Memories of Faith (the beginning)
"You can't just leave!"
An outspoken little girl stood on the front steps of the Sandpoint Chapel while yelling at an older man. She stood on one of the highest steps, just to look him in his eye (Or at least as close as possible). Beside her, another little girl was holding onto her hand while bawling her eyes out.
Periodically people of all types would come out of the house of worship; more than most being people of the cloth peeking out of the front doors at the two 'new acolytes'.
"We're just kids! You're our dad, you can't just leave us here!"
A soft shushing sound reverberated from the door as it opened to show a bald man with a white beard cooing lightly. The outspoken little girl turned with fury on her face, angered that an adult dare speak to her like a child; but ignored it when she realized the soft words were for her crying little sister.
As she continued to yell at her father; the bald man spoke to the little girl crying. "Hello there, little one. Things seem to be quite loud out here, would you want to see some of the pretty drawings in this chapel?" Doing her best to choke back tears and wipe them away, the little girl looked to her sister for a second, and the louder of the two nodded back to her as they loosened their grips.
The old man scooped the girl in his arms, getting a thankful look from the dejected father as the priest cradled the girl and walked inside. "My name is Ezakien Tobyn. You may call me Father Tobyn. What is your name?"
"F-Fay-'Ith." The little girl replied, making sure to split her name in half like her father taught her, as she wiped away the last of her tears. "You're a father?" The man seemed to walk with a purpose, yet whenever the girl paid attention to his steps it seemed like he was doing little more than wandering
"I'm a father to everyone of any religion. But I do have a little one of my own, about your age. I'm sure you'll be the best of friends. Her name is Nualia." "That's a pretty name." "So is yours, Faith." With a few less sniffles, she corrected him, "Fay-'Ith Father Tobyn" "Ah, right, right. Here we are now"
As the little girl looked away from the dark amber eyes of Father Tobyn, she looked to see multiple murals drawn decorating many different figures.
A taldan man decked in golden armor with multiple gold keys at his side, coins and scales decorating the empty space with a golden key behind him; An elven woman clothed in a delicate and translucent gown with butterfly wings, with stars and butterflies decorating around her; An ulfen man with elk horns with a branch-like bow, with decorations of the wild around him; A mwangi pair connected, a weathered old man with a long white beard and a young and beautiful woman with wild green hair, framed by clouds and waves; A bronze angelic beauty with golden hair composed of flowing flame with light filling the space around her; and an amazingly beautifully drawn woman with bright eyes of a blueish silver with a long glaive.
"Of these, do you see one you like?" "The beautiful woman looks nice.. and I like the angel girl! But the butterfly woman is the prettiest to me. I like her wings" "I like her too. Her name is Desna, she's one of many gods. All of them are good gods to follow, but maybe you'll end up walking a path like mine as a part of her flutter." The little girl's eyes would light up as she turned to look at the old man in surprise. "You're a butterfly person?! I wanna be one too!"
"My my, sounds like you've made a disciple out of her already, Father. Soon we'll have our own personal kaleidoscope, no?" "Ah, Brother Zantus; This is Fai—" The wise priest caught the eye of the little girl making a face at him, "Fay'Ith. She seems to favor Desna, just like both of us!" "Well little Fay'Ith, if you ever want to know any of her stories, don't hesitate to ask me. But Religion is hard work. Things always work out if you try your hardest. You just gotta have faith."
The little girl frowned at the acolyte's sour joke and shook her head at the bad pun. "I suppose I was testing my luck with that one, then." Brother Zantus gave a chuckle and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly at his jest. "Well, back to the studies then, gotta stock up on stories in case our new butterfly ever gets curious!"
As he'd walk away, Faith would say quietly to Tobyn, "He's silly. I like him though." "He's also one of my favorites. When its time for me to step down, I think I may make him the Head Priest after me." "And what about after him?" "After he's an old man and ready to step down too? Who knows, maybe even you, little Fay'Ith." "I don't know if I could be a Head Priest." Father Tobyn would chuckle to himself, "Well, I guess you've gotta have faith."
Hearing the pun again, Faith would stick her tongue out at the Priest playfully.