[attr="class","mouths1"]Sabot really needed to stop swiping unfilled forms from Firefly's desk. The sprawling Yggdrasil looked down at her as she ascended the stairs towards its drawbridge. This gave her an uncomfortable and unheard of feeling she was likely to remember well. A routine sweep of the area was given as the background for her visit. The Council directive listed something a bit more nuanced, however.
The angel flashed credentials to a gatekeeper who, unconvinced initially, quickly let her through as she pulled back her hood. "Would you be so kind as to direct me to this address?" she asked.
A stein's worth of elven sweat and a spoon's worth of elven tears later, Sabot stood in front of the location the document isolated. For someone to try and endure strenuous interrogation so as not to disclose an address, Sabot's expectations of what kind of building she would arriving at were not met. A meek, rustic chapel arose before her, nearly smothered by newer-construction elven homes that jutted out of Yggdrasil's branches.
While any other Council worker, or angel for that matter, would dismiss the quaint structure as unimportant or mistakenly designated, Sabot of Hanyang prided herself on knowing better. Examining the directive one more time, certain puzzle pieces began to fall in place for the angel, simultaneously making the absence of other pieces more glaring than before. Why this was on Sherman's desk, for example, and the space where one's seal would be placed being left empty. At the very least, after the ugly run-in with a certain demon in the Tria Mansions area, Sabot felt a slight appreciation for these mundane kinds of routine checks being tasked to Sherman and not herself.
Doors and windows, left open to catch some of the evening breeze, slammed shut left and right as Sabot's footsteps echoed through the wooden path with a clear and hollow tone. She frowned with disappointment. One would've expected more from the proud elves. The angel, avoiding touching the areas with peeling paint, knocked gingerly on the double doors of the chapel.
"Good evening. Is the master of the premises present? I was hoping to be invited inside for a discussion." asked Sabot.
[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Saniac Fridelia , hostess for the evening
[attr=class,punkisaintstop] it is I who bring hell and heaven to you
[attr=class,punkisaintsimg]
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your loyalty for your salvation and nothing else
[attr=class,punkisaintsbulk]
[attr=class,side]
[attr=class,punkisaintsicon]
SHE IS THE POPE
[attr=class,punkisaintscontent] The gates of the chapel creaked open. The inside was empty; rows of benches arranged neatly without any speck of dust. Statues of various historical figures, elves and angels, stationed on both sides of the hall. The atmosphere was strangely dimmed despite the time of the day.[break][break]
At the end of the ancient chapel, an elf stood alone before the statue of the Goddesses. Her head raised high as the sunlight showered her expression, concealing it within the blinding contrast between darkness of the chapel and the holiness of the radiance.[break][break]
"Angel Sabot, the Goddesses've been expecting you." The pale white mist emerged from beneath the black veil as the Pope took a wisp from her dark cigarette. She turned to look at Sabot and gradually walked towards the angel. Strangely, her footsteps prompted the shining light to move along with her, concealing most of her features under the blindspot of sunlight.[break][break]
"I, too, pray for you. Angel Sabot, have anyone ever prayed for you before?" The Pope extended her hand to touch the air where the wings of an angel would have been. Her stroke was gentle, and her motion, elegant.[break][break]
"It must be hard to be born as an angel. Born to guide, but is lost themselves. Don't worry, my dear. You're under the presence of the Goddesses now." The Pope took another wisp of her cigarette before forming her hands into a praying gesture. Although the blinding light concealed her appearance, her silhouette remained holy and divine.[break][break]
[attr="class","mouths1"]"I truly loathe being a rude guest, but I've not come seeking an audience with the Goddesses, expect me as they may. I'm here to speak with the master of this establishment. A routine check, is all." Sabot said. The angel produced part of the directive. "Nothing quite so elegant that the Pope herself must attend to it, but I am in no position to object if the Pope wishes to aid me in this matter." A hand waved away any smoke that neared her, a closed smile occupied her expression.
"It's all rather mundane, but it can be exactly the mundane that tempers life's excitements for the better. I think one of your kind said that, some centuries ago. There are a great deal of elven proverbs that I quite like. I'm fortunate to hear them often in my line of work." Sabot ran her hand along the back of a pew as she took a seat in it.
