The plantlike members of the Jedi academy had gone outside to the bright sun-washed steps of the Great Temple, where they could soak up light from Yavin’s white sun and photosynthesize for nutrients, adding small packets of minerals into their digestive orifices. Inside the mess hall, though, dozens of unusual species sat together eating exotic foods particular to their own kind.
Jacen followed a step behind, still chattering about the old Massassi temples, as Jaina found a table at one end of the large hall that had a chair appropriate for Lowbacca. So far Jacen had been unable to elicit more than a few nods and gestures from the Wookiee, who seemed deep in thought, intent on absorbing the smells, sights, and sounds around him.
Determined to start a real conversation with the new trainee, Jacen cast about in his mind for a good question. So, Lowie, how much stuff do you need to move in? Naw, that was a stupid question.
How about, How old are you? No, that would get him only a short answer. And anyway, their father had told them that earlier this morning. Lowie was nineteen, barely an adolescent by Wookiee standards. Maybe something like, How did you know you wanted to become a Jedi? Yes, that was good.
But before he could pose the question, the solid, muscular form of Tenel Ka swung into the seat next to him, across from Lowbacca.
“New student,” she said, acknowledging Lowbacca in the brief, direct way that was so characteristic of her.
“Lowie,” Jacen said, “this is our friend Tenel Ka, from the planet of Dathomir.”
“And this,” Jaina responded, making the introductions for her side of the table, “is Lowbacca, nephew of Chewbacca, from the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk.”
Tenel Ka rose formally and inclined her head, tossing her red-gold hair. “Lowbacca of Kashyyyk, I greet you,” she said, and resumed her seat. Lowbacca nodded in return and uttered three short growls.
Jacen waited for a moment, looking at the little translator droid clipped to Lowie’s belt, but nothing happened.
“Well?” Jaina said expectantly. “You going to translate for its, Em Teedee?”
“Goodness me, Mistress Jaina, I am sorry,” the tiny droid replied in a flustered, mechanical voice. “Oh, how dreadful! My initial opportunity to perform my primary function for Master Lowbacca, and I’ve failed him. I assure you, masters and mistresses all, that from now on I will endeavor to make each translation as speedily and as eloquently as possible—”
Lowbacca interrupted the translator droid’s self-reproach with a sharp growl.
“Translate?” the little droid replied. “Translate what? Oh! Oh, I see. Yes. Immediately.” Em Teedee made a noise that sounded for all the world as if it was clearing its throat, and then began. “Master Lowbacca says, ‘May no sun rise upon a day, nor any moon rise upon a night, in which, he is not as honored to see you, and to be in your presence, as he is at this very moment.’ “
Jaina rolled her eyes. Jacen shook his head in disbelief. But Tenel Ka’s face remained expressionless.
From the corner of his eye, Jacen caught sight of the troublesome young student Raynar in his colorful robes, snickering at them from a nearby table. Automated servers carried generous bowls of food from the kitchen and placed them in front of each trainee.
But Jacen’s attention was brought back to his own table when Lowie growled down into the optical sensors of the translator droid.
“Well, so what if I did embellish a bit?” the droid asked defensively, as a plate of steaming, blood-red meat was placed in front of the Wookiee. “I was only attempting to make you sound more civilized.”
Lowbacca’s threatening growl left no doubt as to whether he was grateful to the droid.
“Very well,” Em Teedee huffed. “Perhaps a better translation of Master Lowbacca’s words would have been, ‘The sun has never shined so brightly for this humble Wookiee as on this day we meet.’”
Jacen accepted a hot cup of soup that his sister passed across the table to him. He shot a questioning look at Lowie, who growled again at Em Teedee.
“Well, have it your way then,” the droid said haughtily, but in a more subdued voice, “But I assure you that my translations were much more refined. Ahem. What Master Lowbacca actually said was, I am pleased to meet you.’”
When the Wookiee finally grunted in satisfaction, Tenel Ka replied gravely, as if she had not heard any of the other translations, “It is a pleasure shared, Lowbacca.”
As an automated tray trundled past toward Raynar’s nearby table, Tenel Ka reached out and snagged the last jug of fresh juice. She poured the rich ruby liquid into each of their cups and then set the jug with a gentle thump on the table before them. She blinked her cool gray eyes and solemnly held out her cup.
“Jacen and Jaina are already my friends. I offer you friendship, Lowbacca of Kashyyyk.”
The Wookiee hesitated, unsure of what to do. Jaina pressed a cup into his hand. Jacen raised his and said, “Friendship.”
“Friendship,” Jaina echoed.
Nodding, Lowie lifted his glass high in the air, threw his head back, and let out a roar that rang through the hall.
The small voice of Em Teedee broke the silence that followed. “Master Lowbacca most emphatically accepts your offer of friendship and extends his own.” To everyone’s surprise, the Wookiee did not correct the translator.
“Accepted,” Tenel Ka said, taking a drink. When everyone had followed suit, she said, “And now we are friends.”
“That means you can call him Lowie now,” Jaina said.
Tenel Ka considered this for a moment. “I choose to honor him by using his complete name.”
At another table, three short reptilian Cha’a sat around a trayful of warm, rocking eggs, staring fixedly at them like the predators they were. When the eggs cracked and opened, the Cha’a lunged for the bright pink furry hatchlings as they emerged fresh from the shells.
Two whistling avian creatures shared a plateful of thin, writhing threads covered with fluffy blue hair—tantalizing ropy caterpillars which they slurped one at a time through their narrow, horny beaks.
As Jacen sat at the table spooning his soup, trying to think of something amusing to say to Tenel Ka, or at least to continue the conversation with Lowie, he caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye—something slithering toward the table beside them. A glassy glitter. A serpentine flash.
Jacen’s heart leaped into his throat. He suddenly wondered if he had fastened the cage of the crystal snake when his father and the Wookiees had finished their tour of his chambers.
“Hey,” Raynar said, leaning over the table beside them, his flashy robes so brilliant that they made Jacen’s eyes ache. “Would you mind giving our juice jug back?” Raynar used his own Jedi powers to snatch the jug from their table and carry it through the air back toward himself. “Next time please ask before you just take it.” He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest with a self-satisfied expression.
Just then, light fell on the crystal snake, and Jacen saw it with perfect clarity. It reared up on Raynar’s lap and hissed at him, its flat triangular head staring the boy right in the face.
Raynar saw it and shrieked, losing his Force concentration. The jug wobbled, then fell, spilling deep red juice all over his bright robes.
Jacen leaped to his feet and jumped for the snake. He had to catch it before it wreaked more havoc. He tackled Raynar, trying to grab the serpent from the other boy’s lap. Raynar, thinking he was being attacked from all sides, screamed in terror at the top of his lungs.
As he and Jacen struggled, their entire table toppled over, spilling dark brown pudding, knocking other beverage containers right and left, spraying food on Raynar’s companions at the table.