The room was spacious. Baggage was neatly organised on the spotless steel racks, a red cover draped over the seats where pillows with freshly changed covers were neatly arranged. Sitting on one side, Sophia addressed her guest.
'Yes, I can do it. I'd be more than happy to. On one condition, though. Tell me why?'
Riven stood near the entrance to her cabin. He wasn't comfortable sitting down since his robes would probably get Sophia's covers dirty.
'Would you believe me if I said I wanted to do it out of love for the gods?' His wry comment wasn't the least bit convincing, even to someone who wasn't the most adept in social situations like Sophia.
Sophia sighed. 'I have a really hard time believing that. I got excited earlier because I thought I found someone with a similar love for the ecclesiastic, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.'
'Hold on — Eck-Eck Eclesiastical? What does that mean?'
Sophia's stern glare collapsed into melodic giggles. 'Ah, whatever. I do owe you for yesterday, I also fell asleep in your cabin. Alright, I'll do it, it's something I need to learn to do anyway. Speaking to a crowd that is, uh.' Her demeanour fell even further, now back to how she was when Riven had first met her, incredibly timid at the mention of preaching to a crowd.
'Bu-But. Can you be there? I know we haven't known each other for long, but honestly, I haven't really spoken to anyone else on the train, I don't even know their names. It'd be better if there was someone whom I at least knew to that degree there. Oh wait no, you should stand at the back, that way I can speak to you. I remember in Sunday school, they would tell us during choir to look at the back of the room if you're feeling nervous. Yes, stand in the back.'
'That's actually perfect, let's do it then!'
Nodding enthusiastically, Sophia grabbed her books and went to her cabin to talk to the conductor.
'Oh, right, before you go. I have a gift for you, Sophia, for your troubles.' Riven rummaged through the chains on his neck, settling upon one with a crescent shape.
Graciously accepting the gift, Sophia scurried off.
Lingering for a moment, a metallic buzz entered Riven's ears.
'You're very lucky that she isn't the pushy type.'
'It's not luck, I'm just a people person.'
…
In the general seating area of the train, passengers were seated within rows of four. Four leather seats to a row, grouped in pairs and separated by the aisle.
Stewards made their rounds with their enthusiastic smiles. 'Good sir, the final noon of our trip is approaching. A young woman is offering to lead in the Nhooshr prayer. If you're interested, you can head to the function room in cart 3 at a quarter to noon.'
This scene was replicated in many different cabins and seats. It wasn't an overly exciting event, but with the long journey soon coming to an end, taking a moment to show appreciation to the Ancient Sun God for the gift of the sun was appealing to many of the passengers.
…
Some passengers turned to the window seats and kissed necklaces with sun motifs, others immediately headed over to the common room where Sophia was preparing for her speech. Most didn't pay the announcement much mind however.
The room was by no means like a party room or a functional room found in opulent gatherings, and it certainly couldn't compare to the grand cathedrals of Solion, where seasoned priests would address hundreds, if not thousands.
Instead, the girl prepared her books while seated on a dusty couch. The rest of the room was practically empty, save for a couple of dozen passengers trickling in.
She didn't have the attire usually worn by Sun Priests, those were only available for those within their ranks. Their special fabrics, which are sublimely embroidered upon. Instead, she wore blank white robes.
Getting started with some preemptive coughs, Sophia gathered the attention of the crowd.
'Hello, everyone.' Phew. After those two words, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Her eyes scanned the room for a familiar face, landing on Riven who stood where agreed upon. Just like her, she was also scanning the crowd. I knew he had something going on, she thought. She shook her head, it wasn't any of her concern, she didn't think he was up to anything bad.
'Thank you all for coming. It is currently five minutes to noon. Are we all ready?'
She let out a beaming smile as she looked at the crowd, looking for any signs of enthusiasm within the awkward bunch.
The crowd were somewhat uncomfortable when they heard that someone was offering to lead a public prayer, they expected to see a middle-aged woman in clergy attire, not a young girl in everyday clothing.
Many of those on the older side started chattering, hoping this young girl wasn't wasting their time. Leading prayers to the sun god wasn't simple. The sun god's scripture and ceremony were incredibly detailed and regimented.
An elderly lady wearing a buttonless brown cardigan and a samely coloured knit top underneath was gossiping with her friends. A
A teenage boy with brown hair stood on his own within the crowd as he eyed Sophia.
A middle-aged man with greying black hair in a pompadour scoffed. He glared daggers at Sophia as she placed a sundial on the windowsill. This man stood out in particular amongst the crowd. While the others arrived in their everyday clothes. Suits, dresses, shirts and the like. This man arrived in a white thobe, thick gold necklaces around his neck, and a gold scarf draped around his neck.
The dial was a flat plate that looked similar to a clock with lines spreading out from the center, reaching out to the ancient numerals that lined the edge of the dial. At the centre was a gnomon, a triangular protrusion.
The shadows cast by the gnomon created a clock hand, which was edging closer to the next hour.
'Would everyone please face towards the East?' Sophia requested of the congregation.
With no form of uniformity, the crowd turned to face East, the direction from which the Sun rises.
At this point, Sophia was completely engrossed in making sure that she completed the ceremonies perfectly. She paid no mind to the sceptical observers and didn't need to look at Riven any longer, who was alone at the back and followed her instructions whilst muttering to himself.
Her recital began. A melodious recital. An ancient language.
'In the name of Solion, the most compassionate, the most kind and merciful.
In the god of the Sun, who gifted us his soul.
The most compassionate, the most kind and merciful.
The paragon of order, life, and light.
Praise the Sun!'
The shadows of the gnomon crawled steadily like a metronome to dance and song.
Despite their surprise at the girl's age, once the ceremonies started, nobody made a sound apart from particular cues where they echoed Sophia's words. Harmonised hymns of a half-dead language, alive only in ceremony and tradition.
The first act of the ceremonies concluded. As Sophia praised the sun, the congregation raised their hands in the air, as if trying to embrace the sun itself, struggling to handle the magnitude of Solion's love and grace.
The shadows of the gnomon twitched.
…
Riven followed the movements and words just like the rest of the congregation, with just a momentary gap between their actions and his mirror. He watched and copied their gestures. Copied their fervour. He understood the words, he'd studied the language. But the prayers and phrases meant nothing to him.
The movements and the mask drained him. The changes to his appearance were minute, so it was manageable for now.
…
The lady was now deeply impressed by how the young girl carried herself. She gave a sweet smile to Sophia, like a shameless grandmother who conveniently forgot about all the harsh things she'd just recently said, only focusing on the good.
The brown-haired boy was looking at Sophia with increased intensity.
The thobed man followed with perfection the entire time, his deep voice dominating the proceedings, but his narrowed eyes never left Sophia.
Another man, on the younger side of middle aged. He was exceptionally robotic in his movements, his eyes were locked onto Sophia like iron to a magnet.
As Sophia prepared for the second act of the ceremony, the last three were the most focused, the most outstanding.