Ta'a Chume'Dun, Hapes, Hapes Cluster, Friday evening

[momslilassassin]

Ben leaned against the balcony of their suite in the Fountain Palace and sighed softly. Hapes really was ridiculously beautiful, and while he preferred Naboo because of the lack of constant political posturing, he did enjoy getting to show Ender and Val off to Tenel Ka, who flatly refused to believe he was old enough to have a baby of his own when she could still remember changing his bottom.

The laughter from her guards at that had almost made the embarrassment worth it. "I think it's time for dinner soon," Ben called into Ender. "It's hard to gage here by the sun because it never gets fully dark."

Comments

[endsthegame]

"We try to see him as much as possible," Ender said. "Or make him see us, really. It keeps him from being too much of a recluse."

[momslilassassin]

"He does prefer his solitude these days," Tenel Ka said, frowning thoughtfully. "The galaxy weighs heavily on him, now that he has slowed down enough to notice."

[endsthegame]

"Which is the time it should wear on him least," Ender said. "But I'm the first one to understand that it's hard to let go of a feeling of responsibility."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "I think it's going to be hard for him to realize the planets keep spinning even without him."

[endsthegame]

"He might never fully realize it," said Ender, who hadn't internalized it either - though he had the Hive Queen, too.

[momslilassassin]

"Probably true," Ben said with a wry smile. Tenel Ka stood up from the table and Ben bounced up immediately.

"Thank you for a delightful evening," Tenel Ka said with a small but genuine smile. "Unfortunately, I must be going to another engagement."

[endsthegame]

Ender nodded, as he rose to his feet at a steadier pace. "We're very glad to be here," he said, "Thank you so much for the hospitality - and the opportunity to let Val spend some time seeing other parts of this galaxy."

[momslilassassin]

"I am so glad you could come," Tenel Ka said. "Hapes is not exactly a tourist destination, but it is very beautiful."

[endsthegame]

"It is," Ender said, smiling a little. "And I hope our daughter remembers this visit clearly."

[momslilassassin]

"And if she doesn't, I'll try to finagle another invitation," Ben said with a teasing grin.

[endsthegame]

Ender gave Tenel Ka a respectful nod of his head. "But we won't keep you longer today," he promised.

[momslilassassin]

Tenel Ka nodded back and swept from the room.

Ben let out a low breath. "That went well."

[endsthegame]

"You were worried?" Ender asked.

[momslilassassin]

"Not really worried," Ben said, "but Tenel Ka hasn't really reached out much since Jacen."

[endsthegame]

Ender nodded. "She was playing her cards close to the chest," he observed.

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded too. "Part of that is Hapes--she's always more cautious here--but I think it's just become her nature."

[endsthegame]

"Such things are inevitable," Ender said, glancing towards where Tenel Ka had gone. "But sad, in a way."

[momslilassassin]

"Yeah," Ben said, heading back to their rooms. "She's had a tough life."

[endsthegame]

Ender followed, hands stuck in his pockets. "Do Hapan Queens abdicate?" he asked.

[momslilassassin]

Ben shook his head. "Not generally. They tend to be assassinated."

[endsthegame]

"It's surprising this empire has remained relatively stable for so long," Ender mused.

[momslilassassin]

"It's only a few families," Ben said, "and they've been running the system for centuries, so I think it's...it's own kind of stability. The people expect the crown to move from one major House to another via killing. It's just stressful for the Houses themselves."

[endsthegame]

"Paranoia rarely breeds good rulers," Ender said quietly. "At least, not paranoia for one's own safety."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "But Tenel Ka isn't afraid. It's unsettling to her competition."

[endsthegame]

"Do you think it's because of her Jedi training?" Ender asked.