Author's note- Wow this took me a long time to get out. I apologize. School is just INCREDIBLY busy. This is a slightly 'low' chapter plot wise. More plot will come soon. You just need all of this 'explanation' to understand the plot. I don't know when I will get to the plot. Next posting, or the posting after. Probably next posting. Unless the next posting is very short.
Leia gave him a smile. "I am glad. What's the next stop?"
"Pirate's Swoop." Alanna said with relish. "See what George and I have done with the place."
"That should be a pleasure." Leia said, smiling.
"One thing, about The Swoop, nothing is what it seems." Jaina says.
"Like what?" Han asked.
"You will have to see that for yourself." Alanna said, mysteriously. "You will also meet George."
"I am looking forward to it." Leia said, politely.
They reached Pirate's swoop by the beginning of the next day. "My lady." The doorman said, bowing. "Sir Gareth, and delegation of the Republic."
"Guardsman." Alanna said giving him a smile.
Before anyone else could say anything else a man came forward. Alanna couldn't conceal her happiness. "New Republican delegation," she said remembering her duties a moment later. "I am very pleased to introduce you to my husband, Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop. George, the leader of the New Republican delegation, Jaina's mother, Princess, I am sorry I forgot your other current title."
"Chief of State." Leia supplied, with a smile on her face."
"Chief of State Leia Organa Solo, and her husband Han Solo."
"Very pleased to meet you all." George said, extending his hand after bowing. "Welcome to pirate's swoop."
"Thank you for your kind greeting." Leia said, shaking his hand and curtsying over it.
After Han had exchanged greetings Leia said. "May I introduce you to the rest of the delegation."
"It would be my pleasure." George said. "But might we do this inside?"
George gestured for servants to come and take their bags. "Oh please, give it to them." George said, when a few of the delegation tried to hold on to their bags saying that they would carry them. "They need to earn their wages."
Once they were inside the Palace and seated they finished the introductions. "I hope you enjoy your stay in Pirate's swoop." George said. "You will find the residents here are more then used to the weird and strange."
"Like a levitating palace, hmm?" Jaina asked, wisecracking.
Leia lifted an eyebrow. "Now that's fair impossible." George said.
All the jedi, and Jedi trainees in the room exchanged a mirth-filled look. "I will spare you what my training master would've said to that." Luke said, also taking a liking to this man.
"You need to see the waters about Pirate's swoop." George said.
Jaina smirked to herself. "They really are beautiful." George continued.
"You are our hosts, and guides." Leia said, spreading her hands.
Alanna walked in the room, clutching a parchment with the royal seal on it.
"Then please excuse me." George said, "I will start tending to the arrangements."
Leia got up, and the rest of the delegation took her cue. "Oh please, sit." George and Alanna said, almost at the same time.
A moment later Leia sat with, again, the rest of the delegation taking her cue and sitting as well. George left the room.
"Well, this will be our little rest." Alanna said. "Two days later we start for Corus. That was a letter from the King. He says that the council has officially given approval, which means starting the time you enter the gates of Corus this will be an official, state sanctioned, visit of state." She made a face. "That was a mouthful."
Leia smiled, that was a small but necessary victory if this was going to continue. "We will be ready." She promised.
"He says, with your leave he will send the official agenda."
"That would be very gracious of him." Leia said.
"Well, if you will excuse me then, I will send the courier back with that response."
Leia got up, and the rest of the delegation took her cue. "Please, make yourself at home." Alanna said, realizing she had to go through all of the diplomatic language. "The servants will attend to your every needs. My apologies for the absence." She said, pleased with herself.
"Thank you." Leia said.
"You guys really need to chime in more." Leia said. "I feel like I am monopolizing all the attention."
"Well, it is because they didn't teach this in basic diplomacy." Admiral Ackbar said.
"Oh you can handle this." Leia retorted. "You all do an excellent job in the council and senate, which is a more hostile then this."
"But you are better at picking up traditions, precepts, etc. We'd put our feet in our mouth." Han said.
"Well you definitely would, nerf-herder." Leia said, joking around. "But I wasn't talking to you."
"Well." Han said, mock indignantly.
Leia giggled. "Especially you, Luke. Why are you silent?"
"This is your arena, Leia." Luke said. "At least at the moment. Besides, being silent I can pick up on a lot more."
"Luke, you are good at this too."
"Ok, I am speaking seriously now, as Chief of State Leia Organa Solo, head of the Senate." She said, a moment later. "We need to present much more of a diversified front. If you want me to be the head, that's fine. We can play it as being because I, technically, am the head of the government. Or at least that's the closest they will associate it as. But you all need to present yourself a bit more. Be vibrant, diplomatic, and just be the wonderful people that you are. But be sure to be diplomatic, especially in a group situation."
"The nice thing is that we will have an agenda." Han said. "That's the one diplomatic protocol I like."
