KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[possedere]

[As long as the priest knows.

Mukuro looked around at the sleepy town around them, tempted to go back into the car to nap more because he was still exhausted, but he was also curious to see just what his cute little priest would get up to.]

I'll go with you. Maybe they have a store with cute hats for you.

[kokuyoyo]

Have you always had this strange obsession with hats?

[Frowning a little, Chikusa ate the rest of his garlic knot and settled back into the driver's seat. There'd have to be somewhere to stop at in this little town, surely, but they couldn't just sit here in a gas station.]

Surely it couldn't have started with me.

[possedere]

It started with you.

[Which was partly true, partly a lie, but what else was new? Mukuro had always enjoyed the elaborate clothes and costumes human beings had draped over themselves. Perhaps it had something to do with original sin, reminding him of the embarrassment and shame humans had felt when they realized they were naked and had to clothe themselves. Or perhaps he just liked stripping off layers like unwrapping paper from a present. Or some unheady mix of the two or neither at all.

He offered his arm for the priest to take, smirking.]

I'm interested in what interests you.

[kokuyoyo]

[Definitely sounds fake, but okay.]

[Warily, Chikusa accepts Mukuro's arm. It... sends a certain image, he thinks, the pair of them like this, and the demon must know that. However, in a whole different town that he might never see again, does it matter as much as it might...?]

[Well. Either way. Leaning a little closer, he raises an eyebrow pointedly at the demon.]

Then find Jesus.

[possedere]

[He was a bit surprised when the priest took his arm, but for once he didn't bother on commenting it to ruin the moment, instead starting off towards the direction of the town, aimless for once.

He tilted his head to the side to meet the priest when he leaned forward, laughing lightly at the suggestion.]

And if I already have? We don't get along.

[Mostly because Mukuro was a creepy stalker who dragged people into sin gleefully but who was keeping track.]

[kokuyoyo]

Then I'd have to question how much you're interested in what interests me.

[He keeps his steps carefully controlled, not wanting to be in a hurry or outpace his infernal companion. There's so little in the town, nothing at all like the city he's grown up in where homes and offices and businesses often clustered together. Here, he could probably cross from one end of the town to the other side and not come across half the business the city would have put into that much space.]

[Pausing outside of a barely lit antique store, he tugs at Mukuro's arm quietly.]

[possedere]

Even the closest of people will have some differences.

[One just had to look at him and Her for instance.

But that was neither here nor there, and amused, he allowed Chikusa Kakimoto to drag him into the antique store, peering around curiously.]

I should have known you would be interested in old relics.

[kokuyoyo]

[In a store like this, there's no rush, and Chikusa quietly peers at the smaller items on display. Maybe just one thing... He can't waste too much of his money, and he's trapped in his car for who knows how long. But...]

[Mukuro's words have him glance over to him with a faint frown.]

What does that mean?

[possedere]

You're an old soul, Chikusa Kakimoto.

[It's more of an observation than an insult, but given how amused Mukuro looked over it, it could be taken that way. He let go of the priest's arm to look around himself, curious.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Pausing at a small hanging display of various crosses on little chains or simple leather, because of course he would, Chikusa only gets more suspicious at Mukuro's words.]

Are you mocking me...?

[possedere]

Would I do such a thing?

[You would and have done so multiple times, Mukuro. He was right to be suspicious.]

Are you looking for something in particular?

[Having already searched for hats and finding none, he had circled back, bored.]

[kokuyoyo]

I'm not deigning that with an answer....

[If the demon was going to lie, at least he could try to put a little more effort into it.]

[Speaking of- as Mukuro comes back around from his unsuccessful hat hunt, Chikusa finally chooses one cross in particular and rubs his fingers across its front.]

No... [His head tilts down a bit further, chin to his chest.] Or.... not exactly. Something to remember this place, I suppose.

[possedere]

[A wise choice, though the way that Mukuro laughed at it might not make it seem to be so. He rested his chin against the taller man's shoulder as he looked over the crosses, snorting slightly.]

