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Entry tags:
- !plot: second life,
- astrid hoffersson,
- axl,
- brother cargn,
- edward elric,
- fate testarossa harlaown,
- hiccup,
- jamie hemeros,
- jamie mccrimmon,
- jayne cobb,
- jono starsmore,
- kang,
- kate bishop,
- lelouch vi britannia,
- maydril val mandrian,
- nanoha,
- nunnally vi britannia,
- prince of all cosmos,
- son of satan,
- spider-man (younger),
- starfire,
- tavros nitram,
- tenaya,
- toothless,
- vindicator nehaalista,
- vita
Second Life -- Welcome to Fairplay [Stage 1]
It had been the usual mission briefing, not that any of them remembered it. The crew knew they were gone and had no idea when they'd be back, and likely wouldn't attempt rescue for quite some time, especially with Stacy considering the mission "ongoing."
They had no idea when they'd be back, either, namely because they never remembered being on the ship in the first place.
It was home. It had always been home.
Welcome to Fairplay, Iowa, folks, happiest little town in the Midwest.
[ooc: Read this before tagging.]
They had no idea when they'd be back, either, namely because they never remembered being on the ship in the first place.
It was home. It had always been home.
Welcome to Fairplay, Iowa, folks, happiest little town in the Midwest.
[ooc: Read this before tagging.]
Location: Church of St. Michael
But a moment passed, and his the sharpness of mind that characterized the aging priest returned to him.
Ah, that was right. He was in the middle of a sermon. Though he couldn't see them--shrapnel from the war so many years ago took his sight from him--he knew his congregation was giving him an odd look for having spaced out in that moment.
Ah well, no matter.
"The holidays are coming up soon," he said as he resumed speaking. "And I hope, as tired a sentiment as it may sound, that you remember the true meaning behind Christ's birth. In this age where the idea of 'self first, others second' reigns highly in people's mind, it's become difficult to see the teachings of our Lord. To love your neighbor, and respect your fellow man. To love the sinner but revile the sin."
"I hate to say it, but you don't see much of any of that these days. No one takes the time to be decent to one another, to provide for those in greater need. Of course, during the Christmas season, we buy each other material goods, and feel a bit better about ourselves."
"But that alone isn't what He would have wanted. Materialism? That isn't His plan. If you want to feel better about yourself, go out and really help someone. Give to the homeless, help someone less fortunate. Just do something to actually make the world a better place. That is what our Lord would want."
After his speech was over, he began to feel weak again. He decided this was as good a place as any to end mass.
"Go in peace to love and serve the Lord," he said, more out of habit now than actual meaning. It wasn't like anyone here would actually listen to what he was saying.
As usual, he stood at the door as his congregation left. As they made their way out, he could hear some of them speaking about him.
"Who does he think he is, talking to us like that?" one whispered. "Old freak," said another.
His heart sank. Even after all of these years, his words couldn't reach these people. They only came because they fear hell more than they believe in God.
Once more, he felt like nothing more than a useless old man.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
"You spoke well, Father." So what if that was true only in comparison to Daimon?
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
He sighed as he turned to go back inside. He took note of the collection basket, left at the foot of one of the rear-most pews. Only a handful of dollar bills and some loose change.
Wasn't this supposed to be the season of giving?
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
"I am sure more listen to you than you think, Father."
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
"Perhaps you have more faith in people than I do, Damon."
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
"Perhaps you're right. I certainly hope so, at least."
So many years of this. So many years, only to see a dwindling congregation and a general lack of faith in the community.
He began to truly wonder if he was making any sort of difference here.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Long after the other attendees had filed out of the building, Nunnally remained sitting in a pew near the back of the sanctuary, flipping through a hymn book that lie open on her lap.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
The sound of Father Thomas' cane echoed through the quiet church as he made his way back inside. He paused for a moment, hearing the quiet sound of pages turning.
"Is someone still there?" he asked.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
The Church of St. Michael was one of the few houses of worship in Fairplay where the grounds were pretty much open 24/7 to anyone wishing to enter, thanks to Father Thomas' policies.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
"I... I probably should go home, though. I just kind of... got distracted." Didn't want to, was more like it. Didn't feel comfortable at home, didn't know where else to go.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
He typically had a sense of when young people were uneasy, and it was obvious Nunnally was.
no subject
Corinne remained kneeling for a long time after the sermon. Normally, she would brush off such a speech with a quick 'he doesn't know what feeling good really is'. Winning, that felt good. Choosing one of many willing men to go to the dance with, that felt good. Giving? If you needed to do that to be happy, then you didn't really have much at all.
But this time, she felt as if she had heard two voices speaking with Father Thomas. Someone was going on about the joys of celebrating with friends, no matter who they are. That voice had a powerful swell of happiness behind it, beyond anything she'd ever heard.
All that feel-goody stuff was just fantasy...right? She would look good on the Christmas cards, dance the night away with a dreamboat, and give her hugs and smiles on Christmas day. That was all she needed to do.
no subject
So when he...let us say noticed a presence, long after mass had ended, he quietly walked over towards the young girl kneeling there.
"Can I help you with anything?" he asked.
no subject
What should she ask? Something neutral, maybe...
"How do you feel on Christmas morning, Father?"
no subject
"Truthfully, though, I must say, for me at least, it really is much like any other day. Certainly, remembering the birth of Christ is important, but I don't understand why only one day a year must be set aside for giving and helping others, when those people might need help the other 364 days of the year."
It was honestly quite easy to get Father Thomas into one of these mini-sermons, given the right line of conversation.
no subject
"We all seem tired," she commented quietly, "and perhaps that is why we do not."
no subject
Especially in a wretched little town like Fairplay, where just about everyone seemed lacking in generosity.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Sister Mary Benedict had an office - well, not so much an office as a very small room with an ancient, buggy computer on a desk that had been donated by the furniture store in town, way back when the church had been renovated in the 70s.
It was an extremely ugly thing that took up half the space in the room. Add in a couple of file cabinets, and it was practically impossible to move around. Still, she managed, and after the service, she passed by the old priest and the young priest to log in the very sparse offerings.
[So much for tithe being 10% of their earnings,] she signed and tried to keep her face serene. It was very hard not to let her bitterness show, but with the congregation dwindling little by little every year...
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Calm yourself, Damon. Calm.
"Per-" He cleared his throat. "Perhaps they have all ready donated to other charities."
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Mary Benedict tilted her head at him. The effect would've been helped if she'd had a little more movement from her stiff, black veil, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
[Maybe, I would not know, they do not speak of their charities after service. Only of their material needs.] She took the collection plate from Damon and touched his shoulder, for just a moment too long to be comfortable. [I should probably get back to my office and prepare this for tomorrow.]
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
[I..] Natasha struggled to keep her face passive. [I would like your help very much. I have trouble with my English, sometimes.] Oh, how she would kill to hear Italian again. Even if it was the sour-faced old Abbess from her former post.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Fool! He should be walking in the other direction. This would only make things worse.
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael
Re: Location: Church of St. Michael