(OPEN/CATCH-ALL) can't commit to anything but a crime

[bookofpowers]

WHO: chrollo lucilfer and you!
WHEN: november! i forgot what date it was when i wrote this.
WHERE: the apartment's recreation room, sector 5 church, nova city.
WHAT: a normal catch-all! drinking and making conversation in the recreational room, and snippets of his real self through the other locations!
NOTES\WARNINGS: i once again make mention of my opt-out for warnings, as they might come up. even so, i'll always warn on the subject line so you know what to expect within that tag!

Comments

SECTOR 5 CHURCH

[bookofpowers]

(churches had always been a monument of safety for him, and paired with the derelict aspect of it, chrollo couldn't feel more at home even if he tried.

he could easily live here, if he doesn't find another living soul who inhabits it - it wouldn't be the first time for him, his hideouts tend to be just as intact as this one. after checking it room by room, his attention can finally fall on the beauty of the lillies glowing in the rays of sunshine.

debris on his clothes are not a concern, he can sit in front of the flowers with nothing but admiration... and he might as well pick one.

nothing else of worth stealing in this town until now, anyway.)

[tinflower]

[ The door into the church creaks.

There's no masking it, the sigh as the cold air from outside slips in through the crack that Gorgug makes. He pokes his head in first, green skin, black sclera on white pupils that peer in: he sees a figure by the flowers, a visible thing.

Oh. Is it Aerith? He doesn't bother to call out but instead lets himself in proper; steps in through the space, closes the door behind him. The interior of the church isn't what you would call warm (especially with the hole in the roof...), but it's polite, and Gorgug has some manners. He walks, a figure of 6'6", green-skinned and with a hunch to his shoulders; his steps slow, his hands close to his stomach and near to lacing, or fiddling, but not. ]

Aerith? [ It's not a shape that looks particularly like Aerith up ahead, but Gorgug still calls it out, cautious--more so for the fact that he expects Aerith, and she's someone he's come to see.

Because some people don't think to check a contact list first before making a trip to a derelict church. ]

the mental image i just had of chrollo as aerith.......

[bookofpowers]

(of course he hears the door, the breeze gently swaying the dust as specks in the rays of light. it's a nice view... and due to the lack of hostility he feels from whoever arrives, he can afford to take a moment to appreciate it before he turns to the voice who calls.

definitely not aerith. a man with a bandana around his forehead, large gray eyes and average style that looks back at--...? not unlike some of the people he's met here, nor too different from some one may find at home. uncommon, but not unheard of.

perhaps this church, falling apart as is, is someone else's comfort spot.)

... Apologies, I don't know an Aerith. There was nobody here when I first arrived...

i believe in it, chrollo (◕‿◕) you've got it

[tinflower]

[ Gorgug looks, not quite sure about what he's seeing until he's had a good look at it, and is this short-haired, bandanna-wearing, more male-appearing figure Aerith? No, Gorgug realises, the more that he does see them; as he better makes out their shape and the structure of their face, and, yes. Not Aerith.

His steps slow to a stop, the answer given as well that makes Gorgug question what he's going to do. A small ] Oh [ that still manages to echo against the open space around them, or at least carries well in the church. He looks around, but then starts to walk again--as it would be a waste of a trip if he just turned immediately around, right? ]

That's okay... she takes care of the flowers here. I guess it's too cold, or-- I don't know if she's been coming out here. I haven't seen her in a while.

[ Because he hasn't seen many people he knows as of late, so his mind doesn't think to consider the possibility that she's gone. He's walked some pews closer to Chrollo, and truly, there doesn't seem to be anything imposing or hostile about the half-orc that's joined the church with him. There's no visible weaponry on him, and he's decided to shove his empty hands into the pocket of the hoodie he wears.

His gaze doesn't even sit on Chrollo for long, acknowledging him, but then darting down to not linger too long on his face. He's a little awkward. ]

Did you come here to pray?

https://i.imgur.com/tBdWZoE.png

[bookofpowers]

(he's not yet aware that people can be returned. the amount of things he isn't aware of is quite concerning, just one more drop on the pile of reasons why he's submissive as of now - but then again, if he hasn't seen her, perhaps she doesn't want to be found? where could a person hide, is it even possible on the long run?

he'll take note later, but now, there's a stranger addressing him, and he'll listen wholeheartedly.)

... I grew up somewhere similar, so I wanted the familiarity.

(for once, not a lie! it certainly did mark him in many ways - determinism, the saint peter's cross in the long coat he wore in his universe, the numbers of his followers, and symbolism in what he built.)

Are you a believer?

he's beautiful...................

