Smiling gratefully at Zach, Kiel watches the young man leave with a soft smile and a wave. Sarah looks a bit reluctant, but she leaves peacefully, giving a small wave of her own as she vanishes from sight. Letting out a happy sigh he looks around at the morning mess and is actually glad of if. [i]'A few moments of calm reflection before heading into the temple of god to confess my sins. . .'[/i] His stomach falls at the recollection of what transpired in the night, but he keeps his expression soft and calm, just in case the little ones return. He works hard, scrubbing each dish and every crack in the table, his sleeves rolled up, his hair pulled back, until he can put it off no longer.

Pulling his sleeves down and wiping his brow he makes his way out the door, making sure to leave it unlocked in case the little ones come back before he does. His walk is a little wooden as he makes his way towards the side door to the church, and once inside he can feel himself drawing inwards a bit. [i]'I didn't mean to, and it was an err made in sleep and an impulse, not a will. . .'[/i] He bites down on his excuses and shakes his head. There are no excuses for sins in his eyes. He forgives his little ones, he thinks no less of them, but he himself can not make these mistakes. He must hold himself above such things, even if he can and does forgive it in others.

His eyes trace across the crosses and stain glass artwork of the small church, the light decoration making it quaint, but beautiful. He smiles as he looks at it all, moving off to a corner of the main room where he takes a seat at the far end of a pew. He adopts his usual position of submission, hands clasped together, head hanging between his arms as his elbows rest on the pew in front of him. His hands are behind his neck, somehow making him feel safer as he begins murmurs soft prayers to the lord above, seeking absolution, and forgiveness.

~*~

Sarah agrees with a shy smile, nodding her head rapidly. Taking the sketch pad she begins making rough drawings. Her hand seems unsteady, moving in an almost infantile manner. The abuse she's suffered in his life has obviously messed with her fine motor function. It's not as pronounced when she eats, as she's got a lot of practice with that, but tasks she's not used to caused her to seem rather clumsy. She doesn't look up at Zach, afraid of being judged, but eventually she does address him. He quite, timid voice can barely be heard on the light breeze.

“Father Kiel is great.” She is smiling, beginning on something that looks suspiciously like Kiel's priest robes amid a forest of flowers. “I've known him so long it seems. . .He found me, one time when I ran away. When I wanted to feel safe, and. . .And it wasn't safe at home. . .” She glances at Zach before looking back down quickly. “You're bigger, stronger than me. Who hurt [i]you[/i] Zach? How did father Kiel find you?” She is blushing, though her dark skin hides it well, the rush of blood sounding loud in her ears. She keeps her hand moving, muttering something about Zach not having to answer if he doesn't want to.

~*~

No one bothers the young father for the full hour he spends with his head bowed. A few of the nuns walk past, keeping an eye on him as they pass with a hint of worry in their gaze, and the bishop's protege spends several minutes watching him from the pulpit as he organizes the papers for the next sermon. They've known the young man for most of his life and they know when he's upset about something. His usual prayer last only a few minutes, but when he doesn't come up for air after ten minutes, the older church members begin to worry.

When at last he does raise his head however, they all see his soft smile and decide not to ask. Kiel himself feels cleansed, and calm. He looks around, feeling once more completely at home in his church and he thanks the lord one last time for granting him such a wonderful place to call home. Rising, he makes his way to the kitchen and asks for lunch made for three today. The nun in charge raises an eyebrow, but as she was one of the ones who saw him praying so hard, she doesn't question his need for more food today. After thanking her Kiel heads outside and begins slowly circling back towards the gardens. He wants to see his little ones enjoying their time outside without being spotted so he takes his time, his eyes sweeping the area calmly, his smile calm and happy