☀️ Arselia and Akonia

- Because I usually pray in the morning, but today the time was unusual, and she witnessed it.

-- ... So, she didn't enlighten you with a priestly gaze, but rather... like that? Hmm, I mean, it's still my fault because I arranged for you to have a morning routine here at our headquarters, even though I knew about your habit, -- the redhead said, folding her arms across her chest. For some reason, she perceived any expression of respect for people close to her, even in the form of verbal self-flagellation, as a challenge.

- No, I haven't decided, otherwise I wouldn't still be maintaining a spiritual connection with Rishe, or I might even have turned to the Scryme. I think that, unlike the exhausted Rynze, they have a hostile attitude towards the others.

The redhead would accept him even if he joined the Scryme, but the question was clearly not about that.

-- That's bad, -- Erephir pursed her lips, speaking softly. -- And how did you avoid being burned? I heard that even invisibility doesn't save you from that fate; did you just stay home? And you also said that you want to be my fiancé, but isn't the next stage impossible without contact with the church officials? No, no, it doesn't matter; I'm sure you had everything arranged your own way, -- she waved her hand with an expression that said, "Who am I even talking to?"

-- But... what should we do now? Many people in my squad, including me, have confessed to the Patriarch, and I'm sure you don't have more sins than Merel or Garret did, and they returned quite enlightened, but... the truth is that the deputy there is stricter; she has seriously posted an announcement about the voluntary exile of outsiders in the SRI. And even if you just want to stay and live in Margel?

-- ... I'm sorry that it came to this, -- the girl leaned her head on her fiancé's shoulder. -- I really am. I'll try to resolve it through my channels. I'm not saying that your help won't be needed, but the Suzerain still has more power, and your usefulness to us was obvious.