Tenel Ka paced the length of her personal quarters aboard the royal flagship as it descended to the ground on Mon Calamari. She shouldn't have been this nervous about the ball but for some reason she was. She ran her hand over her hair and let out a long sigh. Soon Alana would come looking for her and they'd head to the hotel room reserved for the Queen Mother and start to prepare for the ball tomorrow. There would be no real time to meet with Jacen and Jaina before hand with all the preparations. Tenel Ka stopped mid-pace as she sensed Alana at the door. She did not want her assistant to see her this agitated and start asking annoying questions.
Alana quietly knocked and entered without an answer from Tenel Ka. She bowed but didn't move far into the room. She might not have been Force sensitive but she didn't need it to pick up on Tenel Ka's current mood.
"Your highness, we are set to land in ten minutes. A speeder will be waiting at the docking bay to take you directly to your hotel room. After that the evening is yours to do with as you please," Alana said in hushed tones. She bowed again and left the room backwards, quietly shutting the door behind her.
Tenel Ka sighed again and felt guilty for seeming to have upset Alana so much. She was a close friend and confidant when Tenel Ka was alone, which was so often anymore. She had never meant to upset Alana. She'd try to think of someway to make it up to her. After the ball.
Tenel Ka crossed to her bed and began to gather her things into her bag. The rest of the clothing and things would be handled by the crew and people on Mon Calamari. She just needed her essentials and these she unceremoniously crammed into a shoulder bag.
As she threw this bag over her left shoulder another knock fell on her door. She knew immediately it was not Alana by the insistent tone the knock took. She opened her mouth to tell the person to go away but stopped when the door swung open. In glided Aubra, dressed to the nines for some odd reason. She insisted to travel in style and dressed in her finest anytime they traveled. She smiled at Tenel Ka but the gesture held no warmth, which was replaced instead by venom.
"Oh Your Highness, I see you are ready to depart. I was just talking to Alana and she mentioned you had the evening off. So I think it would be a wonderful idea if you and I visited a few of the famous spas here on Mon Calamari to prepare for tomorrow evenings events. It would be a wonderful way to relax and just have fun. What do you say to that?"
Tenel Ka looked disgusted at the idea. As soon as Aubra had heard about the ball she had taken over the planning for Tenel Ka's arrival and presence from Alana. She felt it was her duty and had since proceeded to schedule almost every moment of Tenel Ka's time on Mon Calamari. The only thing she hadn't touched was that evening and now she was trying to steal that moment away as well. Tenel Ka was not going to take it this time and fixed Aubra with a cold stare, her steel grey eyes narrowed as it daring her to protest.
"I do not think so tonight Aubra. I already have plans of my own. Thank you."
"Now what could you possibly be doing that I didn't know about?" Aubra replied with a haughty giggle.
"I am visiting old friends from the Jedi Academy tonight. This will be my only time to see them in a less formal setting and I'd like to take full advantage of that." Of course this was an utter lie. Tenel Ka was planning on dressing in her Dathomirian finest and walking around the city, trying to relax enough to maybe get some sleep that night. Maybe even going for a brisk swim in ocean outside her hotel. Whatever she was going to do, it was not spend the evening with Aubra in a spa.
"Oh, why was I not told?"
"Because I did not want anyone to follow me. Now if you please, I must prepare to depart and head for my hotel room."
Tenel Ka pushed past Aubra and headed quickly for the bridge. She was satisfied when she heard Aubra's footsteps marching away behind her. She turned left and passed through a large round opening onto the extremely busy bridge. Tenel Ka liked to feel included, even if she wasn't running things. She nodded to the female pilot assuring her that everything was ok. Instead of leaving, Tenel Ka just stood there and enjoyed the noise and action of the crew.
Once the ship landed, Alana accompanied Tenel Ka to the speeder waiting for her on the landing platform. When Aubra tried to follow as well, Tenel Ka quickly closed the door behind her and the speeder left in route for the lavish hotel where Tenel Ka would stay over the next few days. The ride was quiet as Alana went over the schedule on her datapad for tomorrow. She knew Tenel Ka knew it already and didn't bother to go over it with her just yet. She knew that this gala, more than any so far, was important to Tenel Ka but she didn't know why. Ever since Colonel Fel had visited something was different in Tenel Ka. While Alana didn't know what the Colonel had said to the Queen Mother, Alana was certain it was something that had been weighing on Tenel Ka's mind for a while before meeting the Colonel.
