Jesianna and the Cookies that Saved Lifeday

[Sofija]

The first part of a cute little story involving Jesianna and how she saves her favorite holiday from the Grinch named Arcann




It was that time of year again. All across the galaxy, young and old alike, had a special smile on their faces. Snowball fights and caroling were enjoyed by all. Even Sith and Jedi were caught up in it. It was unmistakable; a sense of hope, love, caring and giving was everywhere. Homes, offices, temples, streets and buildings covered in lights and decorations. Children trying to be on their best behavior in hopes that The Master of Ceremonies would visit and make their wishes come true. No matter where you were, Coruscant to Dromund Kaas, Kashyyyk to Csilla, everyone had a special spring in their step for Lifeday was almost here.

But off in Wild Space, on a mysterious planet called Zakuul, sat a dark figure in his throne room with evil in his heart. Through his throne, he saw the merriment and joy across the Core Worlds and frowned. “Bah Humbug. How can they have so much joy?” He thought to himself. “They should be cowering in fear. Why aren’t they paying tribute to me, worshipping me instead of celebrating some stupid ancient holiday?” His heart grew smaller and his frown more evil as a plan formed and called for his sister who also never new joy or love and whose heart was even darker than the man on the throne.

“Look at this.” He commanded his sister as he showed Togrutas, Twi’leks, Wookies, Chiss, Human and others caught up in the spirit of Lifeday. “We must put a stop to this at once!”

“How awful,” she commented with bile and hatred at the scenes in front of them. “What is your plan?”

“Watch,” he said as he touched the console on his throne.

Across all the Core Worlds, a booming voice was heard. People stopped their shopping, caroling, and snowball fighting to hear what the voice had to say. “Citizens of Zakuul and the Core Worlds, hear me. This is your Emperor Arcann. I declare the celebration of Lifeday to be illegal. Anyone caught celebrating will face swift and just punishment. Any resistance will be met with force.” People then began to flee as hordes of Skytroopers descended on the planets. Children cried and people screamed as anyone with a snowball was shot on sight, carolers were rounded up and any and all decorations were ripped down, and anyone on the streets were forced at gunpoint back to their homes. It was a dark day for all while the Emperor and his sister smiled a wicked smile.

Meanwhile on a far away planet called Rishi, a young Sith with red hair and pigtails dressed in pink sat on the floor of her hut playing with her pets.

“Sit, Grophy, sit.” She said to her pet grophet as she dangled a treat over its head. The grophet wanting to please its master and get its treat, did as it was commanded, all happy and joyful.

“Good boy,” she praised it as she patted the grophet on the head and gave it its treat. A small orobird flew and landed on her shoulder and cocked its head and chirped at her as if in hopes she had a treat for it too.

“Alright Chirp-chirp, you can have one too,” she smiled as she gave in to the little bird. Their playtime was interrupted however when her holo-terminal began to call.

“I wonder who’s calling us?” She asked as Chirp-chirp flew off her shoulder and turned on the terminal with its beak. A holograph appeared. “Jesianna,” the figure, a short green-skinned Mirialan with white hair and pigtails, spoke, “I don’t know if you heard the news? It’s is most tragic.” The figure’s head dropped dejectedly.

“What is it Hatsu?” Jesianna asked. It was so good to have Hatsu back after believing she was dead all those years ago, thought Jesianna as she saw her best friend on the holo. But seeing her like this made her realize that something bad has happened.

“It’s Emperor Arkann. He’s declared Lifeday illegal!”

“WHAT?!” Exclaimed Jesianna. Lifeday was her favorite holiday and the last few days were spent teaching the Rishii all about it. She spent so much time helping them decorate their huts, reciting classic Lifeday stories everyday, wrapping gifts and even brought in a snow machine to make snow so they could have snowball fights due to Rishi’s temperate climate. “How can he do this, that meanie?”

“Skytroopers, along with Arcann’s sister Vaylin, have been enforcing it brutally throughout the Core Worlds. We must stop him. Meet me at our usual place.”

“Agreed. That bully must be stopped. I’ll meet you there.” She said as the image disappeared. Grophy and Chirp-chirp looked up at her looking worried. “Come on my little friends. We must save Lifeday!”

