Sky Above, Earth Below

However you've found your way here, you may as well know my name. Sister Ephemera- or Emery, as some call me. Part of the Occult & Antiquties department here at the Ministry. [Side RP blog for Ephemera, a Sibling of Sin | 18+ | main blog @brittleskyblue]

[quiet-not-cold]

Into Post and General Overview

((Hello, hello. Got tempted to make a little side blog for one of my Ghost OCs in a fic I was planning on writing, so here we are. Random little blog for Sister "Emery" Ephemera; a Sibling of Sin with the Satanic Ministry.

I haven't exactly done proper RP in years, but here are some general things:

-Feel free to send asks/interact with Ephemera. She doesn't bite. -Generally, things will stay sfw for the most part, but I did put the 18+ just as an fyi in case any darker subject matter comes up in the future (bc ooc I am also 18+). If I mark something as nsfw please do not interact unless you are 18+ -Please keep in mind that I do have a life outside of here that includes a full-time job and other hobbies (including plenty of fic writing), so I may not get to things right away or it may take me time to respond. I will do what I can. -Just generally be chill, okay?

Now with that out of the way... A few fun facts about Ephemera:

-In current era she is 36 years old. She joined the Ministry at the age of 28 toward the end of Terzo's time as Papa. Started out working in the Ministry gardens but now a days works mostly in the Occult & Antiquities department. She can still be found helping in the gardens sometimes, depending on the season. -She is close with a quintessence ghoul named Pulsar (and xe may or may not make an appearance here too at some point). They've known each other ever since Pulsar was indirectly summoned during a ritual Ephemera was observing. -Knows of and has listened to some music produced by the Ghost project. If you catch her idly humming one of their songs, she'll deny it. She likes it though, don't be fooled.

[quiet-not-cold]

Ephemera has spoken to a very limited number of people about how she ended up at the Ministry. One of them is Pulsar... who only found out after xe found her singing Solitude by Candlemass and one thing lead to each other after xe commented on it.

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Papa? Do you have anything for headaches? I'm sorry to bother you but you're closer than my room.

-Sister E. (aka quiet-not-cold)

@quiet-not-cold

"Ah, stellina - yes, I have something in my office, I think. It's nearby, nearer than the dorms." He motioned for her to follow, leading her down a couple of hallways to the west wing.

His office was filled with unopened boxes, the desk bare, the only personal touch a Perpetua plush on the mantle, and an old photograph beside it. Perpetua himself moved to rummage through a drawer - itself a chaotic mess. "My, ah, apologies for the state of things," he murmured. "I never really got the chance to settle in before... Well, before everything with Frater. There we go-!"

He straightened with a snap and a wide toothy grin, a beat up bottle of acetaminophen on hand. "I thought I had something a little stronger," he mumble apologetically. "It's not too bad, the headache, is it?"

[quiet-not-cold]

Ephemera gives a quiet nod, willingly following along. Beats curling up in a dark corner somewhere.

Once in the office, she takes a brief look around, seeing the boxes... and the plushie. It reminded her of the one she had ended with at a Yule event. "Yeah, I've heard. About all that." She frowned at the mention of Frater, having also heard about what happened to him.

The thought lingers for a moment before Perpetua shows her a bottle. "This will do. It's is nothing too serious." She gives a tiny hint of a smile back as reassurance. "I'm more prone to headaches when the weather changes too quickly, temperature wise."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

He handed her the bottle, then, with a quick apology, ducked under the desk, only to pop back up against with a small juicebow. Apple, the box a bright green.

"They're good to keep for a little pick me up," he explained, "No fridge needed... I'm sorry, but I don't have anything cold.

"The weather has been temperamental, hasn't it?" he added, moving to lean against his desk. "I mean, it's a given, with the summer coming on, but still - it would be nice for some stability. And these old halls don't regulate temperature so well..."

[quiet-not-cold]

Well, the juicebox was unexpected, but she'll take it.

"That’s okay. It works just as well." She opens up the bottle and takes one of the pills inside before exchanging the bottle with the juicebox. It takes her only a few moments to get the juicebox open, take the pill, and swallow it down with the juice. "Mm. The fluctuation in temperature has been more of an inconvenience."

She pauses to take another sip of the juicebox. "Thank you. Again, I'm sorry for bothering you over this. Are you doing okay in this weather?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Papa? Do you have anything for headaches? I'm sorry to bother you but you're closer than my room.

-Sister E. (aka quiet-not-cold)

@quiet-not-cold

"Ah, stellina - yes, I have something in my office, I think. It's nearby, nearer than the dorms." He motioned for her to follow, leading her down a couple of hallways to the west wing.

His office was filled with unopened boxes, the desk bare, the only personal touch a Perpetua plush on the mantle, and an old photograph beside it. Perpetua himself moved to rummage through a drawer - itself a chaotic mess. "My, ah, apologies for the state of things," he murmured. "I never really got the chance to settle in before... Well, before everything with Frater. There we go-!"

