Thank you. I look forward to reading them. I'll also be sure to take notes so you can see my thoughts directly. You'll find them interesting, I think. [Paul's abilities also make him a valuable asset for his library job, though he keeps the origin and nature of those abilities secret.]
We maintained some knowledge of that history, yes. The irony of it all wasn't lost on me - Messiahs also tend not to die natural deaths, though I will say stabbing is less unpleasant and torturous than crucifixion. I don't think I have any unfinished business here or elsewhere, so I intend to simply relax and appreciate my freedom. There's a lot of time to make up for, time to spend doing things that I want to do.
[There was a time not so long ago when Paul would say that stabbing seemed kinder a death than he likely deserved, but he wishes to progress past that mindset when it won't do anyone any good. He'd spent years marinating in self-hatred and disgust with his own choices.]
I know I will. [ She felt that that was one thing that cemented their friendship - a love of knowledge. ]
Jesus' life was less torturous than yours up until the part where it was time for Him to be sacrificed, so I suppose that was His Father's way of making up the difference.
[ Sister Imperator finished off the last of the canapes. ]
Oh? And what was the last little problem that you had?
I'm sure. [A firm nod. Paul doesn't need his futuresight to know that.]
Suppose that's a way to look at it. I saw enough futures where I was killed by a knife that it was a reasonable guess I'd go out that way.
[He considers the question as he reaches for a plate.]
Slowly getting my hands on the technology I need to thrive here is the current issue, though the salary helps. Picking up a driver's license at some point.
[There's a quiet gulp as Paul swallows the last piece of fruit. He washes his meal down with what's left of the juice, sighing in satisfaction. There's a soft burp.] Excuse me, Sister. Ah, that was delicious.
My death has been foretold as well. [ It was perhaps a somber topic, but Sister Imperator broached it with nonchalance. ] The particulars have not been prophesized, but the circumstances have. It is not something I dread, if I'm honest. I simply see it as a part of the big picture.
[ She flashed Paul a smile. ] To save costs on driving school, I can teach you, if you're willing. [ She was also a very temperamental driver, but hey, it would be a learning experience? ]
I'll be sure to tell the chef that you enjoyed it. With that - [ Sister Imperator stood. ] Shall I take you on a tour?
Everyone dies eventually. If nothing else, knowing whatās coming gives you time to prepare. [Paul used the time he had left to tie up unfinished business with his sister and stand by his son. He misses Alia, despite the way things went - what happened to her wasnāt really her fault, so he forgives her. His own hands are far from clean.] I donāt know how Iāll die here, but I sincerely hope no stabbing is involved.
[He nods in return to the suggestion of driving lessons.] Iāll take you up on that offer. It should be a useful skill, especially for when I wish to travel. Iād hardly be a conventional driving school student.
[He pushes the emptied plates away and stands in return.] Please do, those were delicious. Iām quite stuffed. A tour would be a wonderful way to walk it all off.
I agree - and in one way or another, to die on my terms. [ Her own prophecy had stated that she would die in place of her son, and what better way to go out than that? ]
I doubt anyone here can stab you just like that. The only reason you were stabbed was because of your own prophecy, after all. I haven't seen your fighting skills in action, but you've spoken of them, and I don't doubt you.
[ Sister Imperator gave Paul a smile. If only he knew what saying yes to her driving lessons held in store for him... ]
Excellent.
[ She headed to the door, opening it and waiting for him to follow before she headed down the corridor. The windows were made of stained glass in floral patterns, and as such, the white marble floors were a kaleidoscope of color from the sunlight streaming in. ]
This is one of my favorite sights at the Ministry.
[Paul didnāt object to dying. He felt his time was over and it was the next generationās job to finish his work. Of course, it seems things turned out in a way he didnāt anticipate, but heās hardly objecting to that.]
I donāt have any reason to fight, but thatās not the same as losing my ability to do it if I had to. If I was in a situation where my hand was forced, well, anyone who did that would find that underestimating me in my retirement is a mistake.
[Paul looks forward to the driving lessons. She might be able to see his eyes gleaming.]
Iām ready to start whenever you wish.
[Paul follows along, absorbing any detail he sees. He admired the stained glass artwork before and he admires it now. Paulās a curious person, wherever and whenever he finds himself. Thereās a lot to admire and study in this piece.]
I'd like to see a demonstration sometime, if you are amenable to that.
[ The fights that Sister Imperator had been in were of the magickal sort, involving sigils, spells, incantations, and the like. She had yet to witness a spar, or any sort of martial arts in action.
