Announcements: Cutting Costs (2024) » January 2024 Copyfraud Attack » Finding Universes to Join (and making yours more visible!) » Guide To Universes On RPG » Member Shoutout Thread » Starter Locations & Prompts for Newcomers » RPG Chat — the official app » Frequently Asked Questions » Suggestions & Requests: THE MASTER THREAD »

Latest Discussions: Adapa Adapa's for adapa » To the Rich Men North of Richmond » Shake Senora » Good Morning RPG! » Ramblings of a Madman: American History Unkempt » Site Revitalization » Map Making Resources » Lost Poetry » Wishes » Ring of Invisibility » Seeking Roleplayer for Rumple/Mr. Gold from Once Upon a Time » Some political parody for these trying times » What dinosaur are you? » So, I have an Etsy » Train Poetry I » Joker » D&D Alignment Chart: How To Get A Theorem Named After You » Dungeon23 : Creative Challenge » Returning User - Is it dead? » Twelve Days of Christmas »

Players Wanted: Serious Anime Crossover Roleplay (semi-literate) » Looking for a long term partner! » JoJo or Mha roleplay » Seeking long-term rp partners for MxM » [MxF] Ruining Beauty / Beauty x Bastard » Minecraft Rp Help Wanted » CALL FOR WITNESSES: The Public v Zosimos » Social Immortal: A Vampire Only Soiree [The Multiverse] » XENOMORPH EDM TOUR Feat. Synthe Gridd: Get Your Tickets! » Aishna: Tower of Desire » Looking for fellow RPGers/Characters » looking for a RP partner (ABO/BL) » Looking for a long term roleplay partner » Explore the World of Boruto with Our Roleplaying Group on FB » More Jedi, Sith, and Imperials needed! » Role-player's Wanted » OSR Armchair Warrior looking for Kin » Friday the 13th Fun, Anyone? » Writers Wanted! » Long term partner to play an older male wanted »

0
followers
follow

Rory O'Connell

0 · 200 views · located in The Nillies

a character in “The Multiverse”, originally authored by Blazezon, as played by RolePlayGateway

Description

Image

So begins...

Rory O'Connell's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

It was a cold day already, at all of five A.M, the sun's awfully pale rays barely creeping up bast row after row of dilapidated buildings. The Nillies was a cold place in general, and it showed in every facet of one's life. Unlike most cities, or suburbs, where people would just be waking up on a beautiful morning, children running papers in rustic communities, or working men on their lawn, flipping through a tablet with a cup of coffee; here the thugs, pushers, and prostitutes were just now calling it a day, and heading to sleep. Hungry, shady, and destitute people all shuffled into their little houses, if they could even be called that, and slammed their doors, eager for the reprieve sleep brought.

From a small hill, a once grassy knoll, but now a lonely mound of dirt stationed right next to an abandoned mill, stood a man, simply watching. He took every minute detail in, that was his job after all.

You could tell he was young enough from up close, but from a distance he just looked haggard, and old. Dressed head to toe in a simple, flowing black garment, with a gleaming white collar, stood Father O'Connell, shaggy black hair a mess as always. He did this every morning, once the church was prepared for Early Mass. He'd set the tables, spark the incense, make sure each pew had a battered, torn up bible on it, and throw the once grand double-doors open.

They were large oak things, once intricately carved, and beautiful, now faded, indistinguishable hunks of wood on broken hinges.

He sighed as he watched what could've, should've, been his parish in their daily trudge home. He leaned back against one of the doors, his head hanging low. "Perhaps the view is why the morning is so chilling..", he mused to himself, a bad habit he'd gotten into. No one ever really came to speak to him anymore, so he spoke to the only person he knew would listen. Even if he felt absolutely alone.

God.

Of course, he was a sane man, and God never answered, but it still made him feel a little less lonely. At times like this, when things seemed bleak, he liked to mentally fill in the blanks where God might have responded. "I know, I know..", he exhaled in exasperation. "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope", he snickered a little, "Roman's 5:3-4. I know. Endurance is a virtue, and probably why your clergy invented hair shirts, and these damn collars." He tugged at his without even realizing it.

