|
Post by Kyla de Marsili on Nov 26, 2010 19:48:15 GMT -5
1st Week of Spring in the 2nd Year of Queen Sabrina's Reign
The only thing that drew me to this temple was the fact that it was furthest away from Azza, both literally and figuratively. I couldn't imagine why anyone would let themselves be flogged to make atonement, but that may just be my pride talking. Either way, I was making it a point to visit all the temples. I was a visitor in the City of Elua and was eager to see the sights.
I had my small pack on my shoulders, still wearing my dirty white tunic and black breeches from traveling. I hadn't bothered changing, simply because it wouldn't help me blend in anymore. I may be proud of myself, but a person's greatest strength lies in knowing their faults, and one of my faults was my appearance. My hair color mixed with my skin tone would have me standing out among d'Angellines even if my features were perfect. The priests were few and far between, but still made me nervous. Something about not being able to see their faces. Discretion was obviously paramount here; the only people were few and far between, hooded almost as much as the priests themselves.
I nodded to the masked priest as I entered, taking note of the darker tone this shrine had overlaying it. It was almost velvetty. Truly, the temple of Asherat of the Sea in la Serenissima had it's own darkness, but that one was more...foggy. Either way, I couldn't be bothered to try putting the feelings into words. If you care, you'll go see for yourself.
|
|
|
Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on Nov 26, 2010 22:51:33 GMT -5
The temple was unusually busy today, at least by our standards. There was something about the arrival of spring that seemed to fill D'Angelines with the desire to atone for their past misdeeds. Master Auberon probably has a theory about that, I just never bother to ask him.
Whenever the temple is busy, the rumor starts grinding along, and no one gossips like the acolytes in Kushiel's temple. Everyone thinks Kushiel's temple is the one place where secrets remain secret.
Everyone would be wrong.
It was a rare occasion where I was kept idle, especially when the temple was busy, but I supposed the priests and priestesses finally figured out that putting me in a room full of awkward, stumbling penitents fresh off the whipping post was a recipe for disaster.
So I was left to my own devices, such as they were, which is to say that I was bored. It was too early in the year to pick apples, and the tomes that I was currently study were not exactly becoming more exciting the longer I put off studying them.
I raised my head as a flash of red drew my eyes towards a figure standing opposite me at the end of the hall. Red hair wasn't especially rare in Terre d'Ange, but I was used to seeing penitents wearing clean clothes into the temple. Not only that, but there was something strange about her face, even when looking at her from the side, as I was.
"Excuse me," I ventured. "Do you require anything, my l--"
I tried not to stare as I circled around to speak to her face to face, but it was hard not to. My eyes quickly focused on the silver rod and weal pendant around my neck, but, Mighty Kushiel, it was hard not to look.
Master Auberon was always telling me that I should not judge penitents by their appearances, as it is the inner self that is judged by Kushiel, but it took all of my willpower to avoid blurting out "What happened to your nose?"
I bit my lip, resolving to try and greet her again. Do not stare. Do not stare. Do not stare.
"Um...do you require any assistance, my lady? I would have thought the priests would have offered to assist you by now."
|
|
|
Post by Kyla de Marsili on Nov 27, 2010 0:49:03 GMT -5
I arched a brow at the girl. Acolyte, I think, since she didn't have the mask on. I don't pretend to know anything about temples, but I have visited a few in Azzalle. She was blond and, of course, pretty. I could feel her actively trying not to stare at me, which was nicer than most people, I have to say. That's one of the reasons I prefer to stay out of Terre d'Ange if at all possible; people are more accepting elsewhere, when they haven't been bred to look down on the less attractive.
"Sorry, ma'am," I said, giving an awkward courtesy. She didn't seem to be a lady, but even priests deserve an ounce of respect, especially in their own temples. "I'm just here seeing the sights; I hope that's acceptable? It's my first time to the city, and I'm ignorant of propriety in temples."
And of course, a bit of self-deprecation never hurt anyone either. It was all true, though. I had no reason to lie, and thus far she had been kinder than most d'Angellines at this point.
|
|
|
Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on Nov 27, 2010 1:52:22 GMT -5
I had expected her to snap at me, but when no admonition came, I met her eyes, blinking as I processed her words.
