A Spark of Faith (False Witness Afterparty)
Aug 23, 2021 12:23:51 GMT
Merla, the Daughter of Summer, Jaezred Vandree, and 1 more like this
Post by Wren Lunaboult on Aug 23, 2021 12:23:51 GMT
Merla, Taffeta, Veridian, Ghesh and Wren all returned to the Fort in the early hours of the morning with Father Cai in tow, there was a small exchange of friendly goodbyes and promises of hearty food before they all went their different ways. It was at that point that Father Cai, cheeky monkey demon still on his shoulder, gave Wren a knowing look and told them to meet on the wall of the Fort at sundown.
So now here’s Wren, crouched down in the yard of the Fort, anxiously watching the sun crawl towards the horizon as Beans and Stripes play tag in front of them. Wren engages with the two of them somewhat, giving pets and encouraging words when wanted, but they’re obviously distracted. They can’t help the nervous tapping of their hand against their leg as they think of what Cai could possibly say to them. Stripes and Beans seem to catch onto the fact that something’s up and eventually end up curled up in a reassuring mini snuggle pile against Wren’s side.
Precisely on time they arrive at the meet spot, with crime team in tow, the sky dyed a wonderful array of deep reds that catch onto the few scattered clouds and turn them pink as they drift across the horizon. Father Cai walks up to join the small menagerie the same way Wren has come to learn he does everything - slowly, stiffly, painstakingly and relentlessly. He sinks down next to Wren with a sigh as his knees creak and pop, eyes scanning the red horizon. He’s quiet for a long moment before speaking.
“There is no glory in suffering. No good deaths. No quota to be filled, no numbers on a page. There is no end to suffering in this world, and that is what makes serving the Broken God doubly hard. We suffer not for him but for our neighbors in this life. We cannot decide one day to not suffer anymore, because no one is free from suffering until we all are.”
His voice is like gravel and his gaze is both brutal and comforting as he turns to Wren.
“You suffer, child. Will you tell me of it?”
Cai's directness has Wren flummoxed for a brief moment, but at the same time it's not unwelcome. They eventually break eye contact as they try to get the words out, "I um...sure I'll try. I've seen the way life can screw people over, get crushed under its unrelenting heel. And a lot of life's issues, they can be fixed with having a bit more gold to spend. Get enough food, warmer clothing and other stuff you know? But gold is hoarded away so aggressively by those who have it, even when so much suffering could be stopped if they just shared. So I...I steal it and give it to those who need it. I don't care if I'm seen as a thief or criminal or whatever by others, or even if I get put in jail for it. It's all worth it, and I'll keep doing it, if I get to ease those people's suffering and burdens even just a little bit."
They nervously pick at their nails before looking back to Father Cai's unrelenting gaze.
"I think that kinda explains what's up with me? I've not really voiced this all out loud before, I... I'm not great at getting out the right words and stuff. But would they...um..."
The last of their words are mumbled out in such a jumble of sounds they're barely understandable.
Father Cai nods slowly.
“Wren, this is the part of the conversation where, if I were your parent I would tell you; ‘Be careful. It’s wonderful that you want to help people but make sure you take care of yourself as well.’ But I am not. My faith teaches solidarity. Taking care of others is how we take care of ourselves. If your conviction is such that you want to help other people and you are willing to suffer for it, to suffer the consequences, then know that the Broken God walks besides you. Should you ever want it, He will help you.”
He frowns slightly.
“But I will also tell you this; solidarity means sharing your suffering, sharing your burdens. If you do not allow others to help you, that would be in contradiction of this faith. You have gathered companions, yes.” He smiles briefly at the small menagerie at Wren’s feet. “But you need friends. Family. Comrades. I understand you must be careful with whom you trust this secret to, but do not isolate yourself. Do you understand?”
Wren nods rapidly before responding, “Yeah, yeah I understand. I know I need to get better about sharing stuff like that and accepting help, that not everything has to be a secret to everyone. I guess that’s kinda why I’m here asking you about this, as like first steps to that? Cause I realised that I’ve kinda already isolated myself, but that I don’t need to do that to help people the way I want to. Yes I am willing to suffer to help others and accept the consequences, but I am willing to not do it alone anymore. And if the Broken God will help me too in all that, I would really appreciate that.”
They make a slight huff of amusement as they consider something.
“You know, I used to really hate gods and angels and divine people. Used to think they were all stuck up and so detached from the world they had lost sight of how to help the everyday person and their troubles. Well, I still think there are people like that out there, but just not all of them at least? And as for the gods, I was judging them all through the people that revered them, not really looking at them. Not realising how faith can be so different depending on the person, on the god, on just so many things. It’s ironic really that I was judging on surface assumptions when I was mad at people doing that to me.”
Noticing Stripes is trying to sneak off while Wren’s distracted, they pick him up before looking back to Father Cai.
“But thanks for talking to me about all this. It’s really helped settle my thoughts about a lot of things.”
Father Cai smiles, tired but happy.
“I’m glad.” With another groan he gets to his feet, looking out over the Dawnlands once more.
“I had a missive from Cassima waiting for me in my quarters. She seems to think there’s more work to be done in this corner of the world. In fact, she’s coming here to help me - she’s about your age. I think you’d get along very nicely. Should you ever wish it, Wren, find me or her, and we’ll speak more. For now, I’m going to have a cup of tea. I understand Col has a secret stash he doesn’t share with anyone under 30, but I think I could sneak you a cup if you fancy it.”
He gives a small wink and begins walking back towards the north-east tower. Wren gets up to follow, quickly catching up with Stripes in arms and Beans padding alongside.
“That sounds really nice, both Cassima coming here and the tea. I also know what’ll go great with it...some fresh pancakes, not to boast but I make some pretty decent ones.”
