[008]

[bloodsugar]

A): phone - mid-morning.

[OPEN;]

[one hazard of spending a good deal of your time lurking on the phone lines is that one might become prone to forgetting that people can HEAR you while you listen. so, it's entirely innocent, of course, when the half-absent and somewhat petulant mumble comes across the phone lines sometime this morning.]

...all this talk of Valentines Day... honestly! As if they're rubbing it in some of us are destined to be forever alone. 'Vow of celibacy'? More like vow of perpetual and ongoing boredom.

[...a pause.]

It's not like I wanted to find out what a romantic holiday with another human being is like, regardless... eh? I'm sure edible underwear isn't all it's cracked up to be, anywa--

[...]

Eh? [wait for it.]

AH--

[...there's a rather flustered squawk, and a hasty CLICK of the phone into the cradle.]

[filter to Charles Fei-Ong]

Alright, so maybe I'm a little late in checking in. You'll forgive me, right? After all, I'm sure you've been busy collecting recipes and taste testing! [no really are you okay... :| last time he saw you, after all, was... uh, colorful, to say the least.]

...I don't suppose you'd be up for a cup of tea, Charles? [he has a feeling you'll just bs him even if you weren't alright over the phone, anyway. CLEARLY HE MUST BE NOSY IN PERSON.]

[filter to Esther Blanchett]

Esther-- do you have a minute? There's... ah, something I wanted to ask you. [AND IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH EDIBLE UNDERWEAR HE SWEARS DEAR GOD.]

[filter to Django]

How are you holding up, partner? I hope the radio silence is because you've been gloriously enjoying the sunshine, hm? Making up for lost time and all that...! [are you okay partner? :(]

B): action; 1648 Albright Lane - lunchtime.

[there's the smell of something burning, late in the morning approaching lunchtime -- and if Rachel or Cain follows their nose, they might find the source in the form of one (1) Abel Nightroad with his drone wife's FRILLY PINK APRON several sizes too small draped around his neck and haphazardly tied back in the process of butchering... grilled cheese. yes, he is a total failure.

...somehow, he's gotten butter all over the counter and is trying to catch an overturned bottle of orange juice that is apparently spilling its contents over and onto the floor. the pan is burning and he's jostling cups and plates, trying not to drop EVERYTHING EVER as he fumbles to cease the spill of juice fruitlessly.

NO ONE SAID YOUR DAD WAS GOOD AT BEING DOMESTIC. this is why.]

C): action; around town - afternoon.

[the tall, lanky, and often times clumsy priest is among your streets today, Mayfield! anyone similarly prone to hitting up the bakery quite often might recognize his face, or simply wish to gape at the way he's leaving cheerily with a bag under his arm and so engrossed in the effort of inhaling the vanilla frosted doughnut in his hand he is clearly not paying attention to anything else. ...like the sidewalk. which, he may or may not inevitably trip over at an uneven crack and WOEFULLY lose his doubtlessly precious bounty as the bag tumbles to spill the fruits of his labor everywhere...

...and maybe his doughnut might happen to ah. misplace... itself from his hand and end up on your face. WHAT DO?]

D): action; church - evening.

[Abel's day eventually brings him to someplace to seek solace, to rest a weary soul... or something of that effect. one who enters might be hard pressed to FIND said priest who should be more or less easy to spot on the regular, right? how many 6'4 lanky bastards in cassock ARE there in here?

...but if one is apt enough, they might notice that the Father's side of the confessional is occupied. do you care to confess? ...or notice that said Father might just be lightly snoring if you listen hard enough...]

Comments

[encored]

[the slip in his expression doesn't last long at all, but at least he seems in slightly better shape now. not quite so 'hovering on the edge of having a mental fit and possibly killing more things in the process', at least....]

I suppose so, though that sounds vaguely like the self-reassurance from one who knows they simply can't do better. But they do say practise makes perfect, so perhaps that's all you need, hm?

[bloodsugar]

[Abel will keep the little glimmer of hope to himself; he wouldn't want to spoil it, after all. this wasn't the reaction he was expecting -- really, not at all, but...

it's progress, right? it might not happen overnight. it might not happen for a long time yet, but... at least he knew how he stood on things. now down the line, Abel's got his hand out for Charles to take when he's ready. sometimes, knowing someone was there was necessary.]

Practice? Is that your way of saying you want to hear another...?

[encored]

[it is a relief of sorts to know someone is willing to offer support despite his clear warning, even if it's one Charles won't admit to himself.

in the meantime, deflection is as good a tactic as any for saving face! his pride and the sore nature of this particular problem make it difficult to tackle head-on just yet. ...which is why he'll just stew quietly with it until he eventually snaps and pisses Ciel off enough to start a fight in the process whoops]

Do you know of any others? It must be difficult for you to thread ideas together into a coherent story without any base examples to work from. Doesn't your world lack fables and fairy tales?

[bloodsugar]

[that's always healthy. you know, pissing off nuns. especially when they're Ciel.]

Eh? My world has plenty of fairy tales and fables, actually. Um-- Grimm's tales and the like... You know, princesses and knights in shining armor? Evil witches and goblins, trolls... Dragons! [hand motions! for dragons! or fighting! who the hell knows.]

[encored]

[yes exactly, what kind of vampirish creature wouldn't want to go toe-to-toe with someone that hunts them for a living

but oho arching a brow at that.]

