Commander Ava Munro - Magic
Ava Munro
(( Hermitage, Northern Plains, Rylor ))
There was something about the vast, open beauty of the rolling hills and colourful fields that stretch beyond the horizon that encouraged Ava to become more reflective. And the company, of course. The experience they had shared on Callis I and Jira’s general demeanour meant it was easy to speak on matters that she rarely allowed herself to think about.
Like her father's time away during the Dominion War, and his return. Broken by what he had witnessed. She had studied the war at the academy, as difficult as it was. The wounds were still raw, the Federation still reeling from it. In a lot of ways, it still was.
Munro: Yes, he did come back to us :: sad :: Changed. Something inside of him had been torn out of him. That part of him that I loved the most. It was gone. Something had crept into its place, a dark ugly thing. It was like he had died :: takes a breath :: I didn’t pray again after that, until Callis. I thought that the gods had taken that part of him as payment - that I was the reason he was changed. Then I left to go to Earth. I ran away from him and my guilt. So, yes, to answer your question, I think about our prayer often.
Jaran: That was a big step for you. What made you join me, then?
Munro: :: sighs politely :: You want the cynical Starfleet answer? I thought it was important to offer my strength to you, to be beside you in a moment of need :: shrugs :: The real answer? Maybe I was that little girl again. Only this time I was praying for myself, you and the others. I was praying for Harper :: small, quiet laughter :: I would have given all the parts of myself to get back to her.
Jaran: There are a lot of cultures that do believe their gods exact a price for answers to prayer. Some stories actually point to that being why the Klingons supposedly killed theirs. There's even a story on Bajor about the But there are equally many who are truly benevolent, who ask nothing of their followers but worship. Why do you attribute this situation to divine cruelty before simply the horrors of war, wrought by flawed mortal beings?
Ava shook her head and turned her attention back to the fields and took another sip of the coffee. Letting the caffeine buzz wash over her.
Munro: I don't. Not anymore. I was a child, then. My Father was wounded by what he had seen and like so many others he didn't realise it. He was so focused on returning to us that he didn't factor in what he'd be when he did. I wish my answer was different. Then again, we did get off Callis but I like to think that has more to do with our tenacity than celestial intervention. But what do I know?
Jira sipped their coffee and braced themself. They set their cup down and turned to look at the commander.
Jaran: ::extending their hand toward her ear:: Would you mind, Commander?
Ava repositioned herself, and with caution nodded her head.
Munro: Yes.
As Jira touched her ear, she waited patiently.
Jaran: Your pagh is strong. It carries your decisiveness, but also your fear.
Jira let go of Ava's ear and settled back into a relaxed posture.
Munro: My pagh sure does have a lot to say for itself :: smiles kindly :: Sorry, doctor, I tell dumb jokes when I'm nervous. And this conversation makes me nervous.
Jaran: And why would this make you nervous? Are you so afraid of knowing your own soul?
Munro: I believe in science. I think, after everything there is a scientific answer to everything, even if we can't always understand it.
She was glad when the Bajoran chuckled softly beside her. It hadn't been her intention to dismiss his religious beliefs but to justify her conflicted nature on the matter. She was raised by a scientist and an engineer. Who both believed in their specialties with almost religious fervour. Moreso her mother, her personal botany labs were her place of worship and there wasn't a truth that could not be found in her research.
Jaran: And if you could understand it? Magic doesn't stop being magic just because we know how it works.
Munro: I don't know if I agree with that, Doctor. Ancient people believed that fire was magic. Now I could pick up those stones and I could cause friction, and tiny metal fragments would shear off the rocks, oxidise, overheat and the sparks could set the field alight. That isn't magic. That's scientific discovery in its most basic form.
The doctor went silent for a few seconds. She became increasingly concerned that she had offended them. Then they spoke.
Jaran: Well, look at the dent we've made in these pastries. And my coffee is getting cold. Would you mind helping me tidy up?
Jira picked up the tray of crumbs and the remnants of some baked goods, stood up, and started walking back toward the cabin without looking back at Munro.
Like an errant schoolgirl she quietly obeyed, picking up the spare tray that she'd placed beside her.
Munro: Doctor -
Perhaps sensing her reticence, the Bajoran spoke up.
Jaran: ::over their shoulder:: Oh, and don't worry. We aren't done yet. But tidiness first.
She smiled politely and followed the former ranjen into the cabin. Here, she wasn't the commander or the XO. This was Jaran Jira’s domain and she was the fresh faced student. Or so it seemed in this instance.
Munro: You should come to my quarters for dinner. I don't have a replicator. I built a fully functioning kitchen, along with dishes, cutlery and glassware :: grimaces :: A little pretentious? It is, isn't it :: shrugs :: I am my mother's daughter.
She wondered if all women had the realisation that in some way, even in the smallest of detail, they become their mother. That passing down creates a thread, from woman to woman. Perhaps that was the real magic of immortality.
Jaran: Response
She smiled as she loaded the dishes into the replicator and activated the reclamation mode. The dishes shimmered into energy matter.
Munro: :: raises her hands :: Magic.
Jaran: Response
Ava took to the minimalist seating area.
Munro: Tell me, Jira. What drew you to become a Ranjen? From what I know that's not a small feat.
Jaran: Response
Tags/TBC
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2