A Question about Christmas

[ninjainviolet]

To All Heroes of Light:

From everything I've seen and heard, Christmas and the Starlight Celebration sound really nice, but I have a question.

I don't want to put a damper on things, but I can't help but wonder why we need a special day or event in order to let friends know just how much they mean to us. Shouldn't that be something that's done all year round? Because you never know what can happen, right?

[ Such a cheery thought...sort of. ]

My apologies if this offends or depresses anyone.

~Sheena Fujibayashi

[ A note soon appears at the bottom. ]

Could someone please take Sheena out to do something? She's been doing nothing but work at the Library and stay home since Zelos went into stasis, and I think getting out will help--especially since yesterday was her birthday--but she won't listen to me.

~Corrine.

[ ooc: As Corrine said, Sheena's depressed that Zelos is gone and isn't really getting out and enjoying the season. If you'd like to "kidnap" the ninja at anytime from work or home, just shoot me a PM, since we all know how well plurk works at times. ]

Comments

[dammit_flynn]

Ya got me there.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't see the unique point in it to be honest. I'm not cut out for holidays and stuff similar to it.

-- Yuri

[ so helpful Yuri so helpful. ]

---

Corrine,

What's the girl done to herself anyway? Zelos? I heard that guy's name before.

[ Oh right the obnoxious pretty boy player guy whatever.. He continues to write. ]

What'd you suggest for getting her out of there? I'm pretty good at winging it, but who knows if that will work?

-- Yuri

[ninjainviolet]

Yuri:

Oh, there are some holidays and traditions back home that make sense--like a harvest festival--but this really doesn't to me. It's too general in what's being celebrated and can be done at any time of the year.

~Sheena

----

Yuri:

Other than still going to the hospital, she tends to stay at home and just work. She hasn't harmed herself in any way--well, physically. But she used to go out more than she does now.

Ummm...I'm not sure. Maybe you and your dog can bring her out of this funk?

~Corrine

[dammit_flynn]

Sheena,

Yeah I wasn't the guy for those kinds of things. Sounds like this will be an interesting end to the year.

-- Yuri

---

Corrine,

Repede did take a liking to her. Maybe I'll tell her he wants someone to train with. Keep an eye on her won't you Corrine?

I'll probably stop by later.

--Yuri

[ninjainviolet]

Yuri:

You missed out if you didn't go! They were a lot of fun, and the food was good, too.

[ A pause. ]

Have you ever been to an amusement park?

~Sheena

---

Yuri:

Yeah, I saw that. And she likes him, too. And I think "train" would be the magic word with her--since she does a lot of that at home. And you don't have to ask me to keep an eye on her; it's an honor for me to do so.

[ It also helps that he likes Sheena; she lets him do what he wants and wear what he wants--sometimes with a "discussion", sometimes not. ]

Okay. Here's the address. Not sure how you're going to explain getting it, though.

~Corrine

[dammit_flynn]

Sheena,

We'll see how I feel about people and crowds by then.

Amusement park? Not really. Did you want to see it or something?

-- Yuri

---

Corrine,

I'll just say I was walking by and caught you from the window. Figured I'd stop by and say hi.

See if she wanted to take a have at it with sparring.

Winging it is my specialty after all.

-- Yuri

[ninjainviolet]

Yuri:

Nah. I've been to one before back home. My friend Regal runs it and the Casino.

[ Although, she really wouldn't mind going at all... ]

One day, though, I'll take you.

[ So not a date. ]

~Sheena

---

Yuri:

That will be perfect! I do sit in the front window a lot, so that won't really be too much of a lie on your part.

~Corrine

[dammit_flynn]

Sheena,

Is that so? Sounds like you had an eventful time in your world.

[ If she wanted to, he supposed he could humor her but it really depended on Yuri's mood. ]

Sounds like a date. Are you asking me out here?

[ He's seriously messing with her ]

-- Yuri

---

Corrine,

Excellent. We'll do just that then.

-- Yuri

[ninjainviolet]

Yuri:

More than you can possibly imagine. How about you?

[ And good thing this is a letter, since it takes her a while to continue after her WTF moment. ]

No! I am not asking you out! Okay...I am, but not out on a date!

~Sheena

[ Dammit Zelos Yuri! ]

---

Yuri:

No problem! Good luck!

~Corrine

[dammit_flynn]

Sheena,

My life's always been kind of hectic if you think about it.

[ He's not sorry for his trolling at all. ]

Are you sure about that? It sounded like one if you think about it.

