Motley wasted little time. When Callara and Ushuaia were out of sight, he began to make a beeline for the Monastery. The ugly little man was hardly a sprinter, so he had to take a few small breaks as his lungs felt like they were on fire, and there was a pain in his side so awful, it felt like a thousand daggers were piercing his flesh.
... I'm coming... He reached out with his thoughts, hoping to let her know he was on his way.
...Stupid magic! What good was it if it didn't help you get from place to place in a hurry..?!
When he arrived at the Monastery, his mismatched eyes tried to find any sign of the little girl as he struggled to balance his desire to find her, and his desire to sit and catch his breath. Both were equally vital, and both screamed for his attention.
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Syra
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Judging from the nervously wandering children the Monestary was indeed the right place to be. When next a familiar voice rang out, any doubts should be erased.
"I am NOT GOING!" Angelica yelled, the panick audible in her voice. Others were talking over her, perhaps to her. They were harder to understand, but as Motley came closer to the halls, he'd find the girl with her arms around a pillar and an official looking man trying to pry her fingers loose. Yet another dark clad man shook his head in dismay, his arms behind his back.
Strangely enough sister Fullys was nowhere in sight. Instead there were two sisters wringing hands.
"I'm NOT GOING!" The girl repeated herself. "NO NO NO NO NO!"
"Child, you don't understand." The darkclad man tried, his voice soothing as if speaking to a four-yahren old. "It is a great honour. It is not right to refuse. Out of all children you were chosen."
"Then take Serina, she wants to!" The blond girl replied, a sob escaping in her voice.
"But you were picked out. We can't change the customs that built this city!" One of the sisters pleaded.
The other man finally managed to unlock her fingers. With a scream Angelica had to let go of her safe place.
"I am NOT GOING!" Angelica yelled, the panick audible in her voice. Others were talking over her, perhaps to her. They were harder to understand, but as Motley came closer to the halls, he'd find the girl with her arms around a pillar and an official looking man trying to pry her fingers loose. Yet another dark clad man shook his head in dismay, his arms behind his back.
Strangely enough sister Fullys was nowhere in sight. Instead there were two sisters wringing hands.
"I'm NOT GOING!" The girl repeated herself. "NO NO NO NO NO!"
"Child, you don't understand." The darkclad man tried, his voice soothing as if speaking to a four-yahren old. "It is a great honour. It is not right to refuse. Out of all children you were chosen."
"Then take Serina, she wants to!" The blond girl replied, a sob escaping in her voice.
"But you were picked out. We can't change the customs that built this city!" One of the sisters pleaded.
The other man finally managed to unlock her fingers. With a scream Angelica had to let go of her safe place.
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...From insult to chaos...
Motley waddled in, clutching at his aching sides, trying hard to draw at least one breath that wasn't filled with complete agony.
It wasn't what the men were saying, it was the way in which they were saying it that disturbed him the most.
"STOP! UNHAND HER"
Motley was used to being heard over a crowd. He knew how to use his voice to get the maximum volume and value out of it. When Angelica regained her composure, and when there could be some peace again. Motley looked over at the sisters first with a sneer of disgust, an expression that only made the ugly little man uglier.
"Your foresworn to protect these children. To see that no harm comes to them. Look at her! Does it look like she feels safe and protected?"
He turned his attention to the men, that he could only assume were representatives from the city, based on the sister's words about customs.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Motley waddled in, clutching at his aching sides, trying hard to draw at least one breath that wasn't filled with complete agony.
It wasn't what the men were saying, it was the way in which they were saying it that disturbed him the most.
"STOP! UNHAND HER"
Motley was used to being heard over a crowd. He knew how to use his voice to get the maximum volume and value out of it. When Angelica regained her composure, and when there could be some peace again. Motley looked over at the sisters first with a sneer of disgust, an expression that only made the ugly little man uglier.
"Your foresworn to protect these children. To see that no harm comes to them. Look at her! Does it look like she feels safe and protected?"
He turned his attention to the men, that he could only assume were representatives from the city, based on the sister's words about customs.
"What is the meaning of this?"
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To have children yelling at each other in the holy halls was one thing. To have a shouting match with one of them was unheard of. And there came Motley to add his voice to the mixture.
The fragile sister could not help but shield her ears from the practiced voice which boomed through the arched hallways.
Angelica had no such troubles and as the man let her go in pure surprise she sprinted up to the malformed little man. "Motley!" Quickly she hid behind him, clutching his tunic with trembling hands. "They want to take me away!"
The moustached man held up his hands in defense. "Easy now, there's no reason to be upset. Honestly, the Parrot Parade is a time honoured tradition. No bad has ever come from it!"
"They want me to carry the blue parrot!" Angelica whispered fervently, still trembling. "I can't do it. I'll fall!"
"Don't be childish!" The other sister tried to sound stern although it was very clear she had no clue on how to handle these hysterics. "You know perfectly well how happy and proud little Forham was last yahren. And you should also know how it would increase your chances at a new family. Everyone likes a lucky child."
"I'm not lucky."
"You were chosen."
"I'll fall!"
"Don't be silly. It's just a pole with a bird on it."
"I'll fall!"
The sister sighed, realizing she was not going to win this particular debate for lack of new input.
The fragile sister could not help but shield her ears from the practiced voice which boomed through the arched hallways.
Angelica had no such troubles and as the man let her go in pure surprise she sprinted up to the malformed little man. "Motley!" Quickly she hid behind him, clutching his tunic with trembling hands. "They want to take me away!"
The moustached man held up his hands in defense. "Easy now, there's no reason to be upset. Honestly, the Parrot Parade is a time honoured tradition. No bad has ever come from it!"
"They want me to carry the blue parrot!" Angelica whispered fervently, still trembling. "I can't do it. I'll fall!"
"Don't be childish!" The other sister tried to sound stern although it was very clear she had no clue on how to handle these hysterics. "You know perfectly well how happy and proud little Forham was last yahren. And you should also know how it would increase your chances at a new family. Everyone likes a lucky child."
"I'm not lucky."
"You were chosen."
"I'll fall!"
"Don't be silly. It's just a pole with a bird on it."
"I'll fall!"
The sister sighed, realizing she was not going to win this particular debate for lack of new input.
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That's what this is about? That silly parade?
The looks on the faces of the others in the room indicated he was perhaps the only one who thought it was silly. Gerben had told him the legend of the Parrot, but Motley was shrewd enough to understand that traditions didn't necessarily stem from necessity. There was plenty of power and magic in the guardian spirit herself. Was the parade an extension of that? Or merely perhaps the way the city chose to honor it? Motley could not be entirely sure, but from what he knew, Angelica's life was certain to change after this. This was perhaps the last thing she ever could have wished for or wanted.
"Gentlemen, Sisters. Please. Allow me a moment to speak with Angelica about this. I'm sure we can come up with some sort of solution that doesn't involve dragging children away from their homes. You should be ashamed of yourselves for even trying."
Motley clasped Angelica's hands and led her away from the scene, just far enough to stay in sight, but not be overheard. When they were well enough away, he spoke to her normally. He knew with a certainty that she was not the child she pretended to be, nor would he reveal that to anyone. She was actually safer that way, and he wasn't about to do anything that would expose her secret.
"You are playing the part of the stricken child quite well. I heard you well across the city. You should feel the cramps in these twisted legs. I'm hardly built for running."
He put aside the jests, it was time to get to the bottom of things.
