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]

... That's true.

[ Paranoia, what's that? It's fine. ]

That song... it's beautiful.

[archboxer]

It is.

[Paranoia? Nah.]

I should be saying scriptures for mourning but... I believe this reach the Goddess just as well.

[philoxenia]

Well... for what it's worth, I'm happy to hear it.

[ She moves a little closer. ]

Is it... a hymn from your world?

[archboxer]

Hardly.

[It might sound dismissive if not for her follow up.]

...it is just an old lullaby, as childish as that might sound.

[philoxenia]

[ She shakes her head. ]

I don't think it's childish. ... Lullabies are usually comforting, after all. At least... they are for me.

[archboxer]

They are... My mother wrote this particular one.

[philoxenia]

Your mother...

[ It also comes down to family, don't it. ]

I'm sure she'd be happy you're keeping the memory alive.

[archboxer]

[She looks up, as if looking for something beyond the ceiling, beyond the massive amount of water.]

I do hope so.

[She pauses.]

...Thank you for helping me set that up. I know my, ah, temper got the better of me during the trial.

[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.