Except the sound is coming from the bottom of the door instead of the top, like someone is kicking it with their foot. Because that's exactly what's happening.]
[Here is Beel, with an ice cream cone in one hand that is trying very hard to stay together under the island heat, and a second cone that's already nearly all the way eaten.]
I meant it for you anyway, but I didn't walk fast enough, and it started to melt, and I couldn't help myself and had to start eating mine, and I don't know long I can take it before I just eat it anyway, so please--
[Temenos thought he was ready for anything that Beelzebub might ask him. But that... That makes him noticeably pause. Ice cream begins to drip down onto his hand before he realizes he hasn't said anything yet.]
Before I ended up here, I had just been saying to one of my traveling companions that I almost longed for the days of putting on paper plays for the children at the church as opposed to my inquisition duties.
[It wasn't even that long ago, and yet it feels like the distant past. So much has happened.]
I love nothing more than solving a good mystery, but I will admit that the weight of my role weighs quite heavily on me from time to time.
[He can't help himself. He's reaching out with his free hand to run a finger against the ice cream trail escaping down Temenos' palm, before putting it directly into his mouth. No waste, only indulgence.]
You're always asking a lot of questions. Even when you don't need to be. I wondered if it was because you were curious, or if you just... might feel you can't afford to miss out.
[He laughs, partially for Beelzebub taking care of the dripped ice cream for him, and partially at himself because he just needlessly showed some vulnerability. Ahhh, he really has been slipping too much around these people.]
You're more than welcome to simply accuse me of being nosy, you know. I won't be terribly offended.
[Because he is, even when he's not trying to be.
The next drip of ice cream is captured before it can escape.]
Hmm, how to put it... Are you familiar with pop-up books? They are structured similarly, but designed slightly larger to be shown to a small audience. I would craft them in order to recite scripture to children.
[He ponders that for a moment, tending to his ice cream. He was just chiding himself for being vulnerable, but he wants to make something clear for Beelzebub.]
If I may be open for a moment more, friendship is not something I have very much experience with. If you feel my inquisitive nature is bleeding too deeply into our conversations, I would ask you to continue putting me in my place.
[He definitely knows it was a problem today.]
As for my artistic capabilities... I wouldn't call myself one, no. I merely do what I must to capture the children's attention.
Coincidentally, one of my paper plays happened to find its way onto the island. Would you be interested in seeing it sometime?
Very well. I can go fetch the play after we're done here. I wouldn't say I loved doing them, but... It would be a nice change of pace right now, I think.
He's been missing for a really long time. My oldest brother, Lucifer, had told all of us that he had sent him to the human world as part of our exchange program. But he lied.
[His jaw tightens, as do his fists.]
Lucifer had him locked up in the attic of our own house, for months. Lying to our faces. And when Belphie finally managed to get free, Lucifer wouldn't even give an explanation for what he did.
So I left. I took Belphie, and we ran. And we were going to keep running. But the prince found us first, and took Belphie away. I don't know if he'll live.
...
I couldn't protect him. From our brother, or from the prince. And if I don't get back... I'll lose him.
[Temenos listens to it all, and the remnants of his cone once again go untouched. The fact that Beelzebub could even talk about Belphie earlier without getting upset is certainly a testament of his mental fortitude.
He also understands why Beelzebub didn't want to talk about this in either instance. How do you broach this subject to someone who you've only known for a short few weeks? Who couldn't possibly understand the situation in full?
Once Beelzebub is finished explaining, Temenos reflects on a careful response.]
To be kept from the truth like that... The anger you felt must have been unimaginable.
[Temenos never learned what happened to his own brother. If he were to discover the truth was being kept from someone close to him, he...
...]
I realize how contrary this must sound to say about a demon, but I've long since stopped paying attention to the semantics. I will pray for your success in reaching him, for whatever worth my prayers have left.
[Because he sure as hell stopped believing in prayers a long time ago. For once, though, he wants to believe.]
[There's a tired, aged sadness that passes over his eyes.]
Father and the prayers to Him stopped mattering to us when we fell from His grace. Even now, I don't think He'd ever care. Even if it came from someone who didn't even know who He was.
But... I appreciate it, Temenos.
[To know someone out there wants Belphie to survive besides him and Yuki... it makes the weight of guilt press a little less heavily into his chest.]
I can't judge you for your wrath with your own family. I think about my own, and... I don't know what to do with it. I don't understand it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK 3 - WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Except the sound is coming from the bottom of the door instead of the top, like someone is kicking it with their foot. Because that's exactly what's happening.]
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Yes..?
[What are you doing, Beel.]
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Help.
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[He doesn't even have time to interpret the scene unfolding before him. He has to leap into action!]
What do you want me to do? [Reaching out?!] Take one?
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I meant it for you anyway, but I didn't walk fast enough, and it started to melt, and I couldn't help myself and had to start eating mine, and I don't know long I can take it before I just eat it anyway, so please--
[PLEASE TAKE IT HE'S DYING.]
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I understand. Here, here...
[He takes the partially melted one and quickly licks at the edges so it doesn't drip all over.]
