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 Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 2:24 pm
"Like yeah, wiccan stuff is interesting." and then there was an instant where she seemed to consider going on, it was slightly divergent from the romance novels but still within occultism most people knew she was interested in. "There are a lot of threads of like. Leftover. Vestigal naturalism left even in the major religions. I mean like, Christianity, especially Catholicism." She hated to cut herself off on a point but did so, turning her attention back to the prior encounter.
"I was er. I was Divinity." She said. "But I was on a secret mission, so it would be like, really appreciated if you didn't mention it to anyone else. I'm really glad to see you here though, it was all very strange in that place."
She smiled. "I bet they are ready to meet you too. I'll walk you there and like, when you are done I can help you find a room if you like."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 3:01 pm
Rodney seemed still very aware of the podroom, even as they moved away from it. He didn't ask how many people were in there, although as they walked he was conscious of more rows than just a few.
He was grateful for the conversation.
"Oh, it's you. Yes. Yes, I remember." He didn't comment on Chantelle's differing gender, apparently used to internet and mmo protocol. If it was...classified, you don't have to worry. Yes. Thank you. ...There are," he agreed, "incorporated tenants. It's cyclical, one borrowing from the other. Often people think the incorporations are contradictory, that one people's slant on sort of um, sacred knowledge is wrong, without recognizing what they've incorporated. Matthew 7:3." He tucked hair behind his ear. "But I believe in God. That there is a protective and guiding force. Is there a chapel here?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 3:30 pm
"I was like so glad to be out of there!" she exclaimed. "I did not like the fighting, nor the running for my life. The company was rather dismal too, with present company like, excepted, you know? Lots of people seemed to be there just for the fighting, I like my fantasy games like, a little more tranquil."
She sauntered alongside him with a curious sort of ease, paying rapt attention to his every word. "I think you like, will run into a lot of logs on this island. Too many of them don't quite grasp the sentiments of 1 John 2:9 either." She shrugged. "I enjoy like, vampire novels and stuff but like, I'm still totally into God."
She did look a little dismayed. "No chapel though, you'll like find almost everyone has like, no faith left. You got lucky running into me."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 3:46 pm
"Yes. Fighting games can be fun, I don't mind, when it's fake. But when the atmosphere is competitive it can be hostile. Light and dark? I think," he looked at the floor, "a lot of people have trouble with that verse. I, myself, I mean, like everyone else, struggle... but I can't, hardly be around it. Hatred. That kind of feeling. When it's intense- I- that's why, I have so much difficulty with um, with violence. It's the feelings behind it."
Rodney seemed to tremble contemplating it. From what he had seen in the podroom, he didn't find it hard to believe that there was no chapel.
He felt like he had stepped out onto a very strange, sad, and distant soil.
"How do you eat?" He asked. He had imagined some communal compound, but with the humming and complicated machinery, he no longer knew what to expect. "I mean, I can eat meat, if that's all...but I prefer not to. I can cook for myself."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:17 pm
"Unfortunately, most of them like spend every minute of every day bickering, it's no game." she counted on a slender finger. "Fighting physically or er like." she lowered her voice. "Giving into like, carnal desires. It's like, really bad. The mood is always like, totally dismal, people hating each other. I've found it really hard to make friends in general." she sighed shallowly. "But I'm like, if I can lead by example I'll try."
"Eating is all right, we have a cafeteria, people take turns on kitchen duty, the food like, is pretty awful but some people do buy and make their own good. I can cook okay too, if you are short like, some ingredients I can help out, I'm allowed to have leave, I don't think you will be for a bit."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:23 pm
"Oh, yes, I don't think, um, until...until, marriage-" Rodney rubbed his arm, color finally suddenly turning something besides pale. "But I know- not everyone...but just, um, for me-" His voice grew smaller and smaller, until it was hard to tell he was even talking, except for the fact that his lips were moving.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:37 pm
"Yeah I agree." Chantelle said and nodded. "Marriage is like, really important. You have to know the other person and its all really binding and romantic." She seemed to heartily approve of his outlook but due to his discomfort, was careful not to linger on it long. "Its like really nice to finally meet a sane person. It's just this way."
The had been getting closer to the weapons cove as they went and now they stood at the top of the stairs.
"Well like, it'd down there. There are lots of tablets, but only one will really like, respond to you, choose you. That'll be your partner, it's the like, part you need to do on your own."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:47 pm
Rodney nodded.
"Alright. Thank you for everything." He was already emotionally exhausted. Right now, he wanted nothing better than to spend a while at home in his apartment- no. He wasn't going back. Emotionally exhausted was two years of constant abuse. Of walking on eggshells. Of being afraid of missing some arbitrary detail and being upbraided, and having his own work degraded...he couldn't go back.
But was here really better?
