PopeAlessandros

Who Will Break? ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

Despite how upset Zach seems to be at being “babied”, his hands are gentle as they help guide his arm back into his sleeve. Thanking the boy softly, he works on closing up his top at the youth continues speaking. His movements still as what sounds like accusations seem to flood out of the young man, and he turns to look at Zach fully with his top few buttons still undone. The hurt behind his voice stings, and Kiel thinks wildly that his unconscious depravity somehow has caused the youth some hurt. He thinks back over thew day, trying to pinpoint being stiff and standoffish, and he realizes he has been a little less close to the young man since waking.

'But I don't know what that has to do with Zach himself. . . He's acting like I found out some secret about him that is causing me to stand away from him, but I can't imagine any such thing. I mean, I know why I have been acting a bit different, but he. . . He's not acting like he knows of my failing. . .' Shifting slightly, he gives Zach a gently confused look. “Zach, I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about. I. . . Am not perfect, and I have some issues that I realize now caused me to act strangely this morning, but that had nothing to do with you. It was a fault of my own, I swear.”

Shifting again, to take some pressure off his ribs, he finishes buttoning his top. “If there's something bothering you however, please, I am here to listen. If you feel I've dome something wrong or inappropriate, please, tell me. I don't want you to feel unwelcome or uncomfortable here. I am here for all of my Little Ones, and if you feel I am not doing my best, I want to know what I can do better for you Zach. I want to be someone you can talk to, you can trust. . . Please.” His voice in sincere and full of warm feelings for the young man in front of him, his desire to help full and clear even as the talking makes him wince in pain.

When the Roar Falls ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

Viltez' eyes brighten and shine as Aryx reveals that the deity he follows is, of all things, a dragon. Beast shaped deities are not unheard of, but for humans, they tend to be human shaped. Or at the least, mostly human with perhaps animal heads. He doesn't know about his father's race and the deities they follow, but to him a dragon sounds completely amazing. He looks on in awe as Aryx describes the dragon's body, and how it literally dances through storm clouds. “That sounds so beautiful. . . And powerful. Catching lightning!? That's amazing!” Viltez is clearly delighted at the description, his tail slipping up to wrap around his guest's arm and squeeze it in his excitement. “Did you ever get to see them? Did you ever see them dancing through the clouds? Did Autharyx ever talk to you? Did you have to ask permission to travel?” His face flushes as he realizes he's pouring down question on the poor man, leaning forward in his desire to hear more, and he sits back, clearly embarrassed.

Who Will Break? ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

Kiel can't help being uncomfortable under the young man's gaze, but he does his best to hide this on the outside. Zach seems rather upset, and he wants to do what he can for the young man, but fear of himself keeps him rooted to the spot. 'I know I won't do anything, and I know he's not trying to upset me, but I just can't. Not like this. I knew this upset him more than he was letting on. I'm sure this upset comes from the commotion. . .' He lets out a sigh, feeling very much like he's failing this 'Little One'. “I will do my best to not exacerbate my injuries, I promise.” he murmurs, nodding. His skin tenses at the idea of Zach helping him dress, especially since he follows it up with words about “too much touching” and a glare.

He's helped over a hundred kids treat their wounds, get off soiled clothing, clean blood and filth from their bodies, and helped them get into fresh clothing. He's done it so many times, and never felt uncomfortable doing so. He would always check of course, to make sure they are okay with the help, but this is the first time he's really been on the other side of things with someone besides a doctor or a fellow priest. Normally, he would hide any injury he got and have one of his brothers under god look him over before either letting them patch him up, or letting them bring him to the hospital. Now, with Zach however, he has a very competent, forceful young man with a strong will and a protective nature of his own. He normally deals with, bless them, very selfish kids and teens, but Zach is different. He knows somehow that this worry over him is his own fault, and he chides himself silently for that, but as he watches the youth sag and back off Kiel knows that he needs to do something and not just sit there.

