Grind 3.10 the Sinner and the Pervert.
Father Francis Mulcahy (because M.A.S.H. that's why)
Confession is not what one would call the best part of being a priest. It is not a bad task really, I sit, and listen to people confess to their sins. Usually those sins are minor things. Most often I get people confessing to arguing with a family member or taking the lords name in vain. There are a fair number of teens that come in feeling guilty about what they do by themselves in private. Honestly those are some of the most awkward for me to handle. Those few teens that do come in for confession are usually the ones who have been force fed their faith since before they could walk, feeling guilty simply because they were raised to believe anything associated with sex is some sort of personal insult to God.
It's nonsense of course.
God would not have given us the ability to enjoy it if he did not want us to enjoy it. So long as sex stayed within the sanctity of marriage then God's commandments were being followed. Even then many people feel inclined to debate that particular interpretation.
Then there are the more difficult confessions, the kind that make my stomach turn. Some people confess to murder, or rape, to abusing their spouse, or any number of terrible things. Those are the confessions that are hardest to hear. It is the duty of any priest to listen to the confession assign penance, and forgive their sins. Sometimes the forgiving can be a truly difficult duty to perform.
This though may be the strangest confession I have ever heard.
"Bless me father for I have sinned, it has been six months since my last confession... I've come in search of guidance father."
It's unusual for someone to come to confession and immediately ask for guidance rather than confess, but it happens from time to time, and if someone comes seeking guidance who am I to turn them away?
"Of course my son, what can I do to help?"
"I'm a hero, my cape name is Eidelon." That's hardly what I was expecting to hear. Thankfully the screen hides my shocked expression, after all the most important thing for a priest giving advice is to appear calm and collected.
"I…" The man pauses almost before he starts to talk, though I'm bursting with curiosity silence is often the best way to get someone to talk, so I say nothing.
"I've been fighting for a long time now." The man says each word slowly, and deliberately.
"I have responsibilities to, well everyone really. I show up to every Endbringer fight. I help to hold the line against the abominations. It's… it's who I am."
Once again I'm glad for the screen that hides me from view. The way the man speaks sits poorly with me.
"My son, let me ask you something." The man grunts in response. "What is your real name? Even just your first name, the sanctity of the confessional is absolute, and it feels wrong to call you by a fake name here."
The man is silent for a few moments, and I hope I have not asked too much of him, but finally he speaks. "David, my name is David." I cannot help but smile.
"Hello David, tell me have you come to ask how you might slay Goliath?" David chuckles dryly.
"No I haven't, but if you can tell me how you would be doing the world a great service." Now it is my turn to chuckle.
"If only I could David." I make a point to use his name. "I'm afraid all I can suggest is prayer, and faith that someday the answer will present itself. But tell me, what brought you here?"
Once again we lapse into silence mine born of practiced patience and David's born of contemplation.
"I'm getting weaker." David's voice is almost a whisper. "The powers I can access are not as strong, and after awhile I can't hold onto them anymore, and then they disappear."
Across from me is one of the most powerful human beings to ever exist, and he came to me for help. The thought is humbling, and in a profession which requires humility it is a rare thing to find myself further humbled.
That is neither here nor there though, my duty is still the same, to guide the lord's flock.
"You feel like you need to be stronger than you are, like you are letting people down, like you are letting yourself down."
David is silent for a long moment. "Yes." He finally admits. "Being strong, it's who I am, without that, who am I?"
I smile inwardly this is the kind of conversation I've often had before, it is comfortable territory.
"Why you would be David."
David startles with a jerk I only make out thanks to the shifting shadows on the thin divider between us.
"But I…" he trails off trying to come up with a response. I can't help but smile warmly. Guiding someone who is lost is always a rewarding experience.
"David, before you got your powers you were just a man, not unlike any other. For years now you have wielded more power than many small nations." I pause to let the words sink in. "Now, for whatever reason that power is diminishing. But you forget. You are dust, and to dust you shall return, perhaps so to must your power."
"But I'm needed, without me who will hold the line? Who will fight the beasts?" His voice is filled with a quiet desperation.
It's sad, and almost a little funny. Despite being a full grown man David sounds almost like a child, afraid to let go, and trust anyone else with some achievement they have accomplished.
