001. out there in the sun | beneath the sky // open post

[clayce]

Take a prompt, take some time, drop in whenever you like.

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[larue]

[ That makes him fall quiet.

He's noticed it, too. It's kind of sad. ]

[clayce]

I take it that you have seen that in action for yourself.

[Rethe does talk about Joshua a lot, which only led Aidan to one conclusion: the two of them were 'friends'? Or getting there. Rethe did not really do friends outside of the Malice Kings.]

[larue]

[ There's a lengthy pause before he just... nods, the faintest twitch from his left brow as silent kind of yeah.

He's fiddling with his beer can at this point, before softly, he asks: ]

Has he always been like that?

[clayce]

Yes. Riley, Hikaru and Jessie have taken to calling it the 'angelic condition'.

[Shaking his head, looking rueful.]

I suppose there's no better way of putting it. The heavenly host were built to serve, to watch, to tend to things from a distance, to worship from a distance. None of them really have a concept of self or self-worth.

[larue]

[ Taking all of that in... and then: ]

But... how long has Rethe been with the Malice Kings, sir?

[clayce]

Nearly 300 years now, since he joined us in the 1800s.

[Sending you a Look that seems to say yes, this is a problem.]

[larue]

[ Fifty years after being a part of the Heavenly Host for... God knows how long -- he could have excused that.

Three hundred years?

This is a Look right back that agrees even as it goes W-why...?

Yes, Josh kind of resembles a fish at this point. ]

[clayce]

[Now he looks a little... well. Apologetic.]

I know that I am, at least, partially at fault for this. I kept him at a distance for a long time, and since I was his Source, I suppose he defaulted to how he was when he was still one of Yahweh's: silent, obedient, and ignorant on purpose of his own needs.

[larue]

[ He hasn't really been to church in a while, but the way Aidan phrases the latter part of that reply makes Josh frown.

Maybe it's just that he's been brought up in a world who knows that "God" is a woman, but he doesn't like how that description doesn't quite add up with the kind of respect that he feels for Rethe.

Besides, he's also remembering the first time he and Rethe had gone on a walk, and the smile that had touched the angel's face when he'd fiddled with his wedding ring. ]

But you're together now. [ It sounds like the logic of a child, but ever since Josh started coming to terms with the circumstances leading up to his mother leaving their family, he's been thinking on how it used to be for him, for Cindy, for his dad. ]

And he really loves you, sir.

[ He's caught sight of you both at the Great Hall. And occasionally, on the lawn when his jogs stretch a little longer than usual. ]

[clayce]

We are. And I am aware of that.

[And humbled it, and honored by it, and... there aren't a lot of words that could accurately describe the depth of his love for that one and how it makes him feel, is there?

Fiddling a little with his glass now.]

This is, though, the way that angels show their love best. It's a difficult habit to break, I suppose, if that is how you've been built.

[larue]

[ Frowning a little -- and hesitating to ask the thought that's just crossed his mind because... well.

This is rather personal. And he's not exactly an expert in these kinds of things. ]

[clayce]

[He's familiar with that sort of look, Josh.]

What's on your mind?

[As things stand, Aidan doesn't really hesitate to say much of anything these days. Honestly, he has learned many times over, is always the best policy.]

[larue]

[ Smiling sheepishly and shaking his head. ]

I was um, just thinking that it can't be all that bad -- the way that he loves you.

[ A breath, then-- ] At least, as long as he grows because of it... you know?

[ Yeah. Sorry, Father Clayce. That sounded much more reassuring in his head. ]

[clayce]

[That makes him smile, because the boy does have a point.]

Fair enough. As things stand, I suppose it is a matter of just being patient.

[And he's very good at that. Sometimes he's TOO good at it.]

[larue]

[ Smiling a little now, before he lifts his beer to finish it off. ]

He'll come around. [ A shy duck of the head. ] I mean, I don't know him all that well just yet but... [ another smile, at that. ]

Yeah.

[ Josh glances at the time now, has a quiet welp as he notes the hour. Sheepishly, he looks back at the Voidseeker. ] I'll... have to take my leave of you, sir. My dad will be wondering where I went.

[clayce]

That's fine. There's always next time.

[Which is kind of like the Aidan Clayce Way of saying yes, do come around and join me whenever you can.

Smiling in the Sin-Eater's direction, and tipping his bottle once towards him.]

Good night, Josh. Send my regards to your father for me.

[larue]

Will do, sir.

[ He's nodding his good night your way, Father Clayce. ]

Thank you again.