Chapter 20: Leia's training
"Well, Leia, how are we
doing." Luke asked coming in.
He didn't tell Leia, but he had had
a time getting past her family members and House Organa guards. Finally, they
had said, "Oh, Luke Skywalker, her BROTHER, go on in."
Leia gave Luke a tired look.
"Concentration." Rainier barked, "Third cousin twice
removed."
"Sareika, who is standing
behind Maiken, 1st cousin once removed."
"Bravo." Tia said,
"Your memorization is intact."
"Royal introduction, you are
introducing Countess Srentra and her husband, your uncle Samule to...Threkin
Horm."
Leia did a small half inch curtsey, " Your contness and
Contenteness, this is Threkin Horm, President of the Alderaanian council."
Rainier frowned, Leia sighed, this was the regal thing she disliked the most, but, as Aunt Ranier said, this was also the most important as first impressions registered. "First of all, a Countess and Count, are Your Gracefulness, and your Graciousness. Secondly, you forget to do the elegant swipe and point. These were the major things, Lets try that again, if you correct those 2 things, you can have a break to chat with your brother in."
Leia tried again, correcting the two
things her aunt pointed out. "Break time, we reconvene in an hour."
Luke had made Leia her favorite
drink in the suite's kitchen. "Thanks." She said, downing it, she
made sure she drank it regally, because she knew her Aunt Rogue, break was also
a test.
"Aunt Rogue's favorite test is
the 'break time test' she is keeping an eye." Leia whispered, in answer to
Luke's ookay, look.
"Luke, is Han terribly mad at
me." Leia asked.
"No, he understands that it is
not your fault, he is mad at your AUNTS but not at you."
Leia laughed. "But they have a
point, its just, practicing this seemed pointless."
Leia and Luke spent the 45 minutes
talking. Then Leia gestured for Luke to come into her spare bedroom. Seeing
Luke looking at all the cosmetics. "My aunts said, it is important for a
Princess of Alderaan to have a separate room for dressing. Especially when the
media of Alderaan is going to be keeping a hard eye on her, now that the market
for Tabvids of the House Organa is up again." She said, her voice
mimicking her aunt's.
Luke laughed.
"Now, does the cherry blossom
look better, or the purplous grape." Leia asked, pining her way, this way
and that. Leia sighed, "another test, to see if I can look my best."
She explained.
"You really know your
aunts." Luke said, "and your Aunts are right about the Alderaanian
media." He reached up and found thirty different bugs. He analyzed them
with The Force. "27 are for Alderaanian media, two are for Coruscant
media, the other is for your aunt." Luke then proceeded in disarming them
with the force, "by the way, all look good, but if you want to give off
a...well, less diplomatic mood you do the purpulous, for more professional, the
Strawberry."
Leia groaned at hearing about the
media, "here we go again," she said under her breath, this was one of
her least fav. parts of her job as an Alderaanian princess, the media
obsession, she knew it was going to be worse now...and the tabvids would love
to cover her and Han's date.
"Leia, you are worried about
something." Luke said, as he helped her fix her necklace.
"Luke, I am just worried that
the media will make a big deal out of Han and my relationship. I love Han,
don't tell him this please, but I am just worried, before maybe there was a
SLIGHT thing about the relationship. But now."
"Leia, let the Force guide you,
I am sure your family will stand behind you, no matter what your decision...on
your relationship is. I know, I will."
"Oh, Luke." Leia said, giving him a hug.
"Isn't it time for your lessons again." Luke said.
Leia sighed. "Stay awhile,
okay, you don't know how much it helps seeing my brother in the crowd, but...I
have a feeling Aunt Rogue will start coaching you on diplomatic matters and you
need it." She said, tweaking his nose
Luke laughed.