I can well believe they do; after all, the church is a living organism and has evolved so many times throughout history just in my world, let alone the countless others it exists in.
[She smiles, something a little awed in her eyes, it's still astounding to think of all the different times and places people come from here.]
The church where I am from is mobilised as a military power, and so the structure is much like that of an army.
Can't that be said of anything on Earth? I can only imagine how much has changed in 200 years, especially given how quickly civilization has already been progressing during the last two centuries.
[A mortal isn't as awed with the Greater Things of the world. ...Or a more selfish person, so to speak, but she can see where the other woman is coming from.]
That still surprises me, I admit. Some worlds have powerful church militia because there are unholy things to fight against. The Duchess herself leads a branch that favors diplomacy, does she not? May I ask what brought on the change, during or before your time?
[her eyes widen at that. ...Ah, would this be... part of the gap, in Cain's future? There are slim odds that it was before his time, but given the pieces...]
...Goodness. I'm sorry to hear that, miss Sahl. As a politically neutral state that has served as mediator to many occasions throughout history, that does explain a great deal. What years did it occur during...?
[Though this is just a rough date from the canon timeline, so... She's aware that this means the war has been raging for a century now, though hopefully that will end very soon.]
But surely there are other things we could discuss, to speak of such a long war is never pleasant.
I've always wondered why the Inquisition had such a presence and is apparently separated from the Church, according to Brother Orsini. They're one and the same in my world, hence that always puzzled me, but it's true that with an answer like that, now...
[It had saddened her to learn that even so far into the future the world was still so scarred, so divided, but to see even the seeds of healing and peace were something.]
I do not mind, and I find that I prefer to discover about a person through conversation.
Isn't that just a roundabout way of calling me nosy... I don't deny it, granted, since the clergy of your world are the first members of the Faith I've met here, but still...!
[...yeah now she's just mildly mock-whining. nothing new, right?]
[That sure is the Mother Teresa-esque route... A part of her almost wants to point out that someone's got to initiate the topic, which Lilith seems to doing a stellar job at steering clear of - granted, that may just be because she herself can be quite the chatterbox. Small talk is distracting, 'nuff said.
She'll settle for a 'very well' sigh, then!]
You talk as if you have all the time, freedom, and opportunities in the world. That's almost enviable... But isn't it harder in practice than theory? So much can be going on at once here, and people tend to be high-strung even during downtime.
Sometimes those who are highly strung only need a patient ear. Too many questions can feel like an interrogation to someone who may be reluctant to share, a silence with the illusion of time to spend freely can allow relaxation and even a normally silent tongue to begin sharing.
[There's no subtext there at all, it's clear she really doesn't mind the questions Ciel has been asking her and doesn't consider them an interrogation at all. But she is naturally calm and confident, someone less self assured may go on the defensive with a barrage of questions.]
okay granted she's the one who's spent a year masquerading as a highschool girl. She used to be the one smiling it off and helpfully filling silences when the awkwardness is practically PALPABLE from the other party - teenagers!! It happens. But okay, mature conversations here. Let's... not bring that up.]
I can only pray it is as you say, in that case. I'd argue it depends on the manner of delivery, but maybe it's just a difference in approach. What have you been doing to relax, then? I feel like sharing these sort of tips here may help everyone, haha.
[Awkward silences don't fluster Lilith, she simply lets them wash over her and keep waiting.]
I find nothing is better for relaxing than spending time with friends, even just a short while engaged in the company of someone you care about can make many burdens feel lighter.
she does chuckle lightly at that, though. it's not a surprising answer in the least, is it?]
Company really can make anything better, but just sitting around could get boring, too. What about some things you could do with others? People tend to complain about boredom too often enough, now that I think about it. Walks can only do so much for some, and there aren't any long beaches either, unfortunately...
[...because long walks by the beach is like the most cliched thing ever, but maybe she should've thought twice before making that joke--]
[The joke is perhaps an obvious one, but Lilith still smiles at it. Sometimes the most pleasant things are the moments of brevity that can be enjoyed between the trials here.]
Learning a new skill is always a valuable way to occupy time, and with the diversity of people resident here then it surely wouldn't be hard to find one to learn.
a reaction is nice, though. otherwise she'd feel derp for a second, but NO LONGER!]
Group quilting could be fun! I think I heard it suggested once. [she has because she gave it to Garry...] Or just sewing and knitting in general, it's even easier now that things can also be found in the underground section. The fighter types can find sparring partners or learn new styles, too. I admit I'm a bit surprised I haven't heard many request to those, come to think of it. It's good to stay in shape, if nothing else. Drawing and writing are out, unfortunately, but those are a few among many, right?
Exactly, so you see you already have many suggestions, you need not worry about boredom or having nothing to suggest should others complain of boredom.
