-----
"It's good to see you, Tendo-san."
"Likewise, Brother Ono."
"Call me Tofu, Kasumi-san, please." The Tendo girl kept refrained from a girlish giggle.
"Of course, Brother...Tofu." Kasumi smiled to herself as she fell into place behind the Jesuit layman. They walked through the kitchen with its picnic tables. Kasumi watched the hungry and the poor from beneath her lashes.
A child barreled down the aisle, bouncing off the Brother's leg. Kasumi bit her lip as she watched Tofu lift the child up, laughing.
"Little Toro, does you mother know where you are?" The boy pointed towards the corner of the room. Kasumi watched Tofu carry the boy on his shoulders. She blushed deeper. More stray thoughts.
Tofu deposited the child next to a young woman. A little smudged and tattered, she bore herself with pride.
"Miss Reiko. Would you like more?"
"No thank you, Brother Ono. You've been too generous. We'll be going soon as Toro's had his lunch."
"You don't have to go back, Reiko. You're welcome to stay as long as you need."
The woman looked away as the boy splashed his soup bowl. "Eat up, Toro. We need to get to the station soon."
"But Mom!"
"You heard me."
"Miss Reiko?" Tofu's voice was quiet, but strong.
"No, Brother. I don't need your kindness. Any more than I need your religion." The woman's was stronger. Tofu stood back and nodded.
"Take your time." Tofu gently took Kasumi's arm and led her away.
"You're going to let them leave?" Kasumi whispered. She looked back at the two.
"Kasumi." Brother Tofu sighed, "We can't decide for her."
"But what about the boy?" Her whisper turned harsh.
Tofu sighed again, his grip insistent.
-----
Kasumi traced the gold lettering on a leather spine. Books far older and more valuable than she could ever hope to own. A baseball game crackled quietly on the Brother's radio. She looked up as the sound of clattering dishes.
"Please, take a seat." Tofu spoke.
Kasumi turned away from the bookcase and stepped towards the western style coffee table. Her tea sat warm, waiting.
"So, what make you come back, Kasumi-san?" Kasumi looked up, then turned away again scandalized. Tofu had poured himself a small glass of brandy. The Brother chuckled. "Kasumi-san, I am an adult." She looked up as he sat down across from her. "I'm human, too." He looked at her from over his glasses. He took a small sip. Kasumi reached for her tea, another blush forming.
"It's about my sister."
"Akane? She was always a little rambunctious."
"No, Brother Tofu, my other sister. Nabiki." Kasumi looked up, and found Tofu leaning towards her, his hands laced around the crystal of the brandy glass. She sat back in her leather chair, bringing the tea with her.
"What's wrong?"
"She's been doing things. Horrible things. Awful things."
"Drugs? Gangs?"
"No, Brother. It's much worse." Kasumi worried at her cross. "I'm afraid for her soul." Brother Tofu frowned.
"Teenagers these days feel a need to experiment, Kasumi-san. Your sister may not share your sensibilities. You were far more grounded than most, I'd say."
"It's not like that." Kasumi refused to meet the Brother's eyes.
"Then tell me what it is like."
"She's committing the unnatural. Summoning things. In our home. In my home." It came out far harsher than Kasumi had meant. She looked up at Brother Tofu's frown. Good. Then Brother Tofu chuckled.
"You're serious?"
"Brother! I'd never lie to you."
"Excuse me Kasumi-san. That's just not the answer I'd expected. A thousand years ago in Europe, that might have been a common concern, but these days? Most families are more worried about their children's secular lives."
"But it's true!"
"Kasumi-san. Have you ever seen your Sister do this?"
"Well, no, but she's told me she has. She said she was having an affair with a demon."
"Are you sure she's not just trying to shock you?"
"I'm worried for her."
"Hmmm." Tofu placed his glass on the coffee table and stood. "She didn't happen to mention what kind of 'demon' she was seeing, did she?"
"A succubus." Tofu nodded as he walked to his shelf. His hands trailed across the spines, slowing to a stop. He pulled a book from the shelf, leather like the rest, but bound in red. He turned through the dog eared pages.
"Though our leaders do not exactly encourage the study of demons, those of the faith find it most edifying to know what to avoid." Tofu spoke. "Ah. Succubus," Brother Tofu began, "An angel. May come from any choir. A succubus has fallen from grace through the sin or expression of lust."
Tofu stepped towards the coffee table while reading from the red tome. " While not necessarily evil, a succubus is considered impure and may not return to heaven, forced spend the rest of her days on earth and away from God's love." He recited.
Tofu looked up. "Your sister, if she is telling the truth, is living in sin with one of God's host. She is in no danger of going to hell. I'd say Purgatory at worst, but the Holy Father redefined its existance before he died, God rest his soul." The Brother looked down to Kasumi.
"Brother Tofu, can't you at least speak with her?" Kasumi rose. "Tell her how wrong it is to do this?" Tofu shut his book and pushed his glasses up.
"Only if she asks."
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(Posted Tue, 24 May 2005 22:21)
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