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[holyposition]

WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK

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t.laughlin

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[hymen]

the camaraderie of a bunch of hot wet guys on a boat.

god, we are friends. you don't have to make me say it.

[holyposition]

Guess I prefer grass and dirt.

You say that like it's embarrassing. It's normal to have friends.

[hymen]

haven't spent much time on a yacht?

i had friends when i was deployed. it's not normal to have friends in washington.

[holyposition]

None. My grandpa had a skiff we used to go fishing on.

It's been a while since either of us have been in Washington, you know. It's healthy to make changes.

[hymen]

you do seem like the fishing type.

do you ever think about what you'd do if we end up going back?

[holyposition]

I hope that's not derogatory.

All the time. This place has shown me that living authentically is possible, and I can't go back. I'll tell the army I'm gay, and they'll kick me out. And then go back to New York, or out west, and join the fight.

[hymen]

[ jesus. ]

isn't that a little excessive? i lived a perfectly enjoyable life fucking whoever i wanted in my own time. you just have to separate your two lives.

[holyposition]

I'm tired of the second life, that's the point. I have someone I want to spend my life with, Embry. I used to think sneaking around was the best I could hope for, but I was wrong.

I'm not doing it again. Nobody should have to, and I want to help put in the work to get us there.

[hymen]

yeah, okay. i get it. i'm sure you and hawk will be very happy being unemployed activists.

honestly. i think you'll be happy because you'll be together.

[holyposition]

Are you kidding? He'll hate it.

I'll just have to trust he loves me more than Glen Mhor.

— text | un: jacaerys

[vermax]

Would you explain the concept of Lent to me? In your words?

[holyposition]

Of course! 🙂

It's a period that leads up to an important religious holiday. Christ wandered the desert for forty days in deprivation, while revisiting temptations that might stop Him from heeding His calling. So we make sacrifices to honor that and keep our focus on the things that are most important.

So we fast, we don't eat meat on Fridays, and we abstain from sex and alcohol. Some people add more, but all that's hard enough, living here.

[vermax]

And what happens at the end? On this important holiday?

It sounds like something the devout followers of the Father might do, before his holy feast where he makes his judgments.

I did not realise it pertained to more than sex. Why not meat?

[holyposition]

He dies, so that we can be forgiven for our sins. The holiday, Easter, is the day of His resurrection.

I guess around here, resurrection isn't so impressive, but it doesn't happen back home.

He gave up His own flesh for us, so we abstain. Traditionally, you would get the whole family together for fish instead.

[vermax]

So you worship a man who is amongst the Undead? ( He's just clearing some things up after their zombie misadventure. ) It does not happen back home, either, without the magic of Old. Such a man would be impressive but likely also feared.

Do you? With Hawk?

[holyposition]

It's not the same as what happened last month. He didn't return to His life among us, but ascended into heaven.

Hawk doesn't share my faith, so he's eating meat as usual.

[vermax]

... But he was no longer dead?

I had figured as much, given what other things he has not given up. But I meant the family meal, in this case.

[holyposition]

Well, no. But none of us really are. Our souls are given eternal life in heaven, if we've lived well.

We almost always eat together. Unless I'm at Dead Men.

[vermax]

I see. And there is one heaven?

Good. Such things are important, and I am sure your family meals are much more pleasant than many.

[holyposition]

Yes, just the one.

The more people, the more potential for drama. I love my family, but I don't envy you for having their company with all the debauchery around here.

[vermax]

Different from The Faith in that aspect then.

I'd send them back, if I could. The debauchery would be less of a problem if I did not have to witness my mother partake.

[holyposition]

Yeah. I've been taught all about it.

My mother would faint after thirty minutes in this place. Less, if she found out I was living in sin with another man.

[vermax]

By Alicent?

A sin by the laws of your Faith? I am lucky, I suppose, that it would be a hypocrisy for my mother to judge any lover I might have. Man or woman.

[holyposition]

That's right.

It would be sinful even if it were a woman, if I wasn't married to her. And men can't get married, so it's sinful by default.

Your mom likes women?

[ News. Yeah. Definitely news... ]

[vermax]

She would know best.

I was more referring to the marriage to my father. When we left King's Landing, Ser Qarl came with us. ( but that's not a no. he's caught the looks shared between Mysaria and his mother too many times. )