This was the second time in the past week that Andrei had experienced a strange sense of déjà vu when meeting someone new. He stared unabashedly at the scruffy man, trying to figure out where he'd seen or met him before. He swore that it hadn't been on a trip through the park, or at church, or at the film festival. And though not a blip showed on his chiseled face, he was disturbed.
The Elder Priest would not have proclaimed himself a missionary. Oh, he did the One True God's work, and he was his messenger.. and yet when that word --missionary-- became attached to oneself, suddenly there were all kinds of negative connotations and assumptions being made. None of which were true, at least in Andrei's eyes. He was concerned for peoples' souls. Period. He wanted to make sure that they all saw the light just as he had. Was that so wrong?
He smiled. "I'm glad you're fine, then," he responded. "Would you like my coffee? I haven't taken a sip yet, and if you're like me.. it's a necessary thing in the morning." He held the cup out toward the man, hoping he'd take it. Generosity often got the 'good juices' flowing. The other's beady gaze made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, however, and while he didn't shrink away, he certainly stood a bit taller. "I was actually wondering the same thing. Do you live in this area? I frequently walk through this park."