#prodigals

Melusine: The machine-spirits Father set to watch over the Station and its antennae spires sleep now, beloved pet. You may join me in the booth.

Oleander: I will do whatever you require, my lady. You need only ask.

Melusine: There must have been a second thing, though….

Oleander: My lady?

Melusine: After you made your bratty and philistine remark about jump-scares, I began with ‘First of all’…..

Oleander: Hmmm [a brief inhalation and the sound of something viscous bubbling]… Perhaps if we try retracing–

Melusine: Do not strain yourself, Roboute, your theoreticals will not be required. I remember what i was going to say.

Oleander: Roboute…?

Melusine: You have been Guillimaning that pipe all night! The epitome of Third Legion nostalgia, and you act like you were raised among some feral bilge-deck clan. A total disregard for basic table manners; even children know that the rule is “puff, puff, pass.” How hard is that to remember?

Oleander: Of course my lady, forgive my lapse, it’s–

Melusine: And a fresh vial. Whatever packs the biggest kick.

Oleander: Of course. Here, this one contains a stimulant compound that–

Melusine: [a prolonged inhalation and the sound of something crackling and sparking] IS PURE CLEAN WHITE HEAT FILTERED THROUGH A MAD URCHIN’S SPITE, CHRONOMETERS ARE SYNCED AND MISSION IS GO. APOTHECARY KOH, COMMENCE ROOM-BY-ROOM SWEEP FOR THE PACKAGE’S HIDING PLACE. I WILL REMAIN HERE AND BEGIN DATA EXTRACTION

Oleander: Yes, Mistress! [hurried ceramite footsteps]

Okay, so you’ve heard the heart-moving parable of The Prodigal Son, the same who squandered his money and fell upon very hard times. Now listen to the emotive story sung from a gospel music perspective, courtesy of the talented recording artist Fred Hammond. It’s a beautiful gospel-centred song about a child’s desire for forgiveness and about divine grace, about a son’s repentance and the Father’s love. Please activate the start button. 

I came back with a book full of dreams to give you

Painted & sweaty & covered in sleep,

Perfectly broken and ready to sing

SOUNDS OF A WARP PORTAL OPENING AMID WHISPERS AND INEBRIATED GIGGLING

Melusine: Step carefully, darling, and as you come through plant both feet within the security blindspot until I see to Father’s alarms... He’s quite protective of this DJ booth.

Oleander: [coughing lightly] Where is the... Oh, I see, you marked it with glitter. Worry not, beloved. The grace of my footwork is so instinctive, so innate, I retain it even after smoking the dankest, sticky-ickiest of--

KLAXONS DRONE IN THE DISTANCE

Oleander: Melita, fuck I--

Melusine: [cackling] Oh, by the Thirst, the look on your fucking face is just delicious! [alarms cut off abruptly] Your footwork was perfect as ever, favored morsel.

Oleander: As are your ventriloquist tricks, though your taste for cheap jump scares might be seen as a flaw in some quarters. [a deep inhalation and the sound of something viscous bubbling]

Melusine: First of all, used sparingly they are an effective and surprisingly versatile narrative tool: any who claim otherwise are merely basic bitches masquerading as connoisseurs. That doesn’t describe you, though, does it? Not Count Sunflame, surely?

Oleander: No, my-- [metahuman coughing fit] that is, Melusi-- No, Mistress.

Melusine: Of course not. You were attempting to paper over your fear with hollow insolence. Is that worthy of your great dignity as a former courtier to the King of Feathers though? Or is there something else you could have said, something more appropriate?

Oleander: [shuddering] Thank you, beloved Mistress.

Melusine: For....?

Oleander: Thank you, beloved Mistress, for such an intense stab of fear and dread.

If you are looking for something evangelistic to share with friends to read over Christmas, why not have a look at our E-book “Worthy: What are you worthy of this Christmas”. The book traces links between the lost sheep, coin and son to the story of Bethlehem. Worthy. What are you worthy of this ChristmasDownload