alexs_storybook (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alexs_storybook) wrote2012-01-09 11:21 am
alexs_storybook) wrote2012-01-09 11:21 am
Entry tags:
FIC: Giant Rabbits and Candy Eggs (Babylon5)
Title: Giant Rabbits and Candy Eggs
Author:alexcat
Type: General
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters nor do I profit from their use.
Beta: Larian Elensar
Pairing: John and Delenn
Author’s Note: Written for the Spring challenge at John and Delenn Universe (![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
no_shadows_fall).
Spoilers: None
Summary: Delenn has as much trouble with Earth customs as John does with hers.
~~~
“You can’t be serious?” Delenn couldn’t believe her ears. “We can’t tell David such a silly thing. He will think we are insane!”
John realized that it was nearing Easter and he decided that David was old enough for a visit from the Easter Bunny. He remembered how much fun he’d had when he was a kid, getting up on Easter morning to that basket full of candy and goodies and sometimes even a little toy, usually there was a replica of an Earthforce spaceship for him and a book for Liz.
“What? It’s no more outlandish that some of your customs.”
“Name one.”
“Delenn, your people have a special ceremony for everything, even buying new clothes!”
“But a giant rabbit who gives candy eggs?”
“Not a giant, exactly. A human sized rabbit.”
“And these candy eggs, where do they come from? Are eggs not the way chickens produce offspring? Are we to believe that chickens lay candy eggs? Or do rabbits lay them?”
“They are symbols of Spring, Delenn, not unlike the Spring Ritual you ‘sprang’ on me a few years ago.” He still hadn’t gotten over that one. She’d gloated for days.
She laughed, remembering John’s face when he found out that the ritual was really just spring cleaning.
“I still say it is insane.”
“The Easter Bunny is an Earth legend about seven hundred years old. Easter is a holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Christ in the Christian faith as well as the rebirth of the earth that happens every spring when the plants and animals begin their life cycle all over again. Rabbits were probably chosen because they were very, um, prolific at beginning a life cycle.”
Delenn nodded. She had studied the religions and holy men of Earth so she was familiar with the story of Christ. She also knew that rabbits reproduced quite fruitfully.
“Every year, according to the legend, a rabbit brings gifts and treats to children on the night before Easter. He brings eggs as both a symbol of new life and also, many Christians fasted in the two months before Easter so they were thrilled to finally have eggs again.”
“What about candy eggs? How do they fit in?”
“I suppose that candy is more of a treat if you’ve been fasting than regular eggs are so people began making candy eggs.”
“How do you propose to tell David that we would allow a giant animal to come into our home and into his room while he sleeps and to give him treats that I seldom allow him to have? He will think we are the worst parents in the universe.”
“I will tell him since he’s been such a good boy, that the Easter Bunny will travel all the way from Earth to Minbar just to bring him a basket with candy eggs.”
Delenn was still not convinced. “I think he will be frightened.”
“But he’ll never actually see the Easter Bunny.”
“Could you sleep if you thought a six foot rabbit was nearby, waiting for you to fall asleep?”
John laughed. “I did! The Easter Bunny came to my house when I was a child. Liz and I were almost beside ourselves with excitement on the night before Easter. It was almost as thrilling as Christmas and there was lots more candy.”
She shook her head. “And you say our customs are strange.”
“I never said that.” His arm was already around her shoulder and he moved to pull her close. He kissed her forehead and whispered almost into her hair, “but they are. Strange, that is. And outlandish sometimes too.”
*
The weeks passed and John didn’t mention the Easter Bunny or candy eggs any more. Delenn hoped he’d forgotten about it. It wasn’t that she felt he was wrong. It was true what he said about the Minbari having some very strange customs. It was that she knew she’d be afraid of such a thing and worried that it would traumatize poor David.
That evening they shared a family dinner as they tried to do each evening since so much of their time was taken up by all of their other responsibilities. They were having one of those strange concoctions that was supposed to be an Earth food but was in truth nothing like Delenn or John had ever tasted.
“What is this, Dad? Is this one of the foods you ate growing up?” David was forever asking questions but both his parents were used to his curiosity. They had always tried to answer him as best they could.
John cleared his throat and finally found his voice. He choked back a laugh as he said, “I’m sure it is but I’m just not sure exactly what it’s supposed to be.”
Delenn tried to hide her own smile as she swatted his arm playfully. “I am sure it is simply a new Earth dish that the cook decided to try tonight.”
