Coruscanti Holiday – A Star Wars Story

Note: This story is another Star Wars tale. It isn’t quite as polished as others I’ve done, but I wanted this one to be a little more fun. The title and content alludes to the 1953 film Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn. This story is a Star Wars spin on that film, with a lot of leeway. I’ve added a link to some music and ambience that helped set the mood for the story, and I’d recommend listening to some of it while reading. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

 

 

Coruscant, 63 BBY

 

Queen Nalé of Naboo arrives on Coruscant amidst a political and economic crisis. Her world, Naboo, is beginning to emerge as a player in galactic affairs, while opponents of the monarchy on Naboo, remnants of an aristocratic officer corps known as the Old Guard, plot an attempt on the Queen’s life. 

 

While her ministers and political allies plan a gala in Coruscant’s Minnari District, Nalé longs to escape her situation and explore the amazing surroundings of the endless ecumenopolis…

 

***

 

The luxurious airspeeder landed on the platform of 75 Summit Place, one of the most sought after residences on Coruscant. The speeder, piloted by a harried-looking Nikto, came to a halt and the passengers alighted the vehicle. A contingent of Naboo Royal Guard formed a protective perimeter around a young woman and her close retainers. The woman, Naboo’s elected queen, Nalé Mazarene, looked around at her surroundings in awe. Theed was a small village compared to the impossibly vastness of Coruscant. The buildings, the monads, the lanes of traffic went on forever. 

As Nalé was engrossed in the wonderful view, her chief minister, stern-faced Kala Hana shot a look of disapproval at the monarch. 

“Your Majesty, we have a long itinerary ahead of us. And you must change into your reception costume. The purple one with the baubles, I think. Ula will help you.”

The Queen’s handmaiden, Ula, nodded her head in acknowledgement. Nalé rolled her eyes. The constant outfit changes were some of Nalé’s least favorite parts of being a monarch, but she knew she had to bear it. As Queen of Naboo, her people looked to her for guidance and representation on the galactic front. Her visit to Coruscant symbolized her world’s emergence on the stage of the Republic. Naboo was a peaceful, rich planet, one of many in the Outer Rim, but it was a dangerous time for the galaxy. Minister Hana concocted the idea of Nalé coming to Coruscant as a way to protect Naboo from exploitation. 

“If we must, Minister Hana. I would like time to explore the planet.”

“Of course not!” Hana was indignant. “We haven’t time, and it’s much too dangerous. We must keep to the schedule.”

“Whatever you say, Minister.” Nalé said glumly. Captain Bark, the Royal Security Chief, directed his troopers to flank the Queen and her entourage as they left the platform and entered 75 Summit Place. Their spacious apartments, located near the penthouse, held a grand view of the Minnari District. Nalé marveled at what she could see, though Ula and other attendants helped her change from her travel outfit to a more formal costume. Nalé felt like a doll, dressed up for show and not for practicality. As a girl in the Legislative Youth Program, Nalé would wear her long shiny black hair loose behind her back, flowing past her waist almost to her thighs, with simple outfits. Now, as queen, Nalé had little say in what she wore, or how she looked. 

Lieutenant Yagi, one of Bark’s men, stood guard at the door, but he kept glancing at Nalé. The Queen noticed his looks, though she thought little of it. Yagi was new among her Royal Guards, but Nalé assumed that he was trustworthy like all of her guards. After completing the complicated task, Nalé was led into a waiting room, where Minister Hana briefed the Queen on the numerous dignitaries she would meet with shortly. Nalé groaned inside, weary of all this ceremony. Things were never so formal on Naboo, though much of that was due to the influence of other ministers. Hana was extremely conservative and believed things should be done properly. 

From the waiting room, Nalé was escorted into an audience chamber, one used by royals of many star systems on state visits to Coruscant. Hana and her aides surrounded the Queen, and Bark and his guards took their places in the room. Hana signalled for the herald to begin welcoming guests into the audience chamber, and Nalé breathed deeply, preparing for what was to come. 

The first dignitaries were ushered in, making their formal introductions and greetings to Nalé. The Queen politely responded with cordial words, but inside, she was dying of boredom and expectation. She desperately wanted a way out. Even as the endless train of guests paraded through the chamber, from Corellian businessmen to Bith scientists, Nalé felt like screaming and running away. She wasn’t sure how much of this she could take. 

Just as the Senate representatives from Ord Mantell were leaving, Nalé saw Lieutenant Yagi shift his gaze nervously around. Nalé cocked her head in curiosity, but before she could turn to Captain Bark for an explanation, Yagi pulled out his blaster and brandished it in front of him. Several other guards followed his lead. 

“Nobody move!” Yagi yelled. His confederates held the loyal guards at gunpoint. Bark stepped forward, his hand on his blaster, but Yagi pointed his at the captain. 

