thenearshore | A little research

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A little research

Who: Forrest and Leo
When: July 25
Where: Library in the Far Shore
What: Mission #23

[Forrest has decided that he wants to find out more about Lakshmi, her followers, and the festivals celebrated in her name. He knows a little from his own readings, but he's going to need to familiarize himself with the deeper meaning of it all if he's going to keep answering prayers from people like Priya. And Leo is the perfect study buddy, since he's definitely more skilled at sifting through large amounts of information than Forrest. It's also just a nice way for the two of them to spend time together.]

Thank you for coming to help with my research, father.

[Smiling, he sets a few books on Hinduism down on the table in the corner of the library.]

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Of course. I'm interested in learning about your....religion? as well.

[Religion is probably the wrong word but it works for now. He has commandeered one of the library computers and is searching through their journal databases.]

Besides, I only recently learned that this world has academic journals and I'm honestly excited to see what sort of information they might have.

...Yes, I've never really been sure what to call it either.

[Forrest smiles a little awkwardly, opening up one of the books.]

Where should we start?

What about a nameday, or something? Surely she has one or something as good as one.

Hmm...

[Forrest flips through the pages.]

I don't see anything directly named after her, but there does appear to be a festival called Diwali that's dedicated in her name.

Diwali....

[Leo turns to the computer and starts typing.]

Begins in the fall, also known as Dipawali. It seems that why it's celebrated, other than worshiping Lakshimi, depends on where you are in India or if you're a "Hindu", "Jain", "Buddhist", or "Sikh".

It looks like it's a festival of lights to celebrate the victory of good over evil and hope over despair.

[Forrest smiles at the idea as he holds up his book to let Leo see. There are a lot of pictures of colorful lights and lanterns.]

I've heard of Hindu and Buddhist, but what are Jain and Sikh...?

Just your sort of party, then.

[His bright, cheerful son.

....who Leo would not be surprised is incredibly ruthless, but that's not important.

More typing.]

Jainism appears to be a religion focused on "victory in crossing over life's stream of rebirths through an ethical and spiritual life" and seems to be an ascetic tradition. Sikhism looks like it'd take much more than a simple internet search to understand, but a quick glance gives me the impression it's a bit more spiritual than strictly religious. Of course I may be totally wrong about both of those, but.

Yes, it seems like it would go along quite well with dressing in brightly colored outfits.

[Ruthless on the runway, perhaps. In battle, not so much.]

That's a lot to take in... maybe I should spend some more time studying that as well. I didn't know there were so many variations of faith among Lakshmi's followers.

They all seem to come from the same region, so that may have something to do with it. Do you have any idea which came first?

No, I'm not sure. I'd only heard of Lakshmi as being from the Hindu pantheon before today, so I didn't think to do that sort of research.

[He flips through the book he's holding a bit more.]

But it looks like there's at least one other important festival associated with her, too...

[There's a pause as he scans the page. This one is difficult to pronounce. It comes out slowly, syllable by syllable.]

...Mahalakshmi Vrata. This one looks more like a personal ritual that married women perform in their own homes, to pray for prosperity in their families.

[There's a pause before Leo shakes himself]

Sorry, for a moment there I was distracted by the idea of a wedding and how much lace there would be in yours.

You say that as if I don't already have dozens of sketches of what my wedding dress will look like.

[Forrest giggles a little.]

I trust there's some Nohrian purple in there?

[He smiles a little]

At least purple roses?

Of course! The bridal bouquet is centered around them.

[He planned that too.]

Although if I were to get married here, I may wear a sari instead.

[If that were a thing. Hypothetically. Calling no attention whatsoever to the new ring he's been wearing on his finger since the age shenanigans.]

A sari is what some of the women were wearing in India, yes?

[A pause, and then Leo turns to give his son a hard Look]

And why would you be thinking about a wedding here...

[Yep looking at his hands now.]

Yes, that's right. I bought a few of them when I went to visit Lakshmi's temple before.

[Forrest puts on a somewhat coy smile.]

...Well, not for a while, at least. But Kairi and I did go shopping for promise rings.

[He holds up his hand to show it off.]

Isn't it cute? It's a tradition from her world. The boy makes a promise to replace it with an actual engagement ring later.

[Leo just sort of.

Stares.

Because holy hells that is a ring on his son's finger and while he does hear the explanation this is very distressing. In a good way, at least.]

How much later, exactly? And do you give the couple, I don't know, congratulations gifts now or later...?

Well, we got the idea when I found a proper ring in my pocket during whatever it was happened to our ages before. I'd say I was about seven years older, so you don't need to worry about us rushing into things.

[He doesn't want this to become a source of stress for anyone, really.]

I'd say the gifts can wait until after the ceremony. Right now it's more of a symbol of continued commitment, I think. I already intend to be faithful and treat her well - this is just a way of displaying that outwardly.

[At least, that's what he took away from it. Smiling, he turns the book around, pointing at an Indian wedding.]

And it's not entirely unrelated to the reason we're here, after all. See? Lakshmi is invoked during wedding ceremonies too.

[And Leo relaxes, perhaps a bit obviously. Look, he's only twenty-something himself and not thinking about marriage, it'd be insane thinking about his teenaged son's wedding.]

I'm glad you found someone, Forrest.

[And then he leans forward to look at the ceremony picture]

That looks incredibly chaotic.

I'm just glad you approve of her.

[Though really, who wouldn't? Kairi is as sweet as sugar.]

It does, but doesn't it look fun too?

Maybe if you're a fan of parties or if I'm very drunk. You know me--I'll be a wallflower at my own wedding.

Well, I do like parties.

[Obviously he gets this from his mother.]

I'm sure your own wedding day will be just as beautiful, father.

If I have one.

[Because he and Aymeric are still new to this and he doesn't know if he'll ever find someone back home, should he return]

I may end up always the groomsman, after all.

There's someone out there for everyone, father.

[Forrest believes in you!]

That doesn't mean there's a wedding for everyone, though. Can you imagine Niles having a wedding? Yes, he has a man he very clearly adores but marriage?

[Just saying.]

There's always elopement.

[He's trying.]

Still marriage.

Well, yes. It just seems a little more Niles' style.

He'd never admit to it if it was, though.

Unless it was to be contrary.

...that doesn't count.

But you could see it happening, couldn't you?

I could, and it's why he is never hearing about this conversation. That's the last thing I want, him trying to prove a point.

My lips are sealed.

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A little research

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