Chapter 26: 'Training' for state dinners
The Holo of Duchess Rogue disappeared, the Droid dropped a
receipt and left. Han stood, unable to speak, "They really take this
official stuff seriously, don't they." P Leia nodded. "Han,
before the state dinner, I need to explain a few things to you."
"Like what." Han asked, suspiciously, he knew that look on Leia's face, the we might get in big trouble face, "Is there some secret governmental thing..."
"It is more like the fact that
my Aunts invited the Senex leaders, and all of them seriously look down upon
any person who is not a member of the Ancient Houses, or resident of such a
planet. 99% of the Senex leaders are conceited, selfish, condescending, and
very easy to insult. Plus, there has always been a little rivalry between
ancient houses, whose members are most regal, dresses the best, etc. Luckily,
though, protocol says you may not insult a member of another House, though
technically it's to their face, or outside of close friends and House
members."
Han whistled, "Also, this is
going to be a test of whether the Alderaanian house can conduct itself without
the Legendary Bail Organa, and the leader being the Princess, a princess out of
the trade for over 5 years. And if I don't control my automatic disobedience
circuits, it could seriously embarrass the House Organa."
Leia gave Han a rueful smile,
"You got it."
"So train me, already, just
mention to your aunts not to expect me to do it too often, because...that will
be hard."
Luke chuckled, "No offense,
buddy, but I would be surprised if you got through tonight."
Han shot Luke a mock glare.
"Well, same goes for you."
Leia held up her hands. "Cool
it, you two. All right, step one, entrance, Threkin, cousins, you two, and
others, I know others will be there as protocol says you invite equal numbers
from both 'courts', and lesser members of the King and Queen's court shall be
seated, then more will come in, you will notice then, that only 4 people won't
be seated, me, the King, Queen, and Mon Mothma (the leader of the New
Republic). The King and Queen will come out of the south entrance of the Hall,
and Mon Mothma and I from the north." Leia said, nodding significantly to
Mon Mothma, you had just come inside along with Aunt Tia.
"All right, Leia." Mon
Mothma said.
"Then Mon Mothma will bid everyone welcome on behalf of the New Republic, and I shall then bid everyone welcome as the guests of House Organa, bid everyone to have fun. Then, the King and Queen will make some acceptance speech."
"Wait-Leia, good except for the fact that you would first do your welcome, then Mon Mothma, then the King and Queen accept."
"All right," Leia said, "then, the King and Queen shall introduce the members of their court, and then I shall introduce you all. It is vital that you stay quiet during the introductions except to incline your head, when your name is announced, because if anyone speaks it is considered that you do not like the person. It is as bad as swearing to the person during whose introduction you spoke."
Chapter 27: Han and Leia's relationship
"Wow." Han said, amazed at these traditions.
"Yeah, "Leia said dryly, "And I am responsible if someone from our side does."
Han snickered, "and you are worried that I will."
"Oh no," Leia said, playfully, "I am not WORRIED, I KNOW that you will, nerf-herder."
"How much will ya give me, if you are wrong, your worshipfulness."
"What do you want." Leia shot back.
"Instead of one evening on an official date, you have to come with me for 3 evenings in a row."
Leia gave him a genuine smile, "I guess this means, you won't."
"Exactly." He said.
"I don't get this." Tia confided to Luke, "I mean, they are insulting each other, with a smile."
"Oh, you will get used to it, this is the type of unofficial relationship they have. They love each other, but don't officially date. What you are seeing is only half of it. They'd both rather die then see the other hurt. The extent of that feeling for the other is clear by the fact that Leia gave up time that the rebellion sorely needed to rescue Han. Han put his life in danger many a time to rescue her, actually me as well."
"We heard that." They chorused together.
"What, did I say something wrong." Luke asked, innocently, "I just described what the two of you have done for each other."
Chapter 28: Protocol for state dinners
"Back to the subject at hand." Tia said.
"All right, then the first course shall be served. Protocol says that it is the Host's duty to make sure that everyone has someone to talk with, so just keep an eye out for someone who isn't chatting with anyone, and talk with them. Then second course, then desert. After desert, rousing speeches of gratitude and friendship, then off to bed. All the while being courteous, polite, ignoring snipes, and regal."
Luke and Han whistled. "Sounds like fun." Han said, sarcastically.
"Oh yeah, tons."
"Well, we should check up on the King, Queen and their court, so we know a little background, so we know what to expect. " Leia said, going to her computer and after a few minutes of typing. "Seqwet bingo, I got it."
"The King's name is Sequqwet."
"Original" Han remarked. Leia made a face, "and the Queen is Seare, they have three kids, order oldest to youngest, Crown Princess Seququeqwet, Prince SecQuewet, Princess Seqwi."
"Very original names." Han said,
again. "Han, this a serious
matter. If any one else were here from the media or another house, you would
have an official complaint filed, and striped of your title." Leia
criticized. She knew that Han was joking, but she was still worried for his own
sake. She really wanted those extra dates, too.
Han realized how important it was to
Leia, and stopped. He also really wanted those dates.
Mon Mothma laughed, because she
recognized the tension. "General Solo, I would advise you to be a bit
more... formal at the dinner, although, Leia, he's just trying to make you
laugh."
Leia blushed, as Mon
Mothma could have said something worse, but had chosen not to. She was
grateful.
"Well, Sequetians aren't known for
their originality. Most of the females out of the Royal House are named
something with Seare in it, in honor of her majesty. The males, something with
Seq in it."
"Ah," Luke said, then he looked at a chronometer (clock), "It is already 4, and Leia, you said these are pretty dressy events, so we should probably start getting dressed.
"You are absolutely right." Tia said.
Leia, and Tia left. Han was going to get ready with Luke. "Luke," Han confided, "I don't like this something tells me we are going to be seriously involved in bickering Royals. And I am going to have to keep my cool."
Luke was going to say You've got that right, but he decided it would be best to keep quiet. "Hey, Hanny-boy, what are you going to wear." Luke said, after a few minutes of letting Han contemplate.
"An outfit that I am going to have Threepio bring for me." Han answered picking up his com-link and calling the droid.
"What are you wearing, kid."
Luke gestured to a simple white ship-suit, and a Jedi Cloak. Han groaned, "Kid, can't you do something different once in awhile, besides, I don't think that's formal enough." "Leia's the expert." Luke said, using a holo-vid transmitter, visual, to call Leia. "Hey, Leia, is this good enough, or should I dig something different up." He asked, gesturing to the outfit.
Leia considered it for a moment. "Well, on most people it wouldn't be, it depends on the image you want to portray…no, I think it would do, let me ask Aunt Tia, to be sure, though." Leia went out of receiver space for a second, and returned with Tia.
"Hmm," Tia said, "I think it would be good enough, in a selfish sense, it would show off your Jedi skills to a hilt, and prove that the House Organa has powerful friends, while looking professional."
"Sold." Luke said, he knew what Duchess Tia meant by selfish was it would benefit the House Organa, maybe at Luke's expense, but he didn't mind
"Luke, you got what Aunt Tia
was saying, right."
"Yeah, but Leia, I don't care,
after all, I AM your brother, so I don't care if you use my name to intimidate
people." Luke said, slightly, teasingly.
Leia laughed. "Thanks, Brother
dear." She shot back.
"Cool it, you two, you both need to get ready, be here EARLY, by the way, the Hall is the one at the Alderaanian embassy." Rainier said, cutting in