Talosian Embassy, Sacred Hall of Mingling, Talosi VI, 18:15 GST
This is going much smoother than it should be, thought Leia Organa, last Princess of the planet Alderaan, currently acting diplomat for the New Republic's outreach effort to Talosi VI, and increasingly suspicious ex-freedom fighter. Not that it had been going particularly smoothly up until recently. Quite the opposite, actually. Ever since they had set foot in the embassy, though, things had proceeded like well oiled machinery. That sort of turnaround set off all kinds of alarm bells in the back of her head.
Talosi's native people had stricter honor codes than even Corella, that were not always compatible with outsider behavior. As a result, getting them to stop abiding by treaties to an empire that technically no longer existed was taking more effort than it really should have. Luckily, one of their highest principles was the refusal to betray a sworn ally, even at great personal cost. And what cost greater than an entire planet? thought Leia. If it bothered her that Alderaan's destruction was being used as a showpiece to shore up support for the renewed republic, she was too well trained to let it show.
I'm probably being hyper-vigilant, thought Leia. True, Talosi VI represents the last holdout of the free planets that could potentially split the galaxy. Yes, their ironclad treaties with literally all of their neighbors could pose the threat of civil war before we've even finished changing the flags on the capital building. That's still no reason to...damn. That is, in fact, several very good reasons to be worried about this, but I'm doing everything I can and that will have to be enough.
As she moved carefully through the half full room, Leia made sure to keep any hints of her thoughts off of her face. She was well versed in this sort of diplomatic soiree, but it did not seem as natural as it would have even a couple of years ago. I keep going to check the holstering on the blaster I'm not wearing, she thought grimly, smiling calmly all the while. Speaking of potentially explosive objects, where did Han get off to? Well, that's unfair. I know he's trying not to set anything off tonight. Still, he should be circulating, giving the delegates a look at General Solo, hero of the new republic.
Han would alternately showboat or fade into the background depending on his mood and the environment. In a dive bar he could out-brag literally anyone she had ever met (including Luke, who was a Jedi master and savior of the galaxy, for heaven's sake), but put him in front of anyone official looking who he didn't already know and he could become surprisingly (if intimidatingly) withdrawn. She had once, after a particularly trying press conference involving most of high command, asked Chewbacca about the reasons for the seeming contradiction. The response didn't translate well into standard, but gave her a chuckle as it was something along the lines of 'Hey, in our line of business you gotta be cagey with the guys in uniform.'
According to both his Wookie co-pilot and his old friend Lando Cardassian, the relatively well mannered Han Solo was more of a recent development, possibly traceable to involvement with a certain rebel operative. It always made her squirm internally to think he was censoring himself for her sake. She had asked Han about it once, why he was bothering to 'make nice' with the leadership when their good opinion didn't matter one cup of kaffe to him. The reply that their good opinion mattered to her had been entirely too perceptive. The idea that hers was one of only a few opinions in the galaxy that Han Solo actually cared about for its own sake was overwhelming at first, and now a warm comfort.
Ordinarily Leia would never have put Han into a delicately balanced politically charged environment like the one she was currently floating through. Mingling with small groups, keeping watch on the flow of feeling in the room, and laying words carefully into the current was her business, not his. Several cultural traditions of the planet made it unavoidable, however. The first involved a plan that had been floated by Mon Mothma (and just as quickly harpooned by Carlist Rieekan). Apparently on Talosi one of the few acceptable ways to end an alliance and forge a new one was via an individual union between exceptional members of the involved peoples.
Leia's tolerance of the idea of a political marriage had always been conditional. That condition being that it was for the good of her people. With Alderaan gone, she felt no compunctions in telling her political mentor exactly how likely it was that she would ever choose a partner based on anything other than her own feelings. Any scuttlebutt that surfaced later regarding where she had supposedly told Mon Mothma to 'stick her kriffing proposals' was entirely unverifiable, no matter how much Han wheedled for details. Hence, his appearance at the party as her fiancee, or the Talosian equivalent. Translating loosely as 'one with whom I am allied above all others,' Leia privately thought it was a solid description of their relationship, and felt no need to be shy about claiming the title.
The second reason General Solo was required to make an appearance at this treaty signing was more mundane. As a the highest ranking fully military officer directly involved in destroying the second death star, he was involved in the reasons the imperial treaties must be dissolved. He was not, however, the person who had (or was perceived to have) directly defeated the man whose signature had sealed the last treaty. Luke was being kept as far away from this situation as possible, lest some particularly fervent faction attempt to resolve the situation by taking vengeance on the emperor's behalf. It was unlikely they would want to; Palpatine had been as cruel and exploitative to them as to anyone, but honor could make people act rashly on any planet.
There was a disturbance in the flow of the party, and Leia didn't need any force sensitivity to notice the change. Han had clearly re-entered the stage from wherever he had slipped off to. He'll be fine. They've really taken a shine to him so far, there's no reason to… not go over and check. Just for a minute. She kept her ears out for his voice and nudged her clique into his pathway.
