video / action

[scrubscrub]

Who: Koala and you!
Broadcast: From the Marsiva
Action: SS Huntress later on.
When: January 9th.

A.) VIDEO BROADCAST

Ah -- I was asleep! I don't remember being tired; maybe I slept badly the night before.

[The higher pitch of a child's voice — one that looks about eight or nine by the size of her, though she's a bit older than that — pops up on the broadcast; Koala herself is clearly a bit confused, a little troubled by her sudden lack of recollection over the last few hours. Last she remembers, she had... been on the deck of... Yes, she had been sailing with the Sun Pirates as usual, and Hatchan was teasing her by having her guess where something was in one of his many hands.

.... What is this, though?

She stares at the room around her, polished and not at all a pirate ship.

Her heart skips a beat. Her cheeks hurt a little, the corners of her mouth twisting.]

... Hello?

Did — Did we dock?

[Did they leave her behind? Did Fisher Tiger grow tired of her? Perhaps he had realized he did not like her cry, the way she wailed what felt like so long ago. Maybe he resented it more than she realized. She's thankful for her life if that's the case, glad that she was not cut down for being a nuisance, but... but now... how will she get to her mother now?]

Where... is the crew...?

[The silence is very scary, but not the scariest she's faced. She plants her bare feet on the floor, curling her hands in her yellow dress. It's the only one she owns, and she's not sure she likes it even now, but they gave it to her and she expects to honor that. Her slave clothes were a bit torn anyway. She regrets not waking with shoes, but it's a nice floor. It's very clean, very much the place of richer families.

Is... Could she be... back in...

She shakes faintly at the thought, mortified for a moment until she sees the strange device. For some reason, she thinks maybe she knows how to use it? But where would such a thought exist from? She's used to far different ways to talk...

If this is — in fact a new... owner. Then she needs to be prepared to do whatever she must. Hopefully she's allowed to speak. She gives a creepily wide smile, eyes round and full of faked anticipation and contentedness. When she speaks, it's high and eager, ready to work. And that smile does not waver for even a moment.]

Hello! I'm sorry — Where will I be stationed?

I'll get to it right away!

[Telling them you're good at your job is not smart. They may think you're gloating about your skills. That could earn unwanted attention. Best to stick with simply explaining your compliance and moving along to do the next task. Don't panic! Everything will be okay! Yes! You will survive! Just keep smiling.]

B.) ACTION — SS HUNTRESS

[Later on when the shuffle is processed, Koala boards her ship good and proper — she's nervous, so nervous, but she has to remind herself that it will all be alright as long as she does whatever it is that's needed of her. She can clean, she can make things look proper! How nice is this ship, anyway? She'll get right to it! Because of this, one can find her scrubbing the chairs and counter tops down, or carefully mopping the halls. Be careful not to slip! That would be tragic. It's not like we have any caution: wet floor signs. Also, we promise she's not from Children of the Corn, but sometimes when you turn around where you're at? She's right there, beaming up at you with that wide-set smile. She's got prune-y hands wringing a cleaned rag and a little dust on her yellow dress.]

I've polished the kitchen counters! Does anything need to be cleaned?

Comments

[scrubscrub]

[gulp

She quickly stands up, sitting back down and forcing her fear away.

She'll never get back home if she ruins this. She can't let her guard down. Fisher Tiger and his crew, they'd been kinder to her than she ever anticipated — but she's been kidnapped here, she's been stripped of her chance to go home unless she 'wins' something. She's not sure what it means, but surely if she plays a role she's used to, she'll get to see her mother again?]

You're right, sir! You're absolutely right. You told me we should have tea. I won't disobey you again.

[well i mean you're at least trying]

[beardstrokes]

[ He rubs his forehead. Definitely more painful than Anakin, for sure. ]

Take your time. There is no need to hurry.

[scrubscrub]

[A wave of relief washes over her, and she beams happily.

Though it does seem a fraction more authentic, despite her poor reaction to his words before. Regardless... for her, changing the subject away from her personhood, her sense of self, it seems wise.]

... Tea is very nice. Very rich people like it a lot!

[beardstrokes]

Do they? I thought tea was readily available, not only to the rich.

[ Granted, as Jedi, they are afforded certain privileges. ]

[scrubscrub]

O-oh, yes! But they enjoy the expensive leaves. You must always be careful with those boxes, spilling them is a very horrible thing to do.

[She folds the rag she was carrying very very neatly, setting it aside on the nearby chair. Putting it on a table is improper. That sort of thing is just beginner's mistakes; best not let her nerves ruin her etiquette.]

They make some tea with gold!

...

But you are very wise, so I'm sure you already know that.

[beardstrokes]

What makes you think I am wise?

