Chapter Text
“Good morning, Coruscant, and we’re back with Brin Quel and Zarra Chin!”
The camera panned over the studio to the newsdesk, centering on a male Twilek with a million-credit smile and a human woman with an unnaturally stiff and vibrant hairstyle.
“And a very fine morning it is,” Brin grinned at the camera, then glanced in the direction of the meteorologist, a Bothan who sported a coat styled into tight curls.
“It sure is, Brin. The weather is fine, it’s just seasonally cool enough to give you a craving for hot drinks as we head toward the Winter Solstice, and according to the Meteorology Control Office, we might even get a sprinkling of snow.”
“Snow, Nen? Really?” Zarra asked. “Is that safe?”
“Oh, it’s very well-regulated,” Nen assured the audience. “We expect minimal accumulation, particularly in the lower levels. And remember kids, the particulate pollution levels are high this week, so don’t eat the snow!”
“Ew.” Brin’s smile remained spectacular. “Speaking of the Winter Solstice, it’s almost time for the Nights of Light and Giving Days.”
“You are so right, Brin,” Zarra replied. “The First Night of Light starts tonight, and buildings all over the district will be adorned in colored lights. Several local businesses will be offering treats for sale for the holiday, there will be concerts in the plazas, and several air car services will be offering evening tours through the district to enjoy the lights.”
“I took my girls last year, it’s always quite a show.”
“It sure is, Brin. And this weekend there will also be the annual light show on the ceiling of the Senate, if you’re lucky enough to have tickets.”
“Oh, that’s too rich for my blood, Zarra. Are these more affordable options for the locals?”
“Of course there are, Brin. The A&T has a large selection of seasonal productions, the casinos in the G-Red are offering holiday buffets suited to a variety of budgets and palates, and various institutions in the community including the universities, the embassies, the museums and the cultural centers have events planned and we’ll have more details on the holonet.” Zarra grinned at the camera.
“Speaking of local institutions, Zarra, does the Jedi Temple do anything for Nights of Light?”
Waiting in the wings, Cin Drallig tried not to wince at the forced banter.
“Oh my, Brin, I don’t know, but I’m sure our next guest will. We need to break for a word from our sponsors but stick around and we’ll ask the ever-knowledgeable Battlemaster Drallig!”
The camera panned over Cin, now sitting at the far end of the anchor desk, and he hoped he didn’t look constipated. He wasn’t constipated, but apparently non-Jedi interpreted his resting face as stiff, dull, and backed up if the late-night comics were anything to go by.
“And, cut!”
The anchors immediately turned to the monitors to check their appearance. Hair and makeup techs dashed in to dab powder on Brin’s lekku and coat Zarra’s hair in another layer of shellac. Cin tried not to sneeze.
“Good to see you, Master Cin,” Brin mumbled as he contorted his face to keep it from cramping. Zarra waved, eyes tightly shut as she tried not to move her head. “Are the little Jedi looking forward to the holiday?”
“Yes, they do tend to enjoy the Solstice festivities, even if they are more low-key in the Temple than in the community at large.”
Zarra made a noise. Cin couldn’t tell if it was a snort of humor or if too much hair spray had gotten in her nose. “You mean they don’t get mountains of presents like Brin’s kids?”
“No,” Cin chuckled gently. “But the padawans who are home bake them treats and the initiates are taken to a show, either the Ballet or the Symphony.”
“That sounds nice,” Zarra grimaced as she realized the spray had also coated her face.
“And we’re back in five, four, three, two, one.”
“And we’re back with our favorite local Jedi, Battlemaster Cin Drallig. Tell me, Master Drallig, do the Jedi participate in the Nights of Light?”
“Yes, Brin, they do. The Jedi tether floating lanterns to the Temple roof and tend to decorate the Terraces and balconies with colored lights. We also open the Visitor’s Hall during evening hours and have a few musical and dance performances on the Plaza during the day.”
