| [IC] Intersection of Faiths |
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The Stoinians looked frowned at Parrakas. Just what exactly would these xenos look like? Stoinia and Pax Dracon had agree to a gradual visa system. Over time more and more species of the Drakari Imperium would be able to travel to Stoinia. The Ryccian government saw this as a racist policy which they couldn't abide by. Since then there have been a few instances of racist interactions, which the Stoinian government did its best to prevent it. The Drakari, in their ever patient nature, agreed to the Stoinian policy. Thus the species like the Drakari, Sinthari, Yapatha and Drakari Terrans were allowed. Others like the Cariscoid and Sosans were deemed to confusingly with the Mardakii and Qoxex, two species the Stoinians had crusaded against. The Sinthari were reluctantly accepted though their appearance might confuse some zealous Stoinians that they were demons.
"Please Parrakas, we've all been informed. Besides we're all religious individuals who believe God created Terrans in his image. Why should it have been different with other species?" There was some unease amongst the Stoinian delegation, but now was not the time to polarize the situation. The goal of this festival was to build bridges and understand both sides on a religious level. So far Granthi Singh, Imam al-Din and High Wanderer Agorix seemed all on the same page. The festival was promising, but Patriarch Abebe was prepared for any fearful incidents. Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
"Wisely put, Patriarch. I merely deemed it prudent to at least give advanced warning, is all." The Ecclesiarch raised a hand placatingly, his smile apologetic.
Augurius looked like he was about to speak, only for his ever-fidgety attention to be drawn behind him. "AH! Sinthari delegation here. Excellent!" Near the entrance of the amphitheater, a figure of crimson skin, greying black hair, the tips of his ears just peeking beyond those greying strands, and of Human size and shape strode in, clad in dark violet and gold robes, decorated in runic script. His expression seemed to indicate he was either a stickler for tradition, or that he had never smiled a single time in his life, accentuated by the spurs that stood in place of eyebrows and the fleshy tendrils that hung downward near his lips. Behind him stood two others of his kind, standing just over two meters in height and carrying a ceremonial poleaxe, the blades shaped in an almost crystalline manner. "Ecclesiarch, it is good to see you again." "Likewise, Lord Ikoral." Agorix subtly rolled her eyes as she whispered to Singh. "Great. They had to send the one Kitsai with no sense of humor..."
Patriarch Abebe couldn't help but feel a cold shiver going down his spine. Most of the Stoinian delegation felt a similar feeling, though they were good at hiding it. From the initial looks of it, it appeared to be some sort of red Cheunh. Though those tendrils were clear distinctions from the species the Stoinians had grown friends with. While a bit scared, all Stoinians present hoped to overcome this fear.
"Welcome to Paragon Lord Ikoral. I'm Patriarch Derartu Abebe, your humble host. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here." The Patriarch smiled with confidence. He had learned to mask his emotions well from previous interactions with annoying members within the church. Granthi Singh turned towards Agorix and replied in a jokingly tone with no malintent. "Well, perhaps it's a good thing that they are within your nation and not ours. Humor is a very important aspect after all." He was sure the Sinthari would explain what these Kitsai were. The rest of the delegation was equally curious to this red creature. Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
Ikoral would turn his piercing red eyes to the assembled Stoinians, his stern expression unchanging even as he bowed respectfully. "I look forward to your hospitality, Patriarch Abebe. As chosen representative of the Kitsai priests for this... exchange, I am happy to share my knowledge."
His guards remained silent, even as they slowly relaxed their grip on their axes. Where their charge seemed thin (no doubt due to his lineage), one could not fault them for looking being compared to mythological Terran heroes in terms of their build. Both, however, seemed to have more than their fair share of spurs and ridges upon their cheekbones, jawlines, and brows. Even their forelimbs seemed to sport a set of bony ridges. "Do not be alarmed by the Mansatzis. Their sense of obedience and discipline is second only the Drakari's legionnaires, even with their ferocity. Especially those who have pledged their service to my House." The red priest waved a clawed hand nonchalantly, his lips quirking up for a fraction of a second with what could only be described as genuine pride.
