Angaran Holiday

The Tempest crew had all gathered around on the main deck for a standard progress report, everyone except Drack and Vetra who both had business on Kadara Port and weren't expected back for another few days. These kinds of meeting usually dragged on for a while and it was obvious that Ryder didn't have everyone's full attention. Unlike most of the others, Cora at least tried to be professional and pay attention, though even she was silently waiting for it to end.

"So, to better understand the vaults," Scott was going on. "The Nexus wants us to bring back more Remnant tech."

"As if we weren't doing that already" Peebee said sarcastically.

"Well, that should be everything," Scott said, ignoring the Asari. "Unless anyone else has something to add?"

To everyone's surprise and disappointment, Jaal stood up to continue the meeting.

"I would like to announce something" He said politely.

"Go ahead Jaal" Ryder said even though it sounded like he just wanted to leave. Jaal cleared his throat.

"Tomorrow is a very special holiday for my people." He said. "A celebration of life and community. It's a day meant to be spent with the ones you care about. I would like to share it with all of you."

"That's nice Jaal," Lexi said. "I think it would be a good idea to get familiar with Angara culture if we're going to be neighbours."

"Yeah, sounds good." Scott said. "What kind of celebration is this exactly."

"It's all about being open and honest with everyone around you," Jaal explained. "During the day you must physically and emotionally bare yourself to everyone you meet."

"What does that mean?" Cora asked. "Bare yourself?"

"You cannot tell a lie."

"No, I meant the 'physically' part" Cora said, suspecting that she already knew the answer.

"Well, the idea is that you don't cover yourself with anything."

"You mean, everyone's naked" Peebee said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"You're kidding" Said Liam, piping up for the first time in over an hour.

"Is that a problem?" Jaal asked.

"Well," Ryder said trying to figure out the best way to explain. "Some species, including humans, aren't comfortable being naked in front of people that they're not intimate with."

"Well, the point of the holiday is to become close and intimate with everyone around you." Jaal explained further. "Even if you're embarrassed by it, you should share that with the people around you so they can help you through it."

"That actually sounds quite nice" Suvi said.

"I'm all for it" Peebee declared without hesitation.

"Hang on," Cora said trying not to think of standing naked in front of the entire crew. "Can we please just stop and think about this for a minute."

"How about we sleep on it and decide in the morning" Scott offered.

Everyone seemed to agree with that and the meeting ended with Cora getting out as quickly as possible and heading to her quarters. 'They weren't really going through with it, were they? How could they expect anyone to go about their day completely naked? As though nothing was wrong?' She felt bad for Jaal for being so far away from home and his people but there was no way she was going along with this holiday.