Octave of Stars Theme Song:
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The little parish church was fairly traditional, a rectangular building with stained-glass windows along each wall and plaques for the Stations of the Cross arranged underneath them. Not much light illuminated them today because of the overcast weather, but the windows were still dazzling. Hard wooden pews ran in two rows from the vestibule to the altar, with the ornate tabernacle behind and a large crucifix hanging above. It had been carved from a single piece of wood, cross and corpus fused together, inseparable. Ash hadn't been to this particular church in a while, but it felt as much like home as any other.
Ash, Gayle, and Azalea sat in the middle of the church, near the edge, in case they needed to change positions quickly. The young girl had changed into her church clothing just before leaving the safehouse: a long dress patterned with pink flowers and brown leaves, ankle-high brown boots with gold laces. Her still-straight hair was adorned with a white veil pinned into place, as well as small golden earrings and a necklace. This was a little surprising to Ash, as he hadn't ever seen her wear jewelry. But he couldn't deny this was an excellent opportunity to get dressed up.
Gayle had also changed into some nicer clothes, trading her shirt and jeans for a jade green floral print dress, complemented with a thin maroon half-jacket. She had left her hair down, still curling around her shoulders in a blonde cloud, pushing it over her shoulders whenever she noticed it.
Lumina had admitted that despite Frost's callousness, it was very unlikely he would barge into a church, especially in the middle of Mass. They still had to worry about the police, but it wasn't as though they were wanted for murder or high treason. As long as they stayed low, Gayle had said, things should be fine. This had contributed to their seating arrangement; if Gayle heard radios and heavy boots in the vestibule after Mass, they could slip out through the doors to either side of the altar, or vice versa. Azalea was bursting with delight that she got to go to church with two fugitives.
Ash sang the opening hymn in Spanish, Azalea did a pretty good job with her pronunciation and Gayle didn't even try, just humming along to the tune instead. After the opening prayers, Ash turned to Gayle to advise her to sit down when he did, but she was already seated, her legs and arms crossed. When he stood for the Gospel reading, she stood up tall as well. Azalea noticed this out of the corner of her eye and looked up from her bilingual missal. "She knows what to do," she whispered to him.
Relieved, he focused on the rest of the liturgies. Or tried to, given who he wished could have been sitting next to him as well. Then he remembered hearing that when you wish for something, you're really praying for it. Wherever she was, they were still joined together by their commitment to one another. And, as the same feeling settled over him that he had experienced on the balcony last night, he accepted they were united by their love.
The conversation, or rather, the ribbing he had received from Óscar Mario the previous week came back to him, and he compared it with the honest exchange last night with Gayle. To his amigo, his waiting to commit likely looked like indecision or lack of true feeling. With his now much closer friend who sat beside him, he could finally own up to the real reasons. He watched a young couple bring up the gifts to the altar, assisted by their slightly wayward children. Was God leading him to stand in that place, corralling a group of kids with red hair and brown skin? Or black hair and freckles? Domestic life with Cascadia filled up his mind. Cooking meals for the family, making sure she didn't just eat cereal and crackers while she penned her latest work. He could read the earliest drafts to give his feedback, the ones she said would give him splinters because they were so rough. The oven thermometer she had attached to his bed, how some nights she came over and cooled him off during his nightmares. They might have to work out a few details, but he was confident it could be done.1
The priest began the Eucharistic prayers as Ash continued to ponder this, kneeling beside two very different ladies, but united by a common goal. Was that what God wanted from him? Was he meant to be a vigilante eco-terrorist, helping to bring down Frost Enterprises one research station at a time? One captive Star at a time? He was certainly getting more used to danger, but how could that work out in the long term? He still needed a job, to buy the fuel for the flame launchers he used when fighting for justice. But could he really get the kind of career he wanted without some kind of education? He might be able to apply to the culinary arts program of the college on the other side of the city, but was being around fire all the time really that good for him? He never really had a strong desire to do anything else but cook, but how? Where? There were many options, but only one true path.
When the host was raised, and the bells rang by the altar server, it came back to him. The vision, the one he had every time he prayed about the future. Cascadia standing in front of him, wearing a white dress and a full veil, holding a bouquet of blue flowers. Where had she even found flowers that matched her eyes? Only God knew, just as certainly as He knew how they would arrive at that point in their destinies. He had never told Cascadia about this glimpse at their destiny, but now he prayed he could. He prayed he would be able to tell her anything, to lose himself in the sea of her eyes once more.
During the Lord's Prayer, he held hands with his new compatriots. Gayle's was cool and her grip firm, Azalea's was warm and very soft, like he was holding a flower in his hand. He glanced down to see if that wasn't actually the case, but she had been able to resist. After the prayer concluded, he didn't have to wait long before his first sign of peace, as Azalea kept hold of his arm and hugged it instead.
"Peace be with you, Ash," she said.
He patted her back with his free hand. "Peace be with you, Azalea."
