Private Market Meandering

[Feng Huang]

Feng hummed to herself as she perused the Theed markets, she did that sometimes, hummed to herself, even if she wasn't wearing headphones like she wasn't now. Feng was trying to be more present and in the moment, her mind tended to wander a bit but then she was learning everybody's did. It was psychologically impossible to catch someone not thinking of nothing. That was her theory anyway and she was sticking with it.

Right now, she wasn't even sure what she was shopping for, maybe some fruit? Feng studied the fruit on display, advertised as straight from the Gungan city, completely hydro-organically made using Gungan technology.

Hmm yes I could use some fruit. She decided and bought a juicy looking morsel. Munching on it happily, as the juices ran down her chin, Feng tried to decide what else she needed. It was a far cry from shopping with Ayumi who demanded only the highest ends of products from the latest fashions and materials.

Feng reflected on that with amusement. It was ironic that she a Jedi would fall for a high end gal like Ayumi, given a Jedi's philosophy of surviving on the bare minimum. With that philosophy in mind, Feng decided there really wasn't much she actually needed at the markets, but that didn't change the fact that it was just fun to peruse, browse and ponder at the artistry on display.

To Feng's mind all of it was art, art the sellers were selling for various purposes of functionality certainly, but nevertheless art that they had put their efforts into in the hopes that it would sell and that they may be able to provide for themselves and for their families. From that perspective Feng was sorry she couldn't do more to help them, she wondered if they found it frustrating to cater to people who only looked and didn't buy, but then Feng didn't think buying something she had no real use for was the answer either.

Briefly Feng remembered her self promise to be present realising she had once again been lost in thought, though at least this time she had done so without self criticism, which she felt was an improvement. There were times when Feng's anxiety got the better of her, but recently things had been looking up whether it had been her lessons with Balun Dashiell or her burgeoning relationship with Ayumi Pallopides Feng was finally beginning to feel as if she was improving her mental health.

She was thinking on this with a lightness in her heart when she bumped into someone without intending to.

"Oh, pardon me. I'm so sorry" Feng exclaimed embarrassed.

Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri had been standing near one of the produce stalls examining a bundle of pale green fruit with the kind of intense concentration most people reserved for ancient manuscripts or dangerous machinery. The vendor had already attempted twice to explain that they were, in fact, simply fruit, yet this had done very little to diminish the seriousness with which Meri appeared to be evaluating their texture, structure, and probable regional origin.

At the moment Feng collided gently into her shoulder, Meri's attention snapped upward immediately, the fruit still balanced carefully in one hand while several folded notes and sketch papers remained tucked beneath the other arm.

For half a second, she looked startled more than anything else.

Then Feng apologized, and Meri's expression softened almost immediately as she took in the other woman's embarrassment.

"No, it was not entirely your fault," she replied quietly. "I was apparently studying produce with excessive commitment."

The dryness beneath the statement arrived naturally, softened further by the faint upward curve threatening the corner of her mouth.

Only then did she properly notice the fruit juice running faintly down Feng's chin from the piece she had been eating moments earlier. Meri hesitated briefly, clearly debating internally whether mentioning it would sound rude, before finally reaching into one of the pockets of her satchel and offering over a neatly folded cloth.

"You have evidence of your shopping decisions currently attempting to escape," she informed her with complete seriousness.

Despite the formal delivery, the remark carried unmistakable humor beneath it.

Around them, the Theed marketplace continued bustling softly beneath warm afternoon light. Vendors called out their offers from beneath colorful awnings while distant music drifted through the upper walkways, mixing with conversation and the scent of fresh produce, river flowers, and baked sweets carried on the air.

Meri adjusted the notes beneath her arm slightly as her attention returned to Feng again, curiosity quietly surfacing now that the initial collision had passed.

There was something unusually open about the other woman's presence. Bright, distracted, and thoughtful in a way Meri recognized almost immediately because it resembled the same sort of internal wandering she herself often disappeared into while exploring archives or ruins.

"Though," she added after another moment, glancing briefly toward the half-eaten fruit still in Feng's hand, "your selection does appear structurally sound."

