| Praying to the Mother II |
| Summary: | Leof adds her voice to her husband's. |
| Date: | 29 March 2014 |
| Related: | None |
| Players: |
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Starry Sept
The Starry Sept is the seat of the Faith of the Seven. The High Septon resides here, as do any number of clergy who study here or attend him and the faithful. Seven domes and seven towers make up the structure, all of them richly decorated with seven-pointed stars, carved or inlaid or painted, or in mosaics of tiles.
The largest dome, the worship area, is a heptagon like all the others, but much wider. The seven-pointed star is inlaid into the white marble floor in massive slices of highly polished semi-precious stones: amethyst and rosy quartz, jade and lapis, onyx, cat-eye and garnet. The soaring domed roof is painted a deep blue with glittering sparkles of mica mixed in, and hundreds of seven-pointed stars picked out in gold and silver leaf.
Each of the seven walls holds a statue, larger than life, of one of the gods. The Father, The Mother, The Warrior, The Maiden, The Smith, The Crone, The Stranger. They are painted wood, beautifully and realistically carved by artists of great skill. Their gowns and robes are leafed in gold and set with jewels, and their eyes are alabaster and jet, with irises of sapphire or emerald or deep brown citrine. The exception is The Stranger. His or her statue is plain, almost stylized, the face hooded and the robes painted glossy black with minute flecks of black dragonglass that make it glitter very faintly, like the most distant of stars.
Leof is quiet, entering in a plain woolen tunic. The type of plain soft wool that is worn further north by common folk. The garment is loose enough but getting tight around her waist. A few bright orange flowers are pinned in her short blond hair, a basket of flowers in her arm. The petite woman seems content to move to the statue of the mother, kneeling down to arrange flowers around the feet of the mother quietly.
Traffic in and out of the sept has slowed by this hour of the afternoon, the morning services long concluded and the evening ones not yet begun. There are faithful at worship, but the energy is calm and peaceful, none of the hustle and bustle of the high hours. Leire is working with a young acolyte at the altar of the Maiden, but Leof's bright flowers catch her eye and she's helpless but to wander over and compliment her on the choice. "How lovely," the Septa offers as she draws near. "And what a wise choice of color. The color of rejuvenation, I've heard it said."
Leof blinks a bit "Thank you." she offers. "I was coming to pray, the crowds are a bit too much for me right now. Too much getting bumped about." she offers, extending a small yellow bloom up to the Septa. "I'd be dressed nicer but I keep procrastinating getting my dresses let out and a couple new ones made." she admits "so do forgive me." she is still however dressed in Banefort colors - orange and grey.
Leire replies, "When we come before the Seven, we come as naked as we were born. They see past our mortal trappings and through to the core of our very beings." Her tone is warm and reassuring, an effort made to put Leof at ease as she readies herself for prayer to the Mother. The hint the Banefort woman offers is enough to prompt her to ask, "Are we praying for thanks this afternoon?"
Leof smiles a bit "Thankfulness, protection, and patience. Thankfulness that I'm with my husband's child, protection for that child, and patience that I don't smack around my poor doting husband with my mood swings." she offers honestly, smiling faintly. She finishes setting out her flowers before putting a pretty little tartlet down as an offering. She bows her head "Would you lead me, kind septa?"
Leof's prayer points cause Leire's smile to spread with mirth. "I would be very pleased to do so," she answers affirmatively, twirling the yellow bloom between two fingertips. She moves to lay it upon the feet of the statue of the Mother, leaning forward to kiss the very same in a demonstration of adoration and supplication. Returning to Leof's side, the Septa lowers her gaze to the floor to center herself, and then begins the prayer in a soft voice. "Beloved Mother Above, we open our hearts and minds to you with an offering of prayer. I stand beside your cherished daughter, herself on the cusp of motherhood, to add my voice to hers." She pauses, lifting her gaze upward before continuing her prayer.
"Bless the babe that grows within her womb, and grant them both the gift of health. Guide her with your gracious example, that she may make the transition from woman to mother harmoniously. Smile upon both she and her husband in the weeks and months to come, for this is a path they walk together, and may they better know your love through the love they share for each other and, above all, their child." At this, Leire turns to Leof, taking one of her hands for a gentle squeeze, should she wish to add to the Septa's invocation.
Leof is quiet, squeezing the Septa's hands gently "Let the child be healthy and happy." she whispers, that was all she has to say apparently. No prayers for a son, no prayers for the child to be a knight, just a happy healthy child. She seems very calm despite her situation.
"Health and happiness," echoes Leire. "By your grace, Holy Mother, so may it be." She traces the seven-pointed star worn on a silver chain around her neck, and with a final squeeze to Leof's palm, gently releases it. "I might suggest lighting a candle on your window's sill every time the moon comes full between now and the babe's arrival. A few words to the Mother each time will serve to strengthen the prayer you've offered today."
Leof smiles faintly "I accidentally had double the amount of barley shipped here from my husband's lands, would the orphanage be in need of it? We also got a large amount of delicious oranges - more than I can eat or candy." she offers, voice soft and warm, staying kneeled.
"The Seven would verily smile upon such a generous offering. As would the wards of the orphanage, of course. Oranges would be a precious luxury for them. May the Mother Above witness the gifts you shower upon her children." The Septa adds, as an afterthought, "My name is Leire. Thank you for allowing me to share in your prayers this day."
Leof pushes herself up slowly, a bit unlady like with the gesture. "I am Leof, the Lord of Banefort's wife." she offers, taking the Septa's hands again to squeeze gently "I'll send a cart later this evening full of treats." she offers, voice gentle and warm "Thank you for aiding me in my prayers." she offers, very honestly.
Leire solicitously offers Leof her hand and assistance in rising, returning the squeeze as the pair make their introductions. "I am happy to meet you, my lady, and glad to find you in good health and spirits in what can be so anxious a time for any woman. I hope you and your lord husband will take care to dote on each other well in the coming weeks. Take relish in this chapter in your married lives before the next begins." She shifts her palm, letting it rest briefly on Leof's forearm, and then says, "It was an honor that I would be only too pleased to repeat at your whim."
Leof smiles a bit, not minding the touch at all it seems. "We get on quite well. My father is pleased, Trystan is pleased, and I am pleased. It has all worked out quite well." she admits "And as I'm carrying Trystan's first child, he is over the moon. Thank the mother I'm finally getting over the misery. I don't wake up exhausted and I'm not as miserably fussy." she admits. "I was so terribly fussy that I confess I reworked the finances of the household to give the entire staff a raise." mostly because everything food like made her turn green.
At this, the Septa laughs, her usually cool gray eyes sparkling with amusement. "Your household must love you well, to be so gracious at a time when you can expect to be forgiven for nigh everything." A passing Septon offers a respectful nod of his head to Leire, who returns the greeting with a smile. "Do forgive me, my lady, but the passage of my brother in faith reminds me that I must gather the acolytes and see them prepared for this afternoon's services. As I told your lord husband, when I had the honor of meeting him, I will remember you both in my own prayers and look forward to future tidings of your good health and happiness." An echo of their earlier prayer rings through Leire's words of farewell.
Leof takes a moment, digging out two hard candies froma parchment wrapper with what looks like herbs in the middle to press into the Septa's hands. "Chamomille in hardened honey. My mother sent them all the way from the Paps for me because she knew I'd need soothing." she offers, smiling "They sent me an entire crate, so have a few and have a lovely evening." she bows her head, respectfully, starting out, dropping a dragon into the collection tray on her way out.