Part 29 - Christmas dinner

The boyLast Tuesday at 6:32 PM

Able had a pretty early start to the day, cooking his meals and sealing them up to bring to the church. He had to make sure his weasels were all settled, and well fed before he had mind to even leave. He decided to bring a lot of different ways of cooking potatoes, but his favorite was a cheese based dish with discs of potatoes. Thomas had snuck some cheese into Able's order, which he used in it's fullest. He also handled a more savory roast of horse, cooked in a broth with onions, potatoes, cloves, and carrots. He had to carry everything in padded bags lest something spill. The trip was fairly long, and his back and wrist was sore from peeling roots. He did use Agatha's... gift... In a soup of roots stewed with a bone broth, and used the leftovers to make gravy. Agatha tagged along, but even so Able insisted on carrying everything to the church himself. Even if she was strong, she was still his elder, by, well a great deal.

Able: ...So... The deacon is a devil... and you've known him for a long while... how long.. I mean... Are you younger than the deacon.. You certainly seem more youthful than he is..

theyLast Tuesday at 6:36 PM

Agatha follows along Able's side, wandering in a crooked path; she laughs with a hearty, deep tone as she clutches her chest, wheezing.

Agatha: -Wheezing.- Hah! Oh! Oh, you are funny leetle man! No, no, am much older than leetle Virgee. . .hah! Him, being older?! Is big joke!

She rubs at her eyes, tearing up in laughter.

Agatha: No, no, is older than 'ee is. . .been here since the temples! The ones with the birds, and the leetle spices, you know?.

The boyLast Tuesday at 6:40 PM

Able: Eh...? Temples..?

Able makes a confused face, and the wheel in his head is turning even as he enters the church.

theyLast Tuesday at 6:55 PM

Agatha: Is like big place, made of stone and with many many humans! Some are there to be cut up, but ah, the birds! So pretty!

As Able and Agatha enters the church, they feel a blast of warm air as the door opens. The walls are coiling as the brass images of saints and painted images curl and move on their own, like a candle flame in a slight breeze. The deacon is seated at the head of the table, dressed in what looks to be their casual robes, but something seems different; the inside of the cuffs and neck are a visible, infernal red, leaving a red band around the neck collar. They are wearing their silvered sunglasses, the brass walls reflected in their eyes. The table is set with several dishes (goat bourguignon, alcohol all cooked off; wooden boats holding cured meats of goat and lamb; dried grapes, pitted dates, and halved figs; a dessert of what looks to be fruit suspended in heavy cream with a drizzle of date syrup over the top; and many, many pieces of slightly blackened flatbread laid in a basket) set on recessed pedestals; in the divot, there is a small flame warming the dishes. Besides the pedestals, there are several empty tureens. The deacon waves politely.

Virgil: Good evening. Agatha: Ah, evening little Virgee! Virgil: -To Able.- If you have any dishes you have, you can put it in the provided tureens; if they're sour, tell me so I can get a different dish. No need to corrode good silver.

The boyLast Tuesday at 7:04 PM

Able nearly wheezes, his load of food quickly being set up so he may rest. He is setting out his dishes, a cheese and shallot potato dish that even so is still hot. Able doesn't risk setting up the roast up into a dish, not wanting to spill it, and keeps it in it's high walled container. It was filled nearly to the top with liquid, and smells highly of cloves and meat. He next sets up his bits of extra things, gravies, soft rolls, and one large, sealed jar of live fish.(for Pearl, Able remembered) He had also brought out a thing of roasted vegetables(mainly extras he didn't want to waste. He sighed, his bags finally empty, and his back sore. At least he could stand now.

Able: -Wheezing- There really has to be a better way to carry things...

theyLast Tuesday at 7:10 PM

Virgil: . . .did you ask Agatha for help? Agatha: I try to carry, but he take off me. Am strong lady! Ah, but I say nothing; is very polite little man. Virgil: Yes, well. . .go and sit, Able. I'm sure that you're very tired. Agatha, you can come and sit to my right if-

Agatha titters, pushing Able forward.

Agatha: Oh no, no, I take head of table! Am verry important. Oh, but the Able can take the seat if he wishes. . ?

Agatha squeezes Able's shoulders, lifting him up a bit.

Agatha: Ah? Ah?

The boyLast Tuesday at 7:13 PM

Able nods, not really sure what is going on.

Able: As long as I can sit, I would like to sit.

