interfaith dinner mingle!!

[stefanged]

Who: Interfaith Center regulars & the not-so-regulars (party crashers are welcome too!!)
Broadcast: Nope
Action: Interfaith Center on the Iskaulit
When: Forward-dated to November 4th

[The Interfaith Center sounds far more bustling and busy than usual - and anyone peering inside would quickly figure out that a communal dinner is underway! Take off your shoes and walk in: the lounge has extra tablecloths on the floor as well as buffet tables with non-alcoholic beverages and all sorts of food, including Jordanian cuisine (or the outer space equivalent of Jordanian food).

The board games are out of their hiding nooks; the furniture's arranged for the maximum seating possible; and even the teddy bears donated by Kitty & Winn are out for cuddling, should anyone want them.

The kitchen's bustling with helpers - Stefan's running around at vamp-speed to make sure everything's a) done on time and b) cooked to perfection - but he sure wouldn't mind an extra hand. And if you're still not up for some food? Well, the prayer rooms are open as usual. There's always a quiet moment to be found, even if the laughter's louder and the scent of freshly-baked mansaf's wafting through the long corridors.

Anyone and everyone who's ever been inside the Interfaith Center has been invited (via text message - and Stefan even used the fancy emoji). If you're not particularly faithful or devout? Well, drop by anyways. There's more than enough food to spare.]

Comments

Anders | ota

[apurrstate]

[Anders probably wouldn't be here if Hawke hadn't gotten the invitation from his friend in the first place. Hawke didn't feel comfortable going on his own and Anders was the more religious of the two of them anyway. But, considering what he'd done and the fact the last time he was in the interfaith center, Justice had gotten in an argument with Leliana, he didn't feel he deserved to come here.

But here he now was.

At first, he sort of shuffles awkwardly around the edges of the lounge and pokes his head into the kitchen before deciding staying out of the way was likely the best contribution he could make to that. Parties were not his thing, he never knew what to do with himself. This one especially.

But, eventually, he found a place he could be. With a slightly apologetic smile to Hawke, Anders ducks into a prayer room, knowing full well his lover wouldn't follow him. Honestly, that was fine, he needed this moment alone. Hawke was nothing but supportive, but he couldn't understand how Anders' faith could still be so important to him after everything.

Anders knelt on the floor and bowed his head, at first just attempting to empty his mind of all the thoughts and guilt and doubt that plagued it whenever he tried to pray. He didn't deserve to pray to Andraste. Was there even a point to it way out here? Leliana believed there was and Anders wanted to believe too. If she did hear, would she even care to listen to the man who blew up a Chantry? She shouldn't, but that sentiment alone was selfish and wrong. He shouldn't decide what the Maker's bride ought or ought not do.

He shouldn't be here, he didn't deserve to try and pray. But Justice wasn't here anymore to tell him other things he could be doing instead or to hammer that guilt home. It was just Anders and his too-quiet mind. Maybe now was the time to start making amends to the Maker.]

Blessed are they who stand before
The corrupt and the wicked and do not falter.
Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just.

Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow.
In their blood the Maker's will is written...

prayer room

[monolike]

[The moment Anders enters Sorey's domain, he feels the difference. He doesn't feel anything like the one who was on the Golden, thrumming with anger and darkness, soul seared by a another spirit's righteous fury; they're almost like two completely different people.

Sorey tries not to pry and leaves Anders alone, though he does catch himself staring once in a while. And when Anders disappears into the prayer room and those conflicted feelings swell and die back down, over and over, Sorey just can't help himself. It just feels too similar to his own heart that he feels compelled at least see if he's alright.

Sorey slips into the room, taking up a spot in front of the seraphim shrine he'd constructed ages ago, lighting the candle and clapping his own hands together. His eyes slide shut as he listens to Anders pray, and he waits until it seems like he's finished to try and talk to him.]

...could I ask you something?

[apurrstate]

[Anders didn't think much of the fact someone else had come into the room other than to maybe be a bit quieter so he didn't disturb. But after a second, a feeling got under his skin that maybe this person could just tell Anders didn't belong here and maybe it would be better for everyone if he just left. Hawke could find him later, maybe at Malum or the gardens or anywhere, he'd just-]

...I'm sorry?

[He hadn't been expecting that.]

I mean-of course, if you'd like.

[monolike]

That prayer you were saying...it's for worship of 'the Maker?' [It's kind of rude, since that prayer wasn't for him to hear, but this is the Interfaith Center and all. Stefan always encouraged sharing religions, and though Sorey had never considered what he did religious solely through the benefit of having seen his world's benefactors since he was a child, he knows it's not the same for everyone.] Have you...I mean, can the Maker be seen by people? Or heard?

