Hi Jess! I’m writing a little about Minashee for last week’s Mines Monday and it’s gotten me thinking about the scene in MO in the mind-palace. What inspired you to have the settlements on Minashee be houseboat-like? Do you have any other Minashee headcanons?
ELL!! Thank you for this, and what happy news that we’ll be getting another wonderful piece of your writing! I’ve enjoyed your first two so much, I can’t wait to see what’s coming!! :D :D
Let me start by telling you something embarrassing. For years, I’ve been sure Minashee was a canonical ocean world, but I actually can’t find a source that. In fact, the Legends wookiepedia has it listed as an “Industrial” world. (...which doesn’t exactly sound like the Planet Earth: Shallow Seas biome, does it?) I can only assume that in my infinite, genius creativity, I read that Sifo-Dyas’s father was a fisherman and went “aha. Bet there’s some. *checks notes* water there, gotcha ;D” and proceeded to make too much out of it, forget, and imagine I had read it somewhere. But I'm far from the first person to think that, so... ?!?
Anyway, it doesn’t matter, because I can so clearly see this water world full of floating villages of interconnected houseboats that it’s stuck with me. You know, we've seen Kamino as an aquatic planet with these deep, strange unknowable oceans, but I was picturing the sea on Minashee more... friendly? like the flooded train stops in Spirited Away, like a big bright water plain with underwater grasses and schools of little glittery fish, with water clear enough to see 12-14ft to the bottom in a lot of places.
with a warm, shallow ocean, most houseboats have poles to get unstuck as well as the usual sail/engines
Most of the population of Minashee are near-human, but have expanded lung capacity similar to trained real world free divers (again, I’m in no way the first or only person to headcanon that one)
Knots and woven things are culturally important - they make nets, secure everything from laundry lines to fishing rigs to the connecting anchors that keep the whole floating village together
Soooooo many fun space-seaweed dyes
Once I gave them “Minashee sunshine peppers” which I thought was inspired by some peach ghost peppers I tried and failed to grow the year I wrote it, but looking at the line, I see it was a “numbing” heat which sounds Sichuan-inspired. YOU KNOW LAND-LOCKED SICHUAN? Think it fucking through, Jess.
It’s just as easy to swim wherever you want to go in town than it is to use the floating boardwalks and interconnected docks which can be crowded and uneven and constantly in use for other things
since the houseboats are literally tied together most of the time, everything is very communal
I headcanon Sifo-Dyas's whole hair style and side plaits are a typical men's cultural look on Minashee
once I had teenaged Sifo-Dyas get his Minashee astrological sign as a tattoo, but I'm with Dooku on that one, I kind of think it was bullshit, someone was like "oh, Minashee? uhh sure, kid" and gave him a pretty starfish. I really like Sifo-Dyas's powers being completely out of nowhere, and there's no, like, birth world connection to divination, or fortune-telling great grandma in his backstory
Yet another longer one, will probably write part 2 later this week. Enjoy the mischief though - will be curious if anyone can guess what Sifo is planning xx
Sifo-Dyas opened the door to see little Obi-Wan looking up at him, a giant grin streched across his face. Rubbing the sleepiness from his eyes, Sifo-Dyas yawned as he waved the small initiate into his quarters. While he had been given the codes for his rooms by Sifo's better half years ago, Obi-Wan still insisted on knocking whenever he visited in the early hours, having been at the receiving end of Sifo-Dyas' early morning grumbling too many times.
Leaving his shoes on a leaf-enscribed shelf, gifted by Qui-Gon after Sifo-Dyas was able to help convince Dooku to allow - yet another - plant in their shared quarters, Obi-Wan stared at him with wide unblinking tooka eyes. Sifo-Dyas surrepitiously glanced at the clock hanging above them, an ancient nabooian oak wood his old master had managed to squirrel away for her padawan many years ago. It was much to early.
As he yawned again, Obi-Wan suddenly went into action mode, preparing the chamomile and lemon tea Sifo-Dyas normally pretended to drink at the Creche, as he started filling the exhausted Seer on an outing Dooku had dragged him on the day before. "but as the market was so loud, we decided to look at the Pantoorian district, but Master 'ku couldn't find the right kind of kash'mir for your scarf and so-"
"Sorry, my scarf?" Sifo-Dyas interrupted, suddenly clocking the initiate's energetic chattering. The boy went dark red, almost blending the youthful features with his copper hair, the force ringing with hints of panic and embarassment. Sifo-Dyas himself had spent the previous day adding the final touches to his own anniversary gift for his partner-in-crime of 25 years, but been surprised the frequently more absent-minded Dooku had actually remembered this year.
"Ah, apologies Master Dya-fo" Sifo smiled internally at the young boy's nickname, a hold-over from when he had struggled to grasp his name as a toddler, "I must have misspoke" "Misspoken" corrected Sifo-Dyas, Obi-Wan graciously tilting his head in response to the Dooku-ian correction, "misspoken, I believe I meant to say Casta's scarf, as it is her Life Day in a few cycles". Sifo-Dyas thought for a moment, considering the suggested excuse, feeling the truth seeping from the boy in the force, before accepting it as a slip. After all, Dooku had forgotten their anniversary almost every year, and so it sadly was not surprising to believe he had forgotten again.
