Learning to Pray: Abigail and Henri

[Henri Legard]

I nodded in agreement as I took a deep breath and let it out, cleansing myself and putting me more at ease before entering through the gates and walking up the walk. I looked around at the vastness of the land, and the temple's facade, before glancing down at Abigail by my side. I smiled, terribly content, and the small smile turned into a wide grin. It seemed that Elua's temple was not the only one where I felt comfortable.

"What do you think you might pray for?" I asked as I looked from her, not wishing to stare and unsettle her.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

I took in the scenery contentedly, before looking up to answer his question. "Courage," I said slowly. "The courage to try new things, to not be so shy. What do you think you will pray for?"

[Henri Legard]

I nodded in understanding. "You know," I said softly, "I think I might wish for the same. That and understanding," I said with a nod, "unless that makes me too greedy," I laughed.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"Why should it?" I asked. "Asking for those things makes you wise, not greedy."

[Henri Legard]

I blushed at her words and nodded in agreement. "You are right. I guess I just figured thre were so many people out there, asking for things they may need ore. But then I am foolish to think that anyone's prayers and wishes are dependant on the importance of other peoples'."

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"The gods can probably tell who is in need, and who is not," I said. "Otherwise, what kind of gods would they be?"

[Henri Legard]

"That is quite true," I said pensively as we came to the temple proper. I stopped before the steps and looked up at the building, feeling a flutter in my stomach, nerves and wonder mixing together as I looked upon the hallowed building. "But if they know, why do they need prayer? Should not they just give?" I asked, thinking more on the topic.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

I paused. "I don't know," I said. "Maybe a priest will have the answer to that question. Certainly the gods do not need prayer...maybe they just like it?"

[Henri Legard]

"Perhaps you are right," I said, pensively, before chuckling and feeling my cheeks heat. "I hope I am not boring you with such talk." I brought my gaze back to her before continuing to mount the steps to the front door.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"You're not boring me," I said reassuringly. "I'm having a very nice time, truly." And I was.

[Henri Legard]

"Good," I said with a wide grin, "I am too!" I stopped before the door and looked down at my booted feet. "We have to remove them, right?" I asked, looking from my boots to Abigail.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"I think so," I said, slipping off my low-heeled shoes to reveal feet in pretty lace stockings.

[Henri Legard]

I followed suit, unlacing my boots and removing them to reveal hosened feet. I looked to hers, dainty and lady-like, with lace stockings, and looked hastilly back up, with a soft blush. "Your stockings are lovely," I whispered, "I hope they don't tear."

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"I don't think they will," I replied softly. "The floor seems smooth enough."

I studied his face for a moment. "I don't know why," I said thoughtfully, "but it seems like we were meant to meet. Two Camaelines, both young, both with questions about life and the Gods and..." I trailed off. "Now I'm just babbling, forgive me."

[Henri Legard]

I nodded at her assertion, agreeing that they would probably be safe.

And then she went on, stopping short of what she was about to say. I had been nodding, agreeing with her, but I furrowed my brows when she stopped. "No, I do not think you are babbline. Please, continue," I said with an encouraging smile.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"Oh, I think I'm finished," I said. "Come, let's go in."

[Henri Legard]

"Oh!" I said with a bit of surprise, feeling myself colouring again. I left my boots at the door as I nodded and walked in through the door to the inner sanctum. I looked around at the statues, some with swords as though he were in battle, and some without. It was funny to see him depicted as this as I hd never thought of him like that. I wondered what Abby thought. "Abby? I started, looking to her, "had you ever imagined him without a sword?"

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

I looked at the statue he was looking at. "No, I don't think I had," I said. "Do you think there was a time when he did not have one?"

[Henri Legard]

"Perhaps," I said as I tilted my head. "I wonder if he was just... made a warrior or if he had to learn to live by the sword, or maybe if there was a gentle side to him," I said smiling, there was hope for me yet, a side to my soverign deity that I could possibly identify with.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"Not all warriors are warriors all the time," I said. "Maybe even Camael got tired of fighting all the time and just wanted peace in the land."

[Henri Legard]

"True," I murmured, "and I think that was why he fought. Peace, not the bloodlust of it. I wonder if those who honour Camael with their swords ever stop to think that," I murmured out loud. An acolyte approached us, donning a sac which he explained were herbs and plants to be burned for offering. I took some coin from my coin purse at my waist and exchanged it for two handfuls of the mixture, one which I gave to Abigain., and asked him to point us in the direction we should go. He pointed down the hallway to the left and I nodded, thanking him.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

I was surprised and pleased at the little offering. "I'll have to get the next one," I said, as we began to walk down the hall.

[Henri Legard]

A smile came to my lips. Next time? I was happy to hear that she wanted to see me again, come with me to the temple on another occassion. I nodded. "Certainly," I said with a smile. "Maybe... if you would like of course... you would come with me to visit the other temples sometime too? I have always wondered what they looked like on the inside, what their differences were."

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"I would love that," I said, nodding in agreement. "Mayhap we can make a game out of it, and try to visit all the temples before the summer?"

[Henri Legard]

I smiled at her suggestion, nodding. "That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps if we do we ought to give ourselves a reward, like a play," I said with a smile, turning my face in her direction. "Have you ever seen one?" I asked. I had not, and was always intrigued by it. I always secretly admired actors, their ability to act as something they were not. If only I had that gift I might not be so shy. Then again, I also would not be myself.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"Yes, but I have not yet been to a play in the city," I said. "That is a good incentive, I think."

[Henri Legard]

"Great!" I chimed enthusiastically. "It sound like we will be seeing more of each other," I said with a grin. "I am glad to have made a friend here in the City, thank you Abigail," I said a little softer, still grinning, though my cheeks warmed at my sentiments. Walking forward I spied an effigy, Camael with a sword, but in a resting position, with a face both stern and calm,. showing strength and peace, and I felt warmth wash over me instantly. "It is beautiful, is it not Abby?" I asked, compeltely forgetting my train of thought for the moment.

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

I am glad too," I said, approaching the same effigy. "It is beautiful," I agreed. "He looks like he might come alive at any moment."

[Henri Legard]

I smiled, chuckling softly. "You know, I think you are right," I quirked my head to the side. "I wonder what he would say if he were to suddenly be living stone. I wonder if he would know our names, our hearts."

[Abigail d'Aubigne]

"Oh Gods, I think I would be frightened to death," I said, putting a hand over my heart. "I like the gods where they are, at a distance."