A small pause followed.

"Which I realize may not be how most people evaluate fruit."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng felt a small flicker of smile at the girls manner of speech. It was both colourful and analytical, as she'd learned how to speak basic from a translator droid. All correct terminology without any social context. Feng thought it was wonderful and exceedingly clever. She wondered how it faired in other social interactions, whether it was a barrier or whether it was familiar quirk amongst her friends, she hoped it was the latter. Uniqueness in Feng's opinion should be celebrated and encouraged, not dismissed or derided. With that in mind Feng decided then and there that she and this girl were going to become fast friends.

"What about the fruit oh er produce was worthy of excessive study?" Feng asked curiously. "Are you a gardener? My master enjoys tending his garden as well"

Feng said the last with a reassuring smile. Feng looked confused at the girls humour for a second then realised the cloth was meant for the juices running down Feng's chin.

"Oh thank you. I've always been a messy eater" Feng admitted with a laugh.

Feng grinned at her 'evaluation' of Feng's fruit. Feng laughed.

"No I love it." Feng thought it prudent not to mention that she reminded her of a translator droid with an interesting personality matrix. Feng decided it was time to do her favourite game when meeting new people, tell them a little about herself, and then encourage them to speak of themselves.

"I'm Feng. Feng Huang. I'm a padawan. I like racing, engines, sparring, my girlfriend @Ayumi, starships, starfighters, holofilms, the beach, gardens, meditating-though I'm working at being better at it and meeting new people."

"What's your name? What do you do? What do you like to do? What are you doing on Naboo? What are you doing in Theed?" Feng asked the torrent of questions, fairly certain the girl wasn't a local judging by her manner of addressing people. At least Feng had never heard of a Nubian addressing someone that way before.

"You sound like an academic? Are you studying at Theed University?" Feng continued the barrage of questions eager to find out more about the curious girl.

"Oh I'm sorry." Feng stopped realising she might be being incredibly rude. "I didn't mean to be rude. I just love meeting new and interesting people. It's one of the simple joys in life."

Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

The torrent of questions arrived so quickly that Meri's eyes widened slightly. She wasn't alarmed, but she was definitely attempting to keep pace. By the time Feng reached her apology, Meri had already begun mentally organizing the barrage into neat, efficient categories.

"You were not rude," she assured her with complete sincerity. "You simply asked seven questions in approximately twelve seconds. That is entirely manageable."

She folded the cloth neatly after Feng finished with it, tucking it away into her satchel before deciding where to begin.

"The produce was worthy of study because it was labeled as being cultivated using Gungan hydroponic systems. I had not previously encountered that agricultural methodology firsthand and was curious whether the process produced observable differences," she explained, a faint hint of dry humor touching her voice. "Unfortunately, I did not reach a definitive conclusion before colliding with you. And no, I am not a gardener. Plants don't generally survive my involvement, let alone benefit from it."

Methodically moving down her mental checklist, her expression softened slightly.

"My name is Meri Vale. I am a student at the academy here in Theed, which is why I am on Naboo. Most of my interests involve history, architecture, archaeology, linguistics, ancient civilizations, and locating structures that sensible people have forgotten. I live here while studying, though I suspect I spend nearly as much time beneath Theed as I do within it."

She paused, letting that somewhat cryptic statement rest before transitioning to the personal notes Feng had shared. Meri gave a small tilt of her head.

"You listed Ayumi very near the beginning of your interests. I assume that indicates she is highly significant to you."

Her gray eyes shifted toward the bustling market around them before returning to the Padawan. Unlike many people, Meri didn't appear overwhelmed by the sudden social whirlwind; she simply approached it like a text waiting to be decoded.

"You mentioned racing, engines, starfighters, sparring, gardening, meditation, and meeting new people," Meri considered, turning the varied list over in her mind. "Those seem like a remarkably eclectic collection of pursuits. How do you decide how to distribute your time between them? Also, what kind of racing do you participate in? And if you are a Padawan, does your Master actually approve of the racing?"

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng grinned unabashed as Meri neatly categorised her barrage of questions, first analysing how many in approximate seconds, before going into significant depth into answering each one.