[ Please don't say the beard. ]

[scrubscrub]

[............

fine she won't]

You speak very well! And you have a very wise look!

[beardstrokes]

[ He chuckles lightly, amused. ]

Well, thank you, but I'm sure I'm not as wise as I appear.

[scrubscrub]

[She has to stifle a chuckle herself, biting her lip and folding her hands carefully on the table.]

I'm sure you know a lot of things! [your beard says so] Like how to make tea. And how to trim a beard!

[oh well she tried not to bring it up]

[beardstrokes]

[ Dryly. ] I was wondering when that would be brought up.

I have traveled a lot. Along the way, you pick up certain skills. Such as tea-making and beard-trimming.

[scrubscrub]

[Ah, wow. Traveling a lot! The Sun Pirates and her, they traveled quite a bit, too. But this! Being able to wander about, learn new things... like beard-trimming and tea-making!]

Through the stars?

[She tries to mask her kiddish awe. At first she was terrified of the idea... but she hasn't died yet, and it does seem kind of pretty to look at, once you accept that it's probably evil and wants to suck you into black oblivion.]

[beardstrokes]

Yes, throughout the stars and the galaxy. In ships quite similar to this one. To many different planets.

[ He sets his cup down. ] Why, would you like to hear about it?

[scrubscrub]

If you would like to! I've never had the task of listening before...

But I promise, I'll be very good at it!

[Her smile smooths a bit, less of a wide grin.]

I've only been sailing on the ocean.

[beardstrokes]

Well, it would be an improvement over the students I've had over the years. They seem to lose the ability to listen.

Now to remember a suitable story . . .

[ One without copious death involved. ]

[scrubscrub]

[Aha, students! She knew you were wise. You're a teacher!]

Don't worry. You can tell any you'd like. They're all good, I'm sure!

[Death is pretty traumatic, huh. She'd appreciate the care taken to not bring it up.

Bad memories, and all.]

[beardstrokes]

I appreciate that, even though it's far from the truth.

[ He looks down his glass and smiles, nostalgic. ]

How about the renegade Duchess and her two Knights?

[scrubscrub]

[gosh humble much]

Duchess and her two Knights! Is — [she hesitates, unsure if this should be common knowledge] — a Duchess very important?

[beardstrokes]

Think of her like a Princess or a Queen. I believe Princess would be more accurate for this story.

[ He clears his throat lightly. Trying to turn memory into story is not a skill he used often. Qui-Gon and Yoda were better at it. ]

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, there was a planet called Mandalore. It was a beautiful planet once, but now it was hurting. Some people fought for peace and others, for war.

The Princess believed in peace. So she tried to teach Mandalore her ways of peace. Along with her, were two Knights. One was wise and noble. The other . . . young and brash.

[scrubscrub]

[She gasps faintly, hands clasping at the edge of the table.]

I think I know some people kinda like that...

[Fisher Tiger told everyone to be peaceful, and Jinbei was wise and noble, and Arlong was young and brash. Maybe... far, far, far brasher than this person in the story, though. He always was the one who hit her; he didn't like her much.

Eager to hear more of a story — something she can hardly remember partaking in — she settles back in her seat.]

The princess, she made sure they stayed out of trouble?

[beardstrokes]

Well, the princess had pressing duties. She had to change the fate of her planet. So, along with her Knights, she went to dangerous places. Villages, caves, sometimes full of ferocious beasts and dangerous men.

Thankfully, her two knights were well-trained and protected her from danger.

[scrubscrub]

Yes!!

[She claps a bit, encouraging. You're not so bad at stories, see.]

There must have been many dangers. There were ferocious beasts? I've seen sea monsters before!

[beardstrokes]

Oh, yes, many large beasts and warriors, all trying to stop the Princess. However, with a lot of hard work and determination, the princess managed to change her world. Finally, Mandalore was peaceful.

[ He pauses. ]

When it finished, she asked the younger knight to stay with her because they had fallen in love. He agreed and they lived happily ever after.

1/2

[scrubscrub]

[... Awww. Her smile softens a bit.]

Falling in love... that sounds nice...

I think maybe my mom and dad probably did that.

[She fidgets with the hem of her dress.]

I'd really like to see her again!

[scrubscrub]

[Ah.]

But your tea, sir! Your story must have made you a bit thirsty!

[Talking, right, it makes you thirsty! This is around the time she gets whoever she's working for a drink. They're a bunch of ninnies like that.]

[beardstrokes]

Not to worry, I'll pour myself another cup.

[ He uses the Force to bring the kettle over, before she has a chance to do it for him. Best to circumvent such urges early on. ]

And I'm sure your parents did love each other very much.

. . . Do you know where your mother is?