Not wishing to be improper, Sabot of Hanyang made a thinking gesture before answering the question that had been posed to her, "The last person to have prayed for me, why, it must have been just last week. During an inspection much like this one, as a matter of fact. Very kind of them to do so. I did not ask but why deny someone that much? I try not to think of it as flattery, or bribery. Now then,"
The angel crossed her legs and turned to look at the Pope from where she was sitting.
"If it's not too much to impose, Fräulein, could I ask for your assistance with a few standing questions from the Council?" Sabot lifted her hand to her pen pocket with icy anticipation.
[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Saniac Fridelia , any irregularities to be found will be.
[attr=class,punkisaintstop] it is I who bring hell and heaven to you
[attr=class,punkisaintsimg]
[attr=class,overlay]
your loyalty for your salvation and nothing else
[attr=class,punkisaintsbulk]
[attr=class,side]
[attr=class,punkisaintsicon]
SHE IS THE POPE
[attr=class,punkisaintscontent] "Everything is derived from the Goddesses, my dear, and through transitive property, everything belongs to me." The Pope, hanging her head up high, explained her reasoning with a faint smile. She took another wisp of her cigarette, and dimly-lit hall began to brighten with the candle light, manifested to keep the angel company.[break][break]
"As the host, it would be unthinkable for us to neglect our guest." The Pope invited the angel to take a seat.[break][break]
"Now then, Angel Sabot. Let us conduct your routine check. We'll be putting that proverb into a test— see if it is really the truth." The Pope exhaled a gush of pale mist, and with her gentle gesture, the blinding light faded into nothingness as she parted her veil to the side, revealing her seemingly expressionless face.[break][break]
"What does the Council wish to know about the Vatican? We thrive in secrecy and hyperbole, after all." Holding the black cigarette in her hand, the Pope stared at the angel before her, eyes glowing ever so slightly, gradually shifting their colour schemes.[break][break]
[attr="class","mouths1"]Sabot would be lying to say she was not at least mildly interested to see the Pope beneath the veil. But there were fields to fill and boxes to check. Sabot produced a fountain pen and a leather notebook stamped with Council insignia. The angel held the notebook close such that its contents would only be visible to her and her alone. "As I said, rather mundane. Let us go down the list here." said Sabot, feigning reading something off the empty page. She began in monotone, recalling the first item to be checked, "Yes, yes. 'As this a designated place of worship, ergo a place of gathering, it is imperative that the newest Council bulletins, including but not limited to wanted posters and recruitment fliers, be displayed in a visible location near the entrance.' I actually verified that myself on the way in, no problems there." Sabot scratched a check into a box that did not exist.
"Of course there's the rather unpleasant matter of income reporting. Certain entities are being audited by the Council for dubious filings as of late. We sincerely hope to not find any discrepancies in the filings of this chapel, but alas it must be said. But the previous records indicate nothing out of the ordinary from this address." Another checkmark fell onto the blank page. She raised the pen again but paused, in thought. "This next thing that I shall say to you is not a part of that which the Council has tasked me with verifying. As such, any answer you give shall not be met with punitive measures. Quite the opposite actually, as I meet anything that allows me to perform my job better with the highest of gratitude."
The sanguine tear marking distinct to Sabot of Hanyang gleamed. She capped her pen before beginning, "In speaking of the transitive relation, which you have, it becomes important to recall the antitransitive relation, whose existence is equal to the former's in both importance and power. Some A relates to some B, which of course relates to some C, but A needs not recognise C. That is, of course, our antitransitive relation at work. I say all this to preface my asking: What position has the Church taken on the Council's work against the Ghoul insurgents? I don't ask for your personal opinion out of respect, but I do ask as to the logical conclusion of your transitive relation at work. If, say, the Vatican is our A, and a Church statement regarding the Ghoul Purge is B, how have you looked to ensure that your Laity, C, recognise B?"