[Sofija]

She hurried out of her hut with her two little friends loyally following. “Arankau,” she yelled when she saw the chieftain on the other side of the village. She ran up to him, “Listen, I’ve got some terrible news. Emperor Akann has made Lifeday illegal!”

“How horrible!” He exclaimed. While this was going to be their first Lifeday celebration, Jesianna’s enthusiasm for the holiday was contagious. Everyone was looking forward to it. “What are you going to do?”

“I have a plan, but I’m going to need everyone’s help.”

“Of course. Though I can’t vouch for every Rishii, each Rishii is their own, we will do what we must.”

Jesianna smiled and ruffled the feathers on Arankau’s head. She so loved that about these adorable bird people. “That’s all I can ask. So here’s the plan.” She leaned in and whispered it into his ear. He nodded his head as she explained it, “Yes, yes. That is a most excellent plan. I will spread the word to the other villages as well.”

“Yeah!” she exclaimed as she jumped up and down clapping. “OK, I’m going to meet some friends. You understand the plan, right?” the chieftain nodded, “Take care!” she waved as she headed off to her ship.

As her ship plotted its course to rendezvous with Hatsu, Jesianna watched the holos from across the Core and Outer Worlds of Arkann’s troops, led by Vaylin, stamping out all Lifeday celebrations. She felt her anger build up. Even Grophy and Chirp-chirp reacted to the news; Grophy arched back oinking loudly, ready to pounce while Chirp-chirp billowed out his feathers making him look big and mean. They all agreed, this bullying had to stop.

“We need to contact Dhanya before we arrive.” Chirp-chirp nodded and used his beak on the holo, turning off the distressing news and dialed Dhanya.

“What is it Jes? Do you have a plan?” a sleepy Dhanya answered. The Togruta knew that after hearing the news, Jesianna would do something to save Lifeday. She herself was trying to quell things back on Alderaan, hence her lack of sleep.

“Listen carefully, Lifeday depends on it. Here’s the plan. I’ll upload everything to your datapad. Can you do it?” She asked her new best friend knowing full well she could.

Dhanya looked the plan over and she felt a new wave of energy wash over her. “It’s perfect. Only you could come up with such a plan.” She smiled back at her friend. “We’ll get started on this right away.” Dhanya darted off with renewed energy.

As soon as Dhanya signed off, someone else seemed to be calling. “Who could it be?” Jesiaana asked as Chirp-chirp hit the button.

On the holo, a female Sith Pure-blood appeared with short black hair that was graying. “Jesianna!” She exclaimed. “I’ve been trying to get in contact with you.”

“Sorry Master, I’ve been making preparations to save Lifeday.” Though the Pure-blood, Rhak-skuri was no longer her Master, having switched to join the Jedi, Jesianna owed her for what she all she did for her on Korriban and still thought of her as her Master.

“I know. I was calling to tell you the Mystics have had a vision and they will support your plan.”

“But I haven’t even told you what it is.”

“Remember, they can see the future. And their interpretations are never wrong.”

“Awesome! Thanks Master.” She smiled and curtsied.

“The Force was always strong in you young one. Take care my old apprentice.” She bowed back as her image faded.

“Alright guys. One more call before we arrive.” The two animals nodded as Chirp-chirp hit the terminal one more time.

“What is it you know not to call this frequency how many times do I have to tell you …”

“Pavaki!” Jesianna interrupted the Togruta’s rant. “We need your help.”

“I’d love to but with the occupation on Nar Shaddaa and now this whole deal with Lifeday and do you know …”

“That’s why I’m calling. I’ve got a plan to save Lifeday.”

“Great, let’s hear it and knowing you it’ll be good but if it involves …”

“Here’s the plan. I’m sending it over to your datapad. But we need your old ‘Family’ to pull it off. Can you do that for us?”

“My old ‘Family’?” Pavaki actually paused in her ranting as she began to reminisce about them, she missed them so much, and without even looking at her datapad, she knew exactly what Jesianna had in mind and a big smile appeared on her face; the first time in a long time. “Yes. It’ll be our pleasure.”

