14th Transmission: Hamal the Life Day Bantha [Action/Accidental Voice] (Dated the 22nd)

[thefinaljedi]

[Quite early that morning, Luke's elf has actually attempted to engage him in conversation, asking quite a lot of questions about his home and what he misses most. The little creature, while irritating, has managed to get him talking. The Jedi isn't looking, though, and the elf has managed to turn on a voice recording for the village at large.]

"That's right, we don't have Christmas back home."

"Aaahhh. Really? Well what tomfoolery do you celebrate then?"

"We call it Life Day, actually. It has a lot of similar meaning to Christmas for humans, but Wookies in particular consider it a sacred holiday. A lot of the traditions are the same, though the names are a bit different."

"Well, that's certainly quite quaint. Do you celebrate with family, or alone like here?"

"Such as it is, yes. Feast are shared and gifts are given, and in general we enjoy each other's company. And I'm hardly alone."

"Such a shame you have no family here. Guess you'll just have to do things Santa's way this year. So..." [The elf squeaks in surprise as Luke grabs him to take away the journal, realizing that it's on. Besides, he didn't like the creepy tone the elf was taking] "...why don't...urk...you put me down...and go introduce people to some Life Day traditions? Give some gifts, share some songs, do..."

[Luke cuts him off]

"Sorry everyone, I didn't mean for this little creep to disturb you. I'll be keeping a closer eye on him in the future."

[And then he cuts off the feed, but not before the elf can take a parting shot...]

"I just hope you don't sing as badly as your sister!"

Later that afternoon!

[Luke can be found riding Hamal the Bantha throughout the village during the afternoon. The Jedi himself is dressed as normal, in the heavy black robes he favors, but perched atop Hamal's head is a Santa hat. The enormous creature trundles along through the snow, it's massive feet leaving deep imprints in it, while two large bags bulging with gifts dangle from it's side. More importantly, Hamal's curled horns have been decorated with strands of tinsel. Hamal seems to be enjoying the looks he's getting, and he's actually quite graceful and good at avoiding stepping on things...for a creature of his size, nearly three meters tall and weighing a half ton. Luke's out to have fun and spread a little Life Day cheer, because he knows all too well just how tough things have been lately.

During the trip around the village, Luke will hand out gifts to anyone that he knows well from bantha-back, and if he doesn't know you, or if he only knows you in passing, he'll still happily give you a gift of candies, cookies, or socks. Of course, you may have to dodge Hamal's licking tongue and slobbery kisses if you get too close...]

(ooc: Grab Luke and Hamal anywhere, get gifts, make merry!)

Comments

[keyandstar]

[ What... is that?

Lirael just sort of stares, but can't help that her lips are twitching a little as she tries to hold back laughter. Luke and his batha make a splendid sight, to be sure. ]

Spreading some good cheer?

[ She's been hearing that expression a lot from the elf in her house. ]

[thefinaljedi]

[Hamal thumped closer until Luke reined in the big beast with a boyish grin]

Of course, Lirael. Hamal and I are out delivering gifts and doing what we can to make this a more festive season.

Would you like a ride?

[keyandstar]

[ Lirael tilted her head back, smiling nervously. Hamal was awfully big. ]

If your friend here wouldn't mind.

[thefinaljedi]

[His hand never wavers]

He likes people, it'll be fine.

[Voice]

[mysicksadlife]

[Daria stares at the journal for several moments before finally saying anything.]

Is it just me or are an awful lot of people seeing elves lately?

[She'll just. Start with that.]

[Voice]

[thefinaljedi]

Well, it's a Shift.

[Luke's not sure what else to say there.]</small. I imagine there's one in nearly every house.

[Voice]

[mysicksadlife]

Must be keeping company with Quinn. It's probably putting garlands in her bouncy hair or something. [Quinn seems to have much better luck with this sort of thing.]

[thebellthatbinds]

[To be fair, Sabriel has never seen Hamal really move around like this since he's usually in his pen on the farm. To actually see him walking through the streets- in a holiday hat no less, and Luke sitting happily on his back she can't help but stare in surprise. With a huff of a chuckle she smiles, waving up to her friend.]

