Ilia's Faithful

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    “Oh, did you?” His voice is laced with acid. His grip tightens on the scarf, pulling Tobias to mere inches away from Curran’s face. His knuckles sting, but nothing compares to the rush of adrenaline he feels in the moment. How fucking dare he. How fucking dare he imply that killing those people was justified by any stretch of imagination! How dare he suggest that all the Inquisition’s old guard slowly falling to wounds or drinking themselves to a sad, lonesome death was some kind of personal failing? 

    “You have thirty seconds to explain why I shouldn’t snap you like a fucking twig. Go.”

Thirty seconds?! Goddess see him.

Obvious first, ideological second. “Besides the fact that it would end incredibly poorly for you for me to turn up dead after we left a tavern together, I’m still trying to decide the truth of the church for myself, and I’m sorry if I got defensive-it’s why I tried to ask you in the first place, but if you’re just going to-”

He swallowed that sentence before it had a chance to swell over. How  many seconds left? What else was there? Eli? He set her up to begin with- saving her from a problem he caused wasn’t much.

It had to be past thirty. 

He clamped his eyes shut, tense in anticipation. The only thing he could croak under the pressure of his scarf and the grip, “I’m trying.”

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    He started strong. Then he began to go downhill. And then he hit rock bottom. And started digging.

    Curran doesn’t even think about what he’s doing; he was ready to make a move by that very last ‘question’, but the insult was really what sealed the deal. He lunges forward, kicking off his spot on the fence and swinging at Tobias with a clenched fist. The crack that follows the sock to his jaw is pretty damn satisfying, but he’s not done yet. With his other hand, he grabs hold of the stupid scarf around his neck, pulling him back in like a punching bag.

    “Scratch that. You fucking perditionists didn’t learn shit. You’re the same self-righteous scumbags as the conservatives, you just added a couple new pages to the holy book.” He spits. “You ever heard the phrase ‘hell is other people’? Say one more fucking word and I’ll become your living hell.”

He’s a second too late from drawing his blade. 

Tobias expected words. Angry words, argument, debate, civility. What he was met with was stars. Searing pain. Stumbling. Caught, the taste of copper in his mouth. Was it from a loosened tooth or busted lip? His head hadn’t stopped spinning enough to say. Perhaps even a cracked jaw, he didn’t know. All he could grasp was that it hurt. 

He raised his hands with open palms, limp in Curran’s grip. If there was an upper hand to be had, he sure wasn’t seeing it, nor did he want it. Despite his better judgement and the pain, he spoke anyways, “I’m sorry. I was out of turn. I don’t want to fight you. There’s more to it than that-”

By the Goddess, he should have spoke to that archbishop instead. 

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    “Oh, shut up. I’m not drunk enough for a fight.” Though it was tempting. Very, very tempting. Curran’s whole body seems to tense, as if he’s just waiting to be provoked again. Maybe if he decides to shove his other foot in his mouth. 

    “I hunt real heretics. Cults sacrificing little girls. Dark mages. Dragon poachers. Not some sixty year old preacher who someone decided should get the axe because he dared to say that the Empire slaughtering civilians may be bad, actually.” he deadpans. “I’ve made it damn clear to Elisanne that I’m not on the conservative side either, though. The Church needs some serious fixing, I agree with you guys on that. It’s the killing people over it that I have a problem with.”

    Well, that, and the fact that the Auspex was supposedly possessed by the Other and… you know, slaughtering civilians in the name of growing an Empire. Any debate about whether the Other was good or bad based on history was kind of a moot point. 

    “But, hey, at least the rest of the Church is finally catching on to what new Inquisitors have been thinking for years. Guess it wasn’t all the guys dying to the bottle that finally drove it home, though, huh?”

Tobias noticed the tension, but thought nothing of it. Uncomfortable conversations caused uncomfortable posture, especially when the man’s entire worldview was being interrogated. “And I commend you for your service- there’s definitely more to your reports than your elaborate stageplays. You’re a talented inquisitor, and by all accounts were the model of exemplary service to the Goddess, but those accounts have been forged. What authority do you have to absolve those who would speak out against the Goddess’s children? Is that not the very definition of heresy? Should they live peaceful, quiet existences under the eyes of the church, there’s no reason to seek them out, but to disobey direct orders that you have evidence of crime for?”

