Jocelyn's Vignette

[JadedDM]

"But you wouldn't be able to lie and say there was no donation, if she asked, right?" Hugh asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"No, I wouldn't lie about a donation being made, but it could have been from anyone. Many people like to keep such things private, so I just made it a rule that all donations are private," Jocelyn explains.

[JadedDM]

"I understand," Hugh says, nodding. "So how about I throw in another hundred and you ignore that little rule that you admit you just made up anyway?"

[HorizonsDream]

"No," Jocelyn says simply.

[JadedDM]

"I see..." Hugh shakes his head. "Very well, it seems you've made your decision then. I wish you luck in the future then."

[HorizonsDream]

"You as well, Hugh," Jocelyn says.

[JadedDM]

Another couple of weeks pass without incident, and sure enough, one evening after dinner Skye shows up again. "Hello, again, pastor," she says. "I've come to ask your advice again. The man my father wants me to marry says he spoke to you and offered you a big donation, but you turned it down. Is that true?" she asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"Yes," Jocelyn says as she turns her attention to Skye. Once again, she was found cleaning.

[JadedDM]

"I see," Skye says. "Well, I did my best to get to know him, but I'm still not sure if marrying him is the right thing to do or not. Do you have more advice?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, I can tell you why I didn't take his donation," Jocelyn says with a sigh as she took a seat in one of the pews. "It wasn't a donation, but more of a bribe," she explains. "He wanted me to tell you what a wonderful, kind, and generous man he was because he made this large donation, and he told me so. When I told him, instead of donating to the church, that perhaps he should donate to the family that he could be marrying into, he declined saying that he didn't think it would be right to support a brothel, as if I thought it was a sin of some sort."

[JadedDM]

"Oh," Skye says, having some trouble following all of this. "So you think I shouldn't marry him then?"

[HorizonsDream]

"I can't make that decision for you," Jocelyn says. "I can only tell you what I've noticed of the man. Though, I'm under the impression that he isn't the stand up person that he is trying to make you think he is. He is marrying you for your looks, and he wants your father's business. That isn't love on any level even though you'll be financially secure. "

[JadedDM]

"But...what's more important?" she asks. "My family's security or my own love?"

[HorizonsDream]

"You can always find ways to help your father become more secure in his business without marrying someone rich," Jocelyn points out. "But being stuck in a loveless marriage is not something that Octhanus would be for."

[JadedDM]

"But how do I help my father's business without marrying Hugh?" Skye asks, worry clear on her face.