It's not as though I mean to upset you with the things I say or do.........

[mistresswanda]

(The riverbank, Sunday afternoon)

"That's it, I've had quite enough of this!"  I exclaim to the empty office, leaning on my broom.  Lucien still won't tell me what exactly happened, only that he really lost his temper and destroyed everything looking for the missing contract.
I almost buy it.... almost.  It would explain everything being destroyed,

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[mistresswanda]

I pull up a knee and prop my had up with my hand. I've got him blushing again, and he's searching for what to say.
"I, I simply thought that 'focused' would be, you know, more polite, I apologize."
I won't laugh again, I want to, but I can't. It might send him running. "Laurence, I have a thick skin. Please don't ever worry about offending me. If there's anything you ever want to ask me, go ahead. I'm made of sterner stuff than most." I smile and wink at him.

[brotherlaurence]

I think on what she's said for a moment, arms hooked on my raised knees.

"Is that why you've given yourself to one of those gods? To get him back? Do you really think they would? Or could?"

[mistresswanda]

I appreciate his directness, and twirl a loose curl around my finger, trying to find the best way to answer that.

"For Lucien's sake, I'd do just about anything." I admit honestly, looking him in the eye. "As for giving myself to Lúgh...." And I pause and chew on my lip. "I would have been his anyway. It was inevitable, just because of who he is and what I am.....I.... you see...." Now it's my turn to run my hand through my hair. "It's hard to explain something that I'm having a hard time understanding myself." I admit apologetically.

[brotherlaurence]

"I can't understand what draw you have to Lúgh, but I can understand you'd do anything for someone you love." I smile at her. "He draws you, does he? I don't suppose he's the god of tea, so that must make him, what? God of song?" From the look in her eyes, I can tell I am right. "So, he has some hold over you. I imagine he sleeps with you, too." Normally, I would blush at such a direct and prying question, but I am genuinely curious. Who ever really heard of gods coupling with mortals as worship?

[mistresswanda]

I grin at the "God of Tea" remark. Just the image of Lúgh lugging around tea kettles is enough to make me giddy. He'd probably have a good laugh over it as well.
"So, he has some hold over you. I imagine he sleeps with you, too." I think my eyes go just about as wide as they can get, because that was probably the LAST thing I expected him to ask.
My mouth moves a few times wordlessly as I try to find the words.
"Well, truth be told, there was no sleeping per se." I finally manage, eyes shining with mirth. "Yes, we've had sex. What he gains from it.... you'd have to ask him, I really couldn't say. What I gain from it..." and my mind flies back to that night, the shadows, the music, his essence pouring into me and my sobbing in his arms at the wonder of it. "I could share a little of what I gained, if you'd like." I offer, tilting my head to the side. "And it wouldn't be any physical," I add with a smile. "so don't worry about breaking any vows."

[brotherlaurence]

I cough at her frank response, covering my embarrassment as much as I can. Truly, I can think of this objectively and not let it affect me. I can.

"I could share a little of what I gained, if you'd like. And it wouldn't be any physical, so don't worry about breaking any vows."

"I would like that, actually. I cannot imagine what would bring a person to do such a thing," I confess. After all, it seems as if these gods are gaining worshipers of the whole town.

[mistresswanda]

"I would like that, actually. I cannot imagine what would bring a person to do such a thing."

I could ask him if what I've done is much different from committing oneself to a passionless life for a God, but if he's willing to try to understand, I am more than willing to show.
I take a deep breath, and close my eyes, centering myself.
Let the music fill me, let the love Lúgh left with me wrap around me.... then I gently lay my hand over Laurence's and begin to sing, just for him, letting all the emotions out of me to enfold him within the song.

Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris
Ventris tuae, Jesus.
Ave Maria

The last notes hang in the air... before Laurence caught me passing the time, singing to myself. This.... this is a gift. My gift.

"That's what Lúgh inspires within me." I whisper softly, tears of joy shimmering in my eyes.

[brotherlaurence]

I watch her as she sings, voice full of emotion that pours straight from her heart. Tears have risen in her eyes and I feel overwhelmed by feelings from and for her, although I have never been one who is sensitive to energies as Kaeli is. I have a much better idea now, of why someone would be tempted to couple with such a creature.

"You have a beautiful voice, Miss Wanda. Thank you for sharing that." It must be something to be so inspired by the one you worship.

[mistresswanda]

"You have a beautiful voice, Miss Wanda. Thank you for sharing that." I blush at the compliment and wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes away.
"Thank you, it was the only way I knew to really explain to you why I would want to pledge myself to a god." I sigh and smooth the hair away from my face. "I hope you don't think too poorly of me."

[brotherlaurence]

"Not at all," I say quietly and we sit in silence for awhile, me lost in thought. Her, I don't know. "Pleasure is a very good way to enlist worshipers, I'd say," I observe.

[mistresswanda]

"Well, it certainly doesn't hurt." I observe right back, then shake my head, sorry I answered so glibly. "The only thing he asks of me in the form of worship is to sing. As for the rest....."
I rub the back of my neck, thinking. It's great, it's wonderful, the God IS walking sex.
"I think you and I have very different ideas on pleasure, Brother." I finally settle on with a smile.

[brotherlaurence]

"Perhaps not, Miss Wanda," I say as I smile and rise to my feet. "We are all human, after all. I doubt we really differ that much." Even I have heard of Wanda's side business and while it is not to my tastes, I wonder what she would think if she knew what I do. She might actually understand, if not think I'm odd for not enjoying it. "I've had a pleasant visit with you, Miss Wanda," I say as I bid her goodbye with my hand. "You have a lovely evening." I nod at the falling sun before heading back to my lean-to. No more work to-day, just more devotions.

[mistresswanda]

"Thank you for sitting with me Brother." I smile up at him. "Anytime you have a craving for tea, you know where the shop is."
With a smile and a wave, he leaves me to my thoughts.

"Having a conversation about sex with gods with a street preacher...." I mumble to no one, grinning. I'm sure I've had odder conversations, but right now I can't recall them.