Glada Vappen!

[suomi_thunder]

Aarne hadn't celebrated holidays properly in over a year which left him feeling disconnected. Giant bonfires in the streets and rampant reindeer were frowned upon in most civilized cities, unless of course the punks were involved, then that was arson not celebrations.. ok, well for the punks it was a celebration but not for a Saami.

In the Nexus though, oh here he could do whatever he wanted, or that was what he had learned in his few visits. He had been planning and cooking and collecting. The gods probably don't even know where he stirred up reindeer from in the Nexus but he has and Mouka was happy to have a job keeping them corralled. His usual rock gear is augmented with his family necklace and oddly doesn't look too out of place with rest of his wildness.

He didn't have a lot but parties always started this way. The host had some things and then people came and brought more booze and food, ordering all kinds of things. Aarne did bring Mead, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and a a bunch of lemon tippaleipä batter. He had cooked some but this was something he could show visitors how to make on their own. The honey mead based sugar in a large bowl. Strips of dried reindeer meat and juustoleipä, a Finnish reindeer milk cheese, are out on the table too. There are fruits; strawberries, apples, and nuts which were common as well as a cream from reindeer milk traditional to the culture and nearly like unfermented yogurt.

That all done he looked to the huge pile of logs that he had gotten from various people around the Nexus. The Sami added leaves to it to create smoke at first to attract others. Before lighting it he put up a banner of hide dedicated to the Akka, the female fertility spirits, decorated with the same imagery as his traditional drum. It was sentimental, the first drum he ever learned to play.

Drum in hand he poured kerosene on the log pile and lit it. The reindeer spooked at the sudden fire but soon calmed, especially when the tall Fin went among them.

Comments

[itdruid]

That's a great point Mordred hadn't really thought about. The Nexus isn't his home or a place where his goddess actively extends Her influence, so he simply assumed this was a mortal's party. He knows there are plenty of gods and spirits here, but he's still got a lot to learn about this place and how people interact with it. His cheeks flush a light pink as he nods in understanding.

"I'm happy to bring-- my own bit of divine to mingle." He chuckles, the sound a touch nervous, then raises his free hand to gesture to the party around them. "It's a lovely party. I didn't expect to find anything-- like this tonight, but I'm happy I did. Thank you for calling everyone here."

It still feels awkward to be so... formal? with strangers in this way, but he's only a few weeks into being an envoy. Taking a breath, Mordred releases the fabric between his fingers and offers a hand to Aarne. "I'm Mordred-- by the way. It's nice to meet someone who-- celebrates much the same way I'm used to back home."

[suomi_thunder]

"I haven't for too long and it was time." Aarne had been neglecting this part of his life and the Nexus gave him the option to spend some time reconnecting. The Fin giggles. "Booze, food, and Fire. It brings everyone out."

Aarne takes the hand happily. "I'm Aarne Järvinen." The formality had him offering his full name out of conditioning while touring. "I'm from the Saami people. You're from a traditionalist people?"

He's curious because there aren't many that he meets this personally in his day to day life.

[itdruid]

Mordred shakes his head as he takes his hand back. "No, I'm-- Pagan. Beltane is an important holiday for me and those of my faith where I'm from." He'll leave it at that for now. Explaining the whole envoy thing is still daunting to him when he's so new to it. "The Goddess I've devote my life to thrives-- on occasions like this. Spring is already half over, but the first of May is-- a turning point, o-of sorts, and the Goddess invites all Her people, believers or no, to spread love in the world in whatever ways they can." He'll also avoid mentioning the traditions that are most often associated with Beltane from legends involving his name. That can get pretty awkward if not everyone is as open about sex as he is.

"I'm not familiar with the Saami people," Mordred admits after a moment, his smile a touch nervous. "Where are you and your people from?" Which god or gods do they worship? Are these gods like the one he now speaks for? So many questions on his mind now that the wheels are turning. "Your party here is very traditional and like those-- from old stories and legends where I'm from. It's not often anyone near my home gathers a group of people around a fire for celebrating Beltane anymore.

[suomi_thunder]

Aarne realizes quickly that there's been a miscommunication. Cultural word meanings don't always translate properly. He knew this being in a band with four different languages and four different countries. At first there were all kinds of misunderstandings. "Traditionalists are people who follow ancient religions. Which Pagan spirituality do you follow?"

Aarne has some understanding of paganism, another thing gained from his band who were all pagan of one flavor or another. Beltane was a term several used. Of all people Aarne would be one of the most relaxed about sex and sexuality. Mordred's nervousness though brings out the drummer's more friendly nature especially when the questions start that seem like they are going to take time. They both appear to have a curiosity about the other's beliefs.