He straightened with a snap and a wide toothy grin, a beat up bottle of acetaminophen on hand. "I thought I had something a little stronger," he mumble apologetically. "It's not too bad, the headache, is it?"

[quiet-not-cold]

Ephemera gives a quiet nod, willingly following along. Beats curling up in a dark corner somewhere.

Once in the office, she takes a brief look around, seeing the boxes... and the plushie. It reminded her of the one she had ended with at a Yule event. "Yeah, I've heard. About all that." She frowned at the mention of Frater, having also heard about what happened to him.

The thought lingers for a moment before Perpetua shows her a bottle. "This will do. It's is nothing too serious." She gives a tiny hint of a smile back as reassurance. "I'm more prone to headaches when the weather changes too quickly, temperature wise."

[quiet-not-cold]

"Whoever it is, just leave me here to languish in peace." Ephemera mutters from the couch she's currently laid up on, having heard a knock on her office door. The sudden jump in outside temperature compared to the day before was messing with her just a bit.

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[papa-in-perpetuum]

“Yeah, you’re not wrong about that.” She quietly agrees. She remembers those days when she was settling in, but… because of how she was at the time, some of those early days blurred together. New place and poor mental state- that combination somehow had kept her up some nights.

Ephemera turns to him, and he might have looked a little eerie to her if the light didn't catch one of his eyes. His words are tempting, and she briefly looks like maybe she might say something. Silently she debates it. She's gotten better at talking to others when these things came up, but if it's someone new she can still withdraw.

"I...I appreciate that, but there's not much to tell." She says with a sigh, looking away. "It'll pass."

Perpetua could see the hesitance in the set of her shoulders, the way her gaze wavered. It was something he understood - even now, as Papa, he couldn't face his flock without a mask. He was hiding even now, he knew it, and he couldn't fault anyone else for doing it either.

Still, there was a sadness to his smile as he nodded, taking another long drag from his cigarette. "Of course," he said softly, almost paternal in his tone. "It will pass." With time, or with aid, the only difference was the waiting.

He let the silence stretch between them. Not uncomfortable, but a silence all the same. He knew it would do little if he was the one to fill it. Besides, his troubles weren't for burdening others - he was Papa. Papa had no problems.

[quiet-not-cold]

There’s a fleeting sensation of regret- She feels bad about brushing him off and silently she chides herself for doing such. Stupid habit of hers, not helped by that sometimes in this state her mind becomes such mess. And sure, they haven’t talked properly until now, but maybe she shouldn’t have been so dismissive just because she thought it didn’t matter. Hopefully what she said before didn’t come off as rude.

She let herself sink into the silence while she pulls herself together. The feel of the night air, the lingering smell of the cigarette’s smoke, his presence next to her. Hm… Now she had heard a thing or two (or several) about the new Papa, but from where she sits next to him, she thinks he’s alright. He’s been… actually nice conversation.

Ephemera doesn’t mind the quiet, but does eventually speak, muttering, “Sorry.”

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua's thought had started to wander with the smoke between them, the cigarette slowly shrinking into nothing. It was only when Ephemera spoke up that he seemed to just drop back into his body, blinking rapidly behind the silver of his mask.

That's right. He was here, now. He was Papa, and, apparently, not doing as good a johbin this moment as he'd have wished.

"...for what, sorellina?" he asked softly, smiling warmly at her as he turned. Or he hoped it was warm - he tried, but from experience he knew he could be unnerving. "The silence, it's nice, no? And your company is more than welcome..."

[quiet-not-cold]

“Mm. No, I don’t mind it.” She thinks about how to explain what she wants to say, finally taking a breath and bringing her hands together.

“I mean to say that I’m sorry I waived you off before when you said I could talk to you if I needed to. I was more jaded in the time after I became a Sibling. I’ve changed since then, but it seems I haven’t outgrown that impulse to act like something like what you said means nothing. And if I’m not in the clearest frame of mind, it’s easier for me to second guess when it comes to people. There are still certain thing’s that are hard for me to talk about, but before- If my words came off as disrespectful, I didn’t mean for it to be.”

“Besides,” As Ephemera lifts her head up, a slight smile can be seen. “sitting here with you has been nice. I only really knew one other who held your position before you, but you’re alright.”

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua listened, crossing his leg so one ankle sat atop his knee. He didn't interrupt - it was clear there was quite a bit going on in that pretty little head, and there was no need to rush the unbutdening. He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he stubbed his cigarette out in the sole of his shoe.

"No disrespect taken," he assured her softly. "You owe me nothing, dolcezza - I only offer and ear to listen. Being guarded here is not the worst thing to be - many people come and go, not all of them well intended... But thank you for your endorsement. My brother..." He paused, face falling slightly as he looked at his ungloved hands. "...there are big shoes to fill."

