Lt. JG Zhanyt Lafizatar - Observations.

[Koihime Nakamura]

((Counselor’s Office, Deck 6 -- USS Veritas))

Navarro: Well… not knowing what has become of your sibling can be considered a loss.

Zhanyt nodded, relaxing a bit into the chair

Lafizatar: I was close to her, so it is something of an ongoing loss, yes.

Navarro: So how do you think your loss of temper will impact your observance of the Day of Remembrance?

Zhanyt thought for a moment before she shrugged

Lafizatar: It won't, since it's not really the place to reflect on that.

Callie listened carefully. She didn’t know much about the Mathenite and here was an opportunity to learn.

Navarro: How would you normally spend it?

Lafizatar: I build a shrine to my ancestors, often the simple one that is taught to children. I then light a set of candles - blue, blue, orange, violet, red, violet, green, to represent the constellation of the tree, to represent the life given to us by them. ::Her voice is falling into a cadence, a slightly less gaelic lilt entering as she tried to explain the sequence. :: Although, the stars are not quite violet or green, they are from the desert. You craft the image of the living stars surronding the shrine to represent where the ancestors go - as close as our hands can craft - and then thank them for their guidance, and reflect on how best to continue to honor their legacy in crafting your own.

Navarro: Response

Zhanyt thought for a moment before she explained, pacing a bit as she seemed to think of the best way to explain why she was a little agitated.

Lafizatar: There's an ancient Earth theologian who said something I feel important - The stars incline, but do not compel. Your choices in life are yours- they must be- but your ancestors whisper guidance - they shade the path, they provide providence - but you take the action. It is your actions that honor them. The stars are there to cheer you on - to push through the cold night, to give you warning. ::deep breath:: Sometimes, people ask their ancestors for things, but I feel that is.. irreverent. Your ancestors had to find their own way, aided by their ancestors. Asking them to improve yourself, to do more.. seems to be dependent on them. And I feel they want you to strive, and asking others for how to think, how to make your own decisions, does not. Just being your ancestor will not make you your own woman.

Navarro: Response

She shook her hair a bit, getting it out of her eyes, as she sat back down in her chair, her voice falling back from the lilt to her normal different lilt - something resemblanet of gaelic languages from Earth.

Lafizatar: My view is pretty normal for the tradition I have, I imagine, but like all faiths, there are multiple traditions. And it is true that our tradition reflects the Diserk value of self-reliance, of making our own way in the world, but it's largely that I'm alone in my faith here. Normally, if I was on a world with a community, we do it in communion with others. Just because you are self-reliant does not mean you can do it alone - you are to help others, not be a burden on them.

Navarro: Response

TAG TBC

Lt. Zhanyt Lafizatar

Science Officer

USS Veritas

C239112CA0