The girl released him and slipped by to wrap her arms around Gayle's waist. Gayle embraced her back, and Ash could see the tenderness they felt for each other. Azalea squeezed around Gayle so the adults could have their turn. She opened her arms without hesitation. He was reminded of her floating outside the window last night, waiting to catch him, and of all the adventures they'd had in just the past few days. Where would he be without Gayle?
"Peace be with you, Gayle."
"You too," she said, embracing him in a sisterly hug.
He would be stapling fliers to telephone poles, not sneaking through warehouses and battling his way through a hotel to rescue… He came up short. He had been about to assign Cascadia the label 'best friend' once again, but then he remembered his vision. It turned out he had been praying for his future spouse all this time.
Everyone knelt again for the Lamb of God prayer. Azalea put her arm around Gayle's and held it close. Her little tirade in the mall bloomed in her mind again, and the frustration she had felt had lessened a lot. Gayle was right, she did have support in a way few other Stars of her age did. She had been learning so much, and coming into her own in new ways on each mission. And she could always talk to her parents about anything, which was more than most teenagers could say. But there was still a distance between her and most teenagers. There were a few girls at school who she could reasonably call her friends, but outside of class they just wanted to talk about makeup and boys. None of them would ever want to come over and help her garden. They were just so shallow, so…
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. It had taken her a lot of prayers and long talks with her mother to discern between isolation and superiority. She couldn't start feeling that she was better than the other girls her age, especially since she hadn't done anything to deserve it. God deserved all the praise, all the credit for giving her what she had in life. It was her job to honor her gifts by putting them to good use, by doing his will.
The communion line started, and the trio waited their turn. Gayle admitted she had zoned out a little, especially during the sermon, if that was what it was. The pastor seemed to be telling a lot of jokes, since Ash laughed, and sometimes Azalea. Gayle didn't understand what was being said, except for a few words like Señor, that sounded familiar. Also, the mariachi-style choir band was pretty snazzy. Her mind was working through their next plan, but the more she tried to noodle it out, the worse her focus got. In the end, she had just closed her eyes and let Jesus take over. He knew what they needed to do, and how to make it all right again. Lumina and Jonathan would come up with some plan, they would carry it out. Azalea would be excited about it, Ash would have his reservations. They were all getting along great lately. But they had to be a team. Apparently, her declaration to Ash of being in charge had only applied to that mission, since on the next one he was off on his own with the heroics. She had to have a talk with him.
Being in a Catholic church again brought up some old memories Gayle hadn't thought about for a while. She missed her sister again, keenly, but that hurt never really went away. When the pastor had raised up the bread, she had heard it again. A voice on the breeze, a whisper in her ear. Not a mighty wind, the Lord knew she would all but resist that. No, Jesus wanted the Earhart sisters to join him in the meal that was happening up there on that altar, she knew it. First her little sis had got it in her head to go to Mass, and had taken her along. Now she had ended up here again, and the call was just as strong as ever. She reasoned with Jesus: Alright, I hear you. But let me get this whole mess squared away first. Then we'll talk. Jesus' answer: Yes, Abigayle. I know Ash and Cascadia would love company at Mass every week. Gayle smiled to herself. That was a good answer.
It was their turn at last. Ash stood up, then checked behind him. Gayle had her arms folded over her chest, her hands touching her shoulders. He thought this configuration was fitting. Send in the most durable one first, then the air support, and finally the cover fire.
When Ash received Communion in the hand, he prayed Cascadia could receive a portion of his grace as well, wherever she was. He doubted Frost would have some kind of chaplain for her, but he prayed it might be true.
Gayle was next, and out of habit, the priest had already picked up another wafer. When he saw her arms, he put it back on the paten and gave her a blessing in his best English. But that host had been meant just for her.
Azalea was last, and she received on the tongue, looking up at the polished wood of the crucifix with a smile. She had always felt close to Jesus because the cross in her life was literally made of wood as well.
The Mass ended, and they were told to go in peace to love and serve the Lord, although only one of them understood the exact words. After the sending song had concluded, Azalea and Ash knelt down. Gayle sat, then decided to join them on her knees.
"Let's sit and chat for a bit," Gayle said. "It's hard to talk in the car, especially about important stuff." Neither one said anything, but they also didn't get up to leave, so she assumed their silence was tacit compliance. They all united their hearts in prayer, listening to the steady drumming of the rain on the roof.
After most of the sanctuary had emptied out, she sat back and continued. "I've been thinkin' about… a lot a stuff lately," she said, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "But a lot about last night."
Ash sat also, but said nothing, waiting for her to continue. Azalea remained kneeling, her eyes closed in prayer. But she was listening too.
"I'll just be straight with you," she said. "You were real lucky things turned out the way they did. If I hadn't seen you in that window scrappin' with Yin, youd've never made it out."
"I know," Ash said, "and thanks. I forgot to thank Lumina too for sending you back to get me."
