Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lost Stars by Claudia Gray, Phil Noto Page B

more than mere good grades;it was a sign of favor, an investment in those future officers. Their introductions to powerful people in the military and in
politics could change the course of their careers.
    So when Ciena saw her own name on the list, she felt like cheering out loud. Only much later did she realize who else would be in attendance.
    “Thane Kyrell and Ved Foslo,” she said, flopping back on her bunk.“Of all the guys in our class, those two had to be invited?”
    “Any logical analysis of class performance would suggest them as likely candidates.” Jude never looked up from her computer console, her fingers dancing on the screen as she finished
her latest Longform Computer Operations project. “Their invitations, like ours, were all but inevitable.”
    “You’re just rubbing it in,” Kendy saidfrom her bunk, good-naturedly. This close to graduation—with their future assignments all but guaranteed—a sense of calm had
settled over the academy. With the ruthless competition at an end, people could…not relax, precisely, but stop worrying about the here and now and start looking avidly toward the future.
“Just tell me you’re not going to wear your uniforms.”
    Ciena hesitated. “I—well—dressuniforms are appropriate for all formal occasions.”
    “However, they are not required at nonmilitary functions such as the ball,” Jude said briskly. “Undoubtedly you wish to wear a dress uniform because you do not have adequate
credits for appropriate civilian attire.”
    Thank goodness her skin tone was dark enough that nobody could see her blush. Ciena tried to sound firm. “The uniform’sfine.”
    Jude sighed as she finally looked up at Ciena. “Your pride is usually a strong motivator, but there are times when it only gets in the way. Please allow me to purchase your attire for the
event.”
    “I couldn’t,” Ciena protested, hackles rising. Her valley upbringing had taught her to be prouder of her rags than the second-wavers were of their silks—even when she had
thought thesilks were pretty.
    More softly, Jude said, “We’re friends. You’ve helped me tremendously during our time here. My mother holds patents on numerous devices used in Bespin’s cloud-mining
technology. As such, our personal wealth is more than adequate to our needs. Why shouldn’t I get you a dress?”
    “My culture doesn’t—”
    Uncharacteristically, Jude interrupted. “I have a culture, too.We value generosity and the graceful acceptance of gifts.”
    Ciena searched for the words to object, but—if it was part of Jude’s
culture
. “Well…”
    Jude looked hopeful.
    “I don’t need to own a dress, but—maybe you could help me rent one?”
    So she found herself arriving at the grand ball in the only formal dress she’d ever worn. Surely vanity fueled the happiness bubbling within her,but she couldn’t help it. The soft
violet-blue fabric sparkled subtly, and both the short cape and the long skirt flowed around her as if in an unseen breeze.
    Many of the women in attendance—and not a few of the men—wore finery much grander, such as thickly jeweled bracelets or headbands, or outfits made of embroidered silk and velvet. Yet
Ciena knew she looked as elegant as anyone elsethere. Instead of resorting to tight braids as usual, she’d freed her curls, softening them slightly with light fragrant oil. Kendy had loaned
her iridescent combs made of shells from Iloh, to hold her hair back at the temples, and simple pearl earrings. Ciena looked right for the occasion, and yet she also felt like herself—not
like an impostor, the way she would have in one of the grand, wide-skirted,elaborate dresses and robes she saw.
    “There you are,” Jude said. Ciena turned to greet her—then stared.
    Since Jude hadn’t said a word about her own dress, Ciena had assumed her friend’s practicality would govern her choice of gown: something gray or ivory, perhaps, simply tailored,
appropriate for all