perryhadalittlechurch:

/shakes his head sheepishly/ I can’t imagine why I’d need to. I never needed one until now.. And if I ever need another, I’m not so needy that I can’t buy another. /chuckles softly/ Just think of it as a, hm— a gift. For being my most regular visitor.

/takes his first bite of Mira’s bread, fighting the urge to hum aloud at how good it tastes/ /dipping a bit into his soup for another bite before turning back to Mira with an apologetic smile/ Oh, Miss Mira… You know I never do anything but watch the church. I say my prayers when I wake up and before I go to sleep, clean, and wait for visitors. /smiles, shruging/ And since we’re sitting here in the churchyard, I don’t have to worry about possibly missing someone.

/looks back down at his bread/ Anyway, I’m really glad I’m getting to spend the night with you, Miss Mira. I— /pursues his lips thoughtfully/ I don’t think— I’d have it any other way… Really.

[Blinks, turning the thermos over to admire it for a second, before pressing a hand to her cheek. Leaves it there for a second, as it’s warm from the side of the thermos.] Hmm.. you’re too kind, Father Perry. You’re always so kind.

[Doesn’t take a piece of bread just yet, instead drinking the broth of the soup - sighing when she’s done and savoring the flooding her system.] Hmm.. [Glances over at him very seriously, pressing her lips into a thin line - and remembering the conversation she had with Molly earlier on her way here.] I see. You’re right, I hadn’t thought of that.

[Turns slightly to look out over the rest of the courtyard, before glancing back to him as he continues.] ..You mean that? [Attempts a smile which doesn’t quite touch her eyes.] I can’t imagine I’m really the best company. Half of the time I’m nervous I’ll— oh, I don’t know.. [Giggles softly, but it’s not especially mirthful.] ..I’ve already relied on you so much, Father. I worry that I might be too heavy for you, sometimes.

perryhadalittlechurch:

/beams, his spirits brighten as Mira opts for the food/ Ah, true! I guess it’s lucky that I learned this recipe then. /reaches around and hands her the newer-looking of the two thermoses/ Here. I only have one thermos, so I had to rush this one over from Barbara’s store yesterday. Y—You can keep it if you’d like… /his smile widens at the sight of the bread/ Oh my gracious, how smart. Ahh— It smells wonderful, Miss Mira..!

/he sets his food neatly in front of him, squaring his shoulders for the grace/ Thank you, goddess, for this blessing of your harvest you so graciously grant us with. May it give us strength and fortitude to continue to live as you teach. /crosses himself with a nod/

Oh— you bought it special? [Frowns for a second, looking a little worried - before accepting it with a smile.] That’s kind of you, but you didn’t need to do that.. [A little taken aback as he offers it to her to keep.] My, that’s— thats very generous of you, Father Perry. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather keep it as a spare? [Unscrewing the cap, letting the bread rest on the blanket between them as she uncaps the thermos and smells the contents - smiling. Glances back to him.] Ah, thank you.. as does the soup. Hmm. ♥

[Recaps the lid of the thermos, setting it down to lean against the front of her blanket - and tucking her hands into the layers of cloth around her, folding them in observation of the prayer. Listens quietly with her head bowed, eyes closed - before crossing herself as well at the end of the prayer.] Amen.

[Sighs heavily at its conclusion, picking the thermos back up and glancing to Perry again.] I’m glad you took the night to spend time with me, Father Perry. [Smiles gently, though a little sadly as well - unscrewing the cap again.] I honestly hope I’m not taking you away from anything. 

perryhadalittlechurch:

/glances over at her, making sure she looks warm enough and trying to ignore the fact the her likes the way her hair looks when the winds blows it/ Y…yes. That’s true. I suppose it’s just another of the Goddess’ blessings. /chuckles softly/ She really is in tune with the feelings of her people.

/realizes he had no idea what to say now, all he wants to do is fiddle with the chipping paint on his old thermos but he opts instead to just stare at the sky/ … /after a few moments, he finally turns back to Mira/ So. What would you like to do first, Miss Mira? /hold up his thermos happily/ Eat? /places it down in front of him much slower, his smile softer/ Or…?

[Sighs, nodding with a small smile.] I suppose that’s true. [Turns the small smile on him.] I asked the goddess today for the strength to be able to see small blessings like that in the world around us. It’s good that you can do so naturally.. I still struggle with it from time to time.

[Turns to gaze up at the sky, occasionally shrugging the blankets closer in around herself to brace against the wind. After a few moments, she looks up as Perry speaks.] … Soup sounds good right now, actually. It was a good choice, especially given that tonight is so cold.. [Leans around, gathering up her bundle and untying it, pulling a small lunchbox out of the cloth and taking the lid off. Presents it to him open - a loaf of fresh baked bread.] I baked it this morning to go with the soup.

perryhadalittlechurch:

That’s true. /thinks for a moment, smiling at the thought/ Maybe that means spring’s coming soon.

