[David is sitting on a couch in his cabin, with the view screen behind him showing a snowy mountain landscape that really just makes the entire room look even more monochrome and stark than it already does. As he's wearing his gray uniform and generally looks a little pale and washed out all the time anyway, he definitely sort of looks like an appliance designed for the room rather than someone who just happens to be living here.

Point that out to him and he might poison your drink, though.]

As there seems to be some confusion about this, I thought it might be best to provide those curious with a brief explanation as to why the Admiral has chosen to celebrate Christmas in December.

Although there is a fair amount of evidence that the historical man known as Jesus was, in fact, not born on December 25th, the popular theory is that the holiday was established as taking place to adapt a more ancient pagan custom. Further evidence suggests that the date might actually have a greater connection to ancient Jewish tradition and Passover.

Regardless of when or why this custom was established, there is no question that the origin of Christianity is the Middle East, and the increased spread and popularity of the religion occurred in Europe, which was then passed along to the Americas during European colonization of the region. While I understand that customs vary across the globe, those complaining that their version is somehow better or more legitimate, and the Admiral is biased towards Americans or Europeans are at least somewhat incorrect. He is simply following the more common origins of the tradition, rather than the later adaptations adopted by cultures that were introduced to the custom long after its inception.

[His slightly smug expression fades a little, turns almost contemplative.]

I wonder if my crewmates would have cared more about awakening from hypersleep on Christmas had they known it would be their last.

[Private to the Admiral]

( gifts for Erik, Chris, Abigail, Chromie, the Emperor, Aeryn, Ben, Hannibal and Barbara )

[David is not wearing his sweater in favor of his usual gray uniform. He also definitely did not participate in any pro-holiday shenanigans, and has generally been doing his usual thing of wandering the Barge, but being largely inconspicuous. At the moment, he's standing in the common room on the sixth floor. There is some mistletoe hanging from the ceiling, and he has been extremely careful to avoid it, even though he's looking up at it when he starts talking.]

It was Christmas Day when the vessel I was assigned to before arriving here arrived at its destination. The captain remarked that we needed the holiday to show that time was still moving. Of course, the crew was from Earth, so we were all familiar with the holiday, even if we did not practice it ourselves. Interesting, that on a ship with such diverse cultural backgrounds represented still carries these specific, occasionally antiquated practices. [And he doesn't really sound like he thinks that's kind of bullshit, but. He kind of sounds like he thinks that's bullshit.

But then again, a lot of human cultural practices sort of seem like bullshit to him.

He looks down and changes the subject, expression still fairly neutral, the slightly sardonic smile vanishing for the time being.]

I would be interested in assisting in the library, if that is permissible. I understand why unpaired inmates are generally turned away from the infirmary or the engine room, but as I was designed to assist my human counterparts in whatever way they may see fit - [Which was also bullshit, but he's really only asking for a job because he's sort of bored just dicking around doing nothing in particular. Or, you know, as bored as a robot can be.] I feel as if my services are going to waste as long as I remain without a task to complete.

[Private to the Admiral]

Please provide Mr. Lensherr and Ms. Knope with more appropriate sweaters, Mr. Stark a written history of Weyland Corporation, and star charts of the known universe from my world for Aya.

Thank you.