TDM #4

[apocalypsehowmods]

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➥ Arrival

(cw: potential for severe disorientation/vertigo, claustrophobia, arachnophobia, body horror)

It happens in the blink of an eye. You may have been asleep. You may not have. You may have stepped through a door or turned a corner. You may have seen a flicker of something at the corner of your vision and turned to look. Or maybe you didn't.

It doesn't matter. What matters is that you find yourself somewhere entirely new and entirely unfamiliar. The arrival point is not always the same. (If you're lucky, it might be a canteen or an open office. If you're not, well... you aren't claustrophobic, are you? Or arachnophobic. These ducts do seem to be a bit cobwebby.) There is no one waiting for you but you don’t seem to be alone, either. Even in a janitor’s closet or the bathroom, you’ll find at least one person who seems to be just as out of place as you are.

If characters have arrived in a location devoid of NPCs, they may want to work together to figure out what is going on... or to avoid their 'kidnappers.' If you’ve arrived in the middle of the entry foyer or the gym, there may well be a few people who startle a bit at your arrival and try to approach (or discreetly leave the room... where are they going?). Will you cooperate or fight? Do you even understand what they're saying? You might need to find a translator, if you’re not immediately willing to follow a stranger.

After characters follow their new hosts (or are forcibly taken in) there will be a limited tour and the chance to settle in at the ADI-provided housing. (Do you enjoy living with strangers? Well. It's a new situation to navigate, anyway.)

➥ Toying With You

(cw: creepy toys, possible violence, supernaturally induced emotions)

Weird things happen in Dogtown, everyone knows it. The Apocalypse Disruption Initiative (ADI) is not above taking advantage of that to test out the waters for its newest arrivals. They're not looking to send anyone to their death, though. That's far too much paperwork, you'd been assured with a wink from the employee who'd directed you to the park trailhead. You've been left with another person. Maybe they're a new arrival, as well, or a more seasoned 'veteran.' Either way, you're together for the next while and you've been asked to find and record any paranormal activity in the park. You have your phones and any other equipment you might have brought with you. Those who succeed in documenting anything peculiar will receive a $100 reward to be used as they see fit.

This month...characters who enter the area will eventually stumble upon...a very interesting sight. Take enough confusing, branching paths, and they’ll find a variety of toys abandoned in...a variety of ways.

Some, reminiscent of the happenings of the past month, can be found dangling from branches, or from contraptions of sticks and string staked into the ground. Others might be found arranged in patterns...or simply discarded. Some appear to be tied up. Perhaps surprisingly, there is no evidence of the destruction of these toys. Some may appear to be disintegrating but that’s age, not malice. There are old toys and new toys to be found. Maybe it’s just a prank, or an art installation?

Nothing seems to happen to anyone who ventures to touch the toys. At least...not right away. However, any character who does decide to touch a toy will start to feel like they just don’t have...enough. It might manifest as being particularly possessive over things or people they feel are theirs...or in coveting what they don’t already have (be it material or immaterial). These urges will fade away on their own in time, but who knows what might happen before they do?

➥ Pick a Pocket

(cw: mention of vehicular collisions, supernaturally-induced sleep/fatigue)

There is an ethereal music spreading throughout town. It started in the graveyards last month, but now it's spreading, even as collisions and other accidents continue to pile up. Tourists and locals, alike, will find keeping awake incredibly difficult as October rolls in with a rumble of thunder and a splash of rain. Even caffeine doesn't seem to help much with the problem. The music is only just there, just at the edge of awareness, and it's a song that you know. You can't entirely place it, but it's maddeningly familiar.

The local gangs seem to have taken note of the situation, and have taken to sending out their seemingly more resilient members for some mischief. Specifically, pickpocketing those they might find sleeping or less alert than usual. You might be half-falling asleep on a bus when a hand reaches into your pocket or your bag. You might witness the thief in action, stealing from someone else. Or maybe you're someone keen to take advantage of the situation, yourself. There's money to be made for someone with even moderately light fingers when the target is snoring on a park bench or zoning out while sitting at a cafe.

