2.2 ✞ dictated;

[bloodsugar]

[maybe you remember this guy's voice, eh? cheerful and polite? he was a little... uh, confused over the Christmas vacation -- and while he sounds much the same, he's more sure of himself this time around! (is this a good thing? ...for you?)]

Good afternoon, Paradisa...! It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, I guess... not as long as it had been before, huh?

Um-- it's Father Abel, and I have to offer my sincerest, deepest, and most humblest of apologies for the long radio silence! Things have been a little... strange, since coming back from Paris. I thought it was probably a good idea to get my head in order before saying hello again, but-- well.

~HELLO~! My fairest Paradisians, you have no idea how nice it is to be back and... well, myself again! [that part is half-right, at least, he swears...!! he'll just gloss over the whole, had-a-fake-life thing like a boss.] I never thought I'd say this with such enthusiasm, but... here I am, and it's quite true! I'm very sorry for leaving without much notice, but I suppose the castle doesn't really give warning about these kinds of things, does it? I'm just grateful I was able to come back... exactly how I left. Which is to say, veritably able to recall... everything, from before August of last year. I'm not sure how it... happened, or why, but...

I'm beginning to think ignorance is bliss, at times like these. [no really.]

[...]

And, might I add, while I'm at it... a little note for those of you who saw fit to convince me that the journal was some sort of possessed demonic VOLUME OF DEATH while I was, ah. Aforementioned 'blissfully ignorant?'

[here, my dears, is quite the dramatic pause... before his voice goes lower and takes on a more MENACING TONE.]

I may forgive, but I will not forget. What goes around, COMES around, my friends, and you too shall know what it is to live in incorrigible horror one day. It may not be by my hand... but karma? Has an even longer memory than an elephant, so just watch yourself. Next thing you know, you'll be in a tutu, clucking like a chicken atop the roof and singing the blues to the wind on some horrible loss, alright?! These things ALWAYS happen.

[HUFF. --oh right, moving right along:]

--Ah, and... thank you! To everyone else with moral fiber and a conscience who so kindly attempted to explain that I was not, in fact, stark raving mad and actually... a part of the castle's ministrations. Really... I'm very grateful... It's been a long while since I've been on that end of things, and it's reminded me of how scary it can sometimes be. We should be a little gentler on our newest faces, shouldn't we? Maybe we forget how crazy the prospect of all of this could seem.

--Oh, but -- before I ramble forever... Lilith, Caterina and I will be up-keeping the church again -- it's in the Satis Tower, for those of you who might not be aware -- and, I'm living on the sixth floor with Lilith, now! So you can stop by and say hello if you want, okay? If you forgot, or, if this is the first time you've heard my doubtlessly charming and suave voice over the journals... those doors are always open to anyone at all, so don't hesitate to come any time you'd like. I mean it!

And...

[a little pause, and then something of a contented exhale. his voice is a little softer.]

...It's good to be home.

[and for those of you who feel like catching up -- or just feel like investigating the church, he'll be hanging out in there today cleaning things up and tidying a bit, humming pleasantly. feel free to harass the lanky priest sweepin' a sweep.]

[ooc: open... for ALL THE THINGS over the journal or in the church. oh my god so much tl;dr i am so sorry slkdjgsdf... and a note!!: my apologies to anyone that was still backtagging with me on lj; it's died a horrible death and won't function on my laptop sob. if there's anything you need to sort out, don't hesitate to drop me a line!!]

Comments

[bloodsugar]

[he holds his hands up in a placating gesture, shaking them gently and looking a tad sheepish.]

--No, no...! I don't fault you at all...

Honestly... I'm glad for your foresight. I'm not sure how well I would've taken it all at that time...

[he looks briefly conflicted -- half of him is so grateful to be back here and pleased to remember... her, and everyone else who came to mean so much to him he feels like an over-excited child. but he isn't bold enough to hug the great Lady of Lorien, so he settles for shifting a tad and rubbing the back of his head instead.]

...It's very good to see you again.

[inafadingcrown]

[Perhaps he's not bold enough, but she has no problem with being the one to initiate the gestures. She'll just set the box on a nearby pew and reach out to take his hands in her own. It's not a hug, but the intent is the same.]

And you. You were greatly missed.

[bloodsugar]

[ahhh. ;; all the warm fuzzies, fondness tugging at him -- and he gives a smile as he gently squeezes those hands.

missed...]

It might seem strange to say this, all things considered, but...

You were too, Lady.

[inafadingcrown]

Strange, mayhaps, but no less pleasant to hear for it.

[She'll drop his hands, that warm smile still on her face, and hand him the little box.]

It is later than I would have liked, but your return was an unexpected pleasure. "Merry Christmas," is, I believe, the customary phrase, is it not?

[She seats herself on the pew and slides over, making room for Abel to sit beside her.]

[bloodsugar]

[oh my goodness she got him a... Christmas gift?! he looks rather taken aback -- genuinely surprised, before he realizes he's standing there staring dumbly and moves to sit beside her and take the box (reverently).]

You-- ah... For me?

[inafadingcrown]

I count you among my friends, Abel, and it pleases me to share these small gestures with those I hold dear. Is that so strange?

[It seems the most natural thing in the world to her. And his surprise, although not entirely unexpected, is nonetheless mildly amusing.]

[bloodsugar]

[h-hou!! he's a little excited... PRESENTS-- but he restrains himself as he turns it over speculatively.]

