As you dock with the Axiom's rear hangar, you are greeted by men and women wearing religious robing. They gently guide you to the forward section of the hangar where a rather large door opens to reveal a long passageway. The passage is decorated inside to look like a passage you would see in a Temple leading from a Temple's main gate to its inner sanctum.
"Come this way, dear pilgrims. The High Priestess is waiting on the other side of the door at the end of the passage." says one of the robed faithful.
You and and the group of pilgrims walk at a steady pace, taking in the decorations that are out of place considering you are inside a ship. Eventually after 10 minutes of walking, you reach the end of the passage. There another set of doors open up, to reveal a brightly lit chamber behind them.
You step into the Temple. The inner walls are decorated to look like a vast sky, giving the Temple the illusion of floating. You briefly forget that you are inside a ship as the way the Temple Chambers were constructed to realistically give you the impression that you have just entered a floating sky temple. Your amazement however is interrupted at the sound of a woman singing what sounded like a lullaby. The lyrics were indecipherable but it reverberated within you. It was a gentle melody, which naturally drew your gaze to the centre of the Chamber. There in front of a large statue, was a single woman, dressed different from the rest of the faithful. Her robe had a white hood that draped over the the back of her black dress. The back of her dress was shaped to look like a pair of butterfly wings.
You and the rest of the pilgrims immediately knew who she was. It was the venerated High Priestess that you heard about when you first landed on the Axiom. The group pauses their walk, with all eyes on the High Priestess and she sings. After a couple of minutes she reaches the climax of her song and then finishes. Her eyes open and her gaze shifts towards the group of pilgrims.
In a gentle but almost ethereal voice she addresses the group.
"Welcome to the Axiom's Temple of the Light. My hope is that you will find your stay here welcoming, enlightening and that you may find salvation. Please don't feel the need to stand on ceremony. We are all followers of the Light. My role is simply to sing their Songs."
After she spoke, you could feel the people around you become more relaxed. But before anyone could move, she spoke again.
"Please wait for a moment, I will ask one of the Maidens to give you a brief overview of the Temple of the Light and as well as the Axiom. There is a matter that requires my urgent attention, so I must leave you temporarily. But I will return once I am done to tell you what the Songs of the Light are, and how members of the Faith are expected to conduct themselves. For now, please relax, feel free to explore the temple, and listen to the Maiden who'll be giving you a tour of the Temple and its Facilities."
She bows before the group, turns around and walks towards a door where a plaque above it was marked "INNER SANCTUM".
Your attention is once again grabbed when you hear the voice of a young woman talk to the group.
"Greetings fellow Pilgrims. I am the Maiden assigned to give you a tour of the ship, the temple and its facilities."
She bowed before the group before turning around and, beckoning to the group to follow her, walks towards a passage marked "RESIDENTIAL AREA".
OORP//:That's the end of that post. I apologise for the lengthy introductions. But basically, this thread is for those interested in joining in the RP. Having actually met and talked with the High Priestess ingame would be even better for your post in this thread.
Somewhere within the Axiom, Nina Rodriguez has been transported to a chamber. She was unconscious after what happened. Two nomads showed up and because of her pride, Nina decided to fight and not to run. After a dangerous action, Nina's ship has been destroyed and one of the nomad as well. After this, the Axiom tractored Nina's pod and the crew found her unconscious. They brought her to a chamber and let her rest. After some hours, Nina woke up. Her head hurted her. ''Where... Where am I?'' The place was unknown to her.
Then, the door opened and a woman appeared. She was wearing a religious robing. After a brief observation, Nina understood she was onboard of the Axiom.
It has been 3 days since the Axiom arrived in Roussillon.
The High Priestess is busy reading through research data that they acquired with their encounter with the strange Nomads in the system 3 days prior that left her with a rather peculiar guest upon the Axiom.
*****3 Days Earlier*****
The High Priestess watches from her bridge as their peculiar escort, Nina Rodriguez who decided of her own volition to accompany them to Roussillon was getting agitated by the presence of the Nomads who did not immediately attack them. It was the first time Bianca had seen Nomads who just sat there watching them.
When one of the Nomads began singing, Bianca had only one thought in her mind. "This is peculiar. They sound exactly the same as the songs I hear in my dreams. I'll need to investigate this in greater detail when Mrs.Nina is not with the Axiom."
After Nina warned the Axiom that they need to leave the System, the Nomads began attacking. Bianca ordered the Axiom to hover above Battleship Pamiers for safety as the Axiom had no weapons of her own. Nina engaged the Nomads and was holding her own well. After what seemed like an eternity of holding their breath, Nina and one of the Nomads destroyed eachother. The Nomad having died but Nina's escape pod had jettisoned in time.
