A/N: It's been a very long time; and this update is also very, very late! Instead of waiting a whole year to upload this, I decided to just do it now, and wish everyone very belated happy holidays.
TenWings and Knives91 - School has been a botch lately. Thanks for reading and appreciating the story, and I apologize this was the earliest I could have gotten it up.
Max Knight - Yeah, I'm noticing that there's quite a lot of drama going on...guess I'm being affected by the drama all around me recently. And I'm sorry but this chapter is another filler. I'm actually having some trouble really progressing the story; chances are I'll to get to it for the next update.
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CHAPTER 13
Holiday
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The pirate leader Magno Vivan was no less imposing even in the early hours of what many considered a busy day in-the-making. She did not utter a word, merely stood watch, yet the crew was in a flurry fixing up decorations, cooking the food, and generally getting the entire ship ready for the Christmas holiday.
'A holiday from what?' Jai wondered out of the blue. He was carrying a huge box of assorted trinkets en route to the bridge.
As of late, more and more people have been visiting the clinic, asking for him. As it turned out, word got around that the newcomer was an especially skilled clinician, able to heal any known disease or condition with his bare hands! Thus, any and all cases of different kinds – from bruises to burns, body aches and even a few conditions only a Mejale could have in this time period – were brought for him to resolve. Duero had been an immense help, cautiously 'assisting' Jai (though in actuality working somewhat more on his own). Both physicians worked efficiently, and ended the last consultation in time for Magno's announcement of 'having the entire ship ready for Christmas...or else!'
Without a doubt, Pai was definitely behind the rumors, which definitely spread faster than wildfire! Repercussions would have to be made...
...but for now, a lot of work was to be done, both in the clinic and outside. Besides, it was Christmastime!
'Surely a time of forgiveness, huh?' Jai thought, wryly, though he was not bitter at the turn of events. Helping the sick and injured as a doctor was what he decided to do in life, and he was able to carry out that job even here, thousands of years in the future.
'What is surprising, though, is that Christmas still exists until this time...'
"Whoa!" His thoughts were interrupted when somebody bumped into him from the side. Owing to quick reflexes and good balance, both he and the box remained upright and intact.
"Why don't you watch where you're going, you..." The other person's irritated tone faded quickly.
"I'm sorry...I've been daydreaming and didn't notice you, uh, Jura was it?"
The blond pirate was looking up from where she was currently seated on the floor, unexpectedly wearing a scowl; Jai had thought that anger had gone with the earlier manner of voice. "Daydreaming! Of all the useless reasons to be careless!" She quickly got up and dusted herself off before storming away.
'What's her problem...?' Jai wondered, '...and she isn't even carrying anything. Oh well...' He filed another item on the forgive-and-forget list in his head.
"She's just a little high-strung...it happens occasionally," Meia explained, seemingly appearing all of a sudden beside Jai. "Heading for the bridge?" She was also carrying a box of decorations, hers smaller.
He nodded, hiding the all-of-a-sudden rapid beating of his heart...probably from the surprise of her suddenness. He managed a stable, good-natured smile. "That was nothing; I've forgotten about it already. You're a mind reader now?"
"That, and you were talking out loud just now," she replied, peering at him at the corner of her eye.
'I was?' He thought; then wondered if he was talking out loud this time. No sound from his mouth.
Still, Meia seemed to hear him. "That's right...besides, how can I read something that you've forgotten, or something that wasn't on your mind in the first place?"
He stopped in mid-step for a just moment, considering her point, before again falling in cadence. "You know, somehow that makes perfect sense."
Meia shook her head. She looked a little worried, and a little amused at the same time. "You seem a little out of it today..."
"Do I?" Jai replied. That was definitely audible, not just a thought. "Must've been all the work at the clinic..."
"There was quite a crowd there earlier, come to think of it," Meia considered, "you must have been very busy."
Jai smiled. "Hey, it's part of the job description; actually, it's pretty much the same at the clinic where I used to have my training and all, though of course not all my patients were female."
"Fema-...oh you mean like us Mejale, as compared to the Tarak."
"Yes, that's right," Jai nodded. "It still takes some getting used to my terminology, huh?"
"Now and then, but I think I'm generally starting to get accustomed to it."
There was silence for a bit. The bridge was still some ways off, but the gradually more elaborate decorations along the corridor indicated the right direction. Jai noticed the predominance of the two colors most associated with the season even during his own time.
"I see the colors of Christmas are still the same – red and green," he stated.
"Yet another thing handed down since your time?" Meia asked, looking only a little surprised.
"I suppose it ought to be..."
She continued. "Then perhaps the tradition of decorating a tree was something you also used to do?"
"Most definitely," Jai was sure he looked even more surprised than her at finding out for how long the tradition stood. 'There must also be a lot of pine trees on their own planets,' he thought...then remembered an area of the ship that very closely resembled a small park, complete with a water fountain.
'I still must be a little out of it, as she said...' he wondered to himself, shaking his head a little.
"It's okay if you don't know; you don't have to scramble your head over it," he heard Ezra say all of a sudden on his other side.
"Wha?! Huh? How did-? Don't know what?"
She chuckled. "Oh, I'm sorry if I startled you. I'm also heading for the bridge..."
Jai managed a smile. "That's okay...I was just a little distracted, I guess. Uh, what were you asking again?"
"Yes...I was wondering how that tradition even began; the one about decorating a tree during Christmas."
Having something concrete to focus on prevented Jai's thoughts from wandering much. "If I remember right, it has its distant roots as some sort of ancient belief of tree-worshipping. You remember those things I said awhile back about the different continents of the Earth?"
"Yes; seven of them, right?" Ezra answered, and Meia only nodded.