/holding the door open for her, he scuttles ahead to lay the blanket down as quickly as he can without giving the process over to sloppiness/ Here we are. /extends a hand forward, offering Mira the first seat, placing the thermoses on the corners of his side of the blanket, so the wind doesn’t blow it away/

Oh, I certainly hope so. [Slips out of the door, following him to the spot he laid out the blanket - putting her bundle down on the opposite end of the blanket to help the effort as well. Shakes out the blanket she was carrying to unfold it before wrapping it around her shoulders, tucking it under herself as she takes the offered seat.] Ah, thank you.

[Heaves a long sigh as she settles herself down into the blanket, trying to get comfortable and warm, before glancing up at the sky.] Hmm.. the stars really are lovely tonight. It’s probably good that it’s so windy.. there’s not a cloud in the sky.

perryhadalittlechurch:

Ah, o—of course! I’ll go get some. /scurries toward his room, returning with a comforter and a old-looking quilt/ I’m sorry about that.. /he bundles them up awkwardly, making sure he still has a steady hold on the thermoses/ I’ve barely been outside all day today. S—so. Shall we?

[Nods, watching him leave to get more blankets before crossing to the back of the church - scooping the blanket he left in the last pew up along with her bundle. Gives him a smile as he returns, shaking her head reassuringly.] Don’t give it a second thought. I probably ought to have dressed warmer, myself.. but it’s been so unseasonably warm lately, I thought I would be fine. This should certainly cover it.

[Nods, smiling gently, turning toward the doors.] Absolutely.

perryhadalittlechurch:

/smiles and nods in response to her greeting/ Same as ever, Miss Mira. I pray you’re the same? Ah— It’s not too cold for you to be outside tonight, is it? I have a blanket in the back pew… /looks over to where he knows he left it/ It was for us to sit on, but if you’d like it for yourself, you’re more than welcome.

[Shakes her head, running her fingers through her hair again.] It is a little windy, but I think it’ll be alright. [Tugs on her shawl a bit as she follows his gaze to the back pew, before looking back to him with a smile.] Though.. if you’ve got any extra blankets, I doubt it could hurt things any at all.

mollygoodgolly:

She nodded her head, shifting her weight from one leg to the other.

“Yep! Should be. Way better than sitting at home alone like I originally planned, you know?” She giggled at the idea of ‘planning’ to stay home, wondering how much, if any effort, one put in to planning such a thing.

Molly smiled again at Mira as the woman confirmed her suspicions. She was glad for her that she had made plans with Perry. Who better else, honestly.

“Well that sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun! I’m sure Perry’s excited too. Seems like it’d get pretty lonely all the way up there everyday.” A small frown came to her face as she scratched the back of her neck, wondering what it would be like to live in a church with no neighbors around or anything.

Mira nodded, echoing her. “Way better,” she said softly - and she’d intended for it to sound much less sad that it had. She countered it with a smile, sighing softly through her nose and adjusting her shawl around her neck.

She blinked at the mention that Perry might be lonely, the smile fading slowly from her features as she thought about it. The thought had never really crossed her mind before. Granted, she’d been a little single-track minded in her attendance at church over the last year - it had taken Molly saying something to make the thought occur to her now. “Do you think so?” she mused aloud, wondering at the truth in the statement. She recalled her conversation with the young priest a few days prior - how he’d mentioned how few people came to congregation these days. A pained look flitted over her features briefly, before she re-attempted a smile.

“Well,” she said at last, fingers of her free hand going to fidget with the knot of her shawl. “Let’s hope I’ll be good company, then.” She gave Molly a little wave, bowing slightly. “I hope you have a good night, dear.”

Starry Night Prayer

Mira sighed, slipping the bouquet of roses into the stone vase - preening them a little, spreading out their stems so that the flowers would fill the bulk of the vase. The blue ribbon tied around the flowers wasn’t visible this way, and Mira fretted at this for a second, before whispering to herself that it was okay. It was okay. The ribbon was still there, and it was the thought that counted in this case.

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animallovergwen:

broken-mira:

Is that so? [Brightens up considerably, nodding - setting the names aside in her memory.] I’ll have to stop by and ask him. Who shall I say sent me, Miss? [Offers a hand for a handshake.] I’m Mira, by the way.

Mhm. He’ll set you up nice and easy. *looks down at her hand before shaking it* I’m Gwen. Nice to meet ya~!

It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Gwen. [Smiles happily.] Maybe I’ll see you again over there?

animallovergwen:

Mhm. It’s all about faith and trust with them~. Yep! My friend Bob was thinking about doing things like that for other people to give it a try. You can always ask him over at Brownie Ranch.

Is that so? [Brightens up considerably, nodding - setting the names aside in her memory.] I’ll have to stop by and ask him. Who shall I say sent me, Miss? [Offers a hand for a handshake.] I’m Mira, by the way.