[center][h3]Stark and Damon Dubois[/h3][/center]

The warmth of Barcea was a gracious change for both of the woman as they left Gurata behind them. The sun and the heat caused a bit of an ache in Stark’s chest; one of longing and sadness but also one that could be pushed away. She hadn’t found a new home, so to speak, but for now this would do. For now this would be her place to come back and sleep and train and learn about the world and if what Alice had said on their travels to this land was true- she knew just the person to ask.

So far she’d only passed a few others in the halls and thankfully none of them asked where she was going in such a hurry. Stark steeled herself mentally as the question repeated over and over and over in her mind as she got closer to the Gardens.

It only took her a moment to spot him from one of the many entrances but she wouldn’t let her nerves fail her now. Stark took a deep breath before squaring her shoulders and forcing the shaking in her hands to stop.

[b]”Excuse me, Mister Dubois?”[/b] She let her presence be known before stepping into his line of sight before him. She swallowed back her nervousness before continuing, [b]”I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions...about the Divines…”[/b] She was feeling smaller and smaller by the second.

The giant man was kneeling upon the ground, his head bowed. Both of his hands were brought up, lightly brought together as he very obviously prayed. To begin with, he didn’t react to her presence, eyes remaining closed behind his glasses as he continued with his silent reverence. However, as the moment came to a close, he began to speak, saying the following:

[b]“Which of the Divines shall I
Pick for the day? Should it be
Yumio, to proclaim my freedom?
Danmun, to embrace my control?
Ambrosia, to announce my love?
The Master, to use my strength?
Silvae, to hold compassion?
Azim, to seek out knowledge?
The Masked, to keep my secrets?
Whether I choose all of one,
All Seven are watching me.
Praise unto them, praise them, praise.”[/b]

Only after this chant did he open his eyes. Slowly, he looked over to Stark, a calm sort of smile on his face. The Paladin, known for how fearsome he was and how violent he could be, seemed to be utterly at peace.

[b]“What is it, my child? What would ye know?”[/b]
Stark stood silent and in awe as Damon began to speak. She filed away his words as best she could before remembering how to speak to answer his own question back at her.

Stark hadn’t actually planned on making is this far so her words came out near all at once and in a singular breath, [b]“I’m sorry for disrupting your prayers Mister Dubois I was just wondering if, maybe, you could teach me about the Divines. If you have time of course! I was never taught about them when I was growing up and I know you don’t like heathens so please don’t strike me down but I want to learn and I want to know about them and I figured you’d be the best person to ask because according to Miss Leon you’re the Divine Paladin and she said you could teach me.” [/b]

The words ended quickly as she snapped her mouth shut and hoped that he understood her in her moment of nervousness. Another deep inhale and she spoke slower, [b]”I’m sorry Mister Dubois. I don’t really know where to begin asking questions about them.”[/b]

[b]”The good who are willing to learn shall always be taught. All they have to do is simply ask.” He continued to smile, reaching down as he did so to lift up the heavy symbol from his neck. The silver fashioned into the shape of an open rip or tear gleamed brightly, and while he held it in her direction he did not remove it from his neck.

[b]”Ye are in the land of Barcea, as I’m sure ye well know now. This country’s patron Divine is the Lady of the Abyss, Ambrosia. This is one of her symbols. She is also known as the Lady of the Void, and the Lady of Love. She, more often than not, presents herself as a woman whose beauty is beyond measure, and often roams the land of Barcea unnamed, visiting those who she will. She, currently, is the Divine that I have currently picked for myself. Do ye have any questions about her?”[/b]

[b]”The Lady of the Void…”[/b] Stark repeated it to get a feel for the words on her tongue. [b]”The Void being darkness? Thats an odd combination isn’t it? Love and Void?”[/b]

[b]”There is more than one aspect of the Void, child. The aspect which Lady Ambrosia presides over is its depth, its warmth, and how it surrounds a person. In a way, Love is a natural step for her embrace.”[/b]

Stark’s brows came together in mild confusion. [b]”So if Lady Ambrosia is the embodiment of all of those things and these things are all positive does that mean there are negatives too?”[/b] Another thought came to her, [b]”Are all of the Divines apart of the Void since there are more aspects of it or are other Divine’s the embodiment of other aspects?”[/b] 

The Paladin gave a nod. [b]”There is good and bad in everything, child. But onto yer next question, two of the Divines are directly related to the Void. The others have their own aspects. It all depends on which Divine ye are talking about.”[/b]

A suppressed exhale of air escaped from between her lips as she realized that she was asking for quite a bit more than she had originally thought. 