He stood then, running a hand over his curls before he stretched, the soft popping of joints breaking the silence. "I think it is time for this old man to go to bed," he murmured, adjusting his mask slightly. "Unless you would like me to stay...?"

[quiet-not-cold]

Okay, well, worry averted. And having said all that, she did feel a bit better. "I'll keep that in mind. Really." Although, she did notice the change in tone, how he looked at his hands. She almost wanted to reach out and lay a hand on his arm, tell him he was doing fine, but that might be too forward. She's merely a Sibling. Still, she does have a heart under her quiet exterior.

"I'll be alright on my own; I'll need to sleep eventually too." Ephemera replies, then adding, "And by the way- your brother was a Cardinal still when I got here. I remember the music from then. Now you are here, and if you want my opinion in comparison, I think you're doing just fine. I've heard your music; I like it."

She pushes herself off the stone as well. "Take care and sleep well, Papa."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[papa-in-perpetuum]

“Yeah, you’re not wrong about that.” She quietly agrees. She remembers those days when she was settling in, but… because of how she was at the time, some of those early days blurred together. New place and poor mental state- that combination somehow had kept her up some nights.

Ephemera turns to him, and he might have looked a little eerie to her if the light didn't catch one of his eyes. His words are tempting, and she briefly looks like maybe she might say something. Silently she debates it. She's gotten better at talking to others when these things came up, but if it's someone new she can still withdraw.

"I...I appreciate that, but there's not much to tell." She says with a sigh, looking away. "It'll pass."

Perpetua could see the hesitance in the set of her shoulders, the way her gaze wavered. It was something he understood - even now, as Papa, he couldn't face his flock without a mask. He was hiding even now, he knew it, and he couldn't fault anyone else for doing it either.

Still, there was a sadness to his smile as he nodded, taking another long drag from his cigarette. "Of course," he said softly, almost paternal in his tone. "It will pass." With time, or with aid, the only difference was the waiting.

He let the silence stretch between them. Not uncomfortable, but a silence all the same. He knew it would do little if he was the one to fill it. Besides, his troubles weren't for burdening others - he was Papa. Papa had no problems.

[quiet-not-cold]

There’s a fleeting sensation of regret- She feels bad about brushing him off and silently she chides herself for doing such. Stupid habit of hers, not helped by that sometimes in this state her mind becomes such mess. And sure, they haven’t talked properly until now, but maybe she shouldn’t have been so dismissive just because she thought it didn’t matter. Hopefully what she said before didn’t come off as rude.

She let herself sink into the silence while she pulls herself together. The feel of the night air, the lingering smell of the cigarette’s smoke, his presence next to her. Hm… Now she had heard a thing or two (or several) about the new Papa, but from where she sits next to him, she thinks he’s alright. He’s been… actually nice conversation.

Ephemera doesn’t mind the quiet, but does eventually speak, muttering, “Sorry.”

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua's thought had started to wander with the smoke between them, the cigarette slowly shrinking into nothing. It was only when Ephemera spoke up that he seemed to just drop back into his body, blinking rapidly behind the silver of his mask.

That's right. He was here, now. He was Papa, and, apparently, not doing as good a johbin this moment as he'd have wished.

"...for what, sorellina?" he asked softly, smiling warmly at her as he turned. Or he hoped it was warm - he tried, but from experience he knew he could be unnerving. "The silence, it's nice, no? And your company is more than welcome..."

[quiet-not-cold]

“Mm. No, I don’t mind it.” She thinks about how to explain what she wants to say, finally taking a breath and bringing her hands together.

“I mean to say that I’m sorry I waived you off before when you said I could talk to you if I needed to. I was more jaded in the time after I became a Sibling. I’ve changed since then, but it seems I haven’t outgrown that impulse to act like something like what you said means nothing. And if I’m not in the clearest frame of mind, it’s easier for me to second guess when it comes to people. There are still certain thing’s that are hard for me to talk about, but before- If my words came off as disrespectful, I didn’t mean for it to be.”

“Besides,” As Ephemera lifts her head up, a slight smile can be seen. “sitting here with you has been nice. I only really knew one other who held your position before you, but you’re alright.”

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[papa-in-perpetuum]

“Yeah, you’re not wrong about that.” She quietly agrees. She remembers those days when she was settling in, but… because of how she was at the time, some of those early days blurred together. New place and poor mental state- that combination somehow had kept her up some nights.

Ephemera turns to him, and he might have looked a little eerie to her if the light didn't catch one of his eyes. His words are tempting, and she briefly looks like maybe she might say something. Silently she debates it. She's gotten better at talking to others when these things came up, but if it's someone new she can still withdraw.

"I...I appreciate that, but there's not much to tell." She says with a sigh, looking away. "It'll pass."

Perpetua could see the hesitance in the set of her shoulders, the way her gaze wavered. It was something he understood - even now, as Papa, he couldn't face his flock without a mask. He was hiding even now, he knew it, and he couldn't fault anyone else for doing it either.

