TM Topic: A Summer's Memory

[allfor_god]

I remembered the sound of the hoofbeats belonging to the cocoa brown steed she always rode from her father's farm merely a mile north of the abbey in which I was studying o'er the summer. We'd met frequently when in the country I travelled, spending summers at the abbey in my aspirations to become an abbé. The abbey itself was measurably small when

Comments

[givenmylife]

To forgive is divine, you told me once. You also told me that you would see me, hear me, and forgive in His name if I were truly repentful.

Are you, Aramis? Or are you the hypocrite people claim you to be?

[allfor_god]

Aramis narrows his eyes some and cants his head, appearing suspiciously thoughtful.

I had mentioned nothing about not forgiving, Milady. In fact, my spite was quickly altered to forgiveness after a bout of prayer. Mine was simply a summer's memory.

He then tilts his head slightly and lets a grin accent his appearance.

But to read into an assumed conclusion such as that makes me wonder if there's some ghost haunting you that perhaps you haven't shared with me..

[givenmylife]

I don't speak of forgiveness, exactly. Simply that you and your "lady friend" were committing crimes against God. Does one crime matter more than the other? Or do you believe that my sins are worse than any of yours?

[allfor_god]

Judgement of sinful crimes isn't my place. What crimes I committed and what crimes you did are of no consequence to any other than our Lord himself, for it is he who will hold the ultimate judgement over either of us. That's why there exists atonement, Milady. Proof that you accept responsibility for your wrongdoings and accept the will of God to make things right.

Not to sound presumptuous, but it sounds as though you're seeking confession. What's causing your guilt, madame?

[givenmylife]

And do you accept responsibilty, Aramis? From your sad, sad tale, it most certainly did not sound that way.

If I were to confess to you, I doubt you'd believe me.

[allfor_god]

In returning to my path toward priesthood I have repented my sins. Whether or not I have reached atonement will be up to God, not me. All I can do is walk the righteous path until judgement day comes to me.

He grins slightly.

The less sins I commit, the higher my score becomes.

He allows his grin to fade to a look of serious thoughtfulness.

Unless I've evidence to discredit your story, Milady, I can think of no reason that would lead me to disbelieve you. Besides, confession isn't about truth, it's about seeking guidance.

[givenmylife]

So, you're keeping score with God? How interesting, Aramis. What are your numbers as of this date?

Guidance. *laughs* If I were to confess and ask you to guide me, could you? Could you, truly? I appear to be on my path at the moment and everything seems clear, yet there are moments... small ones, of course, but moments nonetheless, where I wonder.

Can love save us?

[allfor_god]

Only you can save yourself, Milady, through whatever faith you decide to commit to. Be it love, God, or whatever focus lets you continue straying on the path of righteousness, that is what of you that will save you.

In regards to guidance? It was an explaination, not an offer. I never claim to be able to guide anyone but I think my sincere effort suffices. If it's with a frown they wander into the booth and with an alternate route of thinking to help them reach that forever sought atonement they depart, then a guide I have been.

[givenmylife]

I notice you did not answer my first question. Excellent way of avoiding the subject, Aramis.

Ah, love cannot save us? And I thought you were the romantic of the lot.

So the offer has been withdrawn, then? I seem to recall that it was given freely, without judgement, before. A pity, then, since several things have bothered me as of late. Your brother-in-arms highest on my list.

[allfor_god]

I've got little patience for your serpentlike attempts at tangling my words, madame. I may be the poetry of the lot, but I'm also the intellect. You'll find your careless alterations of my definitions will do little more than leave you without whatever it is you sought by coming here rather than provide the entertainment you appear to be receiving.

If you wish for guidance, then out with it. If you wish to continue your verbal waltzing around the topic, then out with you.

[givenmylife]

Perhaps another time, then, Aramis. When you would be more amenable and I would be more... open to stopping our little dance.

Au revoir.