071 | [Video]

[with_discipline]

[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?

Comments

[most_feared]

No connection. It became a symbol of fertility in pagan cultures because the berries supposedly resemble semen. Originally to get a kiss, you'd pluck a berry from the mistletoe hanging over the door and offer it to whoever you'd want the kiss from. The restrictions, obviously, became more lenient over time. Possibly people wanted more kisses than they had berries I guess. [Whatever the case they're paying for it now. Fucking mistletoe.]

[with_discipline]

[Seriously, mistletoe sucks. And she doesn't see this berries=semen thing, but apparently not even mistletoe can make her ask awkward questions like that.] I see. That does seem the most likely explanation...but then how have all these disconnected things become traditions for one small time period?

[most_feared]

[Humans find spooge in everything. It's not something worth pondering.] Mostly through the amalgamation and integration of new cultural movements to either promote a religion, usually monotheistic, or suppress a movement that the public deems destructive whether it is or not.

[with_discipline]

[It's true. Humans are weird. :c] What movement would that be?

Taggin' all over Ari's face. Tag tag tag tag.

[championoftime]

[Okay, it's not funny when T'Pol is high, because he remembers the carnival breach. Now he's worried.] T'Pol, I'm presuming that you're well?

Is that permanent marker D:

[with_discipline]

[He was the only one that got the awful backstory that she still hasn't dealt with either.] Certainly, Doctor. Why do you ask?

[ingenue-bait.livejournal.com]

Ah, the lovely mademoiselle with the ears. You have a cat, I see! Hmm, a pet might be pleasant company, on this ship.

What is that music?

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

[most_feared]

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.

*shifty eyes* Perhaps....

[championoftime]

Simply wondering. You were in the lab this morning, correct? Do Vulcans have adverse affects to emotion?

[with_discipline]

Indeed. Khoteth has proven a pleasant companion. [So much quiet than the dog.]

It's called jazz; I believe this piece featured a man named John Coltrane.

Switching between languages is always fun like that :|

[with_discipline]

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?

[ingenue-bait.livejournal.com]

I have heard of jazz! It is interesting. I shall have to explore further.

So may anyone acquire a pet, then?

At least give me a cool mustache :|

[with_discipline]

I was present for Narvin's mishap, yes. Vulcans suppress their emotions, so as not to be ruled by them. [Which isn't working to well right now because there is a kitten purring away on her shoulder.] Are you interested in learning about Vulcans?

[with_discipline]

You certainly should. I have a small collection, if you'd care to borrow any of it.

I believe so, though it is the Admiral who provides them - you may need your warden to request it for you.

[most_feared]

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.

[ingenue-bait.livejournal.com]

I would love to, thank you.

And I will consider a cat. One gets lonely.

With those awesome curled ends, even.

[championoftime]

[It's a cute kitten, loving on you there.] I am. Also, I have some music you might be interested in listening to. I picked it up on Earth during the 1980's and recently had it transferred to an electronic medium.

[with_discipline]

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.

[with_discipline]

Of course. I've found felines to be extremely...interesting as pets.

Precisely! It'll look debonair. Or evil. One of the two.

[with_discipline]

[Khoteth is only affectionate when he thinks no one is looking. But T'Pol's perking up a little, eyebrows raised.] I'm unfamiliar with music from that time period. What is it like?

[Private]

[most_feared]

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.

[championoftime]

Actually it was a jazz musician I knew. I took Ace to one of his open air concerts. It was quite relaxing. [Until the Nazis showed up. Damned Nazis.]

[ingenue-bait.livejournal.com]

Interesting how?

[Private]

[with_discipline]

[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.

[with_discipline]

[Why are there ALWAYS Nazis?] I would appreciate it if you allowed me to borrow the recording.