"Just once, though. Just once.."

With those soft spoken, trailing words he pushed away from the door, it creaking, and cracking in response, and checked his watch. Somehow a half an hour had passed. Mass should be beginning. He shot a quick glance over to the church's sign, half hoping he'd forgotten to set it, but he as always, he hadn't. The old, and beaten sign stood tall on the hill, marred with graffiti, and neglect, but the words on it still legible.

"St. John of The Cross Refuge
We Welcome One And All In His Name.
Mass Hours:
Mon-Fri: 5am, 7am, 12pm, 5pm.
Sat: 5am, 7am, 12pm, 7pm, 9pm.
Sun: Midnight Mass available, otherwise Sat hours."

The plain truth was that no one was coming. With a bit of self pity he ambled into his church, a once proud accomplishment of Gothic stone work, now crumbling. He passed the first set of pews, half of them missing legs, he nodded to the bisected figured of The Blessed Mother, he closed his eyes as he passed a shattered stained glass window. It was his daily walk of shame, from the door to his battered pulpit. He stood behind it, hands running over the cut edges, memories of the drunken man who barged in, shouting and smashing things playing freshly in his mind.

He sighed and bent to reach for his vestments, and cross, just in case, but stopped short for the first time.

"Why?" He thought. "Why bother? What was the point?"

After all, he'd done this exact routine every day for five years, and people stopped showing up three years ago. It was ritual, it was duty, it was ingrained, but it was also pointless. Nobody would show, not even for free coffee, and fresh muffins. Nobody cared, not in this city. A wave of disgust crept over him, and he decided it was time for a change. He quickly helped himself to some coffee, which he proceeded to spike with cheap Whiskey, and retired to his office just behind the Sanctuary.

He threw himself down into his folding chair with a huff, taking a strong sip, and picking up yesterday's mail. All bills, all overdue. Any refuge his rebellion may have offered was quickly snuffed out. He moved some loose papers off the desk, and fished his laptop out from a desk drawer. The thing barely ran, and he struggled to turn it on. It'd been given to him when he was "assigned" to this church, and it was used then, but it would do. It had a calculator, and he could send messages asking for mercy from hounding debt collectors, and angry electric companies.

"Just a sign..", he called out, as the old piece of tech whirred, and hissed to life. "Just anything..Anyone..Give me a reason.."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Saarai
"This is the place?" Charlotte asked as she walked behind Michael, "It's a dump." Viktor said, pushing one of the pews. It was weak. A harder push and it would have fallen apart.

"The others are either full, weird, or a hospital. Sitting in a hospital freaks me out a little." Michael admitted, scanning for sturdy pews. "Here." He said to the others, leading them to the seats.

The group was dressed up decently, Viktor in a black suit, Michael in a clean purple flannel, and Charlie in a pair of slacks, a white blouse, and suspenders. They couldn't go to church wearing just anything.

"So, what happened to you last night?" Michael asked Charlie, "I sent you a text to meet me at the diner." He continued, "It's a long story. But, I was at Sinners' Circle last night when that shooting happened. Got sidetracked helping Cicero." Charlie answered, "Heads down." Viktor said to the Munroe siblings.

In unison all three leaned forward, hands clasped together and eyes closed. No matter where they were in life, no matter what bad they did for whatever reason, they held onto their faith.

It was the only thing keeping them all grounded.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

For the most part the man sat, fused to his screen. It was a never ending task, going from one agency, debt collector, or service provider to the next. People had been kind to him, so far, but even in a devote City patience would be running thin, and pills stacking high. He'd just finished reading a particularly nasty, and downright threatening e-mail from the power company. He understood their anger, he was seven months behind after all, but for some reason the needless nastiness, and threats of violence hurt him. He sighed, glancing up from his laptop. That was another habit of his, look away now and again, a break was good for the eyes, after all, and he needed those.

