Drift Fleet: Interfaith Center

[tsunergy]

The Interfaith Center is a building along the coast of Itinere dedicated to spiritual and religious pursuits - meditation, prayer, and spiritual/religious discussions are all welcome here. With high ceilings and big windows to accommodate the beauty of outer space, the area is centered on improving one's mental health through prayers and rituals.

The Center comprises of several, smaller spaces inside a much larger "Center." Upon entering, all patrons must take their shoes off. While Stefan has provided storage for said shoes, it's up to the patrons to figure out if they'll wear socks or their own slippers around the space.

Weekly services are held: an interfaith service on Thursdays and jumu'ah [Muslim prayer services] on Fridays. Upon request, Stefan also teaches Qur'anic verse as well as basic Earth theology and/or religious studies.

Entrance
Modeled after masjids, the entrance has a large shoe rack on both sides of the door. The entrance splits off into a short hallway, with the bulk of its space in the kitchen and prayer area - but there are smaller, closed off rooms towards the back.

Prayer Room
The prayer room is a big, carpeted space with tall springline windows on one side, yellow-painted walls, and warm ceiling lights. Bookshelves are off to one side, filled with things like prayer beads, bells for prayer, and so forth. Boxes rest on the higher shelves with prayer items [seashells, pieces of weirwood, prayer beads, candles and so forth], all neatly organized and labeled with its contents. One shelf has a framed, handwritten version of the Catholic Lord's prayer in Italian.

The room also contains movable dividers, as well as additional cushions and wooden kneelers by the walls. Should the space be reserved for a special function, a sign outside the doors will alert people to that specific function.

There is a seraph shrine against one wall, typically covered by an embroidered sheet with a similar design when not in use.

Kitchen
Always stocked with tea (black, green, herbal), the kitchen is intended as a second home away from home. The walls are a bright cream color, with wooden cabinetry and sleek, modern, 21st century appliances. The furnishings are very earth-y, with green painted wood and the smell of spices usually wafting through the air. Magic soundproofs the walls and enchants them so that those intent on quiet prayer can't hear those cooking.

Unlike other rooms in the Center, this space has a lock and key. Only Stefan has the clearance required to use it 24/7; everyone else can use it during regular Center hours.

Reflection Space / Lounge
Right next to the kitchen, there's a casual space with general seating: warm-colored couches and chairs off to one side, and additional (warm-colored) seats against the walls. The wall seating additionally hides storage; lift the cushions and find odds and ends that can't be stored in the rest of the Center.

This space is primarily used to enjoy food and drink together, or even a few puzzles or board games (find them tucked under the wall seats!). Magic soundproofs the walls here as well, so loud laughter wouldn't bother those praying nearby. Stefan's usually found in this space, with a mug in one hand and a book in the other.

Washroom
Your typical washroom, with one additional difference: additional basins exist for those observing Islamic-type faiths. Wudu is easy with these additional basins, and there's enough sinks and stalls for multiple people to use at one time.

(There are also showers, in the event that someone wishes to use them and/or wants to cleanse themselves before prayers.)

Fire Room
Intended for Shinto maidens to use, this is a small, locked room tucked in the far corners of the Center. It's a room with steel floors, offering only wall cushions for warmth. In the middle is a small stand, and gas heat quickly reveals its intended use: to bring warmth and fire, and to enable Shinto maidens to foresee the future with its flames.

Should anyone want an impromptu bonfire with the holy flames, there are sticks and off-brand kosher (and halal) marshmallows in the kitchen.


(( original text by stefanged; contents have been updated/modified as the center changes. ))