Episode 108

[spongetastic]

I don't know how many people are Catholic, but today is actually Palm Sunday. There's a church right here in the castle that was founded by a priest named Abel Nightroad. He and people from his world maintained it until they went home. I know there's another church in town, but Abel was a dear friend of mine and I want to make sure his church stays in use.

I'm not a priest but if anyone wants to join me in the church today, you're more than welcome.

[which leads to an open post in the church. Peter already lit a candle]

Comments

[ofhope]

[ In which case Joshua's going to lurk in the back, leaning against the wall and not moving or interacting with anyone who may come in unless they intentionally seek him out. And even then he may ignore them unless he has a reason not to.

He's not Catholic, he's just paying his respects to Abel. ...While remembering the fight they had in this church and trying not to smile. It's hard to believe it repaired itself entirely. ]

[spongetastic]

[hey everyone is welcome to use the church. It's being used, and that's the point. Peter tilts his head to the side, like he can feel Joshua there. But he doesn't go up to speak with him or make any other acknowledgment]

[heloise]

[ No, that absolutely will not stand. Lucrezia goes to fetch him, trying to take him by the arm and basically dragging him to the front row. She has always sat there when the Holy Father leads Mass. ]

Do you suppose there will be a sermon without a priest?

[ofhope]

[ What, not fair, he was daydreaming. He resists at first, shaking his head, but she seems insistent enough and he doesn't want to make a scene for once, so he finally gives in to let her tug him along. Woman you are ruining his rep. Only nerds and Catholics sit in the front row...

And without a sermon, they have to really whisper. But that just means they need to sit very close, no harm no foul. He still looks vaguely uncomfortable sitting here, though. Joshua always lurked in the back or sprawled on a middle bench to take a nap whenever hanging out here. ]

I doubt there will be a sermon at all, unless someone volunteers. But I don't plan on being here long.

[heloise]

[ She doesn't mind having to sit very close either, easier done here with the pews than the chairs they had at the Vatican. Gossiping and making commentary was so difficult then. She picks the side closer to the aisle too, taking her seat first and gesturing to the space beside her. ]

Does it make you wish Father Abel was here? [ The name doesn't escape her, but Cesare is Cain. ]

[littlesoul]

[River comes, not because the holiday means anything to her but because of Peter. She knows this matters to him and she wants to be there to support him.

She settles in the back, watching the proceedings carefully and keeping an eye out for anyone she might know.]

[spongetastic]

[it's been years since he's been to church so Peter doesn't actually know what to do. He is pleased to see River, though, since he knows she doesn't really believe in this]

Hello, River.

[littlesoul]

=She smiles, holding up a hand in greeting] Hello.

She can sense his slight uncertainty, ad she moves forward, reaching out a hand and brushing his arm.] There's o wrong way. You just do it.

[spongetastic]

I know. Thanks for coming, by the way. I know you don't really believe in this.

[no_ghost]

[Peter has no idea how long it's been since he was last in a church. When he was a kid though his mother used to bring him on Sunday's when she wasn't working. Thinking back on it now he's sure she was hoping some of the lessons to be learned here would have helped balance out the influence of his father. Now he sees the church as a sign of comfort and familiarity. Something he's longing for after a week in the castle.

Lighting a candle he bows his head in a quick prayer for his mother. That done he looks around the church and the people there.]

[spongetastic]

[well this Peter hasn't been at church in a while either, thus him trying to get back to it]

I don't think I've seen you around before. You new?

[no_ghost]

That I am, arrived just over a week ago. How about yourself?

[spongetastic]

Three years. Practically an old man by Paradisa standards. [that was a joking nod to that retirement home, which... of course the other man wouldn't know about]

[kid_apocalypse]

[Though his "parents" had raised him more or less denominationally-neutral, Evan liked Easter, and he liked church services. They reminded him that there was good in the world that didn't rely on super-powers to do it's work. That's why Evan comes into the church wearing what most would consider his Sunday Finest, and he crosses himself before walking in to sit down at a pew towards the back.]

[spongetastic]

You didn't have to dress up, Evan.

[kid_apocalypse]

[He shrugs.]

Just seemed like the right thing to do, I guess. My Ma and Pa raised me to believe in God and respect religion, but we never really went to church all that often, except on the big holidays and stuff. I figured if I was gonna do it, I'd do it right, you know?

[spongetastic]

That's fair enough. There won't be a service or anything, but you're welcome to sit here for a while.

dictated;

[hellshaped]

There's a few of us around, but it's hard when there aren't any priests around anymore.

dictated;

[spongetastic]

True. I've never been the most devout person, either.

dictated;

[hellshaped]

Yeah, same here. Still, it's weird not seeing those Cadbury Egg commercials. It just doesn't feel like spring without it.

dictated;

[spongetastic]

[a soft laugh] You know, I was just thinking of that. But we apparently have the actual Easter Bunny, so maybe he wouldn't want the competition.

[kungfuwitch]

[Phoebe stands behind Peter as he lit the candle. She may not be Catholic (Or Christian, even) but that doesn't mean she can't support him in his beliefs. She closes her eyes for a moment, sending up a silent prayer of her own and adding some good energy to the modest proceedings.]

[spongetastic]

Thanks for being here, Phoebe. It means a lot to me. [he watches the candle with a content look on his face] You know, I fell asleep most of the time when I was a kid. And as a teenager I hated having to be seen with my parents. After my father's first heart attack, we just stopped going.

[kungfuwitch]

You don't have to thank me, Peter. I'll always be here for you, for anything.

[She reaches out and touches his arm]

I think most kids are like that. We don't really understand the importance of any of this until we're older. When we're young it's just another adult talking at us and telling us things we should or should not do.

[spongetastic]

Yeah. My parents were really good at that. [humorless smile, but he shakes off that thought]

He gave me what I asked for, so I guess He does care after all.