#jacen's museum work

[jacensolodjo]

Got to explain to someone today about how the Ukrainians have been murdered in the millions for the past 100+ years by both the Holodomor and the Shoah and just random ass fits of russian aggression.

[atamascolily]

An Appointment in Sawarra, 4/?

Chapter one ends with more about Leia’s Orowood project, which is foil to Luke’s dream to rebuild the Jedi Order.

(one two three)

He took advantage of the pause to go back to his dessert. "Whatever this is, Winter, it's good," he said. "I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but it's growing on me."

"Thank you," Winter said. "Captain Solo doesn't care for naji berries, but they're traditional for this time of year according to the home calendar."

"Does that mean I can have yours?" Leia said to her husband, chopsticks aimed at his plate.

"Sure, princess, help yourself."

"Speaking of home, how's the Orowood project going?" Luke asked.

Leia sighed. "Blowing things up is easy. Building things is hard," she said when she had finished chewing her mouthful of naji. "Especially when we're working from scratch."

"Not entirely," Winter corrected. "Most of the architectural re-creations are based on holos and archival footage. And I've been able to fill in the gaps in the records where necessary."

She turned away towards the floor-to-ceiling window, towards the half-constructed cloudcutter that marked the new district from a distance. Her poise didn't slip, but in that moment, the aching, empty loneliness of carrying those precious memories, the last bastion between knowledge and oblivion hit him, and he let out a sharp breath as the emotions rolled over him and passed through.  

This time, it was Winter, but Luke was far too familiar with that experience and he, too, yearned for change. He wished he knew how to share that with Winter without inadvertently minimizing her loss in the comparison--especially when she took such care to conceal her grief in his presence.

"You know what I mean, Winter," Leia said, gesturing towards the window at the tower. "As much as I love Coruscant, it's so  <i>urban</i>. Integrating the city with anything approaching a natural landscape is an uphill battle."

"Literally," Han deadpanned. "I mean, that tower <i>alone</i> has been no end of trouble--"

Winter smiled, her grief sliding away like an outgoing tide. "At least we have plenty of orowood for our horticultural plantings. They weren't popular in the galactic trade, but there are enough healthy, fruiting specimens in botanic gardens and museums that we've had no trouble finding germplasm to work with--not to mention lumber for the interior work. I only wish we could have found some uneti for you, Luke," she added with an apologetic shrug.  

"That would be too easy, wouldn't it?" Luke said. "But I'm surprised there weren't any uneti on Alderaan. Even if there were no official Jedi outpost there, planting them seems like the sort of thing your father would have done."

Leia had made her peace with Anakin Skywalker's legacy, but Bail Organa was and always would be her father--on more levels than one. Luke didn't even begin to understand the byzantine intricacies of Alderaani kinship, but he'd come to accept Leia's private declaration of <i>both/and</i> rather than <i>either/or</i> as the peace offering it was. He did his best to return the favor.

"There was at least one," Leia said, and Winter nodded.  "He took us out to the Camaasi colony several times, and there was one tree set aside from all the others that most outsiders were never allowed to see. I never knew it was an uneti until you described it to me."

"It was a young tree, with feathery needles that caught the light, like nothing I'd ever seen before." Winter agreed. "Not much older than we were, but three times as tall. I remember wondering what it would be like to grow so fast--"

"Just as well we didn't, given how quickly we ran through our clothes as it was--" Leia said with a wicked grin, followed by something muffled and probably vulgar in Low Alderaani Luke didn't catch. The two of them dissolved into giggles at some shared reference that went straight over Luke's head--and Han's, too, from his expression.

For a moment, Luke couldn't help but imagine what life would have been like if Biggs Darklighter had survived the Battle of Yavin. Maybe it would be the two of <i>them</i> chortling over some teenage antic in Tatooine argot while Leia and Winter exchanged puzzled looks across the table. <i>Just another thing the Empire took--another piece I'll never get back--</i>

But it was good for Leia to have one childhood friend left, especially someone as close as Winter. He didn't begrudge either of them for it--and now there was peace with the last vestiges of the Empire at last, the old familiar enemy was gone, too.

Han cleared his throat. "Well, Luke's gonna restore the trees, but they'll have to work fast to catch up with Jacen and Jaina. I swear those kids are getting harder to handle every day at the rate they eat. No pressure, of course," he added with a nod to Luke.

"None taken," Luke said, unable to hide his amusement at the thought. "At least I don't have any buildings to construct."

"The buildings have their issues, but it's the people that present the greatest challenge," Leia said. "We haven't convinced many people to emigrate here yet. Thrawn’s siege shook them badly, and a lot of people who were here left as soon as the shields were down."

