Ensign Jaran Jira - Jira Gives Back
Jira Jaran
((Somewhere Between The Edge of the Forest and the Mouth of the Gorge - Callis I))
((6.15 hours after Crash))
With a motion almost like the panicked scurry of a beast, Jira moved themselves into the posture of prayer. Self-consciously, they looked towards her.
Jaran: With your permission, Commander, I would like to pray. I believe we’re out of immediate danger, and this is important to me. I recognise it’s not to protocol.
Ava leaned forward gently.
Munro: You have my permission but you never need to ask for it. Can I :: hesitated :: can I join you?
It was far from the first time someone unexpected had made this request. Throughout the Academy and medical school, Jira had collected the occasional curious, seeking, or spiritually injured that were drawn to what they perceived as a serene connection to some wisdom of the universe. They didn't feel like they had any particular wisdom to offer, but they were happy to guide anyone in meditation and prayer. Sentient beings all shared a common desire: to make small sacrifices to something greater. Jira knew they were blessed to have their gods so present and known, and they didn't begrudge anyone the experience of that same blessing.
Jaran: Of course you may. I would be honoured.
Ava moved closer to Jaran, and lowered herself to her knees. Leaving the blanket behind where she had been seated.
Jira took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Then they began praying, only realising after they'd begun that they had never prayed in Federation Standard. They hoped Ava either spoke Bajoran or didn't mind that she couldn't understand what was being said as long as The Prophets did.
Jaran: ::pausing after each line::
Bentel sha’val Celestai.
Bentel sha’val Celestai.
Ava opened her eyes and looked towards Jira as the prayer concluded. She didn't speak, but they recognised the look in her eyes. She'd found what she needed, just as Jira had. Was it the same thing? Probably not. But that wasn't important in the moment.
The moment was cut short by the scuffing of feet on dirt and a voice.
Imril: Permission to come aboard?
Ava quickly turned, colour coming to her cheeks, and she acted as though she'd been caught doing something shameful. Had she been doing something shameful? That was exactly what Jira had been set against becoming, when joining Starfleet. They were determined to maintain their foot in both worlds.
Munro: :: going along with the joke :: Welcome to our humble abode. Pull up a seat and make yourself comfortable :: laughs :: This reminds me of being an ensign, I had to bunk in a corridor with eleven other cadets.
Munro moved back to where she had been and retrieved her blanket.
Jaran: Welcome back to the lower decks!
Jira watched with fascination as the others prepared the campfire.
Imril: Is there anything in the packs that can be used to collect rain water? Now that we’re out of the storm, we should take advantage of it. We'd best filter it before we use it, though. I don’t trust purple clouds. There are plenty of non-yellow stones outside to make a stone filter from.
Silveira: If we get something to hold it that is fireproof we can boil the water.
Ava looked through the pack, and produced the casing for a scanner. She removed the scanner and the soft lining.
Munro: It's not very large but if we can gather enough I think we can create a supply :: pick up a pack :: Once I empty this I can probably fashion a larder. Means we can take water with us when we move again.
Jira nodded with respect. Why not find a use for the tech that was just taking up space? They reached for a pack and followed suit in removing any casings they could find.
Jaran: Taking these cases off is a pretty decent meditation form.
Imril: Response
The fire finally caught. The warmth, the glow, and the crackling of the tinder broke through the thin shield of survival mode, and Jira felt exhaustion spread over their entire
Silveira: This feels so good.
Munro: I can feel the heat already. We should get some sleep. I have a feeling we might be busy tomorrow.
Jaran: ::a visible shudder:: Tomorrow is going to have to wait until tomorrow. I can already feel today in my bones.
Imril: Response
Silveira: I am sorry… ::he yawned:: I didn’t understood… But someone better take the first watch, I am feeling so sleepy…
Munro: I'll go first. Two hour rotations. Silveira is next, then Imril and Jaran you'll be last.
Jaran:: Aye, sir.
Silveira/Imril: Response.
Jira balled up a corner of the emergency blanket and was asleep before they could yawn again.
((OOC - doing a slight time jump until Jira's watch- feel free to sim your characters watch if you'd like))
((12 hours since crash))
Jira was woken for their shift on watch to a dark sky, but there was the hint of lavender light on the horizon. Thankfully, the storm had ended, and there was merely a stretch of sodden, scorched grass out in front of them.
Well, that's what they could see. The sounds of the dark told another story. The unseen voices painted a violent picture, and they were glad they were in the relative safety of the rocks.
Imril was on this shift, too, so Jira gave them a prod.
Imril: Response
The remainder of the night passed with little incident. A hairy, long-limbed creature about the size of a Cardassian vole was the only being bold enough to approach past the firelight's borders, and it paid for that boldness dearly as Jira managed to catch it on the head with one of the sturdier sticks. It squealed and ran off unsteadily.
Before long, the shadows began to shorten, and Munro awoke and sat up.
Munro: What's for breakfast, Doctor?
Jira thought back to the animal they'd given a crack earlier, then eyed the ration packs with resignation.
Jaran: No fresh leg of beast roasting over the fire, sadly. But if you like ration bars, well... ::raises eyebrows::
Silveira/Imril: Response
Ava stood up, and Jira joined her. They needed a stretch after being so tightly wound for the last couple of hours.
They had turned to take a wider look in the light at where they'd been sleeping. What strange, yellow rocks. Jira grabbed one of the fragments that had come off with repeated lightning strikes and put it in their pocket to look at later.
Munro: :: points :: Take a look at that :: hopeful :’ We aren't the only ones that made it?
Jira turned to look at where she had been pointing. A streamer of smoke was rising in the distance. It could be another survivor's camp. Or it could be a tree, smouldering away after one of the lightning strikes the previous night.
But what else did they have to go on? If the four of them made it onto the planet and through the night alive, then others certainly did too. They should be trying to find them. This was as good a direction to go in as any other.
Jaran: It could mean that, I suppose. If their night was anything like ours, they could be injured, too. Better to check it out than sit on our hands, at least.
Silveira/Imril: Response
Jaran: Before we go. Lieutenant Silveira, you still owe me exam time. I may not have much with me, but I can't just let us go off into those trees with anything hiding under the surface.
Silveira: Response
Jira did what they could with what they had and determined that there was nothing seriously wrong with Vitor that was worth using their precious few supplies on. Nothing to be done for their bravado; that was terminal.
Jaran: You're as good as you're going to get, Lieutenant. Do with that what you will, but be safe about it.
Silveira/Imril/Munro: Response
Jira busied themselves with packing up the scant medical and survival supplies around their makeshift campsite.
oO Why don't these blankets ever fold up as small as they were when they were in the pack? Oo
After everything was put away, they ventured back outside into the morning light. While looking around the immediate grounds, they saw a shape in the grass. Closer inspection revealed a furry animal, panting on its side, long legs splayed. Black blood crusted the side of its head.
oO Oh no. The conses have quenced. Well, I have no choice, I guess. Oo
Jaran: ::speaking loudly back at the group:: Hey, all. We have a new crewmate for a bit. I smacked this guy pretty bad last night. Gotta make it right. Sorry.
Munro/Silveira/Imril: Response
Jira gently moved the animal into their arms while it made some weak hisses at them. There was no danger, though. They cradled the thing and dribbled some pooled water in a stray giant leaf into its mouth. It spluttered but drank quietly.
Jira moved back with their new charge to join the group.
Tags/TBC