Private May I see June?

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys​

Blind calls to the jedi temple weren't entirely unusual. Sometimes it'd be anonymous tips about dark side activity, sometimes it'd be folks simply seeking council in a time of need. The jedi, an NJO especially, had garnered a reputation as the heroes of the Alliance, and folks often misunderstood that as a solution to their problems.

But sometimes, it was just Stomme.

Ran's comlink rang again and again. It was a number she hadn't seen before, but it was very clearly trying to call her.

 

[Ran Serys]

Ran didn’t often receive communications from beings she didn’t know. She looked at her comlink skeptically as she retreated away from the archives and to her chambers.

“Hello,” She answered with a single raised brow. “You’ve reached Ran Serys.” She focused. Her tone was serious, almost sharp. “What unknown being has contacted me, and to what purpose?” The questions began to flow, sounding a little more harsh than she meant them to.

Stomme Kleine Kikker​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys​

"Hello~" A posh, somehow twi'lek sounding accent came through. "Ve heard you were ze latest members of ze jedi appointed to ze council, nu? Mine name is Stomme Kleine Kikker. Ve work for ze magazine Rogue, and ve were hoping to set up an appointment with you! Mizz Valery Noble has worked with us in ze past, and can vouch for our creative genius, yes?"

There was no way that accent was real, but that's the one he was apparently committing to.

 

[Ran Serys]

Ran was taken aback by the accent that sounded over the comm. She couldn’t tell if it was too strong or too weak, but it was certainly too much of something she couldn’t put her finger on. Nevertheless she heard the voice out. “Hmph. Pleasure, Mr. Kikker.” Ran said although whether it was truly a pleasure would remain to be seen. “Your information about me is correct. I am a newly appointed member of the Jedi Council. Yes,” Ran informed.

“And I must admit I am aware of your publication. I’ve purchased it several times when there was an article of interest to me. I suppose if the Grandmaster can vouch for you, I’m open to the prospect of meeting.” The Knight admitted. “The Archives keep me quite busy, but I can be flexible. If you'd like to meet in person, we could schedule an appointment for this upcoming week. Name the time and place, and I'll make it a point to be there.” Ran said with some eagerness in her voice. She found the idea of seeing her name in print exciting and somewhat romantic.

Stomme Kleine Kikker​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys​

"Oh of course! Ve can meet you next tuesday, at zis little cafe by ze temple! No worry, zou could walk there! Ve send you ze detailz."

Ran's commlink buzzed a few seconds later, revealing the coordinates to a little cafe indeed only a few blocks down from the jedi temple, completely unknown as it was tucked away in a little street corner.

"Ve see you then, nu? You set ze time, ve have very flexible schedule."

 

[Ran Serys]

Ran had never been but she knew the cafe. It was quiet enough for an interview, and chic enough to be professional. She was excited to go and be interviewed. She began to wonder at the questions Stomme would ask. She almost inquired after them but decided she'd like to be surprised.

"Tuesday. Midday." Ran answered. "I look forward to talking face to face, Mr. Kikker. See you then." Ran closed the comm and sat back in one of the chairs of her chamber. She had never been interviewed before. It seemed a bit stressful but also good fun. She decided she'd have to ask Valery and the other Jedi that had been interviewed for some guidance.

Stomme Kleine Kikker​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys​

The cafe that Stomme had indicated was a nice little quiet spot, filled by the smell of coffee and sweets. Only two other people seemed to be sitting inside, a business man who seemed to be enjoying his personal time, and a woman who seemed to be sipping on a coffee to put some energy in her for her afternoon shift.

As Ran entered, the one occupant that stood out more than any was the bright red Gungan, sitting in the corner, wearing the loudest fur coat she'd ever seen. Black and white striped, with a crimson color. He looked over, smiling.

Yup, that was Stomme.

"Ah, yes, dahling! Come 'ere, ve have much to talk about."

 

[Ran Serys]

“So we do.” Ran said taking in the cozy atmosphere of the cafe. The warm light washed over the tables and chairs. Soft music played over the speakers, a light and slow, soulful tune. When Ran sat down one of the waitstaff came over with a few recommendations. “A small Nabooian Tea, please.” Ran ordered for its low caffeine intake and earthy smell.

“It is nice to make your acquaintance face to face, Mr. Kikker.” Ran said. “Before you begin asking me questions, may I ask you one of my own.” She waited for the colorful gungan’s acceptance. “What got you into your brand of journalism?”