What had he gotten himself into? He just wanted quiet. And some time to work.
Ben might have come with him. They'd discussed it before, their own studio, and it was the one thing that had made him hesitate, but coming here had been the right thing to do. It had been. It had to be. He was never going to see Ben again.
All those people back there...
He looked at Chantelle, troubled, and tried to smile, then descended into the darkness.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:16 pm
When he came back up, his partner was still in-hand,
"Not exactly a cat," he said. "Their name is Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. That's...a church, isn't it? I've found a chapel after all."
Is it? Rodney's partner sounded more surprised by this information than anyone.
Seven was not dissimilar from an oversized thurible, if dressed down. A large red gem decorated the hook. Overall, they felt comfortable in Rodney's grip. A grappling hook was a useful...object? Partner? He didn't have to hurt anyone with them.
Not hurt anyone? Why not? I could bust a few kneecaps.
Rodney collapsed into scandalized and upset silence at this. Even in his head, he retreated to some darker place with a metal belt cutting into his shoulder.
What! What'd I say? Geez, calm down, okay. Everybody can keep their kneecaps. Jack, you're sensitive.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:25 pm
When Rodney returned, Chantelle examined his weapon with open curiosity. "Woooow." she cooed. "They look really like, totally useful!" She didn't mention that she didn't envy him learning to wield such an unusual weapon with any effectiveness. It likely wasn't a problem, there would be no need to learn to fight when he was a staunch pacifist and had no intention of combat if he could avoid it.
"That is also a very curious name." she recognised it and its bearer. They had wasted no time in evidently demonstrating just how keen they were. "I like, I met someone called Sorrow once, like, a gargoyle I think they were. Maybe that's who you got." she made no comment about what the creature had been like, but did find it fortuitous that they had bonded to such a malleable person.
She wasn't thinking straight. Rodney was a really nice guy and that was like all that mattered. Sorrow was nice and would take care of him if it came down to it. "Don't look upset." she consoled him. "Just always like, bear in mind like, even if they say silly things they like, can't do anything without you acting or your permission, they are our partners but they can't make us do anything at all." she beamed. "You got very lucky to get such a like, pretty friend."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:48 pm
"They're a gargoyle," Rodney said, hesitating at this description. They didn't look like one.
Hey, buddy, Roddy, I am, okay. I don't question you.
"They said they preferred Seven," Rodney related.
That's key-rect. Heyyyyyy yeah, it's ol'- whatsherface, Seven said, having absolutely zero idea who Chantelle was. Seven didn't prompt Rodney to desummon either, apparently fine with being carried around the rest of the day.
Rodney seemed to be handling the weight fine, keeping the hook clear of the floor.
"Oh, can't make us..that's good. You said there was a room?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 8:11 pm
"Seven then." she said, curious that the weapon had opted - or simply forgotten whatever feelings laid attachment to - their old nickname. "Duly noted. Well, you and seven have the rest of for ever to like, get to know each other?" she shrugged. "Don't leave them anywhere, you'll be able to desummon them into a smaller shape." she said. "What we call a like, totem. You won't lose them because of it. Even if you did you could dismiss and resummon. If you lose your weapon despite that you will like, get sick."
She headed in the direction of the dormitories with a sprightly step and a click of heels. "There are two floors us trainees like, get to live on. First floor is full right now, there's like, a waiting list of people who want to live up here. The other is like. Well I live down there, it's the basement. It's like, used to be a dungeon, its like, a monastery. Hope you like sleeping in a cell, cause like, thats what you are likely going to have to live with. You can pick any room that doesn't have people's things in it. I'm in B1. Once you choose, go like, get your coat and some basics from the quartermaster." she smiled at him.
"If you want like, once you are settled in and such, come back and see me, I'll like, answer anything else you might want to ask."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 8:24 pm
"How do you- oh!" Thinking about it managed it. The weight of the chain and hook disappeared, leaving a much smaller stony bangle in its place.
"O-oh," Rodney repeated. "Do I- sorry." Where should I put you?
Heh, pretty slick, huh? Make a choice, Roddy. Be bold.
Rodney hesitated. He had been tucking his hair, which was soft and fell around his shoulders, out of his face since he left the pod. Do you mind?
What'd I just say?
Rodney flushed, and put his hair back with the bangle.
"Always with us, it's kind of...nice, isn't it?" He softened a bit, "You said they protected us. Like a guardian."
Well I wouldn't dress it up that way, I mean, we just met and all- and I've never done this before. At least I don't think I have.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:25 pm
"Yes. It is like, really nice." She said helpfully.
If one savours insomnia.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 7:16 pm
"Any room is fine," Rodney said, once his hair was up. He had followed Chantelle shyly, and not too close, and seemed grateful to his new friend.
"Can I pick up my belongings somewhere? I came in with my clothes, and some personal items."
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