Lt Avander Promontory: Grateful for a Trip
Avander Promentory
((Small Temple Off The Beaten Path of the Gratitude Festival, Bajor))
Aine had salvaged their experience from being a collection of crass commercialism cashing in on the celebrations by suggesting a side visit to a functioning temple. And suggesting that there might be ghosts or pahgs or something of the like. An elderly Bajoran cleric even offered to help.
Vedek: Please, children, follow me. ::gesturing towards the large door of the temple:: It is not often I have the opportunity to share this experience with humans.
Promontory: I’m actually only part human.
Sometimes it was important to clarify—especially if whatever they were about to do needed to be calibrated by species. Such wasn’t always the case, but when it was, it could be essential to let the host know.
This did not seem to be one of those cases as the Vedek said nothing as he led them into a spacious room well-lit by candles. The Vedek took a step up to a dais and motioned for Josh to join him.
Sherlock: Looks like you're the first victim.
Herrick: Wish me luck; I hear exorcisms are becoming all the rage in sickbay.
Avander had read the mission reports and whatever had happened in sickbay last mission was quite something. He had meant to follow up with the crew that had (apparently) transcended the corporeal realm, but hadn’t found a convenient time. Either way, Josh seemed far more apprehensive about repeating anything similar while Avander was looking forward to the chance.
Herrick: Not to offend, your… holiness? oO Is that what you call them? Oo We’ve just been through some… harrowing experiences as of late.
The Vedek nodded in understanding, and then shifted to a more serious tone.
Vedek: Clear your mind.
Avander began to do the same, in preparation for his turn. The incense smelt stronger in here and caused the intelligence officer to wonder if it had some psychoactive effects. While normally resistant to the idea of anything that compromised his faculties, Avander figured whatever was on offer for Federation officers at a public festival from an ally had to be relatively safe, right?
Vedek: Give yourself to the will of the prophets… clear your mind and allow entry so that you may find the answers you seek young man.
Josh seemed to tense and relax and his eyes fluttered behind their shut lids as if he was dreaming. Avander looked and listened for any other indicators of something happening, but several minutes passed without much observable changes.
Finally, the engineer opened his eyes.
Herrick: Was that… the prophets?
Vedek: Who’s to say everything isn’t the will of the prophets?
Promontory: What happened Josh?
Herrick: It was… interesting… it’ll take some time to understand what I saw.
The Vedek turned to the remaining two officers and smiled softly.
Vedek: He’s fine and unharmed, just as you will be. Who shall journey with me next?
Promontory: Aine, do you want to or shall I?
Sherlock: I think we should save the best for last, so you go next.
Avander didn’t mind the gentle tease, he, in fact, was quite eager to try whatever ‘this’ was. Apparently Josh has seen something and after Peri’s experience in the Gamma Quadrant, Avander was keen to have a similar experience.
Promontory: (excitedly, to the Vedek) Let’s go!
As Avander and Josh switched places the latter whispered to the former.
Herrick: (under his breath) Good luck.
Sherlock: Response
Vedek: Now, my not-so-human human. Clear your mind.
Sherlock: Response
Avander closed his eyes as he felt a hand grip his ear lobe.
Promontory: Clear and ready—
And then there was a darkness, greater than that of mere close eyelids.
((The Place of Listening Between Worlds))
A figure emerged from the darkness. It was Avander. But Avander was the one seeing him. He looked down at himself. He was still himself. So, there were two Avanders then.
But that wasn’t right either, because through the shadows came another figure—another Avander. And then another. The faces were the same, but their attire was varied.
Promontory: Hello?
Avander the second: Are you uncertain about your greeting?
Avander the third: He thinks this is the first time he’s done this.
Promontory: It is… isn’t it?
He looked at the three others and tried to discern what distinguished them, but he felt as if there was an obstruction over his eyes, obscuring whatever he tried to focus on. And there were only three others before him, or did he see another?
His eyes darted back and forth, trying to focus, but his mind remained confused.
Avander the fourth: (disappointed) I thought I taught you to be less linear than that.
Avander the second: (to Promontory) You are not living up to your potential.
Avander the third: He’s only a child, give him time.
Avander the second: He wastes the time he is given.
Promontory: Hey, wait, that’s not—
Avander the fourth: (cutting in) Do you often argue with yourselves?
Promontory: What is this? Who are you?
Avander the second: He doesn’t recognize himself.
Avander the third: He hasn’t become all of us yet.
Avander the fourth: He must remember in time.
Avander the second: (disappointed, almost disgusted) He probably won’t even remember this!
His confusion building, Avander wanted to protest, speak out, ask questions and get oriented, but a throbbing pressure in his ear distracted him.
As he blinked, the figures before him flickered and finally disappeared all together.
((Central Temple Room, Bajor))
Avander opened his eyes and looked at the Vedek.
Promontory: So, when is it supposed to start?
Vedek: (enigmatically) You must take your journey elsewhere.
Promontory: (disappointed) Oh. (beat) Well, maybe another time.
He got off the dais to make way for Aine.
Sherlock/Herrick: Response
Vedek: (to Aine) Do not resist the truth, my child.
Sherlock/Herrick: Response
Promontory: (to Josh) Is this what I looked like?
Herrick: Response
Sherlock/Vedek: Response
Tags/TBC