Kell did well after the initial ritual. He had always been a kind of leader to this flock, serving as the voice of his father when Jarek had other things to do, usually at the hospital where Charlotte stayed. Now they listened to him without delay, no more waiting for his father's approval or speaking through him rather than with him. He had proven himself formidable, he had done it with blood - his father's when it poured from a throat that couldn't utter the truth, and Charlotte's when she'd bled for his intrusion and claiming. He was more regarded as a master of war now, the way he'd come into the rule with violence and carnal superiority, and it made it easy to get their attention.<br/><br/>He saw to that they spread the word. Boys out in the world were always looking to feel like men, and the women of the commune were now taught regularly how to please and to be pleased themselves. A neediness and the strength of independence, it was like the brightest light for the moth in any male's pants. And the commune's men were also molded in that image, feeding into the new recruits need to nurture, and at the same time dominating them in secret. Kell sent the good seducers out to bring in wealth and power, and those that had a taste of their cult's honey couldn't resist. Families were swallowed up and divided, and the place itself saw grand renovations. The coming of the Oracle represented a golden age for them all, and Kell lead it.<br/><br/>With this influx of new blood he had to concentrate on training. Many of the old members had  been raised on Jarek's words, and didn't know enough other lives to protest, but these new minds liked to question. He drowned them in sensory delights, and proved to them how strong he was, how good this religion could be to them. Kell was prolific in washing their minds of doubt, but it was quite an endeavor. For the doubters, he held the great blood sacrament, and fed them holy words while they were dizzy with happiness. Soon they would work their backs off and offer all their belongings to him.<br/><br/>But the more power he acquired, the more precious it was to him. He was in the middle of a lie that no one could see through, something that was his alone, he could watch over the members of this place, of this idea, he could see them from above, and noticed when something was wrong. The new sibling pair, who had come knocking on his doors themselves - nothing uncommon now - had become a little problem. It was enough to make people too leisurely in the field. Charlotte didn't consider herself very important when she wasn't the oracle, and she might think it didn't matter who she befriended. Certainly, the commune had no trouble when Irma was her foremost confidant. They even accepted John because they knew his inferiority as a suiter, and also that he wouldn't try anything too rude.<br/><br/>Tess, though, with her dark tresses, was a thing of envy. Many liked to dream of a friendship between themselves and the queen. They all wanted favor. He was subject to this as well, but of course navigated this expertly, given his training and ambition, but poor Lotte didn't know better. He felt for her sometimes. It was still relevant that she act a bit like a figure of importance, though. Part of her allure was her radiant innocence, that couldn't be there without a measure of naivety. It was under one of these deliberations that he wondered if someone else might see it like him. In their cult, the people had a hard time realizing Lotte's shortcomings - she was something otherworldly, after all. But since they were becoming something of a political and economical entity as well, fractions outside of their religion might see her as a point of weakness.<br/><br/>He'd looked differently at Tess from then on. She had aimed for Lotte's friendship early, and clung to it once she had it. The two were similar in age so it was easy to disregard it for something real, but he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't scrutinize. And even if it was all as innocent as it looked, he needed to both reprimand Lotte and the commune for their little uproars. He beat the outlayers of the neigh-rebellion senseless in his office, of course, and that would usually quell some of the stirring thoughts for a while, but they soon returned to begrudging gossip and dark glances at the pair Tess and Charlotte. He would have to send a message. He was designing it in his head already.<br/><br/>John had simple orders, and was thankful to be headed for where Tess was last seen. She would doubtlessly be with Charlotte. John had overseen the rise of their religion and was eager as ever to be close to his love. He didn't dare ask for her when their great gatherings happened, and still stroked the scars she'd given him to completion on occasion. A tool for everyone, but he had learned his lesson, and didn't overstep his place. Lately, he'd confided some of his frustrations in Carlton. It seemed appropriate he should entertain one half of the siblings while Charlotte was with Tess. Carlton promised to keep his secrets, and in return just wanted information of this new place and its theories. John liked to spill. It was just educating a fellow believer, wasn't it?<br/><br/>He found Tess without their bright Oracle, and he was a bit disappointed, but showed none of it to her when he touched her shoulder. Frankly, Tess was a beautiful woman, Charlotte's opposite, but John had thought about her once or twice when he petted Charlotte's scars. Perhaps he'd one day find the courage to see if she was available for courting. It would be a good way to keep staying close to Charlotte. He had orders, for now. "Excuse me, Tess. You're wanted in Kell's office." he said with a smile. John didn't feel the need to be unsure when he carried out Kell's words. They were absolute here, and their leader hadn't been vague about what she was to do.<br/><br/>If she did come with him, he'd make smalltalk on the way, they were somewhat friendly and definitely familiar given their common friend in Charlotte. He might have thought he was being coy, but it would be clear to Tess that he went rather quickly from casually brushing the subject of Charlotte to not so discretely obsessing about it. It is the great misfortune of any attached heart to beat too quickly for its object of affection. Eventually though, he produced her at Kell's door, and left her there, as he had been instructed. John was not as prone to linger anyway, if it didn't concern his beloved Oracle and the girl she used to be.<br/><br/>When she came in, Kell sat on his desk, smiling at her. Tess was more statuesque than Charlotte, and he appreciated their contrasts when they walked together. He liked her alone too. His head fell to one side when he eyed her up and down. It was a friendly once-over, for what she would be able to tell. More and more he was becoming convinced that her entire being here, and her nestling into Charlotte's affections was too convenient. "How are things, Tess? You and your brother settling in fine?" he asked and stood, moving over to her quickly. Out of his robes, Kell afforded himself something less rigid, and had chosen worn clothes today. Black and gray - he was still rather young, after all, even if they all thought of him as wise.<br/><br/>He patted her shoulder and nodded to the desk. "How's our Oracle? You're good friends now, so I hope we can get along too." he stroked her back on their way to the chairs. Kell made sure to stay close, and opportunely brushed his arm against hers now and then. "Mostly I'm just bored, and all my usual conversationalists are busy. Would you humor me, Tess? Tell me something about yourself."