2020-06-31 GWTW: Preaching on Corners

Preaching on Corners

Participants: Lavender

Storyteller: Nate

Location: Elysian Heights

Date and Time: June 31, 2020

Summary: Bible quotes and baptisms

Since the 1910s, Elysian Heights, along with a few neighbouring areas has been home to many of the counter-culture, political radicals, artists, writers, architects and filmmakers in Los Angeles. Thus while there is a bit of money here, this is a far cry from the fancy mansions of the truly rich.

There's an air of creativity, chaos and freedom of expression; graffiti isn't uncommon even if it's usually of the political or artistic bent rather than gang signs, and there are a good few hipster-ish cafes around as well.

The intermittent rain hasn't stopped people going about their daily routines, with people milling around between cafes and businesses and homes. The intersection that Jason had mentioned does indeed have a doomsday preacher on it; medium tall and of Hispanic complexion, wearing a black button-down shirt and black trousers, a white piece of cardboard tucked into his collar.

Just as well that she hasn't been sent out to the realm of mansions. Between her skin colour, which seems to indicate roots of Black, Hispanic, Native American and who knows what else, the waist-length beaded dreads that comprise her hair, and the ragged state of her clothing, Lavender is the kind of person who gets the boot, or just arrested, in the well-to-do areas. Here, though? Here, she can stroll. Device in hand, she pauses to snap occasional shots of graffiti, to get little videos of streetlife, all in the name of making it seem a little less strange when she stops to record the preacher. She snaps a few still pics, then tries to get some of his sermon on video, proof of his continued alive state, while also trying to listen to what he's saying.

The preacher is calmer than a lot of the other doomsday sorts. He isn't yelling to the skies or fire-and-brimstone lecturing; instead he's simply offering baptism before the end comes. He has an open bible in one hand, an open bottle of water in the other, using the latter to splash people if they agree. It is an informal kind of ceremony, but when the 'end is nigh', sometimes you've got to cut corners.

Lavender stays just out of range of potential baptisms, though she does cast a curious look at the man's arms, for some reason. After a moment, she slides the little device away in an inner pocket of her unzipped hoodie, shoves her hands in her jeans pockets, and watches a moment longer. She even watches one of the baptisms, watching the face of the splashed person carefully, as if to check for any strange reactions, then calls out, "Padre. Mind if I ask you a question?"

Those who are splashed with water seem... well, damp, maybe slightly bemused by the whole thing, but there are no obvious reactions that suggest they're feeling strange.

And then the priest turns towards Lavender and smiles brightly. "Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her," he responds, clearly quoting something - probably the Bible.

"Yes, well. I haven't come with a baby to fight over," the girl replies, drawing from what is almost certainly the only Solomon story she knows. Religious education on the streets can be sparse. Still, she smiles, all friendly-like, while still not getting close enough to touch.

"Anyway, Padre," she says, still using what she hopes is the right term of respect. "I was interested in what you were preachin' about. But I've got to ask. What makes you think the world's ending so soon?"

The Hispanic man's smile remains, and it is a peaceful expression. "There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered," he explains in a kindly tone.

"Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens." From all you can tell, he genuinely seems to believe the message he is bringing, though there is some faint underlaying confusion as well.

She nods her head slowly, still smiling, her body language relaxed but interested. And the interest part is genuine, though perhaps not for the obvious reasons. "Yeah. So I've heard. I'm just wondering why. Isn't... what's it... no one knows the day or the hour? Or... something like that. You just seem so sure that it's coming soon, so it had me wondering. Sure does seem to be a lot of bad times lately, though. People getting sick and stuff."

"It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed," the preacher tells Lavender softly. And then, the first words he speaks which are not quoting the Bible; "May I offer you baptism?" He holds up the bottle of water, but doesn't splash her with it unless she gives the okay.

"No thanks, Padre. Not today, anyway, but I tell you what... I'll think about it."

She backs away from him a bit more, still smiling, but clearly not trusting the safety of letting someone who may be infected actually splash her with anything. "Bless you, Padre," she adds, then turns to keep going, heading for another informant she's got in the area to check on any more dead bodies. Or glowing fungi or tainted mushrooms. But she pauses, before out of earshot, and looks back over her shoulder. "Hey... Padre? What's your name? In case I decide I want the baptism."

There's a brief pause as his name is sought, and he frowns slightly. Then his expression brightens again. "Father Lopez," he replies. "Juan Lopez." Tucking his bible under one arm, he offers a hand to shake.

Lavender considers the hand, then considers her own, and she wipes it off on her raggedy jeans before reaching out to shake it. "Nice to meet you, Father Lopez. I'm Lavender. Still new. Never hurts to make friends with a preacher-man though." She lets go and steps back, turning away again. And, well, wipes her hand again, when she's out of sight. Just in case.

Clasping and shaking the hand warmly, Father Lopez gives Lavender another smile. And, as he shakes her hand, the sleeve of his shirt tugs back just slightly, enough that she can see the edge of a blue-green pattern on his wrist, faintly glowing. He doesn't comment on it, maybe isn't aware she's seen it, and then he releases her hand. "Blessings of the Lord be upon you, Lavender."

Lavender may suddenly be wishing that maybe she -didn't- shake his hand. Still. She does move away, after that, frowning in thought as she heads off to find her next bit of information.