@greatgospell: it's a little strange, to see him like this -- head bowed, eyes closed. not strange in a bad way, but more surprising. floorboards creak underfoot, and she raises her hands in apology. "sorry, didn't mean to disturb you." the red church is bigger than the one she's used to back home, but it embodies the spirit of the place she loves nonetheless. "can i join you? it comforts me too."
it's a beautiful graveyard, immaculate &. perfect down to the last detail; aesop can only imagine the care that was put into laying these souls to rest. however, this is not what brought him here. rather, it is the church standing tall &. proud amidst the gloom that always seems to surround this place. while his faith has lapsed, aesop still prays. he prays for the souls he ushers onward and he prays for forgiveness from his mother ( oh, may she rest in peace ) and he prays for his prayers to be answered. it's selfish, perhaps, to ask for so much &. offer nothing to the lord in return. but, he is devout in other ways, and the most devout get rewarded no matter what, don't they?
his hands clasp together, and his head dips. eyes flutter shut, and he inhales deep through his nose. heavenly father, hear my prayer. i find myself lost &. needing guidance more than ever. am i on the right path? is it a righteous path? and, that is as far in as he gets before the creaking of floorboards makes him snap back to full attention. his eyes narrow ever - so - slightly, before his expression relaxes.
❝ it would be rude of me to deny you, wouldn't it? ❞ his hands unclasp, and he gestures to the empty space on the pew next to him. it isn't comfort that praying brings him, but she is not close enough to safety for him to tell her such a thing. he forces a smile to reach his eyes, knowing that his expression is otherwise blank beneath the mask. ❝ feel free. ❞