There doesn't seem to be an even effect to the music. It impacts some people in the same vicinity more than others with seemingly no rhyme or reason. The one constant that does appear for those digging deeply, is that ADI HQ and the ADI housing complex seem to be less affected by the music. It can still sometimes be heard, but it's not nearly as prominent as it is throughout the rest of the city.

➥ Sleeper's Paradox

(cw: supernaturally-induced sleep/fatigue, mild memory loss)

For as much as everyone seems to be sleeping lately, it does not seem to be restful sleep. In fact, people dozing off regularly will find themselves even more exhausted and irritable than usual. Again, this seems to be far more pronounced for anyone straying too far from ADI's properties for extended periods.

Another feature of this latest round of supernatural irritation is that even those who tend to remember their dreams may have trouble with that. You might remember that the dreams weren't pleasant, but that's about it. The specifics are as elusive as the source of the singing.

Festive planning for the end-of-the-month Halloween Party is in full swing at ADI, and characters may find themselves strong-armed by Pam and other HR personnel, in spite of any grumpiness and exhaustion, into helping with some part of it. Will you be assisting with making decorations? Buying supplies for the kitchens? Helping those who might not understand Halloween to find the perfect costume? Everyone is feeling a little out of sorts, and having trouble focusing, so there's some particular pushing to spread tasks out to everyone possible so it doesn't fall on a single individual. Anyone who helps will be compensated for their time, and they might even get some extra cash to buy their own fancy costume or preferred food for the party.

➥ Mod Notes

• ARRIVAL (Oct 1 - 31): Two people will always arrive in the same general location together. Arrivals occur throughout the early month, not all on the same day or in the same place. Arrivals are not naturally fluent in English/other languages immediately upon arrival. Characters may attempt to evade capture, but they will eventually be snagged before they can leave the building. PC's already in-game are more than welcome to interact with and try to guide new PC's to get them oriented. Please refer to the Arrival page for details regarding the arrival and onboarding process.
  
  
• Toying With You (Oct 1 - 31): Characters who physically interact with abandoned toys will find themselves overwhelmed by feelings of jealousy and/or possessiveness. Depending on how much interaction they have with the toys, these feelings might be stronger or last longer. (Anyone who, for example, removes a toy from Dogtown will probably find themselves helpless NOT to act on the feelings.) Strength of feeling and duration of time is up to player discretion. The source of these feelings could be anything, including the toys themselves. The toys can be destroyed but are not clumped all in one spot. It may take some searching to find them all.
  
  
• Pick a Pocket (Oct 1- 25): Characters are welcome to experience, enact, or stop a crime. You may find yourself victim, hero, or perpetrator. The number of people asleep or having trouble staying awake will increase the closer you get to graveyards and seem to decrease the closer you get to ADI-owned buildings. The decrease in sleepiness around ADI buildings does not extend to anyone living at Bonnie's. Characters may find themselves falling asleep in the middle of trivial or important tasks, perhaps even in the middle of conversation. This is a supernatural sleep, but for the moment, it seems easy enough to wake someone up with a loud noise or a shake. Or, if you're feeling particularly vindictive, a splash of water to the face.
  
  
• Sleeper's Paradox (Oct 1-25): Characters are welcome to take part in whatever party planning they wish to for ADI's Halloween party. Everyone affected by the drowsiness that's taken over the city will find that they cannot remember the specific nature of their dreams; although, they will have the sense that they did have them, and they were unpleasant. The effects of the fatigue may affect other memories or result in increased irritability, and decreased focus and reaction times. Characters may find themselves more prone to error than usual, even those who are typically known for being on-point at all times.
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Comments

[inutilis]

[ is this real life?

is this... really happening? is Abel getting punked, right now? listen. l... listen. half of him has been convinced he is trapped in some kind of fever dream or starvation-related hallucination or diabetic coma after waking up in ADI and everything that came afterward. and frankly...? maybe getting called out for his Éclair Crimes by a Cute Girl really was too good to be true, in retrospect. wouldn't he normally be getting chased down by local police by now were this the hard, unforgiving truth of his life--? maybe his glasses have gone missing because he was chased, dropped them, and they are now lost down a sewer grate where rats will pick them up and take them away to a cold, watery grave??