"Tractor in Mrs.Nina's escape pod immediately!" Bianca ordered the bridge crew of the Axiom.
The Axiom tractored in Nina's escape pod before turning its bow towards the remaining Nomad.
"Please ensure that Mrs.Nina is taken to the infirmary immediately and given treatment if there are any injuries that need it."
Prepared for the Nomad's attack, instead it pulled away. And then spoke to Bianca. She felt as if she could hear it directly inside her mind and not through her ears. The Nomad and Bianca exchanged many words, this exchange between them ended in the Nomad telling Bianca that they'll tolerate her presence within Roussillon and that they will be watching her out of curiosity. Bianca breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"The Light has guided us through yet another trial." She got up from her chair on the Bridge and walked towards the elevator.
"Helm, keep the ship in a holding pattern near the Battleship Pamiers as well as request for any data on the Jump Hole we flew past earlier that they might have. You may offer them compensation for the information. I'm sure the Maquis won't say no to a donation to their cause."
Bianca pressed the button for Deck 3 where the Infirmary was, the elevator doors closed behind her and then began its descent.
"Why was there this sense of familiarity with the Nomad I spoke to. And the other one that was destroyed sang similar songs to what I normally hear when I sleep...."
"This requires further investigation. For now we'll probe the Maquis and any other factions in Roussillon for information and at the end of the Week return to Omicron Gamma so that Mrs.Nina can make it safely back to her home."
The Elevator stops at Deck 3 and the doors open allowing Bianca to step into the corridor and begin walking to the Infirmary. After arriving at the door to the infirmary, Bianca opens the door to see Nina sitting upright but somewhat dazed. Most likely suffering from the aftereffects of a concussion.
"I see you have awoken. It is a pleasure to meet you face to face Mrs.Rodriguez."
Bianca extended some pleasantries with a curtsey before speaking up again not allowing Nina to talk.
"Before you ask, you are aboard the Axiom. Your ship was unfortunately lost in the action so we tractored in your escape pod. So I will offer you a choice Mrs.Rodridguez. You may either remain here on the Axiom for the remaining 6 days while I conduct some research into the Origins of the Songs I hear as well as while we a memorial ceremony for the souls who lost their lives on Planet Toulouse, or you may send a message back to Planet Crete asking for your allies to come and fetch you once you have recovered. What say you? This is the perfect opportunity for you to observe our faith upclose as you were rather eager to see how my songs can bring salvation to the pilgrims who hear it."
Bianca extended her hand towards Nina.
"Won't you join us for this little bit and see how people who have discarded their weapons and rely on their faith towards The Songs of the Light to guide them?"
She gave a sincere smile waiting for Nina's response.
Nina finally looked at the woman and it was Bianca. She barely listened what she told her. When she saw that the priestess offered her hand, the young woman took the hand. Then, she took a better look of the woman before her and it was enough to have a good opinion. Nina found her that she can be trusted else, she wouldn't bring Nina here. ''Can you bring me back to Crete?'' It was the only thing she said. As Bianca could see, Nina was not really there. Her head was still spinning a bit.
''Who... who are you? Where am I?'' She was clearly confused.
"I'll call over the medical team to give you an examination as well as treatment for your concussion. When you're feeling better and have your bearings, just let the medical staff know. I'll then send Mari to bring you to the Axiom's Inner Sanctum where I'll be waiting. Our encounter with the Nomads have left me with much to think about. As well as my preparations for the ceremony in three days."
Bianca retracted her hand and gave a slight bow before turning around and walking towards the door. She stopped halfway through the door and looked back to the dazed Nina.
"May the Light Guide you to your destiny."
She then turned to face the hallway and walked out. The Door closed behind her, leaving a confused Nina even more confused than ever. Bianca knew it was rude of her to leave Nina like that, but she had a bunch of thoughts running through her mind, her encounter with the Strange Nomads had clearly shaken her. And she began questioning herself, her faith and the origin of her dreams once more. She needed to head to the Inner Sanctum so that she could sort through her thoughts or else she won't be able to have her mind focused on the ceremony in 3-days time as well as giving Nina a proper introduction.
She lifts a comm close to her mouth and presses the button on it.