Then I started to giggle.
"Oh gods, please don't call me 'ma'am'!" I exclaimed through my laughter. "I am only sixteen, and you make it sound as if I am an old priestess, like Lady Elise. Some days I think she must be as old as the Grand Temple of Kushiel in Kusheth." I stopped, closing my mouth before I said something truly humiliating.
"Ahem, Lord Kushiel, to my knowledge, has never turned anyone away from His sacred precinct." I knew there was a more official phrase of welcome, but it was eluding me at the moment. "He's actually very quiet--for a god." I shrugged. "When I was a small child, I had always imagined that gods would be a little more--" I made a vague gesture in the air. "--expressive." I didn't know why I was telling her all this, maybe it was a sign that I was truly bored.
"Oh, my name is Adelaide, Adelaide no Nicodeme, an acolyte in the service of Kushiel." I bobbed a curtsey, wobbling a bit as I was not accustomed to making such a gesture. "Is there anything you want to know in particular? I've lived here for six years, so I'm somewhat of an expert," I beamed proudly, secretly praying that she would not wish to hear recitations of too many traditional prayers, which I hadn't bothered to memorize...yet...
|
|
|
Post by Kyla de Marsili on Nov 29, 2010 2:24:30 GMT -5
Secretly, I wondered if all the priests of Kushiel were as happy and bubbly as this girl behind their bronze masks. I couldn't imagine it, but one couldn't be sure. The idea made me smile a bit. Adelaide made me feel a bit more comfortable to speak my mind, however.
"Have you ever..." I began, nodding my chin up at the stern visage of Kushiel, hoping she'd know I was asking if she had atoned for sins. The idea of flogging was unbearable to me. Well, the humiliation beneath the lash that came with it, rather.
|
|
|
Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on Nov 29, 2010 11:55:08 GMT -5
I followed her gaze, fighting the sudden urge to make an obeisance before the effigy. It was a habit that was bred into everyone who lived and worked at the temple.
"All acolytes are exposed to the lash," I said quietly. "It's practically a requirement before we become ordained, but they don't generally drag us in here to mete out punishments, if that's what you're asking."
Her expression suggested that she found the practice distasteful, which was a common enough sentiment. "Sometimes I wish they would just make me write lines instead," I grumbled. "But...there is a feeling that comes after a flogging. It's almost like...being wrapped in a warm blanket after coming out of the cold." It was hard to describe the feeling, 'peaceful' didn't seem adequate.
"Besides, the priests never use the high-intensity floggers on an acolyte, those are for...murderers...I think. I don't think we've ever had a murderer come in to confess though." I looked her over, from her feet to the top of her head. "You look like you could handle something much worse than the sort of instrument that's been used on someone like me, m'lady."
|
|
|
Post by Kyla de Marsili on Dec 4, 2010 2:45:28 GMT -5
(( ooc; Sorry it's been a bit. I've been finishing up the semester and applying to graduate schools.)) Kyla relaxed, flashing her a grin. The quickest way to make a friend was to flatter them, and, acolyte or not, the girl seemed to realize it. Or maybe it was just her personality. That was yet to be determined. "Maybe one day I'll have the.... need to test that theory." she said, running a hand through her close-cropped hair. She doubted it, but one didn't tempt the will of the gods' by saying something was certain. The temple was beautiful, she had to admit. In its own solemn, sturdy, bleak way. Another thought struck her, and she looked to Adelaide. "What would be an appropriate offering to Kushiel if I wasn't willing to confess?" To visit a god in his temple without offering something in thanks seemed blasphemous, almost.
|
|
|
Post by Adelaide nó Nicodeme on Dec 4, 2010 13:35:30 GMT -5
((ooc: It's okay! You forgot to put your post in first person, btw! That's okay though.))
I considered her question. "Incense is a popular choice. It is customary to deposit a few coins in the offering bowl in exchange for a handful of incense. I've seen the occasional blood offering--a few drops of blood squeezed onto a cloth--but most people prefer the incense. It's less painful, even if its smell leaves...much to be desired." Even though I had lived in one temple or another for my entire life, I was still unaccustomed to the smell. Master Auberon, as usual, had a different opinion, but I imagined that when you were as old as him, any smell would become more bearable.
|
|