Stomme Kleine Kikker​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys​

"Ah!" Stomme smiled. It wasn't often people asked him questions. "Vell...ve have always been intrigued by ze colors of ze world. Back on Naboo, much of my life was spent under ze water. It felt....drab. Endless blue. Endless monotony. One day my father took me to ze surface to shop and...ze palace!" He smiled. "Oh, ze palace of Naboo, ze golds and reds, ze outlandish outfits! Ve loved it, and wanted more. Zo...we left. Without a word, I found a ship to Coruscant, ze jewel of ze Alliance. Rogue Magazine followed shortly."

He smiled, looking eagerly as he pulled out a small comm device and pushed a button. "But enough about me. Ve are here to learn about you. Tell me, vhat is it like as a jedi? Your Grandmaster was eager to espouse ze virtues of your ordah, but you are a knight. Someone lower down, is often more...honest, nu?"

 

[Ran Serys]

“It takes a brave soul to leave one’s homeworld.” Ran replied as Stomme ended their story. “Thank you for sharing.” She added.

Stomme Question

With some pleasantries out of the way, Stomme began the interview with what Ran believed to be a hard question to answer. She thought for a moment before she opened her mouth. “I think you’d find it difficult to find a Jedi, or anyone, more honest than Valery Noble,” Ran said defending not only the Grandmaster, but her mentor and friend. “And I could espouse the same virtues as she, but I will give a more personal answer.” She straightened in her chair as her Nabooian Tea was brought to her, and thanked the waiter.

“To me, being a Jedi is like being called to an impossible task. One that is undertaken with compassion, a sense of duty, and an understanding. An understanding that all you can do is what you can do. You can protect, and love, and learn. You can be a light and hope that you’ve illuminated the space around you enough so that others can see it, and aren’t lost in the darkness. Anyone can be like a Jedi that way. The only difference between me and someone who isn’t a Jedi is my connection to the force. I listen to it, I feel it, and I look to it to guide my actions in making the galaxy a better place in the ways only I can. Another part of what being a Jedi is like is being connected to a long history. The Order of the pasts were defenders of their republics. The New Jedi Order honors that legacy along with the Galactic Alliance and makes sense of it as we go forward.” Ran finished. “I’m not sure if I answered your question in the way you’d like or in the way I meant to, but I stand by my words.” She smiled.

Stomme Kleine Kikker​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys

"Oh, of course your grandmastah is honest, but ze people still see her as ze top of ze mountain. She holds ze keys to ze temple, as it were. It is easy to believe she is...putting sprinkles on ze truth, as it were. Not to say she is, but it is easy to believe." He clarified, smiling at the woman's answer. "A noble soul. Ve know ze feeling, as ve try our best to be as such in our own lives. Let me ask you dis then..."

He paused, if only for dramatic effect. "Do you see yourself as a hero, Ran?"

 

[Ran Serys]

Ran considered the question as she sipped at her tea. It was simple but nuanced.

“I don’t,” She said plainly. “I believe others might see me and make that claim, just as others would not, but I, myself, don’t see it.” She continued. “When I look at myself, when I see my reflection, the woman staring back is just someone who hopes to be of service. She has wants, needs, and is too preoccupied with the more mundane aspects of her life to think of herself as more than just that. There are heroes among the Jedi, sure, but I am just a woman, a caregiver, a preserver of knowledge, and a protector among them.” Ran said thinking that while her actions could be perceived as heroic, maybe the title of hero is up to interpretation.

"Do you consider there to be any heroes among the Jedi?" Ran asked Stomme, wondering if he had a favorable opinion of the Order.

Stomme Kleine Kikker​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys

Stomme seemed to coyly swirl his own cup of tea. A lizard of many secrets, yet he couldn't help but smile. "Ve believe every jedi should at least strive to be a hero. An ordah like yours? One dat prides itself on humility, on civil service? Ze galaxy could use more heroes, yes. Ve are bombarded vith news stories of ze politics of ze day. Of how corrupt ze Alliance is, how ve all live in a galaxy rife vith greed and ze evils of ze morally grey. Men and women who see themzelves above such silly things as goodness and fairness. It is...easy to overlook good deeds, and pick apart every action of ze jedi. To find ze faults of an ordah as old as yours, nu? But to believe in good, to believe in heroes...we must set aside ze cynicism so easy to fall into." He smiled, taking a sip of his tea.

"Zis magazine is not one for cynicism. Ve believe in an old fashion concept, one that has been...out of style for many seasons. Hope."