[b]”Can you tell me more about the Lady of the Void? Why is she the patron of Barcea? Have you ever met her?”[/b] 

[b]”Of course I have met her, dear child. She enjoys Barcea because, for a very, very long time, it was a land devoted to peace. It rarely went to war unless it absolutely had to. She was disappointed with the years before, but all has been forgiven.”[/b]

Something warm spread inside of Stark’s chest as she listened to Damon’s words. Was there really such a being like that? Someone who enjoys peace and promotes love? Dozens of other questions rose within Stark but she pushed them away for another time- keeping her mind in check. 

[b]”So which of the Divines is the ‘dark’ side of The Void?”[/b] 

The Divine Paladin gave a slow shake of his head. [b]”Do not think of it in those terms, child. Lady Ambrosia is a Dark Divine herself, and yet she covers all of those aspects that I have told ye. Light and Dark is not the same thing as Good or Evil… but to continue to answer your question, the Divine who oversees the other part of the Void is the Master. He is proud of his Power, and that is one of his aspects. Unlike Lady Ambrosia, who is focused on the Depth of the Void, the Master’s attention is turned to its Edge; how it cuts deeper than any blade.”[/b]

[b]”So you’re saying that the Divines are neither strictly good or bad?”[/b] She was struggling to understand but then again that is what asking questions was for. 

[b]”We are made in their image, child. There is Good and Evil in everyone, which is a reflection of the nature of the Divines.”[/b]

[b]”Huh...who’d have thought…”[/b] She was speaking her thoughts before another came to mind. [b]”Are all off the Divines as active as Lady Ambrosia is? Also, why did you select her as your Divine? I’d think that someone who could stop a monster in it’s tracks just by looking at it would praise The Master.”[/b] She meant no insult by it and perhaps mentioned one of the many exaggerated stories that Alice had spoken of but she thought nothing of it now.

[b]”I have had my fair amount of time serving the Master directly, as I have all of the Divines. For now, though, the Master has his champion, whether either chooses to admit it or not. For the time being, I choose Lady Ambrosia because she is so active. Not all of the Divines are as present as she is.”[/b]

[b]”Just how active is she?”[/b] She was more amused than anything that the idea of a beautiful higher being giving the almighty Damon Dubois orders, although all that came to mind was a Damon with makeup and breasts. An eerie yet rather funny image.

[b]”Very much so.”[/b] The Paladin did not explain any further, though he continued to smile.

She nodded for another moment, pushing that image out of her mind. [b]”I’m not sure how to ask this without being rude but what is the purpose of the Divines? Were they the ones to create everyone or are they simply stronger humans?”[/b]

Once more, it became clear that Damon was reciting something:

[b]”From the Seven came the World.”[/b]

He then gave another nod, saying, [b]”Indeed, they created everyone and everything in this realm of existence of ours.”[/b]

She was quiet for another moment as that whole thought was turned over and over in her mind. [b]”How does one go about praising the Divines? Are there certain prayers or actions one must take?”[/b]

[b]”There are certain common actions to be taken, yes. Some of the lines I have recited in front of ye today are a few examples of common scripture. However, seeing as the Divines vary so greatly, what truly matters is being honest in yer reverence of them, and they will understand.”[/b]

Stark was almost sad at his words before thinking back on the poem from before. [b]”What can you tell me of the others? Please Mister Dubois I would like to know as much as possible.”[/b] 

The Paladin gave a nod with his smile. [b]”I appreciate yer eagerness, child, but ye will not learn everything in just a day. It is good that ye have begun showing an interest so young, though; it means that ye will be able to learn as much as ye can.”[/b]

[b]”Then...perhaps...would you mind if I came to you every few days to learn more? I’ll cook or brew tea if you would have me.”[/b] 

The Paladin chuckled some, giving a slight nod.[b] “Such payment is not necessary child, but I will be happy to share what I know with ye.”[/b]

A large smile spread across her face as she nodded with vigor. [b]”T-Thank you Mister Dubois! Truly thank you. You don’t know what this means to me.”[/b] And perhaps he never would. After all being spoken to like an actual human being was something still freshly new to the single named girl. [b]”Um, before I go...do you think I might be able to meet Lady Ambrosia in the future? I mean...if I stay in Barcea?”[/b]

His smile seemed to grow ever slightly. [b]”Oh, the possibility will always be there, child.”[/b]

Stark seemed to only perk up even more. She wasn’t quite sure what to do in this scenario of thanking someone so she just went with the first thing that came to mind. She gave a bow from the hips before standing with a smile, [b]”I’m going to go to the library and see what else I can find on the Divines. I may have a question or two the next time around though, just a slight warning.”[/b] 

[b]”I look forward to it, child.”[/b]

She took a step backwards before turning and going on her way towards the library where she would spend quite a bit of her time looking for the answers to her questions.