It had been about a month since she had been picked up off the streets and smuggled into that big, unfamiliar house by strangers. A month since she had met the man who claimed to be her father, and a month since she had been moved into a room that, in a different situation, she might have otherwise been overjoyed to have all to herself. 

New clothes, new toys, a rotating slew of people who were apparently nannies, or maids. They cleaned her room for her and washed the dresses she was given to wear. 

It was... strange. Weird. Uncomfortable.

She was forced to eat breakfasts and dinners at a table that seemed too large for just the four people sitting at it. An older man, her grandfather... apparently, her father... supposedly, and some sort of Uncle. There were no other kids in the big old house. At some point, based on pictures she had spotted here and there on various walls, the man calling himself her father had had a son. She'd had a brother. A... half brother?  Something like that. 

She didn't know how to feel about all of it.

Mostly, she was still just terrified being trapped liked a caged bird in the building. She wasn't allowed outside, although that was due to a previous escape attempt that had gone wrong, and everyone was too busy to play with her. She say a private tutor for lessons on math and reading, but talking to him was basically like talking to a cardboard cutout of a person. He always seemed too nervous to actually say anything other than lesson material. 

She spent a lot of her day learning things; School work, manner lessons, et...eti- lady lessons. Boring things. But, her new parental figure apparently had a bit of a temper (though she hadn't seen it herself yet) and she had been warned many times to try her very best whenever she could to please him.

She was miserable. She'd never thought that she would long to be out loose on the streets again, on her own and battling near constant hunger. 

As it were, this particular day she was even more terrified than normal. They were leaving the house today and she was coming with. They were going to Church, one her father and Grandfather apparently regularly attended, and she was going to come along to be introduced to everyone for the first time. 

What if they didn't like her? What if she said or did something wrong and god smoted her?! He could do that, right!?

Her bath that morning had been extra stringent. A deep wash and brushing of her hair, some kind of smelly conditioner that made it easy for her caretaker to sweep her hair up expertly in some kind of cute ponytail. A dress that was simple and with neutral colors and puffy sleeves was brought out and she was wiggled into it. It fit her perfectly, like all of her current dresses did. Shoes and a little cute sweater later she was shuffled into a waiting car and they were on their way. 

She sat awkwardly between the two grown men, staring at her folded hands in her lap, too afraid to even adjust herself in her seat. 

"Are you excited to be going to your first service, Pumpkin?"

She bobbed her head a little, eyes wide as dinner plates. "Y-yes sir."

"It's Papa, Eisley, remember? We talked about this before." He sighed through his nose and patted one of her shoulders gently. 

"S-sorry Papa!" The small girl blushed, and it was only half from being embarrassed. The man insisted she refer to him as father even though she wasn't entirely comfortable with it yet. The discomfort that it brought her was enough to light her on fire just from her nerves alone. 

Her grandfather chuckled, which ended with a wet sounding cough, and he brought a white cloth to his lips to cover them. "I still don't think this one is entirely yours, son. She's too blasted adorable to be related to you."

The banter went on the whole ride and by the time they pulled up to the curb outside of the church Eisley wanted to sink into her seat and die. 

The building itself didn't strike her as very church like, or... at least compared to pictures she had seen of some churches it didn't. It was more modern in structure and blended in with the rest of the buildings around it. Her father too her by the hand, which she hesitated to grip back, and the three of them headed inside. It looked more like a church on the inside, she supposed, since there were very church like seats and that wooden thing that the priest was supposed to stand at. What were those called again? She couldn't remember? 

"Now, pumpkin... remember what we talked about?" He tightened his grip on her hand just a little. Not enough to hurt, but enough to grab her wandering attention. She tited her head at him funny to hear better and then jumped a little when she realized what he had asked. 

"Think before talking, and If I can't think of anything nice to say don't say anything at all?"

Pleased, he pulled her along with him inside.

The service was already underway. It was a beautiful Sunday morning; the soft light of the sun just past dawn shone through the stained glass behind the sermon mount. It, and the soft, warm lighting within illuminated the podium behind which stood a man who might have been a frightful sight were it not for the serene look on his face.

He was bathed in god's light. It was a forgiving light that soothed the often painful scars on his face and upper body. Everyone was getting seated. Keirnan scanned the crowd, his faithful flock, nodding here or there as people settled.

