SoS B1 C6 X2: Bastet's Church
The town did not have much in way of ambitious buildings, but the church was as beautiful as one could imagine finding in a dead, backwater town on a dying, backwater planet. It was a hundred feet at highest spire, hewn from master masonwork, covered in definition statues dedicated to the pantheon. Statue saints held up statue aspirants held up statue monoliths held up statue pillars held up the roof.
Heavy oaken doors gave way to...
...an interior, remarkably domestic and clean. No corpses or anything. The prayer floor was clean, the rugs, mats, and cushions carefully stacked against the walls. The stained glass was aglow with the weak light of the sun outside, the only color in this town.
At the far wall was another statue like that outside, a statue of Bastet in her Andron Form -- A mixture of all Sazashi races rather than the features of just one. In her hands the statue held up a great golden ring.
In front of the statue was a podium with a book laid open on it.
In front of the podium was a small stone pillar, completely coated in red candle wax, with a burning candle atop it. The little orange flame flickered as the breeze from outside came in, but it remained resolute.
Allarah put her hand to her hip just over her gun. She looked to the others to do the same, and stepped in, "Hello?" She called in the least threatening way she could manage. "Is there anyone there? If there is, could you please come out? I promise you will not be harmed. Not here before Bastet."
She looked over, "My Saza is still rough. Tskhan, could you translate what I just said? Please." Someone had to be here... She hoped desperately that there was someone left, and it was painfully apparent in her tone. Allarah took her hand from her pistol as she cast her eyes about for any movement, malicious or otherwise.
Tskhan beckoned for his brothers and sisters to come out and they didn't mean them harm.
"What city do you come from, travelers," a voice asked in a tone of Ubiq that was broken along pronunciation but flowed over syllables. "Voshurr? Karim? Further? Nobody has visited Dessir in years."
The clunking of boots, the swinging of a door. A tall, hunched figure entered from the back room. He leaned on a golden staff, age in his fur and intellect in his eyes. He was a Shejlt, and by his garb a deeply religious one. "This city is no more than a memorial now. If you must plunder, plunder, but please leave me and my church out of it."
"I would never dare. This place is sacred, even to me. I am Allarah, this is Tskhan, and Immuena. We are representatives of the Federation, and this is Morkun, representative of the Pact. We aren't here for plunder per say... we're here for knowledge." She looked to Morkun, Tskhan, and Immuena, then bowed her head respectfully. "We came to find out what happened here, and collect supplies if the chance presented itself. May we enter further?" She pulled her arms clear of her body facing her palms toward him to show she wouldn't reach for her gun. "You and this place will not be harmed or robbed. I swear. We would also ask not to be harmed of course."
Tskhan followed Allarah's lead. As did Immuena.
"Of course," he said, leaning on his staff to draw himself up to his full height. His joints creaked and popped like old wood. "Forgive me, but I lack the amenities for proper hospitality, all I can offer is meager fire if you're cold, canned food if you're hungry."
He offered a moment to respond.
"I haven't heard of the Pact or Federation save for in old, old, old archives. You mean to tell me you're from off planet? The Banners are still around? When Saumai was left to its own all those hundreds of years ago it was thought that war had finally broken out, and the Banners had destroyed one another."
"There is still some tension between Banners, but nothing so severe any longer, unless you're looking at the Somnolent. Tensions are still high in regards to them." She stepped in and took in the scenery of the church. It was rare that she wouldn't be thrown out on sight. "You needn't worry over accommodating us, we are well off, but I thank you. May I ask your name, and if you are here alone?" She looked around once more before settling her gaze on him. She softened it as much as she could to not appear threatening, as she tended to when worried.
"I am Savanu Malor Tor Shiau," he said, taking a seat in a beaten old chair facing the pews and resting his staff against his shoulders. He offered them a seat as well. "I am the last living resident of Dessir for over a year now. I am its priest and undertaker." His eyes were a vivid shade of orange as he stared over each of them in turn.
Allarah accepted the seat with a solemn nod. "My sorrow for yours." She looked to her team to see what they would do, taking a moment to study Morkun, attempting to figure out what he made of this. She'd always trusted Aen's eyes more than her own.
Morkun was taking everything and giving back nothing. Savanu was staring at him with that famous fixed Shejt gaze.
Immuena broke from gazing at the infrastructure, smiled at Savanu, and sat. Many questions flooded her mind, but she refrained from expressing too much until given the okay from the others-- especially Allarah.
"No great event, but my friend died. He was a butcher back in the day. Dessir has been dying for years now. It was worst when we were at our largest, when the monsters and the ghosts attacked us en masse. Now, the monsters are nowhere to be seen and ghosts are rare. It's been a month since I've seen anything but empty town." He said. He leaned close to look at Tskhan. "Are you Rajhska?" He asked.
"Yes, I am. Why does that matter now?" Tskhan answered.
"Rajhska to Rajhska, it always matters," he said, bowing his head in respect. "Forgive me my curiosity, but I always suspected that if there were other Shejlt among the stars that Rajhska would remain strong through the ages."
"I can vouch for its strength. I've met many Rajhska in my travels." He smiled, "Though I can't say I've met many as diligent as you in practice. I may be able to guess the answer, but why didn't you leave when the settlement was moved beyond the gates of Vien? Was it simply to care for Bastet's church, or was there something else stopping you? Aid was sent... wasn't it?" His smile was replaced by a troubled stare.
