Big God

They both had been politely ignoring the fact that their original agreement for Thalia's residency here had been exceeded long ago. If pressed, Theory would blame the unheard of winter they'd just experienced, but they both knew it was more than that. The life they had created together here worked for them. It brought them together but created space for solitude - and God. Theory had often wondered what occurred when Thalia excuse herself to worship. She was content to simply wait for her to return, but today felt different. She was aching for something more. Some kind of meaning. There was a quiet terror that undercut all of their time spent together, that one day this might all simply disintegrate. Thalia would leave her and Abaven and Theory would again turn inwards, burying parts of herself beneath the weight of it all until she was a stranger to herself. She needed the comfort and reassurance, and so when Thalia invited her along for her prayers, how could she say no? That smile always got her in the end.

"I'd love to," Theory answered earnestly. They fell easily into step as she followed by her side. It was all so easy - the way she matched her gait, the way Thalia was just perfectly shorter than her, the sounds of the plains surrounding them as they walked. Perfect and familiar. The grass rustled at either side of them as they cut a path through. No time had been allotted for spring or summer this year and she found herself missing the greenery of it all. Everything was already brown and orange and red and dead or dying. A few fall wildflowers hung on, but she could see the season's turn creeping at their edges. The tender petals had begun to shrivel and fall. "In fact," she murmured, interrupting the pleasant silence they so often shared, "I'd like you to teach me. How you pray." Her words were stilted but her intentions were true. Something had been missing from her life - and she had thought so long it was Thalia - but having her here in Abaven had proved that there was a small space still left unfilled. Theo wanted to see what her God was all about.