A Love Lost is Love All The Same

Her face was veil'd, yet to my fancied sight, Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd So clear as in no face with more delight. But Oh! as to embrace me she inclin'd, I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.

[takeyourlipsaway]

This weekend’s fundraising efforts went exceptionally well! I’m proud of all of our volunteers for their hard work: we managed to raise roughly $5000 for the families of the kidnapped EAFA students — and at last count, I think we cooked somewhere around thirty pounds of hot comfort food for the campus community in general. And with the news that Olympus is coming in to further assist the community, I think some good has certainly come to the city in these trying times.

I’ll continue to practice and teach love for my fellow man, as will the rest of our church’s members. I can only hope the rest of you do the same, either with us or in your own individual way.

A lovely evening to you all <3

[lightningsprinter-blog]

Aw, that’s so cute!

Olympus has currently raised $72,600 for the efforts toward EAFA but you should be proud of what you’ve achieved so far!! :)

[takeyourlipsaway]

That’s excellent news! I’m so relieved to hear that. :)

[takeyourlipsaway]

Characters: Meprise, Viola, [Angelo’s Killer]

CW: Suicide mention

Summary: In wake of Angelo Fermata’s murder, Viola takes a trip to the Church of Unbridled Affections. Her goal? To interview the Church’s mysterious, kind-hearted priest, to see if there’s any link between the organization and the ‘club’ the Killer alluded to.

Meprise turns out to be cooperative, if not defensive. Viola makes plans to attend Church services to get a better look at the group — but parts with more information than she would’ve hoped to.

[takeyourlipsaway]

This weekend’s fundraising efforts went exceptionally well! I’m proud of all of our volunteers for their hard work: we managed to raise roughly $5000 for the families of the kidnapped EAFA students — and at last count, I think we cooked somewhere around thirty pounds of hot comfort food for the campus community in general. And with the news that Olympus is coming in to further assist the community, I think some good has certainly come to the city in these trying times.

I’ll continue to practice and teach love for my fellow man, as will the rest of our church’s members. I can only hope the rest of you do the same, either with us or in your own individual way.

A lovely evening to you all <3

[takeyourlipsaway]

esaalmaperdida

Well this heart minds what you're doing. Leave the EAFA kids alone.

I’m afraid everything’s already been signed off on for tomorrow. To cancel now would be harming our bonds with the school.

But I’ll take this concern to heart, when planning future events. You have my word on that.

[takeyourlipsaway]

esaalmaperdida

Hey, how about you leave that to the real charity groups? And go away?

I’m... not quite sure I understand the hostility?

We’ve been doing community service and charity work for years now; there’s been no problems with it in the past? Doing good for those around you is one of the best ways to practice fraternal and empathic love. If nothing else, it’s good for the heart and the mind.

[takeyourlipsaway]

Ah. Since I’ve brought it up.

If anyone’s looking to do some volunteering this weekend, the Church be focusing on community support for the affected and concerned at EAFA: fundraising for the families of the recently-freed students, offering informal group counseling (and training peer listeners!), and cooking pick-me-ups for the students.

It’s getting a bit chilly, and finals are coming up. The least we can do today can mean the most for someone tomorrow, and all.

[takeyourlipsaway]

esaalmaperdida

She had a really backwards way about viewing love. Also, she's on Tinder, so users beware.

I'm sure your """congregation""" should be warned at the very least.

I see... that’s quite worrying.

Thank you for this information — I’ll pass it along at the next few services and study groups. I don’t know how many of our visitors frequent Tinder, but those who do will be made quite aware.

[takeyourlipsaway]

So in wake of the... I suppose we could call it the ‘fortunately unfortunate’ death of Angelo Fermata, it appears that some concern has arisen in regards to my Church and its connections to the grisly affair.

I would like to present myself as a resource to any investigations — and confirm that Fermata has never attended any of my services. If his murderous romantic partner is among my congregation, I’m not aware of the connection.

Blessed be.

[takeyourlipsaway]

Ah, it seems my phone finally updated to the new... OS version?

I miss the old version of VIRA, frankly. This new one feels... less than authentic? Not as sincere as the original, if that makes sense. Perhaps distance truly does makes the heart grow fonder, but... how did one of the congregants put it the other day?

“2.0′s avatar feels so designed-by-committee you’d think she was programmed in BASIC,” or something along those lines? Harsh, but I understand the sentiment.

[takeyourlipsaway]

((I’ll take Don’t Chase The Rabbit prompts for Meprise, as well as Castella and Majime!))

[peacekeeper-official-blog]

hmm, i think that “religion is inherently evil and abusive” may not be a good take??

[takeyourlipsaway]

I agree. I may not find most traditional (or perhaps it’s more accurate to say Abrahamic?) religions satisfactory, but if someone finds comfort and care in worship? More power to them.

If this is a response to my recent comment, I may have been misunderstood. I meant that religion isn’t inherently evil or abusive — rather, the mechanics of it open the door for people to use religion for abusive or evil means.