...

w-well. Abel looks utterly gobsmacked as Granny has done a total 180 and shifted gears to rattling off about Tina who, by her account, deserves to be canonized as some kind of saint. so gobsmacked, in fact, that he is just standing there like an absolute idiot for several long... long moments, mouth hanging agape and vacant, nothing but the tiniest, barely-there squeaks of a breath leaving him in way of noise.

you know what? he should just cut his losses and go. he should just take this opportunity as a sign of Divine Intervention and leave.

....................Abel is still just standing there menacingly, waiting. ]

[septieme]

[It's about as real as the pair of round spectacles still clipped on the hostess' cute white apron! Quite openly visible at that, at her front!

But since a quiet idiot is as good as background decoration, neither of the women in the shop are paying him further heed as they proceed to go through the following topics:

- Tina is an absolute angel, babysat granny's grandsons on short notice a few times when she was in a pinch! Gave her back pain remedy recommendations that did work! Asked her every day how she's doing! Always comes to Church every Sunday morning too! Etc...
- The original owner of the shop used to be one of granny's classmates in high school, they go waaay back. The business belongs to Duncan's son now, though the man himself only manages the assets; his wife acts more like a boss and shows up more often, but they at least kept the place's look and what it serves the same,
- Granny takes her coffee decaff and black. Sugar isn't good for her blood, and besides, she can more than handle the taste 💪💪💪
- She does enjoy switching it up with tea every Friday, but today is not Friday,
- There have been so many new faces around town lately, she wouldn't mind as much if they were polite, well-mannered, and contributed to Gloucester's prosperity. ALAS, that apparently doesn't seem to be the case... (not a single glance is spared towards any man's direction here, for better or worse),
- Halloween is coming up and that's always a riot even with the adults, granny needs to start preparing treats for all her grandkids... She never saw the appeal in pumpkin spice either, the usual muffin will do! Carrot today, please!
- Oh but do pack half a dozen double chocolate chip cookies along with a small box of donut holes, one of her son's family is visiting on short notice and she needs some sweets to placate the children,
- All to go, she has her royalty card she is absolutely still collecting points for,
- She will also need to run some errands for dinner ingredients tonight! She's thinking chicken, and she could use a second opinion... Oh? Something spicy? The weather is getting colder,

...

......

.........

How much time has passed? What even is time? Sometimes, it's best to just not think too deeply about things. Today may be such a case, and surely it makes sense: when one has awoken to a different world entirely from their own, isn't it only natural to take some down time to process things by yourself, instead of rushing straight out to God Knows Where in order to do God Knows What?

...

Does he even hear it, when goodbyes are exchanged in front of him? Or when the door inevitably open and close behind him? In any case, after a certain stretch of time, there's only the ever-smiling hostess left facing him from behind the register counter.]

Welcome to Duncan's Donuts! How may I help you today~?

[n_n?]

1/2

[inutilis]

[ w-wow can he be one of Granny's gaggle of grandchildren?? he wants sweets and candies and sugary delights... no? what do you mean that's not how it works--? the universe truly is an unjust place.

suppose there is no helping it; there is a new addition to Duncan's interior in the form of a statuesque, frozen shape of a man who may well constitute a part of the décor, now. he is barely moving save to breathe where he is huddled alongside the counter, wise enough not to obstruct Granny in her pleasant afternoon conversation with the barista slash hostess slash waitress slash till-minder... er, whatever!! if one didn't know better, they might sincerely think that his soul had left his body and there is nothing but a vacancy in this vessel. nothing behind the eyes, anymore. gone. he has departed this realm for the next. disappeared. up and vanished! so sad. another occurrence to add to the many of Dogtown.

...

oh, had he blinked--? all of the sudden, Granny has left the establishment and the counter is unoccupied save for a smiling, cheery-eyed face, and a certain familiar blue-haired girl is offering a far too chipper... greeting... ]

[inutilis]

[ as if once more spurred to life, as if the singular brain cell rattling around in Abel's skull made a sudden and triumphant return, he is once more moving to flap his hand with an exaggerated, far too loud and definitively nervous laugh that might just sound vaguely like a sob at the end. ]

O-oh! Ciel...! How funny to see you here...! I think I've just gone and lost my ENTIRE mind, you see, nothing to worry about~!! --How much is a hot chocolate?