What with the long life of bible readings to non-existent audiences he had ahead of him.

He was about to chuckle at his own cynicism when he noticed a literal miracle though a the void where a window was supposed to be. People. Real, live, breathing, human being people. In his church no less! In lowly Saint John of The Cross! Joy screamed through his body, and his hands actually shook as he pushed his coffee mug aside. They were bowing in prayer, and respect and everything! Not more looters. He looked up at the ceiling for a moment with a sly grin. "I'll either take that as an answer to my prayers, or a request to shut up. Either way, thank you."

He hurriedly got up, made himself presentable, and tried his best to stride into the Sanctuary as calmly as possible.

If he was sure no one would be looking, he would've skipped. Instead he stood at the first rows of pews, intently watching the strangers. They seemed a rough sort, although everybody in VL was a rough sort, and yet. Oddly well dressed, for around here anyway. A suit, clean clothes, they had money, more than the people around him at least. He pondered his new guests for a moment, respectfully remaining silent while they offered whatever prayers they had.

That's when he remembered manners.

He quietly walked over to the coffeepot, it was stale by now, but it was the best he could do. He poured a cup for each of his visitors, just in case, and set out napkins with sadly cold muffins on them. He looked back to the three, the second they would seem done with their personal prayers, he'd speak up.

"I'm afraid you've missed early mass, another hour until the next, but! The Refuge of Saint John of The Cross welcomes you gladly, my children. Tell me, what can I do for you today?"

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Saarai
Michael was the first to look up, shaking his head at the priest. "I think we're good, Padre. Just gonna get our penance and be on our way." He told Rory, "Our?" Charlie asked, "My penance." Michael corrected himself, "Actually... what's the deal with this place?" The biker asked.

He felt he knew the answer. This church was likely not a front for any criminal enterprises, or didn't monetize faith. In Van Leugen you did one, or both.

There were more than enough preachers willing to get on TV and take money from worshippers, and just as many who let criminals stash drugs or weapons.

"You could use a fundraiser." Charlotte said, "A really long one."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Father O'Connell chuckled a little, placing his cup on a pew as he did. Honestly he half expected the minimal weight of it to break the pews leg, but it held up. "Fundraisers don't work so well when no one shows up.", his voice had a twinge of sorrow to it, but he did his best to hide it with a good sense of humor. "Well, no. That's a lie, last time I held a fundraiser someone did show up.", he eased himself into a seat just next to the three. "He tried to steal the poorbox, and got very, very angry when it was empty." The young priest motioned to the busted stained glass window. "That's how that happened."

He paused for a moment, his head bowed low in a very brief, and very silent prayer.

When he finished, he lifted his head, looking straight forward as he spoke. "From the looks of it I'd say you three have good wealth. At least for The Nillies, and since you're here in The Nillies, I think I can guess where it comes from, too." He almost sounded stern, almost, but in truth he was just stating the unvarnished way of things around here. "It is not my place to judge though, so don't worry about that. Truth be told I'm just happy to see anyone getting use out of this old place while it's still standing." He glanced over at his guests, namely Mike. The man exuded authority, and danger, but after so long in The Nillies it didn't scare Rory anymore.

"Confessional is always open, should you seek it my children, as are the doors if you ever require a safe place, and a little solitude." He chuckled again, he simply couldn't help it, because it was laugh or cry. "Or..A lot of solitude, actually. I think even the mice have abandoned me here."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Saarai
"Actually..." Michael began, "I'm a criminal." He admitted, "Michael Munroe." He said, reaching across to shake the priest's hand. "And, we're detectives." Charlotte said, gesturing to herself and then to Viktor. "Private detectives." Viktor said, exposing his Italian accent.

"We're basically family, Charlotte here is my family, actually, so we don't judge." Michael told Father O'Connell. "Despite my attempts to get Mike out of the game. It's dangerous. We lost a lot of friends, family, to stuff like that." Charlie added.