[peacekeeper-official-blog]

i was actually responding to the person you were talking to but i don’t think you’re WRONG per se. I just think making sweeping comments about religion as a concept is kinda shitty.

[takeyourlipsaway]

Aaaah. My apologies! I’m used to having to defend my stance more than I am with others sharing my opinions.

We’re of the same mind, then.

[peacekeeper-official-blog]

hmm, i think that “religion is inherently evil and abusive” may not be a good take??

[takeyourlipsaway]

I agree. I may not find most traditional (or perhaps it’s more accurate to say Abrahamic?) religions satisfactory, but if someone finds comfort and care in worship? More power to them.

If this is a response to my recent comment, I may have been misunderstood. I meant that religion isn’t inherently evil or abusive — rather, the mechanics of it open the door for people to use religion for abusive or evil means.

[intangiboy-blog]

@takeyourlipsaway  sorry not sorry mister love church man but 

i dont know what makes you think youd be different than other religious authorities. when one takes up a position to preach what they claim to know, there’s definitely a fucking power imbalance and i assume ur human as are the rest of us, it’s so easy to be swayed by the power you have over the followers

ok so im a bitter motherfucker but id like to believe i have a good fucking reason to distrust this shit? my best friend was a victim of a cult that promised to take care of them. so like. yeah. 

[takeyourlipsaway]

Oh dear. I’m sorry, I think I might’ve given the wrong impression.

I’m trying to say that I am human and know it — that’s why I try to keep how easy it is to manipulate others in mind. I don’t think I’m all that different from any other preacher in the end, I just try my best to keep the power my position holds in mind? It’s not a perfect system, unfortunately.

And... yes, yes you absolutely have reason to distrust me and my work. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, cults like that are... they’re unforgivable, truly. I could say so many other words, but I’m sure you’ve said them enough yourself.

I won’t ask you to trust me. I couldn’t. I would never. But know that if you ever, and I do mean ever, want to know more about the fine details of what I do, my doors are open. You can bring as many friends as you wish. I’ll hide nothing.

You have my word on this.

[takeyourlipsaway]

well, you said you were cool with confessions so uh... i've been hurt by love. and, not just in a "breakups suck" way. how are you so good at trusting love just, as an idea? i don't get it... you don't even seem a little bit scared.

I see, I see.

You are... not the first to come to me with this concern, unfortunately. I’m so sorry that you’ve been hurt so, it pains me to know that you’ve had to live with this for who know’s how long.

My trust in love comes from years of dedication to love, and from so, so many times in my life where I’ve seen love empower or benefit or save the lives of myself and those around me. I’ve seen it do so much good that it’s earned my trust at this point.

But please, don’t mistake trust for a lack of fear.

There have been, and still are, many times where I’ve been terrified. I’ve had my experiences with love as something that I could put my faith in to ease my fears somewhat, but it takes so much willing vulnerability to open your heart to others that, well, I can’t not be scared at times. Every instance is a leap of faith: a blind hope that I won’t be hurt. And, honestly? Sometimes my trust is misplaced. When it is, it can take me a long time to open up again. But... seeing it help others helps heal my wounds.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is that if you wish to open your heart, but are still scared to do so, that’s perfectly fine. If you’ve been hurt, you need to take time to heal — whatever form that healing takes, and however long it takes? Love will still be there to embrace you, when you’re ready. Surround yourself with those who care, and lean on them. Eventually... their outlook will spread to you.

Does that make sense?

[creationmatters-blog]

The idea of worship is something that’s always unnerved me. One of the very few things that do, haha!

Placing an omnipresent being, or a feeling on a podium of power over the masses that only a select few are ‘worthy’ of releasing and praising it’s teachings without proper discipline and thriving on personal opinion and beliefs always seemed dangerous to me.

[takeyourlipsaway]

That’s quite fair.

There is an... imbalance, present in many religious practices. This isn’t an inherent characteristic of the practices themselves, so I opine at least, but rather a side-effect of the way some people have tried to use religion as an instrument of control. It’s very... it’s very easy to use worship to control others — and it takes a kind and careful hand to avoid doing so by mistake.

It’s something that I do my best to avoid, when I structure services. There’s such a fine, fine line between a guiding nudge and a directing shove. I strive for love to be something shared equally, without care for stratification or caste. Anything else would be... wrong.

[sweetsforthesweet]

I’m an atheist, myself, but I have to admit a love religion sounds right up my alley~ 💖

[takeyourlipsaway]

We would love to have you join us for service sometime.

[locustaaa]

love religion sounds good until i remember what fuckin awful luck in love i have lmao

[takeyourlipsaway]

While I understand — good lord, do I understand — the pain a bad experience can bring, that’s no reason to close your heart to love.

Just as well, romantic love is only one form of affection. I would invite you to come and explore the other forms it may take, if and when you feel ready to do so.