Zach following words make his insides tighten and flip, even as he recognizes the tactic being employed. He's seen it several times before, from youth trying to get something out of him, but in this case he knows it's not a selfish thing. Despite recognizing it, and knowing it for his sake, Kiel can't help the pained feeling at hearing Zach's accusation. Carefully standing up, Kiel gently brushes Zach's hand from his face, and cups his cheek. “Now, that's not fair Zach. When did I ever say anything about not wanting you around?” His voice is warm and gentle, but firm in it's denial of the accusation.

“Nothing about how I'm acting reflects anything about you specifically Zach.” he says softly. “I have been in the priesthood for as long as I can recall, and you know well enough that would mean I'm not exactly comfortable showing any bit of myself to anyone really. I don't think you're going to do anything to me, and I'm not afraid of you.” He looks down, eyeing his own bruises. Looking back up, he strokes Zach's cheek gently with his thumb, and smiles. “I will admit I'm being a little unfair to you. I know you just want to return the favor and take care of me a little bit, and that is very sweet. I'm sorry for making you feel upset, and I will try to give you that freedom in the future, okay?” Kiel beams softly. “And I would love some help getting my sleeve back over this arm, if you still want to help.”

When the Roar Falls ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

As if partially reading his mind, Aryx turns the conversation around and asks him about his own name. Wincing inside, feeling his name is not nearly as interesting, he smiles back at his guest and shakes his head. “I don't know. My father, before leaving me, game me my name, but since I was. . . left here, so young, if he ever did tell me about it I have long forgotten it.” His tail shifts forward from resting on his shoulder, brushing against his cheek as if trying to comfort him. Viltez smiles at it and gives it a pat, willing it to go back to relaxing in front of the fire.

The tail obliges slightly, sliding off his shoulder, but instead of going back to the fire to relax, the appendage slithers under the table to settle in his guest's lap. Flushing slightly, Viltez chooses to not acknowledge the action and instead talks a little more about himself as a distraction. “I was old enough to care for myself, so nobody thought to rename me or anything. . . It's all I really remember from the time before the village. I can. . . Kinda, remember my father's face, but not really. I don't even know if the name came from the human side of me, or the beastman side of me.” He pushes his food around a little more, somehow feeling lost even though he's sitting inside his own home.

A twinge of fear that he's being to “down” and boring passes thought Viltez and to shake himself form the feelings he smiles back at Aryx and tries to change the subject. “What does Authryx look like? I've heard about several different deities and great creatures before, but I've never heard of Authryx.” He gives Aryx a 'I'm sorry I don't know about them' look, knowing it might be rude to not know, considering the being is so important to his guest.

Who Will Break? ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

His eyes snap up as Zach comes over and he can't help the faint smile as the youth takes the pot from him. 'Busted. . . I'm sure the others thought I just wasn't very hurt, but Zach is very attentive. . .' He'd done his best not to move munch in front of the others, his history of getting hit on the street from angry addicts, parents, and gang members giving him a good idea of his injury's severity and telling him that he's just severely bruised. Feeling “caught” he doesn't object to sitting down and with a long sigh settles into the chair, wincing as the expansion of his lungs still pains him. He opens his mouth to tell Zach he doesn't think the boy is stupid and that he should be fine with some rest when the young man demands he remove his shirt.

A painful twinge having nothing to do with his injuries passes through him and on impulse he reaches up to hold his collar closed, eyes wide. Zach is having none of it however and insists that if he's not going to at least talk to a doctor, then he himself is going to make sure the injuries aren't that bad. The added bit at the end about “assaulting his virtue” catches him and his eyes drop to his lap. 'He just wants to help, right? That's natural. . .' His eyes squeeze shut as the upset youth puts a sickening image in his head and with reluctance he lets out another sigh, looking up at Zach sadly.

