Chapter VI: Seward's Phonograph, Audio

[master_helsing]

Let us pray, at the beginning of Lent for the Spirit of Repentance.

Alas, I know not personably of any other in this city who share this tradition which start this very day, the Holy Ash Wednesday.

From now till forty days past, we Roman Catholics fast in order to draw close to God

Comments

Audio;

[psyd_seward]

And what might that be..? The cognac? A shame, really. I was thinking we might have a drink together for old time's sake.

Audio;

[master_helsing]

Hmhm, nay. I would not separate myself from something I might well share with my good friend.

No.. it is something I have contemplated since I revealed to you my solemn duty.

Audio;

[psyd_seward]

[Perhaps his English humor was far too dry for the man. Then again they'd rarely given each other cause for smiles.]

Sworn off garlic, have you?

Audio;

[master_helsing]

[There's a soft chuckle from him, after all, he could appreciate when John was lighthearted like this. These moments were so rare these days.]

Has my breath appalled you so?

[audio]

[escapedpandora]

Abstain?

[He's read about this. And there are things he'd really trying to not thing about right now, so...]

From meat, or just... not eating during the day at all?

[audio]

[master_helsing]

[It softened his old heart to hear the lad's voice. Especially after the dreadful matter with the plaster. Something of which he inclined to purge from his mind as well.]

Ja, it can be that. A certain food, or habitual action we deny ourselves from now until the Easter Sunday.

It is to teach that we need not rely on the material und frivolous things in life.

A test of will, if you will.

[audio]

[escapedpandora]

Oh. I thought the tradition was mostly about about food. But other things seem like a better idea if it's going to be about not relying on material things.

[He doesn't mean to sound lackluster, he's just... a bit preoccupied.]

[audio]

[master_helsing]

[Completely understandable. His own hands were rather full before a certain cravat-wearing blood-sucker escaped them.]

In a way, it is a sort of cleansing of the self. We part from the things we feel chain us down und learn to live in poverty.

This way, we grow a greater appreciation for the life gifted to us.

[voice]

[gaveherwings]

I've only learned of it recently. I'm sorry if you've a particularly devout person, but to me it mostly sounds like something to be guilty about.

Self-denial, to draw closer to God. [There's a soft, yearning sigh- the sort of tired bitterness that seems too old on a man of twenty-one years.]

I wish I could say for myself that it wasn't so disappointing a life practice.

[voice]

[master_helsing]

[He's rather bemused at such a back-biting retort.]

Oho? You seem either grossly misunderstood or merely ill-informed for one who has claimed to be so tolerant.

Yea, the point of Lent is to give up something that hinders you, something that bars one from betterment, be it in health, mind, or spirit. There is no place in this tradition to wallow in guilt.

[voice]

[gaveherwings]

From what I understand, people reflect about all the ways in which they ought to correct themselves?

Audio;

[master_helsing]

Gesundheit.

Audio;

[master_helsing]

That was the idea when I penned that book, dear lycan.

As to why you would reveal such privy information to a man you have most undoubtedly read about in garish detail, I have great wonder.

[Voice]

[gavesugar]

[Sheila's just glad that someone's still practicing the faith]

Amen, sir.