Able just seems to be tired, not entirely sure what that means. His head was also preoccupied by the thing Agatha said before. It sounded familiar, but he didn't remember the bandaged man's lessons that well.

theyLast Tuesday at 7:32 PM

Virgil: . . .well, I don't mind. Seat yourself, Able.

The door at the front of the church swings open slowly; the bandaged man is wandering in, wearing a Polythreme brooch affixed to a beige suit. Their bandages are slightly askew and stained with earthy brown from wine. In their hand, they're holding a crate of Greyfields (one of the better, less agaric years), with one of the bottles emptier than the rest.

The Bandaged: -Slightly tipsy.- A-ah. . .h. . .hello. . .

He wanders in, stumbling a bit as he sets the crate down onto the brass table.

The Bandaged: -Lisping.- I. . .er. . .los'h my way, here. . .I. . .I thought I could bring something for. . .for the party. . .erm. . .

Virgil: -Calmly.- While not traditionally impermissible, wine isn't usually seen within the space of a church.

The Bandaged: A-ah. . .w-well. . .for. . .anyone that wants it. . .

The bandaged man averts their gaze, trying to avoid looking at Able and Agatha as he stumbles towards the seat opposite from Virgil. Agatha looks furious, her chest puffing up as she walks towards the bandaged man.

Agatha: -Swatting his shoulder repeatedly.- Are you drunk right now?

The Bandaged: -Holding their hands up weakly.- N-no. . .I'm. . .I'm fine. . .

Agatha: -Swatting the bandaged man.- Oy, I was not born day before! Why are you drinking!? You know is bad for you! Yer gonna be badly hurt, and then what will you do, ah? You die! Stop that!

The Bandaged: -Sitting in their chair; covering their face.- Noo. . .

Agatha is immensely agitated, her face furrowed in a balance of fury and worry (leaning much more into fury).

The boyLast Tuesday at 7:37 PM

Able moves to sit near the bandaged, making a bit of an exhausted sigh. He knew only the bandaged man would be the one to bring alcohol. Able looks up at Agatha.

Able: Leave him be. I will deal with this.

Able places a hand on the bandaged man.

Able: Didn't I tell you to lay off the wines?

theyLast Tuesday at 7:45 PM

Agatha clenches her fists, holding her bosom with anger for a moment before she walks back to a seat in the middle of the table, pulling it out and sitting with a loud thump.

Agatha: Right, okay! Work on it! I will not have lil' rags dying from being idiot!

The bandaged man slumps in their chair, covering his face.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- . . .y-yes. . .sorry, it was just. . . The Bandaged: -Breathing in deeply.- . . .it was not. . .not'h great. . .I. . .I lost all my work'h. . .it. . .i'h went nowhere. . .

The bandaged man slumps over the table, cradling their head in their hands.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- . . .jus'h. . .don't look at me. . .lemme be here for a bit. . .eat som'h good food. . .then'h go home. . .

The boyLast Tuesday at 7:49 PM

Able leans into the bandaged man a little. He looks a little worried.

Able: That's alright. Maybe instead you can re-tell me what you know about temples, I seemed to have...ah...dozed off a little during one of your lectures.

Able thinks for a bit, trying to remember.

theyLast Tuesday at 7:59 PM

The bandaged man sits back in their chair, holding their temples as they think for a moment.

The Bandaged: Ah? Ah, right, th'. . .the temples. . .they're. . .if you're talking about the Fourth City buildings, they're called pagodas, not temples. . .the temples are the Third City buildings. . .built, ah. . .er. . .lemme think. . .

The bandaged man sits in their seat, thinking quietly. Meanwhile, Agatha reaches over for a meal, trying to grab at a dried date.

Virgil: Ah, Agatha. Wait for our remaining guests to arrive. Agatha: Is not my fault they arrive late! Virgil: They are not late, you are early. Please wait for Thomas and Pearl to seat before you start eating.

The boyLast Tuesday at 8:04 PM

Able: Oh? How long ago were they built?

Able leans forward.

.

theyLast Tuesday at 8:06 PM

The Bandaged: Ah, I. . .I believe. . .a thousand. . .years? A millennium prior is when the Mayans fell, I believe. . .

Agatha is trying to sneak some nuts from the plates.

Virgil: Agatha, cease. Agatha: -Huffing; sitting back in their chair.- They need to walk fast! We will suffocate without food.

The boyLast Tuesday at 8:07 PM

Able wheezes.

