Charity on church street

Lenore tapped her quill pin upon her notebook a few times, trying to decide if this was a safe course of action. It was certainly a maverick form of therapy... but just looking at Guyld's sunny disposition, she felt assured it must be the right path. "Your daughter is contributing in her own way to charity. I think you should join her in-" the therapist began, before the other lady interrupted.

"N-No, I'm afraid I'm not interested in doing that sort of dancing or hobknobbing with knights. I'm a married woman, Miss Seste," the mother complained, feeling charitable, but not charitable enough to get onto an altar and start showing off her goods, the way her daughter had insisted she be allowed to make her debut.

"Ah, that's not what I was going to suggest. I simply meant that you still have much to provide to charity," Lenore continued, although she'd still relish the chance to see Mrs. St. Vendigeld stripping off her clothes in church. "I believe that in the past you've taken in... more than the church strictly needs to safeguard the people. More than you need as compensation for facilitating donations either, I'd imagine. More than your family needs. Would you say that's correct?"

Even under the effects of hypno-therapy, Guyld III was too proud to answer that question honestly. Instead, she closed her eyes and crossed her arms, looking contemplative. "I suppose I have been rather effective in my efforts to garner donations for the church. I can't help it if the people are charitable."

"Now it is time for the church to be charitable. You specifically, Mrs. St. Vendigeld," Lenore urged her client. "Nothing outlandish. I would just recommend that you... pack a purse full of easily distributed good and monies, then give those out to the poor and impoverished. The faithful, that is. Not only will you help them, but trust me, you will find the clouds over your own heart removed immediately. I will accompany you, of course. We can have servants accompany you as well, if you so desire-"

"No, that is good. You and I will be enough. Yes... I can see it now..." Guyld III smiled, clasping her hands together as she tried to imagine how it would be. "Oh... Yes! I believe Geod will smile upon this endeavor! I can just picture it now, all of those faithful, gaining back their faith in a way that is genuine and empathetic, not laced with vulgarity like what the knights are attempting to do all around town! It's perfect, Miss Seste!"

"I'm glad you think so," the therapist smiled, stepping up from her seat and offering her hand to the other woman. She felt her heart flutter when the ordinarily proud noble woman grasped hold of her hand, intertwining fingers in a way that was far more generous than she'd ever done before... a symbol of trust... maybe friendship... maybe something else? Lenore shook her head again to dispel those dangerous thoughts, then waited for Guyld to pack her things.