{OPEN} ♔ they call her the black crow

[ensorceler]

( september 1st ; outside the temple )

It's the first, and yet another month beginning with the confusion and alarm of those kidnapped and brought to be judged.

Despite the sun being rather unforgiving in its heat, with no nights to cool the ground and the air, Anne is dressed head to toe in black; a state of mourning for those brought here and forced away from lives they once knew. She has few jewels owned here, so she herself has seen to the gown with ornate embroidery of silver thread, especially along the belled sleeves and the breast of the bodice. Her hair is gathered up in a coif, wrapped beneath a french hood. Other than her rings, the only jewelry she wears today is her silver crucifix pendant.

But even with the dress of mourning, the young woman's smile is as bright and inviting as the sun, as she remains near a large table set up and arranged just outside the temple, beside the bottom of the steps.

With help from those in the kitchen and others with kind hearts, the table has been brought out and covered with inviting things, such as food and drink. There is a tray holding biscuits and fruit jam, another tray with fruit pies, and yet another with smaller mincemeat pies. At the other end there are a couple silver coffeepots with an arrangement of condiments beside: sugar, honey, milk (before it curdles), chocolate shavings, and ginger shavings. There is also a pitcher of ale, since it's a proper daytime drink, and water beside that.

There isn't only food and drink on this table, but also a pile of First-Aid Kits put together by Anne and Beverly Crusher and handed to anyone who wants them; something Anne had learned to do in Exsilium. Truthfully, this welcoming table is not her idea, but also one brought from her former life. It's the only way she feels she can contribute just now.

Strangest yet is beside the First-Aid Kits, there rests an open Bible written in Latin. Perfectly normal presentation, right? Well, it is to her Reformist mind. She would have it in English if she could.

She strives to greet any who might come down the temple steps this day, to show them that this is all free and welcome to them. If there should be any penalty for the abuse of supplies and food, it should be on Anne Boleyn's head. The Bible is the only thing to personally belong to her.

[ ooc; OPEN and backdated to the arrivals on the first! Anne would have been vocal about requesting help for moving the table and setting everything up, so feel free to handwave that your character helped if you like. I just didn't want to spam the Arrival Log with a top-level. ]

Comments

[ensorceler]

Anne must promptly cluck her tongue and shake her head at Eponine's first, at least the foremost. The poor child must suffer the brutality of Catholicism, she surmises, and no one is happier than Anne to crush any hold the papacy might have on this soul. The longer she's away from England, and the more she is surrounded by atheists, the fiercer she feels she must hold her ground.

"I believe, I know, and I trust. Once you understand, and are given proper learning, you will feel the same. Those who turned you away are fools, blinded to the needs of the many by their corrupt greed and pride. They are not men of God. Any who open their hearts, who believe in Christ's sacrifice and know that it is only He that can judge and no earthly man, will be welcomed by Him."

Dipping a rag into some of the ice water, she rings it out before reaching, slowly this time, to take one of Eponine's hands and begin wiping, as she would for any of the poor she once helped with. It's only recently been so hands-on, but she has quickly adjusted, despite her finery.

"My name is Anne Boleyn, and I am certain it be God's plan for me to teach you."

[gardienne]

Eponine is less impressed at her hands being cleaned, especially with water so cold. She would have much preferred a roll. She tries not to flinch though.

"Men judge... are they not paid to? They put me in prison, and my sister, and my Mama and my Pa - my Mama died in prison. Maybe Azelma too, for I have not seen her since the day she were arrested. Me, I hid longer than her. She is stupid. But they were priests, Mademoiselle Anne. Not the men who sentenced us. They are judges. The men who would not let me in Notre Dame or nothing. I think it is stupid, if such a God will not look after me. I am sure I remember the story where he made a criminal to God when he died. But the church says no. Well, I don't care. I am the very devil himself. It don't matter to me."

[ensorceler]

Such frankness can make Anne fond, but she is not so overly sweet on having to repeat herself. Still, she is accustomed to it when with those she deems of simpler minds and values. It doesn't make her cause any less sincere.

"Many priests are corrupt, Mademoiselle Eponine." She knows it's a courtesy higher than what Eponine deserves, but in some cases instilling pride can be good and useful. It only takes time. "The church under the thrall of the papacy is corrupt, and all the bishops could care for most is what fills their coffers."

Reaching for her other hand, she continues wiping, dipping the cloth a few more times to rinse it off.

"You do not need their permission to know and love God, and feel His love returned. The God they preach is not the true God Almighty, I promise you. Do you believe me?"

[gardienne]

"I suppose, Madame." Eponine doesn't really care in the slightest, if she's honest. She is fully convinced that God has abandoned her and all men and women like her, and she's made her peace with that. She doesn't care. Or, at least, she hadn't cared. Not before she came to Teleios. How could hell be worse than Paris?

But here... here, life is well. And she hates the thought of eventually ending up somewhere like Paris. She should probably be more enthusiastic in the hope that this God will forgive her and not send her back to life as a street rat.

She lets Anne manipulate her hands. "It's just... I cannot imagine a man on a cloud looking after rats like me. Even if I wanted it... People like me are bad, Madame. I'm bad. God should like good people like you."