milliways_bar | (no subject)

There's a young woman staring curiously at Sikozu from a nearby table. She's been people-watching tonight.

"'Scuse me," Tahiri says. "What planet are you from?"

Sikozu glances over at the woman.

"My people do not have a home planet. We are found throughout Scarran controlled space in the Uncharted Territories."

Tahiri's face lights up and she grins. "So you're not from Earth?"

So very rare to find people from other planets around here. "Don't think I've heard of Scarrans though... they're not part of the Republic are they?"

She shakes her head.

"No, they are not part of anything. They have their own Empire." A small frown. "Or at least they did last I was home."

"When was that?"

Her forehead wrinkles as she thinks. "You said you were from the Unknown Regions? I thought that was Chiss territory..."

"The way time works around here, it could be a few months or a few years." She rolls her eyes at that.

"Uncharted Territories. It is usually either Scarran controlled, or Peacekeeper controlled. I have never heard of Chiss."

"Uncharted Territories."

She shrugs. "Must be a different galaxy then. I hope you don't mind all the questions, but it's so rare to find people here who aren't from Earth."

"I do not mind at all. Asking questions is a valid way to obtian information." She insists, as she asks many questions herself.

"You spoke of a Republic, I think I have heard that before. Something to do with Jedi?"

Tahiri blinks, slightly surprised. "Yes-- I am a Jedi, actually. Have you met others here?"

"One, named Mara. I believe I met another from your world, but I do not think he was a Jedi. He told me about the sims you have here, though I have yet to use them."

"Yeah, Mara's..." she trails off. "Her husband banished me to a swamp. But she's nice enough, most of the time."

Tahiri shakes her head. "Yeah, there are a lot of pilots from my galaxy here. One of 'em even started up a squadron, but by all accounts they're more a social club than a combat group. I don't use the sims much, even though I really ought to keep in practice."

"Her husband is someone of power?" Sikozu raises an eyebrow and then nods.

"I am not a pilot by trade, but for something to do, I thought it might be an idea."

"Grand Master of the Jedi," Tahiri says, rolling her eyes. "Part time Savior of the Galaxy and all around misguided fool."

Harsh words, yes, but she thinks he deserves them.

"That's what they're there for," she agrees. "To keep pilots and other people from getting bored. Also keeps them out of trouble... for the most part."

Sikozu snorts. For some reason, she's reminded of Crichton.

"Trouble should be avoided, yes, but if this man is their leader, I doubt they can very often."

"Was it Wes Janson? I think he's the man who started it, but the rest of the group voted someone else their leader. I think it upset him."

She grins-- Tahiri only heard about the vote second-hand, but it was still pretty funny.

"I did not get his name, actually. It could have been." She shrugs. "If this other man was better suited for the job, then he should be proud that his organization has strong leadership."

Tahiri shakes her head. "I don't think leadership was what he had in mind when he created it... the guy in charge of it now, Jag, would probably agree with you though."

Or he might not. She's not sure exactly what Jag thinks about the squadron.

"Well, it should have been, regardless if it is for recreation. This Jag sounds very sensible."

"Sensible, yeah. But he's no fun," she insists. "Always so serious and gloomy and I've never seen him smile. Dunno what Jaina sees in the guy... well, except the part where he's really cute and can fly better than anyone else in the galaxy."

"Not everyone has to be fun." The last word is said with some derision. "There does need to be some responsibility."

"Not everyone has to be Mr. Responsible all the time either," she points out. "There has to be a balance."

Sikozu shrugs.

"Work and education are important to my people. Fun is a waste of time that could me spent doing more productive things."

Tahiri shakes her head. "Sure you're not just an unnaturally pale Chiss?"

She smiles to show she's teasing, then changes the subject. "If you don't mind me asking, who are your people?"

"We are Kalish, and I specifically, am Sikozu Shanu." She eyes the other woman curiously. "Are you human?"

"Genetically human, yes," she says with a nod. "My name is Tahiri Veila."

"Genetically? Are you a clone?" This piques her interest.

"Oh no, not a clone," she replies. "I was raised by two species of non-humans though-- Sand People and the Yuuzhan Vong. I find it hard to identify as completely human."

"Ah." She sounds a little disappointed. "I can see how that would alter your outlook. Are they very different from humans?"

Tahiri chews on her lip thoughtfully.

"It's hard for me to say. They're all people underneath, and I guess that's what matters. They get upset and they celebrate and they have disagreements and families and religions and children. The details are all different, but the basics are the same."

Sikozu nods, grudgingly. It's a logical way of looking at things, but it's hard for her to do the same.

"But you consider yourself to be one of them, as opposed to human?"

"Not exactly. I'm both-- or all three. Not just one or the other, you know?"

Tahiri's not used to explaining this to people. Usually the only time they ask is when they're trying to determine how much of a security risk she presents.

"I think I can imagine." She nods. "How do you determine your loyalties?"

She shrugs. "Depends on the situation. During the war I sided with the Jedi because the Yuuzhan Vong refused to exist peacefully with the rest of the galaxy. I've never been in that situation with the Sand People, thank the gods."

"What about you? Are your loyalties always with the Kalish?"

"Absolutely." She says firmly. "My entire reason for existance was to help free us from slavery."

"Slavery?"

Her eyes widen. "Who enslaved them? Are they free now?"

"The Scarrans." Sikozu sneers.

"And I do not know. I was removed from my place in the resistance by... a human meddling in things he did not understand. I treid to to find another way to help, but I failed." This obviously upsets her. "When I came here, the Scarrans were in a war. I do not know if they won or not."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Tahiri says sincerely. "I hope... well, I hope that no matter how the war ends, your people get some justice."

"Thank you. SO do I. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll ever know." She frowns.

"Why's that? Are you Bound?"

Tahiri is concerned. Being Bound is all kinds of Not Fun.

Sikozu glances at the door, which she can still see perfectly well.

"I don't know. It's poissible I died before I came here the last time and even if I did not and I could go back, there are plenty of people who want me dead now." She shrugs. "It is better to stay here."

"Oh, I see."

There's a bit of an awkward pause. "Not being able to go home stinks. But if you have to be stuck somewhere, Milliways is as good a place as any."

"It suffices." She agrees, more or less. The other options are certainly less appealing. "It would be better if there were fewer humans."

"Or more members of other species," she agrees. "Diversity is a good thing."

Tahiri stands and smiles. "It was very nice to meet you Sikozu."

She nods.

"And you as well, Tahiri."