"Now, if I am to help you, you will need to help me first. I know this parade and being chosen for this is going to bring up a lot of bad things that you wished you forgot, but I need to understand what happened with the parrot many yahren ago. Gerben told me about how you fell, and that you took that awful man with you. He told me about the boy who jumped out the window and landed without being hurt. I need to know how you were burned and if it was the Phoenix that did it to you. I need to know the whole story, because if I don't I can't help you. Half truths lead to half helps. I can probably get you out of this. I can probably convince them to choose another. But I'll need to know the whole story before I can figure out a way that they'll accept."
He gave the girl, the protective spirit a look of utmost earnestness. Both of their lives might depend on her answer.
The looks on the faces of the others in the room indicated he was perhaps the only one who thought it was silly. Gerben had told him the legend of the Parrot, but Motley was shrewd enough to understand that traditions didn't necessarily stem from necessity. There was plenty of power and magic in the guardian spirit herself. Was the parade an extension of that? Or merely perhaps the way the city chose to honor it? Motley could not be entirely sure, but from what he knew, Angelica's life was certain to change after this. This was perhaps the last thing she ever could have wished for or wanted.
"Gentlemen, Sisters. Please. Allow me a moment to speak with Angelica about this. I'm sure we can come up with some sort of solution that doesn't involve dragging children away from their homes. You should be ashamed of yourselves for even trying."
Motley clasped Angelica's hands and led her away from the scene, just far enough to stay in sight, but not be overheard. When they were well enough away, he spoke to her normally. He knew with a certainty that she was not the child she pretended to be, nor would he reveal that to anyone. She was actually safer that way, and he wasn't about to do anything that would expose her secret.
"You are playing the part of the stricken child quite well. I heard you well across the city. You should feel the cramps in these twisted legs. I'm hardly built for running."
He put aside the jests, it was time to get to the bottom of things.
"Now, if I am to help you, you will need to help me first. I know this parade and being chosen for this is going to bring up a lot of bad things that you wished you forgot, but I need to understand what happened with the parrot many yahren ago. Gerben told me about how you fell, and that you took that awful man with you. He told me about the boy who jumped out the window and landed without being hurt. I need to know how you were burned and if it was the Phoenix that did it to you. I need to know the whole story, because if I don't I can't help you. Half truths lead to half helps. I can probably get you out of this. I can probably convince them to choose another. But I'll need to know the whole story before I can figure out a way that they'll accept."
He gave the girl, the protective spirit a look of utmost earnestness. Both of their lives might depend on her answer.
Last edited by Motley on Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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The two men looked at eachother, then back at Motley and Angelica. The moustached one smiled sheepishly. "Ehrm, well, you know, it's normal for a child to be...nervous and all that...I'm sure she'll come to understand it's quite fun. There will be treats afterwards!"
He looked at the girl imploringly but she wouldn't give him the light of day. For someone who appearantly only played to be in a total panick she certainly kept up the part. Her hands were still shaking, eyes round. She nodded at Motley, not quite hearing what he said until he mentioned being burned.
Her eyes snapped back into focus. "Please, don't let them do this! I'm sorry! You heard me?" There was a moment of confusion before she shook her head. "There was fire. I had to jump. Would burn if I did not. Mom and dad....not moving....I told you that...I think. Did I? I can't remember! There was fire and I had to jump and then everything changed. I was flying. And then I was on the ground. But for a moment there was no flying, but I was falling! And I saw everything. I knew everything. And then it was all dark."
Her small hands grabbed Motley's arms. "Don't you see? It's going to happen again! I'll go over the cliffs! I can't have it happen. I don't want to leave Roque. I don't want to die! I am not one. I am three. I flew. I fell. I burned." A sob escaped her mouth. "The boy from your story was me! Magrogh changed it to protect me. It was me!"
He looked at the girl imploringly but she wouldn't give him the light of day. For someone who appearantly only played to be in a total panick she certainly kept up the part. Her hands were still shaking, eyes round. She nodded at Motley, not quite hearing what he said until he mentioned being burned.
Her eyes snapped back into focus. "Please, don't let them do this! I'm sorry! You heard me?" There was a moment of confusion before she shook her head. "There was fire. I had to jump. Would burn if I did not. Mom and dad....not moving....I told you that...I think. Did I? I can't remember! There was fire and I had to jump and then everything changed. I was flying. And then I was on the ground. But for a moment there was no flying, but I was falling! And I saw everything. I knew everything. And then it was all dark."
Her small hands grabbed Motley's arms. "Don't you see? It's going to happen again! I'll go over the cliffs! I can't have it happen. I don't want to leave Roque. I don't want to die! I am not one. I am three. I flew. I fell. I burned." A sob escaped her mouth. "The boy from your story was me! Magrogh changed it to protect me. It was me!"
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Motley took great stock in what she was saying. She was indeed very frightened, perhaps as much as she was portraying, and her words now betrayed more of the truth.
"Not one, but three." He whispered.
What in the name of the Gods is that supposed to mean...
He shook his head gently at her and his mismatched eyes pleaded with her silently for her to see past her fear.
"I'm not going to tell you to do it if you don't want to, but you have no reason to be frightened. The spirit protected you then. The spirit protects you now."
He gave her a little smile, trying to reassure her.
"Magrogh watched over you, as do I. The spirit protects you, so we are three as well. You jumped from the window and nothing happened to you. Nothing. What does that tell you? The spirit is strong. It slew Marcus. It has protected the entire city for a long, long time. If it can stand over all these people, it can surely safeguard you. And Magrogh and I are here to protect you as well."
His smile evaporated and he grew very sober.
"Now tell me. Seriously now. Fear does not get to decide fate. If you can't do this because you know of a reason that I don't, then I'll go before whomever picked you and convince them to choose another. But if you think you can't go along with this charade just because you fear it, then you need to understand that you'd be letting fear make your decisions for you."
He gestured down at his dirty clothes and stunted body.
"Take a good hard look at me Angelica. I know all about fear. It's been a part of my life every flicker of every day. There was a woman, two women who feared I would not live at all when I was born. I grew up being afraid of those who would do me harm. People escort their children away from fear of the way I look. I cannot walk three steps without fear. I never have and I never will, so I know. But there is something else you need to understand. There is a big difference between living in fear, and living with it."
He looked deep into her eyes.
"Now tell me what we are going to do."
"Not one, but three." He whispered.
What in the name of the Gods is that supposed to mean...
He shook his head gently at her and his mismatched eyes pleaded with her silently for her to see past her fear.
"I'm not going to tell you to do it if you don't want to, but you have no reason to be frightened. The spirit protected you then. The spirit protects you now."
He gave her a little smile, trying to reassure her.
"Magrogh watched over you, as do I. The spirit protects you, so we are three as well. You jumped from the window and nothing happened to you. Nothing. What does that tell you? The spirit is strong. It slew Marcus. It has protected the entire city for a long, long time. If it can stand over all these people, it can surely safeguard you. And Magrogh and I are here to protect you as well."
His smile evaporated and he grew very sober.
"Now tell me. Seriously now. Fear does not get to decide fate. If you can't do this because you know of a reason that I don't, then I'll go before whomever picked you and convince them to choose another. But if you think you can't go along with this charade just because you fear it, then you need to understand that you'd be letting fear make your decisions for you."
He gestured down at his dirty clothes and stunted body.
