The Expected Priests

Ahsch and A'uro spoke for almost an hour before the hrafthi excused himself, promising that he would make time for her at a later date. The two had spoken of a number of Earth-based knowledge subjects in the general sense, with Ahsch making numerous claims and promising evidence given time and resources, and A'uro listening with cautious interest. But, with a prodding reminder from Ariin, the Dominant Mage attempted to resume his interactions with the crowd at large.

He was quickly brought up short by the appearance of a new pair of robed individuals - and this time, of the colors he expected. The gold and white of an Irztonite beside the orange and blue of an Orrorist. Here comes trouble, Ahsch sighed into Daydreamweave.

Do you want to have them escorted out? Dorin asked.

No, Ahsch declined. That will just give them more ammunition to use against us. And it only delays the inevitable. We knew this was coming, now to see just how bad it is.

"Lord Ahsch Odestag," the Irztonite, a man, greeted in a neutral tone. His cat-girl Orrorist companion inclined her head slightly in greeting.

Ahsch gave them a small smile. "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, as I have neither your names nor a fellow priest beside me."

Avery chuckled in his head. Good, point out their ganging-up on you and their slight for only sending rank-and-file priests and nobody of note.

On the religious side of things, I'm nobody of note, really.

The hrafthi could feel his wife's dismissive shrug, but turned his attention back to the priests in front of him. "I am Darrow, Priest of Irzton," the man replied with a hint of pride.

"Felia, Priestess of Orror," the cat-girl softly said, her voice nearly inaudible over the crowd.

"And what can I do for you, Darrow and Felia? Or, I assume, what is it that your orders wish to convey to me - or Enochiel?"

"This conversation is on our own initiative, not a mandate of our orders," Felia said in her quiet voice. "Or so I assume is true of Darrow - my instructions were to attend and observe, and report back, though I was given liberty to act as I see fit."

The man nodded. "Much the same, though I was also instructed to give the usual reminder to any new cults that the royals approved of."

Ahsch smiled invitingly. "Oh? And what reminder is that?"

"Be mindful of the laws."

The hrafthi barely turned his scoffing snort into a hummed laugh as he gave a reply that flirted with being both dismissive and sarcastic, especially where his tone was concerned: "But of course." He promptly turned towards the priestess, as the 'warning' from the Church of Irzton was expected - it was true that they sent such a message to literally every other new religion, as far as Ahsch had been able to discover. "Does the Order of Orror have any similar warnings? Or, perhaps, you, Priestess Felia?"

The cat-girl raised an eyebrow slightly, likely surprised by his significantly more sincere tone. The reason was twofold: first, she hadn't just threatened him, and aside from being annoyingly quiet, had otherwise been polite; but there was also an odd sense coming from her, some sort of gnosis from - he assumed - Object of Worship. It had been present with A'uro, but he only noticed it with this pair because the sense was absent from Darrow.

Felia and A'uro had an almost 'aura' of true belief. Ahsch sensed a gnosis of true faith coming from them, of dedication to their chosen deity.

Which had interesting implications for its absence in Darrow.

"Not from the Order, no. But I would respectfully remind you that Orror claims dominion over families, including what occurs among and between them, and what brings them together."

Ahsch allowed one of his own eyebrows to raise. "While I do not wish to raise a theological - nor a philosophical - debate right here, I can't help but question your phrasings, Priestess Felia: 'dominion' and claiming that children are a bond between partners. Or perhaps _the _bond.

"Regardless, rest assured that Enochiel has no wish to disrupt the conduct of well-functioning families. And, as I said in the service, he is not a jealous god: any who wish are free to worship and follow Orror as much or even more than they follow Enochiel, though any conflicts in the doctrine may cause... friction. That being said, I don't believe Enochiel claims marriage, family, nor births as his domains, nor that his domains of bonds, sex, dominance, nor bodies should come into direct conflict with Orror's domains..." He allowed his gaze to harden. "...Unless, of course, the Order seeks to... expand their influence?"

Felia's jaw was clearly clenched. "I cannot claim to know the intents of the archpriests," was her only reply.

Ahsch nodded, then turned back to Darrow. "And the Church of Irzton can rest assured that Enochiel has no plans to encourage unlawful behavior." He smirked slightly. "Perhaps 'deviant,' or 'lewd,' but nothing illegal. The laws of the Kingdom of Starlight have little to say about the conduct that occurs within the bedrooms of lovers, unless I missed those in my last pass of the books. And rightly so, for as long as those participating are consenting and aware of the risks, what right does the Kingdom have to interfere?"

Darrow's eyes narrowed. "Now I have to question your phrasing. 'Aware of the risks?'"

The hrafthi smiled broadly. "Yes, of course. Indeed, one should always be aware of the risks of one's actions. Take, for example, becoming a judge, or a constable. Those are positions in the Kingdom that carry risks, as I doubt any criminals look kindly on lawbringers - and some of the more nefarious and malicious sorts may even scheme to harm the people who uphold the law. Yet we allow those individuals to place themselves in jeopardy as they are aware of the risks of their station and bear that danger willingly - they consent to it. Just the same, should someone enjoy being bound when engaged intimately - as that young man across the courtyard seems to - then who are we to disagree or condemn them as long as they do so knowing the risks, namely cutting off blood flow past the ropes, or ending up bound for longer than intended. Yet I dare say that gentleman agreed to his predicament - quiet eagerly too, if I'm not mistaken."

Ahsch was delighted by the bright blushes the other two priests gained when he had pointed out the bound man who was being sensuously - and quite aggressively - ridden by a rather buff, muscular woman. "Of course," he continued with a grin, unable to help himself when his would-be aggressors were so embarrassed, "we need not wish for the same ourselves - I much prefer to be in the position of the woman, with one of my own lovely girls tied up, but to each their own."

"I will... relay your words to the Church," Darrow gritted, resolutely looking away from the scene.

Ahsch bowed his head, then glanced between the two priests. "Then, if there is nothing else..." he said, and took a step away. The two gave slight bows of their own heads in return and turned, making their way out of the courtyard and - presumably - out of the Temple entirely.

Well... that went well, the hrafthi sighed. Glad its over.

You do realize it's only just started, Avery said. They'll be back.

I'm glad that's over, Ahsch doubled-down, putting that unfortunate reality aside for the evening.