He couldn't help but smirk at his next thought. "Speaking of fashion. What are your thoughts on how ze jedi dress? Ze robes, ve have never been a fan. Surely, there has to be a bettah way to set yourselves apart, nu? Your little dress is an eyecatcher, certainly. More jedi should consider a more fetching outfit."

 

[Ran Serys]

Ran took what Stomme said about heroes and hope to heart. She thought that maybe she'd be more open to accepting the title from those that would call her by it. She was already heroic, always fought for what she thought was right, and did her best to instill a sense of hope in the galaxy. A hero she was, and a hero she would remain by that name and any other. "I believe in the same." Ran confirmed.

"Speaking of fashion. What are your thoughts on how ze jedi dress? Ze robes, ve have never been a fan. Surely, there has to be a bettah way to set yourselves apart, nu? Your little dress is an eyecatcher, certainly. More jedi should consider a more fetching outfit."

"You're a flatterer, Stomme. Thank you! That said, I do think our opinions differ on this subject. I love the customary Jedi robes!" Ran announced. "I believe as much as the lightsaber is the symbol of a Jedi, so are our robes. The people of the galaxy need a way to identify the Jedi and there is nothing quite like a tan robe and cloak," She explained. "And I believe many Jedi do put a spin on it! My robes aren't robes. I wear a top and skirt made of the same material you will see on the standard Jedi robes. It's rough and tough and built to last all but the most extreme scenarios we Jedi often deal with. While my outfit is my own take, my own taste, and a sign of my independence and expression as an individual, it is still connected, in a way, to that Jedi tradition." She smiled.

"I think if you take a deeper look, Stomme, you will find that many Jedi have subtle ways of expressing themselves through their robes, outside of the more eclectic outfits that you may see other Jedi in." She paused for a moment.

"So to answer your questions: I believe the Jedi dress with a purpose, robes or not, and they often find ways to set themselves apart visually that I think goes unnoticed. Is there a better way to set ourselves apart? Maybe, but I happen to like this one. The customary robes are there but we are not beholden to them in any way." She finished.

Stomme Kleine Kikker​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys

"Yes Yes, well perhaps ze jedi could liven up ze standard robes! More colors! Something bold! A blue one might do well, something to blend in with ze night sky?"

Stomme swirled his tea, before taking another sip. "A project for anothah day. For now though, you! Have you ever considered modeling? I have a...personal project for ze magazine I have been working on. Something for ze troops."

 

[Ran Serys]

"I'll pass your idea on." Ran smiled. She agreed that blue to blend in with the night sky would be a striking look.

"Modeling?" Ran repeated with just a hint of surprise. "I have considered this. I have a friend in the Coruscant fashion industry, and she has broached the subject with me several times." The Knight informed. "I haven't yet. The promise of wealth does little for me, but for something in support of alliance forces I think I can be convinced. What is it that you are proposing?" Ran asked Stomme with an invested look.

Stomme Kleine Kikker​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys

"Oh, it has been a....mission of mine. Have ze entire council model for my magazine, and make a...calender, for ze troops. Raise morale, show ze people that you are not so scary. And of course, that you are all very bold! Beautiful! Aesthetic!"

To Stomme, that's what life was all about. Looking good, and feeling good about it. A story of a gungan who only wished to see the beauty of the world.

 

[Ran Serys]

“A calendar? For the troops?” Ran echoed. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the idea. “How will this calendar raise morale exactly?” Ran questioned.

She was bold, beautiful, and certainly aesthetic, as Stomme excitedly put it, but did she want everyone to know that. The Jedi often benefited from their order’s mystique. It was a benefit that Ran utilized often in her fight against the dark forces of the galaxy. “I am intrigued by your idea, but I am still unsure. Speak plainly please, Stomme?” The knight continued.

Tags: Stomme Kleine Kikker
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[Ran Serys]

whoops​

 

[Stomme Kleine Kikker]

Tag: Ran Serys

Stomme took a moment to consider his thoughts. Plainly?

"You jedi are...mysterious, yes? Ze people of Coruscant, of ze Alliance, they see you as unattainable. As an ideal that is unreachable by ze common man. Ve believe we can break that wall down. Show ze people you are not so unreachable. People have started to believe that ze jedi do not care. You do care! It is just...harder to see, when your world is being ravaged by ze sith, or ze mandalorians, or ze empire. Hope is hard to find. What ve want to do is...show people that ze Alliance is still strong. Still beautiful. To make a calender, every month a new jedi, a new face one can familiarize themself with, a new hero to look up to. Are ve making sense, nu?"