prismatica | Sermon #2

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Sermon #2 | video

[Oh look, for once Pucci's putting his face to a post on the network! ...As username: viadolorosa still, but that's how it is sometimes. There's a few seconds of him trying to get a good angle on bracelet cam, before he smiles warmly and offers everyone a little wave.]

Hello. If we haven't met, I'm Father Pucci, and...I think that I can be of use to at least some of you. I've been under the impression that, even after some months here, adaptation to our need for chroma generation and the methods the moons drive us to use can still make people feel...Uncomfortable, I suppose. Amongst other things. And generally being in a new place with such differing morality can be hard.

So, what I'm offering is simple! We all have our social networks for the tough times, and services to assist with that besides. But if you just want to talk to someone, perhaps I can help you come to terms with this new place. Or simply listen if you have anything on your mind. I'm experienced with listening to people, as well as practicing confidentiality, for what that might be worth.

I'm sure you'll catch me around, if you're not willing to try and organise some sort of meeting at the moment. I hope that we can talk soon!

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[ dextera is surprised to see him looking so pleasant and affable after their last encounter, but then, that was some time ago, and that was under the influence of the moon.

nevertheless, he chooses to speak with only his voice this time. ]

I wouldn’t mind talking again.

[Indeed, soon as he figures out who he's talking to, Pucci's foisting all of the blame for that particular episode on the moon. Like Cordis somehow was responsible for the choking! Oh Well.

Right now, he just sounds curious and amused; there's a faint tapping noise, fingernail on wood, as he replies.]

'Again'? I do remember the voice! But...Forgive me, I've met so many people that I can't quite place it. I'm sure that you'll laugh at me when I get embarrassed for not realising earlier who you are. Would you prefer to talk like this, or for a face-to-face meeting-- But I'm getting ahead of myself, I suppose. Nothing has to be right now, of course. I just want to be of some use to the community.

[ dextera is… unsure, of course, if pucci is faking his inability to remember or if their encounter was especially unremarkable, but either way he’s not sure that he would be able to hold it against the man. ]

Like this is okay for now. [ he speaks softly, like he’s afraid of someone overhearing. ] We met before. During the Cordis moon.

Whi--

[There's a thoughtful pause as he rifles through his mental files, still tapping away and even murmuring the occasional prime number to keep from getting too flustered at not knowing until it all slides into place.]

...I believe I owe you an apology for my behaviour, then. And more besides, but an apology is all I can offer in this medium. That was...Unseemly, and cruel, and a great many things that I'm deeply ashamed of being at all. Are you alright? You don't sound like I damaged your throat, so...I'm glad.

[There's a slight quiver to his voice, though, and it's not a positive one. The risks of baring himself. The risks of letting the facade slip in public. As far as Pucci's concerned, this is an ugly loose end that he can't tie up yet, and it sickens him more than any actual guilt he might've once felt.] How can I make it up to you?

[ there’s so much to the apology. it isn’t at odds with the person dextera encountered, but he knows there’s more to it. there’s something lurking underneath pucci that he seems quite eager not to show to anyone, and dextera imagines he shouldn’t let this get out.

perhaps luckily, the one person he would tell, and the one person similarly who would act, has gone home. ]

Um… it’s okay. [ a pause. that’s not quite right. it’s not okay, but dextera was more or less in his right mind when it happened and he thinks he could have stopped it. ] I mean… I’d like to meet again. That’s all.

[Very much luckily, considering how readily Pucci would act in 'self-defence'. He has a good thing going here; friends, people who like him, a pretty damn clean reputation as far as having a mating season most of the month would allow. He made this post to start back on his grand works, and now he has to be reminded of the one time he acted out of character. Dextera has to be watched and nurtured back towards the right direction, clearly.

Pucci lets out a soft sigh, makes sure there's some gratitude in his voice now instead of the slip he just made.]

...I'd like that, too. Apologising and making it up to you face-to-face would be better, and then...Hopefully we can become friends. I-- For what it's worth, I...Haven't done that sort of thing again. So I promise you'll be safe.

I’m not worried.

[ it’s not defensive or too-quick. whatever feeling he has about seeing pucci, it doesn’t seem that he’s hesitant to act on it. he wouldn’t have reached out if he thought there was nothing to be gained. he merely wonders what that gain might be. ]

There are other things I want to say, but… I’d rather do it privately.

