Ah, mais non, not because of sin. Sin requires repentance, non? And I have none to give.
[He smiles, and while not where Hansa can see it, surely he can hear it in his voice. It's the kind of smile that might belong to a man confessing something he's long made peace with.]
You may be right about knowledge. It is a fine substitute for happiness, though. It's cold, bright, and heavy enough to fill the void when joy will not come.
...I don't know if I believe that. One can always find repentance. Or maybe it hasn't found you, yet. The only ones who have no repentance are walking corpses.
[Sad, how sad. He doesn't want to pity the man, and he won't allow himself too. Still, it feels like staring down at someone down a well, who wants to live there.]
Then you need to find something who will fill that. Someone, even. The world is your oyster. It still is open to you.
[Then is he merely a walking corpse? The thought annoys him. Absurd, insulting, and yet it lingers. Lobelia scoffs under his breath, a brittle sound that fails to fully mask his irritation.
It's been some time since anyone’s managed to dig their fingers in quite so deep. Father Hansa does have a talent for it, doesn't he?]
Oh? You speak like an expert on the subject. I wouldn't have guessed you were a marieur as well as a priest.
Well then, won't you point me in the right direction? Don't tell me the rest is in my hands.
What a shame! And here I thought you could do it all.
[Alas...]
Take your time thinking of clever questions, ma cher Père. I shall concoct a few of my own for you, too. In the meantime... do take care of yourself, oui? I would hate to miss our next meeting because of some preventable misfortune.
....That so. [And his expression is sombering once more.] Either way. I hope you help. It would be a shame to have you sit out and let us do all the work.
Oui... I suppose that would be a shame, wouldn't it? Watching from the sidelines has never been my style. But worry not, Père. If the horrors come calling, I'll be sure to answer in kind. You may yet find that I am the one doing the saving.
Still... I appreciate the sentiment. It's nice to be offered a place to fall, even if I don't plan to use it.
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[He smiles, and while not where Hansa can see it, surely he can hear it in his voice. It's the kind of smile that might belong to a man confessing something he's long made peace with.]
You may be right about knowledge. It is a fine substitute for happiness, though. It's cold, bright, and heavy enough to fill the void when joy will not come.
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[Sad, how sad. He doesn't want to pity the man, and he won't allow himself too. Still, it feels like staring down at someone down a well, who wants to live there.]
Then you need to find something who will fill that. Someone, even. The world is your oyster. It still is open to you.
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It's been some time since anyone’s managed to dig their fingers in quite so deep. Father Hansa does have a talent for it, doesn't he?]
Oh? You speak like an expert on the subject. I wouldn't have guessed you were a marieur as well as a priest.
Well then, won't you point me in the right direction? Don't tell me the rest is in my hands.
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[Speak to him in his mother language Please...put some SPANISH into it binch....]
Hm? You want me to guide you? [So he's open to it? That's good.] I'd like to get to know you better. But I'll see where I can help.
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[What have the Spanish ever done for the Skydom?]
Ah, but do not treat me like some enigma to be unraveled! If you have a question, ask. I am an open book, oui?
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[What relationships?]
Hm. That so? I'll have to think of some good questions, then. Maybe you have some for me, down the line.
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[Alas...]
Take your time thinking of clever questions, ma cher Père. I shall concoct a few of my own for you, too. In the meantime... do take care of yourself, oui? I would hate to miss our next meeting because of some preventable misfortune.
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[A little dully, as he moves to stand.]
We already have preventable misfortune on our hands.
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[Not that Lobelia sounds bothered, much less frightened.]
There may well be more carnage to come. These things are rarely isolated incidents.
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You really don't seem bothered.
[An observation.]
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[It's a fair observation, one he isn't surprised Hansa called him on... but he was hoping he wouldn't.]
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Yes! Please. Shake and tremble and ask for this humble priest to come save you from the horrors.
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[He laughs, unbothered, as though the notion of being frightened truly never occurred to him.]
Alas... I've lived with horrors far more intimate than this place could conjure. You'll forgive me if my nerves have grown dull.
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[Hehehe.]
....That so. [And his expression is sombering once more.] Either way. I hope you help. It would be a shame to have you sit out and let us do all the work.
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Still... I appreciate the sentiment. It's nice to be offered a place to fall, even if I don't plan to use it.
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[Hmmph.]
Maybe one day, you will have to. And I'll be there. So.....I'll see you around, Lobelia.
[And he's walking away, into this new night of death.]