"Seossra Thwisp Style "  

Blog No.70
 

I had a strange comment made to me recently and I would like your opinions on it. 

 

Anyone who has had dealings with me, either at a social or political function, one of my many visits to other planets, or perhaps one of the several times I have needed rescuing for one reason or another, may have noted that I dress in a very particular way. 

 

While many in my position might dress in the best of fabrics, showing the height and best of their planet's culture, riches and skills, I tend to dress much as I did when I was first picked for this position and they informed me of it, as I toiled on my mother's farm. 

 

Partly, it is because I do not for sure what my original planet is and partly it is because this is the way that I am comfortable and used to dressing. I've always done so and never saw a reason to change it. One thing I have been very clear about is the desire to keep this job from changing me in ways that I do not want. I wish to retain myself and not lose sight of what is important to me, simply because I have more 'power' or 'resources' available to me. (In my experience, what I REALLY got was more paperwork!)

 

Anyway, I was walking in the marketplace, as I like to do when I need to take a break and get some fresh air, when I noticed a merchant who was selling bundles of speckled scathe begon! This is grown on my home planet of Tanaab, so I went over to discuss things with her, regarding farming, the crops, harvest, etc. After awhile, the merchant eyed me and said "I'm surprised, you have the style of Seossra Thwisp!" 

 

This took me aback and I soon excused myself, so I could go do some research. First of all, few people ever accuse me of having any style at all. It made me suspicious that 'Seossra Thwisp style' wasn't necessarily a compliment. But who would insult the Supreme Chancellor to her face in the middle of a friendly conversation? 

 

I seemed to recall from some readings, that Seossra Thwisp (goodness, that was a difficult name to say!) was some sort of spy. Nothing about me said 'spy' as near as I knew! I've never had any fighting technique and my skill with the Force was extremely rudimentary. I needed to develop it, but never seemed to have the time. 

 

Did I look like a spy? Did the ancient legend Seossra Thwisp resemble me that closely? 

I hurried back to my office and asked my assistant droid, Dr8ke, to pull up a holo on the spy.  Dr8ke is most efficient and soon the holo was up and running. I searched the files, puzzled. We were nothing alike. She had grey hair, I have brown. Her eyes were black, my own are a greenish-blue. She WAS a spy and I am more of a diplomat. 

 

I finally looked closer at the pictures, at the way she wore her long, loose brown camoflage robes and a grey headgear. Seossra Thwisp was about function, not fashion. I looked down at my own brown and grey robes, veils and shawl. Never would they be called fashionable. People often remarked that I looked more like a pauper than the Supreme Chancellor. 

 

I HAD made upgrades. The cloth my robes and shawls were made from were a much nicer material than they once were . . 

I smiled ruefully. Perhaps I could see the 'Seossra Thwisp resemblance' a little bit.