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Cadet Kani, Personal Log, December 21st 2561.

It is nearly the end of the human calendar in the year 2561 CE... Back home it is 8357, it’s the middle of the year, with Kavla Remembrance Day approaching on Palonis.  I’m stuck here, far from almost any other Palon, and the few that are here, do not understand what those of us from Omri have lived with, making this all, very isolating.

I’m starting to feel like I might regret my choice to enter this Academy, but I don’t know what else I could have done.  I’d have gone stir crazy, and been more of a lone oddity in some fifty person colony, especially if it was a human colony.  Regin and Wren jetted off to some far flung colony with other Palon, but I need some time away from Palon society.  It has been difficult dealing with these aliens though.  I’ve had unwanted advances and had to rebuff the impulses of more than one human.  Apparently we Palon reminded some of them of sexual entertainment or fantasy characters.  It’s really really annoying.

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I have to also say, not all these humans are as bad as I made it seem before.  For instance, I have met a young man named Leszek Damji, a human male Cadet in one of my history classes.  He was kind enough to explain the strange decor around the barracks.  It’s a holiday called ‘Christmas’.  Apparently hundreds of years ago it had some religious significance to a large percentage of humanity.  Now it’s simply a day traditionally for family, friends, food, drink, and gifts.  Sounds a lot like the Feast of Tremvari.

He invited me to dinner with his friends tonight as well, to celebrate the ‘December Solstice’ back on Earth.  The holiday being so close to the celestial occurrence can’t be coincidence, likely ancient superstition.  It’s not surprising, we have Princess Kilat after all, I shouldn’t judge what ancient people believed.

I accepted the invitation, though I find myself very anxious.  I have very little idea of human customs, I’ve only been here a month, and while this translator works wonders, I have absolutely no idea what any of these idioms humans use mean.  I overheard someone complaining about a gift costing them ‘an arm and a leg’ which filled my head with quite horrific imaginings, though of course I knew it was unlikely to be a literal statement.

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I got a notification from the Administrator of the Academy, some high level communique had been sent for me and I had to go to his office to read it.  They have not been able to find Rina, though the Empire is trying to work with the Palon Mining Corporations to locate her.  It could take months, maybe even years to track her down.  All they know is her collar has been deactivated, likely by whomever has her.  Oh Rina… how I wish I knew you were safe, but I have done all I can, for now.

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I am now concerned over what one wears to a solstice celebration.  I figure something black, with a splash of bright color, or maybe a yellow metal, to signify the coming of brighter days, but I can’t find any direction to truly answer my question.  Time to head to the requisitions office and see if they can help me.

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Well, that was interesting.  I was told to wear ‘whatever you would wear to a party’.  I had to calmly tell the woman I have never been to a party, this astonished her but I think she got the message.  She was accommodating, helping me pick out a nice simple dress, nothing too showy, comfortable, and she even altered it for my tail.  I think this will work nicely.

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I FORGOT A GIFT!  I was so embarrassed but Leszek, who was very understanding, said that’s not until the 25th, that today was different.  I was relieved, and he also said he didn't expect anything.  He just wanted to help me feel welcome, and that I should just relax and not worry about anything.  That set off some alarms, I had a feeling that he was trying to come on to me, but it turns out he’s ‘not a fan of the female form’ as he put it, and he introduced me to his boyfriend David. Leszek and David, their friend Melody, and her friend Vel (a Jurion, I didn’t expect that), all sat around swapping stories over food and drinks.  It reminded me of the times the Jinzar would sit around the camp, but there was nobody on guard, no reason to keep a weapon in range.  It took me a while to get my head into it, but I told them about my survival in the collapse of Frigae.  They were astonished I survived a month by myself in the Omri wilderness.  I didn’t tell them anything about what Omri’s purpose was, or why I was there, or how I came to leave.  I don’t think I’m ready to tell that story just yet.  I imagine they will eventually be told the broad scope of it all through classes.

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Cadet Kani, Personal Log, December 25th 2561.

I will soon be heading to Vel’s place, ze (I think that is the appropriate term) invited everyone over for dinner.  This time I did remember a gift.  I was able to start using this VR Suite thing they have here some time back, and recreated Kilat’s Island, making a copy for everyone.  It’s not much, but I hope they like it, especially once I tell them some of the broader strokes of the legend (I don’t know how much detail is polite in this case, Kilat’s story was, intense, at times).

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The festivities are now over.  Leszek and David brought most of the food, but Vel had the largest quarters and so volunteered to host the gathering place.  Melody is apparently a xenolinguist in training and I taught her a couple Palon words and phrases, she liked ‘paH KiBa goRa Esh’, though I told her to only use it with friends.

I may be far from my people, and my former home, but maybe this place can become my new home.  I mentioned as such to Leszek, he told the others while I was away from the group for a moment.  When I got back they toasted the holiday, their families, and all of us as friends, singling me out as their newest friend.

I in turn toasted Tremvari, because this whole holiday seemed like something he would have appreciated.  Then, likely having a bit too much wine in me, I said a toast for my old friends, I hope Regin and Wren are thinking of me, as I am thinking of them. I got a little choked up when I toasted my father… and Rina…

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Finally, I toasted my new friends, each in turn, for showing me that even here, light years from the only life I have ever known, there are people who will be there for me when I need them as I am there for them.  Hopefully they are the first of many friends I make here.

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Yeah, it's a little sappy, but hey, it's the holidays. Thank you once again, to all of you, our followers, our players, and of course to all our Patreon Backers who make this all possible,

Happy Holidays to you all.

~Omar, JamieH, and your truly, DrMadDoc47