"Many people will continue to fight, just as you will, David. Your powers may be weakened, but they are not gone, correct? You will keep fighting because you are right, it is important, but you have never fought alone. There will always be those who step up in our times of need. You need to accept that the burden is not yours alone to carry David."
The man is silent for longer than he should be. I need to prompt him now, get him to keep talking, and thinking.
"David, do you know I often have conversations similar to this?" Again, the shadows on the divider shift, betraying David's surprise. "Many men come to me with similar woes about days gone by; it's usually called a mid life crisis." I try to inject as much humor into my voice as I can. My efforts are rewarded by an amused snort.
"I'm going to tell you what I tell most men who come to me with this sort of problem, David. You need to accept it, and focus on the direction of your life. Tell me, are you married, dating?"
"I… No father."
"Any family?"
"No."
"Maybe it's time to start looking for some. Family has a way of grounding us. God made Eve for Adam so that he would not be alone, so that that they could share their burdens, and children have a way of giving new meaning to life."
Again David remains silent.
"I think David that what you truly need is more people in your life, and perhaps someone to confide in. You are always welcome to come to me, or to any other priest should you need guidance, though sometimes these transitions are better handled by professionals."
David grunts. "You mean a shrink?"
"I believe they prefer to be called psychiatrists, but yes."
"Father, sometimes when I fight the beasts, I can almost feel a, a wellspring. As if I only need dig deep enough to tap into the power I used to have."
"Perhaps, or perhaps you are feeling what you want to feel. I don't know enough about powers to say for certain, but many men find a way to chase after their youth. Some men buy fancy cars, others chase after younger woman, you I believe are chasing after power that may no longer exist."
"You think I should accept that my power is weakening?"
"Yes."
Again we lapse into silence, but less uncomfortable than before.
"Thank you father, I believe I'll take your advice." I smile broadly.
"Now before you go David, would you like to finish your confession?"
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Narwhal
This was the best news I've had in quite some time. Leaning back from the updated report on the new cape Dragon is trying to recruit I let a smile slip across my face. The girl can actually take people with her into works of fiction. The possibilities are mindboggling. This calls for an email, I need to get in touch with this girl.
To: Player
From: Narwhal
Subject: Possible reading material
Dear Player,
I recently received an update on how your power works. I find the concept exceedingly interesting. Particularly in that it allows you to experiment with a variety of possibilities. Given that you are a young woman it would be completely understandable should you wish to try a few things without the normal risks. I could even recommend a few interesting books for you if you would like. Should you ever want company or perhaps want someone else to test certain recreational uses for your power before trying them for yourself please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely
Narwhal
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To: Player
From: Narwhal
Subject: Did you get my last email?
Dear Player,
I sent you an email almost a week ago but so far I have not heard back from you. I hope I did not offend you, but as a potential future Guild member I would at the very least appreciate a response. I won't be offended if you're not interested in my suggestion at the moment though do keep it in mind. It may eventually be more appealing.
Sincerely
Narwhal
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To: Dragon
From: Narwhal
Subject: technical difficulties
Dear Dragon,
This is rather low priority but none of my emails to Player of the Wards ENE seem to be going through take a look into this when you have a second.
Thanks,
Narwhal
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To: Dragon
From: Narwhal
Subject: I see how it is!
Dear Dragon,
I know what you're doing Dragon. You always respond to even the lowest priority emails within 24 hours, and there have been no large scale disasters to address for almost a month. You're intercepting my emails. While it is not ideal I have discovered that there is in fact a workaround. I have sent a written copy of my initial letter to Player via conventional post yesterday. I know you do not share my interests or at least not to the same degree, but given that your hobby is to stalk the internet you are really in no position to judge.
Victoriously
Your' Boss
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To: Narwhal
From: Dragon
Subject: Nice try
Dear Narwhal,
Clever plan, but I'm afraid I can't allow you to corrupt, or alienate Player at this time. For the record I do not stalk the internet. I moderate the PHO forums, do a bit of observing at many other websites. As for your snail mail I suggest you look outside your window.
Better luck next time.
Dragon.
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Looking out my window a small, sleek, dragon shaped drone held a letter in one front claw, and waved with the other before incinerating the letter with a burst of fire, and flying off.
"Son of a bitch."