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

dictated

[bloodsugar]

...How have you been?

dictated

[gevurah]

Fine, Father. [ SILENTLY WEEPS ABOUT... DECEMBER BEING A SUCKY MONTH. ]

You're aware that all those who returned with their memories intact were also in Paris, yes?

dictated

[bloodsugar]

I'm glad to hear it, Miss Kate. [...do not know if believe. but not probing. ...yet.]

Mm... I am! Jacob and I... we didn't know each other before Paris, but-- well. It's safe to say we do, now. The same can be said of Edward.

Miss Rose was there, as well... Caterina and Lilith... I don't know how many others were present I wasn't acquainted with. But it looks like most of those from home--

[...no, not home.]

Ah. Paris... are here, now.

dictated

[gevurah]

Can you recall your earliest memory from Paris? Or do you still have your whole life's recollection there?

[ ... pause. ]

Well, the memories the castle implanted.

dictated

[bloodsugar]

It's hard to explain, in the end... it's like...

[hmmn. he'll try.]

...A long dream. I remember what it was like to grow up there, but now... I can also remember what it was like at home, too, and those memories -- the real ones -- I know are solid and real. Looking back on Paris is like recalling a foggy dream... it's not real, even if it felt like it was at the time.

Do you know what I mean...?

dictated

[gevurah]

[ there's a long pause on her end. she does understand and the description forces back certain feelings she can't shake off too easily.

like last christmas -- the fake memories. ]

I do. The castle's done it before to us... somewhat.

dictated

[bloodsugar]

It's unnerving... but at the same time...

[...]

...Is it strange to say I'm grateful? If I had to have left, to go to a place like that with Lilith and my family... Paradisa is capable of being very cruel, Miss Kate. This... it wasn't bad at all.

We were happy.

dictated

[gevurah]

It all sounds a little too Stepford for me, personally.

dictated

[bloodsugar]

[sdlkjg he chuckles.]

Maybe it is. I guess I'm an easy man to please.

dictated

[gevurah]

So I've noticed, Father.

[ pause. ]

Welcome back, however.

dictated

[bloodsugar]

[lol Kate. JUDGE HIM NOT ALRIGHT... actually you know what, just. go ahead.]

...Thank you. It's good to be back! And to hear your voice again.

dictated

[gevurah]

[ JUDGES... ]

It's only been a few months, yet it feels much longer.

dictated

[bloodsugar]

[s... so cruel.]

It does... things have changed, around here. New faces, and some of the old are different or... gone, again.

Have I missed much?

dictated

[gevurah]

It's been surprisingly quiet in the past few months. Few strange days every now and then.

dictated

[bloodsugar]

Quiet, hm? I'm getting much the same from everyone, so I guess you're right. I'm relieved...!

[even the mess with Riful was over and in the past, now. god he's glad for that.]

dictated

[gevurah]

Makes you wonder what's in store for then new year.

dictated

[bloodsugar]

...Q-quick! Quick, hurry up and knock on wood--!!

dictated

[gevurah]

Heh.

[ but she knocks!! ]

dictated

[bloodsugar]

[h-heh heh. he resists the urge to chuckle at that.]

...A-ahh... I hope it's not too late... We really shouldn't tempt fate like that, Miss Kate...!!

dictated

[gevurah]

Paradisa has a mind of its own, remember?

dictated

[bloodsugar]

A mind over fate, it seems...

dictated

[gevurah]

I'm sure you'll manage. [ a beat. ] You did before.

dictated

[bloodsugar]

Not quite so well as I would've liked, sometimes. [that is an admittance for her, as he still remembers that feeling of having... wrong-footed her, somehow.]

...I'm hoping an empty journal will signify a fresh start.

dictated

[gevurah]

[ she can't shake it easily either, but she'll ignore it for now. ]

That's one way of looking at it. Did you hear the outcry in the journal when it happened? [ everyone was so... PARANOID. ]

dictated

[bloodsugar]

Mm, I did. Everyone always braces for the worst when things change around here, huh?