"Take a good hard look at me Angelica. I know all about fear. It's been a part of my life every flicker of every day. There was a woman, two women who feared I would not live at all when I was born. I grew up being afraid of those who would do me harm. People escort their children away from fear of the way I look. I cannot walk three steps without fear. I never have and I never will, so I know. But there is something else you need to understand. There is a big difference between living in fear, and living with it."
He looked deep into her eyes.
"Now tell me what we are going to do."
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He does not believe me.
It flashed through her shocked mind as she watched the little man try to convince her that fears were something to deal with. Her heart chilled.
He does not believe me.
I will die.
Round eyes looked at Motley, the moist from her tears making them shine.
How can I explain when there is nothing except my dreams? History will repeat itself. Maybe it's meant to be that way.
But I don't want to die.
I'm not ready.
Please.
The girl did not answer the smile, trying to get her head around the things she was being told.
"I will fall." She said softly. "And either I will die by that fall, or I will live and then die by the hands of the people who witness this miracle. Too many miracles upset people, Motley. I was able to hide here in the monestary. What will be left for me when I do this? Either I will die or the people will know. Is it wrong to fear that?"
Angelica looked down, tears dripping from her eyes. "If I am but to be a convenience to the spirits that protect this town, then so be it. In my dreams I fall. Are they the memory or the future? Is it up to me to make that choice? I don't know how a child is chosen for this. I don't know if this is all preordained. Yet is it so wrong to wish to avoid death?"
It flashed through her shocked mind as she watched the little man try to convince her that fears were something to deal with. Her heart chilled.
He does not believe me.
I will die.
Round eyes looked at Motley, the moist from her tears making them shine.
How can I explain when there is nothing except my dreams? History will repeat itself. Maybe it's meant to be that way.
But I don't want to die.
I'm not ready.
Please.
The girl did not answer the smile, trying to get her head around the things she was being told.
"I will fall." She said softly. "And either I will die by that fall, or I will live and then die by the hands of the people who witness this miracle. Too many miracles upset people, Motley. I was able to hide here in the monestary. What will be left for me when I do this? Either I will die or the people will know. Is it wrong to fear that?"
Angelica looked down, tears dripping from her eyes. "If I am but to be a convenience to the spirits that protect this town, then so be it. In my dreams I fall. Are they the memory or the future? Is it up to me to make that choice? I don't know how a child is chosen for this. I don't know if this is all preordained. Yet is it so wrong to wish to avoid death?"
Last edited by Syra on Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Motley silently chewed the inside of his cheek as she voiced her deductions. She was clearly frightened, but as she spoke, what the ugly little man could discern more and more was not fear of the ceremony itself, but of the consequences.
He scratched at his patchy beard in irritation and frustration as he pondered what to do. Words came out. He wasn't sure how, as he was simply at a loss, but they came anyway. He kept his voice low, as to not be overheard.
"I would say your days of hiding at the Monastery are well and truly over. Since you will not do this, the only other choice is hiding somewhere else. Problem is, you'll never be able to truly hide. They know what you look like, and unfortunately, you won't blend in with a crowd."
Motley shook his head sadly, knowing all too well was it was like to have to run, and not be able to hide.
"The spirit inside of you is the spirit of this city. It guards and protects it. Can you leave with this spirit inside of you? I don't know. I imagine that it would have something to say about it. You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't."
He patted her hand and sighed heavily in resignation and acceptance. Then he turned to face the men that came for her.
"Choose another." He started simply, growing more defiant.
"She cannot do this. Look at her. To put her in front of the entire city would... would..." He trailed off. At first unable to finish that thought. Then he swallowed and took a deep breath. He'd never before put any emphasis on the way another looked. But it was the second to the last option he had. Short of fighting their way out, he would have to play on a difficult chord.
Hurt feelings are nothing compared to a relatively normal life behind the Monastery walls.
"To make her face the crowds... the way she looks... its... cruel. She's self conscious about it. This isn't something she can just look past, or get over. This will traumatize her to no end."
"Choose another."
He scratched at his patchy beard in irritation and frustration as he pondered what to do. Words came out. He wasn't sure how, as he was simply at a loss, but they came anyway. He kept his voice low, as to not be overheard.
"I would say your days of hiding at the Monastery are well and truly over. Since you will not do this, the only other choice is hiding somewhere else. Problem is, you'll never be able to truly hide. They know what you look like, and unfortunately, you won't blend in with a crowd."
Motley shook his head sadly, knowing all too well was it was like to have to run, and not be able to hide.
"The spirit inside of you is the spirit of this city. It guards and protects it. Can you leave with this spirit inside of you? I don't know. I imagine that it would have something to say about it. You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't."
He patted her hand and sighed heavily in resignation and acceptance. Then he turned to face the men that came for her.
"Choose another." He started simply, growing more defiant.
"She cannot do this. Look at her. To put her in front of the entire city would... would..." He trailed off. At first unable to finish that thought. Then he swallowed and took a deep breath. He'd never before put any emphasis on the way another looked. But it was the second to the last option he had. Short of fighting their way out, he would have to play on a difficult chord.
Hurt feelings are nothing compared to a relatively normal life behind the Monastery walls.
"To make her face the crowds... the way she looks... its... cruel. She's self conscious about it. This isn't something she can just look past, or get over. This will traumatize her to no end."
"Choose another."
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Syra
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Blue eyes regarded Motley.
Angelica nodded. The man was right, of course. There was no way she was going to be able to hide if this somehow pissed off the wrong people. And seeing the reaction of the men behind them, that was exactly what would happen.
The parrot chosen to carry the parrot...and refusing. The irony did not escape her.
Nor did the coincidence.
Why me? It's not like anyone will consider adopting me now. It's not like I want that to happen. And why now, when sister Fullys is away? He's right. I won't be able to hide. Then why do I feel like that would be necessary? I'm just a child in their eyes!
Motley had struck a chord, calling up emotions that went against all rationale. While the malformed man spoke with the agents the Parade, Angelica swallowed heavily. She knew he had chosen his subject for a reason. It did not make it easy, but at least it was easier than trying to explain why she thought she might not survive the parade.
A child's nightmare...
The blond girl looked down. Has my time truly come? Are there enough forces at work now to leave? Do I want to leave? Why are they so insistant!
Indeed, insistant they were. As Motley explained the horrors of facing a crowd, one of the men nodded in understanding. Yet the other frowned in sheer disappointment. "How can a child understand the full meaning of this parade? It would not only be good for the city, but beneficial to her as well! Hundreds of people will see her! They won't even remember to look at her scars. All they will see is a lucky child and this will help her in her future. Come now, would you honestly defy the council on this?" He spread his arms and smiled.
Angelica nodded. The man was right, of course. There was no way she was going to be able to hide if this somehow pissed off the wrong people. And seeing the reaction of the men behind them, that was exactly what would happen.
The parrot chosen to carry the parrot...and refusing. The irony did not escape her.
Nor did the coincidence.
Why me? It's not like anyone will consider adopting me now. It's not like I want that to happen. And why now, when sister Fullys is away? He's right. I won't be able to hide. Then why do I feel like that would be necessary? I'm just a child in their eyes!
Motley had struck a chord, calling up emotions that went against all rationale. While the malformed man spoke with the agents the Parade, Angelica swallowed heavily. She knew he had chosen his subject for a reason. It did not make it easy, but at least it was easier than trying to explain why she thought she might not survive the parade.
A child's nightmare...
The blond girl looked down. Has my time truly come? Are there enough forces at work now to leave? Do I want to leave? Why are they so insistant!
