Reincarnated Cthulhu

Day 2 of our Oxford visit.

Marie and I ventured into the city at dawn. By sunrise, we had already traversed several hundred meters on foot. We were blessed with a clear day—rare, golden sunlight bathed the ground, a stark contrast to London’s perpetual gloom.

The fierce winds of the previous night had subsided, giving way to unusually mild winter weather. In the streets, sparrows darted about, their beaks filled with wildflower seeds, evidently visitors from the suburban meadows. Such a sight was a rarity in London.

Though we stood out as strangers on these streets, the quiet morning meant no passersby cast suspicious glances our way.

Alice’s letter of introduction still rested in my pocket, but I had no intention of using it today. Meeting Lord Henry Liddell ranked merely second among our reasons for visiting Oxford.

Our brief morning stroll concluded at Christ Church Cathedral.

I had planned to explore more sites, but upon entering the cathedral, Marie was transformed by reverence. Though always quiet, I could sense her deliberate effort to silence even her breath in this sacred space.

Brilliant sunlight filtered through the stained glass, fracturing into prismatic rays that descended upon Marie’s form. She responded by folding her hands in solemn prayer.

I couldn’t bring myself to disturb her silent communion, so I settled onto a cathedral bench. And thus our morning itinerary came to a premature end.