In Penitence and Faith

[Dillon Connery]

The Deacon arrives shortly, in black, and a somber tone. There is nothing pretentious about his attire, just a simple dress shirt and slacks. His usual style that he considers to be properly respectful for Mass, Confession, or the other Ritae. He had been hitting the books hard these last few nights, and his knees in devoted prayer even harder.

That is what sets his tone. To align himself with the will of the Almighty, to be the Lord's dark instrument of direction, encouragement, and insight among his fellow Sanctified, Dillon Connery becomes serious.

Making his way into the Sanctuary, Dillon's boots do not make obvious his presence. His restless Beast does that first. Though it is very familiar with the potency of the Nosferatu Priscus by now, it must growl. If only to say I am still here, and I am eternally dangerous. Dillon keeps a firm hand on the leashes.

Stopping some distance away, he bows his head when he is fairly certain Sidor is... probably looking at him. You can never really tell. "Bishop Grigoriev."

Around town, or in Elysium, they were fellow Deputies. Fellow Priscii of their respected Clans. In the confessional, they could be brothers. But here, Sidor is the Unholy Anointed. The highest authority of wisdom, and deserving the utmost respect.

[Dillon Connery]

"Paladin Powell." Offering a nod and greeting to Josephine when she enters as well, Dillon gives little to no notice to Sidor's pronunciation. He'd always been pretty good with accents, but the truth is, he'd listened to the Bishop speak so much that it takes no effort to understand his words.

When those words are more than a greeting, Dillon is much more concerned with making sure he got all of the meaning behind them, rather than the particulars of Russian speech patterns. Sidor's English is about as perfect as a second language can be, anyway.

Detecting the lack of an opening statement from their leader, Dillon knows him well enough to realize that is not by accident. He speaks for them all, not in brazenly assuming some mantle, but in quiet confidence that his fellow Sanctified were at least as prepared for Confession as he.

"We stand prepared to go before the Almighty, in penitence and faith.

"Will you hear my confession first, or last, Bishop Grigoriev?" The Deacon can see the possibilities for both orders. If he went first, the burden lifted from his own shoulders might offer a clearer connection with the others. But going last would make his turns hearing confession a greater test of his competence. He is prepared for either.

[Dillon Connery]

Dillon nods to Sidor's words, very nearly twitching the side of his mouth up in a crooked smile. He actually likes the idea of the hardest path. The toughest love. He employs similar tactics on his family, when he can. And there is a very simple perfection to it:

He would either be found wanting, or there would be no doubt to his worth.

By that same note, he assumes that it will probably be Sidor who sits in confession first. Surely, there is no steeper mountain for him to climb. As with the Dark Miracles, once he knew he could do it before the scrutiny of their Bishop, he knew he could do it anywhere.

After the nod, Dillon doesn't hammer around words, or even make declaration of his preparation. He merely heads to the confessional, whispering another prayer under his breath, that he may pull the wisdom the others require of him. To strengthen their purpose.

Amen.

Slipping into the confessional box on the Priest's side rather than the Penitent's is a little surreal, but the Gangrel takes care not to let himself be distracted. Rolling up a shirt sleeve, he awaits for the first to enter. Whichever it is doesn't matter; his statement is the same.

"In nomine Patris et Filii, et Spiritu Sancti. Amen." Force of habit, the Latin. A lot of the Roman-Catholic influences lingered in Chicago, in both Kindred and kine. the Deacon makes the mark of the Spear across his bare forearm. Digging in with a nail, just hard enough to feel it. "How long has it been since your last confession, before God, and witness?"

It's easy to hear that he changed the last word in a millisecond, and prematurely ending a sentence that was meant to carry on. The rest is supposed to be witnessed by an Anointed. Which, as of yet, Dillon is not.

[Dillon Connery]

The thoughtful frown on Dillon's face isn't visible through the confessional's screen, but perhaps he pauses for just a few milliseconds longer than would be natural. Sidor either didn't count any confession he'd given to Anton Flores, or he didn't truly confess to the man.

It only makes him wonder what exactly might have been kept from the former Bishop. But the Deacon thinks he knows why. Dillon himself had been scourged relentlessly for the crime of frenzying a possessed hooker to pieces... while Flores himself force-fed the rest of her allies an overdose of some street drug. Hypocrite.

Dillon sets those thoughts aside for later examination. Now is his time to focus on Sidor Grigoriev, and he won't insult his Bishop or the Lord they serve by being distracted.

"Those Damned stand in confession, that we may renew ourselves in Faith and Purpose. To align ourselves with the Will of God, we seek guidance among those who have been tested in the cruel forge of the Requiem, and remain Sanctified." The Gangrel's husky voice is low, but carries easily. "Have you strayed from the path, brother?"