Indeed, insistant they were. As Motley explained the horrors of facing a crowd, one of the men nodded in understanding. Yet the other frowned in sheer disappointment. "How can a child understand the full meaning of this parade? It would not only be good for the city, but beneficial to her as well! Hundreds of people will see her! They won't even remember to look at her scars. All they will see is a lucky child and this will help her in her future. Come now, would you honestly defy the council on this?" He spread his arms and smiled.
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What few had seen, and even fewer knew, was that Motley was as stubborn as he was ugly. There weren't many things that could bring it out, most things he was negotiable and flexible on, and although he was the sort to stand up and fight for what he believed in, he always thought there was a way to negotiate with people. The safety and wellbeing of a friend was rarely negotiable, especially when she seemed so scared and reluctant to play the part in the ceremony. She had convinced him that she was too afraid, and because he believed her, the officials would need to be convinced as well.
His argument had struck home with one of the city officials, but the other seemed unconvinced as of yet, and seemed to be more skeptical, more doubting that a girl like Angelica could even reason at the same level as an 'adult'.
"Her age has nothing to do it with sir. If a child sees something violent, their instincts tell them to run. If a child fears high places, their instincts tell them to stay back from the edge. What she's feeling is that she cannot go because she is afraid of the cliffs, she's afraid of the crowds reaction to her, and that she can't do what is being asked of her."
"It's easy for you sir. You've never dealt with being like her, or me. You've never faced the stares, or heard the cries of "dear God what is that thing?" But she has! People come to the Monastery to adopt children each week. She's heard the gasps of horror when she's walked into a room. Imagine hearing the gasps of thousands. Now imagine hearing them when you are standing in a place where you feel helpless against the fear of falling."
"You are lucky to be you sir. You don't have to struggle with this. You've never had to struggle with this. But I have, so I understand it. I know all too well what she is feeling. You should thank the almighty above that you don't have to suffer these ills. There are far too many like us that wish beyond hope or reality that we could wake up tomorrow and be as you are. There are many deserving children sir, and Angelica is certainly one of them. But what you ask is not possible for her. Surely you can understand that? I will certainly go before the council and explain it to them if necessary. Surely they are reasonable, if you choose to not be."
His argument had struck home with one of the city officials, but the other seemed unconvinced as of yet, and seemed to be more skeptical, more doubting that a girl like Angelica could even reason at the same level as an 'adult'.
"Her age has nothing to do it with sir. If a child sees something violent, their instincts tell them to run. If a child fears high places, their instincts tell them to stay back from the edge. What she's feeling is that she cannot go because she is afraid of the cliffs, she's afraid of the crowds reaction to her, and that she can't do what is being asked of her."
"It's easy for you sir. You've never dealt with being like her, or me. You've never faced the stares, or heard the cries of "dear God what is that thing?" But she has! People come to the Monastery to adopt children each week. She's heard the gasps of horror when she's walked into a room. Imagine hearing the gasps of thousands. Now imagine hearing them when you are standing in a place where you feel helpless against the fear of falling."
"You are lucky to be you sir. You don't have to struggle with this. You've never had to struggle with this. But I have, so I understand it. I know all too well what she is feeling. You should thank the almighty above that you don't have to suffer these ills. There are far too many like us that wish beyond hope or reality that we could wake up tomorrow and be as you are. There are many deserving children sir, and Angelica is certainly one of them. But what you ask is not possible for her. Surely you can understand that? I will certainly go before the council and explain it to them if necessary. Surely they are reasonable, if you choose to not be."
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It was a good call, most certainly. To appeal to a sense of ethics as well as responsibility for the mind of the innocent youth should get to anyone involved in caring for a child's world.
And there it was for a moment: reasonable doubt in the eyes of the moustached official. A breath of warm air later and the doubt was gone. Anger was in it's place.
"Clearly you have no idea about how this city is run." Came the contradicting cool voice. "I assure you the council will hear of this and I am sure they will be very disappointed."
There was too much emphasis on the disappointment. The two men left, closely followed by the sister who tried to do her best to make amends by offering them to talk to Angelica or at least have a look at the other blond haired girls.
"They won't do." Her suggestions were waved away with an imperious gesture. "It has to be her and that's it. Your superiors will be informed. GOOD day."
Angelica slumped to the floor in a heap of shivers, clutching herself in a vain attempt to stop shaking. The sister returned almost immediately, wringing her hands and the creases in her forehead spelling out her worries.
"Was this REALLY necessary, Angelica? I know you don't like to go out, but this? You have made us all look like fools! You know what a precarious position the monestary has in Roque. God only knows what will happen next! Oooh, the humiliation! What would sister Fullys say!"
The blond girl looked up, eyes shooting fire. "Sister Fullys would have sent them away!" She proclaimed, jumping to her feet. "Sister Fullys would never have allowed them in! And I want to know where she IS!"
The distraught woman shot a glance at Motley. "Now now, child, not in front of our visitors...come. We'll discuss it in private, hm? Sir, please leave. This is a matter of the monestary alone."
And there it was for a moment: reasonable doubt in the eyes of the moustached official. A breath of warm air later and the doubt was gone. Anger was in it's place.
"Clearly you have no idea about how this city is run." Came the contradicting cool voice. "I assure you the council will hear of this and I am sure they will be very disappointed."
There was too much emphasis on the disappointment. The two men left, closely followed by the sister who tried to do her best to make amends by offering them to talk to Angelica or at least have a look at the other blond haired girls.
"They won't do." Her suggestions were waved away with an imperious gesture. "It has to be her and that's it. Your superiors will be informed. GOOD day."
Angelica slumped to the floor in a heap of shivers, clutching herself in a vain attempt to stop shaking. The sister returned almost immediately, wringing her hands and the creases in her forehead spelling out her worries.
"Was this REALLY necessary, Angelica? I know you don't like to go out, but this? You have made us all look like fools! You know what a precarious position the monestary has in Roque. God only knows what will happen next! Oooh, the humiliation! What would sister Fullys say!"
The blond girl looked up, eyes shooting fire. "Sister Fullys would have sent them away!" She proclaimed, jumping to her feet. "Sister Fullys would never have allowed them in! And I want to know where she IS!"
The distraught woman shot a glance at Motley. "Now now, child, not in front of our visitors...come. We'll discuss it in private, hm? Sir, please leave. This is a matter of the monestary alone."
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It seemed to have the desired effect, for at least a flicker or two.
"Disappointment is a part of life we all must contend with. I'm sure they'll get over it. They are big boys and girls after all." He told their backs as they walked out.
He couldn't help but be snide, there was something in those would never see reason or logic that struck him as being simple minded and foolish. He'd ruined Eliot with it, he had little difficulty playing that card again.
Dear Gods above and beyond! Is there not one person that has this girl's best interests in mind?
Enough was enough, it was time for him to take action. Clearly these people would never listen to reason, nor take any action that made any kind of sense. The frustration in him was beyond anything he'd ever experienced before. Angelica needed to be out and away from these people. She needed to be free of them. It was well past time to do what was best for her and leave these idiots and imbecile's behind.
"No madame, I will not leave. I'm here to discuss terms with the monastery about Angelica's adoption."
"Disappointment is a part of life we all must contend with. I'm sure they'll get over it. They are big boys and girls after all." He told their backs as they walked out.
He couldn't help but be snide, there was something in those would never see reason or logic that struck him as being simple minded and foolish. He'd ruined Eliot with it, he had little difficulty playing that card again.
"Sir, please leave. This is a matter of the monastery alone."
