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[jack_aubrey]

The Muse asks: If you could invent a holiday, what and when would it be? What special traditions would take place on that day?I believe that all seamen in His Majesty's Navy should celebrate the birthday of Lord Nelson, the greatest admiral England has known, each 29th of September. His death of course is commemorated on Trafalgar Day, but that is

Comments

[mschrystalline]

Oh! I am quite fond of Holidays. My family always makes a big to do out of them, although I'd rather spend my Holiday alone with my family(or one that I adore) then people that I hardly know. That is very respective of you to drink to Lord Nelson's honour. That one thing I like about you Captain, your respectfullness to others.

[jack_aubrey]

Showing respect toward a great man is important for ship's morale as well as his due. I cannot remember the last Christmas I spent at home with the children, however, so I do wish to spend some time with my own family soon.

[mschrystalline]

I suspect spending time with your loved ones would make you quite happy. I do enjoy spending time with my family, although i do mourn over the loss of my older brother, Bernard. He did mean alot to me.

[wildcardgal]

I think I might prefer an "invented" holiday to some of those we inherit.

[jack_aubrey]

I imagine most people might like as many reasons for holidays as they can find!

[the_unicorn]

I heard you were a sailor, sir, and one who has sailed more seas than most. Tell me -- in all the fathomless oceans, in all the strange, secret waters you have traversed, have you ever once seen anything like me?

[jack_aubrey]

Why, I have seen you on tapestries in London. But my particular friend stephen_maturin would really be the man to ask; I believe that he was once shown the horn of a unicorn on a ship in a squadron I commanded off Mauritius, but Stephen expressed some skepticism about that captain's claim to have discovered it himself.

[the_unicorn]

Tapestries? Leonine tail twitching, the unicorn sighs. Well, I suppose it is better that you recognize my likeness than mistake me for something else altogether.

Perhaps the horn your friend saw belonged to a narwhal. They possess spiraling ivory tusks that many men, in their infinite ignorance, have been quick to deem the horns of sea-bound unicorns. But a unicorn does not become a narwhal once you place her in saltwater, no more than a narwhal becomes a unicorn once you beach him on dry land.

She makes a soft, anxious sound, not quite a mare's whicker, and stamps one of her cloven hooves. I think I shall seek out your friend directly. It was probably a narwhal's horn, but it disturbs me to hear even the suggestion of my people in the sea...