Goodwill, Chapter 2:
After Hope's explanation about the origins of Christmas's religious roots, I decided to return to the Barracks to spend the rest of the day relaxing with my team. Along the way, I've been overhearing a conversation from a pair of BLADEs, apparently about the Ganglion's leftover troops.
"Based on our analysis, the Ganglion's stragglers can't handle the colds. They never give Prone proper gear for winter, and Marnucks flat out cannot handle the cold." the male BLADE brought up.
"Wow... Maybe we'll keep this information in mind once the holidays are over?" the female BLADE brought up, and the male BLADE nodded.
"Hmm... Interesting fact. I'll have to keep that in mind." I thought before I decided to resume walking back.
When I arrived back "home", I noticed that Elma had returned, sitting on the couch, looking at her communication device.
"Hello, Elma. How are things?" I asked.
She looked up from her communication device and smiled. "Good, I took care of my joint operation with Irina. Just an Interceptor mission. How about you?" Elma replied and asked.
"Oh, I'm doing pretty good. I saw Sunshine Cafe getting decorated, and apparently, it was due to something called Christmas approaching." I replied in return.
"Oh? They're getting ready for Christmas?" Elma asked with curiosity.
"Yeah. And because of my amnesia, I couldn't recall a single thing. So Lin has been teaching me about Christmas, and what it truly is about."
"Having fun, joy, and goodwill with friends and family?" Elma inquired.
"Exactly, Elma. Not commercialism."
"Heh. Lin certainly taught you well, Cross. I celebrated Christmas for this very reason. To think... we'll be having Mira's very first Christmas soon."
"She also mentioned that Christmas also had religious origins. But because neither she nor Mia could describe it well, I went to see Hope."
"That makes sense, since Hope knows quite a bit about religion. The only person who might know more about it is Letrick."
"Yes. And I've also learned that some people celebrate different holidays altogether."
"That's very essential. The key to understanding Christmas is to understand that some people celebrate different holidays. I'm glad you learned well."
"Cheers." I joined her at the couch, sitting next to her and sat back. "Oh yeah, I heard Mira will be having some snow in certain regions. And apparently, some indigens hibernate when there's snow."
"Indeed. In fact, that was why I aided Irina in that Interceptor mission, since it'll be the last one for a while."
"Really? The Interceptors won't be having missions for a while?" I was surprised.
"Yeah. We'll be shutting down the city's gates for Christmas. Not to mention, according to L and the Nopon, flying indigens tend to hibernate, which is good news."
"Oh yeah, Lin and Tatsu brought that up this morning, too. And apparently, the Ganglion's troops just can't handle the cold, according to some BLADEs that I passed by on my way back."
"I guess they're going to retreat to Oblivia or Cauldros. But let's not worry about them for now, Cross."
"Anyways, I've been learning about Christmas. Though if I recall correctly, what day is Christmas, precisely? The 25th?"
"Yes, Christmas is on the 25th."
"Wow... It matches what Hope told me about the holiday's religious origins."
"You are right about that. Though I do wonder..." Elma said before looking at herself in the closest equivalent to a mirror.
"What's up, Elma?" I asked.
Elma didn't say anything, instead having a pensive look on her face. I frowned, wondering what she was about to say. Elma normally kept her feelings close to her chest, but in this case it was clear she was struggling with something. I didn't know what, though.
"Elma?" I asked again, looking at her.
She didn't meet my gaze. Instead, she seemed more like she's interested in looking at her hands for whatever reason.
"I had been thinking..." she began. "Is it right for me to actually celebrate Christmas, which is a human tradition from back on Earth? Especially since I'm actually a xeno all along..." Elma replied with concern.
I was surprised. With all that Elma had gone through, shouldering the truth about herself and Project Exodus, I imagined she was over this specific snag. This just showed to me how despite my image of Elma being so strong, in the end she still had fears and insecurities in her. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Elma." I started. "Remember what I said back at Starfall Basin that evening before Chausson announced that the Lifehold Core has been found?" I finished as I placed my hand on Elma's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
"The one where you promised to accept me for who I am, no matter my appearance?"
"Exactly. And if you chose to celebrate Christmas in your human form, I don't see why all of a sudden, you shouldn't do the same while in your true form. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. Lin, Mia... even Tatsu too. Remember that, Elma." I said with determination and a smile, to which Elma responded by with a small smile.