And so they both descend down through the tower and on to the main hall, the red sky at their backs now having given way to the comforting darkness of night. It’s calm finally reflected in the previously turbulent mind of the golden eyed teen.
With all the thanks to Lykksie with Father Cai and encouraging the crime teen to finally talk feelings.
So now here’s Wren, crouched down in the yard of the Fort, anxiously watching the sun crawl towards the horizon as Beans and Stripes play tag in front of them. Wren engages with the two of them somewhat, giving pets and encouraging words when wanted, but they’re obviously distracted. They can’t help the nervous tapping of their hand against their leg as they think of what Cai could possibly say to them. Stripes and Beans seem to catch onto the fact that something’s up and eventually end up curled up in a reassuring mini snuggle pile against Wren’s side.
Precisely on time they arrive at the meet spot, with crime team in tow, the sky dyed a wonderful array of deep reds that catch onto the few scattered clouds and turn them pink as they drift across the horizon. Father Cai walks up to join the small menagerie the same way Wren has come to learn he does everything - slowly, stiffly, painstakingly and relentlessly. He sinks down next to Wren with a sigh as his knees creak and pop, eyes scanning the red horizon. He’s quiet for a long moment before speaking.
“There is no glory in suffering. No good deaths. No quota to be filled, no numbers on a page. There is no end to suffering in this world, and that is what makes serving the Broken God doubly hard. We suffer not for him but for our neighbors in this life. We cannot decide one day to not suffer anymore, because no one is free from suffering until we all are.”
His voice is like gravel and his gaze is both brutal and comforting as he turns to Wren.
“You suffer, child. Will you tell me of it?”
Cai's directness has Wren flummoxed for a brief moment, but at the same time it's not unwelcome. They eventually break eye contact as they try to get the words out, "I um...sure I'll try. I've seen the way life can screw people over, get crushed under its unrelenting heel. And a lot of life's issues, they can be fixed with having a bit more gold to spend. Get enough food, warmer clothing and other stuff you know? But gold is hoarded away so aggressively by those who have it, even when so much suffering could be stopped if they just shared. So I...I steal it and give it to those who need it. I don't care if I'm seen as a thief or criminal or whatever by others, or even if I get put in jail for it. It's all worth it, and I'll keep doing it, if I get to ease those people's suffering and burdens even just a little bit."
They nervously pick at their nails before looking back to Father Cai's unrelenting gaze.
"I think that kinda explains what's up with me? I've not really voiced this all out loud before, I... I'm not great at getting out the right words and stuff. But would they...um..."
The last of their words are mumbled out in such a jumble of sounds they're barely understandable.
Father Cai nods slowly.
“Wren, this is the part of the conversation where, if I were your parent I would tell you; ‘Be careful. It’s wonderful that you want to help people but make sure you take care of yourself as well.’ But I am not. My faith teaches solidarity. Taking care of others is how we take care of ourselves. If your conviction is such that you want to help other people and you are willing to suffer for it, to suffer the consequences, then know that the Broken God walks besides you. Should you ever want it, He will help you.”
He frowns slightly.
“But I will also tell you this; solidarity means sharing your suffering, sharing your burdens. If you do not allow others to help you, that would be in contradiction of this faith. You have gathered companions, yes.” He smiles briefly at the small menagerie at Wren’s feet. “But you need friends. Family. Comrades. I understand you must be careful with whom you trust this secret to, but do not isolate yourself. Do you understand?”
Wren nods rapidly before responding, “Yeah, yeah I understand. I know I need to get better about sharing stuff like that and accepting help, that not everything has to be a secret to everyone. I guess that’s kinda why I’m here asking you about this, as like first steps to that? Cause I realised that I’ve kinda already isolated myself, but that I don’t need to do that to help people the way I want to. Yes I am willing to suffer to help others and accept the consequences, but I am willing to not do it alone anymore. And if the Broken God will help me too in all that, I would really appreciate that.”
They make a slight huff of amusement as they consider something.
“You know, I used to really hate gods and angels and divine people. Used to think they were all stuck up and so detached from the world they had lost sight of how to help the everyday person and their troubles. Well, I still think there are people like that out there, but just not all of them at least? And as for the gods, I was judging them all through the people that revered them, not really looking at them. Not realising how faith can be so different depending on the person, on the god, on just so many things. It’s ironic really that I was judging on surface assumptions when I was mad at people doing that to me.”
Noticing Stripes is trying to sneak off while Wren’s distracted, they pick him up before looking back to Father Cai.
“But thanks for talking to me about all this. It’s really helped settle my thoughts about a lot of things.”
Father Cai smiles, tired but happy.
“I’m glad.” With another groan he gets to his feet, looking out over the Dawnlands once more.
“I had a missive from Cassima waiting for me in my quarters. She seems to think there’s more work to be done in this corner of the world. In fact, she’s coming here to help me - she’s about your age. I think you’d get along very nicely. Should you ever wish it, Wren, find me or her, and we’ll speak more. For now, I’m going to have a cup of tea. I understand Col has a secret stash he doesn’t share with anyone under 30, but I think I could sneak you a cup if you fancy it.”
He gives a small wink and begins walking back towards the north-east tower. Wren gets up to follow, quickly catching up with Stripes in arms and Beans padding alongside.
“That sounds really nice, both Cassima coming here and the tea. I also know what’ll go great with it...some fresh pancakes, not to boast but I make some pretty decent ones.”
And so they both descend down through the tower and on to the main hall, the red sky at their backs now having given way to the comforting darkness of night. It’s calm finally reflected in the previously turbulent mind of the golden eyed teen.
With all the thanks to Lykksie with Father Cai and encouraging the crime teen to finally talk feelings.