"Saami are from north of the Arctic circle in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. My family group is from Finland. Some people call us Laplanders but that is a word for a way of life not our people." Then there is a question that does need a in depth explanation, potentially. Aarne puts his arm around to somewhat pat Mordred's shoulder, half hug, and mostly give him a little tug toward the food and drink. "Let's get a drink."

"Not all Saami practice this way but where I grew up some of the families refused to turn to Christianity or settled life." That was the easier part of the series of questions. "Each Saami family has their own gods. Some follow all of them and some follow none at all. The gods come in groups and my family follows the Akka, fertility or female spirits, and the family of Beaivi, the sun goddess. All Saami are animists where living things, stone and Earth are concerned but some see spirits in all objects, ideas and words."

The whole spirituality of Saami was not one thing. As nomads families, the groups of families that traveled together, had their own ways which differed to some degree. Defining any of it in one cohesive explanation was going to be difficult but Aarne was trying his best. One thread in his families' practice was an importance of feminine and female spirits which probably eased the acceptance of his desire to look like a woman from an early age. He never left Maderakka's embrace as most boys did.

[itdruid]

The question is a lot more difficult for Mordred to answer than it would've been only a few months ago. He huffs a nervous laugh and worries the hem of his shirt again as he starts to ramble an answer. "I-I follow-- the Triple Goddess, She who is the mother, maid, and crone. My own faith-- is different than others who follow a faith like mine, but I strive to keep Her balance in the world, a-and hold nature and the cycle-- of life in the highest regard." He hesitates for a moment, his cheeks flushing a deep red, before he adds, "I-I-I also speak-- f-for Her now. She made me Her-- envoy, someone wh-who spreads Her will and brings Her blessings to Her people. O-or I will, soon. I've only-- just recently become an envoy for Her. Today... Beltane is the first time I've really done anything so-- important for her."

It's a lot of information to dump on a near stranger, and Mordred welcomes Aarne explaining his peoples and his beliefs to give him a chance to catch his breath. He nods along with everything the Fin offers, happily falling in step when he's tugged along to get a drink. Something to fidget with and focus on other than how awkward he feels will be very helpful right now.

He perks up a bit at the mention of Akka, a curious and excited grin tugging at his lips. "What are the spirits and goddess your family follows like? My own goddess-- prefers the night, but Her gifts to the Earth are deeply rooted in fertility and the renewal of the cycle of life." A beat as he parses a few thoughts. "I've not taken time to listen to the Earth and animals around me, but I can easily believe they'd have stories of their own to tell." Certainly the tiny bee resting among the ivy in his hair would have some strange and fantastical tales to tell if it could speak, but what history the tallest trees and oldest stones could share if Mordred could find a way to speak to them it sounds like Aarne and his people do.

[suomi_thunder]

"A British practice?" He questions when he hears Triple Goddess. He doesn't know the ins and outs of the practice but words sometimes stick out, especially deity names. The rest, he gets the feeling envoy means something between a Christian minister and Noaidi of his own people, but certainly of a different belief system. The combination works in the Fin's mind but he does latch on to the fact this is a new position. The nerves all made sense if he was leading spiritual festivities for his people the first time. He'd seen the same happen with a boy in his family group who was picking up the drums. "You're a new speaker for your people. We should celebrate!"

And by that Aarne meant drink and maybe eat, mostly drink. He's already pouring glasses of Mead for both of them, the cups shallow, wooden kuksa. He hands the first one to Mordred.

"I live where night and day are six months long." Cycles were probably different for the Saami than more southern cultures. "Beaivi, the sun goddess, is warmth, sanity and fertility. She made humans and reindeer to live in harmony and companionship with each other and the world. She can sometimes be a he when she wants to but she always comes to the people as a mother. Her husband, Bieggagallis, is unpredictable summer and brings the rain." He pauses here to not overwhelm someone who is unfamiliar. His own bandmember still took time to understand and digest the Finnish words.

[itdruid]

"Ah, maybe? I-I-I can't say-- for sure. A lot more people fall-- under the Goddess' eyes than know it, I think." He offers an apologetic smile. "I've only ever lived in Britain, and until I became an envoy, I didn't really know-- or look into what happened to the people who follow my faith's ways outside my homeland's shores." Something he'll need to correct, of course, but he has time (lots of time) now that he's immortal.

Mordred would like to insist that tonight isn't about celebrating him and what he's become (it is, after all, his deity's night), but he won't argue when a cup is offered to him. "Thank you. I'm-- overwhelmed by it at times still. Becoming immortal wasn't something I saw for my life, and my new gifts are-- not all what I expected."