Once he felt the room was ready, the tension was starting to build. He spoke, his voice, ravaged by flame, was surprisingly soft.

"Grace."

He stared for a moment, letting the word soak in to the expectant crowd.

"In gods grace, we all stand. His light washes over us all. I look upon you all, the faithful and I see grace in this crowd. I see struggle, I do. I see lapses in faith, and I see lapses in grace. But in the words of levitticus, God's mercy and grace are new each morning." He stepped back from the podium, and then around it, stepping forward to be closer to the edge of the raised platform, looking across the crows to make eye contact with those that would look away, his clear eye kind, his damaged eye peircing through the vale.

"What does he mean by this? I am here to tell you... God accepts that we are all fallible. We are, after all, only human. Each morning, it is up to us to return to faith. Return to grace. Even if we falter. Even if we find ourselves lost."

He stopped before a certain family, looking down to the father, and smiling. "It is up to us to let god's grace find us once more." He looked to the little girl with him, and then to the grandfather, nodding with respect. "One should not be ashamed that they were lost. Rejoice in being found. There is that great old hymn, I'm sure you have all heard. Amazing grace. How sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me..." He stepped back to the altar, smiling to his flock.

"I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now... I see."

The shepard would preach further, talking on a variety of subjects. The subject of humanity seemed to be a focus. What it meant to be human, what it meant to be faithful. And then it came to a close. Everyone started stirring, scattering, donating, catching his attention to thank him for his service. He made the time for each and every one of them. They were, after all, his sons and daughters, all of them.

He came to a big donor, and made sure to make extra time. "Ahh, Garik. Wonderful to see you and your family here! Goodness! Is this that lovely daughter you mentioned?" They'd put in extra money today in order to help sell faith to their waylaid daughter. Now, he wasn't the greedy type, mind you, but the donors kept the roof above the head, the soup kitchen going, and allowed great charitable acts.. He'd actually modeled the front of the sermon to catch her attention. Hopefully it worked. He would see.

He crouched a bit, holding out a hand to shake. "Wonderful to meet you, dear. I'm Father McCallan"

Eisley didn't understand a lick of what was going on. The words that eveyone seemed so focused on didn't mean anything to her yet, and, well... they were rather boring. Like, she would totally wanna be anywhere else playing with a doll or something than sitting as still as a statue listening to some guy in a funny clothes talk about god.

But, well... fear kinda kept her rooted to the spot and unwilling to turn her head away much. Unfortunately for the man and all of his pretty words, she only caught half of them. Her father didn't like her tilting her head to catch things in her good ear... thought it looked weird or something, so she had to sit with her face forward and missed some of it. He had mentioned that he was working on getting her some kind of surgery to her bad hear and some sort of little device that would help her heard better.

She did catch bits and pieces though, and once he had enough of her attention she actually braved a direct look at the guy. She didn't know the significance of his robes, or what his little collar stood for, but she knew that his scars looked like they hurt. Hers still hurt sometimes too... dad called it 'phantom pains' because they were so old, but she didn't believe him.

She wasn't sure what to make of that song, or his talk about being lost. What did being lost or found have to go with god? She puzzled over it for a bit, catching a few bits and pieces of the rest of his sermon, and then it was over.

It was over and everyone was standing, but she remained seated until her father directed her to move. She was on her feet with her hands clasped in the sides of her nice dress, wrinkling it, when the priest came over to talk to them.

She turned bright red and her eyes went pretty much everywhere else at being called lovely. She was determined to try and avoid that attention as much as she could until her father's big hand pressed into her back front behind and she was suddenly front and center.

"N-nice to meet you too, Mr. McCallan." She hesitated briefly before shaking his offered hand. Why had he introduced himself as a father? Did he have kids here too?

... Was she finally gonna get to play with some other kids!?

Her fathers phone rang loudly, and he stepped slightly to the side to pull it from his nice jacket and check to see who it was.

"Ah... i'm afraid I must take this." He glanced down at the short girl by his side and ruffled her hair slightly with one large hand. Eisley froze up like he was going to smoosh her with it, relaxing again slightly when his hand left.

"I'm sorry, Father, We'll be right back." And then he turned and left without any further words, his older father trailing after him. Eisley was left standing there, unsure of what to do or where to go. So... she'd just keep standing, she supposed?

