XXVII.

[hellshaped]

[Let's say this is backdated to a more respectable time of day, how about that!

Carnivals aren't really to Hellboy's tastes, so he's chilling a little ways away from the festival ground, just looking at everything from a distance.

Eventually, he takes out his journal and pens a filter.]

[Priest filter]
[The following is written in a slightly slanted script (he is left-handed, natch.)]

I know there used to be some of you here. I was wondering if all of you left.

[There's a brief pause in the writing.]

Preferably Catholic. But I'm not going to be picky.
[/filter]

[And a bit later, after his business with Cesare is concluded, he can be found sort of in the general vicinity of the church in town as well. Inside, outside, wherever.]

[ooc. open action for gazing at the carnival and wandering around the church!]

Comments

priest filter

[abelard]

[Cesare hesitates for quite a long time before answering this filter. He's wholly uncomfortable continuing Church duties while he doesn't have to, but he feels he would be remiss to leave those that are faithful on their own while he resides in this world. It would certainly displease the Holy Father.

Eventually, he responds, his voice even and unreadable.]

Well, I am a Cardinal. I cannot say I will be of help, if you would prefer just a priest.

[huntersdaughter]

[Jo is headed home after work and she takes the long way around, just so she can hit the outer edges of the carnival. She isn't sure if she wants to dive right in, but she'll definitely walk the fine line.

Of course, she sees a familiar (and who are we kidding, he kind of stands out) figure in the distance. Opting to veer toward him, she smiles as she approaches him.]

Hey, HB. Are you not a carnival guy?

[hellshaped]

[He looks over his shoulder, smiling when he sees who it is.]

I can't really fit in any of the rides.

[huntersdaughter]

Well... I did not think of that. [She pulls a face and turns toward it.]

There are funnel cakes though?

[hellshaped]

[It's a real concern when Hellboy goes places! Can he fit in it? Where will his tail go? And so on.]

I'm not sure if regular carnival funnel cakes or magical carnival funnel cakes are more safe.

forevs

[hellshaped]

[The quiet just leads Hellboy to believe he was right, that all the priests had gone to their respective worlds and homes. Which was fine. He didn't wish continued imprisonment in this place on anybody.

So when the response finally comes, he's a little surprised, in no small part because this is a cardinal (though they had the Pope here before, apparently? Hellboy was never really sure if that kid was telling the truth or not), but he dictates right back.]

If you still take confession, it'll help.

[abelard]

[There's a sigh.]

I would hear your confession, yes.

[hellshaped]

[WOW, gee. Cesare you're not very good at this.]

Err, if it's something you'd rather not do, that's fine.

[abelard]

[THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE PROBLEM WITH HIS LIFE.]

No. It would be wrong of me to leave one of the flock on his lonesome. Do you have a preference as to where I hear you?

[hellshaped]

[Man, now HB kind of just wants to be like NEVER MIND because he has a feeling this is going to be one half-assed Reconciliation.

But that would be rude, so ...]

There's a church in town, right? That seems appropriate.

[abelard]

[It'll be fine, don't be a Debbie Downer, Red.]

Yes, of course. I can be there soon.

oh also this is action now

[hellshaped]

[You're the Debbie Downer!!!! He's fine.]

Thanks, Your Eminence.

[NOT SURE if he should refer to him as thus in the confessional booth? Because that's kind of like an anonymous ... thing. Wow, Catholicism is confusing.

Anyway, Hellboy shows up at the church soon, not wanting to keep this shady cardinal guy waiting, and slips into a confessional booth. It sure would be neat if he could get through this without the guy seeing him first. Because for once it would be nice to just be a regular person and not have to go through the song and dance of 'wow what are you' etc.]

yes I suppose it is

[abelard]

[Well, Hellboy technically still doesn't know who Cesare is. It's not like there's been a shortage of cardinals throughout history.

