KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[catastrophuck]

Even at their worst, it is my duty to forgive them and accept them all the same.

[Mukuro followed alongside him, falling into step with him, folding his hands behind his back easily.]

You needn't worry about me. I go by the grace of God and I have little to worry about. The people in this town are good folk and have treated me kindly. I have little reason to believe that will change.

[He tilted his head up to glance over at the other man, curious.]

How are you liking our quiet town so far?

[ballandchained]

I’m glad to hear it. Someone like yourself deserves to travel in peace and safety.

[It says good things, too, that the community treats its priest so well. It’d be understandable if he were treated with suspicion or harassed, all that, but a priest? Especially one who seems to care so much? It’d be a bad sign, to say the least.]

[He rubs his neck at the question, broad shoulders shrugging.]

I haven’t gotten to know too many people yet- at least before today, which I thank you for again- but it’s been a nice town. Very quiet. I have to admit it’s quite a change from what I’m used to. Larger towns, small cities, places like that. But… it’s nice. I think I like it.

[catastrophuck]

All of God's creatures do. You're no different than me.

[Mukuro started down the streets he knew so well, nodding to a few parishioners as he passed by them, but it wasn't difficult to guess where Lancia was staying. There were few openings in this tiny town, and gossip flourished as easy as superstition. Lancia's rough appearance hadn't helped matters, though it seemed his personality couldn't be further removed from his looks than Mukuro's own.

He waved aside the mention of thanks, instead latching onto what else Lancia had to say.]

So what drew you to this little town if you're used to the larger cities?

[ballandchained]

I wanted a change. Cities seem to make it all too easy to fall into old habits or bad temptation.

[By no means is he some sort of drug addict who needs to go cold turkey, but… It was all too familiar. Even across different cities, countries, cultures, some things are all too similar. How could he be sure that he’d be able to stick to his decisions with everything being so overwhelming?]

I thought a small town like this could help me gather my thoughts together, too. Where better to start over?

[catastrophuck]

[Now that was interesting, a confession that Mukuro wanted to hear. The people here were all predictable and boring, having lived their lives the same way for generations. It was easy to tell who had been cheating on who without Mukuro even needing to know their names, he had been able to tell who was charging far too much for their wares, and who truly didn't believe in God anymore but made a good showing.

He hummed thoughtfully, picking his way through the streets easily.]

If you ever feel the need to unburden your conscious, I'd be more than happy to listen.

[He offered up a friendly smile, before turning to admire the small, neat rows of houses.]

It is as good a place as any. The isolation can be a bit trying, but if you can survive the first few months, you'll be a welcome citizen here as well as your children and your children's children.

[ballandchained]

You’re too kind, Father. Perhaps at my first confession. There’s… a lot of it to unpack.

[Such is the life when you’re involved in crime. Still, all of this is proof that he can change. It’s just one step after the other, no matter how much each one might make him wince. It’ll get easier with time. He has to tell himself that in order to move forward. Thank God- truly, sincerely- that the priest he’s come across is so trustworthy.]

[Counting the houses as he passes by, keeping track of which is which so he doesn’t miss his own, Lancia laughs at the idea of his children’s children.]

With all due respect, I’m not sure that will ever happen.

[catastrophuck]

I'll always be there to listen to you.

[He gave his best supportive smile, though his gaze might taken on a sharper edge to it when Lancia was so quick to laugh at the mention of children.]

Aren't you being a bit cruel to the women in this village? You've already caused quite a stir here, you should be pleased to know.

[ballandchained]

I don’t mean to insult the local women, Father.

[Immediately, he holds his hands up innocently.]

I merely think they could find someone more appropriate for themselves… So it’s a surprise I’ve become noticeable at all there.

[He thought it would have to take him a little while of being accepted into the town before he started getting any romantic interest leveled his way.]

[catastrophuck]

This town is rather stagnant, in a way. There's rarely any new blood. Before you or I arrived, it had been decades since someone had come to live here.

[He turned to look at Lancia fully, mouth quirked up slightly, expression teasing.]

Besides, I feel it would be remiss not to let you know that you're very eye catching. It's not always a bad thing or something to be ashamed of.

[Said the vainest priest in existence heyyyy.]

[ballandchained]

I suppose a priest wouldn’t lie, so I’ll have to take your word for it, Father.

[Still, his mouth is curved in a slightly self-conscious but pleased smile. He knows he’s no old man past his prime, but he’d thought his time and general disposition hadn’t been doing him any favors.]

[Coming to a stop, he nods to one small building in particular.]

This is my stop, I’m afraid. I’ll look forward to having coffee with you when we meet up. I hope you stay well until then.

[catastrophuck]

[Well, priests weren't supposed to lie, it was true, but it wasn't as if Mukuro had ever really considered himself more than a priest for convenience and for fun. However, he had yet to be struck down for such thoughts, so he supposed in a way, that was all the blessing he needed. If there was any true worry or guilt about his actions, it was easily wiped away with a few 'Hail Mary's' or 'Our Fathers'.

He inclined his head once they arrived to Lancia's house.]

It was a pleasure to talk to you, Lancia. Do take care of yourself until I see you next.

[He waved briefly before turning to head back to the church, expression turning smug as soon as his back was turned.]