[septieme]

What a coincidence, I was just wondering about that. Welcome back! You still remember my name and we seem to understand each other fine, so you sound well enough. Do you have your form of payment ready, just making sure? Judging by your appearance and demeanour, I can't help but wonder if you've listened to a word they said during orientation, Father.

[Her smile really is unbreakable, hands daintily clapped together in front of her chest as she continues sweetly berating chatting him up like absolutely nothing strange has happened since they met. Back to "business", yes?]

1/2

[inutilis]

[ Abel is lifting his fingers as if to prod at his glasses... again, but finding them bereft of his face-- RIGHT. --right!! that is PRECISELY what he was doing still stood here suffering waiting for his... kindly(??)... hostess friend to finish with her customer!! right, right, ]

Ah, well, to be honest... I was a bit perplexed at the time-- it was a lot to take in, you know? I'm not very good under pressure so I'm afraid I didn't absorb much, Ciel... S-surely you can't blame me for that! It's a very harrowing and frightening experience, isn't it--? You're...

[ oh. ...oh, so this definitely confirms it, doesn't it? Ciel, too, is... ]

[inutilis]

[ oh. this is a slightly more studious sort of look she is being leveled, now-- one with a little quiet niggle of worry behind it. ]

Miss Ciel-- you're from... um. Out of town, right? Like. Way out of town?

[septieme]

[She may or may not be keeping count, just how many times this man's been reaching for the glasses that are still in her possession...]

And from that "harrowing and frightening experience", you decided that your best and immediate course of action was to go out in town and get into trouble? Goodness. It wouldn't be difficult to find better behaved children...

[She doesn't sound particularly reproachful, but he MIGHT feel slightly judged as she proceeds to cross her arms over her chest, along with the once-over glance she's giving him (again) from head to toe.]

I moved here recently, if that's what you're asking. You heard Ms. Williams, there's been a lot of foreigners in Gloucester of late. I'm not as suspicious as her of your self-proclaimed vocation, Father, but she was right that your elaborate cassock sticks out like a sore thumb. Have you not at all considered getting a change of clothing before heading out? With the way you're dressed, anyone could pick you out for an outsider at first glance.

[inutilis]

[ what was that? questioning his life choices? pish-posh, Abel is waving that off as if it is water from a duck's back!! haha, what trouble, he wasn't causing trouble, h-he was just. you know... s... sampling a man's... eclair?? listen we don't need to talk about it,

it seems he is much more interested in the next subject of conversation, because he is tilting his head a bit in curiosity as she continues. hm, hm... what to make of this one? interesting... ]

Elaborate...? But this is standard Vatican issue...! Plus, money doesn't exactly grow on trees, you know? I barely have a pittance to my name, never mind a wardrobe...

[ he may or may not have been """"éclair sampling"""" for that reason. and... may or may not be too broke for that hot chocolate. ...ah, the woes of a penniless priest. ]

I don't see any reason I can't, you know, blend in with the clergy here. Right? ...I haven't been to the church, yet, so maybe I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. A-actually, I don't know where it is, and I may have gotten lost several times trying to locate one-- you wouldn't happen to know where it is, would you? With your rendition of the Lord's Prayer earlier-- might I hazard a guess you're a woman of faith~?

[septieme]

[...]

I see. So you either completely ignored the orientation, deeply entrenched yourself in denial, or are trying to get information in a very roundabout way. The last option feels the less likely, but that may just be me. Hmm, how to say this...

I don't think you'll be able to go back to the Vatican anytime soon, Father. Or get in touch with anyone you used to know, from there. The date today is October 2nd 2021, we are presently in the city of Gloucester in the state of Massachusetts, inside the United States of America. You are aware of this much, are you?

[Why yes she did just sidestep some of his questions for her, but this, their active predicament, is more important and pressing, in her personal and humble opinion...]

