Profound Disappointment

I expected The Bishop's lips to be set in a thin line - the typical sign when he became angry at transgressions perceived or real.

But his lips were relaxed. His eyes distant, sad.

This concerned me. I moved over to him and tilted my head in query.

"I ran out of giving to those who can't even say 'thank you'," he stated.

He continued, resentment lightly coating his words. "When others required support, or guidance out of the storm and darkness, I put my energy towards their needs. When someone wanted an adventure, I'd take their path so that they would not be alone, even when it wasn't the path I would have chosen."

"I asked for nothing in return but respect and friendship."

"But the times when I asked for them to take my path, their ears turned away deaf. When my soul required comfort, they demanded the more of me, blind to my heartache. When I finally had to ask for friendship, they chose their own whims over me."

This was true, but I offered: "The Lizard would forgive."

He bowed his head. "In this, I look up to her example, but am unable to yet achieve it. She is compassion and grace even when others do her wrong as Stormy did. She simply shines her light on other things."

I nodded, remembering Stormy's dismissal. I had been disgusted at how thoughtlessly she had treated The Lizard.

Looking up at me, tears fell from his eyes. "I've lost so much lately, and I can't pretend or let these many stones flung upon me to roll off my back. At some point, you have to protect yourself. Despite my heart of a crusader, if not allowed to right a wrong, prudence would require that I turn away."

The army officer in me agreed that a tactical withdrawl often serves your cost best, but I asked: "Forever?"

He put his hand on my shoulder and answered. "I still have friends, like you, who I am thankful for. With that, comes hope, and all things are possible."

I smiled.

"But I wouldn't delay dinner just yet waiting. I'm hungry." The Bishop added with his own self-aware smile.

Frequent Film Quotes

Incandragon came up with a good post recently:
http://incandragon.livejournal.com/250574.html?view=1648846#t1648846
She asked to identify the motion picture quotes she uses frequently in everyday life. Only one overlapped with one of mine ("Mostly") and so I thought I would throw a few out there and see if anyone could guess the movie. Some are quite easy, I'm sure...

"I feel a presence..."

"You're still alive, old friend"

"I am a leaf on the wind"

"No capes!"

"Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full."

"We're dangerous at short distances."

"So I figure I've got that going for me."

"The overide. Where's the overide!"

"As in 'to swing' "

"And if frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their ass a hoppin' "

"There she is!"

Dead and Deciduous

"That there is a Dead and Dangerous Tree", the Urban Forrester proclaimed.

The Lizard beamed with happiness -- a run in with the more radical druids in her sect could be avoided. She moved forward to pat the 4 foot thick trunk, a long life having been lived.

The Forrester grabbed her: "I wouldn't get too close if I were you."