"Sorry I chatter when I'm nervous, and I'm always nervous meeting new people. Particularly interesting ones." Feng explained with a slight self deprecating smile.

"Gungan food is excellent!" Feng exclaimed in agreement. "I'm vegan so often get my food from as many naturally growing sources as possible for a bit of variety, Gungan is amongst my favourite. I always make sure to get some when I'm on planetside of Naboo."

It took a moment to realise the joke, but when she did Feng laughed.

"Oh anyone can garden if they have enough care and attention to detail." Feng assured the woman.

Feng was gratified to hear her deduction that Meri was an academic was a correct one.

"Oooh that must be fascinating studying all those ancient civilisations. It's like studying whole different worlds we'll never get to visit except through the excavations of you and your fellows at Theed Academy." Feng nodded intrigued.

Feng blushed at the mention of Ayumi.

"She is… she's amazing, she's a senator, but not at all pompous or standoffish like you'd expect, everything she does is to help others, whether they be her own people or refugees in need of aid."

Feng grinned ruefully at the mention of whether or not her master approved of racing.

"Well… he let's me discover my own path as it were, mostly he worries for me, but he respects my choices more often than not."

"And I participated in the N1 Races! I didn't do as well as I'd like but I'm always eager to look out for the next racing opportunity!"

Feng thought over Meri's questions for a moment, she wasn't as good as Meri clearly was in categorising them, but she did her best to catch up and answer all of them.

"Racing is just a hobby though. As for my time, my priority is absolutely the Jedi Order as a padawan and anything I can do to serve my duty. Right now I'm assigned to be Ayumi's bodyguard, it's how we met. I'm taking a short break to report to the council here on Naboo but Ayumi's perfectly safe I assure you!"

Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri listened attentively as Feng spoke, finding it surprisingly easy to follow the rapid, enthusiastic shifts between topics. Every thread, from racing and the Jedi to this Ayumi, she clearly adored, carried its own internal logic.

The mention of nervousness earned a slight tilt of Meri's head. "You seem remarkably functional for someone who claims to be nervous," she observed with complete sincerity. "Most nervous people become quieter. You appear to become more conversational, which I suspect is significantly more pleasant for everyone involved."

As they navigated the bustling market, Meri caught herself glancing toward the produce stands to mentally catalog notes on Gungan agriculture, but Feng's praise of archaeology pulled her back. The corner of her mouth twitched upward. "That is actually a very good description of it," she said, her gaze drifting toward the distant, elegant spires of Theed. "Most people think archaeology is about objects. It is not, really; the objects are simply evidence. The goal is to understand how people lived. What they valued, what they feared, and what they believed was important enough to leave behind."

When the conversation shifted to Ayumi, Meri immediately caught the shift in the Padawan's expression. "You become noticeably happier when discussing her," she noted with clinical neutrality, giving a single, satisfied nod. "I believe that is generally considered a positive sign."

Yet, tallying Feng's responsibilities as a bodyguard, starfighter pilot, and Jedi student caused Meri to blink. A faint note of amusement, entirely sympathetic, entered her voice. "You have an unusually busy life. Most students I know struggle to balance classes and sleep, but you appear to have added diplomacy, security, racing, and a relationship to the mix. I think I understand why your Master worries."

Adjusting the strap of her satchel, Meri let a brief silence settle before asking a question of her own. Her gray eyes fixed on Feng, devoid of the usual awe or idealization most people held for the Order. She asked it simply as a scholar studying an unfamiliar culture: "What is it like? Being a Jedi, I mean. Most historical records discuss what Jedi accomplished, but very few explain what it actually feels like to be one."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng laughed at Meri's evaluation for it could be described as nothing other than an evaluation of Feng's nerves. Yet it wasn't stilted, awkward or inappropriate as one might expect from such an analytical mind. It was welcoming, with warmth, humour, perspective and kindness. Feng was enjoying just listening to Meri speak, she had a sense she would be content to listen to Meri speak on a wide range of subjects so long as she kept the same cadence and rhythm.