"Yeah, but I'm smarter these days. More aware." Mike boasted. He was always intelligent, but not he was wiser. He'd be a liar if he said he really wanted out of the criminal world. He really just wanted to make enough money to keep his mother set for life and then he could move on.

Move up.

Maybe even die one day knowing that crime paid for awhile.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Rory shook the man's hand with vigor, truly happy to be talking to a member of the faith. "Father Rory O'Connell, at your service." The admission of being a criminal was no surprise, the priest had suspected it, and hell, who in VL wasn't one to some degree? He truly didn't judge, much, the only thing he held a bit of grudge against was drug pushers. They cared nothing for the lives, families, and communities they poisoned. He wanted to ask Michael if that was his trade, but he figured it simply wasn't his business.

The "family" dynamic however caught his attention. It was rare to see someone wanting someone else out of the crime game, in a way other than a pine box anyway.

"I'm curious, Michael..If I may call you that." Father O'Connell spoke softly, gently. Not in a patronizing way but in the way a concerned parent would speak to a child. Lovingly, with sympathy, and understanding "Why don't you quit the 'game'? You've lost people, and the people still breathing who care about you want you out.", he paused for a second, meeting the man's eyes. You could see the intelligence behind them, and the violence. "I don't doubt your intelligence my son, but I've been in Van Leugen for awhile now. I have yet to meet anyone smarter than a bullet, in the end."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Saarai
"Gotta provide for my family, Padre." Mike told the priest, prompting Charlie to scoff. "What?" Michael asked her, "He does it because he enjoys it." The woman said, "We make enough money through legitimate business that I don't think he needs to keep doing what he does." She continued.

"What my baby sister is leaving out is that she and our older sister have dangerous legitimate jobs. I run a successful auto repair business, I've also invested in some media and nightclubs." Michael explained, "Charlie's a detective, Mary's leading the Invictus. I'll take my chances doing street shit."

"I'm sure I've been shot at a lot less." He added.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

The priest watched Mike intently as he spoke, almost ignoring his companions. You could see the contemplation on his face, the cogs of his brains moving as fast as they could. He was searching for the exact right psalm. When Mike fell silent, Rory just watched him for a moment. Taking in his body language. The way he spoke about being shot at, he was proud. Happy.

O'Connell frowned, his brow creasing into deep worry lines for his age. "Do you not believe in The Commandments, my son? Do not Lie, Do not Steal, Do not Kill." Conviction crept into his voice as he spoke, slowly and thoughtfully. "These were parts of the truest tenements given to us. Laws of the absolute handed down by God himself, entrusted to us." He glanced over to Charlie and Vikto, hoping they'd jump in to back him up.

"To turn away from His Law, is to turn away from Him...But. Jesus was known for mercy, for forgiveness. It is never too late for you to change, to stop.." He trailed, looking away from the group, and back at his pulpit. "Until someone kills you abruptly, that is."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Saarai
Ugly Mike let a smirk find a place on his face, watching Rory closely. The priest was the real deal, and Michael knee that as soon as he entered the church with Charlie and Viktor. "Even a stranger is telling you what we've been telling you." Charlie told her brother, "Yeah, but he's a priest. Of course he's going to tell me that." Michael responded, standing up slowly.

"Didn't Jesus say he was bringing the sword, Father? I don't hold myself to same standard as Christ. I don't bring mercy, I don't forgive. That's just the way it is in this life." Michael said to Rory, "I gotta do what I gotta do. I can't rely on anyone but myself to do it right."

"I'm good at this."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Father just looked on, focusing on the stained class behind the pulpit. He had always found it garish, and a bit out of place, but right now the vividly depicted Jesus, nailed and bleeding on a cross, made sense. The red dripping down from his hands, legs, forehead, stomach, the anguish on his face. Father Rory O'Connell had a much better understanding of it in this moment.