Day and night cycles that long suggest Aarne lives very far north. The envoy nods along, the names and words unfamiliar but the ideas imparted not so much. He's heard similar stories over the years through various forms of media and some of his office's clients, so he can appreciate the imparted knowledge fairly well. "You look forward to the sun and the day, then?" he prompts. "And all the gifts those bestow thanks to Beaivi?"

[suomi_thunder]

"Our beliefs are different." Aarne is seeing where they diverge. "We would never think our spirits watch over people outside our lands. They have their own gods and spirits to do that for them." There's nothing confrontational or dismissive in his tone because he easily adapts to and accepts differences. "I didn't know as many until I started traveling. Our band is four people with four different practices. I've had to learn a lot."

From Rik's solitary nature and quiet to Vars basically thinking he was a warlord and raider if Aarne dared say it. The bassist would probably laugh and think it was funny but it did open his mind being thrown into that in his late teens. His open mind doesn't stop him from almost choking on his mead when Mordred says he's immortal.

"You're immortal?" Surprise and incredulity in his tone, along with the burn of swallowing something the wrong way.

Once that topic is out of the way he is happy to go back to talking about his practices. It might take awhile to wrap his head around immortality when mortality and ancestors were part of his spiritual beliefs. "We do. The dark causes madness when it stays too long."

While Aarne looked at it through a spiritual lens this was also a medical truth that could befall those living in the far north. Aarne considers what Mordred has said and shakes his head. "I know other practices put gifts and gods into hierarchies of which are more important but we don't... well not really. It's more the ones you want to invite to you and speak to and the ones you would rather stay away."

The Fin is starting to trip up and have to think as the conversation turns to things he hasn't expressed to many outsiders. Some of it is taking the concepts and putting them in relatable, English terms. "We all have our own spirits that watch the family or individual. I belong to Maderakka and the eagle but I walk with the reindeer and Tiermes."

[itdruid]

"She doesn't-- outwardly affect anyone," Mordred assures the Fin. "But She does hold sway over the Earth. Not seasons or anything overt or-- grand. Her works are always subtle, a-and more focused on the environment rather than-- specific people." That's part of why She wanted an envoy on Earth, he thinks. His presence will have other balancing effects on his office (Heaven and Hell need that balancing anchor), but he can offer that stabilizing presence to mortals now, too. His expression softens as he adds, "But if your peoples have others watching over them, I believe She'd leave-- them to it. It's not Her way to involve Herself in anything unless it was asked for." History may argue with him a bit on that last point, but there's been no evidence of the Goddess interfering in affairs that aren't directly Hers for centuries.

The surprise makes Mordred a bit self-conscious. His cheeks flush a light pink as he helps himself to a sip of mead. "Only as of a few weeks ago. I was human before then. Part of being an envoy meant becoming immortal, so I could understand more-- of what my goddess wants of me, and to better understand Her will." Selfishly, it also means he can stay with his immortal husband for eternity, but that's another conversation entirely that Mordred will happily leave for another day.

This is a lot of new information for the young envoy. They're not strict rules, which he understands and appreciates, but there's a lot of nuance and complexity to them. He sips at his mead slowly as he listens, taking time to parse his thoughts before he speaks again. Inviting the divine to speak to you is relatable enough that he feels he has some idea of how the basics of what Aarne is explaining work.

"So you reach out to your spirits and gods, asking them to watch over you? And keep them in your hearts as you live your life?" The questions are a little probing, and he hopes they don't come off as rude. He truly wants to understand and learn, so he can serve as a better bridge between humanity and the divine.

[suomi_thunder]

Aarne is slightly confused and takes a moment to gather a response. "How do you reconcile other people who say thier god or goddess are responsible for those things?"

Aarne had seen clashes between Lutheran religion and what remained of most Saami spiritual beliefs so it is something on his mind. "Our belief is that our spirits watch over the Earth for our people to provide what they need and that other people's look after the Earth for what they need."

He needs a moment to cough and collect himself from choking but then he asks a very pointed question. "How will you protect your people if you don't go to live among the ancestors of your people?"

His own beliefs were strongly rooted in ancestors and becoming one. The break in the circle, a human wanting to leave it, was so strange to how he saw the world.

He makes a thoughtful sound at the questions. They are going into personal and specific workings of his spirituality and that of his people which takes thought gathering.

"We can ask but usually they come on thier own." That was a start but he realizes that Mordred is trying to understand and that explains nothing concrete.

"Maderakka watches over women and children and when a boy becomes a man he leaves her influence and joins her husband. We know she watches me because I was a boy but I grew up to be more womanly than a man." He's not at all bothered to ask about this aspect of himself. "The animal is related to the recently deceased ancestor we are named for who will be there for us. Aarne means eagle strength and to be unwavering in adversity."

