Bryson wasn't sure if he should insult the male anymore by asking him why he was quoting scripture. However, the appearance of the church is more than enough to make him keep his mouth shut...at least about that. "Wow," he murmured, "That is a nice church." A rather inadequate discription of the masterpiece in front of him but...he was beginning to be more than he could deal with at the moment. He hadn't slept in almost two days and it was catching up to him. He stumbled at the steps before catching himself.


OOC: There you go...crazy, were-dingo...

Apollo caught the stumpling human and easily arranged him to be carried like a small child. He smiled reassuringly, "Jésus le Christ petit gentil, you are quickly becoming as a stray kitten." Carefully Apollo navigated his way through the church, quietly chanting the prayer to Saint Anthony as he walked.
O Holy St. Anthony, be our protector and defender. Ask God to surround us with the Holy Angels, so that we may emerge from every danger in the fullness of health and well being. Guide our life journey, so we will always walk safely together with you, in God's friendship. Amen.

The next morning Apollo was seated at Bryson's feet holding a set of Rosary beads and quietly reciting his morning prayers when he realize the other was awakening. He paused at the end of his decade to smile at the young human, "Good morning sleepyhead. Feeling betteR?"

The night before, he would have protested being carried in such a manner but he had been too tired to protest and had let it happen. When he awoke, he laid there quietly and listened to him. He'd never heard someone sound like he did. It was a far cry from his father, that was for sure. He spoke softly, contritely like he knew that he wasn't perfect and that he wasn't owed anything. When his father prayed...well, it was like he was sure he would get what he wanted. "I-I...yes," he finally settled on as his answer. After a moment, he was silent before he said, "You...don't pray like anyone I know."

Apollo quirked a brow at the human. After a careful moment he responded, "My hope is that I pray differently from anyone else entirely. It is a deeply personal act, to commune with God. No two people could ever have the same relationship with God, and this their conversation with God would be different. Even if we recite the same litany, our meanings may be different. For example, the rosary, at its core is a series of Hail Mary's which ask for the intervention of the Blessed Virgin, but for me, it's also a meditation on the strength of a woman and a mother and their necessary part in the plan of the Lord."

Apollo stood up, and blushed, realizing that he'd been Proselytizing again. He held his hand out to the other man, "By the way, I'm Apollinare de LaCourtesan, though most everyone calls me Apollo."

Bryson took his hand and smiled wryly. "My name is Bryson. And what I meant to say is that most of the people I have ever heard pray sounded like they expected something or like they were perfect and everyone else had the problem. The way you sound...it's just...it's different, gentler somehow." It was hard for him to explain what he meant and he hoped that he had done a slightly adequate job with THAT explanation. If that had not done it, he would try again.

Apollo quirked his head sideways at hte human, "I do not know. I have heard that the southern part of this country has a peculiar love affair with fire and brimstone protestantism. Perhaps I simply come from a place where things are different than here. Still, you should awaken. Services will start in less than an hour, and given your aversion, I very much doubt you'd like to be half nude and so forth when masses of people start showing up."

Bryson blushed at that. "Y-yeah, I really doubt that they'd appreciate that much either." He paused for a moment before adding, "If I wanted to...could I stay? I've never seen a Catholic Service before." While he disliked his father's church, Saint Mary of Grace felt different, more welcoming. It had not the same feel of condemnation when one walked through the doors.

He slowly stood up, stretched, and picked up his hoody which made quite a nice pillow as he waited for Apollo's answer. While he doubted he would be told to leave, he wondered if someone so jaded to the faith already would be welcome.

The dingo smiled at the human. "Yes. Bryson. We don't bite." Realizing what he'd just said he laughed at himself, "OK. Let me rephrase that, most of the people here don't bite, and those of us with issues of a furry kind don't bite worshippers." The dingo then realized that sounded even worse than the frist bit. Giving up he sighed, "Well da..... forgive me holy father.... You know what I mean anyway, right?"

Deciding to quit on that note while he was ahead, he went rummaging through the 'charity' bin searching for a copy of the Missale Romanum for the two to share. He looked at Bryson, "I don't realy need one of these anymore, but a Missale Romanum will walk you through what's going on if you decide to stay. It has the communal prayers and songs. I have my own, but I don't generally carry it when... I'm batting 100 today for nearly saying things I shouldn't in church."

The dingo made to exit the church, "We need to leave an re-enter the church by the main entrance. There's a bowl of holy water there that you should dip your fingers into and make the sign of the cross. We do so to remind ourselves of the baptismal promise. After that we go to a pew and customarily kneel to facind the Blessed Sacrament."

OOC:

Time skips are your friend... Otherwise:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Mass
is a rough oultine of what goes on...

OOC: I wouldn't be that mean...to go through the entire service so...Yeah, time skip:


Bryson hadn't expected to enjoy it as much as he did. When it was finally over, he found himself feeling a sense of compassion and peace rather than anger and condemnation. The service, while a lot of moving and reciting was a refreshing change to what he had been through as a child.

He turned to Apollo. "It's a beautiful church...and the service was wonderful," he murmured, "I didn't think a church could feel this welcoming...or go an entire service without mentioning homosexuality or the evils of witch-craft."

Apollo smiled at Brson. "Saint Mary's preaches to a somewhat, shall we say ecclectic mix of people. I'm sure you've noticed quite a few people who worship here are not entirely, shall we say, human. The church is slowly reflecting on the wisdom God has imparted and coming closer to fulfilling his covenant. Now, Ive a furry problem and I haven't eaten in 16 hours. How about lunch before I decide to chomp on some humans?" The teasing dingo let the small dingo style bark before laughing to show he wasn't serious.

Bryson laughed. "I think that would be a good idea. I don't know about you but I don't taste very good unless seasoned prpoerly," he responed in kind, "So where do you suggest going to eat?" He'd seen some restaraunts as he had wandered down the streets but he hadn't been hungry enough to go in them. Something about a new place making him more frightened than nervous.