“Put it down, Bark! You are no longer in charge!” Yagi’s tone was shaky, but his hand was steady and his blaster pointed right at Bark’s chest. Nalé looked around frantically. Her first thought went back to her previous wish, which she regretted making. Hana stood horror struck at the betrayal of Yagi and the others.
“What is the meaning of this?” Hana demanded. Yagi smiled, more confident in his actions. 

“The Old Guard will have its revenge. The monarchy will fall, Minister Hana, and you with it!” 

Nalé was puzzled. Yagi didn’t seem to be after her, but rather the current government. That is, until two of Yagi’s men began to run toward Nalé. The Queen gasped, shifting uncomfortably in her throne. 

“No! Not the Queen! Please!” Hana exclaimed, rushing to Nalé’s side. Nalé, despite her feelings toward Hana, felt a rush of gratitude for her minister. 

Then, everything went dark. Nalé heard shouts and saw flashes of light as blasters were fired. Nalé ducked, unable to see in front of her. People were screaming all around her. In the confusion, Nalé slipped out of her heeled shoes and dashed toward a door she remembered before the lights went out. Pressing on the activator, Nalé slipped out of the audience chamber and ran as fast as she could with his cumbersome dress. After running down the corridor, until the sounds from the audience chamber faded, Nalé ducked into a room where her handmaidens kept their belongings. Slipping out of the dress, Nalé rummaged through one of the trunks, finding a simple tunic, trousers, and boots. She put the spare clothes on, letting her gorgeous long black hair down and putting it in a simple braid. Concerned for Hana, Bark, and the rest of her aides and handmaidens, Nalé knew that she shouldn’t go back. Protocol dictated that if security was compromised, Nalé needed to escape to the nearest security checkpoint and wait until the all clear. The Queen grabbed a communicator and a handful of credits from the emergency fund pouch and left the residence. 

Running out of the elevator and onto the street, many levels below the cloudscraper monad of her residence, Nalé looked around her in awe. This was the first time she had been on Coruscant, and she never expected to be downside, not like this anyway. There, clad in her unsuspecting garb and long black braid, Nalé appeared nothing like the regent of a Mid Rim world, but more like a casual civilian. Around her, bright energy signs shone in the evening darkness, speeders soared ahead, and the sounds of footsteps, chatter, and whining engines mixed in a harmonious medley. There was nothing at all like this in Naboo. Nalé gazed at her surroundings, awestruck by all the sights, sounds, and smells. 

Nalé began to walk slowly away from the residence, careful not to bump into anyone around. Beings from dozens of species meandered their way through the wide thoroughfare toward shops, cafes, or residences. Nalé had never seen so many different things in her life. The credits she took jangled softly in her pocket. They were discretionary funds, meant to be used for quick trips or emergencies. This was sort of both, Nalé thought to herself. 

Realizing how hungry she was, Nalé spotted a stall set into the sheer face of a massive monad, where other establishments were found at street level. Reading the sign, she quickly deduced the place sold food. Nalé quickly walked over to the vendor, an Ithorian, and cleared her throat. 

“Um, excuse me?” Nalé began. The Ithorian turned to her, his large eyes narrowing as he looked at the Queen in disguise. 

“What’ll it be, missy?” The Ithorian asked, twin annunciators projecting a gruff, metallic sound in lieu of his real voice. Nalé blinked a few times, before continuing. 

“I’d like some food please.”

“Then you’re at the right place. Again, what will it be?”

Nalé glanced at the menu and scanned the list. Seeing something that sounded tasty, Nalé said:

“Can I get a Ubolti slider?”

“Sure thing, missy. Three credits, up front.” 

Nalé pulled out a few credits, careful not to show how much money she really had, and gave three to the Ithorian. Within seconds, a gray shape of edible matter was presented to her. Nalé looked at the unappetizing heap of food, but took the proffered platter and began to eat. It wasn’t bad, though it wasn’t good either. It could have really used some Nubian fish sauce, which she didn’t have, but it did the job. Just as she took the last bite of the slider, Nalé’s eyes were drawn to a tall Human female with light brown skin who was walking by. The woman was leaving a nearby shop and walking in the opposite direction. Nalé caught a glimpse of her hair, and the Queen did a double take. 

The woman’s hair was cut very short, to the skin in the back and some of the sides, but the rest was longer and dyed a bright shade of pink. The haircut was radical, different from the long flowing locks of traditional Naboo styles. Nalé instinctively clutched her black braid, feeling the soft, silky texture.  Something about the woman’s haircut was…stimulating. Nalé felt like she had never before. Eager to explore Coruscant on her own, at least until she heard back from Bark or someone else, Nalé determined to investigate. 

