[Questioning, but not exactly denying. Temenos is so accustomed to his methods being viewed with similar admonishment, particularly due to his standing within the church. He'll never come to an understanding with Lobelia on the matter of of his deeds, but at least the two of them don't have to hide who they are around each other.
Ah, he really ought to stop letting his guard down like this, though.]
Hah.
[His initial response to Lobelia's question is a spiteful one. Turning his gaze to the sky, he considers if it's worth answering.
...]
I would be surprised if the gods thought about my existence at all.
[Temenos should've stopped letting his guard down some time ago, but that hasn't happened, has it? And now Lobelia doubts it will. After letting the man in this far, Lobelia won't be quick to let him back out the way he came.
Ah, but isn't this curious? The last person he'd expect to question their faith is a priest, and yet, knowing Temenos, Lobelia isn't the least bit surprised.]
The gods, though placed above us on the hiérarchie, are no less selfish than man. To be perfectly honest, it confounds me that a man as intelligent as yourself would debase himself by pursuing prêtrise. Have you no self-respect?
[Temenos is right there with Lobelia...for a moment, until Lobelia strikes a nerve. Irritation creeps into Temenos' tone ever so slightly.]
For many, the choice to walk the path of the Sacred Flame is a turning point in their life. It gives them hope, and purpose.
["The world is a cruel and irrational place. I wanted something to believe in. Something to hold fast to."]
Though I have come to doubt my faith, I would never belittle what it has done for others. That is why I continue to serve- not for the gods, but for those whose beliefs I want to uphold.
[Because the gods sure as hell did nothing for them.]
Perhaps I was too quick to dismiss your hypocrisie...
[That bit of irritation in Temenos' voice only spurs Lobelia on, laughter in his affect.]
And what might the people who so closely follow your word think if they knew what a déloyal man you were...? What business do you have preaching about something you no longer believe with any certainty? The blind ought not lead the blind, lest you lead your flock right off a cliff.
[Just like that the irritation is gone, replaced by a quiet, hollow laugh of his own.]
I don't deliver sermons, Lobelia. The most clerical work I do outside of my duties as inquisitor is reciting scripture to children with paper plays. If I am ever asked to lend a word of wisdom, I ask for them to analyze the world around them and come to their own conclusions.
But...what you say does still ring true. There is little left for me within the church anymore. I had just temporarily stepped away from my duties before I ended up here, as it so happens.
My, you never fail to mince words, do you? [Seriously. Wow? Wow.] But I suppose some of the more devout followers would say the same. What sort of self-respecting cleric actively encourages doubting the very gods they're meant to serve?
[Oh well.]
Do you recall what I said at the first meeting I called everyone to? I had solved a string of murders within the church. I wished to continue pursuing the organization behind it all.
It's astounding that a hérétique like you has yet to be tarred and feathered and set aflame! Perhaps the gods are more fond of you than you realize?
[Lobelia doubts it, laughing openly.]
You'd be better off dropping all pretense and pursuing your true desires. I know your kind is eager to auto-flagellé, but isn't that a bit too unseemly?
Hm? Do you think I've been living a lie just as you have?
[The thought makes him snicker, but it's not like Temenos is that far off base.]
To live life as I had, it became necessary to sequester myself away from the outside world. Had I not, the lesser of my crimes would surely have come to light.
[But the big ones? Those would never be blamed on anything but natural disasters, of that Lobelia is certain.]
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[Questioning, but not exactly denying. Temenos is so accustomed to his methods being viewed with similar admonishment, particularly due to his standing within the church. He'll never come to an understanding with Lobelia on the matter of of his deeds, but at least the two of them don't have to hide who they are around each other.
Ah, he really ought to stop letting his guard down like this, though.]
Hah.
[His initial response to Lobelia's question is a spiteful one. Turning his gaze to the sky, he considers if it's worth answering.
...]
I would be surprised if the gods thought about my existence at all.
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Ah, but isn't this curious? The last person he'd expect to question their faith is a priest, and yet, knowing Temenos, Lobelia isn't the least bit surprised.]
The gods, though placed above us on the hiérarchie, are no less selfish than man. To be perfectly honest, it confounds me that a man as intelligent as yourself would debase himself by pursuing prêtrise. Have you no self-respect?
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For many, the choice to walk the path of the Sacred Flame is a turning point in their life. It gives them hope, and purpose.
["The world is a cruel and irrational place. I wanted something to believe in. Something to hold fast to."]
Though I have come to doubt my faith, I would never belittle what it has done for others. That is why I continue to serve- not for the gods, but for those whose beliefs I want to uphold.
[Because the gods sure as hell did nothing for them.]
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[That bit of irritation in Temenos' voice only spurs Lobelia on, laughter in his affect.]
And what might the people who so closely follow your word think if they knew what a déloyal man you were...? What business do you have preaching about something you no longer believe with any certainty? The blind ought not lead the blind, lest you lead your flock right off a cliff.
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[Just like that the irritation is gone, replaced by a quiet, hollow laugh of his own.]
I don't deliver sermons, Lobelia. The most clerical work I do outside of my duties as inquisitor is reciting scripture to children with paper plays. If I am ever asked to lend a word of wisdom, I ask for them to analyze the world around them and come to their own conclusions.
But...what you say does still ring true. There is little left for me within the church anymore. I had just temporarily stepped away from my duties before I ended up here, as it so happens.
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[So he says with no small amount of glee. Temenos sure had strayed far from God's light, hasn't he? More importantly, how much further can he fall?]
Ah, but what was it that prompted you to step away? Had the lack of answered prayers simply been too much to bear?
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[Oh well.]
Do you recall what I said at the first meeting I called everyone to? I had solved a string of murders within the church. I wished to continue pursuing the organization behind it all.
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[Lobelia doubts it, laughing openly.]
You'd be better off dropping all pretense and pursuing your true desires. I know your kind is eager to auto-flagellé, but isn't that a bit too unseemly?
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[He may be a lousy cleric going by the strictest definition, but he is an incredible inquisitor.
Lobelia's advice isn't really all that welcome, but Temenos doesn't immediately shoot it down, either. He just lets out a small huff.]
"Dropping all pretense"... And I imagine you are speaking from experience.
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[The thought makes him snicker, but it's not like Temenos is that far off base.]
To live life as I had, it became necessary to sequester myself away from the outside world. Had I not, the lesser of my crimes would surely have come to light.
[But the big ones? Those would never be blamed on anything but natural disasters, of that Lobelia is certain.]