what is all this stuff?
@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><b>role:</b> haunt </li>
|
||||
<li><b>age:</b> ageless </li>
|
||||
<li><b>birthday:</b> March 15 </li>
|
||||
<li><b>mental:</b> world-weary, loyal </li>
|
||||
<li><b>physical:</b> very short, gaunt, sickly pale, choppy matted cornflower blue hair, pale yellow eyes, poor posture </li>
|
||||
<li><b>height:</b> 5'4 </li>
|
||||
<li><b>style:</b> worn, weathered, grungy </li>
|
||||
<li><b>residence:</b> homeless </li>
|
||||
<li><b>likes:</b> solitude, cityscapes, animals </li>
|
||||
<li><b>dislikes:</b> people, structure, nature </li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
@ -0,0 +1 @@
|
||||
<p>Freefall is short and gaunt, his emaciated frame giving him an otherworldly presence. A ghastly glow emanates from his unnatural hair and eyes, and his frail body is draped in tattered clothing that hangs off him like a shroud. </p>
|
@ -0,0 +1 @@
|
||||
Collin "Freefall" "Amarr" | means <i>whelp, long-life</i> | immortal♂
|
@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><b>role:</b> captive </li>
|
||||
<li><b>age:</b> 19 </li>
|
||||
<li><b>birthday:</b> March 12 </li>
|
||||
<li><b>mental:</b> careful, conflicted </li>
|
||||
<li><b>physical:</b> tall, toned, cool-toned skin, curly cropped black hair, pale green eyes </li>
|
||||
<li><b>style:</b> practical, minimalistic </li>
|
||||
<li><b>height:</b> 5'8 </li>
|
||||
<li><b>residence:</b> <a href="/char/Van">Van</a>'s ship </li>
|
||||
<li><b>likes:</b> birds, danger, attention </li>
|
||||
<li><b>dislikes:</b> sacrifice, loss of control, failure </li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
@ -0,0 +1 @@
|
||||
<p>She's tall and strong, a natural fighter with an unwavering confidence that commands respect. Her presence is imposing, yet she carries herself with a feminine grace with her tight black curls, slim curves, and expressive, deep-set eyes. </p>
|
@ -0,0 +1 @@
|
||||
Lisbet | means <i>God is my oath</i> | human♀
|
@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
|
||||
<p>She's been fighting her whole life against God, though she keeps her struggle close to her chest. </p>
|
||||
|
@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><b>role:</b> dropout </li>
|
||||
<li><b>age:</b> 17 </li>
|
||||
<li><b>birthday:</b> September 10</li>
|
||||
<li><b>mental:</b> cynical, lonely </li>
|
||||
<li><b>physical:</b> average height, slim, freckled warm skin, unstyled short red hair, brown eyes </li>
|
||||
<li><b>height:</b> 5'2 </li>
|
||||
<li><b>style:</b> dark colors, loose layers </li>
|
||||
<li><b>residence:</b> with her parents </li>
|
||||
<li><b>likes:</b> staying inside, online games, soundcloud music </li>
|
||||
<li><b>dislikes:</b> her parents, holidays, questions about life plans </li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
|
||||
<p>She has a boxy build without much that distinguishes her beyond her red hair that perpetually covers her brown eyes. She has an aversion to feminine clothing or flourishes, hiding herself in heavy dark fabrics and denim layers. </p>
|
||||
|
@ -0,0 +1 @@
|
||||
Trace Reynolds | means <i>fighter</i> | human♀
|
@ -0,0 +1 @@
|
||||
<p>Trace would rather not talk about herself. Her past is characterized by long stretches of silence, loneliness, and darkness, and she has grown comfortable with solitude, treating her interactions with others as a practice in balancing connection and distance. </p>
|
@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
|
||||
<!---->
|
||||
<h1>Blessed Are Those Who Wash Their Robes: A Topical Bible Study on Clothes!</h1>
|
||||
#christian #bible #fashion #smallgroups <br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<p>A topical Bible study designed for small group discussions observing how Scripture uses clothing and fashion to point us to God's plan for salvation and how to live like Jesus. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Background</h2>
|
||||
<p>The young adults (20s-30s) group at our church lost its leadership, so the pastor suggested we all take turns leading it and cover whatever topics are relevant to us. I took the first round, and it's been lots of fun. :) </p>
|
||||
<p>I don't have fancy credentials, but I try to keep my topics fresh and a little subversive. I make little magazines to go with them, too, and have been getting better at "magazine-a-teering" over time. The first topic was clothes, and I actually studied fashion in college and have worked a little in tailoring, so it's a natural lens for me to study Scripture through. It's also funny to make a mostly-boys group take a fashion course. I believe the primary goal of a Bible study, regardless of topic, should be the gospel message, though, so it applies to everyone, I promise! </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Intro </h2>
|