"My nervousness tends to make me a chatterbox, most people seem to find it amusing at first and then perhaps a little tedious as my anxiety makes itself known." Feng admitted shyly.

Feng nodded thoughtfully and eagerly.

"Right? There are some Jedi who can read the memories of objects they put their hands on, it's a useful skill in investigation, but I imagine it'd be a wonderful technique to learn for the study of archaeology." Feng got lost in thought of the application of such a skill. "To read the memory of objects thousands of years in the past could be a powerful tool for expanding our knowledge of the past."

Feng ducked her head shyly at her obvious happiness at talking about Ayumi.

"I believe it is a positive sign as well." Feng commented demurely.

Feng laughed.

"It's not so bad, as I said racing is a hobby one which I don't get to express all that often, but it is a release not a chore. The diplomacy, relationship and the security go hand in hand, mostly I just follow Ayumi around and try to keep up."

Feng considered the question with some surprise. Most people were so stuck on hero worshipping Jedi very few asked a genuine question what it was like.

"There's a lot of pressure." Feng acknowledged her voice becoming calmer, more centred as she answered the question "but also a sense that you are part of something greater than yourself, a service acting on behalf of others. You find solace and resolution in that in even the most difficult times, and the study of the Force allows you to be apart of the living force of the universe. It makes you connected to all life, that feeling cannot be replaced by anything. Finally every so often you find balance true balance and serenity. There's a contentment in that as well. Though I'm still working on achieving it."

"Plus the abilities are kind of cool as well." Feng beamed.

"You have a unique and poetic manner of speaking if I may say so. Where did you learn to speak with such vivid descriptive evaluations if it's not too rude to ask?" Feng requested with curiosity. She figured it was only fair since Meri had asked a personal question of hers that she respond in kind.

Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri listened with genuine interest as Feng described what it felt like to be a Jedi. Unlike many discussions she had encountered regarding the Order, Feng's answer was not focused on heroics or ancient battles, but on responsibility, connection, and balance, making it sound less like a profession and more like a way of viewing the universe. That, Meri suspected, was a much more useful answer.

"The pressure sounds difficult," she admitted thoughtfully, "but the connection you describe sounds... comforting. Most people spend a great deal of time trying to find where they belong, and it sounds as though the Force provides a framework for that, although I imagine the expectations accompanying it are considerably less comforting."

Feng's mention of psychometry drew another thoughtful expression, her mind immediately running away with the concept.

"That would be an extraordinary archaeological tool. Although I suspect it would create entirely new academic arguments. Historians already struggle to agree on events that occurred three decades ago, so introducing direct memory impressions would likely make conferences significantly more dramatic. Still, I would very much like to see it."

When Feng asked about the way she spoke, however, Meri grew unexpectedly quiet, merely reflecting as she searched backward through years of memories.

"I am not entirely certain," her answer came slowly, stating a truth that was precise if incomplete. "I suppose I grew up around people who valued precision, where words were expected to mean exactly what they said. There was also a great deal of emphasis on observation, attention to detail, and contextual understanding. Architecture probably contributed as well. Buildings tell stories without speaking, and after a while, you begin describing everything as though it has structure and purpose. I did not realize I spoke unusually until several people informed me that I do. Most of the time, I am simply saying exactly what I mean."

Which, in hindsight, was probably the source of the problem.

As they continued walking through the market, Meri glanced toward Feng again, a faint note of amusement softening her demeanor.

"I think your manner of speaking is equally distinctive. Most people ask questions to learn specific information, but you seem to ask questions because you enjoy learning about people. That is a surprisingly uncommon trait."

She paused for a moment, considering her companion with straightforward honesty.

"Also, I suspect you underestimate how interesting you are. Most people cannot casually transition from discussing agricultural methods to starfighter racing, philosophy, and then to serving as a senator's bodyguard. It makes conversations considerably more dynamic."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

"The connection is everything, it makes all the rest worth it, not just the pressure, but the horror of war and strife. Without the harmony that the Force brings such a burden would be much too difficult to bear by oneself." Feng smiled softly and shrugged "With the connection of the Force, I'm never truly alone. Framework is a start towards appreciating it, but it's… no matter where I am a part of me is at home. The Force is home."