“Is the Jedi Children’s Choir performing?” Zarra asked. “They came and sang in the studio a few months ago.”
“Yes, the choir is expected to participate, weather permitting. There are also performing arts clubs in the Temple itself, and some Jedi participate spontaneously, and we have invited some of the local cultural centers to participate as well. And of course, the Council always sends a knight or master to the opening ceremonies on the First Night.”
“Oh yes, that’s my son’s favorite part,” Brin grinned. “When a real Jedi turns on a real lightsaber to cut the ribbon at the request of the mayor.”
“Oh yes, do you know who they are sending this year, Master Drallig?” Zarra’s eyes sparkled.
“If I’m not mistaken, they are planning to send Master Gallia and Master Yaddle this year, but they both have many duties so that may change.”
“Of course,” Zarra nodded. “Have you ever opened the ceremony?”
“Me?” Cin chuckled lightly. “No, but I’ve attended the ceremony before when I was a padawan. Master Silvanus had me assist him a few times when he was serving.”
“Did you hear that Mann-Gel? Do we have clips of that?”
“I hope not,” Cin tried not to scowl.
“Not on hand,” the producer called from off camera. “But we can check before the opening.”
“I was a rather awkward teen. That might hurt your ratings.”
Brin chuckled heartily, but took the hint, moving on. “We’ve had some questions sent in by our viewers for you, Master Drallig, as our local Jedi representative.”
Cin suppressed a sigh. “Well, I can do my best to answer, but you must understand that there is no typical Jedi, so my answers may not be consistent with all of us.”
“Of course,” Brin grinned, flashing his white, sharp teeth. “The first question, from a young viewer in the Senate District. Master Drallig, do Jedi put up Light Night trees?” He turned to Cin. “What say you, Master Jedi?”
“Fair question,” Cin nodded. “I myself do not put up a Light Night tree, to the great disappointment of my tooka.”
Jarra giggled.
“Some Jedi do put up a small fake tree if they are home, or may have an ornament rack instead, and some have collections of keepsake ornaments that they display during Light Night, but most do not use real trees that have been chopped down, particularly on Coruscant. We do decorate several living trees in the Gardens with small, safe lanterns, and the initiates and creche children decorate a large, artificial tree for the Visitor’s Hall, and I’ve seen many older Jedi add an ornament or two, usually made of paper, beads or clay.”
“I’ve seen the tree in the Visitor’s Hall, it’s always so colorful,” Jarra smiled.
“The children do love color,” Cin agreed.
“Alright, this question is from a mother of young children who love playing Jedi in their apartment. Do Jedi give Light Night gifts or receive them, or is that not allowed? I think this mom is hoping it’s not.”
Cin chuckled. “Again, some Jedi do give and accept gifts and others do not, but many of the Jedi on Coruscant do participate, even Jedi monks and nuns, but the gifts are generally small, simple and inexpensive. It’s more important to the Jedi to take the time to visit with friends if they are in Temple, rather than finding the perfect gift.”
“The gift of time is more valuable?” Zarra asked.
“Exactly.”
Brin smiled again. “Well, this one is a bit more personal, Master Drallig. What are you hoping for in a Light Night gift?”
Cin tried to keep his smile on his face. They asked him this every year, and it inevitably led to whatever he said being delivered to the Temple in scores, sometimes anonymously, sometimes with fan letters with varying degrees of creepiness.
“This year, I’m hoping to have a nice meal with both of my former masters, attend some folk dancing at least once in the Temple and if I’ve been a good Battlemaster this year, hopefully I will get some nice new socks to keep my feet warm during the cold weather.” He turned to Brin. “Did you know that socks are the more frequently needed clothing item at homeless shelters?”
“Um, no. I didn’t.” Brin tried to follow along, not sure where this was going.”