Alana was a bit surprised when they reached the hotel and Tenel Ka did not order her away. Instead she invited her to dine with her, as a friend not an assistant, on the large balcony overlooking one of the oceans on Mon Calamari. She put her datapad and other things away and joined Tenel Ka at the table as food of all sorts was brought to them. After a few minutes of dining, Tenel Ka put her fork down and fixed Alana with a serious look, well more serious than normal for Tenel Ka.
"Is it true that Hapans think I am not trying hard enough to secure Hapes future by quickly producing an heir?" Tenel ka said bluntly.
Alana stopped with her fork halfway to her mouth, a look of disbelief on her face. "Who told you such a thing?"
"Aubra came to see me yesterday in my office. She was upset that I had given Colonel Fel a tour of the fountains in the palace without her knowing. She said it was giving the wrong impression to my people. Is this true?"
"Not at all. Everyone knows about you and Colonel Fel's friendship from the war. You're people love you and think you are doing a marvelous job getting Hapes back on its feet. They do not seem to be worried about the fact that you haven't taken a husband yet. You are young and just came through a terrible war. Your people trust you and only have the utmost positive things to say about you," Alana answered, setting her fork down and dabbing at her mouth with her napkin. "If you want my frank opinion, I believe that you should get rid of Aubra for good. She is nothing but bad news as far as I'm concerned. Keeping her around is only inviting trouble."
"I know that, Alana. And I realize that she is trouble but I just do not know how that would look. She says that after this gala she is going to announce that I am officially looking for a fiancée. I want to be able to make my own decision about who I will marry. Not have it broadcast for all the galaxy to see."
"It sounds like you already have an idea of who you'd like to marry, Your Highness."
"Alana, call me Tenel Ka, please. And no, I don't. I did at one time but that was a long time ago, before the war." Tenel Ka fell silent as her eyes seemed to unfocus on the current world and drift back to a time long ago, when she was a young girl.
Alana continued to eat silently until Tenel Ka seemed to come around and begin to eat again, with less vigor than before.
"Is he going to be there tomorrow, Tenel Ka?" Alana asked cautiously. She knew Tenel Ka didn't like to talk much about herself.
"Who, Alana?"
"The man you once thought of marrying. Will he be at the ball tomorrow?"
Tenel Ka considered this for a moment before nodding slowly. She put her fork down again and pushed the plate away from her. Quickly a server came in and took the plate from the table.
"You know him, Alana. The whole galaxy knows him. But it would never work out between us. We are two different people than when we were younger. I'm not even sure he's interested in marrying anymore. He seems so focused on other things in his life that old friends and loves seem to hold no weight in his life."
"So you are not going to talk to him?"
Tenel Ka looked up in shock. "Well… I… I guess so. I mean, that is what a Queen has to do at these things. Schmooze and try and create a lasting impression on these other political types. I figure that seeing him will just be part of it."
"I see. But you aren't going to go looking for him?"
"Of course not. I do not want to seem weak, like I need his attention."
"Alright. If that's how you want to do it."
"What do you mean by that?" Tenel Ka asked a small smile creeping to her lips.
"I'm just saying that maybe there is something left of your old relationship with Jacen Solo that both of you are to afraid to search out. I think it would be a great idea if you go to his place tonight and see him."
"How did you know who I was talking about?"
"Tenel Ka, it was obvious by your reaction when you heard he was alive that you loved him. Others might not have seen it but it was in your eyes that day and the following week. It was like you had been reborn; something came alive in you again. Something that had been missing since the strike team trip to Myrkr. I figured it had everything to do with the good news about Jacen Solo. I know you two were close on Yavin 4."
Instead of replying, Tenel Ka just stood and walked to the railing and gazed out across the ocean. Alana stood and joined her.
"I'm sorry, Tenel Ka. I did not mean to upset you."
"You did not. I just realized something. Do not worry about me. I will be alright. It always turns out right in the end."
Alana didn't say anything and the two friends just stood there enjoying the view until well into the night.