"Um." Something nice. She had to say something nice, or nothing at all... right? "Your eye looks like a marble."

She pointed at her own eye, the one that would match the side of the one she was referencing on him. "Like.. the really pretty blue ones with white in them? The kinda ones kids always fight over, cuz it's better than the green and clear ones."

...that was nice, right??

"Its really pretty!"

He was used to the sort of hesitance that children seemed to have meeting someone new, especially ones with a face like his. He smiled still. "Oh, dear, you can call me father. Most do." He noticed her confusion at the concept. She'd never attented church before? Maybe. He had much to teach her, then!

Her guardians excused themselves, and he nodded to them, aiming to continue his conversation and hold her attention so that she didn't wander off. It had been difficult convincing them to bring her, but it would pay off if he endeared her to them through the church. That would certainly mean more money.

"You see, I often help the people here, and give them advice. Listen to them confess their sins. In that way, I am like a father figure to them. So they call me father." He smiled again. "You may do the same."

He listened patiently when she pointed out his eye. Goodness, that was adorable, wasn't it? A bit insensitive, but in a child-like, unaware way.

"It is. Remember, though, a clear marbel has its uses. For one, you can see through it." He winked. "This one was injured years ago... like your ear, I think. Still, I thank the lord for the experienvce of getting it; it was a strong lesson to learn." He'd talked to her father a bit, and the head tilt had stood out during the sermon, for the times she'd allowed herself to. She showed a surprising amount of restraint for someone her age.

"What did you think of the sermon, Eisley?" He gave her an encouraging smile.

She squinted at him. It was clear that she wasn't getting all of what he was saying. Why did she need to call him father, too? She already had a dad, apparently, and she wasn't even sure yet if she wanted that one. Was she trading her missing mom for another dad? Two dads? That was fine, she supposed. Already this one at least seemed a bit nicer than the other one.

He explained a bit more and understanding dawned on her to a degree. Oh, so... he wasn't like, a literal father. It was some kinda title. "I don't know what a sin is. Is that like a lie? Do people tell you their lies? Why?"

Her father had tried to explain it a little to her on the way to the church, but.. he tended to grow tried of her questions and her general lack of knowledge tended to irritate him to a degree. She usually stopped asking questions after she spotted the muscle in his jaw start jumping, because she knew he was close to being grumpy at her. Nodding her head and pretending to understand was just easier.

Her nose scrunched back up again when he pointed out their shared scars and mentioned that he was thankful for his. "Why?" She asked, in a way that conveyed that she was absolutely curious as to his reasoning. "What kinda lesson?" She shifted on her feet, feeling a tad bit more comfortable since he was talking to her like she was an actual person and not yelling at her for being dumb. "I don't remember any lessons." She paused, thinking about it. "Cept' that I gotta learn how to doge better, I guess."

The girl turned bright red when he asked her how she has liked his talk, and she shifted guiltily. "I... um... I did't hear a lot of it. I was thinking about what you meant by people getting lost and then being found again." Wasn't that why phones existed? So you could bring up a map to find your way home?

She craned her head back a little to see if her father was still gone, before leaning in slightly toward the nice priest. "Mr. Levo- er... papa, doesn't like me talking a lot right now because I still have a lot of stuff to learn. He says I tend to talk first without thinking, but I think that's silly because I have to think the words up first, right? Or nothing would come out."

The child trapped in a teenage body blinked, shuffling her feet a little. "Is it true you talk to god? What's god like? Everybody on the streets says different things."

She was a simple one, wasn't she? Meek. Blessed was she, indeed. So unlike her father. It caught his attention. She didn't even know what a sin was. He gave her a bemused smile, and spoke simply.

"In a way. All lies are sins... but not all sins are lies. To sin is to break one of the rules of god. The ten commandments. Do not worship other gods, do not make false idols of worship, do not speak the lords name in vain, keep the sabbath day holy, honor your father and mother, do not murder, do not cheat, do not steal, do not lie, do not be jealous. All of these things are sins. Should you commit them, you must confess in order to be clean of spirit once more. " He slowly reached out a hand to place it gently on her shoulder.

"Some sins are more grave than others. Some take more work to make better."

