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[preborns]

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coan_tean

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[preborns]

Thank you. I was prepared for your anger. I would've deserved it.

[holyposition]

You're welcome.

Hawk is still a little heated. But he'll get over it, once he's sure I'm fine.

[preborns]

I see. I'll apologize to him as well.

Does he attend your chapel as well? Or is it your quiet, solitary time?

[holyposition]

He sits with me sometimes. But he isn't a believer.

[preborns]

I see. That's sweet of him.

On Arrakis, there's no choice between believing or not.

[holyposition]

It never felt like a choice to me.

[preborns]

But it brings you comfort? Drives away the ghosts and shadows?

[holyposition]

It does.

It makes me feel like I'm never alone. That's comforting to me.

[preborns]

Do you feel loved by it? That other presence, always watching, always seeing?

[holyposition]

[ . . . ]

Most of the time.

[preborns]

Ah.

I'd like to attend. See if it brings me any peace. My own gods haven't given me that, just great purpose and the burden of an uncertain future.

[holyposition]

There's no proper service, since we haven't got a priest, but I'd be happy to pray with you.

Can I ask you something stupid?

[preborns]

Does your deity listen? Even to otherworld girls who've sacrificed in the name of other messiah?

Of course. Ask whatever you please, Tim.

[holyposition]

He will. His love is boundless, even if you come from another world with other faiths.

[ He’s pretty sure. Desert planets millennia in the future aren’t in the Bible, but it’s never too late to turn to Him. Even if Alia isn’t doing so seriously, there’s comfort in the community, the ritual, the shared silence and supportive whispers. There’s many people from many worlds who have no idea what Tim is on about, but he welcomes them to the chapel anyway. It can’t hurt. ]

One of the Balfours is spreading a rumor that you ate a baby. Why would she say something like that?

[preborns]

I see. It's missing the wrath I know so well, but perhaps I can do without that, for a time.

[Even if Alia believes in her soul she can never find absolution anywhere but death in service of Paul's name, she'll join Tim all the same. Maybe it can give her some peace.

The question gets a pause long enough that it seems possible the answer is "yeah, I ate that", but finally:] Because I am an abomination. A monster. And monsters do monstrous things.

But I've never consumed human flesh, if that's what you're asking me, Tim.

[holyposition]

[ There's...some wrath, admittedly, but they can get into that later... ]

Okay. I didn't think so. Most of the rumors I've heard from them have been wrong, anyway.

But enough of that monster stuff, really. You saved me.

[preborns]

There were more? How many have you investigated? It seems a little strange that they'd waste time with spreading rumors, when they have the power to take people out of time and space.

I did. I'm glad I did. It was new, for me, to deny my mind like that.

[holyposition]

I've investigated a handful. Mostly lies, or things taken absurdly out of context. As for why, I have no idea. To see how we react?

It's never too late to keep doing it. If it bothers you to not be in control. It was scary for me, and I wasn't being compelled to hurt anyone.

[preborns]

Ahhh, placing little creatures within jars and shaking them all about, to see how they squirm. I see.
Immature, but not entirely unimaginable.

It should not bother me. It's who I am. My mother passed it to me before my birth, and there has never been an alternative. I have never regretted using the Voice before, either.
But I'm sorry to have frightened you, Tim.

[holyposition]

That's what I'm starting to think about all their tricks.

Have you used it here, other than with me? Maybe it's different, being further from your ancestors.

And I forgive you. Again. :)