Private Conversations

[dominioned]

The confessional before you is ornate and well maintained, ebony colored wood embellished with the visage of two angels. A jet black curtain separates the confessional from the rest of the Church, offering a surprising degree of privacy to any eavesdroppers nearby. Unlike the rest of Krakow, the inside is dimly lit by a small light bulb securely attached to the ceiling which emits a faint red light. While the atmosphere isn't exactly cozy, it is private.

A smooth voice calls out to you once you've sat down, familiar enough to identify the speaker despite the partition between you.

"Welcome welcome. I take it something is on your mind?"

We're in a museum now, Harry.

Comments

[dominioned]

I cannot say I disagree, on both counts. [ A beat. ]

Some would call it fortune or fate, a mix of both really. But suffice it to say I found her not too long after I finished my work under my past employer.

[notbymyside]

What convinced you to work for her? Was it her charming personality?

[dominioned]

Hoh, that does appeal to some men, but in this case...not in particular. For all that she is, she is very driven, and that I can appreciate.

[notbymyside]

Being driven is still a part of her charming personality, I would say. And I do appreciate how you were able to fluster her so easily.

[dominioned]

I suppose that is true. [ A beat and then another. ]

Is that so? I do consider it a specialty of mine.

[notbymyside]

You are quite talented at it. How do you manage to do it without incurring her wrath?

[dominioned]

I assure you, she does get short with me. But in the presence of so many others, her attention was divided. It's not often that she entertains such a large crowd.

[notbymyside]

I'm surprised that such a talented woman sees a crowd of twenty-seven as 'large'. Does she normally host small parties?

[dominioned]

When you're unfamiliar with public oration, twenty-seven can be seen as such. But yes, she prefers more intimate settings.

[notbymyside]

Please tell me her stage fright isn't the reason she wants us to kill one-another.

[dominioned]

Wouldn't that be a riot? [ By the sound of it, he really does think so. ]

But no, no it's nothing like that. I could never work for someone with such a weak aspiration.

[notbymyside]

Good. I would have been disappointed if you were.

[But now, on to what he's really here for.]

I was hoping to acquire some bandages for Dazai-kun. They're a bit of a fashion statement for him, and they need to be replaced every few days. Is that something you can help me with?

[dominioned]

...a fashion statement.

[ Give him a moment here. ]

You shall have to explain to me how bandages could ever be construed as such, but I am not entirely opposed.

[notbymyside]

It helps with his aesthetic. You already know his past, correct? Well, people underestimate him because he looks small and fragile. Then he can dive right in and punch them in the face before they realize that he's not actually hurt at all.

I also think he finds being covered like that comforting somehow.

[dominioned]

[ He breathes out, amused. ]

How devious. I have heard of comfort blankets before, but this is my first encounter with one that has another use. But tell me, why are you asking on his behalf?

[notbymyside]

Allow me to answer your question with one of my own: are you as familiar with my world as the Lady is?

[dominioned]

[ A notable silence. ]

Hoh? A subordinate should not outclass their boss.

[notbymyside]

Of course not, but I wondered if you still knew some of it.

[But it seems not, so.]

...Dazai-kun is the most important person to me. He's also a teenager again- or I suppose 'still is one' is the accurate description- and in those teenage years he was rather terrible at looking after himself. So I worry about him, and I want to help make things a bit easier for him.

[dominioned]

[ There's some rapping against the wood before he speaks again. ]

In interest of full disclosure on this particular topic—we have the same knowledge regarding every one of you. However, the step to procure said knowledge... let us say it was easier for her to recall the details after the fact.

[ Now to the rest. ]

I see, so you view him as a charge of sorts. Very well then, you may have some bandages, but enough for this week only. If you require more, there is a system set up to address such needs in the post office.

[notbymyside]

[Hmm. That piques his curiosity.]

Very well, I will address further weeks through the post office. Thank you for your consideration.

And in the interest of full disclosure, can you say why it's easier for her?

[dominioned]

...she was less occupied at the time. [ Said rather sulkily. ]

[notbymyside]

'Less occupied'?

[dominioned]

Yes.

[ That explains nothing, but maybe helpfully or not he then adds. ]

Suffice it to say she was in a better state to take copious notes.

[notbymyside]

[It really does explain nothing.]

I...see.

I'm still not too happy about being spied upon like that.

[dominioned]

[ After a moment he sighs, followed by a somewhat loud thud. ]

And I was not happy with what needed to be done to achieve said spying.