Ensign T’Fearne - B’Hala Trembled [Part 2]
Teayl Thorn
((Exterior Healers' Domicile, near Batanca Spire, B'Hala, Kendra Province, Bajor))
Alieth led the way through the bustling streets of young B’Hala, the three other Starfleet officers following in her wake as they headed to the Temple. The street ahead was a blur of activity as people celebrated, embraced, and danced to the lively music filling the air. The smell of fire-roasted meats and fresh hot hasperat wafted above their heads.
T’Fearne had automatically taken a position at the aft of their group. As they moved deeper into the crowds, the attention of the people grew. Some even offering goods and services. The diminutive commander picked up her pace, moving through the crowd with surprising ease, her stature commanding the attention of those around her. People stepped aside, bowing slightly, calling out “1Peldor Joi” and making gestures of good fortune. At some point, Alieth slowed her pace and slid back to walk in a tighter formation.
Alieth: Consider what we know about B'Hala. The city disappeared, but there are no records of how or why it did so. Only that it was sudden and abrupt. There are hardly any oral records and even fewer written records of contemporaries of its disappearance, so the information we can have on that side is scant. Anything you can recall of any significance in this regard?
T’Fearne: I’m afraid I don't know mutch about Bajoran History, nothing about B’Hala. You mentioned that this younger B’Hala is built on top of another sunken city. It seems like this has happened before, who knows how many times and as we know it will happen again. Maybe that is just the way of things for this city throughout time; it sinks, and then the survivors rebuild, over and over.
Nemes: Response
The buildings they walked by were made of white and carved stone, both simple and beautiful, in that Bajoran marriage of nature and architecture. There were trees and plants everywhere, lush green and loaded with multicoloured fruits and flowers. On the sides of the streets, small canals ran singing along, nourishing the vegetation and dragging the filth from the streets in a simple but efficient cleaning system.
The sight of the canals gave T’Fearne pause, and she wondered if she was walking along the same street that crumbled beneath her feet and dragged her into the water in 240112 to drain into the cistern with the science team to be transported back in time to now. THe thought made the hair on her arms and the back of her neck stand up.
Alieth: Not much, but it is something.
Lorana: Given that we've experienced macroseismic shifts that I'd say range between a 5 and 6, at regular intervals a major event is imminent. I'd go as far as to say probably within the next day or two.
A group of prylars bowed deeply as they walked by, prompting a lul in the temporally displaced officers' sensitive conversation. Their robes were embroidered in what T’Fearne thought must be a very ancient technique, different from the commercially dyed or printed fabrics she usually saw from her time.
Alieth: What about the geological characteristics of this area? Any tectonic plate that could generate the tremors? Maybe a volcanic zone? :: The petite former Vulcan turned around, looking at the mountains rising up around the city, surrounding an almost circular valley, wide and fertile:: Maybe the city was located in the caldera of a supervolcano, like Yellowstone?
Lorana: No records although as I said earlier there are a lot of theories posed by Bajoran scientists. Given what we already know about the region we can rule out volcanic activity as a potential cause. There would be evidence of a volcanic eruption for tens of thousands of years. My leading theory at the moment is seismic activity related to a tectonic shift. It's likely to be extremely localised to this area.
T’Fearne: I’ve been thinking about how to get information without arousing too much suspicion. We could ask the children. They love to talk, show off their knowledge and tend to be honest, and the information they have is basic enough for us to build our understanding. We could ask what stories they have learned about B’Hala.
Nemes/Alieth: Response
From her position in their travelling formation, acting subconsciously as a rear guard and occasionally glancing behind them to see who was interested enough to follow them, the former Vulcazoid didn’t initially spot the Bajoran man with a bristling upper lip until he was trying to put his arms around Luxa. She thought for a moment that it looked like Dr Beck, but the commander made a swift gesture, and the stranger fell into a market stall, clattering against earthenware baking in the sun. She watched him carefully as they passed, the stall owner, an elderly gentleman, was scolding him for damaging his wares and reaching for a broom, but the man’s gaze remained fixed on them and an odd smile lit his eyes. She noted he seemed to be looking at Alieth in particular. She made a careful note of his appearance.
Bajoran Man: :: mustache twisting baddie voice :: Apologies priestess.