[Another soft little sigh, and there's a definite smile to Pucci's voice when he speaks next. Fake it 'til you make it, baby.]

I'm glad to hear that. I...Suppose that we'd best rip off the bandaid, hm? Are you alright with meeting sooner rather than later, or would that be inconvenient? And-- do you have a favourite kind of flower?

Sooner is okay. I’m… not doing anything.

[ as for the question of his favorite flower, that takes him a quiet pause to think about. ]

…and, I like tulips.

Alright. I'll meet you in the Grove, since it's a lovely place with some modicum of privacy; I'll see you soon, alright?

[And then the feed goes dead. Sorry, Dextera; he's a man of action when cornered. Which means that he's absolutely right in the middle of the Grove, neatly sat on a bench with an armful of yellow tulips like a nervous teenager waiting for his date.]

[ that was fast, and dextera is left reeling by being so suddenly hung up on, but it’s not unexpected. the grove, is it? ]

…

[ he sighs, but after the initial surprise, it doesn’t take him long to get ready and to meet pucci where he was designated to. the yellow tulips, at least, are beyond easy to spot. ]

Father…?

[As practiced as he is with hiding everything, Pucci still flinches minutely when he hears a voice call out to him. It's easily swept back under the rug when he makes eye contact with Dextera, though; no point in being honest about anything when he could swan over and hold out the bouquet with an apologetic smile.]

For you, of course. There's no colour for tulips that means 'I'm terribly sorry for what I did', I'm afraid, so this was the next best option.

...Are you well? I know I basically asked this already, but-- you'll have to pardon my anxiety. I'm not typically in the habit of doing what I did to you, and I was half-hoping it was a fever dream instead of something I actually did with my own two hands. So...I'm also sorry for not seeking you out earlier. Now, what did you want to discuss?

[ if dextera didn’t know the archangel, maybe he would be much more easily convinced of pucci’s genuine contrition, if not his innocence. still, it’s not with skepticism that dextera regards the gift of these flowers. he’s listening. ]

It’s okay. I promise.

[ now, being here, dextera wonders if it’s something he can address. ]

I just have… a strange question.

[Something vile leaps into the back of his throat, cosies up to his uvula. A strange question. What did he say? He can't even really remember now, but if he was so far gone that he let his violence slip free, then what else...?

All Pucci can do is chuckle nervously, hands linked in front of him and head inclined with forced curiosity. It's taking far too much self-restraint to hold Whitesnake back, keep from making a bigger mess of things purely due to adrenaline and self-defence, but he's built so much and he won't let it tumble down now.]

Strange? Now I really am worried...But I'll do my best to answer, too. Ask away.

[ dextera only senses it because he’s looking for it, that tension in the air that seems schooled away just as soon as it slips free. he pushes his thumb into the stems of the tulips, rolling them under it to ease his mind. ]

Would you be… [ his voice falters. he’s a little quieter, when he finds it. ] Would you be interested in doing that sort of thing again?

[ how strange, and how wrong of him to find satisfaction in violence against his person. yet it’s a strange fascination with pain that captures his attention even now, and while he doesn’t trust pucci, he thinks that this could be an arrangement of interest. ]

Edited (GRAMMAR....) 2019-08-02 14:30 (UTC)

[Uh hey, Dextera, what?????

This time, Pucci does not bother hiding his reaction, because he feels it's appropriate. Surprise is 100% normal here. Yes, he needs an outlet to keep the facade going, and yes, he's admitted his inclination towards violence in bed to a degree, but...

Hm. Hm.]

...I need to know that you're asking me this with a full understanding of what you're offering. That you have limits in mind, and you're willing to enforce them if we do this. [It's fine. If anyone asks, he has a sob story ready and concocted (and not even that far from the truth, which helps). ...He still sighs, though. God, let this be gravity.] ...I don't want to do this and throw you in the deep end. I don't want it to be a repeat of last time.

[ yeah really, what!

this is surely a terrible idea, and pucci’s surprise drives it home somewhat that this is not a normal desire by any stretch of the imagination. of course some people are into pain, and dextera knows them, but to seek it out from a stranger who was liable to kill him is more self-destructive than sexy.