Able: That is... quite some time.

Able asks more from the bandaged man trying to figure out more about them. It takes some time, but eventually Thomas and Pearl arrive, as the time indicated that they should show up. Thomas holds the door for pearl.

Thomas: Ah! Greetings! You all used the ingredients well I see..

theyLast Tuesday at 8:22 PM

Pearl wanders in, the left side of her face a little deflated; she's dressed wearing a large, frumpy black dress that hides the curves of her false-limbs. . . . . .and a slightly raggedy, faded sweater over it all; the flowers are a little ripped from wear, and the the leaves are a bit tattered, but she is wearing as a second layer on top of her dress. She slithers her way in, her head swaying from side to side as she does so.

Pearl: Blrroo! Blrrooo!! Agatha: Ah, finally! Is time for food! Virgil: Wait for them to be seated, Agatha.

The bandaged man talks to Able, in the middle of a discussion about the traditions of the Mayan cities.

The Bandaged: -A bit more lively.- D-did you know. . .they, they say that they gave up the city not for lov'h, but for power. . .they, the rulers, they wanted to feast'h on a god, supposedl'h. . .

March 11, 2020

The boyLast Wednesday at 11:49 AM

Thomas makes sure she is entirely in before moving to a seat near the tank of fish for Pearl to easily grab at. He pulls out a chair for her, nodding politely.

Thomas: Here you are my dear. Ah, look, Able remembered.

Thomas gestures to the tank of live fish. Meanwhile Able is listening to the bandaged man, nodding and asking a question so often. He was glad he had something to take his mind off of his supposed failure in researching the snow, but Able knew it'd be temporary.

Able: Sounds like a bit of a big want...

March 13, 2020

theyYesterday at 10:11 PM

Pearl sits down in their seat, craning their neck at the tank of live fish. She chitters happily, instinctually moving towards it, before pausing, and setting herself back into her seat, glancing at the tank as they do so.

Pearl: . . .bblrooo. . .

The bandaged man talks to Able, waving their hands. . .

The Bandaged: -Slightly lisping.- Y-yes? It's curious, since. . .sinc'h, it seems like they're. . .they're no longer described as human, so perhaps they did eat the flesh of a god, but. . .what was it that they ate, th- ack! Pearl: -Startled.- BLLRROO!

. . .knocking over some cutlery in the process. He dives for it, fumbling with the fallen fork and knife.

The Bandaged: -Agitated.- Ah, oh god. . .don't. . .don't look'h. . .

Agatha is reaching a hand across the table, trying to sneak a piece of dried fruit.

Agatha: Is time to eat now, yes?

The deacon rubs their nose, before taking off their glasses, staring intently at everyone.

Virgil: -Calmly.- Would you all please seat yourselves?

Agatha pauses in her reaching for a dried date, seating herself back with her hands up and smiling crookedly. Pearl settles more comfortably in her seat, looking up at the Virgil as she tries to mimic an upright position. The bandaged man quickly fumbles with their fallen utensils, muttering to themselves. . .

The Bandaged: -Quietly.- . . .ah'm gonna need a drink after this. . .I don't know wh- aCK!

. . .before standing up too quickly and hitting their head against the bottom of the table, the dull thud reverberating in the brass.

Agatha: -Sharply; harshly.- Oy! Get up into seat, you rag man! The Bandaged: -Rubbing their head; moving into their seat.- Ghff. . .yes. . .yes ma'am. . .

The boyYesterday at 10:15 PM

Able looks very weary, but is trying to put on a faux smile. He would have to make sure the bandaged man behaved himself didn't he.

Able: -Quietly, to the bandaged- No wine for you tonight.

Thomas sits neatly next to Pearl, nonchalantly adjusting his cutlery out of position. He seems unconcerned.

Thomas: What are we waiting on, mh?

Thomas asks lazily.

theyYesterday at 11:33 PM

The Bandaged: -Whining; settling in their seat.- Why not'h?

The deacon puts their glasses back onto their eyes, sitting more comfortably in their seat.

Virgil: I want to say something before we eat; it's traditional that these dinners open with a formal talk in some manner, and, given that I don't often have dinners, much less dinners within my church, I hope you won't deprive me of enjoying doing as such.

The deacon stands up, adjusting their collar.

Virgil: I'm glad that we are all together in a setting to feast, and that this is a rare occurrence for some of you, including myself, but I ask that, as we are still in a house of God, that we enjoy ourselves with exercised temperament.

