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Post by Malefica on Jul 20, 2008 14:24:32 GMT -5
*Malefica entered Notre Dame and looked around. She was dressed in a white gown, and had put up her golden hair in an advanced hairdo. Even if she looked more beautiful than ever, there was a sadness in her eyes that could melt a heart of stone.*
Why did I even bother to come here? There is no forgiveness for what I have done. And yet - if I don't get any forgiveness, my beloved child will stop eating and die from starvation. For his sake I have to try - no matter how hard my punishment might be.
*The church seemed empty, but there were candles lit at the altar. Malefica went quietly up the hall. She stopped in front of the altar, carefully studying the suffering man on the cross. With tears in her eyes, she knelt in front of the cross and started to pray in silence. The tears started streaming down her face.*
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Post by Father Joseph on Jul 20, 2008 14:29:42 GMT -5
*Joseph walked silently through the cathedral, not wishing to interrupt those in prayer. But he noted each in turn, especially the young woman that had come to him about Wild. He wasn't sure what to think of it, so he sat at the far end of one pew, in case any wished to speak to him.*
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Post by Malefica on Jul 20, 2008 14:35:44 GMT -5
*Malefica felt that she was not alone. She finished her prayer and crossed herself, wiped off her tears and stood to meet Father Joseph.*
"Our paths meet again, Father Joseph. I take it that Wild is safe now?"
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Post by Father Joseph on Jul 20, 2008 15:00:40 GMT -5
*Joseph swallowed, unsure how to tell her about Wild's current state.*
"She's...returned. And...healing. Is that why you've returned?"
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Post by Malefica on Jul 20, 2008 15:05:02 GMT -5
*Malefica looked up at him sadly.*
"I am glad to hear that Wild is safe. But that is not why I am here. I am in desperate need of help. And I have nowhere else to turn."
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Post by Father Joseph on Jul 20, 2008 15:55:19 GMT -5
"Very well..." *He said cautiously.*
"What is it that you need?"
*That's what he was there for, right? To help where he was needed? Where...well, where he could.*
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Post by Malefica on Jul 20, 2008 15:58:35 GMT -5
*Malefica looked up at him with tears in her eyes.*
"I need to confess my sins, and get forgiveness. And I need to be cleansed for my sins. Not for my own sake, but for my son, who is still just a baby."
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Post by Father Joseph on Jul 20, 2008 16:20:04 GMT -5
*Joseph's brow lowered, his lips tightening.*
"Madame...I am sorry to tell you this, but it is clear that you are not Catholic. If you were, you would know that one must confess for one's own repentance, not out of the need of another. And if you are not Catholic...I cannot grant you absolution."
*His eyes were tender, sympathetic, but his voice was stern.*
"I am willing to listen to your situation, but that is all I can offer."
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Post by Malefica on Jul 20, 2008 16:24:33 GMT -5
*Malefica sighed and looked up at him. He seemed sympathetic. She had to tell him how important this was, but knew that nobody showed less compassion than the church.*
"You are right, Father. I am not Catholic. I am only the Guardian of the Holy Grail. But I have sinned and need to be cleansed for my sins. The new Guardian is only a baby. And if I can't get him to eat, he will die. When the last Guardian of the Grail is gone, so is the legend of the Grail. And with it, the last hope of the world."
*She looked up at him, with a desperation in her eyes that only would come from a mother forced to watch her baby die.*
"Can you have on your conscience to let the hopes and dreams the Holy Grail represent die, Father Joseph? Will my baby have to die because of my sins, he who is purity itself?"
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Post by Father Joseph on Jul 20, 2008 16:45:46 GMT -5
*Joseph shook his head, not quite able to understand how a guardian of one of the most sacred artifacts of the Church could not be Catholic. He pursed his lips, trying to calm her, but feeling rather impotent.*
"I...I'm sorry. I don't know what you expect me to do. It is not my choice to deny you."
It is your own Godlessness.
*He touched her hands gently.*
"It is not in my purview to help you. I truly am sorry. But what else can I do?"
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Post by Malefica on Jul 20, 2008 16:53:05 GMT -5
*Malefica looked up at him. Her eyes clearly told that she had no illusions whatsoever about the church and it's ability to help anymore.*
"Well, you could grant me some Holy Water, and I could try to cleanse my own sins."
*She mumbled to herself.*
"Or I could try to purify myself by using The Golden Wand of Heaven."
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Post by Father Joseph on Jul 20, 2008 17:10:49 GMT -5
*Joseph looked more concerned.*
"The sanctified water of the Church is not mine to give."
Especially to those not of the faith.
*But wands didn't sound good either, 'of Heaven' or no.*
"If you fear for the child, I beg you to bring him here. The Church will provide for him."
*He offered a supportive smile.*
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Post by Malefica on Jul 20, 2008 17:22:21 GMT -5
*Malefica looked at him, considering his offer. She was thinking about Gawain's purity. Would he start condamning everyone that hadn't "the right faith" as well? As a Guardian, he would have to learn that ALL creatures deserved to be loved. The Church was not as forgiving as the Grail. And the Church didn't know all the secrets of The Holy Grail. Not like she did, godless or no. She straightened her back and looked Father Joseph right in the eyes.*
"Do you know the Secrets of the Holy Grail, Father Joseph? Do you know how to protect the Grail in times of danger, or which enemies that will attack? Are you capable of training the Guardian of the Holy Grail to protect it with his own life?"
*She looked him over.*
"You seem like a mild and good man, Father Joseph, but you know nothing about forgiveness. And the grace of the Holy Grail is for the entire world. Not only for Catholics."
*She looked away, with a sad look in her eyes.*
"I'm afraid I can't accept your offer."
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Post by Father Joseph on Jul 20, 2008 17:46:23 GMT -5
*Joseph looked bothered, concerned deeply by her words.*
"I do not assume anything concerning something so holy, madame. I only worry for the life of a child. One that you say is in danger. I want to help it if I can, but we would need to bring it here to protect it. To feed it."
*He tried to look hopeful, but he was starting to worry. If there was a child, such a delusional woman could not possible be a fit mother.*
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Post by Malefica on Jul 20, 2008 17:51:25 GMT -5
*Malefica looked mildly at him.*
"As much as I would like to bring my child to the church, Padre, I could not. The world is too dangerous for him. And if I bring him away from where he is hidden and into the church, the evil creatures I am protecting him from may try to attack the church. It is true he needs food, but I can't risk to bring so many lives in danger."
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