[inutilis]

What--?! N-no, I didn't ignore orientation, but... I mean, it's completely besides the point! I told you, I'm no good under pressure and that was a lot of information to take in while I was simply trying to gather my bearings, and... and then there was a very complicated matter involving a teenager intent on punching me rather repeatedly in a closet, a-and--

[ oh, dear, he is getting more flustered the longer she talks. C-- CIEL-- he is now resting a hand on the counter to lean further toward her to emphasize his... point?? (is there a point somewhere, here?? maybe.) ]

--Yes, I've heard all of this nonsense before which is absolutely part of the problem...! How, precisely, does one simply swallow THAT hefty pill, hm? Hm...?! I-I mean, really! That's asking quite a lot, don't you think, Ciel...? 2021!! America? At least pick a more plausible location for this whole charade...!

[septieme]

[Quite a lot to take in, indeed! One can hardly blame the poor man...

...Which may or may not be the reason why she decides to focus on one point of interest from his rambling in particular, just now:]

You came out of the closet upon arrival, Father? [Blinks, as she leans back a little, totally because he's the one leaning in,

...]

[inutilis]

[ she leans back, further-- he leans in, further!! it is the Magnetic Pull of Idiocy. does Ciel have some kind of invisible dumbass magnet tractor beam...? ]

Oh, yes! I did! I was lost in the closet, and with someone who decided to greet me and force me out of it with a kick from behind, none the less!! Can you believe it?!

[ there are so many jokes, here. so many. ]

1/2

[septieme]

[So he's saying a priest came out of the closet with a teenage boy, 🤔

...She's keeping her distance,]

Very much so actually, because I met... someone, stuck in a closet just yesterday myself. She was also new, it's quite shocking to learn that this happens to more than just one per--, um, individual! This is starting to sound a little too strange to be mere coincidence, I also feel worse for the building janitors...

[no comments on the physical abuse that came with in his case, if one didn't know any better it's almost like this hobo priest is a glutton for divine and not-so-divine punishment, hmm...]

[septieme]

--Oh, more customers! [She suddenly perks up as she cranes her neck and glances out towards the glass panels at the front of the store, where indeed a couple of teenage girls seem to be slowing down by the entrance door.] Can you please go back to standing still like you were before while I take care of this, Father? I'll give you some cookies and a hot chocolate later for your time and trouble?

[...Can you bribe someone to go back into being a statue with cookies and hot cocoa? She's about to find out--]

1/2

[inutilis]

[ ☠

a-anyway, news that this isn't an isolated incident is only slightly comforting?? suppose that could get ugly depending on who an unfortunate soul ended up waking with, considering... but-- Abel's attention

is wholly and completely divested from this thought

by Ciel's offer. one that lights the priest's entire face in a dumbstruck disbelief which, in turn, slowly dissolves into a joyous, enraptured, over-eager delight--

--he is reaching forward the rest of the distance between them, practically draped over the counter at this point as he seizes her hands in his own, eyes shimmering with unshed tears beginning to well over, ]

C-- Ciel!! You heavenly patron saint!! Y-you blessed, angelic savior of the starving, woe-be-gone man!! I... H-how could I-- n-no, please, I won't even breathe I'll be so still!!

[ the answer to that question? whether or not you can bribe a man into being a statue with cookies and cocoa, ]

[inutilis]

[ .........is yes.

he is (thankfully) prying himself away from her right before the door opens and the girls, giggling at something on one of the phone screens they're passing between them, enter the building.

not so much as breathing, Ciel. still. solid. at attention.

this isn't weird at all, ]

[septieme]

[....................Dog Puppy, an extremely eager and boisterous and untrained one at that, wonder why she's getting such a distinct impression while her hands are being shook like he was ringing in the New Year at a Japanese shrine? she smiles through it nevertheless, because what else is a hostess/barista/waitress/etc supposed to ever do, no matter how weird/rude/overbearing the customer gets? Ignoring the fact that the beanpole in front of her isn't even a paying one,

...ahem,

Thus she wisely opts to simply smile and nod, and is in the process of wiping the counter clean from hobo germs with a rag when the gossiping girls enter the store, now decorated by a Human Priest Statue simply standing completely still some distance away from the cash register. ...Not weird at all, nope. One of the girls is very much staring at him with a raised eyebrow, while the other one is already putting in her order before Ciel's even given a chance to give her welcome spiel--]

"Hiii, so it'll be like, an iced pumpkin spice latté? I want mine with no whip, sub it for vanilla sweet cream cold foam with caramel drizzle Cali style on top. Sarah, you want the same thing?"

