[Lancia goes still at that, mind stuttering for a second. It’s not something he’s ever really considered before, having to ever deal with demons in his life. He supposes most people, not even most Christians, consider it a regular worry or something to think about often. It’s… a pretty serious thing to say, but if they’ve gone to doctors about it…]
[His hands clench and relax against each other as he absorbs the information.]
...I can’t say I have much experience in that area, honestly.
Before we go any further, I want you to truly think about if you would want to entangle yourself in such matters. The danger is very real, and I wouldn't want to ask this of you or anyone if I didn't have to.
[He stood, patting Lancia on the shoulder as he headed towards the door.]
I'll give you all the time you need to process and decide.
[The sudden physical contact startled Mukuro, who turned to look back at Lancia after he had smoothed the surprise from his expression.]
Due to his condition, the youngest Joshima often needs to be restrained. While I have a better time at it than the more elderly members of our clergy, it's always a battle.
[In order not to elaborate further, he touched his eyes that had been bruised, even though it had long since healed.]
[Mukuro smiled, allowing some of his tiredness to seep into his tone, his expression.]
No, I'm asking for you to help me save him. The rest of the clergy has given up on him, but perhaps as someone who strayed from your faith only to return to it, you could provide a unique point of view and a unique solution.
[His shoulders roll in a shrug, hand falling back to his knee again. Theoretically, it should be simple, even if there are plenty of simple things in life that are incredibly hard to actually do. He’s never gone against a demon, although he’s gone against plenty of other men in the world who’d compare themselves as such, so he’d simply have to hope that he did the best and his faith held out to help the poor family out.]
[But it’s the next point that makes Lancia look a bit uneasy, glancing down at his hands. A unique solution, huh…?]
I’m not sure what I could offer there… but I would like to help, if you think I’m able.
[Mukuro gave him a small smile, turning to clasp the hand that had caught him gently.
While he was tempted to let Lancia tag along right here and now, there was some decorum he had to uphold. Besides, the Joshimas might not be prepared for such quick action. He let his touch linger for a few heart beats before letting go of the other man's hand, inclining his head gratefully.]
But I would really like you to consider this fully. I'll speak to you of it next week, if you're willing.
[Even as he says it, however, Lancia has a feeling that his mind is completely and fully made up. He knows himself, after this long, and he knows how it feels to subconsciously dig his feet in as he gets ready for a choice. Not that long ago, he’d felt more or less the same when he’d first considered starting his life anew.]
[True enough, as the week passes by, he turns over the answer carefully in his head each night. It’s a lot to take in, he knows. Honestly, even with the things he’s faced, he’s left wondering if he’s really enough to help with the existence of demons. Of even one. He’s faced gunmen, hired thugs, been under threat of losing his life at any moment… But this is something different. Something that strikes deeper than just flesh, if anything he’s heard about demons is even faintly accurate.]
[It’s a hefty risk.]
[But he’d made an offer, and he won’t go back on it. Especially not when there’s a kid who needs help.]
[So as Sunday service passes again, Lancia waits until most of the congregation has left again before quietly approaching Mukuro.]
[Mukuro hadn't been expecting Lancia to approach him so quickly. He had thought the other man might have had second thoughts or doubts, but he had come to him rather quickly after mass. That would change, perhaps, when he actually saw the afflicted child in question.
He slanted his gaze up to look at Lancia, mouth curling up in a small, slightly tired smile.]
My, my, made your decision already? Should we go someplace quieter?
[At least, for all the details he’ll no doubt have to be given on what to expect and do. However, for now, he takes in the priest’s obvious exhaustion and reaches over to place his hand on his shoulder with a reassuring squeeze.]
[The touch was unexpected, Mukuro's eyes widening slightly as he glanced up at the other man, before he let his expression soften, a small smile playing on his lips.]
I am glad to hear it. I am sure the family will be too.
[He gestured for Lancia to follow him back to the same room, letting the door shut quietly behind him.]
I had hoped that your response would be favorable, so I gathered a few things to show you so you wouldn't be going in blind.
