Unexplained Lessons

It wasn't a big place. Nothing like some of the grander shrines Erione had back on his world, or even as modern and shiny as the one located in one of the galleries there in Manta Carlos City. But it was cozy and charming, in Erione's opinion. It was his first shrine on the island and he loved it just as much as any of his others.

Unfortunately it had become a little neglected during the blizzard, with Erione struggling to keep it clear enough of snow and keep candles available for lighting. He hadn't really been able to, with his weak body tiring too quickly to shovel the snow much. If it hadn't been for one or two very determined worshipers that preferred to worship in solitude the shrine might have been actually abandoned and collapsed.

So Erione was still paying special attention to the shrine, cleaning it up and making sure it was usable again after the snow stopped. Plus the secluded and private nature of that particular shrine seemed like the best place for Angelo to come speak with him. Erione didn't know what it was about... but really he topic wouldn't have changed anything. He was quite happy to listen to his friend's concerns even if he wasn't a worshiper. The glass god's shrines had never been closed off for worshipers only- that felt terribly wrong to him.

The young god was just lighting a pair of lanterns on the outside of the shrine when he saw Angelo getting close. "Hiya Angelo!" he called cheerfully to the teen and waved happily. "I think the tea is still warm if you want some." Erione beckoned Angelo to come inside the shrine and out of the snow.

Inside the small building were piles of colorful pillows and multiple floor cushions for relaxing or praying on. Along the back wall there were rows and rows of colored glass bottles lined up to form a sort of backdrop for the main feature of the shrine. The centerpiece, along the center of the wall across from the doorway, was a stone table with a large jagged pane of pink glass. Despite the jagged and broken nature of it something about it seemed artistic and inspiring. Even when broken glass could be beautiful.

Erione was really happy with the work he had done for Jude and the others. It was hard to actually describe the feeling that came from using his abilities to make things that were so meaningful. But that was what he was born to do. Every time Jude or anyone else looked at a piece of glass, especially one formed by Erione he felt it. No matter how brief or fleeting the appreciation. But in cases like Jude's it wasnt just fleeting or a passing smile at having something beautiful. He really truly was glad to have his sculptures. That on top of being a good friend to Erione meant he was always glad to see Jude.

The blonde-haired teen was really loud though, and in the quietness of the edge of the woods in the snow it was really apparent. Erione though just smiled knowingly as the apology was offered and adjusted his own speech to be a little slower and more deliberate. Trying to make it easier for Jude to understand him. Erione certainly had worshippers with various levels of deafness.

"It's ok, it's just us here right now so you aren't disturbing anyone," he replied and gestured Jude inside the shrine. Half wondering if he should have maybe brought food or something. He wasnt sure what kind of chat this was going to be. But he supposed they'd just have to make do with the tea and the nice warm woodburning stove in the corner. It didn't take much to heat the small room and the many windows had layered glass with gaps between them to keep the warmth from seeping out too much.

"Yeah...," Erione said as he scratched his head a little. "Guess I haven't been getting out to see my friends as much with all the snow." No, he hadn't stepped a foot outside really other than when trying to help keep the shrine accessible. It was too much effort to walk in the snow and too high a risk of slipping and shattering on the ice.

"I know, you probably expected like a big castle made of awesome glass ramparts and huge stained glass windows right?" He joked and made the glass cup he had grabbed shift into a small castle like shape. "But I can't make the shrines. My worshipers have to or it wont work." Ok so he might have cheated just a little by making sheets of glass to be broken for the centerpiece of the shrine to be made. But technically his worshiper made the art. He just provided material to use.

Erione sat on a cushion nearer the stove and patted the one next to him for Jude as he added, "you know you're welcome here any time. It's not just for worshipers."

Erione felt like home in every single one of his shrines, from the small cozy ones like this one to the larger cathedral like structures that were present in his homeworld. But that just made sense, considering they were literally made for him. For a moment the two of them had just sat down and enjoyed the comfort of the room before Angelo even started speaking.