They're lovely stories, aren't they? I'm quite partial to the original Grimm's tales myself, and their true endings. [IN ALL THEIR HORRIFIC GLORY...] Ah, but it's strange. Cain seems unaware of them. He didn't recognise any of the fables I mentioned when I visited him earlier. [yes let's just slowly guide this conversation in a much different direction...]

[bloodsugar]

[it's a general rule of thumb that nuns are frightening, nevermind nuns who hunt YOUR PARTICULAR BRAND OF CRAZY for a living back home... good thing Charles exercises such sound logic amirite...

...ahh, god damnit. he scratches his cheek.]

Really? Well, I guess we were a little sheltered growing up. I didn't know much about them myself until I met Caterina. She had quite a fondness for fairy tales.

[encored]

[it's times like now that his totally stable and sane thought pattern saves him, yes......

he tilts his head to one side because 'a little sheltered' isn't how he's heard it worded before, but he's not going to question that just yet aren't you lucky you've escaped the grill for now.]

At least you've managed to catch up since your childhood. It would be a terrible shame for you to miss out on so much. [and then, in a curious tone:] Caterina?

[bloodsugar]

[rubbing the back of his head thoughtfully, he chuckles -- oh, it's obvious he's speaking of someone he's quite fond of when he answers this question.]

Caterina is my boss! And, my best friend at home. She's the Cardinal Caterina Sforza, Duchess of Milan and the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A real mouthful, right?

[encored]

[the amount of affection is duly noted, but oh, boss? give him a second, give him a secooond...]

...Is this the one who you said would drive you bald eventually?

[bloodsugar]

The very same~! [yes... yes......... looking touched and wistful as he talks....] My demonic boss also happens to be my incredibly adorable best friend -- can you imagine? Yet despite our friendship, she has absolutely no problems abusing me within an inch of my life in service to her and the Church. Can you believe that? I suppose they don't call her the "Iron Lady" for nothing...

[encored]

[he feels like he should find this relationship a little troubling...]

It seems those involved with churches are highly questionable individuals. That, or you personally just seem to attract highly questionable individuals. [charles do you realise that includes you] She sounds an interesting person, at the very least.

[bloodsugar]

...I'll take that as a compliment, considering my current company.

[but, you know, this is a good segue...]

You know, you haven't told me much about what you do at home, Charles.

[encored]

[NO THAT'S A VERY BAD SEGUE home is just about the last thing he wants to talk about when he's in a foul mood! of course, none of this DNW shows outside of a slight tensing in his shoulders.]

I don't do much, really. Certainly nothing that could compare to the extensive world travels of a wandering priest of the Vatican.

[bloodsugar]

Then it should be a rather short story to tell, right? And since you've gotten such a flair for it, no trouble at all!

[you just kinda walked right into that one, bro.]

[encored]

[why. he clicks his tongue in annoyance and just kind of... gives a pointed stare. but he can word things carefully when he feels like it!!]

I've the flair to tell it, naturally, but it's still rather dull. I enjoy reading in my free time, and I work for a pharmaceutical company. [...well it's true by the slightest of technicalities!]

[bloodsugar]

...Pharmaceutical company. [well, he didn't see that one coming -- the arched brow saying as much.] In... what capacity?

[encored]

[see it's surprising but so bland, the perfect cover]

I lend aid to an acquaintance that works on staff when it's needed. [the laziest shrug...] More production than shipping or counter work. It's not like a person that appears my age would be able to hold a full-time job if it requires being in the eye of the public.

aslkdjg forgive my fail!late... /crawls on...

[bloodsugar]

[it really would be if it wasn't also SO WEIRD AND RANDOM CHARLES WHY.]

Really? So... you're just working there as a favor to a friend? [HEART OF GOLD?]

it's okay i will wait 4 u 5ever

[encored]

[DON'T RAIN ON HIS PARADE his cleverly disguised parade...]

I am, yes. It's not as unbelievable as you're making it sound, you know? That's a little offensive.

/sniffs dramatically, touched by your generosity...

[bloodsugar]

[so, so very clever in it's disguise. no one suspects the... pharmacist.]

Well, I thought the shoe fit. [he's such a flatterer...]

strikes a heroic pose and rides valiantly off into the sunset!!!

[encored]

[he'd have the murder mystery sleuths stumped from the start. what a tongue twister...

also, now he really is looking offended. HE CAN DO GOOD WITHOUT PUTTING A PRICE TAG ON IT OKAY even if that's not actually the case here details]

It's not as though I'll turn to ash and blow away in the wind if I choose to lend someone aid.

/s-swoons after.... in a most damsel-like fashion.....

[bloodsugar]

[ABEL BELIEVES IN YOU however he is obligated to troll you forever.]

...Are you so sure? I mean-- we're probably better off not tempting luck, right? I would hate for you to blow away into ash, Charles!

we could star in our own fairytale, it will be a chart topper

[encored]

[is he cursed to spend his life surrounded by trolls, is that it]

What do you think I am? I'm not going to blow away into ash for any reason, and adverse as I am to wasting my time, I can afford to spare a few minutes now and then. [or a few hours... or a few decades.....]

would charles tell said fairy tale to abel one day /bats eyelashes

[bloodsugar]

...But you just said...!

[because CLEARLY you were serious and not being sarcastic at all. clearly. I mean, that was so so obvious just now.]

of course gather round babby priests he will tell horrible tales

[encored]

[it's like everyone he knows is in a race to see who can get him to angrily flip a table at them first]

Don't be an idiot. I know it's difficult but please, try for me.