Diplomacy, Tuesday, November 26, 2025

[sith_happened]

"It is the most wonderful time of year," Anakin intoned, poking at a Santa hat with barely concealed disdain. "The time when people go shopping and lose their entire kriffing minds."

"A time when the idea of saving a few credits overrides not only good sense, but any consideration they possess for others. Especially others they view as lesser." For example, people working in service roles.

"So you will be working the customer service desk," Anakin said. "Where you will not murder anyone, Flint."

"While staying within the uniform policy." Ahsoka had not picked the uniform.

"It will be fun." Mostly for the teachers.

Dealing With Other People's Trauma, Tuesday 11/25

[stykera]

“There's a holiday coming up this week,” Stark said. “On Thursday. One that is often spent with families. Some of us don't have families. Others might have difficult families. Others may have trauma about holidays or families or both. So this time of year when there are so many celebrations where people focus on families can be very hard.”

“I made cranberry cupcakes,” he added. “If anyone would like one. Or more than one. That's fine.”

“So, sometimes the holidays are hard because you have no family. Nowhere to go. Maybe you used to have somewhere or used to have family and don't any longer. Or maybe…maybe you were able to be with someone else's family before but that's not possible at this time. Maybe you just can't go home right now. Or ever, maybe. There are many reasons for all of those things.”

“So…are any of you celebrating? I'm not, this year, as far as I know. It's not my holiday but I do enjoy the food. But then none of the holidays here are really mine at all, really. Which can be hard. But I borrow some of them.”

Stark paused then, looking at the cupcakes contemplatively for a long moment.

“It you know someone who has trouble with holidays, are there ways to help, do you think? Invite them to share yours if you celebrate? Do something unrelated together? Simply express that you know things are hard? Try to help them some other way? Take them away somewhere? And what if they have trouble with family? Do you…share your family?”

Stark wasn't sure what the right answer was for him, even, but it could make for a good discussion. Maybe.

"This holiday is about being thankful. At least in part. Maybe one of the best ways to help someone would be simply letting them know you're thankful they are in your life?"

Reclaiming Your Childhood, Tuesday, Period [11/25]

[atreideslioness]

Today, students had been handwavily summoned to the kitchen area of the cafeteria, where they would find both Ghanima and Trebor waiting for them, and supply stations set-up in the space.

Trebor, for his part, seemed very happy to be back with his mother.

"Holidays often involve baking," Ghanima began cheerfully, Trebor perched on her hip as she held him in one place with one arm. "Many people have fond memories of baking with family when they are young... or the movies have lied to me again."

"Today, we have two baking options: Peanut Butter Blossoms, which I have been informed are fairly easy to make, and a slightly more complex option, the Linzer cookies."

"Even -- especially -- if you do not celebrate any of the upcoming holidays, everyone deserves something sweet."

She gestured with her free hand to the pile of aprons laying on one table, grinning. "Chefs, grab your armor! I have been assured that the cafeteria has faced far more fearsome foes than us, so let's get cooking."