Still, there was a sadness to his smile as he nodded, taking another long drag from his cigarette. "Of course," he said softly, almost paternal in his tone. "It will pass." With time, or with aid, the only difference was the waiting.

He let the silence stretch between them. Not uncomfortable, but a silence all the same. He knew it would do little if he was the one to fill it. Besides, his troubles weren't for burdening others - he was Papa. Papa had no problems.

[quiet-not-cold]

There’s a fleeting sensation of regret- She feels bad about brushing him off and silently she chides herself for doing such. Stupid habit of hers, not helped by that sometimes in this state her mind becomes such mess. And sure, they haven’t talked properly until now, but maybe she shouldn’t have been so dismissive just because she thought it didn’t matter. Hopefully what she said before didn’t come off as rude.

She let herself sink into the silence while she pulls herself together. The feel of the night air, the lingering smell of the cigarette’s smoke, his presence next to her. Hm… Now she had heard a thing or two (or several) about the new Papa, but from where she sits next to him, she thinks he’s alright. He’s been… actually nice conversation.

Ephemera doesn’t mind the quiet, but does eventually speak, muttering, “Sorry.”

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[quiet-not-cold]

"I get restless too. Sometimes." Ephemera says quietly, but politely. Though he is right; things have been, as he puts it, tumultuous lately, reaching even her.

Her brow furrows slightly, sympathetic and a touch concerned. The nonchalant manner of it all breaks her otherwise neutral expression. "Other than not sleeping? I've been okay. Managing anyway." There's a hesitant pause, still bothered by what he said before. "Is there anything you need...?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

The breezeway they occupied was quiet and cool in the early spring, the night air still. It was peaceful, really, if grander than any Ministry residence Perpetua had seen before. Before he was Papa, before he was Emeritus, before all of this...

Perpetua watched the young sister, his expression unreadable under his mask, before turning his face slightly to hide it deeper in shadow. "From you, dolcezza? No, I do not need anything."

But still, he paused, then shifted slightly where he perched on one of the countless arches lining either side. He patted the stone gently, his hands bare of their normal gloves. "But if you would be kind enough to give it, I would not mind the company..."

[quiet-not-cold]

Catching the glimpse of his bare hands she wonders briefly if she has ever seen him without gloves or the like. Probably not, it wasn't like he was someone she saw often. The next words he speaks are a little surprising to her but it's the way he says it... And besides, she's here, isn't she? She doesn't mind at all.

"Of course." She replies, hopping up beside him on the stone and resting her hands in her lap. There, she lets herself absorb the stillness of the night. It was quite nice tonight, wasn't it? Still a little on the cooler side but not terribly so.

After a moment, she says, "Ephemera- It's what I'm known by. Sometimes "Emery" for short."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua sat back, a small shift to give her more space, his hand quickly moving to lay against his own lap. He knew very well what it had been like to be a young woman, what this might look like to outside eyes - he wanted her to be comfortable if she was going to give him the favor of her company.

He didn't turn to her fully, but the moonlight fell across his face, catching the metal of his mask, the curve of his smile. His face was bare of paint, another rarity - the mask had been precaution for a meeting such as this - and the skin was paler than his brother's, his lips thinner without their paint.

"Eh-fem-a-rah," he echoed, stretching out each syllable like he was tasting it. "From the Greek, 'lasting only a day'. A fleeting thing, to be enjoyed only briefly. Did you choose this name for yourself, sorella?"

[quiet-not-cold]

She glanced toward him, the silver of the mask catching her eye. It was a striking feature, even when lacking the accompanying paint. She'd heard whispers and speculation on it in passing but didn't bother to pay them attention. Wasn't her place to do so. Though, if she didn't know better, she may have thought he was just another clergy member right now.

"I did, Papa." Ephemera confirmed. "I picked it when I came here. It's been mine since." She mulled over whether to say more- The why of the choosing had more to it, but she would leave it at that for now. Interesting he recognized the meaning...

A hand absently goes to the small grucifix around her neck, flipping it between her fingers. "You know Greek? Or is it just some random knowledge of yours?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

His eyes flicked to her fingers, the flash of metal between each turn, then back to her face. She was young - not entirely unusual in their faith, but still of note. Couldn't have taken her vows and her name all that long ago. With any luck, the name would only be fitting for so long. Youth was a gift, long life a greater one.

"Learned a bit of Greek in seminary," he replied, lip twitching at the corner before he turned his gaze back out to the courtyard. "Our texts aren't quite as old as our rivals, but there are some. It's good to read them in their originals, if one can. Do you speak it? It's a beautiful language..."

He absentmindedly fished something out of his shirt pocket - a cigarette case, a flash of silver, a little vice. He opened it automatically, stopping short with a black wrapped cigarette between his fingers with halfway to his mouth. He was unused to company in moments like this.

"I am being rude again - do you mind, dolcezza?" he asked softly then added, "Clove. I am trying to quit mio vizaccio, but the ritual is..." He waved a hand vaguely in the air as if to catch the word "...lenitiva, ah, cozy."

