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"Your sin has been forgiven. May your contrition be sincere... and enduring."
The Bearer opened their eyes and unclasped their hands, looking back up to meet Cromwell's eyes from their position of prayer. Cromwell gave them a smile and nodded his head in approval. He watched the Bearer climb back down the ladder carefully, before he let out a small sigh and lay his hands to rest in his lap. Turning his attention to one of the spiders in the attic with him, Cromwell approached it and gently stroked its head, a calm look coming over his face.
"I shall be off to visit Ornifex now, my dears. Do take care; I shan't be long."
The spider didn't move or indicate any response. It simply continued to rest in place. Cromwell smiled once more before taking his leave.
**********
Shffft. Shffft. Shffft.
Ornifex sanded away at her small clay doll, smoothing out the rough features of its skin. Suddenly, the sound of a knock at her door caused her head to perk up.
"Come in," she answered briefly.
Cromwell gently opened the door and nodded his head towards her direction in acknowledgement. He quietly walked over to a small drawer that sat against a wall as a make-shift stool and seated himself. The two sat there, Ornifex working on her doll and Cromwell observing; both in silence and simply just appreciating each other's company. After sanding the doll a few more times, Ornifex gave a satisfied look and turned to Cromwell, passing the doll from her clawed talon to his gloved hand.
"What are your thoughts?"
Cromwell ungloved his right hand, then ran his pale hand along the doll held in his other. It was smooth to the touch, pleasant and relaxing in a way.
"Outstanding work as always, Sister. Your handicraft never fails to be a pleasant sight for my weary eyes."
"My.." started Ornifex, expressing gratitude in her face in whatever way a crow-being could, "You are much too kind as always Cromwell."
Cromwell simply just nodded and handed the doll back, donning his right glove once more afterwards.
"...I must say, Cromwell," she continued, "Of all the humans I have met, you are the only one who quite understands me. Humans have always seemed so alien to me, unable to understand me or be understood. Yet you are different. You do not look at me strangely, nor make strange comments toward me. Why is that so?"
Cromwell let out a warm chuckle, seemingly slightly humoured by the wholesome nature of the question.
"You could say it is my purpose to understand. Truly, we all deserve to have one who will listen to us. One who listens without judgement, speaks without malice, and loves without conditionality."
Ornifex paused in pleasant surprise for a moment.
"I do feel listened to and understood, Cromwell... and even loved. But do you? Do you feel understood... and loved?"
Now it was Cromwell's turn to pause. Normally he spoke fluidly, rarely having to think for more than a moment to answer or reassure a troubled soul. Now he seemed to be genuinely considering a question; he wasn't used to being the subject of discussion.
"Sin is felt through word; spoken penance and confession. Love, however, is felt through action. With you, Sister, I do feel loved. Your actions tell of an understanding and love deeper than any that words can communicate."
The two simply exchanged pleased looks with each other and nodded in unison. They weren't like the regular humans of this world, but so long as they were both understood, nothing else truly mattered.