WEEK 3: CYOA (Rufus, Sumire, Taako, Dorothy)

[retellers]

Comments

[misstrust]

[ Hm. Kind of concerning, but not concerning enough to really make her hesitate. Not yet. ]

Looks like a rather slow build so far.

[ But once again-- to the door!! ]

[soulus]

[While he follows Dorothy to the door on the other side, Rufus looks at the posters along the walls. Can he make them out at all?]

[retellers]

[ I love Dorothy.

As for Rufus, he'll see posters that say things like, IT WILL SET YOU FREE and GOT FAITH?.

When Dorothy opens the door, it will lead to a church. It's large, with rows and rows of pews. The ones closest to the door are in pristine condition, but the closer they get to the altar, the more they seem to be falling apart. No music can be heard. ]

[misstrust]

[ Those breasts are filled with Determination.

But hm. The music's stopped and Dorothy automatically hums a little under her breath, checking the pews for anything before stepping carefully closer to the altar. ]

[soulus]

[He'll have faith if he can empty the church's donation box.

There's still really only the way forward. Dorothy's slowing down to check the pews gives Rufus ample time to give the floor and walls a glance. The posters probably didn't carry over to this side, either. Then he looks up at the ceiling to complete the picture before heading for the altar.]

[retellers]

[ There doesn't seem to be anything in the pews, other than rotting wood the more into the church they go. A few seats flat out have holes in them? It's fine.

The walls are in the same state: the closer to the entrance they are, the cleaner they are. But the walls further in the distance are decaying, with mold and holes all over them. The ceiling has a fancy depiction of a bunch of fat, angel babies. Cute.

The altar is simple and wooden. There's a single piece of paper on it. ]

[misstrust]

... I really hope the floor is more stable than the rest of this place.

[ But Dorothy knows no fear, so-- she'll just reach for that piece of paper. ]

[soulus]

[Tch. Rich babies.]

We'll just have to watch our steps.

[For the sake of having a wider view of their surroundings, Rufus lags behind a few steps.]

[retellers]

[ Three things happen when Dorothy grabs the piece of paper.

The first is that the church is no longer empty. In every pew sits hooded figures, all murmuring softly in what sounds like prayer. They ignore Dorothy and Rufus, but the sound of their voices vibrate through the large room.

The second is that the music starts again. It's organ music, and it's loud, practically deafening. The ground shakes slightly from it.

The third is that the paper catches fire. ]

[misstrust]

[ Hm. Bad.

Dorothy lets out a yelp, releasing the Fire Formerly Known as Paper and whirling to face-- oh good lord, there are a lot of hooded figures and the music is so obnoxiously loud. Is the floor seriously shaking?

But also she's instantly moving closer to Rufus, who is neither loud nor praying nor on fire. ]

[soulus]

Was there anything on the paper?

[Their proximity allows Dorothy to hear him, hopefully. Rufus turns around to gaze over the rows of hooded figures before glancing around for the source of the music. It's loud, but surely organ music means there's an organ nearby—not that the Realm is one to obey rules like these.]

[retellers]

[ There is no immediate source of the organ music.

But maybe they can ask someone? Because now there is a man standing behind the alter. Unlike everyone else, he isn't hooded--he kind of looks like a generic priest. He stares at the two of them. ]

Do you know what faith is?

[ Even with the music playing, his voice still somehow carries over it. ]

[misstrust]

No, it immediately...

[ Dorothy trails off, looking no more reassured than earlier when the man just... is there.

The question doesn't appear to answer any questions either (because it's a question and not an answer you doof), but she frowns. ]

Faith? It's a completely unwavering belief in something, isn't it?

[soulus]

[Rufus gives the priest a glance over his shoulder. Dorothy's answer sounds about right, so he leaves it at that.]

[retellers]

[ The man turns his attention to the people in the pews. ]

Did you hear that? What do you think of this answer?

[ They do not stop their praying, but they do lift their heads to give the trio their attention. ]

The congregation would like for you to elaborate.

[misstrust]

[ The congregation can get fucked.

... Is what Dorothy does not say, but probably thinks a little rebelliously. She gives Rufus a look, though.

Ugh, she doesn't want to. ]

...

[ But then she squares her shoulders and oh god where is Jeanne to stop her-- ]

I think people can rely too much on faith to the point that they're blinded by it and then they can't do anything on their own. I think if you should have faith in anything, then it ought to be in your own strength and beliefs to get yourself out of your messes you put yourself in and the people who still put up with you regardless.

And if there is a God, then he's very clearly deaf! Nothing's ever saved me but my own two legs and I refuse to give any god credit for that!!

[ DOROTHY. ]

[soulus]

[Well, she isn't wrong.

They asked for an elaboration, and they got it. Rufus doesn't have much else to add. Even if he did, he doubts saying anything contrary to Dorothy will help at this point. So he says nothing, as usual.]

[retellers]

[ Someone claps.

And then someone else does. And someone else. Soon, the church is filled with the sound of clapping, as well as the sounds of praying and organ music, which probably is not a good combo to have to listen to.

The man, however, still manages to be louder than all of that. ]

Maybe you should have a little more of it.

[ A door behind the altar opens. It definitely wasn't there before. Everyone is still clapping. ]

[misstrust]

[ This is so very uncomfortable. Dorothy only shakes her head in response and gives Rufus' shirt hem a tug as she turns away.

Door. Now. Please. ]

[soulus]

[She tugs, and he moves. Into the door, they go.]

[retellers]

[ The door leads to a tiny classroom. Posters about religion cover the walls, and at each desk sits a student in a uniform. The same man from before is seated at the teacher's desk.

He turns to look at them as they enter. ]

Welcome back. Have a seat.

[misstrust]

[ What in the hell--

Look, Dorothy took the lead last time. This time, she's actually going to glance at Rufus and raise an eyebrow. She'll follow his lead.

Well, Rufus? Feel like sitting down? ]

[soulus]

[He doesn't return Dorothy's glance. The situation is unusual, yet there's apparently something to be learned amid all this, so he moves to sit down in a vacant seat.]

[retellers]

[ As soon as Rufus sits down, the man turns his attention to Dorothy and stares at her.

Yes? ]

[misstrust]

...

[ OKAY FINE SHE'S SITTING DOWN. ]