@saevaindignatio
“A deep and considerate sentiment, for an Overseer.”
An uncommon one, as well. Such a stance was not what he had come to accept from the zealots of the Abbey — no, instead he had expected swift accusation and persecution, murder in the name of a religion based on hate.
The statement threw him, though he was quick to mask his surprise with a scoff.
“You know your brothers do not share that sentiment? There is no grey area within the Abbey, even though most people operate that area every day of their lives out of necessity.”
“it’s unfortunate. some of us are like that. but you don’t understand why they are. they have their reasons. good reasons.”
the teachings of the abbey are fresh in his mind. he can recite the strictures by heart, the movements of celestial bodies translate like text to him. perhaps it is youthful naivety. perhaps he still sees the best in people ( whether or not it is there ) but he wants to believe that a person can still be saved.
“i know. i know they don’t. but at least one of them did at one point. or they were close to it. i was saved once. that means people can be saved. and if they can be, why shouldn’t they be. i know that much.” he is grateful. his parents were heretics, or so he was told. he can hardly remember it himself. he was the son of a heretic and they didn’t cleanse him. instead they saved him.
“and you do not view the abbey in black and white? you don’t think there’s a grey area within the abbey, among the overseers?” he can’t help but call attention to the hypocrisy.