The festival for Avaxl was bright and loud, as usual. It was quickly becoming my favorite time of year – even if I didn’t believe in the religion behind it.
I bought a handful of caramel candies from one of the many stalls set up in the plaza. Each candy was individually wrapped in tissue-like paper. As I unwrapped one, stuffing the rest in my pockets, I scanned the area for Leslie. They’d wandered off while I was waiting in line.
In a sleeveless, pale blue blouse that billowed out over their denim shorts, I spotted Leslie standing in front of a prayer stall. At least, that’s what Leslie had called it last year. I joined Leslie just as they handed money to the person managing the stall.
“Your god likes money?” I asked. The stall manager folded the paper currency and placed it beneath one of the candles on a high shelf.
Leslie chuckled. “No,” they said as the manager lit the candle the money was under. “But the temple does. Thewtiojewmlfdksewiple will use my money to buy something to sacrifice for me later. They’ll offer prayers iwtheace.”
“Why?” I asked.
Leslie glanced at me. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Of course I won’t. I don’t understand any of this process,” I gestured vaguely at the prayer stall with its lit candles and painted images of a half-bird, half-man deity. “But why are you doing it?” I continued. “What are you asking for?”
With a sad smile, Leslie replied, “Guidance.” Then they clapped their hands together and said something about game stalls. “Ietijwemwwoelve got some new ones this year.”
I watched them as they walked away, disappointed they hadn’t told me more about what they were praying for. They really weren’t going to tell me. Whatever had been worrying them for nearly a year, the thing that had led to a whispered conversation with Simone and them asking me what happened to Outcasts in the System – they weren’t going to talk to me about it. I was done acting like I hadn’t noticed something was wrong. But since today was a special day for them, I’d wait for another time to ask Leslie what was going on.
“Miss,” the manager of the prayer stall called to me. “Weotijewklmfus to offer a prayer for you?”
“Um, no,” I started. Then I caught sight of Leslie again, excitedly smiling over trinkets being sold at another stall.
“I don’t actually believe this stuff,” I said to the stall manager. “But if it helps,” I took out some money, holding it out to the manager, “could you add this to my partner’s prayer?”
The stall manager simply nodded and took the money from my hand. I never told Leslie. And I still have no idea why I’d done it. But it felt like the moment I had decided something. I was going to be there for Leslie. No matter what.
To be continued…