MD #271: Zahav's Wisdom
Zahav's Wisdom
Summary: Atticus talks to Miri about the Lords and Ladies of Kobol.
Date: 04/01/2018
Related Logs: Chapel Guidance
Atticus Miri 
Chapel - Deck 3 - Battlestar Orion
The chapel is one of the few quiet places to be found on a battlestar. Even rarer still, it's one of the few places that doesn't look like it's part of a battlestar. Heavy blue curtains have been hung from the walls, obscuring the bulkheads. The lights are kept low, adding a certain mystery and gravitas to the space. The central altar is made of a pale grey wood, as are the several rows of pews which extend from it. The ceiling is still constructed of heavy oak beams as support with the flat face airbrushed to a blue and white. Laid against the far right wall is a long, low table with several rows of simple white votive candles to be used as vigil lights. Centered among them is a brass plate for burnt offerings from supplicants. Several cushions rest on the floor before the table, where the faithful may kneel to offer their prayers to the Lords and Ladies of Kobol. On the left wall are several compartments which have been sectioned off for private use.
22/07/2049

It's 6am ship's time, that time the navy officially classes as 'dawn' for timetabling purposes. There's not many people in the chapel at this time, a couple of crew who help maintain it, one of the Priests, and Atticus. With Gunnery Sergeant Knox making sure he's never idle while he undergoes basic training, the early start doesn't seem to bother the ex-knight, who is currently knelt on one of the cushions before the low table. Neither his motions, nor his words are as fluid as others, and he's clearly still getting a hang on just what to do and how, but he's learning it seems.

Miri often finds herself in the chapel at odd hours. It's goes with the job, as far as she's concerned. She's coming off of an overnight shift, still in her scrubs, her dark curls still growing out from when she shaved her head after the explosion. Pink scars dapple the right side of her face and neck. She heads over to one end of the long table and lights a few candles. She gives Atticus his privacy for now.

"It's not long before Atticus is done, he's still not got the hang of all the rituals and rotes, but at least he appears to have satisfied himself for the morning. Rocking back onto his ankles he pushes himself to his feet and turns as if to leave, but then he spots Miri and pauses. "Lieutenant Zahav," he greets quietly, so as not to disturb the sense of peace in the place, "good morning."

Miri takes a moment to finish her prayer before rising to her feet. She turns, walking over to the Marine recruit. "Good morning," she says softly. She sticks her hands in the pockets of her scrubs. "How's basic?"

"Tiring," Atticus replies, slipping his hands behind his back, "but I gather that's part of the point. The physical side of it is similar in a way to what I'm used to, but more full on, some of the new things though, like rifles, that's harder to come to terms with, and some of the terminology. No more ghosts at least though." Noting that she's in her scrubs he then asks, "just starting, or just finished?"

"Both. Neither. I don't sleep. I lie in wait." Miri smiles tiredly. She rolls her shoulders. "Long night. But your days are probably longer, from what I'm hearing."

"For what?" Atticus asks, before his brain catches up with his mouth and he looks faintly embarrassed. "Nothing too serious I hope," he offers, given the long night mentioned. He hasn't heard of any emergencies, but then he's not exactly plugged into the ship's scut. "Days are long, but so far nights are sacrosanct," he replies, "I imagine there'll be some night exercises soon enough though, maybe even down on Ostia." He'd like that, any excuse for fresh air and dirt beneath his feet. He falls quiet for a moment, clearly considering something, then drops his voice even quieter and says, "do you mind if I ask you a question? It might be considered a personal matter."

"Can't tell you, I'm afraid. Medical matters are confidential. That means your doctor can't discuss your medical issues with anyone, barring extraordinary circumstances." Miri explains this patiently. "Is everything okay?" she asks, concerned.

Atticus nods once in understanding at the principal of medical confidentiality, then again in hopes to reassure her that things are okay. "Oh yes, things are fine, I'm just trying to understand things," he gestures to the low table, "like the Colonial religion. I remember so little of it from before, that I'm basically starting all over again. I was just going to ask you who you pray to, and why?"

"You know, many people would consider that a very personal question," Miri says, then realizes that he had, in fact, asked to ask her a personal question. She wrinkles her nose a bit, conceding that point. "It largely depends on the situation, honestly. I'm not one of those people who feels one of the Lords of Kobol has a particular claim to me or hand in my destiny."

Atticus dips his head slightly at Miri's first words, even if he did sort-of ask permission. Making a mental note to be clearer next time he offers a brief, "sorry," before looking back up to her. "I'm getting that it varies a lot person to person. I think in some ways that makes it easier, but right now I must admit I'd take a solid set of rights and wrongs to make sure I don't frak it up." Since he's asked, and she's answered, he offers his own answer too. "I've been making an offering to Aurora, right now her whole 'new starts' purview seems fitting."

"Maybe you should try talking to Apollo," Miri suggests. "He takes a liking to young soldiers like you. Especially if they're pretty." There's a slight twinkle in her eye to show that she's teasing him just a bit.

"Apollo, son of Zeu.." Atticus starts, he's clearly read a book or two on all this, but is lacking that deeper understanding that comes from having grown up in it culturally. He breaks off as Miri's last words sink in though, and the tips of his ears go a lovely shade of red as he studies a fascinating patch of floor for a moment. Composing himself again he asks, carefully, "I thought Ares was soldiers, is Apollo as well?"

"There's a common misconception that just because a god plays a certain role, they only will be beneficial for individuals in that role. Look beyond the X, god of Y formula and look deeper. Apollo is solar. Think of all the things the sun provides." Miri leans back against a bulkhead thoughtfully.

Atticus nods slowly as he follows Miri's words, he's following but not entirely understanding, not yet. "THe fundamental requirement for life comes from the sun," he replies, "energy. Heat, light. Plants need it," or did until clever people invented hydroponics, "lizards and that need it. We do, in different ways. Without suns they'd be no life."

"From what I understand of you, you wish to protect, and do so on a very fundamental level. It doesn't hurt that you have a female counterpart, the moon to your sun. I'm not implying anything," Miri feels the need to clarify, "because she's his sister."

Atticus looks faintly lost at what Miri has to say for a few moments, before perhaps the points start to make sense. "Apollo and Aurora are sisters?" he asks, thinking he's worked it out. "Isn't she sun also though? What with the whole dawn aspect? Or am I misremembering?"

Miri shakes her head. "Apollo and Artemis, the huntress," she corrects him gently. "Aurora is a goddess that I admit I don't know very well."

Atticus is definitely now lost, but time is ticking on relentlessly and if he wants any breakfast before Knox gets hold of him again he needs to think about heading messwards. "I think," he says with his brow furrowed in thought, "that I need to look up a few more things. Artemis hasn't really struck me yet," he admits, "although I did like to hunt, "but I will reread what I have on Apollo and see how it seems to fit. Thank you, Lieutenant. I've taken enough of your time, so I'll leave you be."

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