Posted by Civilian Micah Pikelsimer (Federation Security Agent) in Sweat Lodge

Posted by Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf (Chief Intelligence Officer/Helm) in Sweat Lodge

Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Executive Officer) in Sweat Lodge
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Kohana had finally gotten everything set up for Shara to experience a Sioux sweat lodge. She had struggled with her years in Intel and was no longer in that field. The last mission had really taken a toll on her mental and emotional well-being.

She had previously served as the CIO on the Asimov. A position in which he now served. Her years in Intel were worth a goldmine of knowledge and experience.

His desire to see her in a good place was two-fold. It was important for her as the recently promoted XO to be at her best. It was also important (a somewhat a selfish wish) that he could learn Intel from one of the best. Among the Intel community, it was well regarded the Shara Calloway was one of the best to ever have served SI. Kohana felt that to be the best, you had to learn from the best, when they were at their best.

=^=Commander Calloway, this is Lt. Black Wolf. I have everything set up for you experience what I offered. Of course, Agent Pikelsimer is invited as well, Ready to go when you are.=^=

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Chief Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

OOC: I think we’ll just assume this is after their R&R to Earth and they are back on the Asimov, so this will be in the holodeck. Works better logistically.
IC:
=/\=Understood, we’re on our way,=/\= Shara said. She messaged Micah and then returned to their quarters to change. She had looked up the general etiquette and opted for the pale yellow sun dress she had worn that first trip to Tennessee when Micah had brought Nadine to her.

She stood in ‘fresher and gazed at herself in the mirror. She tried to banish her nervous and negative thoughts, trying to bring positivity to the holodeck. That was also important, even if the experience might be emotionally varied for her.

“Ready?” she asked Micah, her voice soft as she stepped into the main living area.

“Yup.” Micah replied from the couch. He was dressed in a black, loose fitting T-shirt and black pants. “So tell me what’s all this again? Some kinda ritual mediatation or something?” The question wasn’t dismissive. Shara knew that, for all of her husband’s gruffness and acerbic nature, he held a genuine respect for other cultures..

“Basically. They create a dark and very warm environment with steam to induce sweating, and between that and the burning of different items can create sort of a euphoria, and even hallucinations. The tradition is about connecting with the Creator, the ancestors, and the natural world around you. It’s about purification and cleansing. Even though I don’t share the same spiritual beliefs, Black Wolf is hoping that I might be able to reach a different state where I can find some peace with the things I struggle with. And maybe find guidance.” She gave a wry smile. “I figure I’ve done all the conventional treatments,

“Hey, you know me… I’ll try anything at least once.” Micah said and then grinned. “Twice if it’s a really bad idea.” and he laughed.

They arrived at the holodeck and with one final deep breath, the doors opened and she stepped inside.

~Shara Calloway, XO

Pikelsimer, FedSec Senior Agent

~Shara Calloway, XO

IC: The holodeck doors swooshed ope. Kohana smiled at the pair as he entered. “Sorry, I wasn’t here to meet you both. I wasn’t sure what you would be wearing, so I replicated something that would be appropriate.”

He was wearing an elbow length, loose fitting, white cotton, wraparound shirt. His legs were covered with the same material, loose fitting and ending at mid calf.

He carried two similar outfits in his arms, one each of Micah’s and Shara’s size, respectively.

Micah took the outfits and handed Shara hers. He had zero modesty, so he began to peel off his clothes and was soon dressed as Black Wolf was.

Shara took hers, but she strangely shy as she changed. She knew it was because this wasn’t an op and she wasn’t under cover. Something about stripping in front of another crew member took her by surprise, even though she had no body hangups at all.

Out of respect of the two, Kohana turned his back as they changed.

“Computer, please run program ‘Kohana SW-A”

A moment later the holodeck transformed to the Great Plains of the North American continent.

https://www.crystalinks.com/sweat_lodge800.jpg

He opened a glass jar full of dirt and sprinkled a significant amount around the ground, as well as inside the inipi.

