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

[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!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Luke pulls up alongside Yuan with a smile]

Afternoon, Yuan. How've you been?

[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?

[Luke notes the pause, but doesn't say anything. He likes Yuan, but he's not the sort to pry into his business.]

Good to hear. I've been well enough since the draft, I suppose. A lot of work preparing the farm for winter and getting a shelter built for Hamal.

[The bantha's tongue waggles and lazily drifts towards Yuan as the big, furry ball of Christmas cheer decides he likes the other man.]

[He's about to respond when he notices the tongue. After all these years, Yuan's had enough experience with Noishe to know this can only lead to disgusting licks. He takes a step back and gets ready to swat the tongue away with one hand, should there be a need.]

Hamal is the name of this creature, I suppose?

[Luke won't let Hamal edge closer, so Yuan's safe for the moment. That doesn't mean it stops waggling, of course.]

That's right. Ami named him after a star from her world. He's...pretty affectionate, as you can see. And he's a hard worker, I don't think the farm would've worked nearly as well if I didn't have him around.

[He still watches the tongue warily from the corner of his eye, but for the most part his attention shifts back to Luke.]

What exactly do you use him for? Ploughing?

Yes, he's quite strong. Also hauling large loads of supplies, clearing grass, and...well...not to put to fine a point on it? Fertilizer.

[The infamous bantha poodoo]

[Yuan gives a vague nod of understanding. The point was still fine enough for him.]

Do you keep some of the crops you grow in stock, or is it all released to the rest of the village immediately?

Well, of the one harvest we had so far, I put aside eighty percent for emergencies. The purpose of the farm isn't to provide produce, it's to provide rations in case we have another incident like the drought and food shortage last August.

It's cached away with some of the medical supplies Trafalgar Law helped set up, and at other locations around the village. Since the Malnosso are presently providing for us, it's no worry, but given time I would like to expand, perhaps this spring, like we saw in Vaskoth. It's better that we do manage some sense of self-sufficiency where we can.

Hmm, that would be for the best. There are times when it becomes painfully obvious just how much we've grown to rely on the Malnosso. It only gives them yet an advantage over us.

[Still, even if they were to stop relying on the Malnosso for food, there are other things only the Malnosso can provide. Or, in extreme matters, that can't be replaced by their hands if the Malnosso were to take it away- even something as simple as oxygen.]

[Luke nods succinctly. He knew exactly what Yuan was thinking, but at least with the farm there was some measure of ability to provide a bit of care for themselves. It'd been something they'd regretted before, and he was all for active prevention.]

It's just...better for us, in the long run. I've only been here a year, but it feels like many basic emergency plans just haven't been enacted, or even thought about.

No, they haven't. There have been two or three town meetings in the past, but aside from trivial affairs, no concrete actions ever seemed to follow through.

[He vaguely remembers a plan that'd been proposed about bells. Bells scattered across the enclosure that people could ring if they were in trouble, so they could alert others in the vicinity. Nothing ever came of that, either. Not that he thought that particular plan had too much potential.]

Then perhaps it's just something more civic minded residents should put together on our own, and then inform the village at large.

[No fuss, no muss, exactly like the food and medical supply stores]

We can't force people to participate, but if we can get just a few things done, it'd be wise.

[As much as Yuan agrees with the need for 'no fuss, no muss', this is a matter of village-wide security. They need to be as thorough as possible.]

Arguably, we should allow everyone a chance to contribute, just in case they have ideas, skills or relevant experiences that we lack. However, with Luceti's population in a constant state of departures and new arrivals, it's hard to keep track of every resident's wishes and abilities.

Right, that's...the trouble. It's just something that we'd have to do, to the best of our ability with or without everyone, I fear. If I'd waited, the farm would never have gotten off the ground, for instance.

Sometimes we just have to take initiative.

Fair enough. If we take the first steps, perhaps others will follow and suggest measures of their own.

Exactly. But not really the best topic for this time of year. It's too cold to do much in the way of construction, or growing. Once it warms up, I think it'll be good to get started.

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

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