❥ 004 text/video

[advocacy]

private - admiral.

Dear Admiral,

Aside from how incredibly weird this is to write, I guess I don't have too many requests.

I'd like for Cassel to get a nice pair of sunglasses. I don't know if he'd want Ray-Bans or what exactly, but I'm sure you could figure that out. I'd also like if you could, I don't know, give him a photo album of his family? Only if it's not going to upset him though. I know his family is important, but it's also touchy for him, too. And I guess give him something of his grandfather's. I don't think he's had a lot of good things in his life, but I think he's been one of them. I don't know Chris all that well, but he's important to Cassel. So, if you could get him a handheld video game system and some games he might like? He's into that right?

For James Bond, I really don't know what to ask for him. I would say alcohol, but he doesn't need it. So, I guess just some nice cuff links? And give him a coupon for one free hug. I think he could use more than that, but I don't think he'll take it. So just one. Oh and I think he could use a tie.

I'd like if it you could give Charles some books in subjects he's interested in that maybe he hasn't read yet or at least doesn't own. Same with Megamind, but maybe include a couple Lego sets. I think he'd like those. I think he'd like something like that. If you could get Zane a slanket and Daneca the rabbit a salt lick, that would be good. I don't know what to get Barbara, but she's always been nice to me. So, um, maybe some books on philosophy? I don't know if that's something she'd like, but maybe that or, I don't know, political theory. Something. For Iris, I'd like it if you could give her a stress ball and some candy. I don't know what kind she likes, so I'd say get her whatever her favorites are. Oh and if you could get Helena some blank books for her to write things down in or to draw up sketches. Maybe some books on the theory of time travel if you have any.

Um. And if you could get Scott a new lacrosse stick, I would really appreciate it. And something from home that he'd like to have. Maybe something that reminds him of his mom or his friends or his girlfriend. Just something that will make him smile.

Thanks.

- Daneca

video.

[Daneca has tried to decorate her room to the best of her abilities for the holiday. It's not much and definitely not much when compared to how her house would look. As with most well-to-do families, Daneca's goes a little nuts with the lawn decorations and the interior isn't much better.]

[She never really realized how much she misses those routines until they weren't there. So, whatever pieces of home and tradition she can have, she'll hold onto them.]

So, I know that not everyone is from the same kind of world so not everyone probably celebrates Christmas, but I am interested in what people do during holidays. Or just when they're spending time with their families. Or your friends.

Or by yourself even.

Comments

[semifreakingnormal]

I usually end up spending it at the hospital.

[Pause while he realizes how that sounds...]

I mean, my mom's a nurse.

[advocacy]

[Wow, Daneca almost felt horrible for a second there until he followed that up. So good save, McCall.]

She gets stuck with that shift? That sucks.

Do you guys spend any of it at home?

[semifreakingnormal]

Not all the time, but...yeah, a lot. She's usually around part of Christmas Day. She used to get home around when I'd wake up looking for Santa or presents, so it kind of worked out.

[advocacy]

[Daneca smiles a little.]

Yeah, my mom was usually working through the holidays, too. She'd put it aside though to spend time with us and then she'd be back at it again later.

[semifreakingnormal]

Sounds like moms.

[advocacy]

What about the rest of your family? Ever have extended family come over or do you go to them?

in which ari makes up shit she will probably have to retcon eventually...

[semifreakingnormal]

Not really. My mom doesn't have family anywhere close, and I don't see my dad.

What about you? It looks like you go all out.

[darknessb4me]

This is what I do for "Christmas" now. Avoid mistletoe and ask for things the Admiral won't give me.

[advocacy]

Is the mistletoe that bad for you?

[It seems relatively harmless to Daneca.]

[darknessb4me]

I don't like being made to act against my will.

[advocacy]

I don't think anybody does. But the Admiral could probably do worse, couldn't he?

[darknessb4me]

It's exactly because he could that I don't tolerate it.

[advocacy]

I'm not sure I follow...

[strangehistorian]

Gift-giving and decorating is traditional on Azeroth, as well!

[advocacy]

Do you guys have a calendar that sets it at a regular time of the year or is it more like a lunar calendar?

[strangehistorian]

It is very similar to Earth's Gregorian calendar! Winter's Veil is timed to fall in late December, around the solstice.

[advocacy]

Are there particular origins to the holiday?

[strangehistorian]

Old Dwarven legends! Great-Father Winter covers the land in his white cloak to let the earth sleep - that's the snow, of course!

[advocacy]

Is there something like that for all the seasons?

[routemistress]

Holidays are all a bit optional when you time travel. I usually just join in with whatever local ones I 'appen to come across - unless they involve fasting or blood sacrifice.

I spent a long time on Earth though, and I'm fond of Christmas.

[advocacy]

Do you have any other favorites? Not from Earth, I mean.

[routemistress]

Midsummer in the southern townships on Hyspero. Everyone congregates on the beach at sunset wearing nowt but flowers, and you spend the night barbecuing and singing and dancing. The beaches there are this kind of ..soft black sand, almost rubbery, and there are great mats of scented seagrasses all over the dunes, all bronze and rose and gold.

It's ...really nice.

[advocacy]

It sounds nice.

Well, except for the only wearing flowers part. I don't think I'd be comfortable with that. But the rest of it sounds really nice.

[routemistress]

Ahh, well, you can always wear a lot of flowers. There's competitions for weaving dresses out of 'em.

Me, I just tie 'em into me 'air. I like feeling the breeze, me.

[advocacy]

[She laughs a little.]

That comes as absolutely no surprise.