Running Water

[Bunny]

Isaac softened when he saw how frightened he had made the child. Fear, of course, was an excellent motivator, but he had always favored keeping the children in line through love. Fear was - had been - Malachai's domain.

"I didn't mean to frighten you," he said. "Just please tell me who else knows of your..." he hesitated, "skinny dipping." The phrase was alien. He had heard it, of course, but he had never dreamed he would ever have to use it in conversation. It was on the tip of his tongue to remind Feng that Isaac did have ways to find out, through conversing with his God or merely having Malachai - er...Solomon - ravage through the town until a confession was achieved. But he had frightened the child to such a degree that he thought that at this point the reminder would just be cruel.

[Aquarius Aziel Feng]

Feng didn’t want to say anything. He was too nervous to even think straight right now, and when he could try to muster up the courage, he was starting to fail miserably at trying not to cry. Even tiny bubbles started to form between his lips when he started to speak. “Just, just…” He gulped before continuing onwards, “Jude and Joan. B-but I think others know, too.” He couldn’t be sure, since he had actually met several others during those times when he would simply be streaking, but he didn’t get to know them as well as he did the twins. “Please don’t be mad at them, be mad at me.” Bad choice of words, at least for him, but he certainly didn’t want the twins getting in trouble. “I… I try not… I…” He wanted to say that he often practiced it when he was by himself, mainly because he didn’t have much clothing, but he felt that the preacher would take it as a lie or make it worse than Feng would’ve intended.

[Bunny]

Jude and Joan. Although Feng hadn't submitted every one of his accomplices, this pair - JudeandJoan, always referenced as together - was well enough, for now. Particularly Joan. Jude at least was another male, and, since the boys all shared a communal home anyway, likely would have caught sight of a nude Feng at one point or another. In fact, if it had just been Jude, the entire action may have been forgiven. When Isaac paused to think logically, it wouldnt make much sense to not skinny dip and drench your clothing in water.

Joan, however, was another matter entirely.

"Do you mean to tell me," Isaac clarified, "that you revealed yourself to a sister?"

[Aquarius Aziel Feng]

For a moment, the preacher had gone quiet. Feng gulped, worried that the young man was thinking of a punishment for him. He would’ve turned and run if he could, but his fear had rooted his feet to the ground. He was shaking quite a bit, but not enough for it to be easily noticed. When the other spoke up, Feng realized he might’ve only just made things worse for him. Hesitantly, he stood there just watching the boy preacher. He didn’t really understand why nudism was so wrong in the young man’s eyes, but he didn’t want to make the situation worse. To him, nudism was normal, and not something like a sin. With a little gulp, he nodded very timidly, and not thinking clearly at first, he went on, stammering a bit at first, “I-I, seen them, too…” He looked down at the ground, not daring to let his eyes lay on the other anymore. He would’ve gone on explaining that they weren’t doing anything wrong, but so far it seemed like that no matter what he would do or say he couldn’t seem to reason with Isaac. He could try to get the boy preacher to indulge in such a natural act, but then he could get in trouble for even thinking that.

[Bunny]

Isaac nodded. "I had predicted as much," he breathed. Once more he grew silent. Feng had tempted Jude and Joan into sin, even succeeding in making them both wallow in it with him. In truth, Jude and Feng's 'skinny dipping' alone could have easily been forgiven. As Isaac had already realized (though now that he had condemned it, he couldn't very well rescind his words) it was simply impractical to swim while wearing the clothing. Rather foolish, too, for if the clothing were ruined it would take quite a bit of effort to find or make another suitable garment.

But the fact that Joan was there turned a small misdemeanor into a grave evil. Joan had flaunted herself in front of another boy - a far younger boy, though that fact, if anything, just made her action worse. But she had also displayed herself in front of her own brother.

"You saw Joan's bare flesh, then?" he asked uselessly, already knowing the answer. Now though, he just needed to realize the full nature of what had transpired. If Joan was ruined completely, she would have to be dealt with. But if she still had something to be fostered, than she very well might be due to wed.

[Aquarius Aziel Feng]

Feng was starting to get fed up now. All that fear was turning into disappointment for the preacher. He thought that someone who was into the Bible and the Lord strongly, especially when they were rather very close to He Who Walks Behind the Rows, would know better than to judge. His broken wrist didn’t bother him, the fact he had stated his being a nudist didn’t bother him. It was the feeling of being contradicted, being misjudged, that irked him the most.

