KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

Comments

[kokuyoyo]

No, that's it.... It's an interesting choice, coming from you.

[He's still not sure what to actually expect, but he supposes he'll see when they get to that part. Blinking, he glances down at his meal, mostly down to the bread now.]

Ah- It's good.

[possedere]

I'm curious to know your thoughts on such paintings and it's always good for a diversion.

[He smiled innocently enough, watching as the priest ate.]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Can I try some of yours then?

[kokuyoyo]

[For some reason, that makes him suspicious... There's nothing for it, he supposes. He may as well keep going. In response to the question, he shrugs and nudges the bread bowl forward.]

There's not much of the soup left, but if you want...

[possedere]

[Always so suspicious, his little priest.

Mukuro can behave himself, despite what the other man might think, just tearing off a piece to dip into the soup, humming thoughtfully as he tried it. If he made a small production out of licking his fingers clean, it didn't mean anything.]

If you're done, should we be on our way?

[kokuyoyo]

[Always giving him reasons to be suspicious, this demon.]

[Ignoring any productions Mukuro may or may not be making, Chikusa goes for his wallet, making sure to leave a tip on the table.]

I'm ready. It's not far, right?

[possedere]

Not at all.

[But he did go to wave aside the priest's money, expression lofty.]

I'm the one who invited you out. It only makes sense that I pay.

[kokuyoyo]

...Even for a tip?

[Not that he's complaining as he takes back what he'd put down.]

[possedere]

Well, if you'd like to give me your tip...

[Look sometimes the priest made it too easy okay. Who was he to pass that one up?

Instead of waiting for a reaction, however, he paid quickly, wrapping his clothes back tighter around himself and picking up the folder. After tucking it securely under his arm, he offered his other one to the priest.]

Shall we?

[kokuyoyo]

[Some days, you just bristle like a Ghibli character, and Chikusa suspects it happens right then before the demon rushes off. The result leaves him absolutely not sulking as he trails after him, burrowing into his coat and leveling a dead eyed stare at Mukuro.]

I suppose.

[possedere]

[Oh well if it was a Ghibli reaction then Mukuro would be disappointed he missed it. Instead, he turned back to face him with a small smirk, taking hold of the priest's hand to tug him along.

The museum was a good sized building, old, but neat and tidy. There was already a small crowd perusing all the paintings and exhibits, which ranged from sculptures to some mixed media. It was rather quiet, all conversation a low buzzing than an actual roar, and Mukuro followed along with some of the people in front of them, glancing over everything with interest.]

[kokuyoyo]

[He almost trips over his own feet from surprise, not expecting to be grabbed, but gets his balance again quickly enough as he quietly followed. He looks around as well, not sure if he should feel as though he fits in or out of his depth. Sure, he's made efforts to go out more, but it's always been on his own. Being accompanied by someone feels... different, somehow.]

[Even if that someone is a demon. Perhaps especially then, actually.]

[None of his thoughts show, however, especially as they start to explore the museum proper, and he lingers when he can sometimes if a particular piece has caught his eye.]

[possedere]

[It might be sheer impudence or simply because he wanted to test how far he could push the priest, but he didn't let go of his hand the whole way, even if it meant pausing in front of paintings he had no interest in. He offered enlightening comments like, 'it wasn't like that at all, there was more screaming and crying' or 'Mary was far prettier than this artist is giving her credit for', but he did tend to fall silent at anything depicting the fall of angels, merely scoffing and trying to tug the priest away.]

What do you think so far, priest?

[They were about halfway through the exhibit, and Mukuro was ready to go home to take a nap or perhaps prod the priest a bit more.]

[kokuyoyo]

[As much as he would like to completely tune out the demon, well aware of his peanut gallery tendencies and compulsive lying... He can't help but listen when he makes comments on artwork, taking note of them to comb through later. It's rare to get a demon's thoughts on mundane things like artwork or history; they're rarely so cooperative when Chikusa is called to exorcise them.]

[That means he takes note of particular silences, too, but, in turn, he makes no comment about that.]

[All the crowds are starting to bother him as well, however, when the demon speaks up, and he pulls his eyes away from a picture of Moses to look to him.]

It's... nice. More than I was expecting from you, honestly.

[possedere]

You're always so harsh on me, priest.

[Though he doesn't sound too offended, considering the fact that the priest was still allowing... whatever this was to continue was more than Mukuro had thought possible. He had thought between him being a demon, the possession, and the constant lying would have deterred the priest, but here they are.

He turned his wry gaze back to the priest, looking put out.]

