Chapter Text
The clouds had been building all day and still Karkat had neglected to seek shelter before the storm broke. The town was far from small and he had spent all day ducking around buildings and darting into alleys. Ah the life of an almost fugitive. It was nothing if not stressful and exhausting. Desperate to get out of the rain and dry off without being recognized or forced to spend what little money he had Karkat headed for the city center. Some public building had to be open, the library hopefully. Except that it was Sunday… dammit.
Rubbing his forehead in an effort to relieve the beginnings of a headache Karkat glanced around. Ignoring the black shape that darted out of sight, he headed for the next building. Reaching the overhang of the doorway his eyes darted upwards and he groaned in frustration. It was open as some trusting churches still were despite the danger in this day and age, but it was the Church of the Heiretics. Not like I’ve got a choice at this rate short of dying of exposure. Suck it up Vantas and get warm and make nice… Well make less hostile.
The door slid open silently and the entry way was dimly lit allowing Karkat to slip in and take in the area hopefully before being spotted. It was a small lobby almost with room for people to talk before heading straight to enter what appeared to be the sanctuary. The flicker of candle light came from the large room but Karkat hung back reluctant to drip water everywhere and alert someone to his presence. The last thing he needed right now was a lecture from these weirdos. Still… standing by the door listening to the wind howl outside was hardly assisting him in warming up. Taking a deep breath and shoving back his anxieties he slowly released the door handle and walked further into the gloom.
The sanctuary really was beautiful in the flickering candle light. It made for a dramatic scene that the romantic in Karkat’s mind ate up like moonlit walks on the beach and heartfelt marriage proposals. The Church was from at least the turn of the century if not older and anyone could see that restoration was kept up meticulously. The head of the room held the altar, a large stained glass window, and a statue. The altar was a simple wooden affair holding the currently lit candles with delicately carved holders and a book. The window was a simple design depicting no particular scene but a mix of blues and grays and a few scattered pieces of bright red. The statue that stood behind the pulpit was what drew the curious troll’s eyes.
It was placed just high enough to be seen above the preacher’s head without reaching the ceiling. It was obviously carved to be the mysterious Heir and was only slightly taller than Karkat. His feet barely brushed the base and the sculptor had pulled off the impressive of feat of the God appearing to float in the air. His face was barely shaped, meant to be shadowed in the hood the Heir was pulling over his face. The hood was ridiculous in every way. It was shaped like a wind sock of all things and blew out in a nonexistent wind before curling around the Heir’s feet. What was visible of his face were opaque glasses and a slim smile that had his front teeth poked out over his lip.
“What kind of God has buck teeth and glasses?” Karkat scoffed in feigned disgust. Actually showing some faults seems better than believing in perfect infallible beings.
“You would not believe the number of times someone has asked that!” Claws sunk into his palms as Karkat spun in surprise and resisted the urge to pull a knife. A boy no older than himself stood behind him grinning. He stepped up next to the troll as he laughed. “Really is it so astonishing that a God might not be perfect?”
“Considering how many people used to be culled for such statements? A little shocking that you guys risk this too.” Relaxing his grip and carefully wiping his palms on the inside of his sleeves Karkat took in the new boy. The most striking thing was the bright blue long sleeved shirt he had on that was clearly emblazoned with the sign of the Heiretics across the breast. “But then again based on your shirt you’re pretty shameless about the whole thing.” Bemused the kid glanced down and then met the troll’s eyes again.
“It’s just a shirt who cares? I’m not ashamed of the people who raised me. Not too many would.” The human arched an eyebrow before offering a hand. “I’m John by the way. I live here or rather next door. My guardian is the one who runs the church.” Subtly checking his hands for any blood he shook gingerly before replying. “Karkat. I was just looking for shelter when the sky decided to vomit some rage on the world. Which is totally my luck.” Laughing John shook his head.
“You should’ve gone for a Beforan church then. Offered some prayers to the Thief of Light and Fortune. Of course that could just make the storm worse depending on how much she likes you!” The human just laughed harder at Karkat’s increasing scowl. He elbowed the troll a little. “What’s the matter? Been jilted by the Thief before?” But for his jocular tone there was no thread of insincerity to John’s comment. He was not poking fun at the Beforan Pantheon like many would, but rather at Karkat’s expense.
Curious if a bit miffed Karkat couldn’t find himself much more than frustrated with John whereas he would normally be done with someone like him in less than two minutes. “How can you talk like you believe in the Beforan Pantheon even though you were raised in a Heiretics church? Most of your kind just laughs at trolls for even saying the Pantheon exists, some do worse.” Blowing a lock of hair out his eyes with an irritated huff was also an excellent reason to not meet the human’s eyes after muttering out the end of his sentence.
“And many trolls would love to cull humans for their disrespect whether legally or illegally. But judging people on that is speciest and very rude. And who says one or the other is right? Nobody ever said just the Pantheon or the Guardians exist. Hell the Heir has hardly got to be the only being out there. That’s just too lonely to think about.” John’s matter of fact tone coupled by his minute adjustments to the items on the altar allowed little space for awkwardness to creep into the conversation. Tapping his foot Karkat considered.
The Beforan Pantheon was the troll belief system. Twelve gods of various means all working together across the hemospectrum including a much less discussed mutant colored God. The Guardian Saints were followed mainly by humans. As far as Karkat knew there were four deities with different titles from the Pantheon and were once again prayed to for different means. Nothing in either doctrine said the other did not exist or that their way was the only correct one, but interpretation and a history of war had hardly kept relations friendly. Then you threw in outliers like the Heiretics and Seraphim Cult and the mess just got worse.
Having found a suitable rebuttal he opened his mouth just as the door opened behind them and a tall, broad black shape entered. Air whistled between the troll’s teeth as he sucked in a breath. “Shit.”