The deacon turns their head as they speak, looking at everyone in turn.

Virgil: I hope that you enjoy yourselves, but not in excess; that you may relax as you may. . .but still be decent. . .

The deacon pauses when they look at Able.

Virgil: . . .that you may have a moment to yourselves, and be grateful for it; and that you. . .

The deacon pauses. Agatha is reaching across the table with several dates in her hand and grabbing yet another one. She stares at Virgil, before slowly, without blinking, stuffs another date into her mouth and chewing slowly. The bandaged man is snickering, turning their head while Pearl covers her false-mouth in scandalized shock.

Agatha: -With a full mouth.- . . .are ye done yet, Virgee? I'm hungry and I require food. Virgil: -Pinching their nose; seating themselves again.- . . .alright. I understand; go eat. Just don't make a mess of my church.

The bandaged man slowly reaches for one of the bottles they brought to the dinner, while Pearl turns to Thomas, burbling quietly.

Pearl: -Gesturing to the tank of fish with hands outstretched.- Blroo, thrathoo?.

The boyYesterday at 11:49 PM

Thomas nods, settling himself up, placing a cloth napkin in his lap. He looks over at Pearl and smiles.

Thomas: Ah, yes, that is for you dear.

Able had somehow, through the talking, managed to slide the crate of wines off the table and behind his chair and out of sight. He looks very nonchalant about the whole thing, and makes sure everyone can reach the several dishes of food he'd brought. Able turns to the deacon, looking expectantly at what he would eat before serving himself.

Able: You should try some of the roast, I know it's not... coated in sweet things but maybe you would enjoy it?

Able looks over at the bandaged man occasionally, making sure he was behaving himself.

March 14, 2020

theyToday at 12:20 AM

Agatha is taking more pieces of fruit, not even bothering to use her plate as she grabs at the dried fruits and stuffs them directly into her mouth.

Agatha: -Muffled.- Ah, is very sweet! Very good!

The bandaged man grabs at air, turning their head to look at the table.

The Bandaged: Wh. . .where'd my wine go? I. . .I did bring wine, righ'?

Pearl bunches up her provided napkin in a false-hand and grabs at the jar of fish, pulling it closer without leaving mucus on it. She twists the top off easily, before slowly pouring out the briny water with the fish into her provided bowl. She picks up soup spoon, trying to coax a small, wriggly fish into the small spoon with. . .great difficulty.

Pearl: -With a slight orange tinge.- Blrrr. . . Virgil: -Grabbing dried figs with brass tongs.- I'll try the roast after eating some fruit. Having something sweet before and after you eat is good for vigor. . .Agatha, use your plate.

Agatha has nothing but dates and figs in her hand, leaning over the table as she reaches over to pluck the fruit directly from the tray.

Agatha: -Mouth full.- Bah, is'h too slow!

The boyToday at 12:32 AM

Thomas looks at Pearl with a bit of a smile before setting up his own plate with a bit of everything onto one dish. He seemed to be unconcerned with anything mixing, and the only thing left alone was the roast and the dessert. Thomas looks over at Able, a small wink and an affirmative gesture. Able had no idea what this meant but sighed, and plated himself with the goat dish and some of the roasted roots he'd brought, figuring they'd work well together. He also grabbed one of the rolls, happy to have brought some as he liked a little bread with his meal. Able seems to avoid the fruits all together.

Able: Hmm..

Able quietly starts his meal with little fuss, but does watch the bandaged man in between bites.

.

theyToday at 1:03 AM

The bandaged man is looking under the table, trying to find the crate of wine they brought in.

The Bandaged: -Confused; to themselves.- I. . .I did bring some, I. . .er. . .right? Agatha: -Quickly; annoyed.- Oy, rags, forget the wines and try the fruit. The Bandaged: -Looking up.- Wha. . .oh! There's fruit? . .er, yes. . .

The bandaged man grabs at a piece of dried fig, placing it in their plate. The deacon sets down their half-eaten fig, their eyebrows creased as they rub the bridge of their nose.

Virgil: -Irritated.- Stop dirtying the tray with your hands and please use the blasted tongs.

Pearl yelps, dropping her spoon into her bowl of fish in scandalous surprise. Agatha swats Virgil's shoulder. He doesn't react.

Agatha: Virgee! Of where did you learn to do that word?! Virgil: -Finishing off their fig.- In church.

