[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.
Temenos is about to press Beelzebub on that, but his attention is redirected.]
Oh. So I have. [He laughs.] What terrible manners I have, putting all of this on my plate and hardly touching it. I suppose I lost my appetite somewhere along the way.
But I at least ought to try a bite of your favorite food that you so highly recommended, hm?
[He nods his understanding, but his hand lifts to stop the priest before he manages a bite.]
...Hold on. Not like that.
[Scooting his chair back, the demon hops back to his feet to grab a fresh plate, deck it out with a single fresh cheeseburger, and return to the table, depositing the plate in front of Temenos while sliding the cold one to the side.]
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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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Temenos is about to press Beelzebub on that, but his attention is redirected.]
Oh. So I have. [He laughs.] What terrible manners I have, putting all of this on my plate and hardly touching it. I suppose I lost my appetite somewhere along the way.
But I at least ought to try a bite of your favorite food that you so highly recommended, hm?
[He can give Beelzebub the rest if he needs it.]
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It really is good. I wish I knew how to make them from scratch.
You'll let me try your favorites sometime, I hope.
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[He'll go ahead and pick up the burger once more. The thing is likely stone cold at this point, but that's okay.]
As for my favorite meals...yes, it would only be fair. I'll warn you now that they aren't anything particularly complex, however.
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[He nods his understanding, but his hand lifts to stop the priest before he manages a bite.]
...Hold on. Not like that.
[Scooting his chair back, the demon hops back to his feet to grab a fresh plate, deck it out with a single fresh cheeseburger, and return to the table, depositing the plate in front of Temenos while sliding the cold one to the side.]
I'll take the other one. You deserve it fresh.
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[While they have direct access to burgers from the buffet, it's never a bad thing to learn something new.
The burger had almost reached Temenos' lips for the second time, but he is stopped once again.]
Hm?
[Is he not supposed to hold it like this?
...ohhhh. He smiles when Beelzebub comes back with the fresh, hot burger.]
My thanks. While I feel guilty for the cold one ending up in your hands, I suppose it is fitting that we share in this experience.
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