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Post by vincentbelmont on Nov 21, 2010 13:30:37 GMT -5
Vincent remained silent, thoughtful.
The truth was, most of the time he did just wish that God would reach down and fix everything. He understood that the maker worked through his creations, and that by not simply taking command of a situation He helped his children to grow, and to learn, and to become better in the long run. But he was so tired, and so afraid all the time...
"I don't know what I want," he admitted wearily, hanging his head in shame. "I just wish I knew what He wanted me to do..."
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Post by ariel on Nov 27, 2010 15:42:08 GMT -5
It was never easy to watch His children struggle, to grapple with their freewill and feel lost because of it. Ariel might envy humans for their ability to choose, but she did know it came with a cost. And even if she did tell Vincent outright what was expected of him, if she even knew what it was entirely, he would never be released from the battle of sensing God’s existence and desires without ever being able to be entirely sure that he was making the right decisions. It was the bittersweet beauty of freewill. Making the ‘wrong’ decisions always worked out in the end, they led to something far greater in the larger scheme of things. And the consequence for doing the wrong thing was far more lenient. They were forgiven their mistakes before even making them. Humans really were God’s chosen creations.
And yet, here Ariel was, filled with compassion as she gently swept her fingertips through the hair at the base of Vincent’s neck. [white] “Knowing is not always easier… take my word for it.”[/white] In fact, it was often harder. Asking forgiveness was much harder when one knowingly denied what God wanted of you. [white] “It would be safe to presume that He wants the same thing from you that He wants from anyone else. Your faith in Him. Your trust, that he does know what is best for you. That He would only allow you to experience what you can handle.”[/white] Leaning forward to try and get him to notice her reassuring smile,[white] “And, of course, that you’re not alone in this.”[/white]
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Post by vincentbelmont on Nov 30, 2010 15:02:20 GMT -5
Vincent's heart skipped a beat when the woman smiled at him.
She was certainly a beauty, and the priest immediately felt terribly guilty for finding her attractive. Here he was, in a crisis of faith, yet his mind was still that of a mortal man. Vincent closed his eyes, mentally saying a quick prayer. Dear Lord, please forgive me for my transgressions, and give me the strength to be a better man...
Opening his eyes again, Vincent still found himself struck by Ariel's beauty, though there was something else behind the obvious physical attraction he felt. There was a grace about the woman that took Vincent's breath away, something that called out to him in a way that made him feel a bit uncomfortable. He studied her carefully, until finally a thought came to him, insane though it may be...
"Ariel... You speak as though the Lord gives you actual messages, as though you truly have his ear." He sighed, looking away and shaking his head. "All I get from Him are these... these dreams, and I can never make anything of them until its too late... Ariel, who are you?"
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Post by ariel on Dec 7, 2010 19:39:58 GMT -5
Comfortable with eye contact and physical gestures, Ariel made very little of Vincent studying her. It did disarm her a little, however, having not anticipated him to speak so suddenly and breaking his own silence. After a momentary pause, an amused grin crept back onto her lips as he spoke. Though she was intrigued to know about these dreams. It would have been a very easy task to find out on her own accord, but Ariel knew something was in store for this man, and if she had not been informed about the importance of these dreams before coming to him, then there must have been a reason.
Just like her being here with a reason, without needing to know the full details of Vincent’s purpose. But even if she was given instructions in regards to what she was and was not allowed to do, she was not going to just hand him the answers. Withdrawing her hand and setting in her lap with the other, she scanned his face for a moment, narrowing her eyes slightly. [white] “You know who I am… are you sure that’s what you mean to ask me? As for having his ear… you have it as much as I do.”[/white]
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Post by vincentbelmont on Dec 9, 2010 17:30:25 GMT -5
Vincent frowned a bit.
It was hard for him to believe that he truly had the Lord's ear, when seemingly nothing that he prayed for ever really happened. And here across from him sat this marvelous woman who claimed to have brought a message to him from God! How could one person be apparently so close to Him, when others still seemed to be so far away? Didn't He care about all of His children equally? These were, among other things, the questions that kept Vincent awake at night, the questions that at times made him doubt his faith.
"There's just so much I still don't understand, Ariel," he said, lowering his eyes to stare at the table. "I just wish I could know, really know that He's out there... That He cares." Looking up, he met the woman's eyes, asking, "Does that make me a horrible person?"
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Post by ariel on Dec 10, 2010 15:59:00 GMT -5
Resting her hand on the table once more, Ariel gently ran her index finger over the ring on her thumb. Thoughtfully considering Vincent’s frustrations, she looked out the window and tightly pursed her lips. Silence befell her until Vincent asked a ridiculous question that immediately brought words to her throat. Without a second thought, she snapped her obvious attention back to him, because really her attention had not left him, and answered sternly,[white] “No, of course not.”[/white] There was no arguing this point with her and she was not hesitant to make that quite clear. She might be here to help him work out some things, but she would not hear of his foolishness.
Taking a moment to ease her sudden shift on him, she brought a smile back to her lips, knowing full well that it was not as calming as she might have been earlier. [white] “Understanding is what your time here on earth is for. And many get by on far less than you. God does not choose everyone for, what I believe to be, prophetic dreams. I’m not here to interpret them for you, and for now they may feel more of curse. You must maintain your faith, in Him and His plan for you.”[/white]
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Post by vincentbelmont on Dec 11, 2010 21:56:47 GMT -5
The priest nodded at her words.
