☣️ the court, the church, love, all left behind | OPEN

[enblightened]

Who: Bigby the Abomination, OPEN
What: Catch-all for January! Includes a prompt for the Snake Den and Shedding Ceremony. Prompts will be broken up into comments for ease of finding and tracking.
When: January
Where: Snake Den and other various locations

Content Warnings: References to severe depression, self-loathing, forced transformation/body horror, torture, and religious zealotry. Snakeden is considerably lighter in tone if that's what you're looking for. Crimson curse prompt includes cannibalism, gore, and body horror.

Comments

[holyjudgmental]

...what if it was not a matter of being willing, but of...

[She is a wretched, spineless coward, for skirting his eyes.]

I grow preoccupied with my own thoughts. It is a sickness. I should speak of lighter things. Do you - would you wish to come, to see the consecration, once the brazier is prepared? If you are enamored of invention, perhaps the burning mirrors would - if you have not seen such already?

[enblightened]

[The swift change of topic is not unnoticed by him, but Bigby makes no demands of her focus. Whoever it is she speaks of, he hopes that she will eventually find her way of facing herself.]

I would be most honored, Sister. Please.

[holyjudgmental]

It will be so, then.

[Junia relinquishes the handle of the basket with one hand and brings it to her mouth, worrying at an already gnawed nail before she catches herself and drops her hand once more.]

...that is what the paper is for. I must determine the proper angles of reflection for igniting the Flame in the Light, and I do not have the Book of the Sun, nor the measures. I am not so learned as some of my sisters, it is - a difficulty.

[As far as broad hints go, this one could ring the city.]

[enblightened]

Fear not. Even if it is imperfect, the Light will acknowledge your faith. I imagine it can be quite distressing, but I surmise you will manage it far better than if I were to try, hm?

Regardless, I look forward to something familiar of home.

[holyjudgmental]

[That catches Junia off-guard again, the gentle but firm insistence she is capable, that her faith will be rewarded, and it quiets her as they begin to approach the stone building she has claimed for her own.]

You are quick to believe in others. [She observes, with a rare thoughtfulness.] Not all have your faith. I pray that yours is rewarded in kind.

[To light a candle from the air, to make amends from ash. Perhaps she can, after all. Perhaps she must at least try, before conceding her own failings.]

You have given me much to reflect on. I thank you, for your illumination, and your aid.

[enblightened]

I find it is better to believe in others than to let each other live in doubt. Even as we stumble, we ought to be able to rely on one another.

[Bigby smiles humbly and bows his head respectfully to her.]

It is my pleasure, even if it was purely accidental.

[holyjudgmental]

[Junia offers a respectful bow of her head in return, and it comes so naturally she does not think to check herself until it's done.]

I did not expect...to meet one such as you today. [A little hesitation, then:] I would like to pray for you, if you would permit it.

[enblightened]

I would be flattered, Sister. Please -- I permit it.

[holyjudgmental]

I will commend you to the Light, then, and ask for Its intercession.

[And what she will pray for is this: that mercy allows for form and memory to remain so altered.]

Thank you for accompanying me. I will manage from here.

[enblightened]

Of course.

Thank you for your company. It was a pleasure. Be well.