||||
<p>Fashion may seem like a frivolous angle for gleaning spiritual truths, but the Holy Spirit is intentional when detailing clothing and personal style. It is no coincidence clothing is nearly the first thing mentioned (Genesis 3:7) and appears again at the very end of Scripture (Revelation 22:14). Regardless of your personal interest in fashion, I invite you to find a fresh perspective for studying your Bible! </p>
|
||||
<p><i>Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. - Genesis 3:7</i> </p>
|
||||
<p><i>"Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." - Revelation 22:14-15</i> </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Why fashion and not just clothes? </h2>
|
||||
<p>The scope of the study is broader than clothes and includes all elements of fashion. Clothes refers to the physical objects we wear. Fashion, however, is a social concept about how we present ourselves in different social situations. Fashion naturally encompasses clothing but also our hair, cosmetics, and even our posture. </p>
|
||||
<p>Clothing is used symbolically throughout the Bible, but including fashion is also important for understanding some of the internal qualities of biblical figures. </p>
|
||||
<p>I include different aspects of fashion to keep the lessons varied, including history of costume and textiles. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>May I use this for my Bible study group? </h2>
|
||||
<p>Of course. I went well with my church's young adults group (20s to 30s, couples and singles, men and women). Follow the blog posts' content like a leader's guide and the magazine like a handout. </p>
|
||||
<p>I don't exactly follow good practices with copyrighted fonts and images in Blessed Are Those Who Wash Their Robes, but I do better with that in future studies.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Lessons </h2>
|
||||
<p>Full Lesson Download: PDFs of everything, ready for printing</p>
|
||||
<h3>Week 1: Dressed in Righteousness: Genesis 3 </h3>
|
||||
<p>Adam and Eve used clothes to cover their sins. </p>
|
||||
<h3>Week 2: Blessing in Disguise: Genesis 25-27, Hebrews 12:15-17, Romans 9, Song of Solomon 8:8-9 </h3>
|
||||
<p>Rebekah and Jacob used clothes as a disguise to steal Isaac's blessing. Paul helps us understand how the Abrahamic covenant is still valid despite Esau (father of Edom) being the literal twin of Jacob (father of Israel). God has a pattern of choosing a people and rejecting a people, and as a Gentile, it is beautiful foreshadowing that God chose the younger brother, despite tradition and my lack of convenants, the Law, and patriachs.
|
||||
<h3>Week 3: Bring the Ephod: 1 Samuel 17 & 18, 2 Samuel 6, Exodus 28 </h3>
|
||||
<h3>Week 4: The Fashion of Christ</h3>
|
||||
<p>I didn't make a handout for it, sorry. This was a month before cancer really hit me and 4 months before I was diagnosed lol. I was too tired lol.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Credits </h2>
|
||||
<p>Bible verses are from ESV </p>
|
||||
<p>Magazines are made in Scribus with some image editing in Krita. </p>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
Last updated September 24, 2024. <br>
|
||||
<br>
|
@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
|
||||
<!---->
|
||||
<h1>fashion bible study - free and designed for small groups</h1>
|
||||
#christian #bible #fashion <br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<p>A topical Bible study observing how Scripture uses clothing and fashion to point us to God's plan for salvation and how to live like Jesus. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>intro </h2>
|
||||
<p>Fashion may seem like a frivolous angle for gleaning spiritual truths, but the Holy Spirit is intentional when detailing clothing and personal style in Scripture. It is no coincidence clothing is nearly the first thing mentioned (Genesis 3:7) and appears again at the very end (Revelation 22:14). Regardless of your personal interest in fashion, I invite you to find a fresh perspective for studying your Bible. </p>
|
||||
<p>Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. - Genesis 3:7</p>
|
||||
<p>"Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." - Revelation 22:14-15 </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>why fashion and not just clothes? </h2>
|
||||
<p>The scope of the study is broader than clothes and includes all elements of fashion. Clothes refers to the physical objects we wear. Fashion, however, is a social concept about how we present ourselves in different social situations and naturally encompasses clothing but also our hair, cosmetics, and even our posture. Clothing is used symbolically throughout the Bible, but including fashion is also important for understanding biblical figures. I also try to include different aspects of fashion to keep it interesting, including history of costume and textiles. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>may I use this for my Bible study group? </h2>
