DEBUT - part 2

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        Lucasfilm, Ltd. and are used for non-profit entertainment purposes
only.


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"Debut" - part 2

Tenel Ka stopped in front of the door to Jacen's room.  She took a deep
breath and held it, then knocked firmly.  When there was no answer, she
knocked again, harder.

 "Come in," came the reply.  Tenel Ka slid the door open and stepped in to
find Jacen finishing with the late feeding of his many pets.  He looked
over his shoulder and started a bit. "Oh!  Tenel Ka!  Hello!"  Jacen
dropped a few last seeds into a cage, closed the door, and turned to his
guest.  His hands unconsciously tugged at his coveralls, straightening them
out.

 "What brings you here?" he asked.

 Tenel Ka was about to respond when a small form, a riot of green and
yellow feathers burst from its cage and lit on the girl's shoulder.  To her
credit, she didn't move a muscle, knowing full well Jacen kept nothing
harmful in his managerie.  In fact, she thought, the little avian was
rather pretty.

 "Bad Flit," said Jacen to the little bird as he stepped towards Tenel Ka.
Gently, he reached out and Flit hopped onto his finger.  Tenel Ka felt a
tingle shoot across her skin when his hand brushed her shoulder. "I think
he likes you," Jacen teased as he returned the bird to its cage. "A guy
might get jealous."

 As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Jacen clamped his mouth shut.
They both looked at each other in surprise.

 "That is," he stammered, "I mean, _I'm_ the one who's supposed to be good
with animals."

 Tenel Ka placed her hand on his shoulder. "There is nothing to fear,
Jacen.  I could never have the ability you have to connect and communicate
with living things you have."

"And I could never have the confidence in myself and my physical abilities
you have," he replied with a lopsided grin. "But I doubt you came here to
engage in some mutual admiration."

"This is a fact," she agreed.  Jacen motioned for her to sit in his chair
as he took a place on the edge of his bed.

"So what brings you here?"

 "In twelve days--"

 "You turn sixteen," he completed.

 Tenel Ka raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You know?"  Jacen merely
shrugged.

 "I remember.  Say, isn't there some traditional Hapan ceremony that
happens when a girl turns sixteen?"

 She shook her head.  "I am amazed, friend Jacen.  How do you know all this
already?"

 "I was doing... research," he answered sheepishly. "I was trying to
figure out something _really_ special to give you as a present for your
birthday.  I mostly looked up Dathomirian customs, but I figured I should
cover everything."

 A smile began to form on her lips. "I am truly flattered.  But your
search is over.  You may give me my gift right now."

"I don't understand," he replied, and rose.  He crossed the room and knelt
beside her, perched on his toes, rocking slightly.

"Ta'a Chume is holding the traditional Hapan Passage Ball for me on my
birthday.  I would..." she swallowed.  Jacen took her hand in his.

"What is it you want?"

"I would like for you to be my escort at the ball."  Jacen stopped in
mid-rock and fell on his rump. "Are you all right?" she asked, concerned.

 Jacen grinned.  "Are you kidding?"  He leapt to his feet, and, wrapping
his arms around her, lifted Tenel Ka bodily into the air, spinning them
both around.  Jacen whooped ecstatically.

 "Jacen-- Jacen, put me down!"  Jacen placed her back on the ground and
backed away, but just a bit-- his hands remained on her waist. "I have to
warn you-- the ceremony is very long-winded and ostenatious and dignified,
and not very fun at all."

 He smiled.  "I'm sorry-- that wasn't particularly dignified, was it?"  She
shook her head, but was smiling back.  Jacen stepped away and gave a deep
bow.

 "Princess Tenel Ka Chume Ta' Djo, it would be a great honor to escort you
to your Passage Ball."  In reply, she wrapped her own arm around him
warmly.