No! No... it's not strange, but. I hardly expected to get something for the holidays, after everything. It's...

[heh. he's getting over his dumb surprise to smile.]

...It's very much like you to take me off guard, I suppose. I'm not sure why I didn't expect the unexpected from you, after all.

Should I open it...?

[inafadingcrown]

[Oh, that flatters her much more than all the comments on her beauty combined.]

It will be difficult to make use of, if you do not.

[Too easy to tease Abel, really. When he does open it, he will find a simple silver necklace- a medallion with this engraved upon it.]

It may require something of an explanation.

[bloodsugar]

[ah... despite its seeming simplicity, he appears immediately enamored -- looking it over before running a finger across the engraving curiously.]

It's beautiful...

[he's studying it, ears open for the explanation she would offer. is it personal? s-sob as if he isn't feeling sheepish enough accepting a gift at all MAMADRIEL.]

Shamelessly quoting from the Silm.

[inafadingcrown]

The script is tengwar, the name, Nienna, one of the queens of the Valar. Gods, Men sometimes call them, but..what is the term? Angels, I think, may be closer to their nature. Divine beings formed from the mind of Eru, the Creator- of Him and yet not of Him.

Her name means "she who weeps" in my native tongue, for she mourns for all the wounds the world has seen. She goes often to the Halls of Mandos, where dwell the souls of the dead, and it is said that she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom. Those who hear her learn pity and endurance in hope.

These things I would give to you, were I able. But alas, you must seek them for yourself and I must content myself with giving you this reminder.

1/2 wheezing

[bloodsugar]

[...he listens, attentively... quiet as she speaks, his eyes remaining on the gift sitting in his palm. an engraved medallion she saw fit to give with him in mind to receive it...

...

this is... it's-- not just a pretty bauble. and when she's done...]

2/2

[bloodsugar]

[it's pretty obvious that he's... touched. deeply, at that -- surprise at the depth of the gesture mingling with how personal it was, something that meant far beyond a word in any language.

he looks at her and... he isn't sure what on earth to say. what -could- he say in return for something so profound? (doesn't deserve it, and-- what does he... do? he's still realizing the gravity of what real friendship is in Paradisa like he never could at home. that he could have a friend like her...)]

...

[inafadingcrown]

[He doesn't need to say anything. She just takes his hand and closes his fingers around the medallion.]

As I said, you were missed. You have not left my thoughts.

[bloodsugar]

[ahhh, Galadriel...

he hesitates, just briefly, before making his lips into a soft smile and resting his free hand over top hers.]

Hearing as much... gives me that hope, you know. So, I'll...

[h-hn. he can't even put his thoughts together, wanting to say just what's making his heart pang like this, but not nearly so eloquent or verbose as is necessary...]

I'll wear this always as a reminder of it.

[inafadingcrown]

[She smiles, rather touched herself by his response.]

Then I hope you will explain its meaning to Lilith as well. I would not have her misinterpret my intentions towards her handsome husband.

[Not too touched to tease, of course. This turn in conversation is also meant to excuse him from feeling obliged to say anything profound, so. There's that.]

1/2

[bloodsugar]

[--cough... he looks a little choked for a second. YES successful tactic is successful, and he's abruptly flustered. (even if he's smiling.)]

--N... now, now. That's...

[but. you know, his expression is growing a little thoughtful as something occurs to him.]

2/2

[bloodsugar]

[...Lilith. and Galadriel.

they're both here...]

...That's right...

[except, you know. he's not really responding to what she said, which makes this conversation a little confusing. way2go.]

Lilith is here... she... came back with me, Galadriel.

[inafadingcrown]

[She understands well enough and it makes her smile. Even if said smile is a little sad, because, well, frankly she's a little jealous. But more importantly, she's also very happy for him.]

I know. We have spoken.

[bloodsugar]

[sob Galadriel, he would wish for your husbando to come a thousand times over. ;(]

Ah-- you... have? [HE IS SO OUT OF THE LOOP...]

[inafadingcrown]

[But she will also never expressly wish for him to come here. Because he's better off at home. Oh, being torn. Such a familiar feeling. :(]

We have. She is a rather extraordinary woman. I believe I could grow quite fond of her. [ABEL YOU ARE DOOMED TO BE OUT OF THE LOOP FOREVER.]

[bloodsugar]

[he is torn between CHILDISH EXCITEMENT oh my god this is a meeting he had wished for so many times before you don't even know-- and something like... flustered embarrassment. after all, he hadn't expected this day to come, and... well...]

...I-- really hope so. I thought that the two of you would be friends, since... you and I met, actually...

[okay so he fanboys them both SO WHAT]

[inafadingcrown]

I do seem to recall being compared to some unspecified yet apparently quite charming lady.

[...you fanboy your own wife, Abel?]

[bloodsugar]

[yes... he has the worst case of hero worship of his own wife you'll ever see, okay. it's terrible. TERRIBLE.

oh my godddd no don't say that he is going red now...]

Ah. No-- no, it's not-- I mean. It is, but--

[SCREAM]

[inafadingcrown]

[That actually wasn't intentional trolling, for once. She laughs (have you missed that laugh?) and smiles fondly.]

Having now met the lady in question, I assure you, I am nothing but flattered.

[bloodsugar]

[oh, that smile does him in every time. MELTS FOREVER.]

Lilith is-- a very impressive person... You and her both have, ah. Very... comforting presences, I... That's what I think. [look it's totally harmless adoration!! she deserves it!!!]