"Yes." Leia said. "Me too. It doesn't take a lot of work for the host, but is a extreme boon to the guest."
Alanna came in a bit later after knocking. "I took the liberty of connecting with the King. I scribed down the schedule, the official one will meet us on the way, so this is only the unofficial one."
"Thank you." Garm Bel Iblis said.
Alanna read the schedule. "A parade through the city will greet us in Corus. Then a midday meal with the Royal family, and the King's Inner Council members. Then at the end of the day there shall be an Introductory Ball. The next morning official meetings will start. 2nd Bell (Equivalent to about 8'oclock our time) servants will show you to the official meeting hall for the first meeting, which shall be with Upper nobility, and select lower nobility. Then 7th Bell will be the midday meal. 9th bell shall signal a meeting with the Merchants of Corus. 10th Bell a meeting with the King's council, during a midevning snack. Then 13th bell signals the end of official meetings. 14th bell signals another tour of Corus. 17th bell signals the evening meal."
"Thank you." Kyp said.
"I have made the arrangements." George said, coming in. "Can we leave in 2 bells?"
"Of course." Leia said. "How long an excursion?"
"Oh yes, forgive me for forgetting to tell you. An overnight excursion. Accommodations are being prepared as we speak."
"Sounds fantastic." Leia said. "If you will excuse us."
"Oh, of course." Alanna said. "Please."
Everyone did half-curtsies or bows and left. They all went to their allotted quarters and started packing daypacks. The next day. "That truly was beautiful." Luke said.
"Yes, it was." Kyp agreed. "Thank you for taking us there."
"Well, it was our pleasure." George said, pleased.
Leia smiled.
"Well, our trek to the capital comes soon." Alanna sighed. "I always hate leaving Pirate's swoop."
"Yes, but we need to get you all to Corus. And stay for the wonderful forthcoming diplomatic negotiations." George said.
Leia laughed gently, and Han started to feel a bit jealous. Luke noticed and discreetly rolled his eyes. "Han, would you like to ride up ahead with me?" He asked, trying to keep his tone neutral though he felt like saying. "Get up here now before we have a diplomatic incident.
"Yeah, sure…" Han said, clumsily getting his horse to move faster.
"Kid, I am not jealous." Han said, guessing why Luke had asked him to ride up with him.
"Yeah…" Luke said.
"I am not." Han insisted. "Maybe just a little, but wouldn't you be."
Luke just shrugged. "I can't speak to that. But what I can speak to is the diplomatic incident we'd have if you slugged the guy. Besides, just because Leia enjoyed a joke he made doesn't mean a thing."
"I am not a little kid, kid." Han said.
"Yeah." Luke said.
The argument was stopped by the sight of Pirate's swoop. The man-at-arms flung open the gates. "My lady, may ask your plans?" The men-at-arms asked once Alanna was inside the gates.
"We depart for Corus a little before midday tomorrow."
"So soon." One of the men at arms said.
"I am afraid so. We will have to make today special."
Indeed it was. But like all good things it couldn't last. The next day they were on their way to Corus. "Thank you all for a wonderful time." Han said to the servants who had attended them.
"Yes thank you." Leia said, favoring them with a smile.
The Republican delegation shook the hands of the townspeople as they left.
The King's court greeted the delegation as they came in with Jonathan and Thayet at the head, and Roald just a step behind them. "Welcome to Corus." Jonathan said. He made a big sweeping motion with his hand. "Your Highness, General, will you ride a front with us."
Leia bowed in saddle, and nudged Han to do the same. Then she force send to all the Force capables. /*/ Ride behind me in rank, let the Tortallans fill in around you as they please. Luke, make sure you are closer to the front. Maybe behind Ackbar and Garm, but don't be close to the back. They will construe that as dissent and judge you to be hostile of an alliance./*/
Leia was grateful for all the skills she had picked up setting up Rebellion cells, because even then she had to work with limited preparation information and had had to infer cultural traits on the job.
/*/ Smile./*/ Leia sent.
The New Republican delegation swept through the city and hearts of Corus. The people found themselves bedazzled by these people who dressed so simply (in comparison Tortallan nobles, who generally favored an ostentatious look.).
The parade ended at the palace where stablehands were waiting to take the horses. "If you and your delegation will do us the honor of joining us for the midday meal in an hour in the Royal dining room?" Jonathan asked Leia.
"The honor would be ours." Leia said.
"Then we shall meet you there." Jonathan said, bowing.
Leia curtsied. The rest of the delegation followed suit.
Then they all moved to their assigned quarters to freshen up before the meal. "Wow you look awesome." Han said, looking at Leia.
"Thanks." Leia said, patting her hairdo self-consciously.
"I was talking about your dress, ms. Conceited."
"Captain Solo." Leia said, smiling slightly and imperiously. "A lady is allowed to check on her hair without being accused of being conceited."
