KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[catastrophuck]

[Oh, so then Lancia had noticed then? He tried not to let his vanity become too readily apparent, but he couldn't stop the small smile that curved his lips.]

That's rather kind of you to say, Lancia. I appreciate it.

[At that response, Mukuro gave a small smile, gesturing vaguely.]

If you're fond of seafood, the shrimp here is delicious.

[ballandchained]

Then… I suppose the ciopinno would be nice to have. Something filling.

[The day is nice. Good food with good company will make it even better.]

And yourself?

[catastrophuck]

Buridda would be nice.

[He wanted something light and easy to eat, so it wouldn't hurt so much. He put the ice pack down on the table, watching Lancia closely for a few contemplative moments.]

Do you have a favorite dish?

[ballandchained]

Hm? Risotto, actually. I’m actually not much of a cook… [Folding his hands on the table, he gives a slight shrug, lips quirked up.] But I’ve always remembered how to make that, with beef most of the time.

[catastrophuck]

I'd like to try some, sometime. I've never been a very good cook.

[Mostly out of sheer laziness and because the church provided, but ssh who was keeping track?]

[ballandchained]

What- [More amusement flickers across his face.] Would you like me to invite you to my humble home then, Father?

[catastrophuck]

Only if you wish to, I would hate to impose.

[Mukuro smiled charmingly enough, even though he was putting the ice pack back to his face to help soothe the irritated bruise.]

I wouldn't ask you to make anything for free. I could bless your place, if you'd like.

[ballandchained]

[He’d meant it as a joke, but now that the offer is being returned… Lancia looks thoughtful.]

I had meant to get it blessed at some point, I just haven’t made time for a request… If it wouldn’t be any trouble, I really would appreciate it.

[catastrophuck]

It's no trouble at all. It's part of my duties, and so long as you're not going to have any physical complaints about my work, we should be fine.

[Mukuro gestured to his eye wryly, before nodding the waitress back over to take their orders.]

[ballandchained]

I’m fairly certain I’d go to Hell if I took any physical complaints with you, Father.

[But with that, he gives his order, waiting until the waitress has left once more.]

I hope it's not something you have to deal with often.

[catastrophuck]

Most sins can be forgiven and absolved. You just have to ask the right person.

[The question though gave Mukuro pause, and he flicked his gaze up to Lancia consideringly.]

More often than I would like. It would be nice, if I had been blessed with your physique on those occasions.

[ballandchained]

If you wish to use it, all you need to do is ask.

[He offers it without really thinking twice about it. Why should he? Priests may be protected spiritually by the grace of God, but a little physical help doesn’t hurt now and then.]

[catastrophuck]

[If only it were that simple. Not for the first time, Mukuro mourned his decision that had been made fueled mostly by spite, but then again, perhaps if he played his cards carefully...

He straightened slightly, watching Lancia thoughtfully.]

How well can you keep secrets? Would you call yourself judgemental?

[ballandchained]

[Mukuro’s questions draw Lancia to straighten in turn from the sudden change. Secrets? Well, he is a priest; people confess and approach him for all manners of things. Confidentiality must be key. Slowly, he nods.]

I’m good at keeping secrets, there’s no doubt about that, and I doubt I’m in a place to judge anyone.

[Which didn’t stop some people, but he was trying to better himself.]

[catastrophuck]

[Lancia, for all the faults he must have, was not dishonest. Mukuro was especially adept at reading people, and found them easy and predictable creatures, and nothing about Lancia's demeanor or words made him doubt him.

Humming thoughtfully, Mukuro drummed his fingers lazily against the table.]

And how strong would you say your faith is?

[ballandchained]

[This is beginning to sound like a test of sorts, something he’s only heard of and never experienced for himself. All he had was a revelation about his life, and wanting to better himself with the miracle of a second chance he was given. So it’s not a question he takes lightly, frowning down at his clasped hands as he thinks over it carefully.]

...I want to say it’s strong. My conviction, at least, I don’t doubt, but plenty of people say they have strong faith without having been challenged on it, don’t they?

[catastrophuck]

What people believe and what is the truth is often very different.

[He agreed easily, leaning back in his seat. He wasn't trying to be mysterious for once, but he did have his duty to the families who secrets he was holding, and while Mukuro cared little for religion or duty, it would be difficult if he didn't maintain appearances.]

Has your faith ever been tested?

[ballandchained]

Not yet.

[After all, his life up until recently had been filled with him turning away from God. There’s simply not been a chance.]

But if there’s any way I could prove myself reliable…

[catastrophuck]

[It was something to consider. Mukuro hummed thoughtfully as the food was brought to them.]

Any action I take is not my own. I'd have to consult with the other priests and the families it would involve. Just continue to behave as you normally do, and I'm sure you'll prove to be more than reliable.

[Which may or may not be all horse shit, but considering most of the lazy old men of the clergy foisted off the detestable work to Mukuro, he felt little need to consult them. The families, however, might be a different story.]

[ballandchained]

Of course. I understand completely.

[Some things can’t be done just because you want them, after all. He’s learned that lesson the hard way in his life. So for now, he merely tries to give a reassuring smile to the priest.]

Whatever happens, Father, you know where to find me.

[catastrophuck]

I appreciate your willingness to help others.

[Which was all that Mukuro would say on the subject, instead turning it to more trivial matters until they parted.

For the next few weeks, Mukuro nor the other priests showed any outward signs of watching Lancia, but Mukuro made sure to keep the other man in his sights whenever he was able. When he delivered his sermons, his eyes strayed to Lancia more than he liked to admit. The family of the afflicted too, went out of their way to include Lancia in church activities to get a feel for him. This sort of exercise, after all, was fine for the rumor mill, but to include an outsider... Well, that took some neat and subtle convincing.

Once everyone was in agreement, Mukuro took Lancia aside after mass one day, resting a hand gently on his shoulder.]

Do you have a moment?

[ballandchained]

[There’s no need to rush things, as far as Lancia is concerned. If this is meant to happen, whatever it is, then it will. Until then, he simply has to keep working hard and living the proper life he’s established for himself here. So, he does, keeping the apartment well maintained and going to work and, reliably, always attending church and putting everything he can into this second chance at life.]

[It’s working out, he thinks. People talk with him a little easier, the longer he stays in town, and he likes to think that his appearances at church make him look good. All of it adds up to comforting evenings spent on his own, letting himself be reassured by the schedule he’s quietly established.]

[However, that schedule gets disrupted, and he pauses where he’d been getting ready to leave.]

Of course, Father. Always for you.

[catastrophuck]

[It was honest men that were the easiest to take advantage of, and Mukuro had a difficult time quelling both his thoughts and his tongue to give an inappropriate response to that. Instead, Mukuro smiled in relief, giving a small nod as he gestured for the other man to follow him.

He led him back to one of the more secluded rooms in the church, which was usually used for quiet prayer. As such, it was simply furnished, though Mukuro bid Lancia to sit down across from him.]

Have you settled in?

[ballandchained]

[Well, if he insists… Easing down into the other chair, Lancia meets the priest’s eyes.]

Everything has been going well, thank you. I think it’s because of you that I’ve had a slightly easier time of things, in fact.

[catastrophuck]

You give me far too much credit.

[But Mukuro preened inwardly, pleased that Lancia had such a high opinion of him without having had to do too much work for it.

He smiled, the expression almost sincere.]

Though I am glad to hear that you have been adjusting well. Tell me, have you been making friends here?