video / action

[hymnals]

Who: Adrasteius; perhaps you
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Bishop; kitchens
When: N to the O W

[Adra's in the ship's kitchen, seated at the table. A shimmering, golden aura limns his entire body, concentrated particularly at the crown of his blonde head. The faint impression of angelic wings blinks in and out of corporeality on his back as he speaks, sometimes seeming almost solid.]

I'm here today to speak to you about the Light. No, I don't mean that thing in the ceiling, or the sun, or any physical, mechanical sources of illumination, so let's nip that idiot question right in the bud. I'm talking religion, people, which some of you desperately need. A religion that isn't bullshit.

[He leans forward; steeples his hands.]

First of all: no gods. No capital G 'God' or 'Maker' or 'Creator' or what-have-you. No offense if that's part of the dogma, I guess, but it doesn't strike me right. Most of the gods I've met needed a swift kick to their many-mouthed faces, personally.

Second of all: no judgment. Of course, those who wield the Light can and must judge, but the Light itself brooks no discrimination. Whatever you've done, and for whatever reason you've done it, the Light forgives. The Light is grace: by definition, ever present, albeit never deserved. A gift of the universe.

Because, you see, the Light is an omnipresent, divine force. It is the name we give to every person's individual connection the universe. Under its teaching, we recognize our place in the great span of space and time--and our responsibility to influence the universe positively, to bring comfort, to soothe pain, to offer hope.

[Adra gestures with his hands, and as he does so, Light sparks from his fingers. The energy darts around the room, looking for all the world like a cascade of shooting stars. He might be trying to show off a little--or, at least, just trying to demonstrate that what he's talking about can be empirically observed.]

Practitioners follow a path of three virtues: respect, tenacity, and compassion, taught in that order. Don't worry: I won't go into it. Not today.

[But another day. Sooner rather than later.

The glow around his body fades. He smiles, a beatific, genuine expression.]

The point is--religion doesn't have to be damaging. It doesn't have to be oppressive. There are philosophies, churches, that work for good. Mine is one of them. It's here for you. I'm here for you.

Just letting you know.

Comments

[hymnals]

No? You seem discomfited. Come on, out with it.

[child_of_bhaal]

It's nothing. [No, it's totally something. Lots of somethings.] Just there's some people out in the universe that could stand to half-heart their convictions. For the betterment of all.

[Sye, that sounds like you're insinuating something. Cue a wince.]

I'm not saying you shouldn't be so firm, of course. You're a good man. That's obvious. But there's many who think they're on the right side, when they're just on their own side.

I'm not saying any of this right.

[hymnals]

[Hrrmm.

Gently:]

Well, sure. If you're running some kind of horrific torture cult, which--I have seen--then those beliefs are a problem. But the existence of those people ... that calls for more powerful, purer faith, not less of it. If someone's out to cover the world in darkness, you need a strong fucking candle to stop them.

[child_of_bhaal]

What if the candle is just as bad? What if it burns more than just the darkness? What if it can't help it, it's just the way it is?

[Sye. Abort. Abort.]

[hymnals]

I get the sudden feeling that we're not actually discussing a candle, here.

[child_of_bhaal]

It was a metaphor in the first place, wasn't it?

[hymnals]

Yes, in the first place. But you're being a little specific.

[A pause.]

You don't have to discuss it with me if you don't want to. I won't force it out of you.

[child_of_bhaal]

No, it's...

[Sigh. She runs a hand through her hair. She is very tired of being her.]

It's not that I wouldn't be okay with discussing it with you. It's... I-

Nothing is ever as easy as that. I've never known anyone or thing to have limitless understanding. Or goodness. Or wickedness. There's always a flaw, or a catch. Divine or mortal.

[hymnals]

No, most people don't, that's true. I can grant, too, that some places might have a sky that's more grey than my own. But I tell you this: in Azeroth, there is absolute good, and there is absolute evil. There's also a lot in between. But the Light is on the right end of the spectrum.

[child_of_bhaal]

I won't debate that. I've never met your Light, and I probably never will. I'm just not a person who can support any divinity. Even a benevolent one. Guess I've been ruined for that by too many others.

I'm glad for you though, Adrasteius. It's good to see others who have some peace in Faith.

[hymnals]

You most certainly have met the Light. [He waves a shimmering hand in front of the camera.] It's all around you, all the time.

But I don't need a convert. I just need you to know exactly what I said: I'm here for you.

[child_of_bhaal]

[She won't bother to refute what he claims. He has Faith. People with that kind of powerful belief feel they are right, no matter what. It's what the gods want from them. Shame so few of them deserve such loyalty.]

Thank you. I'd make a terrible convert anyway, clearly.

[She's trying to lighten this up a little.]

[hymnals]

All you need is a desire to do good. I think you'd be fine.

[child_of_bhaal]

There's a long stretch between desire and application, I'm afraid. At least where I'm concerned.

[hymnals]

Why do you say that?

[child_of_bhaal]

I try to do the right things. But a lot of the time, I wonder if I've just made it all worse.

[hymnals]

[Frown ...]

Syeira ... I'm concerned that I'm pushing you. Trust me, though: everyone feels that way. We all doubt whether we've made the right choices. I've doubted myself many times. I lost my faith, even.

[child_of_bhaal]

[She rubs her eyes. That planet has done her sleep schedule no favors.]

I know. Everyone struggles. But are they predestined to have their struggles spilling over into those around them?

[Hell. There she goes again.]

Gods, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to dump my mess all over your message.

[hymnals]

Predestined. Can I ask what you mean?

[Gently.]

It's all right if I can't, by the way.

[child_of_bhaal]

You can. It's fine.

This is just

really public.

[hymnals]

May I come to your ship?

[child_of_bhaal]

I- um.

[They don't get visitors a lot on the Red Fish. Would Zhas mind? Nunnally probably wouldn't. Nunnally is the Captain.

Gorion's also taught her manners.]

Yes, of course. If you'd like.

[hymnals]

I would

[BING BANG HE'S THERE. HE'S WALKING TOWARDS HER. HELLO, SYEIRA!

Her reticence, both direct and indirect, was not lost on him. It's clear that there's something grave bothering her, and he's loathe to see it. Without preamble, he takes her hand and squeezes it gently.]

Are you all right?

[child_of_bhaal]

[Oh. Okay. Hand holding is fine. She's held people's hands before. None of them looked like Adrasteius, and smelled like lavender.

His hand is warm. Gosh.

Gods, she needs a nap.]

I'm ok. I'm not sleeping. Well more than usual. For me.

[hymnals]

How much do you typically sleep?

[He casts his gaze around for somewhere to sit.]