[attr=class,punkisaintstop] it is I who bring hell and heaven to you
[attr=class,punkisaintsimg]
[attr=class,overlay]
your loyalty for your salvation and nothing else
[attr=class,punkisaintsbulk]
[attr=class,side]
[attr=class,punkisaintsicon]
SHE IS THE POPE
[attr=class,punkisaintscontent] "Your eyes, my dear, are so beautiful. They are the window of your soul, of your thought." The Pope, with her bottomless pair of azure abysses, gazed upon the emerald whirlpool. Her expressionless face moved a little to get a better angle of the painting-like scenery.[break][break]
"It is when our window linked that our souls become naked. Now, I see everything." The Pope averted her gaze as she looked up towards the statue of the Goddesses. Her azure eyes turned faintly golden as time passed.[break][break]
"Everywhere the council looks, the world would turn white. It is to be expected; and if there is a stain, then I'm sure your leaders will fix them, just like the ghouls." The Pope gestured her hands into a praying post. She slowly closed her eyes and silently whispered something into the chapel, too subtle for anyone to hear.[break][break]
"The Vatican embraces the supreme architecture of the Goddesses. The fate of the Ghouls remains under tha hands of the Lordess— We merely pray for the safety of our people." The light reflected from the crystalized windows, forming a strange refraction around the Pope. It was like a pair of crystal wings, on the back of the Pope.[break][break]
"The Goddesses have received our prayers, and I believe the council moved according to the grand structure. Just like with the Human, everything is under the eyes of the Goddesses; and through Yggdrasil, everything moves under my pair of eyes... What about you, Angel Sabot? What do you think of the Church?" The Pope reopened her eyes and gazed towards the angel, waiting for her response.[break][break]
[attr="class","mouths1"]Tricks of the light made her smile. The sources of said tricks being stained glass windows simply helped the irony of it. Depicted in stained glass, the Goddesses and their promises stood above those who would occupy the pews and pray. Sabot turned away to mask her chuckling as well as close her notebook. "To say such kind things about me, I'm really not deserving but I'll thank you nonetheless. Ah, what's the elven proverb? About flattery. Yes, that's right. It will get you everywhere, Fraülein." The angel deposited her pen back into her pocket.
"I appreciate that there is a mutual respect here. You would be surprised, I think, to find how rare it can be in my line of work. I quite like your way of putting it, you spoke of a grand architecture. Some superstructure to which our respective institutions follow."
"I am honoured that you would ask for my opinion. I am certainly no expert, other angels have conducted much more exacting research and analysis of the Church, of the Vatican. But if I had to say, I hold a great deal of respect for your kind, for Elves. I think your sense of preservation and perseverance is admirable. I also think that the Church has played a great role in keeping your people rather united. Just look at where we are, Fraülein. If Yggdrasil were occupied by Halflings or Witches, the great tree would have rotted away ages ago. Your kind are very good at sticking around, I've found. Actually," The angel smiled and clapped her hands together as she had recalled something of importance, "I was curious about something. You've done a wonderful job of showing to your detractors, the few and the mistaken, that the Church is not solely for Elves but on the opposite side of that... What of believers who refuse to align with the Church? Please understand I'm asking neither rhetorically nor maliciously. But it would be folly to ignore how much of the population remains spiritual, yet does not count themselves as a part of the Church." Sabot lowered her voice before continuing, "I say this only because of the admiration I have for you versus your predecessor--this disconnect between faithfuls is of great interest to people more powerful than I."
[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Saniac Fridelia , until when do open arms close?
