The Church of Gaea's official policy was to respect all religions, as long as that respect was mutual. It was hard, however, to maintain a policy of respect when an Archbishop's thunderous voice pronounced them a "Satanic sex cult, bile and wicked," from the pulpit, and then posted the text of the whole sermon online. Sister Desiree didn't object to the "sex cult" part, particularly, and the "wicked" she could live with, although the Church's mission of healing and saving the planet seemed anything but. Still, "wicked" sounded delightfully naughty. But Satanic? And vile? That seemed unkind.
Which was how she found herself sitting demurely on a chair in the office of a young priest, separated from the cleric by a wide desk. Desiree was dressed conservatively by her standardsβa thin white blouse, unbuttoned to show only the slightest amount of cleavage, although her black bra showed through. Her plaid skirt was positively
long
, coming to mid-thigh, and her shoes were Mary Janes with only the slightest heel. She felt like she was practically wearing a burka. Less than half as many people as usual swiveled their heads to stare at her on her walk, but it was a sacrifice she was willing to make.
Father Robert adjusted his clerical collar and cleared his throat. "You said you had matters of a spiritual nature to discuss. That you were interested in accepting our Lord as your Savior." They were sitting in his office, a desk in between the two of them.
Desiree leaned forward, well aware that gave the priest a better look down her shirt. She'd chosen her outfit deliberately, hinting at Catholic schoolgirl. This was her first go at a priest, but she'd seduced two nuns earlier that month. She knew Father Robert knew about one of the nuns, who had forsaken their vows to join the Church of Gaea. Correctly, she had gauged that the chance to convert a Gaean to Catholicism as revenge revenge would be impossible to resist. When one team scored a few points, you wanted payback. It was only human, even if it wasn't very divine.
"Well yes. I wasn't raised Catholic, or anything, so I don't really know what's involved, but -- tell me what our Lord would ask of me."
Father Robert cleared his throat. "Well, you would have to be baptized."
"That involves getting dunked in water?"
"No, just a sprinkle will do," said Father Robert, taking a quick peek at her chest, the kind men thought wasn't noticed.
"I thought I might have to take my clothes off."
"Um, no. We don't, um, there is no taking clothes off here." The priest wiped his brow.
"Oh."
"And then you would have to take classes, before being confirmed."
"Tell me, Father, is it true that priests like you are totally celibate?"
A pause. "Yes."
"Not even a little on the side, when no one is looking?"
He cleared his throat again. "God is always looking."
"Is God looking down my blouse, like you are?"
Father Robert shook his head. "The flesh is weak. Would you mind sitting up straighter?"
"Of course not." Desiree straightened up. "Nuns don't get any either?" In the Church of Gaea, young ladies who dedicated themselves to the church were called "Alls" in contrast to the "Nones" of some established religions. Sister Desiree was an All herself, although she hadn't told Father Robert that. Her name had been Linda Thompson before, and she had been raised Baptist before her whole family converted. She was not nearly as ignorant as she was pretending to be.
"They are married to the Lord, young lady. Do you think that is your calling?"