Hybrid Kingdom PSL

[no1likeme]

{ the “beach” episode }
for some more light-hearted/chaotic stuff happening at the hotel throughout the plot

Comments

[theurgie]

(( Is it really self-depreciating when it’s true? Emmanuel’s hardly had what anyone might consider a normal life. But he thinks what David means is a baseline human, which is a qualifier that does suit Emmanuel.

Hearing even just the most truncated version of the reason for David’s involvement in all this… Emmanuel turns to look at him, eyes slightly wider and very sympathetic. ))

I’m sorry.

[silvernaphil]

[Ah jeez, David's no good with genuine, selfless emotions like sympathy when they're directed at him. He scratches the back of his neck and shrugs one shoulder, as if he's got any hope of being nonchalant about his friends after bombing the compound.]

Yeah... I'm just glad you guys tracked me down and gave me something to do, 'cause my next plan was an anthrax letter bomb. I kinda fuckin' lost it. [He glances sidelong at Emmanuel, a guilty frown on his lips. He also made things way, way worse for all the people (and gods and such) who have been fighting Set since the beginning.]

Probably don't deserve the second chance, but I'll take it.

[theurgie]

(( One might think he'd be better at offering solace since he's a priest but... he's not that kind of priest. Sorry, David! ))

Anyone can say they're sorry for doing something awful. Mistakes are normal, but so is some bit of pride. It takes a strong person to admit they were wrong and take steps to prove they're better than their mistake. You didn't have to agree to help us, but you did. I think that makes you more than deserving of a second chance.

[silvernaphil]

[David has a much easier time with such brusque language, so he's more than happy to discover that's how Emmanuel hands out his priestly wisdom. The response even brings a bit of a grin to his face.]

Y'know, that's pretty close to what Lucas said.

[Aaaand here's the cafe. As they approach the counter, David lets Emmanuel know:]

I'm buying, since I'm the one who dragged you here.

[And he orders himself a red-eye and an enormous blueberry scone.]

[theurgie]

(( Well. There's a bit of reassurance in hearing he holds the same belief in redemption as an angel of the Lord. The spike of pride is short lived, replaced by a curious peering into the display case of baked goods. ))

Black tea and a croissant.

(( Barely have the words left him and he's already looking around for the most advantageous place to sit. He doesn't even realize it's something he does, casing every place he plans to spend more than a handful of minutes in like that. ))

Shall we sit over there?

(( He nods toward a specific table he's picked out for the ease of a potential escape route in case of an emergency. ))

[silvernaphil]

[While David may not know exactly what Emmanuel's doing, the intensity of his gaze as he scopes out the cafe doesn't go unnoticed. It's got to be exhausting, David thinks, living every second of every day at the steady burn this guy does, but he can also see why it makes Emmanuel so appealing to some people. Having his steely eyes fixed on you even for a second does do something strange to a person's heartbeat.]

Yeah, sure. [Looks as good as any other spot to him. He pays the barista, who says she'll bring their orders out in a moment, and then goes to sit at the indicated table.

Once they're both seated, David suddenly remembers that he's been holding onto something he wants to tell Emmanuel:]

Oh, hey! Your family name's Yoon, right? So's mine.