"You thought I was complimenting your hair."
"And if I did?"
Han laughed. "I give up."
"So soon?" Leia said, grinning victoriously.
"You are too much for me." Han said, winking at his wife.
"I know." Leia said, impishly.
"You guys are too much." Luke said, from his spot, leaning on the doorframe.
"It isn't good to eavesdrop kid." Han said.
"Well, just came to tell you the rest of the delegation is waiting in the sitting area." Luke said. "They wanted to have a protocol meeting before we go in for the meal."
"Coming." Leia said. She checked her hair once more then rushed out.
"Madame Chief of State." Councilor Amil'te greeted her.
"Councilor." Leia said she motioned everyone to sit when they stood, including her family, because as everyone knew no matter how close standing they were on with Leia she was the leader at this moment.
"Ladies and gentlemen." She greeted them. "Luke said you wanted to go over protocol."
"Yes." Councilor Amil'te said. "We need to know what we can promise the Tortallans."
"Well, if we were to enter into an alliance, we can promise them military backing if they are ever attacked or seriously provoked. Support in diplomatic endeavors, trade, and… well, the official position of the republic is clear." Leia said. "We favor alliances, but there are certain standards that must be met for an official ally, such as it must not hold slaves, or have a comparable institution. A good sentient rights record, or at least one that is being seriously worked on." Leia said.
"Okay, so we should work towards an alliance." Amil'te.
"You know my personal opinion on that. Alliances can only help. As long as the world meets our standards of sentient rights." Leia shrugged elegantly.
"But what could this world give us." Garm Bel Iblis asked. "We do need to be a bit practical as well."
Leia thought about it. "Well, some limited military help. Magical help definitely. A trade relationship could be decently useful."
"If you will forgive me for saying so." Admiral Ackbar said. "We shouldn't make an alliance with a country when it seems obvious that they will take more then we will receive. There are limited tactical reasons for this alliance."
"If I may speak." Luke said, looking for a nod from Leia so he knew diplomatically it would be all right for him to speak. Leia gave him the discreet nod.
"I believe the biggest nod to this alliance is that from whatever I can sense there was a reason Jaina was brought here. Maybe it was for the benefit of the Tortallans, but the sense I get really is that it was so we could make an alliance." Luke said.
"Well, we need a clearer sense of why the force wants us to have an alliance." Councilor Amil'te said.
"But maybe we can open negotiations thinking about a treaty where we have a slightly conditional alliance?" Garm Bel Ibis said. "This way we can expand a bit, or we can just make it very narrow."
Leia gave Garm a grateful smile. When no one said anything in a moment. She clapped her hands. "Well that's settled."
"Shall we proceed?" Han asked, giving Leia his arm.
Leia took his arm. "Yes, lets."
"Um. Protocol states we should wait out here for a servant to come and escort us because the King never told us a bell to come." Jaina said, speaking up.
"Thank you." Leia said. "Incidentally, that means we should probably hold our protocol meetings somewhere more within the delegation assignment. Jaina, any suggestions?"
"Um, this should be okay. The servants will knock before coming in. Any overly sensitive meetings can be held inside your room, mom." Jaina said.
"But should we count on that?" Garm Bel Iblis asked.
"Master Skywalker should be able to tell if anyone is listening." Kyp said.
"Okay, so Luke we are trusting your ability to sense anyone trying to listen in. And that goes for the rest of the Jedi too. If you even think someone is listening TELL US." Leia said, looking at all of the Jedi and Jedi trainees individually.
"Yes ma'am." Jacen said.
Leia chuckled. She pushed back the urge to put her arms around all three of her kids and draw them close to her, this was still a diplomatic mission after all.
"Someone's coming." Luke said.
Everyone sat up, checked their appearances for the last time, just in case this was their escort to the meeting. A knock came on the door. "Yes." Leia inquired.
"Your ladyship, the King was inquiring whether or not you and your party are ready."
"We are, thank you."
"Then may I have the honor of escorting you."
"Of course." Leia said.
The door opened and the servant waited. Leia gestured for them all to go. The delegation fanned out around Leia and Han like an honor guard and escort.
Jonathan and Thayet were waiting for the delegation at their quarters. "Welcome." Thayet said, moving aside to let the delegation in.
"I don't believe you were properly introduced to my younger children." Thayet said. "Roald, Kally will you bring Liam and Lianne?"
A moment later. "These are my youngest." Thayet said. "Liam and Lianne. They are twins (AN-I am not hundred percent sure about that.)."
"They are gorgeous. They have your eyes." Han said, proud of himself, small talk and compliments were something Leia had been trying to push into him.
"Thank you." Thayet said.
"Shall we move into the dining area?" Jon suggested.
"Lead the way." Leia said.
Jaina sat next to Roald. Anakin rolled his eyes at her. She glared at him.