video; forward dated to 12/2

[disasterstraight]

[ Those who recall Jin Zixuan's last embarrassing turn online, will be glad to know that he is feeling much better. Back in his original body, golden core restored and everything. Nothing to worry about. Forget you ever saw him as a gigantic metal man.

He's out shopping in downtown De Chima, in a store that sells upscale homegoods and handcrafted decorations, all of which that you see on the shelves are Christmasy in theme. There are little wooden snowmen, bottle brush Christmas trees, felted raindeer, and lots, lots of things that light up. ]

I understand that the religion practiced in Jeopardy is not in the majority of this nation, though I will say that the festivities last night were rather spectacular in nature. But, it seems to me that the holidays practiced by the rest of this land are just as... excuse my words... cult-like.

[ He picks up a ceramic Santa Clause teapot with a set of elf-themed cups and saucers. ]

Who is this fat red man who is worshipped at this winter festival? Does he wear red because it brings good luck? [ That much would make sense to him; red is an auspicious color in his culture. ] How does he get reindeer to fly, do the reindeer cultivate their own spiritual energy? What of their leader, with the reddened nose? [ Again with the color red! ]

[ He sighs, flourishing his sleeve and continuing his stroll through the store. ]

The main reasoning for my question is, are there any important duties one must perform in this season, according to the traditions of this holiday?

Comments

[Video]

[anthropophagite]

OH- well, that's Santa. He isn't worshiped, he is more like a mascot, I believe. [ HE SURE IS CALLING SANTA A MASCOT. ] I don't know a lot about him, but it seems the story goes that he gives presents to well behaved children and coal to bad ones. The reindeer will pull his sleigh through the sky thanks to magic, I think.

It's a children's story, though, so they didn't think too much about it.

Re: [Video]

[disasterstraight]

A mascot. [ Jin Zixuan only has the vaguest idea of what that is. ]

For a story they don't think much about, there certainly is a lot of merchandise.

Re: [Video]

[anthropophagite]

Children believe he is real, so I'm not surprised about that. [ kids are a good target for sales]

But people also like decorating during the holiday, and since he is the face of it, everyone has stuff with Santa.

[Video]

[disasterstraight]

Why do parents persist in upholding the lie of his existence? Are they just playing tricks on their children?

[ It seems like a cruel thing to do. ]

Video.

[hot_handed]

Once a year Santa crawls out from the depths of his hideout to look for his next targets. He wears red to symbolize the blood of his victims. He uses reindeer because they have a good sense of smell, but the flying part is a myth. He was hit with the same shit that gave other random losers here superpowers, which lets him control the AI of his sleigh and at home security devices. People worship him because he's fucking crazy and thinks he's the moral police, and no one wants to deal with that. The only way to keep him from paying you a visit is to buy as many shitty Christmas trees as you can, plant them in your yard to create a maze to confuse him and his killer reindeer.

THREADJACK GOMEN

[floatsaway]

[Katsuki, what the FUCK.]

...Santa didn't get you the rare All Might figure you wanted, did he?

lmao <3

[hot_handed]

[No.

No he never got his hands on that one figure.

Deku probably got it, don't remind him. His greatest loss.]

Gotta have a grudge to go outta my way and give a stranger some useful advice?

<33

[floatsaway]

[Nailed it. You are so transparent, Kacchan.

Also, flatly--]

Yes.

Video;

[floatsaway]

Oh, I can answer this a little!! [Immense ramble in 3, 2, 1....] That big man in the red suit is called Santa Claus!! Though others call him Saint...Nicholas, I think?? Apparently, in America, the Christmas holiday is extremely popular because it's the birth date of a religious entity, though it's not Santa, ehehe...

I'm not really sure how the original myth went, but Santa's supposedly a magical being - sort of like a winter spirit - that leaves gifts for young children that are good for the whole year up until that day!! Bad children are left with coal in their stockings.

OH, OH!! And Santa loves being left milk and cookies!! And I don't know how his reindeer fly, but it's probably with his magic. He supposedly is able to fly around the whole earth in one night and deliver all those gifts, that's what makes him so special! You can also write him letters in hopes he'll get you what you really want.

When I was really, really little, I used to wish every year that it'd snow for my birthday! So I could go ice skating in the diamond dust!

Re: Video;

[disasterstraight]

[ Well, at least she's more helpful than her friend. ]

This Santa figure delivers gifts to all the children who are good? Then, why do the signs in the markets advertise giving gifts to your loved ones? Isn't that Santa's job?

[floatsaway]

Mmh, well...firstly, I don't really think Santa is a real person like he's made out to be. I think the original legend sadly was commercialized by modern society here in America as well. It's about getting, and buying, and spending money...because, apparently, it's the busiest consumer holiday in the world. Lots of businesses rely on the holiday season to make a lot of revenue and get more business.

I don't really like that, myself. [As much as she like money...and presents.]

I like the legends and stories of Christmas a lot more, where the lesson learned is that the holiday is about charity and generosity. Giving for the sake of giving - not expecting or wanting anything in return - because you really and truly want someone to be happy!! That Santa isn't necessarily a 'person' but a...spirit, or a feeling you get in your heart. Togetherness, love, the joy of giving, and the warmth that comes with the happiness and gratitude you receive back.

Ahh...s-sorry, I'm talking a lot, aren't I?

[disasterstraight]

It's alright. You're obviously passionate about the topic. And, you're clearing up some of my questions about the holiday and its traditions.