[ballandchained]

[After that, the next few days pass by pleasantly enough. It’ll still take a decent while until he’s become a bit more accepted as a regular in the town, Lancia knows- some months at least, although he wouldn’t be surprised by a year either. Yet he can already tell that helping out with the church was a good choice, and not only on a moral level. Thanks to the priest, it feels as though he’s been able to make a good impression on more people around town. It doesn’t feel quite as much as though he’s an outsider.]

[So he’s more than happy to arrive at the cafe for their arrived meeting, glancing around just to make sure he’s not too late or early.]

[catastrophuck]

[As prompt as Mukuro would have liked to be in this engagement, he had duties to attend to. As the newest priest to the area, it meant a lot of undesirable jobs fell on him. Such as tending to the quite mad and often violent parishioners whose family believed to be possessed by the devil, but Mukuro was more sure were just the unfortunately product of so much inbreeding.

After saying the necessary amount of prayers over the afflicted and sporting a bruise on his cheek for his trouble ( typically, he was quick enough but this one proved to be far more violent and capable than most ), he made his way over to the coffee shop, for once the coffee not merely a vehicle for social interaction.

Once he spotted Lancia, he raised a hand in greeting.]

My apologies for being late. My duties ran over. Were you waiting long?

[ballandchained]

[Every time he’s heard the door open, he’s idly glanced over just to see if it was who he’s been waiting for. He was expecting a casual meeting, but seeing the bruise on the priest’s cheek even from a distance has him standing up.]

No, it’s more than fine- are you alright?

[catastrophuck]

[Mukuro waved away Lancia's concern with a brisk smile.]

It's nothing but an unfortunate happenstance of the profession. It makes me envious of your stature and muscles, but other than that, I'm fine. Shall we?

[ballandchained]

Still… If there’s anything I could do to help..

[Going back to his seat, he nudges out the chair for him before sitting down as well.]

Do you want any ice?

[catastrophuck]

[Mukuro inclined his head in thanks as Lancia pulled a chair out for him, smiling wryly. If only the other man was aware of what kind of help from him Mukuro was truly interested in.]

Some ice would be appreciated, thank you.

[ballandchained]

[Calm your thirsty ass down, Mukuro, goddamn]

[Fortunate that the staff are willing to help fairly quickly, and it only takes a few moments before Lancia has gotten some ice wrapped in a washcloth to hold out to Mukuro.]

Is it alright if I ask what happened?

[catastrophuck]

[Listen the other fugo scrubs in the village were nothing to look at. Mukuro hadn't seen someone half-way decent that wasn't in the mirror in a long time.

Mukuro accepted the ice with a small inclination of thanks, smiling up at the other man as he pressed it gingerly against his bruise.]

It's nothing you need to worry about. It's unfortunately not uncommon in my line of duty.

[His voice was probably a bit blunted and odd, considering the placement of the washcloth.]

I'm more interested in how you've been busying yourself since I last saw you.

[ballandchained]

[Stop trying to fuck your reflection, Mukuro]

[There’s a frown that things aren’t uncommon, but Lancia lets that rest of the moment. He’s not going to start being nosy now, especially when he’s still trying to make a good impression on those in the town, and that includes the priest.]

Nothing too riveting, I’m afraid, Father. I’ve taken up some work, and I help my landlord with some things where I’m able. I’m sure they’re all things you’ve heard before.

[catastrophuck]

[Don't kink shame him.

Mukuro hummed to let the other man know he was listening, settling himself down comfortably in his seat, giving Lancia a soft smile.]

I haven't heard them from you, so it makes them new. Has your landlord been taking good care of you?

[ballandchained]

Touche, Father.

[He huffs out a laugh as he folds his arms across the table.]

I’ve been treated well. It’s not the most extravagant place, but that suits me just fine. I feel better when I’m doing something, and that includes taking care of the apartment.

[catastrophuck]

[At that, Mukuro only smiled, wincing slightly at how the expression irritated his skin.]

Sometimes a lack of extravagance is best. It'll help you find what is truly important.

[He canted his head to the side, thoughtful.]

Is this your first apartment of your own?

[ballandchained]

No, I had a place in the city I lived in before. It wasn’t bad, by any means, but… I guess I was missing a certain closeness or care it all. A lot different than living here.

[His reputation and the things he was mixed up in kept his landlord or any neighbors he didn’t know from ‘business’ from really wanting to get to know him, after all, and that house… His gaze drifts off for a second as he thinks about it. A place to just sleep in at the end of the day, cared for about as much as he cared for his body back then, which wasn’t much at all with the bad habits he’d cultivated. It was never surprising that any women he brought back never stuck around.]

[Shaking his head, he focuses on the conversation again.]

I’m liking the change. Are you sure you're alright, Father?

[catastrophuck]

I see. It was more of a house than a home then. I'm glad that you've found it more welcoming here.

[There was a shuttered look on Lancia's face, and it made Mukuro curious to know more about their newest parishioner. He supposed he could look it up, since Lancia was rather distinguished and he was sure he could dig up whatever was haunting the man. However, there was a certain satisfaction in formulating a hypothesis and having the man confess everything to him without prodding.

Mukuro nodded to the shop owner's daughter as she came over, no doubt eager to hear what they were talking about and to be able to pass on gossip to the rest of the town. She dropped off a complimentary plate of scones and to ask if they were ready to order.

He took the distraction to dodge the question, instead glancing over at Lancia with a small smile. The shop owner's daughter was making little effort to hide her curiosity, after all.]

Would like a moment more before ordering?