“It is,” Cin nodded and turned to the camera. “So, if you’re feeling a little extra holiday generosity, I recommend donating some socks to your local homeless shelter. We may live on a planet with excellent climate control, but it’s an expensive one, and this is a difficult time of year to be short on funds. As a Jedi, I am fortunate enough to be given food, shelter and care from the Order, but many of our fellow beings are not.”
“That’s a lovely suggestion for any of our viewers who want to give,” Jarra smiled brightly. “Mann-Gel, can we put up names and contact information for some local homeless charities?”
“We already have,” the producer called, thankful the Jedi had run it by him before he talked about charitable donations.
“That’s great,” Brin nodded.
“And if you’re in the Temple District like I am, the Jedi clergy do run a homeless outreach and resource center, as do other religious and secular organizations.”
“Socks,” Brin nodded. “Warm and practical.” He glanced at his notes. “And one last question: what do you plan to give for Light Night?”
Cin blinked. “Well, that would spoil the surprise.”
Zarra and Brin laughed on cue.
“Last year I gave both of my former masters their favorite tea, and we had a nice dinner all together. I haven’t bought their gifts this year yet. I have bought treats for the tooka, but she doesn’t watch the holonews so it’s safe to say so.”
Brin chuckled.
“You said some Jedi have ornament collections. Did you see this year’s new ornaments?” Zarra asked. “They were on the show today before your segment.”
“Um, no, I didn’t.” Cin had heard them discussing ornaments while on the air, but had been in the makeup chair, trying to convince the technicians he was supposed to look dour and pasty and did not need to be touched up. “I did hear they were bringing back a vintage ornament this year?”
“Yes,” Brin grinned. “Mann-Gel was so excited.”
Zarra pulled a wooden tray closer until it was within camera range, then picked up a small figure, dangling it from her fingers so Cin had a clear view as well as the camera which was zooming in on it. “The company representative said they are reissuing this Jedi-inspired ornament on the 50th anniversary of the original release.”
Cin struggled not to laugh. He had seen this particular ornament before, in Simet’s collection, though his was a first edition. It was small, green and brown, was clutching a cane and wearing a tiny lightsaber hilt, and it was unmistakably Grandmaster Yoda. Despite modeling for it a half-century ago, it was still very accurate.
“Yes, I’m familiar with this design from the first time it was issued, but then every Jedi in the Order would recognize the model. That’s Grandmaster Yoda.”
“Is it?” Brin asked. “I’ve never had the pleasure of interviewing him.”
“Master Yoda doesn’t give many interviews these days, he let’s Master Windu and the Public Relations Office handle that, but he is very much involved in Temple life.”
Zarra held up another ornament. “Mann-Gel brought this one from his own collection. The representative said they are all supposed to be to scale, but this one is much larger.”
Cin tried not to roll his eyes. “Yes, the scale actually looks fairly accurate. That one is based on Master Silvanus, and if you’ve seen him in archival clips, you’ll note he is quite a tall man. Master Yoda is quite small physically, but that’s normal for his species.”
“Oh,” Zarra held the two side by side, astonished by the apparently accurate size discrepancy. “Really?”
“Yes, it’s a very good likeness. Actually, both of them are.”
“We’ll have to check out those clips later, Mann-Gel,” Brin grinned.
“Hmm,” the producer called back. “Maybe after the lightsaber combat expert goes back to his Temple.” Even Cin laughed at this.
“Have they ever issued a Battlemaster Drallig ornament?” Zarra asked.
“No,” Cin’s eyes twinkled. “I don’t think I have the right face to be hung on a tree in miniature form.”
The camera zoomed in on the tiny Master Silvanus, and Zarra turned it to show the large beak-like nose in profile.
“Well, Master Silvanus doesn’t really either, but he was the Battlemaster for more than four decades, so if I manage to do the same, we can discuss it.”
Both news anchors laughed.
“You heard it here first, Collectors. Battlemaster Drallig will consider modeling after forty years of service.”
