ratherbelocky | .003 Δ [Video]

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.003 Δ [Video]

Okay, so does albinism happen to run in particular Pokémon species? I thought it might've been a newborn thing, but it's been a while and normal fur hasn't grown in yet for him at all.

[A young, energetic Sneasel clambers his way up the back of York's chair. He's kind of excessively pink.

Someone's got his first shiny is what's happening here.

The Sneasel waves at the camera, then slips back down in an undignified tumble before running off again to play with York's Rotom. York watches him go before shaking his head.]

I ask 'cause I know that can cause eye problems, but he hasn't complained about it and Delta Two hasn't picked up any bad news from him. But he's a Dark type and a baby, so I dunno how much she'd be able to get from him, anyway. Do I need to get him glasses? Keep him out of the sun?

--Also, anyone celebrating Hanukkah this year, hope you had a good one. York out.

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Sure. As much as I can remember, anyway. It's...been a while, for me.

[He rubs his chin for a second as he gathers his thoughts, then shrugs.]

Okay. So, it's supposed to celebrate this miraculous victory we had over the Greeks a couple thousand years ago. The usual thing: They were oppressing us, we wanted religious freedom, et cetera. At the end of few years of guerrilla warfare, we won back our big Temple, but there was only enough oil left to keep the Menorah going--that's like a fancy ritual candlestick, sort of--for one day. They lit it anyway, though, and it kept going for the eight days they needed before they could get some more oil. And that's why we're supposed to light candles for eight nights during the holiday itself, to honor that miracle.

It wasn't originally a gift-giving holiday, but in America, anyway, it sort of picked up this competition with Christmas. I guess so little Jewish kids wouldn't feel left out. Eight nights of presents, and my mom would make latkes for the first night.

Were the Greeks an invading empire?

[Lust listens raptly to the explanation, clearly invested. Her own heritage is something of a mystery to her, and one she's been loathe to bring up with Scar. This...is close. And the story York shares sounds as though it could have been taken from Ishbalan tradition.]

That's a beautiful story, one that deserves to be honored and remembered. I'm glad the main Temple was reclaimed. Thank you, for sharing it with me.

You know, the whole Christmas holiday has never made much sense to me.

Yeah, the Greeks were the main power then. Held sway over a lot of the ancient world at the time. But the Jews've been conquered by a lot of different nations over the years, it's sort of our narrative.

[And then the Second Temple got destroyed later BUT ANYWAY.]

What about Christmas doesn't make sense? It's a pretty nice holiday, I thought.

That sounds very familiar.

It's a confusing mess of dozens of different conflicting traditions that are rooted in pure fancy and ancient ignorance. And half of it seems to revolve around lying to children.

[That makes him laugh.]

I admit, a lot of the traditions in America, anyway, involve lying to kids. We got the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny...but I guess that just sorta happens when a lot of different cultures live together.

Doesn't that just set them up for disappointment? It seems rather cruel...

I dunno, it's probably something to do with cultivating imagination. That or the traditions are just so ingrained people don't even think about 'em anymore. We have been doing it all for a while.

It just seems strange to me.

Is this done here? I only ask because I...have a child in my care. I'm wondering if I should be prepared for more awkward questions than usual...

I couldn't say. I've only been here a couple months. Never had kids, either.

I hear Santa's real here, though, so at least you don't have to worry about lying about the jolly fat man.

....He's real?

Is he going to break into my home? I don't care if he brings gifts for children, I don't want some strange man breaking into my home....

Well, I don't know. Do you have a chimney?

Yes, we do.

I'd say it's ridiculous to think a man could fit down a chimney, but...I've seen stranger things.

Well...if you're in Goldenrod or nearby, I could probably take a look at whatever security system you've got set up. I used to be something of a specialist.

My security system is a very large man named Scar.

Ah, can't beat the classic: Big dude with an intimidating name. My expert opinion is you'll be safely snug as a bug come Christmas.

He's the only security system I need.

I hope so. Mr. Claus can leave any gifts the way normal people do: in the post box or on the doorstep.

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