the lord is my shepherd

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;

[sistermaryhelen]

thexseer‌:

Nighttime is such an easy time. Boring, maybe, but free of certain annoyances that daytime presents. Most of the people who would be wandering settle into one spot, and close their eyes, and don’t seem to mind when Tali watches. It gets irritating, sometimes, when they complain. But she knows she’s not the only one with such nighttime meanderings, and so she’s hardly surprised to bump into a familiar face. The apology is ignored, and the question is only distantly considered, her curiosity already close to the surface.

“How long are they going to be here, do you think?” Hopefully she can know soon, if Mary Helen doesn’t already. There’s so much the woman does know, she thinks. So many things hidden behind her doors, waiting down winding halls and pathways that Tali has yet to navigate. “All these people. They’re very loud. It’s nice.” It’s been a rush of… newness, new feelings, new secrets with all these new people coming in, and it’s swollen her thoughts. Like a mosquito. It’s been rather soothing, and exciting, so far. But she can’t help wondering if there’s some line drawn somewhere now. The monastery is hers, she was here first, and everybody inside of it is hers. These new people aren’t. Not yet. “Will I have enough time to get to know all of them?”

Mary Helen expected to find one of the new group that’s settled within the walls. It was a quickly apparent tendency of most of them to wander off, even when they should be sleeping. It’s a habit greeted with aggravation and amusement in equal doses, but Tali’s been here long enough that there’s little more than a softening of her features in response to the woman’s presence. She seemed to have settled in comfortably, and there’s a quiet thought that she’ll likely still be here when all the others have gone.

Her shoulders draw up in a slight shrug in response to the question, little effort put into hiding her amusement at how easily she ignored her own. Though it’s funny she’s hit on a question that’s already been in her thoughts. Not that she had any desire or intention of chasing them off. At least not yet. “I suppose that’s up to them.” 

The thought seems almost contradictory, loud and nice rarely sitting so closely together. Especially not within the walls of the monastery, where peace and quiet had always been something to strive for. Still, she doesn’t blame her for it, and maybe it’s a comment on the state of the world that it’s nice to have so many living, breathing souls close by. “Probably not. It takes a while to get to know most people. Maybe a few, if you’re persistent.”

[sistermaryhelen]

photo-prophet‌:

She gave a short nod,”  We’re grateful that you all took us in so readily.  I’m sure we’re a bit much all at once, and you all have been incredibly patient.”  She fidgeted slightly in place, not wanting to be rude but not really up to talking about her concerns either.  After a pause, as if thinking of something to say, she declined,”  I’m not really the sort to air her grievances on others.  I appreciate the offer, though.”  

She glanced past the woman, thinking she had seen movement behind her.  By the time she’d noticed, however, it seemed to have passed or stopped.  Focusing back on the woman,”  Perhaps, instead, you could show me some of your home?  It might help calm my head if I had a better idea of my surroundings?”

The girl doesn’t take the opening she offers, Mary Helen denied the chance to indulge her own curiosity. She knew how far most of them had come. That was about the extent of it. And if she could imagine what the world looked like thanks to those who had passed before, she hadn’t started putting together a clear picture of the group that took refuge with them now.

If there’s any disappointment for that, it doesn’t show. Just that lingering, accommodating smile and a nod of her head. “I understand. But it isn’t a burden if you change your mind. The offer doesn’t expire.”

The request softens her expressions lightly, a nod of her head as she holds the candle higher. It doesn’t erase her nightly duties, but there’s no reason to separate the two. “Of course. If you don’t mind walking with me while I finish locking up for the night?”

[sistermaryhelen]

wesley-kelley‌:

She barely reacts. In fact, she seems entertained by him. He hates it. She’s unknowingly playing this game of chicken and the bitch is winning. Wes bites down, arms crossed tighter because of the mental effort it takes to stay upright, strong in the face of this woman. 

It’s shameful. It’s embarrassing. His only relief is that she doesn’t resemble Ruth-May in any other way despite her apparent dedication to God. And rules. Gotta keep the doors locked. If she can’t give him a good reason, maybe he’ll start finding more similarities.

