Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 03_ The Lost Ones - Kevin J. Anderson [18]
"I am most pleased," the ambassador said. "We shall have a simple time making diplomatic treaties, if all members of the New Republic are so considerate of our customs."
Trembling with relief that she had averted what could have been a social gaffe for the Chief of State, Tenel Ka sat back down, while Jacen bent toward her, his brandy-brown eyes wide with astonishment. "How did you know that?" he said in a low whisper.
Tenel Ka shrugged beneath her reptilian armor. "It is... just something I learned," she said, and then fell silent, reluctant to reveal her royal upbringing, even to a good friend.
Even though Zekk sat back and remained quiet, he still felt uncomfortable. The meal tasted delicious, but each time he moved he was afraid that one of his gestures might offend someone or cause a diplomatic incident. Threepio served the rest of the meals, and Zekk fell to eating with quiet attention, savoring the delicious food... though it was far richer than what he was accustomed to.
The salad in the crystal bowl in front of him was crunchy and strange-some of the leaves bitter, others stringy-but he had eaten far worse in his days of scavenging the streets. He had roasted rock slugs and eaten sliced duracrete fungus. These greens at least were fresh, and he relished them.
The conversation around the table seemed to be empty polite chitchat, and Zekk, feeling like an irrelevant guest, did his best to participate. He pushed aside the empty crystal bowl. "Delicious salad," he said. "I don't believe I've ever had greens like that." That sounded good, a complimentary but neutral statement-enough to show willingness to take part in the dinner conversation, yet nothing anyone could fault him for.
Suddenly he felt all eyes turned toward him. He looked down to see if he had spilled something down the front of his out-of-style jacket.
Jacen seemed full of disbelief. Tenel Ka made no sign that she had even heard Zekk's comment. Jaina nudged Zekk with her elbow in a teasing way
"That wasn't a salad," she whispered. "That's the bouquet. You weren't supposed to eat it."
Zekk listened in horror, but kept his face a careful mask.
See-Threepio spoke up from behind them. "Now then, Mistress Jaina, many plants are edible, including all of those within the bouquet. I'm certain there's been no harm-"
From the far end of the table Princess Leia cleared her throat. "I'm glad you liked the salad, Zekk," she said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, and pulled her crystal dish toward her. She selected a frilly purple-green leaf and stuffed it in her mouth, munching contentedly. Han Solo looked at his wife as if she had gone crazy, then jerked as if he had been kicked under the table. He too began to eat his bouquet. Jaina followed suit, and soon everyone at the table had devoured their
"salads."
Zekk was mortified, though he tried not to show it. His manners were laughable, his clothing was outdated, and he had embarrassed everyone by eating something he should have known was a decoration. He wished he had never been invited to this banquet. He endured the rest of the evening in simmering silence until the Karnak ambassador and her entourage of furball children finally departed, accompanied by the Chief of State and her husband.
When New Republic escorts came to return them to their rooms, Zekk decided to take the first opportunity to escape.
"Don't worry about tonight, Zekk," Jaina said in an understanding voice.
"You're our friend. That's all that matters."
Zekk felt stung by her comment, by the fact that she had even needed to say such a thing. He didn't belong here. That truth was etched in burning letters in his brain. He should have known better, but he had pretended that he could fit in with such high-class friends.
When he slipped out the back door