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[bookofpowers]

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[banworthy father vincent.]

I know.

[ He waves his hand dismissively, even as his fingers tremble at remembering his violent end. Somehow, he thought exploding would be sudden and almost painless. However, it wasn't like that in reality.

He turns his hand over, staring at the to before flipping to stare at his palm. Curling his fingers, he decides to not think of it further.

And thankfully, Chrollo gave him an out. ]

You'll have to narrow the wording of that question some, Chrollo.

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

The woman you saved came to complain to me for giving you Sun and Moon.

(that's where he wants to reach, it is better to speak it directly. he knows vincent doesn't care for comfort, lest from chrollo, so what would be the point in keeping the subject on his untimely death?

if vincent wants to tell him, he will.)

Interesting thing, humans, don't you think? It was your choice, and if it had been by any other means, the result would be the same.

[banworthy father vincent.]

Complain? About that?

[ Crossing his arms, he decides to view the situation objectively (or attempt to do so while not focusing on the topic of his death). He appreciates that Chrollo doesn't attempt to coddle or comfort him about it; he may sneer and say something unkind. Although, he doubts it would do much harm to the man.

The things that they're weak about; the things that could hurt them; they're buried so far down that no one can find them. Not without dirtying themselves first.

He hums. ]

If she had died, it would have left a scar on Heather. I don't regret my choice. [ Hm. ] And I would not have had the means to ensure their survival without you.

It's just how I died that was upsetting versus that I died. You said it yourself: explaining what was going to happen is different than experiencing it.

[ He scratches the side of his face. Briefly, he thinks of his death back home and if anyone would feel anything about it.

If things had ended differently, if Claudia had died without doing more damage, if God had not been driven insane, Vincent thinks his death would be just a footnote in Heather's life.

A sad moment that she witnessed but eventually never thought of again. The two of them were not close; he manipulated her to carry out what he couldn't. He represented a trauma in her past that she was doing her best to both face and leave behind.

It is only here that his death meant enough for someone to say something to someone else, he supposes, but he doesn't think it was out of care for him. ]

Still, don't mistake her reaction as mourning me. We both know it wasn't that, after all. She just couldn't be angry at the person who showed her a gruesome sight.

[ Yet he doesn't sound sad or distraught by that statement. It is only fact. ]

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

(he did not comfort maria, he would not even think about comforting vincent. he has never needed chrollo that way, and that is something chrollo can both appreciate and thank him for. it removes the need for an act, another mask of concern that chrollo does not truly feel - after all, he did what he had to, the way it was supposed to be.

how could chrollo feel anything negative about that? how could vincent?)

And yet, I was put on trial for it. Not that I mind, it is hardly the worst thing to have ever happened to me, but she seemed to be upset that I allowed you. This is your problem, after all, so I thought that you should know it.

(he signed up, loosely, for heather. everything else on vincent's side, he can aid but this is hardly going to be something he will meddle too much if there is no benefit to him.)

So, has she yelled at you yet?

[banworthy father vincent.]

Well, I can't do anything about someone else's reaction.

[ Vincent washes his hands of the matter. As far as how Maria responded to his revival, he shrugged his shoulders. His expression becomes guarded - there are things he can't even tell Chrollo. Secrets that aren't his to share but are his to invest in. ]

She didn't yell. She was emotional in a warm and sentimental.

[ His mouth twists into mild annoyance but it flattens out into a neutral line. ]

But that's what I'd expect from my best friend.

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

I see. I would not have expected that.

(not only that vincent would have a best friend, but that it would be the woman that has met him. in the end, he does not mind being yelled at, nor having his words pointed and shown. in fact, he's just somewhat glad that the one person he knows sucks as much as he does is not eternally lost.)

Should I get to know her?

[banworthy father vincent.]

It's a joke. Don't take it too seriously.

[ The very idea that he has friends is laughable. Please. ]

That's up to you.

[ However, he thinks there is some merit in that; he supposes if Chrollo gains the same appreciation for her as he has for Heather that would be good. Granted, he can't see the man willing to die for either one - they already had that discussion anyway - but willing to assist her with this and that isn't a bad trade-off. ]

But if you're asking me, I think a continued connection is worth pursuing.