If you build it, they'll come," Han said with confidence. "You just have to sell it to 'em. Not everyone wants to live on dusty rock in the middle of nowhere like New Alderaan."

Winter sighed. "Too early to tell. Now that there's peace with the Empire... maybe people will re-consider. But old habits are hard to break... especially when those habits saved their lives many times over in the last few years."

"But <i>we'll</i> enjoy it here, no matter what," Leia said fiercely, grabbing at Han and Winter's hands for a moment--only to realize she had left Luke out. After a moment of internal struggle, she solved that problem by yanking his hand on top of Han's and gripping them both at the same time while still holding onto Winter's.

"I worry about the same thing with the Jedi," Luke said, when his sister finally let him go. "What if I spend my life working to re-build the order, and no one wants to come?"

It's a big galaxy," Han said. "There are a lot of surprises out there. Sure, sometimes, it's a secret Imperial superweapon, but eventually they'll run out of those, and maybe there's other stuff out there we don't know about yet."

"There's Mara," Leia said, counting off on her fingers. "Corran Horn in Rogue Squadron. And Nick Rostu, the Korun who helped you with Cronal at Mindor. <i>He</i> survived the purge, didn't he?"

"Yes," Luke agree. "But Nick's not interested in being a part of a new Jedi Order, and Mara and Corran are busy with their own lives. And even if they changed their minds, it'll take more than just the four of us. There's the historian I met at Exis Station last year, and Kirana Ti, and maybe others in the Singing Mountain Clan on Dathomir, but.. it doesn't seem like enough."

"Ya gotta start somewhere," Han said. "Wasn't the Rebellion the same way? That worked out pretty well so far."

"You'll find the way, Luke, I know you will," Leia said. "Go to Sawarra and see if this professor can help you with the trees. Worry about the rest later. "

"When are you leaving?" Winter asked.

"Tomorrow, as soon as my X-wing's ready," Luke said. "I thought about sending a message first, but if the system doesn't receive comm signals, maybe it's best to go straight to the station first."

"If you want, I can get you an official diplomatic position--" Leia started.

He shook his head. "Thanks, but I'd rather go as a private citizen and do this quietly, especially if the Sawarrans are skittish about the New Republic right now. I’ll send a message to Dr. Mendoza to meet me at the station if she’s interested, and that way I won't start a religious war by venturing on-planet."

"Either that or she can smuggle you in," Han said. "Kidding!" he added quickly, at Leia's glare, and they all laughed.

Luke sat back in his chair and let himself relax in the glow of family, peace and love--everything the four of them had fought so long and hard for over the years. A long, hard road remained, but Han, Leia, and Winter’s faith buoyed him, an oasis in the swirls of uncertainty that dogged him For now, it was enough to enjoy this moment, and, as Leia had said, follow this thread wherever it took him and let the future take care of itself.

"Right," he said quietly, almost to himself. "One thing at a time."

[goodofthegalaxy-a]

tagged by: @destinedtwin tagging : eeeeeeeveeerrryonneeee -- I really love seeing this kind of stuff on my dash about the characters everyone plays~ <333

[ NOTE: I did bold for Jacen and italic for Caedus. :D ]

APHRODITE : laughter-loving.    sweet  smiles.     dressed  in  silk  and  satin.  flower  in  their  hair.     sees  the  world  as  a  runway.    unapologetically  sexual. the  sea  washing  their  ankles.    in  love  with  love.   stirrer  of  passion.  cunning  concealed  by  painted  lips.    secret  daggers.   doves.     revolution  in  their  kiss.   delighting  in  the  waves.  flirtatious  winks.    strolling  along  the  beach.     staring  wistfully  from  a  balcony.   this  is  how  to  be  a  heartbreaker.      wants  to  be  adored.     gets  turned  on  by  danger.

APOLLO : glitz  and  glamour.    art  galleries. turning  the  volume  up.     being  made  of  gold.   neatly-organized  music  sheets.     notebooks  filled  with  poetry.   bathing  in  the  sunlight.  the  powerful  urge  to  create.   collecting  vinyl  records.     beautiful  cover  of  wonderwall.     playing  multiple  instruments.    tasting  like  sunshine.    healing  touch.   speaking  in  prophecies.    smile  mingled  with  wrath.     shunning  lies.    sporting  shades.     hanging  out  at  music  festivals  with  their  friends.      sleeps  naked.    arrow  to  the  heart.   paint  brushes.   probably  has  a  tinder  account.

