Marquis Homes, London
9 May, 2011
19:01—Sister Estelle's Perspective
:-:
The sun is almost gone now. Its nocturnal sister will soon take the sky.
Sister Estelle admires the evening stars from her rooftop apartment.
The Marquis Homes complex is church-funded, church-owned. Executive officials have immediate residency there; a staple of their four-year contract.
After four years have run their course, executives can choose to opt-out of Marquis housing, which isn't penalized in any way. Sister Estelle is one of many who grew accustomed to living here, especially since Marquis Homes comes with the best security in the area… But security can only do so much.
In the past few months, Marquis has been under watch: Radical supporters have made attempts on residents, especially executive officials. Even with all her resources, Sister Estelle came under attack once… It happened just last night.
Infinity, the church; both are overrun with mindless dogs that would do anything for their masters.
I couldn't wait for help. If I didn't fight, I wouldn't be standing right now.
God, I had to take *that form*…and kill them.
I had a choice… I chose to live.
A group of three breached security, entered Marquis and caused a disturbance. Several residents died amid their crimes; murder, grand larceny, sexual assault, and the list goes on. So much was done… Sister Estelle couldn't look past their sins.
When doing the right thing become so wrong: Who could ignore this?
Young, hungry and untamed. The assailants weren't "radicals;" they were humans that became monsters, and, in the end, were killed by a monster much stronger than them. "Lord, forgive me for what I must do… Please…"
Sister Estelle revealed her true form, and quickly overpowered them. Speed, strength, killer instinct; all traits of the Lamia.
…Because I loved him, because I became his mistress… I don't blame the goddess for smiting me; it's a curse I earned because I was young and foolish.
That beastly god, he caused so much pain to *so many* women. He is the reason why I lost faith in the Olympians, and turned my heart to a spirit that saved me from myself: The almighty on high, Jehovah.
With Jehovah, I received the love I needed.
But I dare not show my face. It's much too horrifying, and, when I take that form, I lose control… I am no longer myself.
As a lamia, Sister Estelle becomes a half human, half serpent woman. She loses all ties to her human side, however, and her appetite overwhelms her… Thought becomes primal instinct, which drives her to eat her victims.
Her existence… "Obsess, Material Girl!"
—is indeed a powerful one, but comes with a price: Sister Estelle can only activate it when in her true form, and doing so causes her to blackout. Once Material Girl's territory expands, everything becomes dark… Anything can happen.
When I awoke, blood was everywhere…and those men were gone. I felt full, my habit was torn to shreds, and portions of the parking lot were damaged… I killed those men…for everyone here…because they deserved it.
Their evil had to disappear.
Help did come for me: A few residents aided me, and some even held me because they thought I had died. But that wasn't the case… I did "die," but not in the flesh; I died in the spirit.
When you kill someone, a part of yourself also dies.
How could I *not* know what it feels like? I've died so many times because I loved a man that didn't love me back.
A price I must pay for caring, I suppose. However, this "other" side of me… I can protect others if I will it strongly enough.
"Sister Estelle, are you alright? They didn't hurt you, did they?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
An elderly resident, Mrs. Knight, came to her aid.
Her neighbors covered her flesh, respecting the nun as a woman of dignity. "I can't believe those *monsters*. Infinity is the worst!"
"Is everyone alright?"
Sister Estelle had to tell them the truth.
"—No, some were killed because of them. The authorities wouldn't have made it here quick enough, and, as an official, I *am* the law in this complex.
I thank you once again for your help, everyone. I must go now.
Maintenance won't forgive me for this one, but I hope you find it in your hearts to do so… Good night, my brothers and sisters."
I was always too modest for my own good. I…am a weak woman, and I can admit that. Going from a queen to eating men alive… I loathe myself more than I do the radicals. And that's why I needed God's love more than life itself.
People can't survive without love; they say they can, but they can't. Nightwalkers are no different: We lie and say that we can to hide our weaknesses. We're more "humane" than the humans that we hate, and, perhaps…
—No. That *is* the reason why the church was made… Our leader is but the successor to the throne of the night; the second Nightlord. His greed changed the church *long* ago, before any of us were even thought of.
What brought that change about? It's an ongoing mystery, one that has everyone wanting to know more about him.
…Count Valdo…our leader… Just *who* is he, really?
Sister Estelle is but one of many questioners; a person who wants to know more about her master, Count Valdo.
She's questioned White Album about him, but he knows little about the Nightlord. Count Valdo, the Old Man, is a mystery to everyone.
"—He has much to hide. A man who commits the sins that *he does* has many secrets indeed. And…he's afraid to let them be known.
When one lives an iniquitous life, they choose solitude above anything else. Not because they're lonely, no, it's nothing of the sort… They must first wrestle with their demons before pursuing more sin. If not, their demons will consume them…
—just as they did with you, Zeus."
Just saying that name, Zeus, triggers her. The god she fell in love with, and, because of her love for him, she suffered for it.
He took advantage of her human heart, and his wife, Hera, took her rage out on Sister Estelle… Hera hated Estelle more than she did her husband because, no matter how much she explained her innocence, gods and humans should not lay together. It's forbidden… Zeus knew that and took her anyway, knowing what would come of his insatiability.
—and now look at me: Forced to wear a mask. But the goddess' punishment is less painful than the god's deception.
Our leader is just like Zeus; playing with people's hearts.
Jehovah, please, heal our leader and our world. This planet would be so much more pleasant if the Nightlord knew love; *true* love, not the sins of the flesh… This is my fondest wish, and I know *you* can do it.
You can do *all* things… I am living proof of that. A better home, people that care about me and give me a reason to exist, a job that allows me to bring innocent people off the street: All your doing.
Sister Estelle cups her hands before her bosom and lowers her head, her eyes closed in prayer.
Her faith is stronger than any nightwalker, even the Nightlord himself. Her will to believe… Perhaps this, too, will aid in healing the world.
O Father God, hear my plea:
Deliver us from evil this day; give birth to purity and love. Open the hearts of the wicked, cleanse them, and return what was stolen.
Touch the spirit of our leader, O Lord, and restore his broken heart. Let even the dead and undying be given peace. Blessed be thy name, O Lord; you are capable of all things, and through you are all things possible.
I seal this prayer in your name. May it be true. Amen and amen.