“At night too,” Wes answers back attempting to match her determination, “Why d'ya have to lock it? I like some space, we all like some space. Ya gates look strong enough.”

Even in the dim light of a flickering candle, she can see the way he coils tighter. Displeasure made obvious by the way his arms constrict tighter across his chest. Stubbornness greeting her in both his words and the lines of his brow.

“Just because we have faith in the Lord’s protection doesn’t mean we should be testing it.” There’s a trace of wry humor in her answer, little to do with him, and more for whatever cliches he might imagine she falls into. Blindness isn’t one of them, just faith and obedience. 

“You should be getting some sleep now anyway. Take advantage of those strong gates and locked doors, hm? It’ll be open for you again in the morning.” 

[sistermaryhelen]

prophet-alice‌:

For once, Alice gives a small, shy smile in return when the woman tells her she doesn’t beat around the bush. She’s not sure why she’s so cognizant of this woman’s authority, because she’d never really been one to follow religion, but there was something about her and the idea that she was one of the people who were running this place, and keeping that whole connection with God in tact, that had Alice standing up a little bit straighter and trying to look more presentable. 

The answer, at first, has her nodding her head, glad that someone can see why people would turn to tarot cards. While Alice’s own relationship with the cards and the spirituality behind it is a little different than most, she still knows what kind of connotations they bring with them for some people. And she shouldn’t be surprised when the woman doesn’t stop there. When she goes on to call it black magic, another road for the devil to find purchase. 

It has her standing there for a moment unsure what to do or say, feeling like she’d been caught red handed, hand in the cookie jar of devilry. She chews her bottom lip for a moment before nodding her head. 

“Sure, sure yeah,” she agrees, nodding her head. “God’s House, God’s Rules. I’ll, uh…I’ll tell my friend.” She grins at the woman and hopes that it’s the right answer the woman wants to hear. 

“So, um…what’s it like being a nun?” 

She gives a quiet hum when the woman answers her, not much effort placed into hiding that veiled suspicion written on her face. She’s certain it’s a personal question, just as certain in her beliefs and the unflinching nature of them. Especially now, when enough people had passed through here to prove that magic wasn’t just confined to Bible verses.

If she had always been somewhat flexible in just how literally any of them were meant to take the good book, that had only driven home a belief that it was a tool designed for something wicked. Likely one that had been used to start all this. 

It has her committing the woman’s face to memory, even if the smile doesn’t shift much.

“If your friend is looking for guidance I would be happy to sit with them in prayer."

That sparks her humor, the smile widening into something more genuine. A slight shrug the only answer she gives at first. Most people didn’t want to know anyway. They wanted to know about the things they denied themselves. “What’s it like not being one?” she asks. “I didn’t catch your name.” 

[sistermaryhelen]

prophet-alice‌:

She’s startled when she comes face to face with another person rounding the corner. She’d been looking for Niko, certain that her bestie was going to be out some place doing his normal routine of warding the place up. But the more she explored this Monastery, the more she got distracted by all the things it had to offer. A strange fascination with the religious aspect, because that had never been her life and she’d never thought it would be. 

“Oh, hey,” she greets and then awkwardly crosses herself, like that’s the appropriate greeting when coming across someone like this woman. 

“Nah, I’m just -… I’m…” she fumbles for a moment over the words before she perks up. “Hey, yeah, can I ask you something?” Without giving her time to respond, she goes into her question. “What’s your all’s take on tarot cards? You don’t think they’re like, work of the devil or anything like that, right? Asking for a friend.” 

The smile widens briefly when the woman attempts to cross herself, enough to illustrate clearly that it’s not a common practice. She doesn’t hold it against her, because she didn’t expect it of anyone they’d let through the gates. 

A question follows swiftly, little time to answer her even if she wouldn’t have denied the request. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”

Though despite the lingering amusement, she does pause to give thought to it. Less because her answer is uncertain, and more how to phrase it. “People look for guidance where they can find it. Especially in these trying times. I’m sure that’s the intended purpose of it.” 

