apologist: (Default)
Jehan Mercier ([personal profile] apologist) wrote in [community profile] faderift2017-11-12 10:49 pm

open.

WHO: Brother Jehan Mercier d'Annecy & You
WHAT: Chantry Brother doing Chantry Brother stuff
WHEN: Early Firstfall
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Will update.


I. Chapel

If the Inquisition's Kirkwall outpost were home to a Mother, even a Sister or two, then Jehan would leave the center tower's chapel—the large one, more ornate than the two in the mage and templars' residential towers, made for gathering rather than solitary quiet contemplation—to their direction.

But they don't have a Mother or a Sister at the moment, so when Jehan occupies the Chapel at his random hours, he acts as if he owns the place. Tidying, rearranging, smiling in greeting at anyone who comes through the door or asking if anyone who looks a bit lost needs assistance. The Chant isn't sung; he could give sermons, but he isn't that sort of Brother, and for full services Inquisition members will have to make the trek to the city's new Chantry and receive them from the clergy. But Jeannot does hum the Chant while he works, and he's authorized to take confessions.

He's also fairly seasoned in handling those who hear confession and think time to make a Chantry Brother blush, but you're welcome to give it a shot.

II. Elsewhere

Maintaining the chapel isn't his job, really. His job with the Inquisition is diplomacy—which on most days means sorting through letters to separate those that need to be escalated from those that only need a thank you or to be fed into a fire. His job with the Chantry and the University, the job he'll return to someday if the world doesn't end, is research. At present he's in the early stages of a proposal regarding a connection between the Empty Ones and the Order of Fiery Promise, in the midst of reading three different books on theology, and scouring a younger student's research on various Rivaini heresies and apostasies to provide comments before it's complete.

Which is to say: when he's not in the chapel, he's often in the dining hall or one of the offices, bent over a table, reading or writing, and overall not being a particularly interesting person. But it's one of the few times he can be found without Freddie or Val or both, because they are horrendously distracting.

He hums the Chant while he does this work, too, but in an idle way that often slides off into one Orlesian drinking song or another instead.

III. Wildcard!
elegiaque: (099)

i.

[personal profile] elegiaque 2017-11-13 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
Of late, Gwenaëlle has been more often in the Gallows.

It's anyone's guess as to whether or not Jehan has actually noticed that - she hasn't gone out of her way to see him, doesn't typically go out of her way to be anywhere near the chapel (barely bothers attending services at the new Chantry), isn't involved in any work that would naturally cross their paths. So while it isn't so strange that she's in the vicinity at all, it certainly must be purposeful, her presence in the chapel, and presumably the purpose is Jehan because she's never seemed terribly interested in her spiritual wellness:

“Confession is privileged, isn't it? Between one and one's confessor.”

Well, there's a first time for everything.
aestivation: ([ tranquil icon ])

i

[personal profile] aestivation 2017-11-13 05:58 am (UTC)(link)
It’s a long walk into the city.

Casimir doesn’t make it often — it takes time to arrange a chaperone, puts aside the entire purpose of routine — most days, the shrine in the mage tower serves. There’s no song, and that’s no trouble when one doesn’t sing. There are no words, and no one to bother hearing them for. Usually, it’s enough: The statues, the candles; the pattern to fit both.

Usually. Not today.

"Brother," He regards Jehan from blank attention. "May we speak?"
wheretheferngrows: (fern | downcast)

I

[personal profile] wheretheferngrows 2017-11-13 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
There's a small-looking elf girl sitting in one of the pews, the next time Jehan looks up from tidying whatever it is that has most recently occupied his attention, and judging by the looks of her, she's spent a great deal of time recently either in tears, or fending them off.

Fern is leaning against the back of the pew in front of her with her face resting on her folded arms; every so often, she sniffs in a way that is indicative of crying. She doesn't look Jehan's way a great deal at first, but after a time, she peeks out at him and looks like she's trying to decide what's worse: approaching him with her thoughts, or choosing to keep them to herself instead.
faithlikeaseed: (blind - chatter)

i.

[personal profile] faithlikeaseed 2017-11-13 08:07 am (UTC)(link)
Myr's something of a chapel fixture himself, lately--his own proclivities and piety had sent him often enough to confession in Hasmal Circle that it'd become a part of his routine. Wasn't so easy to do once the Circle fell and the Sisters had withdrawn to a city turned hostile, but with an authorized confessor in the Gallows he's fallen back into the habit.

It's never comfortable but it is comforting--a much-needed opportunity to turf out the blackness in his head and shed the burdens he can't afford to carry around. (And now that he's not tumbling into bed with anyone and everyone in contravention of Circle rules, it's a damned sight easier to do, without the need to hedge and frame his sins in ways that won't end in punishment and transfer.)

So: Here he is once again to darken the chapel doorstep, looking hungover for want of sleep. It's been a bad couple of months. "Morning, Brother. Have a moment?"
justice_is_blond: (Tell me another one)

I

[personal profile] justice_is_blond 2017-11-14 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
This is the first time he's darkened this door. Anders has been basically everywhere else in the Gallows for some reason or another, but the chapels he's avoided. The Maker hasn't meant anything to him since he was 14 and he has no faith in the Chantry as a place of helping or compassion for anyone who doesn't expressly suit their needs.

But being married to a man who believes has lead to some conversations that have left him with questions so his feet have lead him here. It's not like there's any place for him in the chapels in the city proper. Seeing Jehan gives him yet another pause - not because of the man in particular, but because now being here and running into someone to ask questions of means he has to actually do it or stand there looking like an idiot.

