"Crilamo Sa-ys so"  

Blog No.73
 

The light streaming through the windows was more obscured than usual by the thick clouds filling the sky. Tessa was glad that she had an interview to keep her indoors on such a stormy day.

 

She made sure the goblet of water was ready and some clean glasses were in the right place. A soft cough behind her made her turn, and her guard bowed and said, "Crilamo Sa is here, Your Grace." Tessa thanked him and walked to the front of her desk, walking staff in hand, and smiled at her guest as the guards let him in.

 

"Crilamo Sa, how good of you to come! Please, sit, make yourself comfortable and get yourself a drink of water or blue milk if it pleases you." She went to her own seat behind the desk and sat down. Hmm. She hoped the guest seat was the right height. Mr. Sa was a bit longer in the neck than she was used to seeing.

"I don't want to take over your whole afternoon, so let me begin right away. In my travels, I have rarely made it to Kamino. Would you mind telling me a bit about your home planet?"   

 

Crilamo Sa: "It is an honor to meet you Mrs. Supreme Chancellor. Kamino is... distant. Not just in space, but our homeworld developed without the influence most other planets had from their neighbouring planets. According to legends it once was a planet with a solid ground like every other but then the tidal waves decidet to change the world. Now it is a world of endless rain, where the surface of the ocean mirrors the skies above. Certain events in the past hit our world and our civilisation but we rebuilt after those events, with precision and calculation. Every structure, every walkway, every tone of lighting serves a purpose. Efficiency, clarity, restraint. It is not a place for comfort but rather efficency some may call it even the Kaminoan Way.”  

 

Tessa: "That sounds . . excellent. Rather calming and certainly a high goal to seek to reach. Perhaps I long for that more since working with all the different emmisaries, diplomats and ambassadors. Every planet and culture has its own system and sorting through it all can be . .hectic. Now, since Kamino is a mainly aquatic planet, how are you adjusting to being on land so much of the time?"

 

Crilamo: "When you never were on a non aquatic planet before then there are challenges. On Kamino you feel the rhythm of water beneath your feet, when you are outdoors. On solid ground, that rhythm is gone. For me personally the silence was the most strange at first and the first time stepping on solid ground was like the feeling of walking a step of a staircase, when there isnt a step anymore.”

 

Tessa: "My goodness! That must be very disorienting at first! I'm not even fond of space travel, let alone something like that. You are very strong people to overcome this so often. Do you have any advice for any travellers who are just starting out in their journeys in the Galaxy?"

 

Crilamo: "Openess. The galaxy is far and there are a lot of places to discover. if you do not stay open to those, you are missing a lot. And also sometimes the galaxy does not conform to our expectations and maybe it even challenges them. To travel is not merely to move, but to encounter that which is unfamiliar. Do not stay with what is known. Taste unfamiliar spices. Listen to languages you do not understand.“

 

Tessa: "My dear Crilamo, I cannot tell you how strongly that resonates with me. Ever since I ventured forth from my home farm, I have not found anything to be as I expected. But what an adventure it has been! And what are you hoping to achieve in your travels? Is there a position or a title, or some scientific achievement that you're aiming for in the future?"

 

Crilamo: "My people often pursue advancement through measurable success, like scientific discovery, genetic innovation or diplomatic precision. I respect these aims but I am still on my journey through the galaxies. And if that journey leads to achievement, so be it. But I do not walk this path for titles.”

 

Tessa: "That is a very noble attitude and I honor you for it. Who knows where either one of us may end up one day? This just about concludes our time together, and I have valued it very highly, but before we part, would you be able to show me some skill or ability or some technique from your people that you've learned or acquired? You can just show me here, or we can go outside if that is better."

 

He rises with the calm, elegant precision of his kaminoan species up, then gestures softly towards a small empty desk at the side of the rooom. From a small satchel, he produces a portable burner and pre-prepared ingredients. With ritual-like grace, he begins to sear a delicate slice of fish, the aroma immediately invoking images of distant ocean platforms.

"We Kaminoans are known for our science, our genetic mastery, but we are not a singular hivemind“ He smiled slightly "So each of us excells in different disciplines. Some shape life itself. Others perfect methods of warfare. As for myself... I am at the start of my journey and I still need to discover. Though I grew up from a family of cooks. My father teached me one or two meals. It would be an honor, if you would be my guest this dinner”

As he prepares his voice remained quiet and focused, quiting the words his father often told him

"To cook is to understand balance. To predict how different elements. Flavor, temperature, timing.”

Then, with a subtle wave of his hand, droplets of sauce lift into the air, forming a slow-moving arc before descending evenly onto the dish with geometric precision.

"Mrs. Supreme Chancellor, if you want to try.”

She most certainly did!