Good Tidings We Bring

Up until recently maintained as a museum, the childhood home of the Braddock family has been pressed into service as classroom space for the University. Additionally, the increased demands have led to the main ballroom being converted into a cafeteria for University students on a meal plan. The old library has been bolstered with college textbooks.

Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:45 pm

The common room hadn't really been repaired, yet, from the Cam-brian Explosion, but it was going under a period of transformation.

Garland was actively been strung from wall to wall, spiraling up the banisters of the staircase. Subtle white lights twinkled inside of them as well. Some of the various tapestries and accouterments had been replaced by red and green banners with embroidered ivy and berries and other Christmasy-decorations. Candles lined the wall, setting the room a-glow.

Someone had also attached a false beard and a Santa hat to one of the suits of armour.

"Alright, careful with that!" Will called, dangling precariously from one of the rafters, and generally directing traffic. "Those are glass you know!"

He bounded from the rafters to the wall, placing a wreath on a hook before coming down with such a clatter that people may have sprung from their beds to see what was the matter.


There was at least one thing missing, however -- there was a large, cleared empty spot in the corner where, eventually, some sort of tree would presumably go. At the moment, however, it was a blank void.

((open))
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Will Stanton
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Tue Aug 22, 2017 3:59 pm

"Whoa? What the curse-word is going on here?" Shari wonders out loud as she stops in the open door, looking around the newly decorated room.
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:09 am

"'What the curse word?' Really?" Will said, bounding down.

"It's nearly Christmas! Surely that must have been somewhere in your studies, yeah? Mele Kelikimaka and all that?"

Will was definitely more kinetic and enthused than Shari had seen him, to this point at least.
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:08 pm

"Mele Kelikiwhat now?" Her studies had been mostly taking on somebody else's memories and they're... not very useful most of the time. "Oh! Eid Al Milad Al Majeed? The Winter celebration of the western devil?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:36 pm

"Alright, you're going to want to take that last thing you said, write that down on a little piece of paper, eat that little piece of paper and forget about it. I'm pretty sure the rest of what you said is right, though," Will laughed.

Laughed. He laughed. He didn't mock Shari or say "see, this is what Skrulls...". Jovial. That was the watchword of the day, apparently.
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:50 pm

Shari is pretty much prepared for another one of Will's lectures on why she sucks when he starts talking about eating her words, but then is pleasantly surprised by him laughing instead. And a little bit confused.

"Okay so... what is Christmas?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:52 pm

"Oh, that's got quite a few answers. You want the short version, the medium version, or the loooooong version?" he asked, stretching his arms out wide to punctuate the long.
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Wed Aug 23, 2017 7:07 pm

"Uh... Long one, I guess?" she says. Usually she wouldn't ask Will to launch into a long explanation, but she's in a good mood and curious.
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:23 pm

"Alright, well, you've got three things going on here. On the one hand, you've got a religious celebration," he said, extending one hand. "That's where you're getting that 'white devil' stuff, which, again, no."

"On the other hand, you've got historic pagan rituals that have been incorporated," he said, extending his other hand. "And incorporated into the traditional and historic expression of the holiday -- the Holy Day, as it were -- despite historic anachronisms and incompatibility with the religious story."

"And then, on the other hand," he said, extending his OTHER other hand, "you have a modern veneer of secular values and cultural identity, further stapled on to the hodgepodge that is the previous two elements. A delightful mix of multiple cultures and ideals into one grand festival of gift-giving, feasting and good will. People all around the world dip differently into these three buckets to make their own meaning of Christmas."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:47 pm

"Okay, so... It's an old religious festival of people coming together?" she deduces reasonably well. "And it's different all over because everyone picks which parts are most important to them?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:18 pm

"Oh, we're just getting started with the explanation, but you've got the basics of it down.

The religious aspect of it is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ -- hence "Christ Mass". Not sure how much of that you got in your studies, considering it's only the single most popular religion in the world, but the story goes that he is the son of God and the Messiah, sent down to us to offer salvation and the promise of an eternal life.