Sickening. He felt the need to spit. 

“Your vices are you own problems; don’t expect sympathy from me.” If they weren’t resolute in their faith, perhaps they should have taken a real stand against the church as the perditionists. That also explains the backhanded way Curran seemed to be helping- playing face and using tricks to meet his own ends. It was pathetic. 

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    “Hey, may as well ask.” For all he knew, the guy could be in on some crazy fringe faction.

    “My ‘story’ is a big ask. I assume you don’t want all the tragic details of little baby Curran, huh?” He chuckles. “To start with, I should tell you–I don’t consider myself a conservative, not in the slightest. But I’m not gonna call myself a perditionist, either. You guys got good ideas, don’t get me wrong–but I can’t agree with the execution. And before you point out that I seem to have been going along with it–” 

    Just to emphasize, he throws one finger up in the air in a ‘one second’ gesture. “I haven’t. All those deaths were fake, I escorted them as refugees outside of the Church’s reach. That’s why I dragged you out here. Openly admitting I’ve been doing the opposite of my job and lying about it isn’t the kind of thing you want to do in mixed company.”

“All of them?!”

Sure, one or two accounts getting smudged, spare bodies being thrown around, it wasn’t unheard of, especially within the complicated history of the church, but how many people did this man let free? Personally escort from the gallows to sanctuary in a heathenish pit? 

An unmistakable bite coats his voice, but he keeps his hand free from his sword. “I’m not sure what’s more impressive- the length in which you’ve gone for those people or the hole you’ve dug yourself into. I suppose both of them go in the same direction.” 

His hands found his ways to his hip as he shifted, with his point, “What are you then? A freedom fighting heretic? Do you still follow Ilia at all? Or are you some happy middle that Elisanne wants to grasp for so badly, lying to both churches?”

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    “A man has to eat,” he scoffs, brushing the insult off with a wave as he strolls outside. “I’ll just conduct the next investigation with a piece of ham hanging out of my mouth, would that be better?” It would surely be amusing, at least. Heinwald would find it funny. 

    The town itself was fairly quiet, which meant they wouldn’t have to go far, at least. Probably just to the edge of the road–away from the busiest parts of town this time of night, but still well within a safe enough distance that neither of them could get away with pulling anything on the other. Curran plants himself against the fence, waiting a moment for Tobias to catch up.

    “So,” he says, crossing his arms as he leans back, “Don’t think it’s a wild leap in logic to assume you’re a perditionist?”

Tobias doesn’t dignify the question with a response, following behind on high alert. No one trailed them from the tavern, that much he was certain of, but who was to say what else people could be hiding in this backwater town. Curran was here on an investigation, after all. 

“Truly the deductive reasoning of Inquisitors is unparalleled.” At least that was said mostly as a quip, smiling more fondly than nefariously. “Though what exactly that means to me is the rub of this entire matter. I’ve heard enough of the conservative opinions from the Grand Paladyn. You are an outlier. Someone in a compromised position as I am--perhaps not to the same extent, and certainly within a more precarious position. I want to know your story.”

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    “Tch. You Paladyns have no patience; would never last on a stakeout. Could’ve just waited for me to finish my drink. Make small talk.” He rolls his eyes, throws back his drink, and–glug, glug, glug–finishes it off in one fell swoop. The empty mug is slid across the bar and he hops up from his seat. Maybe he’s interested in this guy, or maybe he’s just offended by the implication that he’s so sternly set on one side or another, even if it wasn’t intentional. 

    “C’mon, then, if you’re that enthusiastic about it. Little Miss Grand Paladyn wouldn’t have sent you my–or anyone else’s–way if you didn’t have a good reason, I’m sure.”

“And you Inquisitors like to waste time with idle chitchat and drinks. Were you at your proper station instead of a tavern, our conversation may have been done already.” It was one thing to share chiding quips, but it was another for his diligence to be insulted. 

Nor did the insult to his organization's crowned jewel sit well in his chest. He felt his hand draw to the hilt of his blade, but he made no movement to draw. To untrained eyes, he was simply adjusting the blade as he stepped off his stool, making no pause to head for the door, but he did at least hold it for Curran. He could  be the judge of just how far was considered safe.  

