Role

Chapter 14

Chapter Thirteen: Into the Dark.
Added Fri Apr 27 16:10:29 2018 at level 51:

"I cannot promise that it will make you happier or more fulfilled. And I,
most of all, cannot promise that you won't cry."

It was a lot for Aurew to take in, and yet not surprising in the least. She
knew from the beginning this would be a precarious ledge to walk upon, that
it may more bittersweet than anything. But she also knew she had come so far
down this road - perhaps too far to turn her back on it now. And when the
Lord Rahsael himself appeared, Aurew was struck with a mixture of anxiety and
terror.

She felt herself curtseying in his general direction, but could not help but
feel awkward and fidgety. She stared hard at the ground until his statuesque
form moved in invitation of... a hug?

"You enjoy hugs, do you not?"

Aurew hesitated. Did she? She kept most individuals at arm's length unless
she was trying to comfort someone in the shape of a cooshee or one of her
other animal spirits. She had hugged Elra, of course, but Elra needed it.
But then Elra as an aspect of the Lord was... perhaps all the same.

As the walls of the Cathedral started to creep closer and closer in Aurew's
mind, she changed into a cooshee to avoid the awkward idea of embracing her
Lord. Cooshee nuzzles are safe! That did not seem to be enough for the great
Lord Rahsael. She felt the arms wrap around her, eliciting chills and shivers
from within. And then, suddenly, she was inked with the darkened lantern that
adorned all his children.

He ushered her through the curtain, deeper into the Cathedral. He spoke in
strangely soothing tones about the Mysteries, and progress, and her growing
connection with him. Aurew was not soothed, however; his presence was strong
but also sickly and pained, not at all like she imagined an all-powerful god
to be. But she was his to serve; eyes, ears, heart, breath, soul. Whatever it
might mean.