Han gave her a reassuring wave. “Run along, honey.”
Lady Tharen stiffened again at the casual endearment. Bria smiled at
Han, gave her mother and brother a doubtful glance, and went quickly from the room.
“So, Han,” Pavik Tharen said, “what do you do?” He was staring closely at Han, his eyes assessing in a way that made the pilot uncomfortable.
“Oh, whatever it takes to get by,” Han replied carelessly. “Mostly I’m a pilot.”
“In the Navy?” Lady Tharen asked, brightening slightly. “Are you an officer?”
“Nope. Freighters, ma’am. I can fly most anything, anywhere. That’s why I was on Ylesia, running—” Han broke off, remembering for the first time in a long while that the contraband spice trade was highly illegal, “That is, hauling cargo.”
“Oh,” murmured Lady Tharen, obviously not understanding, but uncomfortable with Han’s answer. “How interesting.”
“Yeah, it has its moments,” Han said.
“I started out as a pilot, many years ago,” Renn Tharen said, a note of approval in his voice. “When I was about your age, Han. Worked my way up until I owned the shipping company. That’s how I made my first million.”
Han thought of telling Renn Tharen that he was intending to enter the Imperial Academy, but the habit of not revealing any personal information was too ingrained. He just smiled and nodded at Bria’s father. “Those were the exciting days, sir,” he said. “Lots of pirates back then, right?”
Renn Tharen smiled. “I had a few RUN-ins. I imagine you have, too.”
Han smiled back. “A few.”
Sera Tharen looked from one to the other, vaguely disturbed. “Oh, dear.
That sounds … dangerous.”
“Comes with the job, Lady Tharen,” Han said.
“But I’m forgetting my manners!” she said. “Captain Solo, can I get you something to drink or eat?”
“I wouldn’t mind an Alderaanian ale,” Han said. “And some flatbread with meat and cheese. We’ve been traveling all day.”
“I’ll tell the cook,” Lady Tharen said. Han was astonished to realize that the “cook” was a living being, a female Selonian, instead of a droid. This further evidence of wealth impressed him more than anything he’d yet encountered.
By the time Bria reemerged, Han was sitting out in the dining room, eating. He saw her walk out and paused in midbite.
She wore a plain bluegreen dress that matched her eyes. The soft fabric had a faint sheen and clung to her in all the right places.
And, for the first time since he’d known her, Bria’s hair was attractively styled, brushed out into a halo of soft red-gold curls.
She looked so different from the blaster-toting thief of a few days ago that it was as though she’d stepped out of another universe. It’s a good thing Ganar Tos can’t see her now, he thought wryly. “You look beautiful, honey,” he said. “That’s a pretty dress.” Han was sophisticated enough to realize that dress probably cost more credits than the average space pilot earned in a week. She’s been raised to have so much, he thought uneasily. How is she going to react to living on the salary of, first, an Imperial cadet, then an Imperial officer?
Bria smiled and sat down beside him. “Mother, could I have some thing to eat, too? I’m starved!” As Han and Bria munched their latenight snack, her family gathered around the table and sipped expensive vine-coffeine from fragile Levier made porcelain cups, while the butler, another Selonian, waited on them. “So, Captain Solo …
you’re Corellian?” Lady Tharen said, raising a delicate eyebrow to indicate that she was pretty sure he was. Han, still chewing, nodded, then swallowed.
“Yes, ma’am.” “And your family?” she asked. “Are you one of the SalSolos?”
There was a touch of hope in her voice. “They have a lovely old estate, I understand. I’ve met the son a few times, but Lady SalSolo is very reclusive. I understand her health is not robust.” “No, Lady Tharen,” Han replied. “No relation.” “Oh,” she said, visibly disappointed. “What branch of the family are you from, then?” Bria was looking very uncomfortable, Han noticed, but he couldn’t tell whether she was ill at ease for him, or because of him. “Don’t know, Lady Tharen,” he said honestly. “I’m an orphan, most likely. Traders found me wandering in an alley down by the waterfront near Capital Spaceport when I was a little kid. I was raised by ‘em. Spent most of my time in space.” Part of him took a perverse pleasure in watching her reaction to this information. “That’s odd,” Pavik Tharen said.