You Get Me Closer to God
Summer 2021, Week 4
Tuesday afternoon
St. Peter's Light Cathedral, Old Towne
Fiora O'Connor
Fiora knew her mission, to gather intel on this 'Father Cal'. She knew little about him other than he was a feared man of God. He grew up in the Vatican and dedicated his life to religion. Fiora stepped into the church, she wore white, the color of purity. Her dress was down to her ankles and she wore a shawl to cover her shoulders. She wanted to seem as harmless as possible. Her red hair was curled and her makeup minimal. She seemed to be a good christian woman. At least, the stereotypical cult-y good christian woman. She made her way to a pew, bowing before entering and did the sign of the cross, kneeling. She began to look as if she were in prayer. She knew Father Cal would find her as the church was empty. However, she kept her eyes shut, focusing in on the sounds around her. She listened for footsteps.Father Cal
A man of god walked with purpose, having no fear who heard him tramp around. Yet not this one. Cal walked silently, his feet leaving not trace, mark nor noise. He moved like a cat across the undercroft of his domain. The good father had heard someone enter the church, the front doors to the chapel old, and creaked when opened. He found this quiet odd, as Tuesday was not a day for worshipers to come visit, or give praise. Stepping out of his workshop he quietly shut the heavy metal door. Nothing more scraping of metal would be heard by normal ears. Having slipped his 45. into a small holster on his hip before adjusting his rob so to hide the small bump on his side. Tightening his collar he moved towards the stairs and up into the main foyer. Stepping out the good father wore a bright smile, and a honest kinda look upon his strong jaw. Seeing the young lady deep in prayer, it brought joy to his heart, and he silently moved to stand beside her. Making sure his last few steps were loud upon the oak wood. So not to startle the girl. "Goodmorning my child." Spoke Cal in his deep rumble of a voice.Fiora O'Connor
The girl crossed herself before turning to the man. "Hello, Father. Sorry if I came in while you were busy. It's been a rough week and I needed to be closer with God today." She looked up at him, still on her knees, her hands still crossed. The only thing different about her still position was her open eyes and the gentle smile she offered. The girl exhaled a deep breath. She seemed meek but also as if there was a deep sadness within her, even if she offered her kindness. The white shawl that covered her sweet heart dress drooped a bit. A small portion of her shoulder being revealed. She blushed and finally moved her hands a bit to adjust her shawl before going back to her statuesque position.Father Cal
A small bit of skin meant little to the father, his face remaining unchanged as he stared down towards the girl. She seemed truthful in her speech, gentle in her words, and kind in her tone. He didn't believe her a lier. Offering his hand to her his smile grew knowing he could help guide her closer towards the lord. "Aye, It is a odd Time my child. Many seek to step closer to his warm light with all that is happening in the city this month. Tell me what troubles you dear, and I will guide you the best."Fiora O'Connor
Fiora accepted his hand and stood before him. She didn't pull away immediately, her hand lingering on his as she spoke. "The evil evos terrify me. Why can't we all just be good? Since when have we strayed from God's light?" A tear welled in her cheek as she released her hand from his. She wiped away the tear with a finger but more started to flow. "I just want to please Him. I want to be my best for Him. I just wish others understood his kindness." She spoke as if she was talking about the lord. Maybe she was thinking about her benefactor, though. Not even she knew. After all, she was acting, manipulating the Father into believing her to be pious when really she was on a mission.Father Cal
"Evil terrifies us all my child, but in his light. His his warmth we are safe, that is a promise both from me, and the great father above." Setting his other hand over hers, he held her hand till she pulled away. and pulled a small handkerchief from his pocket to give her as the tears began to flow. She was broken, this..this was clear it tore at the old fathers chest. This was why he was chosen to come to this city, for believers like this. "Fear not any longer child for our god is one of kindness and of peace. But that does know how to protect his children and those faithful" His words were sincere and full of heart. Having stepped away as he spoke he stood before her like he was giving a small sermon.Fiora O'Connor
"Father?" She began to ask, her body shrinking yet she moved closer to him. "How may I be closer to God?" She looked up at him, her eyes wide. Cal believed her. Now she just had to find more out about him. He may suggest what he has tried, and if that doesn't work, she would find another way for him to divulge his own secrets.Father Cal