|
||||
<p>Of course. I think it went okay with my group of adults (mid 20s to early 30s, half men and half women). I used the blog entries as teacher's notes for guiding the discussion. The handbook PDFs are complementary but not necessary, though I think they were a fun preview.</p>
|
||||
<p>I currently only have 4 lessons but will update this page as I add more. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>lessons: </h2>
|
||||
<h3>dressed in righteousness </h3>
|
||||
<h3>blessing in disguise </h3>
|
||||
<h3>bring the ephod </h3>
|
||||
<h3>the fashion of Christ</h3>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
Last updated October 18, 2023. <br>
|
||||
<br>
|
@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
|
||||
<!---->
|
||||
<h1>Blessed Are Those Who Wash Their Robes: A Topical Bible Study on Clothes!</h1>
|
||||
#christian #bible #fashion #smallgroups <br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<p>A topical Bible study designed for small group discussions observing how Scripture uses clothing and fashion to point us to God's plan for salvation and how to live like Jesus. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Background</h2>
|
||||
<p>The young adults (20s-30s) group at our church lost its leadership, so the pastor suggested we all take turns leading it and cover whatever topics are relevant to us. I took the first round, and it's been lots of fun. :) </p>
|
||||
<p>I don't have fancy credentials, but I try to keep my topics fresh and a little subversive. I make little magazines to go with them, too, and have been getting better at "magazine-a-teering" over time. The first topic was clothes, and I actually studied fashion in college and have worked a little in tailoring, so it's a natural lens for me to study Scripture through. It's also funny to make a mostly-boys group take a fashion course. I believe the primary goal of a Bible study, regardless of topic, should be the gospel message, though, so it applies to everyone, I promise! </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Intro </h2>
|
||||
<p>Fashion may seem like a frivolous angle for gleaning spiritual truths, but the Holy Spirit is intentional when detailing clothing and personal style. It is no coincidence clothing is nearly the first thing mentioned (Genesis 3:7) and appears again at the very end of Scripture (Revelation 22:14). Regardless of your personal interest in fashion, I invite you to find a fresh perspective for studying your Bible! </p>
|
||||
<p><i>Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. - Genesis 3:7</i> </p>
|
||||
<p><i>"Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." - Revelation 22:14-15</i> </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Why fashion and not just clothes? </h2>
|
||||
<p>The scope of the study is broader than clothes and includes all elements of fashion. Clothes refers to the physical objects we wear. Fashion, however, is a social concept about how we present ourselves in different social situations. Fashion naturally encompasses clothing but also our hair, cosmetics, and even our posture. </p>
|
||||
<p>Clothing is used symbolically throughout the Bible, but including fashion is also important for understanding some of the internal qualities of biblical figures. </p>
|
||||
<p>I include different aspects of fashion to keep the lessons varied, including history of costume and textiles. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>May I use this for my Bible study group? </h2>
|
||||
<p>Of course. I went well with my church's young adults group (20s to 30s, couples and singles, men and women). Follow the blog posts' content like a leader's guide and the magazine like a handout. </p>
|
||||
<p>I don't exactly follow good practices with copyrighted fonts and images in Blessed Are Those Who Wash Their Robes, but I do better with that in future studies.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Lessons </h2>
|
||||
<p>Full Lesson Download: PDFs of everything, ready for printing</p>>
|
||||
<h3>Week 1: Dressed in Righteousness: Genesis 3 </h3>
|
||||
<p>Adam and Eve used clothes to cover their sins. </p>
|
||||
<h3>Week 2: Blessing in Disguise: Genesis 25-27, Hebrews 12:15-17, Romans 9, Song of Solomon 8:8-9 </h3>
|
||||
<p>Rebekah and Jacob used clothes as a disguise to steal Isaac's blessing. Paul helps us understand how the Abrahamic covenant is still valid despite Esau (father of Edom) being the literal twin of Jacob (father of Israel). God has a pattern of choosing a people and rejecting a people, and as a Gentile, it is beautiful foreshadowing that God chose the younger brother, despite tradition and my lack of convenants, the Law, and patriachs.
