to the point of no return

Gideon

Imposing penance one by one

You've got a virtue in a vice

Night time had fallen in the Hollowed Grounds and there was a cold chill in the air, even after the Longheat sun of the day; a sign that Leafchange was coming, Gideon supposed, but also possibly an omen of what he was to do. The Grounds was teeming with Ascended and it was dark - to get his sample of fluid, now was the time. In his sleeve he held a knife, simple but deadly sharp; if he could not convince one to give him some, he'd take it.

The priest was not above dark measures for the greater good.

Stepping into the temple, he heard odd noises the second his feet touched the stone floor. It was much smaller than his own and sound travelled easier, clearly from the end of the hall where the altar lay; Gideon peered into the building, seeing a young woman stood there. Just what she was doing was hard to see, but it didn't look like anything good.

"What are you doing?" He asked, stepping out into the middle aisle and walking down towards her, for the moment his voice calm enough.

With all the history to guide

You've got a passion in those eyes

EVELYN

Mabel was dead.

Mabel was dead.

The young ascended girl, forever locked in her sixteen year old body, whirled about in the Temple, barely hiding her disgust for the Old Gods - and slightly annoyed at the New ones too. The Voice had promised them strength and the ability to endure most anything, and yet the vicious nature of the ocean had overwhelmed her sister, dragged her out to sea.

Was Mabel even truly dead? Or was she stuck in the ocean, unable to take a breath that she didn't need, tethered to bottom, unable to ever rise again, to ever see the stars in the sky above?

Anger fuelled her motions, as she used her persuasion of gravity to throw various offerings askew across the stone and pillars. It was something she did once to please her sister, it brought joy and cruel entertainment.

Now? She did it for herself.

Blue eyes landed upon the one who dared question her, a scowl contorting her face. "Whatever I want." she retorted, almost spitting the words out, chin held high in a challenge to this man who would dare come here and interrupt her.

--

So sorry for the wait!

cross me once
i dare you
it is the only chance you will get

Gideon

Imposing penance one by one

You've got a virtue in a vice

Even before Evelyn's spat retort, Gideon began to get a better idea of just what manner of disrespect she was committing; items from the altar thrown, carefully placed pieces of worship discarded. The sight made instant anger and disgust rise up in his chest, far more than might arise from seeing people tossed upon the ground; in each item Gideon saw his faith, and he needed to protect it.

There was no doubt after she spoke was she was, the glint of fangs merely confirmation. Striding forwards, Gideon moved smoothly and confidently, motivated by the ferocity of his rage at her blasphemies, reaching for her, intending to pull her away from what she was doing, to save the temple. "Beast. Leave this place alone. It's not for you." Grabbing her arm he would try to yank her back, hard, into the aisles and towards the door.

Turned out that the Ascended had some fight in her though, and her unnatural strength made it so she successfully staggered him, a scuffle beginning before they even had a chance to think about it. Gideon was not a fighter, not a fit man, but he had a weapon and it seemed she didn't; or perhaps she didn't get it out quickly enough?

In any case, time went by in a blur until it stop, clear and precise, on the moment Gideon's knife made contact with her throat; the fluid that poured out was clear and not red and with that sight, any guilt he might have had about the act faded away. Evelyn collapsed before him, artificial life leaving her eyes, and he stood and waited until he felt it was gone before kneeling down to pick her up and take her somewhere to hide the evidence.

He'd always been willing to do anything for the Gods and not precious about his own morals or whatever grim things he had to do, this was no different. Gideon gathered the fluid he needed then headed out to the Woodlands, to bury Evelyn in the midst of the woods.

{FIN}

(Permission for PP from Whit)

With all the history to guide

You've got a passion in those eyes