Backposting: A Visit to Naamah's Temple

[Catherine nó Gentian]

While I can't remember much about the time I spent in Cereus, the couple of years following my adoption into Gentian House are the ones I remember most vividly.
I can recall one incident in particular, I had just entered into my twelfth year of life, and had decided--on a whim, I might add--to visit Naamah's Temple. Although I had kept up with my private devotions, as well as any child could, I had not been to the temple since my dedication as one of Naamah's Servants.

Surprisingly, the Temple did not seem to be very busy, and no one glanced my way as I came towards the statue of Naamah and stood there, gazing up at her face. A priestess, noticing my presence, smiled and beckoned me forward, where I threw a handful of incense on a brazier in exchange for the few coins I carried.
"Someday, I will be a priestess like you!" I said softly.
The priestess' only response was a bright smile and a slight nod. "We shall see what the gods will when you are older."
I didn't think it would be appropriate to tell her that the gods had made their will known to me two years earlier, so I held my tongue.

Once I had finished, I retreated out of the way of other temple-goers and sat down, listening to the coo of doves and the pounding of feet against the floor.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

In my own circles, I had gained a small popularity, and Naamah's shrine was one of them. Well not devout to the point of spending every day, I was often here, perhaps at least once a week. But that wasn't the reason many of the priests and priestess greeted me by name as I strode unshod across the cold stone path. And it wasn't because of my telltale mane that covered my head, the white locks given by that horrible experience.

No, it was because when I did come, I would stay for hours on end, silent, with eyes open. I would stare at the statue of Naamah herself, seeking answers only she could give. I knew it was remarkable, given that I'd established a routine like this in only a a little over a year, and at the young age of twelve. I hadn't known many in my own house, but I would acknowledge them anyways.

It was such an occasion that I saw another housemate, my age if I guessed. She was seated on the rim of the temple proper, idly lost in thought. The sight brought a small smile to my face. Nonetheless, I took to the ritual of offering, blessed with water and honey cake. Afterward, I found a cool grassy patch on the ground, and took a seat, starring silently.

[Catherine nó Gentian]

I suppose others would think it strange that a child is able to sit quietly for hours without squirming or making a fuss. I was not one of those children, however. At times, this quietness irked those at Cereus, Gentian, however, seemed more comfortable with such things: How does one hear the voice of the gods if they devote all their time to speaking and none to listening?

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched the others who had come to make offerings, and was momentarily startled when a boy with strange white hair took a seat before the statue.

Was that...a phantom? Was I seeing ghosts, now?

I directed my gaze towards the figure. No, he was not a phantom, he seemed solid enough. It was only that I found his appearance to be odd. I should talk, the others at Gentian thought that I was odd as well, but for a different reason.
Now that I could see him more clearly, I thought that his hair, despite its odd shade, was very lovely to behold, and I wanted very much to touch it, to see whether it was as soft as the clouds and as fine as silk, but I held back--it woulkd be rude to interrupt someone when they were so focused on Naamah. "Forgive me," I said softly as I moved closer to where he was sitting, determined to prove to myself that he was neither phantom nor angel, but a mortal boy.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

Thoughtful, yes, but I was still a boy, and didn't stop myself from indulging in playful expressions or curious inquiries. As it was, I leaned back from my cross legged sitting position. Rolling onto my back, I found myself looking up at the sky, obscured slightly by a face. The young girl had moved, and I found myself stareing into her eyes from a very small distance.

"For what?" I asked innocently.

[Catherine nó Gentian]

I froze. "Are you a phantom, or an angel?" I blurted, my eyes wide with fear. I thought I could hear one of the priestesses trying to stifle a laugh, but I was so intent on the boy that I paid scant attention to much else except his hair and his eyes. He had such lovely eyes.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I got up quickly, interested in her question. "I'm a boy last time I checked." I pressed a finger to her forehead. "What about you, are you phantom or an angel. Nope. You seem real enough." I smiled back at her. "So why are you sorry?"