The deacon reaches over to the roast, grabbing one of the nearby brass knives and beginning to carve a slice of meat off of it.

Virgil: By a particularly contemptuous priest, no less. Able, pass a roll, please.

The boyToday at 1:17 AM

Able wheezes a little, taken a bit off guard. Thomas merely snickers to himself as he eats his meal. Both though seem a bit surprised if in different manners. Thomas looks over at the bandaged man.

Thomas: Your protégé has prepared a few of these dishes and you go for fruit, mh?

Thomas teases. Able clears his throat and hands over the basket of rolls to the deacon before returning to his meal.

Able: Must've been one bothered priest. Most aren't so upfront.

Able chuckles a bit to himself.

Able: -nodding to Thomas- Unless you count our second priest, mh?

Thomas looks up, amused.

Thomas: Dear that man was only half as loud as Catharine. Though certainly more palatable than the first. Able: I don't even want to remember the first, let him be forever forgotten.

Able grumbles, taking another bite of his food.

theyToday at 1:31 AM

The Bandaged: -Defensively; lisping a bit.- Hey, I. . .I haven't had. . . The Bandaged: -Pausing; eyebrows furrowed.- . . .w-when was the last time I had fruit. . ?

The bandaged man sits deep in thought, putting a fig into their mouth. They pause for a moment, chewing quietly.

The Bandaged: -Reaching over for the tongs; grabbing more fruit.- . . .oh. . .oh that'sh. . .that's good. . . Virgil: -Grabbing the roll from Able.- Ah, you had multiple priests, then? Was it a set amount cycled according to day, or merely a quick turnaround with how many left and filled the position?

The boyToday at 1:37 AM

Able laughs, apparently amused by the deacon's question. Even Thomas starts snickering.

Able: Oh goodness, no, no, they usually just left because no one could really handle the headmistress. We have about four or five priests running the church before both of us left.

Thomas focuses on his meal, quietly leaving the conversation and letting Able lead.

Able: The headmistress is... She's not bad but see... Living with her was... Oh goodness...

Able sighs a bit.

Able: I think only...one.. hm. Well they couldn't get her to leave, she was the only one willing to look after us all. I think the orphanage got around fifty kids one time, and we only have the one building and thirty bunks so. Able: It was certainly never boring..

theyToday at 1:49 AM

Pearl has finally spooned a fish into the soup spoon, quickly shoving the entire thing into her mouth. The spoon slowly slides past the mass of tentacles around her mouth, falling wetly onto the table as she chews on the fish. She holds tentacles to her face, before reaching over for a bottle of pepper oil.

Pearl: -Straining to reach at the bottle.- Hhf. . .hhf. . . Pearl: -Poking Thomas; gesturing with her head down.- Throo, thrathooo. . . Virgil: Really? Hm. I recall doing work looking at philanthropic institutions when becoming a deacon, but I can't say I've done much observational works of orphanages specifically. I've mostly looked over soup lines and othe-

Agatha chokes on a fig, spitting out a chewed mash into her bowl as she looks at Able.

Agatha: -Shocked.- Ptoo! . .ye are an orphan!?Why you never tell me!?.

The boyToday at 1:53 AM

Thomas looks up, and then at the bottle. He wouldn't be able to get that.

Thomas: Deacon can you pass the oil please?

Able looks over at Agatha, slightly amused, but mostly concerned.

Able: Ah? Yes? Why would you want to know? Are you planning on adopting? It's not that uncommon...

Able tilts his head.

theyToday at 1:55 AM

The deacon grabs the bottle, sliding it along the smooth brass table towards Thomas.

Virgil: Do be careful; it's strong.

Agatha slams her fists on the table, manic with a crooked smile.

The Bandaged: -Choking on a fig.- Ghhf! . .don't scare me like that!_ Virgil: Please don't damage the table, that's good brass. Agatha: -Eager; jittery.- Why you no tell me!? I could be adopting you! Tell me, how do I adopt you?

***

The boyToday at 1:57 AM

Thomas nods politely to the deacon before handing the bottle over to pearl.

Thomas: Thank you. -to Pearl- Here you are dear.

Able snickers.