The Stoinians didn't know what to think of them, even the Patriarch seemed perplexed. They all assumed they were some sort of caste base society, which was quite rare within all of Stoinian societies. Only the Shikokan culture had something similar, but one could easily change from caste however. It was a core ideal of the Stoinian Religious Reforms by the Philosopher-King Andrei I after all. Every Terran should be able to arise to the highest orders. While some clergical roles were still only allowed for males, the spirit of those reforms are still felt to this day. And if anyone felt it, it was the prideful Pontifex Gnaeus Barbatius Taurinus. He grazed his beard with his right hand after taking a sip of wine. Finally he stepped forward and reached out his hand, shaking his golden armbands in am effort to emulate the Sinthari spurs. His white toga coloured with red pattern seemingly imitated the Sinthari's skin colour.
"Pontifex Gnaeus Barbatius Taurinus. Forgive my curiosity, but might I inquire what these Kitsai and Mansatzis are exactly? Am I perhaps mistaken in assuming they are some sort of caste?" Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
"You are in fact NOT mistaken, Pontifex," Ikoral nodded faintly as he reciprocated Gnaeus' gesture. "There are three castes for my people, though more an indicator of lineage rather than the hard-set, birth-determined roles they were in the past: the Kitsai are the foremost scholars and priests, the Mansatzis form the bulk of our warriors, and the Zukuru our merchants and artisans. However, nowadays all groupings are upon equal social footing due to the formation of the Great Houses and the High Council some millennia ago."
The crimson-skinned alien released the man's hand, his fingers steepling downward towards the ground. "For example, in terms of both my bloodline and my chosen education, I am one such Kitsai."
"Ah so a caste based upon willingly following traditions and bloodlines then? I take it you Sinthari are also quite religious yourself then?"
Pontifex Taurinus was curious, though perhaps his tone wasn't quite as diplomatic. He figured they faced such criticism every now and then. Besides if it backfired, the Shintoïst Priestess Nakamura would be there to draw parallels with her culture. Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
"More or less. Some of the Great and Lesser Houses are more devout, others more secular." Ikoral could feel a twitch of irritation in his left cheek tendril, too subtle for the humans to notice, as he brought up what he viewed as the more blasphemous families. "However, one thing remains a constant among all, regardless of whether or not we revere a god or gods: our reverence for our ancestors."
"<Your pardon, Lord Ikoral,>" Nervan signed to the Sinthari, "<But are there not sects among the Kitsai families who still practice the Old Arts?>" "That is... a complicated topic. But rest assured I shall gladly indulge any inquiries of mysticism as time wears on."
The Stoinians weren't sure what the black cladded Drakari had asked or replied with its signs. However, it appeared it will resolve itself with time. Miko Nakamura herself now stepped forward.
"I see, quite similar to my own Shikokan culture. Perhaps even our faiths would be alike each other. I'm certainly looking forward to our talks." The Priestess bowed respectfully with her hands in her wide black sleeves, revealing a large knot nearly encompassing her entire back. A new wave of people appeared in the crowd of the market. Patriarch Ababe had studied his guests beforehand and knew who would follow. "Ah, these must be the Yapatha coming towards us." Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
Sure enough, a trio of unearthly beautiful and willowy individuals, easily over six feet in height could be seen entering the amphitheater, clad in white and red robes embroidered with a ten-pointed golden star that flowed as gracefully as they moved. At first glance, they could be easily mistaken for an ordinary Human until the bronze-toned (if not almost metallic-hued) skin, bright and long silver hair, and monochrome eyes came further into view. Between serene smiles and gentle gait, one would be forgiven for mistaking the lot of them for angels come down from Heaven.
The figure at their head stepped forward, her smile widening softly as she spread her arms, a pair of dainty, four-fingered hands that seemed unblemished and uncalloused open to the Terrans as if to embrace them. "Hail to you," the alien woman's voice came with a slight flanging, "brothers and sisters of faith among the stars. Praised be the Light of the cosmos in its never-ending creation." And embrace them she did soon afterwards, her grip stronger than her willowy frame would suggest. First the Stoinians would be wrapped in the hug, then the Drakari. Even the Sinthari would not be spared the embrace; the Mansatzis smiled widely, whereas Lord Ikoral merely stiffened, his eyes wide with confusion at the affectionate holy woman, his cheeks flushing a dark maroon. |
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