[ naturally... ]

-- Yuri

---

Corrine,

Thanks will do.

-- Yuri

[ninjainviolet]

Yuri:

Yes, I'm sure! It's not a date! No matter how it sounds! Just two people doing something fun, that's all!

~Sheena

[ She can tell he's not sorry... ]

[dammit_flynn]

Sheena,

Sure, whatever you say. I'll look forward to you invitation, Sheena.

-- Yuri.

[ YEP have fun with that. He won't be replying no more. ]

[wings_of_steel]

Sheena,

I'm not quite sure myself, however I do feel like it's rather interesting that there would be a day that would be devoted to such feelings and gifting. I've never experienced this holiday before, so perhaps it might be something to enjoy at least once?

It's been a while since we chat, so keep me updated with your darling self.

-- Selen

---

Corrine,

Her birthday? That doesn't sound pleasant at all. I'm sorry to hear that she had lost someone important. Perhaps, I can make her dinner, and a cake to celebrate her belated birthday. Would that suffice? I don't know the girl very well unfortunately.

Please let me know at your earliest convenience.

--Selen

[ninjainviolet]

Selen:

It's good to hear from you! And yes, it's been too long since we've spoken. We're going to have to meet up and remedy that as soon as we can!

As for the holiday, we don't have anything like it, either, but maybe it would be okay to enjoy.

~Sheena

---

Selen:

That would be perfect! Now, we just have to set this up...

~Corrine

[wings_of_steel]

Sheena,

Certainly. I would love that. Are you busy tonight, or perhaps tomorrow afternoon would suffice? I seem to have some time with all the strange festivities going on. Yes, I can understand that thought. I am unfamiliar with a lot of the festivities here, unfortunately.

-- Selen

---

Corrine,

Excellent.

It should be rather easy on my part. I would leave you bringing her here as the hard part. I just sent her a letter asking if she would like to meet up. Perhaps, you can help me get her to agree?

-- Selen

[ninjainviolet]

[ When Sheena had said "soon", she hadn't meant quite that soon! She hadn't been lying when she had said she wants to meet up with Selen, but she doesn't think she's up to it right now.

So...time to stall. ]

Selen:

You don't waste any time, do you?

~Sheena

[ Yes, dodging the question for the moment. ]


---

Selen:

As usual, she's being stubborn. I doubt she'll agree to tonight, but I can probably get her to meet you tomorrow afternoon or evening. Would that be all right?

~Corrine

[wings_of_steel]

Not at all. Please do answer my question, Sheena. I'd very much like to get along with you more as frieds.

-- Selen.

[ Selen's not having it sorry. ]

---

Corrine,

That works for me honestly. I want an answer from her, or she might have a friendly visitor tomorrow afternoon without her knowledge~

-- Selen

[ninjainviolet]

[ She's feeling just a little bit pressured here, Selen. ]

Selen:

All right. Let me see if I have anything going on.

~Sheena

[ Stall. Stall. ]

---

Selen:

No matter what she tells you, surprising her tomorrow just might be the better idea. She definitely wouldn't expect it then.

~Corrine

[wings_of_steel]

Sheena,

Certainly.

How about we aim for tomorrow then? Anytime in the afternoon or evening would work on my end.

Let me know what you prefer~

-- Selen.

[ AKA Sheena won't get away with saying no and yes Selen can be quite pushy if she wanted to. ]

---

Corrine,

I suppose that works as well. I'll gather input on it and see if that will work for her.

--Selen

[ninjainviolet]

[ Dang it, Selen. No fair. ]

Selen:

All right. I'm free tomorrow night. I have some errands to run after work. where would you like to meet?

~Sheena.

[ After all, tea really isn't so bad, right? ]

---

Selen:

Good job! She might try to back out, but I won't let her!

Thank you for doing this!

~Corrine

[wings_of_steel]

[ All is fair in love and war dear Sheena. ]

Sheena,

We can meet at my home if that's alright? I'll cook us something for the evening!

-- Selen

--

Corrine,

Please to ensure she attends.

Thank you Corrine.

-- Selen

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

You need someone to take her out, you say. Never fear, the Goddess is here~

[ninjainviolet]

Goddess:

What are you planning? And do you need any help?

~Corrine

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

I don't plan that far ahead, I just drag out and see what is out there. It always works.

~Goddess of Love and Helpfulness~

[ninjainviolet]

Hopefully, it will work for her.

