And my motives used to be so pure.

That was strange. Usually such circumstances start floods, though I sense nothing wrong. Can any of the engineering individuals confirm there are no serious mechanical flaws that can be seen at this time?

[PRIVATE to LIA]

I'd like to speak to you at your earliest convenience. I have a favor of some importance I would like to ask of you.

[PRIVATE to LISBETH]

I did not write these guidelines but found them to be clear and concise. If you would like to change the nature of our relationship, or find anything about my wardenship unfair or my treatment of you unworthy, I urge you to make this known to me and any other wardens you desire to tell.

In the context of the barge, I am a civil servant hired to be your personal representative for your time here. I know that regardless of your crimes, you didn't go to trial, were convicted in absentia, and understand that your circumstances were extremely unpleasant. I understand fully the reasons and actions of why you have done what you did in many cases.

My duties to you, as your warden, are as follows:
• to provide you with protection against hostilities from other inmates and wardens;
• to protect other inmates and wardens from any damage you may intentionally or unintentionally inflict;
• to provide you with a constructive environment so long as it doesn't violate the personal welfare of yourself or others;
• to ensure that you have life skills to sustain yourself after graduation;
• to generally be observant of your physical and mental well-being;
• to act as a representative when addressing other wardens and the Admiral concerning your health, safety, comfort, and productivity;
• to judge your actions fairly administer punishment as it is deserved and not in excess of your actions.

I feel I should tell you now that, while I am an angel and a servant of the Heavenly Father, I will not proselytize His words or attempt to convert you, nor do I imagine that will be a requirement of your graduation. However, I request that if you do not openly blaspheme His name in my presence. Keep in mind, additionally, that in circumstances where I am sensible and able - possibly excluding many floods or ports - I will never lie to you.

Also, if you would prefer me to call you Wasp, I'm more than capable of doing so.

[The camera flicks on to reveal Castiel's jacket, too zoomed in - though eventually he pulls far enough away from the device that his whole body is in view. It must be on a ledge or floating or something, as he's obviously not holding it. He's in the garden, near a relatively large area of freshly turned earth and noticeably empty of the brightly-colored flowers surrounding it.]

[Curiously enough, he possesses not one but two halos: one, legitimately glowing upon his head, and two, a tinsel halo held up with headband. The glowing halo's on top. The weariness in his eyes the past few days is noticeably gone, and there's a kind of spring in his step.]

Although Jesus was not actually born on December 25 - rather that the day was adopted to ease conversion from pagan regions given that Saturnalia and Yule also fell around this date - any day to celebrate the Lord's blessings to his chosen people is a good one. However, I feel that we are missing a key element to any traditional Christmas celebration despite the obvious fact the Barge is not at all traditional. In light of our various dramas and celebrations, we should bring as much of our cultures with us as we can, at least the parts that suggest we be good to other people.

[This being said, he walks away from the device and draws sigil in the dirt with the tip of his finger. Then with one hand hovering above the dirt, he intones in harsh latin syllables that make thunder rumble from nowhere and no small amount of static to interrupt the transmission.]

[He finishes with a flourish, and then a full-grown and not-unimpressive pine tree spouts from the empty Earth. It's a good size for a Christmas tree, slightly taller than Castiel and looking rather healthy. The angel steps back, looking pleased with himself. When he touches the various newly-made pines, they glow with a soft light until the whole tree is sparkling in the barge snowfall.]

I am aware not all religions require a large evergreen conifer as part of their celebration, however, in my reading I was not sure if reference to a 'Hannukkah bush' was sarcastic or true.

( GIFTS!! Private to the Admiral. Gifts are for: Richie, Dean, Aya, Leslie, Kay, Wanda, Lia, Buffy, Lua. )