The Legion Renewed
Chapter Nineteen
Leia insisted that she and Han stay in one of the underground hotels, so that she could be close to the campaign events.
Han would have preferred to stay on the Falcon, which wasn't as luxurious, but was eminently more comfortable.
There was some sort of dinner affair they had to go to. Leia looked lovely in a custom-designed strapless white gown with sparkly-shimmery threads woven into the fabric. She had offered to have Han fitted with a formal suit, but he had declined, preferring instead just to have his flight suit cleaned and throw on a clean shirt. Leia had tried to get him to eat something before going, but Han figured they were going to a dinner for crying out loud, and the purpose of a dinner was to eat. Han was looking forward to a nice, hot meal of something other than space-rations.
And then the speeches began.
Han listened to the first three or four and clapped politely at the end of each one. Leia had said-and the moderator had reiterated-that the were to be short speeches, but apparently in diplomatic lingo, that meant about 15-20 minutes each, plus the five minutes or so for the introduction that each speaker had.
Han was getting hungry.
And bored.
He leaned back and tapped his foot under the table, wishing it would end. Finally, it was Leia's turn. She gave an impassioned speech about the New Republic, how it was trying to establish order out of the chaos left in Palpatine's wake, and how every member system needed to do its part to help the systems that had suffered the worst.
Han checked his watch. Leia went on for a good eight or nine minutes, which was pretty short compared to the other speakers, but still too long by Han's standards.
When she was done, as she returned to her seat, Han clapped madly and rose to his feet.
He was the only one to do for any of the speeches.
When she got to her place, the Princess chuckled quietly. "You can sit down now," she said under her breath. But he pulled his chair out for her, and she sat with eyebrows raised at this unaccustomed courtesy.
"Can we eat yet?" he asked her quietly.
"Soon. Only about three more to go."
Three more? That would be like another hour, at least. Han groaned inwardly, and as he sat down, he managed to spill his water goblet-all over the Princess's gown.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," he apologized to Leia. He picked up a napkin and started dabbing at her gown, particularly around the breast areas.
Leia missed the mischievous glint in his eyes and snatched the napkin away, annoyed that he was trying to grope her in public. "It's fine," she said. "I'll be back in a minute."
"Want me to take you back to the room?" Han asked.
"No. Stay here. I'll take care of it."
Han rolled his eyes inwardly as she left for the women's room, annoyed that she hadn't seized on this excuse he'd given her to ditch this boring non-dinner. He blew out a sigh and went back to tapping his foot under the table, praying that the torturous speeches would soon be over and the food would be served soon.