[Ciel is still Smiling as she fiddles at the register, ah yes, what autumn season is complete without gal pals ordering pumpkin spice lattes--]

"Me? Umm... That sounds pretty good, Mel! I'll get an iced pumpkin spice latte too, but topped with fat free whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon. I'm on a diet, remember? I can't have as much sugar as you." [This gets "Sarah", a blonde with sunglasses, to stop judging staring at the human decoration in the shop to focus on her order. She's still stealing occasional glances though, this "priest" really stands out with what he's wearing, considering the actual time period and modern 21st century fashion trends...]

--So, two pumpkin spiced lattes, iced. One with vanilla sweet cream cold foam topped by caramel drizzle, the other with fat free whipped cream and cinnamon powder. Would there be anything else?

"Cali style, dont'cha leave that out!" [The one called "Mel", a brunette with a shawl, interjects while inspecting her nails.]

"I SAID I'm on a diet, y'know? The drink's more than enough. Mel, come by yourself next time. I wouldn't even be getting anything if it wasn't for you." [The blonde frowns back with a shrug, but continues clicking away on her phone.]

Aha... Okay, with Cali style drizzle. Understood, right away!

[And with a small and maybe nervous chuckle, the sole hostess/waitress/barista/??? gets to work. The gal pals in the meanwhile are returning to their half-bickering/texting/gossiping/giggling, they're clearly besties--or oomfies, as some would say in 2021. They still occasionally throw a stray glance towards the piece of human statue on the floor, but don't seem to mind it too much otherwise.

...

Will the 'statue' behave...]

[inutilis]

[ haha, don't mind him, ladies~! he is like one of those decorative, seasonally festive scarecrows one puts up this time of year...!! yes, isn't he ~spooky?!~ nothing quite like a 6'4 entirely useless man of the ornately-adorned clergy to get those boots... rattling...?

listen, just. just order your stupid coffee,

...it's like they're speaking another language???? said Priestly Decoration is beginning to sweat, his frozen smile perhaps slightly... off-kilter as they continue to drone on. Cali style?? what in God's name does that even mean?! is this some kind of waman code he is not privy to??? no-- is this some kind of SECRET CODE and they're passing messages to Ciel about the intruder in their midst?!?!?! is the good barista secretly a DOUBLE AGENT working for the man and going to report Abel's failings to the ADI?!?!?!?!

the frozen statue priest spooky definitely a Halloween decoration makes a quietly strangled noise in his throat,

m-make them go away, HE'S SCARED... ]

[septieme]

[They HAVE ordered their white girl lattés what else are they expected to do smh...

Well if it's any consolation to the human decoration, the barista is fiddling in the back with a Troubled expression because as she's already mentioned to Fierce Granny earlier, she is a new hire. And these orders just now??? She may be no klutz, but to get these right will definitely take effort. It is so that after pouring and pumping things from here and there, she eventually disappears into the back to Google Cali style herself fetch more of what she needs. Abel is left alone on the floor with the gal pals...

...Whose attention inevitably turn back to him, after having wrapped up their earlier banter and finished whatever they were looking at on their cellphones,]

"So what do you think that guy's deal is? He's just been standing there." [Not even menacingly, just dumbly smh They're really talking as if he wasn't just standing a few couple feet away from them... Or maybe they just don't care? Teens these days...]

"Iunno, maybe some of the haunted houses decided to step it up a notch? I've heard one of them redecorated to look like an abandoned church, hired a priest as guide too. Can't blame'em for switching things up to attract more business, we're the right season for it anyway."

"Ooooh, riiiight! Those duds look really fancy though, wonder where they got the costume?"

"Why don't you just ask him, Mel? He's right there. ...Snrk, don't tell me you're thinking of dressing up as a nun for the Halloween party?"

