[Thank goodness he came toward the end of the ceremony, rather than the whole one. It was tiring to duck behind some bushes, that he probably peeked under regardless. The things he did for his younger sister, really... He can't help but worry though. Everything just seems far too suspicious and it doesn't sit well in his stomach. Even though it seems as if she has a renewed strength in her that he's never seen before now.]
Ah, no... I am here for you, actually. To see you home.
[He didn't feel comfortable that her congregation was staring at him. He knew he had a unique appearance from some people in Aldrip, but it made him feel a bit awkward. Despite that, though, he will hang his head high, and with a smile. The corner of his lips curved softly as he offers his hand to her own.]
[ Marianne brings her hand up to cover her mouth. She's touched, but also a little embarrassed by his protectiveness. It seems she's always making him worry. ]
Hehe. Thank you, but you needn't worry about me so much anymore.
[ She knows how hapless she used to be. The loss of her parents had been hard on her and cast a veil over her life where nothing seemed it would be right ever again. That veil has since lifted, and she's started smiling again, due in no small part to Astralin. Which is why she's working hard to come into her own, so he can rest assured she'll be okay. Marianne steps forward on her own instead of taking his hand. ]
The head priestess has accepted me as her pupil. There's still a lot I have to learn, but I want to become someone others can rely on.
[ She's practically glowing as she shares the news. See? She's doing great! Going places! ]
[Oh, that makes something in his stomach absolutely drop. He isn't sure how to parse her words, and to be quite frank, he figures this has something to do with her faith. Astralin biting down hard on his tongue, and holding back the urge to say something that could possibly shake her, but he was never one to judge. Never one to interfere, unless it was absolutely drastic. Either way, he didn't like it, and it becomes even more apparent that he was right when she she says the head priestess of this cult is.
Going to be her teacher.
Great. Just great. Astralin knows far too well not to make a face, and luckily with his tragic past, it made it easy for him to hide his emotions. And instead, he just forces a smile to appear on the corner of his lips instead.]
I see... Well, that is all well and good. However, we should... See you home first. It is getting late.
[He wants to glare so badly at the head priestess but not now. Or ever, really.]
Hrist and Rivoix are gone for the week, so if anything happens, you are free to come and stay with me.
[ Marianne's so elated, she doesn't register Astralin's carefully neutral response. It has been a wish of hers to become a priestess, and now she'll be able to realize her dreams under the tutelage of a woman she most respects. Today is a most joyous day, and her steps are light as her heart feels as they walk home. ]
I'll come by for tea. I can't stay over though. All the priestesses in training live on the holy grounds. My schedule will be busier from now on, too...
[ It's not that she doesn't want to see Astralin, but there are strict rules imposed on the pupils. Long hours of prayers during the day, an austere lifestyle, and limited contact with the outside as they immerse themselves in their studies. Because that's how cults get you. ]
[He's so unimpressed by this cult, that he tries not to show it in his expression. He's always been a neutral man, and he's happy that she seems to have found a place to belong, but none the less, his big brother senses were tingling, and it made him feel uneasy. Uneasy in a way that he wasn't sure what they would have her do, and that made him scared for her.]
Very well. But should you need anything, you do know that you can call on me at any time, right?
[He doesn't like that they're making her isolate herself... He has a bad feeling about all of this, and he bites down on his tongue to hold back how sharp he can get if he wants to. It just left a bad taste in his mouth, but he takes a deep breath in to calm down. His hand resting in his pockets as they walk, which...
He can't help but stare over at something for a moment. In the shadows. His head tilting to the side momentarily, but he turns his head away.
Just his imagination. All is well in Aldrip. Right?]
Of course. You've always been there for me, and I'm grateful.
[ Astralin's always been so kind. She's known him for a long time now, long enough to pick up on his mannerisms and realize that he seems distracted. She had thought, in his own quiet way, he would be overjoyed to receive the news, but that isn't what she is sensing. Moreover, Marianne sees him glance to the side. Her gaze follows, but she can see nothing amiss. ]
[Some part of him wants to go over and touch one of the bushes in his path. His eyes glancing over in that general direction for just a little while longer, before Marianne's voice captures his attention again. His fingers brushing back some of his hair, as he manages a soft smile despite everything.
Has... Marianne always been his sister? There's a thought in his mind that lingers for a moment, but it passes and he too, ignores it in place of showing her just a bit more affection. His hand reaching out toward his head, and patting her head gently again with an unnerving smile that doesn't seem too off.]
No... I thought I just saw something in the shadows is all. Is it getting late, though, and we should depart quickly. However... Since you said you will not have much free time, please do have dinner with me. I would like to see you for a bit longer. I do not get to see my little sister as often as I'd like.