He takes a moment to drink so mead and give Mordred time to take in what he is saying. "Tiermes is the God of thunder and drumming. Feminine people are not supposed to be drawn to drums but I picked them up on instinct. The people knew he was there." Aarne starts laughing. "The reindeer is stubborn, defiant, chaotic, loud, rowdy and gregarious."

Mordred might not understand how appropriate that was but if he spent any significant time with Aarne he would see the reindeer there in his being with ease.

[itdruid]

Mordred shrugs. This, at least, is something he's been asked a lot his entire life. "Let them believe what they want. It's no different than someone telling me the Goddess-- doesn't exist and the Christian god is the only one." He hesitates for a moment before deciding to add to that thought. "I know both gods both exist, and that many others exist, too. I knew it even before I became an envoy. Which divine takes which action isn't-- always clear, and that's okay with them." Usually, but he won't digress. "So long as a god-- or spirit's followers don't lose faith, there's no reason to force a reconciliation of faiths. It rarely does anything but upset all involved."

His ability to relate to his people because of his newly acquired immortality is a much more difficult subject. The envoy worries the hem of his shirt between his fingers for a moment before he answers. "I did-- live among them at some point. I'm a reincarnation, though I don't have any of the man's memories." He frowns thoughtfully. "Souls of the dead go to where they're most needed in my faith, and I trust the Goddess to show me any-- memories or visions I need to do Her will." He has faith in Her. His whole life She's been kind and generous, if somewhat distant, and this deepening of their relationship seems a clear sign that She trusts him and his judgement, and together they'll do great things for the people of Earth. He truly believes that.

This is so much more information and complexity than Mordred was expecting. He listens closely, focusing more on what Aarne is offering than the mead in his hands. "You follow signs to know who has come to you?" That's kind of how it sounds? It's not entirely clear to him, though. "Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but it seems like the gods and spirits you speak of are part of you because of who you are, and because of that they-- will reach out to make their presence known."

[suomi_thunder]

Aarne's curiosity is rooted in his own experiences where hearing another speak their views has a potential to be beneficial. His beliefs align closely with whatever god or spirit a person needed being there, so he saw no direct conflict himself. "Most of my people were forced to Christianize and abandon our culture. I'm always looking for ways to stop it from continuing to the few who are left with the old ways."

After listening to the answer he merely shrugs. "Our beliefs differ but your dead have a different purpose than ours."

That was ok with Aarne. Some of the questioning was more curiosity since he spent most of his life among Christians with little contact to anyone but his own family.

The final questions though he has to consider for a time. He's thinking through how each came to be known to him or others. Again he's find there isn't a clean and clear answer with one way to explain everything. "Sometimes."

It was the best answer he had when he first tried to tackle these questions. "Maderakka and her husband, Ukko, protect us because of the life we have; man, woman or child. We're named for an ancestor and inherit their animal guide as they got it from the person they were named for before them."

That took care of two that come at birth, or with life changes that are easy for anyone to see. Others needed more in depth insight into a person. "Any others can come from their own interest in us or from a noaidi calling for aid or a person can by finding their sacred spaces. They may come and go or stay for a lifetime. A noaidi saw that my spirit called the reindeer but everyone could see Tiermes had come to teach me when I picked up the drum when I was a child."

[itdruid]

It's still difficult for Mordred to process the complexity of Aarne's beliefs. They're rooted in a culture and a pantheon he simply doesn't know, and trying to learn everything about it on the fly is a difficult ask. He nods along as he listens, taking in everything he can to work through as soon as he can. Hopefully he can learn and understand enough to not cause trouble or friction when he and Aarne next speak.

"I don't fully understand," he admits with a hesitant smile. "Your gods, spirits, and beliefs feel so much more intricate than mine. I have only one direction to look for guidance and answers while you and your people have many, including non-permanent ones." Unconsciously, he begins to worry at his shirt again. He's trying so hard to make a good first impression, and it's a little distressing to know he's still a fallible human. True, he's only been an envoy for a few weeks, but he was hoping his own deep faith would help him more here. "I'm in awe of it all, really, even though I'm-- also intimated by how much you know and act on by instinct."

[suomi_thunder]

Aarne knows this isn't easy for others, even the other Nordic peoples in his own band took time to get it down.

"The basic difference is to us, everything alive has a spirit capable of interacting with us and alive is more broadly defined. The world is more vivid and alive spiritually than it is for some other cultures." He gently patted Mordred's shoulder; friendly, gentle, and accepting when he notices the nervous sort of actions. "I was born into these beliefs. I'm a native speaker of the practice. I might not always understand yours either because I would be learning about a new language and a new view of everything around us and inside of us."

Aarne has a spiritual openness from his long life of interacting very personally with those beliefs and at times wearing them like a shield.