The next day was a flurry of activity. Alana had planned enough time to let Tenel Ka enjoy the morning and sleep in a bit. Around two in the afternoon the hairdressers Alana had brought from Hapes came in and started to work on Tenel Ka's hair for the evening. She stared by spritzing it all over with a holding gel that would make it easier to style the waist length hair. Then she began to pull the upper layers up into magnificent, interlocking curls on top of her head. She then began interweaving the lower layers in with the coils until all of Tenel Ka's hair was piled on top and behind her head. She never remembered how heavy her hair actually was until moments like this and she had to take a second to readjust her posture to carry all the weight improperly balanced on her head. Her bangs were left with just a gentle curl, allowing full view of her steel grey eyes.
After about an hour and a half of hair the makeup ladies came and worked on her while the hair was finished. By six in the evening, two hours before the ball was to start across town, Tenel Ka's hair was finished and her makeup was perfect. When she looked in the mirror she almost did not recognize the Jedi warrior staring back at her. As she stared harder at her reflection, Alana took her left arm, or what was left of it and lead Tenel Ka to the wardrobe where she had picked out three dresses to choose from. Tenel Ka looked them over then picked the one on the right.
It was made of a lightweight, deep green material. The back was cut very low, down to her waist while the neckline was left to a very modest cut. It was form fitting all the way down to the floor, where it trailed out behind her about a foot. The right sleeve was long, and ended in a large bell shape that covered her hand. The material felt soft against her skin and Tenel Ka felt she could move it in, if need be. The half belt that ran low around her waist allowed her to carry her lightsaber with her as well.
Suddenly she froze, halfway though dressing. She had left her lightsaber on Hapes, the first time since she had created it. She felt vulnerable all the sudden and slowly pulled the dress on as Alana zipped up the back.
Tenel ka looked at herself in the mirror and was somewhat satisfied with what she saw. She looked just like the other ladies her age that would be there, if not better. The crown nestled in her hair accented the sparkle in her grey eyes and the necklace that hid beneath her gown. She noticed Alana looking over her shoulder and turned to face her.
"Thank you for your help. I wish you could come with me."
"Go and enjoy yourself. Do not worry about me. I will find way to entertain myself. Now go. The speeder should be downstairs waiting for you. You wouldn't want to be late would you?"
"Of course not." Tenel Ka stepped forward and pulled Alana into a tight hug. Alana returned it quickly then pulled away. She smiled at Tenel Ka and the Queen Mother returned it.
"Now off with you. Have fun tonight."
"I'll try, but when have you known me to have fun? This is business after all."
Alana shook her head as Tenel Ka threw the matching wrap around her shoulders and walked to the door. It slid open and Tenel Ka stepped through, on her way to a reunion to beat all reunions.
Jaina should not have been this panicky over a ball. As she tore around her apartment trying to get ready, Jag watched her from the living room, which Jacen had vacated earlier in the day for his room.
Jaina stormed back in, her hair half done, still in her flightsuit.
"If Jacen is not out here in five minutes I'm going to have a coronary. Will you please try and help, Jag?" Jaina asked as she ran a comb though the limp half of her hair.
Jag nodded and stood up from the couch. "I do not know what you expect me to be able to do but I will try and convince him to attend with us."
"Thank you," Jaina replied as she hurried back to their room.
Jag shook his head and walked to Jacen's door. He raised his hand to knock and instead of hitting the door, hit Jacen in the chest as the other man flung the door open.
"Oh, you're ready. Jaina was threatening everyone unless you came out. You look nice."
Jacen didn't respond, only nodded. He was wearing all black Jedi robes. The black pants were tight and look a lot more comfortable than Jag's military uniform. The black tunic was tight as well, which Jag was sure would send the ladies into a tizzy when Jacen entered the room. His long black robe covered it all and Jag could see his silver lightsaber hanging deep in the outfit, out of sight but never out of mind. Jag also noticed that he had shaved and looked a lot like his father in his younger days.
Look out ladies, here comes Jacen Solo. Jag thought with a smile
Jacen pushed passed Jag and proceeded to flop back down on the couch. He turned on the holonews and ignored Jaina and Tahiri as they came out of their rooms and ran around trying to help each other, the boys and everyone else in the galaxy it seemed.
Finally at seven, an hour before the ball, Jaina exited her room and announced she was ready. Tahiri was sitting on the couch with Jacen, seemingly upset that Jaina had made her dress up. They had compromised and Tahiri's feet were bare.
The rest of the group slowly assembled behind Jaina and followed her to the speeder that had been sent to carry the young heroes of the war to the ball.