Would you reconsider if I told you the punches weren't the worst part?
[Mukuro made his way to a storage cabinet, using a key hung around his neck to unlock it. Typically he wouldn't leave such sensitive things lying around, but he had anticipated ( or perhaps hoped ) Lancia wouldn't change his mind.
He got out a small box, sliding a few pictures across the table to Lancia. A fairly normal looking, if slightly wild, teenage boy with blonde hair was featured in them, making faces at the camera and grinning widely.]
This is Ken Joshima two years ago. Shortly after, his affliction manifested and...
[He slid another photo across. If it was the same boy, it was barely recognizable. He had a deep scar slashed over his face, the teeth he bared were sharp and pointy, not unlike a wolf. He had lost a lot of weight and was covered in scars. He had been strapped to a bed, and where the restraints held him were bloody bruises and teeth marks. His eyes were the worst, dark and pupiless, like staring into a never ending void. Even the photograph alone was enough to make Mukuro uneasy.
Mukuro kept his gaze on Lancia's face, voice soft.]
There's a video you should also see if you still want to go through with this.
[Having been on the bottom at some points in his life, Lancia can take a lot.]
[Leaning over the table, he tooks a look at the first few couple of pictures. Ken looks like a bunch of kids he’s seen around before, all energy and playfulness in that rough tumble sort of way which could endear a lot of people and annoy a whole lot of others.]
[It’s nothing at all like what the other picture shows, although Lancia knows it must be him. The void in his eyes makes something twist in his gut, as if a snake was curling around in his own body, and it reminds Lancia too much of too many things… none of them good. He takes in a slow, deep breath between his teeth.]
[It was said plainly enough, and while Mukuro pretended with most when it came to how much he cared, there had been something about Ken Joshima that he pitied and had wanted to protect. Perhaps it was because he had been so obedient and loyal and eager to please, and now he would lash out even at Mukuro. Or perhaps it was because through him, Mukuro was starting to see that there was might be repercussions for his actions and arrogance.
The question made Mukuro sigh as he sat down heavily.]
It's unclear. At first it was believed he was just ill, but then he began to attack people and himself.
[Mukuro's lashes lowered, a small frown overtaking his face.]
Now he only speaks an archaic form of Latin, and if you believe what can be translated, he's only the first.
[A vague cryptic answer, suffering, but Lancia decides to forgive Father Rokudo for that. He guesses when you’re dealing with demons, after all, things aren’t always clear cut. Glancing back down at the photos again despite the way they make his stomach turn, he grimaces.]
The first vessel. The beacon that will draw more demons here until there are no human souls left here.
[Though, considering how long this demon ( or demons ) had been inhabiting young Ken Joshima, meant that it was a slow process. Of course, Mukuro's translations were his own, and the other priests of his order were still arguing over semantics as if the context hadn't made the words clear.]
Sounds like a pretty confident sort of thing to say right off the bat.
[Without really meaning to, he finds himself slipping into old habits, like this is some meet up to discuss what group of punks are making a move into what will inevitably become a territory war.]
[That got a small, soft laugh out of Mukuro, who canted his head to the side to look over at Lancia more fully.]
Doesn't it? While I'm glad that their efforts have mostly be in vain, I would feel better if they had no vessels here at all.
[The question was met with a small frown as Mukuro leaned back into his chair.]
Without an exorcism, it is highly unlikely. Many doctors have tried many different treatments, and in the beginning most of our order were hopeful. Now we've only praying left. [A small pause.] And exorcism.
[But for many complicated political reasons, fear, and many of the priests being set in their ways, no one was going to recommend it, much less go through with it. Thankfully Mukuro wasn't restrained by such things.]
It's a tricky process to get an exorcism sanctioned.
[More like a near impossible, colossally slow process that none of the other priests seemed keen on initiating. None of them wanted to be held accountable for if something happened due to their decisions, and nor did they want to do more than overlook the very real suffering of a child in front of them. Mukuro's brow furrowed, and he looked away, resisting the urge to scowl.]
