( video | un: jaguar )

[scarcastically]

Y'know, going up in space, visiting other worlds is supposed to blow your damn mind. The idea's that you're exposed to stuff so unreal, so beyond believin' that it's alien to you.

So why exactly are we celebratin' Christmas in space? Feels kinda weird, to be honest. But I guess capitalism and commercialism is a universal concept.

Still, though. Kinda gets me thinkin'. How do you celebrate your holidays where you're from? Don't tell me about Christmas though. We all know about Christmas.

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[opalcrown]

[ Sitting back in his wheelchair, looking pensive - ]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Christmas, but if it's similar to this celebration, I feel some fatigue myself. Around this time in my country, we usually observe the winter solstice. It's not unlike these celebrations... however, we don't truly celebrate it. We are a neutral ground, so it is common for different countries to travel to ours and celebrate their holidays before returning home.

Me and my people celebrate New Year's Dawn and two other religious holidays at the end of the year, however - the separate holidays often take up most of the day or the early night while New Year's Dawn encapsulates all of the late night and of course, early morning.

[scarcastically]

[ erik cocks his head. ]

Can you tell me more about 'em? What makes them special to you?

[opalcrown]

[ He lets out a low hum, leaning slightly forward. There's a soft jingle in the background and a quiet doggy whine as he tries to get his dog to calm beside him. ]

Well, I am Stellatio - and we celebrate by hiking up to the tallest peak nearby to stargaze and divine the future. We take the end of the year as a time to reflect on what we have achieved, and thus, where to go forward in the future. It is a time of planning and aspirations and it's not uncommon for weddings or marriages, children... all sorts of important dates to be planned out during the end of the year because of that.

The other sect, Pahvic, undergo a ritual wherein they take an artifact or item from a family member who has passed and go to a high priest for blessings that night. For a brief time they're able to communicate with the souls of those who have passed. For those who are Pahvic, it's a time to look on the past and learn lessons from those who have come before as to not repeat them again. It is, you could say, more solemn and introspective.

As king, I'm not supposed to "choose" either, and I celebrate both - but [ He takes a quick glance to the side, as if making sure no one hears him. ] ... they are two sides of the same coin, in my opinion. In that way, I suppose they're important to me because they are so similar. Both sects may fight bitterly but in the end we share similar beliefs at heart.

[scarcastically]

[ erik's careful enough not to twitch. communicating with the dead is something he did recently and the effects of it still linger. still make him feel. ]

Shame about the fighting. They both sound fascinating.

[opalcrown]

[ He would certainly not be the only one still haunted by something like that. ]

They go through their stalemates. I can only hope that the next few years will be peaceful. Though, are they truly fascinating than your 'Christmas'?

[scarcastically]

[ erik shrugs. ]

I mean, it's different. Christmas is a commercialized holiday. People buy into it so much that it's everywhere. All the time. Sometimes it starts up months before the actual dates.

[opalcrown]

[ His brows knit together. ]

What - months? Don't you celebrate autumn harvest?

[scarcastically]

Nope. At least, not in America. We have Halloween which is pretty dope though.

oh god it begins

[opalcrown]

Oh - yes, that's... near now, isn't it? I've lived here for quite a few months and heard people reminisce about that holiday as well just a scant few months ago.

Dope is... good?

[scarcastically]

[ he blinks before giving a surprised laugh. ]

Yeah, man. It's damn good. 'Cuz it's slang for drugs.

[opalcrown]

[ Time for him to be surprised. ]

Ah.

[ ... pfft. ]

Not the response I expected, if I'm honest.

[scarcastically]

Sorry, man.

[ erik talks like this deliberately because that's what people expect out of him. he wasn't expecting a cultural difference. it was . . . interesting. though he can't pinpoint his own feelings about it. ]

What were you expecting?

[opalcrown]

Mm, I suppose some deflection rather than blunt honesty?

[ He's amused, to be sure, but there's a serenity there. ]

I'm well aware I don't speak like many here. I believe the term is "antiquated"? I do my best to not ask - it tends to make it an awkward moment for everyone. I prefer the honesty, truth be told.

[scarcastically]

[ a careless shrug. ]

I suppose it is old-fashioned, but there's nothing wrong with that.

[opalcrown]

That's a bit heartening to hear.

The oddities of language aside, are you going to celebrate your Christmas or this 'Firialia', then? The antlers all over... are disconcerting. I know a few Moonblessed who turn into deer on their moon. I can't help but think it seems... morbid.