XXX.

[hellshaped]

[Your Eminence]
[Hellboy pauses for a second after penning that, wondering if he should qualify it with "that one cardinal from before" or something, but he figures it's a safe enough bet that nobody else in Paradisa goes by a title like that.

And if they do, well, he can just tell them it was meant for someone else. Easy enough.

ADDITIONALLY let's pretend this is earlier in the day at a more reasonable hour, let's do that.

He is speaking into the pages.]

I wondered if I could ask you a favor.

Comments

[hellshaped]

[PRETTY SURE...]

I could go with you if you want.

[abelard]

It would be most appreciated.

[hellshaped]

[There's a brief pause!]

Just remember what I told you before. I don't really look conventional.

[abelard]

Are you disfigured?

[hellshaped]

[WOW, BLUNT.]

Err, no. I'm not human.

[abelard]

Then what are you?

[hellshaped]

Human enough on the inside.

[He's always very, very reluctant to say the word 'demon', just because that's not what he sees himself as. That's not how he self-identifies. But he's even more reluctant to say it to a priest. Most of the priests he's met in his life have been pretty indifferent toward the whole thing, but then again Hellboy had always had the fortune of being relatively well-known. So you can never be sure.]

[abelard]

But on the outside?

[hellshaped]

[stop being so direct, jeez!! how can he be properly cagey about this...

a little dryly:] I have hooves and a tail. I'm just warning you so you aren't startled, that's all.

[abelard]

Are you a horse? I have been told that some of the horses here speak.

[hellshaped]

[CARDINAL PLS.]

No. I'm not a horse. I have hands.

[abelard]

Then what are you?

[hellshaped]

[Is it just not obvious he doesn't want to answer the question or something! Cesare ... take a hint ...]

It would probably just be easier for you to see me instead.

[abelard]

Of course.

[hellshaped]

Okay.

[......so...] Did you want me to escort you there? Or do you think you can find it?

[abelard]

I think I should have no trouble locating it.

[hellshaped]

That's fine.

I'll see you there.

[abelard]

Until then.

[hellshaped]

[And then they meet up at the bear reserve and it's awkward...]

[abelard]

[Yes it is.]

[hellshaped]

[At least he's not a talking horse, amirite]