driftfleet | 004 || video;

Who: Leliana
Broadcast: yes
Action: aboard the blue fish
When: now

[Leliana's address to the network came somewhat late - someone had gotten revenge for her prank, after all. Her cowl is pulled back resting about her shoulders and her skin and the ends of her hair are still drying after she'd scrubbed the ink off. Schmooples could be heard snuffling from her lap, his long ears making a cameo as he was cradled against her.]

I apologize. It seems I mayhap have fallen victim to a long slumber. I don't recall the ships leaving the planet we were last on, but I am to understand some time has passed.

[Guaranteed, Riona waited a good few days before daring to draw on her face.]

I will be resuming my duties in the Interfaith Center – Stefan, I apologize sincerely for my absence. I hope it has not caused an inconvenience.

[She smiles warmly, blue eyes lit up as she continues speaking.]

For those who do not know me: I am Sister Nightingale and I assist the Interfaith Center for those of Andrastian faith, hailing from Thedas. I can also be found aboard the Blue Fish, should anyone ever seek counsel from me outside of the Center. You do not have to be Andrastian to do so, of course.

Private: Riona Cousland Theirin.

[There's a bit of an evil smile on Leliana's face as she switches the feed to private.]

You got your revenge, no?

[She laughs warmly, her eyes alight with mischief]

Care to join me for lunch? I'm feeling a bit peckish after being out of sorts. You can catch me up on all the latest gossip.

[She runs her fingers through the wet ends of her red hair and Schmooples crawls up her chest into view to snuffle at the camera over her shoulder.]

I hope I didn't worry you too much.

Action

[Leliana can be found either aboard the Blue Fish or in the Interfaith Center praying silently before her own hand made totem statue of Andraste. The nap seemed to have done her at least a little good. Still she felt the lingering grief of home and the troubles it faced but she was slowly becoming more at peace in her new life. Perhaps she could finally lay down her burdens? She wasn't so sure yet. For now she moved on to the next stage of things – normalcy.

Aboard the Blue Fish Leliana makes her security rounds, stopping to take a break to make some tea and enjoy some quiet in the kitchens. Something seemed amiss, though she couldn't put her finger on it nor guess that perhaps that it was because a crew member had gone missing. Still the stillness put her at ease.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Exactly and before I became a Lay Sister, I was enamored with histories and other texts. Learning a new faith is a bit like uncovering a new story or puzzling out a new mystery.

[She'd certainly felt that way becoming a Lay Sister, though the others had never really felt she fit in. She didn't always have the Chant memorized, and she had wild ideas compared to some of the more conservative.]

I can indulge. I highly doubt the Maker will strike me down for enjoying one cookie. I like to think he's more forgiving than some might believe.

[He nods, brewing her tea.] Right. Faith and culture are intimately connected. You can't really have one without the other.

And I'd hope so, considering that Allah makes allowances for even the most dire of situations.

[Just for that, he grabs some extra ma'amoul out of the cookie jar. Life is too short for deprivation. Indulge in moderation, right? That's how it goes? He might be tempting her, but who wouldn't be tempted by home-baked goodness??]

Just uh, let me know if you're allergic to nuts. These are fine, but I like adding pistachios too.

[Leliana watches the steam pour in from the hot water while waiting for the tea. She was glad for something familiar and more than happy to indulge in it and the cookies.]

Absolutely. How did you come by your... Allah.

[She tests the pronunciation, trying to get it right the first try. It wasn't a mouthful but still-!!]

As for the nuts, don't worry - I'm not allergic. I have no food allergies that I know of.

[She only sort of knows what that is from reading. It was sad that people could actually be sick or killed by certain foods. Such is the Maker's will, she supposes.]

Good. [He sighs of relief, handing over the plate of ma'amoul.] They're my favorite, so I'd hate to have you miss out on them.

[At the mention of Allah(swt), he grows thoughtful, folding his arms and gazing off towards the Lounge. Even though the walls are sound-proofed, his senses can pick up traces of chatter.]

As for my faith... ah, well, that gets long. You want the long version or the short one?

I don't mind hearing the long version.

[Don't mind if she indulges in one of those awesome cookie things while listening along, of course.]

I like stories - whatever you're comfortable with telling me is perfectly fine.

[She understood that everyone had a history and she was no stranger to that.]

Alright, but remember - you asked for it.

[He leans against the counter, taking a moment to gather his words before he starts,] In my world, people follow several faiths. Most worship God - who, I've been told, is a lot like your Maker, if they're not actually the same being.

Most people grow up practicing just the one, but my parents each had their own distinct way of worship. Dad would take me to church and teach me hymns, while Ummi brought me to the masjid and taught me du'a. I figured, I'd practice both. No big deal.

Then uh, [his throat gets dry,] Then this - this thing happened in the city [he means Manhattan] when I was eight years old. I was too young to understand why, but people started blaming my mother for it. More specifically, they blamed her faith.

[He's not going to get into specifics here, not now and not with someone unfamiliar with Earth customs. This isn't the time or the proper place.]

So I started learning all I could about hers, about why the world would turn on her, and as it turned out, people were just looking for something to blame. Her faith was the easiest target. So one thing led to another, and I accepted my mom's faith as my own about seven years ago.

[He shrugs,] As for why I do interfaith work? I've discovered that the more people know about something, the less likely they are to fear it, or worse, hate it altogether.

[She listens, holding back questions until he's finished, and when he does there is a great swell of sympathy that follows. His story reminded her of the persecution of mages throughout Thedas.]

What became of your mother? If you don't mind my asking.

[She hopes nothing honestly, but it wouldn't surprise her if this story had violence in it.]

Your story... it is something common place where I am from. A group of people blamed for the fear others hold and can't let go of, when most are not the root of that fear themselves.

[it was abhorrent, if you asked her. Why should mages be enslaved like animals when someone like her was free? it wasn't right.]

She's fine, thankfully. She and Dad moved to a place that was more understanding.

[A few hate crimes, some minor scares... but nothing more. Stefan's more than grateful that she lives in Jordan now.]

I'm sorry that it's a common one. I wish it weren't so universal, but people want a scapegoat, and well - certain groups of people are the easiest ones there are.

004 || video;

action; ooooh that sounds good actually

action; they're super delicious ;;

action; oh no stefan is so adorable i can't even /)_(\

action; glhjk thank you

action;

action; cw: islamophobia

sorry for the late on this it got archived i guess??? thanks gmail

it happens!! no worries