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

[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.

[goldenglasses]

Well, that's pretty much it.

It's a folk song about an old man who had a little cat that he couldn't give away. He tries leaving it into a cave. Throwing it into quick sand. Putting it on a Thomas, balloon, and a rocket too. Tries to mail it again. Throw it on a Sand Steamer that's going far away.

But no matter what he does the cat comes back the very next day. Even when the old man thought he was a goner the cat just can't stay away.

I mean, I'm one for pranks and all, but if I was that cat I'd probably be more interested in finding a family that would feed me instead of tie me to a rocket.

[apurrstate]

[Okay, well now he's just offended on the cat's behalf.]

That's horrible! That cat should have found someone else to follow, someone who loved it! Either that or found some way to kill the man.

[He sniffs in disdain. Anders would do it himself if this weren't just a story.]

Mr. Wiggums kept me company when I had no one and then, when things got rough, he turned into an abomination and killed three Really Bad People before being killed himself. It was very inspiring.

[goldenglasses]

Preaching to the choir! If I was that cat I would have stayed far away from that man and found a better family.

Oh... [Vash likes the keeping company part. Less liked the killing part.] Hahaha, well, sounds like Mr Wiggums could take better care of himself than the cat from the children's song.

[apurrstate]

It's true! He was a mouser in a mage tower, he had to be a little more tough.

[Sorry, Vash, he takes a little too much joy out of Templars dying sometimes.]

[goldenglasses]

Why? Are the mice stronger if they live in a mage tower or something?

[apurrstate]

Oh, absolutely! They're often used as practice targets for our magic and, of course, the more magic someone is exposed to, the more resistant they become to it.

[Delivered with a completely straight face and an even tone. Extra sorry, Vash.]

[goldenglasses]

Those poor rats. [He's not really sure what.] But ah, glad it made the cats stronger? [He's trying not to be a downer for the moment.]

[apurrstate]

[Anders gives him a sympathetic look and finally cuts his friend some slack.]

I'm joking, Vash. We don't actually use rats or anything but objects for target practice.

[goldenglasses]

Oh! That's good. I doubt those rats would have much of a chance otherwise.