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Backdated: 12/11/13

Mikael blinked fanatically as he gazed up towards the tall man. Hands clasped together and a smile bore deeply across his face like a fissure. It did not seem humanely possible for someone's smile to stretch that far apart. Unless one were to take their fingers and force the corners of their mouth further apart. Mikael's left foot slightly through the doorway, while his right hung back. Hesitation in every fiber of his being. Sweat dripped down the small of his back, uncertainty rushing over him like a tidle wave. His Father told him prey could recognize when it was being stalked by a predator. Their instincts warn them away. Predator. It was the only word that hung onto the forefront of his brain. Digging its claws in and screaming at him to run, and yet he found himself rooted to the spot tightly. The boy's lips twitched into a frown as he felt his Father's hands clasp his shoulders from behind. Forcing him through the doorway, each step forward felt like he was swallowing heavy stones into his stomach. "Hello Father Federov, your sermon today was truly eye-opening." A smooth and rich voice moved through the air behind him. A contrast to the roughness of the man's touch.

Despite the tall man sitting, he seemed to fill up the entirety of the room. "Øistein, it is good to see you. I am glad you enjoyed it so dearly." The tall man finally spoke the depressive weight in the room lifting with final ease. Standing slowly, the man moved from around the desk, his long white robe nearly touching the ground where he walked. The gold embroidery upon his white cloak shone as the light that streamed through the window caught upon it. Close up one could truly appreciate every fine detail that had been carefully placed into every inch of fabric. The man glided across the carpeted office with ease, the only semblance of sound being the soft scrape of fabric against fabric. Up close the man towered over him, forcing him to crane his neck upwards to catch a glimpse of the older man's face. Mikael felt his body tense the want to run away screaming grew strong as the man slowly kneeled in front of him. "Hello Mikael, how are you?" the man said eyes searching his very being. Mikael stared at the man his mouth slightly agape. It did not occur to him that a few seconds had passed with silence until his Father's grip upon his shoulder had increased in tenfold. Waking him up.

The boy swallowed thickly looking towards the white and gold fabric in front of him. "Hello Father." he mumbled out in a monotone tone. The enormous pressure bore down on him, stifling the air in his lungs. The boy looked up quickly towards the man, a small frown had now replaced the man's usual smile. A fact that chilled him to his core and had him quickly looking away. "Apologies Father Federov. Regrettably, he is far too shy for his age, his mother failed to address the issue." his father's voice cut through the tense air from behind him. "Ah such a shame." the voice lamented from in front of him. "Try again Mikael, and look up when someone is speaking to you." the voice sternly said as his shoulder was jostled slightly.

Clutching his pant leg with a white-knuckled grip, Mikael reluctantly lifted his gaze. The serious expression etched on the tall man's face intensified the burning in his ears. Gasping for air, he managed, "Hello, Father... I am doing well. Thank you for asking." His words hung in the air, hesitant and disjointed. Like two wine glasses clinking together. Fragile glass that threatened to shatter.

The tall man nodded approvingly, his stern expression relenting into a faint smile. "Very good, Mikael. Politeness is a virtue we must cultivate in our youth." His gaze lingered for a moment before he straightened up, towering over him once more. His wide smile had returned to his face. It was crazy to think how much he appreciated that over the other frowning."Now, Mikael, I do appreciate you waiting patiently outside during service today. Hopefully with any luck we can have you up to speed to join next Sunday's service.," he continued, gesturing towards a nearby chair. Mikael was steered forward, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that clung to him, as he was made to sit in the chair in front of the desk. Their watchful eyes bearing down upon him with a silent reminder of their expectations for him.

"Yes sir." he managed to squeeze out of his strained vocal cords staring up into the sharp eyes before him. He was not too sure why his Father had brought him here, or why he had been forced to stand outside of the large white door for an hour. Hearing muffled exclamations and cries. Screams and hollers. It all seemed so weird, and he wished nothing more than to run into his Mother's arms. Bury his face into her stomach as he lamented the unease and fear he had experienced. Not to mention how friendly everyone was being. They had all looked down on him with large smiles. Welcoming him with coos and adoration as he had clung to his father's white robe. How much he stood out amongst the flowing white in his blue sweater and dark black pants. Nowhere to hide, but maybe that was the point. It seemed wrong and yet he could not place where the wrongness started or ended. Just an endless tidal wave of buzzing uncertainty that cloaked his very being.

The tall man's smile widened, seemingly pleased with Mikael's response. "Excellent," he exclaimed, patting Mikael gently on the shoulder. "With time, you'll find your place among us." he said with a reassuring tone, his hand lingering on Mikael's shoulder for a moment longer before retracting. The room felt oppressive, like a thick heavy fog. Mikael's eyes darted around the room, taking in the room. The walls were adorned with religious symbols. The carpet was made up of intricate patterns beneath his feet, and the imposing figure of the tall man who now returned to his seat behind the desk. Mikael swallowed thickly glancing haphazardly between his father and the man before him.

"Mikael, our Father has graciously offered to guide you on a path towards enlightenment." Mikael's father spoke, his voice resonating with a strange mix of authority and reverence. Mikael glanced toward the Father as he began to speak once more, . "Mikael, your father has spoken highly of your potential. The path to salvation is not always an easy one, but with some guidance, one can overcome any obstacle." His words hung in the air, and Mikael couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. Mikael's mind raced, grappling with the unsettling tension in the room.

"Salvation?" he muttered out his eyebrows twisting together upward. The man's eyes seemed to soften slightly a coy smile playing across his lips. "Yes Mikael, salvation. Don't you want to be saved?" the man hummed out a mocking sense of care that went unbeknownst to him. Mikael couldn't shake the feeling that he had crossed a threshold into a world he couldn't fully comprehend. The boy nodded his head despite not understanding. All he knew was the strong underlying expectation that weighed heavily in the room, and as the older man smiled he knew he had made the right choice. "Good good, now-" The older man looked past him towards the door, before quickly clearing his throat, "Ah, Jakob, you are just in time. Mikael, you remember, Jakob. He'll be your guide, showing you around while I engage in a discussion with your father."

Mikael's head tilted around his Father's form to a boy standing near the doorway to the office. A large smile upon his face as he stared into him. The boy's lips fell open as he stared at the boy. He seemed so bright, his smile held none of the harshness of his Father's smile. Like the lukewarm summer winds that would cool one down. Fresh and relaxing. His Father helped pull him up from his seat, the two of them walking towards the curly-haired boy in front of him. A different kind of nervousness filled his very being.

When was the last time someone his age had actually smiled at him before? A part of him could not help the worry that pooled in his stomach. How long would it be before the boy treated him just like the other's? Run away crying and screaming when a small glimpse of himself shone through? Mikael was stopped only a few inches in front of the boy, gazing dumbfoundedly at the hand that remained outstretched to him. "Hi, Mikael. Come on I'll show you everything." The boy named Jakob spoke quickly grabbing onto his arm and yanking him through the door. Mikael's eyes widened as he moved his legs quickly to prevent himself from being yanked off balance. The world blurred, and giggles broke out around him as children clad in white waved at the curly-haired boy, his gaze caught upon the boy's back. Unable to look away as they continued to dash away to wherever the other boy wanted to go. A warm feeling growing in his chest.

To be Continued...

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Color Text Guide:
- Mikael Halldorson
- Øistein Halldorson (Mikael's Father)
- Jakob Federov (Mikael's Third Cousin)
- Father Federov (Mikael's Second Cousin Once Removed)