He didn’t understand at all why just being naked was so wrong, but he knew that being judgmental was. He wouldn’t say that he had read the Bible because that would’ve been a downright lie seeing as the young boy couldn’t read at all, but he had been to church plenty of times, and had heard from plenty of Isaac’s sermons that judging one another was wrong. “Sir! I cannot believe you! You judged me! Of all people, you as our preacher, our father, our leader, judged me, just because I said I was skinny-dipping. I’m a nudist and I’m bloody proud of it! You can’t just not do something and then call it a sin! I bet you’ve never, never, never, never, ever taken any of your clothes off, even for a stinking bath!” During his rant, he had actually pulled off his shorts, even scratching his legs a little, and violently threw it against the ground.

When he realized what he had done, he gasped, covered his mouth, and gulped. He also blushed, but only a little. But the anger was still there on his visage. "What's so bloody wrong with just being naked? We're born naked, we probably die naked, and most of the time we're like half-naked! We have to get naked to take baths, to change clothes. So there shouldn't be anything wrong with just being naked..." Evidencially, the boy didn't know anything about sex, which was most likely a good thing.

[Bunny]

Isaac narrowed his eyes, but for a moment said nothing. Instead, his mind reeled. The fragrant disrespect that the fold was suddenly displaying was certainly an ominous realization. Something would have to be done, and soon, to remind them just where their loyalties had to lay. He was God's Exalted Leader, and would be until his own nineteenth year. He would be treated as such. He had endured their childish outbursts for far too long.

Feng, for his part, seemed to just be displaying a childish indignant rage. It was the wrong time to display it (and he would pay for it) but it wasn't overtly evil. He had several misunderstandings, and it was on the tip of Isaac's tongue to correct him. The accusaton that Isaac was judging him was both absurd and truthful. It was, in fact, his duty to judge lest the Lord judge them. And He Who Walks Behind the Rows was never as forgiving, that was why he had Isaac to try and detect and ultimately steer the children away from their lustful sins before they had to face their eternal retribution.

And, while the boy had several points regarding his flesh, he forgot the most important. The flesh could lead to either sin or honor. To bear more followers of He Who Walks Behind the Rows was a wonderful honor, but only meant to be shared by two individuals who had been confirmed to one another in a vow to the Lord. The sin was fornication, when two children indulged themselves on the rewards of the pleasures of the flesh without having it first permissible by God. The skinny-dipping led to temptation to have intercourse. Especially when it was done around one of the opposite sex. Clearly, though, if this thought had never even occurred to him, no one had yet to teach him about the birds and the bees.

Isaac shifted uncomfortably. Generally, most children had either been told by their own sinful parents before the purging, were told by an older child who took an interest in them, or had come to their own conclusions after watching the farm animals procreate. Once again, this ignorance would have masked his previous grievous to the point of being all but forgiven, if he hadn't compounded it with his unbridled rage.

And last but not least, Feng had also accused Isaac of never bathing, essentially. Which was totally untrue.

All these things Isaac thought about pointing out, but didn't. Particularly the birds and the bees. Since no one took it upon themselves, it was technically be Isaac's duty to tell the boy all about the birds and the bees. He shuddered.

All his previous concerns stemmed from Feng's ignorance, after all. He would deal with the other grievousness once Feng was able to comprehend the gravity of what he had done.

"Baring your flesh opens the door to sin," he began awkwardly. "Do you know why?"
OOC: >.> Not my best post. But I think we could have some humor if we keep going in this direction. XD

[Aquarius Aziel Feng]

OOC - xD, it was good. Feng's only getting more upset but he might listen somehow.

For a short while, the preacher had gone silent once again. Feng had a feeling that the other was probably annoyed at his small rant, angry at what he had just done. He knew he might’ve disrespected the young man, but he was standing up for himself and so be it, he would be right about one thing if he could help it. He watched the preacher long enough before stooping down to pick up his shorts, but instead of putting it back on, he folded it with his good hand as much as he could before placing it neatly on a small boulder nearby. He would then start walking towards the water’s edge, but then the preacher had spoken up again.