[quiet-not-cold]

The slight movement continues as she listens. It was a habit of hers to have her fingers fidget with a piece of jewelry every now and then, and the grucifix she wore was the only piece of her usual personal effects she had on her at the moment.

"Not Greek." She admits. "I know a fair amount of French due to the people I was raised by, mixed with English. I've been able to pick up on bits and pieces of Latin in the years I've been here, though I can't recall if I've seen a Greek text before."

The glimpse of the silver case does draw her attention, but it doesn't really bother her. "Not at all- go ahead. Some things are hard to let go of, aren't they?" Although not something she indulges in, she will not hold judgement. "An acquaintance of mine did offer me something of that sort at a bonfire once; said a ghoul grew it. Sort of a polite offering though I declined."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua chuckled softly, cocking a brow under his mask - he had trained himself to be more expressive with the lower half of his face, but some things still ran on reflex.

"Ghoul grew it?" He produced a lighter, the flickering flame casting a sickly orange glow across his face before the cigarette caught. The cherry burned brighter a moment, the sweet scented smoke rising in lazy whirls from his lips as he spoke. "Smart, not to take it. Doubt it was tobacco, and they have a very strong constitution - if you're not a veteren, you would have been couch bound after the first puff."

He leaned back against the arch, already more relaxed with the cigarette in his hand. "So. You cannot sleep," he continued, his tone casual. "A common problem, cara?"

[quiet-not-cold]

Something about the way the light of the flame catches his face feels almost enchanting, lasting only a moment as the cigarette lights.

"I don't know if I would say common, but it happens from time to time. There are things that my mind tends to dwell more on at night." Her fingers stop twirling around the grucifix, letting it go. Turning her eyes out to the courtyard, she continues. "This used to happen more frequently when I first came here, but a little fresh air helps. I guess helps me feel more present."

That was the simplest way for her to put it anyway. "I don't know if that makes sense."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua hummed softly, taking another slow drag from his cigarette. He ashed it onto the cool stone, his gaze locked on some distant shadow in the night.

"It makes perfect sense," he said softly. "It takes time to adapt to a new place. New bed, new sounds." He paused, another drag, crossing one leg over the other. "Old thoughts. It all makes for very poor bedmates.

"If you would like, I am always here to lend an ear to my flock," he added, turning his face towards her fully. Still shadowed, the light fell across hus face just so, catching not the stark white but the deep, earthy green one. "It's my responsibility as your Papa, after all. Perhaps I can help you ease your burdens."

[quiet-not-cold]

“Yeah, you’re not wrong about that.” She quietly agrees. She remembers those days when she was settling in, but… because of how she was at the time, some of those early days blurred together. New place and poor mental state- that combination somehow had kept her up some nights.

Ephemera turns to him, and he might have looked a little eerie to her if the light didn't catch one of his eyes. His words are tempting, and she briefly looks like maybe she might say something. Silently she debates it. She's gotten better at talking to others when these things came up, but if it's someone new she can still withdraw.

"I...I appreciate that, but there's not much to tell." She says with a sigh, looking away. "It'll pass."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[quiet-not-cold]

"I get restless too. Sometimes." Ephemera says quietly, but politely. Though he is right; things have been, as he puts it, tumultuous lately, reaching even her.

Her brow furrows slightly, sympathetic and a touch concerned. The nonchalant manner of it all breaks her otherwise neutral expression. "Other than not sleeping? I've been okay. Managing anyway." There's a hesitant pause, still bothered by what he said before. "Is there anything you need...?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

The breezeway they occupied was quiet and cool in the early spring, the night air still. It was peaceful, really, if grander than any Ministry residence Perpetua had seen before. Before he was Papa, before he was Emeritus, before all of this...

Perpetua watched the young sister, his expression unreadable under his mask, before turning his face slightly to hide it deeper in shadow. "From you, dolcezza? No, I do not need anything."

But still, he paused, then shifted slightly where he perched on one of the countless arches lining either side. He patted the stone gently, his hands bare of their normal gloves. "But if you would be kind enough to give it, I would not mind the company..."

[quiet-not-cold]

Catching the glimpse of his bare hands she wonders briefly if she has ever seen him without gloves or the like. Probably not, it wasn't like he was someone she saw often. The next words he speaks are a little surprising to her but it's the way he says it... And besides, she's here, isn't she? She doesn't mind at all.

"Of course." She replies, hopping up beside him on the stone and resting her hands in her lap. There, she lets herself absorb the stillness of the night. It was quite nice tonight, wasn't it? Still a little on the cooler side but not terribly so.

After a moment, she says, "Ephemera- It's what I'm known by. Sometimes "Emery" for short."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua sat back, a small shift to give her more space, his hand quickly moving to lay against his own lap. He knew very well what it had been like to be a young woman, what this might look like to outside eyes - he wanted her to be comfortable if she was going to give him the favor of her company.

