. He raised his head, trying to locate the source of the change, and found it. There at an entrance not so far away, was Mara Jade.
She looked utterly amazing, and Luke found himself staring. She wore a floor-length gown of chocolate shimmersilk, embroidered with intricate ivory patterns at her waist and across the bust of the dress. One long sleeve draped her right arm attractively. The dress fitted perfectly to her lithe dancer's body, and with her red-gold tresses pulled just out of the way, her bare left shoulder and arm stood out like velvet.
The woman seated beside him noticed his scrutiny of the newcomer and tugged a bit more forcefully on his sleeve. Luke shrugged away from her hold, and stood.
"Please, I'm not interested." He said curtly, no longer caring if she got upset.
She huffed, but stayed put, defiant.
At that point, Mara spotted him. Luke saw something strange cross her features and she looked down a bit self-consciously. Many people in the room stared at her, some with open contempt. Luke felt Mara's brief flash of sorrow at the aversion people directed her way, but she instantly covered it up.
Luke caught her eye when she looked back up, and nodded toward his table. She hesitated only long enough to receive more glares, and then walked toward him. Her eyes found the blonde still sitting at the table, and one eyebrow cocked.
"Oh, I see." The blonde woman ground out. "I am not good enough for you, but this… criminal is?"
Mara's face hardened, but not before Luke caught the half-second look of hurt at the accusation. Luke whirled on the woman, ready to shout her down, but she was already storming off, still cursing him.
When he turned back, Mara was standing a few meters back, her mouth set in a taut line.
Luke went to her, but stopped just outside her personal space.
"Are you alright?" He asked quietly.
She nodded, took a deep breath, and grabbed a drink from a server droid's tray. "Fine, thank you."
They sat at Luke's table, and for a moment, they simply watched the ball happen around them.
"So, I didn't know you were going to be here." Luke began, making conversation.
"I don't think I was invited per-se." Mara said. "Karrde was, and he insisted that I attend. He's my boss, so I couldn't really say no."
"Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you came." Luke said softly, hoping she didn't take his comment the wrong way.
To his mild surprise, she didn't. Instead, she offered a small smile.
"I missed you too, Skywalker. But only a little." She added pointedly.
Luke chuckled at her somewhat stoic remark.
"And you?" Mara pressed. "I assume your sister bullied you into another one of the New Republic's grand events?"
"Something along those lines." Luke agreed.
Something flashed across his features, and Mara frowned. His normally tranquil composure had cracked just a bit there.
"What is it?" Mara asked.
He blushed ever so slightly, and looked away. Mara realized after some time that he was watching the dance floor with a wistful eye, and thought she understood. Luke Skywalker was as famous as they came, and yet, despite all that fame, Luke still felt it to be a bit of a curse. He was renowned, and because of the prominence that he had never asked be placed on his name, Luke was the most sought after single man alive.
Mara knew that when most girls flirted with Luke, they were flirting with his title, not the man.
Just like Blondie. Mara thought sourly.
And she also knew that the few times this man had thought he'd found real love, he'd had the rug yanked out from under his feet.
Luke seemed to sense the trail of her thoughts because he suddenly looked up, and smiled, his calm façade returning to its normal state.
"So if Karrde is talking with the New Republic, does this mean I'll get to see you more often?" He asked.
Mara quirked an eyebrow at him. "Perhaps."
He smiled shyly. "I'd like that, Mara. We…"
Luke was cut short by an announcement that it was time for new couples to take the dance floor. The current crowd of dancers reluctantly filed off to their tables, while a fresh batch of couples moved onto the now vacant space.
"Master Skywalker!"
He and Mara looked up to see the delegate from Ayrondof approaching their table. His dark green skin glistened as if with tiny jewels, and his pearl eyes barely had any lids, which made him look a little like an insect. His small mouth was open in a wide grin.
Leia trailed him through the throngs of party guests, and came up short when her eyes caught sight of Mara. But she held her tongue as the delegate spoke.
"Master Skywalker, is this your mate?" He asked curiously. "I did not get to meet her before."
Mara and Luke shared a look, and Luke could feel Mara struggling with a mixture of uncomfortable and unfamiliar emotions not so unlike his own.
"No, Ambassador Nu'Yin." Luke said politely after a moment. "This is my good friend Mara Jade."
He caught a flash of something from Leia and glanced at her. She wore her political mask well, though, and whatever she was thinking did not register on her face.
"But is it not the custom among your people to dance with such important friends?" Nu'Yin inquired curiously.
"Well, it can be, but…"
"Then you must take the Lady for a dance, no?" Nu'Yin said hastily, tugging first Luke, and then Mara to their feet. "The night is young yet, and there are memories to be made! I insist!"
Before either of them could protest, the large ambassador shoved them onto the dance space, drawing a large amount of unwanted stares. Luke struggled to compose himself, keenly aware that Nu'Yin was still watching them, eager to see how humans danced.
Mara, Luke noted, was perusing the crowd with her eyes, purely out of instinct.
Swallowing, Luke offered her his hand. She looked to it as if it were going to bite, an odd expression on her lovely features. But finally, gingerly, she took it. Luke led her to the nearest open space, and stopped. The band was currently playing something upbeat, and Luke was grateful for the chance to ease into the already awkward situation.
When they both continued to hesitate, Luke glanced at Nu'Yin, saw him urge Luke into motion with his four long hands, and offered a small smile.
"Are you okay with this?" Luke asked Mara, turning back to her. "Because if not, we can skip it."
Mara offered a smirk.
"And upset a possible new partner for the New Republic?" She asked audaciously. "We couldn't do that."
They began to dance, and she touched his cheek gently, taking Luke by complete surprise.
"But thank you for caring enough to ask." She said warmly.