piratejournal | II. {Written -> Voice}

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II. {Written -> Voice}

Saint Valentine was a Saint of extremes. Is it no wonder that so many of you have found yourself in a tight spot?

If my memory doesn't fail me, the images that represented him were: birds; roses; a bishop with a crippled child (or a child with epilepsy) at his feet; a bishop with a rooster nearby; a bishop refusing to adore an idol; a bishop being beheaded; a priest bearing a sword; a priest holding a sun and a priest giving sight to a blind girl.

What hope does love have in the midst of such turmoil?

{For a moment, the feed switches to voice and a low, deep chuckle can be heard.

Silly humans.}

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Hold on - where did you get "love" out of all that bleak religious imagery?

I wondered about that as well. Where does the idea of love and romance enter the picture?

You'll have to tell me. I'm not familiar with Valentine or his holiday.

Saint Valentine is one of many who was granted Sainthood by the Catholic Church. He lived in the late three hundreds or the early four hundreds. His birthdate has been lost.

As for the romantic attachment to the day devoted to Valentine, that came about with the author Geoffrey Chaucer. It is possible he and his ilk invented the holiday many know today.

That holiday being the thing with the chalky candy hearts with the trite messages?

Indeed. I have never found much entertainment in it.

Interesting. Are there any more strange holidays like this where you come from?

There is Easter, which occurs sometime during Spring, and Halloween, which occurs in Autumn. Then there is Thanksgiving, which also occurs in Autumn, and Christmas, which follows Thanksgiving in Winter. Beyond those, the only other holiday I can recall is New Year's Eve. {Which should be self explanatory.}

Christmas was the one that took place around the Winter Solstice, correct? Do some of those others fall around the Equinoxes? And are there no bizarre summer celebrations?

Correct. It is customary for current holidays to replace old holidays. After all, isn't it easier for a conquered people to adhere to new beliefs when only the meaning behind the dates is shifted?

Ah, you speak of Midsummer. No, there is no current - or commercial - holiday for that. Such a shame too.

That is a shame. I suppose I'll just have to count on whatever ridiculousness happens in the spring to carry through until autumn.

[Oh, darn.]

I would not stop you from introducing a new ritual. I do miss the Midsummer Rites.

I'll have to think on that. I'd want it to be at least as nonsensical as the candy hearts, after all. More so, if possible.

It would be more enjoyable that way.

Well, then, I'll be sure to let you know when I come up with something.

[Spoiler: Whatever it is it will be awful.]

[Given that Elizabeth had eaten some of the candy -though she had only picked up the ones that said "hug me" because some of the others were either weird worded or she just didn't like them-, Sebastian has probably had to deal with lots of hugs together with the other girls on the ship.]

Eh? Those are the images that represent him? But none of those relates with love at all! Why is then Saint Valentine's day the day for love?

[She's also impressed once more with Sebastian's knowledge.]

{Each hug is met with a small smile most likely. He doesn't mind the affection, though it is strange, and it doesn't take him long to investigate the candy.

What a wicked ploy. Yet it seems so unlike the Davy Jones of legends. Or Sea Witches for that matter.}

Strange, isn't it? {He hums thoughtfully.} There are various theories. The one I like best is connected to the author Geoffrey Chaucer.

[She thinks just for a moment, the name ringing several bells.]

Wasn't he the author of "The Book of the Duchess"? I read that once, but I didn't know there was a theory about him and Valentine's Day. What does it say?

Christians seem to be found of needlessly gruesome imagery. But from what I understand, they have little to do with the association of that day with love. It was, as I understand, invented by merchants that sell chocolate and greeting cards.

There are many theories of how it began. I suppose that one would make as much sense as the others, though I believe it was a more poetic holiday before the chocolate and greeting cards were invented.

Your guess is as good as mine. I missed roughly 1400 years of world history and am trying to play catch-up.

Why did you miss so many years if you do not mind me asking? {He is assuming she isn't human.}

I waited by my prince's tomb in the mausoleum. Since it was sealed, I had no access to the outside world.

For so long? Without sustenance? I admire your willpower.

Oh, no no, please do not misunderstand. I was already a ghost, by that point.

Are you a ghost still? I am told spirits are ferried off to Heaven or Hell after the body's demise.

I have managed to remain attached to the living world, yes.

[the chuckle makes him curious so he takes the time to read it even if he doesn't really know what a bishop is though he kind of gets priest...]

Saint? [that sounded familiar... where had he heard it...]

One of those dragon jerks? [maybe not if he did all those things. He scratches his cheek.]

He seems like a pretty good guy if he was holding kids or letting a girl see again so it makes sense.

I do not believe any Saints were dragons. {That is said flatly. What a strange thing to say.} Those are his positive traits, but what about the beheading?

Maybe they're just called dragons then. [he doesn't really know, but he doesn't really care either. About the beheading well...]

I dunno. I haven't met him. [maybe he had a reason. Maybe he didn't. But he still did good things.] Did you know him?

Whoa... This guy sounds awesome! No wonder he's got his own holiday!

[Annnnnd there goes the point, flying straight over Henry's head.]

Most of the Saints have opposing images connected to them. He is no more special than the rest. {No, he doesn't think highly of any of them. It comes with his nature.}

Are they all associated with beheadings and swords then? 'Cause that just sounds really cool to me! You don't have to be special to be cool.

Hm... I wonder if beheading someone would be a good alternate way to celebrate this holiday...

[Henry. No.]

Haven't you heard? Love conquers all! Regardless of any petty issue or death, love will always find a way.

A way to be squeezed out of anything until it's hardly recognizable, that is.

Will it now? I have seen it fail many times. {He is honestly curious about this opinion. He isn't mocking her.} It all seems rather foolish to me.

It is. Most humans seem to look at love as a reason to be completely unreasonable. 'We'll get through this with our hearts', or some nonsense.

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