I am more than capable of behaving, even though it's a temptation not to.

[kokuyoyo]

...And it ultimately doesn’t do you any good on a physical level.

[He remembers the dreams… The demon’s need to clean himself after too much good deeds. Meeting the demon’s gaze, he raises an eyebrow.]

So does that mean I can’t expect you to stay acting like this for long?

[possedere]

Isn't the physical all you care about when it comes to me? It can't be my soul.

[Or his personality, but Mukuro was under the delusion he was hot shit so why should that be mentioned?

Mukuro only chuckled at the question, steering the priest towards the next exhibit, giving it an uninterested glance.]

I'll behave so long as I have incentive to, as you should know better than anyone else Chikusa Kakimoto.

[kokuyoyo]

[And, for this, the incentive is... Glancing over the next bit of art they pass but not really seeing it, he takes in a breath.]

And you won't get bored?

[possedere]

Not even if you wanted me to.

[Mukuro gave the priest a sly, knowing look, stepping off the beaten path so that the crowd was lessened around them, but they were still out in the open. It was intimate enough for conversation, but not for much else. Well, at least not if the priest was the deciding factor.]

Haven't I told you before? You're more likely to get bored than me.

[kokuyoyo]

[There’s a quiet glance around as Mukuro guides him away from other people, but he doesn’t draw anymore attention to it than that. He prefers it, anyway…. Although it’s worrying to him that he can’t tell if it’s just because of his nature or because he prefers to keep the demon away from other people and at his side.]

And if I never did?

[possedere]

[My my, how interesting.

Mukuro was surprised that the priest would even admit that out loud, much less now, when he had been so adamant about not giving into him. Still, Mukuro wouldn't complain, leaning in closer, mouth curving up.]

Then I could keep my promise to you.

[Aka that he'd never be alone, which wasn't really that romantic when it was a demon saying it but ayyy.]

[kokuyoyo]

["If" is the pin he uses to keep keep his justifications held together. "If" is a hypothetical, curiosity, nothing but thoughts. He tells himself that, even as the demon leans in close, mismatched eyes seeming to trap light in them. Squaring his shoulders, he looks away.]

Was there a particular exhibit you planned on leading me to or are you just getting away from the crowds?

[possedere]

[What a disappointing, but not unexpected, response. Mukuro supposed just the question being posed was sign that progress was being made, and for once, decided not to press it. He leaned back fully onto his heels, before turning to head down a less traveled corridor.]

There was one piece I am wanted to get your opinion on.

[It was a few pieces away, but he stopped in front of a massive painting depicting the fall of Lucifer, tilting his head to the side.

The painting was one that was grotesquely realistic, with wings being torn off of demons, god ( a bearded male of course, how original ) looking upon the carnage from his holy throne, hell a fiery pit of misery beneath them. It was already full of demons suffering, and while it wasn't exactly right, it was close enough to make Mukuro feel some sort of homesickness.]

What do you think?

[kokuyoyo]

[One piece in particular... Curiosity snared, Chikusa follows along and doesn't let himself get distracted even in passing by any of the other works. A raised eyebrow gets directed his way before he takes in the enormous painting.]

[It's... certainly not what he would have first pinged for the demon, although now he wonders why. Perhaps it's because he's been so convincing, nothing but mockery when he batted the idea around of redemption. Thus, why draw attention to what some would say is one of the birthplaces of demons? A ploy for sympathy, boredom?]

[He looks over the painting carefully, something which takes no small amount of time considering its size.]

...Artistically... That kind of dedication to a picture full of such detail is impressive. It takes a lot of stamina to stick to something on this level, and the lighting is suitably striking for something so dramatic.

The subject matter itself, I suppose I can't find surprising.

[possedere]

[For once, Mukuro was silent as the priest took his time taking in the painting, switching between searching his face to looking at the crowd around them. His gaze never traveled away for long, and patiently waiting for the judgement.]

I agree. The artist is very talented. I'm curious if they take commissions.

[He wondered briefly if the priest would be offended by such a statement, but he tightened his grip subtly on the he was carrying as if to quell any complaints beforehand.

The response about the subject matter was lukewarm, though he supposed there was no point in pressing the point further.]

No, I suppose not. Did you want to see the rest of the exhibit?

[He was already turning to leave, in any case.]

[kokuyoyo]

I've had my fill of people for today.

[Besides, there are things on his mind. However, he keeps them quiet and tucked away inside his head. It's only when they're back in the daylight and the crowds aren't so thick does he let the words slip out.]

Do you miss it?