[Sofija]

Soon she arrived at the spot. Both Grophy and Chirp-chirp seemed eager for the door to open, bouncing up and down impatiently and oinking and chirping happily. As soon as the door opened, the two little animals ran out and greeted the tiny yellow-skinned Mirialan with black hair tied up in pigtails, just like her mom and her favorite “Aunt”. “Grophy! Shirp-shirp!” the little girl exclaimed in delight as they ran to her open arms so she could give them both a big hug. “Have you two been good for Aunty Jes?” She asked with a big smile as she produced a treat for each of them before running up to meet Jesianna who picked her up and swung her around before giving her little “Niece” a big hug.

“My you’ve grown Ai. What’s your mom feeding you?” Jesianna asked in jest as she looked at the little 4 year old.

“Aunty Jes!” Ai exclaimed again as she returned the hug. “Have you come to play? I hope so. We always have lots of fun. Did you get me any presents for Lifeday? Mommy and I got you one. We hope you like it. We even got Grophy and Shirp-shirp one too. Oh, I drew a picture of Shirp-shirp. Mommy put it on the wall. And …” Ai continued talking a kilometer a minute as she took Jesianna’s hand and escorted her to where her mom was.

“Hatsu!”

“Jes!” the two old friends hug. “Now about this plan of yours? Will it work?”

“Of course.” Jesianna replied. “But I do need a favor before we can start.”

“If it’s what I think it is, I’m not sure. While she’s happy you’ve been able to help turn my life around,” Hatsu said as she patted her daughter on the head, “She’s still weary about our association with Sith. Even someone like you.”

“If we can’t get her help, then we can’t save Lifeday. And I have a good feeling she’ll help.”

“Are you talking about Aunt Aki? She’s nice, but she always looks so sad and quiet. She needs to smile more. Maybe some of Aunty Jes’s cookies would make her smile.”

Hatsu laughed at her daughter. “It’s because she’s a Jedi Master, hon. They don’t know how to smile.” She said in jest. “And I told you about what happened to us. So don’t be hard on her, OK?” Ai nodded. “Plus we’ll probably be interrupting her “meditation” so be on your best behavior.” Hatsu added, seemingly at both of them as she dialed the holo.

“Hi, baby sis. Hope we weren’t interrupting you,” Hatsu said after her sister Akiko, a small-framed green-skinned Mirialan with black hair, just like her niece, dressed in a white formal robe, finally answered.

“No. That’s alright.” The soft-spoken Jedi responded. “Hello Ai. You sure are getting bigger.”

“Hi Masher Akiko,” Ai said doing her best bow to her Aunt. “I hope you can visit us soon.”

“Maybe someday. And please, I’ve told you, just Aki is fine. Just because I’m a Jedi doesn’t mean my little niece needs to be so formal.” The briefest of smiles appeared before her stoic persona took over. “And hello too Lord Jesianna.” She said with the same soft-spoken tone, recognizing the young Sith by her sister and niece’s side. Akiko was always so conflicted about her. She was afraid for her sister and little niece associating with Sith, but she also knew Jesianna was no ordinary Sith. Though she appeared pure and sweet, and her heart was Light, she still pulled from the Dark Side for her strength. If only she would fully come to the Light like her old Master. But Mother trusted her so she too must trust this Sith, especially considering her past with her sister. “So is this a Lifeday call?”

“You can say that,” Jesianna said with a smile. “We must save Lifeday and we need your help. Here’s the plan,” she said as she sent it over. “Can we get the support of what’s left of the Jedi Council?”

“You know, they’d rather see Lifeday end than accept help from a Sith. Even with your history.”

“I know. But we need their help if we’re ever going to succeed. And can we count on your ‘brother and sister’, Chee and Nima?”

“Come on Aunt Aki.” Ai pleaded. “Lifeday needs you.”

“Lifeday doesn’t need me, but the people do. I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure both Chee and Nima will help with your plan. May the Force be with us.” Akiko gave a special nod to her family before signing off.

“Can I help too?” Ai asked.

“Yes. You, and your mom, are the biggest key to getting this to work. I hope you’re ready to get your hands dirty.”