He sprinted away disappearing down a nearby lane, T’Feane made a careful note of his appearance.
Lorana: Let's just get out of here.
T’Fearne: I don’t like this. Even if the majority of Bajorans see us as figures to be respected, if some are overcome by their feelings and act with abandon towards us, it could be very difficult to tell the difference between a greeting and an attack. We should be careful.
As a security officer, she was not particularly worried about Alieth or Luxa, they were both seasoned starfleet officers and commanders. She stuck close to Nemes, who was like her a fresh faced ensign, but was possibly in a more delicate condition if the lady with the herbal tea was correct.
Nemes/Alieth: Response
((Eastern Temple, B'Hala, Kendra Province, Bajor))
The crowd of colourful Bajorans clustered in front of the temple parted for them, the occasional hand overcome by emotion fluttering out to reverently patt sleeves or quickly clasping a hand. It made T’Fearne very nervous, as with each brush, she expected her touch empathy to erupt strongly, but nothing happened, leaving her braced for nothing. She was sweating slightly and relieved when they broke through the crowd into a small courtyard adjoining two exquisite, large and ornate temples on either side.
All around the square, decorations were being prepared for a celebration. A group of children, at least one that she recognised from the healer’s house, were hanging colourful decorations around the square.
Lorana: I think we've found the party.
Seeing an opportunity, T’Fearne waved at the children and did her best to look friendly.
T’Fearne::: to the children:: Hanyu! What’s your name?
She only received giggles and a few shy looks. Planning to try to talk to them after whatever meeting they were about to have, T’Fearne turned her attention to the adults in the courtyard.
Nemes/Alieth: Response
Dana: Welcome Priestesses!
The woman who had greeted them earlier approached, her hands outstretched again. She was surrounded by Prylars and what appeared to be burly men with scythe-like weapons. She wore an orange-coloured gown that had been embroidered with flakes of gold that appeared to sparkle against the light around them.
Dana: I am Dana Rekha, the Vedek of this district, the voice of the Prophets :: she held her hands upwards to the sky :: The Kai of B'Hala awaits you within the Eastern Temple.
T’Fearne: I’m ensig— er, Ensa, Ensa Teefern. :: clearing her throat:: Thank you for your greeting.
Furiously trying to remember if there was a curtsy or gesture to make, T’Fearne stumbled over her name, adjusting it to something more appropriate. Hoping that their perceived priestess status might cause any irregularities to be overlooked. Her mother would have said “Confidence is faith in oneself” So she straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin, pulled her best daughter of a House of Betazed demeanour out and nodded respectfully.
T’Fearne: oO Mother would be thrilled. Oo
Nemes/Alieth/Luxa/Other: Response
As they headed towards the temple in the direction where she amusement the sun would rise she noticed several exquisitely carved murals with rough ideographic script composed of thick lines running vertically. She realised she could read this obscure and ancient Bajoran. Focusing on one fresco and its story she could tell it was a parable or teaching tale.
T’Fearne::: To Dana as they walked:: This is beautiful work, masterfully crafted. Is this a story that is taught commonly in B’Hala?
Nodding with faked regal approval as they entered the Eastern Temple.
Nemes/Alieth/Luxa/Other: Response
As they turned from the fresco to follow Vedek Dana deeper into the temple, the ground shook with another tremor. T’Fearne stepped close to one of the pillars, tugging Nemes' sleeve to come with her, trying to avoid any falling debris, but the temple seemed to be flexibly built. Curiously more resistant to the tremors than the common buildings they encountered throughout the city. The worst that happened was a tapestry shook loose from the wall and stiffly crumpled to the cool floor tiles. In the blank space on the wall, behind where the ancient tapestry hung, was a block of glyphs that looked much more recent and hastily scrawled. In red ink, it phonetically produced the sound “uh-MORE-un”, and T’Fearne instinctively knew it meant banished.
T’Fearne: Well, the Eastern Temple seems well-built.
Nemes/Alieth/Luxa/Other: Response
[[Tag, You’re It! / TBC]]
((OOC: 1Peldor Joi - Festival of gratitude greeting, Amoran “uh-MORE-un” - banished.))
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Ensign T'Fearne
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14