Others in the church realize the "god" Wraithvine is there and go to talk to hir. Including individuals considering opening such a temple back in their own homelands.
@internutter/challenge-03539-i251-inside-the-church-of-me -- Anon Guest
It wasn't the first Church of the Eternal Elf, but it was the first one to have what might be called a personal visit. Which eventually caused a stir as others realised the resemblance between the statue at the altar and the Elf helping out in the hospice.
Ze was busy with the Grumpy Baby Two-step[1] when the supplicants started queueing up. The first to face Wraithvine was one with a stump for an arm.
"You keep saying anyone can change the world with two kind hands. What of someone who only has one? Or less than one?"
Wraithvine never stopped trying to soothe the fussing infant. "One works all the same, it just takes longer. Honestly, hands are not truly necessary. Just the will and the ability put together. It's... not as snappy as 'two kind hands'." Ze went from rubbing the child's back to patting. "I can teach you some magework that can help with the dexterity issue, or bond you a new limb from a tree. You have choices."
"When you're done with the babe, of course."
"Of course." None here expected Wraithvine to put down a child in need to favour an adult who could care for themselves.
The next was a woman with a permanently harried expression. "I want help others, but I'm busy with me and mine. How can I do it all?"
"Helping you and yours doesn't count as helping others?" asked Wraithvine. "How does that work?"
Thoughts on the matter suitably adjusted, she let the next supplicant apply.
"How much is too much to give?"
"The first to care for is yourself," said Wraithvine. "Know your limits, and do not exceed them without that knowledge. You can not help others if you destroy yourself in the process. Take what you need. Give everything else to the betterment of that and those which surround you."
Kindness is always a choice anyone can make. Learning is a choice, too. The choice to teach is even better. One being can exhaust themself helping another, but teaching that other to help themself leaves more room to help more people. Sometimes, even doubling the help available.
Wraithvine did eventually settle the child on hir shoulder. And settled a lot more souls in the process.
The faith of Wraithvine, run by the helpful, would spread very slowly. Always a niche religion, but also never knowing when the Eternal Elf would just show up to help out.
[1] When the tiny ones get fussy, there is a near-universal dance that parents and carers do to try to soothe them. Those in the know can possibly do it in their sleep.
[Image by Judah Wester on Unsplash]
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