For now, I would appreciate if you could help me bathe and feed him. His parents do his best, but I would like to give them some reprieve.
[A frustrated noise has to be choked in the back of Lancia’s throat, and he tries to keep himself in check by curling his fingers into the palm of his hand. It all sounds like bureaucratic red tape nonsense, the kind of thing he can remember more than one person in his past sneering about and dipping into more…. Questionable ways of speeding things up.]
[But that’s not his life anymore, so he take in a deep breath and nods.]
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badliifechoiice22016-01-08 10:36 am
no subject
[His hands clench and relax against each other as he absorbs the information.]
...I can’t say I have much experience in that area, honestly.
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[He paused, smiling as comfortingly as he could.]
Before we go any further, I want you to truly think about if you would want to entangle yourself in such matters. The danger is very real, and I wouldn't want to ask this of you or anyone if I didn't have to.
[He stood, patting Lancia on the shoulder as he headed towards the door.]
I'll give you all the time you need to process and decide.
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[Before the priest can go too far, Lancia reaches up to catch him by the hand.]
I meant when I said that I wanted to help you in whatever way I could. Are you certain I could do so this way?
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Due to his condition, the youngest Joshima often needs to be restrained. While I have a better time at it than the more elderly members of our clergy, it's always a battle.
[In order not to elaborate further, he touched his eyes that had been bruised, even though it had long since healed.]
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Is that all you would need my help with, then? Restraining him?
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[Mukuro smiled, allowing some of his tiredness to seep into his tone, his expression.]
No, I'm asking for you to help me save him. The rest of the clergy has given up on him, but perhaps as someone who strayed from your faith only to return to it, you could provide a unique point of view and a unique solution.
no subject
[His shoulders roll in a shrug, hand falling back to his knee again. Theoretically, it should be simple, even if there are plenty of simple things in life that are incredibly hard to actually do. He’s never gone against a demon, although he’s gone against plenty of other men in the world who’d compare themselves as such, so he’d simply have to hope that he did the best and his faith held out to help the poor family out.]
[But it’s the next point that makes Lancia look a bit uneasy, glancing down at his hands. A unique solution, huh…?]
I’m not sure what I could offer there… but I would like to help, if you think I’m able.
no subject
[Mukuro gave him a small smile, turning to clasp the hand that had caught him gently.
While he was tempted to let Lancia tag along right here and now, there was some decorum he had to uphold. Besides, the Joshimas might not be prepared for such quick action. He let his touch linger for a few heart beats before letting go of the other man's hand, inclining his head gratefully.]
But I would really like you to consider this fully. I'll speak to you of it next week, if you're willing.
no subject
[Even as he says it, however, Lancia has a feeling that his mind is completely and fully made up. He knows himself, after this long, and he knows how it feels to subconsciously dig his feet in as he gets ready for a choice. Not that long ago, he’d felt more or less the same when he’d first considered starting his life anew.]
[Getting up to his feet, he nods to the priest.]
I’ll let you know my answer next week, then.
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[Mukuro inclined his head in return, opening the door for Lancia to go out first.]
I appreciate you hearing me out. Take care of yourself until I see you next.
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[It’s a hefty risk.]
[But he’d made an offer, and he won’t go back on it. Especially not when there’s a kid who needs help.]
[So as Sunday service passes again, Lancia waits until most of the congregation has left again before quietly approaching Mukuro.]
Father?
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He slanted his gaze up to look at Lancia, mouth curling up in a small, slightly tired smile.]
My, my, made your decision already? Should we go someplace quieter?
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[At least, for all the details he’ll no doubt have to be given on what to expect and do. However, for now, he takes in the priest’s obvious exhaustion and reaches over to place his hand on his shoulder with a reassuring squeeze.]
...But my answer is yes.
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I am glad to hear it. I am sure the family will be too.
[He gestured for Lancia to follow him back to the same room, letting the door shut quietly behind him.]
I had hoped that your response would be favorable, so I gathered a few things to show you so you wouldn't be going in blind.
no subject
[Following after him, Lancia glances around to try and see just what he’s in store for.]