“I'm sorry Zach, I don't think you're stupid. I'm pretty sure that these are just bruises, but if it will put your mind at ease. . .” Using one hand he carefully undoes the top of his robes, sliding them down carefully until they've settles around his waist. With even more care, he tries to get his under shirt off, but the T isn't willing to cooperate with one arm limp. He has to get some help from Zach to get the bit of fabric all the way off, and settles back against the back of the chair after, the strain on the bruises during the activity tiring him out a bit.

The left side of his chest as a slightly larger than fists sized bruise just below his peck, while a lighter, barely visible bruise settles around square on it. His arm looks a bit worse, the dark color showing the man put more weight into his punch aimed at it and showing clearly why he doesn't want to move it. Kiel looks down at his own injuries and then smiles faintly at Zach. “I'm pretty sure they're just bruises. As you can probably see, I've been on the wrong end of misdirected ire a few times before.” He points to the small handful of scars here and there from times he stood up for those who needed standing up for and didn't come out unscathed. Still smiling, he gives Zach a bright look. “My breathing is fine, and I'm sure if there's any real damage it's just a crack, and even that's unlikely. I don't feel any burning.” He had to learn to self diagnose a long time ago. He prays Zach will be satisfied quickly, not wanting to remain uncovered for long. Despite feeling he's no longer a danger to Zach, he doesn't want to accidentally spook the little one should the boy need comfort after the ordeal.

Who Will Break? ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

The yelling and screaming seems to go on forever, but Kiel stand strong. The sound of police sirens in the distance seem to set the man off however and with a cry he falls back as the man punches him hard in the chest, knocking him down. Kiel takes barelyt a moment to regain his breath as the man rushes towards his house before climbing to his feet and chasing after him. A handful of other priest join him, shouting as the man hits Kiel again, this time in the arm, as he braces himself in the doorway to keep the enraged man from passing. Not ready to put up with an actual attack on one of their own, the handful of younger priests grab hold of the man and work on pulling him away from the house. He is once more screaming obscenities and accusing them all of raping children when the police finally arrive. The men of god hand him over to them, and begin giving their statements about what's happened.

Kiel himself slumps against his door, taking in pained breaths. Every inhale makes his chest ache and he wonders if something got cracked. As an officer approaches to question him however he breaths through the pain and speaks softly about the situation. Eventually, the head priest talks to the police about their sanctuary laws and they agree to not drag the girl off as long as she's willing to come out and tell them in person she's there of her own free will.

Inside, Sarah had listened to Zach's voice, listened to his question, and felt her pain ease as his voice became so sweet in her hears. Somehow, despite her hearing being damaged, his voice sounds so clear to her. His question is a bit scary, but for some reason it doesn't make her feel afraid. Instead, she just takes it in, thinking about it, and nodding as he says she doesn't have to answer right away. The small quiet between them is broken as the shouting fades, and she can feel her tears coming back.

Kiel steps in, spotting Zach sitting in front of the door to Sarah's temporary room. He smiles faintly and helps the boy carefully to his feet. “The man's gone now. I'm sorry if that scared you.” He takes a moment to comfort Zach, grasping the back of his neck in a gentle sign of affection, then turns to kneel beside the door Sarah is hidden behind. “Sarah, the police are here. They want to make sure you want to be here. They want to know, if this is what you want. . .” He knows she has very little choice in her life, and he hopes that presenting their requirement this way it will inspire her to come out. With a soft smile, he listens to her shift, coming to his feet as the click of the key being turned in the lock tells him she's coming out. Still smiling, he looks at the crack of the door where her face appears and holds out a hand to her. After a long moment, she comes with him outside to tell the police she wants to stay.

It takes another half an hour for things to settle, the head priest wanting to check on Sarah before letting her return to where she feels safe. Once back in the cottage, Kiel settles the stressed girl down for a nap. Closing the door to her room, he returns to the main room and settles for making he and Zach some tea. “I'm sorry you had to listen to all of that.” he murmurs, giving the youth a sympathetic look. His movements are stiff and he doesn't use his left arm as he shuffles around, trying to make the tea. His arm and chest are still paining him, but he wants to wait until Zach is settled in to slip off to the bathroom for some painkillers.