|
||||
<h3>Week 3: Bring the Ephod: 1 Samuel 17 & 18, 2 Samuel 6, Exodus 28 </h3>
|
||||
<h3>Week 4: The Fashion of Christ</h3>
|
||||
<p>I didn't make a handout for it, sorry. This was a month before cancer really hit me and 4 months before I was diagnosed lol. I was too tired lol.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Credits </h2>
|
||||
<p>Magazines are made in Scribus with some image editing in Krita. </p>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
Last updated September 24, 2024. <br>
|
||||
<br>
|
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@ -1,36 +1,13 @@
|
||||
<!--230519-->
|
||||
<h1>Hello Traveler </h1>
|
||||
#chandra #van #colt<br>
|
||||
<h1>Hello Traveler✧ </h1>
|
||||
#chandra #van #colt #lisbet<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<p>The first punch knocked Van off his feet and hollering. He rolled to dodge the second and had his pistol prepped before he was on his feet. Chandra saw the glint of metal and froze. Even in self-defense, even with all of Van's boasting, that gun terrified her.</p>
|
||||
A second group of men surrounded Chandra within an instant. They were armed with knives. She dropped to the ground and prayed outloud for protection and forgiveness, so loudly and so intensely she missed the next few critical seconds. </p>
|
||||
<p>Gunshots fired, and a tall, thin figure appeared from nowhere to behead the man who was closing in on Chandra. She looked up and Van was scanning the surroundings and overhanging trees. To her side, deeply lacerated thugs lay at the feet of a manila figure.</p>
|
||||
<p>"You saved me."</p>
|
||||
<p>She realized she was thanking the air.</p>
|
||||
<p>"Where-?"</p>
|
||||
<p>"I—did?"</p>
|
||||
<p>"No, that man. He saved me. Cut down these people who attacked me."</p>
|
||||
<p>"Are you okay?"</p>
|
||||
<p>"Yes! I'm fine. He got rid of all of them before disappearing into the night like that."</p>
|
||||
<p>"Thank God for angels. Please stay close and quiet."</p>
|
||||
<p>Chandra took a section of Van's tunic in her hand and followed him closely, preoccupied all the while by the mysterious hero. She liked Van's description of him - an angel. Dark, beautiful, mysterious, invisible, good. Her guardian.</p>
|
||||
<p>The sun never rises here, and there are few places safe to land, making this former prison planet a dangerous part of the pilgrimmage. Although prisoners are no longer sent here, the children and grandchildren of the most dangerous criminals in history linger here, preying on pilgrims and lost voyagers. With the rampant crime and decline of the Church, no one is willing to reform the planet and install basic infrastructure. Therefore, reaching the shrine is a half-a-day's journey from the landing site of ambushes and danger.</p>
|
||||
<p>After staying low and listening for strangers, Van pushed onward, gun ready to shoot. He had made this pilgrimmage twice before, and he knows the way well enough, even in the anonymizing darkness. Just another quarter mile and they will arrive. </p>
|
||||
<hr>
|
||||
<p>"Hello, traveller -"</p>
|
||||
<p>The tall, manilla man stood in the field, motionless. Van and Chandra approached, intrigued by his presence in this secret place. The nearer they drew, the more clearly Chandra could see his long, handsome features. She immediately recognized her rescuer in his cool demeanor. As he turned toward them, relinquishing interest in his notebook, Chandra saw the spiny protrusions, smooth, brown, and venomous. She realized a second thing about him:</p>
|
||||
<p>"--he's not human."</p>
|
||||
<p>Van gave her an extinguishing side eye before studying the figure. His garb is worn leather, clearly the scars of battle. His face is solemn and honest, and he stands barefoot in accordance with the holiness of the site. He relaxed a degree, less convinced he had encountered a looter or bandit. He might even be able to help them.</p>
|
||||
<p>The figure glanced over Van, aware of the pistol at his hip, and studied Chandra closely.
|
||||
<p>"Prophetess?"</p>
|
||||
<p>"Y-yes?" Chandra straightened up. The first time she heard his voice and the first time she spoke to him.</p>
|
||||
<p>They held eye contact briefly, but Chandra could learn nothing from his unwavering almond-shaped eyes. The rush-colored cheeks, thin brown lips, interesting thorns and barbs, the sandy hair...she felt uncomfortable meeting the eye of such an exotic individual. His clothes were made of foreign leathers and suedes, dyed in natural shades. She stammered.</p>
|
||||
<p>"We are on a Pilgrimmage. Are you here to honor Saint Rigel, Brother?"</p>
|
||||
<p>"Yes," he returned his notebook to his pocket. "But I must be on my way. Be safe on your journey, Prophetess."</p>
|
||||
<p>"Yes-s," Chandra parroted. "You, too."</p>
|
||||
<p>He held contact with her before sharply breaking it and disappearing into the wilderness.