"That's right. The modern tradition began in Europe some five hundred years before my time. Evergreens, or those trees that don't lose their pines even when the weather gets cold, were the trees used. Though at first only simple decorations were used on the tree, as the practice flourished through different places, it evolved, along with technology, and became more colorful and grandiose. But throughout all that time, it carried the same message of faith and hope, of charity and goodness for all."
Jai's two companions were listening intently the whole time. "That's wonderful," Ezra said, "so Christmas was a little-known holiday then?"
He thought for a moment. "I guess you could say that...it was only around a few hundred years since it became a holiday celebrated throughout the world, or at least in most parts. Ultimately, Christmas is all about love and the spirit of giving."
"Ah, so even gift-giving was part of the tradition!"
"Yeah; that's probably the reason it became so popular. But the more sublime meaning is of an unconditional giving of one's all for all fellowmen. Will there be...?"
Meia interrupted him. "You said 'fellowmen'. Weren't, uh, women included?" she asked. Even Ezra gave him an inquiring look.
Jai looked mildly amused at her pointing that out. "It's an expression. The term 'fellowmen' refers to all people, all humans."
"I see..." both Mejale said at the same time.
He explained further. "The use of masculine terms, or those regularly referring to men, could also usually refer to both genders. The widely-held culture of until a few hundred or so years ago was predominantly patriarchal, meaning the men, or Tarak as they are called now, were usually held in higher regard."
"Really?!" Again, both at the same time.
"Well, that's right, in most places, at least. But that, ridiculous as I see it, belief gradually receded, and in my modern culture, at least the one I grew up in, both men and women are equals." Jai finished, supposing that they might not appreciate an explanation of the lower status of females in the not-too-distant cultures.
The entrance to the bridge, now right in front of them, seemingly appeared out of nowhere...or perhaps everyone's attention was so held that nobody noticed until then.
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"And that concludes our celebration of this Christmas holiday! In lieu of all the hard work you've all done, the decorations will not be taken down for another few days. Now everybody enjoy!"
It was probably Magno's announcement of postponing the work of cleaning-up that drew the most cheers from the pirate crew.
For the most part, the 'Christmas celebration' was, Jai mused, similar to the most popular way celebrated even in his own time: plenty of food, enjoyment, and the traditional giving of gifts. Being the very unusual guest and now-friend of the Mejale, he received the most gifts among all; more than those even Magno received. Though initially at a loss himself as to what to give, the figurines in 'his' safe-pod served the purpose amply. Promises of future piano performances every now and then also helped.
The Tarak were also included in the festivities, and Hibiki almost looked like he was actually enjoying himself even while being dragged around by Dita; Bart managed to drink himself into a tipsy, clumsy, boisterous mess, which he would most definitely regret later on; and Duero...seemed to spend most, if not all, of his time with Parfet in a rather secluded spot of the ship's indoor park.
As for himself, Jai more or less mingled with everybody...or rather everybody took the opportunity to mingle with him. Most of the time, he was swamped with company, engaged in idle chatter, or telling stories of 'times long past'. Some even took the opportunity, or perhaps had the nerve, to consult him regarding health matters.
Apart from an inconsequential feeling of being constantly watched that lingered in the back of his mind, he rather enjoyed the gathering, and was glad that some things lived on through the centuries.
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Jai was relieved when the number of people in his immediate vicinity dwindled – that was, after the whole crew had at least had a word with him. It was already very late, and a lot of them had already gone to sleep – some even right along the corridors.
'Is it okay to just leave them like this...?' Jai wondered then shrugged. There shouldn't be any problem...it kind of reminded him of parties way back when.
He returned to his room feeling only a little drowsy, yet not wanting to sleep just yet – a habit formed by many interns working 36-hour shifts at the hospital.
'Perhaps a little guitar for now...' He thought idly. Sitting at the bed, he removed the instrument from its velvet casing and plucked a few tentative notes.
'Could've brought this to the party...' he pondered, '...but then I'd be the center of attention again...it's kind of tiring...' He shook his head and sighed, smiling wryly.
He was tuning the strings when the door swooshed open. By now, he was used to it enough not to be distracted and need to look up from what he was absorbed in; though he did wonder who could be visiting at this time. He did have an idea, though...
"Good evening, Miss Meia. Please, make yourself comfortable..."
Her footsteps stopped for a moment, then continued approaching until the blue-haired captain was seated on the opposite side of the bed.
"Another...musical instrument?" She observed. "Haven't seen you use it before."
"It's my guitar. Haven't brought it out since I got here, I guess," he said, strumming a few chords, "and I'm better at this than the piano."
He then looked up, at her. She was very different, in a way...as if all the tension she always had bottled up inside her was let go, at least for now. She looked more relaxed than he'd ever seen her before.
"Mhmm..." she simply replied. Even her speech was different.
Jai considered it a welcome change.
"And, well, since it is Christmas, how about a few carols..." Jai said.
He then began a soothing rendition of several popular Christmas songs in succession, even singing along most of them. Meia sat and listened to the performance.
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'This is very relaxing...' Meia sighed. She had quite a lot to drink during the party – mostly trying to look inconspicuous while observing Jai the whole time – and was feeling only a little giddy despite her high tolerance for alcohol. Although in the end she had curiously forgotten why she was then keeping such a close watch on him in the first place.
Suddenly it was an effort to stay upright. She leaned backwards, and found herself lying down on the fluffy bed.
'Must've had a little too much...' she rationalized in her head, though did nothing except close her eyes. The soft music was like velvet caressing her entire being, and soon she was drifting off into slumber.
Her last thought before finally dozing off was 'Jai wasn't kidding when he said he's better at this than the piano...'
She was unaware of the hands that adjusted her to a more comfortable position and draped a blanket over her, and of the voice that bid her sweet dreams and a merry Christmas.
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A/N: Hopefully next update won't take too long...thanks everyone!