It wasn't anguish from the nails, or lashes, or pain. Not from his ligaments tearing apart, not from thirst. It was failure. Jesus' sorrow wasn't for himself, or his killers, that was always taught, but what it was for was much debated. Rory stopped debating. He realized, somehow, that Jesus must have known. All his lessons, his sacrifices, his death, it would all be in vain one day.

This day.

Still facing forward the priest sighed, sorrow heavy in the sound. "God brought the sword, Christ brought mercy, and compassion." He closed his eyes, almost regretting the Lord having sent him some "faithful" after all. "Half the point of all of this, of the bible, is to teach you how to hold yourself to a standard as close to Christ's as possible. Why do you pray, my son? Why ask for mercy, when you refuse to give it?" This was the part of the job he liked least, the part where people went against every tenant and message, but somehow thought they could still call themselves a Catholic.

"As you turn a deaf ear to others, so shall God to you, until you truly repent. No amount of penance will save a man who intends to continue his wicked ways.", it wasn't an admonishment. It was a sad statement of fact.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Saarai
Charlotte and Viktor watched on, curious as to how the exchange would end or continue. The two were often caught up in their work, religion was secondary. They never really had the chance to talk to Michael, or anyone, the way Father O'Connell was speaking to him.

"When I pray I don't ask for mercy. I'm asking God to understand why I don't deserve it." Michael admitted, it was easy for him to do. It was something he truly believed about himself. He was a killer. It's why people called him Ugly Mike.

The man was a monster on the inside. He thought so at least.

"Michael..." Charlie said to her brother, hesitantly reaching out for his hand. "I appreciate this though, Father. You're a better Catholic than I am. I'll have to visit you more often." Ugly Mike said to Rory.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Rory turned, and smiled. It was a genuine sign of happiness too, not some facade he felt the need for. The moment Mike said he'd return, all the doubt washed out of the Priest's heart. Saving those too far gone to save themselves was part of his job, after all. He remembered his own declaration, too. If I could help even one person, just one, and make a difference, everything would be worth it.. He pushed himself up off the pew, and gently squeezed Mike's shoulder, nodding as he did so.

"Please, come back as often as you'd like. Maybe even a little more if those two have the sense to drag you in, hmm?" he chuckled a little, his eyes sparkling with passion. "You need it, my son. Every man deserves mercy, whether the realize it or not. Deep down, the ability to change for the better is in us all." He retracted his grip, and dug around in his vestments for a moment. People forgot priests wore pants, with pockets, and everything.

He fished out a Roserie. It was wooden, and the once deep oak-like color was faded, and tan aside from a sloppy, dark stain. It had nicks, and dents, and even a chip or two here, and there. The string it was on was failing, but Father O'Connell presented it to Ugly Mike like it was the greatest treasure on Terra.

"Take this with you, even if you don't use it. I once knew someone a lot like you seem to be, before I came to Van Leugen.", Rory's eyes grew distant for a second, sadness showing through as memories danced in his mind. He snapped out of it quickly, and the smile returned. "He was a good man, who did bad things too. I was there when he passed on, and he gave them to me. He told me I needed to hang onto them, to find someone who needed them as much as he did. I didn't understand then, but I do now."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Viktor Vetrano Character Portrait: Charlie Munroe Character Portrait: Michael Munroe Character Portrait: Rory O'Connell
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Saarai
Michael took his hand away from Charlotte's to grab the rosary, chuckling quietly at the gift. The priest really didn't know when to quit. Michael liked that a lot. Van Leugen needed more people who really had the greater good in mind in some way. "Thank you." The biker said sincerely.

"We need to go. Mary's not going to like us being late." Charlie said, she and Viktor standing. "You should come listen to the music later, Padre. You can't be cooped up in here all day and night." Michael said to Rory, glancing back as Charlie and Viktor headed for the exit.

"I'll be too busy to keep you company, but you never know who you might run into." He said, turning to follow the others out. "Might find a soul or two to save. Pack these seats."