Savanu's own smile faded as the topic shifted from the long-lived nature of Rajhska to that line of questioning. He shook his head. "Why would Karim care for Dessir? No, the gates of Vien were locked against us long ago, early into the fall of Saumai and her moons. The only aid came from the towns to the north, but that was short lived. I've heard nothing from them in a long time." He shifted his weight and grunted. "I am the priest of this town. I will maintain it until my death."
Allarah's eyes froze over. "Of course they didn't." She shot a loaded look to Morkun. "I'm sure you're weary of this topic, so thank you for bearing with us. I'm sorry, but if you'll please excuse me a moment, I'm going to check in with our crew." Though still cool, her eyes were warmer when she met Savanu's eyes. "Is there anything you need? Blankets, candles, food, water? We can't share much, but I'd like to help you if I may."
He inclined his head and gave a smile that was full of gratitude but devoid of joy. "You're travelers, aren't you? Exploring the planet? I'll expect you came from Karim, perhaps crossed over the mountains to avoid Vien? I appreciate the offer but I should be extending it to you."
"Aye we are and we greatly value your hospitality." Tskhan leaned in towards Savanu and spoke to him in Saza "-Listen, I can't change what has happened here but I want to help you in anyway I can. Perhaps we can help each other out. As my cohort mentioned earlier we're looking for supplies to continue our journey, particularly energy cells.-"
Trusting Tskhan to handle things, Allarah silently walked to a far corner of the church to check in with the crew and calm her nerves.
"-Those energy cells draw ghosts like nothing else. Most were destroyed when they attacked, and the rest I've left in houses along the edges of town. I can give you some addresses but you'll be visiting at your own risk, and I can't guarantee the ghosts haven't sapped them out as well.-" Savanu responded.
"-We're aware of their connection but you have my thanks for you're concern. Now is there anything we can do for you?-" Tskhan said.
He nodded. "-Leave. Tell your people to destroy this planet and burn it to cinders. All purity is gone from this place, all worth has been snuffed out.-"
Tskhan got up and sighed "-We'll see if they have what it takes to destroy a world.-"
"Come on Immuena let’s go plan where we should go first. Savanu was kind enough to agree to give us some locations that should have energy cells." As Tskhan addressed her Savanu refiled through his robes and handed over the delicate squares of aged parchment that held the aforementioned locations. Tskhan nodded his thanks and started for the exit. "Morkun we're heading out." He said before exiting the building.
"Uh... Morkun, could you translate what was said?" Immuena almost whispered. Standing, she bowed to Savanu, "Thank you for your hospitality, we are grateful. Let us know if you ever are in need."
Savanu inclined his head. "Good luck on the road, travelers. I'll keep the hearth warm should you return."
Morkun translated all as they left.
Allarah stepped back to Savanu, visibly more calm. "I apologize again for any unpleasantness. I have a more personal question to ask you before I leave... Given my race, I've never been welcomed in Bastet's church, so finding guidance has been a challenge." She wrung her hands a moment. "I'll not ask you to put yourself out but, if you know the location of any religions texts that I could read..." Her words came hesitantly. Clearing her throat she continued. "I need guidance and I don't know who else I can ask. I plan to stay in the town center tonight with my people if possible, and leave in the morning, so if you think of anything you need from me in return you need only ask. It would mean a great deal to me."
Savanu leaned forward, putting his weight into his staff and his frown. "I don't know if even six millennia can wash off the stains of blood on your hands, Faeo. Isn't it always the obsession of your kind that you cannot escape your own ancestry."
He was old and his fur was milky, but his eyes burned with penance flame as he stared up and into her eyes. He blinked, and the fire was gone. "If you're truly bent on appropriating our religion I'm sure you'll find copies of the secret texts in the homes and data drives of most of the local Sazashi, or among any Sazashi in your crew. Tskhan, perhaps?"
He scowled. Then "out of curiosity, what is it you need guidance on?"
"You're right. It is my curse to have been born what I am. I honestly think the Sazashi of old should not have shown my ancestors mercy. They were unworthy then, as their children, including myself, are unworthy now. I am shamed by my sophance, yet I cannot change the vessel that carries me and the tainted blood that sustains it. I wish to better myself. As for what I need guidance on... I need to know how to repent a past I cannot forget," she showed Savanu the scar on her arm, "and how to thank Bastet properly."
A soft smile played at her lips. "I am blessed in that, when my life would end, it was the kindness of Sazashi that prevented my death. In every instance, from when I was a child starving in the Federation, to my first archaeological dig, and again when I was thrown from a church by some very reasonably angry Sheljt-Ra. If it was truly the interference of Bastet that delayed my death, I have to give thanks in any way I can. If not, I'll thank her for the life I have regardless."
He inclined his head, expression softening. "You'll find the answers you seek, Bastet favors those who face their problems head on and without fear." There was still a trace of distaste in his gaze, a measured clip to his tone, but there was also some respect there.
She bowed deeply. "I am blessed again to have met you. May the Wheel and the Ladies keep you safe Savanu Malor Tor Shiau."
"May you and yours lead long and healthy lives and may She be your guide, the Wheel your light."
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