…so it could be said, anyway. ]

I don’t want to die.

[ that’s the limit he offers, as he touches his fingers to his throat. by now, even if there had been any marks, they’ve healed. ]

...I had no plans on killing you, so that much can be arranged. [Less shocked now, more amused and exasperated. That's an upgrade, surely? Even...If he's lying a little. But hey, he doesn't want to kill anyone! He's a good guy! There's just a lot to protect!

And...Dextera seems set on this course of action, too. Gravity it is.]

Fine.

I don't have much in the way of tools yet, since they were left behind, but I have enough to do what you need me to. [Namely, Whitesnake, a riding crop, and a rose gold o-ring gag. He's worked with less on the road, anyway.] You come to me. You contact me privately to arrange a meeting, in case I'm otherwise occupied. Are we clear?

[ fine, he says. dextera didn’t expect it to be so easy, and he should probably be worried that a man of the cloth would assent as quickly as pucci has, but what’s done is done. dextera’s heart beats a little faster, pulse quickening, as he thinks over his own decision. ]

…yes.

[ dextera adjusts the flowers in his arms, without taking his eyes off pucci. ]

I’ve never done this kind of thing before. [ his fingers tighten, just slightly. ] But I want it.

I should hope that you want it; I'm not a monster. [Like this isn't his own therapy, but y'know. Can't be honest, can we? No sir.

It takes a few seconds for him to drop the exasperated air and return into his normal role, expression softening and hands demurely linked in front of him. Everything is fine and normal, he's fine and normal, and that doesn't change just because they have some bdsm arrangement shit going on.] ...Is that all you wanted to talk about? Honestly, I'm a little relieved...You know how it is. Somehow I got it into my head that I'd actually hurt you or done something unforgivable, and...I'm relieved that it was quite the opposite.

It's actually quite mundane! Hah. An escape from your responsibilities and burdens, something with far less thought on your end...I think that everyone wants that for themselves sometimes.

[ it should be unforgivable, really, but these things—namely unconditional and boundless forgiveness—come more naturally to dextera now that he’s god. a year ago, it might have been different. he might be coping with it all in a more violent way.

for now, his shoulders seem to relax, like he’s completely forgotten how terrifying pucci had been in between the touches. ]

It makes more sense… when you put it that way.

[ an escape. isn’t it? ]

I hope it helps you, too.

[Oh, Dextera honey. Honey. The one person who should never be forgiven, and here you are doling it out to him.

Not that Pucci's complaining! Already he's more at ease, slips into his second skin without chafe and puts on some saccharine grateful smile all for Dextera's benefit. Shit, he's even reaching out to gently cup his face in a disgustingly paternal manner. Awful.]

You're too kind. ...If I can ask one more thing of you, before I let you go? Just a little homework, nothing that needs a lot of effort! ...But if you think of any ways you'd prefer for this to happen, any tools you think I should get, please let me know. You have my contact details now, obviously! So just...Slip me a note and I'll see what I can do for you. And materials, too! I don't want to get something in leather if you're allergic, for example.

[Great, we're out here discussing whips and shit with a serene look on our face now, apparently. But hey, there's no need to turn this into something shameful. It is what it is, and here is the one place that they can get away with casual discussion about this sort of thing.]

[ anyone at all with a brain would find it awful, but dextera is good at turning off his logical reasoning when he’s being touched and when he wants something. no matter how kind he tries to be, at the end of the day, he’s a selfish person with selfish desires. he’ll gladly look the other way if it benefits him. ]

I don’t think I have any allergies…

[ when you’ve been experimented on your whole life, it’s likely that many allergies have just been worked out of you, honestly. he closes his eyes for a moment, thinking, and he looks very much like a pet enjoying the company of his owner.

yikes!! ]

I’ll… research what I want. And… thank you.

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Sermon #2 | video

voice:

voice, please shame him dextera we know he deserves it

he does deserve it but dextera cannot shame him :(

canonise this literal angel, please. amen

he’s already god don’t worry

sometimes you just casually fuse with/choke god to get your jollies and that?? is valid

having weird feelings about the lord god is VALID! they’re both VALID!!

i feel like this is the sort of thing that needs overly specific t-shirts.

get thee to a redbubble

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