11-20-2013, 12:31 PM
The sun hangs low beyond the city of Stormwind. Amber rays catch a glimpse of a woman dressed in clean boots, pressed overalls, a light pink shirt and rustic hat moments before she enters the Cathedral. Without greeting anyone Valda slips into a veiled confessional. She removes her hat and adjusts her short hair before resting on the provided bench built into the wooden structure. She looks at the screen and notes that it is closed. Uncertainty overtakes her and the woman lets free a sigh of disappointment. Valda hunches over and rests her elbows on her knees while her hands occupy her hat. While her head is lowered, she does not pray. Instead, the Warlock's mind consumes itself with what to say.
The clock ticks. Time seemed to slow as, finally, the sound of footsteps can be heard from the other side of the screen. A vague silhouette is visible, with that of man of small, narrow stature. On the other side, the priest's hand fidgets as he adjusts his robe slightly before brushing his fingers along his bushy mustache an adjusting his thick-rimmed spectacles. His voice is rather monotonous, and the silhouette's movement lacks any emotion. However, his choice of words are warm. "Whatever transgressions weigh on your heart, please speak of them for me." he says as a prompt for Valda to begin.
A soft chuckle comes from the other side as the woman considers the innocent ignorance of asking such a request. Her voice is colored with amusement as she replies, "I've never done this before, and I don't think we can get through all of them in one sitting." Her country accent is subtle.
"Then speak what weighs your heart and soul the heaviest right now." the priest says as he moves a little closer. "The Light is merciful and kind. It will listen with welcoming warmth and heal. What deed plagues you the deepest, my child?" he asks invitingly.
There's a noticeable delay in the response. Such a detailed request only points to one specific task Valda was required to carry out. Part of her wanted to justify it, because she was forced. But she knew he would not understand. Her heart raced as she searched for anything else to tell the Priest. Then she remembered the real reason she came today, "A few days ago I punched a man in a tavern. The next time I saw him, I apologized. He asked if I told a priest.. which I had not. That brought up another argument- but that's not important. I asked a friend for advice and he told me that perhaps this man was testing me.. or maybe it was just what I had to do to earn his forgiveness."
Valda pauses to catch her breath releases a sigh before giving her conclusion, "It really bothers me that I need to do all this to find peace."
The priest's silhouette nods his head. "What do you believe you are being tested for?" He lifts his hand for a moment to push his spectacles against his face as they are sliding off the bridge of his nose. "And what spurned the attack in the tavern?" He pauses for a moment. Trained in the Light... but secretly in Shadow... the priest behind the screen is capable of seeking the genuineness of the woman's soul... but only if Valda would allow it.
Valda sounds as honest as she is frustrated in her voice, "Y'know I think the point being was I had to do things his way for it to count." There is constant movement behind her side of the screen as continues, "I tried withdrawing from an argument but he muttered an insult under his breath, ugh! I was just so frustrated I threw myself at him." A tense sigh escapes her throat as she takes a minute to calm herself. Despite the passion of her words there is yet conflict in her mind.
"The matter, for now, lies not in the man whose lips caused offense." the priest says as he adjusts his seat. "To purge your guilt, we must isolate the transgression and invoke release from it. Why did he cause you offense exactly?" He speaks reassuredly, hoping for Valda to come upon her own realization with his guidance.
"Uh, I threw a punch? I suppose I was a bit on edge to begin with." She speaks with feigned guilt, hoping that will steer the conversation away from herself. To cement a new topic she adds, "I wanted to go in for a drink but remembered I'm trying to give that up." As the truth edges closer, more debris is sifted onto it.
"Do you find yourself lost in the drink often, my child?" the priest asks. He seems to delve deeper into Valda's secrets as soon as the opportunity comes up, though he tries to remain benevolent and soft in his prodding.
"I do.. or did, but that's beside the point." she says hastily. Valda continues to give her hat a work over nervously.
"What have you been doing to absolve your bad habits?" he asks as he tilts his head.
"Absolve.. uh, well cold turkey is the best method for these sort of things. I've got my husband and my hobbies to keep me occupied. It's just difficult, y'know?" Her voice tips downward and grows soft at the end.
