Sooraya and Warren: a first meeting

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Sooraya and Warren meet. Warren gets hit with a metaphorical hammer.



There were still many places he hadn't explored. Falling into a habit, he'd only really ventured into the common areas, suites of friends and the grounds.

Having some time on his hands and nothing particular to do with it, Warren decided to explore a wing at random. It was surprisingly quiet. The only sound was his shoes clicking on the hardwood floor. It seemed no one was around but he was sure had heard the mumblings of <i> something. </i>

Confident that he had found the right room slowly, peeking his head in. In it he saw a woman in a hijab, reciting something in a different language which sounded like prayer. Recognizing that he was watching a private ritual, he couldn't help but be intrigued.

He hoped she'd accept his apology.

Carefully intoning the final words of the soera she was reciting and a short prayer as closing, Sooraya closed her copy and wrapped a cloth around it. She was only a beginner and she was not even sure why it did, but the melodic reciting in Arabic created a sense of calm that was hard to find these days. Almost like meditation, she supposed.

She easily rolled to her feet and set about rolling up the small prayer mat she had been kneeling on, before pausing. Was the door creaking or was it just her?  A quick glance over shoulder showed the door was open, but no one in sight. "Hello?"  

Warren hesitated slightly before stepping in closer. Upon further inspection, he realized he vaguely recognized the woman. She had an unusual name, which was his only reason for remembering it. Sooraya. Other than that, he knew nothing else.

"I apologize," he said with a slight bow. "I know better than to intrude on someone's prayers, but I couldn't help myself. You seemed so at peace."

"It is alright." Sooraya put her prayer mat to the side as she glanced at him with a question in her eeys. He did look slightly familiar. "I am sorry, but I don't really remember your name... we have had many new faces lately."

"Warren," he offered, not sure if he should extend his hand. Did her religion permit this type of conversation? All he knew about Muslims was from the media, and he knew how skewed that was.   "Are you sure I'm not bothering you? I've never seen this before," he said, motioning to the prayer mat. "It caught my curiosity. What religion do you practice?"

Now that was a direct curiosity she encountered little anymore. Smiling she replied: "You really are not bothering me. And I am Muslim, though I am guessing you had a hunch on that."  

"I had a hunch, but not an educated enough of one.  I'm afraid I know very little about your religion and I really don't want to offend."  He looked around the room. "You can pray anywhere? Or do you need a specific place?"

"There are a few places that are generally considered unclean, like graveyards, but most places are allowed. It's said most of the world is our mosque. I generally do prefer to find a quiet, more comfortable place if possible though." She explained easily, learning back on a small table in the corner with a soft smile on her face. .

"It seemed like a calming ritual," Warren offered.  "Have you been doing it long? I'm sorry for all the questions."

"It can be." Sooraya nodded. "It is a good way to center oneself, even if that is not quite the goal of it. But it's a good side effect anyway." Tilting her head a little, she asked: "You never had the chance to visit on of the countries in the Middle East for example? Or another Muslim country?

Warren shook his head. "Strangely enough, no. If I was in the petroleum business, maybe I'd have more occasion to. Hence why I have absolutely no information on it."

"You are active in business world?" Old Warren had been a lawyer, that much she knew. She had not know him personally, but Angelo had worked with him closely and she had heard things. "And what kind of business are you involved in?"

"Money things," he said casually. "Investments, acquisitions, capital...all those lovely buzzwords.  My father runs Worthington Industries."  He smiled. "So yes, you could say I'm fairly active in the business world.  We're a global company."

"Ahh, I think have seen the name in the news." She had, but she had not quite linked it with the old Warren Worthington being involved. "I am guessing that world does not leave much of a place for things like..." She easily gestured at her prayer mat. 

Warren hemmed and hawed before answering. "Religion only serves a purpose  if it's to garner similar minded people. Otherwise, for most, money is their religion. Personally, I have no opinion either. I haven't felt the need for it in my life, however I respect that others do."

"Money as a religion is a very old idea indeed." Sooraya shook her head slowly. "But faith only used as a tool...That remains sad in so many ways." And yet the new history of the world had shown how much more truth the last bit. Not that it had not been this way before M-Day for her, but somehow it seemed far more prominent now.

"Anything that matters can be used as a tool," Warren pointed out.  "It's a reality of life.  There will always be people who will exploit things to get what they want, and unfortunately, religion is an easy target."  He thought for a moment. "What's worse, I think, is when you do it because it's expected.  I feel as if my family is protestant, but at the end of the day, I couldn't tell you. It's just something we say, rather than something we do."

"But for some people it's something touches something very deep inside of them." Sooraya pointed out. "And to have it exploited then, can cut very deep."

Warren nodded. "I would have to agree with you there. But that doesn't stop anyone, does it? I believe it's human nature to exploit. Or maybe I only see the darker side of people," he smiled ruefully.

"Unfortunately it doesn't. Unless enough people wake up and step up against. Which is very possible." With a gesture she indicated the mansion around her, though that was for a very different case.

"Do you really think we are making a difference," he asked curiously. "We are a few compared to the many."

"Every person helped is one. Don't underestimate the difference some help can make in the life of one person." She was the prime example of that. "And maybe they will do the same..."  

"Yeah...". Warren looked around the room, trying to make sense of what she said. "It's funny. I can see how one person can have a negative impact on the world, but a positive one....maybe I've never been in that position before."

Sooraya eyed him quietly for a few moments, wondering how much to share. Yet this was a point she wanted to impress on him. "I was a slave in Afghanistan nine years ago. I am here because someone decided to do the right thing." She stated it as matter of fact as possible. Her background was no secret at the mansion and she felt at ease sharing it.

There was absolutely nothing he could say to that statement that wouldn't make him look like an idiot.  Of course he knew that human slavery was still a thing but it was such a foreign concept to him, he couldn't understand it nor process it.  Being at the Mansion continued to make him feel uncomfortable. Here were people with real problems, and he had had none.  Sure, he'd manifested on his own with no one to guide him, but was that so bad?  He hadn't blown up a car, or destroyed people, or anything like some of the students there.  Clearing his throat, he gave a slight nod.  "How fortunate you had someone to assist you. I suppose that yes, in that case, the actions of one outweighs the actions of many.  I hadn't thought of it in that way."

She stepped a little closer, her face softening a little. "I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable in any way." She explained. "But I think you are used to thinking big. Big plans, big results. It does not have to be that. Often it can be a simple as one man making one choice at the right time to get the ball rolling."  

Warren gave her a tight smile. Was this where he vowed to make changes? But what...."I can see that."

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to sound so sanctimonious..." Sooraya's voice trailed of, unsure of how to continue.

Warren gave her a smile. "No, don't worry about it. You've given me many things to think about.   I apologize that I don't have much to contribute."

"No worries about that." Sooraya replied, looking up again and tilting her head. "I am guessing you are also still getting used to this new world you have found yourself in? It can be a bit like Alice in Wonderland..."  

Warren had to grin at that.  "One never knows how far the rabbit hole goes."  He gave her a nod.  "Thank you for the conversation, and again, I do apologize for having interrupted your contemplation.  I hope to see you again though.  You've definitely given me ample things to meditate upon."

"You're welcome. And Warren, please don't over think it." Sooraya cautioned with a smile. "And I hope to see you again as well." With that she turned back to her various supplies she had with her and set about finishing gathering them up.