 "Thank you," she said, holding on tight.  Suddenly, there was the sound of
applause from the hallway.  They both turned to find the doorway filled
with the faces of their friends-- Jaina, Lowie, Raynar, Lusa-- even the
visiting Zekk.

 Tenel Ka backed away quickly and resumed her usual cool demeanor.  Jacen
looked flushed with embarassment, but happy.

**********

 Later that night, the lonely communications center again had a single
occupant.  This time, it was Jacen.  Glancing over his shoulders to make
sure no one else was around, he keyed in his transmission.  He waited
nearly ten minutes before recieving a reply.

 The screen before him flickered on, and he faced a stunningly beautiful
woman with golden hair framing a face with a severe expression on it.
"Yes?" the woman asked, almost sounding annoyed.

 "I, ah," Jacen began nervously, unsure if he was making the right
decision, "I was wondering if I might be given permission to speak with the
Queen Mother Ta'a Chume."

 "The Queen Mother is quite busy, mister..." the woman glanced downwards,
checking the transmission log she'd received.  Her expression immediately
softened. "Young Master Solo!  I will put you in contact immediately."

 Jacen nodded as the screen changed to display the Hapan coat of arms.
*Now what was _that_ all about?* he wondered.  He didn't have the time to
wonder further, as Ta'a Chume appeared a second later.

"Ah, Mister Solo-- may I call you Jacen?"

"I would be honored, Queen Mother," he answered.  Jacen was more confused
than ever at her familiarity and friendliness, but hoped it would ensure
his request would be answered.

"Is there something amiss with my granddaughter?"

"Oh, no, Queen Mother-- Tenel Ka is fine.  In fact, she asked me to be her
escort to her Passage Ball next week.  Of course, I accepted."  *But you
probably already know that, don't you?*

"Of course.  That is happy news, my son, but it does not explain why
you've contacted me.  Tenel Ka informed me a few hours ago that you would
be escorting her."

 Jacen swallowed.  *Here goes.*  "Queen Mother, I would be much obliged if
you could arrange to have whatever information about the Passage Ball--
especially whatever my own part in the ceremonies might be-- sent to me.
I'm afraid the databanks I have access to are not of much help, as the
Hapes Consortium is not a member of the New Republic--"

"A situation that may one day be rectified," Ta'a Chume remarked.

 *Now what does she mean by that?  Oh, well.*  "I hope so," he continued.
"As I said, the databanks I can access don't have much information on the
subject, so I decided to go to the source."

"A most intelligent decision," she said, "but why not ask Tenel Ka
directly?"

 Jacen smiled and said, "I want to surprise her."

 Ta'a Chume nodded. "I understand.  I am aware of a number of texts on the
subject," she said, then thought a moment. "Ah-- a few of the more
affluent families on Hapes have made holovids of their daughters' Passage
Balls.  Perhaps one or two of those would be of help?"

"That would be perfect," said Jacen, his mood lightening.

"I will have them transmitted to you, in a confidential packet, of course,
within the hour."

 Jacen inclined his head towards the screen. "I am most grateful, Queen
Mother."

"As am I, Jacen-- my granddaughter has made an excellent choice... in
escort."  With one last appraising look, Ta'a Chume's image blinked out,
and the connection was closed.

 Jacen rose, shaking his head. *Creepy.  Creepy woman.*

 An hour and a half later, he slipped a very full data card into his room's
terminal.  The directory came onto his screen, and he began scrolling
through the information.  He sighed.  Learning all of this was going to be
a real headache.  *It's for Tenel Ka,* he reminded himself.  *You made a
promise, and you're going to keep it.*

**********

 Zekk dropped onto the stone bench with a thump. "Aww, Jaina-- you know I
don't want to!"

 Jaina stood, hands on hips. "Zekk, it won't be that bad.  Besides, Tenel
Ka _invited_ you-- it would be rude not to go!"

"Jaina, you _know_ what happened the last time I went to a fancy thing
like this!"