When the Roar Falls ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

Viltez listens with rapt attention as his guest describes the spirit that's worshiped at his shrine. He knows the spirit seems to have lost his following a bit, enough that Aryx felt it was okay to just leave the shrine and travel for a while, but he's still in awe of hearing about a real, actual being of worship from a man he's grown to trust. There's always a lingering doubt when he hears from travelers about the gods and spirits worshiped in other places, but with Aryx, he trusts the man enough to feel that he must be speaking of a being that is very, very real.

Aryx talks about how the being is connected to the would around him, and the beast man feels in awe of someone being able to connect with the very elements around them. 'Well, he's a being of worship, not a person, so they can do anything, but it still sounds like it must feel amazing. . .' His back straightens a bit, his interest piqued when Aryx mentions that he was named after the being, and his tail comes up to curls over his shoulder, almost as if it wants to listen as well.

As the name rolls off his guest's tongue, Viltez can sense something strange, and powerful, behind his words. The look in the man's eye, his tone filled with self pride, and the name itself combine to send a shiver down the beastman's spine. “Authuryx. . .” he echoes, feeling the name on his own tongue as he thinks of a being that has dominion over lake, woods, and whose spirit can dance in the clouds before a storm. He lets the name linger a bit before smiling wide at his guest. “It sounds like a great being to be named for. I bet it feels great to share a namesake with such an incredible being.” Grinning brightly at his guest, Viltez completely doesn't catch on to the fact that Aryx is talking about himself. Looking down at his plate, he pokes his food a bit. He doesn't know what meaning his name has, if any at all, since he never got the chance to ask. A flicker of longing to know passes through him, but then like every other thing in his life that has to do with a selfish desire, the desire passes and his focus returns to his companion with a bright smile.

Who Will Break? ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

Kiel lets out a little chuckle, shaking his head. “No, the centers are community run. The church helps out on occasion but. . .” Kiel still, his eyes snapping to Sarah. The girl has gone rigid, her eyes wide with terror. While instinct tells him to comfort her, the priest instead stands and tilts his head, holding up a hand to shush Zach. After a moment, he hears what Sarah did and with a determined look he pulls a key from his pocket. Kneeling down in front of Sarah he speaks softly. “You know what to do little one.” he murmurs, pressing the key into her hand. The touch of the sharp metal seems to shock her out of her fear and with a cry she rushes to the spare room. Another sound from outside, definitely an angry voice this time, spins Kiel on the spot, a determined look on his face.

Some time ago, when she first came, she knew her father was a strong man and might be able to get the key to the room from Kiel, so to comfort her when her father comes looking for her, he took to giving her the key so it will be her choice to unlock the door and let people in. Kiel doesn't have time to instruct Zach and leaves it to him to act responsibly as he hurries out to confront the angry man who can now be clearly heard outside on the church grounds. The man is just coming into sight of the small cottage as Kiel Exits and with swift, firm steps the priest moves to meet him before he reaches the building proper.

Upon spotting him, the man goes off like a bomb, his dark face getting right into Kiel's to begin screaming. “Fucking you! It's god damn fucking you again, isn't it!?” he hisses, the smell of drink and meth hanging off the man clearly marking him as not in his right mind now, if ever. Kiel doesn't move despite the man having a hundred pounds on him. He doesn't get the chance to speak, as the man continues to yell in his face. “You're fucking keeping her locked up in there like some little slave girl aren't you?! You fucking pervert! Takin' my little girl, telling her it's okay to run away from her family, that it's okay, that you're there for her. You fucking pedophile!”

Kiel can see his fellow priests out of the corner of his eye, and he knows they will call the police. He can't give them any attention however as he stands his ground, not giving the man a clear line to the cottage. “Sir.” he begins as politely as he can manage. “Sir, I am not keeping your daughter against her will, and I've not laid hands on her in that manner. I've only offered her a safe place to stay under the lord's care while your family settles down from whatever scare-” Kiel stumbles back as the man shoves him hard in the chest.

