Pierre: "You certainly sound like one, going 'oh, I want this and that, so I'll have it, regardless of the consequences'. But alas, who am I to judge?"

EVENTS:

There's a strange glimmer in Pierre's eyes.

Pierre: "Mmm. You've certainly taken the Priestess's teachings to heart."

EVENTS:

Pierre raises his hands in a plaintive gesture.

Pierre: "Very well, very well. I'm not looking for trouble.

I'm sure Mother will treat such pious individuals well, if you're so eager to fight for the Master's cause."

He turns away, focusing on his work.

[Timeskop pending]

EVENTS:

Pierre hums calmly.

Pierre: "Is that so? Well, if you ever need someone to... talk to, I'm usually around. Don't worry, I won't judge."

[TIMESKOP]

Eigla works away, putting the experience she'd gained back at Mary's farm to good use. It feels good having helpers, too, even if they're all incoherent zombies, silent acolytes or mostly-insane Dolls.

After a full day of repairing walls and shoveling dirt out of basements, she sits on the edge of a roof to have a look at the book. It reads much like a storybook, with short tales inserted into a longer narrative, and a few poems. The handwriting and drawings are not particularly neat, but have the same extreme level of detail as the tapestries back at the church, hinting at a very obssessive artist.
Most of the tales follow the same general pattern: The wandering Master comes upon someone in need, and changes them so as to resolve their issue. The person is invariably pleased, and swears allegiance to his cause. A bit biased, in your opinion.

...Hm. There's one in particular that seems a bit... Autobiographical. A young, pregnant woman is trapped in a church, her body slowly melding with the corpses of her friends and family. The Master finds her, and she begs him to save her child, and give him a family.
The Master not only lets her deliver her baby safely, but also saves her life. He gives her the means to call out to all that may listen, and soon hundreds flock to her aid, helping her raise her son. In return, she freely pledges her own body to the Master's needs, and is chosen as a vessel for one of his many divine progeny.

Spooky.



Meanwhile, Klimt works hard enough to break a sweat, and almost feel alive again. As alive as he can, at least. When he finally tires, he quickly leaves to the truck, sneaking in a quick nap inside the cargo compartment.

Peggy: "Klimt. Klimt, wake up. Klimt? Klimt. Earth to Klimt. Hey."

He blinks sleepily, eyes closing instinctively at the afternoon sun. Can't he be left alone for five minutes?

Peggy: "Klimt. I, I kinda feel like eating people. And conquering the world. And making out with you. Maybe not in that order. Point is, I'm hungry. A-and, the thoughts are coming back. The ones that are not me, I mean.

Please help. Or, make out with me and go help me conquer the world. Your choice. But, uh, choose fast, because you're looking tastier by the minute."




Rosa spends the day working, though she mostly keeps to the newly-built tree square or the edges of the village. Being close to the church unsettles her, for some reason.

As the afternoon sun begins to drop on the horizon, she notices Pierre walking close, carrying a small waterskin.

Pierre: "Thirsty? Your arms are far too thin to be carrying bricks up and down like you've been doing."