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

[guiding]

[Hm.

She follows on behind him patiently, squeezing those fingers and just enjoying the walk. It might be cold, but the scenery really was something that belonged in 'paradise'.]

[bloodsugar]

[it takes a little while to get there on foot -- but their goal would be pretty evident as they got closer. the tree is warm despite the season and there are flowers in bloom beneath the huge tree radiating serenity, as if it'd melted before it got the chance to touch ground here.

this is one place he had always wanted to show her, tuck daisychains in her hair and hide away from everything else in the world. quiet and peaceful... even an unsettled heart would find it hard to be uneasy in this place.

he stands underneath it with his hand still linked in hers, eyes cast upright with a little peaceful smile at his lips.]

...What do you think...?

[guiding]

[Lilith's heart was rarely uneasy, but even she could not fail to appreciate the soothing tranquillity of being under this tree.

Stepping a pace in front of Abel, face tilted up to look through the boughs of the tree and smell the delicious scents of the flowers, a beatific smile spread across her lips.]

It's beautiful, Abel.

[bloodsugar]

[h... haha; she has no idea how many afternoons he spent here wishing that she had been with him -- and now that she is, his smile is that of a very, very happy man.]

I'm only sad that you can't meet the person who grew this tree, Lilith. I think you would've liked her...

[guiding]

Was she a friend of yours?

[Lilith is fond already. She can tell that whoever grew this tree had a tremendous amount of love to give, and someone like that could only have been a good influence on her silly boy.]

[bloodsugar]

Alexstrasza was... important. [looking at Lilith, he knows why he had been so attached at first sight. he -knew- there had been similarities that stretched beyond that nurturing spirit they both possessed, much like Galadriel. that serenity... the calming presence.

Abel gently unclasps the brooch from the collar of his AX coat, holding it out to her and placing it gently in the palm of her hand. it's fashioned from one of Alexstrasza's scales, warm to the touch -- he curls her fingers around it, and closes his hand over hers.]

She was something lesser than a god, but... a higher being. Filled with life, somehow...

[guiding]

[Feeling the warmth of the scale in her hands, she wondered what sort of creature it had come from... lesser than a god, but a higher being? Paradisa surely was full of wonders, full of blessings that could never have been brought to either of them back home.]

She sounds truly magnificent, but perhaps I will meet her one day.

[After all, they had returned.]

[bloodsugar]

[he stretches his free hand to touch her cheek, brushing the back of his fingers over her soft and warm skin before gently tucking some beloved red behind her ear.]

She gave me a gift. I don't know how to explain it, but...

[hnn. here of all places, with her, he can appreciate it best of all ;; feeling -life- in Lilith is...

...what more could he want? it's what he ached for, forever.]

[guiding]

[She tilts her cheek into his touch, eyes sliding closed for a moment just to appreciate the sensations of this place. A warmth spreading to her fingertips, as though she were safe forever here, and the low timbre of Abel's voice filled with contentment.]

I would like to hear more about her.

[For it seems she owes her a debt for easing some of Abel's pain while she was gone.]

[bloodsugar]

[Abel healthily copes by attaching himself to redheads while you're gone, Lilith. it's the way things go. he's so good at life.]

...She was a Dragon. In the world she's from, those creatures have powers over different elements of nature, of time and space... Some of her brethren were here, too. She was the Aspect of Life, so this place... it's imbued with it.

She gave... a part of herself to others, too. In exchange for a promise to protect life. [his fingers squeeze gently over hers where she's holding the scale.] I wish I could show it to you... what it's like. It's... life, everywhere. In everything. In you.

[guiding]

[Her eyes widen slowly as the implication of that sinks in properly... he could see life itself? It was unbelievable, astounding, and yet she didn't think to question its truth coming from his lips.

It was amazing, she felt a warmth spread through her chest as she beamed at him. Both in pride for his promise and strength to carry it out, and contentment for the reward he had been given for it.]

That truly is a precious gift... nothing is more beautiful than life, and we are lucky that it surrounds us always.

[bloodsugar]

[he comes to cup both of her cheeks, kissing her forehead softly and letting his lips linger there to murmur.]

I knew you would feel special. [Lilith is Lilith... being able to feel her life is a precious gift ;;]

[guiding]

[Ah, Abel. She could never doubt his love with words like that, soft smile coming to her lips as she wound her arms around him.]

You are my husband, I believe you are obligated to think that.

[bloodsugar]

Are you doubting me...? That sounds like something the evil witch would do, and while we're in this little bubble of serenity, I'm pretty sure she's purified...

[he chuckles, kissing soft skin again. ahhh, he will never get enough of her... ;;]

[guiding]

I have never doubted you, my silly boy, not for a heartbeat.

[She holds him closer, perfectly content here with him.]

[bloodsugar]

[he exhales a contented sigh, nuzzling her before he draws her into a proper hug, close and tight.]

...What would I do without you? [well, he already knows. but... you know what he means.]

[guiding]

[She is sorry that he ever had to find the answer to that question out so... completely, but she doesn't regret what she did.]

I think you would still be an admirable man, and would find another woman who would love you. You're quite the catch, you know.

[bloodsugar]

[...Lilith don't even joke laksjdlgkj...]

Well, lobsters are the catch of the sea! No one hates lobster dinners.

[guiding]

I couldn't agree more. I have to keep a sharp eye on you, knowing how many other women would love to have you for their own.

[bloodsugar]

... [okay you're doing this on purpose... his face is getting a little red and it's not from the wind beyond the tree.]

O-oh yes. They line around the building for me... [flaksjdf FOREVER ALONE... without her...]

[guiding]

[She taps her chin thoughtfully, eyes twinkling.]

I had heard there was an auction of handsome men for worthy causes, I'm sure I would not begrudge your many fans one day.

[bloodsugar]

[sldkjf. :|]

You'd give me away just like that?!

[guiding]

I would never give you away, but perhaps I would lend you out for a day.

[bloodsugar]

Borrow me out? You'd borrow me out? [/heartbroken...]

[guiding]

A man so wonderful as you should not be hidden from the world... I could never be so selfish as to not share you, for I know you have love enough for everyone.