Taking Hamal out for a stroll?

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke pulls up just short of Sabriel and waves jauntily down. Hamal's head turns to look at her too, his tongue waggling happily, but...just out of reach to give a slobbery Bantha-kiss.]

Of course. He needs to get out too, just like the rest of us. And I figured it wouldn't hurt to use him as a way to carry packages, and give rides.

Would you like a to join me?

[thebellthatbinds]

[Sabriel takes a half step a bit away from that long tongue just in case. While she appreciates the great beast's affection she doesn't want her winter coat to get covered in saliva.]

Is there a way to get up without him licking me?

[doubleppk]

[After her shift as a waitress, Fujiko's skipping about through town, "shopping" and having fun. Her elf calmly chills out on her shoulder, suggesting that she should really try caroling, but Fujiko waves her off, explaining that unless Santa gets her a diamond ring, it's not worth the possible embarrassment. She already did a lot of music recording and that was hard enough!]

Luke? Is that you? [She laughs, looking up at the bantha.] What are you doing?

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke slows the bantha to a halt and waves down at Fujiko]

Hey Fujiko. I'm just out delivering gifts and trying to spread a little Life Day cheer. How about you?

[doubleppk]

Life Day? What's that?

Last minute Christmas shopping! This place needs a tree bright enough to knock Rockefeller Center down a peg or three. And some more French wine, definitely.

[action]

[fleurdesel]

[Last moment runs to the grocery to get everything for a Christmas dinner...buffet...thing isn't always the best idea, though it's a little less insane when she watches Luke wander by on Tony. Hamal. Right.]


Usurping Santa, Luke?

[action]

[thefinaljedi]

[From his lofty, shaggy, perch Luke waves down to Adele. Hamal stops and turns too, drawn to a familiar scent with a wiggling tongue]

No, no, I don't have a flying sled I'm afraid. But Hamal seems to be enjoying himself. [His tongue wiggle-wiggles] And it's easier to deliver gifts, you know?

[action]

[fleurdesel]

I think he appreciates the chance to parade around the village. Stretch his legs.

[She takes a half step back to avoid that wiggling tongue, though she does come around to rest a gloved hand against Hamal's side.]

In this weather? I would have to agree.

action;

[arcinvent]

[Howard is just walking to the item store to grab some decorations for the tree, when he spots...

...What does he spot. He has no idea what he's even looking at over here.]

What the hell is that thing?

[He says aloud, not recognizing the rider.]

action;

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke waves down at Howard, slowing Hamal to a stop with a tug on the lead. He doesn't really know who Howard is either, other than as someone he's seen around Steve and Bucky sometimes, so...]</small. It's a bantha. Sort of a beast of burden.

action;

[arcinvent]

It looks like a burden for sure. [Seriously, how do you manage a creature like that...] A pet of yours from back home? I've never seen anything like it around here.

[voice]

[yourhatred]

...That is an interesting mount you have acquired for yourself.

[He finds no need to show more surprise than this. It is Luceti, after all.]

[Video]

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke waves down]

Hello, Itachi. I hope you're well. This is Hamal, a bantha from home. His first trip into town.

[Video]

[yourhatred]

I see...

It is just... surprising to see creatures of such a size from the homeworlds of others.

[Though it shouldn't be too difficult to find a place for it to graze, should that be necessary.]

[Action]

[fortunefail]

[Yuan was making his way through town in a bit of a hurry. He doesn't like to linger, especially when it's cold outside. However, the moment he spots Hamal he stops in his tracks to stare. Just... stare. It isn't so much the creature itself that surprises him, rather the way it's been decorated.]

[Action]

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke pulls up alongside Yuan with a smile]

Afternoon, Yuan. How've you been?

[Action]

[fortunefail]

[He tears his gaze away from the Bantha and shifts it to Luke, though he's still a bit distracted by the enormous furry Christmasy creature.]

Well. I've been... Well. [Except for that point where he died during the draft, but considering the penalty it might be regarded as a blessing in some ways.] ... And yourself?