|
||||
<p>Van looked at Chandra quizzically. </p>
|
||||
<p>"Interesting fellow. Not many take the pilgrimmage who aren't directly employed by the Church. There are still clingers-onto the faith, but they are few and easily intimidated by the danger and cost of the route. And he apparently takes it alone."</p>
|
||||
<p>Chandra half-listened, a little bothered by the memory of his dark, clear eyes and smooth voice.
|
||||
<p>"What are you getting at, Van?"</p>
|
||||
<p>"Nothing, girl," he yawned and motioned forward. "It's been a long day. Let's go ahead and pray."</p>
|
||||
<p>"I was this close to something valuable. If that job went through, I'd have big money right now. And instead, I am soaked in gritty blood in a biome devoid of water or rain, wasting my effort on these unwelcomed beasts. Dang it!" He started walking off angrily in the direction his gut led him.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Chapters </h2>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><b><a href="/story/hello-traveler-1">1 。・゚★゚ Angel's Wake ゚★・。</a></b> </li>
|
||||
<li><b><a href="/story/hello-traveler-2">2 。・゚* Drawn Out of the Water *゚・。</a></b> </li>
|
||||
<li><b><a href="/story/hello-traveler-3">3 ・。・゚ Veiled by Fog ゚・。・</a></b> </li>
|
||||
<li><b><a href="/story/hello-traveler-4">4 。・゚゚・✧ Mismatched Affections ✧・゚゚・。</a></b> </li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
|
||||
<!--230519-->
|
||||
<h1>Hello Traveler - Chapter 1 . Angel's Wake </h1>
|
||||
#chandra #van #colt #lisbet<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<p>The first punch sent Van sprawling. Before the second could land, he was already rolling, gun in hand, eyes sharp. Chandra saw the glint of metal and froze. Even in self-defense, even with all of Van's boasting in his skill, that gun terrified her. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>A second group of men surrounded Chandra within an instant. They were armed with knives. Her voice cracked through the chaos, words of prayer spilling out as her fingers dug into the earth. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Gunshots echoed. A tall, thin figure melted from the shadows, blade gleaming as it struck true. He moved like a phantom, efficient and silent. By the time Chandra saw him clearly, the bodies were already at his feet. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>She hopped up euphorically to meet her savior, crying out, "You saved me!" </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>But she was thanking the air. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Where-?" </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>She looked back and forward and all over as the dust settled over a still forest clearing. Not even the wind blew. Van popped up out of the dirt and called back to her. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"I—did?" </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"No, that man! He saved me. Cut down these people who attacked me." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Who--Oh," Van almost stumbled over a corpse. "Someone did this just now?--What a silent assassin. Oh, there are so many! Hey, where did the guy go?" </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"I don't know..." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>They stood looking at each other. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Well...great then. Are you okay?" </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Yes! I'm fine." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Thank God for angels. Please stay close and quiet until we figure out what's going on here." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra grabbed the edge of Van's cloak in her hand and followed him closely on autopilot, her mind preoccupied by the mysterious hero. She liked Van's description of him - an angel. Dark, beautiful, mysterious, invisible, good. Her guardian. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>She hadn't expected this shard to be inhabited at all. Of all Earth's remnants, this shard had drifted out the furthest, nearly reaching Mars. It didn't seem to have much in the way of natural resources, either. Really nothing special. If you needed lumber, there was no lack of forests closer to civilization. And the last thing Martians need is more red clay and rocks. </p>
|
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|
||||
<p>"Maybe it was just a small gang of misanthropic squatters. I really am not seeing any infrastructure for much more than a small village." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"There was still that angel, though..." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Your angel...Maybe a merc on a mission." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Didn't bother taking trophies..." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Regardless, he seems to on our side, or at least neutral. Let's scout straight across the length and width, making sure we aren't bringing back anything strange." </p>
|
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|
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<p>"Like what?" </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Know it when you see it," Van winked. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra rolled her eyes, trudging along behind him. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>It was a beautiful cut of land, like Kentucky or Tennessee. Surely nowhere else in the world looked quite so beautiful. The rolling green hills against a galactic vista, outpouring with clean streams and murmuring forests. </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Has to be America." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"I felt the deep heritage and lore of these puzzlelocked black trees and hills as European. Maybe Germany." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Europe!" Chandra fretted a little. "How are we going to piece it all back together?" </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"I'm not sure we are," Van confessed. We do the job we're hired for and respond to updates and surprises. You know. Flexibility." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra shrugged at his wisdom. "If it's not America, I'm sure Europe won't miss it." </p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"--Look there, in the water! Oh my gosh, it's a girl." </p>
