You're the best thing about Christmas

[abugslife]

I have an announcement to make. Pentu, the Gebian minister of science, will be paying us a visit in a week. He is greatly interested in the customs of Earth cultures, and the days they celebrate. I am sure you can figure out the reason for his visit already; he would like to learn about Christmas.

The visit is only semi-official, and there is no reason to throw him a welcoming celebration; Pentu is merely here to observe and learn. However, if you have any ideas what to do to impress him, I would be interested in hearing them. The ministry of science is a powerful faction within the High Council; its approval might not only mean more votes for us, but also earlier access to exchange of technologies between our civilizations.

[A few seconds of pause. Is it hesitation?]

...After the latest battle with the AEP, the current leanings of the Council are in their favour. But this could help us tip the scales.

Comments

[kill_all_vagans]

[A powerful faction in the council... it'd be grounds to go big or go home then!]

Impress him with Christmas...

[... Yet Flit's drawing a blank. This would be easier if he was from some sort of ministry of history!]

[abugslife]

I admit this is a rather vague objective. If you have no ideas then worry not, others already do - myself included. Just make sure the celebration goes well, without anything to spoil it.

[jianai]

Don't worry General. I believe I have an idea of what exactly to show him!

[Ren says with a finger raised, an obvious sign of a good plan. Right?]

[abugslife]

Oh? Should I ask, or do you prefer to keep it a mysterious surprise?

[jianai]

Let's give the minister a taste of human goodwill and charity that this time of the year brings forth! Are there any Gebian holidays with focus on philanthropy, Hetepheres?

[abugslife]

There is the tradition of kings sharing their riches with their subjects on every new year. We do not have kings anymore, but this tradition remains among leaders and bosses.

You do not do so to someone who does not work for you, however. Doing so implies they are below you.

[jianai]

It seems the intent behind the two holidays is very different. The spirit of charity has nothing to do with being a benevolent ruler... though benevolence is always looked forward to!

[abugslife]

In a culture where personal excellence is the most important value, it is up to one to decide to be charitable or not. The society does little to promote it.

[jianai]

I find Gebian culture fascinating, Hetepheres. Your kind feels so earthling-like in their ways of thinking, but there are also stances that are so unusual on Earth but for a Gebian they are a common way of life.

I hope minister Pentu will feel the same way about Earth's culture.

[abugslife]

This is one of the reasons PEP is fighting for. The culture of Earth is so unique, and varied, the common elements of all of its aspects being very close, yet very far from ours at the same time.

This culture is your own, not ours. It has to be preserved, not taken for our own.

[jianai]

I appreciate it. Really, I mean it.

Does a lot of people know about this visit? I... am not saying it can be dangerous, but some people might get wrong ideas.

[abugslife]

All the relevant figures within ESUN know. So does everyone in Unity Group, now.

...Both the PEP and AEP are aware of it as well.

[jianai]

That's not too bad, is it? Even if the Anti Earthling Party wanted to try something, it's easy to spot a Gebian in a crowd of Earthlings.
[Says a person who just blends into a crowd.]

Besides it'd make them look bad.

[abugslife]

Do not underestimate their arrogance. If one of their members comes up with a half-baked plan, they will most likely put it to life.

[jianai]

I will be careful, then.

[mistaken_for_monster]

... Maybe just let be a part of the Christmas Party-... um... Celebration... thing...

I mean we're going to have one... I think... maybe he'd like to watch or help with it. And I know that a lot of cities and places like to decorate for it and stuff so maybe somebody can take him around Star Rose or the City near Sakihama or some other place...?

[abugslife]

From what I know about him, Pentu enjoys a hands-on approach towards research. I suspect he will at least try to help... Though I cannot guarantee what the results will be.

Let us limit showing outside places to him to locations where Earthlings are already used to seeing Gebians walking around.

[mistaken_for_monster]

Well it wouldn't hurt... I don't know how decorating for the holidays would go with everyone in the Unity Group.

[abugslife]

I know it is not a ritual every religion and culture follows, if that is what you mean.

[actuallyselfish]

"Do Gebians have Winter Solstice holidays?" Dido asks, curious. "Drawing comparisons between your celebrations and ours might sway more people into empathizing with us!"

[abugslife]

No, since there is no winter on Geb. Our times of year are very different than Earth ones, in fact.

[actuallyselfish]

"Well," Dido amends, "What's the coldest darkest time of your planet's orbital cycle?"

[abugslife]

The colder half of year on Geb is still significantly warmer than the average yearly temperature on most parts of Earth. And the longest, darkest night of the year is considered the time when the forces of evil are at their most powerful, and feared by the superstitious.

I do not think drawing parallels to Christmas will go well.

[actuallyselfish]

"Hmmm..." Dido muses. "So your solstice period is more similar to our harvest festivals, where it's said the worlds of the living and the dead draw close to each other. And your world doesn't really have snow in large amounts..."

She snaps her fingers. "Ooh! Above all else, we should show this Pentu guy our recreational snow activities! Snowball tossing, snow statues, houses and forts made of snow, sledding, ice-skating! We could even talk about the physics of snowflakes and their adhesive qualities! He could do an entire science special on it for kids back home on Geb!"

[abugslife]

Not to mention their fractality. And the prospect of a material that's very easy to make giant balls out of...

You have come up with a surprisingly good idea.

[actuallyselfish]

"Aw shucks!" Dido says, blushing. "Thanks, Heph! Glad to hear you like it!"

She strokes her chin in thought. "Heh...it occurs to me that thanks to your training regimen, I'm gonna kick everyone's butt at the snowball fight!"

[abugslife]

Truly, that is the most worthy result for the extensive exercises you have been put through.

Show them no mercy.

[actuallyselfish]

"Yes Ma'am!" Dido shouts, performing a folded arms salute probably taken out of a low-budget space opera show. Or the macarena.

[ben_dixon]

Ministry of science? I know exactly what we should do. We show him christmas movie of course! And there's only one movie that would show both holiday spirit and the ingenuity of human kind. A well loved and famous classic.

[abugslife]

And which movie would that be?