[Open] And Did the Countenance Divine

[graveling]

Who: Angel and You
What: Properly priesting, or trying to at least
When: July
Where: Yes!
Warning(s): None yet

1. I will not cease from mental fight [Temple Matters]
With Degas on his sabbatical, Angel is taking on the full mantle of Priest of the Mothers. He’s wearing the brown robes of a priest and the green stole with braided knotwork patterns similar to Celtic designs along it, even though doing so makes him feel a little like a child in their father’s shoes.

Still, he’s here if you need guidance or blessing, trying to fill the role.


2. Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand [Milk and Honey]
As he’s trying to fill the role of full-time priest, Angel’s still in his robes as he brings products from Kasprak farm into town. Vegetables and fruits, eggs and goat’s milk. And, of course, honey, in small glass jars all with a wax stamp on top–a bee with a pair of stylized feathered wings.

He’s visiting stores and restaurants, but if you catch him on the carriage Arcadia’s pulling, you might get tossed a ripe tomato or offered a melon. There’s plenty to go around.


3. Till we have built Jerusalem [A Day Off]
Sometimes, it’s all a bit much. Angel occasionally runs away from his duties. Never on days when there are services planned, never when he’s scheduled for something. But when restlessness strikes, Angel’s feet take him to the wild parts of the island. Paradesium, Lockwood Forest near Elsie’s Tree, and even nosing around the cave near Tawny Beach, though it’s been caved in since he and River had their adventure. He isn’t wearing his robes, he hasn’t combed his hair, he might be up a tree or sitting on a rock, and he surely isn’t expecting company.

But still, if you approach, there’s a sheepish little nod and a wave.


4. In England's green and pleasant land [Wildcard]
[find me on discord at darkersolstice to plot]

Comments

Temple Matters (ish)

[batteryacid]

Eddie adjusts the green stole one more time, then smooths out any (imaginary) wrinkles. "There!" he declares, reaching out to pat Angel on the cheek. "Just right."

(The whole point is to give Angel some assurance before he goes out to assume his priestly duties. Since Eddie is trustworthy when it comes to presenting themselves well.)

[graveling]

"Mmh." Angel rests his head heavy against the comforting hand, closing his eyes and relaxing in the manner of someone who just took a deep breath, without breathing at all.

"Thank you."

[batteryacid]

"Of course, dearest." Eddie will always try to be what you need, Angel. As best he can.

After a moment, Eddie leans in and goes up on his toes so that he can kiss Angel on the forehead.

"Where did you want me to sit during the sermon? Front row might be distracting, but in the middle might be good."

[graveling]

"Near the center aisle. I don't want to have to search for you. But remember, it's not a performance. You're not there just for me, but to honor the Mothers. Celestine loves you, you know. All of them do."

There's a light, friendly nudge, before Angel turns to look around the sanctuary.

"And I do, too, even when I forget to say it because I'm in my own head."

[batteryacid]

Eddie smiles, not minding the light censure of what to focus on. Even though he knows that the Mothers do love him, his concern, first and foremost, is for Angel. But he has no problem with honoring the Mothers... they're the ones that gave him (and so many others) a second chance.

"I know that you do. But thank you for remembering to say it, every so often."

[graveling]

"Of course." Other worshippers open the temple doors and slink into the pews for the service, and Angel pats Eddie's arm before taking a step away.

The service isn't perfect. There's times Angel is too quiet, or says something with his back to the congregants. But the offering to Kora is practiced and goes off without a hitch.

[batteryacid]

Despite the imperfections, Eddie knows that Angel is trying his best, and these little hiccups and missteps will be smoothed out with practice.

(Still, he's keeping an eye on some of the folks who've had issues with Angel in the past... not wanting them to take an excuse to badmouth him.)

Eddie isn't quite as practiced as he'd like to be, as a congregant, and follows the lead of the worshippers around him at various points in the service. Whenever Angel catches his eye, he smiles brightly and encouragingly.

[graveling]

The smile helps, keeps Angel steady as he works through the rest of the ritual. Finally, it's done and people begin to file outside.

"Stay with me?" The request is quiet and warm. Angel has things to do as people head off to the rest of their day. Cleaning, tending the altars and the like.

[batteryacid]

Eddie takes Angel's hand and gives it a squeeze. "Of course. Do you need help with stuff?"

[graveling]

"Need? No. Won't turn it down, though." He squeezes back lightly.

[batteryacid]

Eddie is happy to help -- he fetches the cleaning supplies and gets to work. Pascal and Thietmar will be able to handle the farm for a while longer.

(And anyway, Eddie is considering hiring them on full time, or getting a few more part-time farm hands. It's good that they know their way around the farm and are self starters; if Eddie does get more part-timers, Thietmar for sure can help train them.)

"What all's involved in tending the altars?" Eddie asks. "Mind if I watch you, so I can help with that later?"

[graveling]

"Cleaning anything that's messy--flower petals, pine needles, grains. Making sure they each have some candles and other symbols. And then there's the less physical cleaning, and how that's accomplished changes by season. Right now, it's Kora's time, so we anoint with rum and ring golden bells to chase bad energy away."

It all has to be just-so, but Angel's glad to demonstrate.

[batteryacid]

"And if I have to dust, is it okay to move some of the things if I put them back in place after? Or do I... dust around them?"

Eddie will watch them demonstration that Angel does for the first of the altars. And, if allowed, he'll go over to Celestine's altar to tidy it up -- physically first, and then with the anointing and bell-ringing. Afterward, he trails his fingers along the edge of the altar, lost in a moment of quiet contemplation.

[graveling]

"It's okay to move things, yeah. Organize it how you think is pretty and makes sense. Generally, the chalices go toward the back to keep from spilling them, but that's not a hard rule."

Angel works on Mortanne's altar first, and in addition to the golden bell, he rings the little silver jingle bell she'd given him.

[batteryacid]

Eddie looks up, hearing the tinkle of the silver jingle bell. He smiles softly and moves on to Serranai's altar -- her providence includes the earth, and he works as a farmer. So it just makes sense to clean up her place.

After a moment, he holds up a dried-out sprig of those blue flowers from their farm. "I'll bring a few fresh ones tomorrow, I think."