Handing her plate back to the Ithorian, Nalé walked briskly toward the shop the woman had left. Approaching the entrance, Nalé saw a holoimage of a pair of scissors snipping a long lock of hair. The bright sign above the door read: Leylan – Haircuts Done Here. Peering inside, Nalé saw a blue skinned Twi’lek woman, shapely and clad in tight black leather, instructing a vacuum droid to suck up a small pile of pink hair. Nalé deduced that the hair must have been from the woman she had seen. Gritting her teeth, Nalé stepped inside. 

The interior was well-lit and comfortable. A single chair, large and efficient looking, stood in the center of the small shop, with a mirror facing it. The Twi’lek woman popped her hips and folded her arms. 

“Can I help you?” The Twi’lek asked, in her distinctive Ryloth accent, softened somewhat but years in the Core. Nalé looked at the stylist in surprise. 

“Oh, uh, I don’t know. That woman who just left…”

“The one with the pink hair? Radical haircut, don’t you think?” 

Nalé nodded in agreement. She found it odd that a Twi’lek, who had no hair herself, only headtails, would specialize in cutting hair. 

“I suppose so. I’ve never seen anything like it.” The Twi’lek, presumably Leylan, snorted. 

“You must not be from around here, then. I do cuts like that at least a few times a week. It’s very popular on Coruscant. Where are you from?”

Nalé swallowed, unwilling to give too much away, so she made something up. 

“I’m from the Colonies.”

“Ah, well, welcome to Coruscant! Now, do you want a haircut?” The offer startled Nalé, whose mouth opened, then closed wordlessly. 

“I…” she finally managed, “I guess that would be nice. Something to remember Coruscant by.”

Leylan smiled, showing perfectly white teeth. 

“Then get in my chair!” 

Nalé did as instructed, putting her slender frame on the huge chair, feeling like she was being strapped into the pilot’s seat of a spice freighter. Leylan, wearing alluring garb and armed with an assortment of wicked looking tools, threw a silver cape around Nalé. The shimmering material fell on the Queen, completely enveloping her. Nalé saw her reflection in the mirror, seemingly ready for anything. 

“Now, what would you like?” Leylan asked, adjusting the height of the chair to match the level she needed to work with. Nalé, feeling a little more confident now she had made her decision, said almost without thinking: “All off.”

Leylan raised an eyebrow, looking at the young Queen in her chair. 

“Like the woman you saw? Something short, edgy, like the Coruscant Lower Levels?” 

Nalé nodded, smiling slightly. She had never felt so adventurous, so on the edge. Leylan picked up the heavy braid and dropped it, letting it fall on the cape with a slapping sound. 

“Well, this has to go for sure. And the back, as well. Most of the top, too. That will be nice, I think.” 

Nalé shivered at the thought of her lovely long black hair being shorn by a blue-skinned Twi’lek. Tilting her head to one side, Leylan added: 

“And cyan, yes.”

Nalé’s eyes widened, excited at the prospect of both the cut, and the color. Quickly grabbing a pair of shiny durasteel scissors, Leylan seized the base of Nalé’s braid and held the scissors at the hair. 

“Are you ready to say goodbye to your precious long hair?” Leylan asked. Nalé opened her mouth to speak, but Leylan began to cut regardless. The scissors crunched through the thick black hair, slowly severing it from Nalé’s head. The Queen’s head jerked back slightly, but she grinned from ear to ear. This was amazing! If only Hana could see her Queen now. 

The blades wore through the hair. Leylan’s eyes burned with passion as she attacked the thick braid. Within moments, the shears finished their work and the braid came free. Nalé’s hair swung forward in a loose bob. The Queen’s eyes went wide, but her expression was one of excitement and liberation. 

“Wow,” was all Nalé could manage. Leylan smirked as she swung the heavy braid from side to side. Nalé’s eyes followed the motion of the moving hair, until Leylan whisked the braid away and mounted it on a latch in the window of her shop, displaying it like a trophy. 

“You won’t need this anymore, would you?” Leylan mused, securing the amazingly shiny braid so it dangled for all passersby to see. Nalé stared the braid, marvelling at its length and thickness now that it was no longer on her head. 

“I guess not…” 

“There, it looks much better as a trophy, does it not?” Leylan asked rhetorically. “Yes, a real prize, I think.”

Coming back to the chair, Leylan tousled Nalé’s freshly shorn hair. Nalé loved the movement and shortness of the hair, though she desperately wanted something shorter. 

“Now,” Leylan continued, “we go shorter, I think.” Nalé nodded, smiling and looking forward to the experience. No longer confined by her ministers and guards, the Queen of Naboo was having her long hair chopped off in a Coruscant haircut shop. This was her holiday, the one she wanted when she arrived. 