"This is the High Priestess to the Medical team. Please report to the sickbay to take care of our new guest. She's clearly confused right now and likely has a concussion. Please keep me informed of her status. I'll send Mari to fetch her when she's recovered. There's much I need to discuss with Mrs.Rodriguez while she is aboard the Axiom. May the Light Guide Us All."
"Yes High Priestess, we're already on our way to the sickbay."
Bianca reaches the private elevator that leads directly into the Inner Sanctum. Access to this Elevator was limited only to Bianca herself, her Provisional Priestess Mari and maintenance staff. She calls for the elevator, while she waits for the elevator to reach her floor 8 decks above the Inner Sanctum, she begins to sort her thoughts.
Her train of thoughts was interrupted when the elevator arrived and a young girl wearing a Priestess' outfit exited.
"Good day Mari." Bianca greeted Mari. She hadn't seen her since they entered Roussillon since Mari was tasked with attending to the Pilgrims in Bianca's place.
"Oh, Mother Bianca, good day!"
Mari greeted her eagerly, she hadn't been expecting Bianca to be here so soon and was heading up to the Bridge to go see how she was doing.
"Are the Pilgrims settled in?"
"Yes, they're settled in. They were startled to see the Nomads outside but are now enjoying a meal in the Temple's mess hall."
"That's good. I'll attend to the Pilgrims tomorrow, today's events have left me somewhat perplexed and my mind is a mess right now with a lot of thoughts. The Corsair pilot we tractored in, Mrs.Rodriguez is currently recovering from her injuries incurred during her fight with that Nomad. When the time comes I want you to bring her to the Inner Sanctum. There's much that we need to discuss."
Bianca gave Mari a smile before patting her on the head. Mari looked down shyly but she had a warm smile on her face. The High Priestess gave her an important task which made her happy.
"Yes, Mother Bianca. I'll bring Mrs.Rodriguez to the Inner Sanctum. Should I bring her through this elevator or through the temple?"
Mari wanted to know beforehand which route she would take.
"Bring her through the Temple. I want her to see what the Axiom has to offer, and how our faithful and the Pilgrims who come to us conduct themselves as well as to see the people who my songs have brought salvation to. Do you want to join me in the Inner Sanctum and have some tea? I want to hear your opinions on what I encountered thus far."
"Okay, through the Temple. I would love to join you, there is something I have been meaning to ask you since we arrived in Roussillon."
With that settled, Bianca and Mari walked into the elevator and went down to the Inner Sanctum.
Because of her confusion, Nina laid down on the bed again. Her thoughts were messy but she decided to sleep for some hours to recover a bit more. After six hours, Nina woke up and she was now herself. This time, she listened what the priestess told her. ''I feel better doc.'' The corsair was walking around within the chamber waiting for someone because the doctor left the room to inform that Nina was awake and felt better. While she was waiting, Nina remembered a name: ''Mari''. She wondered who was it.
It took some hours and someone entered within the room. Nina looked at the stranger while she was sitting on the bed. ''You must be Mari, si? The priestess told me she will send you to search me once I feel better.''
Bianca was busy mulling through her thoughts trying to make sense of what had transpired earlier in the day when she was interrupted with a beep on the comm.
"High Priestess, your guest has awoken and stated that she is fine."
Hearing this Bianca looked up at the main entrance to the Inner Sanctum.
"Good news, I'll send Mari to fetch her shortly. Thank you for informing me."
"You're welcome, High Priestess."
The comm clicks off. Bianca stands up from her seat at the table and looks at Mari who is reading a book on the couch near the elevator.
"Mari?"
Mari didn't notice her call out to her. She was too absorbed in the book.
"Mari!"
Mari jumped when Bianca rose her voice.
"Yes...?" she asked meagerly looking at Bianca.
"Mari, I apologise for raising my voice, but you were too absorbed in the book to hear me. Mrs.Rodriguez has awoken. The physician in the infirmary said she's fine. Can you bring her to me? I need to get ready to receive her here. Remember to bring her through the temple entrance."
"Yes, Mother Bianca. I'll be on my way then. Do you think she might become another follower?"
Mari asked while she slipped a bookmark into the book and closed it before putting it down on the table infront of her.
"I don't know. Its possible she might, or she might not. What I am certain of is she'll become an indispensable friend of the Axiom in the future. If she wants to become a follower or join our faith will be entirely up to her and what the Light shows her."
Bianca gave a motherly smile before walking over to the door in the back of the Inner Sanctum.
"I'll be off then. It should take us an hour to reach here since I'll be taking her through the Temple's entrance."
Mari waved to Bianca before walking into the elevator. Bianca waved back watching as the elevator door closed, she then took her own leave through the door in the back room.