"Thank you, Cross. It's good that we understand each other equally well." She seemed to look more relieved after hearing my words. It was almost like when she first revealed her xeno origins; she had an aura of uncertainty and insecurity, though she tried her best to hide it. I supposed this was simply the next and hopefully final step for accepting that fact. And I'm happy to help her reach that step, too.
"Anytime. I don't care what you are, Elma, whether you're a human or a xenoform. I only care for who you are, and for that, you will always remain my first friend."
To hammer in the point further, I enveloped Elma in a tight hug. She was surprised for a brief moment, but hugged back a second later. We remained that way for the next few minutes.
Once we let go from our hug, I noticed Lin and Mia, the latter of which was now in her bathrobes, looking at us with unsure expressions.
"What is it, you two?" I asked, which caused Elma to turn and see them as well.
"You two have been hugging for a few minutes. Are things... alright?" Mia asked with uncertainty.
"We were just hugging out of friendship, I assure you two." Elma smiled.
"Alrighty. We'll accept it. But if others were here... Well, they may risk getting the wrong idea." Mia replied.
"What do you mean, Mia?" Lin asked.
"Well... to be fair, Lin..." Mia said before whispering to Lin's ear. As Mia was whispering to Lin, the latter had a look of understanding and a grin on her face.
"Ohh..." Lin replied.
"Any idea of what they're referring to, Cross?" Elma asked in confusion.
"I think Mia was telling Lin that people might think we've become lovers." I assumed.
"...Wow. And we're the same gender, but different races altogether. Not that the latter matters." Elma was surprised.
"Yeah..." I thought back to the various interracial couples I encountered throughout NLA, helping out their plights. "So when does the snowfall begin, Elma?"
"In a few days, Cross. You'll see."
Surely enough, Elma was right. A few days later, it started to snow in certain parts of Mira, with FrontierNav showing us live updates on the snow. It even started snowing in New LA, due to it being in south of Primordia. Heh, the cushioning gel down below the city literally became frozen solid in ice, even.
"Attention, citizens, it appears the first day of snowfall has begun. Because it's going to get colder for a while, make sure you bring your winter gear. Those who don't have it shouldn't worry, for Sakuraba Industries is working hard at making winter coats. Now to the main reason why I'm for an announcement: we are going to celebrate our very first Christmas here on Mira. I know most xenoforms have no idea what Christmas is about, so I shall reveal what it is. It is a human tradition from back on Earth, where families and friends spend quality time together as a way of goodwill. It is more than just giving gifts to others, I will say. And do know that some people celebrate different holidays altogether, like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. This will also be the first time those holidays can be celebrated here on Mira, too. I'm not good at explaining either of them, but those who still celebrate those holidays can explain what they're about. This is Director General Maurice Chausson, and I hope you all have a good day."
That was a long speech from the Director General, himself. He's the leader of NLA's government and one of BLADE's higher-ups.
"Good thing I thought smart and decided to get some winter gear for you guys. Tatsu, you have some winter gear already, do you not?" Elma asked.
"Of course! Tatsu was given winter gear from Mamapon and Dadapon. And this was before Dadapon became Heropon." Tatsu nodded.
"That's good, Tatsu. I hope you got appropriate colors and patterns, Elma." Lin stated.
"Of course. The winter coat that's blue? That's actually mine. I got a different color for you altogether, Cross." Elma smiled.
"Oh? What color is it?" I asked.
"It's red, Rook. I thought it'd be a nice change from yellow and green."
"Heh. Fair enough. People seem to associate me with wearing yellow or green clothes." I joked around, with the group of us (myself included) laughing as a result.
"Anyways, this purple winter coat is for you, Lin. I even made sure it matched your size." Elma said as she handed Lin her new coat.
"Wow! Thanks, Elma!" Lin smiled as she was given the coat.
"You're welcome, Lin. And Mia? A pink winter coat for you." Elma said as she gave the last coat to Mia.
"Thanks, Elma! No wonder Chief looks up to you." Mia replied with a smile.
"Well, I am her team leader, but thanks for the compliment, Mia."
Once we all put on our winter coats, we were getting a glimpse of the first snowfall we witnessed on this planet since we crashed on it. Sylvalum's weather was more of white sand that allegedly felt very similar to snow according to fellow BLADEs, but apparently this is the real deal and everyone in NLA all over - humans, Ma-non, Prone, Orphe, so many people were out and about experiencing the snow all for themselves.