Able: -laughing- Ma'am I don't think that's possible.

theyToday at 2:03 AM

Agatha: -Waving it off.- Nonsense; ah'm sure I can scare bureau person into making exception! You could be part of family! Come, I adopt you; you can come with me to Country of Old, and see big family! I take you to big house, dah? Virgil: -Finishing off their last date.- Mh. Agatha, he's legally an adult. It's not possible for you to adopt him. Agatha: Bah! Is not not possible, is only just consent of adult then! Able, will you let me adopt you?

The bandaged man is sitting in the corner, chewing on nothing but dried pieces of fruit; they haven't touched anything else.

The Bandaged: -Slightly teary.- . . .I. . .it's. . .so sweet. . .

Meanwhile, Pearl nods her lumpy head appreciatively. . .

Pearl: -Overturning the bottle into the water.- Thrr. . .

. . .before pouring a copiuous amount into the bowl. The fish in the water start wriggling, agitated and in pain by the spicy oil. Meanwhile, the deacon has moved on to cutting a small piece of the roast Able has brought on their plate, stabbing it tenderly with a fork.

The boyToday at 2:06 AM

Thomas watches with mild concern at Pearl's activities. Thomas then notices the bandaged man crying next to him. He squints. What could he even be crying about?

Able: A-ah... ok?

Able seems to be fairly amused by this, and he takes another bite of his food.

theyToday at 2:20 AM

Pearl gives the bottle a few more shakes, agitating the fish in the bowl immensely before setting the bottle down. She leans down, working hard to coax a fish into the soup-spoon (much easier when the fish is paralyzed in pain) before spooning it into her mouth again.

Pearl: -Shuddering.- Blrrrr! . .

She leans down a little lower, now more intently spooning fish into her mouth. Meanwhile, the deacon has sliced the meat they took off of Able's roast into decent slivers, lifting it with a fork.

Agatha: Ah, is good! You come with me, then, when I go home to Country of Old! Virgil: Agatha, quit teasing the man and let him eat. Agatha: -Intensely.- Who said I am teasing!? He can be part of beeg family! He can have lil tiger sister! Virgil: Agatha, you can't adopt everyone.

The deacon lifts a piece of the carved slice they took of Able's roast into their mouth, pausing for a moment as they taste.

The boyToday at 2:25 AM

Able: I'm afraid i will have to stay here. I've already got a home. Besides I've... Well you know already I have reasons to stay.

Able continues his meal. The roast is fairly... well it's simple. It doesn't taste bad but it lacks anything outstanding about it. There's an overall flavor of a bone based broth on top the earthy flavors of roots and carrots. There's at least a small taste of cloves and onions, though the dish seems to lack any pieces of them. Thomas looks over at Pearl, smiling.

Thomas: Oh? Is it good like that?

theyToday at 3:06 AM

Pearl lifts their head, looking at Thomas. The tendrils around their mouth seem to be contracting and relaxing of their own accord, twitching in response to the spiciness, but she seems to be unbothered from it (apart from a more mucus-y blubbering).

Pearl: -Thick.- Blrrrthh!

The deacon pauses, pulling the fork out of their mouth as they chew.

Virgil: -Pausing; delicately.- . . .hm. The meat is tender, and the fat well-rendered, but it lacks any sort of flavor beyond that, Able. Now, I admit that I have a preference for intense flavors, and this is by no means inedible, but I hope you'll forgive me for deciding to use seasonings. Agatha: -Irritated.- Oy, don't pick on false son; 'ee worked hard on it! Prob'bly!.

The boyToday at 3:11 AM

Thomas: Seems good then. Try not to overdo it love.

Thomas smiles, finishing his meal quietly. He would wait for everyone else before even starting on the sweets. He didn't want to be terribly rude. Meanwhile Able looks up at the deacon. He frowns a bit.

Able: Ah... well... I wouldn't want you to not enjoy yourself.

Able gives a bit of a fake smile before looking away. He supposed he couldn't be surprised but... ow.

*** The boyYesterday at 4:25 PM

------

The dinner seemed to go fairly well, though it stayed fairly rowdy it never got too loud. As things went on though, the bandaged man seemed to get more and more upset, and people were starting to get fairly uncomfortable with it. Able looked very worried about the bandaged man, noticing that he hadn't eaten all that much. Before he left along with Thomas and Pearl, he made sure to pack him along with some food. Able stayed back, helping the deacon clean as much as he can, and pawning off leftovers to anyone who left. The rest he'd have to eat through the weeks, he'd figure. Able when everything was settled and put up for being prepared to be taken home or put away spoke quietly at the deacon.

Able:-Quietly- I need to speak with you, ah, somewhere without...

