009 // salvation // action

[pacifyinghand]

[once Abel was asleep in their apartment at the Gohl, Lilith was near silently slipping out and into the empty corridors... beyond the building, and towards the church. there is a man she hopes to see... and a sense of balance she hopes to re-establish in a place of worship that's sorely missed

Comments

[Action]

[sanctus_cineris]

[That particular man, as of that moment, was currently seated within the confines of his room on the small cot that hardly accommodated his weight, let alone size. Fingers slid across thin parchment, and he squinted by the candlelight, reading over a passage that he was particularly fond of during times of crisis.

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teachings. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ]

[Action]

[pacifyinghand]

[Lilith knocked gently at the Church doors before entering due to the late hour.

for a moment, she simply stood at the threshold... taking in the interior, the familiarity of the sight nostalgic and calming. the church had been her sanctuary on earth, no matter where duty took her. the Dark Saint had held divine authority, barred entrance from no man's holy ground.

bare feet slowly began to pad down the aisle before she knelt at the pulpit, making the sign of the cross - yet she did not pray.

not yet. this silence... the sound of an empty church... the feel of thousands of eyes and hearts who had entered this place... was refuge.]

[Action]

[sanctus_cineris]

[ The light tapping was no more than a whisper in the night air like the caress of a gentle breeze, and all was still except for the swaying of a saintly willow in the wind. He heard, at least, the door swing open, and curious, went to investigate.

By the light of a single candle the Scotsman peered into the darkness, making out the shimmering outline of a figure.]

Es...soomone thaer?

[He called out in a slightly hesitant voice, for once not wearing his usual habit given the hour. Father Anderson hadn't been expecting company.]

[Action]

[pacifyinghand]

[the quiet jingle of bells answers him before Lilith can open her mouth.

she rises to her feet, offering the priest an apologetic glance through the gloom, small smile starting at her lips, pulling the ugly bruise at her cheek. she beheld the man in relative relief.]

I'm sorry for disturbing the church at such a late hour, Father...

Did I wake you?

[Action]

[sanctus_cineris]

[Oh...Well. This was a surprise. Not an unwelcome one, but he still couldn't help but blink a little owlishly.]

O' . . . Ye startled me ae wee bit, dovey...

[And, she was as lovely as ever, even with that mark on her delicate, high cheekbone.]

Th' church es always open tae those thaet have need o' et.

Nae..Es thaer soomthin' ah can do fer ye?

[Action]

[pacifyinghand]

My apologies, Father Anderson...

[she should have contacted him in advance. she inclines her head, shaking it softly]

No. Please return to bed. Don't let me keep you up.

[Action]

[sanctus_cineris]

[Those flaming red locks reminded him of his motherland, how their ruby sheen reflected in the flames.]

Ah was nae sleepin'. Boot ef ye wanted tae be alone, ah'd understand. Ah can give ye yer privacy.

[A soft smile before he turns, then thoughtfully offering her the candle.]

Et's a bit dark en 'ere...Thaer's nae electricity, so ef ye like ye can have thaes tae light yer way.

[Action]

[pacifyinghand]

[though the solace of the church was comforting, it was Anderson whose company she had come to seek out. she had hoped that, despite the hour, he would still be awake - and perhaps those silent prayers had been answered.

she reaches forward, gently accepting the candle - and free fingers softly entangling his sleeve before he may draw away.]

If I am not stealing you away from sleep... would you sit with me?

[Action]

[sanctus_cineris]

[He wouldn't pull away from the Dark Madonna when he could sense her distress even behind that calm demeanor. There was an urgency in her tone and her eyes that he couldn't refuse, the tall Priest slowly leading her to the front pew.]

O' course...

[Action]

[pacifyinghand]

[she eases down onto the pew, keeping the candle burning where it illuminated them both. though she had been in Discedo several months, now, and had met many she had come to care for... there were little she found herself capable of sharing a deep bond on a spiritual level. was he an exception...?

she smiles softly in his direction.]

Father...

How long have you been in this city?

[Action]

[sanctus_cineris]

...Goin' on 4 months noo.

[Last he recalled, though the details some times bled through to the point where he found himself questioning how capable he was of keeping track given his continuous responsibilities, and the fact that it was easy to lose himself in this place.]

[Action]

[pacifyinghand]

You've settled well.

If I did not know better, I would almost say you belonged here... giving the lost lambs of Discedo comfort. [it was true, to her. he seemed to have a naturally calming presence amongst the discord of the city.]

[Action]

[sanctus_cineris]

Ye're verieh kind tae say sooch ae thin', boot ah've doon onlieh whit th' guid Lord told mae.

[His hands fold politely together as he looks down towards his feet, not presuming to hold claim over more than his fair share.]

Surelieh, they'd prefer thaer Mother, dinna ye think?

[He smiled at that reference in regards to the Dark Madonna, and looked away, almost shy.]

[Action]

[pacifyinghand]

[his humble outlook was refreshing. her smile softened, and she reached a slender hand to cup his weathered cheek, stroking a thumb across it fondly.]

Both Mother and Father bring peace to men's hearts. When working together, they are quite a force to be reckoned with... wouldn't you agree?

[Action]

[sanctus_cineris]

[The touch nearly jolted him at how unexpected it was, the surprise sweeping promptly over his bronzed countenance. Her fingers were smooth and silken, gentle as though imbued with a healing touch.]

A-a...Aye...Y-ye migh' be righ' aboo' thaet...

[A nervous chuckle, though he's not going to shy away entirely, merely unused to this sort of endearment, no matter how well-meaning. Not to say that he was adverse to it.]

[Action]

[pacifyinghand]

[the reaction is as endearing as ever. she laughs softly, withdrawing her hand; playful as she is, she dislikes to make him too uncomfortable. that is hardly her intent nor goal.

she settles hands back in her lap, around that candle, her eyes following the tiny flame.]