"Zekk, it wasn't _that_ bad--"

"I ate the bouquet!" he cried. "And that was a New Republic state
dinner-- you're talking about attending a ball on probably one of the
richest, most ceremonial planets in the galaxy!"

"Zekk, that was _years_ ago.  You're different-- mature, self-confident.
Heck, you could be a Jedi if you just stayed here at the academy.
Besides," she added, "Lowie's going to be on Kashyyyk, so I need a date.."

 His green eyes sparkled as he turned to her. "Well, since you put it that
way..."

 Jaina hugged him. "Great!  Now I have to figure out what we're going to
wear.  Maybe I should call Mom.  Yeah, that'd probably be a good idea."
She slid the door of her closet open as she spoke, shaking her head at the
rather utilitarian selection.

"And what about me?" asked Zekk.

"I'm sure one of the other guys around here has a set of formal clothes
you could borrow," she said absently, as she looked over her clothes with
disapproval. "It's just been so long since I've gone to something like
this," she murmured.

 Sensing her distraction, Zekk took the opportunity to tease her a little.
"You're right," he said, "I'll just head over to Raynar's room and--"

 "Don't you dare!" she said sharply, emerging from the closet. "I will
_not_ have _my_ escort looking like a pigment factory exploded on him!"

 He brushed a hand through his dark hair as he chuckled. "Don't worry--
I'll figure something out."  Zekk took her hand and kissed it lightly.
"And I swear to be on my very best behavior."

"You'd better," she teased back, then kissed him on the cheek. "Now go
tell Tenel Ka that we'll be happy to accept her invitation."

"Yes, dear," he called as he disappeared into the hallway.  Jaina stared
at the doorway for a few minutes, smiling.  She brushed her lips absently
with her fingertips, took one last exasperated look into her closet, and
headed for the communications center.

**********

 With a week left before her birthday, Tenel Ka stood at the foot of her
ship, the *Rock Dragon*'s, boarding ramp.  Jacen came down the ramp,
dusting his hands. "All set," he told her.

 Tenel Ka nodded, then turned to the rest of her friends, including Master
Skywalker, who were gathered on the landing pad to see them off.  She and
Jacen took turns shaking hands and sharing hugs.

"I wish we could come with you now," said Jaina.

"As celebrant and escort," Tenel Ka replied, "Jacen and I have to be
involved with much of the planning.  You will probably not be missing much
besides several days of fittings and measurings and consultations-- nothing
fun."

 "Besides," added Raynar, "with two of his best students away for more than
a week, Master Skywalker can only spare his others for so long."

 Luke Skywalker smiled, then patted his nephew on the shoulder. "Jacen, I
know you'll do us all proud."

 "Uh, '_all_', Uncle Luke?"

"Sure-- your friends, your parents, the Academy... the whole New
Republic... But there's no pressure."

 Jacen swallowed. "Yeah, no pressure," he said nervously, then relaxed as
Luke and the others broke into laughter.

"I'm kidding, Jacen-- you're going to do fine."

 "This is a fact," agreed Tenel Ka, "or else I would _not_ have asked you
to be my escort."  She turned to her teacher. "Thank you for the time
away, Master Skywalker-- it means much to me and my family, especially Ta'a
Chume."

 He nodded. "It's my pleasure-- I remember how difficult a woman she is to
please."

"This is a fact," said Jacen, before Tenel Ka could.  The warrior girl
gave one last glance at her friends and headed up the ramp.  Jacen was
right behind her when he felt the Force urge him to turn.  He did, his
brandy-brown eyes meeting his sisters' own.  Jaina smiled, then nodded.
Jacen returned the gesture, gave a last salute, and bounded up the ramp.

 As the *Rock Dragon* began to rise on its repulsorlifts, Zekk turned to
Jaina. "So what was that all about?"

"Just reminding my brother to behave himself."

 "Sure," he said, and placed his arm around Jaina's shoulders as they
watched the ship lift off into the sky.