It didn't take long for Mari to stand infront of the infirmary door. She mentally readied herself and then opened the door.
Inside Nina was standing in the middle of the room, waiting for Mari's arrival. The Mari that came to fetch Nina however was a young girl who war a nun habit. Although she stylised it herself to look like two cat ears were under the hood. She tried the look out one day and Bianca called her cute because of it, so she's been wearing it like that every day since then.
"Welcome to the Axiom, Mrs.Rodriguez. I am Mari Iochi, and I am a Priestess in Training who serves as High Priestess Bianca's Temple Maiden and works directly with her."
She introduced herself while taking a polite bow.
"The High Priestess is waiting for you within the Temple's Inner Sanctum. She instructed me to take you through the Temple Doors, so it'll be some time before we arrive in the Inner Sanctum. If you have any questions regarding the Axiom, or the Temple that was constructed in its forward Hangar Bays, don't hesitate to ask. Shall we be off then? The High Priestess is preparing for your arrival as we speak."
Mari held out her arm towards the door, indicating that Nina should exit before her.
Nina came closer to Mari and brought her right hand on her left shoulder. ''Si, but call me Nina. Mrs Rodriguez makes me feel older and I am just twenty.'' Before to leave the room, Nina smirked and with the same hand she had on Mari's shoulder, she patted Mari's head just to tease her. Then, Nina Rodriguez left the room. ''I will follow you. I never been here so I don't know the ship like I know Crete. Also... what's your story?'' She said while she was in the corridor waiting for Mari. Before she let the young priestess talk, Nina broke the silence and brought her hands to her head and imitated to have what Mira had on the head. ''Why do you have those things on the head?''
Mari followed Nina out of the Infirmary and then took the lead towards the central elevator shaft that would take them close to the main hangar which leads to the Temple's entrance.
"Before I answer your questions. I'll be taking you to the Temple's entrance as I said before. Its a bit of a walk so we'll have enough time for me to answer your first question. But I'll answer your second question now." she said.
In doing so she took off her hood and turned it inside out to reveal a hairband sowed to the top of the hood with a pair of cat ears attached to it. The hood was skillfully shaped to form around the cat ears. After showing Nina she put the hood back on.
"These are fake cat ears that I wore for fun one day to try and lighten the High Priestess' mood when she was depressed after one of her followers decided to take their own life. She told me it was cute and that I should always wear them. So I've worn them under my hood since then. They seem to bring joy to some of the other depressed pilgrims who come here from extreme poverty or war-torn worlds. Oh we turn left here."
Mari and Nina turned left into another passageway which had a lead to a large room.
"As for your first question... hmm... It's hard to answer that one since my story has two beginnings and has already ended once. I'll begin with telling you my purpose on the Axiom. After the High Priestess saved me a year ago, I began serving here on the Axiom under her. My training and education is overseen directly by her, and I owe my entire life to her. Its thanks to her that I got a second chance at living. As such I usually see to caring for the Pilgrims, showing them around the Temple, explaining the concept of the Songs of the Light, and I even sing for them from time to time. Although my songs don't have the effect on the Pilgrims as they do when the High Priestess sings them, nor can I hear them in my sleep like she does. But my singing makes the Pilgrims and Faithful happy, so I'll keep going. I also see to ensuring the High Priestess' life is a little easier by cooking and cleaning for her and I also keep her company or brainstorm with her when her mind is occupied."
Mari paused a bit in what she was saying before looking back at Nina.
"I guess that's what I do here. The High Priestess treats me like her daughter and she's like a mother to me. So I guess you could sum up our relationship like that. Oh, looks like we're here."
Mari gave a warm smile before pointing at the massive elevator in the centre of the room.
"This is the central elevator shaft. This will take us to the Temple's entrance corridor. I will tell you the rest as we descend."
Mari pressed the button to call the elevator. This was the first time she had ever spoken with a Corsair. She was a little nervous but was relieved when Nina was harsh with her. She still wasn't comfortable around unlawfuls due to her past.
While they were walking, Nina listened carefuly what the priestess was saying. She kept silence and looked at the places where they were passing by. In a way, it was interesting to see something else than just dust and rocks of Crete. Then, she broke the silence. ''So... you are just a domestic, si? I'm sure you can be more than that, senora. And... Si, your fake ears are cute...'' she said a bit uncomfortable to compliment Mari. Nina Rodriguez never complimented anyone before. Especially due of her hard childhood. Her parents were not the best ones. Nina was treated like an animal.