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    Sniff heresy from… what now? Did he say something different that second time? Curran blinks, slowly, as if trying to process… before simply giving up on that part.

    “Well, when the Auspex is leading the Empire, it’s not exactly easy to draw a clear line. I guess I can’t blame her for…. well, I guess I wouldn’t blame her for either option.” It didn’t mean he wasn’t a little miffed, but clearly she trusted Tobias not to do anything, and Elisanne tended to be a good judge of character. Or at least less naive than the Prince. The bartender swings back around with the fresh drink (and mops up whatever spilled on the bar counter while he’s at it, at which Curran gives him an apologetic smile and slides another coin his way.)

    “First things first–don’t get it wrong: it isn’t like I don’t stay at the Halidom for any big, secret reason. My job keeps me busy and traveling. I’ve been living with my partner for years now, and the Church knows it’s where to contact me. It’s really a matter of convenience.” He gives his drink a sip, then lowers his voice as he continues, “As for my reputation… that goes back to my cases, which… let’s leave that part for somewhere private. I don’t expect anyone in this little podunk town to go telling the bishop if not everything gets into my reports, if you catch my draft, but I also don’t know if anyone would particularly mind sharing what they overheard in the pub if it comes down to a questioning.”

Wasn’t this man just overflowing with morsels of information? Not that he could blame him. In the prince’s territory, he was just as liable to be ripped to shreds as the inquisitor could be in his own for his alliance to the heretics. Or perhaps the label shouldn’t be thrown around so loosely. After all, he did just say it wasn’t his call to make. 

“Very well,” Tobias forked over his share of gold for the refill. “I won’t tear you from your drink anymore than I inadvertently have.” He took a moment to roll his shoulders. “Though if you’d like to take the opportunity and test the waters I sail, I have no qualms on conversing anywhere. It’s really just a matter of who you’d like to be seen speaking with.”

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    “…I see.” Unofficial or not, Curran should watch his words from here on out–even if Tobias could be assumed trustworthy (…or not going to rat him out, at any rate), he couldn’t guarantee that everyone who might overhear was. He lowers his voice to just above a whisper. “I assume, in that case, you know from Elisanne that I’ve been around the halidom on more than one occasion?”

    …Goddess, he hopes so. He’s gone to far too much trouble to keep his allegiances quiet for the church to have known for who-knows-how-long. He takes the handkerchief (with an embarrassed ‘thanks’) and awkwardly dabs at the front of his shirt. 

    “Sorry. Us Inquisitors aren’t exactly the sharing type. Allegiances aside, I just assumed you were up to something if you were asking. Most people–you know, don’t. Not unless they’re trying to poke their nose into something. People really like trying to interfere with cases. Doesn’t matter what side of it they’re on. But if it’s a conversation you want–I can do that.”

Tobias nodded, eyeing the bartenders movement before he spoke again (Curran would probably want that second glass right about now anyways). 

“We did not go into specifics- I didn’t want to pry from her the matter of her lord’s company. Even if her allegiance is first and foremost to the church, the entire matter seems complicated on all sides. You were simply in a list, along with the former archbishop, Julietta, so on and so forth. The rest of them made sense-and were people the Grand Paladyn implored me to speak with, but someone of your position stood out like a sore thumb. Even more curious is the fact that you do not stay there full time, nor does every community have the same opinion. Some say you’re practically a saint. Other say you carry out the will of the perditionists like the goddess’ loyal bloodhound. It’s quite a front you’ve constructed, mister Sanctius. I can’t sniff heresy from hearsay, but that’s not my department. It’s supposed to be yours.”

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    He moves to finish off the remainder of his drink before the bartender can come top it off. (At least if he finishes it, he can justify not drinking any more to himself.) When the Halidom is mentioned, however, Curran damn near chokes.

    “Alright–” He clears his throat, setting the empty cup down (now that a good portion of the drink has spilled on his shirt. Smooth, Curran, very smooth.) “–Would you care to tell me, Tobias, what exactly it is you want to hear from me? If you’ve gone through the Church, then you should already know about the case I’m on.”

