Once granted admittance by the guards, Melody is conducted to Alicia's room.

"Thank you for seeing me Lady Alicia. I .... need to confess ,,, a sin of deception by admission. My fellow choir members have most probably assumed I am a follower of your 'One True God' as well as not being an Aventi, probably because I have not ... corrected them on this notion. Asking me if I believe in the One True God, I would say 'Yes'. If they had asked, do I worship the One True God, I would have to truthfully say 'No' but they did not ask that. I .. thought I could follow the basic principles ... but ... I am tired of living a lie and being untrue to myself. And having studies the Holy Book ... do you know if Soloman has actually read the whole thing? It's certainly an eyeopener."

"But yeah ... even though I love to sing ... I .. think I'd better leave the choir and confess all to the Cardinal. What do you think I should do?"

Alicia's stood up when the guard opened the door for Melody after knocking. Apparently she had been praying.

Inviting Melody to sit, the two women soon found themselves settled down where Alicia listened to Melody's explanation of her conundrum.

Alicia looked concerned "It is clear that this matter weighs heavily upon your heart." she nodded with understanding "I am here for you."

She paused, making sure that the first part of her message had gotten through before doing anything else. She could tell how much this matter tortured Melody and the Sending she had received earlier had worried her.

"But I do not think that what you propose is the right solution to your situation..." she noted.

"Though you have not lied directly to them, you recognize that you have not been entirely honest with your friends in the choir about what you believe, and about who you are." she summarized

"It seemed, perhaps, easier when you started out. To avoid discussion by pretending to be just another of the faithful. Or maybe to avoid questions about why an Aventi would join a Church Choir..." she reasoned

"But now that it has been going on for a while, you feel trapped in the image you created. Like wearing a large ball gown, after a while, it has begun to weigh you down and now you find yourself exhausted and struggling to breathe, wanting out, but feeling helpless as the ball is still ongoing." she concluded, giving a glance at Melody to see if she was hitting the right chord.

"What is unclear to me, however, is why you seek to confess to the Cardinal, if you have already decided that your penance shall be to be expelled from the choir." she wondered "Would it not make more sense to confess your deception to the people you have deceived? To seek -their- forgiveness, rather than ask Cardinal Stephanus to grant you absolution on behalf of the God you do not worship?"

Alicia looked at Melody with wonder. She had noted what Melody had said about Soloman and studying the Holy Books. And though she wasn't sure what she had read that gave her pause, this was about Melody, not about some scholarly matter of theology.

"You're right. Yes. I shall go to the next practice, but stand up at the beginning and make an announcement. Tell the proper truth and take what comes"

"And as for why I joined the Choir. I ... have discovered a love for singing. Even if I am kicked out ... I just hope I can find ... other avenues. And I have to admit ... Sanctis sounds really nice when put to music"

"Do you want me to go with you?" she offered "I understand it must be difficult for you, and if it helps, I'd be glad to.

They will probably need a moment to process everything, but I am sure they will understand. Forgiveness is an important aspect of the faith.

And it is indeed a beautiful language." she smiled

*nods* I like it ... and Celestial is also a joy to sing in ,,,, being a musical language in itself.

But yes, this is something I must do - clear the air so the saying goes, If you want to wait outside though, I would not mind.

Thank you.