[attr=class,punkisaintstop] it is I who bring hell and heaven to you
[attr=class,punkisaintsimg]
[attr=class,overlay]
your loyalty for your salvation and nothing else
[attr=class,punkisaintsbulk]
[attr=class,side]
[attr=class,punkisaintsicon]
SHE IS THE POPE
[attr=class,punkisaintscontent] "We did upon the others how we wished to be treated, my dear. Respect the neighbours, for their respect will mirror yours." The Pope tapped her finger unto the notebook, creating a soft noise that echoed inside the chapel.[break][break]
"As long as we pray, the Goddesses will listen. Under their guidance, we've learnt to live, to dream, and to preserve." With a light step, the Pope went past the angel and stopped right beside her, facing on the opposite direction.[break][break]
"All the believers will understand... in due time. For those who believe not the guidance of the Goddesses, we'll pray for them; one day, they— too— will embrace the slumbering faith within themselves." The Pope extended her hand towards the direction of Yggdrasil. In a gentle motion, she exerted her strength and squeezed her hand, locking the image of the tree inside of her.[break][break]
"Angel Sabot, do you believe in the Goddesses? Our Church welcomes all who believes in us."[break][break]
[attr="class","mouths1"]Sabot looked at the floor, embedded with glass panels here and there such that one could peer below at the roots and branches of Yggdrasil supporting not only this structure but also all of elven society. The conclusion the Pope had come to sat interestingly with the angel. Sabot rested her head on her hand. "It goes: 'Millions of hells of sinners cannot come near to exhaust infinite grace.' Or so I'm told. How fortunate for them that benediction extends so far."
Inscriptions, on the pews, on the altar, on the ceiling, affronted her eyes. The angel paid them no further mind. Her job here was not to pick apart each elven assumption. No, her job was much simpler. "Fräulein, as an angel, I was tasked by your Goddesses, pledged by them to a sacred duty, one that I am sure you can relate to. To not believe in them would be to not believe in mine purpose. Wholly unthinkable. I appreciate your question as the ironic joke I believe it to have been. Otherwise, asking an angel such a question would be downright rude, Fräulein! I am who I am today precisely because I have walked the path they have graciously set before me, and I love them dearly for it." Sabot smiled.
Hanyang slowly stood up and gave a curtsy to the elf. "I thank you for your time and your wisdom. I should be going now. The Council does not look fondly upon my taking my sweet time to complete routine checks such as these. I believe there is one last thing I am supposed to pass onto you, from the higher ranks as it were. Ahem." She unfolded a small note and read it aloud, "From here: 'You are compelled to continue reporting all cases of Elven dissidents and malcontents, including but not limited to so-called Outsider Elves. Signed, -Council Ministry of the Interior.' Their message to you, not mine. I bid you auf Wiedersehen, unless there is anything more I should be so fortunate as to be told, your Grace."
[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Saniac Fridelia , salvation is for sinners.
[attr=class,punkisaintstop] it is I who bring hell and heaven to you
[attr=class,punkisaintsimg]
[attr=class,overlay]
your loyalty for your salvation and nothing else
[attr=class,punkisaintsbulk]
[attr=class,side]
[attr=class,punkisaintsicon]
SHE IS THE POPE
[attr=class,punkisaintscontent] "Everyone takes part in the Goddesses' design, my dear. It is unfortunate that some has lost their way and fallen into the wrong path. However, I believe that with their devotion, the re-emergance is not impossible." The Pope slightly smiled as she thought about an angel, a fragile yet brave angel— maybe it's time to meet her.[break][break]
"You're welcome to join us any time, my dear. We would be glad to converse with your leaders, as well as you. Please send our regard to the Board." The Pope pressed her hand together and reached out to the angel, revealing a single black rose in her hand.[break][break]
"The Council sees all, Angel Sabot. Let us hope that the next time we meet won't be unpleasant." The Pope giggled mysteriously before she stepped forwards, passing the angel and broke from her line of perception. Once the angel turned around, the figure of the Pope was no more; only petals of black rose remained, floating and dancing with the stillness of the chapel.[break][break]
Living in a dystopian society, seven mystic races are trapped due to their own selfishness. Tensions rise between the races and the different social classes, leading up to the constant struggle for power, with no end in sight.
News
4/11 - With the Ghoul Purge complete, Pavane's fear shifts from the goddesses towards the Council. Check out the aftermath here to get an understanding of the current situation in the plot.
MYSTICAL SOULS belongs to YUMEKUI, DYLZOE AND LUNARIS. This is an original plot created by staff members.. The skin "Midnight Madness" was created by Dorothia. This includes Board Mod, Mini-Profile Mod and such. Thread list was made by Kagney. User Profile mod was made by Pharaoh Leap. Graphics belong to their rightful owner. Plagiarism is not appreciated and will not be tolerated.