She asked about the lesson he learned, and he looked up, and then back at the soft, warm light coming through the stained glass at the back of the church, and then back at her. "I learned to be stronger in my conviction. The same flame that burnt me ignited my faith brightly enough to shine it on others. I thank the lord for this gift every day in my prayers."

He nodded slowly at her thoughts on his sermon. "I understand you were lost as well... Your father was very happy to have found you. There are other ways to be lost, though... That I mentioned is about being found by god once more. Saved by his grace." He chuckled again at her mention of having to think before speaking. "True, but deeper thought makes better words, young miss. I speak to god every night, as should you. You will not hear his voice back, but rather feel his warmth, and know your path is true. The lord works in mysterious ways that are not always ovbious." He looked over to her father, on the phone in the corner of the church.

"I could teach you more, should you decide to join us at sunday school lessons. Would you be interested, Eisley?"

Oh no! Her spirit was dirty! How was she supposed to clean it? Was it really as easy as just... telling someone?

She blinked at the gentle hand he laid on her shoulder and gnawed at her lips in thought. "... Do I have to tell you if I have made a sin, or just... anyone? I don't wanna have a dirty spirit. People look at you funny when you're dirty." Did that mean that god was looking at her funny too? His nose all scrunched up and eyes squinted, like she smelled funny?

"Papa knows a lot of my, um, sins? But he said not to tell anyone." She blinked again, and had a moment of looking panicked over her own admission. He'd said not to lie though! It was a sin! What the heck was she supposed to do?!

"I stole stuff for a while before I got brought to his house, but I only took what I needed and I kept a book and stuff with names and dated cuz I was gonna pay them all back once I was big enough to get a job. Papa threw it away though, so... I don't remember any of them anymore." She paused again, puzzling over more of what he had said.

"Mama and papa must have a lot of stuff to confess about. Mama was always yelling about god and Jesus back when I lived with her, whenever she had friends over... and Papa just isn't a very good person. Mr. Rogers wouldn't approve of him at all, I don't think."

Her head tilted as she thought about talking to god. She'd heard of it before, but she was more familiar with people praying when things were really, really bad. Nobody she'd known from before had ever been the pray every night type of person.

She'd have to mull over that one later.

Her eyes widened dramatically at the offer of school. Heck, even if it was more lessons, it was outside the house and maybe even with other kids!

"Really!?" She was honestly excited about the idea, but that energy quickly deflated when she remembered she wasn't allowed to leave the house. Well, until today that is.

"I'd like too, but I dunno if he will let me, though. I tried to run away once so i'm not allowed outside by myself." If the Father said that her dad had been happy to find her, she supposed he must have been telling the truth. He wasn't supposed to lie, after all. So maybe her dad was just scared?

"Maybe he's afraid i'll die like his other kid did. I know he misses him because whenever he tries to tell me about his work and I don't understand he looks tired. I'll bet his son was way better than me."

His bemused smile grew as she panicked a little at the thought of a dirty spirit. "There is a time and a place for confession, my dear. I would be a good person to tell, though, yes."

He listened to her sa she spoke, still smiling. "stealing when there is a need and stealing when there isn't are two different sins. It seems to me you had no choice, and you planned to return the favor. You sound noble to me, if anything, Eisley. God will forgive you for such things as long as your heart remains true."

He chuckled when she talked about the sins of her parents. "Your father's confessions are his own. Remember, the sins of others are for them to confess. It's important that they get the opportunity. Your father is a good man, though he has to act strong because of his job. You'll come to know this with time. Though remember, one of the commandments is to honor thy father. Be good to him and he will be good to you." He paused for a second and then tilted his head. "Mr. Rogers. Ah, the neighborhood. I watched that show as a boy. Lovely show. Taught a lot of strong, christian morals. Mr. Rogers was a wonderful man."

A twinkle formed in his eye when she perked up at the thought of sunday school. What a gem, she was. In the rough, but she could be cut so to fit any facet. "I'm sure we can change his mind together, if you'd lke that."

A slightly pained look came to his face at the mention of the deceased son of Garik. "Alen was a good man. Your father loved him very much, and still hurts greatly from his loss. Better than you, though, I cannot say he was. Different. You cannot try to be like him, young Eisley, but you can be the best you can. Your father's affection will come if you simply act in a way that would make god proud. Ah, your father is coming back. Shall we ask about Sunday school? Remember to be polite!" He patted her shoulder, and then stood as her father approached once more.