"She didn't," Azalea whispered. "It was Gayle's idea."
"Oh," Ash said, but Gayle didn't seem like she was expecting thanks.
"You're also lucky that hotel didn't go up in flames," Gayle continued. "If Frost didn't have such good sprinklers and whatnot, it would've been a different kind of night. Which brings me to my point," she raised a finger at him. "Your feelin's are important. They keep us goin'. But you gotta learn to keep 'em in check, or else…" She closed her mouth.
Azalea pushed back into the seat and put her arm on Gayle's shoulder. "Tell him," she said quietly. "You've gotta let things go before they float away, right?"
Gayle’s mouth was tight, her eyes closed. Ash remained silent, interested in this exchange.
"Alright, fine." She opened her eyes. "You know I got married once, and I ain't anymore. And you know how I moved up here with nothin' 'cause of a big storm in my hometown. But those two things are more related than you might think."
Azalea scooted closer to Gayle and nestled against her, supporting her from behind like the strong wood Jesus had made her to be.
"After I got served the divorce papers, I was a real mess. I went out in the middle of the cornfield behind the house and… just cried for a while. Then, I got angry." She looked back up at the crucifix for affirmation. She spoke slowly, and with more sorrow than Ash had ever heard in her voice. "I got so angry, a twister came callin' that very night. Wiped out my house and most of the town. After that, I moved away, since there was nothin' left for me there in any way at all."
Ash swallowed, his throat dry. "Did you… cause it?"
"Don't know for sure," Gayle whispered. "The sirens went off and everythin' just like they should've, but there hadn't been any storms forecast for days. But an angry Wind Star and a twister go together like peas and carrots. So I get to live with what I probably did, I get to pray every day for that poor old fella who couldn't make it out in time. I get to look 'im in the eye in Heaven and say 'sorry I got so steamed I wrecked the town.'"
"But you don't know if you did or not," Ash said, brow furrowed.
"Does it matter?" She met his eyes with consternation, nearly glaring. "I'm responsible for the air around me. I get to watch it, make sure it's safe for everyone. I could've pushed that twister out into the fields, where it would've done nothin' but make popcorn." She shoved a hand outward to illustrate. "But I was too worked up to even try. You're responsible too. You cain't just run around settin' everythin' on fire. You gotta keep track of each one you start. Cascadia ain't here to help you put 'em out." Gayle closed her eyes. That was low, and after just talking about not getting angry.
Ash didn't react with the indignation she thought he would. "Believe me, I know. I've hurt people too."
Azalea moved from behind Gayle toward Ash, and scrunched up to sit on the kneeler between the two adults, facing them with her legs underneath her. She took a hand from each in her own. "You two are so great and I care for you both so much. Please remember we are in the House of God who loves us all so much also. Amen, please continue." Azalea's small hand felt much warmer, and Gayle forced a smile at her.
"My turn for the hard past lesson," he said. "You know why I quit going to school?"
"Didn't wanna wake up for class?" Gayle proposed wryly.
"No, I loved class. We learned the science of cooking, it was really great. But you remember that fire they had in the culinary arts building a year or so ago?" Gayle did, Azalea didn't. But the fact he had mentioned it implicated him directly, so they both just nodded. "But I wasn't angry. I was just showing off with some flashy stuff, like bananas foster and flambés, but it got out of hand. I couldn't get it under control without… you know, people asking a lot more questions. The safety systems couldn't keep it down either. They were old, I guess, and hadn't been tested in a while. But anyway…" Azalea squeezed Ash's hand more firmly. "Our professor, we called her Madame, she was an old French lady who knew everything there was to know. But she wasn't really quick on her feet. Most of us got out, but we lost track of Madame." He took a breath. "The quickest way to get her out was through a big patch of grease, and another guy volunteered to be the hero. I could have stopped him, I could have gotten her out instead, but… I chickened out. I didn't say anything, and then spent the next two months visiting him in the hospital while he recovered."
Azalea winced at the image of what that might have been like.
"They never blamed it on me, but I still quit. I couldn't go back there. I couldn't look at the brand-new equipment, which the department couldn't afford, and know my pride had bought it."
Gayle leveled her gaze at him. "Good. I'm glad you understand what we're really in for here."
Ash nodded.
"So, for serious this time, no more runnin' off on your own. We're a team, we work together, got it?" She extended her hand to shake on it, and Azalea let him go so he could.
He met her gaze, so she knew he meant it. "Got it."
Gayle smiled, then pulled Ash into another sitting hug. Azalea beamed and wrapped her arms around them both. "Go team!" she quietly exclaimed.
Gayle got up to reconnoiter the exits, leaving the other two exiting the pew and genuflecting. Azalea stood beside Ash as they faced the altar and both gazed up at the crucifix, the real mediator for their little chat. She smiled. "Life hurts, I know. But look, it's for the good, right?"
Ash nodded, his eyes upward. "Right."
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And if she starts being annoying, he can just sit on her.