Dealing With Other People's Trauma, Tuesday 11/4

[stykera]

“I hope you enjoyed visiting the animals last week,” Stark said once everyone had arrived back in the usual classroom. “I did. And I’m sure the animals enjoyed the attention. They’d enjoy future visits as well, I’m sure. Should any of you feel inclined to do that. It benefits everyone, really, if you’re someone who likes spending time with animals. I’d be happy to go back there another week if anyone likes. Or see about bringing a dog or two here for an outing.”

They could take dogs to the park! Or if the weather was terrible maybe to the Danger Shop for a nice fake park!

“Sometimes, this time of year, in this place, people do more to help others than they might otherwise. And they think about things they are thankful for. That can be helpful, sometimes.”

He sighed, a little, maybe wishing there was a dog to pet right now.

“It can be hard to remember, when you're hurt or grieving, that there are still things in your life that aren't terrible. Maybe because the things that hurt hurt too much or maybe too many things hurt or maybe you just can't see past the hurt for a time. It can be helpful to remind people that not everything is terrible. Just so long as you do it carefully. Do not just tell people ‘cheer up’ or ‘other people have it worse.’”

No, really. Never do that.

“But you can gently remind people. Or show them. That some things aren't terrible. That you're still their friend. Things like that. This can tie into what we've said before, about doing small or large things to help others. That's a good reminder but sometimes it helps to hear it spoken, too. I have a friend who is very good at reminding others that she cares and that other people care. And reminding me, particularly, that there were still good things in my life even when I was hurting very much.”

“So…I suppose, let's try to think of ways to remind others that not everything is terrible even if it seems that way?”

Diplomacy, Tuesday, November 4, 2025 [2nd period]

[sith_happened]

Anakin and Ahsoka were at the front of the class again. The desk behind them was stacked with frames, various pieces of statuary, hats, pens, and jewelry.

"Gifts," Anakin said. "As a Jedi, I think part of our 'no possessions' lifestyle was specifically to avoid amassing vast collections of diplomatic poodoo."

Very diplomatic, Anakin.

"The symbolic exchange of gifts between leaders can become an enormous headache," he explained further.

"All gifts carry a message," Ahsoka said. "And in delicate situations those messages can rapidly become complex."

"This certificate, for instance, has Ahsoka's name spelled wrong," Anakin said. "That conveys 'I don't know your name' or 'I was too rushed to double check' or 'I don't respect your culture enough to learn your name.'"

"And of course, 'I'm deliberately insulting you but playing dumb'," Ahsoka added. "Similar pitfalls can occur if you're careless about learning about what a culture considers valuable and why."

"Gifting a crown to a democratically elected leader, for instance," Anakin said, "or some sort of ceremonial weapon to a planet you've waged war against would both be terrible ideas."

"Or gemstones acquired by pillaging sacred places. Especially if your people were the ones doing the pillaging."

"So there are a lot of potential gifts on this table," Anakin said. "You are a junior diplomat in charge of picking out the gift for your leader to present to, let's say, a nation of middling importance to you. You have not visited in person on a high level in fifteen years. You need to convey 'yes, we remember you exist' but in a cost-effective way. Pick something out and explain why you chose it."

"There are a number of suitable options." That was incredibly vague, Ahsoka. "You just have to put some thought into it."