"how did I?" Cal tilted his head a small bit, the thoughts of endless battle and the removal of both pagans, and devil worshipers flittered through his mind. Yet this girl was able todo such a thing...Or...No she wasn't and even if she was he couldn't divulge such secrets yet. "Perhaps the biggest thing I do is my garden. I find it refreshing to serve and create in gods light. Let his natural creation grow under my hand"Fiora O'Connor
Fiora smiled, what seemed to be the final tear, grazed her cheek. "May I see your garden? It sounds wonderful." Fiora brushed up against him as she made her way out from the pew. Her eyes twinkled at the prospect of seeing something so serene. "May I father? It sounds like it would be so glorious!"Father Cal
Perhaps she would feel the loaded gun against his hip, little clothing blocked the holster after all. Perhaps she would feel that unlike a normal priest he wasn't soft or even a bit chubby under his robes. But a man made of steel that would have made any warrior proud. Or perhaps she just noticed his large smile as he swept a arm behind her and pushed gently towards the back door of the cathedral, behind the curtains and pulpit. Which lead to a large hand-cultivated garden, flower,and surreal flowering trees blossoming in the mid afternoon sun. "Of course, This is my gift to the father above.Fiora O'Connor
"Oh Father, this is wonderful. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!" She leaned into him and hugged him, his hand still on her waist. She pulled back, but not enough to break the hug. "Thank you for bringing me here, Father. Bless you!" She had that innocent twinkle in her eyes still. She seemed so vulnerable, so malleable. Like a piece of clay ready to be formed into the lord's obedient servant. She wore a big grin. She looked up at the priest. A small, sad sigh escaping, her head tilting down. "Is there any way I can thank you for showing me this? I would even help tend to the garden if you'd like! Besides, I'd like to know what brought you to the church, Father. A kind man such as yourself must have a wonderful story!"Father Cal
Cal was almost taken back by the girls eagerness, this..this was something new. One rarely saw such wonton lust for the lord among the common folk , or even among the clergy this was typically reserved for orphan's such as himself who had been shown just how cruel the world was around them.. His hand stand upon were he had it as she gave him a rather startling hug.. "well,I...I do not know My child, thi" She cut him short with her question as he had begun to answer her first one. It was clear she was flustering the good father. Unsure how to process this odd girl. With a deep breath he stepped back giving her a warm but slightly defensive look. He was losing his composure a small bit, Something he did not like. "My story is a simple one child, I am a servant of our father, He sent me to this great city to help purify it, even if only a small bit. This garden is just a small start, and a small gift to keep my mind right. But tell me. why do you ask such a..Odd question. I thought it common knowledge to know I am merely replacing the good father Conway, While he is off treating his cancer."Fiora O'Connor
Fiora reached for the man's hand and held it up. She clasped it in both of her hands and smiled softly. "I know, but there must be more to your story. You seem wise, such wisdom only comes from a deeper knowledge of the world!" Fiora was engulfed in her role. She was very convincing, her desire to please him AND the lord seemed just enough to nearly match his energy. However, there was a twinkle of innocence, something that seemed almost naive to the pastor. He could mold her, he could make her holy. At least, she was convincing him of that.Father Cal
There was a lot to his story, More then anyone would ever know. Blood, Violence , and mountains of bodies, such things that would never be accepted in the common light of the people. Things he would never admit, nor would he tell.. At least not someone he just met. Kneeling down next to a morning glory, he reached out and helped the falling vine back onto the wooden post they were resting on. "Many have told me that, but perhaps just a few years in the worst the world has to offer teaches one the right path to make sure others may never suffer." He gave a small chuckle and looked up to her with a smile and a shine in his eyes. "But what of you? you speak of pain and of evil Evo's but what draws you to such conclusions? Evil is not a creation of man or god, but of the devil."Fiora O'Connor
"Father, I'm not quite ready to..." A tear rolled down her cheek, she reached for his hand. "Maybe I can visit you again? Maybe we will both grow comfortable enough to express ourselves and tell our story."Father Cal
"Of course my child!. All of those who walk in the light of the lord are welcome here. Both in my garden and in the home his greatness. The church is open to all." He of course didn't seem to react to the touch of her hand but didn't push it away all being a bit odd for him.Storyteller
There they spoke quietly for the rest of the day ,little was said yet much was told Cal while clearly interested in this odd women was blind to her advances choosing instead on doing all he could to lead her forward on her path towards god.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 13, 2021
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