Childebert x Stirling

## Childebert x Stirling
## C
\f[1|Stirling]\m[1|2]\w[4]
\s[2]
Excuse me, you there! In the robes!|
\s[-2]

\w[16]

\f[6|Childebert]
\s[6]
Er, were you referring to me?|

\s[2]
Indeed. You are the first man of the\n
cloth I've seen in this little army.|\n
I wished to introduce myself to a\n
fellow member of the church. Stirling.|

\s[6]
... Childebert. And I regret to inform\n
you, but I am not affiliated with a church.|

\s[2]
Really? Apologies, I was mistaken then;\n
your robes gave the appearance of a priest.|

\s[6]
Well... Technically, I am a priest. I just\n
do not follow any specific religion.|

\s[2]\m[2|2]
Oh! Well, that is intriguing... More\n
of a man of science and advancement?|

\s[6]
Not particularly, I just... Do not\n
bother with the religions of man.|\n
... No offense, Father.|

\s[2]\e[2|1]
None taken. And, we are speaking of\n
technicalities, you would refer to me\n
as "Your Eminence", for I am a Cardinal.|

\s[6]
A Cardinal... So, you are from Kameloth\n
then. A member of the Church of Pyderi?|

\s[2]
That's right. You know your\n
stuff, Father Childebert. I feel\n
as if we will get along nicely.|

\s[6]
... You are?|

\s[2]
Indeed. \e[2|1]But, later. We have\n
some things to wrap up first.|\e[2|1]\n
Until we meet again, Father!|
\s[-2]
\f[2|nil]

\w[32]

\m[6|5]\w[5]
\s[5]
Get along nicely? With an atheist\n
priest? That does not seem likely...|
\s[-2]

## B
\f[2|Stirling]\e[2|1]
\s[2]
Ah! Father Childebert. Well met!|
\s[-2]
\w[8]

\f[6|Childebert]\m[6|5]\w[4]
\s[5]
... Cardinal Stirling. Just Childebert\n
is fine. I may be ordained, but as\n
you know, I practice no faith.|

\s[2]
Semantics. Now, there is something of which\n
I wished to discuss with you. If you have time.|

\s[5]
I suppose I do. ... Is it on the topic of religion?|

\s[2]
Clever boy. It does!\e[2|0] I remembered from our\n
previous conversation you specifically said\n
you "do not bother with the religions of man".|\n
What exactly did you mean by that statement?|

\s[5]
I meant that I follow no faith--|

\s[2]
No, no, I'm referring to the religions\n
of man. I have never heard anyone speak\n
of any faith or practice like that.|

\s[5]
Oh. Well, the religions practices around the\n
world are all named after... humans. Men.\n
Despite them claiming to worship a higher\n
being or multiple, a human is how they\n
refer to each of them, not the deity.|

\s[2]
Interesting... I've never considered the\n
very names of each religion to be impactful...|

\s[5]
I mean, think about it. Dyfed is the name\n
of a book supposedly given to humans from\n
the Gods of the Sun and the Moon.|\n
Instead of being named Solaris or Lunaris,\n
the names of those very Gods.|

\s[2]
Solaris and Lunaris are only 2 of the many\n
Gods the church of Dyfed acknowledges.|\n
Besides, what would you call is religion?\n
The church of Solaris-Lunaris? What if I\n
believe the Moon God is superior?|

\s[5]
Hmm... All right, I suppose the book\n
makes the most sense in that example...|\n
But what about the Church of Pryderi?\n
There is only one God: Mabinogi. Why name it\n
after a human instead of the almighty dragon?|

\s[2]
I would think relatability. It's difficult for\n
us humans to understand a being such as a Dragon,\n
especially given the tribe's dwindling numbers.|\n
Now, a human chosen by that very Dragon? That is\n
easier for someone to and apply to their lives.|

\s[5]
... Hmm...|

\s[2]
Now, the Church of Arawn, I understand issues with.\n
Not only was Arawn not part of the Angel tribe, she\n
wasn't even the prophet who's words are followed.|

\s[5]
That entire religion is... complicated to say the\n
least. With some following only what Arawn herself\n
spread, others following only what she omitted.|\n
And of course, those who follow Hafgan himself.|

\s[2]
I understand your problem with naming conventions,\n
but the human factor is never intended as the focus.\n
It's for the followers to be able to relate to.|

\s[5]
Hmm... Maybe. You've given me a lot to think about.|

\s[2]\e[2|1]
As have you, I. I never even considered\n
significance in the names before. When\n
next we meet, let's have another discussion!|

\s[5]
... You are enjoying these?|

\s[2]
Of course! I am a Cardinal, sure, but I\n
am also a scholar. I seek knowledge and\n
understanding. Debate is a part of it.|

\s[5]
You are... an interesting man, Cardinal.|
\s[-2]