| The Lords Lift Those |
| Summary: | Noelani comforts Alexander during a difficult spiritual time. |
| Date: | 2.24.2041 |
| Related Logs: | None |
| Players: |
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The Chapel
The hatchway opens into a dimly lit corridor, stark grey walls now and again painted with some mural appropriate to the religious season, stretching from floor to ceiling and then sloping down away from the ceiling in two triangular forms that bracket off the tiered seating areas to either side. Straight ahead, in the center of an open space, stands a simple rectangular altar, the emblems of the Lords thereupon arrayed to receive sacrifice in the tall room when the altar isn't decked for some more specific use. Hestia, who is not vouchsafed her own emblem on the altar, is etched in relief on one side of the altar itself, shown tending the hearth in her usual fashion.
In the wall behind the open area are three evenly spaced hatchways which can only be opened and closed from the inside. The small cubicles behind each hatchway are each furnished with a small altar against the back wall, upon which sometimes the dark shape of a sacred object can be discerned even from the tiered seating for visiting on the sacral days. The hatches can be closed to block out profane eyes from rites they were not meant to see. The walls between each little cubicle can be retracted to create a larger space for more well-attended mysteries.
The chapel is always quiet in the early mornings, with a lot of the crew either asleep or on duty. However, since her duty is to care for the temple and the crew, Noelani Mumea is present, finishing up a morning ritual as she waits for people to come.
In his off duty clothes Alexander Aurelia, a new Ensign and worlds famous actor quietly makes his way into the chapel and he bows his head, "Lords of Kobol, please hear my prayer…" his words trail off as he begins to quietly pray in the back unaware that Noelani is in the room. The actor turned ensign seems to be lost in his prayers as he would appear to be explaining himself to before the Lords.
Noelani listens quietly, but says nothing to the ensign. She prefers not to disturb private devotions unless absolutely necessary, and it's not necessary right now. Thus, she simply moves toward the back of the room, hands behind her back as she listens.
As Alexander finishes he opens his eyes slightly as he hasn't been praying to any one Lord but all of them collectively, actors can't be too specific about who they pray to or who they get help from. For the time being Alexander sits there in silence and he doesn't move as if he were listening to see if the Lords were going to speak back to him.
Well, there is a god of actors, but all of them can be helpful. "Peace be with you," she offers to the man, sitting down next to him. "Is there something you seek of the Lords of Kobol?"
Alexander looks up at the woman in front of him as she speaks and he remains quiet for a moment, "I simply seek guidance and direction, the same as all others, since I have been given a difficult task. It will be rewarding but I'm afraid it is a difficult thing that I've been asked to do. So, I am asking the Lords for strength and patience."
Noelani knows better than to ask what task he speaks of, so instead she rises to her feet, motioning for the man to follow her, and makes her way toward the altar in the center of the room.
Noelani knows better than to ask what task he speaks of, so instead she rises to her feet, motioning for the man to follow her, and makes her way toward the altar in the center of the room. "I trust you brought something to offer to the Lords for their favor?"
Alexander stands as he walks behind Noelani, he is reverent as he follows. As he walks he reaches into his pocket and he pulls out, a gold coin, though this is not a simple gold coin, it is a coin that belonged to a War Veteran from the 1st Cylon War. The coin was given to Alexander as a thank you gift for his role in Behind Enemy Lines. "I do. Something of sentimental value and something with history behind it."
Noelani nods, motioning for Alexander to lay his offering on the altar and kneel at the base. She then begins to chant, "Lords of Kobol, hear this man's prayer. See his gift and hear his faith, know his heart and guide him in his task. Lead him down the path he must walk, and guide his feet away from stumbling stones. We offer this prayer."
Alexander stops and he kneels slowly as he places the coin down at the altar and he closes his eyes as Noelani states a prayer for the ensign. He remains quiet as he lowers his head and he brings his hands together. It would seem that Alexander takes his faith seriously.
Noelani smiles and looks down to Alexander. "The strength of your faith shines from you," she offers. "Go, and be confident that the Lords will watch over you."
Alexander looks up at Noelani and he says quietly, "May the Lords be with you as well." He stands and he says, "Sister, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Alexander Aurelia. I have just signed on here as an ensign." He says this quietly unsure if she will approve or not as the hate to acceptance ratio has been about fifty/fifty. "I try to get to know all who serve the Lords as they often speak for them."
