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.]
I like that you're curious. And I'll always tell you if I can't answer. So you don't need to call it badgering right now. It's just talking. Talking to people we like.
[And he's found he likes talking to Temenos. Quite a bit.
There's a pause as he glances down at his hands, frowning slightly at the sticky feel to them that's still left behind even after licking them clean.]
Oh. I want to wash my hands first, but... can we go look at your paper play?
My goodness, you certainly are shrewd. I can't let that happen, now can I?
That said...I think that's a fine way of putting it.
[At first, Temenos simply found Beelzebub to be rather fascinating. It's not every day he gets to meet a literal demon, after all. But that quickly changed. He's learned that Beelzebub is mature and strong-willed, with an incredibly big heart to match his appetite. How could he not become endeared to that?
The circumstances are far from ideal, but he's still glad they were able to cross paths.
...ah, yes. The paper play.]
Yes, why don't we do that? You're welcome to step inside the pelican cabana to wash your hands while I grab the play.
Thanks. [Lead the way if you've got the key, man. He'll politely stay out of the bedroom area, ducking into the bathroom and letting the sink run. Sounds like he's doing a thorough job, good for him.
Calling out from the bathroom:] Do we need to do it anywhere with a lot of space, or is it okay to use it inside?
There's still a big mess in the buffet area from yesterday. But I think we can find a clear place so long as we're careful. [He takes a second to look over whatever's now in Temenos's hands, curious.]
Mn. I'll go get the door. Let me know if you need help. [And so he does. After you, sir.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
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?
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
I did, and I am prepared to listen.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
"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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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?
no subject
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.
no subject
Over ice cream again, maybe?
[Maybe with less melting.]
no subject
Temenos laughs, his smile turning fond.]
You want to continue to be badgered by me? My, what a strange question indeed. And yet I would like nothing more.
[It's only fair that he also lets Beelzebub in a little closer after everything said tonight, isn't it...?]
Very well. For our next discussion over ice cream, I shall allow you to do the questioning. [Punctuated with a wink,] I'll do my best to be honest.
no subject
[A very evil threat.]
I like that you're curious. And I'll always tell you if I can't answer. So you don't need to call it badgering right now. It's just talking. Talking to people we like.
[And he's found he likes talking to Temenos. Quite a bit.
There's a pause as he glances down at his hands, frowning slightly at the sticky feel to them that's still left behind even after licking them clean.]
Oh. I want to wash my hands first, but... can we go look at your paper play?
no subject
My goodness, you certainly are shrewd. I can't let that happen, now can I?
That said...I think that's a fine way of putting it.
[At first, Temenos simply found Beelzebub to be rather fascinating. It's not every day he gets to meet a literal demon, after all. But that quickly changed. He's learned that Beelzebub is mature and strong-willed, with an incredibly big heart to match his appetite. How could he not become endeared to that?
The circumstances are far from ideal, but he's still glad they were able to cross paths.
...ah, yes. The paper play.]
Yes, why don't we do that? You're welcome to step inside the pelican cabana to wash your hands while I grab the play.
no subject
Calling out from the bathroom:] Do we need to do it anywhere with a lot of space, or is it okay to use it inside?
no subject
Inside is fine. As I said, they are designed for a small audience.
[Once Beelzebub is done, Temenos meets him outside the bathroom with the play in his arms.]
Though it would be more effective to set it up on a table of some sort. Perhaps the dining hall in the resort?
[Beel can get some more snacks for the show if he wants!]
no subject
Mn. I'll go get the door. Let me know if you need help. [And so he does. After you, sir.]
(no subject)
not me totally forgetting that this was before the buffet got ruined OH WELL