"Sarah." [The brunette rolls her eyes.] "...I haven't decided yet, but it's not the worst idea you've had... 'K, fine. Hey, you!"

[Neither of them attempt to move closer however, "Mel" simply turns to face him fully while giving a jerk of her head in his direction.

Ciel is still nowhere to be seen from where they stand at the shop's front. Abel's on his own......]

[inutilis]

[ --no. no... where is she going?? Abel's eyes are straining to follow the blue-haired girl as she goes about her work behind the counter, desperate to keep track of her (quietly stressed) ministrations. but as soon as he sees her ducking out of view and into the back--

a lance of the utmost, unbridled panic stabs at his insides with intensity. NO??? CIEL?? don't leave him alone with mankind's most dangerous and formidable weapon against an Adult--

the teenager.

has he not taken enough abuse from their ilk a few days earlier?? was getting closet-beaten and then regular-beaten by an angry boy not enough?!?! why must he CONSTANTLY be subjected to these sorts, huh?! oohhh, Lord, why must You send one of your most diligent and faithful servants Your most arduous trials...? does God truly have so much faith in Abel's ability to endure?! at this point, he isn't sure if it's flattery or just some kind of morbid curiosity on the Divine's part--

that soft, choked noise leaves his throat again as Abel finds himself abruptly addressed; oh, no. OH NO. he thought teenagers were like T-Rexes and they can't see you if you don't move?? predators and all that. he is going a bit more stiff and rigid (impressive, considering) before swallowing thickly against the lump in his throat. ohhhh, God. oh God, oh God, she is looking directly at him and there is no escape and if he moves, does he forfeit his promised cookies and hot chocolate--? th-this is, truly... truly, ah... a... predicament...

very softly: ]

M-miss?

[ if you spoil his cookies and hot chocolate

he will die and haunt you girls forever, just you WAIT-- ]

[septieme]

[Ok but is there seriously a single Adult adult in this shop right now, back AND front included,

...

Sorry Abel Ciel needs to figure out these White Girls Drinks™ and do them properly, otherwise getting White Girl Complaints™ will be even worse. At least he's not suffering alone anymore...]

"Yeah, you. Not like there's anyone else, right?" [He gets a cheeky grin while the blond snorts again behind her friend, glancing down at her phone again as she resumes clicking away.] "Where'd you buy that fancy coat? It looks sick!"

"Could be custom made too, whatcha gonna do if it's way outta your budget?"

"Shove it, Sarah. We don't know that yet!" ['Mel' is leaning over a bit however, eyeing the poor Challenged priest (in more ways than one) and completely oblivious over the fact that she is threatening his cookies and hot cocoa.] "Seriously, is that a shoulder plate? Looks too shiny to be plastic too, it's like straight out of fancy medieval fantasy!"

"More like some RPG, lol! He has two belts, Mel. What medieval fantasy has priests wear two belts? Hahaha!" ['Sarah' sure said "lol", that sure did happen. Great, now they're BOTH Intently Staring him up and down--]

"Oh my god, you're right. I didn't even notice that! You've GOTTA be wearing all this to show off, and I'm not ashamed to admit I'm biting! Give us a hint at least, where'd you get those threads? Or tell us where you work, I wanna check the rest of the place out now!"

[If it may make him feel any better, Ciel will (probably) not rub it in his face later, that she totally told him not five minutes ago that his outfit really stands out... And around these parts, you Do Not want to Stand Out...]

[inutilis]

[ ...o-oh. oh, oh. wait. wait a moment-- everyone hold the phone. shut up. chill for a second. are they... complimenting him on his uniform?? is that what is happening, right now?

Abel is like a turtle slowly poking his head out from his shell, and the further they go on - the further his expression gently meanders from a morose resignation to a muted curiosity to an outright semi-pleased kind of preening. yes, he might just be shifting a bit beneath his coat, clearing his throat as he lifts his chin. ]

Ah. A-ah, do you like it~? I hate to burst your bubble, miss, but this was indeed custom made just for yours truly... I'm part of a-- [ don't say anything about ADI. don't say anything about spooky scary supernatural Armageddon. don't say anything incredibly stupid that would be just as outrageous as any of the above ] ...traveling caravan, and as their resident clergymen, they tend to treat me quite well. Quite well, seeing as how am I a veeery high-profile and extremely priceless member of their entourage. --Oh, I truly am sorry I can't give you the name of my tailor, but I assure you, their skill is simply heavenly~!

