[Picking up another pair of tongs for himself, as he instantly replies:]
The cheeseburgers are best.
[His stomach jumps into the conversation like an impatient dog growling at their feet. Beel's face tightens slightly, but he just moves to start filling his plate as he talks.]
There's good turkey legs. And stuffed quesadillas. And the buffet over there on the other side, it has good desserts. And fried savory pancakes. I think its called okonomiyaki. And the grilled fish. And the vegetable kabobs. And--
[There's another crunch. The second pair of tongs are in his mouth, cleanly bit through as though they're made of butter.]
[Temenos starts to look a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of recommendations until that loud crunch makes him look over with a start. Oh, RIP more tongs... Unfortunately, there's no escaping from a light laugh this time.]
Now, now, finish your food before you speak.
[He can't believe he'd ever refer to a pair of tongs as food, but here we are.
Cheeseburgers, though... He's only become familiar with them after ending up on the island and he's yet to try one. So, why not?
He wanders over to where he remembers seeing them before. Assuming Beelzebub didn't get to the latest restock, he'll take one and fill the rest of his plate up with some salad from the salad bar. And some egg custard, why not.
[He pauses mid-bite through the back half of the tongs, processing the chiding before he looks at what's in his hands.
Ah.
...
Well. It's already in his mouth. And he's already chewing. He just. Puts the hinge piece awkwardly to the side. Whoops.
He'll try to focus on filling another plate, but another pair of tongs has vanished in the time Temenos has walked around the buffet, one of the smaller dessert plates now being bitted into like it's nothing but a tortilla. He'll put it down when Temenos's remark snaps him back to attention, though.]
[The two of them just making eye contact as Beelzebub bites into that plate...
The dumbfounded silence returns before he slowly nods.]
A meal tends to be better with company, as they say.
[As they get settled...]
I must apologize, but my morbid curiosity has finally gotten the better of me: do objects like tongs and plates have an interesting taste to them? Even if I could eat such things, I couldn't imagine enjoying it.
[Table successfully sat at without further utensil damage. He slips a meatball into his mouth to try and get rid of the taste of porcelain and metal still powdering his teeth.
Not enough.]
They do. But they aren't as good as a well-cooked meal. Not even close.
[...]
Could I, uh... [Not enough. He stuffs another three meatballs into his mouth.] C'ld I ahh'k you ah qu'stion?
[Temenos' expression softens ever so slightly. He sets down his fork for the time being to focus on Beelzebub.]
Of course I would be. Please, speak freely.
[He wonders how up in arms the Order would be if they found out he lent an ear to a literal demon. He'd probably get excommunicated. Eh, they'll never know.]
It's not an unfamiliar feeling he's staring against. But he locks up, as though whatever he's dwelling on is catching in his throat and refusing to come any further.]
I. Um.
[...
He doesn't feel up for food, and at the same time, it feels like his body could rip itself open and devour the whole room. The longer the silence sits, the worse the feeling gets.
So he awkwardly clears his throat, fork toying at another meatball.]
[For all the effort that Temenos puts into his placid facade, there's no hiding the moment of concern that appears on his face as Beelzebub goes through his internal struggle to speak. Something is bothering him, that much is clear. But Temenos won't force the matter.
He nods and shifts to try to get a handle on his burger.]
There is no need to apologize. Whenever you feel comfortable enough to talk about it, seek me out. The door is always open.
[Temenos is in the middle of lifting the burger to his mouth when he's stopped by a most unpleasant noise.
Ah. Out already.
He frees one hand to pick up his egg custard and pass it Beelzebub's way. A small effort to spare him from resorting to the fork and plate for a brief moment.]
Of course. There are many actions that bring darkness into a person's heart, and it is a cleric's duty to guide others away from them.
No sin is "worth it", but the very nature of a sin is to deceive you into thinking otherwise. It might seem enticing- perhaps even feel good in the moment. That moment is fleeting, but the scars of a sin linger.
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The cheeseburgers are best.
[His stomach jumps into the conversation like an impatient dog growling at their feet. Beel's face tightens slightly, but he just moves to start filling his plate as he talks.]
There's good turkey legs. And stuffed quesadillas. And the buffet over there on the other side, it has good desserts. And fried savory pancakes. I think its called okonomiyaki. And the grilled fish. And the vegetable kabobs. And--
[There's another crunch. The second pair of tongs are in his mouth, cleanly bit through as though they're made of butter.]
Th' egg c'strd's good t'w.
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Now, now, finish your food before you speak.
[He can't believe he'd ever refer to a pair of tongs as food, but here we are.