"Thank you, Ariel," he said, sighing with relief. "You have said much to ease my worries. I do trust Him, and I trust that whatever he has in store for me, it won't be anything greater than I can handle." Smiling, he added, "Though I still wish I knew exactly what was coming my way."
When the waitress approached, Vincent asked politely for a refill of coffee, and as she walked away again, he sipped at it thoughtfully. Again, he was visited by that strange sense of peace that came just from being in Ariel's presence. Vincent had never felt so comfortable around anyone before, and he'd only known the woman for the past half hour or so. There were several disjointed ideas coursing through his mind, and all of them pointed to an incredible, unbelievable possibility.
"Ariel," he said softly, looking down into his coffee. "Earlier I asked you who you were, and you asked me if that was the question I had really meant to ask. So... Let me try this again: Ariel, what are you?"
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Post by ariel on Dec 13, 2010 15:33:59 GMT -5
When Vincent responded, an unusual sensation came over her. She identified it immediately, but it was a rare moment indeed when a human managed to provoke it. Ariel’s tight smile was joined with a surprised little peer, as though he was a small boy trying to pull a prank on her. But it was abruptly expelled entirely with an enthusiastic laugh that she tried to conceal by turning her face away and covering her mouth. She knew he was being serious. Who didn’t think they wanted to know what was in store for them? She knew he was not pressing her for an answer this time, though, so in lieu of his acceptance she found him amusing. It was a strange feeling, and Ariel was glad for a distraction when the waitress came and went.
By the time the woman was gone, Ariel had composed herself. A hint of her amusement lingered in her expression as Vincent went on. She nodded with approval of his query, knowing now he was ready. Although, she had an inkling that he was already assuming the truth. Which always made it so much easier. [white] “I think you know… you’ll forgive me if I don’t spread my wings.”[/white] Winking conspiratorially at him, she turned her face away and gently tapped her foot rhythmically against the table’s stand. [white] “So is sending you an angel sign enough that God’s listening, Vincent?”[/white]
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Post by vincentbelmont on Dec 15, 2010 20:36:31 GMT -5
Even though it was what he'd been suspecting, the realization that Ariel was, in fact, an angel hit Vincent like a physical blow.
"Angel," Vincent murmured, unable to say much else, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open a little bit. It had been the one question that had been constantly on his mind since all of this had happened: if there were demons out there, and vampires and ghosts and all other manner of creatures, were there angels as well? And, as much as he'd wondered it, for some reason he'd been unable to actually ask the question, as if he were somehow afraid of what the answer would be.
Could he live in a world where demons roamed, but angels didn't exist? Would he even want to try?
But here she was, a true messenger from God. A sign that not everything out there was hopeless, and dark, and full of evil. A sign that He was listening, and acting, if in His own way, and at His own times. It gave Vincent hope. It renewed his faith.
A real angel...
"Ariel... thank you," he said softly, reaching out hesitatingly and taking her hand. "Thank you for speaking with me, and for helping me. Thank you for... for just being."
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Post by ariel on Dec 21, 2010 2:45:58 GMT -5
Could Vincent be blamed for taking a moment to comprehend that which he already suspected? Not at all. While Ariel had been exposed to the truth of the world for all of existence, she knew that a man could only come to terms with it so quickly. She just wished there was a way to tell a human and have them comprehend how exceptional they were actually doing. But something in their nature hindered them. Perhaps it was the necessity to learn, to grow. Ariel had experienced little of this, and had comprehended the need through years of wondering observation of his species. They were an exceptional breed, creative and logical in the heart of a stunted mind. For being one of the weakest species, they had amazing survival skills.
Waiting patiently, though the subconscious tap of her foot may not convey so, Ariel waited for Vincent to make the next move. She had all the time in the world, so far be it from her to deny him the moment he needed to grasp the levity of her visit. Turning a mild expression to him when he said her name, she smiled again when he took her hand. But for the first time, in a long time, she felt uncertainty in her being. He was thanking her for being? Surely he meant God. For it was his Lord who had sent her. But it was kind, nevertheless, and Ariel nodded,[white] “I will always be.”[/white] After a thoughtful moment, she continued, [white]“Your time here is limited. Use it well and eternity will reward you, you must always remember that.”[/white] Tightening her grip supportively around his fingers, she leaned forward, [white] “Your journey will never cease to be difficult. But between you and me, I think you’ll be just fine.”[/white] Smiling reassuringly, she released his hand and stood.
Standing at the end of the table, she looked down at him ,[white] “When you’re lost and afraid, look up,”[/white] she pointed to the ceiling for emphasis. [white] “When you’re in doubt? Read the signs.”[/white] And in her humoured way with humans, she tapped him lightly on the nose. [white] “It has been a pleasure, Vincent. I do hope our paths cross again.”[/white] Giving him a knowing wink as the waitress was returning, she said in subtle good-bye,[white] “Enjoy your coffee,”[/white] before slipping into the ladies’ room, the nearest door available, and not returning.
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