Benedictions of the City
Chapter 2: The Brick Building That is Tall
Finally the police officers do wander away, their skills and talents are ever needed in defense of the great City, and they are confident that the troublemakers will be brought to justice by The City soon enough. I lower my finger from my lips and attempting to smile invitingly.
"You are safe now, for the moment."
"Who are you," demands the attractive female, her voice sharp and as cold as the ice in her frozen eyes. "Why did you help us?"
"Please, dear lady," I bow to her slightly, "I have been here in The City for a while so I was unaware that it was now considered improper of me to expect thanks before introducing myself." That brings her up short and I see just the slightest tinge of blood creeping to her cheeks in embarrassment. It is a sensually pleasing sight and I allow myself a moment to absorb it. "I am known here as Preacher, and that is as good a name as you will need. As to why I help you, I would presume our shared nature would be enough of a reason, yes?"
For I do stand before them in the crinos as well, it would have been ever so unwise to approach them without at least that level of defense prepared. So it is I stand there, eight and a half feet tall, though it is hard to tell since I often stoop. For is it not proper to walk with the head bowed in deference to the Goddess you live within? I also wear the robes of my office, tatty and tawdry things but the thick leather trench coat is festooned with trinkets that immortalize Her glory. I allow my fingers to play across some of the random pieces of electronics, keys, and gum wrappers that are attached by wire, glue, or pins to the coat. Some have called my robes of office 'junk' but I am impervious to their impure and simplistic derisions, and am warm within the security of my beliefs.
"Preacher?" The woman's ice cold eyes pass along my body and I shiver in excitement. The City provides indeed. "You are of the Bone Gnawer clan?"
"Ah! Yes!" I nod my head happily. "You must forgive me, it has been so long since I thought of my clan that I had quite forgotten their name." I chuckle at the silliness of it all, strange of me to forget but even stranger to need to remember with the glory of The City all around me, isn't it?
"Forgotten their name?" The undeveloped she wolf glances up from the floor as the narrow faced wolfman works some healing rituals upon her. "You poor thing, how long have you been here?"
"Poor?" I laugh heartily at this, and for some reason the others seem to bear looks of concern. I shake away their glances of unease and try to explain to them. "Do not fret, I am anything but poor. I live in The City, and she is good and just and provides for me what I need. You seem concerned by this, so please, let me assure you, I am rich beyond your comprehension."
"I fear this place may have gotten to him," growls the older wolf as he glances at the beautiful ice princess. "It is dangerous enough to stay in the spirit realms too long when you stay in a safe place, but here…"
"Here is a safe place!" I realize I am shouting when they all jump nervously at my voice. I quickly laugh to take away the edge in the air, but it doesn't seem to relax them. "You are here in my home, the Brick Building That is Tall. Though, I do hasten to add that all of The City is my home as much as it is my place of worship and my true life. But let me assure you, dear, sweet, gentle guests, you are quite safe as long as you are here within its walls."
There are some glances that I suppose one could call uneasy exchanged amongst them. They all defer to the tall and beautiful one, as I would defer as well, I suppose, and it is she that turns to speak with me.
"We are tired and wounded after our struggles to get here, might I ask for your leave to rest here a while?"
"No, you may not."
"No?" She glances at the others in slight confusion. "Why not?"
"Because, and again I apologize, because as we have established I am perhaps out of date and out of touch with certain niceties of hosting." I bow before her. "But I refuse to give long term sanctuary to those who do not introduce themselves to me."
She blushes again, and I allow myself some time to revel in it.
Ah she is beautiful!
Ah The City does provide!
"No," she says, "it is I who apologize, we have been nothing but rude since we entered your fine home." She nods her head to me, but as is proper for such an ice goddess she does not bow. "I am known as Ice-for-Eyes, and this is my pack."
"I'll answer to Ed or Grumble-Bones," says the old wolf as way to introduction.
"Call me Rends Steel," announces the tattooed bear of a man as he puffs out his chest. "And only call me when there's a fight."
"Hey, Preacher, I'm Trixie, or Trix for short," announces the slip of undeveloped female flesh. "Though come to think of it a lot of the pack mostly refer to me as Trouble, but I don't care for that one." She makes a face to show her distaste for the name.
"I'm Kent," whispers the healer as he continues his oh so careful ministrations to Trixie's leg.
"And I am your host," I proclaim magnanimously with another scraping bow. "Please let me know if there is anything The City can provide you."