rex populi
Sanctuary City, Alderaan
Life Day
". . . This is a time for great celebration."
A small stage had been erected on a busy street corner, complete with speakers, a pedestal, and holographic projector. Everything was dusted with powdery snow, the podium at the center of the stage, the masses of festive folks, who bustled to and fro, some stopping to watch the speaker for a moment before continuing on with their holiday. Families, both whole and broken, bundled up in winter clothes, smiling brightly to each other, marveling at the colorful lanterns hanging from building to building, and the corner shops with their doors open, offering candy and hot beverage.
"It is a time to hold close those next to you." The voice continued speaking, with a bit of unwanted quaver in their voice, but sure of each word. "Family. Friends. Neighbors."
"It is a time to remember what we have been through. What troubles we have endured. What troubles we have yet to endure. All of it." Alicio cleared his throat, filling the pause by fidgeting with his jacket, and brushing snow out of his dark hair. The motion was made painfully obvious by the full-body hologram that projected behind him, many times taller than he was, copying his every imperfection, and amplifying it.
"Life Day is not an end to our woes. Issues will continue to plague every corner of our galaxy whether we celebrate a day of the year, or not." Alicio's face was dark, somber. "But it wasn't made to be a cure-all. Life Day is a remembrance of all that Life is. And life is joy, and pain. Love, and loss. The good, and the bad."
"Celebrate the simple fact that we have joys worth the pain. Love worth the loss. And good worth the bad. Thank you, and Happy Life Day." Alicio waved, and quickly stepped off the stage, replaced by a small band, who began their set.
A few minutes later
Back Alley, Sanctuary City
"'Celebrate the bad stuff'. Great way to darken the mood." The alley was completely empty, save for himself, and his target practice. Everyone else was out enjoying themselves while Alicio cooled off from his speech. Why he'd accepted the offer to give one was beyond him. He was the bridge between Sanctuary City and the Alderaanian Monarchy. Why couldn't he speak like it?
He performed another hesitant push at the bottles, frowning even deeper as they didn't move. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe he couldn't do this after all. Any of it.
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Jademar Eurisa
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