Thank you, Beelzebub. This is a lovely surprise.
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Time to crunch on what remains of his own cone in this moment of stress relief.]
I'm sorry I couldn't wait longer.
I, um. I wanted to have something with me when I came to talk to you, but it didn't work how I planned.
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That's all right. I appreciate the gesture all the same.
[It's thoughtful. He doesn't receive gifts very often...]
Do you want me to step outside with you to talk?
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If you don't mind. I wouldn't want us to make a mess in there, anyway.
...
Could I ask you something a little strange?
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[He shifts to pull the cabana door closed, then steps further out into the yard with Beelzebub.
It takes a few licks to tame the melting ice cream again, but Beelzebub has his attention quickly enough.]
Ask away.
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Do you like being an inquisitor?
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Before I ended up here, I had just been saying to one of my traveling companions that I almost longed for the days of putting on paper plays for the children at the church as opposed to my inquisition duties.
[It wasn't even that long ago, and yet it feels like the distant past. So much has happened.]
I love nothing more than solving a good mystery, but I will admit that the weight of my role weighs quite heavily on me from time to time.
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You're always asking a lot of questions. Even when you don't need to be. I wondered if it was because you were curious, or if you just... might feel you can't afford to miss out.
...
What are paper plays?
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You're more than welcome to simply accuse me of being nosy, you know. I won't be terribly offended.
[Because he is, even when he's not trying to be.
The next drip of ice cream is captured before it can escape.]
Hmm, how to put it... Are you familiar with pop-up books? They are structured similarly, but designed slightly larger to be shown to a small audience. I would craft them in order to recite scripture to children.
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So... you're an artist, too?
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If I may be open for a moment more, friendship is not something I have very much experience with. If you feel my inquisitive nature is bleeding too deeply into our conversations, I would ask you to continue putting me in my place.
[He definitely knows it was a problem today.]
As for my artistic capabilities... I wouldn't call myself one, no. I merely do what I must to capture the children's attention.
Coincidentally, one of my paper plays happened to find its way onto the island. Would you be interested in seeing it sometime?
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Heh...
[The chuckle slips out, despite himself]
You don't need to put it that way. I'm not giving you a test. I like the way you are.
You let me say no when I felt I couldn't talk. I appreciate it.
[As for the plays? He gives it a second of thought, tilting his head.]
Can you perform it without your scriptures?
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I was hardly going to interrogate you. At the very least, I don't ever want it to seem like that. [...] Still, I appreciate it, too.
[For liking him as he is.]
Yes, I can perform the play without my scriptures on hand. I cannot tell you how many times I have recited them at this point.
[Casually leaving out the fact that he still hasn't memorized them though.]
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It's why I wanted to come find you.
[To talk. With privacy. And apology ice cream.
...]
If it's something that you loved to do... I think it would be fun, to watch how you teach.
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[So that's the whole story.
He nods and works on finishing off the cone.]
Very well. I can go fetch the play after we're done here. I wouldn't say I loved doing them, but... It would be a nice change of pace right now, I think.
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Okay. Then let's make time for it later. You have me curious.
I'd... like to tell you about my family, too. You asked before. And you said to come to you if anything was weighing on me.
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I did, and I am prepared to listen.
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Belphie is currently locked up for treason.
He's been missing for a really long time. My oldest brother, Lucifer, had told all of us that he had sent him to the human world as part of our exchange program. But he lied.
[His jaw tightens, as do his fists.]
Lucifer had him locked up in the attic of our own house, for months. Lying to our faces. And when Belphie finally managed to get free, Lucifer wouldn't even give an explanation for what he did.
So I left. I took Belphie, and we ran. And we were going to keep running. But the prince found us first, and took Belphie away. I don't know if he'll live.
...
I couldn't protect him. From our brother, or from the prince. And if I don't get back... I'll lose him.
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He also understands why Beelzebub didn't want to talk about this in either instance. How do you broach this subject to someone who you've only known for a short few weeks? Who couldn't possibly understand the situation in full?
Once Beelzebub is finished explaining, Temenos reflects on a careful response.]
To be kept from the truth like that... The anger you felt must have been unimaginable.
[Temenos never learned what happened to his own brother. If he were to discover the truth was being kept from someone close to him, he...
...]
I realize how contrary this must sound to say about a demon, but I've long since stopped paying attention to the semantics. I will pray for your success in reaching him, for whatever worth my prayers have left.
[Because he sure as hell stopped believing in prayers a long time ago. For once, though, he wants to believe.]
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[There's a tired, aged sadness that passes over his eyes.]
Father and the prayers to Him stopped mattering to us when we fell from His grace. Even now, I don't think He'd ever care. Even if it came from someone who didn't even know who He was.
But... I appreciate it, Temenos.
[To know someone out there wants Belphie to survive besides him and Yuki... it makes the weight of guilt press a little less heavily into his chest.]
I can't judge you for your wrath with your own family. I think about my own, and... I don't know what to do with it. I don't understand it.
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not me totally forgetting that this was before the buffet got ruined OH WELL