“Do you think I'll be accepted?”
Her breath hitched, and she watched her brother with a pain in her chest. No child
should hope they are enough for a God they do not understand. She struggled, her throat
closing around words she couldn't think of.
“I think...” she swallowed, “you'll be the best damn gift they've ever received.”
The boy giggled, and her heart hurt even more.
“I think they'll like me,” he confessed, fidgeting with his fingers, eyes absent mindedly
watching the shadows on the floor.
“I think the fields will be nice. Mother is fair, and kind, and Our Lady wouldn't send me to
the Warden, right?” He seemed content, but the piercing fear in his eyes as he asked told her
everything. She didn't have the heart to correct his terminology, she knew her brother and he
would feel guilty for his mistake so close to his Ascension. Meadows, not fields. Do not use
Mother's title, she's given you her name as a gift-- use it.
“You have no reason to be taken by the Warden.” She tries to reassure him, smiling
softly as he reaches for her hand.
“You are Nature's child now.” Her voice is strong as she speaks, and she is grateful for it.
“I am Nature's child.” He repeats, giving a slow nod--almost a bow--as he'd been taught.
“Her sister, Our Lady, will make sure you have a good life After.” She speaks like a
teacher, relaying fact with pride. The statement feels ironic, even if true. A good Afterlife,
Consciousness after Death.
Birds chirp outside the room, a cacophony of Nature's call. A bell rings, signaling the
beginning of the ceremony.
“Time to go, Little Dove,” the High Priest calls for her brother, “Our Mother awaits you.”
She quickly holds the boy’s face in her hands, pressing a kiss to his head with a prayer in her
breath.
“Go be the best mortal they've ever gotten.”
He beams, and turns to leave. But, he stops, and runs back into her arms in a last hug.
“I'll be sure to tell them all about you.” He promises, and her throat burns with sobs she
won't let him hear. So instead she nods, a smile on her face as she watches him leave.
A dove flies past the window.
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