[ Marianne thinks back to the priestess' words today. The... disturbances around Aldrip hadn't escaped the woman's keen notice, but she preached that so long as they held steady to their faith, the gods would protect them. There was no need to worry, and Marianne believes her. She will pray tonight as she does every night for the peace and prosperity of the village. ]
I fear I'll always be a child in your eyes. [ Marianne blushes when he reaches over to pat her head. She feels too old to be receiving such gestures, but it nevertheless warms her heart. ] I cherish our time together, Astralin. There's no need to fret. Even if I become a priestess, I'll always be your little sister.
[ Nothing will change. These blissful days will go on. They must. She'll pray with all her heart. ]
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expiationlogs2024-03-09 08:37 am
no subject
Ah, no... I am here for you, actually. To see you home.
[He didn't feel comfortable that her congregation was staring at him. He knew he had a unique appearance from some people in Aldrip, but it made him feel a bit awkward. Despite that, though, he will hang his head high, and with a smile. The corner of his lips curved softly as he offers his hand to her own.]
Come then.
no subject
Hehe. Thank you, but you needn't worry about me so much anymore.
[ She knows how hapless she used to be. The loss of her parents had been hard on her and cast a veil over her life where nothing seemed it would be right ever again. That veil has since lifted, and she's started smiling again, due in no small part to Astralin. Which is why she's working hard to come into her own, so he can rest assured she'll be okay. Marianne steps forward on her own instead of taking his hand. ]
The head priestess has accepted me as her pupil. There's still a lot I have to learn, but I want to become someone others can rely on.
[ She's practically glowing as she shares the news. See? She's doing great! Going places! ]
no subject
Going to be her teacher.
Great. Just great. Astralin knows far too well not to make a face, and luckily with his tragic past, it made it easy for him to hide his emotions. And instead, he just forces a smile to appear on the corner of his lips instead.]
I see... Well, that is all well and good. However, we should... See you home first. It is getting late.
[He wants to glare so badly at the head priestess but not now. Or ever, really.]
Hrist and Rivoix are gone for the week, so if anything happens, you are free to come and stay with me.
no subject
I'll come by for tea. I can't stay over though. All the priestesses in training live on the holy grounds. My schedule will be busier from now on, too...
[ It's not that she doesn't want to see Astralin, but there are strict rules imposed on the pupils. Long hours of prayers during the day, an austere lifestyle, and limited contact with the outside as they immerse themselves in their studies. Because that's how cults get you. ]
no subject
Very well. But should you need anything, you do know that you can call on me at any time, right?
[He doesn't like that they're making her isolate herself... He has a bad feeling about all of this, and he bites down on his tongue to hold back how sharp he can get if he wants to. It just left a bad taste in his mouth, but he takes a deep breath in to calm down. His hand resting in his pockets as they walk, which...
He can't help but stare over at something for a moment. In the shadows. His head tilting to the side momentarily, but he turns his head away.
Just his imagination. All is well in Aldrip. Right?]
... Hm.
no subject
[ Astralin's always been so kind. She's known him for a long time now, long enough to pick up on his mannerisms and realize that he seems distracted. She had thought, in his own quiet way, he would be overjoyed to receive the news, but that isn't what she is sensing. Moreover, Marianne sees him glance to the side. Her gaze follows, but she can see nothing amiss. ]
Astralin? Is something the matter?
no subject
Has... Marianne always been his sister? There's a thought in his mind that lingers for a moment, but it passes and he too, ignores it in place of showing her just a bit more affection. His hand reaching out toward his head, and patting her head gently again with an unnerving smile that doesn't seem too off.]
No... I thought I just saw something in the shadows is all. Is it getting late, though, and we should depart quickly. However... Since you said you will not have much free time, please do have dinner with me. I would like to see you for a bit longer. I do not get to see my little sister as often as I'd like.
no subject
[ Marianne thinks back to the priestess' words today. The... disturbances around Aldrip hadn't escaped the woman's keen notice, but she preached that so long as they held steady to their faith, the gods would protect them. There was no need to worry, and Marianne believes her. She will pray tonight as she does every night for the peace and prosperity of the village. ]
I fear I'll always be a child in your eyes. [ Marianne blushes when he reaches over to pat her head. She feels too old to be receiving such gestures, but it nevertheless warms her heart. ] I cherish our time together, Astralin. There's no need to fret. Even if I become a priestess, I'll always be your little sister.
[ Nothing will change. These blissful days will go on. They must. She'll pray with all her heart. ]