*Devin shuffles in for service one day, sinking down in the very last pew. He keeps his head down for a while, knowing people usually stare at him for his size. He has covered most of his tattoo's today with a long sleeved dress shirt, looks like it's from goodwill but it is clean, as are the khaki pants he wears and slightly scuffed dress shoes. He fidgets a bit through the ceremony, but finally his eyes raise a bit to watch the Reverend.*

It would be hard not to notice the large man entering his church. Desmond usually starts down by the people, introducing himself if they are new, or just saying hello, though by the time everyone is sat down, he is behind the podium, an open Bible in front of him.

“Good morning, everyone. I am glad to see some new faces here today.” He smiles openly to the small gathering. He begins with typical church business, upcoming activities, including a picnic to welcome newcomers and celebrate the revival of the church. After which he eases into today’s sermon, which is about forgiveness.

For a beginning preacher, he is not bad. He at least isn’t nervous or stuttering, and he has a nice speaking voice, with so much feeling, though never any hint of anger even when speaking of damnation. And still he manages to keep the people interested, not droning on and on with Bible quotes like one might expect. Instead he weaves in stories of everyday experiences, and tries to engage the crowd. His never ending supply of energy seems to help as well. At least no one is asleep by the end of the sermon.

2008-09-12 16:44:20Desmond rolls 6 dice to Preaching (char+express) 10,8,5,5,3, 5 (2 successes)

*Devin sits quietly through the sermon and does his best to look completely interested in it. He stands when he should and sits when told, says amen at the end of every prayer but does not sing through any hymns.

Once the sermon is finished he'd dwell, wandering the church to look at any points of interest.*

When the sermon is over, Desmond spends some time talking with members of his congregation. A lot of them tend to be of the elderly sort, but there are some youths among them, families with kids. He seems to be good with all of them.

Devin finds some parts of the church still need a bit of fixing up, but it is starting to look better.  Other than that, it is a pretty normal church. The door leading to back office is open a crack, but it is hardly ever locked in the first place. Everything seems pretty open, trusting everyone (perhaps foolishly) that comes here.

*Devin waits his turn to speak to the Reverend, not entering the back office, he respects the mans privacy.

Once in a while he looks at the other people as they pass by him but quickly lowers his eyes when they look his way. *

When given a free moment, Desmond spots Devin off tot he side. He heads over to him, giving him a smile. "Doug, was it? I am so glad to see that you could make it. What did you think of today's service?" He always likes to get the opinions of the people, always open to their ideas.

*Devin nods at being called Doug and offers a little smile.* Was real nice father, real nice indeed. Ya gotta way bout preaching that make it seem like ya aint preaching at all.

I.. well I wanna help out, I sees ya are renovating the place and well I'm good wit' my hands ya know. Could help if ya need it, for free ya know, my parole officer thinks it'd be good to rehabilitate me. *He watches his feet and rubs the back of his neck, apparently ashamed of having to mention his parole officer but wants the priest to know he's legit.*

Desmond smiles. "Please, it is just Pastor Desmond. Or Reverend if you like. But as you can see I like to keep a casual atmosphere. I want people to feel at home. And I am glad you enjoyed the sermon. I am always open to discuss what I talked about."

He beams a moment when the young man offers his help. "A helping hand is always welcome. And doing work in the service of the Lord and our community is always rewarding."

Ya and might do my soul some good too.. so uh where ya want me to start Reverend? *He shrugs and looks around slowly.* I got me some time and brought my work clothes in my beater.

"Wonderful." He grins, patting his arm. "Hmm. Let me see now... How are you at fixing things?" He shows him to one of the back pews that is barley still sitable, that could maybe just use a couple extra nails, and in truth it looks like all of them could use a good coat of varnish.

I can do lots with my hands, work in construction and all... can fix all these up right quick Rev. *He nods then waits to be dismissed before hurrying off to change and grab his tool belt. He really seems eager and goes right to work, easily taking on the challenge of securing not just one pew but all of them so they will last. *

The Rev thanks him, then goes off to take care of his own work for a while, leaving his new helper to do what he can.

*Devin works steadily for an hour before standing and wiping her forearm over his forehead. A nod to the work then looks around, muttering to anyone present he's going to wash up and head out for the day.