Leylan partitioned Nalé’s hair into several sections, making parts and clipping them off with clear plastoid bands. Making sure the sections were in order, Leylan grabbed a set of black durasteel buzzers from her station. Nalé recognized them as the kind her father shaved with. But this time, Leylan switched them on and brought them to Nalé’s nape. 

“This will look great on you, I think,” Leylan said, plowing the buzzers up the back of Nalé’s neck. The Queen’s mouth formed an O, taken by surprise by the sensation of the buzzers against her neck. The feeling was incredible, indescribable!

“It’s like…” Nalé started, unable to articulate exactly what it was like. Leylan chuckled as a huge mass of thick black hair fell to the floor. The hair landed with a soft thud, and Leylan continued without even looking down. 

“H-2 helps me to clean up,” Leylan said, pointing at the vacuum droid, which chirped in recognition. The droid waited in the corner of the shop, waiting until the haircut was finished to do its work. Meanwhile, more hair cascaded to the ground as Leylan worked the buzzers up the back of Nalé’s scalp. She felt the vibrating sensation, and the coolness on her neck as the hair was clipped very short. The hair rained down profusely as Nalé reached out her hand and felt the fuzz on her neck. 

“That feels incredible!” Nalé exclaimed. The feeling sent shivers down her spine, and she closed her eyes with pleasure. Leylan buzzed the bottom and sides of Nalé’s hair, creating an edgy, unique shape. Just as Leylan turned the clippers off, Nalé heard her communicator crackle as a familiar voice came on. 

“My Queen, are you there? Queen Nalé, are you there?”

It was Captain Bark. Nalé froze, eyeing Leylan through the mirror in terror. If the stylist noticed, she didn’t show it. The Twi’lek was busy switching the buzzers for scissors as she began to cut the length on top. Centimeters of hair were cut and fell onto the silvery cape and slid down into Nalé’s lap. The pieces varied in length, from very short to as long as Nalé’s fingers. Leylan continued wordlessly, shaping the haircut diligently. Through the mirror, Nalé loved what she saw. Nalé was almost lulled to sleep through the constant rhythmic motion of Leylan’s hands as she combed and snipped the length. 

“Here, this is the color,” Leylan spoke suddenly, startling Nalé, as the stylist pulled out a canister of cyan powder. Applying it through the Queen’s hair, the color instantly stuck to the hair, and after a few more passes, Leylan activated a handheld machine and sucked the remaining powder off Nalé’s scalp, leaving the hair dyed and looking bright and radical, just as Nalé wanted. 

“There, do you like?” Leylan inquired, turning the chair for Nalé to see. The Queen beamed with pride as she saw the drastic change. The Queen of Naboo was freshly shorn, and there was nothing Nalé could do about it. 

“It’s just what I wanted!” Nalé said brightly, playing with the new length and fingering the shaved portions. Leylan grinned as she unsnapped the cape and motioned for H-2 to begin sucking up the hair. The droid did as instructed, taking care of the huge pile of cut hair on the floor. Nalé dug into her pockets and offered the necessary credits to Leylan, taking care to tip her generously. 

“Thank you for the haircut!” Nalé said in gratitude, eyeing the severed braid hanging in the window, a trophy of Leylan’s work. The Twi’lek accepted the money and walked over to the braid, admiring the sight of it. 

“It was my pleasure, my Queen,” Leylan said. Nalé’s heart leapt, but Leylan merely winked at her. Nalé laughed a little, somewhat nervously, before she waved awkwardly and turned to leave. As she exited the shop, Nalé turned to get one last look at the place, noting the braid hanging in the window. It was only fair that Leylan got a souvenir too, as Nalé’s was the haircut itself. Coming to herself again, Nalé activated the communicator and responded to Bark. 

“Captain Bark, this is Queen Nalé. I am safe and well. I am downside, in the streets below Summit Place.”

“My Queen! Thank goodness you are safe! Yagi and his conspirators are in custody. We suffered a few injuries, but no deaths. We assumed you followed protocol. I will send a detachment to greet you at the lower level of Summit Place.”

“Acknowledged.” Nalé felt like the Queen again, though she knew she looked different, with her simple outfit and radical haircut. In the reflection of a nearby airspeeder’s hull, Nalé caught another glimpse of her hair. It was marvelous, a symbol of her brief time on Coruscant. She would always remember this experience. Walking to the entrance of the monad, Nalé stood by as the door opened and three Royal Guards stepped out. Looking around for a moment, they were startled to see Nalé standing in front of them, looking very different from before. 

“Uh, my Queen!” The lead guard declared. His eyes went to her new haircut, and Nalé smiled coyly. 

“I decided to have some fun, Sergeant. I hope you don’t mind.”

The flustered guard stepped aside, allowing Nalé to enter the elevator. Nalé thought to herself about what a shock it would be for Minister Hana to see her now. But what was done, was done, and she wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything.

 

 

Nalé’s Coruscanti Cut