"Ahh, Garik! Your daughter is truly a wonderful little girl! Tell me she'll be able to attend Sunday School with the other kids!"

He would be a good person to tell things. That was good to know! She had gotten kind of comfortable telling things to the Doctor, but... she wasn't allowed to see him anymore. It was nice to have someone she could reliably talk to again!

She looked comically shamed by his explanation of her father, and a little guilt. Alright, so maybe the man was right when he said that sometimes she spoke without thinking. She should have thought a bit more before making those comments. "I'm sorry.. i'll try and remember that from now on."

The guiltiness quickly changed into starry eyed adoration when the kindly priest admitted that he knew about Mr. Rogers and what he thought of him. "He's the best!" She announced, hands clasped in-front of the frilly blouse of her dress. She even bounced on her heels a bit. "He taught me how to tie my shoes!"

She may have jumped a little and some of her courage retreated at the idea that her father was coming back over. She'd do her best from now on to 'honor' her father, but... he still scared her quite a bit. Something about how calm he always seemed, and yet how dark his eyes were. It just didn't sit right with her.

Her back went ramrod straight as he neared, with her grandfather in tow, and she ceased her fidgeting. The man's dark eyebrows lifted when the priest mentioned Sunday school, and Eisely was looking everywhere but at him when he glanced at his daughter in question.

"Sunday School?" He questioned, his voice smooth and deep. He tucked his phone away and a small smile tugged at his lips as he refocused on the priest. "Why, i'm not sure that is needed, Father McCallan. Eisley already has private tutors at home. Adding in extra activities might impact her current studies."

As much as he liked to show up on occasional Sundays with different family members, it wasn't a regular activity. It was for show. Everything he did out in the public was for show. Her grandfather leaned in and whispered something into Gerik's ear, something not in Engish.

"I'm sure you will, my dear" He patted her head gently when she vowed to remember to honor her father.

The priest seemed a bit taken aback when her father turned down the offer to sunday school. "Sure some time out of the house would benefit the girl." He stepped forward, leaning in a bit to talk to the two without Eisley hearing. "I could help bestow upon her the importance of honoring her father's wishes. Living by the commandments makes for a more... tempered self, don't you agree?" He looked back to Eisley and smiled, turning back.

"If you dropped her off here, you have my word that she would be here when you get back, and softer in your hands for it." He nodded in ernest before stepping back, looking to the grand father, the more devout of the two to seal the deal.

It was practical to want the child in his teachings. Bonding her to the church more would mean more money, and it would mean the family would be more attached as well. All of the faithful's presences strengthened the church. If they attended more for this, it would be a victory.

Also, she was adorable. A good, human girl to build in the eyes of god. There was so much he could teach a blank slate like her.

Gerik's smile pinched a little in one corner as he calmly stared at the damaged priest. Had his father not whispered in his ear about keeping his temper in check around a very valuable asset to the family's image, the tall man might had questioned if the priest thought him incapable of keeping his own daughter in line. Instead, a muscle on one side of his jaw twitched and he cleared his throat. "The offer is... tempting, Father." His father patted him on one shoulder gently to get his attention, and then leaned in to whisper a few more things into his ear. After a moment, he nodded and his smile relaxed again. His father was right, the priest would certainly be able to sway the girl in ways that her father apparently couldn't at the moment, and possibly make it easier for him to control her later on. Also, it would be one less thing on his plate to have to deal with while still in the process of taking over the company from his ailing father.

"On second thought, Father McCallan... After some counsel on the matter I think Sunday School might be exactly what she needs."

Eisley visibly perked up. He'd agreed!?

"I will have my assistant get everything set up. She will start next Sunday... if that works for you, Father?"

His elderly father smiled slightly and inclined his head at the priest. He couldn't speak much english, considering the prime of his life had been spent outside of the US building his business and wealth... but he was fine being the proverbial little voice on his son's shoulder.

Meanwhile, the small teenager behind all of them was bouncing on her heels, imagining what Sunday School would be like and if it would be like actual school that all of the normal kids had gotten to go to while she had lived on the streets.

