As promised, Scootaloo was immediately guided towards a large natural spring where all members of the church - faithful and Servants - did their bathing in the desert heat. The 'Sisters' who were waiting quickly and deftly stripped Scootaloo of veil, dress, and petticoats, though did not remove the white bandage she wore in place of her eyepatch. It had been Sebastian's suggestion - which she'd agreed with - that a bandage would draw fewer questions or objections when 'undercover' than an eyepatch, and a mention of "doctor's orders" was all it took for everyone to ignore it or work around it. This gave Scootaloo plenty of time to take in the surroundings.
The spring was actually in the exact center of the structure, which had obviously been built up around what had once been merely an oasis. Rather than roofing, the spring remained shaded only by palm trees to maintain the natural feeling of the area, though the entire oasis was now contained by a courtyard. The structure extended outward from there over a wide area which appeared to cover mostly quarters and communal areas. The only other points of note were the large cathedral structure opposite the main entrance and the two soaring towers to either side. What struck Scootaloo as odd was that one tower was pitch black from base to top, while the other was pristine white, the towers being the only parts of the structure any color other than the plain grey stone of the rest of the structure. More than anything she wanted to ask about the purpose and reason behind this, but she had to be 'Citrine', the heartbroken, grief-stricken filly that this order would desperately want to snatch up...which meant she couldn't let herself get excited.
"I was wondering if you might be able to answer some of my questions whilst My Lady undergoes her ablutions?" Sebastian suddenly asked one of the 'sisters' tending her. "While Citrine does not speak much since her ordeal, she prefers that those around her speak. A group of silent people...reminds her of the funeral."
Scootaloo schooled her expression to hide the victorious smirk. She was glad she had that talk with Sebastian about his wits being at her disposal. She was completely confident that he'd be able to put together the details she was curious about based on where she directed her attention.
"But of course," one of the sisters - a pegasus who shared the same coloration as the earth pony who'd guided them to the bath - responded. "I will answer what I may. What is it you wanted to know?"
"The overall design of this place is...curious," Sebastian observed carefully. "For instance, the main structure is of plain grey stone without the slightest bit of ornamentation...almost ostentatious in its simplicity. An...odd design for places of worship, at least amongst those races that normally do worship. I admit I was unaware of any gods ponies prayed to."
"We do not worship any god here," the mare replied. "Our faith is based around the concept of the balance of life and death, the path of the soul. As all souls are fundamentally the same at the deepest level, so too is all in the communal structure the same, so no one is ever higher or lower than anyone else. Those who come here know themselves to be equal."
"Then why are the main cathedral and the two towers different?" Sebastian inquired curiously. "I admit the idea of a faith based around a concept rather than a figure to worship is curious in and of itself, but I presume such inquiries would be better answered by attending the service you mentioned."
The mare nodded with dignity. "True. The cathedral represents the concept of the soul itself. There we strive as a group to grasp the fundamental nature of the soul, and how they are all joined together by nature as a single force greater than any one of us could ever hope to be alone. The grandeur of the structure is to remind us to be humble regarding that concept, to know we are all equal and but parts of a far greater whole.
"As for the towers, that is where our most important rituals take place," the mare continued. "Only those of the faithful who have truly dedicated themselves to the faith, the church, and the hope it represents are privy to what goes on in either tower. The black tower is the Tower of Death, and the white one is the Tower of Life. Their opposite points relative to each other represent the journey of the soul from life to death to life again. Our churches are all built to the same plan, with the courtyard surrounding a local feature that represents life against adversity, such as this oasis in the desert."
"My thanks for assuaging my curiosity," Sebastian offered politely. "And for helping my charge remain comfortable. I hope I did not disturb you with my inquiries."
The mare waved her hoof dismissively. "It is our purpose here to enlighten those who journey to our halls to learn, and to provide comfort for those who come seeking hope in their hour of grief. It is both our honor and our pleasure to do so. But what of you? Surely the heat of the desert has bowed you down as well?"
