[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

[graveling]

"On the island or the world as a whole? I'm not entirely convinced Marrow Island will survive joining the whole rest of the Emerald Islands. The curse might be something we have to leave here."

[abhorrently]

"...Are you saying we shouldn't break the barrier?"

Sorry, that has her thrown back to alertness.

[graveling]

“No, I’m saying we must, and be ready to leave the island when we do, if my gut feeling is right. You know this island isn’t like. Anyone’s ancestral home, right? It was only discovered by Dahlia’s father.”

[abhorrently]

"Oh."

Fine. That's easier to swallow.

"You can be the bearer of that particular bad news, then. Let everyone know that as soon as this problem is fixed, they'll have to abandon the homes they made."

She shrugs, testing the branch, and moves to rearrange herself, to lie on her back and let her limbs go as certain animals do, as if she could press herself into the bark and yield.

"But if they don't put down roots, it's easier to move."

[graveling]

"Sometime home is people, not a place. And I could be wrong about my feeling."

Angel watches her thoughtfully. "You comfy?"

[abhorrently]

"It feels nice on your back."

Letting her arms dangle, she looks up at the sky again. Slivers, through the trees.

"...You're wrong, though. I don't need it. The whole 'solid shores' business. If I went and asked Mortanne, right now, she'd probably verify that the entire reason I'm here is to do a job. To fix this problem, get us out. That's my role in this."

Something with a set, fixed goal. One trouble to the next. Try not to cause too many others along the way.

"Maybe yours is to be where you are. Guide and priest to people and not-people alike."

[graveling]

Angel slowly lifts his eyebrows and approximates about half a smile.

"Fucking prove it. Go ask her yourself."

[abhorrently]

"It's summer. Isn't she far away at this point?"

She hasn't retained a lot of what's said in the Temple, mainly because she's just sort of drifting the entire time something is being preached, but she does remember there's something about who's in power and easiest to talk to based on what time of year it is.

[graveling]

“It’s still simple enough to reach her domain. The beyond is dreams as well as death. Or are you just looking for an excuse to back out now?”

[abhorrently]

"I'm not looking for any excuse, I'm asking basic questions."

If she wasn't lying down, she would have considered shoving him.

"...There's a problem with that, as it stands. Nearly every night, my dreams are nightmares. It's been that way since my memory started working again. I don't think I'm connecting to the Beyond like that."

[graveling]

Angel lets out a snorting sound. "Bitch, me too. The fuck, you ain't special. Try sleeping in the sanctuary of the temple, near her altar. And I can pass along the things she told me to help with the nightmares directly."

[abhorrently]

She rather doubts Angel also has dreams of endless blood, of the piles of corpses and the death of the sun, the ruin and wailing bloodthirst. But she'll keep that inward.

"All right. Before Degas comes back. I don't want to have to explain myself to him - not before I have to. But you're telling me her nightmare tips before I even attempt this."

[graveling]

"They're not going to shock you--symbols of Mortanne around where you sleep. Snowflake quilt, carved horse on the nightstand, a wreath of pine branches under your pillow. She wants to help, Fever. You just need to open the door to her."

It might be more complicated than that, like it was for him, but Mortanne herself can explain that part.

[abhorrently]

She's quiet for a while, swinging her feet absently. It doesn't seem like enough. A few symbols don't seem like they'll hold back the tide. But what does she have to lose, apart from more hours of rest?

"Okay. I can at least get the pine branches. And I'll let you know when I decide to stay overnight. Soon."

Not tonight - she needs to think about what she's going to say. And get the wreath ready.