paradisa | 2.2 ✞ dictated;

Entry tags:

abel nightroad

2.2 ✞ dictated;

[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!!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She did not scoff... though maybe she would have if he hadn't said that... and in fact if anyone could see her in that moment, she actually reared back just slightly in reaction. The concept of having a friend was foreign to her. Her entire life she'd never really had what most would describe as a friend, so she couldn't help but think the statement somewhat ludicrous.]

[And then he mentioned Nanako. And that was enough to silence most of the doubts flying through her mind.]

I have... she was one of the first people I met here...

[She pauses a moment, frowning down at the journal and torn. The ability for the journal to "filter" and make things "private" had certainly been explained to her... but that didn't mean that she trusted it.]

Abel-san, I will stop you there. If anything of a personal note is to be mentioned here I would prefer it said in person rather than recorded in this book.

[She would just need to make sure her guard stayed up.]

[ahh. he had half expected her to want to avoid him like the plague -- but maybe that's his own fears speaking rather than logic or truth.]

Of course, that's... perfectly alright with me!

In that case... is there somewhere you'd like to meet? I promise, no sneezes, this time around!

[Oh... there was definitely a part of her that was screaming for that. The notion that he knew anything about her when she didn't know what it might be was maddening--but as much as it made her want to avoid him for the discomfort she also wanted to find out what he knew. And obviously that wouldn't happen without speaking to him.]

[And she wasn't going to do that over a blasted magical book.]

I do not have a place in mind.

[And considering her concern was this conversation being too public over the journals (regardless of filtering) it seemed silly to suggest a public area like the library.]

You mentioned the Stasis Tower--where is the 'church' you spoke of?

[You don't need to know she... lives in that tower... but at least she is confident of finding it...]

[he'll do one better than describing -- because he's dumb and this is completely necessary, he's doodling a little map from the castle lobby to the Satis Tower church. (he's done this a lot before... look at the attractive smileys and crosses to denote where he is... so mature.)]

That should just about do it, right?

[There is a long pause in the air. A long pause. In fact, it's pretty clear that this is not a pause for him to finish doodling.]

[Shit, son, are you serious? He's serious, isn't he? WHAT IS YOUR MALFUCTION, SHE JUST WANTED THE FLOOR!]

...

Yes... that is sufficient...

...

I will take it you are there now?

Perfect! Yes, yes... I'm here, now. It's been a while and I thought I'd get back into the swing of things...

I'll have some tea on by the time you get here, alright? --But take your time!

... very well.

[Tomoe closed the journal after that, not particularly wanting anything more dictated. She sat where she was for a long few minutes, starting to question whether or not she should really meet with the man at all...]

[But after so long her sheer curiosity--if that's really what it could be called--won out, and she headed out from her room in the tower to the area he so... colorfully sketched out for her.]

[She paused briefly outside the doors, merely studying them for a long moment, before carefully entering, scanning the interior for him.]

[he's in the kitchenette in the back attached to the church -- as promised, diligently boiling the water for tea for their enjoyment. at the sound of the large doors creaking open, the priest turns... and spotting the familiar face he now, quite aptly, connects with all the memories where they should be...

...his smile is some strange conflict of tentative and warm, fond and a little awkward. he isn't quite sure how she'll receive him, this time around. maybe Abel had returned with memories... but she, had not.]

Miss Tomoe! Please, come make yourself at home.

[Tomoe pauses just inside the door, taking the sight in and unsure of how to read his expression. It was much easier to trust a child than a man, certainly. But at the same time she considered herself a decent judge of character (though rather she actually listened to her judgements was another matter entirely), and that day on the street she had not picked up anything adverse about him... other than being a bit of a cad.]

[Her opinion... as of yet had not changed. But her uncertainty of it all kept her natural walls up.]

[After a long few seconds she finally nodded, moving forward, much more comfortable now that she was back in her usual attire.]

It is good to meet you in person, Abel-san... [Though her tone made it fairly clear that the phrasing was just for propriety.]

[it only takes a step or two for him to have stifled any apprehensions (visibly, anyway) -- heading to meet her and offer her his hand.]

Ah-- I'd say you can simply call me 'Abel,' but I have a feeling that would just make you less comfortable rather than more... [h-haha, awkward chuckle.]

