KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[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?

[possedere]

My, my, that eager to get me alone, are you?

[It was more teasing than actual insinuation, and Mukuro headed back outside, wondering if he should bid good-bye to the priest once they were outside. He seemed to be in an odd mood, and given that they'd spent a good portion of the day together, it might be in his best interest to leave the priest be.

So the question caught him off guard, and for a moment Mukuro wasn't even sure how to answer it.]

It's only a place. Most wouldn't find it pleasant in the least.

[But it was where he'd spent numerous centuries, and it had only been a few weeks since he'd last been back. He canted his gaze to the side, smirking slightly at the priest.]

Curious?

[kokuyoyo]

I'm curious about many things.

[...So, yes.]

[That smirk has him frown back, distrustful of what it represents on the demon's face. There are a lot of reasons to be curious, as far as he's concerned.... but maybe that's too much information to give to a demon.]

[possedere]

[It was that unimpressed face that would get Mukuro to be honest, well aware of the tight rope he should be walking in order to keep and gain more of the priest's affections while balancing out his own terrible impulses and personality.

He paused for a few moments, gaze resting on Chikusa Kakimoto's face before turning away.]

It hasn't been long enough for me to miss it, except for the warmth there. I can't seem to generate enough body heat.

[Hence all the layers. And it seemed like the priest enjoyed it when Mukuro displayed weakness to him, so display 'weaknesses' he would.]

[kokuyoyo]

[If he were to hear that observation, Chikusa would no doubt be puzzled. Weakness is a thing he hears again and again in his line of work: from learning how a victim of possession came to be in their situation sometimes of their own fault to the countless confessions he must listen to and forgive. Is that something he really wants in his personal life?]

[But then… It can’t truly be a surprise. The confessions of people aren’t for him. As a priest, he’s merely a channel for their sins to be heard and for holy forgiveness to be felt.]

[Every bit of knowledge, whether demonic or personal, that the demon slips him… Maybe it has left him ravenous, to be given something that has to do with him instead of his duty.]

Do you find warmth in your own form, then?

[possedere]

Yes. But I hear that humans have their own ways of generating body heat together.

[He shot the priest a sly look, before taking a few steps away from him, folder still clutched close to his side. His gaze was assessing for a few moments before he gave a small, pleased smile.]

Thank you for coming out today, Chikusa Kakimoto. I wasn't expecting you to.

[kokuyoyo]

[Well, it was an interesting conversation while it lasted, and he purses his lips together. Ending the day on a non-sexual note is too much to ask for, apparently.]

[To have things suddenly change, the demon observing him carefully and giving thanks, is a twist he wasn't expecting. Chikusa stares back, blinking in clear surprise, before he ducks his head down.]

...I was the one who contacted you in the first place... I wouldn't waste my time setting up a meeting merely to not show up. Besides, it's simply me being selfish...

[possedere]

[Look, Mukuro has a one track mind about some things, also if he wasn't shamelessly hitting on Chikusa Kakimoto, who would? Clearly he had to take one for the team.

That response was interesting, Mukuro canting his head to the side in sharp eyed focus, turning back to face him fully.]

I find your selfishness charming, then. Are you going to continue being selfish and ask for more of my time or should I leave teasing you for another day?