It’s dark by the time Jarl and George are done.
The priest from Shantown feels significantly lighter, as though a weight has been lifted. He hasn’t confessed, hasn’t sinned, but he has remembered Jasey as he was before all of this nightmare even begun to unfold.
He, for the first time in months, didn’t think about finding or rescuing or saving his litter brother.
He just thought about HIM.
(It was glorious.)
~
It wasn’t free though.
Jarl laughs softly as George files through his habits, looking for something his fellow Father can wear. The Church of Redemption is Catholic and somehow more traditional than Jarl’s tiny little shanty town so, George doesn’t wear habits like Jarl does; instead, he wears a cassock.
It’s plain black, which Jarl is comfortable with, but has dozens upon dozens of buttons; it’s dizzying.
And it’s clearly made for someone much taller and wider than Jarl’s 5’9” and toned body—but o well.
~
They cheat a bit and tuck some of the extra cloth into Jarl’s belt.
This keeps the cassock from dragging on the floor or tripping the younger priest up as he walks and also helps deal with the fact that there’s so much slack horizontally, as well.
It was a bit of a trick making sure the buttons still displayed on the front, but they managed it.
The result is quite fetching, if Jarl can say so himself.
~
Of course, he can’t: “What the … What are you wearing?”
Jarl sighs as Manus’ voice echoes through the still empty church. A nun had apparently let him in after he woke up, who knows when, and Áesta’s either hiding somewhere less populated like he did in Jarl’s church, still at the inn, or he’s gone to the bar Jarl suspects he’ll end up being dragged to before they teleport away.
Why is he never allowed peace or privacy?
“It’s called a cassock and it’s quite lovely!” He pointedly looks at the man beside him whom smiles amusedly, “Father George loaned it to me.”
“It looks like you’re a child in your mother’s dress.”
George laughs as Jarl goes red, “O, I like this one.”
~
Bailmore’s churchgoers file into their pews with quiet conversations—mostly about the second priest.
Father Jarl from Shantown is a tallish brunette with bright sky blue eyes and a surprisingly strong build. There’s fierce determination in his gaze—but a kindness, too, that speaks heavily of a wise protective role. His young face belies the hardship his callused hands scream through every comfortingly firm handshake and his gentleness with the children (who remind him so much of Jasey) warm the hearts of everyone.
As such: when he speaks, they listen.
Without question.
~
“Thank you all for coming tonight.
“I know I’m not the usual voice you hear speaking to you from the pulpit—that would be Father George, who’s kindly allowed me to perform this night’s sermon—but I am happy, honored, and humbled to be here. I hale to you from Shantown: a small parish that I’ve been taking care of for 7 years now. It is hard work, yes, but it is good work; and it allows me to give back to the community that has raise both me and my brother once our parents were no longer able to. They taught us much, my parents—mostly how to be stubborn! Heh. But they also taught us to look out for each other, take care of each other, and love each other.
“These are lessons I think we all need.
“It is easy to believe we are all alone in this world. It seems so obvious when we are all so small and everything else is so glaringly big: from the earth itself to the numerous stars to the whole universe.
“We are but tiny specks of dust in a vast unfeeling world.
“But we feel. We love. With all our hearts.
“And this should never be forgotten.”
“Amen.”
~
Manus is sniffling in the sacristy when the sermon is over and Jarl returns to it with George.
Jarl rolls he eyes, “Quit your snivelling: the whole point of a priest is to keep people together and loving.”
“But that was so beautiful!!!”
George laughs as Jarl blushes.
(Briefly, Jarl wonders if Áesta would have liked it; he quickly brushes the thought away while blushing harder; like that daemon would even step foot in the church, anyway; he barely entered Jarl's [but he still did…].)
Comments (0)
See all