~Corrine

[ And sneaky little thing he is, she'll soon have a copy of Sheena's schedule--including trips to the hospital. ]

[hiddentruth]

Dear Sheena;

For the same reason that we celebrate someone's existence specifically on their birthday. People need landmarks. It is easier and more convenient to follow a date on the calendar than to do it when we would like. There is also a feeling of community as everyone celebrates it on the same day.

There are also upside to such a celebration. Celebrating our love for our friends all the time would be exhausting and ultimately, impossible. The feeling would end up becoming common and less special. By having a specific date, people can feel special.

In an ideal and perfect world we wouldn't need Christmas. But such a world doesn't exist.

— Parasraya Purana

[ninjainviolet]

Dear Parasraya Purana:

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you about celebrating how we feel about our friends being exhausting, and that it being "easy" or "convenient" is a good thing. That makes it sound like you don't really care and don't want to waste time doing anything--even though I'm pretty sure that's not what you intended.

But, each time we think of them, we're celebrating. Every time we do or think something they would, we're celebrating how much they touched our lives. It's done almost every day and isn't exhausting at all.

But when you go that extra mile on a day of your choosing that isn't their birthday and give them a gift for no other reason than because you want to show them how much they mean to you, that makes the gesture all the more special.

As for celebrating as a community; I can't argue with you on that. There are a few things that are for everyone, and not just for those you know.

~Sheena

[2hell_weride]

Sheena,

Where I'm from, there was a religious context to it as well. And I might get most of this wrong so bear with me. Consider that there is a religion that believes in one absolute, universal God. Christmas was the day that that God blessed a woman with a magic baby (as in, having never had sex), and that was the Son of God, to be named Jesus Christ.

The day that we celebrated Christmas is the birth of 'Christ', Christ-mas (I don't know how -mas got attached). So the day was to celebrate and acknowledge the birth of Christ. Some Wise Men came and gave him presents too which is where that lore comes from.

But, over thousands of years, it kinda got comercialized so that it's gotten to be more about 'give you friends and family stuff and have a good time together', instead of 'praise the day that God created his only son on Earth to try and fix things'.

I worked with a religion nut for a while. That'll happen when you give an alien a bible.

~MarKus Haley

[ninjainviolet]

Markus:

To be honest, I wouldn't know what's right or wrong with what you tell me--unless I look it up in the Library.

But nowhere else have I seen or heard anything about there being a religious basis to this holiday. Although, from what you say--and some of my own experiences back home concerning legends--I believe you. Especially in light of the name of the holiday having his name in it.

Plus, we have festivals like that back home that honor our gods and goddesses--and that I can understand.

Though...it sounds like that once again, someone sacrificed something for the benefit of others....

~Sheena

[nobugs]

To Sheena,

You bring up a good point. Precious people might leave our lives far too easily. Sometimes, though, you can't always be around them, so this might be an occasion to tell them that they still mean a lot to you.

From Kija

[ninjainviolet]

Kija:

I know how easily people can leave--and how quickly and without warning. Maybe it's my own guilt talking, but I still think we shouldn't have to wait until a special day to say or do something.

Because even then, it could be too late.

~Sheena

[nobugs]

To Sheena, I do understand that feeling. [Since he carried a bit of guilt, too, in that regard. He doesn't know the story, but it seems she was carrying a heavy burden concerning this.] Perhaps you could view it differently to enjoy it? Every day is an occasion to show the people around you how important they are, and this day is especially dedicated to them, perhaps like a second birthday. From Kija

[ninjainviolet]

Kija:

I'm sorry, Kija. [ That he knows what she's talking about. It's a horrible feeling and one she wouldn't wish on anyone.

There's a pause before she responds again. ]

I never really thought about doing that. Have you tried it?

~Sheena

[silencesfate]

Corrine-san,

I was Zelos-san's roommate, for some time when he was here. I feel like I should at least do something for her in his stead, but I don't know anything about what she's into or if it'll be easy to talk about heavier things like Crystal Stasis... Could you help on that front? What things does she find enjoyable?

-- Minato Arisato

[ninjainviolet]

Minato Arisato:

You were Zelos' roommate? [ News to him, and it will be to Sheena, too. ] To be honest, right now, I would avoid talking about Crystal Stasis; that's not exactly a good subject with her. She understands it, but she's not liking it.

As for what she does? She goes to the hospital, work, and home. That's about it. And when she's home, she trains.

But not any of the jobs she wears...

~Corrine