Noelani smiles and nods to the introduction. "I can understand wishing to know those who would pray for you, Alexander," the woman replies. "I am Sister Noelani Mumea." She steps down from the dais, guiding him away from the altar for the conversation. "Please, let me know if there is anything else you need from the servants of the Lords."
"I'm not sure sister, I have patience and I have strength but I fear I am the other here. I have found resistance to my presence by some crew members here. I understand that I might not look like the best candidate to be assigned to the wing and yet that is where I have been placed to serve. I have been studying as hard as I can to take on my role of working with the LSO. I know I can't make all people happy but the fact that many senior officers have written me off. This has left me wondering if I even want to bother proving myself to them since any amount of work I do for them will never be enough."
"I'm not sure sister, I have patience and I have strength but I fear I am the other here. I have found resistance to my presence by some crew members here. I understand that I might not look like the best candidate to be assigned to the wing and yet that is where I have been placed to serve. I have been studying as hard as I can to take on my role of working with the LSO. I know I can't make all people happy but the fact that many senior officers have written me off. This has left me wondering if I even want to bother proving myself to them since any amount of work I do for them will never be enough." Alexander explains in a large amount of self-exposition.
Noelani's smile never fades as she replies, "You'll find people to be judgemental. It's in our nature. I expect that eventually you will be able to prove yourself, but it will be hard for a while, especially given your rank. Officers, pilots especially, tend to not trust the lower ranks, thinking them 'green'."
Alexander listens to the Sister, "i get that. I know that the many of the senior level officers don't trust me. I'd imagine having an actor suddenly appear without as much training as other officers would put them off guard. Though I am here to learn and to serve. I'm give my all to things. The funny thing is I haven't been to flight school yet. I hope to go soon but for now I am here to serve in a non flight capacity. So I won't even so much as go near any sort of flying craft beyond sitting as a passenger on one of the ships of the Fleet."
Noelani nods again. "I can see how that would put them off in the wing. However, you can rest assured that this is not the wing, and the temple will always be a safe haven."
Alexander smiles softly since that is the sole reason why he came here. "I know, Sister, this is why I came here. To have a moment of silence with the Lords. I've had my share of stess and this is nothing new. I've opened movies costing over 300 billion cubits that I had to carry myself. So, the stress doesn't bother me but the venom I've felt has been disconcerting. I will work beyond all of it and I will be the better man because I have too. Though, I wonder how can I serve under the Lords law and respect those who dislike me."
Alexander smiles softly since that is the sole reason why he came here. "I know, Sister, this is why I came here. To have a moment of silence with the Lords. I've had my share of stess and this is nothing new. I've opened movies costing over 300 billion cubits that I had to carry myself. So, the stress doesn't bother me but the venom I've felt has been disconcerting. I will work beyond all of it and I will be the better man because I have too. Though, I wonder how can I serve under the Lords law and respect those who dislike me?"
Noelani continues to smile. "You already seem to be on the correct path," the sister replies. "Just respect those who dislike you, and be the better person. Sooner or later they will either realize their mistake, or realize that you aren't affected, and it's likely that they'll stop."
Alexander looks over at Noelani and his smile is a bit tired looking, "That is the plan. However, I do so because the Lord's ask me too. Though it seems to me that the Lord's have placed me in a very difficult posititon, I am neither aa civilian now and I am not supported by many of my superiors as a true officer. I am as they say embetween things. I am the other." Alexander says all of this to Noelani, "Though it is a role I am familiar with since I have been the other ever since I became famous."
The sister nods in reply. "When the Lords put you in a difficult position, it's because they want to test your resolve. They likely have bigger and better things in mind for you, when it comes time."
Alexander nods his head and he says quietly, 'So say we all." The actor turned ensign turns to look at Noelani, "Thank you, sister. How long have you served the Lords?"
"I was born in a temple of Hera," Noelani replies. "I have literally served them for all of my life. It gives me a different perspective, perhaps, since my only family is the Lords of Kobol."
Alexander listens to Noelani as she speaks and he says, "Perhaps you had the best parents of all. Mine were…different from most. Although my Sister might disagree. Perhaps you know her, Callista, though to be she will always be Kathleen."
Noelani shakes her head lightly. "I can't say I've met her yet, though I'm sure I will soon. In any event, I shouldn't keep you from your duties any longer. I'm sure we'll speak again."
"Thank you, Sister, take care and may the Lords continue to speak to you." Alexander says kindly as he stands to make his way out of the chapel.