“This is actual dirt from my home in South Dakota,” he began. “As this is a holoprogram, and this ceremony had a lot to do with getting in tune with nature, and Mother Earth, and the Spirit World, I found this works much better with some real dirt from Earth. It can’t hurt, right?”

“I like that,” Shara said softly.

“Even though we are not of the same religious or spiritual backgrounds or beliefs, I truly believe this ceremony can help you regain a balance and a sense of inner peace you feel you’ve been missing, Shara. The same goes for you, Micah. I don’t know if you feel the same inner turmoil and conflicts as Shara, but the ceremony is also great for relaxation. I hope it will be effective for both of you. All I sincerely ask is that you both keep an open mind once we go inside. Personally, it has been beneficial to me on numerous occasions.”

“Before we enter, do either of you have any questions?”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Chief Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

“Two ” Micah said. “Shar said some of the things you burn can induce hallucinations. How long do those effects last? And what are we, as guests in the ceremony, expected to do? I don’t wanna disrespect any of your people’s traditions.”

Pikelsimer, FedSec Senior Agent

Shara nodded, those were good questions. She patted her bag. “I also brought some tobacco for the offering. I got some while we were on Earth, but I’ll need instructions n how to make the offering.”

~Shara Calloway, XO

“Legitimate questions. When we go inside, a shaman will lead the ceremony. The hologram is based on a real medicine man by the name of Wind Weaver. He’ll be leading the chants, prayers, and/or singing. He’ll let you know when to add the tobacco to the fire, Shara.”

“Everyone’s experience is different, Micah, depending on what you are seeking to achieve. And yes, because of the heat, darkness and herbs being used, you may experience visions or hallucinations. Some people do, but not everyone or every time. The ceremony itself is about 5 hours long, with breaks about every half-hour-45 minutes or so. The duration of any hallucinations depend on factors such as your sensitivity to the heat and your personal interpretation of the experience. They are only temporary.”

“You WILL be sweating a lot, so make sure you drink a lot of water during and after the ceremony. If, at any time during the ceremony, you feel sick, or the heat is too intense, or uncomfortable . . .you are welcome to step outside. Though you are encouraged to fight through the discomfort. This is often a time in which you may have received that which you were seeking, a tipping point, if you will. If you do have to exit, don’t look at it as a sign of failure. As I said, every person’s experience is different.”

“And, one more thing, to be completely clear . . . you may NOT achieve what you are seeking. I know, Shara, you have tried many different types of therapy. I’m just offering another option. I have found the ceremony to be very effective for me personally. That may be due to my Sioux heritage, but I do hope you can find the peace and balance you are looking for. And as for you, as well, Micah”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Chief Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

“Peace ain’t ‘a good friend of mine, sorry to say.” Micah replied with a shrug. “But I ain’t averse to gettin’ on speakin’ terms with them.” and he grinned a half grin.

Shara nodded. “As I told Micah, I’ve tried everything else, and while many things have and do help, something about our last mission left me… unsettled. If this can bring me some ease, I welcome the experience,” she said with utter sincerity. “And thank you for being willing to share this with us. It means a lot.” It was beyond the ceremony and its purpose- it was one of those strange moments of bonding and acceptance between crew mates that was hard to qualify.

~Shara Calloway, XO

“Of course, Comman—Shara,” Kohana replied. Then with a bit of a smirk, he added, “My offering to help you isn’t just for your benefit. I’m being a bit selfish. Getting to work and learn from one of Intel’s finest is a bonus for me, and having you at your best is an even greater boon.”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Chief Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Micah chuckled internally. Oh, if the man only knew… he thought to himself.

A playful twinkle appeared in her pale eyes. “Careful there, Black Wolf, you might learn things you wish you hadn’t.” It was both true and a joke. Few got to go beneath the surface layers to get to know the core of the woman who was Shara Elaine Calloway. But, as she had been learning, she didn’t have to make it quite so difficult for those that might be worthy of the attempt.

Drawing in a deep breath that expanded her lungs, she exhaled slowly and nodded to him, before giving Micah a smile. “Okay, let’s do this. Lead on, Kohana.”