Feng beamed pleased with the metaphor, it was difficult to describe something so abstract in detail, but she felt she had done a good job of conveying what it meant to be a part of something greater than yourself, something that flowed through everyone and everything.

Feng laughed.

"Academics love to argue about every facet of every new discovery they make. What does it do? What's its purpose? Who held it at one time? What were they like? Did they value the object or was it simply a tool? Psychometry could go a long way to answering those questions. Unfortunately it's not a skill I possess." Feng expressed a twinge of a grimace of regret.

"I shouldn't complain. I have plenty of other gifts that have served me well on more than one occasion." Feng found reminding herself of how fortunate she was helped put things into perspective, though sometimes it eared into self criticism which was far from helpful. It was a delicate balance.

Feng nodded interested as Meri described how she came to have her cadence of speech.

"You mentioned you grew up around people who valued precision. Where did you grow up if I may ask?" Feng asked curious.

Feng looked a little flustered at being told her manner of speaking was distinctive. She had never considered that the way she spoke might be considered distinctive before.

"I like learning about people, more than I like learning about things. People are what matter more than things, although sometimes you learn a great deal about a person based on the things they talk about and are passionate about. Ayumi Pallopides for instance will talk about her projects in detail and you can see her care for detail to the benefit of her people. The projects are a symptom of the care she shows for her people. You for instance value precision, but not at the expense of humour, social interaction, warmth and kindness that says a lot about you."

Feng shrugged with a gentle smile.

"I like a wide variety of subjects, the more subjects one discusses the more one learns, both of other people and of ourselves."

Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri walked beside Feng in thoughtful silence for a few moments, allowing the words to settle properly before attempting to respond. The description of the Force as a home lingered with her more than anything else; it was not a comparison she would have arrived at herself, but she found she understood it instinctively.

"I think that may be the clearest explanation I have heard so far," she admitted, her gaze drifting briefly toward the crowds moving through the market. "Most people describe what the Force does, but you described what it feels like. The distinction seems important." When the conversation shifted naturally to psychometry, Meri nodded in agreement as Feng described the endless debates it would inevitably inspire. "You are correct. Archaeologists would immediately begin arguing over methodology, reliability, contextual interpretation, and whether the memory represented the object itself or merely the perception of the person holding it. The arguments would probably continue for decades." Her faint smile made it sound less like a criticism and more like an observation of natural law.

When Feng asked where she had grown up, however, Meri's expression softened slightly, and she paused before answering. "Panatha. Or what used to be Panatha. It is gone." Her voice remained calm, though quieter now, and she chose not to elaborate immediately as the simple statement carried enough weight on its own. After watching a group of shoppers pass by, she continued gently, "It was a place that valued education, history, culture, and tradition. Precision mattered there. Context mattered. People paid attention to words—sometimes perhaps a little too much. I suspect some of that remained with me."

Meri listened carefully as Feng explained her observations about Ayumi and how a person's interests reflected their character, and found herself unexpectedly impressed. "You know, most people would describe that as learning about people, but I think you are actually studying them," she noted thoughtfully, offering the observation without judgment. "You pay attention to patterns, motivations, and values. You simply do it through conversation rather than excavation. For a moment, it seemed to genuinely consider the comparison."

Amused by the realization, her gray eyes shifted back toward Feng with a slight lift at the corner of her mouth. "That is not entirely different from archaeology, actually. I study civilizations by examining what they leave behind, while you study individuals by examining what they care about. The methodologies are surprisingly similar—although yours is probably more efficient, given most of the people I study have been dead for several thousand years."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng waited patiently for Meri to process what she had said. Feng had already learned enough about the woman to know that she considered both what she thought and what she said carefully. It was an admirable way of guiding oneself through life. So many people just fumbled their way through life saying the first thing that came to mind. Feng included she thought ruefully.