ARES :     armed  for  battle.      wants  to  raise  a  dog  with  their  significant  other.   soft  spot  for  children.     gives  piggyback  rides.   scarred  body.     blood  on  their   hands  and  face.    willing  to  fight  the  world  for  the  ones  they  love.   fights  against  injustice.   warm  hugs.   well-worn  combat  boots.    boxing gloves.   bandages  wrapped  around  bruised  knuckles.    fist  raised  in  protest.   ignites  revolutions.   fear  is  a  prison.    more  sensitive  than  what  their  tough  shell  would  have  you  think.   exhausted.  damaged  goods.    force  to  be  reckoned  with.  red  roses.    curses  under  their  breath.

ARTEMIS :   keen  sense  of  a  hunter.     freckles  like  constellations  on  their  skin.  piercing  eyes.   disheveled  braid.     moonlight  peeking  through  the  shadows.  the  calm  of  the  forest  at  night.      lying  on  the  grass  and  staring  at  the  stars.    mother  doe  and  her  fawn.    protecting  their  kin.   the  moon  shimmering  on  a  still  lake.      quiver  full  of  arrows  resting  against  the  bark  of  a  tree.  running  with  wolves.  bonding  while  circled  around  a  campfire.     not  being  much  of  a  people  person.      arrow  hitting  a  target.     popping  egos.  patience  on  3%.  touches  heaven  and  returns  howling.

ATHENA : discerning  gaze.     unreadable  face.    quiet  museums.     owl  perched  on  their  finger.     armor  that  intimidates.     eye  for  architecture.    plays  the  sims  for  the  sole  purpose  of  building   houses.     studied  the  blade  while  everyone  else  was  busy  getting  laid.     big  fan  of  logic.     loves  brain  teasers,  ancient  buildings.   sweaters  in  neutrals  and  cool  colors.  hair  done  up.   can  kill  you  with  their  brain.   heads  to  the  library  often  to  research.   sharpened  pencils.   abs  that  can  cut  steel.    stoic  statues.     pottery classes.

DEMETER :  soil-covered  hands.   smile  that  can  bloom  flowers.   skin  loved  by  the  sun.    being  the  mom-friend.   can lift you and your friends.  flowers  kept  in  the  pockets  of  overalls.     takes  pride  in  their  beautiful  garden.     speaks  to  their  plants.      leaves  rustling  in  the  wind.   stalks  of  wheat.    picking  fruit.     greenhouses.     heart  as  strong  as  a  mountain.     values  simplicity.  daisies  dotted  across  a  collarbone. curls  crowned  with  flowers.    folded  pile  of  sweaters  in  warm  hues.     pulling  out  fresh  baked  bread  out  of  the  oven  and  the  smell  wafting  through  the  air.

DIONYSUS : drunk  shitposter.    on  their  sixth  glass  of  wine  before  you’ve  even  finished  your  second.  seductive  smirks.   untamed curls.   rich  fabrics  on  dark  skin.   sleek-furred  panthers.  theater  masks.    stage  productions.    receiving  a  standing  ovation.   rose  caught  between  their  teeth.   being  the  baby  of  the  bunch.    wild  parties  that  last  from  sundown  to  sunup.    creeping  vines.    inspiring  loyalty.  grand  opera  houses.     masquerade  balls.     rolls  of  film.     shattered  chandeliers  with  broken glass  scattered  across  the  wine-spilled  floor.   pouring  champagne  into  flutes.   lives  for  the   applause.

HEPHAESTUS : the  calloused  hands  of  someone  who  knows  labor.   sweaty  brow.  flame  burning  in  their  eyes.   inventive  mind.    broad  shoulders.  steampunk  goggles.  nuts  and  bolts  stored  away  in  little  boxes.   ashes.    striking  a  match.  blueprints for  future  projects.      fixing  up  a  busted  up  car  and  giving  it  cool  upgrades.    wrestles  with  bitterness.   work  boots  have  seen  better  years.    wrinkled  plaid  shirts.    iron  melted  in  blazing  fire.   huge  jackets.    crafting  masterpieces.   greased-stained  overalls.   fascination  with  robotics.    pain  is  fuel.     stack  of  weaponry.  even   their  muscles  have  muscles.

HERA : resting  bitch  face.    dressed  to  the  nines. cows  grazing  on  a  pasture.  cool  rain.   loving and hating fiercely.  hand  clutching  a  string  of  pearls.   large  chandelier  with  glittering  crystals.   plays  the  sims  for  the  sole  purpose  of  killing  off  their  sims.     romance  to  realism.  pictures  of  the  sky  while  flying  on  a  plane.    files  that  under  fuck  it.  downs  glasses  of  wine  as  they  relax  with  a  scented  bubble  bath  and  netflix.   like  their  selfie  or  you’re  grounded.   knows  57  convenient  ways  to  murder  a  man.  dark  eyes  that  penetrate  your  soul.  marble  and  gold.

