Post by Liessel on Mar 5, 2024 19:55:10 GMT -5
The dead silence of the night was a time that Liessel preferred to sleep through. Things felt different at night, silence felt different at night. Especially in the world she had come to. Maybe it was that she knew there were creatures out there that stalked the night, creatures of immense power and fortitude that could rip a hole through her without even blinking at the prospect of it. Maybe it was that the true struggles of the day only set in when the mind was stilling, and the body was trying to find rest. Maybe it was simply that she was afraid of the dark, and of all the things that lurked within it.
The ghosts and phantoms of the day always seemed to be more vivid when it was quiet. The things that should have been done, or what could have been said always seemed to become clearer at night. The realm of the midnight moon had a funny way of doing that.
Even the grand house that sat in the middle of a Knightsbridge lane couldn’t escape the effects of nighttime, and the moon that oversaw it.
Liessel’s room was anything but completely dark, though. She had opened her curtains, letting a silver swath of light cut across her writing desk with its small vase of light blue forget-me-nots, and the notebook and pen that Gerold had given her months before, and across her bed where that pale light caught itself up in the white gauzy drapes that hung from the four corner posts, making them look almost silver, as she lowered next to her bed, her feet bare and nightshift pulled up to her knees to avoid pulling the delicate fabric.
She’d yet to braid her hair for the night, so it hung loosely and was able to pick up the glow of the moon’s light in a soft shimmer like a gold sovereign that had been tossed into a pool of water.
With hands folded together, Liessel took in a soft breath and quietly began to speak, “I -- am not sure if this is how this works for you,” Her eyes rose toward the ceiling, as if the answer was up there, or as if she were expecting an answer from the room around her, “But I was told that should I pray, you would hear me. I am not one of your children, and so I hope you do not mind. And I hope you do not turn a deaf ear, and blind eye, to these prayers.
“There are many here who need your attention, I know that too. This world, and all the rest are vast in the number of people that inhabit them, and while I do pray for them and for their happiness -- their health and wellbeing -- there is someone that I feel I must ask for exception. Well, more than one person but we will start with him first. His name is Gerold Schoen, but I imagine you already are aware of that. As I also imagine you already know what it is I must ask you for. It might be a lot, with all the other souls you must keep an eye on, and for that I am sorry. I know that you have your hands full. All the same, please keep him protected. Please help him find the peace that he needs within his heart. Help him past the burden of his guilt. Help him with the strength to see his work done.
“I know, also, that there may be a soul lost somewhere by the name of Matthias -- I am -- not sure of his last name but I imagine that you know who I am talking about. His death, I know not the details of, but I can say that I know his body has not been laid to rest. It still walks this earth that you watch over. I can only think that Matthias is stuck somewhere because of it. Once the work is done, and his body finds its eternal slumber and the ghost of the demon within him has been cast out, please -- I ask that you welcome Matthias into your hall with warm and open arms. Give him a good place to find his rest, and a comfortable place at your table.
“Thank you, Lord, -- God -- for listening. I know I am but one of many speaking to you tonight, but I speak with my heart and through my faith that you are up there and listening. Guide Gerold through his task to safety, help him give Matthias the release that he deserves.”
Liessel sat back onto her heels, letting her folded hands drop heavily to her lap. Dawn would come soon, and it would erase all the darkness that came with the night. For now, though, and just for a few moments, Liessel let herself sit with the moonlight and a new God.
The ghosts and phantoms of the day always seemed to be more vivid when it was quiet. The things that should have been done, or what could have been said always seemed to become clearer at night. The realm of the midnight moon had a funny way of doing that.
Even the grand house that sat in the middle of a Knightsbridge lane couldn’t escape the effects of nighttime, and the moon that oversaw it.
Liessel’s room was anything but completely dark, though. She had opened her curtains, letting a silver swath of light cut across her writing desk with its small vase of light blue forget-me-nots, and the notebook and pen that Gerold had given her months before, and across her bed where that pale light caught itself up in the white gauzy drapes that hung from the four corner posts, making them look almost silver, as she lowered next to her bed, her feet bare and nightshift pulled up to her knees to avoid pulling the delicate fabric.
She’d yet to braid her hair for the night, so it hung loosely and was able to pick up the glow of the moon’s light in a soft shimmer like a gold sovereign that had been tossed into a pool of water.
With hands folded together, Liessel took in a soft breath and quietly began to speak, “I -- am not sure if this is how this works for you,” Her eyes rose toward the ceiling, as if the answer was up there, or as if she were expecting an answer from the room around her, “But I was told that should I pray, you would hear me. I am not one of your children, and so I hope you do not mind. And I hope you do not turn a deaf ear, and blind eye, to these prayers.
“There are many here who need your attention, I know that too. This world, and all the rest are vast in the number of people that inhabit them, and while I do pray for them and for their happiness -- their health and wellbeing -- there is someone that I feel I must ask for exception. Well, more than one person but we will start with him first. His name is Gerold Schoen, but I imagine you already are aware of that. As I also imagine you already know what it is I must ask you for. It might be a lot, with all the other souls you must keep an eye on, and for that I am sorry. I know that you have your hands full. All the same, please keep him protected. Please help him find the peace that he needs within his heart. Help him past the burden of his guilt. Help him with the strength to see his work done.
“I know, also, that there may be a soul lost somewhere by the name of Matthias -- I am -- not sure of his last name but I imagine that you know who I am talking about. His death, I know not the details of, but I can say that I know his body has not been laid to rest. It still walks this earth that you watch over. I can only think that Matthias is stuck somewhere because of it. Once the work is done, and his body finds its eternal slumber and the ghost of the demon within him has been cast out, please -- I ask that you welcome Matthias into your hall with warm and open arms. Give him a good place to find his rest, and a comfortable place at your table.
“Thank you, Lord, -- God -- for listening. I know I am but one of many speaking to you tonight, but I speak with my heart and through my faith that you are up there and listening. Guide Gerold through his task to safety, help him give Matthias the release that he deserves.”
Liessel sat back onto her heels, letting her folded hands drop heavily to her lap. Dawn would come soon, and it would erase all the darkness that came with the night. For now, though, and just for a few moments, Liessel let herself sit with the moonlight and a new God.