~Shara Calloway, XO

Kohana opened the flap of the inipi and steeped inside. When Shara and Micah followed behind him they would immediately be hit by the heat coming from the low fire in the floor. It was dark inside except the small fire and the glow emanating from the rocks set inside the circle.

For a split second, Pikelsimer ‘s mind went somewhere else that existed far away and a long time ago. The space I side the tent reminded him of the place he lost his arm… and the memory wasn’t a pleasant one, even after all this time.

Sitting opposite the opening was an old Sioux medicine man sitting in the dimly lit sweat lodge, His face is etched with wisdom and the stories of generations. The air is thick with steam and the scent of herbs, as flickering firelight dances across his features, casting long, dramatic shadows on the earthen walls.

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/studio?open=creation&panelContext=%28jobId%3AlmLGZu3icUvajHmHSLL3%29

Kohana stepped forward and bowed reverently to the old man as he spoke. “Kohana, my son who chases stars, it is good to see you again. Though, if you are here, my son must be troubled.”

“It is good to see you father Wind Weaver, as well. My mind and soul are at ease, father. I am more here for the benefit of my friends, Shara and Micah. This is Wind Weaver,” as a way of introduction.

The old man greeted the two newcomers. He nooded to both, but, his eyes lingered longer on Shara.

Shara bowed to the elderly man, showing the deep reverence for him and his practices.

Micah bowed and said “Thank you for having us. We are honored.”

“Please, sit, children,” he began. He looked a bit longer at Shara before finally continuing. “I sense a deep sense of turbulence in your mind, body and soul, child. You have lived a life with much deception, no?”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Chief Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Shara sat and allowed her lungs to fill, feeling her ribs expand fully. Coexisting with discomfort was something she was well practiced at, but something about his precise assessment made her uneasy. This was a holodeck program, after all. Then again, she had no idea ow much Black Wolf had feed to the narrative in order to help this progress along.

She nodded. “My work for the last couple of decades required subterfuge, and separating myself from my own identity to take on others necessary to fulfill specific purposes.” It was more than that though. “But also, I have never been comfortable showing too much of myself, ever. Maybe when I was a small child, but it was a short period of my life. Holding back, keeping things to myself, including secrets, was necessary for survival.”

OOC: Couldn’t view the image- it asks you to login.

~Shara Calloway, XO

“I understand, child,” the old medicine man replied. “Rest assured, I nor anyone else here, will ask you to share your experience. The balance and peace you seek will be yours and yours alone. You only need to share if you choose to. I will not be invading your thoughts. My role here is to guide you and help you achieve what it is you seek. That is what I will be doing with both Micah, and my son, Kohana.”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Chief Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Micah shook his head to clear the last vestiges of the asteroid away and then said “Well, I’m looking forward to this. What do we need to know?”

Pikelsimer, FedSec Senior Agent

Wind Weaver had watched Micah and noticed the small changes in his demeanor over the past few moments. “You, too, have dark moments in your past. Events that have scarred you in more ways that you are aware of. I hope this meditation helps you, as well, come to grips with your dark experiences and if not, at least allow you to accept them and live with them so as to not come to bear in your daily life, and your dreams.”

When everyone was comfortable as they could be, considering the stifling heat, Wind Wearver began by asking each to focus on what they hope to achieve from this ceremony:
healing, purification, requesting help for life goals, prayers for others, balance, peace . . . . .

“This will give your mind something to focus on other than how hot it’s getting—although that will happen sometimes, too,” he said.

“Bring in the Stones,” he ordered. An older Sioux woman with graying hair brought in seven rounded rocks, one at a time and placed them in the dirt. Wind Weaver picked up each with a pair of antlers and placed them in the fire pit. He then offered the chanupa, a ceremonial pipe to Kohana who tapped each rock with the pipe.
The woman then sprinkled herbs onto the growing pile that popped and crackled when they hit the piping-hot surface, releasing an earthy scent of sage and occasionally causing the eruption of a small flame.

If you have brought an offering of your own, this is the time to add it to the fire.”

Kohnan took a handful of the earth dirt he had and sprinkled it into the fire. . . .

OOC: Taking a pause so you all can reply if you’d like to.

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Chief Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov