001 ∞ VIDEO

[toasterprophet]

[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.

Comments

[toasterprophet]

If I was predicting the fall of Troy, that might be a problem.

[doggedly]

Very droll. But you are meant to be in the business of predicting?

[toasterprophet]

I wouldn't call it a business. More of a defining trait.

[doggedly]

Oh, yes, the ladies must love that. You must go on loads of dates.

[toasterprophet]

Not as many as you, I'm sure.

Any reason you're trying to offend me, kid?

[doggedly]

Oh, can I say boredom, sir, or will that not be accepted? The truth of it is, I don't really care for seers and all that lot. Fortune telling is a watery profession.

[toasterprophet]

And you don't like to watch where you're going, do you.

[doggedly]

I prefer choosing where I'm going. Not having someone lay it all out for me in inarguable advance.

[toasterprophet]

Only God knows everything, and He rarely lays it all out that clearly. Even true prophets can be mistaken in the interpretation they set on their visions.

[doggedly]

Yeah, all right, the fogginess of the old Inner Eye, I've heard that one before. Only that's still implying that it's all laid out somewhere, even if you can't see it. That still negates the choosing of it.

[toasterprophet]

I don't see that it does. We all make choices without knowing exactly what will come, but also ones where we have a pretty good idea. Foresight isn't much different from an informed decision. You can choose to try to resist your destiny - many people do. And then find they didn't understand the prophecy in the first place.

Unless you're saying you can't bear the thought that a God both omniscient and omnipotent knows more about your life than you.