It's good to see you again, Miss Tomoe. Would you like to sit down...? The tea should be done in a second or two, so-- just get comfortable! [there's a little table and some chairs, clearly intended for entertaining company (likely with tea) in said kitchenette, he then gestures to.]

[Tomoe looks at the offered hand. She'd been there long enough to gather the concept of the western handshake by now, but that didn't mean she was comfortable giving them. Especially whens he was uncomfortable to begin with--so she just leaves him hanging, offering an incline of her head instead.]

Thank you...

[She moves and carefully sits in one of the offered chairs, resting her hands in her lap as she watches him, still unsure of how to proceed.]

[err... he looks a tad (more) awkward at the dismissed handshake, and uses said hand to rub the back of his head sheepishly instead. REJECTED.

after a beat, though, he's trailing after her and moving to take the whistling kettle off the flame.]

...Do you mind... if I ask how long you've been here, this time around?

[>8( don't try to force your crazy western habits on her! Crazy people...]

[She continued to watch him.]

One month, as of yesterday. If I... am to understand it correctly I was here for nearly a year... but was sent back by the castle roughly three months ago--does this... sound accurate to you?

[She hadn't wanted to question a child to the degree that she wanted--not when said child was clearly hurt by her lack of memory.]

That... is what Nanako-chan* told me...

[ooc; or -san! >_>; still not sure which hahaha ~~I am probably the only one this matters to...~~]

[ahh. after a brief pause to consider this, he nods and starts pouring the tea through the strainers and into the awaiting cups.]

Nanako was one of the reasons you and I became... closer, I suppose. My wife and I were looking after her since her parents weren't here, and when my wife left... I guess she was in need of a woman's touch. You filled that role rather nicely, Miss Tomoe.

As I said, you were very good with her. [he turns with a subtly softer smile, placing the cup in front of her. it's Earl Grey; he did warn he would butcher the eastern brews (and wouldn't even try in front of her okay).]

I see...

[She looked at the offered cup. She had met with western tea while in Paris, so at the very least it wasn't surprising--of course she wasn't terribly interested in food or drink for the moment. She reached out for it, drawing it toward her.]

I am glad to know she has not been alone here... [That ice wall might have just... warmed by a few degrees. Just maybe.]

...

You... mentioned your wife in Paris--has she... returned here with you...?

[After another moment of worrying the edge of the cup she lifts it, steadying the bottom with her left hand before taking the smallest sip.]

[She most certainly preferred proper green tea.]

I'm glad, too. I'm sure you've seen for yourself-- Nanako is far too precious to go without someone who loves her looking over her.

[he takes his own cup and sits opposite her -- sadly, no sugar; GOD DAMN YOU LOSS yeah he's pretty sure his melodrama can wait for another opportunity... he doesn't want to scare her away. (are you proud, Tomoe? he's behaving himself. ...not that you're... aware. ahem.)

his smile is still friendly -- but mention of Lilith brings something warmer to his eyes. it's that look a man wears when he is utterly and hopelessly in love with a woman; she is his soulmate, after all.

but it's... very subtly... sad? there is old grief there. he will never forget his time with her is temporary and what awaits her back in their world is final. cannot be undone.]

Mm, she has. This is one of those times I can't help but be grateful to this place... and believe me, I'm aware how crazy that sounds on it's face! Really.

I had always hoped that you would be able to meet her, too. [that is very true!]

[Oh? So she doesn't get to react to the sludge that he calls tea? THE TRAVESTY!!! (Yes, Abel. She would be proud if she had any idea.)]

[She continues to watch him closely, following the changing emotions on his face before glancing back down to her tea.]

...

I can imagine the sentiment...

[For obvious reasons. Not that she would think them obvious to him--she is under the impression that her previous stay must have come before her death.]

[it's those words that shift his mood further -- and Abel hesitates. it's quite obvious to the observer that he is debating something internally. the last thing he wants is to disturb her when she's likely still reeling at being plucked out of her life as she was -- or... was this again her afterlife?

he doesn't know. he can't. but the sureity she is out of her element and not at all comforted by her surroundings is there, regardless. he cups his tea, eyes tilting to watch the surface. almost anxiously. but when he breaks the silence again, there's apology in his softer tone.]

