Second Floor Common Room [Sunday Afternoon]

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

Father Ned had decided to go out to be with the people today. Yesterday had been fulfilling and exhausting between all the guidance he'd tried to provide, the last rites he'd given those poor coma patients, and the marriage of those two young children that would be together forever. He just knew it.

He tried not to think about the girl with the enormous chest who'd confessed...something to him. He wasn't sure and she'd run and he was...confused.

It was almost enough to make him forget about his own sordid past. Almost. He'd had nightmares about that again last night. So vivid, so real.

No, he was reformed now. He wouldn't go back to that time, to that place. Now, he was a giver of counsel, a provider of aide.

"Friends," he said to no one in particular, "I welcome you on this glorious day. I'm so glad you all could come out here and reach out to those less fortunate. And, just because you're less fortunate, does not make you any less of a person. You are all beautiful human beings, ready to spread your wings and fly. You must, though, resist temptation. You must resist the evils of the dark paths. Do not go gently into that good night. Follow the light and you will shine like the sun. Follow your heart and it will lead you to the meadow of utopia. Follow the dark path and purgatory will welcome you with open arms. You will be unable to leave. You will be forgotten. Because, dear friends, if you go down this path, you will only certainly end up in a clinic, in a coma, with half your face done and friends, I do not want to watch you all die of comas. It is a sad thing. Comas are SAD. Say no to comas. Thank you."

With that Father Ned took a seat with his book and hoped his message had gotten through.

[Ned's still around after his "sermon" so feel free to talk to him!]

Comments

[endsthegame]

"So you're saying you hate people who are on the dark path?" Ender was angry. He was being judged. He knew it.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John had been walking through the dorm importantly and caught the end of the Father's sermon. "Excellent job, Father Ned. Comas are such a waste of precious human life." Unless Charles Bass was in a coma. John would pay good money to see that.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I don't hate anyone," Ned said, shaking his head. "God loves everyone. I am warning of the perils of taking a dark path. It will only lead to doom and comas."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, my son," Ned said, smiling at John. "Comas are a terrible thing. They take so many from us. How is the day finding you?"

[endsthegame]

"Sure, you're saying that now," Ender said, angrily, pointing his finger, "But really, you're damning me to the fires of hell!"

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Renewed, Father," John replied, puffing out his chest proudly. "I had a favor to ask, presuming you don't have plans for the day."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"My son," Ned said, having been the subject of such ferocity before, "I am not damning you anywhere. I don't have that power. Only God has that power. I am simply trying to guide you."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"My plans were just this," Ned said, smiling. "What favor would you like?"

[endsthegame]

"I've heard of your type again," he snapped. He spat on the floor. "Priests! You wag your finger, but you have no idea what it's like! Equal rights for everyone! Can't you understand the point I'm making?"

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"It seems I'm getting married, Father," John announced, pausing for the appropriate reaction.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Congratulations," Ned said, reaching to pat John kindly on the shoulder. "Marriage is a bond that will last forever. It will hold you and comfort you on the darkest of nights. It is an important step and hopefully you can watch each other for comas."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"My son," Ned said, looking with some disdain at the spit on the floor, "I do not judge you so I would ask that you do not judge me. These words are guidance, things to remember to avoid those darker paths that might take you to places you are unprepared for."

[endsthegame]

He sneered. "And so what is a 'darker path', father?" Ender asked, "Tell me how you can determine what a 'dark path' is."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"When you turn away from the light," Ned said oh so cryptically even though he didn't think it was.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Well, forever or at least until the divorce is final," John felt that was an important caveat. "As a man of the cloth, my fiancee and I were hoping you would do the honors of presiding over the service."

[endsthegame]

"That tells me nothing!" Ender exclaimed, and began pacing for no discernible reason. "What is the light? What is the light to you?! I've got plenty of light!"

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I would be honored," Ned said, delighted by the offer. "A marriage ceremony is one of my most favorite parts of being a man of the cloth. I enjoy watching two young souls unite in a union that makes them bond to each other. That you can guide each other and keep each other on the path of righteousness is truly a blessing. Fear not people who may try and guide you off this path. If that happens, you must fight back. Fight back with all you have."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Do you like yourself, my son?" Ned asked quietly.

[endsthegame]

"I've got plenty of light," Ender repeated, fighting his tears. "I deserve it! I'm nothing like the dark!"

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you know I'll fight," John promised, making a fist and directing his speech to the ceiling. "I'll fight that scarf-stealing, girl-bathing suit-wearing, poncy bastard Charles Bass with every fiber of my being until the day I die!"

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"That was not my question, my child," Ned reminded him gently. "Do you like yourself?"

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Does Charles Bass wish to marry your beloved as well?" Ned asked. "Comas can stop that."

What, Father Ned?

[endsthegame]

"I... I'm wrong, Father," he finally stammered.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Charles Bass wishes to steal my life," John spat on the ground. "Wait, comas? Really?" This was an interesting idea.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Why do you think that?" Ned asked softly. "Why do you believe you are wrong?"