Cherubin arrives with an opportunity for the sisters of St. Sleeper's

As if on cue, no sooner had Ave mentioned Geod's providence than a knock came from the front door. Ave gathered her skirt about her ankles and hustled to answer it. It was so rare for her to have visitors outside of sermons-- and especially so well-timed, when she had candied apples nearly ready to give as gifts! Maybe someone had come for a confession?

The door opened to reveal an unusual-looking visitor. Like Italliete, his skin was a deep brown color, but he was even taller than she was, his bald head nearly grazing the doorway as he entered upon being welcomed. His face held a kindly smile, but his eyes were pure white, as though he'd been blinded. Still, he saw his way around perfectly fine, stepping past the others before coming to rest meaningfully in front of the church's depiction of Geod's face upon its center podium. He crossed his large hands at the center of his robe, which was white, trimmed with red and gold-- a sign of a high place in Geod's church. The visitor bowed to each woman in turn, but waited to speak, as though building suspense.

Ave's heart thumped hard inside her chest. Was he here to close down the church because there roof could collapse at any minute? Was he here to close the church for poor attendance? Was he here to close the church because he happened to be in the area?!

Eva's heart thumped hard inside her chest and she gripped a nearby podium. Something about this guy just smelled like money! Not to mention that chiseled jaw. Meee-yow!

Italliete's heart remained pretty steady. The guy probably wasn't here for her. Something about the way he behaved pissed her off, though, like he was one of Geod's angels himself, rather than a simple clergyman.

"My name is Cherubin. I'm the acting head priest in Merridan during Ms. Clara Fauxbright's absence," he finally introduced himself, placing one hand upon his chest and gesturing with the other. "Thank you for welcoming me here at St. Sleeper's Chapel. The upcoming mural is coming along splendidly. Truly, fine tribute to our loving Geod. I've half a mind to commission such a talented painter for Meridan's central church. I'm sure our honored high priest would be delighted when she returns from her pilgrimage."

Italliete turned her head, secretly smirking with pride. Well, maybe the guy wasn't all bad. He had taste.

Ave and Eva both blinked with stupefied expressions. The high priest? Here? In Headrest? In their church? Eva began to desperately primp her hair while Ave wrung her hands red. "W-W-What brings you to our humble chapel?" Ave questioned, putting on her warmest, most "please-don't-close-the-chapel-I've-managed-for-twenty-years" smile.

Cherubin returned the smile, not exactly warmly-- his face always seemed to hold a mysterious intent that scared strangers and those familiar alike. "Be calm, Mother Ave. Rather, rejoice. I am here with good news." He crossed his arms behind his back, seeming many meters tall somehow as he stood before the podium. "Have you heard the news from Merridan as of late?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

"... No news?"

"We don't get the latest news around these parts, I'm afraid! That's just Headrest for you," she giggled. "Oh, but the head priestess is on a pilgrimage! My, my. What times we live in!"

"... You really haven't heard anything?"

Eva raised an eyebrow, then tossed her golden hair over one shoulder. "Does it have something to do with why our congregation's getting smaller and smaller? Why people are leaving town?" she questioned, being the quicker of the two on the uptake.

"It does," Cherubin admitted, smiling in acknowledgment. "The city of Merridan is in the middle of an awakening. Long held dogma of the church are being discarded, or, shall I say, reversed. In his infinite wisdom, Geod recognized a call for an end to old dogma and stifling traditions. Priests and priestesses alike are now not only encouraged to revoke their vows of chastity, but rather, to fully devote their bodies to the church's service and embrace their sexuality. It has been an age of sexual repression and we are now coming through the light-- the people now flourish in the spirit of openness, understanding, and pride in their sexual identities. I've come to spread the word to you all and to recommend your quick conversion to the latest fashion, for the sake of the church's health. As one church leader to another, I implore you to heed his call. In fact, I see great potential for St. Sleeper's, should all assembled in this chapel adopt this new initiative."

