ataraxion | 001 ∞ VIDEO

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001 ∞ VIDEO

[He's been lurking on the networks since his arrival, reading everything he can get his hands on, but no sign of that shows in his expression. (Better to show trust and goodwill towards his fellow passengers by showing his voice and face. He's wearing the uniform, in order to foster a sense of common ground among those who haven't got other clothes.) Leoben smiles, calm and candid.]

Hi. I'm new here, and it seems to be the custom to introduce yourself. I'm Leoben.

I was wondering - does anyone have any religious texts they'd be willing to share? Or any works on prophecy, divination, or philosophy? Seems like my universe has some things in common with most of yours, but a lot that's different. I'd be glad to know more about other people's faiths, and to introduce them to mine.

I've got a complete copy of the Sacred Scrolls of the Twelve Colonies, and I can provide a digitized copy to anyone who's interested. [He says this as though it's normal, as though it's not blasphemous to set the Sacred Scrolls in print instead of keeping them handwritten, besides being abhorrent for scripture to be in the hands of a Cylon.] Our faiths are similar, but the Colonials look to many gods, while we look to one. It's a little complicated.

I'm very happy to have this opportunity to learn more about such a diverse group of people - human and non-humans of all kinds, their cultures and beliefs - and to spread God's word, in accordance with His holy will, among you all. [He seems to actually mean this, and to be downright thrilled to find himself captive on a creepy half-abandoned spaceship adrift in the stars.]

And Kara? I'd love to see you, whenever you've got the time.

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....You were there when I collapsed out of that odious tube were you not?

I came along a minute later, yeah. You're feeling better? [Better than unconscious?]

I am, though that is saying very little.

I must offer my gratitude to whoever it was that brought me to my chambers. The pillow fort that was built around me is also appreciated.

If I see the other two around I'll be sure to pass that along.

What is this fascination you have with faith?

You prattle with the enthusiasm of a prophet.

Thank you.

Faith is the central fact of my life.

And what higher power is it that calls to you?

The Colonials call him 'the one whose name must not be spoken."

A strange practice, but not unheard of.

Is your god prone to appearing before those who speak his name or does he find that he has many enemies across your pantheon?

Perhaps both?

They might have some kind of superstitious fear of Him. They look to many gods, or none, and tend to either deny his existence or call Him a force of evil. Though that probably has a lot to do with their relationship with my people.

From my point of view, He has no name because no name could hope to define Him.

[There's a faint rumbling; a sound of amusement. This sort of thing fascinates Loki.]

Many are the unwise fools who toss about such words as "monster" and "evil" to describe that which is far beyond their comprehension. Political squabbles also cause nations to look upon each other's pantheons with scorn, which is why myths are so often misleading.

I wonder, would you use a name if you knew one? The wise god does not allow himself to be caged by mere epithets.

Over the course of my long life I have been many things to many people: Loki, the Lie-Smith, Brother, the Sly God, Son of Laufey, Scarlip, Son of Odin, Shape-Changer, The Sea-Thread's Father, and Sky-Traveler. But I have also been none of these things for none of these titles truly define me.

You can't really separate the history of my kind and our 'political squabbles' with the Colonies from our faith. Belief that we, too, were God's children, and had as much soul and life as our creators, was what caused us to rebel.

We're all many things to many people. I've used different names for different purposes. And as for gods - if I were human, and worshipped their Lords, I might hold an image of Artemis or Aphrodite in my hands to pray, and feel that the idol was both holy and meaningful, and only the most distant, fractional representation of the goddess to whom I sent my prayers. And both would be true.

But the One God has no name and needs no idols, as a reminder that He encompasses all that exists. And other gods - and every mortal soul - are all fractions of Him in the same way a small statue is a piece of a god you can hold in your hand.

A God above Gods. Such beings have existed, 'tis so. The ones I knew did not meet a fortunate end.

Do you believe that you, too, are an aspect of your god? Are you one devout man amongst many or do you spread his word because you feel he has given you divine purpose?

[quirk of a smile] ...Yes. [All of the above.]

I'm one of many copies. All the Twos - the Leobens - have the gift of prophecy, and seek to use it and better know God's plan, in the hope of serving Him better. And other models, my brothers and sisters, are...and were...devout in their own ways. Even some of the humans have come to believe in the One God.

The gift of prophecy can be both boon and curse. Some men prefer not to know where their destiny lies, and draw strength from a belief that their ultimate fate is dictated by their own free will.

So I've been told. Don't really see it, myself - I've never felt restricted by the idea of God's plan, because I know and believe it to be much greater than I could ever imagine. And I've got a pretty good imagination. And destiny is...

[Pause.] Well, it's not always easy to understand, or to face. But I've come to think God doesn't always want us to be happy, compared to other things.

Nobody is ever always happy, and a wise god must surely know this. Too much light and too much darkness both lead to blindness.

To be able to feel one, a person must have experienced the other. 'Tis the darkness that allows us to see the light's true radiance, is this not so?

Or at least to appreciate it, and the value of our own lives.

I believe that those who have never tasted suffering can never truly know happiness.

Does your One True God bring such suffering? Come, speak, I would know more of him.

He brings all things, including suffering.

What do you want to know?

You offered to introduce us to your faith.

Do so.

All right.

Are you alive?

I am.

[Though he doesn't want to be.]

Prove it.

There is a saying in Midgard: "I think, therefore I am".

I am possessing of a consciousness and so I know I exist. My lungs breathe and my heart-such as it is-beats so I know I live.

Though I suspect you are aiming for a less literal response.

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