He walks quietly into the washroom and locks the door behind him. Latex gloves are tugged on before he reaches into the bottom of his toolbox and pulls out a cloth. Inside lays a pipe bomb, fairly simple in construction but with a filler of Permanganate, sugar and glass shards, a simple shoelace as a fuse.

The bomb is placed on the back of the toilet as Devin plugs the thing, making the water overflow. He then lights the fuse, grabs his toolbox and leaves, tacking a note on the door that it is out of order. The door is shut and he slips out of the church into the old beater car. A last glance to the church, about five minutes til explosion and Devin takes off, weaving through small side streets to get as far away as possible. *

2008-09-16 16:20:38 Bellisa Damita rolls 3 dice to build Pipebomb (Diff 7) 7,10,7 (3 successes)
2008-09-16 16:21:08 Bellisa Damita rolls 13 dice to Pipebomb damage 4,6,7,5,5, 2,10,1,6,1, 7,7,2 (4 successes)  

--Last edited by Bellisa Damita on 2008-09-16 18:22:28 --

Like a claymore the pipebomb explodes with a deep boom. The bathroom is utterly demolished, even the outside walls caving down under the force of the shrapnel. Dust and debris clogs the air inside the church, windows breaking through the entire building. Other walls throughout the church are pitted with the shrapnel from the explosive and a four of the workers lay on the ground moaning or screaming from shrapnel driven into their flesh.  

--Last edited by Radiationjunkie on 2008-09-16 18:30:09 --

((Assuming Desmond comes running back to his church after his encounter at New Paradise...))

Desmond had maybe never run so fast in his life. After getting free of that awful place, he didn't know where else to go but his church. He didn't know if he would be followed, but maybe if he ran fast enough...

The sight he beholds once he rounds the corner is not one he could have dared to imagine. The broken windows and the clouds of dust still trickling from them are his first hints at disaster... but it is as he grows closer and sees the further destruction...  that it all hits him like a blow to the gut, tears stinging his eyes, and not just from the particles in the air that makes him cough with every breath.

He manages to utter a few words before he begins to venture inside, afraid for those who may have still been inside...

"Lord have mercy...."

*Bellisa watched from across the street, waiting for the reverend. Jeans and a t-shirt were her choice tonight, looking very young and average.

She clears her throat and does her best to set her voice on average too before hurrying across the street, offering help to the wounded, being sure to get close to the reverend and keep an eye on him. *

The poor man is quite shaken... and yet he does not let that deter him from focusing on helping the poor souls who got caught in the blast. He didn't hesitate to go to the closest person laying in the rubble inside, braving broken glass and cracked wood.

He seems grateful for the help from the stranger coming up to assist him, as he tries to call 911, just in case no one has done so yet.

*Bellisa crouches beside the reverend.* What happened? *All innocence, wide hazel eyes staring at the mess as she holds a cloth over one of the bigger wounds on a survivor.* I think I heard someone call 911.... *Of course the sirens would be heard a few moments later.*

Desmond sheds his own jacket to use to help staunch any bleeding, looking around with some relief hearing sirens.

"I don't know." He answers with less of a tremor in his voice than he seems he should have. In fact there is a certain strength in his gaze now as he is determined to be strong in order to help the weak. "I did not see it. But it looks like... an explosion. I don't know how it could have happened." And he really doesn't, though there are so many possibilities now in his head concerning that place he just left... Could they have done this? Considering he only just got away with his life... he would not be so surprised.

it isn't surprising though, with the religious killer running around... he's gone quiet and could be moving on to this sort of thing. Or that cult, they keep bothering members of my congregation... they're a sore on this city. *She murmurs softly as she offers the victim a tender smile* It'll be okay dear, here come the EMT's. *Bellisa moves away as they take over, wiping the blood on her jeans and moving to another victim to see how she can help.* Shhh love it's going to be okay now. *She strokes a woman's hair as she waits her turn, her injuries not as bad. A glance back to the Reverend* I'm Bella Dannica, I run the Eternal church, merely a gathering of people who believe in the lord but may not believe in a certain denomination.  I know most of the churches here would frown upon this but everyone of faith needs a church. *She keeps her voice low and soothing even when not speaking to the harmed woman.*