Feng smiled softly at herself. Though perhaps that was changing, she'd noticed significantly less anxiety recently as she expanded her comfort zone. Oh there was the initial worry, nerves, the butterflies in her chest that made it difficult to breathe, but then once that was past more often then not she was rewarded with a new experience, whether it be lessons with Balun Dashiell , her relationship with Ayumi Pallopides , her missions with Aiden Porte and Connel Vanagor , her reaching out to other padawans such as Ivy Maro , Oryn Selvar and Loutaro Juan Raul Conzalla , or meeting senior politicians who turned out to be surprisingly good people like Dominique Vexx and Verity Stuyveris .

Cataloging her experiences like that made Feng realise how much she'd grown, the people she was lucky to have met along the way. Now she was adding Meri to that list.

"The Force is more than a tool, it is a living universal entity, even the Jedi don't fully understand it, some spend their entire lives studying it and only scratch the surface. For myself trying to study it as if it were a science looses some of the meaning behind it. Yes certain actions create predictable results." Feng summoned the Force in a small Force shield around her hand. "but in order to fully harness it, one has to be willing to let go of certain knowledge, be open to spiritual possibilities otherwise absent."

Feng smiled and shrugged.

"It helps for me to think of it as a home. Homes are welcome, safe harbors, yet should still be treated with respect and dignity. The same care, dignity and respect one shows oneself"

Feng laughed at Meri's description of debate among archaeologists.

"Sounds like something my Master would enjoy discussing" Feng grinned ruefully and shook her head. "Master Wu loves a good endless debate."

Feng became sombre when Meri began to talk of her homeworld. Something in the shift in her expression and tone told Feng it wasn't an easy discussion to have.

"Sounds like a fascinating place." Feng commented gently "Perhaps my duties will permit me to visit one day."

Feng decided not to push the subject. As cordial as this conversation might be Feng had no right to impose upon what was clearly a private memory of Meri's homeworld. There was a time not long ago Feng would be bursting with curiosity. Now she simply accepted that there were some things she should be aware of privacy towards.

Feng huffed a chuckle at the thought of her incessant people watching being described as studying.

"Perhaps I could open up a new tutorial 101 in people watching?" Feng grinned "I thank you for the compliment, though I hesitate to call my incessant rambling anything as dignified as studying."

"I would also argue that I don't always have access to the archaeological evidence or university resources you do in your studies of people, places, nations of the past. Hindsight is twenty twenty. A good archaeologist is able to categorised the strengths and weaknesses of two opposing forces far better than any contemporary general on the battlefield."

Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri listened thoughtfully as Feng spoke, her attention never wavering despite the crowds continuing to flow around them. There was something interesting about the way Feng described the Force. Most people she had encountered either spoke of it with rigid certainty or dismissed it entirely. Feng seemed to occupy a place somewhere between those extremes, approaching it with both conviction and humility. That alone made her perspective worth listening to. When Feng demonstrated the small shield around her hand, Meri watched with obvious fascination, studying it the same way she might examine an unfamiliar artifact.

"I think that may be where people like us approach the same subject from different directions," she said thoughtfully. "My instinct is always to understand how something works. Yours seems to be understanding what something means." There was no criticism in the observation. If anything, it sounded appreciative. "Both approaches seem valuable. History would be difficult to study without evidence, but evidence alone rarely explains why people believed the things they did." Her gaze drifted briefly toward the shimmering water beyond the marketplace. "Perhaps that is why archaeology and philosophy spend so much time accidentally standing in one another's territory."

The mention of Master Wu's love of endless debates earned a faint smile. "He would likely get along very well with archaeologists, then." The amusement lingered. "Most discoveries create more questions than answers. Entire conferences have been organized around disagreements concerning a single inscription, a damaged artifact, or whether a wall was constructed three decades earlier than previously believed." She paused briefly. "The arguments can become surprisingly competitive for a profession largely centered around reading old things."

When Feng mentioned wanting to visit Panatha someday, Meri grew quieter for a moment. The sadness remained, but it no longer carried the sharp edges it once had. Time had transformed it into something softer, though no less significant. "It was beautiful," she said simply. "I think that is what I miss most. Not the buildings or the titles or any of the things people usually imagine. Just the feeling of knowing a place so completely that you never had to think about whether you belonged there." After a moment, she shook her head lightly and allowed a small smile to return. "Though if you had visited while I lived there, I suspect I would have spent most of the day dragging you through museums and historical sites. Sadly, Panatha is gone now."