Dear Gods above and beyond! Is there not one person that has this girl's best interests in mind?
Enough was enough, it was time for him to take action. Clearly these people would never listen to reason, nor take any action that made any kind of sense. The frustration in him was beyond anything he'd ever experienced before. Angelica needed to be out and away from these people. She needed to be free of them. It was well past time to do what was best for her and leave these idiots and imbecile's behind.
"No madame, I will not leave. I'm here to discuss terms with the monastery about Angelica's adoption."
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Syra
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Two heads snapped around as one to face Motley.
One with a sudden gasp.
The other with a sudden frown.
"Adoption?" It almost sounded like one voice, yet it truly was two.
"Well." The sister started, wringing her hands while not really daring to look at the little man. "I'd have to look up the papers and...uh...we'd have to ask permission from her guardian...who isn't here right now...and we'd have to establish if this is truly the best for Angelica of course..."
Already after the first sentence the girl jumped towards Motley and hugged him within an inch of his life. "You'd do that for me?" She whispered in awe.
"I will have to confer with my superiors." The poor sister ended and blinked her eyes. "But as long as sister Fullys is not back, I can't really do anything."
Angelica looked at the woman with hardly concealed anger. "Then tell me where she is. If you know, then tell me. She would never leave without warning me."
"Dear child. She has many children to look after. She would have had no time to warn every single one of them?" Came the retort.
Angelica looked at Motley, suspicion in her eyes. "And NOW they come to choose me for the parade??"
One with a sudden gasp.
The other with a sudden frown.
"Adoption?" It almost sounded like one voice, yet it truly was two.
"Well." The sister started, wringing her hands while not really daring to look at the little man. "I'd have to look up the papers and...uh...we'd have to ask permission from her guardian...who isn't here right now...and we'd have to establish if this is truly the best for Angelica of course..."
Already after the first sentence the girl jumped towards Motley and hugged him within an inch of his life. "You'd do that for me?" She whispered in awe.
"I will have to confer with my superiors." The poor sister ended and blinked her eyes. "But as long as sister Fullys is not back, I can't really do anything."
Angelica looked at the woman with hardly concealed anger. "Then tell me where she is. If you know, then tell me. She would never leave without warning me."
"Dear child. She has many children to look after. She would have had no time to warn every single one of them?" Came the retort.
Angelica looked at Motley, suspicion in her eyes. "And NOW they come to choose me for the parade??"
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After recovering from the hug that nearly took all air from his lungs, Motley began to put a few of the pieces together.
You're welcome. Its likely time to get you out of here. Its the only way I can think of with this whole parade thing." He gave her a playful and confident wink while his mind turned.
Sister Fullys is gone, and suddenly these men appear to take Angelica. Poor thing doesn't even know where she is either, not to mention she seemed suspicious of the timing as well...
Motley frowned at the nun's apparent stalling tactic.
"Don't tell me this is your first adoption Sister. You know how its done and I'm quite certain you've done this before. You know where everything is and how it's all supposed to work. If Fullys is gone, that's fine. Tell us where she is and I'll be happy to seek her out personally. I can't imagine that she would have a problem with the adoption, so it will be my pleasure to seek her out and get her signature on whatever contract that needs to take place. So why don't you go draw that up, we'll wait here for you to return, and then I'll go contact Sister Fullys, and spare you a lot of the legwork and problems."
He gave the nun a strange, hard look only reserved for people who found it uncomfortable to look at him, which this was obviously a case where that was true.
"Or perhaps I need to speak with your superior about your training and your lack of cooperation?"
You're welcome. Its likely time to get you out of here. Its the only way I can think of with this whole parade thing." He gave her a playful and confident wink while his mind turned.
Sister Fullys is gone, and suddenly these men appear to take Angelica. Poor thing doesn't even know where she is either, not to mention she seemed suspicious of the timing as well...
Motley frowned at the nun's apparent stalling tactic.
"Don't tell me this is your first adoption Sister. You know how its done and I'm quite certain you've done this before. You know where everything is and how it's all supposed to work. If Fullys is gone, that's fine. Tell us where she is and I'll be happy to seek her out personally. I can't imagine that she would have a problem with the adoption, so it will be my pleasure to seek her out and get her signature on whatever contract that needs to take place. So why don't you go draw that up, we'll wait here for you to return, and then I'll go contact Sister Fullys, and spare you a lot of the legwork and problems."
He gave the nun a strange, hard look only reserved for people who found it uncomfortable to look at him, which this was obviously a case where that was true.
"Or perhaps I need to speak with your superior about your training and your lack of cooperation?"
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Syra
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The sister straightened her back at the accusations. "Well, I am sure you will pardon me for whatever hesitance I might hold, good sir." There was a little too much emphasis on the 'sir'. "I just told you what needs to be done and we need the guardian's signature for this! Now, it is not my task to know where sister Fullys is working at the moment. If you wish, I can go to the abbot and find out. Or if you wish you can do so yourself. He is a kind man and will undoubtedly look favourably upon those that care for our children."
A little too much sarcasm perhaps, a little too much politeness. The woman was clearly upset by the way Motley was talking to her, even if it was appearant that her manners had been slightly off from the start.
Angelica did not want to let go of Motley, although she did give him the room to breathe. "Sister Fullys has been gone since this morning." She whispered in his ear. "I know, because we always go walking in the dark and we did last night. And then this morning she was not here for the honeyrolls. They won't tell me. I'm a child."
"So if you insist on seeing my...superior, you are free to do so, sir. I can only do my best and if that is not good enough, then I pray Dominicus will grant me the time to learn."
"Translation being that she'll make sure not to get punished by using her newness here as an excuse." The little girl whispered again, holding her arms around his neck.
"Now, if you will excuse me? I am sure you know your way around? I have my chores to look into." She turned quickly and wanted to walk away.
Angelica continued to translate: "She means she doesn't know what to say right now and since you know more than she does, she's going to hide so she doesn't have to talk to you anymore." The girl nodded sagely.
A little too much sarcasm perhaps, a little too much politeness. The woman was clearly upset by the way Motley was talking to her, even if it was appearant that her manners had been slightly off from the start.
Angelica did not want to let go of Motley, although she did give him the room to breathe. "Sister Fullys has been gone since this morning." She whispered in his ear. "I know, because we always go walking in the dark and we did last night. And then this morning she was not here for the honeyrolls. They won't tell me. I'm a child."
"So if you insist on seeing my...superior, you are free to do so, sir. I can only do my best and if that is not good enough, then I pray Dominicus will grant me the time to learn."
"Translation being that she'll make sure not to get punished by using her newness here as an excuse." The little girl whispered again, holding her arms around his neck.
"Now, if you will excuse me? I am sure you know your way around? I have my chores to look into." She turned quickly and wanted to walk away.
Angelica continued to translate: "She means she doesn't know what to say right now and since you know more than she does, she's going to hide so she doesn't have to talk to you anymore." The girl nodded sagely.
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Motley ignored her crass tone and the snide way way she replied. The nun was obviously new, and he knew his ugliness had the poor thing rattled and hesitant now. He had wanted to get under her skin, and it seemed to have worked.
"Fine. We'll seek Sister Fullys and the Abbot out ourselves, since you seem to be far too busy to hold the girl's best interests to heart. I'll be sure to tell the Abbot about your level of cooperation." He told the departing nun.
Motley disciplined himself not to laugh at Angelica's whispered comments. He was far too busy trying to be angry and intimidating right now, and the girl's editorials were creating a challenge in looking like the serious little demon he was trying to be.