[She takes a sip of the prepared tea, before finally prompting just a little.]
I do not believe you sought my out just to ask about the politics of my world and for boredom cures, may I ask what brought you to me today?
I think they're a bit bland and not all that all-encompassing, honestly. There must be more...!
[That gets her to calm down a little, eyes gaining a more sober glint as she sets her own cup down, now looking more pensive.]
...
Mm. I suppose it was rather sudden, wasn't it? [She quietly exhales.] Well... It is mostly about the former, to be honest. I wanted to know more about your world, because it's people from your world who's been with me and helped me out when I first got here. [It's technically not false...] I was hoping to get a better understanding from how things must be at home, but wars are never good topics no matter who you ask, are they? Aha, I'm sorry.
[She accepts that as a fair explanation, and she even feels a little pride and contentment to hear that people from her world had given this woman aid when she arrived in this strange world.]
Then I am afraid I am the wrong person to ask. Though we all share a common world, we are from greatly differing times and their world is much changed from the one I know.
[Ciel likes to busybody. Running errands for Cat is totally something enjoyable to do! And Petros is... Petros...
Oh well Inquisitor bros no questions asked
She nods in assent, and--
For a beat, she was wholly set on playing this off with surprise, act as if this is news. After all, why wouldn't it be? Who would be able to even guess, that the time gap between 'them' is well over 800 years? Ciel wouldn't have even hesitated at all, if this was closer to a year back.
But... well...
That was then, this is now, huh?
She gives a meek chuckle.]
That's okay, too. A great deal must've happened during a great gap, but they're still pieces that make up the whole, right?
[She won't pretend this is a shock, if... nothing else.]
[you tend to overthink things when the topic matters to you. AT LEAST SHE DIDN'T KNOCK HERSELF COMPLETELY LOOSE... letting something like 'I know' slip would be, uh, more questionable, probably...
Plus, it's already somewhat rare, for people of the same world to be separated by large gaps in time. ...To her experience at least, which is somewhat considerable even if it may still be a narrow take. at least she can maybe pat herself on the back, for not lying straight out for once--!
Her eyelids droop, and her gaze drops down to the cup, idly staring into the ripples of what little liquid remaining.]
...It seemed like a lot has happened, and I didn't want to bring up anything that might be difficult to talk about.
[She assumes that it is Abel that has helped her since arrival, simply due to the fact that they share a room and he would have been in the right proximity.
She can't blame Ciel for not wanting to hurt him. For all his silliness and feigned smiles, he has a vulnerability that exposes a raw grief terrible to behold.]
Sometimes discussing painful topics cannot be avoided, and for a friendship to deepen they should not be shied from.
[No need to correct that assumption even if it was voiced. She's already coasting by with half-truths as it stands, also doing a good job of omitting Mayfield history altogether. That part isn't relevant to their current setting, after all, and personal impacts are matters for her own consideration.]
There's a time for all things, as the saying goes. We have all this free time here to boot, so it may be best to go at our leisure instead of taking too much rush, I'd think?
[Aha... She feels like a dork right now. Which. Probably isn't too far from the truth either, is it?]
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[She smiles, something a little awed in her eyes, it's still astounding to think of all the different times and places people come from here.]
The church where I am from is mobilised as a military power, and so the structure is much like that of an army.
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[A mortal isn't as awed with the Greater Things of the world. ...Or a more selfish person, so to speak, but she can see where the other woman is coming from.]
That still surprises me, I admit. Some worlds have powerful church militia because there are unholy things to fight against. The Duchess herself leads a branch that favors diplomacy, does she not? May I ask what brought on the change, during or before your time?
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[Her voice is a little quieter when she answers, calm and yet sorrowful for the world and the people who had chosen to make themselves enemies of it.]
The church rose as a pillar of strength to offer sanctuary, and then resistance.
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...Goodness. I'm sorry to hear that, miss Sahl. As a politically neutral state that has served as mediator to many occasions throughout history, that does explain a great deal. What years did it occur during...?
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[Though this is just a rough date from the canon timeline, so... She's aware that this means the war has been raging for a century now, though hopefully that will end very soon.]
But surely there are other things we could discuss, to speak of such a long war is never pleasant.
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I've always wondered why the Inquisition had such a presence and is apparently separated from the Church, according to Brother Orsini. They're one and the same in my world, hence that always puzzled me, but it's true that with an answer like that, now...
[rubs her temple a little...]
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Aha, I've been asking a lot of questions. Would you have a few too, maybe?
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I do not mind, and I find that I prefer to discover about a person through conversation.
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Isn't that just a roundabout way of calling me nosy... I don't deny it, granted, since the clergy of your world are the first members of the Faith I've met here, but still...!
[...yeah now she's just mildly mock-whining. nothing new, right?]