Feng's description of herself as an enthusiastic observer of people clearly amused her. "I still think you are understating your methodology," she replied. "Good archaeologists do not simply collect information. They look for patterns. You seem to do exactly the same thing." Her gray eyes shifted toward Feng again. "And I am not entirely convinced hindsight is as reliable as people claim. The archaeological record tells us what happened. It rarely tells us how it felt to live through it. You have something historians often lack. You pay attention to people while they are still writing their stories." A faint smile touched her face. "That seems considerably more difficult than excavating a ruin."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng beamed at Meri's description of their different approaches to life.

"That sums it up rather nicely. For me everything is in the meaning, how it works is only one facet of that encompasses what an aspect of the galaxy, of the universe is. We can understand how something works, but to understand it's meaning is to understand how it is and should be used."

"Take speech for example, it can be used for multiple aspects, and understanding how it works in the grammar, syntax and positioning of a phrase is valuable. The greater value is when it is used to not just communicate but foster meaning and understanding. Your precision does you credit, but if you will forgive my observation, a droid may be just as precise but lack all the meaning."

Feng laughed at the thought of Master Wu at an archaeological conference debating the aspects of science surrounding the field. Of examining evidence and extrapolating a theory as a result.

"Perhaps he may be more attuned to the philosophical side of things than the analytical."

Feng grew silent as she heard of Panatha's fate. She shook her head sadly.

"There has been so much death and destruction. I'm sure future archaeologists would find ours a fascinating time to study. The constant wars would draw excitement, interests, decades of study. The figures, heroes, generals, politicians right down to the uniforms. Personally I think I'd have rather lived in the days of the High Republic of old."

Feng sighed.

"Though perhaps that is just wishful thinking, I'm sure those times had there issues as well. Still there is an old curse from my home. 'May you live in interesting times.' I cannot help but wonder if it applies to now."

Feng smiled perked up a little at Meri's enthusiasm for her craft.

"It sounds more like a craft or an art than a science."

Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri considered Feng's words carefully as they continued through the market. There was a surprising amount of overlap between what Feng described and the sorts of questions archaeologists asked themselves every day. Artifacts, ruins, inscriptions, and even entire civilizations could be understood mechanically. One could measure them, catalog them, and describe their functions. Yet the deeper challenge was always understanding what they had meant to the people who created them. In that regard, Feng's perspective was not nearly as foreign as it initially seemed.

"I think that is a fair observation," she admitted. "A droid can be precise. It can communicate information perfectly. But meaning is something else entirely." Her expression grew thoughtful. "The most useful historical records are not always the most accurate ones. Sometimes they are the ones that reveal what people valued, feared, or hoped for. Those things are considerably harder to measure." She paused briefly before adding, "So perhaps you are correct. Understanding how something works and understanding what it means are related questions, but they are not necessarily the same question."

The conversation drifted toward history and the endless cycle of conflict that seemed to define so much of the modern galaxy. Meri followed Feng's gaze toward the crowds around them before responding. "I do not mind living in these times," she said quietly. "There is certainly loss and destruction, and I would prefer less of both. But every era probably appears simpler when viewed from a distance." A faint smile appeared. "You make a good point about the High Republic. It likely had fewer grand wars and fewer worlds being devastated. At least fewer that became famous enough for historians to write about repeatedly."

Her smile lingered for a moment before fading into something more thoughtful. "But it was not perfect either. Whatever strengths it possessed, it eventually failed. Every age believes it has solved problems that future generations later discover were only postponed." Her gaze drifted briefly toward the sky above Theed. "I suspect archaeologists develop a certain skepticism about golden ages. We spend too much time uncovering evidence that people have always been people."