"Don't worry, we'll find her." He said softly to Angelica.
"Now, let's go see the Abbot."
"Fine. We'll seek Sister Fullys and the Abbot out ourselves, since you seem to be far too busy to hold the girl's best interests to heart. I'll be sure to tell the Abbot about your level of cooperation." He told the departing nun.
Motley disciplined himself not to laugh at Angelica's whispered comments. He was far too busy trying to be angry and intimidating right now, and the girl's editorials were creating a challenge in looking like the serious little demon he was trying to be.
"Don't worry, we'll find her." He said softly to Angelica.
"Now, let's go see the Abbot."
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The woman stiffened, but walked on without looking back.
Angelica slowly let go of Motley and giggled. "I saw you! You wanted to laugh, didn't you?" She teased the man. "Next time I'll make you laugh, I'm sure of it. If I can do it to sister Fullys, I can do it to you!"
It was obvious from the look in her eyes that the girl used this add-libbing to hide her worry for her oldest friend in the monestary. As such it was not surprising that she grabbed the little man's hand and pulled him to where she believed they could find the abbot at this time of day: the herbal gardens.
Outside the moist earth soaked up the warmth of the sun. There was no trace of the rain that had struck the land in morningtide. The rosemary was already in bloom, spreading a strong scent that was vaguely remeniscent of the lavender that would follow later.
Sure enough there he was: Abbot Carzello was meandering over the path, checking the progress of his beloved garden, living proof of how well Angelica actually knew the people here.
"Father!" Angelica hopped towards him with all the innocence of a child who knows she will be indulged.
"Hello little angel." The man turned and smiled, his blue eyes catching sight of Motley coming behind. "Ah, company? Mister...Motley, was it not? Then I am guessing you are not here to smell the rosemary."
He looked at them expectantly, ruffling Angelica's curls.
Angelica slowly let go of Motley and giggled. "I saw you! You wanted to laugh, didn't you?" She teased the man. "Next time I'll make you laugh, I'm sure of it. If I can do it to sister Fullys, I can do it to you!"
It was obvious from the look in her eyes that the girl used this add-libbing to hide her worry for her oldest friend in the monestary. As such it was not surprising that she grabbed the little man's hand and pulled him to where she believed they could find the abbot at this time of day: the herbal gardens.
Outside the moist earth soaked up the warmth of the sun. There was no trace of the rain that had struck the land in morningtide. The rosemary was already in bloom, spreading a strong scent that was vaguely remeniscent of the lavender that would follow later.
Sure enough there he was: Abbot Carzello was meandering over the path, checking the progress of his beloved garden, living proof of how well Angelica actually knew the people here.
"Father!" Angelica hopped towards him with all the innocence of a child who knows she will be indulged.
"Hello little angel." The man turned and smiled, his blue eyes catching sight of Motley coming behind. "Ah, company? Mister...Motley, was it not? Then I am guessing you are not here to smell the rosemary."
He looked at them expectantly, ruffling Angelica's curls.
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Motley knew better than to try and lie to her.
"Yes of course I was nearly laughing. You can't do that! I was trying to be the little gargoyle they expect me to be, and I can't do that when you're making me laugh." His tone was full of mock admonishment.
Motley had spent time over the past couple of months at the monastery to visit Angelica occasionally, but he had never been to this particular part, nor had he ever met the Abbot before. He took both the scenery of the gardens and the countenance of the Abbot in carefully and respectfully. The garden was lush and verdant in the sun, and the older man seemed genuinely pleased to see Angelica. Both sights were welcoming to the ugly little man as he took in the beauty of both.
Motley smiled his broad, crooked smile as the abbot addressed him.
"On the Contrary Father. Your rosemary is quite soothing, and smelling it is a wonderful addition to the issue I need to lay at your feet. As you likely know, Angelica was chosen for the Parrot Parade. An honor indeed, but not a welcome one. The girl is fearful of heights, and the cliffs are not a place to explore that particular phobia, and in addition, her... unique appearance is cause for some concern as well."
"I've just had a bit of confrontation with some men from the Council who were here to take her for the Parade. No doubt they will be returning soon to address this matter with you personally. For now, the most pressing issue is the location of Sister Fullys. Being Angelica's guardian, we need to find her so that the process of adoption can take place."
He let the words sink in for a few flickers. The Abbot was likely well educated and wise, and would need but just a flicker or two to digest it.
"It is my goal to adopt Angelica so that she can be free of the Parade, and so that she can be free of the controversy that surrounds her now. She and I get along well together, and she's old enough where she can be a part of this city, rather than waiting on an island in the middle of it any longer."
"Yes of course I was nearly laughing. You can't do that! I was trying to be the little gargoyle they expect me to be, and I can't do that when you're making me laugh." His tone was full of mock admonishment.
Motley had spent time over the past couple of months at the monastery to visit Angelica occasionally, but he had never been to this particular part, nor had he ever met the Abbot before. He took both the scenery of the gardens and the countenance of the Abbot in carefully and respectfully. The garden was lush and verdant in the sun, and the older man seemed genuinely pleased to see Angelica. Both sights were welcoming to the ugly little man as he took in the beauty of both.
Motley smiled his broad, crooked smile as the abbot addressed him.
"On the Contrary Father. Your rosemary is quite soothing, and smelling it is a wonderful addition to the issue I need to lay at your feet. As you likely know, Angelica was chosen for the Parrot Parade. An honor indeed, but not a welcome one. The girl is fearful of heights, and the cliffs are not a place to explore that particular phobia, and in addition, her... unique appearance is cause for some concern as well."
"I've just had a bit of confrontation with some men from the Council who were here to take her for the Parade. No doubt they will be returning soon to address this matter with you personally. For now, the most pressing issue is the location of Sister Fullys. Being Angelica's guardian, we need to find her so that the process of adoption can take place."
He let the words sink in for a few flickers. The Abbot was likely well educated and wise, and would need but just a flicker or two to digest it.
"It is my goal to adopt Angelica so that she can be free of the Parade, and so that she can be free of the controversy that surrounds her now. She and I get along well together, and she's old enough where she can be a part of this city, rather than waiting on an island in the middle of it any longer."
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Syra
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Angelica hid in the folds of the Abbot's robe, playing hide and seek with the hand that tried to pull her curls. It was very hard to see anything but the young girl she portrayed at the moment, even to those that might know more of her background.
"You know, they say plants flourish under compliments." The man replied, using both his left and his right hand to try and catch the giggling Angelica. "If that is so, I expect at least the other half of the rosemary to bloom by tomorrow."
Upon mentioning the Parrot Parade the man frowned. "Angelica chosen? When did that happen? The name is never disclosed before the day itself. And Angelica? I thought we made it perfectly clear there is a shortlist of names that should not appear under any circumstances. Come here, girl. Come here."
He pulled the blond girl in front of him and looked at her. "Is this true? Did they come here today?"
She could do nothing but nod.
"Didn't anyone remind them?"
She shook her head. "Sister Fullys isn't here, sir." She mumbled.
The abbot shot a look at Motley over Angelica's shoulder. It portrayed surprise and worry. "What do you mean, she isn't here?"
"She wasn't at breakfast, sir. And sister Noulisha doesn't know where she is. Just that she had things to take care of."
Father Carzello frowned. The story was getting more unlikely with each passing word. In his short moment of contemplation the rest of the message reached it's goal.