Ai’s eyes lit up knowing what her Aunt had in mind. That was always her favorite thing to do with Jesianna. “YEAH!!!!! Can I lick the bowls after?”

“Of course,” Jesianna giggled as the three of them headed to the workstation.

[Sofija]

Lifeday Eve was finally here. Emperor Arcann sat on his throne. His plan was a success. No matter where he looked, there were no signs of Lifeday. His sister and his Skytroopers wiped every planet of their decorations, lights, gifts, and everything else. No lights on the buildings, no gifts under the trees, no singing in the streets, everyone was cowering in their homes, afraid. “Now with no Lifeday, they will show their proper tribute to me, their Emperor.” He sat back, his small heart pleased as the Galactic Clock struck Midnight across the known galaxy.

But something happened. It couldn’t be explained. Was that singing? Were was it coming from? Emperor Arcann hit the console on his throne, and on every holo-projection, from Coruscant to Dromund Kaas, Kashyyyk to Csilla, each and every planet was lit up in reds and greens, golds and pinks. Soon, his holo-projections were scrambled. “What’s going on? Skytroopers, answer me. Guards! Vaylin!” He yelled and screamed as he hit and pounded on the console, trying to make figure out what was happening.

Soon, his holo-projections returned, but what they showed was indescribable. Families and friends, loved ones and strangers, old allies and enemies, were laughing, singing, holding hands and smiling. They were not cowering in fear as he had hoped. Instead they were happy. There was warmth, love and caring in their hearts and the singing grew louder. “Stop it! Why are they singing? Don’t they know there is no Lifeday?” He screamed as he put his hands over his ears trying to block out the sound.

Then the sound of lightsabers and blaster fire cut through the chorus. The unmistakable sound and smell of burned ions told him there was fighting just on the other side of the door to his throne. But just as quickly as the sounds started, they stopped. “Good,” Emperor Arcann thought to himself. “Maybe now I can get some answers.”

The door opened, and his sister walked in with an unusual smile on her smile. Not one of bile and hatred, but of love and caring. “What’s wrong sister? What’s going on?”

“Nothing, dear brother.” Vaylin replied, her usual anger gone; replaced with joy and happiness. “I just met some wonderful people. You’ll like them.” As she said that, 3 people and a droid walked in. One was a human female with red hair in pigtails wearing a pink and blue gown. The other 2 were Mirialan, one much shorter and younger than the other, while the droid seemed to be carrying a tray.

The singing seemed to get louder as the 3 females seemed to be singing the same chorus. “What is the meaning of this? How dare you defile the Eternal Throne with your presence? And WHAT IS IT WITH ALL THE SINGING?!”

The 2 woman, the little girl and the droid stopped in front of the throne. “It’s Lifeday.” The one in pink explained. “All throughout the galaxy, people of all ages, races, beliefs and cultures come together to celebrate the joy, the hope, the love and the caring that comes with the holiday.”

“But … I made Lifeday illegal! All the decorations, the gifts, the lights, the trees … all of it gone!”

“But that is not what Lifeday is. Here, have a cookie. Then it will all make sense.” She said as the droid offered the tray to him that was covered in all sorts of cookies; sugar, chocolate chip, gingerbread, Tythonian Tea cakes, Kaas wedding cakes, snicker doodles, peppermint, too many to name. Arcann took one and put it in his mouth.

Then something magical happened. For the first time in his life, there was joy. The cookies, made with such love and caring, joy and hope made his heart grow. His eyes grew bigger and his wicked frown turned upside-down. “See, I told you dear brother.” Vaylin said. The caroling soon warmed his cold blood. He took his sister’s hand then the hand of the girl in pink, and soon, all of them stood in a circle, holding hands and they sang.

“And that is how Jesianna, and her cookies, saved Lifeday children.” The elderly woman said to the crowd of children sitting at her feet as she rocked back and forth in her chair.

“Tell us another story Grandma Ai! Yeah! Another story!” The kids chanted excitingly.

“Now, now children. It’s time for bed. The Master of Ceremonies will soon be here.” She said as she ushered the children to bed and tucked them in to sleep. Once they were all snug in their blankets, the old woman moved to the window and watched the snow fall.