The roof, Monday at dawn

[vkandis_son]

Once more, Karal was on the roof to say the Dawn Rites. This time, Altra was by his side and so they were near the edge

Comments

[endsthegame]

Ender had been on the roof for a while, his blanket slung around his shoulders to keep the heat in. He'd never had trouble sleeping, but every time he closed his eyes now, he saw dying points of light, faces, and cold bathroom tile.

Silently, he watched Karal go about his ritual. It seemed comforting, if you were a part of it, like words of peace spoken to you alone. But with his usual wall of isolation firmly in place, he could only watch it, second-hand, as the sun spread its fragile first rays across the roof.

[vkandis_son]

Karal continued speaking, barely aware through Altra that he wasn't alone, but company or not made no difference to the Rite.

With a quiet breath, he spoke the end, bowing his head in obeisance to Vkandis and the sun as Altra did the same. "Thank you," he whispered in English.

[endsthegame]

He left a short silence. It seemed like the right thing to do.

Finally, Ender spoke up. "Speaking to your god?" he asked.

[vkandis_son]

"I am," he replied, smiling a little, recognising the voice. "I can speak to Him at any time and He will hear, but the Dawn Rites are special."

[saltandammo]

Dean was in pretty desperate need of some spiritual grounding, enough so that he was up in time for the sunrise to climb to the roof and do the dawn rites as best he could.

He slowed when he saw Karal and Altra already there, and forced cheer into his voice as he stepped forward and said, "Fancy meeting you two here."

[vkandis_son]

"Dean," Karal greeted him, smiling a little as he studied him closely through Altra's eyes. "I see we had the same thought after the weekend."

[saltandammo]

"Yeah," Dean said, shuffling his feet a little. "Sometimes it's worth getting up at dawn."

[vkandis_son]

"It is." Altra looked around, and Karal spotted some chairs, sitting right in a beam of light. "Come and sit?" he suggested, worried now.

[inthereflexes]

Jack quietly meandered his way up to the roof, looking to spend some quiet time out in the air, not expecting someone to be there.

[vkandis_son]

Karal was sitting quietly near the edge of the roof, Altra's paws dangling off the edge, and the 'cat turned to look over his shoulder.

"Good morning, Jack," Karal called, not turning away from the sun. The cloud could roll in at any moment, and he wanted to enjoy it for as long as he could.

[inthereflexes]

"Hey. Morning." He grinned and waved, a tired smile, still sleepy.