The three women assembled in the chapel each remained silent for a bit, before Ave took the chance to speak. "Pardon me. I am feeling just a bit faint. Or perhaps delirious. I-I think I may have misheard something just now."

"You did not," Cherubin responded, keeping his no-nonsense smile chiseled onto his statuesque face. "It is common for this news to be met with disbelief, but I hope you will be open to it. It is not mandatory that you oblige, however, I ask that you look deep into your heart and listen to Geod speaking. If you feel it is his will, you should obey. You should, frankly, immediately move to incorporate sexually provocative practices into your church routine."

"Hey, this 'latest fashion' you're talking about... Is there a lot of money in it?" Eva asked, moving a little closer and cupping one hand to her cheek with a flirtatious smile.

The acting head priest nodded. "Oh, yes. I do believe your church would see an immediate financial benefit. I noticed your building is in need of repairs... I would be willing to get the Church of Merridan involved in sponsoring its repair, as well as word-of-mouth advertising for the new services. I will need your statement, hand on Geod's Bible, that you will be open-minded to these new teachings."

"Oh. But. That's not really. Um. Surely not?" Ave questioned, clutching the rosary at her neck as though conducting one of the church's demon-warding prayers. "Y-You're not joking? Why would Geod possibly-"

Cherubin simply shook his head this time and raised one hand. "It is not for us to question his judgement, Mother Ave. Only to follow. Simply know that Merridan, while prosperous in some ways, now faces a potential splintering of the church due to the work of conspirators inside the faction of Dyna's knights. I won't go into the particulars, but they are now posing themselves as an alternative to his church. It's sacrilegious. It requires us to act, in order to secure retention of our faithful. If we are passive in this, it will be at the expense of our creator Himself."

"Wait, you said everyone assembled here earlier. Are you including me in that too?" Italliete called down from overhead. "You know I'm not even a sister here, right? I've not even officially a member of the church."

"But you do have a stake in our success. And, again, I do see the potential."

What a thing to be dragged into. Still... she found herself sizing up Ave and Eva again. If they'd really been talked into it, this might not be a bad thing to be around for. Plus, they'd need someone like her, good-natured and handy with a weapon, if things got too rowdy. "I've got no love for those knights of Dyna, anyway, spitting on the church's good name like they do. Sure, I'll lend a hand."

"Wonderful," Cherubin responded, now seeming genuinely pleased. There were gold glimmers dancing in Eva's eyes and a new sense of purpose burning in Italliete's heart. There was only one hold-out at this point and it was the one who needed to be convinced the most. "Mother Ave, this place has not been well-trafficked. We can change that. With your help, this church will become a key strategic position between Merridan and the capital. Business will flow, pilgrims will come, and Headrest will benefit greatly. The people there-- innkeepers, shopkeepers, farmers, few as they are-- all suffer in relative poverty. You can be their savior."

"I-I am... not a young woman, nor a thin one. I know nothing of flirtatious behavior, let alone, erm, 'provocation.' Are you certain people would want that sort of thing from me?"

"Positive. One-hundred percent. I'd imagine many in the village already feel this way and have for the past two decades."

"D-Don't say it with such assurance!" Ave protested, gripping harder to her rosary-- it was too embarrassing to imagine the congregation she'd known for twenty years eyeing her like a piece of meat.

"Think on the matter. I will be waiting in the Inn in Headrest. Please, deliver your answer by nightfall. It will be up to the three of you to decide your roles in this and also to come up with a game-plan in order to match the new initiative. I look forward to your answer," the acting high priest finished, bowing once more before heading to the door. He did not appear to be a particularly patient man.

The door closed with a heavy, oaken thud, leaving the three in silence. Ave stood below the podium, dumbstruck, with its long shadow cast over her. Eva ran busily around the church, saying nothing, but doing everything she could to spruce it up for visitors, in a rare show of dedication to her work. Italliete painted, occasionally casting glances down to Ave to see if she was still alive or if her heart had given out on her.

Each of the three knew that something would have to be done, but who would be bold enough to propose a way forward?