The father's smile closed, and he looked back to Eisley with a nod, before turning to Gerik and bowing a little.

"That works perfectly for me, sir. I look forward to seeing her next week."

He stepped back, returning Eisley to her father's care once more. "Looks like i'll have you in next week for school after all!" He crouched down a bit to be at eye level once more. "I trust you won't be forgetting what we talked about. Honor thy father. I look forward to teaching you, Eisley."

He stood once more, and shook her father and grand father's hands before stepping off to interact with the other families more. He looked forward to their further contributions in the mean time.

A week passed and suddenly it was Sunday again. Unlike most days in her new, still slightly unwilling home, she was actually excited to get up and get dressed, actively ate her breakfast with no issues and called Gerik 'Papa' without hesitating once. Today, in place of the normal lessons she found so boring, she was going to Sunday School!

She had no idea what that was like, but it was still exciting!. She only wished that she still had Mr. Unicorn to take with her. Unlike the last time where her Father had dressed her up fancy for the service, she was given cute, girly coveralls and a long necked, long sleeved shirt to wear under it. She'd been allowed to choose her own hairstyle for once, though she hadn't been allowed to actually do it herself. A simple braid was more than welcome since it didn't pull at her skin like a tight pony tail did.

She was dropped off after the service was over, which was slightly upsetting because she had wanted to sit through it again. Father McCallan said a lot of big words she still didn't understand yet, but she liked to sit and ponder on their meanings while he spoke. It was also pretty neat being in a room with so many people who were all so polite and focused while he talked.

She was practically vibrating from her own nerves by the time she was actually dropped off in the class and her Father's assistant left. And then... Well, and then her nerves kicked in. She'd never been around other kids her age who hadn't also been out on the streets, and most of the time she avoided them because they wanted what she had or she was on their turf. This kids were normal kids, right? What if they thought she was dirty and smelly and weird and... and...

She clammed up and withdrew rather quickly, making efforts to participate... but with very obvious hesitance. She was 100% sure that if she did or said the wrong thing they'd all hate her and then she'd never be able to go to Sunday School every again.

Also, a lot of the girls were decidedly more girly than her and that had the very strange effect of making her feel really self conscious about every single scar and freckle on her face.

She felt like an absolute failure by the time the class was over and was decidedly ready to leave with her tail tucked between her legs, but.... no one had shown up to pick her up yet. It was already ten minutes past, too.

Service had gone well. His choice words had really pulled some of the less dedicated worshipers deeper into faith, he could feel it. As they let the faith into them more, he knew them to be more ready to shape into more effective warriors for god's work.

Vastly important to the shaping of people into true believers was Sunday School. He, of course, was not a teacher, and thus only worked through the lesson plans with those who taught. Everything was approved by him, and he talked to the teachers to get updates on the students.

Today, in particular, it seemed his newest student may have been having a bit of a tough time. The teacher had noticed her looking uncomfortable. Still, he's been planning to speak with her after class anyway. Hence, why he'd told her parents school ended 30 minutes later than it did.

He finished up some paperwork in his office, and then grabbed up his good book.

He found her relatively quickly, speaking up in his gravely tone. "Ah, Eisley, there you are my dear." He crouched before her. "How was your first day of Sunday School?"

She was still in the classroom by the time the Father had found her, sitting at a table and scribbling on spare paper she had been given. Various pictures of things she had learned that day, or lately, mixed in with some of her favorite things.

Currently, Jesus was riding Mr. Unicorn over a rainbow. There were a few nuns, with the wides hats or course, seemingly floating beside the rainbow and a little doodle of a superhero with a very long cape. Empty space had been filled with various stars and hearts, as well as spelling attempts at hard words she had heard during the class.

Abbctindance was something she very much doubted she would ever be able to spell correctly. It didn't help that the teacher had spoken really quietly and some of the lessons had been hard to hear.

The teen jumped a little at the appearance of the priest, set her pencil down, and positively beamed at him.... until he asked about her day.

By the way her face fell and she became moody again, it was probably pretty easy to tell.

"It was okay... I liked the stories and stuff." She was torn between picking up her pencil again to doodle more, or leaving it down and paying attention. Would it be impolite for her to draw while talking to him?

"... I had a hard time hearing everything though, and I think the other kids think i'm weird."