He withdrew his hand quickly, cautious of whatever vile excuse for a drink the man may cough up in his surprise, settling back his seat to lean against the bar. 

“The case question was mostly to gauge just how friendly or familiar you may have been with my neck of the church, and considering...well,” he gives the man’s stained shirt the once over, “everything, we’re not quite on the same page. I would also reason that the rest of the flock within the castle is all on the side of our Grand Paladyn, which puts you in an awfully peculiar position as an Inquisitor.” 

His hand retreated into his coat, producing a handkerchief to extend to Curran, “I owe Elisanne a great deal, and by extension I would not be so crude as to compromise the well being of her allies, especially one within my own church. You simply struck me as a curious fellow, and I was wondering if we could have a heart to heart on current affairs.”

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    “Ha. Smart choice.” He usually avoided drinking on cases himself, but–well, if nothing was getting done to begin with, a cup of mead with his dinner isn’t going to hurt so long as he made sure it was just the one.

    “Nope. Though I’d consider taking a bribe.” Beat. “…That’s a joke, to be clear.” Even so, it wasn’t like his case was a secret, by any means. Not as assigned, anyway. Hell, his mere presence was probably a dead giveaway as to what he was doing here. 

He nods again, though the smile waivers for a moment. If he wasn’t willing to talk about something which was generally communicated between their factions, that certainly closed the door on, well, just about every other brand of inquiry he could hope to entertain. 

“I’ll assume that’s simply because this is all unofficial.” He quips, hailing down the bartender to motion towards Curran’s mug. Every jest was only half given, and what was a beer between colleagues after all?

“You’re not an easy man to find, mister Sanctius. The Halidom residents could only point me towards your partner’s manor, and everyone there refused to speak to me. I would rather have not gone through the church’s grapevipe, but the Goddess’ birds tend to sing.”

He straightened out as though a thought struck him, outstretching a hand, “Tobias. I realize a lack of formal introduction will only make me seem more suspicious than I must already appear.” 

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

    “No, just conveniently appearing in all the same places at all times of day, right?” He deadpans, but he can’t hide the smirk. It may be a pain in the ass to try and work around this kid’s… whatever the hell he’s up to, but if he’s not on any official business, that’s one less thing to worry about. 

    “Be my guest. You’re buying your own rounds, though.”

Tobias nods in lieu of a proper thank you, but he does smile in return. “I don’t drink, so you needn’t worry about that.” Considering the state of the rest of the town, he isn’t sure he’d like to eat here either, but his rations would only hold for so long.

“Considering your hostility, would I be correct in assuming you don’t plan on divulging any information about your current case?” There was only so much to be gathered at a distance, especially since his position had been compromised already. 

[perditionists]

ilianquisition‌:

@perditionists

    “Didn’t know the Church was sending out Paladyns to babysit while I’m doing my job.” Was this guy following him on purpose, or was it just because it was a small town? Because he seemed to be seeing the Paladyn everywhere. And given the state of the Church…

    Needless to say, he’s been taking his sweet time to figure out how to handle this case with another church official around. “You gonna offer to buy me a drink?”

“I am not.” It was no wonder there was such a game between Paladyns to say that Inquistors never got any work done. Had he not been privy to reports of the man’s exploits from beyond submitted reports, he could easily assume he called this lollygagging ‘investigating’. Forgery was easy, first hand testaments were not.

“I’m also here on my own volition, though it is on church matters. Unofficial.” Curiosity killed lesser creatures, but humanity thrived on it. “May I join you?”

[ilianquisition]

headcanon from a convo with kris:

the inquisition and paladyns have a minor rivalry going on within the church. In the upper ranks (particularly among Paladyns, which, we know from Julietta, have a tendency to be descended from nobility/inherit their roles) it tends to have some… unfortunate classist undertones, given the nature of how Inquisitors are recruited in comparison to Paladyns. However, in the lower/common ranks, it’s more of a well-natured ribbing of one another, joking about how Paladyns are snooty and full of themselves or how Inquisitors don’t actually Do Anything.

Curran finds it entertaining, but if a Paladyn of noble birth tries to give him shit, they’re liable to get suckerpunched for the reasons discussed above.