Only a few minutes later Han strode into view, parting the delegates like a star destroyer moving through a cloud of x-wings. He was clearly looking for her, and his face brightened when he spotted her elaborate updo. Her entire outfit (white, sparkles, and white sparkles) was truly screaming "Princess" tonight, like it hadn't since she joined the senate. It had been arranged at the insistence of high command; if she was not going as a potential match, she would need to make an even better impression. She was convinced it was revenge for the comments she may or may not have made regarding her current thoughts towards strategic matrimony.
Quite a fair trade, in her opinion. Although not one she could have convinced her lover to play along with. Someone would no doubt have leapt at the chance to design a matching outfit for General Solo, but he had put his foot down early on after a single dress uniform. Fancy events could use that, and for everything else there was the vest and the bloodstripes.
"Why mess with perfection?" he would ask if questioned, and privately Leia did not entirely disagree. The man looked damn fine in a smuggler's kit. No denigration meant to the New Republic dress uniforms either; holophotographers who hadn't been hounding the Princess on her entrance tonight were busy snapping pictures of General Solo instead, and at least one would probably make the front page of some site on the 'net.
Even dressed for the occasion, Han Solo in a room full of diplomats gave her the impression of an Alderaani wolf amongst snowdogs. I suppose these days the proper expression would be a Salky amongst kath-hounds, thought Leia. Regardless, the point stood. Talosi was home to an established human population as well as two other humanoid species, so the crowd was the same basic shape. They way Han held himself, however, made it impossible to mistake him for one of them. There was none of the potentially acquiescent body language, no subtle deference to rank or circumstance. Han simply was, in a way that Leia knew she slipped into when she let her mask drop. A military man, having followed orders for his own side, was allowed that sort of self assurance, even here. Leia was slightly envious, and was surprised at how much steadier she felt once he was standing by her side.
"Hey, sweetheart," Han said, and Leia was immediately on edge again. Not, admittedly, a normal reaction to an endearment from her significant other, but Han tended to lean somewhat sarcastically on her titles when in public. She remembered a rather humorous occasion where she had overheard an official despairing that 'that son-of-a-gundark Solo' could make the most respectful title sound either insulting (officials who had cooperated with the imperial regime) or salacious (Leia, almost exclusively).
"General Solo, so nice of you to join us," said Leia. "Allow me to introduce Shadi'Duud and Ak'Dumann, head diplomat and press secretary, respectively." The two sentients made a gesture of acknowledgment, tilting their heads to the side then bringing them forward and down in the local equivalent of a bow. Han returned the gesture with a slight lack of grace, but at least managed to look slightly less like he was trying to clear his ear of engine grease than when he had first practiced.
"Pleasure, I'm sure," said Han. "Just gotta borrow my, uh...al'yht here, for a minute."
"I'm sure anything we need to discuss urgently can be spoken of in company, oh my most loyal one," Leia replied, leaning hard into the somewhat archaic methods of address they had learned in the cultural briefing. It wasn't often she got to tease him with a title, after all, and it would be the height of rudeness to seem to be conspiring privately in a space dedicated to exchanging ideas freely.
Han looked side eyed at the two Talosians, but Leia gave a subtle hand signal that they could be trusted. Ak had been working tirelessly swaying public perception enough to bring Talosi to the bargaining table, and Shadi was responsible for the treaty they would (hopefully) be signing in a few hours. Not only writing it, but rediscovering a lost copy of one of the original agreements between Talosi and the Republic; an irreplaceable artifact the existence of which neatly sidestepped the issue of anyone having to be a traitor.
"Fair enough," said Han, relaxing slightly. "Popped out for some air and saw those fancy drinks being prepped in the other room. Think I remember they're for the signing ceremony, and I just had a question…"
"Ah yes, of course, the kas-chal'ish!" broke in Ak'Dumann enthusiastically. They were a younger Dureean, one of the non-human species native to Talosi. Their race had, like most non-humans, been oppressively relegated to service roles during the reign of the Empire, but given their record Leia was not surprised to find them in a pivotal position after the regime crumbled. They had served for nearly ten years as personal assistant to the old minister of propaganda, all the while clandestinely leaking information to both the public and the rebellion.
Like most of their kin, they were humanoid in appearance, with powder blue skin and two antenna in the place of ears. Those were perked up, which if Leia remembered correctly was an encouraging indication of mood. "I am so pleased to know you have interest in our customs, General. Truly, those libations are the most sacred part of our signing ceremony. The chalices are prepared for three days and three nights, and the liquids within have been crafted from the sap of the same trees for fifty generations."
"Tree sap, huh? I've had some great stuff on Kashyyyk that was made from that, I wonder if the taste is similar?" Said Han. He was listening much more intently than Leia would have expected. Which was not necessarily a good sign.
