Private Paper and Fire

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

Good good. Junko looked at her and leading the way as they went through the districts she was enjoying it... Shae was willing to work and to learn which would go a long away as the district opened up... the large gates revealing the business district of the palace... buildings and shops designed with storefronts... hundreds of people milling about and they continued to work only bowing and stopping for a moment before continuing on. Junko offering smiles for all of them and let them continue about their businesses... they were bringing a lot as outfits, foods, equipment were on display. Barkers bringing attention to different products.. acrobats on display from rooftops and more. "The market district, you can find anything here and it has some of the best connection for buying just about anything save deeply illegal or immorral."

 

[Zavra Shae]

I nod as I listen attentively to my mistress, trying to absorb everything she tells me. I understand that everything must be balanced traveling, learning, meditating… but also keeping my body and mind in harmony with the Force.

"I understand, Mistress... so everything I do must be balanced. Traveling, learning, meditating, but also keeping my body and mind in harmony with the Force..."

I frown slightly, thinking about her words on the dark side.

"But... is the dark side really that terrible? I mean... it gives power to some Dark Jedi, right? They seem strong... but if they end up with dry skin, yellow eyes, and cracked lips... that explains why they all look so bad..."

A shiver runs through me, and I shake my head.

"Alright, no dark side for me. I'd rather keep my face intact and my figure... normal."

I let out a small smile, but my expression turns serious again as I ask a question that troubles me.

"But how do I know if an emotion can make me fall? Fear, anger, sadness... those are normal feelings, right? How do I control them without suppressing them?"

I want to understand. If I am to walk the path of the Jedi, I need to be sure I won't fall into the traps my master describes.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Zavra Shae

"Anger can make you strong for a moment... no one can maintain rage for sustained periods of time... it will burn you out and make your sick eventually." She said it while walking and listening. "The emotions aren't the danger, being ruled by them is. Feeling anger in a situation is fine... if you express it by then lashing out and attacking you give in. That is something others seem to not understand. Suppression is something some jedi do... others revel in their emotions and let themselves be ruled by them.... both are dangerous and why we temper ourselves." Junko said it while they came to a stop and she slid off of the large tiger with a smile before she was stretching.

"But there is always more to it, every jedi has to choose what they are going to do eventually and a number fall while others reinforce themselves in service to the force and the lightside." Junko said it while she motioned and walked into the one shop. Outfits measured and tailored in dozens of colors... smooth silks and even streads that were thick and near seethrough. "Now a lesson when it comes to shopping... look at what is for purchase. Not the prices but the style, the colors. On worlds that are ordered and oppressive... where the government or a ruler maintains strict control. The colors will be muted, solids and generally more about uniformity."

She said it while showing the outfits. "THe shoes being offered, if they are heels or garish... designed for looks or designed solid and with heavier leathers. Work boot that can be unisex." She was pointing it out and showing a few other kimonos. "It can give you a better idea of the governmental structure... long before you meet them. If the clothing and shoes are colorful, are made for looks, covered in gemstones then there is likely more freedom of expression on the world... or in rare cases the fashion is dictated by the tastes of the one in charge and they bring theirr fashion sense to everything forcing it on the people... rare but it has been known to happen."

 

[Zavra Shae]

"I... I think I understand, Mistress," I said in a quieter voice, my thoughts pulling me back to memories I would rather forget. "Anger can be powerful, but it doesn't last… and if we let it control us, it will end up destroying us."

I clenched my fists for a moment. I knew what it was like to feel that rage burning, consuming, pushing me to act without thinking. I remembered the chains, the endless days of obedience, the silent humiliations. And most of all, I remembered him. My jailer. The man who controlled everything, who decided whether I ate or not, who laughed whenever I gritted my teeth through the pain.

"But it's not easy… sometimes it comes so fast that I don't even have time to think. How do you stop yourself from giving in?"

There had been one day, just one, when I could have killed him. He had come too close, let his guard down, and in my hand, I had felt the weight of a tool strong enough to crack a skull. My heart had pounded, every muscle in my body screaming at me to strike, to take my revenge… But I hadn't. Something in me had hesitated. A voice, faint and distant, telling me that giving in to that rage wouldn't make me free. It would just make me another slave… but this time, to my emotions.

Followed Junko into the shop, my eyes widening at the many colorful fabrics and carefully displayed outfits. Everything was so different from what I had known. I had never had a choice before. Just rags, rough cloth, nothing beautiful, nothing that expressed anything but submission.

"You mean… you can tell what kind of government a place has just by looking at the clothes?" I asked, puzzled. "But how is that possible? Don't people just wear what they like?"

I ran my hand over a soft fabric, feeling its lightness beneath my fingers. Free to touch, to choose… it was still a strange feeling for me.

Her explanation made me see things differently. "So… if everything is dark and uniform, it means people don't have a choice… and if everything is extravagant and covered in jewels, it's either because they're free to express themselves, or because someone is forcing that style on them?"

I had seen both extremes. The total absence of choice, the uniformity, the submission… but also the masters and nobles who imposed their tastes, forcing slaves to wear ridiculous outfits for their own amusement. In both cases, no one was deciding for themselves.

My eyes turn toward Junko with a mix of admiration and frustration. "I don't think I would have noticed all this on my own… It seems so obvious when you explain it, but I never would have thought about it."

Took a deep breath and close my eyes, engraving these new lessons into my mind. The anger was still there, lurking inside me, like a beast waiting to pounce. But I wouldn't let it dictate my choices. Not again.

"I'll try to learn, Mistress. I want to understand these signs too. And I want to be stronger… so I never feel like a slave to anything ever again."

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

"In a way, it is not perfect but it can give you an idea. It will also allow you to see the disposition of the people. Orderly and reserved means there is likely more government control where as one who wants to change your style can be more open. It is observations. The food as well is the name... rich foods that look more like luxuries vs food that gives you allof the things that your body needs but might not have flavor." Junko said it while she was looking over and going through different designs.. different styles. "Atrisia for instance is open in many things while the emperor and empress maintain a strict level of control. Each world has order and the Commonwealth functions as a well bodies entity with over two hundred worlds contained within... tradining, sharing ideas and information and we rebuild with each other."