The first thing out of his mouth was an offer to come help Eri with clearing the snow. The offer made Erione really happy and he smiled at Angelo, "Thank you, that really means a lot to me Angelo- wait should I talk louder or does that hurt your ears?" He wasn't sure what was easiest for Angelo, so he figured why not just ask? He did scoot a little closer so it was easier to hear though.

The cup slowly was returned to it's original shape as Erione listened to Angelo's question. His request for advice. "Well I'll start by thanking you for your compliment, because being called the nicest person you know is a big deal to me," he grinned over at Jude as he lifted the small kettle in silent question as to whether he wanted some or not.

But where should he really start with the advice? A lot of it seemed to come naturally to Erione but that was of no help to Angelo. "Honestly I get upset with people too," he said pensively as he poured tea for himself and for Angelo if he wanted any. "But I guess the very first thing I remind myself is that I don't know them. I don't know where they're from or what they've been through. You have powers to know more about a person than I do but you have to remember that information doesn't tell you about who they are. Only what they are." It seemed like kind of a non-answer so far so Erione really thought about it. Perhaps if he knew a little more about what had brought all this up?

"Angelo, did something happen? You've always seemed pretty nice to me, but if there's something you want to share... well it's just you and me here and i'm not going to go sharing it or anything."

So he hadn't been speaking softer to keep the volume lower. That was good. Erione certainly didn't want to hurt Angelo.

He decided to keep to his normal volume, but was making a special effort to only speak while looking in Angelo's direction. The response to Angelo's firm compliment about Eri being nice wasn't verbal. His delighted smile said more than any words really could.

As Angelo shifted and started looking more uncomfortable Erione leaned in and calmly waited for the teen to figure out what to share. "I heard about that situation a little. First off I'm glad you and the others made it out alive," he started. Compassionate and making sure that point was stressed. No one had died. Regardless of the injuries and aftermath from what happened.

"I don't think you were wrong. It was reckless and dangerous. But you were a superhero. You and the people you knew experienced those kinds of situations on many occasions if I'm not mistaken," he cautioned Angelo as he poured tea into a cup for him. The steam rose up in wisps from the hot liquid and filled the air with a nice calm feeling. Or at least that's how Erione felt about the tea. The heat of it really didn't bother him as he handed the cup over to Angelo.

"But they do say the first step to fixing things is knowing you have a problem. I don't think you're incapable of seeing things from someone else's point of view though. For example I think part of the reason you offered to help clear the snow is because you are aware that I'm not physically capable of doing it all myself."

Erione sat there intently listening to Angelo, nodding along and giving him a reassuring smile. This situation wasn't uncomfortable for him. Other than Angelo being his friend this was quite like when anyone prayed to him for advice or... well came to his shrine to speak to him.

He knew he couldn't snap his fingers and gift Angelo the ability to empathize better. Thst wasn't his power, and no amount of glasswork would bestow that on him. So he was going to have to do this the other way. By listening and offering his insight in hopes that it would help.

"I honestly think it might just take practice. I'm going to assume a few things so I apologize if I get it wrong but let me know and I'll fix it," Eri laughed at himself and took a sip of his tea. It didnt scald him at all despite the heat.

He absentmindedly formed a small but if orange glass and began creating a decorative set if rings on the outside of his cup. Continuing, the god looked up at Angelo's face as he tried to find something meaningful to impart. It was hard to know what might actually spark something in him.

"When you were a superhero you probably spent more time thinking about how to exploit a mistake the other side made and focused on stopping whomever you were up against. Not as much on thinking about what they were feeling when you forcibly stopped them. It's kinda similar to a soldier's mentality. You turn that empathy off so you can fight efficiently."

Then he paused to give Angelo a chance to think about it and reply. Whether Erione was right in his assumptions or not, he was positive he could help Angelo with enough time and care.