John grunted but said nothing and David returned to eating. Whatever it was, he seemed to like it just fine, if the way he was shoveling it in was any indication.
Dessert was definitely more recognizable than the rest of the meal. John had finally sent to earth for some proper flour for cakes and the cook had learned to make a chocolate cake almost as good as his mother had made.
Just as they finished their cake, David looked up at his father. “Dad, tell me again about the Easter Bunny. Is it almost time for him to visit? I can’t wait. Do you think I might stay awake long enough to actually see him? Do I have to be good for him to come like I do for Santa?”
As the boy paused for a breath, his mother raised an eyebrow at her husband. John grinned and shrugged.
“I don’t think he’ll visit unless you are asleep, son. In all my years, I never saw him leave a basket but it was always there on Easter morning.”
“How long until he comes?”
“Tomorrow night. The day after is Easter Sunday. We always went out for a drive on Sundays when I was a boy and on Easter, we would visit my grandparents and eat and then my cousins, Liz and I would hide eggs.”
David’s eyes widened. “Hide eggs?”
“Yes, we’d hide eggs and then the one who found the most got to be King or Queen for the day and all the cousins had to play the games he chose.”
“But I don’t have any cousins.”
“Actually you do. My sister has three children and they will be arriving here today for Easter.”
This was news to Delenn, but she said nothing, just smiled that diplomatic smile that made her such a good politician.
“Really? Are they girls?”
“Two are but one is a boy and he’s about your age too.”
“Cool, I must go tell everyone that I have cousins! May I be excused?”
Delenn nodded and waited for him to leave the room.
“Your family is coming and I knew nothing about it?”
John realized he’d probably messed up big time. Again. “Liz called and wanted to visit. Besides, I had to have someone bring the Easter basket for David.”
Delenn thought about getting angry but decided that would be a foolish thing, to spoil a chance for John to see his family again. Maybe Liz could tell her some of John’s deep boyhood secrets!
“I am glad to have them come then.” She walked around the table and put her arms around him from behind. “Have I told you today how much I love you, John Sheridan?”
He pulled her around to sit on his lap and kissed her cheek then kissed her lightly on the lips. “You have but I never tire of hearing it. I’m all ears.” He put his fingers up over his head like rabbit ears and wiggled them just before he kissed her more properly.
~end~
Author:
alexcatType: General
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters nor do I profit from their use.
Beta: Larian Elensar
Pairing: John and Delenn
Author’s Note: Written for the Spring challenge at John and Delenn Universe (
no_shadows_fall). Spoilers: None
Summary: Delenn has as much trouble with Earth customs as John does with hers.
~~~
“You can’t be serious?” Delenn couldn’t believe her ears. “We can’t tell David such a silly thing. He will think we are insane!”
John realized that it was nearing Easter and he decided that David was old enough for a visit from the Easter Bunny. He remembered how much fun he’d had when he was a kid, getting up on Easter morning to that basket full of candy and goodies and sometimes even a little toy, usually there was a replica of an Earthforce spaceship for him and a book for Liz.
“What? It’s no more outlandish that some of your customs.”
“Name one.”
“Delenn, your people have a special ceremony for everything, even buying new clothes!”
“But a giant rabbit who gives candy eggs?”
“Not a giant, exactly. A human sized rabbit.”
“And these candy eggs, where do they come from? Are eggs not the way chickens produce offspring? Are we to believe that chickens lay candy eggs? Or do rabbits lay them?”
“They are symbols of Spring, Delenn, not unlike the Spring Ritual you ‘sprang’ on me a few years ago.” He still hadn’t gotten over that one. She’d gloated for days.
She laughed, remembering John’s face when he found out that the ritual was really just spring cleaning.
“I still say it is insane.”
“The Easter Bunny is an Earth legend about seven hundred years old. Easter is a holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Christ in the Christian faith as well as the rebirth of the earth that happens every spring when the plants and animals begin their life cycle all over again. Rabbits were probably chosen because they were very, um, prolific at beginning a life cycle.”
Delenn nodded. She had studied the religions and holy men of Earth so she was familiar with the story of Christ. She also knew that rabbits reproduced quite fruitfully.
“Every year, according to the legend, a rabbit brings gifts and treats to children on the night before Easter. He brings eggs as both a symbol of new life and also, many Christians fasted in the two months before Easter so they were thrilled to finally have eggs again.”
