deliverance.

"I like being a look-out, it feels important." Protecting the entire town from what might be on the outside was after all, half of the battle. What was on the inside could be just as corrupted, but she would find that out in time. "It's peaceful. You get a lot of quiet, time to think about your priorities." To pray, if she had been so confident as to bring up such a bold notion at a time like this. But to think sounded better, she knew. "Out of all this, a place to go where you can reflect."

She wasn't supposed to settle in Redwood, but she couldn't deny how nice it felt to finally be safe. Wandering aimlessly for miles on end and nearly days upon end was something that still woke her up in the night.

"It doesn't get easier," she said quietly and took a big sip of her drink before settling into a nearby chair. "But it is nice. One potential last hoorah."

"A positive note." She nods, as though she completely understands what the other woman means by her own stance. At least she seems relaxed, passive at best. "Do you know them well?" Best to ask, not to assume that the demeanor came from a lack of connection and not a lack of feeling. "Or are you new here?"

His declaration of luck and fate is met with a sobering expression, her mind fixing the different pieces of what causes people to hear about this place, why of all the times they should all be here together. It was not just luck which had brought her and Calamity here, and she doubted that such a force would just ignore Ares. No, they were all here just as it had likely been decided for them by the creator. "You do have a second chance here." Her pulse quickened at saying it out loud, "We will do so much good, I know it."

So she didn't urge the other woman to drink, but did take an awkward sip of her own, trying to find her footing again. Luckily the word husband rang through her ears and she perked up. "Your husband? You're here with your husband, that's great! My husband is here too, he's uh–somewhere here. Making friends." She let out a soft chuckle, turning her head around trying to find Renzie from here but failing. "Everyone here is really kind, so I don't doubt you'll meet everyone and get to know them soon enough." She offered the encouragement but was still feeling excitement bubbling inside of her knowing there was another married couple here.

"Yes, it seems those are what husbands do best." Didn't she rely on her own for much the same. An introduction into the world that had changed in so many ways. "They'll run into each other." Spoken like fact instead of question, as though two men wandering trying to make conversation would be on an inevitable collision course. In a group this small it felt obvious, at least to her.

"Mm, fun. not exactly how I remember it, but I suppose it's close enough. Could do with a bit more booze."

And who better to approach than the woman standing by herself off on the sidelines? Emi walked over, an extra drink in her hand as an ice breaker. "Hi. Yeah, I would say this is pretty nice. It's nice that the community can come together like this. Uh, this is for you." She added, handing over one of the cups in her hand. "I saw you standing here by yourself and I don't think I've seen you before. I'm guessing it must be weird being at a party where you don't particularly know many people. So, I'm Emi."

"It is nice." Unity, in the face of the strange assignment that's been given, the two who are departing before she can truly know them. There's not much else to say about the room they all find themselves in., showing support for murky targets. "I confess, I only know my husband." There's nowhere in particular for her to point, Cal has escaped her vision, though she knows he is close as she knows her own pulse. There has always been a feeling to the two of them, some pull that she can only recognize as beyond her control. "That will change, of course," Smile finds its way to her face, the promising hope that perhaps this is the first of many introductions. The idea that it is already changing now with those kind enough to recognize her first. "I appreciate the company. "

"I've been here almost two months, with my husband." Their little cottage a pace away from the commotion of the town, the divine light filtering into their kitchen each morning. "There's plenty to meet, I'm sure I haven't seen everyone yet either." And she means it, the close-knit groups take time to infiltrate, the strays that wander are harder to catch than one might realize. Patience in all things, even friendships.

The new couple in Redwood didn’t have any children, so she had yet to meet either of them face to face. All she knew was the little she had heard about them from others. Before the outbreak she would’ve been content to stay in her bubble and chat in her own small social circle, but she figured it was a good time to get to know the new arrivals.

The woman - Evelyn, if she remembered correctly - was on the sidelines looking quite out of place. Maggie walked up to her and gave her a friendly smile to be met with a less-than-enthusiastic smile from the younger woman. Perhaps this would be more awkward than she thought. “Yeah. Always nice to have a bit of a celebration. Obviously a lot has changed, but I think it’s important to have something to look forward to, y’know? Everyone needs a break between everyday drudgery,” she said, trying for a non-(conflicting) topic. Maggie held out her hand to shake. “I’m Maggie, by the way, one of the school teachers. We haven’t had the chance to meet face to face yet.”

"No, we haven't." She leaves her own name out— again, the forgotten assumption that she is known, has been know since the dawn of time. Old habits, unable to be penetrated no matter how many times they might have moved to a new place. When in doubt, a compliment comes out, paired with a smile that might almost be genuine. "The school is important work." Is it? Certainly it is here. The expectation is obvious. "We're lucky to have you." A nod ties everything together, positive she has delivered a compliment.

"Drudgery?" The word for the party strikes her as odd. Is this not a mission for them? A celebration for a calling, for bravery to emerge? She's too new to question Maggie's true meaning, but the note has already been made. "That is a different way to think of this place."

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

calamity’s voice was rough with manufactured calm, using the words as mantra to ward away the anxiety at the task that loomed ahead of them. despite being in redwood for nearly two months, tonight would be when their mission could truly begin. the community was larger than any they had entered before, and judgment could not be rushed.

his hand reached out to eve’s, taking it and brushing a thumb against her skin as he stood by her side–always by her side. a community as large as this no doubt carried many wolves in its ranks. a single offering would not move the scales. 

for redwood to be saved, they would have to be tested. their faith would have to be great. like abraham readying the knife at isacc’s throat. 

calamity was drawn to the sound of children’s laughter, watching as families gathered in the town square to revel in the false sense of safety this community had provided them. 

“when we’re done, this place will be what they think it is.” he remarked proudly. “fit for the new world. a place for their sons and daughters to live meaningful lives.” a blessed place. 

It was as near perfect a veneer as she had ever seen, the light of the fire casting all in that same warmth. But as with all on this mortal plane, it was but an act, beneath it somewhere was the rot all humans were prone to. And they would find that sin, whether it lurked in the high council or in the groups of workers— no matter where it believed it could escape judgement.

"As it should be." Her words only serve to compliment his, their thoughts the same even in this moment. It takes such unity to survive what they have seen, to be continually blessed how they have been. Still, here stands their test. "Have you ever seen such a mask?"