There’s a brief pause. “But the Bible is very clear when it comes to fortune telling. When people turn to cards and spirits for guidance, they’re turning their back on God. It’s one more form of black magic, one more road for the devil to find purchase in this world. And I don’t feel he needs any more assistance, do you?"

“Certainly we aren’t going to start burning people at the stake. At least not any time soon. But I would appreciate it kept out of the house of our Lord.”

[sistermaryhelen]

wesley-kelley‌:

“I’m hard to miss, darlin’.”

Wes makes an intimidating figure in the dark. Usually, he actively tries to work against that. Make himself small or at least look friendly. Even a smile and unfolding his arms made a world of difference. He’s doing the opposite, now. Walking like anyone could jump him as though these slightly older women are the most dangerous things around. It’s the way he had to hold himself in prison.

She quickly turns from shock to smiles. He doesn’t trust it. Of course, he doesn’t. God-fearing folk are never kind in his experience. Sittin’ round and prayin’ all day was their scapegoat, their excuse to never actually lift a hand to help. Or do worse things in the name of God.

He wants to believe that he’s paranoid about the place because of the group’s past bad luck all those months back with the wild ones or that mansion. It was too good to be true – why should this place be any different?

“Yeah. Leave the garden unlocked.”

“I see that.”

Amusement colors her answer, despite the way the man looks at her. Cold and closed off, and she can only speculate whether that’s simply his way or if it’s something more personal. Faith was a shaky thing these days. Even those who’d held it tightly before had let it been stripped from them. She’d met plenty already, passing through their gates briefly before they were gone, never to be seen again. 

It does little to disturb that smile on her lips. Unflinching, even if he claims an imposing figure standing over her. There’s no fear that he’ll do her any harm, and it isn’t faith placed in the group they’ve let through their doors. Only the Lord that watches over them.

There’s a brief lifting of her brow at the request, even if she hadn’t had any real expectations whether he would even answer her at all. And while she did her best to be as accommodating as possible for those less fortunate, it’s nothing she has any intention of.

“Of course,” she agrees easily. “During the day.” 

[sistermaryhelen]

photo-prophet‌:

While she hadn’t expected to run into anyone, she wasn’t shocked when she did.  The unexpected appearance of the woman as she came around the corner halted Kathryn in her tracks, a bit wide eyed and feeling a bit like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar.  She had no reason to feel this way, but she wasn’t exactly in control of her feelings.

“Sorry,” she apologized quickly.  She smiled lightly at the question, the people of the monastery had been extra welcoming and obviously were good at entertaining guests.  

“No, I’m alright,” she said lightly,” I just was having a bit of trouble sleeping and figured I’d just….”  Her voice trailed off.  To say she was simply wandering and seeing what their new location had to offer for inspiration in her art seemed a bit like saying she was snooping.  If she was honest, she was doing a little of both.  Her dreams had left her troubled again, and while she couldn’t tell nightmares from visions most the time, she didn’t think having a look around hurt.

Covering her thoughts she just gave a sigh,” Well, I was just seeing if a stroll would help clear my head.”

There’s a shake of her head at the apology, already all signs of surprise erased from her features as if it had never been. “No need,” she tells her easily.

The smile softens when the girl starts to answer her, someone who looks too young to have seen so much already. She can hardly blame her for sleepless nights, no matter how sincere she was in that promise of safety. Likely it wasn’t an easy thought to accept, enough lost souls drifting through here already that had painted a picture of the world outside. 

“I understand. I can only imagine what it looks like outside these walls, and I hear you’ve all been traveling for a long time.”

“If you thinking talking would help you more than I certainly don’t mind listening.”

[sistermaryhelen]

There are more of them than she thought there’d be.

It’s a distant thought, one she doesn’t dwell on for long when it doesn’t change much. Their doors are still opened, gates closed behind them, and her rituals remain the same. Checking all the doors before she heads to sleep, keys jangling in hand. The majority of the slowly burning candles snuffed out for the night, with the exception of the one she carries.

For a moment it almost serves to startle her, a longer shadow cast as she rounds a corner and almost runs into someone. It’s short-lived, the soft, welcoming smile back in place within a moment. “Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

“Was there anything you needed?”