"Of course Obi-Wan, no apologies needed" he replied, accepting the finished cup of tea, desperately longing for a bitter cup of caf to fight the dregs of sleep still clinging to him.
Suddenly the front door quietly fizzed open, Dooku slipping into the room. Sifo-Dyas quickly gestured for Obi-Wan to stay silent, as he felt his loved one's frazzled thoughts clouding the normally observant man from detecting the pair. Dooku slipped his dark boots off by the door, missing the shelf by a fair distance, using the force to levitate a large package through the door, as he tried to creep into the room unnoticed.
Sifo-Dyas cleared his throat, casting amusement and affection into the force as Obi-Wan giggled at the tall Master's stifled jump of surprise. "Sy?" Dooku yelped as he looked around the room, unsuccessfully hiding the giant bouquet behind his back, trying to move the large box out of sight, showing the pair the basket he held in his other hand. "I didn't expect you to be up my love" Obi-Wan looked at the floor, blushing at Dooku's uncharacteristic slip up, "particularly at this hour."
Smirking, Sifo-Dyas gestured to Obi-Wan, who had almost hid behind the space kettle in embarassment at the usually composed Master's entrance, "this one decided to visit me, so I thought I might as well face the day". Distracted by Sifo-Dyas' early wake up, Dooku hadn't noticed the young initiate, going a shade of red that matched Obi-Wan as he realised his comedy of errors had been doubly observed. "Whatchya holding?" he asked, eager to see what gift his dear one had come up with.
Dooku sighed in defeat, moving to sit beside Sifo as he placed the basket in his lap and moved the flowers and gift - which Sifo-Dyas now saw was wrapped in dark blue wrapping paper and covered in a white ribbon - on to the otherwise empty coffee table. "Well, a little droid told me that today was a mildly interesting day-" Obi-Wan interrupted, excitement being thrown out into the force like the Sun cast light through Sifo's curtains at 5am, "Me! I'm the little droid! I remembered Dya-Fo!"
Sifo-Dyas laughed, hugging the young boy as he moved to sit across from Dooku, who simply smiled despite the interruption. "Yes, you were," he continued, "and I thought that there may be a few things you might appreciate to mark such an auscpicious day." Looking through the basket, Sifo-Dyas gasped as he saw what was in it.
Surrounded by small multi-coloured pieces of paper, each folded into different stars and hearts, was an intricately woven and hand-embroidered scarf, portraying dark green forests filled with pine trees and wine-dark oceans with Serennian striped whales jumping into the open skies. Running a hand along the images, Sifo-Dyas was amazed by the detail put into this, before remembering his conversation with Obi-Wan.
"You said the scarf was for Jocasta!" he said, confusion forming an accusation in the force as Obi-Wan looked mischievously at Dooku. "I did. Yesterday we did buy a scarf for Casta" he exclaimed, as the other master filled in the confusion, explaining "Obi-Wan is correct - this was… arranged further in advance". Jumping back in, Obi-Wan bounced on the light green sofa, "Master 'ku had this one made special for you! Cause he thinks you are special and deserve something as eunich as you!" Sifo-Dyas turned around, confusion spiking further at the Initiate's words, as Dooku hastily corrected the 5 year old. "Unique! He meant unique" he answered, his concern clear in their bond, as Sifo-Dyas laughed.
Obi-Wan tilted his head at the two masters - "that's what I said?" he asked, not understanding the mistake. Sifo-Dyas waved a hand at him, unconcerned at the young boy's experimental vocabulary, as he continued looking at the array of gifts before him.
Beneath the scarf was caf - two whole tins of the finest caf beans money could buy, that Sifo knew him loved one must have cashed in favours for in order to smuggle it past the tempe guards. Sifo-Dyas thanked Dooku sincerely, affection almost tangible in the force, who grabbed one of the tins and headed to the kitchen to start making his beloved seer a much-needed cup.
Putting, the basket to the side, Obi-Wan handed the bouquet to Sifo-Dyas, who followed Dooku into the kitchen to find a vase for the blue hydrangeas and red hibiscus flowers, surrounded by small chamomile flowers and pale pink roses. There he found a vase already prepared by his ever-thoughtful spouse, kissing his cheek as he arranged the flowers in the tall glass the Jedi council had gifted him after a very debilitating bout of visions.
Obi-Wan then entered the kitchen, pretending not to have seen them as he brought in the wrapped gift. Sifo-Dyas lifted him onto the countertop, slowly tearing into the paper. "Do you like the gifts?" Obi-Wan guessed, smiling at Dooku, his happiness at being included as an advisor evident in the force. "Of course, they are am-" started Sifo-Dyas, before his breath was taken away in astonishment. Unable to finish his reply, he simply stared at the object in front of him, his brain failing to produce thoughts as he just took in the final gift.