Cheeseburgers, though... He's only become familiar with them after ending up on the island and he's yet to try one. So, why not?
He wanders over to where he remembers seeing them before. Assuming Beelzebub didn't get to the latest restock, he'll take one and fill the rest of his plate up with some salad from the salad bar. And some egg custard, why not.
Making his way back...]
Do you think you can make it back to a table?
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Ah.
...
Well. It's already in his mouth. And he's already chewing. He just. Puts the hinge piece awkwardly to the side. Whoops.
He'll try to focus on filling another plate, but another pair of tongs has vanished in the time Temenos has walked around the buffet, one of the smaller dessert plates now being bitted into like it's nothing but a tortilla. He'll put it down when Temenos's remark snaps him back to attention, though.]
Oh. Yeah, I can. I'll follow you, if you want.
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The dumbfounded silence returns before he slowly nods.]
A meal tends to be better with company, as they say.
[As they get settled...]
I must apologize, but my morbid curiosity has finally gotten the better of me: do objects like tongs and plates have an interesting taste to them? Even if I could eat such things, I couldn't imagine enjoying it.
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Not enough.]
They do. But they aren't as good as a well-cooked meal. Not even close.
[...]
Could I, uh... [Not enough. He stuffs another three meatballs into his mouth.] C'ld I ahh'k you ah qu'stion?
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[When Beelzebub's hunger is especially nagging. That's a powerful hunger. Too powerful, honestly. Why would his father create him like this?
Ah, but it seems that Beelzebub is asking the questions aloud here. Temenos smiles after finishing his bite of salad.]
Yes, but you must swallow first.
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A nod, swallowing.]
Do people ever come to you asking for advice? Since you're with the church.
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Sometimes, yes. Such visits have become infrequent since I became an inquisitor, but I am technically always open for them.
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Would you still be open to it here?
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Of course I would be. Please, speak freely.
[He wonders how up in arms the Order would be if they found out he lent an ear to a literal demon. He'd probably get excommunicated. Eh, they'll never know.]
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...
[He stops eating.
It's not an unfamiliar feeling he's staring against. But he locks up, as though whatever he's dwelling on is catching in his throat and refusing to come any further.]
I. Um.
[...
He doesn't feel up for food, and at the same time, it feels like his body could rip itself open and devour the whole room. The longer the silence sits, the worse the feeling gets.
So he awkwardly clears his throat, fork toying at another meatball.]
Sorry. Not now. Not here.
But... some other time. Maybe.
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He nods and shifts to try to get a handle on his burger.]
There is no need to apologize. Whenever you feel comfortable enough to talk about it, seek me out. The door is always open.
[So long as he is alive, of course.]
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He doesn't realize it out of meatballs until his fork hits ceramic with a scraping sound.
...]
Does your church have sins, Temenos?
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Ah. Out already.
He frees one hand to pick up his egg custard and pass it Beelzebub's way. A small effort to spare him from resorting to the fork and plate for a brief moment.]
Of course. There are many actions that bring darkness into a person's heart, and it is a cleric's duty to guide others away from them.
And...yes, gluttony is one such sin.
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[So it extended beyond just his own known human world, then. He's glad he doesn't have to explain the concept.]
I don't hold it against you for doing your job.
I just wonder if you'd ever find someone beyond forgiveness.
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I have, and I've since punished them.
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Was it for what happened to the Pontiff?
[It's a gentler question than normal. He remembers hearing that comment the other day, about the Pontiff being the closest thing to a father.]
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[He nods, setting the burger down. Hm. He seems to have lost his appetite already.]
A large part of my retribution was personal. For the Pontiff, and for everything else that they took from me.
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...
[A slow exhale. For a moment, it's like looking at the morning star, freshly fallen.]
Is wrath a sin, Temenos?
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Yes. One of the most dangerous.
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[Spooning up that egg custard.]
Is it still worth it?
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My, what a heavy question.
No sin is "worth it", but the very nature of a sin is to deceive you into thinking otherwise. It might seem enticing- perhaps even feel good in the moment. That moment is fleeting, but the scars of a sin linger.
[...]
I likely have my fair share of them.
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I hope they're not the kind that you look at with too much guilt, then.
We can't exactly take back the things we've chosen to do.
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[The matter of any guilt he may feel is left unanswered for the time being. Instead, a wry smile works its way onto his lips.]
Dear Beelzebub, if that is concern I sense...I assure you it is unnecessary.
[Says the one who was concerned about Beelzebub in the first place.]
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...
[A flick of his eyes to Temenos's untouched food, then back to his own.]
You've stopped eating.
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