Which he's currently doing, standing there looking like an idiot in Warden robes, arms crossed, barely over the threshold and looking uncomfortable.

"Are you particularly busy?" It's a possible out for Jehan if he doesn't want to deal with Anders right now, and a way to convince himself that he tried and it just didn't work out if he's turned down.
bouclier: (Don't think I see what I used to see)

ii

[personal profile] bouclier 2017-11-14 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
Evie doesn't find it necessary to maintain an office of her own when she has her own quarters off-campus. This of course means that when she has things to do, sometimes she occupies whatever space her cousin has taken up in.

She doesn't really have the patience for work today, however. Which has resulted in her making little paper birds and horses out of the parchment she was supposed to be using to respond to distant Orlesian nobles looking to have their heads patted for sending along a few pennies. Once she's bored with that, she turns to bothering her cousin.

"Did you just turn the Chant into Il est des nôtres? I do believe the Divine is rolling in her grave."
wheretheferngrows: (fern | vulnerable)

[personal profile] wheretheferngrows 2017-11-15 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
It's an encouraging sort of look, Fern decides. Surely if he didn't want to be bothered, he'd have carried on with looking at his book and ignored her. (Shems are good at that when it comes to elves, even sad and crying ones.) She takes a fortifying breath before getting up and, rather deer-like, crossing the chapel towards him. "Can I ask you something?" she blurts out.
aestivation: ([ dark - neutral regard ])

[personal profile] aestivation 2017-11-15 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Thank you. Casimir, if you'd prefer."

It's automatic. He settles in place, hands folded unmoving. It occurs to look if there's another broom about, but the thought doesn't stick.

"I'd a theological question." Raised again by old pages, the last among them. "The spirits of the lost wander the Fade, out into Void. The righteous pass through, into the Maker."

Jehan may be able to guess where this is going.

"What of those who cannot?"
bouclier: (Got a sour face like a poisoned fruit)

[personal profile] bouclier 2017-11-16 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
She doesn't look entirely embarrassed or apologetic, rolling her eyes and waving a hand.

"I'm sorry. From what I've heard of the late Divine, she would have enjoyed your alterations." That probably isn't much better, but she's making an attempt.
faithlikeaseed: (blind - zzzz)

[personal profile] faithlikeaseed 2017-11-17 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll take it." The gratitude's unfeigned and undisguised; he takes the opportunity of the invitation to come all the way inside, staff ticking against the stone of the floor as he makes his careful way to a pew. "And your ear after that, if you'd hear my confession."

He considers a moment taking a seat and visibly decides against it, instead leaning hipshot on his staff. Not the time to risk dozing off in the peace and familiar quiet--as he's done too often lately.
justice_is_blond: (Actually let's go with that idea)

[personal profile] justice_is_blond 2017-11-19 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
So there's no easy out. He wasn't expecting it, but there'd been at least a little hope.

He comes over and takes a seat on the pew, noting that more of it seems warm than would be accounted for by Jehan sitting, and for a brief second there's a flicker of amusement on his face. Then it's gone and his expression is very solemn again.

"I'd a discussion with someone the other day. On the topic of maleficar. It is my belief that when someone has gone that far there is no future for them. They believe that if one has enough regret and repentance, the Maker will relent. I was hoping you might offer clarity on that."
aestivation: ([ yellow - mimic listen ])

[personal profile] aestivation 2017-11-19 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
"No." It's filler, he can recognize as much. Even so — details help. Better that they're both understood. "But I was. To think to lose faith, connection. A soul."

There was one once, he's certain. If there's one still?

I feel the Maker's absence like the vast certainty of stars, awaiting our eyes' revelation. He's heard them speak; of tranquil and souls. He's not felt any such intensity — presence or void — in six years. Above this stone, they stretch high and infinite, teeth in the mouth of god.
wheretheferngrows: (fern | upset)

[personal profile] wheretheferngrows 2017-11-19 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
"The Dalish--" she starts to say, only for her eyes to well up again, and she has to look away from him for a moment. She brings her hands up to her lips and frowns off into the distance. This is so hard. This is stupidly hard.

She turns back to him and blurts it out, like ripping off a bandage. "Does the Maker still love them? Wouldn't He let them in--let one in at least, if she were very good and kind?" Her very large, very tearful eyes are begging him to say the right thing here, please be gentle and don't crush her heart, Jehan.
arlathvhen: (40)

ii

[personal profile] arlathvhen 2017-11-19 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
It would probably be more appropriate for Beleth to ask Jehan her questions when he's in the Chantry. But Beleth doesn't want to go there, she doesn't want to be seen there, and she'd rather not waste his time there that he could spend on those who would rather need it. And so, it's while he's seated at his office and reading some book that looks like it would be a kindness to interrupt from, that she does exactly that.

Politely, of course. She stands at the doorway, hands clasped together. "Brother Jehan?" And once he's alerted, she goes ahead and steps inside, because she figures she's got that much privilege available, though she goes no further than standing in the general proximity of the table.

"Would it be alright if I took a seat? I'd like to speak with you, if I may." She pauses, and tilts her head, eyes glancing off to the side. Here is the awkward part, and Beleth takes a moment to steel herself for it. "I had questions I wanted to ask you. About--um. Andraste. If you're willing."

She's sure that wherever her mother is, she just felt a chill go down her spine.
elegiaque: (133)

[personal profile] elegiaque 2017-11-20 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Good instincts.

Still;

“You're qualified for the position, aren't you? I'd like to make a confession.” There's a brief pause, and then, cheerfully, “There's a first time for everything, Jeannot.”

They're going to be a double-act before long if she keeps preempting punchlines.

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