lilli-of-the-mountain:

@seekesotsibteadmist continued from x: 

When Lilli first heard Saima’s proposition, she was wary. As a deeply believing Catholic, her instincts when confronted with places that could potentially house entities not of the world were simply to avoid them. How sad it was over the centuries to see places that she once considered modern and full of life fall into such dilapidated states. Yet, she herself fell under the category of ‘entity not of this world’ and she used this to give her courage, falsely believing that this would warrant her some special protection.

There was also the fact that Lilli trusted Saima to take care of her. She had to trust that they would not put her in any situation which might cause her harm and she did. Yet this did not prevent her from nearly sticking herself to their hip or even clinging to their wrist once they reached the interior of the old church. 

Despite the light streaming in through tall windows, the interior seemed dark to her. Lilli hesitated by the door not because Saima paused there but because of a physical inability to go further. They would never put her in a situation which would harm her. No matter how many times Lilli repeated this to herself, she still couldn’t move. 

Even if she could, she was uncertain of what she would do once she did move. Centuries of Catholic habits told her to genuflect and cross herself upon entrance. Yet this was no longer a place with an active congregation. Even so, Lilli and Saima stood on hallowed ground which warranted some sign of respect. Ultimately, she decided this could not be a Catholic church due to the lack of Marian iconography and thus it did not require Catholic customs.

“How is it cold in here,” Lilli asked Saima, huddling closer to them for warmth. Albeit slightly spooked, Lilli was fine save for the chills which erupted all over her body. “It’s Summer.”

Saima knew full well that this would likely be a strange experience for Lilli. Which was exactly why they were willing to stay within the other’s limits when it comes to such places. 

Inside the old church, they felt a certain kind of remembrance, a vague awe for the feeling of decay that had crept into the place. Something about it still felt incredibly present despite it’s apparent ‘emptiness’. And it’s probably something to do with the sound, the soft underlying sound of songs still being sung – years, no centuries later. 

Despite their own ambivalence about a faith that had been forced on the land they knew, Saima could still appreciate the sense of ritual that filled the air. 

“It is summer.  But this is one of those places that tends to stay cold – the darkness of it all, the emptiness allows for space. And the fact that there are..you know entities around that spend time in this space.“