The City at Night

Posted on Tue Dec 24th, 2024 @ 10:08pm by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes

Mission: Family
Location: Earth - North America, New York

It was Christmas Eve on Earth and Deanna and her family, those with her at least were on Earth to enjoy the festivities. Deanna had taken her mother and sister to New York, one of the jewels of the planet, and a place they had never seen.

The city was something to behold, at least from Deanna's point of view. Like everyone else that had attended StarFleet Academy, she had studied Earth history. She knew how much worked had gone into rebuilding this city after the destruction that befell Earth in the third World War. The skyline of the city was much different than it was three centuries ago, but four items remained: The Empire State building, the Crysler building, Freedom Tower, and the Statue of Liberty. All of them great landmarks of this great city. The buildings served different functions now than they did so long ago, but what they meant as cultural landmarks was more the point.

She took her mother and sister to see the sights, explaining the historical significance of each item. She took them to the landmarks, and to other places of note, a walk in Central Park, hearing carols at Rockerfeller Center, another show on Broadway, and a Christmas supper in Little Italy. It was nearly perfect, and then, as they took a ride in a old fashioned horse drawn carriage, it began to snow, making everything just right.

As they entered their lodging for the evening Deanna walked over to the replicator, "one plate of Christmas cookies and a glass of cold milk" she ordered. The replicator materialized the request.

"Deanna, why are you getting such things at this time?" her mother asked.

"It isn't for me mother. It is a human tradition. They leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk or eggnog for Santa Clause" Deanna replied with a smile.

"Who?" he sister Draghixa asked.

"Santa Clause. Originally a religious figure known as St. Nicolas, he is a semi mythic figure who brings gifts to all the good children on Christmas" Deanna replied to her sister.

"Phm that sounds lovely" Draghixa replied with a childlike innocence.

"Seems rather silly to me" her mother muttered under her breath.

"The humans have many ancient traditions, especially surrounding this holiday. It has endured for over two millennia" Deanna pointed out.

"We have many splendid traditions as well my dear" Tove Celes attempted to point out.

"None that are as enduring as this holiday mother" Deanna clapped back diplomatically.

"Are their other traditions we might partake in?" Draghixa asked.

"I know of a few. Take a seat over there and I will grab something that you might enjoy. They read a story called 'The Night Before Christmas' which is designed to put one in the mood. It is one of many bits of literature and poetry that is dedicated to this holiday" Deanna replied. She went to the replicator and got the book and walked over to her sister and began to read, putting her in the mood for the holiday.