He glances at Agatha.

Able: More listeners..

theyYesterday at 6:19 PM

Virgil: -Lowered.- Hm. Why? Are you bothered by something?

Agatha glances at Able, before perking up and talking loudly.

Agatha: . . .oh! Yes, I go! I leave for small book home to leave you two in small company!

Agatha makes a big show of walking out the door, scraping her heels against the floor and making the brass ring out.

Virgil: -Pausing.- . . .come upstairs, then. Leave the food out; I'm sure Thomas and the rest will find a use for it on their own.

The deacon heads for the back of the church, before climbing the ladder up to the small bedroom.

The boyYesterday at 6:22 PM

Able nods, following to deacon. He seems to fidget a bit with his hands. He waits a few moments in the room, sighing. Able was extremely red, enough so that it was impossible to not see. Able ignored it. He had to get through this. He had to get over this.

Able: Well, I had reason to be clear about myself.

Able takes a deep breath before sighing. He looks up at the deacon, smiling, steeling himself.

Able: Virgil, thank you, very much for doing this with me. This dinner seemed to be a bit rough for you, but I'm glad that you helped host it.

Able looks away for a moment, swallowing. He stopped that feeling, and looked back up at the deacon again. He sighs.

Able: I'm really happy that we've become friends, I'm glad to have gotten to know you and hope to keep doing so.

He steps a bit away from him. His smile falters for just a second, but he swallows that emotion again. Not here. Later.

theyYesterday at 8:52 PM

The deacon stands for a moment, pondering with a hand grazing their chin before clearing their throat.

Virgil: Mh, I see. . .well, I'm glad to say that I appreciate the time you've taken out of your day to bring a meal to the table, even if I didn't appreciate the taste as much as I think you'd hope.

The deacon pauses, before grabbing the rim of their glasses, pulling a chair and seating themselves.

Virgil: -Sighing; pushing their glasses to look directly.- . . .and, frankly, I appreciate being able to have a dinner in this house, guests aside. I've been wanting to host a Christmas dinner for a while, but it's one of the few things I'm politely implored to not do, given my position; having a dinner that. . .to emphasize, is merely coincidental with the coming of the Neath's Christmas. . .has been enjoyable. You've given me a good enough excuse to provide to the church to have this, so I thank you in turn for that. Virgil: -Putting their glasses back over their eyes; with a raised eyebrow.- . . .is that all you wanted to say though? I ask because it's strange that you'd ask for privacy merely just to say you're grateful for dinner.

The boyYesterday at 9:05 PM

Able looks away.

Able: I'm just... extremely thankful that you've.. Been around. I suppose there are other reasons but I don't think I'm... ready to tell you. Not so directly.

Able covers his face a bit. He bites his tongue. He needed to end this.

Able: I suppose you're aware that I... do feel a bit more. I don't wish to make you uncomfortable, though. I have been... pushed to say something.

Able sighs heavily. He can feel his voice get caught in his throat, and his face burning now, but for other reasons than just being flustered.

Able: I'd rather just, not risk something I care about being... I... you are important to me. That is all. I'm... just very glad we are friends.

theyYesterday at 9:59 PM

The deacon pauses, sitting their chair quietly before turning in their chair, taking off their glasses fully.

Virgil: . . .well, in that case, I admire the restraint that you are demonstrating in doing as such. Biblically, you would be a model of self-restraint and patience for another's sake. Virgil: -Smiling curtly.- . . .and personally, without the preaching, I think your chastity and steadfast austerity are rare qualities in the Neath. Certainly, you have no obligation to restrain yourself for my comfort, but. . .it's admirably kind of you to do so.

The deacon puts their glasses back on over their eyes, their eyebrows creasing for a moment.

Virgil: -Lightly irritated.- I hope you don't think, however, that your restraint of vices is the only reason we're friends. I may be a deacon, but I ignore the pressure to not associate with a thief when the advice is given by those who seem to forget Christ sat among prostitutes and the impoverished. . .ahem. Virgil: The point is. . .I likewise appreciate that we are friends.

The boyYesterday at 10:05 PM

Able nods, turning around completely. He bites his tongue.

Able: Thank you. I.. Must go however. I might lose myself a bit if I don't. I hope you understand. I..

He catches a gasp in his tone, gripping his hands to his chest. He moves towards the hatch.

Able: I will see you Sunday Virgil.

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10:10 PM

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