"Adopt? I...." He looked from Motley to Angelica, who nodded her head vehemently. "I see...if Angelica's name came up for the parade, then we need to take care of this swiftly or people will see it as a bad omen. I see...a bold, but smart move. And not one to be taken lightly. Mister Motley, you realize that taking care of a child is a much greater responsibility than anything in the world? You realize you cannot simply annul it when it does not work? If you adopt her, you would be her sole family, the one to shelter and raise her. Your entire life would have to adapt around her needs. Are you quite ready for that? You will no longer be her friend, but her father. It is quite a change of role. Do you truly wish that?"
Angelica stiffened, realizing fully well why the abbot posed those questions. He was right, of course, but that did not make the situation any easier.
"You know, they say plants flourish under compliments." The man replied, using both his left and his right hand to try and catch the giggling Angelica. "If that is so, I expect at least the other half of the rosemary to bloom by tomorrow."
Upon mentioning the Parrot Parade the man frowned. "Angelica chosen? When did that happen? The name is never disclosed before the day itself. And Angelica? I thought we made it perfectly clear there is a shortlist of names that should not appear under any circumstances. Come here, girl. Come here."
He pulled the blond girl in front of him and looked at her. "Is this true? Did they come here today?"
She could do nothing but nod.
"Didn't anyone remind them?"
She shook her head. "Sister Fullys isn't here, sir." She mumbled.
The abbot shot a look at Motley over Angelica's shoulder. It portrayed surprise and worry. "What do you mean, she isn't here?"
"She wasn't at breakfast, sir. And sister Noulisha doesn't know where she is. Just that she had things to take care of."
Father Carzello frowned. The story was getting more unlikely with each passing word. In his short moment of contemplation the rest of the message reached it's goal.
"Adopt? I...." He looked from Motley to Angelica, who nodded her head vehemently. "I see...if Angelica's name came up for the parade, then we need to take care of this swiftly or people will see it as a bad omen. I see...a bold, but smart move. And not one to be taken lightly. Mister Motley, you realize that taking care of a child is a much greater responsibility than anything in the world? You realize you cannot simply annul it when it does not work? If you adopt her, you would be her sole family, the one to shelter and raise her. Your entire life would have to adapt around her needs. Are you quite ready for that? You will no longer be her friend, but her father. It is quite a change of role. Do you truly wish that?"
Angelica stiffened, realizing fully well why the abbot posed those questions. He was right, of course, but that did not make the situation any easier.
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Motley watched the interaction between the Abbot and Angelica with a somewhat amused expression. The Abbot spoke of his flowering plants and then said something the ugly little man found more than a little interesting.
Short list of names that shouldn't appear no matter what.
Motley let his eyes wander over the garden as he listened and thought about what it could mean.
They've withheld names. They've kept children here purposefully. In some cases that could be a good thing. Girls like Angelica were better off here while they grow up. The priests and nuns can educate them, teach them how to survive in the world, maybe give them a skill or two before they go out on their own. But others. Others are better off with a family right away. Some are young enough where this place would only be a distant memory when they grew older. Dear Gods above tell me those payments I saw in in the records with Alcone were not to put names on a list and keep kids here as some sort of way to hide them!
Motley's thoughts on that matter were interrupted by the Abbot. It seems Sister Fullys was missing, and the elderly priest had some concerns about his commitment. He addressed the latter comment before the missing Sister.
"I want what's best for her." He said as he looked at Angelica warmly.
"Those men from the Council don't understand who she is. I truly believe Sister Fullys and yourself have her needs and well being in mind, but judging by their reaction, they aren't going to let this go unless they have no choice. She is a special girl with special needs. You know that as well as anyone. Its my goal to provide her with the freedom she needs from situations exactly like this. If that means working to provide food for us, and teaching her and protecting her, then that's fine with me and I'll be happy to do so. Everyone reaches a point where they have to move out on their own and make their own way in the world. Whatever my role I know a thing or three about making it on my own, and I can provide for her until she's ready for that. I understand her Father. And she understands me."
"Now, when was the last time someone saw Sister Fullys? I fear we might need to track her down."
Short list of names that shouldn't appear no matter what.
Motley let his eyes wander over the garden as he listened and thought about what it could mean.
They've withheld names. They've kept children here purposefully. In some cases that could be a good thing. Girls like Angelica were better off here while they grow up. The priests and nuns can educate them, teach them how to survive in the world, maybe give them a skill or two before they go out on their own. But others. Others are better off with a family right away. Some are young enough where this place would only be a distant memory when they grew older. Dear Gods above tell me those payments I saw in in the records with Alcone were not to put names on a list and keep kids here as some sort of way to hide them!
Motley's thoughts on that matter were interrupted by the Abbot. It seems Sister Fullys was missing, and the elderly priest had some concerns about his commitment. He addressed the latter comment before the missing Sister.
"I want what's best for her." He said as he looked at Angelica warmly.
"Those men from the Council don't understand who she is. I truly believe Sister Fullys and yourself have her needs and well being in mind, but judging by their reaction, they aren't going to let this go unless they have no choice. She is a special girl with special needs. You know that as well as anyone. Its my goal to provide her with the freedom she needs from situations exactly like this. If that means working to provide food for us, and teaching her and protecting her, then that's fine with me and I'll be happy to do so. Everyone reaches a point where they have to move out on their own and make their own way in the world. Whatever my role I know a thing or three about making it on my own, and I can provide for her until she's ready for that. I understand her Father. And she understands me."
"Now, when was the last time someone saw Sister Fullys? I fear we might need to track her down."
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Syra
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Amazing.
The abbot looked from Motley to Angelica and back. The warm friendship was not lost on him and yet this was exactly the part that worried him. Truly amazing. I wonder if adoption is truly the answer. But well, she has outgrown the monestary. He is right in that. Will she cope? Will she actually start growing up?
And yet it was clear that even here in the monestary people would start to ask questions. Not only were her fits becoming more frequent, but also the lack of rotation these days when it came to the inhabitants were a point of worry.
People are bound to notice. She might be better off as another name that goes into the adoption list. Yes, they might be right.
"Alright." He nodded his head. "I understand the situation and I appreciate the seriousness. Let me sign the papers in absence of the good sister. We cannot be sure if she's back on time and as the presiding abbot I am legally allowed to handle this...if you'd permit me."
At the last remark he looked at Angelica. She hesitated. Her mind was on the sister and as she had been her guardian for all these yahren, it somehow felt wrong to have Fullys not sign the papers!
"Can we...try and find her first?"Came the careful reply. "And if we can't find her in time...then you sign? If that is alright? I mean...I don't mean...I mean I like you but..."
Father Carzello laughed and patted her on the back. "I am not offended. I understand. Now, she attended evening mass. She was not here this morning. Did she tell you anything?"
Angelica shook her head, clearly relieved that things were set in motion. Whatever happened, before this day was over, she would be free of the monestary and the duties that came with it!
The abbot looked from Motley to Angelica and back. The warm friendship was not lost on him and yet this was exactly the part that worried him. Truly amazing. I wonder if adoption is truly the answer. But well, she has outgrown the monestary. He is right in that. Will she cope? Will she actually start growing up?
And yet it was clear that even here in the monestary people would start to ask questions. Not only were her fits becoming more frequent, but also the lack of rotation these days when it came to the inhabitants were a point of worry.
People are bound to notice. She might be better off as another name that goes into the adoption list. Yes, they might be right.