From that point of view, then, Christmas is a celebration of the gift to mankind of a savior. Often, we attend religious services and sing songs praising Him and the message he gave to us. Lots of warm candlelight and white and things like that. So, it's really our most important religious event -- at least for the third or so of us who are one flavor or another of Christian."

Will pointed to a nativity scene set up in an alcove under the stairs. "So we make sure to have that symbolism around for those of us who choose to believe."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Thu Aug 24, 2017 1:50 am

"My 'studies' were really more taking on somebody else's memories. But she'd heard of it." she nods. "Not in as... nice a light, they had a different prophet which, well I'm familiar with that concept. Or, I mean, maybe not cause this lil' man doesn't look like he's going to conquer anybody." she says, looking at the nativity scene and giving the little baby Jesus a gentle poke like you might a real baby.
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Thu Aug 24, 2017 3:17 am

"Hmm," Will said, somewhat unimpressed. "Well, we'll have to get you caught up to speed. It sounds like you picked a particularly unimpressive subject to take memories from. Every culture has their own celebrations, and the truly enlightened among us don't fear others'.


...It's only a model. A representation of the actual thing," he added, as Shari poked. "And, you may notice, that it takes place in the middle of the Middle East, which is not known for it's lush evergreen," he added, turning around to indicate all the garlands and wreathes. "And that's where things go kind of off the rails and straight into Pagantown."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Thu Aug 24, 2017 6:30 pm

"Right, you said it's all mixed and matched together?" she says, turning back towards Will. "I like that."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:30 pm

Will nodded. "I do, too, though I'm a bit biased there.

All this greenery and stuff? That's got nothing to do with Christian religion. That's older. It's all celebration of winter, and life continuing on through the bleakest and darkest months. Hence all the evergreen stuff -- life going on.

Eventually, we're going to put a honking huge tree right there in that corner, covered in lights and tinsel and ornaments. It's the centerpiece of the entire thing. And, of course, underneath that, we'll have the presents."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:03 pm

"Presents?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Aug 30, 2017 6:31 am

"Presents," Will confirmed, with a grin.

"We are taught, as children, that if we're good -- really good, that is -- then Santa Claus himself will come on Christmas Eve night. He'll fly around the world with his flying reindeer and deliver presents and toys to all the good girls and boys. But if you're bad, he'll just come and give you a stocking full of coal."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Wed Aug 30, 2017 3:43 pm

Shari comes from a society that has means to cross vast distances in the blink of an eye. She's seen all kinds of technological feats and has now come to a planet where some peoples' natural abilities eclipse her own. And most importantly she doesn't really know what reindeer are and that they're not usually capable of flight. So to her this sounds feasible. The only thing she has trouble wrapping her head around is somebody being this... altruistic.

"Wow... That's incredible!" she says before a frown suddenly settles over her face.
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:22 pm

"When we say things are incredible, we usually smile. What's up?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Wed Aug 30, 2017 11:39 pm

"Well, I figure that's only for humans, what with barely anybody knowing we exist and all."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Thu Aug 31, 2017 2:53 am

"Oh, Santa knows," Will smiled, knowingly. "He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good.

So be good. For goodness sake."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Thu Aug 31, 2017 3:52 pm

Shari's eyes widen a little at that. "Wow, I didn't know Earth had omniscient arbiter! Why hasn't he warned anybody about my people? Is he a Watcher? A rogue one who only brings presents?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Thu Aug 31, 2017 10:53 pm

"He's more of a manifestation of peace on earth and goodwill towards men. As strong as people believe in him," Will nodded. "I'm not sure his domain extends beyond Earth; perhaps his presence at the North Pole allows him to, uh, tap into the Earth's magnetic fields or something.

And, of course, he can only travel around the world like that on Christmas Eve itself."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Fri Sep 01, 2017 6:00 pm

"Hmm, okay." she says thoughtfully. "And all this decoration is how you pay tribute to him?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Sat Sep 02, 2017 5:31 pm

"Tribute to him, celebration of the season, promoting peace on earth and good will towards men -- that kind of thing. We give each other presents, too; Santa focuses on the children. So the decorations are a good reminder of what the season's all about."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Tue Sep 05, 2017 3:21 pm

"Oh. Okay, that makes sense, I suppose." she says, looking around as if she's trying to figure out what kinda things exactly go into this kind of decoration. Greenery, red and white stuff. Little animal figurines and a spawnling in a barn, stars and ribbons and shiny glass baubles. She's got trouble understanding how those things hang together, but from Will said it's kinda mixed and matches to begin with. And it does look pretty.

