OOC: This is not an RP...this is a short story which I've been thinking of writing, and have decided to do so on this board. To make it all technical, I guess I should say "any writings in this thread by Guruthostirn are copyright of Ryan McElwain"...please feel free to post comments, critiques, or criticisms, but do understand this is not a collaborative venture.
First Draft, Part 1
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"Jenny, wake up!"
From beneath a thick down comforter a slender hand emerged to grab a black clock on the bureau next to the bed. Another hand pushed down the covering to let a pair of blue grey eyes inform the owner of the current time.
"You're going to be late to work if you don't get down here in five minutes," called the unseen voice from outside the room.
"Thanks Sarah, I noticed!" came out from between white teeth and medium sized red lips.
With a groan Jenny sat up in bed. Being late was unacceptable. As quick as her sleepy muscles would move her she went to the bathroom to clean up for the morning. Her routine was perfect, until she reached her long brown hair. It was unusually snarled this morning, and it took her precious moments to work out the knots until its usual fine wavy appearance was restored.
Two minutes later Jenny was dressed and in the kitchen. She saw Sarah had kindly prepared a bowl of oatmeal for her, complete with brown sugar and milk in the portions Jenny preferred. Jenny disliked leaning on Sarah much at all, but was very thankful when these rare days rolled around when she overslept.
"Check out the paper, hun," said Sarah as she packed food into her bag.
"Something I should see?" asked Jenny, just about to start eating.
"Rather extraordinary," replied Sarah. "Though you may find it more amusing than enlightening."
Curious, Jenny grabbed the morning newspaper. One glance at the front page and she understood her roommate's cryptic remark:
"God Has Chosen Satan's Bride!"
"Why'd we get a supermarket tabloid delivered to us, Sarah?" demanded Jenny.
"Jenny, that's the nation's leading paper," said Sarah wearily.
Jenny looked back at the page and realized it was true.
"Now I am curious," Jenny said, looking down at the article.
"That's the first time I've ever heard you say that about something involving religion," snorted Sarah. "Despite the last couple of years."
Choosing to ignore Sarah's remark Jenny began to read the outragously titled article.
"Yesterday morning, throughout the nation leading church figures awoke, proclaiming that The Lord had spoken to them in a dream. By noon it was confirmed: bridging gaps in religion and doctrine, all of them had experienced the same vision, and received the same message.
'It was entirely white, nothing, except the voice,' says Bishop Matthew Milner. 'That voice I shall always remember.'
'"The Master of Evil shall be married in three months. For him I have found the perfect bride, for theirs shall be a perfect marriage. He deserves no less."' quoted the bishop.
Those words have been repeated all across the country. Since yesterday the phone lines have been clogged, the internet awash, communication between churches heated. Already politics has worked its way into the picture, with several large churches offering rewards for the identity of the 'Bride of Satan'. Some have even publicly stated that they will not stand to let the Great Evil be married to someone they do not control. Others have offered rewards of another kind: to the person who reveals this woman's dead body more than a million dollars will be presented. However, both of these groups are in the minority; most church officials are waiting to hear word from the Right Hand of Good, Robert Silvaris.
'That young man will be central to this whole issue,' said Bishop Matthew, referring to the central figure of the last, and first recorded instance of universal divine communication."
"'Bride of Satan'?" said Jenny as she looked up at Sarah.
"The perfect woman for him," replied Sarah, paraphrasing the article. "The perfect wife for the Lord of Darkness must be quite a character."
The heads of both young women turned at the sound of a knock. Jenny quickly stood up and rushed over to the door, thinking that it was Sarah's boyfriend, Tim. If Sarah answered the door they'd be making out for ten minutes on the doorstep and Jenny would never make it past them to work. Yet as she threw open the door to say something nasty to her roommate's fellow, her words died on her lips, which slipped apart at the sight of the figure on the front porch.
"Who is it," called Sarah from the kitchen. "Is it Timmy?"
The young man outside smiled encouraging at Jenny. He seemed so nice she couldn't stay standing in awe; something about him seemed to set her at ease. Clearly he could tell, for he nodded at the direction of Sarah's voice with a small smile upon his lips.
"It's Rob," stammered Jenny, still slightly overwhelmed by their guest.
"Who?"
"Robert C. Silvaris," Jenny replied after taking a long breath.
"WHAT!" came a loud shout from inside. Almost instantly Sarah had rushed to the door, practically knocking Jenny off her feet, her blonde hair strangely hanging loose about her face when moments before it had been caught up in a pony tail. Jenny also noted a few other small changes; clearly Sarah was trying to look her best for their most distinguished guest.
"So nice to meet you, Sarah," said Robert in his soft voice. "You're a lucky woman."
Sarah blushed, stammering out a thanks, clearly uncertain as to what Robert meant. Fortunately for her he moved his gaze to Jenny.
"Jennifer Sylvia McAlister, I am honored to meet you at last," said Robert cryptically, as he took up her hand and bowed over it.
"Me," replied Jenny, confused. "I don't even know why you're here, let alone why you'd want to see me."
Robert smiled kindly. "All will be clear soon Jennifer, I promise."
Off balance by Robert's use of her full name Jenny barely noticed how Sarah had become completely silent, staring at Jenny. All that was on Jenny's mind was that she was going to be very, very late.
"Mr. Silvaris, I am honored to meet you, for your reputation is enormous, but I must be going," said Jenny, walking back towards the kitchen to get her purse.
"Miss McAlister, I've already taken the liberty of informing your employer that you won't be able to make it in to work," replied Robert. "He had no complaints after I identified myself. However, his promises that you would not be fired are unnecessary, you won't need to work there any longer."
Jenny turned, completely taken aback by the actions taken by the young man with the enormous reputation. He was smiling as she looked at him.
"Don't worry Jenny," said Robert gently. "I know what you're thinking. In this case, perfection does not require belief."
The young woman stood completely still, not sure what she was hearing, not sure exactly what Robert had said. But behind him Sarah was smiling weakly.
"Mr. Silvaris, I'm not sure whether I want to be a bridesmaid or not at this wedding," said Sarah.
"Sarah Faulkner, even with The Devil as the groom, you won't want to miss Jenny's wedding for anything."