She nodded in thanks as Paul admired the stained glass. Walking down this corridor every single day to get to her office was one of her favorite things about her daily routine. ]
You've seen the entrance hall, so next I can take you to the chapel and the gardens.
[ Her heels clicked across the floor as she guided him along. The chapel was not too far from her office. On the hallway to the left of it was the morgue, but she figured that would be less interesting to him.
Sister Imperator opened the heavy wooden doors to the chapel. The air was perfumed with frankincense, and candles lit the way to the altar, where a painting of Lucifer in all his light and majesty adorned the wall. ]
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no subject
We maintained some knowledge of that history, yes. The irony of it all wasn't lost on me - Messiahs also tend not to die natural deaths, though I will say stabbing is less unpleasant and torturous than crucifixion. I don't think I have any unfinished business here or elsewhere, so I intend to simply relax and appreciate my freedom. There's a lot of time to make up for, time to spend doing things that I want to do.
[There was a time not so long ago when Paul would say that stabbing seemed kinder a death than he likely deserved, but he wishes to progress past that mindset when it won't do anyone any good. He'd spent years marinating in self-hatred and disgust with his own choices.]
It feels good to worry about small things again.
no subject
Jesus' life was less torturous than yours up until the part where it was time for Him to be sacrificed, so I suppose that was His Father's way of making up the difference.
[ Sister Imperator finished off the last of the canapes. ]
Oh? And what was the last little problem that you had?
no subject
Suppose that's a way to look at it. I saw enough futures where I was killed by a knife that it was a reasonable guess I'd go out that way.
[He considers the question as he reaches for a plate.]
Slowly getting my hands on the technology I need to thrive here is the current issue, though the salary helps. Picking up a driver's license at some point.
[There's a quiet gulp as Paul swallows the last piece of fruit. He washes his meal down with what's left of the juice, sighing in satisfaction. There's a soft burp.] Excuse me, Sister. Ah, that was delicious.
no subject
[ She flashed Paul a smile. ] To save costs on driving school, I can teach you, if you're willing. [ She was also a very temperamental driver, but hey, it would be a learning experience? ]
I'll be sure to tell the chef that you enjoyed it. With that - [ Sister Imperator stood. ] Shall I take you on a tour?
no subject
[He nods in return to the suggestion of driving lessons.] Iāll take you up on that offer. It should be a useful skill, especially for when I wish to travel. Iād hardly be a conventional driving school student.
[He pushes the emptied plates away and stands in return.] Please do, those were delicious. Iām quite stuffed. A tour would be a wonderful way to walk it all off.
no subject
I doubt anyone here can stab you just like that. The only reason you were stabbed was because of your own prophecy, after all. I haven't seen your fighting skills in action, but you've spoken of them, and I don't doubt you.
[ Sister Imperator gave Paul a smile. If only he knew what saying yes to her driving lessons held in store for him... ]
Excellent.
[ She headed to the door, opening it and waiting for him to follow before she headed down the corridor. The windows were made of stained glass in floral patterns, and as such, the white marble floors were a kaleidoscope of color from the sunlight streaming in. ]
This is one of my favorite sights at the Ministry.
no subject
I donāt have any reason to fight, but thatās not the same as losing my ability to do it if I had to. If I was in a situation where my hand was forced, well, anyone who did that would find that underestimating me in my retirement is a mistake.
[Paul looks forward to the driving lessons. She might be able to see his eyes gleaming.]
Iām ready to start whenever you wish.
[Paul follows along, absorbing any detail he sees. He admired the stained glass artwork before and he admires it now. Paulās a curious person, wherever and whenever he finds himself. Thereās a lot to admire and study in this piece.]
Itās beautiful.
no subject
[ The fights that Sister Imperator had been in were of the magickal sort, involving sigils, spells, incantations, and the like. She had yet to witness a spar, or any sort of martial arts in action.
She nodded in thanks as Paul admired the stained glass. Walking down this corridor every single day to get to her office was one of her favorite things about her daily routine. ]
You've seen the entrance hall, so next I can take you to the chapel and the gardens.
[ Her heels clicked across the floor as she guided him along. The chapel was not too far from her office. On the hallway to the left of it was the morgue, but she figured that would be less interesting to him.
Sister Imperator opened the heavy wooden doors to the chapel. The air was perfumed with frankincense, and candles lit the way to the altar, where a painting of Lucifer in all his light and majesty adorned the wall. ]
This is where we hold our masses.