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Henaty heard a small rustling.
Shuffling robes and shifting feet happened sometimes, innocuous little moments common to find in the atmosphere of the Temple sermons. Even the most faithful among the flock had to adjust themselves or fidget from time to time. Leshy on the other hand, of course, was not one of the faithful. Knowing him he probably fidgeted to do anything possible to avoid paying attention to the Lamb speaking.
However, what caught her attention was when she heard him make a distinct little crunch.
She was no longer following the words of the sermon, looking out the corner of her eye at the strange worm-bush of a man.
"Did you sneak in food?" she whispered. She didn't know if he was confident that he wouldn't be caught, or if he just didn't care.
Leshy answered her with another crunch. Henaty quickly glanced at the people around her—so far no one else seemed to have noticed.
"Why?"
"I didn't get to finish breakfast, so-" he brought another nut to his mouth,"-I'm going to have it here."
Henaty shook her head, and with a sigh moved her gaze back to the pulpit.
Finally, she turned and spoke to him again.
"Can I have some?" she leaned against his shoulder, smelling the roasted nuts and berries in his claws.
"No!" he hissed, his claws coiling around his treasure of a snack. "It's mine!"
He heard her huff indignantly, and the warm weight that leaned on his shoulder lifted. He might not have been able to see her face, but he could easily imagine a pout or other look of displeasure on the tall axolotl.
He did not expect a sharp jab at his ribs that followed. She'd elbowed him!
"Ow! What did you do that for?" Leshy demanded in a voice that could barely be considered a whisper. The two of them had caused enough of a ruckus for the individual in front of them—an older otter fellow—that he actually turned around and shushed them. Not wanting more attention, Leshy finally conceded to sharing his food quietly with Henaty as she happily leaned on him again.
—
The morning sermon continued as usual until a completely different disruption happened- a distinctly odd noise, like air being squeezed out of a closed space, cut through the Temple. Every single person went quiet, and not in contemplation. Even the Lamb was caught by surprise and paused open-mouthed, halfway through a dramatic sweeping gesture in front of their open book at the lectern.
After some whispering and curious glances around from the crowd, the Lamb cleared their throat and resumed the sermon.
"Ahem... Which is to say: do not view your labors as being done for labor's sake, but because of how these tasks bring us together-"
As the Lamb spoke, Narinder was standing where he usually did: a space near the pulpit but apart from the laity of the Lamb’s flock. Though less than ideal, it suited him fine—he may not have had all the privileges of a disciple, but people respected him well enough to leave him alone. It also gave him a good view of both the Lamb and the congregation as he surveyed the scene with some curiosity. After the strange disruption several followers in one corner had put their hands over their snouts and looked rather uncomfortable. It... was not behavior one usually expected from the Lamb’s adoring worshippers. If they were becoming ill, things could become very tiresome and disgusting. And as the minutes passed more and more were donning these disturbed expressions and shielding their faces.
"Urgh!" Leshy didn't even bother stifling his disgust. Decorum had completely left the building and had been replaced by something much more unpleasant.
As amusing as it was to see his own brother falter to whatever was spreading throughout the flock, Narinder admittedly felt some trepidation at the fact that whatever it was, it was coming closer to the pulpit.
Closer.
That was when he felt it finally hit him.
No.
He smelt it.
His nose wrinkled, revolted, as his fur bristled all over. Had one of these insipid mortals really...?
The Lamb slammed their holy tome shut, the sound echoing through the walls of the temple.
"Out!" they commanded, pointing to the doors. The order was obeyed with great haste and the people of the flock spilled out of the great wooden doors. Followers and disciples alike were grateful to be in the fresh open air away from the oppressive stench that still lingered inside their holy Temple. Some were helping fan others, and a few stood to the side trying to stop the urge to gag and retch.
After the commotion had settled down some, and their dear leader discussed the incident with a few individuals, the Lamb smoothed out their cape and took in a deep breath before addressing their followers.
"My beloved flock! In the future if you need to relieve yourself during the sermon then please..."
They paused to give emphasis to the proclamation.
“…excuse yourself to the outhouse!"