No party like an pope party??

[archboxer]

[That... that was a thing for everyone. There should be no celebration for Lif but, well, even if Rhea has a very cynical view of such things it's probably for the best that everyone stays together. Her first stop is the cafeteria, after all nothing better to keep people in one spot than free food. There she bumps into Mira, leaving the snacks to her Rhea ends up writing notes to everyone to come to the cafeteria in a few hours.

Some she hands personally and if she can't find someone she slid it under their door. Rin's she slides into her room regardless.

Fortunately, you won't hear a sermon.]

Comments

[philoxenia]

You're welcome.

[ She shakes her head, after a brief pause. ]

It was... a tense situation.

[ But she sounds kind of distant, all the same. ]

[archboxer]

To say the least, yes.

[And you weren't standing next to Jasper, either.]

[philoxenia]

... For what it's worth, I'm not upset with you.

[ She's quiet for a while. ]

But I... I've never had to do anything like that. I'm shocked I kept it together as much as I did.

[archboxer]

You did well, Mira.

[It's cold comfort but.]

The feelings you have right now are natural.

[philoxenia]

... Thank you.

[ It's a shame she feels like she didn't do enough. ]

I've... lost people before, but this was-- [ ... ] This is different.

[archboxer]

...An execution is never pleasant.

[Especially if you order it.]

[philoxenia]

I... imagine it's the sort of thing many people might never get used to.

[archboxer]

If they do then things have gone very poorly for them.

[Ha...h.a...ha.]

[philoxenia]

They've lost their way, do you mean?

[ sorry rhea! ]

[archboxer]

Exactly. I doubt even the Goddess herself could persuade them back.

[philoxenia]

... Do you think someone can truly be too far gone?

[archboxer]

Do you wish my thoughts as the Archbishop or as Rhea?

[philoxenia]

[ we're on team "fuck gods and shit" here so like ]

... I'd prefer Rhea's thoughts.

[archboxer]

My personal opinions, then.

[Don't fuck Mom.]

I want to believe that no one is beyond saving but... I am not a young woman anymore. I have seen some true wickedness in this world beyond merely things that are taboo to the Church of Seiros.

[...] I am afraid that my answer is simply, I am not sure.

[philoxenia]

[ She considers that for a while, before she nods. ]

... It... really isn't the type of question that's easy to answer at all, is it?

i said no sermons but

[archboxer]

No.

[For most people, the question shouldn't even come up but, well. She pauses.]

I pride myself in my devout faith but even I question such things. It is part of our nature. When my mother was killed, I questioned my faith deeply. Why was I allowed to feel such pain? Why did others, while sympathetic, not understand fully? I found resolve in time but even now the memory tears at me.

When you ask is someone beyond saving I think of that bandit that slew her. His men adored him but I cannot say he could be saved. Even the thought slashes at my mind. He was--he is unforgivable in my mind. Then you take someone like Lif... is he the same as that bandit? To someone, perhaps. Perspective is hard to look at even when you are absolutely sure in your ideals.

oops

[philoxenia]

[ Oof.

Take out the faith part, change up the killer and the victim a little, and... well. It hits her hard, like a punch to the gut. She's so taken aback and she's already transparent enough that it registers, clear as day, on her face.

So she looks away quickly, but she's damn sure the damage has been done already. Still, she struggles to find her voice. ]

When it's someone who means the world to you who's been torn away... It's hard to not feel strongly. And it's hard to forgive the person who took them away, even if you're not a person of faith with those ideals. Or... maybe especially?

... But adding in pressure from something like this place... That complicates everything.

[archboxer]

[Even if the the wounds should be closed now as they had been for the other victims of that crime, she couldn't let it go. Maybe it was that she felt nothing else was left unlike the others.

Maybe that's why Rhea does hold out a hand, literally.]

Yes, there are many things that come with such events. Even I ask the Goddess why that happened, still. Life and fate complicate things every moment. As horrible as this place is, as detestable as the Professor is... let me tell you a secret.

[Beat.]

I still hate that bandit more than him, even when my heart tells me that man has been dead for so many years.

[philoxenia]

... It... seems we have a few things in common.

[ There's a beat.

And then another.

... And then Mira does something that surprises her. She takes that hand. ]

... I-- [ She draws in a breath. ] I lost my brother, shortly before coming here. It was-- I never saw it coming. And I know the person who took his life, but...

I-I don't know. I haven't found it in me to hate him. Maybe... it hasn't fully sunk in yet, but-- Is that foolish?

[archboxer]

[She doesn't say anything for a few moments, just gently holding her hand and squeezing it.]

No... Goddess, no. Mira, it does not. Everyone handles grief differently. Some might even say that I am weaker for giving into that hate and anger. The path that I took to my understanding is something I can never advise so, please... please do not think yourself weaker for not hating him.

[philoxenia]

[ For a moment, she... really can't speak. She finds it a little funny--she didn't realize she'd been missing something very important until this moment. It's... certainly a thing, this understanding and warmth. It's one thing, to have it from someone she knows loves her, like her brother, but this is something else.

She squeezes Rhea's hand back weakly. ]

... Thank you. [ She wipes at her eyes before looking at her. ] For what it's worth, I-- I don't think you're weak, either.

[archboxer]

[Her instinct is to give her a hug but Rhea pushes that back. She can't treat her too much like a child. She just stays still, letting those tears run their course.

Rhea's smile is warm but there's a sadness, too.] You are most welcome. [A shake of her head.] I would rather admit to a crime I did not commit then admit to that weakness of heart.

[Is she admitting that what she said during the trial was (surprise) a lie? Yes... but she's not saying what it really was, either.]

[philoxenia]

[ She won't bring it up, at the very least. ]

It's... always so hard to talk about yourself... things you would rather keep tucked away. [ She gives Rhea's hand a squeeze. ] ... Thank you for telling me what you did. And-- for listening to me, too.

[archboxer]

Yes... yes, it is. It never gets any easier yet. [She squeezes her hand back.] Thank you for listening to me as well. It is in times of hardship we cling harder to each other and... well. I am glad that you don't think less of me for my attachments.

[philoxenia]

Of course not.

[ She shakes her head firmly. ]

Our attachments are what make us who we are. If I thought less of you for that... it wouldn't be fair at all to you, Rhea.