A Sermon in Seclusion
Ricardt: S-so, you see, the uh... The god—er, that is, the GODDESS—is... She's the goddess, and she... She, um...
Cleo: I'm afraid I can't follow this sermon for the life of me, though I suppose I never was well versed in scripture.
Euden: I don't think that's the problem, Cleo.
Euden: I had thought asking the Church to let Ricardt serve as priest here might help, but perhaps it was too much, too fast.
Cleo: Ahem... Ricardt.
Ricardt: Eeeagh?! S-sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!
Ricardt: I was terrible, I know it, I'm soooorry!
Cleo: We aren't here to blame you. Only to offer a small suggestion.
Cleo: Perhaps you might try practicing your sermons alone first?
Cleo: Now, let's go, Euden.
Euden: No, I think I'll stay and listen for a little while longer.
Cleo: Just come. Now. ...PLEASE.
Cleo: ...There, this should be far enough. We'll wait here awhile.
Euden: Wait for what, exactly?
Cleo: For him to start rehearsing his sermon. Then we can pop back in and listen.
Cleo: Perhaps he just needs to get a bit of momentum going. If he is able to start in peace, he may not get so nervous.
Euden: Mmm, I see. That's why you wanted to leave him alone.
Euden: Ah. I think he's starting.
Ricardt: The goddess offers love unconditional, asking reward in neither coin or deed. And so it is that we...
Cleo: Hmm, I see.
Cleo: He's quite good so long as there's not an audience about.
Cleo: Extremely good, in fact.
Cleo: ...Hmm. Yes, I see. An interesting interpretation, that.
Euden: Er, Cleo?
Cleo: How fascinating, from a theological and narrative viewpoint both. Hrm...
Euden: Why the furrowed brow, Cleo?
Cleo: He's just getting to the good part, but we're too far away to hear him properly.
Euden: Wait! Are we going in already?!
Cleo: Ricardt.
Cleo: Might I ask you to repeat that last passage?
Ricardt: EEEEEK?! Y-y-you were LISTENING?!
Cleo: It was more interesting than anything I've read in some time.
Cleo: What happens next? I'm quite curious.
Ricardt: W-well, you see, the uh... The god...dess? The goddess, she... Glrk.
Cleo: "Glrk" is not a word, Ricardt.
Cleo: If I don't hear the resolution, my curiosity will keep me awake all night.
Ricardt: Er, m-my tummy... Too nervous... I think I'm gonna... Hrk!
Ricardt: SORRY, BYE!
Cleo: Get back here this instant! I'm not letting you escape until I've heard the rest!
Euden: He's really got Cleo hooked. Maybe he DOES have a talent for sermons...
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