The ending theme music began to play and Brin and Zarra began to wrap it up. Cin waved on cue, and thankfully the cameras were cut for the day. Mann-Gel approached the desk, always making a point to thank all the guests and commentators who appeared on each show.
“Thank you for coming again, Master Drallig, it’s always a pleasure.”
“The pleasure is mine. The Jedi High Council and the Public Relations Office are always grateful you provide airtime for Jedi representatives to present their viewpoints and try to represent all sides.” He shrugged. “Tree ornaments are hardly a deep issue, but I think they help the citizens see the Jedi as part of the Republic, rather than outsiders.”
“Master Silvanus used to say the same thing when he would appear on the show,” Mann-Gel replied before growing serious. “You said Master Silvanus doesn’t have a face for ornaments. Present tense. Is he still alive?”
“Simet? Yes, he’s still alive, but retired and doesn’t get out much. His hands make things difficult, but his mind is still intact.”
Mann-Gel, a Kepp of indeterminate age, had been producing the morning news longer than Cin had been alive. It was little wonder he would remember Simet well.
“We were watching old clips to get ideas and find segments to put in our end of the year special and we found a clip of Master Simet reading a children’s story for a Nights of Light special, oh, decades ago. We have the rights to it, but if he’s alive, do you think he would mind if we rebroadcast it?”
“Hmm,” Cin frowned. “In terms of diplomacy, you should probably give the PR Office a heads up, and I can ask Master Si if you want, but no, I don’t think he’d mind. He’d probably be stunned that you wanted to rerun it, he assumes most people don’t remember who he is anymore, but he understands that he doesn’t really own the rights to his own performances recorded by the media. Master Yoda would be thrilled. He loves the nostalgic retrospective specials.”
Mann-Gel glanced at the tray of ornaments, snickering that Brin and Jarra did not know what Master Yoda looked like at all, much less knowing how small he was. “Did you want the Master Yoda ornament? Or would Master Yaddle? The other ornaments were claimed by the production team, but not the little Grandmaster. Most of my current employees are too young to recognize him.”
“Um, no, it would be viciously murdered by my tooka.” He gave Mann-Gel an odd glance. “Why Master Yaddle?”
Mann-Gel shrugged. “I thought she was perhaps Master Yoda’s partner, but I suppose she is old enough to have the first edition.”
Cin laughed. “No, despite many rumors to the contrary, Master Yoda and Master Yaddle have a sibling type of relationship. His partner is someone else.”
“I did wonder,” Mann-Gel grinned as he picked up the tiny green figurine and held it out to Cin. “Would his partner enjoy it then?”
Cin looked at the miniature, smiling at the thought. “Actually, if you don’t mind, I do think Master’s partner would really enjoy it.”
Mann-Gel held it out. “Please, by all means.”
Cin took the small ornament, cradling it in his hand. “Thank you very much, and I also thank you on behalf of his partner.”
“You are very much welcome. And if you do speak with either Master Silvanus or Master Yoda, we would always be pleased to do an interview. We haven’t extended an invite to Master Simet recently, but if he’s still alive, well, he always did have a sharp mind and a sharp tongue.”
“Oh, he still does. I think he prefers a private life these days, but he’s still casually sharing his keen mind and insights. He doesn’t really type anymore, but he’d probably talk to you if you arranged a time to call. You can still send him text-based messages. One of the sisters helps him with his correspondence.”
Mann-Gel shook his hand as they walked back to the makeup chairs so the techs could take back Cin’s microphone. “I might have to do that. Thank you, Master Cin. We’ll see you next year, hopefully for good things, not threats to the Temple like that mugging last year.”
Cin paused, looking Mann-Gel in the eye. “Do not ask Master Si about the incident with the mugging. Politics, social issues, art, dance, the Code, is fine. Not the mugging.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Mann-Gel patted him on the back before he headed back into his office to plan the next day’s broadcast. “You have a good holiday, Master Drallig.”
“You too, Mann-Gel. May the Force be with you.”