prismatica | Sermon #2

[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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah-- wonderful! Thank you. I'll see you shortly then!

[Pucci thankfully waits until he gets the address before he sets off, but-- why wait? It's not like he doesn't know that he looks good, and his roomie can live without him for a little while at least.

So he navigates at his own pace until he finds this little coffee shop, orders an affogato to lessen any harsh edge his image might have, and waits with an absent, dreamy little smile at one of the tables.]

Thank you.

[He heads out, even if he feels like this could be a terrible idea. Why does he want to talk? Talking doesn't generally go well for him. And what is he even going to say? There's so much going on. He needs to pick and choose. What does something like him even say to a- a priest of all things?

But he goes anyway, and spots the man easily enough, to slide into the seat opposite.]

I'm... Jon. We spoke on the network.

[All things considered, it's not hard to guess the identity of this man sitting across from him. A name's nice, though; he likes being on equal footing at the very least, and his eyes flash for this knowledge.]

Pleasure to meet you face-to-face, Jon! I hope you don't mind that I ordered; I thought a little espresso might help me listen as attentively as you deserve. Now! Would you like to order first, maybe get a bite to eat, or get right into business?

[Pucci smiles warmly and spoons some lukewarm, marbled espresso into his mouth.] I'm good with either route. Whatever you want to do, Jon.

I don't mind at all.

And I'm fine. I'd rather get to things.

[If he gets up for a drink he might change his mind, or lose his nerve.]

Is there a usual... format for this?

As you w--

Ah.

['A usual format', huh? Pucci stirs his affogato and sips, eyebrows furrowing with thought.] ...Well, outside of us sitting in a confessional, I don't think there is. Just whatever makes you feel most at ease, at the end of the day, so...Speak at will! I'm all ears.

[Alright, it's a little disconcerting sitting here, waiting to speak to someone. He almost wants to start it with 'statement begins'. A somewhat twisted version of 'forgive me father for I have sinned' he supposes, when you get down to what giving a statement actually means. An offering to his own dark god, with Jon himself as the conduit.]

I'm- I am not a particularly tactile person. I never have been, so I'm sure you can imagine my discomfort with... everything about this place.

...I can, yes. I've even met people in similar situations to you. ...And I assume that you've considered exposure therapy and found it wanting?

[Since that's worked on the most prominent example he's encountered thus far, if only because Pucci has little disregard for the personal space of people he's fond of. Still, if it works it works.] If not...That's met some measure of success, in my personal experience. But then-- I'm interrupting! Sorry, sorry.

I didn't realise exposure therapy for that was a thing. But considering that before I got here most of the physical contact I'd had in months was people trying to kill or otherwise hurt me... I'm not sure it would be a good idea.

It's not just that though. I- I don't have an interest in... in sex. Never have really, even when I was actually in a relationship. I don't look at people and feel some- some wash of lust. It doesn't really occur to me most of the time. So here- well.

Ah, that...Is something that I won't advise exposure therapy for, no. It's quite alright to feel this way, though-- to not desire sex, I mean. Although my last workplace wasn't exactly the best place to find people like yourself, I've definitely heard of people with a similar lack of sex drive. [The joys of being from the Noughties, with ample internet access.]

So you really are in a jam, aren't you? Here, at least. I wouldn't worry too much about the sex matter; you can get done with less physically intimate touch what you could get done with more, it's just the matter of...Overcoming your issue with that, too. So...I want to try something, at least. If it's alright with you?

[He drains the last sip of coffee-ice cream slurry, before holding both hands out over the table.] Completely optional touch that you're expecting. I think that knowing beforehand would be half the battle, in your case...So if you choose to do it, then it mightn't be so much of a shock to the system.

I'm not sick. It's not something that needs medication.

[He doesn't think it is. He isn't interested in fixing it, if it is. Even if it means he's broken. It's fine. It isn't relevant anywhere but here anyway.]

Yeah. It's not... it's a struggle. I'm introverted and prickly and uncomfortable at the best of times, so you can see my dilemma.

[Not exactly a winning combination. He's still barely accepting that Hal and Angela might want to be around him.]

He regards the offered hands for a moment, then looks back up.]

Uh... okay. I do prefer not being touched by surprise.

[And he doesn't know this man. He's a stranger. He eyes him for a moment before reaching out to take his hands. He feels like the most awkward person in the world, ridiculous.]

Good effort! I'm proud that you chose to do this at all.

[Pucci's smile widens as he squeezes Jon's hands, genuinely pleased at minor progress.] And you can, of course, take your hands back whenever you start to feel too uncomfortable. But try to hold on a little longer than you'd like, if you can.

Anyway! I...Can honestly relate a little. When I was younger, I was a little like you. Introverted and uncomfortable, definitely. The difference, other than my sudden acclimatisation to affectionate touch from people outside of my family, was faking confidence. Not that I'll ask you to do that, just consider if it's an option viable for you. ...Though that can lead to people assuming comfort levels of you that you won't have, so perhaps not...

Do you have people you're close to, here? I assume so, since you look to be in good health.

I can try.

[Even if it's awkward and a little uncomfortable. Even with Georgie he'd never been entirely comfortable with it in public and they'd been a couple.]

I have a couple of people. Somehow. And I'm frugal.

[And he has other hungers that are far more pressing to keep at bay.]

I'm glad, I'm glad. I wonder if I know them...Will you tell me about them? What you like most, maybe; the way they're seen through the eyes of someone who cares deeply about them is a person's finest moment.

[A distraction tactic, naturally; there's no way he can likely help Jon completely forget the fact that they're holding hands in public, but lessening the impact is better than nothing, surely.] Or-- if that makes you uncomfortable, which I'd understand, I'd like to hear about what you do to pass the time here. I'm looking for ideas on that front, since my days are mostly spent reading and fussing over the friends I've made.

Well they're- they put up with me so they're patient if nothing else. Kinder than I deserve.

[And so it's his duty to try to keep them away from the more monstrous parts of himself. To keep those at bay. And sometimes he wishes for the clean simplicity of the Archives where at least everyone knows what he is.]

I just... read mostly. Make notes. It's almost like home.

Sermon #2 | video

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