Sending Innocents to the Slaughter

Summer 2021, Week 5

Thursday morning

St. Peter's Light Cathedral, Old Towne

Storyteller

An older looking man in ragged clothing enters the church, not so out of place at the time as the church was giving out food to the homeless. He stands in line and waits for his food, taking it to one of the pews once he has it and beginning to eat as many of the others in the building were. There was little ritual in the process overall, just many hungry people sitting wherever they could to eat the blessed food offered to them. To most people the old man would be just another of these hungry souls, despite being here for other reasons.  

Father, Callixtus VI Summanus

Thursday were truly a grace. The looks in the eyes of those we merely wishing for a warm meal was heart warming. It was the simple pleasure of bring the light of god to those in need after all that kept the good father moving. Not years of indoctrination. Curretnly Cal was standing towards the front of the church, leading a quiet sermon for those who cared to listen. Through most were in the long line towards the west side waiting for their meal a few humored the good father and listen to him speak of compassion and strength through god.  

Uncle

The old man was sitting somewhere in the middle, not too far back but not too far forward. As he ate he payed close attention to the preacher's words, but one would struggle to tell he was paying much attention at all.  

Father, Callixtus VI Summanus

Impassioned, proud and full of love were just a few ways to describe the good father. His deep almost baritone voice echoed out as he spoke. "Brother's, Sisters. We often only see refuge in times of great need, coming back to gods light. For a wise man once said you only miss our torch when it is dark. Many bring a condescending thought to this idea,. yet to me it is no different then any other seeking Love. For we all seek refuge from some storm, all seek gods love and grace begging on our knees for his mercy. It does not matter who we are. he answers coming to us with fountains of his glory to fill us. Overflowing, and greater then a trillion souls would ever hope to mach . Yet he asks nothing, even hen we only seek him when we need him. He wants nothing, only for us to accept and love him so he may show us his unyielding love. Let us smile in this hardship for as allways, and will allways be god is here holding the torch to light our way."   He began his closing prayers, shortly after taking a breath. The food kitchen had hours left to go but He couldn't preach the entire time. He would give a break to his throat as he stepped down from the podium shaking the hands of the few in the front rows as he greet them in kind. He knew a few of them having seen them many times before at different evens that were aimed towards the poor and homeless.  

Uncle

Seeing nothing he could challenge in the priest's words he moved on to the next phase of his plan. Approaching him as soon as he found an opening to do so, Uncle speaks up. "Father, is there anythin' I could do to help? I've never accepted a meal without payin' for it in some way."  

Father, Callixtus VI Summanus

The good father had been discussing odd and ends with those of the less fortune verity when the man stepped forward. Turning his attain he gave the man a wide grin, a full showman's smile. "God does not ask anything but our belief, so no, the meal is free. If you wish to pay in any way. Pay in spreading the word that we will be open every Thursday to pass out hot breakfast. I hope we can soon be open more days. But for now this is what we can"  

Uncle

"I reckon I'll do just that then. Though.. does that offer extend to any an' all I might send 'ere?" He didn't specify what he meant but the implication was pretty clear. He was as stereotypically homeless as one could appear, and when you paid close enough attention you could see his foreign features from one side of his family pretty easily. There was no question on class or race, and it wasn't like any of them were forced to prove their faith before getting a meal. It was an event run to support the homeless, after all. There was very little the man could be realistically implying.  

Father, Callixtus VI Summanus

"Of course, god says to love all, To treat ones neighbor as you would treat ones self. The invitation goes to anyone who needs it.. And through it may seem odd even those who don't." Cal was much in the same boat, while he was prim. Proper. Well shaven, with a pressed robe and pants. The fact he wasn't from the states was quiet clear. Wither it be the odd way his accent punctuated words. His seemingly eternal sunkissed skin.   "Of course. this goes for any race, Or gender. Even evos if they so chose. .Through I know many avoid our churches.. they are welcome in the light of god if they are willing" There was a bit of condescending in his words. As id why evos were welcome they would never accept god.  

Uncle

"Good to hear.." There is a hint of surprise in the old mans voice, but he suppresses it so that it's less noticeable. "I suppose I shouldn't take any more of yer time, Father. 'xcuse me." He turns away without hesitation after the brief farewell and begins heading for the door. He got all that he was going to get out of the priest today without giving himself away, even if it wasn't much.