Ensign Jaran Jira - Old Habits Die Hard
Jira Jaran
(( Deck Five, Sector Three, Compartment Eleven - USS Artemis-A ))
Bancroft: ::lightly:: Careful – if you keep making this place smell like inner peace and emotional stability, I might just decide to stay.
Jira grinned. Their roommate on Earth had said something to the same effect before getting deployed. It was as true then as it was now, but it was still a nice sentiment. Jira liked to think they cultivated a soothing environment.
Jaran: Oh, I'm sure you'll have your own ways to reach a higher state of existence in your fancy new quarters. Turkey sandwiches, perhaps.
A small smile from the newly-minted superior officer. Good enough.
Bancroft: Tell me, do you always pray after events like that? Or was the ceremony just that intense?
They were used to a bit of bemusement from humans when it came to their spiritual routines. Even most Bajorans were more casual about their birthright religion than Jira. But humans seemed to be the most out of their depth of any race they'd encountered. Faith hadn't been part of their culture for quite some time now, and it was a hard thing to contextualize without that basis. They at least tended to be respectful, which is more than could be said for many.
Confusion aside, humans seemed to gravitate toward figures like Jira, who they perceived had found a sort of answer to an internal puzzle. That couldn't be farther from the truth in Jira's case, but it didn't stop people from asking pastoral advice. They'd had to set office hours at the Academy because of it, even.
Roy wasn't asking for that, though. Not yet. This was just curiosity at this point, and Jira was always happy to answer.
Jaran: Oh, I pray like this every night, if I'm able. And some nights when I'm not. As much as I struggle speaking to people, speaking to The Prophets comes very easily to me.
Bancroft: Response
It was an automatic gesture. Jira didn't even realise they were doing it until their hand was already in place. In an unbroken tradition as Bajoran spiritual leaders had done for hundreds and thousands of years, Jira had grasped Roy's ear. They let go as soon as they realized what they were doing, but it had definitely happened.
Jaran: Wow, I thought I'd broken that habit. I am so sorry. Would it help to know your pagh is strong?
Bancroft: Response
TAG/TBC!