He didn't turn to her fully, but the moonlight fell across his face, catching the metal of his mask, the curve of his smile. His face was bare of paint, another rarity - the mask had been precaution for a meeting such as this - and the skin was paler than his brother's, his lips thinner without their paint.

"Eh-fem-a-rah," he echoed, stretching out each syllable like he was tasting it. "From the Greek, 'lasting only a day'. A fleeting thing, to be enjoyed only briefly. Did you choose this name for yourself, sorella?"

[quiet-not-cold]

She glanced toward him, the silver of the mask catching her eye. It was a striking feature, even when lacking the accompanying paint. She'd heard whispers and speculation on it in passing but didn't bother to pay them attention. Wasn't her place to do so. Though, if she didn't know better, she may have thought he was just another clergy member right now.

"I did, Papa." Ephemera confirmed. "I picked it when I came here. It's been mine since." She mulled over whether to say more- The why of the choosing had more to it, but she would leave it at that for now. Interesting he recognized the meaning...

A hand absently goes to the small grucifix around her neck, flipping it between her fingers. "You know Greek? Or is it just some random knowledge of yours?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

His eyes flicked to her fingers, the flash of metal between each turn, then back to her face. She was young - not entirely unusual in their faith, but still of note. Couldn't have taken her vows and her name all that long ago. With any luck, the name would only be fitting for so long. Youth was a gift, long life a greater one.

"Learned a bit of Greek in seminary," he replied, lip twitching at the corner before he turned his gaze back out to the courtyard. "Our texts aren't quite as old as our rivals, but there are some. It's good to read them in their originals, if one can. Do you speak it? It's a beautiful language..."

He absentmindedly fished something out of his shirt pocket - a cigarette case, a flash of silver, a little vice. He opened it automatically, stopping short with a black wrapped cigarette between his fingers with halfway to his mouth. He was unused to company in moments like this.

"I am being rude again - do you mind, dolcezza?" he asked softly then added, "Clove. I am trying to quit mio vizaccio, but the ritual is..." He waved a hand vaguely in the air as if to catch the word "...lenitiva, ah, cozy."

[quiet-not-cold]

The slight movement continues as she listens. It was a habit of hers to have her fingers fidget with a piece of jewelry every now and then, and the grucifix she wore was the only piece of her usual personal effects she had on her at the moment.

"Not Greek." She admits. "I know a fair amount of French due to the people I was raised by, mixed with English. I've been able to pick up on bits and pieces of Latin in the years I've been here, though I can't recall if I've seen a Greek text before."

The glimpse of the silver case does draw her attention, but it doesn't really bother her. "Not at all- go ahead. Some things are hard to let go of, aren't they?" Although not something she indulges in, she will not hold judgement. "An acquaintance of mine did offer me something of that sort at a bonfire once; said a ghoul grew it. Sort of a polite offering though I declined."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua chuckled softly, cocking a brow under his mask - he had trained himself to be more expressive with the lower half of his face, but some things still ran on reflex.

"Ghoul grew it?" He produced a lighter, the flickering flame casting a sickly orange glow across his face before the cigarette caught. The cherry burned brighter a moment, the sweet scented smoke rising in lazy whirls from his lips as he spoke. "Smart, not to take it. Doubt it was tobacco, and they have a very strong constitution - if you're not a veteren, you would have been couch bound after the first puff."

He leaned back against the arch, already more relaxed with the cigarette in his hand. "So. You cannot sleep," he continued, his tone casual. "A common problem, cara?"

[quiet-not-cold]

Something about the way the light of the flame catches his face feels almost enchanting, lasting only a moment as the cigarette lights.

"I don't know if I would say common, but it happens from time to time. There are things that my mind tends to dwell more on at night." Her fingers stop twirling around the grucifix, letting it go. Turning her eyes out to the courtyard, she continues. "This used to happen more frequently when I first came here, but a little fresh air helps. I guess helps me feel more present."

That was the simplest way for her to put it anyway. "I don't know if that makes sense."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[quiet-not-cold]

"I get restless too. Sometimes." Ephemera says quietly, but politely. Though he is right; things have been, as he puts it, tumultuous lately, reaching even her.

Her brow furrows slightly, sympathetic and a touch concerned. The nonchalant manner of it all breaks her otherwise neutral expression. "Other than not sleeping? I've been okay. Managing anyway." There's a hesitant pause, still bothered by what he said before. "Is there anything you need...?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

The breezeway they occupied was quiet and cool in the early spring, the night air still. It was peaceful, really, if grander than any Ministry residence Perpetua had seen before. Before he was Papa, before he was Emeritus, before all of this...

Perpetua watched the young sister, his expression unreadable under his mask, before turning his face slightly to hide it deeper in shadow. "From you, dolcezza? No, I do not need anything."

But still, he paused, then shifted slightly where he perched on one of the countless arches lining either side. He patted the stone gently, his hands bare of their normal gloves. "But if you would be kind enough to give it, I would not mind the company..."

