A Study of Hummus

"Welcome to my office," - Ji'esala was a little frustrated that she  didn't know why Grerbe's memo had asked for a meeting there, but the  appearance of their current human subject narrowed down the options -  "not that I'm here too often."

The room's decorations looked very  much ripped from an episode of star trek, save perhaps for the lack of  windows out on black of space - felt panels, some stuff that almost  looked like wood, models of ships, a big desk and a small couch in front  of it.

"Well - better here than Peyde's office, I'd assume,"  Grerbe took a seat at the couch, still towering over Ji'esala after she  did so. After a moment's hesitation, Alice sat beside her.

"So it  is counsel business - You know I've never overridden you before, even  if you did take one of my crew," She watched Alice's face for a  reaction, but got none, "But Ken'di probably shared those details  already," Nothing, "So you must be worried about getting to me before  Peyde does."

"You know she doesn't like variables. Uncertainty."  Grerbe reached up and took off her glowing glasses, placing them gently  on the desk, "But I'm not the one making the request."

"So it could get expensive too... Alright, let's hear it."

Alice stood up.

"You're studying human culture, but you don't observe any human holidays."

"Are there any 'human holidays'? You all can't even agree when the first day of your year is."

"Perhaps,"  Alive slammed her hand down hard enough on the desk that her entire  body shivered, "but lightly-organized group recreation, along with the  temporary lostening of social structures, is an both a important human  value, and good for morale."

"So, you have a particular observation in mind."

~

The  big numbers in the ships' daily report were on how much internet access  had gone up since the previous editions' announcement.

Just What Was Halloween?

When it had been noticed that the Bipedal rule wouldn't be enforced that day