[ haha, get it. heavenly. because Vatican, it--

...okay. ]

[septieme]

"Ehhhh? No way. There's no way a guy with a face and posture like that can be an actual priest, right?"

"Iunno, isn't there creepy stories about priests all the time? We should ask Clara next time we see her, isn't she like, craaazy into Gothic horror?"

"Yeah, Clara loves that stuff. But this guy is..." ['Mel' is faintly scowling in thoughts. ...Really hard to tell whether he's actually part of the conversation or not at any time, with the way how these gal pals act,] "He looks nerdy, yeah? I wouldn't be surprised if he was some PUA either, T-B-H. You really gotta stop talking to strangers just because they look cool to you, Sarah."

"You got some weird hobbies yourself, don't get me started. ...But maybe you're right, he sounds sooooo nerdy, urgh." [With an eyeroll, 'Sarah' seamlessly shifts her attention back to the lanky and obviously FAKE priest.] "The circus already packed up last month, did you miss your ride or something? If you don't wanna tell me, just say so. Maybe that's why they dress you nice, everything is ruined the moment you start talking. Fine, kiss and don't tell. What about that cross then? I thought it looked wicked at first, 'specially with those spikes and claws poking out. Super edgy. But maybe you're just overcompensating? Bigger isn't always better, did no chick ever tell you that?"

"Loool. Hyper edgy, right? But ew, don't tell me you actually want one too? Mel... That thing looks more like a weapon than a cross. I bet you could seriously mess someone up with it."

"It does look kinda heavy! But so what if it COULD kill a man? That just makes it better! Improv weapon in case a creep tries to mess with you! Anyway, where'd you get that?"

"Just stop bothering, lol. In before he tells you he's got a top secret jeweller too, totally not related to his top secret tailor or anything. Just snap a pic and look it up, you could also commission one that looks like it. My boyfriend has some buds in metalworking, I could hook you up~"

"Oh yeah, good idea! Thanks Sarah, you're the best ♥ Help me with this and I'll pay for your latté? You always take better pictures than me, I swear."

"Deal, you're on~"

[Giggling among themselves, the gal pals both have their phones out now, and are obviously angling to try taking a clear picture of his rosary. Shouldn't be too hard since he's wearing it out in the open and it's pretty Big, right?]

[inutilis]

[ wh-- wha...

...why does he only understand less than HALF of what the two of them are saying at any given moment?!?! what the heck is going on??? how is the vernacular of teenagers back in 2021 so totally different than 3064, huh?? HUH?? Abel's smile is immediately faltering into outright gaping, offense and insult overtaking his face as he gives one of them-- and then the other-- an accusatory point. ]

Excuse me, NERDY--? You realize I'm right here and can hear every word, can't you?! R... rude, this is very rude!! I am not NERDY, y-you--

[ his mouth works, but-- they are talking right over him as if he isn't speaking at all??? WHAT. Abel squeaks softly, cutting off his ineffectual rambling and looking as though he is torn between deciding if he should be pouting or outright sobbing in some melodramatic tantrum. hmm. hmmm, maybe both?

but luckily(??), the subject is abruptly doing a 180 from his person and attire to the rosary dangling from the chain around his neck, and Abel is taking a tiny step backwards, gripping it possessively and protectively like a child whose favorite teddy was threatened. um, like, this is his?? keep your GRUBBY DEMON TEENAGER PAWS away from his Precious, ]

How dare you...! I'll have you know this is a family heirloom, and if you take pictures and attempt to recreate it I will have my definitely-real-expensive-well-paid-really-smart caravan lawyers... s-sue you for... defamation of--

[ ...........what is he saying, he's lost track somewhere along the line as he is getting increasingly flustered and indignant, ]

--STOP LOOKING AT HER!! Rosa very sensitive...

[ who? Rosa, the rosary. apparently. ]