“What about candy eggs? How do they fit in?”
“I suppose that candy is more of a treat if you’ve been fasting than regular eggs are so people began making candy eggs.”
“How do you propose to tell David that we would allow a giant animal to come into our home and into his room while he sleeps and to give him treats that I seldom allow him to have? He will think we are the worst parents in the universe.”
“I will tell him since he’s been such a good boy, that the Easter Bunny will travel all the way from Earth to Minbar just to bring him a basket with candy eggs.”
Delenn was still not convinced. “I think he will be frightened.”
“But he’ll never actually see the Easter Bunny.”
“Could you sleep if you thought a six foot rabbit was nearby, waiting for you to fall asleep?”
John laughed. “I did! The Easter Bunny came to my house when I was a child. Liz and I were almost beside ourselves with excitement on the night before Easter. It was almost as thrilling as Christmas and there was lots more candy.”
She shook her head. “And you say our customs are strange.”
“I never said that.” His arm was already around her shoulder and he moved to pull her close. He kissed her forehead and whispered almost into her hair, “but they are. Strange, that is. And outlandish sometimes too.”
*
The weeks passed and John didn’t mention the Easter Bunny or candy eggs any more. Delenn hoped he’d forgotten about it. It wasn’t that she felt he was wrong. It was true what he said about the Minbari having some very strange customs. It was that she knew she’d be afraid of such a thing and worried that it would traumatize poor David.
That evening they shared a family dinner as they tried to do each evening since so much of their time was taken up by all of their other responsibilities. They were having one of those strange concoctions that was supposed to be an Earth food but was in truth nothing like Delenn or John had ever tasted.
“What is this, Dad? Is this one of the foods you ate growing up?” David was forever asking questions but both his parents were used to his curiosity. They had always tried to answer him as best they could.
John cleared his throat and finally found his voice. He choked back a laugh as he said, “I’m sure it is but I’m just not sure exactly what it’s supposed to be.”
Delenn tried to hide her own smile as she swatted his arm playfully. “I am sure it is simply a new Earth dish that the cook decided to try tonight.”
John grunted but said nothing and David returned to eating. Whatever it was, he seemed to like it just fine, if the way he was shoveling it in was any indication.
Dessert was definitely more recognizable than the rest of the meal. John had finally sent to earth for some proper flour for cakes and the cook had learned to make a chocolate cake almost as good as his mother had made.
Just as they finished their cake, David looked up at his father. “Dad, tell me again about the Easter Bunny. Is it almost time for him to visit? I can’t wait. Do you think I might stay awake long enough to actually see him? Do I have to be good for him to come like I do for Santa?”
As the boy paused for a breath, his mother raised an eyebrow at her husband. John grinned and shrugged.
“I don’t think he’ll visit unless you are asleep, son. In all my years, I never saw him leave a basket but it was always there on Easter morning.”
“How long until he comes?”
“Tomorrow night. The day after is Easter Sunday. We always went out for a drive on Sundays when I was a boy and on Easter, we would visit my grandparents and eat and then my cousins, Liz and I would hide eggs.”
David’s eyes widened. “Hide eggs?”
“Yes, we’d hide eggs and then the one who found the most got to be King or Queen for the day and all the cousins had to play the games he chose.”
“But I don’t have any cousins.”
“Actually you do. My sister has three children and they will be arriving here today for Easter.”
This was news to Delenn, but she said nothing, just smiled that diplomatic smile that made her such a good politician.
“Really? Are they girls?”
“Two are but one is a boy and he’s about your age too.”
“Cool, I must go tell everyone that I have cousins! May I be excused?”
Delenn nodded and waited for him to leave the room.
“Your family is coming and I knew nothing about it?”
John realized he’d probably messed up big time. Again. “Liz called and wanted to visit. Besides, I had to have someone bring the Easter basket for David.”
Delenn thought about getting angry but decided that would be a foolish thing, to spoil a chance for John to see his family again. Maybe Liz could tell her some of John’s deep boyhood secrets!
“I am glad to have them come then.” She walked around the table and put her arms around him from behind. “Have I told you today how much I love you, John Sheridan?”
He pulled her around to sit on his lap and kissed her cheek then kissed her lightly on the lips. “You have but I never tire of hearing it. I’m all ears.” He put his fingers up over his head like rabbit ears and wiggled them just before he kissed her more properly.
~end~