The priest picks up the change in tone from the woman. "Why is it difficult? Do the hobbies not keep you occupied enough?" He pauses for a moment for a third question as an addendum to the second: "...or do you feel the problem of the habit originates from something deep?"
"I..." There's a long pause of consideration. "There's nothing as thrilling as weaving a spell. Or a combination of spells in a show of tactical intelligence. But I've given that up.. oh how it all makes sense now. Why didn't I see it before?"
"What is it you see now?" The priest pauses while he lifts his head to gaze upon Valda as he speaks. "Have you approached a revelation that explains what plagues you?"
The teal-eyed woman glances to the grate, "Yes.. I've given up something terrible. I know it nags for attention. Thank you, though. I guess I should be leaving then?"
"Do you feel your examination of conscience is complete? That what weighs your mind right now has been lifted?" He sits back a bit. "I am here as long as you need me. If you wish to leave now, then I cannot grant whatever absolution you seek. The choice, however, is yours."
"I'm not really sure what you're offering, priest. Can you explain it plainly?"
"Do you know how confessions typically entail, my child?" This time, he seems to ask so he could cover whatever knowledge Valda doesn't have and to spare her a lecture.
"Well no. I still think this is entirely pointless but I'm trying to earn forgiveness from the other priest. So I'm here." Both hands motion outward in slight frustration to the obvious.
This priest nods. He adjusts his seat once more as he pushes his spectacles up against his face. "Forgiveness if often obtained through some form of absolution... penance. The other priest may have known that your attack was likely the result of some internal struggle rather than a physical response to offense; otherwise, he may have simply called for the authorities." He pauses for a moment to take a deep breath before continuing. "Penance is the act in which the transgressions and guilt are lifted from your mind and soul; it accomplished through atonement. But penance cannot be assigned and absolution provided if your conscious is not fully clear. Remaining transgressions may weigh your heart down as you attempt your atonement." Once more, he pauses to push his spectacles up. "If you wish to leave, my child, to give yourself a moment of self-reflection, then by all means, you may go. But if you wish to obtain penance, do return, or you can stay here a while longer. If you feel the burden is too heavy to bear by yourself, then I can assist you with the grace of the Light."
Valda nods slowly once he gives permission to leave. After a slight pause when he's done speaking she murmurs out, "I will go." The woman rises and slips out of the curtain.
"May the Light guide you and give you the ease of mind you seek."
She glances around as she replaces her wide-brimmed hat. The warlock paces to the back of the cathedral with a prompt gait. "G ashj parn xi tor amanemodas."
The clock ticks. Time seemed to slow as, finally, the sound of footsteps can be heard from the other side of the screen. A vague silhouette is visible, with that of man of small, narrow stature. On the other side, the priest's hand fidgets as he adjusts his robe slightly before brushing his fingers along his bushy mustache an adjusting his thick-rimmed spectacles. His voice is rather monotonous, and the silhouette's movement lacks any emotion. However, his choice of words are warm. "Whatever transgressions weigh on your heart, please speak of them for me." he says as a prompt for Valda to begin.
A soft chuckle comes from the other side as the woman considers the innocent ignorance of asking such a request. Her voice is colored with amusement as she replies, "I've never done this before, and I don't think we can get through all of them in one sitting." Her country accent is subtle.
"Then speak what weighs your heart and soul the heaviest right now." the priest says as he moves a little closer. "The Light is merciful and kind. It will listen with welcoming warmth and heal. What deed plagues you the deepest, my child?" he asks invitingly.
There's a noticeable delay in the response. Such a detailed request only points to one specific task Valda was required to carry out. Part of her wanted to justify it, because she was forced. But she knew he would not understand. Her heart raced as she searched for anything else to tell the Priest. Then she remembered the real reason she came today, "A few days ago I punched a man in a tavern. The next time I saw him, I apologized. He asked if I told a priest.. which I had not. That brought up another argument- but that's not important. I asked a friend for advice and he told me that perhaps this man was testing me.. or maybe it was just what I had to do to earn his forgiveness."
Valda pauses to catch her breath releases a sigh before giving her conclusion, "It really bothers me that I need to do all this to find peace."