[apurrstate]

[Anders didn't seem especially bothered by the question, more surprised than anything. He sometimes forgot people weren't Andrastian here, it was so normal back home. But what he'd been reciting hadn't been especially personal, just a passage of the Chant he liked and thought of often in recent years. The Chant was for everyone, esecially the curious.

Anders just wasn't sure he was the best one to be talking about it.]

No...the Chant of Light says that the Maker turned away from us when we went against his Plan. A woman of pure heart named Andraste got him to reconsider and He spoke to her, but she was the first and last, as far as anyone knows. Andrastians pray and worship in the hopes that someday He will return to Thedas.

But I like to think he listens, even if he doesn't respond in a fashion people would like. Sometimes the Maker's will is subtle.

[monolike]

[What the heck that is like. Way sadder than what Sorey was expecting.

He turns on the cushion to face Anders fully, hands clenched worriedly in his lap.] You mean you're all praying for the Maker's forgiveness?

[apurrstate]

[Well, that wasn't quite the reaction he'd expected.]

Most people do, yes. It's the official doctrine of the Chantry. Some of us, however, think He hasn't left us at all, we pray to Him and His bride for guidance and blessing and strength.

To be perfectly honest, I think the Chantry only says he's left to hold control over the populace, but my opinions on the organization of the Chant are notoriously bad.

[Like...having blown up a Chantry kind of bad, but you know.]

How is it where you're from?

[monolike]

[That makes a lot of sense, now that Sorey's seen the corruption of the church back home firsthand. Still, it hurts his heart to hear that people are praying for their god to come back, same as when he'd overhear people back home begging for the seraphim to return when they hadn't really gone anywhere. Religion is sad sometimes.]

Similar, [he admits.] There isn't really any one particular deity people pray to, but most people've lost the ability to see them. In a lot of cases, even people holding out hope don't think they exist.

I'm glad you can still have faith in yours. I think it's really nice.

[apurrstate]

You...you know your gods exist? That they walk among you?

I don't think I could blame your people for having doubt, if they can no longer see them, I could understand where their fears might seem valid. What made them stop seeing?

[He couldn't imagine. The Maker had never walked Thedas in human history, only shown Himself to those He'd chosen through time. But even the elven 'Creators' apparently used to be around, only to have been banished away from the elves. At least they knew the Creators were gone through evidence of their disappearance. Maker, imagine if they hadn't disappeared at all, but simply been lost from sight and still walked Thedas, simply ignored by those who longed for their return?

How incredibly sad that seemed. He half wished Merrill were here to offer her opinion and half hoped she'd never have the idea herself.

[monolike]

Generations of humans born away from seraphim, mostly. Humans used to worship seraphim and live with them, and seraphim would give blessings in return for it. This was a long time ago though, and humans lost reverence in seraphim so seraphim moved on. [There are a lot more factors, but it's a long story and Sorey can't even really tell most of it considering how little he knows.] After that children were born with less and less resonance until they couldn't really see them anymore. Lots of people still worship seraphim, but as something a lot more abstract instead of actual beings and people who exist. Not many people talk with them. I was raised in a seraphim village, so I've been able to see them since I was a baby.

Do you know Dezel, Zaveid, Mikleo or Lailah here in the Fleet? They're seraphim.

[apurrstate]

How interesting. [The idea of people worshiping something they could see existed...it certainly seemed to him that it should make things easier.

At least right up until Sorey lists off a few names.]

Wait...Dezel? The spirit that works at Malum? My boyfriend works there too, Dezel's one of these Seraphim?

[He honestly enjoyed the food Dezel made, but he couldn't imagine worshiping him like he worshiped Andraste. Then again, he supposed it really wasn't any different from the Avaar.]

He mentioned most people couldn't see him, I hadn't really thought about it when you started describing your home, but it makes sense now.

[monolike]

[lmfao ok but the reactions he gets when he tells people that Dezel and Zaveid are technically holy beings will never, ever get old.] Trust me, I understand your surprise. He doesn't seem very worship-able, right?

Humans don't worship seraphim like they used to, but they're still considered holy beings. And the ones who stay in cities and villages to extend their blessings get worshipped more than the ones who just mind their own business. Dezel's one of the latter. [plus he's a wind seraph who, as everybody knows, are weirdos]

[apurrstate]

He makes a mean tart, but that's hardly grounds for worship, no.

[He smiles thoughtfully.]

Then again, who's to say that, if Andraste showed up here, anyone would believe she's worshipped back home? She was just a normal woman once. I'm sure it's similar.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash enters the prayer room quietly. He's not a big religious person. Finding good qualities in almost any he comes across, but he was curious to check the area out. He's not overly surprised to see his crew mate in prayer and tries not to interrupt.