"Alright." He nodded his head. "I understand the situation and I appreciate the seriousness. Let me sign the papers in absence of the good sister. We cannot be sure if she's back on time and as the presiding abbot I am legally allowed to handle this...if you'd permit me."
At the last remark he looked at Angelica. She hesitated. Her mind was on the sister and as she had been her guardian for all these yahren, it somehow felt wrong to have Fullys not sign the papers!
"Can we...try and find her first?"Came the careful reply. "And if we can't find her in time...then you sign? If that is alright? I mean...I don't mean...I mean I like you but..."
Father Carzello laughed and patted her on the back. "I am not offended. I understand. Now, she attended evening mass. She was not here this morning. Did she tell you anything?"
Angelica shook her head, clearly relieved that things were set in motion. Whatever happened, before this day was over, she would be free of the monestary and the duties that came with it!
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There perhaps was no justifiable reason in the back of Motley's mind to feel the way he did, but he wanted the Abbot to sign and he wanted the Abbot to sign now. Maybe it was the men who had been in the hall earlier. Perhaps it was knowing that Marcus had tried to destroy her and there were others out there that likely wanted to as well.
Motley snickered inwardly at his own rampant paranoia. In his head, her enemies knew where to find her. Or if they didn't, her being in the parade would put her out there for all to see. If she really were the spirit of Roque, then the ability to roam free within the bosom of her streets would bring about a certain freedom and ability to do the most good where it was most needed. It might be paranoid, but it might be the right way to look at it. Getting the Abbot to sign now was first and foremost in his mind. Now he just needed a way to get everyone to go along with it.
"Angelica, I'd like to voice my opinion on this. I'd be more comfortable if the good Abbot would sign now and I'll explain why. I think the Abbot's signature removes you from consideration for the Parade immediately. Those men come back, and they can't do anything to try to take you away again. They will be forced to choose another right now. I know you are close with Sister Fullys, I respect that. But I don't want you to have to go through with you what happened earlier again. Let's have the Abbot sign the papers, and then you can take all the time you want to talk to Sister Fullys, and be in no danger of being pulled out of here against your will."
He looked to the Abbot to correct him if he was mistaken, and to Angelica for her reaction to his reasoning.
Motley snickered inwardly at his own rampant paranoia. In his head, her enemies knew where to find her. Or if they didn't, her being in the parade would put her out there for all to see. If she really were the spirit of Roque, then the ability to roam free within the bosom of her streets would bring about a certain freedom and ability to do the most good where it was most needed. It might be paranoid, but it might be the right way to look at it. Getting the Abbot to sign now was first and foremost in his mind. Now he just needed a way to get everyone to go along with it.
"Angelica, I'd like to voice my opinion on this. I'd be more comfortable if the good Abbot would sign now and I'll explain why. I think the Abbot's signature removes you from consideration for the Parade immediately. Those men come back, and they can't do anything to try to take you away again. They will be forced to choose another right now. I know you are close with Sister Fullys, I respect that. But I don't want you to have to go through with you what happened earlier again. Let's have the Abbot sign the papers, and then you can take all the time you want to talk to Sister Fullys, and be in no danger of being pulled out of here against your will."
He looked to the Abbot to correct him if he was mistaken, and to Angelica for her reaction to his reasoning.
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"But..." Angelica wanted to interject, yet Motley finished his reasoning before she could get another word in. The girl looked at him with a frown, the dilemma written out on her face for everyone to see. There was a huge loyalty to the good sister who had cared for her for so long. Yet there was also the shared fear of the officials returning to take her away.
The abbot stayed out of it, knowing fully well that this was a call they would have to make. He looked around, making sure there were no other people around to hear them talk. From the corner of his eye he noticed father Alhram making his way towards the cemetary again.
That man spends too much time amongst the dead. He mused. It's about time he got called back to the living before he disappears.
Making a plan in his head he completely missed the beady eyes of the raven, attracted by the shiny hairpin in between the growing herbs.
"Caw!" The bird made it's move, diving in to grab the little pearled hairpin before anyone could stop him.
"HEY!" Angelica protested! "That's sister Fullys'! Come back here, you dumb bird!"
Dumb or not, the blackfeathered thief made off with the pin, not in the least bothered by the waving and yelling down below.
"That's sister Fullys'!" Angelica repeated. "She's always had that! She promised it to me if I'd ever marry! Stupid bird come BACK!"
Father Carzello frowned and put his hand on her shoulder. "Did you go to the gardens with her yesterday then?"
The girl shook her head.
The father looked back at Motley. "Then I fear it might indeed be best if I sign these papers...Let us settle this now and send out a search party. I do not like the feeling of this at all."
He beckoned them to follow him to his desk inside.
Angelica looked back at Motley, her eyes big in nervous anticipation.
The abbot stayed out of it, knowing fully well that this was a call they would have to make. He looked around, making sure there were no other people around to hear them talk. From the corner of his eye he noticed father Alhram making his way towards the cemetary again.
That man spends too much time amongst the dead. He mused. It's about time he got called back to the living before he disappears.
Making a plan in his head he completely missed the beady eyes of the raven, attracted by the shiny hairpin in between the growing herbs.
"Caw!" The bird made it's move, diving in to grab the little pearled hairpin before anyone could stop him.
"HEY!" Angelica protested! "That's sister Fullys'! Come back here, you dumb bird!"
Dumb or not, the blackfeathered thief made off with the pin, not in the least bothered by the waving and yelling down below.
"That's sister Fullys'!" Angelica repeated. "She's always had that! She promised it to me if I'd ever marry! Stupid bird come BACK!"
Father Carzello frowned and put his hand on her shoulder. "Did you go to the gardens with her yesterday then?"
The girl shook her head.
The father looked back at Motley. "Then I fear it might indeed be best if I sign these papers...Let us settle this now and send out a search party. I do not like the feeling of this at all."
He beckoned them to follow him to his desk inside.
Angelica looked back at Motley, her eyes big in nervous anticipation.
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Motley had never been a great believer in omens or portents. Those were things the characters in his songs and stories tended to watch for and have faith in. But there was something unsettling about the raven snatching the girl's hairpin and flying away with it.
... Like stealing the essence of the very girl...
"Perhaps we can get it back later. Right now, there are other important matters to attend to."
He followed the Abbot into his office and thought about how much coin he had stashed away in his home and on his person. He knew he was in fairly decent standing with the monastery, and would be able to pay a certain amount in working at the Blue Parrot or other establishments. He'd always had the ability to earn, his songs would earn them enough to live on, but the adoption fee itself he might have to earn by working harder, or perhaps even with Alcone down in the records. He had options, it was which road to take that had his mind working.
"We'll get this bit taken care of, then we'll find Sister Fullys and all will be well. You'll see."
He was trying to sound reassuring, but he wasn't sure if he was trying to comfort himself or Angelica.
... Like stealing the essence of the very girl...
"Perhaps we can get it back later. Right now, there are other important matters to attend to."
He followed the Abbot into his office and thought about how much coin he had stashed away in his home and on his person. He knew he was in fairly decent standing with the monastery, and would be able to pay a certain amount in working at the Blue Parrot or other establishments. He'd always had the ability to earn, his songs would earn them enough to live on, but the adoption fee itself he might have to earn by working harder, or perhaps even with Alcone down in the records. He had options, it was which road to take that had his mind working.
"We'll get this bit taken care of, then we'll find Sister Fullys and all will be well. You'll see."
He was trying to sound reassuring, but he wasn't sure if he was trying to comfort himself or Angelica.
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