OOC: This is more of a relaxing sim, so feel free to join!

IC: December Fifth. 17:32. Exactly twenty days away from the holiday many human celebrated, sixteen days from winter, and three hours from when Aihia was born. It was a time of cheer for many of the crew members, regardless of their species, a time to start thinking about that Christmas shore leave, if Starfleet decided to grant them that privilege, this winter. For her, it wasn’t winter, as she hailed from a Romulan planet. However, for anyone who had lived upon the earth, whether born there or taking residence, the crisp scent of winter was in the air. At least, for the northern hemisphere.

Understanding the tension levels her crew had been facing, she decided to grant the wish of to young Ensign, who desired to throw a winter celebration. At first, she had been hesitant, not wishing to disturb the work ethic of any of her officers. However, after making a rather strong and believable case, she finally gave in to Ens. Richardson and Ens. Karr. Not ten days later, she was standing in the main holodeck, surprised by how in-depth the Ensigns had gone in their endeavours to create a wintry feel.

Their program was equipped with a delicate snowstorm brewing outside, the silver flakes, dazzling white in the pale moonlight of the evening, gracing the sky as they slowly drifted down to meet their end upon the white ground. The celebration, itself, was being held in a large, ornate log cabin. The interior, decked with the finest of deep, emerald garland (adorned with several different ornaments), was brought to life by the crackling fire burning in the fireplace. A large, coniferous Douglas Fir was decorated with snowflakes and you soldiers, a nutcracker resting at its base, where several presents (ones which she was unsure if they were real or holographic) formed a ring around the skirt of the tree.

The smell of pine filled the air, alongside the sweet scent of various baked goods (from various species), eggnog and hot chocolate. Furniture, cushioned red against the oak walls, was placed accordingly so that anyone could have a place to sit. Soft music, alternating between different cultures to give some inclusiveness to those who weren’t human, played in the background. It filled the atmosphere with a certain liveliness, which Aihia had not felt since she was an Ensign, herself.

Aihia, knowing the ship needed to remain staffed, had people coming only when their shift was over, and people leaving when their shift began. This way, the Holodeck was not crowded with people, and the ship remained efficiently staffed. Ael, herself, remained standing to the side, a white dress adorning her athletic figure. Her hair, which was always pulled back, cascaded down her back in deep curls, something uncommon of the woman. Despite being half human, she had never been huge on these holidays, as her father never found them pleasing. However, her mother made an effort to celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving, if even in small ways, each year. Aihia, being a young child, dragged into the drama of her split family.

Humming, she sipped at a cup of eggnog, whose taste she found to be peculiar but not unwelcome. Without much movement, she watched as the first set of people arrived, the two hosts (those young Ensigns) greeting them with large smiles. Tonight, it seemed, would be a pleasant evening.

Captn. Aihia
CO