tushanshu | video;

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[Alcuin is sitting at his console with a thoughtful look on his face. It's been long enough that he's settled in and now he has concerns beyond the absolutely necessary- and the money to take care of them.]

Are there any in the city who have a marquist's skill? The circumstances of my arrival left my marque in need of tending, and I now have the coin to pay for it- if none of those who have been brought here know it, I will look among the kedan, but I thought I would try my fellow exiles to begin with.

[He smiles.] If you know of anyone, pray tell me. I would be grateful indeed.

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[Briefly, there's a look of concern--only convicts have tattoos back home--but Alcuin mentions a goddess and Jehan relaxes. A culture thing]

I am afraid I do not have that particular skill set, though I suppose that much was obvious. If I may, though, what do you mean by "sworn to your goddess"?

One cannot expect to excel at everything. [Yes, he did imply that Jehan's poetry was excellent. You're welcome, Jehan.]

Those who become Servants of Naamah are consecrated to her. They... honour her desires, exchanging pleasure for coin, and some of the coin goes to limn their marque into their skin.

[In other words, prostitution.]

[He blushes at that compliment before blushing because um what]

And you are a...?

[He trails off, unable to find a polite word for "male whore". He's not entirely sure there is one]

[Aw, the blushing is cute.]

I was. I am no longer.

['Courtesan' works perfectly well. But so does avoiding the word adorably.]

[Jehan's shoulders relax]

I see. And--it was religious?

[Relaxing is good. He doesn't really want things to be awkward.]

In some ways. We are not of the priesthood, but it is still sanctioned by Naamah.

[Jehan is a student. He's hired a prostitute or two. He'd've adjusted. Possibly.]

I see. Then Terre d'Ange is not monotheistic?

Not at all. [As far as he knows, Yeshuism is the only monotheistic religion.]

We worship Blessed Elua and his angelic Companions, who founded our country long ago. We are descended from them- it is why we call our country Terre d'Ange.

Interesting. You mentioned this Elua at the meeting in the café and I thought he was your only god.

[He wants to ask so many things: what proof do you have that you're descended from these people? Are they really gods/angels? He doesn't though]

He is the chief among them and grandson of the One God. The other eight are Naamah, Cassiel, Kushiel, Camael, Eisheth, Shemhazai, Anael, and Azza.

[But theological discussions are interesting! He doesn't really mind, though he's no priest of Elua or Cassiline to know the ins and outs of every story.]

[Now he's confused]

If there is a one god, why do you not worship him?

He turned his back on Elua in mourning for his dead son. The Companions took up his duty where he left it- we acknowledge that he exists, for otherwise Elua could not, but we do not worship him.

I see. You said Elua was his grandson--what happened to his son?

His son, Yeshua, was crucified. His blood mingled with the tears of his love, the Magdalene to create Elua, who was nurtured in the womb of the Earth.

[Jehan nods]

It sounds almost as though your world's religion is a mixture of Christianity and ancient pagan religions. Very interesting!

Yes, I've heard of Christianity. It sounds most similar to Yeshuism, which worships Yeshua as their mashiach. Christianity, I think, is more common in the worlds which have it, though.

[Jehan nods]

The Catholic Church and the Protestants certainly do their best to assure that they are the only religious authorities in the world, except for perhaps the Jews.

How odd. [That's... really, really weird.] Every land has its own gods, and it is polite to respect the gods of the lands you visit, of course. Although I do recall that the Yeshuites believe all other gods are false- yes, it is similar in that way, too.

Mm. The Church believes it is their duty to spread the word of God and Jesus Christ. Those who don't believe are destined for the fires of Hell.

But that is untrue. Every d'Angeline knows where they're going. Or... where they ought to go, unless they are summoned to the back of a great turtle.

That is not what the Church believes or teaches. However, they do not mention a giant turtle in their scriptures.

I truly cannot think of any religion that does, unless it is one I am unfamiliar with. I have not made a great study of religion, though I enjoy it.

I suppose one of the Oriental religions might, given the aesthetic of the city and its people, but I do not know much about them. The Catholic Church does mention purgatory, but I do not believe this is what they envisioned.

This is neither the Terre d'Ange-that-lies-beyond nor is it reincarnation. It is quite beyond the scope of my theology.

I--I would hope this isn't reincarnation. Nothing I've ever heard about it includes waking up with the wounds that killed you and in the same body.

[Oh dear]

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