Before him was an incredibly ornate box, all light Minashee birch, imported from his home planet, with scenes depicting the different missions he and Dooku had ventured on throughout their time as jedi, from the Sith caves with Master Lene, to Senate sessions with Master Yoda, to training Rael why one never smokes any substance without knowing what it is first, to sneaking into the Archives with Jocasta, to exploring lush rainforests with Qui-Gon, to defeating the Tirra'Taka with Jenza. In the centre was an image of them sparring at the choosing ceremony, after they had both reclaimed their lightsabers and promised to finish together or not at all.
He felt the hand of the holder of his heart, carefully wiping a tear of sheer happiness from the seer's face. He turned to Dooku, embracing him strongly, pushing thoughts of love and immense appreciation in the force and through their bond, unable to find the words to express how much he loved his gift. "I love it so much" he said, disappointed at how flat any words felt when compared to the overwhelming well of gratitude he felt after receiving such a well-thought out gift. Dooku smiled, radiating love and understanding back at Sifo, before saying gently "would you like me to help you open it?"
Sifo-Dyas nodded, still overcome with emotion, as Dooku took his hand. He held the Seer's hand to hover towards the front of the lock, a mix of polished gold and dark Serennian silver, before it clicked open. Gently pulling the top back, Sifo-Dyas had a brief moment to appreciate the clever compartments before his breath was once again stollen from him.
"I'm going to have to be careful in the future" Dooku murmured in his ear, "can't have too many other things rendering you speechless now, can I?" While he normally would have come up with some witty or equally salacious reply, Sifo-Dyas' focus was unable to be drawn from the final component to his anniversary gift.
After all, inside the box was a single ribbon, folded into quarters to hide its full length, in a dark black that mirrored Sifo's eyes and would contrast his own trauma-bleached hair the same way his and Dooku's own souls seemed to always balance and reflect each other. "Do you like it?" asked Dooku tentatively, before Sifo-Dyas pulled him in for a long and deep kiss, trying with all his will to convey all his feelings in the kiss. Obi-Wan tried clearing his throat, but the lip-locked pair ignored him for a beat, until the stubborn initiate repeated Dooku's question, "Dya-Fo, do you like it?"
Finally breaking off the kiss, Dooku once again blushing and Sifo-Dyas star-eyed, he smiled at Obi-Wan, "yes, very much thank you". "Even though its just a ribbon?" asked Obi-Wan doubtfully, his confusion in the force making Sifo chuckle and Dooku roll his eyes good-naturedly.
"Yes, even though its s a ribbon, it is certainly not just a ribbon" he replied, holding it up to the light. Where before seemed to be just empty space now showed Dooku's looping cursive, hand-embroidered in dark blue silk. Obi-Wan let out a soft "woah" mesmerised by the iridescent embroidery floss, as Sifo-Dyas gave Dooku a soft smile. "What does it say?" asked the inquisitive initiate, the young boy once again confused by the ribbon. As Dooku helped his seer tie it into his hair, he explained in a slightly lofty tone "ah, just a few words". Obi-Wan crossed his arms, "well duh. But what words? And in what language?"
Sifo-Dyas laughed as Dooku's jaw-dropped, even after 2 padawans somehow surprised at his sassing, "While I may be wrong, I think its Classical Serennian" he started, looking with pride at the man he knew had spent years learning the complex script, before getting a nod in confirmation.
Turning to Obi-Wan, Dooku explained further how on the other side it was in Ancient Minash, to reflect Sifo's own heritage, as his beloved reflected on the mind-blowing presents and the amount of thought that the other master had put into each of them. Throwing one arm around Dooku, Sifo-Dyas looked up at the taller man giving him a mischievous smirk, cutting off his explanation of the history of the languages.
"Care to see your gift" he asked slyly, as Dooku's eyes lit up in anticipation. Before he could reply however, Obi-Wan jumped off the counter, grabbing his shoes from the door as he realised the time. "Sorry, got to go for class with the frog master!" he called, saying hasty farewells as he ran from the room.
"Huh" mused Dooku as he glanced at the still smirking Sifo-Dyas, "ideal timing, I suppose". Sifo laughed, pulling Dooku with him as he moved back into the living room. "While I like where your mind went, I actually do have a gift for you" he said, laughing even harder as Dooku made his face fall melodramatically. "Alas, my heart bleeds!" his demented lover said comedically, dutifully sitting beside Sifo-Dyas as he was directed. "But I suppose I can accept your gift if I must".
"Ever-gracious as always" Sifo replied, imitating the other man's accent, as he made Dooku close his eyes. "Now wait here. I have a feeling you are going to want to be sitting down for this…" Dooku groaned, pulling Sifo-Dyas into his lap as the seer laughed light-hearted at his antics. "I'm sure whatever you have planned is lovely" he started, twirling one end of the anniversary ribbon in his hands as his other cupped Sifo's face, "however, can I tempt you in waiting a moment?"
Sifo-Dyas kissed him before standing up. "Nope! After all, I think it probably needs some more food" he said, as he slowly walked backwards towards their bedroom. Dooku stood up suddenly, face paling. "Wait, what?".
