The journey of house hunting has brought its own set of amusements and frustrations, a roller coaster that we, the Handalorians, have taken to navigating with a blend of stoicism and, surprisingly, humour. I am Voren Taric, the tech guru among us, and lately, my fascination with Earth’s technology has led to some interesting moments.
According to our buyer’s agent, Melbourne property owners have been quite patient and understanding, and they continue to lead us through a series of house inspections. Despite the earnest efforts of the homeowners to create a welcoming environment – often including an array of refreshments – we faced a unique challenge. The Handalorian code forbids us from removing our helmets in the presence of others, which makes enjoying any food or drink quite impossible. An amusing predicament for our hosts, perhaps, but a practical hurdle for us nonetheless.
Over time, the rhythm of inspections became familiar. We would enter a house, take in its layout, silently assess the suitability of its space for our needs, and then move on to the next. Yet, one thing never changed: our helmets stayed on, no matter how delicious the pastries smelled.
During one visit, recommended by our buyer’s advocate for Brighton property, a curious contraption caught my attention. It looked like a cylinder, with a long hose attached, and the homeowner referred to it as a ‘vacuum cleaner’. I was enthralled by this simple piece of Earth technology, and in my mind, I was already imagining how to enhance its function, improve its efficiency, or turn it into a defensive tool for the Handalorians.
With the homeowner’s permission, I switched on the vacuum cleaner, and an ear-piercing sound filled the room. It startled everyone, myself included. I had expected the device to shoot out a beam of energy or release some sort of defensive gas. Instead, it began to ‘clean’ the floor. The humour of the situation wasn’t lost on any of us.
Despite the peculiarities and misunderstandings, these inspections have only brought us closer to finding our home. Earthly technology may not always be as sophisticated as we are used to, but it brings with it a charm that is endearing and a novelty that we, as Handalorians, have come to appreciate. In our search for a house, we are also discovering the amusing, beautiful, and sometimes puzzling facets of our new home, Earth.