...Mr. Himura...

I'm sorry that he isn't still here, Miss Tomoe. It looks like you both must have left while I was away, but only you returned.

[She had been debating as to whether to question him over what he knew of her, and in that indecision he volunteered it on his own.]

[It wasn't terribly shocking to have Kenshin mentioned. If she had come from any time in the last year, it was likely she had mentioned him--especially if it had been within the last six months.]

[But the information that he had been there with her? That was new... and surprising enough that she actually fumbled her cup--though she managed to set it against the table top with a fairly loud clink before she spilled the contents. Her hands stayed against the cup, a slight tremble moving through her fingers before she could really stop it and she looked up at him with wide eyes, a note of desperation visible even through that mask she so carefully kept in place.]

My husband was here...?

[her reaction is a little... disturbing; he isn't sure its source: whether she's rattled at the mention that they had co-existed in the castle together with how strange and strained their relationship had been last time around, or... because of the... circumstances of her d... eath? did she remember...?

was she, again...

his own fingers tighten around the cup, and all he can do is nod.]

[She pressed her hands against the tabletop to hide the tremble, any words she had been debating on speaking suddenly blocked in her throat as thoughts suddenly bombarded her. At first the notion that he had also been there from before her death settled--but that wasn't necessarily correct, was it? No... apparently people could come here from any time at all... they didn't have to match--he could have come from a later time... he could have been like her and come after the end... it would be confirmation and that--]

[Her breath had become very shallow, just staring at him blankly as she tried desperately to organize the thoughts that had gone into disarray so quickly.]

[Her jaw worked for a moment without success, desperately trying to force the words she needed out, all the while chanting to herself that she needed to stay calm and control herself.]

Abel-san... [she swallowed thickly] You need to tell me... everything you know... right now...

...

Please...

Edited 2012-01-15 00:55 (UTC)

[...ah...]

[it doesn't take him long to almost fumble to scoot to the edge of his chair, reaching a hand forward and reaching out for her hand in some gesture of comfort, reassurance seeing how distraught she is -- but he hesitates short of the mark, thinking better of it. knowing her, it might not be taken... well, especially when she's so upset and can't remember him.

so... he ends up drawing his hand back -- yet the concern and furrow of worry at his brow remains, and he's quick to talk--]

--Of course. Of course-- anything you want to know, I'll--

I'd gladly tell you. You only have to ask, Miss Tomoe, I'm... [...not... sure why you've been so shaken up by this news...]

[His choice to draw back was probably a good one, though perhaps it may not have garnered the reaction he had expected--but it saved her pride at least. And after this show of weakness her pride was certainly going to be bruised, but it couldn't be helped.]

What do you know about Kenshin? When he was here... was he... [This was stupid wasn't it? She hadn't exactly broadcasted the fact that she had died--why on earth would he have if that was the case? This was futile... and all she was doing was displaying her weakness to a perfect stranger...]

[She straightened, pulling her hands back to hold them in her lap in a white knuckle grip where he couldn't see, trying to focus all of her nervous energy there and away from her face.]

Just... tell me what you know of him... anything... you might have learned...

[he doesn't understand what's shaken her this badly... all he can do is oblige her request, his voice soft.]

He was from past you by some time. Maybe years. [it's fuzzy... but he knows it was enough time that she felt uncomfortable by it.]

[is it his place to tell her that Kenshin bore so much guilt and grief? he doesn't know; it feels like he's infringing somewhere he doesn't belong, intruding on this personal bond.]

...And he loved you, very much. He and I didn't spend as much time together as you and I-- he came months later, and I left before we had the chance to get to know each other well... so I'm afraid I don't know what information of substance I could offer.

If... there was something specific you wanted to know, I'd be happy to try and answer it, Miss Tomoe...? [he wants to help. he simply doesn't know how.]

dictated; Abel-san

dictated; Miss Tomoe

dictated; Abel-san

dictated; Miss Tomoe

dictated; Abel-san

dictated; Miss Tomoe

dictated; Abel-san => Action

church filter;

church filter; FOREVER~

yes this! <:

<3!

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