|
@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
|
||||
<!--230519-->
|
||||
<h1>Hello Traveler - 4 . Mismatched Affections </h1>
|
||||
#chandra #van #colt #lisbet<br>
|
||||
<br>
|
||||
<p>Van broke the awkward silence that enveloped the four of them by shooting straight at the tall, swarthy mercenary.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"So do you have a name? And what exactly are you anyway?"</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra cast a disapproving look at her pilot, but her angel seemed unphased by Van's rough tone. He answered plainly, "I don't have a name, and I don't have a people." He formed his next words with care. "They call me Traveler. I was taken into captivity when I was very young and did odd jobs across the stars. I never met someone from my tribe, if they still exist, and I can't identify the backwoods principality that subjected me." His finger tip drew a jagged sign across his chest. "Simply to say I don't have much of an answer beyond what I already told you. I'm just a mercenary. The past doesn't matter much."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Van nodded sentimentally. "Forgot your home? You'd think home would stay around forever. Maybe it's gone like ours," he mused. "But why were you on a shard of our world?"</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>A bit of energy animated his gentle charisma Traveler for a moment. "That was a piece of a planet?"</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra nodded. "Yeah...we're trying to collect the shards and reform our home."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Traveler jabbed the center of his chest emphatically. "Beyond believability. Who commissioned you?"</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra and Van exchanged a knowing look. "The Lord," Van replied for her. "Our God."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"You had called me by that name," he said. "So we are working for a god who shatters planets and makes them new?"</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Quite an apt description," Van said.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Yes," Chandra answered quietly.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Traveler gazed over the sleeping girl, brushing his fingers over her searing forehead.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"And he shatters girls like this, too?"</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra's breath caught in her throat. "Not her, just her flesh." She could feel the doubt and blame rolling off Van. "He will restore her. He promised."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Traveler imitated Van's nod. "I've worked for gods in the past. They are unpredictable, cruel, self-serving. They may restore you and gift you wealth, power, knowledge, and access to the full world and the world beyond. But they charge a heavy price, if their gifts aren't illusory to begin with."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"I trust Him."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Traveler smiled at her answer. "Simple enough. Your trust in me is not misplaced. If you trust the Lord the same, I'll withhold my words."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Whatever you are, human nature is not beneath to you, I'm sure. No one is clean. But the Lord will never betray me."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Traveler was visibly amused and inspired by her sweet conviction. He had encountered others like her. He turned his attention to the girl next to him, leaving her to her faith.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Tell me about her. You risked your life for her. Is she a princess or noble daughter?"</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra paused, feeling she was like royalty in a way. "I don't know anything about her. But I saw her, in a dream, whole and standing in the new earth after all the division." She looked at the girl. "And, I love her."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"You what?" Van sighed.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"She's so vulnerable and so connected to our mission. What you said is true. God can raise another to help her, even send ministering angels, but my heart wants to see her through."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"You see visions?" Traveler interrupted them.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"Yes," Chandra answered simply.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Van shook his head. "Just her. God doesn't speak to me."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Chandra giggled. "Maybe if you circumcised your ears, you could hear better."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>"What are you talking about, girlie? I had them lopped off with the rest of me in that gross swamp water off-planet."</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Traveler remained silent as they playfought, keeping his discomfort and judgments to himself. Yet he was still drawn by the sparkle about Chandra.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Most girls in this kind of work had a crudeness to them. They were older, griseled, cynical, and carried heavy baggage, so the natural fitness and stamina just didn't make a mercenary girl worth it. Chandra had a gentle way about her, even as she shared her convictions, and it manifested in her fair and smooth, youthful features.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The settlements he visited treated him as an alien, and employers were forever taking unfair advantage of him. Their motives were too often questionable, and they were quick to weasel out of contracts.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>These two were strange, but they seemed like a good sort. The girl in front of him glowed with light. She seemed so free and unburdened, wearing feminine white robes and her wavy blonde hair down. She was lovely, strange devotions aside.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>He was lucky to be accepted so easily.</p>
|
||||
|