"So do you have to get presents for everyone? Or just those who participate? Is there a list?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Tue Sep 05, 2017 8:51 pm

"Mmm. That's a little complicated, socially.

Obviously, you don't get presents for everyone -- a couple billion people celebrate Christmas, and that's just not feasible. You generally don't give gifts to people who don't celebrate, but that's not really a major issue in this particular part of the world.

Past that, you usually give bigger or more heartfelt gifts for people you're closer too. Close friends and family get the majority, and you sometimes give smaller tokens to friends from work or school that you see on a regular basis but aren't close too.

Of course, some people give gifts to everyone, and others limit it to one or two people. Depending."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Wed Sep 06, 2017 3:06 pm

"Oof, okay, this is complicated. What kind of gifts do humans give each other?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Sep 06, 2017 7:05 pm

"Things they think the other person would enjoy. There's a bunch of movies and stuff that cover this -- and I'm surprised you haven't come across any of the songs in your searches through music.

Uh, let's see. Gift cards are for people who you don't really want to send a present to. Clothing. Um, let me think...electronics. Books. Sometimes money, though I think most people think that's a little tacky these days. Games and toys -- especially for kids; the whole idea is that the elves up in Santa's workshop are working around the clock to make toys for all the good little girls and boys. Food. Alcohol -- especially fancy alcohol. Music and movies -- CDs, blu-rays, DVDs, uh, eight-tracks," Will trailed off, trying to remember what media was available at this point in time. "Holograms. LPs. Perfumes, bath stuff. Jewelry.

Gold, frankincense and myrrh. A peculiarly large amount of birds growing exponentially. A whole load of things."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Wed Sep 06, 2017 7:39 pm

"I haven't seen many movies yet, but I'll work on that." she nods. "Who enjoys large amounts of birds?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Wed Sep 06, 2017 8:02 pm

"You know, that's never been explicitly explained to me. It seems like that would be a gift of a chore to deal with, which doesn't sound very nice."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:37 pm

"No large amounts of birds, got it."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:17 pm

"Again, know your audience. Maybe they'd LIKE massive amounts of Geese - a -laying. Not for me, though."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:45 pm

"Cool, cool. Uhm... Thanks for your help with this. I know we kinda got off on the wrong foot..."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:58 pm

"Easy to do when you can have a thousand feet to get off on.


I just had a good night the other night for the first time in..." Will trailed off. "For the first time in, let's say. I needed it."
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Will Stanton
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High Concept: Pillsbury Clayboy
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Aspect: Out of Place, Out of Time
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Aspect: Big Ball of Trauma
Aspect: Open-Hearted

Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Mon Sep 11, 2017 4:23 am

"That's good. Well, not that it took that long. That part's kinda sucky."
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:11 am

"Yeah. Well, 'tis the season to be jolly and joyous, I suppose. Just...sometimes I need to be shoved headfirst into it. I end up all dwelling into my own navel, and that's no good for anyone."
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Will Stanton
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High Concept: Pillsbury Clayboy
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Aspect: Out of Place, Out of Time
Aspect: Unique Worldview
Aspect: Big Ball of Trauma
Aspect: Open-Hearted

Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:06 pm

"The... jollyness is not mandatory, is it?"
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Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Will Stanton » Mon Sep 11, 2017 6:42 pm

"I'm...not sure what you mean by 'mandatory' here," Will frowned. "No one's going to come arrest you if you're not happy. You may, however, be visited by three spirits."
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Will Stanton
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High Concept: Pillsbury Clayboy
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Aspect: Out of Place, Out of Time
Aspect: Unique Worldview
Aspect: Big Ball of Trauma
Aspect: Open-Hearted

Re: Good Tidings We Bring

Postby Shari » Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:25 pm

"Oh man... Okay. Are they nice spirits that want everyone to be jolly at least?"
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