(A) Cozying Up

"Splendid," Father Burton said. "You can regale me with your story as I take you there." He was bidding the constructor farewell when a thought crossed his mind. "Saher, kindly send Ariam after me at your earliest convenience." Per her acknowledgment, he waved for Vehsisis to follow. "Do tell me what misfortunes delivered you to the welcoming embrace of Abham."

"Oh, I fear that while it is a personal tale, it is not a terribly interesting one," she assured him. She would have bat her eyelashes had they been facing each other.

"Nonsense," he replied with a deep swing in his inflection. "I'd be delighted to even hear how your dress drank the rain, if it so pleased you."

Vehsisis very nearly stopped in her tracks at that. Here she was in clothes dry as cobwebs on a day when the worms were all driven from the soil. From what she remembered of her vantage point, the region was not devoid of cover from rainfall, but it was not rich with it either. Had the pastor thought to question this, or was it a mere turn of phrase?

"As for the privacy of it, I will not pry," he went right on saying. "You are welcome to share it in your own time."

The succubus internally congratulated herself for maintaining a straight face. "Suffice it to say that your warm reception could not have possibly come at a better time."

"Indeed," the pastor accepted. "This shall be your refuge, should you accept it." He was gesturing to one of several houses a stone's throw from the temple. The freshness of the wood attested to the youth of the structure. It was small, but it did boast of a second storey.

Vehsisis stepped onto the porch and turned back to Father Burton. "My deepest gratitude for your generous accommodations."

"Certainly," he said matter-of-factly. "Beyond my solemn duty to care for all the creatures that share this world, it personally joys me offer such aid." He pulled his hat from his head of receding hair, placed it to his chest and offered a deep bow. "Welcome to Abham, and bless you for making the journey here on your own."

The demon felt her skin prickle at that.

"Make yourself at home. I will have someone along shortly to assist you in your settling."