[tinflower]

[ Gorgug nods in understanding, though it's not the personal sort; perhaps telling in when he replies, except he doesn't do so quickly. He needs to consider his answer, with he does so with a squint of his eyes, his voice slow to start. ]

I...don't have a god I follow, if that's what you mean? But I don't unbelieve anyone. [ A beat. ] I don't know who this church is for though. Do churches have to be for one god...?

[ He's trying to answer sincerely, he promises, and he's casting a look around again, as if he might see a name he just so happened to miss in big letters somewhere deeming which deity is meant to be worshipped. ]

AND he's grace

[bookofpowers]

Is there no such a thing in your world?

(although the concept seems to be grasped just right, he supposes. a quick look around, he sees nothing particularly telling to him about whether the religion practiced here is one he knows.)

I also can't tell, but I suppose it depends on the church and the people who lead it. Is your friend the preacher?

and he'll do something worse than punch you in the face

[tinflower]

No-- maybe? [ He's answering the last of what the guy says, but- ] They're a florist. They take care of the flowers.

[ He points to said flowers that Chrollo had been admiring, and if the plucked flower is visible, he makes no comment on it being removed. He's not a flower guy; and if Aerith doesn't like people picking them, well, he doesn't know. ]

I don't know if she's religious. I guess-- she could be. Usually it's easy to tell when someone's religious. They're really into it.

[ But what is it like being religious in Etraya? Do they still feel godly things? Things Gorgug has never thought about, and probably won't when he leaves the church. ]

[bookofpowers]

(all these maybe's and don't knows!!! but alas, unimportant. if she comes here, he'll address her as this kid instructs. a florist who takes care of the treasure he's taken a little of.

or at least, he thinks the boy's a kid. the body language tells him as such.)

I'll let them know you're looking for them. What is your name and age?

[tinflower]

[ 'I'll let them know', and asking for his name and age, what? Gorgug does look at the guy for a blank second, then points to the closest pew to the front. ]

It's okay, I'm gonna wait for her there.

[ On a seat. So he doesn't need his registration details, right? ]

[bookofpowers]

I'll be in the back.

(LISTEN. 'this teen/guy/child/man called so and so' was looking for you is much better than 'this weird green-skinned creature', okay...

chrollo himself is not leaving either, but he won't stay in the same spot for no reason when his introspection's been broken. he's busy in the backrooms, searching for something, anything about the church, the people, how it ended up in here in the first place.

very welcome to come see him if aerith doesn't come around.)

[tinflower]

[ do you want his driving licence too!!!!

Gorgug doesn't say anything to that, letting the guy go and doing as he said he would himself: sitting down and waiting. He's got enough on him to distract him for a relative amount of time, half an hour to a full one. Some people wouldn't take so long to do the smart thing, and to think to check their contacts to see if the person they're waiting for is arriving.

It's not really about being smart though, and more about not wanting to send a message.

But he thinks about it eventually, which means he checks the contacts, and then checks it a couple of times before he comes to a conclusion that his waiting has been largely useless (it was, anyway). So it's then that he goes into the back, which we hope you've been having fun in there...

Gorgug will stop, just to see what he's doing. Found anything of note, Chrollo? ]

[bookofpowers]

(you have DOCUMENTS??? WOAH.

there hadn't been a whole lot to occupy his mind, sadly. he snooped enough, and for most of that time, he had been busy with his notebook of notes - etraya, the residents, the information he's been able to gather from it and from the residents around him. he's lost in thought for the majority of that time, staring at paper and adding further and further until he hears the footsteps.

closing the notes in one shift motion, his eyes move to the person who arrives.)

Oh. Any news from your friend?

[balanced]

[ it takes some time for 6 to reach the further parts of the city that he's been taken to, but he's in no particular rush to continue his investigation. rather, he takes his time to get to know the surroundings, taking his time to stop by even those that feel unfamiliar to him.

he doesn't appear to notice that he has company as he makes his way into the dilapidated church, and a soft voice can be heard accompanying each footstep: ]

382... 383... 384... 385...

[bookofpowers]

(he's quick to hide the flower right within sight, amongst the sea of petals arranged in a way that one couldn't tell it's been plucked in the first place. a familiar voice... six has a tone to his words, a calmness to them that feels characteristic to him only. after all, he's the person chrollo speaks to the most as of now, he feels like he could recognize it anywhere.

he doesn't think he was followed, there's no feeling of tension, just... fate?)

Six?

(his low pitch travels in the echos of the building, his head turning to where the sound is coming from.)