Cesare shows up shortly after Hellboy, not wearing his robes because he hopes to not see this person at all. But he can't take his ring off anyway, so it's not like he's just a random guy.

After glancing around to ensure the coast is clear, he assumes that his penitent is already in the confessional, and so he proceeds over there himself, sitting down and taking a breath or two before sliding open the divider.]

[hellshaped]

[Well, no, I meant can he call him 'Father'? He probably could. He's not really a Father, though. But 'Your Eminence' is so clunky. Hellboy will just call him Y.E., how about that? Problem solved. No I'm kidding, that's dumb.

Hellboy looks up when the divider opens, making a small sign of the cross, which is no small feat because his right hand is so huge. This booth is not made for someone of his size; if he can get through this without accidentally punching a hole in the wall, it'll be great.]

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. I can't remember when my last confession was.

[abelard]

Tell me your sins, my child.

[hellshaped]

[He speaks slowly, choosing his words carefully. This has been stewing for awhile, but he still hasn't really sorted his feelings out into words yet.]

I think I'm questioning God. Not His existence, but His plan for me.

I've never really let anyone else dictate my life; it's always been on my terms. And I always try to do what's right. But it's been a long time since I was in a relationship, and I know loneliness isn't something that God likes. So why would He force me into ... I don't know, chastity?

[This is essentially chastity. X-(]

[abelard]

[Cesare pauses for a moment to think, then takes a breath, smiling a little. This is an easier problem than he thought -- he spends nearly all of his time sugarcoating the idea of love for his own sister.]

Perhaps God is waiting for you. God does not wish loneliness on His followers, but neither does He force love. That is your garden to cultivate, and you must recognize the soil that God gives you before you can plant seeds. Have you sought the one that God wishes for you, or have you merely waited for her to appear to you on angel wings?

[hellshaped]

[Hellboy was right in thinking this would be easier to talk about with somebody he doesn't know, but that doesn't mean it still isn't awkward as hell. HOW TO EXPLAIN... THIS...

Maybe jokes will help?? Jokes always seem to help.]

Not that I'm coming to you for dating advice or anything, Father.

[Anyway........] I'm worried about offending any woman I might want to pursue. I'm not exactly, err ... conventional-looking, to the point where I kind of get the feeling other people don't consider me as having these kinds of desires. The nature of this place doesn't really help either, when anyone could leave at any second.

[abelard]

[Cesare has to fight the urge to peer through the divider for even a glimpse of this man. He's been around long enough to know that there are some strange appearances in Paradisa.]

The nature of Paradisa is a problem indeed, I agree. But if your loneliness has come between you and your faith, then you must seek out a way to repair the relationship. God can only grant you the existence of a woman you could love -- it is up to you to forge the path to that love. You say you have had women before, so clearly God has not forsaken you in this aspect of your life. Perhaps He is merely waiting to bestow it upon you again.

[hellshaped]

[Hellboy is thankful for the anonymity; in the time he's been in Paradisa, his vague self-identity as a man has been questioned more than it had in his entire life, so he's just feeling a little sensitive right now. Things like that had never really bothered him, since he'd always had a personality outgoing enough to win over most people, but it was tiring.

He pauses, mulling over the cardinal's words before coming up with a response.]

What are the chances she's even here?

[abelard]

As great as the chances of her being anywhere else, I would suppose. You cannot know unless you look for her.

[hellshaped]

[Now the question is how does he do that..... makes a filter for "ladies into horny dudes" it's genius]

And if I don't find her?

[abelard]

Then perhaps she waits for you in your own world. Do not be engulfed by loneliness -- God sends love in more than just the romantic sense.

[huntersdaughter]

[She thinks about it.]

That is a good point. It can't hurt to look though... right? Maybe they aren't as spooky dangerous as advertised. Or...not advertised, because I didn't really see any fliers up.

[hellshaped]

No, I know. I know that. I'm grateful for the friends I have here. And I feel guilty for not being satisfied with that.