[quiet-not-cold]

Catching the glimpse of his bare hands she wonders briefly if she has ever seen him without gloves or the like. Probably not, it wasn't like he was someone she saw often. The next words he speaks are a little surprising to her but it's the way he says it... And besides, she's here, isn't she? She doesn't mind at all.

"Of course." She replies, hopping up beside him on the stone and resting her hands in her lap. There, she lets herself absorb the stillness of the night. It was quite nice tonight, wasn't it? Still a little on the cooler side but not terribly so.

After a moment, she says, "Ephemera- It's what I'm known by. Sometimes "Emery" for short."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua sat back, a small shift to give her more space, his hand quickly moving to lay against his own lap. He knew very well what it had been like to be a young woman, what this might look like to outside eyes - he wanted her to be comfortable if she was going to give him the favor of her company.

He didn't turn to her fully, but the moonlight fell across his face, catching the metal of his mask, the curve of his smile. His face was bare of paint, another rarity - the mask had been precaution for a meeting such as this - and the skin was paler than his brother's, his lips thinner without their paint.

"Eh-fem-a-rah," he echoed, stretching out each syllable like he was tasting it. "From the Greek, 'lasting only a day'. A fleeting thing, to be enjoyed only briefly. Did you choose this name for yourself, sorella?"

[quiet-not-cold]

She glanced toward him, the silver of the mask catching her eye. It was a striking feature, even when lacking the accompanying paint. She'd heard whispers and speculation on it in passing but didn't bother to pay them attention. Wasn't her place to do so. Though, if she didn't know better, she may have thought he was just another clergy member right now.

"I did, Papa." Ephemera confirmed. "I picked it when I came here. It's been mine since." She mulled over whether to say more- The why of the choosing had more to it, but she would leave it at that for now. Interesting he recognized the meaning...

A hand absently goes to the small grucifix around her neck, flipping it between her fingers. "You know Greek? Or is it just some random knowledge of yours?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

His eyes flicked to her fingers, the flash of metal between each turn, then back to her face. She was young - not entirely unusual in their faith, but still of note. Couldn't have taken her vows and her name all that long ago. With any luck, the name would only be fitting for so long. Youth was a gift, long life a greater one.

"Learned a bit of Greek in seminary," he replied, lip twitching at the corner before he turned his gaze back out to the courtyard. "Our texts aren't quite as old as our rivals, but there are some. It's good to read them in their originals, if one can. Do you speak it? It's a beautiful language..."

He absentmindedly fished something out of his shirt pocket - a cigarette case, a flash of silver, a little vice. He opened it automatically, stopping short with a black wrapped cigarette between his fingers with halfway to his mouth. He was unused to company in moments like this.

"I am being rude again - do you mind, dolcezza?" he asked softly then added, "Clove. I am trying to quit mio vizaccio, but the ritual is..." He waved a hand vaguely in the air as if to catch the word "...lenitiva, ah, cozy."

[quiet-not-cold]

The slight movement continues as she listens. It was a habit of hers to have her fingers fidget with a piece of jewelry every now and then, and the grucifix she wore was the only piece of her usual personal effects she had on her at the moment.

"Not Greek." She admits. "I know a fair amount of French due to the people I was raised by, mixed with English. I've been able to pick up on bits and pieces of Latin in the years I've been here, though I can't recall if I've seen a Greek text before."

The glimpse of the silver case does draw her attention, but it doesn't really bother her. "Not at all- go ahead. Some things are hard to let go of, aren't they?" Although not something she indulges in, she will not hold judgement. "An acquaintance of mine did offer me something of that sort at a bonfire once; said a ghoul grew it. Sort of a polite offering though I declined."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[quiet-not-cold]

"I get restless too. Sometimes." Ephemera says quietly, but politely. Though he is right; things have been, as he puts it, tumultuous lately, reaching even her.

Her brow furrows slightly, sympathetic and a touch concerned. The nonchalant manner of it all breaks her otherwise neutral expression. "Other than not sleeping? I've been okay. Managing anyway." There's a hesitant pause, still bothered by what he said before. "Is there anything you need...?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

The breezeway they occupied was quiet and cool in the early spring, the night air still. It was peaceful, really, if grander than any Ministry residence Perpetua had seen before. Before he was Papa, before he was Emeritus, before all of this...

Perpetua watched the young sister, his expression unreadable under his mask, before turning his face slightly to hide it deeper in shadow. "From you, dolcezza? No, I do not need anything."

But still, he paused, then shifted slightly where he perched on one of the countless arches lining either side. He patted the stone gently, his hands bare of their normal gloves. "But if you would be kind enough to give it, I would not mind the company..."

[quiet-not-cold]

Catching the glimpse of his bare hands she wonders briefly if she has ever seen him without gloves or the like. Probably not, it wasn't like he was someone she saw often. The next words he speaks are a little surprising to her but it's the way he says it... And besides, she's here, isn't she? She doesn't mind at all.