"Good afternoon, everyone." said a voice with an accent similar to mine. I turned around to see Celica, a Qlurian girl who is associated with the Prospectors, and her gargantuan friend, a Gaur named Rock. I smiled widely and beckoned her to come towards us.
"Hiya, Celica! How are you today?" Mia asked.
"Pretty good. I've lost my winter gear a long time ago, but I ended up getting some at the clothing store. I think this is called a "turtleneck"?" Celica pondered.
"Yep. And I hope the jeans you got are nice and warm?" I replied.
"They are, indeed. Some talented knitters are also able to knit a giant scarf for Rock." Celica said as Rock shows his new scarf.
"I'm actually very grateful for what they've given me. And it was a community effort." Rock smiled as he was showing the scarf he's wearing.
"You look very nice in it, Rock." I gave my thumbs up to Rock, to which Rock exchanged with a thumbs up and a toothy grin in return.
"By the way, I noticed some of the stores in the Commercial District are getting decorated. I wonder what for?" Celica pondered.
"Did you not hear the announcement Director General Chausson had? They're getting ready for Christmas." Lin replied.
"Christmas? The Director General mentioned a few minutes ago about how it was a human tradition just before. What is it really?" Celica asked, with Rock scratching his head while nodding in agreement.
"Due to my amnesia, I've been relearning about Christmas. Here's what Lin taught me so far about it..." I said before explaining to Celica what Lin told me about Christmas so far.
After a little while, my explanation was complete, and Celica and Rock both understood what I said. "That actually sounds like a special Qlurian holiday back in my world. Come to think of it, Christmas isn't so different from it when you get to the details." Celica smiled.
"So you know that friends and family and goodwill are most important things?" Elma pondered.
"Yes. It's been like that with the holiday I used to celebrate back in my homeworld, and it looks to be the same case with Christmas." Celica nodded.
"Well, as long as Celica enjoys it, then so will I." Rock smiled.
"That's the spirit, Rock! Tatsu know fellow Nopon learning about Christmas altogether." Tatsu said as he was dancing around.
Then, later on, as we were coming back to BLADE Barracks...
"Ah! Perfect timing, for I was looking for you girls." Commander Vandham was just about to enter the Barracks, looking for us.
"Do you have a mission for us, Commander Vandham?" Elma asked.
"Yeah. I'm aware that the gates are closed, so for this mission, you'll need your Skells." Vandham nodded.
"So... what have you got?" Mia queried.
"I'll tell you right now. Cross, you remember that mineral that you, Irina, and the Christoph brothers discovered a while ago in Sylvalum?" Vandham asked me.
"I remember it, Commander Vandham. I believe it's named phogrium?" I pondered.
"Yep. When I asked Irina about it, she mentioned the same name. Anyways, we need two pieces of phogrium. One as a way of testing if it's possible to power weapons and armor and whatnot. The other is to serve as a star for a Christmas tree." Vandham replied.
"A Christmas tree? Wow, I can't wait to see how that would work!" Lin exclaimed.
"Yep. Two samples of phogrium are out and about in Sylvalum. Cross, do you remember how they're obtained?" Vandham asked.
"Of course. You just shoot the mist, and it becomes solid. I still recall Phog doing just that, which caught me, Irina, and especially Frye, off guard." I nodded.
"That's good to know. Also, you girls best be careful out there." Vandham cautioned us.
"Why?" Elma pondered while crossing her arms.
"Because some Ganglion stragglers are searching for it. According to BLADE scouts, they're aiming to use phogrium to blast NLA. But if you four can get to the phogrium before they do, we should have a safe happy Christmas." Vandham stated.
"Hmph. I'm already intrigued by Christmas, and I don't think the Ganglion stragglers have any right to ruin it. We'll have to get this done." I declared.
"Now hold on a moment, there. This mission's actually easier than it sounds." Vandham insisted.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.
"Apparently, the Ganglion troops that are in Sylvalum... Well, apparently they cannot handle the winter cold. And with Luxaar kicking the bucket, they struggle to fight the cold even further. Hah, poor suckers. Now, good luck to the four of you." Vandham stated.
"Understood, Commander Vandham." Elma said before turning to us. "Alright, team, we have some clean-up work. Let's move out."
