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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:46 pm
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:31 am
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:45 am
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:28 pm
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N'Seka bowed his head as the older priest welcomed him. He fidgeted a bit in the silence that followed, unsure what to say. He still wondered if he was imposing, but he couldn't think of a polite way to leave. He'd just have to trust Galonii to tell him if he was interrupting anything. And resist the urge to babble to fill the silence... After some time he was able to relax into the silence, and then the other lion spoke again. It was his turn to fall silent after that question. There were many reasons, but N'Seka had never put words on them.
"I guess," he started and then paused again, "It's hard to describe the calling. I had plans as a kitling, but Pestilence reminded me that we can not predict the future."
He used to have lots of plans and dreams, but with the return of the calling from Pestilence those dreams had to change. It was something he had to learn, but it left a bitter aftertaste. Much like the healers' herbs.
"I learned that the healers can give false hope," he said, voicing something he felt deeply but had never really talked about before, "I want to devote myself to Pestilence to offer real hope."
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:32 am
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"False hope." Galonii replied, his face and voice ever solemn. He turned to regard the younger, his bloodshot eyes looking weary. "Healers have their uses but it is very limited. Our sickness can never be cured and even if they found a way, our Lady Pestilence would certainly bless us with another."
He looked back out again and sighed sharply, his ribs seeming to contract. "Have you known death, N'seka? True death, I mean. The death of a loved one. The death of someone you cared for more than others. A family member, perhaps. Or a dear friend?" He paused again and his head lowered. "Death is a blessing. In death there is hope. I yearn for it, but I still have time left on this world to devote to our Lady. I have known the pain of loss and becoming a priest is the only hope I have."
He turned back to look at him. "You have chosen your life wisely, though I cannot say you will be happy. Sometimes I resent the dead. For them, the pain is gone."
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Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 5:23 am
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 12:12 pm
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Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 9:16 am
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There was a strange sadness about the older Priest, and N'Seka supposed he must have good reason for it. Being a fairly young adult, he hadn't lost many loved ones, not yet. He knew that he would meet them again when the Goddess decided to call him, and that was all the comfort he needed most days. She was there for them, and she would never let them forget that.
"I would love to join you," he said quietly, touched by the offer, "Thank you."
He cleared his throat once, and then let the older priest lead the prayer. His heart felt too large for his chest, filled with joy and sorrow. They were doing their part, two priests offering their thanks and their prayers to Lady Pestilence. Knowing that she would watch over them, always.
-end-
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