gocirclegogo | (no subject)

[And to Lion's credit, she did remember to nag him endlessly until he promised to be civil, even though he would've done so anyway. Personal opinions and business are completely separate things after all.

Well whatever, it's barely a few seconds after Kida started knocking that the door's answer. An agreed time, so why not wait downstairs in the peace of no lion-lectures to rest or play nice.] Late by a few minutes.

[With all the aura of he doesn't care in the least.]

Were you that eager to see me?

[Kida comes in, a bag full of books and pamphlets with him, as he follows Will to wherever Will wants to talk]

Is it true you were a priest or something? Lion-chan wasn't really that specific, so it was hard to tell.

Don't push it.

[And with how fast his expression falls to apathy with the words, the request is pretty obvious. Taking the high route, both from Lion's request and for what he's answering, but please don't make it hard Kida.

Then turning away and heading upstairs. Same office upstairs where he does his writing, or where the 3am Erika meetings transpire, or - more relevantly - where Mikado always raids for answers to things. It's only fitting.] First-class Archbishop, actually. It's close enough for what you're looking for.

[And if Kida was smart enough to read into anything beforehand, he can catch that playing off the kind of position that lets one boss around a group the size of a small army is done to keep him from freaking out over it.]

[he actually has been reading up, although he's not going to act impressed with Will, even if he is impressed]

That sounds about right.

[Kida flops down in the office and starts taking books out]

Christianity was different for you though, I mean different from this place. Back where you were from it was pretty mainstream, right? Here it's all considered some dangerous cult. I heard they're even involved in illegal arms trading.

[Less of a move to impress him and more like with almost any human who goes to a priest or higher to answer questions, instead of just asking a random church-goer. It means they're serious, but usually also nervous, and the first thing is making the atmosphere relaxed enough for the person to speak freely. Step one: play down the importance.]

The only reason it became mainstream for humans were because of the numerous crusades. [No need to mention the countless other wars in God's name, or that many of the crusades were utterly ridiculous and most humans and angels only tagged along for the amusement of it. So many layoffs that year.]

And I'm not involved with the churches because of that. Many of them have lost sight and were blinded by power or wealth. Can't say I approve, but it's quite human of them.

Lost sight of what?

[he pulls his feet up, sitting cross legged on the chair]

Lion-chan said something about Heaven feeling far from here. Is that because of all those Great Old Ones running around? Are they interfering with that kind of stuff do you think?

The teachings they're supposed to be following.

[But like he said. They're still humans. Not their fault, really. And the question does get him to sit back, arms folded. Something seeming so acceptable that now, looking back on it, feels like a very specific loophole. In which case everything would make a lot more sense.]

...I don't have any proof for it. But I believe it's something like that.

So if people were to join up with some of these Christians to try to take out the Great Old Ones, would it clear a path to Heaven again?

[he pauses, looking down at the papers in front of him, before looking at Will again.]

I'm pretty sure that as long as those Great Old Ones are around we're all damned. And things might not seem so bad now, but there's a definite something after this life, too. As long as the Great Old Ones are here, they're controlling what comes next, too. An eternity of that is worth fighting against no matter what.

[he pushes forward some literature about some of the more militant Christian groups] They're calling it a Crusade, but I think it's different than those Crusades you mentioned. It really is a fight for our salvation. Being a good and devout person isn't enough for anyone anymore as long as those things are around. So, in this kind of situation, would god or whoever's really in charge see it as justified? I guess what I really want to know is whether or not this would be a righteous fight or if it's another case of losing sight of the teachings we should be following. I figured I'd ask you since you'd be an authority on that kind of thing.

[The look Kida gets is one he might be less aware of, since he usually gets either a glare or a dismissal. Instead it's more piercing, like he finally said something that's actually worth getting serious over. Because... well, he might be right. There's no final answer or red truth for it, but it's the same theory Will follows.

What's worse is he's an angel. If it's for the Lord's sake, he should be involved, especially considering his rank. But Jade said to remain neutral. Getting involved puts Lion in danger. He claimed retirement the day they first met and even though he agrees with the reasons, all that can be done is to let it go.

And there might be a few more strikes in Kida's favor for once, if he's actually serious about it. Qustion him about it later on.] ...Do you know about the first commandment? Isn't it strange?

['Thou shalt have no other gods before me.'

Doesn't that wording seem off?

And maybe Kida will catch what the problem is before he answers. Not saying anything to the rest of his comments about Crusades right now, which might feel more important than if he had said anything at all.]

What you're trying to do is kill a god. A being on the same level as Him. You're risking a lot more than damnation here.

[Somehow it comes out more like a scolding. That some half-ass reason like wanting to start a gang or to protect his retarded boyfriend that, while noble, is not going to cut it.]