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[She has the more patient route, she allows the information to drip naturally over time, and come together to create a full picture.]
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She'll settle for a 'very well' sigh, then!]
You talk as if you have all the time, freedom, and opportunities in the world. That's almost enviable... But isn't it harder in practice than theory? So much can be going on at once here, and people tend to be high-strung even during downtime.
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[There's no subtext there at all, it's clear she really doesn't mind the questions Ciel has been asking her and doesn't consider them an interrogation at all. But she is naturally calm and confident, someone less self assured may go on the defensive with a barrage of questions.]
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okay granted she's the one who's spent a year masquerading as a highschool girl. She used to be the one smiling it off and helpfully filling silences when the awkwardness is practically PALPABLE from the other party - teenagers!! It happens. But okay, mature conversations here. Let's... not bring that up.]
I can only pray it is as you say, in that case. I'd argue it depends on the manner of delivery, but maybe it's just a difference in approach. What have you been doing to relax, then? I feel like sharing these sort of tips here may help everyone, haha.
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I find nothing is better for relaxing than spending time with friends, even just a short while engaged in the company of someone you care about can make many burdens feel lighter.
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she does chuckle lightly at that, though. it's not a surprising answer in the least, is it?]
Company really can make anything better, but just sitting around could get boring, too. What about some things you could do with others? People tend to complain about boredom too often enough, now that I think about it. Walks can only do so much for some, and there aren't any long beaches either, unfortunately...
[...because long walks by the beach is like the most cliched thing ever, but maybe she should've thought twice before making that joke--]
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Learning a new skill is always a valuable way to occupy time, and with the diversity of people resident here then it surely wouldn't be hard to find one to learn.
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a reaction is nice, though. otherwise she'd feel derp for a second, but NO LONGER!]Group quilting could be fun! I think I heard it suggested once. [she has because she gave it to Garry...] Or just sewing and knitting in general, it's even easier now that things can also be found in the underground section. The fighter types can find sparring partners or learn new styles, too. I admit I'm a bit surprised I haven't heard many request to those, come to think of it. It's good to stay in shape, if nothing else. Drawing and writing are out, unfortunately, but those are a few among many, right?
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[She takes a sip of the prepared tea, before finally prompting just a little.]
I do not believe you sought my out just to ask about the politics of my world and for boredom cures, may I ask what brought you to me today?
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[That gets her to calm down a little, eyes gaining a more sober glint as she sets her own cup down, now looking more pensive.]
...
Mm. I suppose it was rather sudden, wasn't it? [She quietly exhales.] Well... It is mostly about the former, to be honest. I wanted to know more about your world, because it's people from your world who's been with me and helped me out when I first got here. [It's technically not false...] I was hoping to get a better understanding from how things must be at home, but wars are never good topics no matter who you ask, are they? Aha, I'm sorry.
[She ducks her head a little at that.]
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Then I am afraid I am the wrong person to ask. Though we all share a common world, we are from greatly differing times and their world is much changed from the one I know.
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Oh well Inquisitor bros
She nods in assent, and--
For a beat, she was wholly set on playing this off with surprise, act as if this is news. After all, why wouldn't it be? Who would be able to even guess, that the time gap between 'them' is well over 800 years? Ciel wouldn't have even hesitated at all, if this was closer to a year back.
But... well...
That was then, this is now, huh?
She gives a meek chuckle.]
That's okay, too. A great deal must've happened during a great gap, but they're still pieces that make up the whole, right?
[She won't pretend this is a shock, if... nothing else.]
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She sees no reason why Ciel should be surprised, there are others here from different timelines in their worlds, it doesn't seem to be too uncommon.]
You're right, though I must wonder why you do not ask the ones you are grateful to for this information.
[It's not that she minds, far from it, but surely that would be easier and less roundabout.]
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Plus, it's already somewhat rare, for people of the same world to be separated by large gaps in time. ...To her experience at least, which is somewhat considerable even if it may still be a narrow take. at least she can maybe pat herself on the back, for not lying straight out for once--!
Her eyelids droop, and her gaze drops down to the cup, idly staring into the ripples of what little liquid remaining.]
...It seemed like a lot has happened, and I didn't want to bring up anything that might be difficult to talk about.
[Anything painful, to be precise...]
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She can't blame Ciel for not wanting to hurt him. For all his silliness and feigned smiles, he has a vulnerability that exposes a raw grief terrible to behold.]
Sometimes discussing painful topics cannot be avoided, and for a friendship to deepen they should not be shied from.
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There's a time for all things, as the saying goes. We have all this free time here to boot, so it may be best to go at our leisure instead of taking too much rush, I'd think?
[Aha... She feels like a dork right now. Which. Probably isn't too far from the truth either, is it?]
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