Now he was even more upset. “You don’t get it!” He snapped at the other before letting his feet disappear into the water, and then he would turn around, sitting down quickly. “You don’t get it at all.” He would know that at least he tried, but if the preacher wouldn’t stop being stubborn neither would he. “I don’t even know what flesh means.” He muttered under his breath, but he figured it meant being naked. “But it doesn’t lead to anything bad. I’ve been naked all my life in front of others, and nothing bad ever happened.” He would’ve added that eventually he had to kill his family, but he kept that under lock and key, not wanting to make the situation any worse. He saw something shiny in the water, and grinned at once as he grabbed it. “A key!”

Excitedly, he tossed it to the shore, but then glared at the preacher. “Don’t you dare touch it! You would just think it’s sinful.” He loved to collect keys, but the preacher already knew the worst that Feng could do. Why add something else to the list? “I’m surprised you have not noticed me, for like, years. I’ve not always wore my clothes when I’m working.” He was right, but then again, mostly when he would see the young preacher it would’ve been during weekly sermons and only rarely during his working hours. “Gay people, no-no. Kinky, whatever that means, apparently, no-no. Naked, yes-yes.” He muttered, and then shrugged, “It’s just normal to me, sir. It may not be to you, but we all think differently. Besides, I’m part Indian, so it’s like, twice as normal. If that’s even possible.” He was certain, though, that for the time being if the boy preacher tried to say anything he most likely wouldn't listen. Since the preacher wasn't listening to him, he thought.

[Bunny]

"It is you," Isaac returned quietly, "that doesn't 'get it', child." His pitch lowered darkly, and his eyes had narrowed into slits. "You are severely trying my patience, Feng. I advise you to cease your childish outburst before you are disciplined."

Feng suddenly rushed forward to retrieve a key. Isaac was mildly irritated at the sudden departure, an irritation that was compounded when Feng once more slapped Isaac in the face, to to speak. "Leave me," he ordered. "Go wallow in your sin by the creek, if that is so your desire. But I promise you:" his icy eyes gluttered, "you will be punished. Severely."

[Aquarius Aziel Feng]

He only rolled his eyes, although he did worry, quite a bit, when Isaac’s attitude only changed for the worse. He wasn’t being childish, he was only being righteous or rather standing up for him. He knew he was younger but bet against himself he could beat up the preacher. But then again, he could get in trouble and then have the whole town gang up on him. He wouldn’t do something as stupid as that. Instead, he would simply sit there in the water, watching the other. He would’ve asked Isaac to use his manners, but of course he didn’t often use his own manners much.

He grumbled, knowing fully well it wasn’t a sin, but if the preacher wasn’t going to accept it, he couldn’t think of anything else to do or say that could convince the young man otherwise. However, being punished severely sounded pretty bad, and Feng wasn’t really all that eager to find out just what it would be if he was to be punished for such a thing. With a heavy sigh he would stand up but instead of reaching for his shorts he would only head in Isaac’s direction and then stand before him. He looked down, as if he was feeling guilty, but he was also sad because of how the preacher wouldn’t seem to understand. “Sorry,” muttered the child softly, fidgeting with his fingers a little nervously. Now he decided he would try to be nice, if Isaac was. “So… Do you want to go swimming? You dun have to skinny dip if you dun want.” He reached up to the back of his head and scratched through his hair a bit.

Now he had to admit something else that he was sure the other probably wouldn’t be happy about. “Um,” he said nervously. “… Can…” He paused, hesitantly. He studied the preacher’s face for a moment before continuing. “Promise you won’t laugh at me,” he held up a finger as if to scold the other but he was only adding the firm attitude to his voice. “Maybe… you can help me read the Bible sometime.” Now he snapped quiet immediately, hoping that Isaac didn’t hear him about that particular part. Without warning he would attempt to try and hug the young man gently.

[Bunny]

Isaac's irritation only mounted with Feng's impudent grumbling, and had been about to reprimand him when the child changed tracks and tried to make amends. "No, I would rather not join you," he said, responding to Feng's offer to go swimming. "I imagine that you would prefer me not to join you nonetheless."

