IC inbox (pumpkin hollow)

[lovethyneighb_or]

Mulcahy here! Leave a message.

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[pineapplesalmon]

[César starts to try to think of what to say about the first, but the second makes him pause. He chews as he lets that settle in. The father has been on the front lines of war....]

... I'd like a small funeral and some sort of headstone I can visit to talk to them. To work through the spiritual side of grief. It's my duty as their eldest son—something I need to do.

And for the shrine—I can make the shelves—I have a woodshop and some skill—and an excess of money to cover the cost of what goes on it. No candles, too dangerous. I just... can't bless things.

[He pauses and then pulls out a small ring box, opening it to reveal his parents' wedding ring and his mother's engagement ring.] These... somehow washed ashore. I plan to get a chain to keep them with me.

[lovethyneighb_or]

[ When César addresses the aspect of blessing, something about the situation suddenly becomes material to Mulcahy. It bears more weight, becomes more real. That he is a priest, and he is being called upon. That he can believe in the necessity of himself to help others. ]

That'll all be very easy to organize.

[ His gaze falls on the rings. After all this time, his thoughts still fall to all the boyish soldiers who only dreamed of such things. ]

Those are lovely, César. Do... would you like me to do something with them, or are you just sharing this with me? I am humbled either way.

[pineapplesalmon]

[It feels a little more real for César, too. Talking about the funeral, headstones, and the blessing of the shrine.]

Thank you. I—thank you.

[César's lower lip trembles for a moment..]

Just sharing. I haven't told Magne, yet. I want to wait until she's had longer with her normal life and business before marriage comes up. [You know, the brothel. César makes a slightly needy noise, despite his pain.] God, I want to marry her.

[lovethyneighb_or]

[ A fondness warms his expression like sunlight. Love persists in the darkest places, and Marrow Island is only a little dim. It’s a wonderful sight that’s in front of him, and César has more than shown himself to be an incredibly thoughtful man. ]

Of course. Both of you, take all the time that you need. But for when you have need of an officiant… I know you said you couldn’t do a Catholic wedding, but I did serve for the other denominations back in my unit, since I was the only chaplain around. Sometimes even other faiths—although I always made sure to defer to the right leaders for that, in the case that I couldn’t send for them altogether.

*Slaps car* You can fit so much ADHD in this scientist

[pineapplesalmon]

[César can't help but smile now. It's clear how much he loves Magne; just thinking about her makes his mood lift, if even for a moment.]

That's good to know for when we start planning. [He laughs.] I'm definitely a man with simple needs, but I'll share the planning load evenly.

[Mulcahy's earlier words snap back from César's subconscious: frontline military hospital. His chest tightens, his eyes distancing as his smile falls; he's seeing something else.]

I'm a scientist, so I've only seen the medical teams and caskets from afar when they arrive at the base.

[He breathes out—in.] Those casualties I almost ceased for everyone... but of those sins I'm not yet ready to speak. ... a third thing. [To talk about. César looks down to find his bread in his lap now that he's holding the rings, and he goes quiet, brows furrowing. A fourth: Rex's career, a thought he must chew on.]

I LOST THE NOTIF

[lovethyneighb_or]

[ A sort of consternation crosse shis expression. It's not an accusatory look. Commiserative, more like. ]

I understand. Come to me whenever you are ready; I will always be here. But remember that the courage often comes with the action, not before; some things you must do afraid.

OH NO IT HAPPENS

[pineapplesalmon]

[That look is noted. Father was behind the scenes like he was. He understands.

A self-deprecating laugh, glancing around at the temple.]

I know; I was terrified the whole time. But it was either that or genocide and the end of the world.

[Whether or not that's hyperbole, the delivery is matter-of-fact casually.]

[lovethyneighb_or]

[ His brows raise in a kind of resigned surprise, and he huffs softly. A faint skepticism scratches at the back of his mind, one earned from listening to far too many war reports and upper brass, seeing far too many bodies, but. César does not at all seem like one of them. It's easy to extend good faith. He'll pass no judgement until he actually knows. ]

That's... one heck of a call to make.

[ What else can he say, especially if they're saving this conversation for later? ]

[pineapplesalmon]

[César flickers a smile at Mulcahy's expression.]

I know, it sounds insane. But I've never been one to do things the simple way, even if my needs themselves are. Magne at least finds it endearing.

[He looks down at the rings, passing a pinky through his mother's engagement ring.] ... they would have loved her.