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

So I can protect her too? I am not a bodyguard, Vincent.

(he cares for heather. vincent, he cares for, but protecting him? of what? emotional damage? he's damaged already. physical damage? laughable. maria? he has no reason to. this is, however, not a fight nor a discussion.

he's not upset that vincent sent someone to him in that situation, it is logical he would, it is solely a fact that he is presenting.)

[banworthy father vincent.]

You didn't have to uncover my scheme so quickly. Couldn't you at least pretend to fall for it?

[ He flashes a quick smile as he makes his joke. It's to cover up his surprise Chrollo saw through him so fast; he isn't sure that he likes being seen. ]

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

There would not be a point to it.

(no benefit, nothing to pull in for keeping up a farse. if anything, he can thank maria for telling him as much.)

[banworthy father vincent.]

It would give me a brief burst of hope.

[ He flashes a quick smile before it fades. ]

Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with continued interactions. Heather -- [ He purses his lips and rolls his eyes up in thought. ] I'm not sure -- she's starting to become a little difficult for me to read these days.

I suppose that's good. It means that she's becoming an average teenager.

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

It seems like I will only hear about her from you. She seems to want me to speak of my grievances to her, but other than that, she will not speak to me.

(which he expects, considering all of their history thus far. perhaps it is for the best, to be in the shadows and watch from a distance.)

[banworthy father vincent.]

You make me worry that you'll end up having no connections, Chrollo. Your stock is good and reliable. I know at least I can borrow some power -- [ As terrifying as that is. ] -- but I worry about your lack of company.

You'll end up doing something silly to make up for it, and I can't handle the drop in value.

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

What sort of silliness would you assume me to do?

I wouldn't worry about my lack of company. It is not like I am wholly alone, although I feel like you do not believe just how strongly the Spider covers that for me.

[banworthy father vincent.]

Something self-destructive.

[ He chimes back. ]

Well, you've already lost one of your ... legs, was it?

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

I lost a few over the past years. I'll live. Besides, if I self-destruct, the Spider ceases to exist here. You shouldn't worry about that part.

(What is there for him if not that?)

[banworthy father vincent.]

[ Hm. ]

Fair enough.

[ And adds in a teasing reply: ]

Want to join the Order for something else to do?

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

I can help you, at most, on occasion.

(That's as far as he will go, and only if he can pull Spider-being-the-Spider business in it.)

Are you attached to me that much?

(It's a joke!!!)

[banworthy father vincent.]

And you have my appreciation. [ A beat before he adds: ] Of course, I know I can't rely on you to solve all of my problems.

[ It also would grind his gears if he put himself in that situation, too. He'd hate the idea of having to constantly hide behind someone. While death is a frightening idea to him presently, his pride refuses to let him become some sniveling, cowering weakling about it. ]

Oh, yes, I can't bear to think of us being apart.

[ Ha-ha, they're funny. ]

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

Neither can I. Some of your problems are way beyond my reach, as we both know.

(Although here, there is a likelihood for him to manage something. Power, although without many connections; it might be just what Vincent needs out of him.)

I know. I can see it in your eyes.

(They're hilarious.)

[banworthy father vincent.]

Yes, yes, and it'd be too much for me to even think of how to repay you.

[ Or even humor equivalent exchange. ]

So long as you know then nothing more need be said.

[ They should go on tour. ]

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

There would not be any need. We do engage in philantropic work in Meteor City, I do not see any reason why you shouldn't benefit from my actions every now and then.

(Key phrase: every now and then.)

I knew from the very beginning. So, what are your living plans?

[banworthy father vincent.]

You don't, hm? Be careful or I may attempt to rob your actions blind.

[ How much is every now and then, anyway? ]

To remain isolated in the slab of rock I am presently with a giant monstrous cat and a king. [ He pauses before adding: ] And I suppose, his live-in man.

But those two live away from me so -- [ A small dismissive shrug. ]

[bookofpowers chrollo lucilfer]

At the very least, I am sure it will be entertaining.

(Eh. Depends on the day.)

... Pardon?

[banworthy father vincent.]

Hopefully, it'll be entertaining for both of us.

[ Huh? ]

Where did I lose you?