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Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on May 3, 2010 12:23:30 GMT -5
Timeline: About a week after the Midwinter Masque, Year 1 of Queen Sabrina's reign, in Adelaide's 16th year.
The penitent shuddered as the water was poured down over his back the third time. No matter how many times you came to confess, your body seemed to forget how the water scalded your skin. I stood off to one side, attempting to avert my gaze from his naked form, but it was hard to do so without being unable to follow the unspoken directives of the priests and priestesses who were performing the purification.
I hated this part of bath duty.
What I liked best was attending the door, which I was also expected to do, which led to a lot of running back and forth from the receiving room to the baths. I enjoyed a brief respite from the humidity, even if it was all too brief. I liked having the opportunity to speak with the visitors who came to the temple.
The penitent stood up and exited the bath, quickly dressing himself in preparation for his penance. I breathed a sigh of relief and hastened towards the receiving room to wait for another knock at the door.
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Post by Dante nó Valerian on Jun 14, 2010 3:16:57 GMT -5
I had come to pray.
For what, I wasn't so certain.
The last few days had been hectic and I had never seen myself as much of a religious man, even if I did believe that our gods existed it was... difficult, sometimes. I had slept with my cousin Leighton which I was sure was wrong by some account and yet, love as thou wilt was one of Elua's most important precepts, wasn't it? So was I not breaking his code by being hesitant to do so with her? I had also started blundering in my assignations, distracted, I almost became doll-like and lifeless and that was not what Naamah called me into her service for, but to serve and to yield, but I was doing that, wasn't I? And even more so, had I not been raised to adore the lash or whatever punishment my patrons may favor in order that I might bring them pleasure? But truthfully I wanted to be a scholar...
Oh Elua, Naamah, Kushiel, Eisheth, what was the plan you had for me, if any? Or was I merely talking to air? I didn't know. Beloved Elua, I was so sorry for my doubt and felt I just needed a moment to pray to Kushiel, of all people, and ask him why he put me on this path. Why me, a Shahrizai by blood had been made into what was supposed to be my polar opposite, a Valerian. I opened the doors, looking ragged and thoroughly tired from all my counterclockwise and backwards thinking. I had gone over everything more than a hundred times in my head until I told myself: Dante, you just need to try and pray for once.
It was my first time at the temple and I had to admit, I was feeling out of place.
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Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on Jun 14, 2010 17:20:39 GMT -5
I watched as the door opened and a man stepped over the threshold, that in itself was not unusual,but his manner of dress was slightly more formal than I was used to, and I wore cleric's robes all day.
"Hello, sir," I greeted him. "Be welcome to Lord Kushiel's sanctuary. Are you here to offer penance, or to speak with one of the priests?" I had no doubt that Lady Angelique would scold me for my lack of formality, but there was no point in using many words when a few would suffice.
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