[balanced]

[ at first, as chrollo calls out his name, there's silence. the footsteps pause, and with them, the counting — it remains like this for a moment. it does pass though, and eventually the footsteps continue. patience shows that they seem to grow closer, until 6 finally rounds one of the pillars to come face to face with the other. ]

Mr. Chrollo.

[ he nods, offering that as his greeting in turn. his dress is different today — an elaborate toga traded for layered, modern shirts and a pair of jeans. he wears no other ornaments, and the thin gold crown from before seems to be the only thing that remains. ]

I apologize if I have intruded at an inopportune time. Do not allow me to distract you.

[bookofpowers]

Blending in already?

(not a sight he was expecting to see. perhaps he expected six to be too deep in his ways to attempt something so contrasting to what he had shown until now, how interesting of a change. he misses his own attires, even if he sometimes prefers to wear skin rather than A DAMN SHIRT, but he does what he can with what etraya has for him in terms of outfits for today.)

You're never an intrusion. Feel free to enjoy the church.

[balanced]

It was insisted upon that 37 and I procure more appropriate clothing, especially for the coming season.

[ which, seeing as they are no longer on the island, included a change of clothes more appropriate for the weather in at least some ways. as it stands, 6 can't say he's entirely used to the way this style of clothing clings to him now, compared to the loose robes of apeiron. alas, chrollo seems to be more comfortable in his, at least, and for now, 6 finds his eyes are more drawn to the lilies blooming in the centre of the room than anything that either of them are wearing. ]

This is... one of the locations built on behalf of a resident?

[ a genuine question. it feels distinct from the city surrounding it. ]

[bookofpowers]

You'd freeze in your old outfit, certainly.

(there's a little noise once he stands, patting the outfit clear of dust and debris before he finds a pew to sit upon. even at a distance, it's a gorgeous view - the specks of dirt he raised waltzing against sunlight, falling and disappearing on the whiteness of the petals.

rather nice.)

... It does feel personal that way. Is there anything you're hoping will be built for you?

(there's a moment where his fingers move to the necklace he's wearing, almost fidgetting.)

[balanced]

[ 6 watches with an indifferent seeming expression as chrollo rises from his seat, patting the dust off of his own change of clothes and taking in the sight before them. the flowers under the light feel almost as if they're glowing, and it is hard to deny the beauty of the sight.

as for himself, 6 shakes his head. ]

I do not need such keepsakes of the phenomenal world.

[ as nice as they may be, it's not something he would go so far as to assert that he hopes for. rather, he'll turn the question on chrollo instead: ]

And yourself?

[bookofpowers]

I suppose I'm the same.

(what could this place even build for him? meteor city is not meteor city for the buildings, and he doesn't really have a place to call his own being always on the move. there's no need, no feeling.

but very gently, he'll nudge six's shoulder.)

Do you have churches? Religion?

[balanced]

The School of Apeiron pays respects to gods of Ancient Greek history. Zeus, Apollo, and similar.

[ whether the other would be familiar with those characters, 6 is uncertain, but he offers their names in case there may draw a similarity between the two places from which they come — if only a small one. at the nudge, 6 turns his head to meet chrollo's eyes. ]

However, the foundations of our own beliefs would perhaps align more closely with a philosophy.

[ thin though the distinction between the two may be at times, it's a distinction nonetheless. ]

[bookofpowers]

Greek?

(some parallels do exist, naturally, but the names don't match. even Christianity is known in his world, but most likely from a different place, a different idea. some things match, some don't.)

That makes sense, such as your dismissal of beans, correct?

(there's a pause. his own view does somewhat match six's in some points, so curiosity brings him to ask.)

Do you believe in the afterlife?

[balanced]

[ the beans isn't what he'd expected to be recognized, but 6 offers a nod nonetheless. ]

It is a teaching of Pythagoras.

[ and therefore, it's seen as a valuable lesson in the school of apeiron. as for 6... well, he sees the value in following even the rules that may seem nonsensical to outsiders.

more importantly, at the question that follows, 6 pauses for a moment, thoughtful. ]

We believe in the cycle of reincarnation, a suffering from which we must escape.

[bookofpowers]

I wish you would tell me more 'I's rather than 'we's.

(not that he isn't interested in what the school preaches, far from it, but he's asking six. it perhaps might be a little too invasive, he understands that - he too would have trouble thinking in personal terms if the questions he poses were asked directly at him.

still. he's most likely endeavoring to project this onto himself, try to understand what he feels through a different lens. at least for this question he poses, there's an answer from chrollo himself.)

I believe in ghosts and the afterlife, for instance. I don't accept this is all there is, although reincarnation doesn't fit my world view.