[Lightning Cathedral] Height

[Faith Augustin]

14th Ashan 722

Thalia Karvilius made Faith feel very small.

Now, this was not because of her loud and rather brash manner, nor was it because she was so straight-talking that Faith wondered sometimes how the woman got away with it. No, what made Faith feel small was the fact that Thalia was so gosh-darned tall. She stood at over six foot and Faith, at quite a lot under it, spent her time when they stood together, looking directly at Thalia's cleavage. It really didn't do well for easy conversations, and so the diminutive head of the Order of the Adunih was very pleased that they were sitting down.

"I understand that it's a rather large endeavour," Faith said and Thalia looked at her and shook her head.

"That's not what this is, Faith. This is an impossible task."

Faith shook her head, firmly. "I don't agree. It's do-able. I've already worked out.."

Thalia raised her hands ~ a gesture of surrender in anyone else which she managed to convey as a sign telling Faith to stop talking. "An impossible task for anyone else, I should say. But, I have to say, this looks like it could be achieved." Faith grinned at Thalia and the Matriarch of the Thunder Priestesses shook her head. "But I would like to be more involved, Faith. The role of the Thunder Priestesses here in Rharne is pivotal and I don't want this to be something that pushes us out, away from the people."

It was an argument which Faith had almost expected. "Many of the Priestesses are also members of the Order. We work well together," she pointed out. Thalia nodded. "That's true. But we work well together, but are apart from each other. I would want there to be a more clear expectation that we are part of this."

As with everything, for Faith there was a bottom line here, and she went straight to it. "The Thunder Priestesses' involvement will be determined entirely by how involved you want to be, Thalia. If you want in, right at the heart of things, then that's great and we'll do that. But," Faith said with a slight smile. They knew each other of old, having worked together before. "It is important that we're clear that will mean an equal expectation on you to provide support and work towards it." Thalia nodded.

"That is perfectly reasonable. I've no intention of making demands with committing time and effort." It was important, Faith thought, that they define their terms properly here.

"So," Thalia said, gesturing to the rolled up parchment Faith had. "I take it those are the plans?"

Faith nodded and started rolling them out on the desk in front of them. "They're basic, at the moment, subject to change. I've only had two meetings with Mr Pendleton, and there are aspects that I need to check with Ilaren and the Council." That said, she gestured and the two women lowered their heads to begin to study the proposal Faith had.

[Faith Augustin]

14th Ashan 722

Faith looked at Thalia and spoke, quietly. "I understand that what I'm about to say isn't popular, but everything you are suggesting the Thunder Priestesses are or should be involved in, that's part of what the Order and Isonomia do." Thalia looked, briefly, irritated and then she caught herself. She knew Faith well and the young woman had stood for and with Rharne on many many occasions. So, Thalia listened to what Faith was saying.

"I think that maybe what you lack is a... focus." Thalia listened, although she wasn't sold on that idea at all. "If I see someone breaking the law, I call the Lightning Knights. If I see someone injured, I call for the Order of the Adunih. If there is someone hungry, I send them to the Soup Kitchen." Faith shrugged just slightly. "I can not imagine a time or situation where someone says 'is there a Thunder Priestess in the house?' because there is not one, perceived, focus. That's not to say you don't have one, or that you don't do things."

Thalia looked at Faith with a deadpan expression. "You're suggesting that we have an issue with our marketing?"

"In a way, yes," Faith said. She was deliberate and careful with how she spoke to Thalia.. Deliberate and careful was the way to go. Yet, Faith was who she was and, she saw a problem here, but also potential solutions. "You are surrounded by some very well-branded products, and your focus isn't clear." Faith tapped the plans of the proposed hospitals. "What role do you see the Thunder Priestesses having here? I have opinions, but they aren't important."

Thalia considered it a moment. "I'd like to hear your thoughts," she said.

"The Order of the Adunih are healers, yes. We care for people until they are well. But while there are some of us who work as physical therapists, there aren't many. Rehabilitation for injured people, physical therapy, the people who get you able to go out and brawl again." Faith smiled slightly. "Musicians who visit the elderly and get them dancing, make the move. Those who give the dying medicinal alcohol to ease their passing." She shrugged slightly. "Teaching self-defence and basic first aid to every young person. Being the hands of Ilaren and her domains. That means not being here, not being stuck in a cathedral. " Thalia considered it and then gave a nod.

"I can see that. What would that entail here, then, that we could do?"

Faith considered it briefly. Thalia, quite obviously, wanted something that the Thunder Priestesses did, specifically. Faith looked at her. "Therapy and rehabilitation departments, there will be a temple there that follows the structure of Scalvoris temples, namely it will be an open worship place - but it will need people in it. Providing support to the families of those who are there, providing comfort and counselling to the bereaved. Working with the children who are sick to provide entertainment and support. You name it, you can do it. But no one thing will be exclusively 'belonging' to any group. It is a case of needing as many people as possible, but it will be that you have responsibility for whatever it may be."

[Faith Augustin]

14th Ashan 722

Just what role the Thunder Priestesses would play, Faith knew, wasn't as important as the reassurance that they would play one. Thalia was reassured of that and so, they carried on. There was a lot to work out and this project was - frankly - enormous. "I'd like to make sure that the places outside of the hospital - the residential areas, the temple, they need to be considered. Also, gardens." Faith said. "I'd like to have gardens for herbs, for food and for beauty. Preferably, all three at once. " Thalia nodded.

"What else are you thinking of?"

"People who are in the hospitals, their families will have a place to stay. But if the family have children, then they need child care. So too if there's a child in the hospital. I need to name these hospitals, but just because a child is in hospital - they still need access to education, to entertainment." Faith shrugged slightly. "As much as we can do to make them comfortable." Over and above the bare minimum, that was absolutely the way Faith did things. "In fact," she said, softly. "If we had small livestock, birds, bees, then those patients who are here long term, they could help out if they wanted to."

Thalia nodded. "Aftercare will be important, I'd say." Faith couldn't disagree. It reminded her of some of the things she'd offered to Thalia.

"Rehabilitation and physical therapy, those will be important. But, I'd like to try and do that in a manner which is holistic, body and soul. If it was something that the Thunder Priestesses were doing, then I'd suggest running a vineyard, making wine - and having a marching band or noise-making of some kind. Practical things - and ways that we could help people to learn a new skill if they need to. I don't know, I feel like it should be something that is productive and practical. Not hospital rooms and meaningless exercises."

Thalia nodded and Faith considered it further. "Needlecraft lessons for stroke victims, gardening for those who need to build their strength up, things like that. I just think it's better for people to feel like they're being productive, in order to encourage development and growth. People need to feel like what they're doing matters." Her mind was working overtime and Faith looked at Thalia.

"Can I rely on your support with this?" There was no point beating around the bush, after all. Thalia looked at it and nodded her head. "Yes, Faith, you can. I believe that we will be able to make a real difference to the people of Rharne - and all of Idalos." Faith's expression told everything it needed to. "Thank you, Thalia. I appreciate it, very much."

[Pig Boy]

All Players

• Language: Gernevoir

Faith Augustin

• Renown: 5

Notes: I love the way you compare Faith to Thalia here. While Faith is undoubtedly a force of nature in her own right, she's still a very short person and can be made to look small by a woman over six-feet tall. I thought your descriptions in that line were playful and funny.

That said, Faith has great ideas for the Priesthood. They should be about promoting revelry, exercise, and the comforts of alcohol. They've been suffering an identity crisis for a long time, and maybe this will inform a change in their ranks. We'll see!

Good writing, enjoy the rewards and good luck with your tier 2 plot.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this review, feel free to PM. Enjoy your rewards!