"A butler of my caliber who can't handle this much isn't worth his salt," Sebastian replied demurely. "Much as you it seems, it is duty, honor, and pleasure for me to endure anything for the good of My Lady."
"Such dedication," the mare murmured thoughtfully. "You may make an estimable brother of our order."
Scootaloo couldn't stop a choke at that thought. Sebastian, a brother of a holy order...
"Are you well?" the mare actively bathing Scootaloo asked her worriedly, lifting her out of the spring.
Sebastian quickly scooped her up. "I am all she has in this world now," he offered softly. "The thought of me leaving her to join the order probably disturbed her. She does not do well alone."
The talkative mare smiled softly. "You are both with us now," she promised gently. "You will never be alone again."
We'll see about that, Scootaloo thought softly.
good chapter but i think i found a grammar error.
"You made make an estimable brother of our order."
i think you meant "you may make"
it just threw off my reading train of thought which is saying something because i am awful at grammar.
A lovely little pairing of not nice and nice butler.
But minor missing would near the end with the "brother of our other."
8162195
*grumble, grumble* That's what I typed...
So...Equestrian Taoists? Sounds like Taoism from what that attendant is saying.
I like to think that Black represents Life and White represents Death.
While Life can be cruel and unforgiving, dark mixed with light in varying amounts. It is Black.
While Death offers peace. A void that is free from suffering, depending on what you believe. It is White.
Equality huh...wonder if ol' Starlight's former doctrine inspired something...
8162226
When you are born, the first thing you experience is light in your eyes.
When you die, the last thing you experience is the world going dark.
8162233 Yeah, but swapping them is neat and shows a certain way of thinking. However, your logic is good too.
8162233
Refer to 8162261
It can honestly go either way depending on what you take into consideration. If you take everything into consideration, it's all varying shades of gray, which isn't fun.
Wonderful ideas, probably used to be a perfectly reasonable, peaceful and helpful order. But as often is the case these groups are highly vulnerable to corruption, a single member or group of members can gain too much authority, then twist the group to their own desires. Seeking true immortality is the perfect selfish goal for these kind of corrupt religious leaders.
Why did I feel Starlight Glimmer is nearby?
So long as their holy order isn't Fifty Shades of Gray I don't think 'Citrine' has anything to worry about.
8162199 it's alright it happens to everyone and spell check doesn't help with grammar I know this to my ultimate embarrassment
( and if you can write without spell check to me you are a god amongst men)
I believe I found a minor mishap as well:
I'm pretty sure that should be 'so too.' Minor thing, but you know me—Grammar Nazi extraordinaire.
8162341 Ehhh, Glimmy is more about being equally talented, not equally soul-ey or whatever,
8162268 Agreed... in my many Lifetimes I've seen life and death take so many forms and creeds... from the white being that embodies all life in a multiverse to the black reaper seeking to bring all to nothing... to the most ebony of bulls protecting the world from another made of 1000% ivory malice...
Also, I've seen one that decided to walk a negative path almost tame the white life... and one that in darkness found life be beyond stupid and deal with the Ivory beast of carrion...
Well, I've heard of weirder religions. I can't wait to see what dark secrets this one hides and how Scootaloo and Sebastian find them out.
I love this story so much! I'm pretty much addicted!
does this sound similar to unitology anyone?
guessing sacrifical magic, right now..
8164829 Probably deliberately written/described to draw parallels to the overlaps of many existing religious structures, groups, and mindsets. It wouldn't be surprising for them to share similarities of at least some features and dogma.
8164829
well fuck where's Isaac Clarke when you need him
8164829
It sounds like any number of so-called 'new age' religions. A lot of what cropped up in the 60's- actually before, as the evangelical ministries started spooling up a few years after WW2 -sound like this. This sort of cult makes for easy prey, as do the more simpler of the Christian denominations. You know, the ones that require you to be a sheep following a shepherd.
As for Unitology, a lot of that- especially the 'reassignment centers' bears a close resemblance to Scientology. If it is, it's all the more laughable.