Isaac was still responding to the invitation when Feng requested that he read him some scripture. His brow lifted delicately. "Are you illiterate?" he asked quietly. Once again, he knew that Feng was young, but it was the responsibility of his older peers to tutor him so that he could commune with God on his own. Isaac would have to investigate what the older children were engaging themselves with (though he already knew the answer: Hemginford Heists, Bad Corn Pies, Telling the younger ones about bells that summon dragons, and screaming all night at nothing) and see that they altered their schedules to ensure that the youths would be able to read the Bible. Until he had been taught, though...

"I will certainly assist you," he agreed. After that, he excused himself and turned away, only to stop midstep.

"Incidentally, I would like you to start watching the sheep. Particularly the male and female ones when they are together. Afterwards you may understand why I am reluctant to allow you to go naked before a person such as Joan."

[ellie]

Deborah ran screaming into the corn field looking for help. "THE CORN'S GOING TO EAT RUTH!!!!! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELPS!!!!!!"

[Bunny]

Isaac's head snapped to the source of the sudden hair-raising shriek, suddenly alarmed that a danger was stalking the cornfield.

But then he recognized the source of the noise as the five-year-old Deborah. Just a sort while ago, she had panicked thinking that the bell Jacob had tied around his neck could summon dragons. Her fears were hardly ever rational, and Isaac's concern evaporated.

He gestured for Deborah to come to him. "What is it you mean? The corn is going to eat Ruth?" If Deborah was not completely delusional (which was doubtful) it almost sounded as though the Lord had taken it upon himself to call Ruth to him before her nineteenth year. If this was the case, he was concerned that his God hadn't told Isaac of his intentions. Had timid Ruth committed a sin so grievous as to be struck down instantly?

Once more he remembered the dragon-bells.

The answer was probably not.

[Aquarius Aziel Feng]

Feng was a little disappointed that the preacher wouldn’t join him. But at least he tried, although at the next statement, he only shook his head. “I wouldn’t mind if it didn’t bother you much. It is a hot day, after all.” He remained quiet when asked about his ability to read, but it would’ve been an obvious answer, that he didn’t know how to read at all. But he smiled, a little, when the preacher had agreed to helping him. “Thank you,” he said before attempting another hug just as the preacher had turned around. Now he learned of another duty he would soon have to behold, and although confused as to why he needed to watch a male and female of the sheep together in particular, but the comment about being naked didn’t bother him much. Animals were automatically naked, so he was sure that the poor preacher had just gone too far into thinking that the entire practice of nudism was a sin that he couldn’t be saved, so to speak. “Well, if you’re sure you wouldn’t want to go swimming,” Feng said, partially sad, “I guess I can carry some more water back to the bin… Maybe go to the sheep after.” However, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to do all that right now. “Sorry if it’s taking so long for me to fill up the water… I broke my arm a couple of days ago. I mean the part where my hand and arm goes together, I think my wrist.” He wasn’t sure if that was the right term for it, but he didn’t really have the time to think just as a girl’s screech echoed in the atmosphere. He saw the girl come running out of the cornfield, and slightly annoyed with her, went and grabbed his shorts before heading for the cornfield. “Bye, sir.” He said politely to the preacher before starting to disappear into the cornfield.

[ellie]

Deborah froze as she spotted Issac. There was also Feng but she kinda faded him out of her vision since Issac was the object of her affection. She squeaked a little bit as she waddled over towards Issac slightly forgetting what she was yelling about moments before. She somehow found herself in the cornfield alone-ish with Issac. It was like her dreams! "Hellos Issac...." She stared up at the boy preacher with wide eyes filled with wonder. He had asked her something but Deborah found herself tongue tied with the prospect of having a conversation with Issac. "What?" She paused for a long time. "OH! Oh yeah the corns gonna eat Ruth cause she's cover with dirt and and annnnnnd and she's lying on the ground not moving. I...kinda knocked her to the ground with a rocks cause she told me to get the dirt offa her. But I wasn't allowed to get near her. So I tried hitting it off with a rocks. And it helped some...but nows Ruth is lying and not moving or answering me. And...Am I allowed near her again?" She paused again. "I like corn. I don'ts want to be eatens by the corn. But since Ruth has dirt on her and corn eats dirt the corn is going to eat Ruth!!!" She squealed in terror and started to wave her arms around like a crazy person to emphasis the point.