[Catherine nó Gentian]

"Oh," I blushed. "I thought Naamah would be angry with me if I interrupted you, and I'm not a spirit either, just a girl!" I sat down next to him. "Your hair is very lovely," I continued. "And I don't think I've ever seen anyone with hair like yours."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I smiled more at her explanation, surely it must seem like that. "I think Naamah does not mind interruptions of this sort." I tilted my head a little, listening as she commented on my hair. "Thank you." I said shyly. "I suppose you wouldn't though, it is not a natural color, I would think." My eyes started to drift towards the sky again, looking at the clouds.

[Catherine nó Gentian]

I followed his gaze, his hair did remind me of the clouds. "Well, maybe it's not natural for other people, but it is for you." I suggested, pursing my lips in thought. "Just like how some people can take a lot of pain--like at Valerian." I didn't really know much about either Valerian or Mandrake, but I suspect most in the Night Court had heard something of their ways.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Well, if you say so." I shrugged, feeling no need to argue at. We were both watching the sky now it seemed, I didn't care. Without looking away, I asked, "You go to Gentian too, don't you?"

[Catherine nó Gentian]

I nodded. "Yes, I don't think I've seen you there before, though. I wonder how we could have missed each other?" He looked to be about the same age as me, and even though I had only been at Gentian for a couple years, it would be hard not to miss someone like him.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"That's not surprising, I tend to hide a lot." It was true. I had special permission from Octavier to spend time in the Opium rooms at my age, and I took that liberty quite well. It was often the only way I could keep nightmares from occurring at a rampant rate. But I hoped that later it would be many a good avenue for collecting patrons.

[Catherine nó Gentian]

"Oh, that would explain it." So, it seemed that we both did our share of hiding, but I didn't press the issue. "Are you ever worried that a patron won't be able to find you when you are older, when you hide all the time?" I asked as I gazed up at the sky, trying to see if the clouds formed any recognizable shapes.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I looked back at her a moment. "I try not to worry to much about anything," I looked back at the statue of Naamah herself. "But I suppose I'll have to try a little more then. I didn't feel like going anywhere, so I fell back onto the grass, laying down, and looking as the clouds passed over. "I'm Vincent."

[Catherine nó Gentian]

"I'm Catherine, pleased to meet you, Vincent." It was strange how things like names were forgotten when the speakers found that they had something in common.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath and listening to the fluttering of dove wings. "I wonder why she doesn't speak to me like she did before?" I wondered aloud, indicating the statue with a slight tip of my head.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I put my hands behind my head, listening though not looking at her intently. I was more focused on the one cloud that looked like a horse in the sky. "Perhaps she is waiting for you to say something. She can't talk all the time." I said innocently.

[Catherine nó Gentian]

I thought one of the clouds looked like a harp. Perhaps it was some sort of sign, but I was no expert at reading signs from nature. "Maybe," I said. "But, sooner or later, I will run out of things to talk about, and then what will she do?"

I wondered if Naamah could spare a moment for her human children anymore, or if she was busy in the Terre D'Ange- That-Lies-Beyond, looking after more important personages.

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Well, what do people do when neither of them have nothing else to say, but still enjoy each other's company?" I asked honestly, not knowing myself. "And you should lay down, you can see the clouds better this way." I said as an afterthought. I noticed to young priestess in the corner of my eye at the edge giggling at us. Who knows what they thought.

Now the horse was a hand. Grasping for something.

[Catherine nó Gentian]

I lay down and stared up at the clouds. "I think it's easier to enjoy someone's company if you're talking to them," I said, ignoring the giggling that I heard. The harp that I'd seen had faded, replaced with a shape that I couldn't put a name to.

I sat up. "Would you excuse me for a moment?" I stood up and walked towards the statue, kneeling once I was close enough to stare up into her gentle face. "Please forgive me, Lady," I said softly, knowing that she knew what had been vexing me, and hoping for her forgiveness.

I felt it then, an intense feeling of peace--the loud sound of beating wings in my head. Had a dove been loosed near me? It seemed like I couldn't focus properly, all I could feel was light and warmth, so like the vision I'd had.

