Brunswick on Nostr: ...

quoting nevent1q…sc8u

In the early age of the Ricin Renaissance—before Federation translators could soften the meaning of every expression, before interstellar etiquette manuals had filtered the raw beauty of native cultures—the Risan people refined both their art of peace and their art of defense in the same breath.

The Sanctum Fields were the birthplace of this duality. Carved into the valley terraces above the crystal cliffs of Yelat, the open-air grounds were flanked by wind-hollowed stones and flowering trees. Here, Risan children learned the disciplines of the Ricin arts—a blend of mixed martial forms, fluid meditation, emotional awareness, and cultural storytelling.

But what set the Ricin way apart from other martial paths was not the technique. It was the philosophy: To strike only in the act of love. To block only to protect peace. To fight only so one might never fight again.

As part of this philosophy, Ricin masters introduced what would become a famously misunderstood tradition. Before every match, before every demonstration, even before a moment of mock sparring, Risan combatants would raise the middle finger of their right hand, placing it briefly over their heart, and then extending it outward toward their partner.

It was known as the Gesture of the Middle Flame, a sign meaning: I love you with the strength of the fire that sustains peace.

This symbol originated from the ancient myth of Teyari, a wanderer who used the fire from her center finger to ignite the hearths of villages at war, creating warmth, not destruction.

Of course, this loving flame was not always received as intended.

When the Andorians first visited the Sanctum Fields, their initial reaction to the gesture was one of insult. Ambassador Theress struck a Risan elder in the jaw after receiving what she perceived to be a challenge. Similarly, a group of young Vulcan observers, ever analytical, believed the gesture to be a display of ironic sarcasm. The Ferengi called it "the single-digit negotiation," which they later attempted to trademark.

But despite the misunderstandings—and the occasional black eye—the Risan people never abandoned the gesture. Instead, they patiently taught its meaning to their allies, explaining its roots and the depth of its sincerity.

Eventually, the tradition became a point of cultural pride. Starfleet officers who trained at Risa’s Ricin academies learned to give the Gesture of the Middle Flame before engaging in sparring or peacekeeping exercises. In time, the meaning returned to its original clarity, carried across the stars.

And still, to this day, beneath the canopies of the Yelat terraces, you might see two Ricin disciples face each other, feet planted in balance, eyes serene.

One will raise their right hand. Extend the middle finger. Touch their heart. And offer love, before the art.

– From the Risan Chronicle of Peaceful Conflict, Volume III