[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.
[And to be the child of one... What kind of god casts his own children away like that? To Temenos, whose adoptive father was one of the few people in the world he could trust, it's infuriating.
So infuriating that he needs to cool off by consuming the rest of his cone.]
I'm afraid the most I can offer you right now is the confidence that you have every right to be upset. You were owed an explanation, no matter what your brother's intentions were for locking Belphie up like that.
I have a guess as to why. But... it doesn't make complete sense to me.
Besides that, Lucifer is proud. He always has been. To get him to change his mind about anything... I don't know that any of us could.
[He feels his relationship with Lucifer had been rather strong, and even at its healthiest, he doesn't think he could convince the Avatar of Pride of anything that he already hadn't set his mind to in the first place.]
But I want to talk to him. I respected him too much to want to leave things like this. If he can't hear me, and if he doesn't care for Belphie any more...
Belphegor is the closest person in any of the three worlds to me. He always was, even when we were angels.
I don't want to lose any more family. Not him. Not Lucifer. Not any of my other brothers. But... [It feels like it might be inevitable. And it horrifies him.]
[Indeed. Taking the combating sins into account makes this an entirely new level of complicated. Not to mention that Beelzebub and his brothers have pretty much had one another for thousands of years. How horrifically could bonds that strong be broken?
"I don't want to lose any more family."
Even if Temenos can't fathom the intricacies of Beelzebub's family, this he understands more than anything.
He places a hand upon Beelzebub's shoulder, looking up at him with determination.]
Keeping faith is an unending struggle, but I implore you to hold onto whatever you can until you are able to learn more of the situation back home. If Lucifer has any respect for you, then he won't act in your absence.
[Something in him crumbles a bit at Temenos's words. He nods, face twisting slightly, but there's a weight to it that goes unspoken.]
If something happens to Belphie, and Lucifer can't show that he still cares... I don't know if I'll be able to forgive him. I don't know if I'll be able to forgive myself.
He put everything he had into us when one of us was in trouble in the past. He started a war over it. He kept us together as best as he could. That's the Lucifer I wanted to protect with my life.
[Temenos's grip tightens a bit into a gentle squeeze of comfort.]
While I can only make interpretations from what you have told me, I would like to think that nothing has changed. His actions certainly don't make sense with what little information you have, but there must be more to the situation than you know.
[What even counts as treason in the Devildom, anyway? What exactly was Belphegor doing? These are questions he does not ask aloud.]
I truly wish I had more to offer you than wishful thinking. It's aggravating to me to only be able to offer this little. But if speaking about this helped in any manner, I will always be here to listen and share your burden.
[The cloud of guilt still sits heavy on him, though, in how his eyes still can't quite meet Temenos's and how one hand twists like a vice against his own shirt.
...
But he feels the heat and weight of that grip, and his free hand slides up to meet it, numbly placing his own palm over the priest's touch as his eyes close.]
...
It's okay. Sometimes... solutions aren't what people need.
[A beat, and his eyes open to try and meet Temenos's. Beel has never been the most expressive, but those emotions that pop up can't be hidden. The gratitude that softens his gaze now is no exception.]
I'm glad you're a kind man. I'm grateful you take me seriously. I feel... proud, when you have faith in me.
[Temenos's expression softens in turn, revealing a genuine smile. It's something of a surprise to be called kind, but...if Beelzebub seems to think he is, then maybe he hasn't blackened his heart completely after all.]
You deserve every bit of faith that I place in you. Try to keep your chin up as we continue our journey to get back home, all right?
[Easier said than done, given the nature of this place. But he knows Beelzebub isn't alone if he needs a shoulder to lean on. After all, it's not just him who has faith in Beelzebub. He has a lot of support, and Temenos is glad for that.]
Agreed. There is a great deal of merit in companionship. Having at least one person to guide you when you find yourself lost... I certainly don't know where I'd be if not for that.
[Just a little vague anecdote for the road. Temenos doesn't seem content to dwell on it, at the very least.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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Typical god behavior.
[And to be the child of one... What kind of god casts his own children away like that? To Temenos, whose adoptive father was one of the few people in the world he could trust, it's infuriating.
So infuriating that he needs to cool off by consuming the rest of his cone.]
I'm afraid the most I can offer you right now is the confidence that you have every right to be upset. You were owed an explanation, no matter what your brother's intentions were for locking Belphie up like that.
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Besides that, Lucifer is proud. He always has been. To get him to change his mind about anything... I don't know that any of us could.
[He feels his relationship with Lucifer had been rather strong, and even at its healthiest, he doesn't think he could convince the Avatar of Pride of anything that he already hadn't set his mind to in the first place.]
But I want to talk to him. I respected him too much to want to leave things like this. If he can't hear me, and if he doesn't care for Belphie any more...
Belphegor is the closest person in any of the three worlds to me. He always was, even when we were angels.
I don't want to lose any more family. Not him. Not Lucifer. Not any of my other brothers. But... [It feels like it might be inevitable. And it horrifies him.]
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"I don't want to lose any more family."
Even if Temenos can't fathom the intricacies of Beelzebub's family, this he understands more than anything.
He places a hand upon Beelzebub's shoulder, looking up at him with determination.]
Keeping faith is an unending struggle, but I implore you to hold onto whatever you can until you are able to learn more of the situation back home. If Lucifer has any respect for you, then he won't act in your absence.
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If something happens to Belphie, and Lucifer can't show that he still cares... I don't know if I'll be able to forgive him. I don't know if I'll be able to forgive myself.
He put everything he had into us when one of us was in trouble in the past. He started a war over it. He kept us together as best as he could. That's the Lucifer I wanted to protect with my life.
I don't know what's changed.
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While I can only make interpretations from what you have told me, I would like to think that nothing has changed. His actions certainly don't make sense with what little information you have, but there must be more to the situation than you know.
[What even counts as treason in the Devildom, anyway? What exactly was Belphegor doing? These are questions he does not ask aloud.]
I truly wish I had more to offer you than wishful thinking. It's aggravating to me to only be able to offer this little. But if speaking about this helped in any manner, I will always be here to listen and share your burden.
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I want to hope you're right.
[The cloud of guilt still sits heavy on him, though, in how his eyes still can't quite meet Temenos's and how one hand twists like a vice against his own shirt.
...
But he feels the heat and weight of that grip, and his free hand slides up to meet it, numbly placing his own palm over the priest's touch as his eyes close.]
...
It's okay. Sometimes... solutions aren't what people need.
[A beat, and his eyes open to try and meet Temenos's. Beel has never been the most expressive, but those emotions that pop up can't be hidden. The gratitude that softens his gaze now is no exception.]
I'm glad you're a kind man. I'm grateful you take me seriously. I feel... proud, when you have faith in me.
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You deserve every bit of faith that I place in you. Try to keep your chin up as we continue our journey to get back home, all right?
[Easier said than done, given the nature of this place. But he knows Beelzebub isn't alone if he needs a shoulder to lean on. After all, it's not just him who has faith in Beelzebub. He has a lot of support, and Temenos is glad for that.]
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Mn... I'll try. I think it's easier, when you're not doing it alone.
[He lets his touch linger a little longer, before dropping it away to wring at the opposite wrist, a gesture of though and nothing more.]
Could I ask you another strange question?
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Agreed. There is a great deal of merit in companionship. Having at least one person to guide you when you find yourself lost... I certainly don't know where I'd be if not for that.
[Just a little vague anecdote for the road. Temenos doesn't seem content to dwell on it, at the very least.]
Of course. Ask away, dear Beelzebub.
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not me totally forgetting that this was before the buffet got ruined OH WELL