So, it is customary to give gifts during this season not only to reward children for good behavior, but just to be charitable in general?

[ That would explain the woman dressed in red and green ringing a bell on the street corner asking for donations. ]

Is this holiday celebrated in your homeland as well?

[voice]

[self_immolate]

If I recall correctly, the reindeer story goes that the one with the red nose was shunned and despised for his difference from the rest of his kind, and it wasn't until he proved his usefulness by discovering his nose could glow in the night that he was embraced by his kin and master.

A children's story that reminds us all that deviation from the norm will be punished unless it can be exploited by our social betters.

Rather applicable, don't you think?

[ hth ]

[permavoice]

[disasterstraight]

That's a rather cynical way of looking at it. If I was the young red nose reindeer, I would be happy to be able to contribute to the collective.

[self_immolate]

Is that so? To contribute and yet demand nothing return is quite the recipe for being tossed aside once you've exceeded your usefulness.

[disasterstraight]

Not nothing. The red nosed reindeer gains status from his position, as well as being fed and provided for by the man in the red suit, presumably. Surely he would live a better life than a wild reindeer who must fend for himself.

Video

[legalcy]

I’m glad to see that you are well.

[This user name once had a small mustachioed man on the screen; this time, there’s a large green robot speaking to Jin Zixuan sporting a similar metal mustache.]

From my research on Earth, this “Santa” figure only appears in some areas of the world. My understanding was that he is a mythological figure meant to encourage young humans to behave, but I’m not aware of any important cultural rituals related to him besides the typical festive decorations.



...I think you have to leave out food for him?

Permavideo

[disasterstraight]

[ Ah. So this is what that mustachioed man really looks like. ...Odd. If he hadn't been a giant metal man himself, he would almost think it impossible. ]

We certainly have nothing like him where I come from. Though, I am apparently from another time as well as another place. It is possible I predate the tale.

[legalcy]

I suppose you should be well as long as you do not offend the locals. Regional customs can be complex in their histories and traditions, and frankly, I'm not sure why his image is everywhere in this universe.

[From what he recalls in his research on the Earth from his universe, the decorations weren't entire centered on Santa himself.]

That does make me curious as to how old this custom must be if you do not recall it. It can't be more than a few hundred years old. [Which isn't much to a Cybertronian.]

[video]

[inquiryguqin]

[Things has been so hectic lately to keep his household stable, but Lan Wangji has made it a deal to speak to him on his things to-do-list!

In the background, there's bookshelves, so it shows Lan Wangji is a book-seller]

Jin Zixuan. Are you well? And, I can't answer the question, but hopefully if you get some answers, I would like to know. My customers speak of the holiday and they are looking for any books related to it.

[He's only curious!]

I think the main reason is to buy presents? Giving gifts to children?

[permavideo]

[disasterstraight]

Hanguang-jun.

[ They have not spoken much during their shared time here. Frankly, Jin Zixuan has been occupied with other matters, but he still respects Lan Wangji, and so greets him with a formal bow over the video connection. ]

As far as I can understand, the gifts are meant to signify the value of charity and generosity, and are given to loved ones, and children who have been well behaved throughout the year. The "Santa" character is a sort of mascot or figurehead to represent the concept of giving, rather than a real person.

[inquiryguqin]

[He gave him space. Also, it takes a while to go with the flow of life since the fractured world and Wei Ying died, and he did everything he can for him. He expressed his condolences over the loss of his wife. Still, he is an old friend. So, Lan Wangji greets him back with a formal bow in return]

How are you? I hope things are all right with you and your son.

It seems to be a busy time of the year. People came out and go shopping, looking for gifts. I think that's about right. It's the giving and receiving presents, so the thoughts matter to make people feel cherished.

I think to answer your question, it's for the children mostly. This santa figure that I read in the books, he leaves presents under a tree. What a cheerful mascot, don't you think? I think the message is to spread joy and happiness to others.

[Speaking of which, he does have a child, doesn't he?]

How is Jin Ling, by the way? Is he all right?

[voice]

[mycrosstobear]

It's not a cult, it's just the people here turning another holiday into something stupid.

Christmas is a Christian holiday. It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God, who through his teaching and suffering saved the world from sin. It's supposed to be about light coming in the darkness and good coming from unlikely places. [That's...important.] But most people here just use it as a reason to buy shit they don't need and hold parties and have tacky decorations. [Local priest is bitter about the commercialization of Christmas, news at 11.]

The guy in red was originally Saint Nicholas, a saint who was famous for generosity and a patron saint of children. [Wolfwood's sure his unremembered parents didn't name him after the saint, but he's always liked the connection.] But Santa Claus isn't a religious tradition, it's just supposed to be a story to tell kids to have a mysterious way to explain some of the presents they get. And now he's mostly something to use in advertising.

[REALLY bitter.]

[disasterstraight]

[ Well, the bitterness certainly does come through in the explanation, but Jin Zixuan would rather have the full story from someone who actually knows and cares about the holiday, rather than outsider's perspectives, which seem to be all he's gotten so far. ]

So, if I understand it correctly, it is a holiday largely centered around children? The hope of a bright future they represent, and the opportunity to teach them kindness and generosity?

[ That... may not be exactly what this man was saying, but more an effort of Zixuan to reconcile the tale of a child of a god bringing light into the darkness, with the many sales on children's toys that he sees advertisements for. ]

[mycrosstobear]

[Hmmmm.] Not...exactly, but that's not a bad place to start.

I'd say kindness, generosity, and gratitude are a big part of it.