Just As Planned - Babylonia 25 (Part 1)

A/N: Splitting this one up a bit, because it was getting unwieldy. There's some more Interlude to come later on! Probably a peek into how Cauldron is doing since they've been left alone...

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Glaistig Uaine

She approached the building, taking in the details at a leisurely pace. How simple. I expected grander things of that prince's followers... ah, I see. The bronze-and-silver statues flanking the door finally caught her eye, and she nodded to herself.

A faerie whispered into her ear of the life encased within the statues, slumbering peacefully and waiting to be called on. He hides his works behind masques; how fitting for one such as him.

The door opened and a man exited. He dressed all in white and wore a crown made of feathers that made her narrow her eyes suspiciously. Yet, he crossed an arm over his chest and bowed before her with a smile. "Faerie Queen; you are welcomed here, if you agree to stay your hand from violence. My duties to my flock and those who shelter here require that I ask."

"Hmm. You would make demands of me? I ask, what shall you do if I refuse, Manipulator?"

"I will do all I can to deny you entry."

She studied him, tilting her head to one side curiously. "You lack arrogance, Manipulator. It is not that you believe you will succeed... no. You care naught for your own death?"

He spread his hands, palm up, as though shrugging. "My life has already been written by my goddess, Faerie Queen. If I am to die today, then I shall die; if I am not, then I shall not. No matter which, I know that my life was spent in Her service."

She maintained eye contact, and he never flinched or glanced away. He means it, whispered a shadow. "Such dedication is to be commended, I think. Very well, Manipulator. I will abide by your rules, so long as I am not egregiously scorned by your flock. I wish to see the prince's workings with my own eyes."

He nodded, stepping inside to hold the door open, and she entered. The building reminded her of a church, as she supposed it should – a large, open hall greeted her immediately, surrounded by a variety of furniture. There were pews scattered around, but also scavenged chairs or couches, or even simply cushions on the floor. The center of the hall was dominated by a great tree with shimmering, chitinous bark, with many fruits of different colors and shapes hanging from its low branches. She watched a grimy man reverently pick one of them before shuffling off into a corner of the hall to eat it.

"Hm. The Chirurgeon's work, I take it?"

For a moment, her host did not speak. Then he nodded with a smile. "Indeed. My Lady facilitated much of her work to come to us. Without her, we could never have aided so many of those affected by the battle here in the city."

She glanced around at the haggard crowd, and the way they eyed her out of the corners of their eyes. There was suspicion there, but no fear or dread - perhaps they did not recognize her, then. "Do they know the origin of their saving grace, I wonder?"

The Manipulator smiled as he looked around at the people milling about the chapel. It was a quiet, gentle smile – somehow, looking at it irritated her. "They do. These are those who were out of options, Faerie Queen. And I would be a poor preacher if I did not extol the virtues of my prophet and my Lady to those saved by their generosity."

She took a moment to truly look at the crowd. She'd dismissed them at first, for they reminded her of the denizens of her Cage that had lost their impetus, their driving force – the empty masks barely driven on by their Faeries, who were simply waiting for the end of the play to be called so they could finally cease.

But that isn't what she saw. These people... they were haggard, certainly. Drawn, and beaten down... but they were not without a spark. What's more, she could see a difference already – in the time she'd spoken to her host, some of the suspicion had melted away. Indeed, it seemed that when her conversation had failed to turn to violence or anger they had simply accepted her presence like it was nothing. What an odd feeling.

"I see. You are truly devout, it seems."

He chuckled. "How could I not be? I have witnessed something far beyond myself, and She deigned to bless me with knowledge." He paused for a moment, and she felt her faeries grow agitated. She turned to an empty space, eyes narrowing, but was interrupted when her host spoke again. "Duma. The Faerie Queen is here as a guest, there's not need for that."

Ciara blinked once, and a small figure dressed in dark clothes, hidden behind a hood and mask suddenly filled the empty space. "...If you say so, Israfel."

"Interesting. Silencer is here as well, I see. Is she a believer as well, then?"

The mask shifted from side to side. "Nah. I appreciate what they've done for me and the rest, but I'm not into religion."

"You may yet change your mind, Duma. Whether you do or not, though, matters not. We all do as we are meant to, in the end."

Hm. It is not that Queen that dictates the path of our little play... but, perhaps, her hand manipulates it. Still, if he wishes to believe... I am not so rude as to tear away a man's faith.

"I believe I would like to stay for a while, Manipulator. I wish to observe this place's function for some time."

He inclined his head respectfully. "As you wish, Faerie Queen. All who come in peace are welcome to remain for as long as they desire. Would you like any refreshments?"

"...Perhaps. Surprise me, Manipulator."

I shall examine the Chirurgeon's work myself.