Feng's final observation earned another small smile. "I think archaeology is both." The answer came without hesitation. "There is science in the excavation, analysis, dating methods, and preservation techniques. There is also artistry in reconstruction. Every archaeologist is trying to take fragments of a story and understand the whole shape that once existed around them." She glanced toward Feng. "Although after speaking with you, I am beginning to suspect that studying people may not be as different from archaeology as I originally believed."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng nodded "I'm relieved that you have not taken offence at the analogy of the droid. I know many people spoke ill of droids as unfeeling beings, but I know that isn't true, there was too much personality, too much character in the droids I have met for me to believe that. Yes it was informed by their programming of their personality matrix, but I believe there is an x factor, perhaps the Force itself that gave them life."

Feng shrugged gently and smiled softly. It was enjoyable to be having such an open, honest and heart warming conversation with a complete stranger. It made Feng's faith in people renew. It was easy to get dejected with the state of the galaxy the Mandalorian Empire, the Sith the Imperial Remnants. All of them after power their methods not dissimilar only their aesthetics. Feng was relieved to find a good honest person in amongst all of that.

"Just one of those mysteries in life I've come to accept while tinkering with them I suppose."

Feng smiled at the rest of Meri's explanation of meaning and her own analogy of historical records. It made sense that Meri brought everything back to her field of study. It was not only her job, but her passion. Feng was intrigued how someone could devote themselves so completely to one subject. It was admirable. A gift of modern society that one could do it at all even in the face of the tragedy she had experienced.

Feng nodded "Perhaps it was just a time with less connectivity throughout the galaxy, there was at least one time when the Jedi of the High Republic were threatened by mere pirates after all. Perhaps in response they sought power, perhaps too much power, but I'm sure you know how that story went"

Feng laughed at the comparison between studying people and studying archaeology. Perhaps it was, but Feng was reluctant to adhere to the theory. When Feng 'studied' people it was to get to know them, interact with them and hopefully if things went well be a part of each other's lives. To do that one needed a perspective slightly different than just accumulating knowledge.

"Perhaps, the difference I suspect is when studying people one has to take those people into account. Their feelings, their thoughts, their personality and yes their history." Feng shrugged "One cannot be as impartial and analytical with people as one is with academic studies."

Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri listened as Feng spoke about droids, meaning, and the Force, finding herself unsurprised that Feng's conclusions always seemed to return to people rather than systems. It was a consistent pattern, one she had noticed almost immediately. Where Meri tended to begin with structures and work her way toward individuals, Feng appeared to start with individuals and build outward from there. Neither approach seemed inherently better. They simply illuminated different parts of the same picture.

"I do not think I could take offense at being compared to a droid," she admitted with a faint smile. "Some of the most memorable conversations I have ever had were with droids. Besides, I agree with you. There is something difficult to quantify about them. Two units can possess identical programming and yet develop entirely different personalities over time. Whether that is the Force, experience, or something else entirely, I am not sure. It is one of those questions that becomes more complicated the longer you examine it."

The discussion of history drew her attention back toward the larger galaxy beyond Naboo. Feng's observation regarding the High Republic earned a thoughtful nod. "That is often how it happens," she said. "People identify a weakness, solve it successfully, and then spend the next century discovering all the new problems created by the solution. History is remarkably consistent in that regard." A trace of amusement entered her voice. "If archaeologists have one universal lesson, it is that nobody ever believes they are creating the future disaster historians will eventually write about."

When Feng returned to the comparison between studying people and studying history, Meri found herself smiling again. "No, I suppose you cannot." She considered the thought for a moment before continuing. "Archaeology benefits from distance. The people we study are usually long gone. Their feelings cannot be hurt by our conclusions, and they are generally unable to disagree with our interpretations." The corner of her mouth twitched slightly. "Living people are considerably more complicated. They have opinions about being studied."

Her gray eyes shifted toward Feng again, carrying a warmth that had grown steadily throughout the conversation. "Although I think you are underselling the analytical part of what you do. You pay attention very carefully. You notice details. You remember things people tell you. You build connections between them. The difference is that you use those observations to understand people rather than ruins." She paused briefly before adding, "If anything, that sounds significantly more difficult. Ruins generally do not argue with your conclusions."

Feng Huang