"Of course." She replies, hopping up beside him on the stone and resting her hands in her lap. There, she lets herself absorb the stillness of the night. It was quite nice tonight, wasn't it? Still a little on the cooler side but not terribly so.

After a moment, she says, "Ephemera- It's what I'm known by. Sometimes "Emery" for short."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Perpetua sat back, a small shift to give her more space, his hand quickly moving to lay against his own lap. He knew very well what it had been like to be a young woman, what this might look like to outside eyes - he wanted her to be comfortable if she was going to give him the favor of her company.

He didn't turn to her fully, but the moonlight fell across his face, catching the metal of his mask, the curve of his smile. His face was bare of paint, another rarity - the mask had been precaution for a meeting such as this - and the skin was paler than his brother's, his lips thinner without their paint.

"Eh-fem-a-rah," he echoed, stretching out each syllable like he was tasting it. "From the Greek, 'lasting only a day'. A fleeting thing, to be enjoyed only briefly. Did you choose this name for yourself, sorella?"

[quiet-not-cold]

She glanced toward him, the silver of the mask catching her eye. It was a striking feature, even when lacking the accompanying paint. She'd heard whispers and speculation on it in passing but didn't bother to pay them attention. Wasn't her place to do so. Though, if she didn't know better, she may have thought he was just another clergy member right now.

"I did, Papa." Ephemera confirmed. "I picked it when I came here. It's been mine since." She mulled over whether to say more- The why of the choosing had more to it, but she would leave it at that for now. Interesting he recognized the meaning...

A hand absently goes to the small grucifix around her neck, flipping it between her fingers. "You know Greek? Or is it just some random knowledge of yours?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[quiet-not-cold]

"I get restless too. Sometimes." Ephemera says quietly, but politely. Though he is right; things have been, as he puts it, tumultuous lately, reaching even her.

Her brow furrows slightly, sympathetic and a touch concerned. The nonchalant manner of it all breaks her otherwise neutral expression. "Other than not sleeping? I've been okay. Managing anyway." There's a hesitant pause, still bothered by what he said before. "Is there anything you need...?"

[papa-in-perpetuum]

The breezeway they occupied was quiet and cool in the early spring, the night air still. It was peaceful, really, if grander than any Ministry residence Perpetua had seen before. Before he was Papa, before he was Emeritus, before all of this...

Perpetua watched the young sister, his expression unreadable under his mask, before turning his face slightly to hide it deeper in shadow. "From you, dolcezza? No, I do not need anything."

But still, he paused, then shifted slightly where he perched on one of the countless arches lining either side. He patted the stone gently, his hands bare of their normal gloves. "But if you would be kind enough to give it, I would not mind the company..."

[quiet-not-cold]

Catching the glimpse of his bare hands she wonders briefly if she has ever seen him without gloves or the like. Probably not, it wasn't like he was someone she saw often. The next words he speaks are a little surprising to her but it's the way he says it... And besides, she's here, isn't she? She doesn't mind at all.

"Of course." She replies, hopping up beside him on the stone and resting her hands in her lap. There, she lets herself absorb the stillness of the night. It was quite nice tonight, wasn't it? Still a little on the cooler side but not terribly so.

After a moment, she says, "Ephemera- It's what I'm known by. Sometimes "Emery" for short."

[papa-in-perpetuum]

Oh, good evening, Papa. Didn't think you were still awake. How are you? If... If you do not mind me asking.

-Sister E. (Who probably shouldn't be awake right now)

Ah, Sorella. Mi spiace, I have found it somewhat more difficult to sleep in my new quarters, and I am a night owl naturally, as it were.

I am well enough, my child. Thank you for asking. This has been a tumultuous time for us all, and there have been, ah, labor pains. It is normal. I only hope your reasons for being awake are less pressing than my own. Are you well, Sister?

[quiet-not-cold]

"I get restless too. Sometimes." Ephemera says quietly, but politely. Though he is right; things have been, as he puts it, tumultuous lately, reaching even her.

Her brow furrows slightly, sympathetic and a touch concerned. The nonchalant manner of it all breaks her otherwise neutral expression. "Other than not sleeping? I've been okay. Managing anyway." There's a hesitant pause, still bothered by what he said before. "Is there anything you need...?"

[sowhatifiliveinfukuoka]

Isabelle Adjani

🎥 Subway (1985)

[askspitfirestuff]

Anyone awake in this ministry

[quiet-not-cold]

"Yes, actually. Why do you ask?"

[askspitfirestuff]

I miss nesting with the others…I have my blankets with me but I want them to have someone else’s scent….

[quiet-not-cold]

"I see. Hm... I know i'm not a ghoul, but... could I help maybe? Or at least keep you company."

[askspitfirestuff]

Anyone awake in this ministry

[quiet-not-cold]

"Yes, actually. Why do you ask?"