Daring~Open~

[Sonja Amber]

It was daring of her to go near the church period. It was even more daring of her to go into the church. She wasn't supposed to be here. Suppose one of the sisters caught her? She was overage now, they couldn't do anything, but who knew? She certainly didn't have a place to live for the sisters to let her go back to.

But she had to come. Because she felt like she had to. Two years had gone by since she had last been in here. Two long, hard years.

Gripping her amber cross around her neck, she walked into the main room and took a seat in the pews. She closed her eyes and pretended to pray. She didn't pray. How could one with no faith pray as though one did? But she put up a show anyway. It made her feel better.

She opened her eyes when someone tapped her shoulder. She looked up into a pair of eyes.

[essa]

Essa had no idea what had finally brought her back to the church. Ever since her mentor had died, she lost all faith, the new clergy didn't help either. She saw one other person in the church, a girl about her age maybe.

Essa went over to her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hi," she said.

[Sonja Amber]

Amy looked the girl over. Sad eyes, lost looking. Yup, she would fit right in with this crowd of people that came to the church.

"Hi." She said, moving over to make room for the girl in the pew.

[essa]

Essa sat next to the girl. She bent her head for a second, out of habit, she didn't say a prayer though. She looked up again and gave the girl a half-hearted smile. "I'm Tristessa," she said. "May I ask your name?"

Essa looked at the girl, she looked like she had gone through a lot lately. There was a cross around her neck, the string was worn as if the girl played with it a lot.

[Sonja Amber]

"Amy." She said, looking around the church. She did a quick scan of her surroundings, making sure that no sister was around to see her. "It's nice to meet you Tristessa."

Out of habit, her hand went to her cross around her neck.

[essa]

Essa smirked a bit. She had been right, but out of her own habit she played with the cross that was dangling from her rosary on her wrist. "Nice to meet you too,Amy."

She looked around the church, it had changed a bit from when she was a girl. "It is different here. That is bound to happen though I guess." Essa said.

[Sonja Amber]

"It's changed from two years ago even. It didn't change for sixteen years and then suddenly I stop going and it's different." She said. "It's rather odd. When were you last here?"

[essa]

Essa had to think for a second. How long had it been? She had left when she was about five. "Thirteen years." Essa said.

[Sonja Amber]

"Two." She said. "But I stopped believing much before that. I simply had no choice in the matter of coming or going. Now, the only reason I could ever possibly be prevailed upon to enter this place is old ties and blood that I still owe. And I'm cutting my ties."

[essa]

Essa nodded. "I still had my Faith when i left. Now, not so much." she said. "Is Sister Annamae Johnson still here? It hasn't been long enough for her to pass, but with the war."

When Essa was young she had spent a day or two in the orphanage before Kavi had been able to take her. The sister had made the few days bearable.

[Sonja Amber]

"She was forced into a retirement by some younger sisters in the Orphanage." Amy said. "You knew her?"

A life in the Orphanage, raised by the woman, she thought she knew everyone but the few children who only stayed a few days. There weren't many long timers there.

[essa]

Essa nodded. "Yes, for a short time i had to stay in the orphanage," Essa said. "Then my mentor came and took me. He wanted to take me immediately, but for some reason he wasn't allowed to. The sister made my few days there bearable. Did you know her?"

[Sonja Amber]

Amy smiled.

"She was my mother, in a manner of speaking." Amy said. "I lived at the orphanage since I was born. She gave me my name. Even though I no longer have that identity."

[essa]

Essa smiled.

"She would have been a lovely mother." She said. "I would ask about your original identiy but I'm guessing this wouldn't be the safest place to ask. Do you know where she is now? I would like to stop by and say hi to her."

[Sonja Amber]

"A secluded convent in the country side." Amy said. "And she would love that. She remembers everyone who passed through, even the kids who were only there for a day. It's called West Clemet. It's not far from here. If you do go, please tell her that Sonja said hi."