“I've read about you fuckers, don't give me those fucking lies! You fuck little kids because that's all you can get, you fucking perverts! Pedophiles all of you!” He screams this at the top of his lungs, taking the couple feet he got from shoving Kiel who is once more standing steady and not looking to move out of his way.

'He's clearly in the middle of some nasty trip here. . . I hope the police come soon. When a person is this deep in, there's no reasoning with them. I know she can hear every word of this, and poor Zach. . .' Kiel shakes his head, not backing down as the man shoves his face into his once more and continues to scream that Kiel is “raping his baby”. Kiel is unhurt by this accusation normally, but faint flickers back to his foul dream leaves him a touch vulnerable and despite his prayers before, he can feel the man's words cut him ever so slightly.

When the Roar Falls ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

Compliments do indeed cause more of a flush to blossom on the man's cheeks, and the blush lingers as the meal begins. He's surprised to hear that Aryx was some kind of shrine guardian and smiles wide at learning something new and very interesting about the man. “That sounds like it was a big job. It's sad to hear that people stopped coming. I've never been to a shrine before, but I know from travelers that there's a long history of people relying on them for temporary shelters, for guidance, and for peace of mind. Worship is important to a lot of people.”

His tail drifts back and forth as he speaks, enjoying the calm, relaxing talk and peaceful atmosphere. His flush fades a bit as he thinks about what it must have been like growing up with such a grand purpose. He's just a random half-breed, born to a nobody mother and father, and abandoned in a random village. He eats slowly, enjoying the food a bit before a question occurs to him. “Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't even think to ask, but what being was worshiped at your shrine?” He knows the standard beings of worship are gods, but sometimes beings of immense power or historical significance have taken that place of honor.

Who Will Break? ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

It's clear that neither child is in the mood for bible studies as Sarah gives Kiel a big, pouty grin and scoots closer to Zach. “Alright, alright.” he murmurs with a little pout of his own, ruffling her hair gently before taking a seat on the grass by the bench. The older priests would not be able to accomplish this so easily, and would likely disapprove of him plopping down on the ground like this, but as he is trying to connect with children and youths, he's more than used to sitting in such an undignified manner.

Sarah is happy to see she doesn't have to leave the garden and slips down off the bench to sit with the father. He smiles at her and watches with a smile as she goes back to drawing what she's been working on Kiel can feel the peace of the moment wash over him and he enjoys the feeling of God's creations all around him. The peaceful breeze, the soft sounds of birds, the light scratch of pencil on paper. It's all very relaxing. Time passes like this until Kiel catching the telltale sound of the church's side door opening. “It seems the food is ready. We should head inside now.” he murmurs, helping Sarah up gently before holding out a hand to Zach.

After his prayers, he feels ready to be himself around the young man once more and feels nothing inappropriate when he helps the youth to his feet. Sarah half hides behind him as they make their way inside, the sister delivering the meal smiling and waving as she passes. 'I am so sorry Sarah that you have suffered so much as to be afraid of such a kind person' Letting out a sight, he opens the door for them and waits for both to enter before slipping in behind them.

The smell of food is already permeating the small house and Kiel takes a moment to breath in the scent. He grins at how tasty it smells and instructs them both to wash their hands while he prepares the table. Once they are ready, he washes his own and takes a seat. Prayers are brief and Kiel lets them dig in without much of a wait. He can tell that Zach is still less than enthusiastic about “The whole God thing” so he keeps to more earthly talks. Sarah chatters on happily about her budding interest in art, and Kiel turns the talk on to Zach, eventually asking if he has any interest in looking for local art classes. “Perhaps we could look into the classes offered at the free centers. I have heard of art teachers coming down in their off time to teach stuff like music and art. Sometimes even math and reading!” He looks at the older youth merrily, hoping he's found something of interest to offer the young man.