HERMES :  devil-may-care  smile.   always  up-to-date  on  the  latest  technology.  will  steal  your  french  fries.   does  it  for  the vine.    shitposter.    puts  googly  eyes  on  everything.     meme  hoarder.   long  drives  on  the  highway.   ma  and  pop  diners.  spontaneous  road  trips.   folded  maps.    fingers  dancing  across  the  keyboard  of  a  laptop.      shooting  hoops  on  the  basketball  court.    chatting  up  strangers  as  you  all  journey  to  your  own  destinations.   goes  jogging  in  the  morning.  mixes  redbull  with  coffee.   menace  on  april fool’s.   hoodies  and  sneakers.  

POSEIDON :   storm  with  skin.    colorful  coral  reefs.    waves  crashing  against  the  shore.   stroking  the  soft  fur  of  a  cat.    their  heart  pounding  as  their  horse’s  gentle  trot  speeds  into  a  gallop.   tousled  locks.    clothes  smeared  with  paint.    owns  several  sketchbooks  yet  always  yearns  to  own  more.    leather  jackets.   fondness  for  diy  projects.    handwriting  that  flows  across  the  page.   nimble  fingers  playing  the  strings  of  a  violin.   velvety  singing  voice  that  haunts  your  dreams.    mood  as  ever-changing  as  the  sea.   the  roar  of  a  motorcycle. compass  with  a  spinning arrow.

ZEUS :      thunder  in  their  heart.    running  on  coffee.  flash  of  lightning.   natural charisma.   eloquence.    badass  in  a  nice  suit.    aficionado  of  history.   force of nature.  lenny  face.    nightmare-filled  nights.    proud  arm  around  their  lover’s  waist.   high-rise  buildings.   planes  soaring  through  a  cloudless  sky.   technician  on  the  piano.   maintains  order.   strong  handshake.    juggling  multiple  events  on  their  busy  schedule with  ease.   expensive watch.

[jacensolodjo]

my museum is doing some renovations so i have to work around construction and let me tell you with ADHD that is the worst distraction.

and for like 5 minutes the fucking lights went out. and the kiddos reacted as predictably as you'd imagine school kids react to a sudden no lights situation lmao of course i had my phone on me which has a flashlight setting but still that was not a fun time. i was completely thrown from my routine but i managed to get some of it done and get the kiddos on their way since of course their time at the museum doesn't get extended because the lights went out.

[jacensolodjo]

We have a bunch of kids today who need to do community service hours and I feel like they are really cutting it close to finish their required hours for school lmao they apparently are doing their first shifts today and they need 30 hours.

Also none of them are in the right places in the exhibits pfft but I don't feel like being a babysitter.

[jacensolodjo]

Had a kid maybe four years old trying to play with his toy truck. On the mock barbed wire fence. No idea where parents are so I had to gently correct him. He found another thing he wanted to play with: our fake fire that is honestly just a sheet with bits of red and orange so I'm sure he was looking to yank on it or something. He looked at me since I was following him and trying to find his parents and I just did the Dad Head Shake and he scampered off elsewhere lol

[jacensolodjo]

One docent evaluation done. Just need the one more and my tests graded and then yay docenting

[jacensolodjo]

"Are the [exhibit pieces that would be dangerous if someone got a hold of them if they were real] real?" Count is now 2 lmao

[jacensolodjo]

Visitor: *looks at exhibit abt Khmer Rouge. Looks up right at the map that says CAMBODIA. Looks down again then back up at CAMBODIA*

Visitor: Where is-- Oh, China!

Me: *whimpers, resisting urge to point out actual China further into the wing* 

[jacensolodjo]

There is a giant fluffy service dog here and I have never felt such a need to be that asshole that tries to pet a service dog lmao that fur looks so soft. The dog is nearly the same size as its owner lmao hell it is bigger than me!

[jacensolodjo]

Apparently I'm further ahead in training than my cohorts for docenting lol that makes me feel good if only because my adhd makes it difficult for me to actually do the work on time.

[jacensolodjo]

Is it weird how excited I am to already only need one more shift to get to start training as a docent? lmao

[jacensolodjo]

I had a teenager compliment my choice of stickers on my chair does that mean I'm hip and with it

[jacensolodjo]

Yes, children, some museums let you touch everything. MINE IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

[jacensolodjo]

No, Kiddo #457765 I have seen this year, the right to bear arms is not a human right. Thanks for playing though.

[jacensolodjo]

the number of kiddos who keep seeing the picture of eleanor roosevelt i point to and say it's 'queen elizabeth' is breathtaking

i am truly curious why it's specifically her they confuse eleanor for lmao cause it's ALWAYS QUEEN LIZ.