He is silent. Hands together and head bowed. Considering the way he keeps changing from his fingers pointed straight out together to intertwined it's probably obvious he doesn't really know what to do. A little quiet time to reflex and give thanks for the life he has led so far and pray for those who have passed never hurt.

In the end he can't help but find himself not so much with his own thoughts as following along with Anders's prayer. He'll stay silent until it's complete.]

That sounds like a really nice blessing.

[apurrstate]

[Anders looks up from his bowed position, a small smile on his face, but it's not a happy one.]

I agree. It's in honor of those who seek to help others. It's my favorite verse in the Chant.

Unfortunately, it's used a lot to justify horrors done to innocents 'marked' as corrupted and not actual corruption.

[goldenglasses]

[Ah. That sucks. Vash rubs at his neck and smiles awkwardly.] Oh, ah, haha- that's too bad, but ah, the original sentiment is still there? At least, the way you say it and that's the important part.

[apurrstate]

[That brings a bit of a smile back to his face. Right, silver lining.]

You're right. Of course.

[But now his attention and curiosity is on Vash]

What about you? Is there a common religion where you're from?

[goldenglasses]

There are a few religions. Actually, my best friend back home was a priest. Although, I'm not exactly sure how good a one he was. We had a few Buddhists and Hindus as well, but most seemed to be catholic of some aspect or another.

Well, actually most people probably gave praise to the almighty double dollar. [Wait. Anders might not get that joke.] Money that is.

[And there were also Plant worshipers, but then he'd have to explain Plants. Something Vash didn't really want to get into and he generally stayed away from anything to do with them anyway.]

I didn't really follow any religion back home, but I liked different parts of each. And really, anything that gives peace to people I don't see as a bad thing.

I do know that some religions back home that can be a bit violent. I didn't like those. Luckily those were pretty few and far between. [There was enough pain and hardship on his planet that fighting over religious views didn't happen very often. Occasionally enough that it wasn't overly surprising, but Vash had seen history reports of how bad some religions could be at times.]

[apurrstate]

I agree.

[He might not fully understand the Avaar and their worship of Spirits or agree with the idea of the Elvish Creators, but if that's what made a person happy and gave them peace, who was he to argue? Besides, there were plenty Andrastians and Qunari who did enough arguing for any lifetime.]

Hopefully, someday, it can be fewer and further between in Thedas as well.

I...admit, I can't decide if it would be simpler or more frightening to not have any religion. There's no thought that some 'Great Being' is judging your every action, but there's also no promise of hope at the end of the line, no thought that perhaps you aren't quite so alone in the world.

Does that ever bother you?

[There was no judgement in his question, only curiosity. How much easier would his life have been if he was like Hawke and chalked up the Chant to a simple story? He'd likely have less guilt, or maybe fewer convictions.]

[goldenglasses]

Well, I never said I didn't believe there wasn't something after death. [He's in the land of angels.] I just can't believe fighting over who has the right idea is the way to go.

I don't really see anyone being exactly right or wrong, but--

[He trails off for a moment in thought. Trying to find the right words.] I don't follow any religion formally, but I like to believe that there is something after this life. A peaceful place where people can be at peace with their loved ones again. [He grins, knowing what he's about to say is likely to sound a bit corny, but he still likes it.] Like in a land of angels of some sorts.

[He just doesn't believe he's good enough to get in there. Because he's an idiot.]

[apurrstate]

[He'd been around the Interfaith center long enough to pick up that angels were important to some religions, even though they had never meant anything to the Chant.]

That makes sense. I'm glad you believe in something. It's hard for me to imagine a life without...although Wolfe manages just fine, I suppose. But the good thing is that, even if you don't believe, the Maker will still have you at his side, so it helps me to know Hawke will go to Him when the time comes.

[But not him. You didn't get to blow up a Chantry and then go to the Maker's side. He and Vash have something else in common.]

Aaaanyway, sorry, I try not to let this sort of thing come up too often, makes most people antsy, to be honest.

[goldenglasses]

That's okay. I don't feel antsy at all and I don't mind talking about it myself. I like hearing about the different religions have. Some seem similar to back home and others are completely different. I must say it's pretty interesting.

[apurrstate]

[Anders smiles, both relieved and amused.]

I feel the same way. Even if you don't believe the same things, it's my experience that all of the religions come with their own stories and those are certainly interesting on top of whatever practices might be out there.

Do you know any stories involving cats from your home? There's a sad lack of cat-related stories in Thedas. It's a tragedy and frankly prejudiced.

[goldenglasses]

Um, I don't know about religious stories. But I heard a story of this cat that comes back over and over and never leaves an old man alone. But that one is an old folk story. I don't think it's actually true.

[apurrstate]

[Anders perks right up about that.]

That's alright, tell me anyway? And I'll tell you about Mr Wiggums, which is a completely true story, but also not religious.