My eyes snapped open. I had fallen on my back, and one of Naamah's priestesses was bending over me, her eyes bright with concern. "Are you well, child?"

"Yes," I managed, my voice small. I smiled weakly. "I think, I found what I came for..."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I'd said nothing as she left a moment later after responding. I listened intently to her movements away, and caught the hushed murmers of her prayer to Naamah, though the exact words I didn't know. It was after a few more moments that heard a soft thud onto the grass once more. I leaned up seeing her laying on the ground. I looked confused even as one of the priestesses rushed over.

I got up calmly, walking over. I tugged softly on the priestess robes. I whispered, "Is she alright?"

[Catherine nó Gentian]

I heard Vincent's query and tried to sit up, but the priestess restrained me with a gentle yet firm hand. "Lie still for a moment, child." She said softly, turning her attention to Vincent. "She looks to be unharmed, young sir."

"I'm fine..." I said. "I fell over, that's all!" I looked at Vincent and winced. His hair was bright, as if he shone with a great light. He really did seem like an angel or a phantom. "My eyes..."

"Shhh...." The priestess' voice was soft and comforting. "It will pass..." She turned to Vincent. "You may wish to have her examined when you return to Gentian, but I do not think she has suffered much."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I nodded quietly, before looking closer at Catherine. She was cute as far as adepts go, but I didn't think to much on it. Instead, I wanted to know what she'd felt that made her fall down. I had a thought, and I leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Did you find anything out?"

[Catherine nó Gentian]

"She didn't speak to me," I said. "But...I felt....like everything was going to be fine..." I paused, narrowing my eyes. "Everything looks so bright, your hair...." I shook my head, trying to will the strange sight away. "I thought a dove escaped, because I heard these giant wings beating, and then there was this light, and this feeling...and then I opened my eyes and I was on my back!"

The colours around me were starting to dim, and I felt a momentary sense of loss as the brightness faded, followed by relief. "I think I can stand up," I said to the priestess.

She helped me stand, and for a moment I wobbled like a newborn colt before gaining my balance. "I think I can make it back to Gentian," I said to Vincent. "Do you think they will be angry with me?"

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I shook my head playfully. "Not likely." I could have said other things, that they would be relieved, maybe even extremely curious as to what she heard and felt. But, it was up to her if she wanted to say anything. For now I kept my silence on the matter. I might be able to find out about it later. Besides, I'd done worse, or had ideas that I might do so later.

I looked at the priestess. "I'll take her back, she'll be fine." I said, perhaps more a comfort to me than her, but I said it anyways. I offered my hand to Cathrine as any child might.

[Catherine nó Gentian]

The priestess nodded, satisfied, and I took Vincent's hand, squeezing it perhaps a little too tightly. I couldn't bring myself to meet the statue's gaze, so I took a few careful steps forward. "I feel...light..." I remarked, feeling as if my insides were filled with air. "It feels so strange..."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"Oh?" I asked questionly. We made our way through the grassy center, and the white marble halls, greetings and saying thanks to the many priests and priestesses as we left. "What were you here for anyways Cathrine?" I asked curiously.

[Catherine nó Gentian]

"I was tired of praying on my own," I said truthfully. "And it's nice to get out in the fresh air." The effects of my experience at the Temple were fading with every step I took. "What about you? What were you doing there?"

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

"What I always come here to do. To think in Naamah's watchful presence." I looked at her with a quite soft smile. "There's nothing wrong with that I hope."

[Catherine nó Gentian]

I shook my head. "Oh no! There is nothing wrong with that at all! I'm sure Naamah doesn't mind, either, or she would have said something to you about it."

[Vincent nó Gentian(D)]

I giggled a bit at her response. "So why are you in the Night Court Cathrine?" Many adepts have their reasons, and I've often found those in Gentain have very peculiar and enlightning ones as well. Our House Cannon is very peculiar, and therefore our house is rather small. But, we do our job well, for what it's worth.