taxonomites | 003: Festive Cheer [Visual]

Spock is not given to making frivolous network posts. He considers them to be an unproductive use of time that could be better spent assessing the city and its technology. So, when he switches his tablet on, it is immediately clear – at least to those that know him – that something is wrong.

However, the thing that is most unsettling about the post is the not the fact that it has been made in the first place. It is the fact that the half Vulcan on the screen looks, for want of a better word, happy. Although he is clearly endeavoring to control his emotions and logically process what is happening, he is struggling to do so successfully.

“I believe I am feeling the emotion known as ‘happiness’. A curious experience, though the neurobiological responses are not unpleasant.”

It would appear that Buddy has claimed another victim (or given a gift to another fortunate individual, depending on your viewpoint). Unfortunately, Spock is ill-equipped to deal with holiday cheer.

“I request further information on the human holiday known as ‘Christmas’."

Although he understood the historical significance of the festival, and many of the associated rituals, the truly human aspects - the associated emotions, for example - had previously been lost to him. He had never truly felt the joy associated with giving and receiving presents. He had never experienced the desire to eat a copious amount of food or wished to spend an afternoon relaxing in front of the television while it digested.

"What are the protocols associated with the giving of gifts?"

OOC: Backdated to Christmas Eve. I didn't have a chance to post at the time, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

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"I think I've just been unglitched," she informed him, her fingers coming up to rub at her temple. "I can't remember most of what happened and I don't know where I am. You've...we've spoken in the past couple of weeks. What did I say to you?"

It took her a second to realize what he'd said and when she did, she looked back up with a small frown. "Decorations? You mean Christmas decorations?"

"I was aware of your condition," he said. Aware of and extremely concerned by, but, with his thoughts currently occupied by Christmas, he did not see fit to mention as much. "I hope it will not have a negative effect on your Christmas celebrations. Our communications were unusual, but your concern is unnecessary."

"Yes. They are necessary for the enjoyment of the holiday."

"It...shouldn't," she replied, putting a hand to her temple as she tried to recall the date she had glitched. Christmas wasn't that close, wasn't it? "What day is it? How long was I like that?"

Despite her troubled mind, his insistence that the bridge be decorated for the holiday made her smile. "I wouldn't say they're necessary, but they do help set the mood."

"It is Christmas Eve," Spock answered, "I am aware that I am conducting my investigations with little margin for error, but I will have adequate time to decorate the bridge and prepare the gifts for the crew. Your condition persisted for a number of days."

Each day had brought with it a number of illogical and unpleasant emotional responses, with concern predominant among them. However, in the face of Buddy's holiday cheer, such things appeared to pale into insignificance. She was here and safe and the festive season was upon them. That was all that mattered,

"And the mood is a necessary aspect of the holiday."

"A couple of weeks, at least, then," she said. The news was somehow both getting better and worse. She really wished she could remember what she'd done.

"Do you think you could beam me to the parts of the ship once you get there?"

Spock's reply, as brief as it was, was more reminiscent of his own behaviour than his contemplation of Christmas.

"It would appear that our captors vary the length of each glitch according to the effect they wish to create," he noted, "The subject would benefit from further study."

But not yet. Not until Christmas was over.

"I would be happy to do so. You are welcome to assist me."

"Sure," she said, nodding wearily. Anything to get her out of this place.

A short time later, Spock had hatched a selection of decorations and transported them to the bridge. He had worked with customary speed and practicality, but his excitement - unusual in itself - regarding the festive period eclipsed the concern he should have felt for Nyota.

When he was prepared, he stepped into the transporter room to bring her to the ship. The bridge was dominated by a bare Christmas tree and there was an unusual expression that may have been anticipation on Spock's face.

Uhura wasn't as opposed to being beamed to different places as Dr. McCoy was, but she still preferred to keep her eyes closed as it was happening - it made the experience less disorienting. When she arrived on the transporter pad, she'd never been so relieved.

She stepped off quickly and all but ran to Spock, grasping at his forearms before embracing him tightly.

"It's good to see you," she murmured softly.

He smiled – briefly, uncertainly but sincerely – when Uhura materialised, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around her. Although he was frequently more relaxed in her company than he was in other situations, Spock was a little too relaxed at the moment. There was something eerie, perhaps even a little feverish, about his attention to the Christmas tree, which he indicated at the first possible opportunity.

”And I am pleased to see you,” he said, “Do you believe it is adequate? I have not decorated yet ..."

She pulled back and looked over her shoulder, where the Christmas tree was standing, and smiled in spite of her distressed state of mind.

"It looks good," she said, squeezing his forearms lightly. "You picked a good spot for it. What kind of decorations did you find?"

003: Festive Cheer [Visual]

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