Desmond is not Catholic. However differences of faith have never deterred him before. God loves all equally in his eyes, and there was something that brought him here which he couldn’t ignore. Before entering the Cathedral, the young preacher pauses at the threshold, making the sign of the cross, and then proceeds to step in through the large, ornate doors.

His own church is modest in comparison, and he looks around in awe, truly humbled by this place. He adjust his glasses as his eyes settle upon the large cross (whether bearing the crucified Christ or not), walking down between the rows of pews in a revered silence.

Solomon watches from a dark alcove, his form hidden by bending light. The man is garbed as a priest, but Solomon has never seen him before. Curious, he silently approaches to take a better measure of the man.

2008-08-30 13:31:05 Solomon rolls 7 dice to Aura Perception (Diff 8) 2,9,4,4,3, 5,6 (1 success)

He is perhaps obviously not a Catholic priest, at least to those who know them, as instead of the drab black and white, he wears brighter colors, a blue shirt with a white tab collar. All that black was so dreary, after all.

Desmond is easily not aware of being watched. He had taken in the expansive interior, but Solomon so easily blends in.  And so he gets a pretty good view of this new Holy Man as he stands in front of the altar.

What Solomon sees through his perceptive gaze, is an aura so unusually bright and brilliant that it may surprise him at first. It is not something always present on those who claim to be servants of God.

Solomon is intrigued by the visitor. Wanting answers and avoiding deception leaves him with few options.

2008-08-30 21:14:32 Solomon rolls 5 dice to Mask of a Thousand Faces (Diff 7) 6,4,10,8,2 (2 successes)

Donning the guise of a dingy hobo he saw in Tent City, Solomon will wait until the priest's back is turned to relinquish his invisibility.

He waits a moment, and then clears his throat.

As the Reverend turn around he will see a thin man, standing shy of six feet, wearing a tattered clothes. He is clean shaven and has short, chopped up hair. He grins warmly.

2008-08-30 21:22:30 Solomon rolls 6 dice to Disarming smile 7,4,7,6,5, 9 (4 successes)

Desmond, for a moment, seems so enraptured in his own thoughts (or prayers?), that when he hears the sound of a clearing throat behind him, he looks surprised and turns around, realizing he hadn’t even heard someone approach.

“Oh, good evening sir.” He smiles in return to the man, though it is something that comes naturally to him. There is a kindness to his eyes that looks to genuine to be faked. A look that sees past the man’s apparent homelessness… though he can’t so easily see past Solomon’s clever disguise.

“I didn’t hear you approach, I must have been miles away.” Chuckling good-naturedly. “Do forgive me.”

"No, I am sorry for sneaking up on you. I must of given you quite a scare. Do forgive me..."

He pauses for a moment, as if his mind just wandered away. He snaps back to attention and takes several steps towards the Reverend, reaching out his hand in greeting.

"My name's Solomon. I live here... in the basement. The priest, Father Hues, gave me a room to stay in. I was surprised to see you. We don't usually get guests so late."  

--Last edited by Solomon on 2008-08-31 04:10:27 --

“It is alright. No harm done.” He smiles to the other man, and when he reaches out a hand, Desmond happily takes it and shakes the seemingly homeless man’s hand warmly. “Desmond Quade. I am the new Pastor of a small church not too far from here. I am glad to hear you were able to find sanctuary here. A church with open doors will open hearts.” There is so much hope in his tone and expression.

“I hope I didn’t disturb you by coming so late. I had heard about this Cathedral and was eager to see it for myself. I had been rather busy fixing up the church and preparing services and such. But I did just find myself in the area this evening.”

"Its quite alright. I suffer from insomnia and can rarely find sleep while the sun is down... Are you new to town?"

Solomon walks towards the benches, taking a seat on the first row.

“Yes.” He chuckles. “Does it show?”  He joins the man at the pews, sitting next to him as long as it doesn’t seem to make him uncomfortable. “I have been here about a week. I have noticed the city seems to have a pretty active night life, though I am sorry to hear you have trouble sleeping.”

He settles back, a curious thought coming to him. “Solomon…” He muses for a moment. “Is that your first name?” He looks up as soon as he asks with a somewhat embarrassed look. “Sorry, I don’t mean to pry, I am only curious because of the significance of the name.”

"Yes... that is the name my mother gave me."

He stares at the floor, slowly running a hand along the back of his head.

“There is great wisdom in your name.” He smiles. Though, no need to mention what happened to King Solomon later in his reign.  Desmond is too up-beat to bring down the mood.

“How long have you lived in Sanfield? Being new I am still getting to know the different areas, and the people. Do you know much about either?”

"I have been here for four months. I have met some of the people that live here... some of the... innocents... but this city has deep, dark cracks... and many vile things reside here."

A small frown touches his lips at Solomon’s words. “Things?” A pause as he looks away and up slightly.

“I am aware of a certain darkness that plagues this city. I think that is the reason I was sent here by the Holy Spirit. There is a need for hope to be brought here.” Turning to look at Solomon again, conviction in his words.

When he settles down, he seems pensive. “Is it true a priest was killed here not too long ago?”

Solomon takes a moment to collect his words before speaking.

"Yes, Father Gregory... It happened just before I came to town... It was part of the reason I came to the cathedral to live... to make sure that it was safe for the innocent... to make sure that nothing like that ever happened again..."

His brow furrows at the other’s words. “To make sure? As in protecting? That is a noble gesture, sir...” Said with respect, but he is not without a hint of worry. “But against who? Who would do such a thing?”

Solomon pauses before speaking, choosing his words carefully.

"This city is a calm lake with many dark things scurrying about unseen... just under the surface... but let us not speak of such horrid things. Tell me, what is your church called?"  

--Last edited by Solomon on 2008-09-02 22:19:05 --

Desmond’s brow furrows just slightly, quietly studying the man beside him, until the subject changes and his smile returns. Though his mind will continue to wonder, and he may not be able to leave the subject alone for good. For now he is fine with lightening the mood. “It is the Spirit of Hope Evangelical Lutheran church.” He also gives the street it is on for location, which is somewhere in the middle of the slums. Amidst it all…

“It is quite small,” He goes on to say. “But we all know it is not the size of the congregation, but the strength of faith that truly matters.”

"Strength of faith can know no bounds."

Solomon nods along in agreement.

"I will have to come visit your church soon."  

--Last edited by Solomon on 2008-09-03 03:27:11 --

"You definitely would be welcomed." He smiles.

"I am there most of the day. The church was in a shameful state when I arrived, and I am working on fixing it up to the best of my abilities."

"Well, I wouldn't mind giving you a hand, if you need it."

Solomon smiles warmly.