Why not get a kitchy shot glass or a post card? As a priest, don't you have enough crosses?

[kokuyoyo]

[If Mukuro is involved, it's already a wrong choice.]

[Anyway.]

I'm thinking of making an entire wall full of them. [That is probably deadpan.] At any rate, it's an easier thing to carry.... A shot glass would break while I'm traveling, for example...

Besides, I don't want to encourage you with more alcohol.

[possedere]

You think it would save your soul, priest?

[Still, it wasn't as pointed as it typically was, and he let it lie instead of dragging it out. He let out a small laugh at the thought of him being the one 'encouraged' by alcohol, shooting the priest an amused look.]

I hardly was the one emboldened by it.

[But he didn't want to ruin the priest's good mood with too much teasing, so he released him, looking through the crosses.]

Pick whichever one you want and I'll buy it for you. As thanks for the snacks.

[kokuyoyo]

[Both comments get the utmost dead eyed look at the demon, daring him to continue with either line of conversation, before he glances back down at the cross he'd first picked up.]

...This one, then. Since you're feeling the spirit of generosity today.

[possedere]

I'm always generous when it comes to you priest.

[He plucked the cross out from his hands, giving him a sickly sweet smile.]

Was there anything else you wanted?

[kokuyoyo]

...You always manage to sound disingenuous when you smile like that.

[An excellent actor, the demon is not. Still, Chikusa shakes his head and starts to follow him along to the cash register where an old woman waits.]

No... Not exactly. Nothing that can be bought here, at least.

[possedere]

Aren't demons only capable of lying anyway?

[He smiled far more pleasantly at the woman at the counter, handing over his card as he turned back towards the priest, attention caught by that simple statement.]

Such as?

[kokuyoyo]

We've had this talk already.

[He swears to God, Mukuro. Whether it's that or some other reason, Chikusa goes quiet, staying in the background with his chin tipped down towards his chest. It's only when they've exited out into the cool fall air does he answer.]

...It's hard to explain... But... [Subtly, he glances over at Mukuro from the side, quietly embarrassed in a way.] This is the first place I've ever traveled to.... outside of my home.

[possedere]

[They had, but it didn't mean it wasn't a talking point Mukuro wasn't more than willing to bring up again and again just to be a rude demon.

That being said, he listened curiously to Chikusa Kakimoto's vague explanation, raising an eyebrow.]

So this is more than just souvenirs then?

[kokuyoyo]

[Not wanting to maintain eye contact, Chikusa glances away again, feeling more embarrassed than he did when he first put on the childish hat in the morning with the knowledge of how weird Mukuro is about them.]

...What are the purpose of souvenirs anyway...?

[To remember that you were in a place... Being able to at least keep a fragment of it with you or in your home, a sign that you existed in another place. Isn't that the point of them? And he'll be going to many more places past this.... It seems overwhelming. Piece by piece, maybe it can be manageable.]

[possedere]

[It was always adorable to see his cute little priest struggling to become something akin to a human being, to stumble upon something people took for granted or did without thought. Mukuro watched his expression for a few moments, amused, before linking their arms again and leading him outside of the shop.]

To help them remember a good and happy time in their life. If that's what you're searching for Chikusa Kakimoto, then indeed we're in the wrong place.

[Even though he had never been to this town before, he walked with a purpose, heading towards the center of the town.]

[kokuyoyo]

Wh-

[It's easy to avoid stumbling when Mukuro suddenly starts to lead him off somewhere- an advantage that comes with long legs- but it doesn't help Chikusa be any less confused as he blinks in confusion at the demon.]

Where are you taking me?

[possedere]

To get you a proper souvenir.

[If this town didn't have something strange to get people to sped more than five seconds here, Mukuro would be surprised. It only took following some gaudily dressed tourist to bring them to 'the world's largest stamp ball', with a row of convenient gift shops lined up all around it.

He turned to the priest, grinning.]

Let's go take a picture.