I’ll do my best to roll with the punches. [And, remembering the black eye the priest got that one time-] Literally, if it’s needed.
no subject
[Mukuro made his way to a storage cabinet, using a key hung around his neck to unlock it. Typically he wouldn't leave such sensitive things lying around, but he had anticipated ( or perhaps hoped ) Lancia wouldn't change his mind.
He got out a small box, sliding a few pictures across the table to Lancia. A fairly normal looking, if slightly wild, teenage boy with blonde hair was featured in them, making faces at the camera and grinning widely.]
This is Ken Joshima two years ago. Shortly after, his affliction manifested and...
[He slid another photo across. If it was the same boy, it was barely recognizable. He had a deep scar slashed over his face, the teeth he bared were sharp and pointy, not unlike a wolf. He had lost a lot of weight and was covered in scars. He had been strapped to a bed, and where the restraints held him were bloody bruises and teeth marks. His eyes were the worst, dark and pupiless, like staring into a never ending void. Even the photograph alone was enough to make Mukuro uneasy.
Mukuro kept his gaze on Lancia's face, voice soft.]
There's a video you should also see if you still want to go through with this.
no subject
[Having been on the bottom at some points in his life, Lancia can take a lot.]
[Leaning over the table, he tooks a look at the first few couple of pictures. Ken looks like a bunch of kids he’s seen around before, all energy and playfulness in that rough tumble sort of way which could endear a lot of people and annoy a whole lot of others.]
[It’s nothing at all like what the other picture shows, although Lancia knows it must be him. The void in his eyes makes something twist in his gut, as if a snake was curling around in his own body, and it reminds Lancia too much of too many things… none of them good. He takes in a slow, deep breath between his teeth.]
How’d he get like that?
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[It was said plainly enough, and while Mukuro pretended with most when it came to how much he cared, there had been something about Ken Joshima that he pitied and had wanted to protect. Perhaps it was because he had been so obedient and loyal and eager to please, and now he would lash out even at Mukuro. Or perhaps it was because through him, Mukuro was starting to see that there was might be repercussions for his actions and arrogance.
The question made Mukuro sigh as he sat down heavily.]
It's unclear. At first it was believed he was just ill, but then he began to attack people and himself.
[Mukuro's lashes lowered, a small frown overtaking his face.]
Now he only speaks an archaic form of Latin, and if you believe what can be translated, he's only the first.
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The first what, exactly?
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[Though, considering how long this demon ( or demons ) had been inhabiting young Ken Joshima, meant that it was a slow process. Of course, Mukuro's translations were his own, and the other priests of his order were still arguing over semantics as if the context hadn't made the words clear.]
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[Without really meaning to, he finds himself slipping into old habits, like this is some meet up to discuss what group of punks are making a move into what will inevitably become a territory war.]
Can it be gotten out of him…?
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Doesn't it? While I'm glad that their efforts have mostly be in vain, I would feel better if they had no vessels here at all.
[The question was met with a small frown as Mukuro leaned back into his chair.]
Without an exorcism, it is highly unlikely. Many doctors have tried many different treatments, and in the beginning most of our order were hopeful. Now we've only praying left. [A small pause.] And exorcism.
[But for many complicated political reasons, fear, and many of the priests being set in their ways, no one was going to recommend it, much less go through with it. Thankfully Mukuro wasn't restrained by such things.]
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Is there a way I can help with that, then…? I mean, the kid is skin and bones- there won’t be much left of him soon enough.
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[More like a near impossible, colossally slow process that none of the other priests seemed keen on initiating. None of them wanted to be held accountable for if something happened due to their decisions, and nor did they want to do more than overlook the very real suffering of a child in front of them. Mukuro's brow furrowed, and he looked away, resisting the urge to scowl.]
For now, I would appreciate if you could help me bathe and feed him. His parents do his best, but I would like to give them some reprieve.
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[But that’s not his life anymore, so he take in a deep breath and nods.]
I think I can do tat.
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