Searching for Patterns (OTA)

[oldknowledge]

A man walks into the church and looks around with interest. He studies the windows, the ceiling, the pillars, then steps closer to the altar and studies that. Not so much what is on it, but the design, the shape

Comments

[kilrenko]

"Call me a cynic," comes a low, husky voice from the far corner of the back pew, "But I don't think you'll find answers here. Only questions."

Kilrenko sits quietly on the pew, demurely clad (for her) in tight jeans, a black tank-top and sneakers.

[oldknowledge]

Christopher glances in the direction the voice came from. "Wouldn't that depend on the questions you're asking?" Which is not what he was doing anyway.

[kilrenko]

"Well, I know for certain that the questions, 'Are you there?' and 'Why don't you talk to me any more?' don't tend to get answered, at least from what people say..."

[oldknowledge]

That brings a small smile onto his face. "Maybe they're not listening the right way." Too focused on their doubt to be perceptive, possibly.

"You're not here to ask those questions, I gather?" He walks a little closer to where the woman is sitting, not wanting to shout in the house of God.

[kilrenko]

"I wouldn't know, not being much of a deist," Kilrenko shrugs. "But according to rumor, not even the angels in residence hear from Him."

She stands as he approaches, to introduce herself. "My name is Kilrenko, but most everyone here knows me as 'Moira.' And I occasionally come here to remember a priest I knew a long time ago," she says.

[oldknowledge]

The two names make him study her with new interest, he himself sticks to giving one name, though. "Christopher Chambers. I was admiring the architecture. Beautiful buildings, churches."

He's not sure what to make of her. Like so many beings in this village, he has trouble reading much about her, forcing him to rely on talking. "Moira, is that a stage name?" He could picture her on stage, she does have a certain charisma.

[kilrenko]

"A pleasure, Christopher," Kil smiles to him. "And yes, this place is beautiful."

She shrugs one shoulder. "More like a cover name. When I first arrived here, I was desperately afraid that people from my world would come and find me... so I used a false name. Since then I've realized that I'm dead, back home. So I'm no longer afraid what others would think of my actions while here.

"Back home, I was an assassin," she adds after a moment.

[oldknowledge]

Not an admission that easily creates trust.

"I'm glad you said you were an assassin." Still, he's not stepping closer any time soon. "May I ask where 'home' is in your case?"

[kilrenko]

Kil's eyebrows go up slightly and the corner of her lips curls up. "You're glad I said it?" she asks, mildly amused.

"Home was the Emperor's Court - from a time long, long in most futures." She shrugs. "Mankind has spread throughout the galaxy and encountered perhaps a dozen non-terrestrial races."

[oldknowledge]

"I'm glad you said you were an assassin," he says with more emphasis. "Past tense, I hope you're not one any longer."

Of her description of home he can't make much sense. He may have managed to become immortal, but time-travel is beyond his capabilities, hence he has no idea of the future. "Any Martians among those dozen species? Green ones preferably?" If she actually says yes, she'll be facing a very surprised alchemist.

[kilrenko]

"Not unless someone really, really deserves it," Kil says, shaking her head. "So far, not even the Joker earned that at his worst.

"No, nothing from Mars. It's a dead planet," she says, tongue in cheek.

[oldknowledge]

No Martians, that's good. "No, I hadn't thought there were."

"But - the Joker? As in a deck of cards? I've come across some interesting characters here, but that would be a novelty."

[kilrenko]

"The Joker, as in Batman's nemesis. One of the most evil men I've met - and I've met more than a few.

"By the by, I sell antiques here in the village, at the moment."

[oldknowledge]

Batman. He's heard of him, but it's not something he's actually interested in. "Then I'll consider myself lucky not to have met this Joker." He certainly doesn't need evil people, he still has a demon to deal with. Back home.

"Any books among those antiques?" You never know what treasures of forgotten knowledge you might find in old books.

[kilrenko]

"Not usually. Those mostly go to the book store.... But you're welcome to stop by and look around," she adds.

[oldknowledge]

"I might," he replies vaguely. The book shop sounds more interesting to him. But never say never, not when you have eternity ahead of you.

"How antique are the items you sell?" There might still be something of interest, depending on the period.