with_discipline | 071

[See T'Pol. See T'Pol kind of smiling, in her own way. It's all in the eyebrows. But she looks a whole lot less lineface than normal. Apparently mistletoe is kind of like ~~the space rocks she smoked for a while~~ Trellium-D, hopefully without the added side effect of killing her slowly. In the background, there's some quiet jazz music playing. ]

It's curious. We felt the same urge to write to this Santa Claus figure last year, but I've never felt personally inclined until now. Is there a legend linking Santa to mistletoe? I imagine there must be something.

[She isn't humming, but it looks like she could start at any minute. Scary, man. While T'Pol's looking thoughtful, though, her very curious cat jumps into her lap to sniff at her PADD, but he loses interest when T'Pol picks him up. Cuddling with a cat while in public view? Not normal T'Pol behavior. She's just pausing to listen to the music for a moment.]

Earth traditions never fail to intrigue, it seems. [And she turns up the volume just a bit before clicking off the video.]

[Private Santa letter, oh God]

I believe it's appropriate to begin these letters with 'Dear Santa,' is it not?

Dear Santa, then.

There is very little that I feel I require here - though I would appreciate notice from Vulcan, I understand that I can discover that myself when I leave. It's unnecessary. However, some small amusements for Khoteth would be useful - cat toys, I believe, give them great entertainment.

For Kay, I ask that he receive something from his home - something sentimental, I suppose, if there is such a thing - and a paper book collection of Surak's teachings. The Kir'Shara edition.

For Una - Chamomile tea. I always find it...soothing, and given our inmates, I believe she would find use in that.

For Toshiko - A text from the Vulcan Science Academy. I believe she'd be interested in their findings and mistakes.

For Merlin - I suppose asking for vague gifts, such as the return of his memory, would be useless? If that is so, then a few pla-savas, with a note reading 'Pla-savas - a sweet fruit. It is pronounced the way it is written.'

For Paddy - I never thanked him properly for checking on me after the breach flood. I believe there is a human tradition of sending thank you cards? Perhaps with his favorite beverage.

For Data - A memento of some kind from home, and his own kal-toh set, with a note reading, 'For practice. Perhaps you can teach me to spot the icosidodecahedra more easily.'

For the Doctor - A note wishing him a pleasant holiday,and, if possible, a mix of Gallifreyan and Vulcan teas. I believe he'd enjoy the latter.

For the EMH - I am uncertain as to what a sentient hologram might want; perhaps more medical technology from Voyager.

For Severus - I admit I am unsure as to what he would appreciate for Christmas. If it is acceptable, I ask that he receive something he'll enjoy. Barring that, more potion ingredients.

For the Borg Queen, a small collection of early jazz music. She may benefit from learning about the cultures she has assimilated.

For Sam, wherever he is - I hope that he has found his brother, and that he is well.

Finally, for Jim, some amusements for Aristotle - and I would like to return the gift he gave me last year. I believe it was called a vibrator?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In this case, Christianity. But the idea is pretty uniform through all major movements of conversion. People like something. They don't want to get rid of it. New thing doesn't have a place for it. New thing makes a place for it. Old thing is now a part of the new thing and later generations don't even know the difference. It's the easiest way of invoking change without scaring people, or in some cases lulling them into a false sense of security so that they accept change without argument.

One of the things they did also was replace mistletoe with holly, because the sharp edges on the holly leaves symbolized the thorns on Christ's crown and the red berries his blood. It kept with a berry and leaf theme but without all the free love mistletoe invoked. Its why one of the carols goes, "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Falala-" [He half sang that. Enjoy! You'll never hear it again.] instead of mistletoe.

And holly is easier to rhyme I guess.

Edited 2010-12-17 17:27 (UTC)

I see. That does not sound entirely unfamiliar. [The Vulcan Time of Awakening mirrors Christianity coming about in a big, big way. Good thing Archer got her curious about it.]

I don't believe I've ever heard that song. [Are you sure, K, cause you could sing some more.] What is it?

Something like that happen in your culture?

[Oh, goddammit, why must he be nice to aliens. Especially ones with damn pretty eyes. ....Fine. Um. He switches to private 'cause this is for no one else ever.]

[Private]

It's a Christmas carol that humans sing to celebrate the season. It's just called "Deck the Halls". Simple lyrics that most people can remember and sing as a group. Um... "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Falalala, lalala. 'Tis the season to be jolly. Falalalala, lalala. Don we now our gay apparel, Falalalala, lalala. Troll the ancient yuletide carol. Falalalala, lalala...." So on and so forth.

Yes. Surak changed many things on Vulcan.

[Private]

I didn't know you were musically inclined. [K clearly needs to sing forever and always, now.] You're right; holly does appear to rhyme more easily.

I'm not. [No! It's hard to simultaneously sing and be line-faced. It tends to unnerve people.] A lot of humans get the two confused now anyway. They think Holly is Mistletoe and that the boughs being used for decoration are conifer branches.

You'll have to tell me more about it sometime.

[T'Pol sees nothing wrong with it.] They've forgotten their own history?

Until two years ago, Surak's original teachings were lost; I found it difficult to believe in teachings that were regularly misinterpreted and abused.The discovery of the Kir'Shara began to change things.

Purposefully, in many cases. Records were erased or suppressed by the church to maintain worship. Even in my time people purposefully forget the past. It keeps the world small. Means they don't have to think outside of right then. Usually anger is easier for them to handle than worry.

The Kir'Shara?

That, too, sounds unfortunately familiar.

The Kir'Shara is a record of Surak's teaching - it's all we have that was written by him, and not his disciples. Until it was found, Vulcan logic was flawed - as was our government.

Sometimes perceptions of original founders can be flawed, for better or for worse. Glad in your case that his real ideas came to light.

[A thought. She seems to be thinking logically enough, he can ask her for advice.] Say you knew someone who followed the teachings of one of their founders, only it turned out he was kind of a fucked up bastard and no one knew it. It ended up messing up this person pretty bad, and you'd like to help them find something to believe in again. You got any ideas on how to do that?

[Well that's. Huh. That's a hard one, Kay.] Is this person mistrustful of believing in anything for fear of being deceived again?

Edited 2010-12-17 18:41 (UTC)

[He knows. That's why he needs help.] Um... no. It's more like they questioned their beliefs when they realized that they weren't what they thought they were and that they were coming with a pretty steep price and were punished for it. So now they sorta are wondering if they're a traitor or if they did the right thing. It's like their whole self-worth is depending on that approval.

I see. [THIS IS A CRAPPY QUESTION. :C] I believe that situation must be highly personal for those involved, but...when the Enterprise was heading into a dangerous section of space, the Vulcan High Command ordered me to leave the ship, and allow the humans to defend themselves. The High Command was not what I had hoped it was, so I resigned my commission. It was, briefly, a difficult time...but it was, I believe, the right thing to do. If your acquaintance regrets his or her decisions, perhaps he or she should examine what led them to make the decision again.

Edited 2010-12-17 19:42 (UTC)

Hm. That makes sense. Thank you. [When Alpha shot him, he hadn't been left with any questions afterward. Just a sense of absolute hate. T'Pol's experience is more identifiable with the situation he's worried about.]

Of course. I'm pleased I could help.

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Typing in German makes me want to capitalize every noun ever later.

Switching between languages is always fun like that :|

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