Yeah, I do. I've actually been reading more about it all the last few weeks. I wasn't Christian or anything like that at home. I wasn't even really religious. I'd go do New Year's shrine visits and things, but that was more tradition and fun than any kind of religious belief.

So, thinking about it, wouldn't just sitting around and letting those Great Old Ones rule our lives be putting a god before Him? We're living by the rules of those gods and putting our souls in their hands. If there was a chance of reaching God or heaven, they've blocked the way. The only risky thing is not fighting, since there's a definite after life waiting, and the one that's in place while the Great Old Ones are in charge is way worse than anyone could imagine.

You're repeating yourself.

[Then falling silent, which still feels like more of an acceptance of his theory than any words could make. But there was still a question dodged there, and in a way it's the same thing about Kida that infuriates him most of the time. He wants an opinion? Alright, he'll give it. It means breaking Lion's rule to be nice, but at least he'll keep civil.]

...I'll admit it. You might be right. [Strike in Kida's favor, but not giving him a chance to ask about why Will himself isn't involved or what his chances of survival or how to break into the establishment itself. Because it's followed right into the opinion he asked for.]

But you're the problem I have. I think you're a liar. Your personality, your actions, and your goals conflict with one another. I'm saying you need to need to make this choice with a pure conviction. You're going into it with ulterior motives. ...I won't ask what they are. That's your business. But if this is the case, and you're that obvious to someone outside of the whole thing...

[It's not the warning of a friend. That relationship with Kida is barely enough to be called acquaintances. This is the warning of someone who's hunted down Kida's type. It's still an 'if'. A very large 'if'. But if it's not an 'if', it means someone else can reach that same line of reasoning with no trouble at all. And inquisitors are not very receptive to pleads of innocence.]

I've lied about a lot of things, so that's fair enough. I think my motives for this are as pure as they can get, even if you don't believe me. Yeah, it happened because I saw something that scared me, but isn't that the kind of thing they call an epiphany?

All I'm giving is a warning. [Being armed with knowledge is the best thing you can do for a person. Give them the power to make their own decisions, even if the consequences aren't that pretty. But that's it.]

If you're being truthful about this, then that's it. I could care less about your epiphany.

I figured as much. And the rest of it though. What about the rest of it though, is it all right to fight them like that or is it just a case of getting it all wrong?

How would I know? Only the top of the first sphere get to know about the divine plan.

[They don't even do anything either. Lazy seraphim.] Unless you're looking for another opinion.

Another opinion would be nice. The good thing about you not liking me means you'll probably be brutally honest when I need it, and I think I need it now.

[That look stays, like it would be brutal honesty. That he's an idiot and everyone involved is wrong and he's dropped to a double-digit IQ just thinking about it. And the berating Kida earns is]

I think they're right.

[the look doesn't surprise him, nor does the answer even when coupled with the look, so he just laughs and nods]

I thought as much, I just wanted to hear it from you. [he hesitates] I've all ready talked to some people, and there are enough people that want to do something that I think we can at least cause some damage. Since you're an expert on this kind of thing, you're free to join.

[There's a sigh. Of course it wouldn't be a hypothetical that he's throwing down.] I'm retired, and Jade asked me to stay neutral.

[Said with the air that there's not a single fuck given and there's only one problem.] If there's a chance Lion would be put in danger, I want nothing to do with it.

I could say she's all ready in danger just living here, but there probably is a chance she'd be in even more danger if you join up with us.

[a shrug] Then again, neutrality comes with its own dangers. If you're not on anyone's side, who's going to be on your side when things get really tough?

[See, and there's that aspect of Kida's personality that just makes him want to punch the kid. Though it does get a small smirk, the slight offense of a remark but too amused to be mad about it.]

Hm? You're trying to convince me with gang logic? You're looking down on me if you think I need that kind of backup. Try again.

I'm not trying to convince you of anything. You're free to do what you like. I just wanted to extend the invitation, as twisted as it might sound to you, in case that was your idea of fun. This place can get under your skin, and we all have our special ways of cutting loose, so I thought I might offer you one in the name of a good cause.

[Oh Kida. Enjoy having your irritating dismissive hand gesture directed right back at you.]

Closer, but I already have better ways to fix that. That doesn't involve maiming people. Maybe Erika would appreciate that argument more than I would.

Erika-chan has all ready picked a side, as far as I can tell, that is pretty much completely opposed to the side I'm on. I'd rather she didn't appreciate my argument in any way.

[Nice slip Kida. Internal note: question Erika later. Picking a side other than Her Own doesn't fit her profile.]

Really? I think you'd appreciate each other quite well. The only difference I can think of is Erika doesn't bother hiding how much of a monster she is.