"Oh, I would have no idea. Unfortunately non-humans were not allowed passage off planet during the emperor's time in power, and we have no imports from such a distant system. I admit I am quite eager to expand my experience now that we have been liberated. Is this Wookie tree sap based beverage also ceremonial?" Said Ak. The press secretary was too young to have known a free galaxy, so it made sense they would be making up for lost time. Combining even slightly credulous officials with Han in a teasing mood was a recipe for disaster, though, that much had been proven several times.
"Sure, I think you could say it's mostly used for celebratory purposes, actually. Heckuva lot of the stuff downed after Sidious bit the dust, that much I know," said Han wryly, his eyes flickering over to Leia. Sithspit, Han, now is not the time to feed bantha shit to key delegates for a laugh, she thought, smile fixed impeccably on her face. They had gone over exactly how important this was in great detail only hours beforehand. She KNEW he understood just how worried she was that an error in this small window of time could make or break the peace she had given (literally, so horribly literally) everything for. We will not be tripping at the finish line, not for any reason.
"A more proper time for celebration I could hardly imagine," said Shadi'Duud. He was a tall, thin human with intense dark eyes set in a narrow face. Leia was meeting him in person for the first time tonight, and had been commiserating with him about the reluctance of some of his contemporaries to bend to new circumstances. Her estimation of him had risen greatly when he had candidly admitted some of the resistance stemmed from human factions who had grown used to (or been raised in) the relative privilege afforded them by the empire. "The abhorrent practices Darth Sidious employed on all our worlds is a tragedy, and naturally there would be great rejoicing...Ah, if you will excuse me, General, Princess, Dumann, it would appear I am needed in the chamber of signing."
Head diplomat Duud made the gesture of respectful withdrawal to each of them, and then hurried off to a side door a few feet up the wall, where an aide had been signaling him. As he did, several other guests drifted into the conversation and were duly introduced.
"Back to that kas-chal'ish, though," Han broke in after exchanging greetings with the newcomers. "There's no swapping it out once it's poured? What if somebody doesn't like the taste, or wants a different glass, or something?" Silence fell like a grand piano at this casually stated question. Leia scrambled frantically to think of an explanation for her betrothed to be implying one of Thalosi's most sacred rites might be unpalatable (or that a bad taste might be enough of a reason to disregard it, what was he thinking?!). So help me force if he is the reason I have to spend another decade fighting stupid men in a stupid war I will...will...make him join me on the front lines in a ballgown, since he'll be there anyways, and see if I don't!
"Ah-ha-ha, my al'yht does love his little jokes," said Leia, stealthily stomping on Han's foot. "Perhaps not ideal timing, best devoted, but Corella does have such different approaches to diplomacy." The statement was not entirely false; it was a different culture, with different traditions. This spectacular type of off-hand offensiveness was unique to just the one Corellian, though, as far as she knew. "Of course, unlike the Empire, the New Republic can welcome all cultural traditions, so I'm sure you all understand."
"Yeah, that's right," said Han, hiding his wince. "Where I'm from we call that breaking the ice, very important."
"Oh, I understand!" said Ak. "As though the tension that can initially be present or develop in a social interaction is as a pane of frozen water on the surface, blocking access to the stream of uninhibited conversation. How fascinating!" The press secretary seemed to have bought the excuse, clearly enamored of the new custom they had just learned. Leia made a mental note to gift a book of one-liners to their office and also keep an eye out to stop Han from teaching any of the Talosian diplomats pick up lines. "As it happens, there's a wonderful tradition regarding the exchanging of glasses. Of course no one would expect any offworlders to know this, it's a little obscure even for natives these days. Kas-chal'ish Draagfla, I'm not sure what the translation would be in basic...bond sealing drink fealty demonstration?"
"How interesting," said Leia, hoping they hadn't missed something important, "I don't remember reading about it in the briefings, what does it entail?"
"Well," continued Ak, "it's not really applicable, mostly used in treaty signings that involve multiple factions. Every being attending must still drink, of course, and finish the glass in silence within the hourglass turn of contemplation, or the treaty is void. Sometimes, though, the kas-chal'ish ceremony would be used to restate bonds within existing agreements, or even forge the start of new ones. A being would honor a trusted ally, or would declare their allegiance, by switching their goblets. The markings on the underside are what identify who is assigned the vessel, so it would only be noticeable when they are quaffed. It was a very serious declaration though, and as a variation is used in Dureen marriage ceremonies it fell out of favor while the emperor ruled."
"Can't see why. As far as I know stealing drinks at a wedding is a pretty common tradition galaxywide… although usually from behind the bar," said Han, who seemed to have relaxed slightly for some reason. A couple of those listening to the conversation broke into titters at the remark, probably just at the sheer audacity, and meanwhile Ak was practically beaming at the successful cross-cultural communication. Well. At least someone here is having fun, thought Leia.