[ all at once, it feels like a mistake to have come here. the voice that comes from the other side of the screen is soft, sweet—while tseng can't see its owner, he can easily imagine someone gentle, to whom it would be unkind to confess the kinds of sins that tseng has committed.

and yet—the conundrum. he doesn't know if he'll be able to forgive himself for what he's about to tell this priest, but he also doesn't know how he'll be able to survive if he doesn't let go of some of what he carries. ]

I think my sins are too great to number, [ tseng admits. he braces both elbows on his knees and hangs his head so far forward it nearly rests against the wooden shelf across from him. ] The people I've killed, Father... the things I've done. It scares me to ask for God's forgiveness because I don't think I deserve it.

[ one hand comes up to press against his forehead. ]

But I have no choice. My life is not my own.