The priest's silhouette nods his head. "What do you believe you are being tested for?" He lifts his hand for a moment to push his spectacles against his face as they are sliding off the bridge of his nose. "And what spurned the attack in the tavern?" He pauses for a moment. Trained in the Light... but secretly in Shadow... the priest behind the screen is capable of seeking the genuineness of the woman's soul... but only if Valda would allow it.
Valda sounds as honest as she is frustrated in her voice, "Y'know I think the point being was I had to do things his way for it to count." There is constant movement behind her side of the screen as continues, "I tried withdrawing from an argument but he muttered an insult under his breath, ugh! I was just so frustrated I threw myself at him." A tense sigh escapes her throat as she takes a minute to calm herself. Despite the passion of her words there is yet conflict in her mind.
"The matter, for now, lies not in the man whose lips caused offense." the priest says as he adjusts his seat. "To purge your guilt, we must isolate the transgression and invoke release from it. Why did he cause you offense exactly?" He speaks reassuredly, hoping for Valda to come upon her own realization with his guidance.
"Uh, I threw a punch? I suppose I was a bit on edge to begin with." She speaks with feigned guilt, hoping that will steer the conversation away from herself. To cement a new topic she adds, "I wanted to go in for a drink but remembered I'm trying to give that up." As the truth edges closer, more debris is sifted onto it.
"Do you find yourself lost in the drink often, my child?" the priest asks. He seems to delve deeper into Valda's secrets as soon as the opportunity comes up, though he tries to remain benevolent and soft in his prodding.
"I do.. or did, but that's beside the point." she says hastily. Valda continues to give her hat a work over nervously.
"What have you been doing to absolve your bad habits?" he asks as he tilts his head.
"Absolve.. uh, well cold turkey is the best method for these sort of things. I've got my husband and my hobbies to keep me occupied. It's just difficult, y'know?" Her voice tips downward and grows soft at the end.
The priest picks up the change in tone from the woman. "Why is it difficult? Do the hobbies not keep you occupied enough?" He pauses for a moment for a third question as an addendum to the second: "...or do you feel the problem of the habit originates from something deep?"
"I..." There's a long pause of consideration. "There's nothing as thrilling as weaving a spell. Or a combination of spells in a show of tactical intelligence. But I've given that up.. oh how it all makes sense now. Why didn't I see it before?"
"What is it you see now?" The priest pauses while he lifts his head to gaze upon Valda as he speaks. "Have you approached a revelation that explains what plagues you?"
The teal-eyed woman glances to the grate, "Yes.. I've given up something terrible. I know it nags for attention. Thank you, though. I guess I should be leaving then?"
"Do you feel your examination of conscience is complete? That what weighs your mind right now has been lifted?" He sits back a bit. "I am here as long as you need me. If you wish to leave now, then I cannot grant whatever absolution you seek. The choice, however, is yours."
"I'm not really sure what you're offering, priest. Can you explain it plainly?"
"Do you know how confessions typically entail, my child?" This time, he seems to ask so he could cover whatever knowledge Valda doesn't have and to spare her a lecture.
"Well no. I still think this is entirely pointless but I'm trying to earn forgiveness from the other priest. So I'm here." Both hands motion outward in slight frustration to the obvious.
This priest nods. He adjusts his seat once more as he pushes his spectacles up against his face. "Forgiveness if often obtained through some form of absolution... penance. The other priest may have known that your attack was likely the result of some internal struggle rather than a physical response to offense; otherwise, he may have simply called for the authorities." He pauses for a moment to take a deep breath before continuing. "Penance is the act in which the transgressions and guilt are lifted from your mind and soul; it accomplished through atonement. But penance cannot be assigned and absolution provided if your conscious is not fully clear. Remaining transgressions may weigh your heart down as you attempt your atonement." Once more, he pauses to push his spectacles up. "If you wish to leave, my child, to give yourself a moment of self-reflection, then by all means, you may go. But if you wish to obtain penance, do return, or you can stay here a while longer. If you feel the burden is too heavy to bear by yourself, then I can assist you with the grace of the Light."
Valda nods slowly once he gives permission to leave. After a slight pause when he's done speaking she murmurs out, "I will go." The woman rises and slips out of the curtain.
"May the Light guide you and give you the ease of mind you seek."
She glances around as she replaces her wide-brimmed hat. The warlock paces to the back of the cathedral with a prompt gait. "G ashj parn xi tor amanemodas."